I stopped doing a formal list of New Year’s resolutions a long time ago. I don't remember when exactly… I just know that I did. Maybe I just got tired of the process of knowing that, in the end, some of the things I wrote down would get done and others were just wishful thinking.

As a sales manager or VP of Sales, I’m sure there is a long list of things you could come up with that, if committed to and executed, would lead you to great success in 2016. But what is really going to be different this year from last year? My guess is that some of the problems you need to go away in 2016 existed in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Why are they still on the list?

Here are my suggestions for resolutions in 2016 that, if and when executed, will solve most (if not all) of your sales problems.

1. Performance management - Simply inspect what you expect and what you expect will get done.
2. Eliminate excuses – Stop making them for your people and stop accepting them from your people.
3. Coach your people – Focus your attention on the training and coaching that improves skills and changes behaviors.
4. Apply the 80/20 rule to yourself – If there are 20 things you do week in and week out, there are probably only 4 to 6 that really matter. Those 4 to 6 activities generate 80% of your results. Spend 80% of your time doing those things.
5. ABR – Always Be R You have at least 20% of your team that is not performing and are not going to perform. Fire them. In order to do that, recruiting has to be on the list of 20% of the things you do that impact results. Spend at least 20% of your time finding the right talent to do the right job.

Additional Resources:

Hire Better Sales People – Link to a program to eliminate hiring mistakes

Sales Management Certification – Become a better sales manager

9 Keys to Successful Sales Management – A primer on sales management success

Text me for help – 513.226.3913 – Text “HELP” and provide your name.