To get deals over the line in today’s high-pressure sales environment, sellers must undertake new, challenging activities outside their comfort zones. The ongoing need for agility is taking its toll: In a recent Gartner survey of more than 900 B2B sellers, 89% report feeling burned out and 54% report actively job seeking.
Why Some of Your Salespeople Are Dragging — and How to Fix It
Proactively addressing burnout will boost retention and performance.
November 01, 2022
Summary.
Sellers experiencing drag are plagued by workday boredom and distraction. They procrastinate. They “go through the motions” to satisfy activity-tracking requirements. Meanwhile, progress on true priorities languishes. Essentially, drag is demotivation away from work. But it’s more than just an unpleasant experience: Drag is statistically associated with lower quota attainment and higher levels of active job searching. The authors’ research suggests that leaders who properly diagnose and address drag will see greater improvements in seller retention and commercial performance.
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HBR Learning
Marketing Essentials Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Marketing Essentials. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to communicate with your customers—strategically.