Sales

Product Marketing Owns Insight

 

outsideinvew.comOn the advice (and prodding) of my friend Jim Holland, I also recently read The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson of the Corporate Executive Board. Like Jim, I then picked it up again, with a highlighter and pen and started again. (Side note – Jim was referred to this book by Steve Johnson.)

Jim wrote a great post about what he learned, as a product leader. In his post, he focuses on the main point of the Challenger Sale, that it is not about sales building relationships, but to challenge them. To rethink, reshape and change how you engage and lead. He further explains three models related to product leaders that are relevant: understanding the buying process, buyer personas and speaking the language of the buyer. (more…)

Are you Generating Leads or Creating Demand?

outsideinview.comIt’s common for product marketing job descriptions to include a line or two about working with market plans to generate leads for the sales force. But, are the number of leads really the right metric for product marketing? Wouldn’t it be better if product marketing is tasked with generating demand?

No, I’m not splitting hairs. There is a difference.

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This is Simple

outsideinview.comThis is a simple post….

But, imagine how much more we could all accomplish – for ourselves and our companies – if we stopped the bickering and territory battles!

If politics were taken out of the corporate world, and we all worked together - no matter what department you sat in or work you performed, no matter what you were paid or how long you’ve been in the role, no matter who was your boss or what hours you worked – wouldn’t we all accomplish more?

Think about it.

 

A Huge Opportunity – for Whom?

outsideinview.comI have talked a lot about the disconnect between marketing and sales. In the past I’ve tried to focus on ways we can all get along, and even form positive relationships where we can grow despite knowing that the two teams are from different planets. Then, a move happens that reminds me. (more…)

It’s a Matter of Trust

outsideinview.comThroughout this blog we’ve looked at buyer personas. More recently we looked at turning sales into our partners; and, even more recently, at the sales funnel. But, what all sales – B2B and B2C – come down to, in a single word, is trust. (more…)