7 Ways Toastmasters Will Boost Your Sales Career

I joined a Toastmasters club seven years ago hoping to improving my public speaking skills. At the time, I didn't really consider whether it would enhance my sales career, but it definitely has.

As I was leaving my weekly Toastmasters meeting last Monday, I found myself thinking about how Toastmasters training is complementary to a sales career.

Toastmasters International was designed to help people improve their communication and leadership skills...but it is most widely known to develop one's public speaking skills.  It is an excellent training ground for anyone seeking a sales career or looking to improve their overall sales skills. Sales professionals should consider the following advantages that Toastmasters experience can offer...

1. Presentation Skills - Being an excellent presenter is by far one of the best advantages a sales person can possess. The training focuses on effective use of voice, eye contact, gestures, timing, handling nerves and using visual aids to add to your presentation. Whether you are in the boardroom looking to justify your position during a company meeting, or in front a room full of clients, you need to inspire and persuade the audience to buy in to your message. The presentation skills you acquire from toastmasters will give you that sales edge.

2. Leaderships Skills - Leadership skills can help position you as the expert in any field of sales. Why? Because Toastmasters take on challenges, make things happen and get things done. The Toastmasters program has a parallel track to the communication path which will provide specific training applicable to advancing your career, especially if management is a goal of yours.

3. Credibility - Toastmasters are known for continuous self improvement. Being involved with an organization which has grown to 225,000 members across the globe makes a statement. Clients, colleagues & bosses who have been involved in Toastmasters will recognize you in a positive way. Your association to Toastmasters will be a powerful contributor to your resume. It is an excellent topic when answering the question, "Tell me about yourself" during your next interview.

4. Confidence - In sales, soaring confidence is a tremendous advantage. You will look forward to challenges, like an awkward call, dealing with complex clients; negotiating a deal or closing an important sale. As a Toastmaster, you are required to step out of your comfort zone every time you tackle a new speech, plan a contest or put yourself up for evaluation. Toastmasters are conditioned to work through fear, which ultimately builds confidence. As your confidence grows, the challenges you take on will become easier. Ultimately, clients will view you as an experienced, self assured sales professional.

5. Organizational Skills - Organizational skills are important in sales for follow up, managing your database, preparing proposals and presentations, managing your daily activities, meeting preparation...etc. The skills you receive from your Toastmasters experience will improve your organizational skills. Drafting speeches in a concise, yet logical format that is both informative and entertaining takes excellent organizational skills which can easily be applied to your sales career. 

6. Sharper Listening Skills - As mentioned in a prior article, success in sales requires sharp listening skills. Sales people do much better in their careers when they armed with these skills. In Toastmasters, members learn techniques for delivering constructive, yet positive evaluations. They are also evaluated regularly. Receiving and giving evaluations help us hone our listening skills and accept constructive feedback more easily. Toastmasters are well equipped to listen reflectively to their clients and provide relevant solutions which will give them yet another advantage in their sales tool belt.

7. Networking Opportunities - Toastmasters are a supportive group. They will make an effort to help each other because they all have something in common. In most cities, there are a lot of clubs, so the opportunities are vast. A lot of networking goes on within the Toastmasters clubs, especially during the contests. Fellow toastmasters feel comfortable sharing their knowledge with each other. Like any member of a group they too will typically endorse your products or services to their colleagues.

Whether you are a novice in the sales arena or a seasoned professional, Toastmasters will make a positive difference in your career.

Take a look at some clubs in your area and attend as a guest to get a taste of what a Toastmasters experience during their meetings. I believe that the communication and leadership skills taught in Toastmasters is arguably the best investment you can make for improving sales career.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area check us out at http://proslikeus.freetoasthost.us/ 

Story by:

Sean Moss has spent the past 15 years mastering the B2B sales environment, and the interaction between marketing and sales. He works as a corporate sales coach,freelance copywriter and public speaker. He is an advanced member of Racquenteurs Toastmasters in Vancouver BC

If you are in the Vancouver area check us out at www.racquenteurs.ca

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