LinkedIn Traits B2B Buyers Value in Salespeople Jun2020 largeThe top traits that B2B buyers value in salespeople do not always align with what sales managers look for when hiring, with 42% of buyers valuing active listening but just 26% of sales managers valuing this trait. So finds a recent report [download page] from LinkedIn that explores what defines a top-performing sales team.

In the survey of more than 500 buyers and 500 salespeople, active listening was cited as the #1 trait that buyers value in salespeople (42%) with problem-solving at #2 (38%). Other top traits included confidence at #3 (38%), relationship building at #4 (34%) and oral communications at #5 (27%). All these traits make for mutually-valuable calls between buyers and salespeople – a practice common among top B2B salespeople.

However, when comparing the characteristics that sales managers look for in their hires, a gap emerges between the teams that sales managers are building versus the qualities buyers really want.

Read the full report here.

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