Judy Gern, Senior Client Partner with Revenue Architects, recently posted an article on the Vocus blog that deserves some further sharing. The key message is that by using symbols creatively in emails, open rates can see dramatic results.

Click on the image below to visit the original post on the Vocus Blog.

 

Vocus Blog Post

Collaborative Qualification

Good Qualification is Vital

One of the critical drivers for revenue success is an increase in close rates by the sales team and effective qualification is critical to that metric. Not only will effective qualification help the sales team focus on the right deals, the very exercise of qualification inspires better engagement tactics in the sale.

Because of the self-directed buyer and the ability to measure engagement levels online, today’s qualification process is collaborative across marketing and sales. BANT, SCOTSMAN, TAS and our own FACT model help with both sales and marketing qualification and should be configured in lead scoring qualification and identifying qualified leads including the MQL – marketing qualified lead and SQL – sales qualified leads or opportunities.

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If I were building a sales team, I could learn something from team USA for the 2012 Ryder Cup and Davis Love’s Captain’s Picks!

So, here is the team and why you want them:

1)  Tiger Woods

If there was one person from planet earth that you would put up against the aliens, wouldn’t it be Tiger?

Here is your super star sales guy. You aren’t going to promote this guy to manager (too much history!) but you don’t want to. You want your best sales guys in front of the customer going low. Mark him down as your top 10% year after year.

2. Bubba Watson

Sometimes you need to go long.  Risk taking in sales can pay off big. You might just bring in the green jacket with this guy. Prepare for a bumpy ride and some bad quarters, but keep this guy on the team – just might help you blow out the numbers. Get him some help with the paperwork.

3) Jason Dufner

Mr. Steady.  He may not be the first guy you think of to put in front of your best client, but you can avoid the HR department with Jason. Count him in as a top quartile guy day-in and day-out. And, don’t be surprised if you come in the office one day and Jason hands you a “major” contract.

4) Keegan Bradley

Believe! After going 1 for 1 in majors after the 2011 PGA, Keegan backed this up with solid and clutch performances. Give him the New England Territory or the Putnam Investments account and he will blow out the numbers.

5) Webb Simpson

Mr. Smooth. Another long putter guy, Web is a complete player. If you can survive the grind of a US Open, you can do just about anything. Give Webb two of your most complex and grueling clients. He will avoid mistakes – in both on and off-field performance. Focus on retention. Remember, someday, you may be working for Webb so treat him well!

6) Zach Johnson

The mechanic. The perfect new business guy. Lot’s of singles and doubles and the next thing you know he’s on the top of the sales leaderboard. Not every swing at a new client is pretty, but each one progresses down the funnel and the funnel is healthy. Throw in a few big wins, and you have a steady performer.

7) Matt Kuchar

A big smile can go a long way in winning over the big relationship client.  Like Webb, Matt is your man for the large account and the one you want to deepen the relationship. A big team player, this guy has developed steadily into a top player and a career winner. When the time is right, a management promotion makes sense.

8) Phil Mickelson

Phil would be the CEO if not for his value in the field. The right mix of raw DNA and creativity can blow away the client.  Phil will increase the average revenue per deal with creative solutions in every proposal. Occasionally it may backfire, biut most of the time he will be right there in the winers circle. Definitely a future captain and already a hall of famer, let Phil teach the junior sales team how to get it done.

9) Steve Stricker

You need the glue on the team to keep it all together. Super nice, if not a little boring, you aren’t going to get yourself in any trouble with Steve. No bad headlines, no calls from HR. Yet, Mr. Innocent can bring out the best in his team mates.. and, when it is all in the line, let Steve take the lead. Mr. clutch putter.

10) Jim Furyk

Your contract guy. Meticulous and detailed. You don’t want to see the sales process, but show me the results. At the end of the day, I can trust that the SOW is right, the “I”s are dotted and the “t”s are crossed – and most importantly, the deal is done.

11) Brandt Snedeker

A rookie on the sales team, Brandt is one of the guys you need out at the bar at the end of a busy week of sales. He’s is going to bring life to the party and earn the respect of the rest of the team with solid performance and clutch putting. Hey nothing wrong with being number 1 in putting! Drive for show, putt for doe.

12) Dustin Johnson

OK, so HR may call a few times, and you aren’t quite sure who he is… he may not show up every day for work, but put a club in his hands and hang on – this guy is going to bring in a few “major” deals and maybe a few heartbreakers along the way. Put him on the right client (or course) and team him with a “Mr. Putter” and you will make your numbers for sure.

 

Would you want to go up against this team? Good luck and good selling!