Mark Zokle | How to Run Your Business from Anywhere

Do you have what it takes to manage your business operations, staff, and profits from the comfort of your own home? Mark Zokle says you do… if you have the right mindset and tools. Here, the legendary sales trainer explains how.

Pick the right staff

Mark Zokle explains that no business can operate effectively with an untrained staff. It is doubly more difficult when you factor in the lack of a team environment where your team can support one another. According to Mark Zokle, remote workers must be self-disciplined and understand that their working hours at home are no different than in an office. You must expect their full attention when it’s required, underscores Mark Zokle. If you’re serious about success, find managers who have as much – or more – experience than you and oversee training of your new employees yourself.

Emphasize accountability

Accountability is essential in managing a business from afar. Mark Zokle suggests scheduling weekly meetings to discuss any recent issues that have arisen or offer praise for exceptional work. Some industries may benefit from daily “stand up” meetings, which are less formal but help set the tone for the day. Mark Zokle notes that following up with your employees once a month doesn’t accomplish much. Regular meetings allow you to put in place an immediate correction plan when needed. Tracking employee performance isn’t easy when you’re remote but Mark Zokle says it’s imperative.

Mark Zokle Explains Importance of Proactive Recruiting in Sales

Every company needs a competent sales staff. However, many tend to look at recruitment reactively, points out Mark Zokle. According to Zokle, it’s not productive to fill empty positions when they come available. Here, Zokle explains how to recruit effectively.

Don’t stop recruiting

According to Mark Zokle, your sales managers should always be recruiting. This can be posting to job boards, conducting on-site interviews, or hitting the streets. Don’t overlook job fairs, shopping malls, and other public places where your next sales superstar could be hiding in plain sight.

Stock up on business cards

Business cards are an extremely affordable way to get your contact information to potential employees, says Mark Zokle. His goal is to pass out at least 50 business cards every week.

Mark Zokle Explains Why Businesses Fail

Businesses fail for one main reason, says Mark Zokle – the failure to plan. In a market ripe with competition (in all industries), foregoing the forecasting stage spells disaster. In this succinct narrative, Mark Zokle outlines five strategic moves that can’t be overlooked.

Prepare data and understand motivations.

According to Mark Zokle, the preparation phase of any strategic planning initiative is the most important. This is when key business motivations should be clearly identified, defined, and understood by company leaders.

Evaluate goals.

Once goals are outlined, they must be assessed to ensure they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timeline-oriented. In other words, don’t set goals that cannot be measured once achieved, says Mark Zokle.

Mark Zokle on Goal Setting

All sales professionals have one thing in common: They set goals. However, despite the intent to reach those objectives, many sales people fall short every year. Mark Zokle, a leading sales trainer with over twenty years’ experience, says there are a few slight behavior modifications that can help both novice and seasoned professionals focus on – and achieve – their goals.

The simplest change in a daily routine can make or break a salesperson, says Mark Zokle. This change is to simply ensure that making connections is the number one priority. Statistically, a salesperson must make 3,600 attempts each year in order to meet 180 prospects. Typically, only 1 in 3 of these meetings will result in a sale; that’s 60 signed deals. The idea of only closing less than 1% of contacts may be discouraging, admits Mark Zokle, but in the home improvement industry where each sale can easily be over $10,000, it becomes an impressive dollar figure.

Mark Zokle Outlines Top 4 Ways to Motivate and Manage Sales Teams

Mark Zokle is a marketing and sales expert with over twenty successful years under his belt. He’s spoken at training seminars across the country and has helped boost the careers of thousands of sales professionals. Zokle says these four tips are a good foundation on which to build a motivated workforce.

1. Lead by example.

It should be a no-brainer, but too many sales managers forget that they are the role model upon which their team members will base their actions, says Mark Zokle.

2. Build and encourage good work relationships.

Mark Zokle acknowledges that sales professionals – even those working together as a team – tend to compete with one another. A good sales manager understands that socialization goes a long way toward boosting a positive and collaborative environment. This could be something as simple as a quick drink after hours or in an-office lunch during an informal, relaxed meeting.