Poor results in sales

For those who coach, mentor or manage others (including yourself) what have you found to be the most common cause behind poor results in selling or even life in general?

Lack of motivation & lack of product knowledge!

I have found a lack of work ethic to kill more salesmen than sloww business ever has, The ones most vulnerable are the ones with lots of talent who start fast and don't follow up.

Most people that have been in sales for at least three years are intelligent, hard-working and persistent. However, the most highly successful salespeople - the top one-percent - have a number of characteristics that set them apart from the other 99 percent.

A very important characteristic is that they are constantly striving to improve their sales skills. They frequently try new sales methods and carefully track their results. When you are trying something new, which may increase or decrease your income, it invariably causes discomfort.

Top sales are willing to endure a lot discomfort in their quest for constant improvement.

In my travels "Lack of a motivating force" has been the overwhelming reason for poor results in selling and in life.

No "Drive" or "Lack of Motivation".

Success is not common. To be successful, you need to be willing and able to do what unsuccessful people are not willing or able to do.

Most people that I have seen fail are not willing to do things that make them uncomfortable (a.k.a. Prospecting). So, I agree with a AZ, Salesguy, and Jacques. You need to have the drive and motivation to do things that might seem uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by SalesGuy In my travels "Lack of a motivating force" has been the overwhelming reason for poor results in selling and in life.

This has been my experience too. It's all about the "Why".

That looks like a consensus to me. Thanks everyone.

I would add that failure to take responsibility for an outcome can lead to poor results. My wife has a saying that goes, "If it's to be it's up to me."