Day in the life of
Director of Sales – Tim Clarke
As a Sales Director, I’m in charge of managing and overseeing the sales operation of the entire company.
My key responsibilities include meeting sales targets, drafting accurate sales reports, executing strategic plans to grow our client base, and establishing sales training programs to train new employees.
My workday is a mix of data analysis, accountability checks, sales calls, and coaching. While the ultimate goal is to acquire sales, I balance customer satisfaction and employee engagement in my day-to-day tasks.
I start my day by checking in on my team and our scheduled calls for that day. Then I check my inbox for high-priority tasks, executing ones with the highest impact on our sales. I also make it a point to know what’s happening in our company, our competition, and the industry by checking on my sales feed daily, even just for a couple of minutes. Being aware of the competition is very important, so reading industry-related news is a must-have, daily task for me.
As a Sales Director, I am also assigned to various tasks, including supporting project fulfillment and reports on key metrics.
Pros
I like the fact that I get to meet lots of interesting people! Opportunities are everywhere, and it’s incredible how you can immerse yourself in other people’s stories! I also personally enjoy being able to help our customers achieve their goals.
Also, being the head of our Sales Team has given me tremendous opportunities to educate, encourage, and motivate individuals to pursue their dreams and create meaningful outcomes — personally and professionally. Sure, leading sales can be demanding at times, but seeing my team grow in their respective roles is beyond rewarding.
Cons
I don’t have much in mind except (at times) unpredictable schedules and meeting strict deadlines and goals.
Other than that, I enjoy what I do, and I see myself learning and growing more in my role.
Being in sales is fun! You’ll meet lots of interesting people and be faced with opportunities that will help you grow as a person and as a professional.
Advice to students interested in getting into Sales
My advice to students wanting to become a Sales Manager would be:
Gain relevant experience. As a student, you might want to pursue part-time jobs or internships to gain hands-on sales experience. This can help you prepare for an entry-level sales role and hone your interpersonal skills.
In addition, a passion for working with people, the industry, and a deep interest in ongoing learning are the top things that will help you survive in this field.
Develop your interpersonal and communication skills! These will help you in your day-to-day tasks as a sales manager! Once you become a sales manager, most of your tasks involve meeting clients and actively solving problems with your team, so being confident in presenting is a must!
