Do you track your sales activities? Perhaps you have to submit a weekly sales report to your sales manager. And if you want to be at top of your sales game and achieve your own personal goals, thank goodness you do! Here’s why sales activity tracking is so important, and what you should track to maximize your sales results. We even include a free sales activity tracker that you can download.

Is the Boss Just Checking Up On You?

Some sales representatives, normally those not at quota, perceive these sales reports as a policing action.  'The boss is only checking up on me to ensure that I am doing my prospecting calls.' 

Granted, some sales managers need to know how to use sales reports to coach their sales teams, believe me when I tell you that your sales manager already knows if you are making your calls or not, regardless of whether or not you are submitting a sales report.  Your sales results, or lack thereof, are already showing your manager that information.

Why Top Producers Use Sales Activity Tracking

The most successful sales representatives look at sales reports differently.  They see them as tools to monitor if they are on course to reach their goals.  These sales representatives know that by tracking their activities, they can ensure they are completing the necessary daily tasks that will make them successful.  They also know that activity tracking can determine areas for improvement so they can be even more successful in the future.  In other words, the most successful sales representatives, those that make the highest incomes, see sales reports and activity tracking as their GPS navigation system on the road to achieving their income and lifestyle goals. 

What are Sales Metrics?

Hubspot defines sales metrics as: “data points that represent an individual’s, team’s, or company’s performance. They help track progress toward goals, prepare for future growth, adjust sales compensation, award incentives and bonuses, and identify any strategic issues.”

For the salesperson however, sales metrics can be defined much more simply as: What sales activities do you need to do each and every day to achieve your sales goals.

Sales Activity Tracking Shows You YOUR Numbers

I think everyone has heard at one time or another that it takes ten calls to make one sale.  Really?  Then why isn't every sale representative who does 10 calls at quota?

Every industry and every sales representative works on a different set of averages.  I remember being told 'just do ten calls and you'll get a sale.'  After being very frustrated at not achieving my goals, I started tracking my sales activities.  Turns out, because buyers in my industry only purchased once every five years, I needed to do 50 calls to get one sale!  

What Sales Activities Should You Track?

To start tracking your activities, first define the steps of your sales process.  For example, your sales process could include prospecting, fact finding, and making presentations.   Next, create a tracking sheet where you can enter and monitor your activities for each step of the sales process.  You should also include your sales results on the sheet.

You can track by week, by month, or by year, whatever works best for you and your industry.  The longer the tracking time frame, the more accurate the results.  Some find it helpful to include activity and sales goals on the tracking sheet as well.  This way, you will always know if you are on the right path to reach your goals

Download Our Free Sales Activity Tracker

By using a sales activitiy tracking system like this, you will soon see what it is that you have to do to be successful.  Knowing what it is you have to do makes doing it that much easier!

Aim Higher!

Susan A. Enns, B2B Sales Coach and Author
Schedule a free sales coaching strategy session with Susan here.

“… what I can tell anyone, is simply this – If you want to learn and understand sales, talk to Susan.”

Looking for sales tips from today’s top performers?  Check out our online sales and sales management training webinar videos. They are available for instant download and viewing. Watch them as often as you like, whenever you find it convenient, and pause them anywhere to learn at your pace!