15 Core Tasks of a Head of Sales
15 Core Tasks of a Head of Sales
The title is earned.
The troops are lined up.
You’re in command — but somehow, you’re not sure what to do first.
Here’s your field manual.
1. Daily 5-Minute Meetings
Like morning workouts — short, sharp, focused.
Sync the team, set the tone, skip the small talk.
2. Sit in on Calls and Meetings
Two calls and one meeting a day keep you in the loop.
Forget guessing — hear reality.
3. Reporting Oversight
Be the Eye of Sauron — but don’t chase rings, chase money leaks.
4. Pipeline Reviews Twice a Week
Keep the pipeline from turning into a pipe dream.
Track deals, spot stalls, unblock movement.
5. Biweekly Motivation Sessions
A shot of inspiration (or a kick) for those getting too comfortable.
6. Sales Training
Mistakes don’t make you stronger in sales — repetition does.
Fix on the spot. Repeat till perfect.
7. Automation
Constantly ask:
“What can I take off a rep’s plate
to give them one more deal?”
8. Scripts and Talk Modules
If a rep can’t introduce themselves — give them a script.
If they can — train situational modules.
9. Contests and Internal Motivation
Healthy competition boosts performance.
Even if the prize is just a fridge magnet — pride matters.
10. Audit and Scale
Step back monthly to see the whole picture.
What works — scale. What doesn’t — kill.
11. Skills Matrix
Know your people’s strengths.
Make them teach, grow, and push further.
Refusal? That’s mutiny brewing.
12. Deal Co-Closing
Head of Sales isn’t a rep — but must help close.
Advise, negotiate, push through final terms.
13. Planning and Decomposition
Break big goals into bite-sized steps.
Less panic, more progress.
14. Hiring
The hunt for heroes —
or at least survivors of the cold-call bootcamp.
15. Employee Profiles
Know your team inside out —
skills, weaknesses, triggers, and the languag
About the author
Nikolai Zaitsev is a product architect and real estate strategist. His expertise is grounded in practical B2B/B2C work, published analytics, and public case-based materials.
What to read next
January 7, 2026
Just Two Things
What truly drives success in sales — not leads, not prices, not the product. Just two things you can fully control.
January 5, 2026
Why Salespeople Leave
80% of newcomers quit sales in the first year. Not because of the market — but because their expectations collapse against reality.
January 4, 2026
Three Stages of a Salesperson’s Growth
From rookie to veteran — how to adapt leadership to each stage of a salesperson’s development.
January 14, 2026
Sales Are Everywhere
Sales isn’t a profession — it’s the foundation of how we interact with the world. Every day, we sell ourselves, our ideas, and our influence.