do salespeople really need a college degree to succeed in their field?

17% of salespeople did not attend college

Source
Hubspot

Topic
Sales Trends

Year
2019

While having a degree can certainly provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, many successful salespeople have proven that formal education isn’t a prerequisite for success in sales. In fact, some salespeople argue that real-world experience and soft skills such as communication, empathy, and persistence are more important than a degree.

However, it’s worth noting that the sales landscape is changing, and a college degree may become more important in the future. As technology advances and industries become more complex, sales roles may require a deeper level of knowledge and expertise than in the past.

Additionally, some companies may have specific education requirements for sales roles. However, it’s important to remember that a degree does not necessarily guarantee success in sales, and it’s ultimately up to the individual to develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their role.

In conclusion, while a college degree can certainly be beneficial, it’s not necessarily a requirement for success in sales. Real-world experience and soft skills are also valuable assets in this field. As the sales landscape continues to evolve, it’s important for salespeople to adapt and continue learning in order to stay competitive.

If you’re interested in improving your sales skills, consider exploring the resources and training programs offered by SalesLion. Our team of experienced sales professionals can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you succeed in your sales career. Contact us today to book a consultation and start your journey towards sales success.

More 2019 Stats

Abandoned Cart Emails Sent within 20 Minutes Have an Average Conversion rate of 5.2%

But Removing the Navigation Menu can Increase Conversions by 100%

Average E-Commerce Conversion Rates Vary from 2.8% to 4.5%

Nearly Half (48 percent) of Online Shoppers Simply Head Straight to a Large Ecommerce Marketplace

28% Shoppers Abandon Carts because of Unexpected Shipping Costs

Only 10 percent of executive customers said sales calls provide enough value to warrant the time they spent on them.

Only 15 percent of sales calls add enough value, according to executives surveyed.

The Average Order Value of B2C Online Order is $52

Using Video on Landing Pages can Increase Conversion by 80%

Landing Pages with Multiple Offers get 266% Fewer Leads than Single Offer Pages

More Sales Trends Stats

56% of sales professionals get leads from existing customer referrals.

38% of sales leaders say their customers want to buy through e-commerce stores

83% of Sales Professionals Report Working on Weekends

In a recent McKinsey study, 61% of survey respondents said that, before the pandemic, they primarily sold their business’ products through traditional in-person sales — that number has since fallen to 29%.

Even with a return to in-person lifestyles, only 20% of B2B buyers say they hope to return to in-person sales.

According to HubSpot, the length of a sales cycle decreased by an average of 15% when virtual sales tools were used.

According to a study by Salesforce, the total close rate for B2B deals increased by 10% in 2021 compared to the year before. This is due to an increase in remote selling and sales teams investing more time on proactive outreach.

Companies that are experiencing the most growth generate 40% more of their revenue from tailored engagements than those expanding slowly.

2% is the average success rate for cold calling

Sales enablement initiatives increased sales for 76% of companies by 6%-20%

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