No network means no business; that’s the brutal reality. The majority of new openings are not advertised or announced; the higher the profile of the business, the bigger the prize, the less likely it is that the opportunity will be made common knowledge. No, the ripest plums are plucked by Sales professionals with an inside line - canny individuals who have devoted their time to building up a network.Networking is developing a broad list of contacts; the people you meet at various social and business functions can be an invaluable source of knowledge, giving you sales leads, providing information on a particular company or industry and in turn introducing you to others, further expanding your network.Successful networking is all about putting in the energy required to make it work and knowing how to direct that energy. You need to by super-organised, keeping a record of contacts and getting in touch with them regularly, either on the phone, via email or at the more sophisticated end, through a PR campaign. Part of being organised is setting goals for yourself, calling 5 decision makers a week, for example.You’ll need to develop a firm grasp of lead search basics. First, make some decisions on the types of sales leads you want - which companies and industries interest you. Then, review the contacts from your initial network and expand this to a second and third tier, continuing until you get referrals back to your first tier.Follow up with your network. The key is keeping your network informed of your situation and thanking them for their efforts. Never take your network for granted.SalesLinksAbout usInterim and contractsSalary comparison toolContact usNews and updatesLinksSales recruitment – Q3 market updateSales recruitment - market update H1 2014Sales in the packaging industry – a market updateSales testimonialsInsight and adviceLinksWhy should you develop the talent in your sales team?What does a great sales CV look likeWhy should you use a recruiter in your job search?What are the effects of candidate uncertainty in the market?How to identify a top sales candidateDo you value your employees as much as you should?A flexible sales team: why you need dynamic working optionsWhy should you use a recruiter in your job search?Successfully prepare and pitch your sales solutionThe science of sales part 3 – ForecastingThe science of sales part 2 – Selling valueThe science of sales part 1 – Intelligence based prospectingInterview with Francois Stoop, vice president of sales Europe at First Sight In…Interim commercial managers bring positive changeSales recruitment: key skills to identify when hiring top talentPrinciples of persuasionManaging clientsSales networkingSales interview guideSelling in a slow marketEffective sales recruitment: the key behaviours of a top sales managerThe sixty seconds sales seriesSeven insightful interview questions to ask a sales candidateSales recruitment and employee ‘buy back’
