Relations of Sales Executive with Top Management

Effective sales executives are well above average in initiative and personal drive. Realizing the sales executive’s potential, however, depends largely upon relations with top management. Sales executives should want to get ahead, for personal goals are as vital to them as the objectives they set for the sales department, but if they are to achieve these goals, not only must they know where they are going, but top management must be kept abreast of their progress.

Effective sales executives plan and implement their own self-development programs, and setting definite career goals is essential. They harmonize their own goals with those of the organization, this being important for maximum progress of individual and company alike. Whenever the sales executive and the company cease to move toward mutually compatible goals, friction causes both to fall short. When this happens, either the two sets of goals must be reconciled, or the executive should leave the firm. Sometimes, sales executives unilaterally reconcile such goal conflicts (usually by adjusting per­sonal goals to fit those of the organization). More often, they reconcile them through interaction with company top management.

Effective sales executives accept responsibility for all activi­ties related to their positions, but they avoid becoming indispensable. Indispensability is undesirable for both the executive and the company. For the sales executive, it means blocking opportunities for promo­tion; for the company, it means that too much is being staked on one individual. One way to avoid becoming indispensable is to practice and advocate delegation of authority, and effective sales executives place high priority on training their own replacements. Junior sales executives are well advised to learn and master the duties and responsibilities of the positions immediately above theirs. Promotions come to those prepared for them, and preparation consists of setting definite career goals and adhering to programs of continuing self-development.

Effective sales executives are highly qualified as problem solvers and decision makers. Consequently, sales executives guard against tak­ing too many of their problems to top management. Asking for help in deciding problems is asking for closer supervision (and less author­ity). Competent sales executives do not require a close watch over their activities.

Effective sales executives keep top management informed on import­ant decisions and the department’s plans and accomplishments. They trans­mit all ordinary reports promptly, and special reports when appropriate. They exercise restraint in reporting their own activities, but they see that their superiors have all the information needed to evaluate their personal effectiveness. Their reports ensure that top management knows in broad outline the problems encountered in selling the company’s products, the ways they are handled, and the results accomplished.

Effective sales executives pay attention to the manner in which they communicate with top management. They do not hesitate to give their superiors the benefit of their thinking, but, unless matters of high principle are involved, they are willing to modify preconceived ideas.

When the sales executive has a great idea, is absolutely sure of it, and top management is unconvinced, the sales executive must play the role of super-salesperson and “sell” to those with the authority to decide. When the facts do not speak for themselves—when those in authority fail to grasp their full significance—the sales executive, like any competent exec­utive, should bring to bear his or her full powers of persuasion.

Effective sales executives listen and learn. They keep a dated record of important conversations. They refrain from voluntarily discussing the personal competence of fellow executives. They avoid relaying rumors. They control their executive contacts, never missing scheduled engage­ments without reason. Sales executives following such rules of conduct experience little difficulty in winning top management’s confidence and respect.

Source: Richard R. Still, Edward W. Cundliff, Normal A. P Govoni, Sandeep Puri (2017), Sales and Distribution Management: Decisions, Strategies, and Cases, Pearson; Sixth edition.