Sponsored by SalesFuel and
Sales+Marketing Management magazine
SalesFuel's latest Voice of the Sales Manager study, conducted in September 2025, garnered insights from 289 self-identified sales managers across the U.S. The survey represents a well-balanced mix of businesses in the U.S.
Across different industries, participants shared details about characteristics needed for success on their team, hiring challenges, how they measure team members, and challenges their organizations face. They also revealed how they are using AI in sales and the barriers they face in getting their team to use this technology.
This collaboration between SalesFuel and Sales and Marketing Management magazine provides a comprehensive understanding of the sales professional’s working dynamics, aiding in creating a supportive environment that boosts performance and retains talent.
Select Top-Line Findings
Methodology
SalesFuel conducted our 3rd Voice of the Sales Manager study in September 2025. The sample consisted of self-reported sales managers who manage three or more sales professionals in the United States. 289 individuals completed the 15-minute survey. Around 26% work at companies with 49 or fewer employees, 40% work at companies with between 50 and 499 employees, and the rest are employed at larger organizations, with 500 or more employees. In addition, around 39% of respondents work at privately held organizations, while 19% are at publicly traded companies. About 10% of the organizations represented in the survey are start-ups.
To avoid over-representation from any single industry, we capped participation at 30% for the retail/consumer goods industry. Contact us if you have additional questions about the study's methodology.