Tips for Working Remotely

While many sales teams have returned to the office, hundreds of sales reps are still working remotely, at least on a limited basis. In some cases, sales reps are allowed to “permanently” work remotely one or two days per week. Regardless of your office policy, there will no doubt be many remote work days in your future, so below are a few tips to increase productivity.

First, I refer back to yesterday’s article, you have to take control of your day and not the other way around.

Structure your day. Obviously the better your plan for the day, the less likely you’ll be to get distracted. Set a clear plan, breaking down by hour and task. Make sure you know what you need to achieve for the day. Set daily goals and work hard to achieve them.
Use this opportunity to prove yourself. Managers are humans as well and quite frankly, many of them are compensated based on YOUR success. Check in with them regularly, offer updates on you’re accomplishments. This does not mean to report only good news. If you are having trouble with a client, project or anything else, ask for their help. They will appreciate that you value their feedback. Communication is key for success with clients, colleagues and managers.
Create a workspace that motivates you. We conduct meetings virtually now more than ever and it’s always interesting to see people’s backgrounds and work environments. Some people have staged backdrops that are very professional, others show their personality and home office while others, unfortunately, think it’s okay to work from their bed. You don’t need a large space so find an area that you can make as your own. Depending on your personality, add a few books, plants, photos or whatever else you need to help you stay focused on your tasks.
Enjoy the perks of working from home. You need to work hard and produce results. That’s your job. But it’s also important to reward yourself and enjoy the perks of working remotely. Take a walk, play with your pet, visit your kids’ school during lunch and eat with them. Whatever you decide your perk from working remotely is, just make sure that you earn it first.
Look for training opportunities. Working in sales right now is challenging and can be tough. But as we all know, it can also be very rewarding. Be smart with your time. Always spend a little time each week on educational content. While your company may provide regular training, it’s always important to invest in yourself.

Key Takeaways:

-While working remotely, stay structured

-Create a workspace that motivates you

-Enjoy the perks of working remotely

-Look for training opportunities

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Customer Service While Working Remotely

You don’t have to be in an office to provide superior customer service. Many of the same rules apply regardless of where you are working with clients or customers. Below are a few tips on how to handle a client when an issue arises.

Every sales rep has to deal with client issues. Hopefully the issue will be minor, but regardless, if a client is upset it should always be treated as a big deal. Take ownership of what has gone wrong. Even if you were not responsible, this will give the client a sense that they are respected and understood. It will also let the client know that you are working with the client to get the issue resolved. The client will be a lot more understanding and willing to keep working with you. On the flip side, reps that get defensive and place blame will lose credibility with the client. Often then, the client will either stop doing business with your company or request a new rep. It’s okay to fall on the sword sometimes. If the client knows you truly feel bad and are beating yourself up over the issue, they’re much more likely to forgive and forget.
Make sure the client feels heard. Once a client has addressed an issue, repeat back a quick, clear summary of the issue. This will let them know that you heard what they were saying and that you understand why they’re upset. If you have further questions, ask them. This will let them know you’re really present and listening.
Always show empathy. The simplest approach for dealing with clients, whether things are going perfectly or whether there are issues, is to imagine yourself in their position. By putting yourself into the shoes of your client, you will better understand the needs and desires of your client and help to make the interaction more efficient and pleasant.

Key Takeaways:

-Take ownership of the issue

-Make sure the client feels heard

-Always show empathy