30% fall in sales due to downturn disclosed by Irish Sales Professionals

Irish Sales Professionals Reveal a Marked Decrease in Sales due to Current Downturn.

Over 60% of attendees at the annual Closers Club event divulged the current downturn has impacted as much as a 30% decrease in sales turnover for 2008.

The Closers Club, an annual event held by online jobs board SalesJobs.ie, provides sales professionals with an opportunity to meet with peers in a networking environment. Over 70 sales professionals, selling within the IT, FMCG, Property, Finance, Media and B2B sectors, attended the event.

Topics included "staying motivated in a downturn", "where to source prospective clients" and "top tips on leading a sales team".

Niall Kelly, director of SalesJobs.ie believes "with the downturn, and so many doomers and gloomers all around us, it 's important for sales professionals to remain positive on a day to day basis and maintain this positive attitude in their approach for new business". Niall also feels that sales professionals "must look at asking for more business from existing clients by offering new and creative services that add value for their clients business".

The pendulum swung entirely the other way and proved the current downturn can have a positive impact for some, with the remaining 40% attendees all quoting a 20% increase in sales this year.

Although the highest percentage showed a decline in revenue this year, all attendants remained optimistic, with a strong belief the market will turn in 2009.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel after all?