published August 21, 2012

How to Motivate Your Sales Team without Focusing Solely on Money

Motivating your sales teamTo encourage your sales team, you need the right mix of awards, recognition and peer pressure. A good motivation program for your sales team is one that not only excites the managers but also appeals to the average and below average salespeople. You need to begin by understanding what will offer that excitement to each of your salespeople. Is it about taking care of his/her family's health? Is it about being recognized in front of family and peers? Is it to beat a previous sales record? The secret is to identify what motivates them by getting to know about their interests, things they value in life or recreational activities.

Here are several ways in which you can motivate your sales team without relying on just money:

  • Knowing that the company is benefiting from their work can be a big morale booster. Never fail to let your best sales people know that you support them and value their efforts and achievements. This way you also cultivate their loyalty for your Company.
  • Invest in helping build their sales and technical skills by encouraging them to attend trade shows, seminars or through other professional courses. Regular training sessions will generate goodwill and show your Company's willingness to invest time and money in their success.
  • Provide them with useful information regularly and keeping up-to-date with the product and industry can add an edge to their performance. Hold regular training sessions to share product enhancements, analyze competition or to share sales tips.
  • Offer them competitive benefits that include a retirement plan, health insurance, sick time or a generous vacation.
  • Keep your doors open to your team's grievances, to share their concerns or to provide constructive feedback.
  • Always set achievable goals, because unrealistic goals can severely impact your sales team's motivation and their confidence in their skills.
  • Share the sales quotas with a defined plan to help your sales team achieve their sales goals. Schedule one-on-one meetings with each salesperson to discuss the sales strategy individually and the support they can expect from the Company to meet their targets.
  • Celebrate their success. Never fail to recognize good work, and reward your sales people when they achieve their sales quota. Showcasing their success or appreciating them in front of their peers can be a big motivation to them.
  • Don't be too hard on your team when sales figures are not achieved, as this may further bring down their morale.
As an employer, you should try to find out individual motivations for each member of your sales team. You should be open to unconventional methods of rewarding your sales team besides money.

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