In most cases, we see an official “performance plan” as the beginning of the end for some poor sales rep. The performance plan seems to be more of a termination plan as the evidence suggests that the goal is often not better performance, but instead a way to begin documentation to justify termination. In every case where I’ve seen someone put on a performance plan, that was their cue to start a full court press job search before they were fired.
So, it’s safe to say that no sales rep wants to be put on a performance plan, right? Right!
If you are a sales rep facing underperformance, my guess is that you are worried about your job. You might be hoping no one has noticed, you might spend your time sharing the positive news while keeping everyone’s focus off the negative performance, you might be explaining away your bad sales (customer budget cuts, etc) or.. you might even be job hunting.
Here is something to try instead. Put yourself on a Performance Plan. This is a Turnaround Boot Camp style Performance Plan by the way.
We know that we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. That really is the premise of a Performance Plan.
To get started:
- Look at what you have been doing and critically analyze exactly how you are spending your time to determine what is producing results and what is not.
- Consult with team members who are exceeding goals for advice on what you could be doing differently.
- Once you determine which of your sales activities are producing positive sales results, triple your output of those activities.
- Figure out where you are investing time in non-selling activities (learning a new CRM, sitting on an internal committee, etc) and eliminate those activities from your week. You can politely request to be excused – if you get fired, none of those things will really matter anyway.
- Start your day earlier and end your day later.
- Look the part.
- Exercise, eat right and get enough sleep.
- Write out your 30 day plan. This should include day by day what you will be doing and with which customers or prospects. For example, maybe every day starts with 50 cold calls, maybe Sundays are research days, Tues-Thurs is for 15 face-to-face appointments, etc.
- Have an accountability plan in place – a report, updates in your CRM or something to monitor your progress.
- Have a clear goal for the end of 30 days and a way to monitor progress along the way.
Now, here’s key element:
Request a meeting with your Sales Manager – NOT during selling hours (you need those). Have an early coffee or after hours meeting with your Sales Manager to let them know you have put yourself on a Performance Plan, walk them through it and get their input to fine tune it and gain agreement on your course of action.
By proactively addressing your underperformance with your Sales Manager you will open the doors of communication regarding expectations and possible outcomes of underperformance. You will show the initiative to address the problem proactively giving your Sales Manager an opportunity to help you succeed instead of look for a way to manage you out.
Too often we keep moving along hoping no one will bring up the issue everyone knows exists (we do this with customers, too). If you know you are underperforming, your sales manager knows it, too. His boss will ask him about it and it will eventually be dealt with. Wouldn’t it be great if you could change the story by being brave enough to call it out and proactively do something about it?
So, if you find yourself falling short, stop worrying and start acting. Build you plan ASAP and start executing with your Sales Manager’s support.
Put yourself on a Performance Plan today.
(Post brought to you by Jill Myrick, CEO of Meeting to Win. Meeting to Win provides sales team meeting topics for Sales Managers who want to run sales team meetings that aren’t a bore. Inspire your team with Meeting to Win. Subscribe here.)
