The certification Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL), launched by HSMAI Global, recognizes the experience of hotel sales leaders, with a focus on the most up-to-date sales practices and strategies.
Below are some of the essential skills for performing in the commercial area of the hotel industry, according to the study guide The Hotel Sales Playbook: Winning Strategies for Success.
1. Gain industry knowledge
- Stay constantly up-to-date on key customer segments, market trends, and industry events.
- Participate in associations and events that discuss trends.
In a market flooded with generic offerings, standout salespeople offer unique insights and value that prospects can't get anywhere else. These insights stem from a deep understanding of the industry, the competition, and the specific challenges their prospects face. By sharing personalized advice and innovative solutions, sales professionals demonstrate their commitment to prospect success, fostering stronger and more meaningful connections that go beyond the transactional.
2. Expand your business vision
- Understand how hotel departments interact to generate revenue and achieve goals.
- Know key metrics / KPIs that reflect the impact on business performance.
- Consider getting certified Certified in Hospitality Business Acumen (CHBA) of HSMAI, which simulates the strategic decision-making of a general manager over a 12-month cycle.
3. Assume a consultative and decisive profile
- Identifies customer needs and proposes practical solutions aligned with the hotel's capabilities.
- Record details during conversations and avoid promising things you can't deliver: be realistic and transparent.
- Get involved in the hotel's strategic plan.
4. Develop analytical thinking
- Solve problems by breaking them down into smaller parts and anticipating consequences.
- Use data intelligence tools to analyze hotel performance against competitors, identify opportunities, and create action plans.
5. Be professional and a true representative of the brand
- Be an ambassador for the hotel's brand identity, reflecting values, ethics, and professionalism.
- Sales professionalism is more than a skill: it's a mindset.
6. Optimize your communication and presentation skills
- Train to deliver presentations clearly and confidently.
- Practice your presentation skills regularly to maintain excellence.
- Meet the pre-established time in the presentations.
7. Create a formal prospecting plan
- Organize your time and define a strategic plan for contacts through telephone, email, social networks or meetings at events. trade.
8. Invest in Continuing Education
- Continuous learning is a trademark of the successful salesperson.