Manoh Arora once said,
When you push yourself beyond limits, you discover inner reserves, which you never thought existed earlier.
Reflecting on my career as a sales manager, I realize how much I’ve learned and unlearned along the way. My journey has been far from linear—it’s been a series of revelations, observations, and self-discoveries that have shaped my approach to communication, the power of empathy, and the importance of fostering a collaborative environment.
A sales role is often seen as daunting, typically because it comes with targets that push you beyond your known capabilities, forcing you to leave your comfort zone. While it’s true that sales can be high-pressure, I’ve come to believe that everyone should experience a sales role at some point in their career, whether early on or later, it’s never too late.
The skills you gain in sales are invaluable and will serve you throughout your career and life. The ability to sell is priceless, and you need it more than you might realize. Whether at work or in life, you’re constantly selling—products, ideas, and especially yourself. Knowing how to sell just makes everything easier.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room, Targets!
When faced with daunting targets, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but the key is a mindset shift. Every challenging target is an opportunity to refine your approach, sharpen your skills, and build resilience. The way you respond to these challenges defines the end result. By embracing the challenge, you unlock new levels of potential. Targets aren’t meant to keep you in your comfort zone—they challenge you to grow, think outside the box, and push past your limits. Without that push, we risk stagnation, and in sales, stagnation is the death of progress.
When I face challenging targets, I don’t let them intimidate me. Instead, I first internalize them, telling myself, “This is achievable.” Once I believe that, I move on to strategizing—thinking about what I need to do differently and how to leverage my strengths and resources to hit the target. This is where the power of belief kicks in. Believing in your ability to achieve triggers a cascade of positive actions, and this mindset is crucial for effective sales efforts. From there, you start finding creative ways to approach your work, and suddenly, the impossible seems within reach. Confidence becomes your ally, driving you to perform better, think clearer, and execute with precision.
A few months ago, I joined Identitypass as a Senior Sales Manager, responsible for driving sales efforts alongside my colleagues. This role presented new challenges, particularly because it marked a shift from the industries I had previously worked in and required adapting to a strictly B2B environment. However, it didn’t take long for me to familiarize myself with the identity verification space and understand how to effectively sell the various services we offer to businesses.
One key lesson I’ve learned is that the sales approach varies significantly across different sectors. This understanding has allowed me to break down my targets into smaller, manageable milestones, set daily or weekly goals, and consistently track my progress. I’ve also tapped into the power of my network, using valuable insights and opportunities to close deals more quickly. Most importantly, I stay adaptable—ready to pivot strategies when necessary. Flexibility is crucial in sales, as the landscape is constantly changing. By staying open to new approaches, I can remain in sync with market shifts, customer needs, and emerging trends, which ultimately gives me a competitive edge.
In the end, it’s not just about meeting the target; it’s about growing through the challenge. Every target you meet isn’t just a tick on a list—it’s a testament to your growth, adaptability, and drive. So, to my fellow sales professionals, the next time you’re given a target that seems out of reach, remember—it’s not about the target itself, but how you choose to tackle it. The real reward isn’t just in hitting the numbers; it’s in becoming better, smarter, and more resilient with every challenge you conquer.
ABOUT IDENTITYPASS by PREMBLY
Identitypass is a global verification service provider for companies, offering a range of services to hundreds of brands in Fintech, Insurance, Mobility, E-commerce, HR management, Crypto spaces, and other sectors. We ensure that businesses are protected from identity thefts and help them improve their customer onboarding (sign-up and verification) processes. Identitypass processes thousands of verification calls daily for businesses in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries through its document verification solution. With continuous expansion plans, our team is committed to developing smarter ways of ensuring that digital verifications are seamless, easy, and secure.
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ABOUT SIMBIAT ODENIYI-Sales Executive
Simbiat Odeniyi is a result-driven business developer and sales executive with over four years of experience. She has a proven track record of exceeding targets and driving revenue growth, with particular expertise in lead generation, prospecting, presentation, negotiations, objection handling, sales management, communication, and customer relationship management.
Simbiat takes a customer-focused approach, working closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver customized solutions that meet their unique requirements. She is also a skilled communicator and relationship-builder, capable of earning trust and rapport with stakeholders at all levels of an organization. Currently, Simbiat drives sales activities at Identitypass with a strong commitment to delivering value to a diverse customer base, always seeking new opportunities to learn and grow.
