There are two ways to describe what a sales manager does. One is to look at the outcomes they are responsible for creating. Another is to look at the individual tasks that deliver those outcomes. There are several things that make it difficult for sales managers to reach their goals, and much of their work aims to overcome these challenges.

Part 1 of this two-part Special Report focused on the current data and insights on consumers’ behaviors, perceptions and attitudes. Brands and retailers can’t develop, implement and manage strategies and tactics to “reach, attract, capture and retain” consumers until they understand how consumers think about the buying process and the path they choose for each unique purchase journey.

Kick off the week strong with these must-run co-op campaigns your customers will be excited to promote!
• CFMOTO Rev Ride Sales Event! — Fuel the thrill of adventure with high-performance powersports vehicles and limited-time savings that get riders moving.
• Cub Cadet Ultimate Sales Event! — Help customers tackle spring yardwork with confidence using durable equipment and unbeatable seasonal offers.
• Strut N’ Save With Remington! — Step into savings with trusted outdoor gear and hunting essentials built for performance and reliability.
• Carrier’s Spring Cool Cash Rebates! — Keep homes cool and comfortable while unlocking major savings with energy-efficient HVAC solutions.
• Buick S(YOU)V Sales Event! — Elevate the drive with stylish, versatile SUVs designed to fit every lifestyle—plus exclusive event incentives.
• Daiwa’s Free Shirt With Purchase Promo! — Reel in excitement with premium fishing gear and a bonus offer customers won’t want to miss.

With uncertainty in the economy it is time to prepare for a tougher sales season. When the economy slows down, advertisers often ask, “What can I cut?” But the smarter question is, “What can’t I afford to lose?” And the answer—especially for local and regional businesses—is radio. That’s because radio provides one of the strongest, most consistent, and most personal connections to the consumer. At a time when trust, familiarity, and influence matter more than ever, radio delivers them all in abundance.

Fuel your week with these can’t-miss co-op deals!
• The Genesis Signature Event! — Step into luxury and style with Genesis and enjoy special offers during this signature sales event.
• E-Z-GO Merry Markdown Sales Event! — Get moving this season with E-Z-GO and take advantage of festive markdowns on golf carts and utility vehicles.
• Simmons Beautyrest New Year Sale! — Sleep better in 2026! Enjoy amazing deals on Simmons Beautyrest mattresses and start your year refreshed.
• Chevy Red Tag Sales Event! — Drive into the New Year with Chevy and save big during the Red Tag event.
• Start Your Year With a New John Deere! — Power through your projects and adventures with John Deere equipment and seasonal savings.
• Lincoln Year End Service Event! — Keep your Lincoln running like new with exclusive year-end service offers.
• The Nissan Year End Sales Event! — Don’t miss out—get behind the wheel of a Nissan and enjoy limited-time year-end deals.

It’s probably an understatement to say that so many aspects of the workplace have changed in the past few years. We’ve seen the ‘expectations pendulum’ dramatically swing – in everything from employees’ relationship to the workplace, to how they think about their wellbeing, and even more fundamentally than this, how work and life actually intersect.

How a War Veteran Built Canada's Most Influential Youth Media Empire and Changed Pop Culture Forever
Allan Waters, a World War II veteran, transformed a failing Toronto radio station into CHUM Limited, one of Canada’s most influential media empires. He pioneered youth-focused programming and launched iconic platforms like MuchMusic, while supporting Canadian artists through initiatives like VideoFACT. Waters succeeded by deeply understanding underserved audiences and building cultural institutions that fostered trust and loyalty. His legacy teaches media professionals that long-term success comes from innovation, community connection, and purpose-driven leadership.

AI is making it cheap and easy to flood the market with endless ad variations, but that volume is also creating a rising tide of sameness that audiences tune out. As more AI-generated creative shows similar “uncanny” tells—and even sparks backlash in some high-profile cases—differentiation shifts back to taste, timing, and restraint. The “STFU Brand Strategy” argues that brands should talk less but smarter, focusing on scarcity moments, human specificity, and ideas people actually share. For local media sellers and agencies, this is an opening to sell what algorithms can’t fake: community trust, real-world relevance, and campaigns designed for memory—not just impressions.

Early in my career, I worked in a company led by an inspiring and emotionally intelligent CEO. He often said, “If you love what you’re doing, you never have to work again.” I loved that idea. Most of us hate work. It’s a four-letter word. Hard work is why I left our family farm. Whenever a job began to feel like work, I quit. Fortunately, that’s only been a few times in my career. I’ve put decades of long hours into my career without really working.

Whether you are a seasoned executive or simply starting your professional journey, investing in communication training is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends throughout your career. Embrace the power of effective communication and watch as your professional opportunities flourish.

A sales manager needs to be seen and heard if they are going to lead their sales force. One of the downsides of our technologies is that the salesperson can monitor their sales force’s results over long distances. For as long as there have been CRMs, salespeople have feared their sales manager would act as Big Brother, monitoring their every move, tallying up their activities

Zig Ziglar was a renowned American author, salesman, and motivational speaker who transformed the field of sales with his emphasis on integrity, service, and personal development. His philosophy centered on the belief that helping others achieve their goals is the key to personal success. Ziglar's teachings continue to inspire sales professionals worldwide, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude and ethical practices. As he famously said, "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

Sales professionals in the media industry face unique challenges. With a constantly evolving landscape of digital platforms, content marketing strategies, and client needs, mastering the art of the sale requires more than just product knowledge and industry insight. To stand out, media sales professionals must hone their communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. One of the most effective ways to do this? Role-playing.

Salespeople have a sales process that guides their approach to creating and winning deals. Sales managers have a cadence to lead their sales force so they can reach their goals. Sales leaders have sales performance management to build, maintain, and improve the sales function. Sales performance management is a holistic view of sales.

Some of the best sales organizations use role-play to sharpen their skills. Role-play is a powerful tool because it allows sales teams to practice the language they need to use. Sales is a conversation. Sales managers who emphasize role-play provide their teams a safe place to find the right words—or borrow them from other sales reps who have mastered their talk tracks.