Sales managers held back by lack of skills

Sales managers do an important job, taking responsibility for making sure that their team functions effectively and everyone meets their targets.

However, a new study by Meta-Morphose International has found that many of them enter the role without the adequate skills, meaning that 40% fail within their first year, Online Recruitment reports.

In a bid to tackle this problem, it spoke to hundreds of employers to identify the key attributes that they look for in a sales manager.

Topping the list was communication, with sales managers advised to always be clear and concise and avoid using the buzz words that are associated with the profession.

Leadership skills came next, prompting Managing Director of the firm, Roy Bowles, to comment: 'A great sales manager guides the sales team to success when necessary, but also knows when to step back and let the team gain their own momentum.'

Integrity, being inspirational and having a willingness to develop were the other traits that made it into the top five.