Sales advisors are a special breed of people. They have the power to make or break your company. If you want to succeed and grow, it is important that you hire and train the best sales advisor possible for your business. This blog post will cover what is a sales advisor, as well as how they can help increase conversion rates for any type of organization.
This is a guide for people who are willing to have a successful start into their new role as Sales Advisor. This does not contain everything that you need to know, but it will help you to know what is a sales advisor.
What is a sales advisor and how to be a successful sales advisor? A very big part of being a successful Sales Advisor depends on the team you work in. This means that if you're working for an outstandingly friendly and supportive manager, and surrounded by great colleagues, this job might be perfect for you!
Note: Always strive to become better than your current standard; don't settle down too early - always try to improve yourself and aim higher.
Remember: If we all did the same thing (or set our goals way too high there would only be one outcome - nothing would ever get done.
To be successful in this role you need to take full responsibility for yourself. Don't wait around to see what others are doing - always try to improve your own performance.
Also, don't compare yourself with others too much! You may have a great start but make one mistake and the rest of your colleagues will quickly catch up with you.
Your main responsibilities as a Sales Advisor include:
1) Meeting and greeting customers - if possible saying goodbye before they exit the store (hey, it's not that easy when you're selling fashion!)
We expect our Sales Advisors to give an indication that they care about their work and their customers. A huge part of our success is because we love our work, and our customers can feel it.
2) Advising on products - giving feedback on what looks good on the customer, how a certain outfit can be styled, etc.
3) Processing transactions - handling different types of payments and helping with returns/exchanges
1. Strive to become better than your current standard; don't settle down too early - always try to improve yourself and aim higher.
Remember: If we all did the same thing (or set our goals way too high there would only be one outcome - nothing would ever get done.
2. Always take into consideration the other person's needs; be mindful of their time and attention span. Never make them feel rushed or pressurized, especially while processing transactions (e.g. while using the POS).
3. Use your product knowledge to give accurate information to customers; read up on new products before they come into store if you're able, this will help you gain more confidence when suggesting certain items that you know are great.
This way you can improve your customer service skills while simultaneously increasing your own personal performance/product knowledge!
4. When working in a store, always try to 'play the part'. We aim for our brands' identities so don't wear something completely different - wear an item from each brand within your look, same as what is seen on our shop floor.
There are a few golden rules that we live by as Sales Advisors:
1. Always be polite, smile and be friendly to every customer - no matter who they are or how busy you are. Remember: You're the first person that they'll meet when entering the store, so make a good impression!
2. If you don't know the answer to a question, always say so and find out as soon as possible. Don't make things up or give wrong information - this will only frustrate the customer and might even lose them for life!
3. Use your initiative; if you see something that needs to be done, don't wait for a Manager. If you're unsure about where things should go or what can be done instead of hanging around, ask a more senior colleague if they have a second to show you the ropes.
4. Never walk away from a customer without saying goodbye or pushing them in the right direction if this is needed.
Remember: Their time is valuable and we appreciate everything that they do for us.
5. Always try your best - it's good enough! We expect our Sales Advisors to always give 100% even when working alone, but also understand that not everything can be achieved at once and relax when situations get difficult! As mentioned earlier: Success depends on TEAMWORK!
A sales advisor is one of the most valuable members of any company. Here are some top skills that they need to have:
1) Communication Skills - Good communication is essential for customer service providers whether it's over the phone or face to face. This is one of the essential skill sets for every member in a company; however, this is something which can be particularly valuable to a sales advisor.
They need to know how to communicate with all different kinds of people, especially their customers and colleagues. The type of language they use should be clear and concise so that everyone understands them properly.
Also, their tones should be calm and relaxed when communicating with their customers; nobody wants to speak with an angry person on the phone!
2) Empathy- Identifying and resolving customer complaints or problems is what sales advisors do best. Sales advisors should always show empathy towards their customers because it makes interactions much easier and more personalised for both parties.
If the customer feels that the advisor understands their problem and is trying to help them fix it, they will be much more likely to make a purchase.
3) Problem-Solving Skills- A sales advisor’s job is to help solve problems for their customers. This might mean finding the best solution for them when it comes to products or services, or helping to resolve any complaints that they may have.
They need to be able to think on their feet and come up with creative solutions quickly in order to keep their customers happy.
4) Relationship-Building Skills- It’s not all about selling products and services; a good sales advisor also needs to build strong relationships with their customers.
This means being friendly and personable, as well as being able to effectively communicate with them. They also need to be good listeners and empathetic when their customers are talking about any problems they have, so that they can give them the best advice possible.
Sales Advisors should know how to use both basic PC programs, such as Microsoft Word or Excel, but also more advanced software related to sales, customer service or products.
An example of this might include salesforce.com which enables you to manage leads and opportunities in real-time from any device connected to the internet.
Sales advisor education and training can vary, but typically it includes learning about the company's products and services, how to identify customer needs, and how to close a sale.
Sales advisors may also receive training on effective communication and negotiation techniques, as well as how to handle objections. Some advisors may also be required to complete courses in sales psychology or consumer behavior.
Many companies provide their sales advisors with ongoing training and support, which can help them stay up-to-date on the latest products, services, and sales techniques.
This training can help sales advisors stay confident and successful in their roles. Additionally, it can help create a positive work environment where employees feel supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
If you're interested in becoming a sales advisor, be sure to explore the education and training options available to you. This can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role.
Many companies fail when recruiting new staff because they don't provide adequate support and training. When a talented candidate is hired, it's in the company's interest to make sure they stay.
But all too often when recruitment goes well, management quickly gets caught up with other issues and forgets about their new recruit. As a result, the poor fellow is left floundering.
The solution? Provide your Sales Advisor with these resources to set them on the right path from day one! This will not only speed up their training but also significantly increase their productivity.
These are fairly basic textbooks that every Sales Advisor should have at least glanced through before being let loose on customers, yet I still get people who have never even heard of them:
If your company is willing to invest in your staff, there are also many excellent sales training programs available. Two that come to mind are Sandler Training and The Sales Institute.
Both of these companies provide world-class training for a fraction of the cost of sending employees away for weeks or months at a time. They also offer ongoing support and coaching, which is essential for long-term success.
No matter how talented your Sales Advisor may be, they will still need some tools to help them do their job. These can include:
If your company doesn't provide these tools, or if the Sales Advisor needs more specialized tools, it's up to you to make sure they have what they need.
This might mean purchasing additional software or contracting out for specific services.
The most important thing is that you don't leave your new recruit hanging. By providing them with the resources they need, you'll not only make their job easier but also set them up for long-term success.
A sales advisor's salary will vary depending on their level of experience, the company they work for and their geographical location. However, a general guide to salaries is that a sales advisor can expect to earn between £15,000 and £25,000 per year.
Some companies may offer higher salaries to experienced sales advisors, while others may pay a lower salary but offer commission or bonuses on top of this.
In order to progress in their career as a sales advisor, it is important to be able to demonstrate strong selling skills and be able to build good relationships with customers.
Many companies will provide training and development opportunities for their employees, which can help them to improve their skills and move up the career ladder.
