14 International Sales Manager Skills for Your Career and Resume

International sales managers are responsible for leading and managing a sales team that sells products or services to customers in other countries. They need to have a deep understanding of the global market and be able to adapt their sales strategies to different cultures. If you’re interested in becoming an international sales manager, it’s important to understand the skills that are necessary for success in this role.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to motivate and guide a team toward common goals. Effective leaders can help their teams overcome challenges, improve performance and achieve success. As an international sales manager, you may need to lead teams in different countries with unique cultural norms and practices. Strong leadership skills can help you build trust with your employees and encourage them to work hard for the company’s success.

Account Management

Account management is the ability to manage customer relationships and ensure that customers are satisfied. As an international sales manager, you may need to work with clients from other countries, which means having excellent account management skills can help you build trust with your clients and increase your company’s reputation. For example, if a client in another country has a question about one of your products, you might be able to answer their question over email or phone call.

Product Knowledge

A thorough knowledge of the products and services your company offers can help you make informed decisions about how to sell them. Consider reading product manuals, attending training sessions or observing experienced sales managers to learn more about what you’re selling. You can also ask other members of your team for information on their products. This can help you understand any differences between models and features so you can explain these details to customers.

Sales Strategy Development

Sales strategy development is the ability to create and implement a plan for increasing sales. This includes creating goals, analyzing data and developing strategies that can help you achieve your goals. Effective sales managers know how to develop effective sales strategies that increase revenue while also ensuring their team members are happy and satisfied with their work environment.

Cross-Cultural Communication

A global economy requires international sales managers to have the ability to communicate with people from different cultures. This means that they need to be able to adapt their communication style based on who they’re speaking with and what culture they come from. For example, an American sales manager may use a more direct approach when communicating with someone in the United States, but they may take a more indirect approach if they’re communicating with someone in Japan.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As an international sales manager, you may need flexibility in your job because market conditions and customer needs can change frequently. You might also travel internationally for work, which means that you may have to adjust to different time zones, cultures and languages. Being flexible allows you to be more receptive to new information and situations so you can make informed decisions quickly.

Market Research

Market research is the process of gathering information about a particular market, including its size, trends and potential. International sales managers often use market research to determine which products or services they should offer in different countries. For example, if you’re an American company looking to expand into China, you might conduct market research to learn more about Chinese consumers’ preferences and buying habits.

Fluent in a Second Language

Fluency in a second language can be an important skill for international sales managers to have, as it allows them to communicate with clients from other countries. This is especially true if the company they work for has customers outside of their home country. Having this skill can help these professionals build relationships and increase sales.

Customer Relationship Management

Customer relationship management is the ability to build trust with customers and ensure they have a positive experience. This can include responding quickly to customer inquiries, providing excellent service and ensuring your company meets their needs. Customer relationship management skills are important for building long-term relationships with clients that result in repeat business.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As an international sales manager, you may need to solve problems that arise with suppliers or customers from other countries. For example, if a supplier doesn’t deliver products on time, you might negotiate with them to receive the materials by another date. You can also use problem-solving skills when employees have questions about company policies or procedures.

Lead Generation

A strong ability to generate leads is important for an international sales manager, as it can help them find new clients and increase their company’s revenue. This skill involves identifying potential customers and convincing them to buy a product or service from your company. To develop this skill, you might consider taking courses in marketing or business development.

Business Travel

Business travel is a common part of an international sales manager’s job, as they often need to visit clients in person. Having the ability to plan and execute business trips can help you be successful in your role. You may also have opportunities to travel for conferences or training sessions that can help you advance your career.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. As an international sales manager, you may need to manage teams in different countries, so organizational skills can help you stay on top of your duties while also managing a global team. Organization can also be important for keeping track of customer information, contracts and other records related to your job.

Negotiation

Negotiation is the process of reaching an agreement between two parties. As a sales manager, you may need to negotiate with clients and suppliers to complete transactions or reach agreements on pricing. Your negotiation skills can help you close deals that are beneficial for your company while also providing value to customers.

How Can I Learn These International Sales Manager Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the skills necessary to be an international sales manager. One way is to take on a leadership role in a sales organization. This will give you the opportunity to develop your sales strategy development skills and learn about different products. You can also take on a cross-cultural communication role in order to learn how to effectively communicate with customers from different cultures. Finally, you can take a business travel course in order to learn how to effectively manage your time and resources while traveling.