“Sometimes I just wish the day had 48 hours,” sighs Sarah, team leader in the inside sales department of a mid-sized building materials distributor. A statement that many in inside sales know all too well – whether as a team member or manager. We spoke with our customers about how they tackle daily challenges together and what helps them succeed.

Tackling Stress Together

Inside sales is the heart of every building materials distributor. This is where everything comes together: customer inquiries, customer consultation, appointment coordination. While in the past the prevailing thought was that everyone had to handle their tasks alone, successful teams today rely on innovative solutions, collaboration, and mutual support.

What Works in Practice?

Teams that work stress- and crisis-resistant often have one thing in common: They maintain an open communication culture and develop solution strategies together:

• Flexible breaks: Short breaks for regeneration are not a sign of weakness, but of professional self-management. Teams benefit from employees who know and communicate their limits.
• Mutual support: A balanced system of mutual support relieves all team members. During high call volumes or when creating complex quotes, everyone can rely on help from colleagues.
• Celebrating shared successes: Recognition of team achievements strengthens cohesion. Whether winning a bid or positive customer feedback – shared successes deserve attention.

Soft Skills: Team Development

The most important competencies in modern inside sales – emotional strength, digital literacy, and customer orientation – develop best through daily collaboration.

What Strengthens the Team?

• Learning from each other: The different strengths in the team are a resource. From organizational expertise to skilled customer consultation – every team member brings valuable skills.
• Digital champions: Instead of mandatory training, many teams rely on internal knowledge transfer. Team members with digital expertise support others in developing their skills.
• Communication at eye level: Regular exchange at eye level complements the classic annual employee review. Teams benefit from a culture of continuous feedback.

Efficient Collaboration: Give and Take

The collaboration between team leadership and employees is crucial for success.

What Makes the Difference?

• Clear communication: Instead of rigid requirements, dialogue takes center stage. Teams jointly define what’s needed for efficient work.
• Flexible solutions: When established processes don’t work as desired, teams develop new approaches together – factually and solution-oriented.
• Shared responsibility: Improvement suggestions are welcome – regardless of position or experience. The most valuable optimizations often arise from daily practice.

Practical Tips for Daily Work

For Everyone on the Team:

• Recognize and address overload early
• Actively share knowledge and learn from each other
• Cultivate a positive feedback culture
• Utilize different strengths in the team

Stronger Together:

• Create spaces for regular exchange
• Develop solutions as a team rather than in isolation
• Celebrate shared successes
• Stay open to new ideas – no matter who they come from

Conclusion: There’s No Single Solution

A strong inside sales team emerges through the interaction of all participants. The focus is not on perfect processes, but on a continuous, collaborative development process.

”At the end of the day,” Sarah summarizes, “it’s the people on the team who are there for each other and find solutions together that make the difference.”

Digital Support for Strong Teams

Modern software solutions like kinisto can support inside sales teams in focusing on their core competencies. By automating time-intensive routine tasks in quation management, kinisto creates free space – time that teams can use for high-quality customer consultation, mutual support, and their personal development. Technology becomes an enabler for what really counts: the people on the team and their collaboration.

This article is based on conversations with inside sales teams from various companies. Names have been changed.