Upland

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

Buying groups have changed the world of B2B sales. Buying groups come with the challenges sellers are already accustomed to, with the added difficulty of handling competing priorities, varying levels of support, more frequent turnover, and beyond. What is a Buying Group in B2B Sales?

Decision-making 368

Decision-making Account Planning Stakeholders B2B 368

Strategic Account Management Association

OCTOBER 14, 2021

While the CRM is designed to enable the work of the sales and account management team by recording pertinent information about the customer, I think of it mainly as a bridge to the account planning tool, where the best SAMs live and breathe. To be successful, you need your sales team to be onboard. Explain the “why.”

Account Planning 520

Account Planning CRM Account Management Decision-making 520

Mike Kunkle

APRIL 8, 2023

In this post, I’m going to share some simple concepts that I’ve seen deliver radically improved results across a sales force. The advice comes from Modern Sales Foundations , a course that was developed based on over 16+ years of top sales performer analysis, modernized for working with today’s buyers.

B2B 243

B2B Decision-making Sales Stakeholders 243

Strategic Account Management Association

APRIL 5, 2021

They make great paperweights, but if asked about specific details, most of us might offer an uneasy grin, knowing that we have companions-in-arms, equally guilty of shirking that responsibility to read altogether. According to Forrester Research, 85 percent of CXOs do not find value in their interactions with sales reps.1

Manufacturing 520

Manufacturing Account Management Decision-making Meetings 520

Strategic Account Management Association

AUGUST 6, 2021

Form an organizational capability around co-creating products and solutions with our customers Redesign our philosophy around our customers’ needs Make a positive business impact on our customers’ operations Ingrain a deeply customer-centric vision and mission for sales. Gross profit: The goal is to improve performance year over year.

Supply Chain 520

Supply Chain Logistics Co-Creation Account Management 520

Mike Kunkle

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

“As in other studies we’ve done, this year’s enablement study found that sales process and sales methodology adoption rates above 75% resulted in above-average gains for revenue plan attainment, quota attainment, and win rates, with a big boost at adoption rates greater than 90%.” increase in revenue plan attainment 17.1%

B2B 231

B2B Sales Decision-making Negotiation 231

Strategic Account Management Association

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

I’m talking about customer experience management (CXM), which I would argue may be the single most important investment a company can make in today’s cut-throat business climate. First, a definition of terms: CRM CRM software keeps sales processes organized and aligned with best practices up to the point that a deal is closed.

CXM 520

CXM Account Management Customer Experience Management 520

Upland

JULY 12, 2023

MEDDIC is not actually a healthcare term. It’s a sales acronym. And it’s all about deal qualification MEDDIC – a deal qualification framework Many think that MEDDIC is a sales process , but it’s really a deal qualification framework with multiple processes for decision criteria, decision process, etc.

Decision-making 195

Decision-making Sales Account Planning Healthcare 195

Upland

JANUARY 29, 2024

Let’s face it, B2B sales can’t happen without good leads. Winning sales teams know strong leads must be converted into successful sales transactions. If sales productivity isn’t achieved effectively—through high lead conversion rates, efficient sales cycles and low sales costs—overhead goes up, and revenue goes down.

Account Planning 195

Account Planning Sales Decision-making Shareholders 195

Account Manager Tips

APRIL 2, 2021

The best sales podcasts key account managers should listen to Are you a key account manager? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then read on for my list of three of the best sales podcasts around, including one that might surprise you. You're only the local lead - decision makers are in other countries. Do you sell?

Key Account Management 234

Key Account Management Account Management Procurement Management 234

Upland

JUNE 7, 2023

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard sales and revenue leaders use the terms, “sales process” and “sales methodology” interchangeably and incorrectly. What is a sales process? A sales process is a flow, and it is usually brand-free.

Sales 195

Sales Negotiation Decision-making CRM 195

Upland

OCTOBER 17, 2023

Its many evolutions and the powerful AI of today make it an irresistible tool to many. And now, savvy sales leaders are using generative AI , too. All you need is the right sales enablement AI tool. Ready to dive into sales enablement AI? What is sales enablement AI? Many writers use AI to spark ideas.

Artificial Intelligence 195

Artificial Intelligence Sales Decision-making CRM 195

Upland

NOVEMBER 28, 2021

It’s not personal, but prospective customers don’t want to talk with sales reps. Sure, they may be happy to watch sellers’ slideshows and sit in on demos, but when it comes down to vetting a product and making an important B2B purchase, the word of someone paid to close the sale is only going to go so far.

B2B 195

B2B Sales Decision-making Organization 195

Upland

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

Stakeholder mapping in sales is the process of mapping out key decision makers within the buying group of the account you are looking to do business with. Stakeholder Mapping is Important Because of Buying Groups Selling must be complicated because modern B2B sales are complicated. What are their motivations?

Stakeholders 195

Stakeholders Sales Decision-making Internet 195

Strategic Account Management Association

OCTOBER 26, 2021

We too often confuse strategic account sponsorship with corporate project sponsorship, where sponsorship is a way to escalate issues or decision-making when in need. We also needed to make sure senior leaders are aware of these responsibilities to optimize their speed and impact.

Account Management 520

Account Management Co-Creation Leadership Decision-making 520

Upland

AUGUST 25, 2023

An influence map is a visual tool that helps you identify and understand the stakeholders who have a say in your project or decision. After all, it takes an entire team to win a deal in today’s complex sales landscape. That activity is called influence mapping. And there will also usually be those who are not supporters at all.”

Stakeholders 195

Stakeholders Decision-making Sales Leadership 195

Holden Advisors

NOVEMBER 3, 2021

Works side-by-side with sales to sell value and overcome procurement. When only 30% of B2B buyers make decisions based exclusively on price (noted in Negotiating with Backbone ), it’s not surprising the other 70% care about value if they are thoughtfully informed about it. Is aware of costs and constraints like the finance team.

Procurement 369

Procurement Finance Construction Government 369

Upland

MARCH 23, 2023

Having trouble setting accurate sales forecasts or seeing close dates consistently sandbagged to next quarter? Regardless of the size of your company, the sales leader gathers sellers and runs them through the standard set of questions. Who makes the final decision? What Causes Sandbagging in Sales?

Account Planning 195

Account Planning Sales Decision-making Sales Environment 195

Upland

MARCH 13, 2023

Sales forecasting is equal parts art and science, right? The ‘art’ aspect of sales forecasting doesn’t need to be an educated guest. It can be articulated effectively and used to make the most important and business critical decisions. What is a Sales Forecast? Is Sales Forecasting Outdated?

Prioritization 195

Prioritization Account Planning Sales Decision-making 195

Mike Kunkle

AUGUST 8, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the role of Chief Revenue Officers (CROs) or senior-most sales leaders (by any title), has never been more critical. When sales, marketing, and customer success operate in isolated bubbles, opportunities for collaboration and synergy are lost. This is a definite growth killer.

Sales 221

Sales Prioritization Innovation Sales Training 221

Upland

JUNE 30, 2023

Enterprise sales is going through a rapid evolution. One groundbreaking development on the horizon is the convergence of Natural Language Processing (NLP) AI technology and enterprise sales methodology. Personalized Customer Experiences Modern enterprise sales methodology thrives on data-driven decision-making.

Co-Creation 195

Co-Creation Sales B2B Decision-making 195

Upland

NOVEMBER 28, 2021

Key traits of a winning sales reference pool. Prospective customers are in control of more of the B2B sales cycle than ever before. Contacting an enterprise sales rep is no longer a prospect’s first stop on the long road to making an important business purchase. Sales reference pool quality.

Sales 195

Sales Manufacturing B2B Decision-making 195

Upland

NOVEMBER 28, 2021

Get more sales references without launching a traditional reference program. Even when organizations acknowledge their sales reference processes could be better, it can be an overwhelming problem to confront. Why are targeted sales reference important? A pragmatic approach to sales references. Will it require new hires?

Sales 195

Sales B2B Software Software 195

Mike Kunkle

MAY 30, 2023

The goal of “enablement,” whichever term you use for it (sales, revenue, buyer, buying, performance, other) is ultimately to improve organizational performance. There are also other factors at play, such as product-market fit, strategy, the chosen sales model, organization design, or lack of top-down support, that also influence our work.

Decision-making 311

Decision-making Sales Training Sales Sales Management 311

Strategic Account Management Association

JUNE 30, 2021

First, there is how SAMs communicate, articulate and exchange their expertise based on their sales and professional experience. So, from the customer’s and service team’s perspective the SAM represents the expertise and can make things happen for those customers. Michael Thomas: There are two ways to look at this.

Digitalization 520

Digitalization Organization Account Management Management 520

Mike Kunkle

OCTOBER 8, 2023

This strategic approach goes beyond conventional departmental boundaries, breaks down silos, and encompasses product, marketing, demand generation, sales enablement, and the encompassing realm of customer experience (whether it goes by customer support, customer success, customer service, or a combination of these).

Customer Experience 304

Customer Experience Decision-making Profitability Marketing 304

Account Manager Tips

AUGUST 14, 2022

Sales Find the course that's right for you How to identify your skill gaps Define success What goals do you need to achieve? You'll learn behaviours and techniques that will make your natural creativity shine. This proven method will make you more open-minded and productive. Making Creativity and Innovation Happen.

Key Account Management 246

Key Account Management Account Management Emotional Intelligence Management 246

Holden Advisors

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

What makes these categories even more powerful, is that all of them are areas that CXOs care about. Salespeople can elevate their sales conversations from middle managers to C-suite decision makers by describing how they add value in one or more of these categories. Think about where you truly add value to your customers.

Customer Experience 312

Customer Experience B2C Publishing B2B 312

Strategic Account Management Association

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

But as a provider of a robust set of sales management and methodology capabilities , our teams work with some of the biggest sales organizations in the world. The foundational principles that move the needle are ones familiar to any sales leader: relationships and insights. And we ask these questions beyond the sales team.

Account Planning 400

Account Planning Supply Chain Prioritization Digital Transformation 400

Upland

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Guided selling is a modern sales approach that combines technology, data analytics, and personalized interactions to assist customers in making well-informed purchasing decisions. It is designed to guide sellers through the sales cycle and increase pipeline visibility, enabling them to close deals faster and with fewer missteps.

Decision-making 195

Decision-making Stakeholders Customer Experience CRM 195

Strategic Account Management Association

JULY 13, 2021

When we see the investment that some companies are making in pivoting their engagement model to be more strategic, customer-centric and value enabling, we are always surprised to see the enabling functions still focus on supporting the more transactional model which is based on the number of interactions as the metric.

Account Management 591

Account Management Innovation Co-Creation Organization 591

Mike Kunkle

AUGUST 30, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the Sales Enablement profession has reached a pivotal crossroads. To firmly establish the function as required and themselves as integral players in their companies, enablement experts must be equipped to prove their worth by improving sales results and bolstering profitability.

Leadership 293

Leadership Stakeholders Decision-making Sales Training 293

Hubspot Sales

AUGUST 20, 2024

Imagine having to actually make a buying decision purely by shopping through the toothpaste aisle. How to Avoid Choice Paralysis Helping Customers Overcome Choice Fatigue Companies That Get it Right Make Decisions With Simplicity and Customer Needs in Mind What is Choice Paralysis? It’s overwhelming.

Decision-making 111

Decision-making B2C B2B Software 111

Account Manager Tips

NOVEMBER 19, 2022

In a survey of senior executive buyers, Forrester Research asked if sales people are frequently prepared for their meetings. Imagine you're at the front of a boardroom about to make a presentation. I like it because it recognises the personal motivations in decision making. How can you make them more efficient?

Value Proposition 246

Value Proposition Decision-making B2B Meetings 246

Hubspot Sales

JANUARY 7, 2024

But when an inside sales professional wants to establish their authority over the phone, they need to use their voice tone and pacing to get the point across. Sales reps who use these words sound like hesitant amateurs, so be very careful to avoid them. But you can overdo it — acting overly excited or eager makes you seem juvenile.

Sales 126

Sales Decision-making Onboarding Communication 126