Sales Talks; Marketing Blabbers
Maureen Rogers has done it again - her post Marketing’s From Venus, Sales is From Mars is a laugh-out-loud classic! Print out her saying/thinking lists and take them to your next “team” meeting.
Here’s a snippet to whet your interest:
Yes, I’m sure that somewhere out there, there’s some Elysian Field where Sales and Marketing May-pole dance and bask in each others’ glow. But I’ve never managed to find one.
Personally, I’ve never basked but I have been very fortunate. I’ve worked with many great salespeople. (And, I’ve done my share of selling. Trust me, it looks a whole world of different when you’re eyeball-to-eyeball with a prospect.) The key was we all realized we had our respective roles to play and needed to work together. We went on customer calls; threw (virtual) rocks at each other and poked fun of our own stereotypes. “I’m in sales. You know I can’t read.” “I’m from HQ marketing. I have no job skills. Be gentle.” (I also bought a lot of martinis for “the boys.” Some of the best and toughest salespeople are women.)
Related Post: Sales Versus Marketing
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February 21st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Mary - Thanks for the kind words on my post. And a note about your comment about how different the world looks when you’re eyeball to eyeball with a customer: I think one of the best things a marketing pro can do is have experience in sales. While I’ve been on a gazillion sales calls, and have been “instrumental” in sales, I’ve never been the one carrying (and holding) the bag. It is something that I have regretted over the years.
(Also: I have also worked with some unbelievably great sales people over the years)