Sales managers direct and coordinate the sales of goods and services for businesses.

Sales managers oversee the activities of their sales staff. They:

• Set up training programs
• Assign salespeople territories
• Set their sales goals
• Monitor salespeople's sales statistics

Managers evaluate salespeople's performance and suggest ways to increase their sales. Some sales managers oversee other sales managers and their staffs at the local or regional level.

Sales managers review sales records, expenses, and projected sales. They often determine the initial price of products and services. They may oversee the budgeting, bookkeeping, and shipping departments.

Managers may increase the amount of advertising if sales are low. They talk to department heads to plan advertising campaigns. They also set discount rates.

Some sales managers work with customers. They talk to customers about their product needs and advise them about what to buy. They resolve customer complaints about products or services. Some represent their companies at trade shows. They talk to customers and promote their products.

Sales managers may be in charge of setting up franchises. They talk to business people who are interested in running franchises. Managers advise business people of the policies and procedures they must follow. They analyze the marketing potential of the new stores. They inspect new stores to make sure they are similar to the parent business. They make sure the new stores meet safety codes.

Some sales managers are in charge of the research and development of new products. If they import products from other countries, managers make sure they meet American product standards. They make sure items sold to other countries meet the product standards of those countries. They oversee stores established in other countries.