As a sales manager for the company you need to make sure that your salespeople on your sales force do not act like children. Many people believe that children are the world's best sales people because they are good at twisting and manipulating their parents feelings and generally good at getting what they want.

Whereas this may be true, as a sales manager you need to understand that the salespeople on your sales force represent your company and your products or services and you cannot have them running around like a bunch of children even if they may sell a little bit more.

We have all watched little children and their persuasive tactics in order to get mom or dad to see their way or give them something that they want, but this is not the way a professional salesperson should act and it is certainly not a waiver you wish to have your product or service represented.

If you have noticed children will not take no for an answer when there is something that they really want. But this is not selling and some marketing executives have noted that kids will go to extreme in the pursuit of their goal. It is important that your sales force also go to extreme, but to please the customer and understand their objections and solve problems.

As a sales manager you need to make sure that your salespeople understand the difference and do not jeopardize the professional nature of your company. Please consider this in 2006.