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Are you about to move into a new managerial position?  If so, congratulations!  Your hard work and dedication have earned you the title – now, it’s your job to live up to it.

If you’ve just been promoted or are about to start work in a new sales manager position, here are three essential tips to consider:

Keep the big picture in mind.

On the sales floor, your job was to stay focused and meet your goals.  As a manager, you still need to understand those goals and how to meet them – but you also need to know how each salesperson’s goals fit into the department’s “big picture,” and how the sales department operates to support the mission and goals of the company as a whole.

As you learn the ropes of your new job, focus on fitting each new task into the “big picture.”  Think about how you can explain that picture clearly and concisely to someone who has to take on each of those tasks.  Then, do it – the more you communicate the overall goal to your staff, the easier it is for them to take ownership of the work required to make it happen.

Practice empathy.

Empathy and understanding go a long way when it comes to leading others, and both start with communication.  Make an effort to listen to your team members as much as you speak to them.  When you position yourself as a leader who listens, you gain an invaluable resource: the perspective of your team members, who are on the “front lines” and are often the first to anticipate an incoming problem.  Listen and put yourself in your team members’ shoes before you recommend a course of action.

Never underestimate the power of trust.

Trust between you and your staff can move mountains.  When your staff trust you to listen to them, take their concerns seriously and work to solve problems they cannot solve themselves, they’re more likely to go the extra mile.  And when staff know you trust them to do their jobs well, they’re more likely to take ownership of the work, producing outstanding results.

At SMR Group Ltd, our recruiters can help you find the best job openings in the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device industries – and stand out, whether you’re applying for a new position or seeking to do well in a new promotion.  Contact us today to learn more about our medical sales career opportunities.


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