Xactly User Conference May 20-22, San Francisco
As we make our way through Women's History Month, we continue to celebrate Xactly’s women in sales. Last week, we spotlighted Karen Allinder and her journey in the industry. This week, we shine a light on Kylie Engle and her story — which is one of great inspiration to women who are considering a career in sales. Read on for insightful tips for success.
Navigating Growth and Evolution in the Sales Landscape
Like many, Kylie didn't get into sales by choice, she stumbled on it. Her 20-year journey began in the legacy area of media advertising sales, a regionally centric-and relationship-based landscape. She excelled in the necessary face-to-face interactions and in building strong relationships with her customers. However, she craved growth and constant evolution, which led her to explore the dynamic world of Saas/Tech sales. Since then, she has worked her way from Business Development Representative to Account Executive and now holds a Client Executive role. She is living proof that sales can find you!
What Women Bring to Sales
According to Kylie, one of the most valuable traits that women bring to sales is adaptability. Women have to juggle many responsibilities, from running a household to managing social calendars and raising children. Adapting to different situations is a strength that women use every day to survive, and it is reflected in their sales style — such as adjusting to different personalities and personas and finding ways to relate to people.
Additionally, she believes women possess a high level of emotional insight and consideration for others' feelings, making them great at understanding customer needs. Whether it's navigating negotiations or determining how to approach various situations, women bring a unique perspective to the sales process.
Leveraging Strengths for Success
For any woman considering or entering sales, Kylie’s advice is to focus on your strengths. Women are master multitaskers and can relate to different individuals — qualities that can be invaluable in the sales industry. She emphasizes that providing value is key when it comes to success in sales and is based on executing with excellence, being reliable, and radiating positive and enjoyable energy. It is these qualities that customers will always come back to time and time again and is what has helped drive her success.
Although sales may seem like a male-dominated industry, it is important to remember that women bring different, unique qualities and traits to the table. And when it comes to getting a seat at the table, she says nobody is going to ask you — instead, you must find ways to pull up more chairs. Being vocal about your goals and aspirations is essential to that. Equally important, it is critical to find a company culture where your contribution can be appreciated and recognized. By surrounding yourself with a supportive environment, your impact will be appreciated and success will likely follow.
