CAUTION: Tactical Teamwork in Progress
©iStock.com/ozgurcankaya
In many sales positions, you hear reps say things like, “I can sell 5 ____ and there’s my car payment.” There is definitely a thrill in making a sale all by yourself (and getting the credit), and being looked at like a successful sales person. On the other hand, team sales have a place and more than a few benefits.
Last week, 12 members of our ETE team from many different departments took part in a team building activity: Tactical Laser Tag.
Our teams were split up, with each team getting an “experienced laser tagger”- someone who had played at this location before. Once the teams were split, everyone was able to give advice and share ideas on how to take on each objective for the games. As each game had a different objective, there were chances for members to lead and follow.
With the Blue Team leading the Red Team by a single point after four games, it all came down to the final game – Last Man Standing. Blue against Red, the only object was offense and the last person to eliminate their opponent would be awarded 3 points…and the win.
With Blue down to 1 v. 3, they staved off two of the Red members, to only be eliminated by the remaining Red member: yours truly.
Yes, I had a great time playing laser tag with my coworkers. It was an experience to watch people step outside of their every day roles and morph into a full throttle, laser tag machine! But I really took away that being a team member first can get you much further than trying to join the team when it might be too late.
How can you use tactical teamwork in your everyday sales?
Get on the same page.
When selling in a team setting, providing consistent information allows for everyone to relay valuable information to one another about a customer and use that information to benefit everyone involved. No matter who the customer speaks with, the information that has been passed along will not be skewed or tampered with because everyone is selling for each other.
Make contact efficient.
With events and holidays come vacations and absences from the office. As a sales team, be able to work in groups on different accounts and have reliable people to fill in. Advanced planning and strategy are key to maintaining timely, efficient follow up. Just like picking your path in laser tag to shoot and get that “head shot” to win the game, communicating with your team members is vital to ensure the work is spread out and all possible routes are being exercised for the customer.
Maximum sales potential:
Each member of a team has a role, whether you choose to go in groups of 3, or break into teams of 2 and make sacrifices for one another. Communicate where attention is needed and who will stick their neck out to take the shot (aka make the sale).
Working in a team to sell can be one of the most fulfilling and successful experiences, if you’re willing to adjust to both the qualities and shortcomings of others, and allow them to accept yours.
In his second Reman U article, Kevin Strong (aka the Remanimal) takes a tactical approach to selling as a team. Would you ever play laser tag to get your team more on the same page? Share your opinion below or email Kevin directly!
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