What Is Outside Sales: Understanding the Function

Businesses use a variety of tactics and approaches in the field of sales to connect with their target market and close deals. Two primary sales models often discussed are "Inside Sales" and "Outside Sales." 

This blog will explore what is outside sales, how they work, and the key differences between inside and outside sales.

Boost outside sales by streamlining the process with customer insights.

What is Outside Sales?

Outside sales, or field sales, refers to the sales process where a sales representative or team physically meets with potential clients or customers outside the company's office or headquarters. These sales professionals often travel to meet clients, attend meetings, and conduct face-to-face interactions.

Outside Sales vs. Inside Sales

Location and Interaction

• Outside Sales: Outside sales representatives work outside the office, meeting clients at their locations or other agreed-upon places. They interact personally, build relationships, and demonstrate products or services.
• Inside Sales: Inside sales representatives operate from within the company's office, connecting with clients via phone, email, or video. They typically don't have in-person meetings and rely on virtual communication.

Travel and Territory

• Outside Sales: These professionals often cover specific geographic territories, requiring extensive travel. They manage their schedules and reach clients across a broader area.
• Inside Sales: Inside sales reps work remotely to cover a wider customer base without needing constant travel. They can efficiently communicate with clients, regardless of location.

Personalization

• Outside Sales: Outside sales reps have the advantage of face-to-face interactions, which allow for a higher degree of personalization. They can adapt their approach based on visual cues and immediate client feedback.
• Inside Sales: Inside sales reps rely on virtual communication, making it challenging to establish the same level of personal connection as outside sales. However, they can leverage technology and data for personalization.

Cost and Efficiency

• Outside Sales: Running an outside sales team can be costlier due to travel expenses but can lead to high-value, long-term client relationships.
• Inside Sales: Inside sales teams are more cost-efficient and don't incur significant travel expenses. They focus on a higher volume of interactions.

Understanding B2C and B2B Sales

Sales strategies and approaches differ significantly depending on whether a business targets other businesses (B2B) or individual consumers (B2C). Understanding the key differences between B2B and B2C sales is crucial for companies to effectively tailor their marketing and sales efforts.

B2B Sales (Business-to-Business)

• Target: Other businesses and professional buyers.
• Sales Cycle: Longer, often involving multiple decision-makers.
• Relationship: Focuses on building long-term, personalized relationships.
• Product Complexity: Usually complex, tailored to business needs.
• Marketing: Utilizes industry-specific channels, trade shows, and content marketing.
• Pricing: Negotiable with custom pricing structures and discounts.
• Decision Factors: ROI, efficiency, scalability, and business impact.
• Customer Retention: Relies on contract renewals and ongoing support.

B2C Sales (Business-to-Consumer)

• Target: Individual consumers.
• Sales Cycle: Shorter, often completed in a single interaction.
• Relationship: Less personalized, transactional interactions.
• Product Complexity: Simpler, catering to consumer preferences.
• Marketing: Utilizes social media, online ads, and influencer marketing.
• Pricing: Fixed with occasional promotions and discounts.
• Decision Factors: Emotional appeal, personal preferences, convenience, and affordability.
• Customer Retention: Important but dynamic consumer base with changing preferences.

B2B and B2C sales have distinct characteristics, from target audiences and sales cycles to marketing channels and pricing structures. Businesses should tailor their sales strategies and approaches to their chosen market segment's specific needs and preferences, whether it's other businesses or individual consumers, to succeed in today's competitive marketplace.

Essential Duties of an Outside Sales Representative

Outside sales representatives play a crucial role in driving revenue and building relationships for a company. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the industry and organization, but here are some basic responsibilities commonly associated with the role of an outside sales rep:

• Prospecting and Lead Generation: Identify and qualify potential clients and leads within the assigned territory.
• Client Engagement: Meet with clients to understand their needs and present products or services.
• Needs Assessment: Gather information to tailor solutions to meet clients' requirements.
• Closing Deals: Successfully close sales, negotiate terms, and secure contracts or purchase orders.
• Relationship Building: Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships through exceptional customer service.
• Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and competitors to refine sales strategies.
• Reporting and Goal Achievement: Maintain accurate sales records, meet or exceed sales targets, and provide regular reports.
• Compliance: Ensure all sales activities and contracts adhere to company policies and legal requirements.

Overall, the role of an outside sales representative is dynamic and demanding, requiring a combination of sales skills, product knowledge, communication abilities, and a customer-centric approach to drive business growth and success.

Tips for Working in Outside Sales

Working in outside sales can be rewarding but also challenging. Here are some valuable tips to help you succeed in this role:

1. Master Product Knowledge: Thoroughly understand your products or services to address client questions and needs confidently.
2. Effective Time Management: Prioritize tasks and create a well-structured daily schedule to maximize productivity.
3. Build Strong Relationships: Build trust and long-term relationships with clients through exceptional service.
4. Stay Organized: Keep meticulous records, manage your sales pipeline, and use technology like CRM software to streamline processes.
5. Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends and refine your sales skills through training and self-improvement.
6. Set Realistic Goals: Establish clear, achievable sales targets to stay motivated and track progress.
7. Adaptability: Be flexible in your approach; every client and situation is unique. Adapt to changes in the market and client needs.
8. Networking: Attend industry events and actively network to expand your professional contacts and generate leads.

Remember that success in outside sales takes time and perseverance. By following these tips and continuously refining your skills, you can build a fulfilling and successful career in this dynamic field.

Getting Around in the Outside Sales World for Better Trust-Building

Understanding outside sales intricacies is essential for aspiring sales professionals and businesses aiming to optimize their sales strategies. It's a world where building strong client relationships, mastering face-to-face interactions, and adapting to diverse market conditions are paramount.

Product knowledge, strong interpersonal skills, and a dedication to ongoing development are all necessary for success in this field. Individuals and organizations can leverage the power of outside sales to propel growth and create enduring relationships in the fierce world of contemporary commerce by learning the complexities of the field.

Convin plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of outside sales teams by providing valuable tools for training and offering crucial customer insights. 

Here's how Convin contributes to improving outside sales:

• Training Sales Reps: Convin's platform enables organizations to record and analyze sales calls, providing valuable data for training sales representatives, identifying strengths, and improving communication, thereby enhancing their field sales efforts.
• Customer Insights: Convin's training capabilities provide valuable customer insights, enabling organizations to understand customer preferences, pain points, and buying behaviors, enabling sales reps to tailor their approaches for better sales outcomes.
• Performance Metrics: Convin's analytics tools offer sales managers performance metrics for sales calls and client interactions, enabling them to track conversion rates, response times, and customer satisfaction levels for improved strategies.
• Continuous Improvement: Convin's support encourages sales teams to continuously improve by reviewing interactions and performance metrics and implementing targeted training and coaching to address skill gaps and enhance overall performance.

Convin's role in outside sales extends beyond call recording, enabling organizations to train sales reps, extract customer insights, and enhance performance in field sales.

Additionally, Convin offers analytics and reporting tools that help outside sales teams track and measure their performance. Sales managers can gain insights into call volume, response, and conversion rates, enabling data-driven decision-making and strategy refinement. This data empowers sales reps to focus their efforts on the most promising leads and opportunities.

Ready to see how Convin's contact center can revolutionize your outside sales efforts? Schedule a demo today and discover firsthand how our solution can drive your sales team's success.

FAQs

1. How does outside sales work?

Outside sales involve sales representatives meeting clients in person, typically outside the office, to build relationships and close deals.

2. What is the role of outside sales?

Outside sales engage clients face-to-face, understand their needs, present products or services, and secure sales agreements.

3. What is an example of outside sales?

An example of outside sales is a pharmaceutical sales representative visiting healthcare providers to promote and sell prescription medications.

4. How does inside sales work with outside sales?

Inside sales teams support outside sales by generating leads, conducting initial outreach, and providing remote support during the sales process, often working in tandem to close deals.