Managing the Sales Force
The face of any organization is the sales force. Companies spend a considerable amount of time and money on sales force rather than on any other promotional activity. However, sales force is expensive and companies are looking forward to managing them in an efficient and effective manner.
Designing of the Sales Force
Sales force is linking between companies and customer. Therefore, companies have to be careful in designing and structuring sales force.
1. The first step is setting out an objective for sales force. Earlier companies had a single objective increasing sale making it objective also for sales people. Sales people are asked to perform a search for prospective clients or lead. Sales people are asked to balance time between a prospective customer and current customer. Effective communication of product and services is essential to close the deal. Sales people also play an important role in after sales service and can make a difference for the company. Sales people are eyes and ears of the company in the market gathering information about competition and customer changing demands.
2. The second step is use sales people strategically. Sales people have to combine efforts with other team members to achieve the objective. Sales people should be aware how to analyze market data been provided and convert them into marketing strategies.
3. The third step is deciding the structure of the sales force. The structure of the sales is dependent on the strategy followed by the company. Common sales force structures are as follows:-
Territorial structure is used where every sales representative is assigned specific geographical area. This structure is preferred for building relationships with locals.
Product structure is used for complex and un- related product portfolio. Here the sales people are directly associated with research and development of the products.
Market structure is used if the companies are operating different industry or market segments. Every sales force specializes in a definite market and helps push a product efficiently across the given market. However, the disadvantage would arise if customers are located over a wide geographical area.
Complex structure is used when companies are in business of selling complex product to different customer across a large geographical area. Here sales force structure is a combination of other structures discussed.
Once the structure is designed companies need to make a decision with respect to the size of the sales force. The size of the sales force is dependent on the market size and number of customers.
4. The next step is to design compensation for the sales force. Compensation plays a big motivational factor for sales people. Companies follow a structure of a fixed amount plus a variable amount depending of success achieved in the market. Allowances play an important factor in the salary owing to continuous travel and market visits.
Managing Sales Force
Integral part for success of marketing strategy is management of the sales force. The management of sales consists of following:-
Recruitment is at the centre of an effective sales force. One approach in the selection is asking a customer what characteristics they look for in a sales representative. Companies develop selection procedure where behavioral and management skills are tested.
Training is essential to remain ahead of the competition. Sales force needs training before entering the market as well as training at different stage of the product life cycle.
Supervision on sales force is decided on the profile of product portfolio. A general supervision is maintained with respect to sales people dealing with potential clients. Another supervision is related to efficient time management from preparation of client call to closing of the deal.
Motivation is a key aspect for management of the sales force. Here compensation plays an important in driving up the motivational level. Compensation can be assigned based on sales quota. Other motivational tools are social gathering and family outing.
Evaluation is essential to management of a sales force. Sales reports sent by the sales force serve a good starting point of evaluation.
Art of negotiation and relationship marketing these two are the important aspects of successful sales representative and long term benefit for the company.
Managing the Sales Force Agency in Pimpri Chinchwad
About Surat
Surat, the second-largest city in Gujarat, is one of the fastest growing tier-II cities in India. It is also the administrative capital of the Surat district. Ranked among the largest urban agglomerations in India, the city is a hub for numerous sectors of economy, most notably the diamond, textile and silk industries. For this reason, Surat is also known as the Diamond City, Textile City and Silk City of India.
Besides diamond and textile units, the other major industries thriving in the city are information technology, education and healthcare.
Geographically, Surat lies on the banks of the Tapti River. It is surrounded by the Bharuch and Narmada districts in the north, the Navsari and Dang districts in the south and the Gulf of Cambay in the west. Surat experiences a tropical Savanna climate which is strongly influenced by the Arabian Sea.
The presence of a strong industrial sector in Surat invites an influx of migrants from across the country. Affordable prices, convenient public transport, serene ambience, excellent education facilities, great employment and self-employment potentials and entertainment facilities have contributed to Surat’s booming real estate market.
Stats and Facts
The population of Surat, as per the provisional reports of the 2011 Census, is 4,462,002. The urban/metropolitan population, on the other hand, is 4,585,367
As per the Census 2011 reports, Surat has a sex ratio of 758 per 1000 males. The child sex ratio is 813 per 1000 boys
The average literacy rate in the city is 89.03%
The city of Surat was previously known as Suryapur
Surat ranked 8th in India with a GDP of $40 billion in fiscal year 2011-2012
The city accounts for 90% of the world’s total rough diamond cutting and polishing and 99.99% of India’s total rough diamond cutting and polishing
The city of Surat ranks as the 3rd cleanest city in India
Diamond and Textile Industries
The city is known for its diamond and textile industries
Surat is the largest manufacturer of clothes in India. Apart from producing world-class synthetic textiles, Surat is also known for producing silk
The Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) is an association of textile processing units of the Surat Textile Market
Surat has become an important center for industrial growth in India. Reputed companies like Ultratech, ONGC, Reliance Petrochemicals, Torrent Power, and Shell have set up their manufacturing units here
Some of the important brands of India like Vimal and Garden have also set up manufacturing units in Surat
Connectivity
By air, Surat connects to major Indian cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh and Amritsar. The Surat Airport is located just 11 km from the city and the recently constructed terminal can handle 240 passengers on an hourly basis
The city is connected to National Highway 8 through a 16-km connector highway. National Highway 6, also known as the Surat–Kolkata Highway, passes through the city and connects it to Dhule, Amravati, Nagpur, Raipur, Sambalpur, Kharagpur and Kolkata. Through the national and state highways, Surat is connected across India
Surat can be easily reached by rail as well. The Western Railway zone and the Central Railway zone connect Surat to the major cities in India
Surat Civic Administration
Considered to be one of the wealthiest municipal corporations in India, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is responsible for maintaining the city’s civic infrastructure as well as carrying out associated administrative duties
The city has 7 administrative zones, which are North, South, East, West, Southeast, Southwest and Central
The corporation is responsible for the provision and upkeep of basic services like roads, water, and sewage
A Corporation Commissioner heads the executive wing of the corporation
There are 20 Police stations in the city, with a Commissioner heading the Police force
Surat Infrastructure
Though not a metropolitan, the city can give most metros in India a tough competition. The infrastructure of Surat centers on the textile industry, medical base, information technology, transportation, tourism, electricity, communication and education. The economy being primarily industrial in nature, the real estate infrastructure has also remained strong.
Education and healthcare services in Surat are also quite remarkable. The district has a whole array of schools, colleges and universities located here. The same can be said about the massive network of hospitals in this region. The city is also home to several heavy engineering plants.
All Localities in About Surat
LOCAL AREAS
Athwalines
Surat Dumas Road
Ghod Dod Road
City Light
Vesu
Katargam
Adajan
Althan
Canal Road
VIP Road
Varachha
Kharwar Nagar
Rander Road
Rander
Navagam
Hazira – Adajan Road
Vishnu Nagar
Bhimrad
Dahin Nagar
Jahangir Pura
Bhestan
Saroli
Parvat Gam
Anand Mahal Road
Bardoli
LOCALITY
Pal Gam
Mota
Vishal Nagar
Olpad
Athwa Gate
Udhna
Amroli
Palsana
Dindoli
Palanpur Gam
Sachin
Pankaj Nagar
Jahangirabad
Sagrampura
Mota Varachha
Maroli
Parvat Patiya
Mahindra Pur
Godadara
Saniya Hemad
Khodiyar Nagar
Nanpura
Athwa
Kapodra
Gothan
Kamrej
LOCALITY
Salabatpura
Majura Gate
Kadodara
Laskana
Patel Nagar
Pandesara
Limbayat
Gopipura
Mughal Sarai
Rustampura
Bamroligam
Begampura
Kim
Kosamba
Kadodara Nagar
Bhatar
Shahpore
Kumbharia Gam
Nana Varachha
Mahuva
Chowk Bazar
Sayan
Haripura
Mahadev Nagar
Vidhey Nagar
Umarwada
LOCALITY
New City Light
Tadwadi
Punagam
Sima Nagar
Karamala
Mandvi
Dabholi
Magob
Limla
Shakti Nagar
Palanpur Jakatnaka
Pasodara
Nanavat
Narthan
Vareli
Dumas
Navsari Road
Narotam Nagar
Hazira
Uttran
New City Light Road
Ichchhapor
Ambanagar
Masma
Mosali
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