It can be easy to make a misstep when you're not aware of the best ways of doing your job. It may seem simple to some sales associates how to complete their daily tasks, but these ideas are often misconceptions or ill-informed generalizations about what they should be doing. In order to gain a better grasp of their profession, it's essential that sales coaching intervene early in the on-boarding process and frequently throughout every staff member's career. This will ensure all employees stay on the right track in terms of setting goals and meeting them.

Targeting training weaknesses
Business 2 Community wrote that one of the leading causes for these misconceptions and poor practices are managers involved in the training process. The source stated that, at one point, sales leaders were once successful representatives who moved up in the company, but that transition sometimes can make them complacent. Instead of focusing only on the big picture, managers need to look at daily quotas and smaller deals in order to meet more substantial goals. What's more, only treating the largest customers with due diligence could put other partnerships at risk. It's best to try and approach every transaction as the most important so as to promote thoroughness in customer service and heightened customer satisfaction.

Sales coaching red flags
The source also pointed out that some leaders may not take their responsibilities seriously, engendering dissent and lethargy in their departments. In a separate Business 2 Community article, executives were advised to carefully review performance metrics from leaders as well as the units they are in charge of. Often if there's a coaching disconnect at the management level, it will be apparent by looking at productivity figures, customer retention and consistency with which personnel meet individual, team and corporate goals. The source stated it's a good idea to look at the weakest member of the group, too, in order to determine if that person is getting enough attention and what kind of training opportunities the manager is directing toward that staff member.

Circumventing training errors and defusing potential job-related misgivings can help employees better fulfill their daily tasks and long-term goals. This can often be attained through better management and leadership, so improving current outlooks of people in this higher roles will ensure that those beneath them are given the kind of training and personal attention they need to be their best.