Are your sales skills holding you back? A business has many departments that need to work together for it to succeed. Although every department is important in its own right, the sales department is one that no business can do without. 

Because a successful sales department directly relates to a successful business - as financial records are sure to prove - here are some mistakes to avoid at all costs.

Mistakes that could cause you the sale:

• Underplaying the importance of personal skills

• Not listening to your clients

• Not making client's need a priority 

• Avoiding face-to-face meetings

• Not pitching correctly

• Neglecting to follow up on leads

• Not following up on existing customers

• Not having a dedicated sales team

Continue reading to hear what experts in the field say about sales mistakes.

New This Week (19 September 2023)

Guide to Hiring the Right Employees for Your Small Business10 Small Business Funding Sources in 2023Utilizing Video Marketing for Your Business

Lawn Care And Other Underrated Business Ideas

Lawn Care might seem like too simple of an option when starting your own business, but the truth is not only is it a low-investment business it also has the potential to be quite lucrative.

Steps to starting a lawn care business:

• Do some planning and research

• Create a Business Plan

• Register your business

• Get your Equipment and Supplies

• Market Your Business

Other underrated business ideas:

• Shoe Cleaning

• Bee Keeping

• Animation

How Founders Can Help Increase Your Network

Looking for ways to increase your professional network? Then Founders is the community for you.

Two ways to connect through Founders:

• Join a digital community of successful businesspeople who understand your difficulties. Shared lessons will assist you in overcoming obstacles, realizing your goals, and finding success.

• Founders members are invited to monthly small group meetings with an emphasis on strategic conversations and important business skills. You'll pick up new knowledge and skills from other business owners and distinguished guest speakers.

What You Need To Know About Joint Venture Agreements

A joint venture agreement outlines how the venture is owned by each party. Joint venture agreements can take two forms: contractual agreements where the venture is determined based solely on a written contract and separate legal entity agreements where a limited liability company (LLC) is formed through the agreement. Your goal when creating a joint venture agreement is to specify the rules and guidelines that both parties will adhere to when they collaborate. See below for all the steps and legalities involved in setting up a joint venture:

Advance Your Career with GetSmarter – Exclusive Learning Opportunity

GetSmarter offers a range of industry-relevant courses across various disciplines, allowing you to upskill, reskill, and stay ahead in a competitive job market. These courses are carefully curated to provide practical, actionable knowledge that can be applied directly to your profession. Key Advantages of GetSmarter:1. High-Quality Content: Gain access to expert-led courses from reputable universities to expand your knowledge and expertise.2. Flexible Learning: Learn at your own pace, fitting your studies into your busy schedule and achieve a healthy work-life-study balance.3. Interactive Engagement: Interact with a global community of like-minded professionals, fostering valuable networking and collaborative opportunities.4. Professional Development: Equip yourself with in-demand skills that can drive your career progression and open new doors of opportunity. Don't miss out on this chance to invest in yourself and unlock your full potential. Act now to seize this exclusive learning opportunity with GetSmarter.

A Guide To Outsourcing For Small Businesses

As much as you may want to do everything yourself, this is not always possible when running a business. This is where outsourcing comes in. Reasons To Consider Outsourcing:

1. It is more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff.

2. It offers increased flexibility and scalability. 

3. It gives you the ability to focus on core competencies.

When considering outsourcing, it is important to look at the legal and contractual considerations. For a full overview of what tasks can be outsourced and how to go about it, see below: