Creating a Development Plan for Sales Managers: Your Path to Leadership Success

Why Every Sales Manager Needs a Development Plan

Feeling like your career’s on autopilot, just cruising along?

It’s easy to do.

But here’s the truth:

If you’re serious about becoming a stronger sales leader, you need a map—a plan that keeps you moving toward your big goals. That’s what a development plan does. It’s like GPS for your growth as a sales manager.

Now, don’t get me wrong—self-development is important too (I covered some good tips on that here). But adding structure, like specific goals and timelines, can turn those personal growth ideas into actual progress. Plus, having a clear path forward makes everything feel more doable.

Ready to create your roadmap? Let’s break it down step-by-step…

Elevating Sales Performance

Customer Relationship Management and Data Analysis

As a professional sales rep, I understand the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with clients. However, the process of managing and analyzing customer data can be time-consuming and complex. That's where customer relationship management (CRM) software and data analysis come in. In this article, I'll be sharing my personal experience with using CRM software and data analysis to boost my sales performance.

 

Firstly, CRM software has been a game-changer for me in terms of managing customer data. 

In A Sales Company, People Don't Leave The Company, People Leave People

The statement "In a sales company, people don't leave the company. People leave people" is generally true. While there may be other factors that contribute to an employee's decision to leave a company, the quality of their relationship with their manager or supervisor is often a significant factor. A poor relationship with a manager can lead to a negative work environment, lack of motivation, and ultimately, a decision to leave the company.

NOTE: As a sales manager, tackling daily challenges is par for the course, but there are ways to navigate them effectively. In this article on handling managerial challenges, I dive into the real hurdles managers face and practical strategies to overcome them.

It's important to note that people tend to leave their managers, not the company. 

Managing Managerial Challenges: Navigating Difficult Work Environments and Incompetent Supervisors

It's not uncommon for employees to leave a job because of issues with their manager or supervisor. Incompetent managers can create a challenging work environment, making it difficult for employees to do their jobs effectively and to feel valued.

It can be frustrating to work under a manager who doesn't have the skills or experience to effectively lead the team, and it can be especially difficult when you feel like your manager is not providing the support or guidance you need to be successful in your job.

QUICK NOTE: Need a straightforward game plan to get the best from your sales team? In this guide to three effective sales management procedures, I break down simple but impactful strategies for managers.

If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to try to address the issue with your manager directly. You can set up a meeting to discuss your concerns and to ask for the support and guidance you need to be successful in your job.

Self-Development For Sales Manager

Self-development for sales manager focuses on developing of attitudes, skills and knowledge that help the manager grows personally and professionally. The (ASK – Attitude, Skill, Knowledge) are important because they enable you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses, that contribute to the overall competency. 

In this article, I’ll describe some of the most important self-development skills for you, who manage a sales team, that can help you become more capable and confident in your career. The purpose is to increase your potential for management success, better performance and to take advantage of your growth opportunities. 

So, let’s start shall we with .. 

Self-development For Sales Manager

Essential Skills For Sales Leadership

Experienced business owners who want to grow their sales exponentially can inspire their business and attract high-performing sales team members with their sales leadership skills. Sales leadership can also benefit ambitious salespeople, who are expanding their reach. Challenge your team and create a sales culture that promotes excellence.

3 Effective Sales Management Procedures

Sales supervisors, it’s up to us to drive the success (or, yep, even the setbacks) of our sales teams. We’re the leaders, the motivators, the ones who set the tone and build a positive environment for our teams. If that sounds like a tall order, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

Here’s a super short guide on some sales manager survival tips to help keep you on track. Check out this quick-read guide.

Top management can give us the tools to build a high-performing, collaborative team—which is vital for company growth. If you’re looking to take your sales team to the next level and crush your sales goals, here are the three best management strategies to help your team operate at its best.

REAL QUICK: As a sales manager, tackling daily challenges is par for the course, but there are ways to navigate them effectively. In this article on handling managerial challenges, I dive into the real hurdles managers face and practical strategies to overcome them

Effective Sales Management Techniques

Why Sales Management is More Than Just Hitting Numbers

Let’s be real—managing a sales team is no walk in the park. It’s a blend of motivating, guiding, and sometimes even coaching everyone through the ups and downs of sales life. Sure, hitting targets is essential, but great sales management goes deeper than numbers. It’s about setting your team up to actually enjoy what they’re doing while reaching those goals.

QUICK NOTE: Need a straightforward game plan to get the best from your sales team? In this guide to three effective sales management procedures, I break down simple but impactful strategies for managers. And since managing people comes with its own set of challenges, don’t miss this deep dive into managing common managerial hurdles for extra support on your journey.

So if you’re ready to take your team to the next level (and keep them loving what they do), here are some techniques that can make a big difference.

What Kind Of Thing Sales Managers Can Do To Their Salespeople?

The Worst Thing A Sales Manager Can Do To Salespeople

You're going to discover the worst thing that a sales manager can do to a salesperson.

It might not be what you have in mind right now, so, not to let you play the guessing game, read on to find out what it is.

And to those who find this blog, looking for tips to ace sales manager's interview, regional sales manager interview, or the like, make sure you double read this post.

It will be a huge help later.

Let me set a quick scenario so that we can understand my point better:

How To Survive Your Job As Sales Manager

The Sales Manager Who Survive

I'm choosing to write this interesting post about a sales manager who survives for the reason that I might look back one day and tell someone:

"Look. It's OK to be a sales manager but be the one worth working with."

That's the whole point of this post.

I can see that many people who came to this blog wanting to know about how to ace sales manager interviews and I respect that. 

It tells me that you want to move ahead in your career.

Management post could be your best next post.

Just like I hinted earlier:

It's OK to be a manager but the one worth working with.

I use "working with" not "working for" here unless you own the company. 

I have not worked with sales reps who own a pharma company yet. 

In every case, it's working together, not working for a manager.

Let's talk about the sales manager who survived: