The past twelve months has brought many unprecedented challenges for sales teams across Southeast Asia. Despite this, those armed with the right digital tools, mindset, and determination have not only survived – but thrived.

For example, at Anantara Vacation Club, the company’s 40 customer service agents  were put to the test when they were abruptly forced to work from home. The lockdowns also meant that agents were split across three countries for an extended period.

“Working from home is now normal, but you can only do it if your base and infrastructure is correct,” says Matthijs de Man, Director of Club Services and Innovation at Anantara Vacation Club. “Our people needed to get into a different rhythm, and our existing digital infrastructure meant we could provide the consistency our team needed.”

The result? A dynamic and connected team that was determined to succeed despite the obstacles.

I get excited when I hear these stories. Even more so, when the people behind them, the business leaders and entrepreneurs, are willing to share their insights and knowledge. It’s this spirit of collaboration, and information transparency that underpins so much of our philosophy at Salesforce and what we know, without doubt, gives businesses that extra edge.

 

How ASEAN sales experts seal their deals

With this in mind, I am pleased to announce the launch of our latest e-book, ASEAN 50 Pro Sales Tips for 2021.

In it, you will find unmissable insights and learnings from experts in Southeast Asia who are the best in their fields. They shared tried and tested methods on how to become a master in the art of sales in 2021.

The 50 carefully selected tips also connect the whole sales cycle, from building a great team culture to customer relationships, social selling, and more. Each tip gives you the opportunity to identify weaknesses and resolve problems quickly. My vision is that you keep this handy as you go about your working days, and also share it widely amongst your sales teams to inspire and guide them towards success.

Here’s a preview of what you can look forward to:

 

Accelerate sales with these three key insights

 

Building a great sales culture

Jolyn Tay, VP Commercial at Singapore-based omnichannel Buy-Now Pay-Later company hoolah, talks about the value of investing in staff training, tools, and support to improve productivity and overall business growth. This is a great strategy, which has worked so well for hoolah throughout the challenges of the last year, and firmly set them up for future success as well.

 

The art of negotiation

Another tip from the e-book that really resonated for me was from Khoo Boo Beng, Managing Director of Cloud First Applications, Accenture, with regards to negotiating a sale. He outlines four simple steps: Empathise, Understand, Demonstrate, and Test. Approaching a negotiation from this perspective takes the emphasis away from simply closing a sale at all costs. Considering it as a process driven by human relationships and communication can really transform the outcome.

 

Being authentic when social selling

Avis Easteal, Regional Head of Consumer, APAC at Luxasia, makes the important point that not all social platforms may be right for your brand image. Taking the time to research and consider the options, and checking alignment with your brand image, will reinforce that you are authentic and trustworthy.

These are just three of the kernels of wisdom you will find in the e-book. 

To find out more, download your copy of ASEAN 50 Pro Sales Tips today and make 2021 your best sales year yet!