Whether you’re just starting out in business, or have been working your business for years, a key to continued growth is ongoing professional development. The world around you is constantly evolving, and the only way you’ll keep your business relevant and growing is by keeping up. It’s one of the most valuable investments you can make in your business.

Think about what things you regularly spend time and money on to grow your business: a website, business cards, inventory for product demonstration, etc. Professional development should be on this list.  New ideas, technologies, consumer needs, and product lines are constantly changing. Don’t get left behind!

Here are some ways you and your business can grow through professional development:

  •  Time management – This skill is vital to the self-employed.  By learning to manage your time well, you can run a more efficient and profitable business.
  • Product expertise – Do you feel a dual sense of both excitement and anxiety when that new catalog or product line from your company debuts?  It can be overwhelming to re-educate yourself every time new products are introduced. Get yourself to that quarterly or annual training that the company has in place.  There, you will learn the essential features and benefits of new products and the best ways to market them to your customers.
  • Interpersonal skills – Even if you are a seasoned veteran, there is always value in improving your ability to engage with others.  Running your own business requires the building and maintaining of relationships with existing and potential customers, colleagues in your upline and downline, and even those in the corporate division of the company.  Devoting your time to your company’s professional development will help you perfect this aspect of your business.
  • Renewed motivation – Let’s face it: self-employment, although rewarding, is not always easy if you want to do it well.  However, the support system of those pursuing the same goals as you will reenergize your commitment to your business.  Make it a priority to physically attend local and national training opportunities; the rallying and motivating words of others are infectious.  Use them to your advantage.

Successful companies have already invested time, money, and resources into creating effective professional development for sellers.  Take advantage of the training they have to offer; it’s there to help you achieve your business goals.

And don’t forget to check out our resources here on our Direct Selling Education Foundation Blog as well. We provide new content every week to help you grow your business.

How do you grow professionally? What are some of your favorite resources for ongoing professional development? Would love to read your tips and resources in the comments below!

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