What does a sales manager do exactly?

I'm curious about becoming a sales manager in the future. Can anyone explain what the day-to-day job responsibilities are like, and what skills I should focus on developing during college to prepare for this role?

The role of a sales manager is quite dynamic and involves a variety of responsibilities, many of which relate to leading and coordinating a sales team. A typical day might include meeting with salespeople to discuss strategies and progress, analyzing sales data to inform decisions or make improvements, and communicating with important clients or leads.

Being a sales manager is not just about understanding the product or service you're selling, it's about managing and inspiring a team to meet sales goals. Therefore, your leadership skills, communication skills, and ability to motivate others are all crucial.

Here are some specific roles and responsibilities you might expect:

1. Developing Sales Strategies & Goals: Depending on the organization's needs and market conditions, you’ll create sales objectives and strategies. This often involves understanding your customer base and competition and identifying the best ways to reach and appeal to your audience.

2. Managing a Sales Team: As a sales manager, you'll lead a team and manage their performance. This involves hiring and training new members, providing feedback and coaching, and handling any issues or conflicts.

3. Meeting Sales Targets: You'll be responsible for ensuring your team meets its sales targets. This includes monitoring sales data, forecasting future sales, and identifying any barriers to success.

4. Building Client Relationships: Maintaining and cultivating strong relationships with key clients is another important aspect of the role. You might negotiate contracts, address client issues, and identify upselling or cross-selling opportunities.

In terms of skills to develop in college, focusing on communication, leadership, and foundational business skills can all be beneficial. Courses like business administration, marketing, or economics could provide useful knowledge. Skills like analytical ability, problem-solving, and time management are also often integral to the role.

Participating in relevant clubs or internships can also be advantageous to gain hands-on experience and hone these vital skills. Having a sales internship, for example, might provide first-hand experience in sales, and customer service, and the opportunity to understand the intricacies of the sales process.

Remember, being a good sales manager often requires a balance of interpersonal skills and analytical skills, so both practical experience and academic knowledge can be valuable preparation for this role.