Brokers & Sales Representatives- What's The Diffs?

By Adriana Noton

Sales representatives or brokers form a large and integral part of many companies, promoting products as well as services into the hands of buyers and thus generating sales for the company. The brokers normally work away from the company whilst sales representatives work from the offices of the company on a full time basis, making use of the resources offered by the company. More info on what's the diffs between Brokers & Sales Representatives.

Brokers are paid on a commission basis as they usually have other income streams as well as that of the company they represent. Brokers generally represent several companies, often in the same industry and sell a wide range of products. Sales representatives are often paid a small basic salary and get commission on sales generated.

Availability of employment opportunities for sales representatives and brokers in places such as associations and Real Estate and earnings potential may change with fluctuating economic conditions.

Sales representatives and brokers form an important part of business for manufacturers and wholesalers and their potential success.

Generating sales leads and closing sales are the two main objectives in the role of a representative or broker.

The process of marketing and selling a something could be extensive, taking from several days to months. A sales representative or broker promotes their product telephonically or in person, explain the features and benefits of their products and answer questions from the prospective customers.

Companies that sell tangible wares such as companies in the food and beverage industry or cosmetic companies or printers that manufacture stationery, use sales representatives. Brokers are used in industries such as the insurance of real estate industries.

Staying current with fluctuating trends in the market and new products in the range, new additional features and keeping up to date with current market trends and customers' needs are essential factors in the job description of a sales representative. Opportunities to do all of that are available through trade shows and new product launches or training seminars, which aim to assist brokers and sales representatives.

Meeting fellow sales representatives, brokers and clients can be done at conferences where new product developments are discussed.

Products of a technical or mechanical nature are often sold by a broker / sales representative as well as a technical person, who amalgamate in order to reel in the sale by means of combined knowledge.

Telesales agents are sales representatives that spend a large portion of their time telephonically selling goods or services, processing orders as well as fulfilling a customer relations role relating to their product or service. This tenacious type of sales representative is generally office based and is responsible for attaining clients by means of "cold calling" people and businesses to make contact for sales. Sometimes they are also expected to make appointments for meetings attended by the outside sales representatives that represent the company.

Outside based sales representatives spend a lot of time traveling to current and prospective clients. They call these meetings 'sales calls', where they discuss needs with the clients and make suggestions, which will benefit the client or analyze how the company's services could meet the client's needs.

Sales representative would leave brochures or samples of their product showing the client how the products will help save money and aid productivity as well as the prices and availability of the products. - 30243

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