The document proposes redesigning the traditional sales function by challenging two assumptions: that sales is an outside activity and an individual pursuit. It suggests sales is primarily an inside function and team endeavor. To illustrate, it presents a thought experiment where various roles like CSR, analysts and specialists work together as a sales team from inside the company. It acknowledges common concerns about changing compensation, relationships and customer contacts but argues this new model could work in reality.
1. THE DEATH OF FIELD
SALES
A radical, inside-out, approach to the design
and management of the sales function
Justin Roff-Marsh
Founder: Ballistix | Author: The Machine
3. THE SYMPTOMS
Salespeople
average just a
couple of bus-dev
meetings a week
Salespeople over-
service some
accounts and
ignore others
We have friction
between sales
and other
departments
Salespeople don’t
prospect enough
Salespeople are up
to their elbows in
customer service
23. COMMON CONCERNS
• What happens to salespeople’s commissions
• What about the importance of
personal relationships?
• Don’t customers demand a
single point of contact?
• What happens to the quality of team members’
work lives?