In the mad dash to adopt the shiniest new technology and jump on the latest trends, so many businesses are overlooking what truly moves the needle, ensuring your sales and marketing teams are on the same page.
Those who prioritise aligning sales and marketing strategy are not only 67% more effective in closing deals, but also 58% better at retaining customers (LinkedIn, 2018). So why do so many still operate in silos?
The solution lies in integrating sales and marketing strategies. By fostering collaboration and driving towards shared goals, businesses can achieve greater efficiency, consistency, and impact. But, in the overstimulating sales and marketing landscape of modern technologies filled with BANT, GANTT, CRM, CLV, practising your ABCs, and endless TLAs, sometimes it’s easy to forget the basics. So, let’s peel it back; what are the key pillars of sales and marketing, and how do we harmonise them to support our business objectives?
The core pillars of sales are essential for driving success and building lasting customer relationships. Understanding your customer is vital, therefore the development of ideal client profiles (ICPs) from the outset allows you to target the right audience effectively. This helps you to tailor your approaches and communication for both sales and marketing activities. You then focus on building relationships as this fosters trust and encourages long-term partnerships, whilst effective communication ensures that both parties are engaged and informed.
The creation of a well-structured sales process guides you seamlessly through lead generation, customer engagement, relationship nurturing, and closing, making the journey more efficient. Having a clear journey outlined also allows you to flex your approach with core sales activities to align with your target market. Adaptability allows you to pivot based on customer feedback or market changes, and data-driven decisions empower you to refine strategies and measure success. Together, these pillars create a robust framework that enhances sales effectiveness and drives revenue growth.
Understanding your target audience is crucial for any sales and marketing strategy. Invest time into thorough market research and competitor analysis to gain a comprehensive grasp of the needs of your target demographic, where they interact with your brand, and most importantly their pain points. It is only from that position that you can go on to design a holistic sales and marketing strategy based on these findings.
From this position of understanding, it is then essential to look inwards. Brand profiling is a process that is essential in identifying your offering, your unique selling point, and why people should bother buying from you. And remember, this is not just about your product, it’s deeper than that. What’s your brand’s story? What does your brand’s voice sound like? Why should your stakeholders trust you? A great place to start is asking what brands you admire and why; we’re all standing on the shoulders of giants.
Once you know who you are, you can focus on positioning and visibility. This is where sales and marketing alignment is essential. If you haven’t identified your ICPs, then how do you know that you’re positioning yourself in front of the right people and businesses? If you’re not directly targeting who you want to sell to, then you’re shouting into the void. Highlight your unique value proposition, identify how you’ll address your customers’ pain points, and make sure this message is heard through a consistent, omnichannel approach.
As with any pantheon, it doesn’t matter how strong the pillars are if they aren’t built upon a strong foundation. Collaboration isn’t a buzzword; it’s a business necessity during the planning process and throughout. Start by laying out the following:
Clear KPIs (key performance indicators)
ICPs
Shared goals
A coherent long-term vision
Once established, the rest falls into place though not without hard work. Success comes from ongoing communication, adaptability, and a commitment to refining strategies. By keeping sales and marketing aligned, businesses not only enhance efficiency but also position themselves to navigate challenges and seize opportunities, driving sustainable growth in the long term.
As sales and marketing experts, we’ve been providing support to SMEs across the North of England for almost ten years. If you’re looking to grow your business sustainably and combine your sales and marketing efforts, get in touch.
www.justwilliamsltd.co.uk