fbpx

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 16 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

    “People are always interested in ways to generate Sales and as someone who has spent all their career in this area, there are a number of Universal principles I have learned and am happy to share with a wider audience."

    Some of the topics I am used to presenting include:

    • 6 Reasons why most Sales Teams Underperform
    • The ABC of Sales – Leveraging your Brand Equity
    • Customer Service – How it can become a sustainable point of difference, whatever your business.

  • Read about us

    Client Testimonials

    • “Jonathan has been a great help to me recently. He has been out on several field visits, given constructive criticism but more importantly given me useful tips, tatics and tools and how to implement them to add value to my customers and developing business opportunities with them. Since working with JMR I have also recommended Jonathan to a friend's business with a £25million turnover. Jonathan is now working with the Sales force there now!”

      Darren Whiteside - Contracts Manager North

    • Jonathan quickly gets under the skin of an organisation, the offerings, the people and the clients. He combined his wealth of sales and people experience, coaching, mentoring and training with a huge amount of flexibility to bring out the best of everyone. Jonathan gave me confidence in my sales abilities, refining my approach over a period of time. Our business growth in the last six months is due to Jonathan's substantial input. He is warm, genuine and funny and an absolute pleasure to work with.

      Jude Jennison - Author & Conference and Motivational Speaker

    • I had a mentoring session with Jonathan that set the scene for a major, much-needed change for me in my working and business activities. He was honest, upfront and said those things that I didn't want to hear. He then checked in on me a month later, keeping me to account. I now have more time, the right focus and love what I do even more with results that reflect all of that. Thank you Jonathan.

      Kerrie Dorman - Founder of the ABM and Head Mentor at Sinclair Dorman

Get in touch


0121 355 6611


07785 928518


jonathan@jmrsales.co.uk

Featured on The Human Element Podcast

Episode 02 - Jonathan Ratcliff

Listen Now