Learn The 11 Bad Habits That Can Destroy Inside Sales Productivity

Inside sales is a competitive field where professionals need to bring an incredible work ethic to the job each day. Unfortunately, some find that their habits, which include choice of equipment, can hurt their sales productivity and their careers. Here are 11 bad habits that every sales professional should focus on eliminating.

1)      HAVING A CLUTTERED WORKSPACE

When people have a disorganized workspace, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the clutter, which then leads to distraction. Having a clear and organized workspace can help clear the thoughts and remain focused on the tasks at hand.

2)      EATING WHILE WORKING

It can be tempting to avoid breaks, particularly when in the middle of a sales streak. The habit of eating at the desk however, can make it difficult to clear the mind and rejuvenate. Taking time away from the cubicle to enjoy lunch can result in more focus in the afternoon.

3)      NOT GETTING ENOUGH EXERCISE

According to Harvard Men’s Health Watch, one of the best ways to fight “brain fog” and forgetfulness, is to exercise. Exercise helps to lift people’s moods while lowering their stress and anxiety, two big things that can inhibit higher productivity in sales.

4)      NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP

Not getting enough sleep can impact professionals on several levels. It can hinder the ability to learn and remember information while also influencing judgment and mood--negatively impacting sales goals.

5)      NOT STAYING UP-TO-DATE

Learning doesn’t end when you graduate. Business is always changing, and staying informed is an essential to being a successful sales rep. Luckily, with an abundance of digital and social media news, it should be relatively easy to stay up-to-date.

6)      GETTING INVOLVED IN CONFLICTS

According to author and researcher Renee Cocchi, employees getting involved in conflicts within the workplace can lose up to 3 hours of work per week. Inside sales reps who want to improve their bottom line should stay focused on their own work.

7)      PROCRASTINATING

When people procrastinate on tasks that need to be finished, they tend to develop bad habits that can hurt their productivity in the long run. Procrastinating contributes to wasting time and losing focus, which makes it a challenge to accomplish jobs later on.

8)      SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME INSIDE

Spending time outdoors has been shown to help people lower their stress levels as well as reduce the potential impact of mental health problems, such as seasonal affective disorder.

9)      DRINKING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL (AFTER WORK)

Alcohol has the potential to negatively disrupt sales productivity as well. Many professionals who consume alcoholic beverages regularly find that drinks disrupt their sleep cycles, making it harder for them to concentrate the next day.

10)   NOT USING THE BEST SALES ACCELERATION TOOLS

Utilizing sales acceleration technology, phone dialers,  voice dialers, or speed dialers which use predictive analytics to connect with prospects from the CRM system, is the smart way to advance your inside sales career. Start with a CRM. Then add the tools that make sense for your business. Click Dialer®, Personal Dialer®, and Team Dialer® from ConnectLeader®, powered by their predictive intelligence engine, Adaptylictics™ and data-enriched by the Data Genie™, are perfect examples of a suite of sales tools which will improve selling productivity by allowing reps to spend more time selling and less time doing everything else.

11)   NOT HAVING ENOUGH LIVE CONVERSATIONS

Social media and email are great for research and networking, but live conversations are required to succeed in inside sales. The sooner you speak with a prospect, the better chance you have of closing the deal. Simply ... more connects equal more revenue. And in today’s business world getting quality leads and correct information requires that social media data is working for the sales rep, as opposed to it being a break from work for the sales rep. Assuring that the CRM system is updated properly and tied to the sales team is key to getting the kind of contacts that lead to sales. Sales reps need the best sales lead generation information to get into that sales pipeline, so that their social research will lead to contacts that lead to contracts.
Author: Pat Morrissey