• 0121 674 4200

A World Without Sales People

I was having lunch with a good friend of mine last week. She is a web developer and Social Media Guru. She relayed to me the story of one of her clients who was so delighted with their new website that they did not need their Sales people any more. They had been 'let go' as an unnecessary overhead.

It got me thinking.

Sure, I understand that the world is changing and consumer habits are moving online (as well as B2B) but are the days of the Sales Person really numbered?

According to The Institute of The Future (a Californian ThinkTank and quoted in The Guardian in 2010), "The second decade of the 21st century will see the rise of a mechanised army that will revolutionise private and public life just as radically as the internet and social media have shaken up the past 10 years." And yet today Feb 15th 2017 we are being told that we have record levels of employment which is running at 74.6%.

Could that be another forecaster getting it horribly wrong with a scare story? Possibly and yet automation is undoubtedly coming and it may well lead to enormous shifts in employment in the future.

But what does this all mean for Sales people?

Like any other profession, if you adapt to new technology, emerging markets and changes in the buying habits of your customers you can still thrive but if you are stuck in the 90's or even the 80's and have not learned new techniques, new styles or evolved into new markets then the new behaviors will appear frightening.

Maybe it is just inflexible Sales people who should be worried. Those who can adapt, embrace and learn will continue to add enormous value for their employers or clients.

I challenge my fellow Sales professionals to keep relevant, embrace new ideas, keep inquisitive and keep on learning from the myriad sources that are available.

These are exciting times and if you need help with some of the new ideas and ways in which your Sales team can adapt to the increasing speed of change, please do get in touch. I have plenty of suggestions which have worked with other clients. They may work for you.

  • Great opportunities

    Helping you grow

    For over 12 years, JMR Sales & Consultancy has been offering help to businesses which are struggling to grow in line with expectations. We offer a discreet resource to support business owners in reaching their aspirations by understanding your markets, your products, your people and your culture. JMR Sales has a long list of satisfied customers across industries as diverse as High Street Retailing, Automotive, Catering, Recruitment and Hotels.

    Read more

  • Decades of experience

    JMR Sales & Consultancy use their expertise in Sales Consultancy and Strategic Development to support Managing Directors, Sales Directors and Business Managers or Owners to solve a wide range of challenges their company can face.

    Offering short to mid term contracts, JMR Sales & Consultancy can offer a fresh pair of eyes to a failing sales plan; coach an under-achieving sales team and offer support as a Business Coach.

  • Speaking Profile

    Since leaving Carlsberg over 12 years ago, I have set up my own company, JMR Sales & Consultancy Ltd., to help a variety of companies with short to mid term contracts helping to solve a wide range of their business challenges.

    My primary skill is in Sales Consultancy and Strategic Development but I have also had the opportunity to work in full time ‘hands on’ roles as a Purchasing Director, Marketing Manager, Commercial Director, National Account Manager and Customer Sales Director.

    Speaking topics include The ABC of Sales – Leveraging your Brand Equity to increase revenue and profits; Strategic Partnerships – How to develop, formalise and generate substantial benefit from them; Customer Service – How it can be a Sustainable point of Difference for SME Growth; and Character and Style.

  • Read about us

    Client Testimonials

    • “Jonathan is a real pleasure to work with, and has really helped to develop the sales skills of all different colleagues, from direct sales staff to people in a supportive role too. Results and improvements were clear to see!”

      Laura Savage, Head of Skills at (PeoplePlus Academies) at PeoplePlus part of Staffline Group also Nuffield Scholar 2014

    • “Jonathan is an outstanding professional with the ability to combine insight, professionalism and demonstrate added value to all business projects undertaken.”

      Heather Bowler, Senior Vice President Communications at Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)

    • “During my time working with Jonathan he showed himself to be a thoroughly professional, well motivated individual who always worked towards the best interests of the business.”

      Alex Smith, AMCA, Finance Director at Worldwide Magazine Distribution

Get in touch


0121 674 4200


07785 928518


jonathan@jmrsales.co.uk

Featured on the The Next 100 Days Podcast

#58 Sales Strategy Insights with Jonathan Ratcliff

Listen Now