Immacolata Bättig—known as Imma—didn’t start with the typical sales career path. With no formal degree, she started as a team assistant at a Munich startup, learning sales on the fly. Fast forward to today, she’s a sales development leader for Salesforce’s German and DACH team. Her story proves that you don’t need a perfect background to succeed in sales—you just need grit and drive.

Are You Already a Seller?

Imma believes that most of us already have sales skills without realising it. “Everyone’s had to convince someone of something,” she says, whether it’s a parent, friend, or teacher. The key skills she looks for in top SDRs are intelligence, drive, resilience, integrity, and hunger. It’s about being clever and resourceful, not just ticking off tasks or getting high grades.

Why Sales Beats Consulting for Fast Growth

For those eyeing the big consulting firms, Imma shares why a sales role can be a smart alternative. The structured progression at companies like Salesforce means fast career growth and pay bumps. Plus, sales lets you learn on the job rather than sitting in training rooms. “Sales isn’t about just hitting numbers—it’s about growing as a person,” she says.

Surviving the “Pit of Despair” and Thriving in Sales

Imma knows sales has its hard days, especially for new SDRs. Her advice? “Push through and find the growth.” She recommends using the GROW methodology—set your goals, look at your reality, explore options, and plan a way forward. She’s all about building confidence, resilience, and that key “growth mindset” to keep improving and adapting.