Business English for sales professionals.
As a sales professional, you'll definitely have many talents, but one that stands out the most is your communication skills. So never underestimate how important your language skills are in your job: a lot will depend on the way you get your message across.
We give you 5 important tips to get the best out of your business language skills:
1. Don't settle for 'it's good enough'
If you take your job seriously, you'll always want to go for the best even when your client speaks another language you are not fully proficient in.
And why should you make do with insufficient language skills? You may be able to express yourself adequately in English in everyday situations, but do you really have extensive knowledge of business English? Can you approach and convince your customers in exactly the same way in English as in your mother tongue?
If the answer to that last question is 'no, then it is time to do something about it now and stop letting opportunities slip by because your language skills are inadequate.
2. Expand your vocabulary
Most language learners developed a basic vocabulary that helps them through common conversations. What we don’t have in our arsenal once we’re on our own in a multi-lingual business environment, is the specific vocabulary that we need to hold our own at work.
Therefore, start looking for the specific words you need in your job. You can do this in various ways:
- What vocabulary is your company using? If you work in an international company that operates in different languages, you probably always view the website in your native language? Change the language option to English and you immediately have a good grasp of the vocabulary the company uses to present itself to the public. These are the words that describe your company’s identity, values, and ambitions.
- Learn from your co-workers. Collect as many words as possible that your colleagues use in their emails, phone calls or during meetings and presentations.
Then bundle all those words and expressions into a list that you can easily review.
Or put your word list in a tool like Quizlet or Anki to make learning fun and easy. - Look for online publications, forums, videos or podcasts with news about your sector or job. Most importantly, the publication should be available in English.
Just do a Google search and get started. Meanwhile, take notes so you can learn from others.
3. Choose powerful words
Your choice of words during a negotiation or sales meeting can make or break your message.
By consciously choosing the right words, you can strengthen your arguments and convince your customer faster.
Be aware of words which strengthen your message and are therefore good to use during your sales talks, and words which are better to avoid.
4. Avoid surprises
As a sales professional, nothing can throw you off guard. Or almost nothing ... A sales conversation in English is slightly more challenging than one in your mother tongue.
Whereas in your own language you know the right answer to every question and you can talk enthusiastically about your product or service, this is less obvious in English.
Do you sometimes fail to find the right words or just can't express the right nuance to win over your customer? This will be familiar to many. Try to avoid surprises by preparing for every situation. On the one hand, you can do this by expanding your professional vocabulary, but on the other hand, you can also prepare yourself by learning standard sentences.
5. Practise, practise and practise
Now that you've created your list with vocabulary and key sentences, you'll need to learn to apply the words spontaneously during meetings, phone calls and presentations.
With these tips, you will learn to actively use your business vocabulary and incorporate it into your daily routine:
- Make a selection (no more than 5) of the words and phrases that are most useful and that you'll be able to use often. Write them on post-it notes and keep them on your desk. Try to use the words as much as possible in e-mails, during meetings or presentations ... As soon as you feel comfortable using your 5 selected words, you can move on to the next 5 words or phrases.
- Practise the words you have trouble using correctly by writing fictional e-mails, dialogues or discussions during meetings, or prepare slides for a presentation. Use the words as much as possible so that you actively learn to apply them in the right context. If you are not sure whether you are using the words correctly, ask a friend or colleague to check your exercises or, better still, ask your language coach!
6. Stay confident
Your self-confidence and enthusiasm have a direct impact on your sales performance. Yes the content you bring is important, but the way you deliver that content also influences your performance.
Do you feel insecure when speaking, calling or writing in English? Your lack of confidence will have an impact on your customers and their ability to believe in you. Should they believe in you? Yes they do!
Do you need help to improve your business English as a sales professional?
Do you need professional help to improve your business English and to learn how to use the right vocabulary actively? Then you can book a session with one of our language coaches.
Together with your coach you will learn new vocabulary and key sentences and practise until you can actively use the words with complete confidence.
Create your account on Squidll, find a business language coach who fits your needs and start today on Squidll!
