HomeAbout UsConsultingTrainingArticlesCase StudiesContact

The Importance of Effective Implementation Lies In Psychology


Author: Alan Gillies

How many times have we been to a sales seminar, or to a top-flight convention, to become totally engrossed in what we find there, able to "milk" in the atmosphere and to feel the motivation building up inside us? This is exactly what these events are designed to do, to instil that sense of excitement, ready to propel us into the market and really sell whatever product or service is in question. Pharma training sessions or books can be similarly motivational and there is always an important time and a place for these tools to be used by the typical sales force. However, we can never underestimate the importance of effective implementation, as when the "rubber hits the road," a lot of that motivation quickly seems to be absorbed into the atmosphere.

This is a problem that has plagued the corporate trainer or the motivational speaker for generations. It may be relatively easy to propel a salesperson to make a plan and to thereby establish a relative goal, but the execution is often the challenge. It's all very well talking about theoretical situations in a classroom environment, outlining the threats and challenges that are likely to be faced in the real world and implementing training to ensure that the salesperson is best prepared to cope. However, it must be understood that very many different factors come into play when the salesperson is actually engaged with the prospect and one could argue that the biggest hurdle facing the salesperson when trying to "land" a sale is the attitude or subconscious direction displayed by the salesperson him or herself.

Pharmaceutical sales training must be careful not to introduce impossible, sometimes psychological barriers, which would effectively stand in the way of effective implementation. Corporate goals may suggest that a 100% result is required and that the salesperson should have only one true goal in mind. Often, however, the salesperson must be able to use individual initiative and to understand that opportunities come in many different shapes and forms. Sometimes, a relatively high percentage result is better than 100% of nothing.

A sales person must be taught that a display of persistence in the face of adversity is important. While it is also important to recognise when the parameters have changed so much that a goal is simply not achievable anymore, it is so important to maintain course when surmountable obstacles are laid in the way. This requires a person to adapt and evolve and use internal motivation to dodge the final line of defence and score the goal.

The sales force must be supported in the field and anything less than total commitment from the organisation in terms of resources, training, as well as product strength and deliverability will undoubtedly result in a lower effective rate of implementation. When key account management training is under the microscope, the “point” person will not be able to service accordingly and implement effectively unless specific and unequivocal parameters have been set by senior management at the outset.

Bookmark and ShareComments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink


By TwitterButtons.com