Every St. Patrick’s Day, you probably see people eating lots of corned beef, drinking beer, wearing green and shouting “Erin Go Bragh!”
That’s great and all, but as a sales leader, you’re probably wondering what in the world any of this could possibly have to do with sales performance. Let us explain.
You see, there’s actually a huge amount of old Irish proverbs that are still relevant today. And you guessed it! We found the best ones to use for coaching your reps on sales performance. Check them out below (along with links to the spoken phrase).
10 Sales Coaching Tips from Irish Proverbs
- Mura gcuirfidh tú san earrach ní bhainfidh tú san fhómhar. [Listen Here]
Translation: If you do not sow in the spring, you will not reap in the autumn.
Sales Performance Tip: Remind reps that they can’t always be closing and that they need to be prospecting and nurturing leads to keep filling the top of the funnel. If they only focus on closing deals that are in the proposal or negotiation stages, there won’t be anything to close in the coming months.
- Is fearr lán doirn de cheird ná lán mála d’ór. [Listen Here]
Translation: A handful of skill is better than a bagful of gold.
Sales Performance Tip: Regularly coach your sales reps. Even top-performing reps can perfect sales techniques or learn new skills from one-one-one coaching sessions.
- Ní bhíonn saoi gan locht ná daoi gan tréith. [Listen Here]
Translation: There is no wise man without a fault neither a fool without a talent.
Sales Performance Tip: Encourage sales team collaboration, and pair up reps with peer mentors. Your team can learn an immense amount from each other, regardless of who has the most experience.
- Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. [Listen Here]
Translation: Praise the young and they will blossom.
Sales Performance Tip: Motivate your team with recognition. Research shows that appreciation is a fundamental human need.
- I ndiaidh a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin. [Listen Here]
Translation: It takes time to build castles.
Sales Performance Tip: Help reps avoid burnout by reminding them that Rome wasn’t built in a day. (But also see #7 — it’s a careful balance.)
- Giorraíonn beirt bóthar. [Listen Here]
Translation: Two shorten the road.
Sales Performance tip: Foster an environment of team collaboration, where reps share wins, participate in friendly competitions and work together toward a common goal.
- Buail an t-iarann nuair a bhíonn sé te. [Listen Here]
Translation: Strike while the iron is hot.
Sales Performance Tip: Since time kills deals in sales, teach reps how to create a sense of urgency with prospects.
- Taithí a dhéanann máistreacht. [Listen Here]
Translation: Practice makes perfect.
Sales Performance Tip: Train reps to get better at talking to prospects by motivating them to make more calls and engaging in personalized outreach.
- Bailíonn brobh beart. [Listen Here]
Translation: A lot of rushes make up a bundle.
Sales Performance Tip: Make sure reps know that when maintaining sales momentum with prospects, every little bit helps. Provide them with the right resources to make value-added touches throughout the sales process.
- Is fearr beagán cuidithe ná mórán trua. [Listen Here]
Translation: A little help is better than a lot of sympathy.
Sales Performance Tip: Prompt your reps to embody the modern salesperson, who helps modern buyers with education and advice.
Ready for more? Find out how today’s top sales leaders are using sales metrics to drive performance:
