Sales development is the act of educating a team in the act of sales. Sales, which can be done individually or as part of a team, is where a person sells a item or service to a buyer. It is usually thought that sales is the same as marketing but there is a distinct difference - marketing exists to advocate a product by making it attractive to a prospective customer and, through this, may inactively generate a sale. On the other hand, a sales team actively interacts with a prospective customer, demonstrating directly how their goods or service can help the customer by giving them detailed information. The best sales team is someone who works in conjunction with their customer and works to meet the customer's desires and goals with the merchandise or service to be sold.

Sales is an important part of modern business models. Not only does the sales team sell a corporate product or service, they also act to generate unique corporate opportunities and generate customers for their company, thereby supporting and cultivating their company's customer base and industry standing. Sales is often the community face of a business so it essential that proper sales development is provided to the sales team so that they can do well in their selling role but also know how to be the best promoter possible for the product and the company.

There is a range of methods a corporation can employ to connect with their client. Direct sales - where the business interacts directly with their client - is probably the most recognized. The most recognized direct selling methods are door-to-door selling and telemarketing; in both cases the corporation directly connects with the buyer at home or at their place of business to inform them about the goods. Another way of direct selling is 'consultative selling' whereby the business interacts directly with the buyer but initially starts by collaborating with the client about what goods or services they need and creating solutions in consultation with the buyer. Companies also traditionally sell goods through retailers - so called 'middle men' - and through mail order, while the rise of the internet has given companies a new medium in which to deal with potential customers. As can be seen, there is an incredible variety in the way companies contact, connect and potentially sell to a customer, which has increased the necessity of sales training.

Sales development concentrates on the range of methods a sales person can use when directly talking with the client, so important in these days of direct selling. Although there are a range of particular techniques tailored for different varieties of selling, the main thought behind excellent sales practice is five-fold: analyze a client's needs, offer solutions to the buyer, discuss the benefits of the product, overcome any questions the buyer may have and close the sale. This philosophy can sometimes be shortened to a three-part methodology: discover the customer, present to the customer and close the sale.

Sales development classes are extensively available with many training schools and expert companies offering classes that you can take in person or via correspondence or the internet. Many large corporations have also developed their own in-house sales development programs. There are also a plethora of books available on the topic.

Competent sales development will always stress the need to ask customers questions in order to better offer them solutions, will always stress the importance of knowing your merchandise and will include motivational material, as selling is a high-pressure occupation that not only requires a lot of self-motivation but also deals with a lot of rejection as well.

Incentive programs, what they're for and how to use them are also included in a lot of sales development. These 'sales incentive programs' or SIP's, are a method used to encourage a sales agent and lists specific goals for achievement, which aims to focus selling activity.

Sales development will teach you self-motivation, direction and excellent communication talents and, as such, would stand any person in good stead for any leading role outside of sales, as well as within.