It's the middle of March -- are you ready for the second quarter?
For many of my clients, we have each member of the sales team prepare a six-month business plan and a shorter quarterly action plan. As I was preparing a client audit today, I realized it was time for this client's sales team to evaluate their performance.
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on March 10, 20140 comments
This is a hectic period. Next week, I am offsite all week for a 2014 client strategy and planning meeting. This week, I am assisting another client with onboarding two salespeople that are remote from the main business office. Everything needs to be lined up and organized for a successful experience.
The onboarding step is normally a very weak link with many organizations, but it is a critical success factor, as well. I wanted to share my thoughts with our community.
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on October 22, 20130 comments
Let's make this interactive -- I will start the list, and then it is your job to add to it. Let's all work together to increase each other's success during the last few months of 2013.
These ideas can be designed for sales leaders or individual sales performers:
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on October 01, 20130 comments
"Ken, are you crazy? I have not even finished the fourth quarter yet!"
As budget planning begins and business strategies begin to be set, it is your responsibility to be ready for 2014. What do you need to have on your to-do list for the next 60 days? I have listed the top 10 -- e-mail or comment below to let me know what I have missed or what is on your own list.
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on September 23, 20130 comments
This marketing plan incorporates messaging from your vendors with marketing materials, e-mail campaigns, telephone scripts and partner involvement. Action steps include:
1) Refine their prospect database to reflect the A-B-C "ideal client profile" concept.
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on August 28, 20130 comments
At this time of the year, sales management must look at pipeline levels and goals for the fourth quarter and determine if there is the necessary level of activity to ensure targets will be exceeded.
Organizations certainly need to focus on the short-term, 30-day sales cycle and the end of the year. But they also need to have a longer-term perspective. As an executive, you must also focus on creating an atmosphere of fun, high performance and teamwork.
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on August 19, 20130 comments
I have always considered the Boy Scout motto of "Be prepared" in all aspects of my life.
It's a difficult time for many people in the South, which was recently hit with massive tornadoes and rain. During the storms, I was in Kansas working with a client, while my wife was at our home in Eastern Tennessee facing the storm alone. The good news for us was we did not suffer any real damage. During many phone calls between my wife and I, we discussed the situation and developed action plans -- moving to our lower level and taking cell phones, batteries, radios, water and blankets. More
Posted by Ken Thoreson on August 01, 20130 comments
I recently attended the annual National Speakers Association conference, an association meeting that I really work to attend. In my four years as a member, I have learned so much and have found everyone to be open and willing to discuss any aspect of improving your life, your business and your professional stage skills.
As someone who has presented often in many venues and formats, the experience was invaluable. I met people from all over the world who provided levels of expertise in many, many areas. Everyone was positive, energetic and helpful.
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Posted by Ken Thoreson on July 31, 20130 comments
During my many years of sales management -- with the past 14 of being spent as a consultant to hundreds of firms -- the hardest element I see executives and sales managers struggle with is inspiring sales confidence.
What do I mean by this? Obviously, "A" players have the knowledge, ego and mental toughness to make sales happen. Unfortunately, most organizations never have enough of this kind of salespeople. Therefore, sales leadership must coach salespeople and build systems to assist "B" and "C" salespeople to achieve results. More
Posted by Ken Thoreson on June 24, 20130 comments
At this time of the year, I normally remind my clients that it's time to begin building their third-quarter sales training plans.
Regular readers know that Acumen Sales Mangers plan their entire quarter sales training plans at the beginning of each quarter. Each sales meeting schedule is defined by date/time, topics and who is training on what topics. Topics should include sales skills, product and services knowledge, and competition and sales operations (CRM, contracts, etc.). More
Posted by Ken Thoreson on June 16, 20130 comments
One of the most important tools I have created is a three-week "New Salesperson On-Boarding Plan," which contains what I believe are the necessary skills and knowledge that any new salesperson needs prior to selling a product or services.
The plan ensures they know how to use the telephone, CRM, contracts and marketing tools, as well as gives training so they can clearly sell your organization and understand your products and services. Each item must be signed off and dated by the appropriate person. It is one of the most popular tools in my Sales Management Tool Kit. More
Posted by Ken Thoreson on June 03, 20130 comments