The Road to Recovery is Paved in SALES
A Google search of “2021 Economy” will lead you in any number of online rabbit holes, but the road to post-COVID recovery is paved in SALES. Every company in every industry must SELL in order to reverse the effects the pandemic has had on our economy. Companies have pivoted, retrenched, and are now hiring at increasing rates. They have very specific needs and little time to implement. They need highly motivated professionals trained in sales technology, needs assessment, negotiations, sales planning and presentations, and more. They need sales-savvy people who will ramp up quickly and begin positively impacting revenue.
In an article dated May 2020, McKinsey & Company discusses the concept of “Rapid Revenue Recovery” and the bias a company has to have for action over analysis. In fact, a new remote sales force is showing extremely effective. Implementing digital tools and rethinking customer service are high priorities, and unlikely partnerships are being forged as companies morph into new and better versions of themselves.
It would seem logical to immediately implement a high-quality, virtual sales curriculum in as many institutions as possible to meet the demand our economy has for sales professionals to drive the recovery. Such sales training must focus on sales technology and enablement, and it should integrate real-world role play and business solution selling. Our government should fund such in-demand training, and employers should seriously consider sponsoring its own sales team’s upskilling.
Virtanza is hosting thought-leader panels with two partner schools in the coming weeks to discuss the profound role the sales profession plays in the economy and the opportunity for universities, colleges, employers, and workforce development to partner to produce a new generation of sales professionals. Doing so drives enrollment, increases revenue, and connects highly motivated candidates to companies who simply can’t survive without them.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
December 8 at 11:30a PST | Scale the Sales Economy, co-hosted with UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education. Featuring a keynote from Dr. Wallace Walrod, Chief Economist with the Orange County Business Council; Employer perspective from Adam Klaucke, EVP Sales with Eastridge Workforce Solutions; and details of the Professional Sales Program already in action at UCI from Stephane Muller, the Academic Director of Business & Technology Programs.
January 21 at 1:00p EST | Developing a Pipeline of Sales Talent in Maryland and Nationally, co-hosted with UMBC Training Centers | Join us as we discuss the collective of students, universities, community colleges, workforce development professionals, and employers collaborating to build a Sales Career Pathway in Maryland, regionally, and nationally.
Moderated by Debbie Holzkamp, Founder/CEO of Virtanza, our panel of leaders will include experts from workforce development, sales employers, and regional leaders in economic development.