smgasb92

Senior Channel Account Manager

I have been an individual contributor for a couple of years now, when do you think someone is ready to become a Sales Manager? (any attributes, accomplishments etc. that would recommend you have)

I started as a BDR then got promoted to a AE role and now doing Channel Account Management sales which I really enjoy (have hit P-club and I am a top performer) I know management isn't for everyone but what else would you recommend I do to have the best chance at a management role?

🧢 Sales Management

👥 Hiring

22 comments

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MrMotivation

Politicker

Sales

I would highly recommend you become more involved in some type of mentor capacity. When I was at my last company, I was an AE while our SDR Manager quit. I took over managing the team in the meantime and really enjoyed it. I doubt that situation would present itself for you, but ask to be involved in the interview process for entry level sales roles and then present yourself as a mentor to the ones that you helped to hire. Doing that will help you prepare for leading others

smgasb92

Contributor

Senior Channel Account Manager

Love the interview process advice will for sure ask my boss about that thanks!

SonomaKitsune

VP of Sales

I guess the first question to ask yourself is are you passionate about helping others? Empathy is the #1 characteristic of a successful (servant) leader imo. If you aren't already, find opportunities to help others and demonstrate your passion for up-leveling teammates. As a leader, I want to create an environment of psychological safety, trust, transparency, and an opportunity for everyone to have a voice (be a good listener).

My daily goal - everyone wakes up inspired and finishes the day feeling fulfilled. A great book to read is "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Lencioni. Good foundation for team building.

Trinity

WR Officer

BusDev

UltimateMango

Opinionated

Chief of Nothing

Sounds like you also need to explore it further, see if it's what you want. Get a good mentor inside your company, and a different mentor or two outside your company.
The advice on getting on your management chain's radar as wanting to move up is also spot on. Get those special projects. Learn more about the job and what it takes.

smgasb92

Contributor

Senior Channel Account Manager

Have you found mentors outside your org? If so how?

UltimateMango

Opinionated

Chief of Nothing

That could be a whole thread on its own. Finding outside mentors can be a real career accelerator, or you can shoot yourself in the foot.
Even early in your career, you might have people who you know who might be a mentor candidate. Maybe people who you used to work with and one of you changed job. Maybe through volunteer or extra curricular activities. Maybe friends in similar fields or even just with relevant experience.
Main point is this: don’t rely on your management to identify you as having leadership potential and move you up. RELY ON YOURSELF

sundayporchclub

Good Citizen

Director of Recruiting

Organization and attention to detail are key to management. You need to be able to handle multiple things at a time, and switch gears quickly. You also need to be able to handle different personality types of your team - which you will surely fail at to begin with, but can be coached up through another great manager. Show initiative in bringing new ideas/strategies to the table. Often times, the best managers aren't necessarily the best performers - but they know how to get the most results out of those top performers

yagooners14

Regional Sales Executive, Mid-Market

If you feel like you want to take that next step, ask your manager/director/boss for any side projects you can do for the better of the team and org. Start showing some initiative that you can still be successful in your role while also working on projects that benefit the whole. Also, peer to peer mentoring is great. Helping other reps with their personal style and playing a part in their improved success shows the leaders of your company that you care about others and have what it takes to guide others to success, which is ultimately a major part of being a Sales Manager.

smgasb92

Contributor

Senior Channel Account Manager

I have just entered a team lead program at my company and I am hoping for more of those opportunities. We are hiring a lot of new reps on my team, would you recommend setting up time to mentor them? (I don't want to step on my bosses toes either as he has his own training in mind)

yagooners14

Regional Sales Executive, Mid-Market

That's a great start! My recommendation would be to start offering your support in team meetings and making sure everyone knows how approachable you are and how willing you are to help. I would then also tell your boss that you would be happy to help with onboarding / ramping the new reps, and he/she might have some great ideas where you can support with training or even lead a couple sessions yourself.

WhereverYouGoThereYouAre

Fire Starter

VP, Sales

Managing is not selling. They are completely different skill sets. The best managers many times are not the best sellers and vice versa. My advice: read. Read a lot. Learn about the role you're coveting. What is drawing you to management? Is it power? Money? Not having to sell anymore?

Too often managers get into management for the wrong reasons. Then they realize:
- They still have to sell
- They make less money than their top reps
- They don't have the "power" they thought they would have

Great managers are leaders and enter management to watch and relish the success of others. Great leaders lead from the front and "teach the person to fish".

sAssMan

Fire Starter

Enterprise Account Executive

Congrats on all the promotions and accomplishments so far!

It appears you are already telling a good story through your ability to overachieve in different roles and the company trusting you with more responsibility. The VP of Sales was a mentor of mine at my previous company (~400 people) and he highlighted a few areas that he typically looks for when considering an AE for management...

1) How accurate and reliable are your forecasts? Predictable revenue is the name of the game and they need to make sure you can accurately reflect what your team is going to be bringing in.

2) How well do you connect with your team? Good leaders understand that you can get a team to do anything through genuine inspiration and empathy.

3) What are your translatable skills that you can coach your team on? These can be different for everyone but it is typically something you absolutely crush.

Best of luck!

bigtuna

Good Citizen

Enterprise Account Executive

If you want to become a sales manager, one of the top traits is forecasting ability. If you can forecast accurately, your value as front line manager is tremendous.

That said, you could ask to sit in on a leadership forecast call, or do some forecasting exercises with your current manager (or other managers).

Be clear, direct, and concise with your path. State that your intention is to earn a leadership position, and ask what it will take to achieve that. Good luck!

genequeen

Good Citizen

Account Executive

If you don’t have any management experience, ask your company for opportunities for management skills training/education. Express your goal of becoming a manager. Also be prepared to kiss a lot of upper management ass

Trinity

WR Officer

BusDev

It's crucial to have a clear understanding of your motivations and skillsets (how those skills map to your team's needs). It's a great path if you're looking for a challenge and helping others to grow.
Great managers/leaders are not always elite salespeople.

MichaelScottDunderMifflin

Contributor

Account Executive

I don't necessarily see that the best reps always make the best managers. Do you want to see people succeed? Do you genuinely care? Are you patient? What is your intention for becoming a leader?

SDMHGWarrior

Tycoon

CEO

Do you WANT to be a sales manager? They make less money and take more shit.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Ha. Very good point.

Salespreuner

Big Shot

Regional Sales Director

- See- Learn- Apply- Seek- Prepare- Analyse- Move- Mentor- Repeat these steps after your move
In this process, make sure you remain upbeat - it's an uphill task🤝

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

I personally have done some sales management and it sucks. It's not a job I'd want to do because you're success depends solely on other people. I am of the belief that no one is coming through harder for me than I can for myself. I've done split roles but in my opinion you are just always underpaid as a sales manager in a split role where you are expected to produce.

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smgasb92

I have been an individual contributor for a couple of years now, when do you think someone is ready to become a Sales Manager? (any attributes, accomplishments etc. that would recommend you have)

22 comments

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