Here’s Why Sales Pros Don’t Accomplish All Their Goals

by | Oct 25, 2019 | Sales Motiviation

Even if you are thoughtful and deliberate when setting your goals, if you’re like most sales professionals, you don’t accomplish all of them. There are a number of reasons why you might fall short, but one of the most common ones I see is a lack of goal tracking.

At this time of year, sales pros around the world are developing their plans for 2020, In addition to your goals, I encourage you to make another commitment once the year starts: track your goal progress.

Tracking is the magic ingredient that makes goal-setting so powerful.

If you write your sales goals and put them in a binder that sits on the top shelf of a little-used cabinet, you are wasting a golden opportunity. Check your sales goals at least once a quarter, preferably once a month.

As you read your goals, think about what you have and have not accomplished. Determine if you are on schedule. In other words, at the end of the first quarter, you should theoretically have accomplished 25 percent of your goals. At the end of the year, thoroughly review and evaluate your performance on each goal.

You can buy a software program to help you with goals, and most CRMs have a component for your own sales goals, but I like to keep it simple. I have created a goal-tracking spreadsheet that I use every year. I enter each of my goals. After each goal, there is a space for the date of completion. I also put in a line for writing notes or descriptive details. When a goal is completely accomplished, I place a check in a box.

Using a simple tracking tool has done wonders for me. Each year, my list of ambitions (and consequently my list of sales goals) grows longer, yet I still accomplish most of it. Any time I do anything related to one of my goals, I note it on my spreadsheet. This is actually quite enjoyable as I derive satisfaction anytime I achieve another goal.

I keep past years’ goal-tracking information for a record of my life. If self-doubt ever creeps into my mind, I can pull out last year’s tracking form and remind myself that I have a lot to be proud of and that yes, I truly can and do produce results.

The Power of Sharing

Tracking alone isn’t the only way to ensure that goals are accomplished. Sales professionals should share goals with their managers. Each month, or at least each quarter, managers should sit down with each of their reps and assess progress. I know it’s difficult to schedule these meetings when everyone is so busy, but believe me; these little commitments of time and effort pay off handsomely over the course of a year. If you’re the owner or CEO of the company, you could share your goals with your partners, board members or a hired coach/consultant.

Goal Presentations

Some companies have each sales rep deliver a 20-minute presentation on his or her goals to the entire sales team or the sales management team. This activity is not a fit for every company culture, but the theory is that people are more likely to complete goals that they have presented to a group of people as opposed to presenting them to just their boss. Disclaimer: some people might hate this because they see it as an invasion of their privacy.

Reality Check

No matter how motivated you are and how diligent you are at tracking your goals, there is a decent chance you won’t accomplish 100 percent of your annual plan. Don’t beat yourself up too much if this happens. At the end of the year, simply evaluate why you failed to do it. Then determine if the unaccomplished goal still is consistent with your values and the strategic plan. If it is, move it to next year’s goal-tracking list and get started on it earlier in the year. If the goal no longer is important to you, kill it and move on to more relevant goals.

Jeff Beals helps you find better prospects, close more deals and capture greater market share. He is an international award-winning author, sought-after keynote speaker, and accomplished sales consultant. He delivers compelling speeches and sales-training workshops worldwide. He has spoken in 5 countries and 41 states. A frequent media guest, Jeff has been featured in Investor’s Business Daily, USA Today, Men’s Health, Chicago Tribune and The New York Times.

To discuss booking a presentation, go to JeffBeals.com or send an email to info@jeffbeals.com.

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