Irish sales professionals – The key facts - survey results

Irish sales professionals – The key facts - survey results 14/01/2005 09:52:00

54% of sales professional respondents have a 3rd level degree, with a further 11% with a professional qualification.

87% are confident of meeting their sales targets for 2005 which is very encouraging for all concerned.

SalesJobs.ie Ireland’s No 1 Jobs board for sales professionals in Ireland conducted a survey throughout December and early January this year of its 3000 members.

“Looking at the statistics compiled from the online survey of sales professional respondents, we can define a profile of the Irish sales professional;

They are of a professionally qualified and ambitious individual, willing and confident of meeting targets for their employer in 2005. Promotional opportunities is of highest value to this sales professional, alongside financial rewards as the driving power for their professional career advancement.”

A staggering 56% of sales professional respondents stated ‘unprofessional leadership’ when asked what demotivated them most in their current role.
71% of respondents were male, 29% female indicating that women account for almost a 1/3 of the sales workforce.

A higher % of female respondents have third level/professional qualifications (54%) with the majority of females (33%) indicating 2-5 years in sales as opposed to the male statistics of 45% with 3rd level degrees and 40% of males indicating 10 years plus experience in sales.
This indicates that whilst women in sales have a higher level of education than their male counterparts, they are relatively new to the profession of sales.
83% replied ‘Yes’ when asked overall are you happy with your career in sales.
42% of sales professionals surveyed are currently employed but actively looking for a job right now.
38% of sales professionals surveyed are employed and not actively looking but open to opportunities. This gives a total of 80% of respondents who are open to a career move, perhaps because of the time of year or stronger buying signals from their clients, indicating the sales jobs market will be very buoyant for 2005.

The Telecommunications and Fast Moving consumer Goods Industries were proportionally the highest industries actively looking to change jobs. IT industry respondents were highest open to opportunities.
25% of sales professional respondents work within the IT industry, 15% within Fast Moving Consumer Goods, with equally 6% in Media/Print, Telecommunications, Medical/Pharmaceutical. At 5% Finance/Banking/Insurance and Health/Tourism and Auto sales professionals.

Sales professionals named lack of promotional prospects as their main reason for leaving their last employment (32%) ahead of money (23%), location (16%) and lack of recognition (18%).
Uncapped commission rated the benefit of highest value when changing jobs, following equal second place Health/Benefits and Company Car. Phone and laptop were of least value in the deciding factor.

67% stated that their current employer has no formal sales training process in place. The FMCG sector fared the best in providing sales training, with 39% stating their company had a formal sales training process in place.

43% have attended a sales training course in the past 12 months, 29% stating 1-2 years, 15% 5 years plus and 12% never having attended formal sales training. Yet an overall 55% rate attending regular sales training skills courses of high importance.

“Surmising from the respondents replies in relation to formal sales training, it is evident that Irish employers need to recognise and invest in the importance of training in their long term development plans, in order to gain a return of investment on their sales professionals.”

SalesJobs.ie