How to Excel at Standard Sales Jobs

Our natural abilities have a significant influence on our career choice. Unquestionably, genes play a role in shaping our interests, personality traits and aptitudes. And to excel at a standard sales job requires a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors.

These sales-​success factors may be education, practice or experience. And the genetic tendencies may be basic cognitive abilities or more specific personality traits.

Those having a natural ability to connect or an inherent talent for storytelling may be considered natural salespeople. Similarly, showing integrity and the capacity to build trust is a plus. However, many experts say that successful selling is primarily a skill set that can be developed through training and experience.

What Skills Do Standard Sales Jobs Require?

Often, when we speak of a born salesperson, we’re not speaking of skills. What we recognize is their affective presence, charisma, or their natural ability to connect with others. Additionally, natural sellers enjoy a genuine enthusiasm for their work, which typically translates to better performance.

Janek, a sales performance company, maintains that “sales skills are taught, practiced and mastered through repetition, retention, experience, and work”. Their belief is that, among other skillsets, salespeople need:

• Emotional intelligence
• Communication skills
• Analytical skills

Therefore, even with genetic predispositions, a professional seller still needs selling skills to succeed at a standard sales job. 

A ‘Sales Gene’ May Amplify Adaptive Learning

The question of what it takes to make a good salesperson has been asked of some serious academic researchers. Natasha Khullar Relph writing for Success​.com reveals the study and how those WITHOUT the ‘sales gene’ can still be successful.

The research shows there are, indeed, people who are ‘wired for sales’. This study used molecular genetics to link variants to predict performance at a standard sales job. What’s more, they show that genetics contribute more than personality traits.

Researchers concluded that good salespeople are both born AND made. They explain that the sellers’ genetic variants associated with positive educational attainment are better predictors of excellent sales performance.

Relph states, “the ’sales gene’ seems to supercharge adaptive learning. That’s “the ability to quickly figure out new customers and sales opportunities on the fly.” So, the natural tendencies of sellers allow them to more readily embrace and optimize adaptive learning.

Adaptive Learning Focuses on Unique Skills

Adaptive learning is a teaching method that uses data to personalize learning experiences for each student. By tracking student performance and progress, the model will repeat areas of weakness or accelerate strengths to fit student needs. This method also improves communication and collaboration between student and teacher.

One size does not fit all.

Adaptive teaching delivers custom learning experiences that are particularly helpful in supplementing innate predispositions. Learners are provided personalized lessons or exercises based on their strengths, weaknesses and learning style.

Continuous assessment and dynamic adjustments.

The data gathered in testing, time spent and materials’ interaction is assessed for each session. The system then adjusts content in real time to offer challenges or simplification.

Focus on mastery of key concepts.

Concentration is the key to success. Adaptive learning insists on providing additional resources or review of materials until mastery is achieved. Skills required for a standard sales job can be introduced, reviewed and repeated until achievement.

A Variety of Technologies Support Adaptive Teaching

Realizeitlearning​.com offers AI-​powered learning systems for several industries. Machine learning algorithms, language processing and predictive analysis are also technologies involved in adaptive teaching.

Virtual and augmented reality are immersive technologies assisting in role-​playing and pitch practice. AR product visualizations help sellers learn more about complex products and their applications.

Adaptive learning practice can create highly individualized learning experiences for those seeking standard sales jobs. The practice is particularly well matched to those with innate sales tendencies.

Photo by Jopwell on Pexels​.com