Finding Inspiration For Megawatt Sales Ideas

What sparks a great sales idea? When we asked jan/san executives across the United States, SM found that sources for inspiration can be diverse.

For this month’s cover story, “Flipping the Switch,” Associate Editor Alex Runner interviewed jan/san sales executives to find out how they come up with good sales ideas.

From formal training — sales seminars, classes and meetings — to serendipity (one distributor developed a product-bundling plan after he happened upon a Dunkin’ Donuts/Subway-combo restaurant), good ideas can be triggered in a number of ways: by reading roadside billboards, while eating lunch or while watching the 6 o’clock news.

As important as a good idea is, it’s just as important that the salesperson’s “radar” be constantly tuned in to pick up on those good ideas, many of which are right around the corner.

Some salespeople are idea magnets; other fall into the category of dim bulbs. As a sales manager, you’ll find yourself encouraging — sometimes urging — people to think outside the box, or serving as an incubator for those who excel at creative brainstorming.

We hope some of the insights offered in “Flipping the Switch” serve as fodder to help you boost your own business creativity and spark some big ideas from others, as well.