skillfactor-pipeline/skills/commercial-sales-representative/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — commercial sales representative

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 41-4011.00 (Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products).

Task statements

• [Core] Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
• [Core] Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
• [Core] Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
• [Core] Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
• [Core] Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
• [Core] Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.
• [Core] Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.
• [Core] Provide customers with ongoing technical support.
• [Core] Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.
• [Core] Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
• [Core] Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork.
• [Core] Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.
• [Core] Stock or distribute resources, such as samples or promotional or educational materials.
• [Core] Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
• [Core] Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
• [Core] Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.
• [Core] Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines.
• [Core] Identify prospective customers, using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance.
• [Core] Advise customers on product usage to improve production.
• [Core] Study documentation or other information for new scientific or technical products.
• [Core] Attend sales or trade meetings or read related publications to obtain information about market conditions, business trends, environmental regulations, or industry developments.
• [Supplemental] Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.
• [Supplemental] Arrange for installation and testing of products or machinery.
• [Supplemental] Consult with engineers regarding technical problems with products.
• [Supplemental] Visit establishments, such as pharmacies, to determine product sales.
• [Supplemental] Inform customers about issues related to responsible use and disposal of products, such as waste reduction or product or byproduct recycling or disposal.
• [Supplemental] Present information to customers about the energy efficiency or environmental impact of scientific or technical products.
• [Supplemental] Sell technical and scientific products that are environmentally sound or designed for environmental remediation.
• [Supplemental] Sell service contracts for technical or scientific products.
• [Supplemental] Demonstrate the operation or use of technical or scientific products.
• [Supplemental] Initiate sales campaigns to meet sales and production expectations.
• [Supplemental] Verify accuracy of materials lists.
• [Supplemental] Verify customer credit ratings.

Detailed work activities

• Advise customers on the use of products or services.
• Answer customer questions about goods or services.
• Arrange delivery of goods or services.
• Attend events to develop professional knowledge.
• Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
• Coordinate sales campaigns.
• Deliver promotional presentations to current or prospective customers.
• Demonstrate products to consumers.
• Develop content for sales presentations or other materials.
• Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.
• Distribute promotional literature or samples to customers.
• Estimate costs or terms of sales.
• Explain technical product or service information to customers.
• Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
• Identify potential customers.
• Maintain records of customer accounts.
• Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
• Monitor market conditions or trends.
• Monitor sales activities.
• Negotiate prices or other sales terms.
• Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
• Prepare sales or other contracts.
• Process sales or other transactions.
• Recommend products or services to customers.
• Sell products or services.
• Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
• Stock products or parts.
• Study product information to acquire professional knowledge.
• Verify accuracy of records.
• Verify customer credit information.