When manning an exhibition stand, it is vital that your sales team are alert, approachable and constantly on the lookout for new customers and opportunities. In addition, your team are ambassadors for your business and their behaviour, appearance and conduct is as much on show as your products or services. However, there are lots of pitfalls that can easily be fallen into – no matter how good your team’s intentions – so this week we have come up with a quick run-down of ten things your sales team should not be doing whilst on your exhibition stand:
1. Standing in huddles, making them difficult to approach.
2. Talking on their mobiles, and thus missing valuable opportunities to network.
3. Checking their emails, again taking their focus away from the task at hand.
4. Eating, which looks sloppy and unprofessional (not to mention that customers will not want to speak to a salesperson who has their mouth full!).
5. Using closed or negative body language, such as crossed arms or slouched posture – a straight back and a smile can work wonders!
6. Talking amongst themselves at the cost of speaking with customers.
7. Leaning or lounging around the stand, giving customers the impression that they are disinterested or bored.
8. Listening in to conversations on neighbouring stands – as well as distracting the team from potential clients, this isn’t always as inconspicuous as it may seem!
9. Gossiping, speaking about confidential company matters or using inappropriate language – even between customer visits, it is vital to remember that exhibition stand walls have ears, so you never know which competitors or customers on neighbouring stands may be listening!
10. Fiddling with collateral, accessories, stand components or clothing, which can make them appear uncomfortable, distracted or bored.
