STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

STRATEGIC SALES
MANAGEMENT

A Boardroom
Issue

By Benson P. Shapiro,
Adrian J. Slywotzky and
Stephen X. Doyle

With the marketplace changing so rapidly and product lives shortening, sales has become a strategic issue. But how do you make certain it is
managed properly and that a companys best customers are satisfied? You do it by making sales a boardroom issue.

where customer demands predomi-

Many companies currently experience tectonic shifts

nate because competition is both relentless and increas-

because their selling abilities do not meet the needs of more

ingly international, the world of selling must accommo-

demanding customers. Companies that make consumer

date a dramatically changed world of buying. Crucially, sales

packaged goods suddenly find their sales forces incapable

management itself must catch up to this new world of selling.

of dealing with the mega-accounts that constitute an

N AN ENVIRONMENT

...............................
Benson P. Shapiro is the Malcolm P. McNair Professor of Marketing at the Harvard Business School. He has published 19 articles in the
Harvard Business Review, including Leveraging to Beat the Odds: The New Marketing Mind-Set. Professor Shapiro is the co-editor of
Seeking Customers and Keeping Customers (Harvard Business School Press, 1992). Adrian J. Slywotzky is vice president of Corporate Decisions Inc., a Boston-based strategy consulting firm specializing in customer-driven strategies for growth. He is the author of
Value Migration (Harvard Business School Press, 1995). Stephen X. Doyle is a sales management consultant based in New York City.
This article is adapted from a teaching note. Reprinted by permission of Harvard Business School Publishing. Copyright 1994 by the
President and Fellows of Harvard College, all rights reserved.

29
Illustration by Bryan Wiggins

Issue 8

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

increasingly large portion of their

by fewer, larger and more complex

A Word on Methodology

customer base. I.B.M., once boast-

purchasing organizations, while many

ing perhaps the best industrial

customer choices and intense com-

Sales and Marketing Manage-

sales force ever assembled, also

petition for each piece of business are

ments annual sales rankings are

finds it difficult to deal with its

the norm. There is less real product

based on peer and customer

global mega-accounts even as

and service differentiation than before

ratings of companies from a vari-

it concludes that it is too expen-

and, critically, a shorter window dur-

ety of industries on seven key per-

sive to call on large numbers of

ing which any real differentiation can

formance criteria: recruiting top

small customers. Meanwhile, in

be exhibited. At the same time, there

salespeople, ability to keep top

auto showrooms, both the manu-

are many complex systems sales or

facturers and the dealers struggle

the sale of products and services be-

to satisfy customers displeased

comes part of such larger systems. Ac-

by high-pressure sales tactics not

companying this trend is increased

addressing their needs.

buyer risk, given the size and com-

salespeople, quality of training,

opening new accounts, holding
accounts, product technical knowledge and reputation among
customers.

All too often, many sales

plexity of purchases.

forces, and particularly large ones

In the consumer packaged goods

at well-established companies,

arena, the changes may be most revo-

cause and effect in comparing

are populated by dispirited Willy

lutionary. Once upon a time, and not

ranking data with performance.

Lomans (the burnt-out protago-

so very long ago in fact, marketing

Companies that have great prod-

nist of Arthur Millers play Death

people reached their ultimate cus-

ucts attract great sales reps.

of a Salesman) and managed by

tomers via efficient network television

Companies that have great prod-

executives with short-term orien-

advertising; brand power ruled the

ucts and strong performance also

tations and narrow perspectives.

roost. Retailers and wholesalers

enjoy a halo effect among peers

Indeed, many sales forces are run

the trade were called upon by

and customers. The Sales and

as if it were 20 years ago and the

pleasant, generally weak salespeople

senior sales executives were do-

while product managers did the heavy

ing the work themselves instead

lifting using advertising, regular price

of orchestrating it.

increases and product line extensions

There is always a question of

Marketing Management rankings,

however, are built up by aggregating independent scores along
several different dimensions. The

We argue that in todays new

and enhancements. The sales force

world business order, where cus-

could coast along, dealing with re-

heterogeneity of rankings along

tomers reign supreme, increas-

sponsive trade buyers. While compe-

these dimensions (few or no com-

ingly demanding industrial, com-

tition did exist, it was not hyperactive.

panies consistently place at the

mercial and consumer sales

That world has fundamentally

top of every criterion) gives some

situations require a better re-

changed. In the United States, retailer

indication that factors other than

sponse than that offered by the

concentration has moved the power

the performance halo effect are

old-line sales force. More to the

from seller to buyer; there is more

at work.

point, sales management, which

competition at the manufacturer level

We compared sales against

is primarily responsible for what

and less product differentiation. With

ranking for a variety of industries.

happens when the company

scanning, retailers receive instanta-

Several charts displaying these

meets its prospects and cus-

neous sales data by individual item,

tomers, must be strategic.

and the power of such information

comparisons are shown in Exhibit I.

In the industrial arena, sales

multiplies the power of concentrated

situations are now characterized

purchases. More critically, the brand/

30
Third Quarter 97

MANAGEMENT

10%

product-oriented marketers the

6%

6
2

the complexity of sales management

4%

ferently. So, for example, both automotive manufacturers and dealers

5
2%

Sales Force Ranking

High

Shipping (1987-1989)
15%

10%

Growth

10
1%

30%
25
20

15
10
5
0

-5
-10%
Low

Sales Force Ranking

Sales Force Ranking

Low

Metals (1987-1989)
15%

-10

8%

Finally, in the consumer sales

approach the entire sales process dif-

13%
10%

10

1%

Low

design and implementation issues.

Computers (1988-1990)

15%

8%

both the power shift to retailers and

customer sophistication force them to

Pharmaceuticals (1988-1990)

Growth

Growth

tions have grossly underestimated

increased competitive intensity and

COMPETITION

drivers in packaged goods organiza-

arena, companies are discovering that

High

High

30%

20%

Growth

STRATEGY

5%
1%

Low

Sales Force Ranking

High

recognize that the professionalism of

dealers sales forces must be improved, and manufacturers are spending millions of dollars on training to

EXHIBIT I
SALES FORCE RANKING VS. SALES GROWTH

...............................

make this happen. Demanding customers neither tolerate the high-pres-

to dealing with todays customers in

cial impact of sales force performance.

sure selling techniques of yore nor ac-

todays competitive world.

(See box on methodology.)

We examined the relation be-

cept poorly trained and managed

salespeople. They expect to be treat-

SALES FORCE QUALITY AFFECTS

tween sales force ranking and relative

ed as they want to be treated, and that

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

growth across several industries.

implies the selling company under-

As customer pressures intensify, and

Strikingly, while we anticipated that

stands how they want to be treated.

sources of product differentiation dry

the ranking would explain at most 20

In other words, the pressure is on

up, the relative value of a high-quality

to 30 percent of sales growth, in some

for strategic sales management. We at-

sales force increases. Assessing sales

cases the relative impact reached as

tempt to alleviate this pressure for all

force impact on revenue growth is al-

high as 40 to 50 percent. (Exhibit I

arenas by explaining first of all that

ways difficult because so many factors

shows some of the results.) As com-

strategic sales management works: we

(product quality, pricing, competitive

petitive pressure heightens and prod-

present data which reveal that corpo-

products, product mix) can influence

uct differentiation lessens, the relative

rate financial performance depends

relative growth rates. Yet the tangible

impact of excellent sales force perfor-

on a well-run sales force. We next turn

impact of a quality sales force on a

mance will become even stronger.

to the importance of customer selec-

companys revenue growth relative to

tion, customer focus and customer re-

its industry can be measured. A pow-

SALES MANAGEMENT: THE FRONT

tention. We explain the importance of

erful product line is typically the pri-

LINE IN AN INCREASINGLY

designing a sales force architecture

mary driver of growth; at the same

HOSTILE WORLD

around a carefully defined sales task.

time, both good and bad products

The 1970s and 80s were generally a

Finally, we delineate a three-part sales

benefit from a high-quality sales force

sellers market. Suppliers operated in

management system that will help you

effort. Data accumulated over the past

an environment characterized by dif-

integrate these activities to make

several years by Sales and Marketing

ferentiated products, strong demand,

strategic sales management the cor-

Management, a trade journal, provide

a reasonable balance between capaci-

nerstone of an organization dedicated

a framework for exploring the finan-

ty and demand, and well-defined and

31
Issue 8

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

A.
ccount M
anagem
ent

Area of More
New Products

C.

dow in which differentiation can appear has narrowed considerably.

Area of Low Sales
Management
Impact

more capacity in fact, structural

overcapacity. As Jack Welch, the General Electric Companys chief executive, puts it, Ive [recently] visited

Low
High

Low

Amount of Product Differentiation

Product Life Cycle

Area of More
New Products

Area of Low
Differentiation

D.

Area of Low
Differentiation

High
Managem
ent

High

More competitors also means

Impact of
A

Impact of
A

ccount M
anagem
ent

High

Low
High
Low
Amount of Product Differentiation
Product Life Cycle

Managem
ent

COMPETITION

B.

High

Amount of Product Differentiation

Product Life Cycle

will continue to have excess capacity

Even more far-reaching than
traditional competitors and total
amount of capacity is the phenomenon of boundary-blurring: formerly indirect competitors entering

Low
High

Low

world has way too much capacity, and

the sheer increase in the number of

Impact of

Impact of

Low
High

Asia, and I now understand that the

for a long time to come.

Area of Low Sales

Management
Impact

Account

Area of Low Sales

Management
Impact

Account

Low

Amount of Product Differentiation

Product Life Cycle

each others businesses. What used

to be solid, well-defined category
boundaries are being undermined
even completely erased. Steel,

EXHIBIT II
IMPACT OF ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

aluminum, plastic, paper and glass

...............................

compete for the same applications.

protected product category bound-

proliferation of competitors is further

compete for the same consumer

aries. Good products were enough to

propelled by the increasing rate of

savings and investment dollars.

drive success. Many products were

technology transfer. Processes once

Some of this boundary-blurring

proprietary or semi-proprietary, and

proprietary have quickly become

involves technology. Television net-

limited substitutability helped protect

widely available, and such porous-

works, for example, once competed

margins. Companies focused on top-

ness of technology has become evi-

only with each other. Now they

line revenue growth without worrying

dent across a growing number of prod-

compete with video stores, cable net-

too much about profitability because,

uct and process categories.

works, cable companies and tele-

Banks, insurers and mutual funds

in the vast majority of cases, when the

The porousness of technology

phone companies even with Holly-

top line grew, profitability would follow.

and the increase in competitors have

wood agents for both viewer time

If costs rose, prices were increased.

also reduced the degree of differentia-

and advertising dollars.

Sales management was tactical.

tion that used to characterize many

The boundary-blurring occurs

In the past 15 years, the number

products. Competing products are not

not only among different types of com-

of competitors in most product cate-

as sharply distinctive from each other

petitors, but among different levels in

gories has exploded. The entry of nu-

as in the past, and even when a high

the value chain. In the pharmaceutical

merous

manufacturing

degree of differentiation is achieved,

industry, manufacturers and distribu-

economies into the global market has

emerging

it doesnt last very long. Product cy-

tors have traditionally been distinct.

certainly been the most visible factor,

cles are shorter, imitation is more

With Mercks acquisition of Medco,

but it is not the entire explanation. The

rapid and, as a consequence, the win-

however, that distinction was violat-

32
Third Quarter 97

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

ed. With Wal-Marts major initiative in

change competition has short-

smaller proportion on the relatively

its private-label value line of products,

ened product life cycles. And the ef-

easy, moderately new, moderately dif-

that boundary is violated again. Com-

fect has had a profound impact on

ferentiated products. While this clear-

panies searching for competitive ad-

the sales function.

ly calls for a new sales management ap-

vantage are crossing traditional value-

proach, that approach is complicated

THE IMPACT OF SHORTER

by increasing customer power and

non-traditional configurations to cre-

PRODUCT CYCLES

complex account profitability issues.

ate new sources of advantage.

As Exhibit II-A shows, sales and rela-

chain

boundaries

and

building

Another contributor to boundary-

tionship skills are most important

FROM PRODUCT POWER

blurring and competitive complexity is

when the product is new and very dif-

TO CUSTOMER POWER

the rise of the independents, i.e., ser-

ferentiated, and when it is in late life cy-

During the transitional 1980s, dis-

vice suppliers unaffiliated with specif-

cle and very undifferentiated. The new

economies of scale grew to overcome

ic products (e.g., systems integrators

product needs careful explanation and

scale economies. The rate of product

or personal financial consultants). As

powerful presentation. The buyers

innovation in many industries de-

their choices become more complex,

risk must be reduced by the selling

clined significantly. The importance of

customers have sought professional

process and relationship building.

distribution (relative to manufactur-

unbiased advice. For many tradition-

As the product becomes known,

ing and product strength) grew. Man-

ally structured companies, such

yet preferred, we enter the stage of rel-

ufacturers of computers, steel, office

sources of advice have become the

atively low salesperson impact (and

equipment, pharmaceuticals and

most dangerous wellspring of new

thus relatively low sales manage-

packaged goods saw the luster nor-

competition.

ment). (See Exhibit II-B.) Finally, in the

mally associated with their positions

A final contributor to boundary-

late stage of the life cycle, as the prod-

tarnish. In fact, the customer had too

blurring is the growth of outsourcing.

uct grows undifferentiated, the sales-

many choices and too much clout,

As companies try to focus more

person again becomes very important.

emerging in the power position in the

sharply on their strategic priorities

Essentially, personal sales service be-

supplier-customer relationship. The

and tasks, they are increasingly willing

comes the primary point of competi-

age of the customer is now expanding

to outsource non-strategic functions.

tive differentiation and leverage.

with a vengeance. Success in the fu-

Decision-making moves up from pur-

The shorter period of product dif-

ture will increasingly belong to those

chasing to top management. The de-

ferentiation means that the period of

who achieve and exploit a superior

cision-makers change, the competi-

low differentiation is expanding to the

strategic understanding of customer

tors change, the criteria change and

left in Exhibit II-C. Meanwhile, shorter

value, high-profit customer needs and

the decision cycle changes.

product life cycles mean more new

the most effective ways to perform the

The result of all these transfor-

product introductions (admittedly

required sales task.

mations is that the competitive cir-

generally with less differentiation, but

A look at the typical account base

cle widens. As it widens, selling ef-

still somewhat new), forcing the sales

reveals the power dynamics. Exhibit

fectively against a broader and more

force to spend more of its time at the

III-A shows a triangle with the vertical

heterogeneous set of competitors

left end of Exhibit II-C, and leading to

dimension representing the size of the

becomes significantly more difficult

the shorter time of low sales/sales

accounts and the horizontal dimen-

and complex. The challenge might

management impact in Exhibit II-D.

sion the number of accounts. There

be more manageable with the ad-

Simply put, the typical sales force is be-

are relatively few major accounts at

vantage of proprietary products, but

ing called upon to spend a higher pro-

the top and many mini accounts at

this traditional source of supplier

portion of its time on the hard early

the bottom.

power has also undergone a basic

and late life-cycle selling tasks, and a

33
Issue 8

Over time, the sources of manu-

STRATEGY

facturers profitability changed. Early

on, profits were generally proportion-

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

EXHIBIT III
ACCOUNT TRIANGLE

al to the size of the accounts because

A.

B.
Price Pressure

prices were cost-based, sales costs

were low and the relative size did not

Major
Accounts

Size of
Accounts

vary so much. But the large accounts

Major
Accounts

Size of
Accounts

soon learned to flex their buying-pow-

Middle Accounts

Middle Accounts

er muscles. They exerted price pres-

Mini Accounts

Mini Accounts

sure. And the cost of calling on small

Number of Accounts

Number of Accounts

C.

accounts increased because selling is

D.
Price Pressure

Price Pressure

a labor-intensive activity. There was

price pressure at the top of the trian-

Cost
Pressure

Major
Major
Accounts
Accounts

Size of
Accounts

gle and cost pressure at the bottom,

as shown in Exhibit III-B. The most

Middle Accounts

Feet on the Street Frontier

Mini Accounts

Cost
Pressure

Mini Accounts
Accounts
Mini

profitable accounts were middle

Size of
Accounts

Most
Profitable
Accounts

Middle Accounts

Major
Accounts
Arm-Breaking
Frontier

Cost
Pressure

Number of Accounts

Number of Accounts

sized. (See Exhibit III-C.)

Now, the situation has become
even more serious. Consolidation in
most customer industries has led to
much more concentration at the top of

EXHIBIT IV
INCREASING CHANNEL CONCENTRATION

the account triangle. And costs continue to rise at the bottom. Thus, there
70%

is an increasingly small area in the

70%

69%

60

middle of the triangle where the prof-

50

itable middle-sized accounts reside. In-

40

deed, we call the upper boundary be-

30

60
49%

50

20

30

the arm-breaking frontier and the

10

20

lower one the feet on the street fron-

tier, as shown in Exhibit III-D.

1989
TOP 8

This transition has been particu-

10

1993
TOP 8

1983
TOP 8

Retail Drug Stores

huge power in general merchandise, is

moving increasingly into foods. The

70%

60

50

60
50
40

39%

40
30

29%

30

20

old regional supermarket chains are

20

10

being consolidated into national

10

chains. And the retail drug trade is

1992
TOP 8

Home Improvement

70%

world. Toys R Us dominates the retail toy business. Wal-Mart, already a

42%
33%

40

tween the large and middle accounts

larly salient in the consumer goods

General Merchandise
and Apparel

Drug Wholesalers

1989
TOP 8

1993
TOP 8

31%
22%

1989
TOP 8

1992
TOP 8

...............................
1
Benson P. Shapiro, V. Kasturi Rangan, Rowland T. Moriarty and Elliot B. Ross, Manage Customers for Profits (Not Just Sales), in Benson P.
Shapiro and John J. Sviokla (eds.), Keeping Customers (Harvard Business School Press, 1992), pp. 277-291.

34
Third Quarter 97

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

dominated by a few large organiza-

Value

60

tions. The 80-20 rule itself has changed.

Retention

Now, 80 percent of the volume is done

50

with 20 accounts, not 20 percent of the

40

accounts. Retailer power reigns

supreme. Private-label products, deep

30

Development

discounts, aggressive promotions and

unremitting demands for precise lo-

20

gistical support have replaced the

more pleasant dealings of previous
times. Partnership often means low-

10
0
1

er manufacturer profit. Exhibit IV

shows increases in retailer concentra-

-10

10

11

12

Acquisition

tion for a variety of product categories.

These changes doom the era of
the traditional, I can sell anything to
any account salesperson. The major
accounts at the top require sophisti-

EXHIBIT V
CUSTOMER LIFE CYCLE LINE

...............................

cated team selling led by manage-

fantry will be replaced by very highly

SATISFY THE PROFITABLE

ment. The small ones can be served

trained (200 hours) commandos with

CUSTOMER

only with low-cost communication

much more sophisticated skills, the

Today, the five key determinants of ac-

and distribution channels. The simple

support of superior technology (infor-

count profitability are:

standard sales task is being replaced

mation, service and account manage-

1) account retention

by a system of specialized tasks with

ment systems) and a dedicated inter-

2) account dominance emanating

very different skill content and eco-

nal cross-functional team.

nomics (i.e., high-end complexity, low-

In summary, buyer power, cus-

from the preferred vendor position

3) realized price

tomer needs and job requirements are

4) selling and service cost

The movement from general

all being altered to such a significant

5) account selection.

selling to specialized selling is not

degree that traditional incremental

The single largest determinant of

the only transition to be managed. In

changes and tactical fine-tuning will

profitability in service businesses is

broader terms, required skill content

certainly fail. Strategic change instead

account retention.2 A careful exami-

is shifting from product-selling skills to

will be required. The shaping of the

nation of the account life cycle ex-

encompass deeper customer knowl-

selling function has become a strate-

plains why this is true and why it also

edge and sophisticated sales and ser-

gic corporate issue. The degree to

applies as much to product compa-

vice skills. As a consequence, there will

which this reshaping succeeds or fails

nies as to service ones. Exhibit V

be fewer, higher-paid, more highly

depends entirely on whether it will de-

shows the typical cash-flow profile

trained, higher-skilled professionals,

liver its single most important output:

over the life of an account. The time di-

instead of many Willy Lomans. Aver-

satisfying the profitable customer in a

mension may differ across different

age-trained (10 hours per year) in-

cost-effective way.

situations but the shape and the logic

end cost efficiency).

...............................
Frederick F. Reichheld and W. Earl Sasser Jr., Zero Defections: Quality Comes to Services, in Benson P. Shapiro and John J. Sviokla (eds.),
Keeping Customers (Harvard Business School Press, 1992), pp. 311-324.

35
Issue 8

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

do not. An enormous amount of mon-

er sales and service costs as a per-

promises, poorly managing the ac-

ey is spent to acquire the account, in-

centage of sales than the others. It will

counts or neglecting its customer

cluding advertising, public relations,

not have twice the sales cost, for ex-

ombudsman role, the profit machine

distribution support, sales calls, di-

ample, as the second supplier, which

falls apart.

rect marketing, etc. The spending of-

gains only one-half as much revenue

ten continues into the development

as the dominant vendor.

The account satisfaction, account

retention and account dominance prof-

phase. As the relationship matures in-

The primary supplier typically

it generator represent three parts of ac-

to the retention phase, the account be-

gets higher realized prices as well.

count profitability. The fourth and fifth

comes very profitable if it is retained.

This may not be much as a percentage

parts are the realized price and the sell-

Sales and service costs drop because

of sales, but it goes right to the bottom

ing and servicing cost. There is an enor-

the customer and vendor know how

line. The preferred vendor also tends

mous dispersion across accounts in re-

to work with one another. Of course, if

to have the ability to take a richer

alized prices and the cost to serve.4

the account is lost, the profit stream

product mix with higher profit mar-

Increasingly, the sales force plays a sig-

stops. If the account was a fairly new

gins. The primary supplier, further-

nificant role in pricing, most obviously

one, the acquisition cost might not

more, can fit its operation to its cus-

in price negotiation. Fewer and fewer

even be recovered!

tomer, and vice versa, so they both

commercial and industrial customers

We have found that many sales

gain economies. Lesser suppliers

pay list price. The salesperson plays a

forces are overly focused on attracting

dont have enough leverage and vol-

critical profit-generation role either in

new accounts and neglect the highly

ume. The fit economies, moreover, in-

negotiating individually or in providing

profitable retention opportunities.

crease over time if the account is re-

the information upon which head-

They are hunters, not gatherers. Yet

tained. The primary supplier, in

quarters-level executives make pricing

gathering is often more efficient, if less

addition, gets scale economies from

decisions. These decisions are often

exciting. Retention itself is one impor-

the large size of its orders and volume.

clouded by customer threats and competitive activity.

tant determinant of profitability. Ac-

Finally, the longer-term primary

count primacy or dominance, based

supplier has the opportunity for joint

The competence, capability and

on retention, is a second.

product and service development

motivation of the salesperson in trad-

In most categories, customers

programs that, if done well, further ce-

ing price against volume, and in show-

must either concentrate their pur-

ment its dominant position. In con-

ing the customer why the price is

chases solely with one vendor be-

sumer goods, this builds brand pro-

justified, can have enormous profit im-

cause of technical or business reasons

motional power.

pact, particularly with large accounts.

or they must divide their business un-

Customer satisfaction leads to

The ability of investment bankers at

equally among several vendors. A typ-

customer retention, which provides

Goldman Sachs to accomplish this

ical pattern in the latter situation is

the opportunity for account domi-

delicate set of tasks is an important

one vendor getting 60 percent, a sec-

nance or primacy. The sales force,

component of that firms ability to gen-

ond 30 percent and a third 10 percent.

more than any other function, is re-

erate high profits.

The primary or dominant vendor will

sponsible for this profit-generation

As manufacturing costs have

have the highest profitability as a per-

chain. If it falls down by choosing the

gone down as a percentage of total

centage of sales, and it will have low-

wrong accounts, making unkeepable

costs, sales and service costs have in-

...............................

continued on page 39

James L. Heskett, Thomas O. Jones, Gary W. Loveman, W. Earl Sasser Jr. and Leonard A. Schlesinger, Putting the Service-Profit Chain to
Work (Harvard Business Review, March-April 1994), pp. 164-174. Reprint No. 94204.

Benson P. Shapiro et al., op. cit.

36
Third Quarter 97

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

continued from page 36

creased. This puts more pressure on

buy, or if they do,

the sales force to spend its time and ef-

will not be prof-

fort wisely. In addition, the sales force

itable. The sales

has to decide when and where to offer

force has to be able

special services. Such things as cus-

to identify the po-

tom designs, made-to-order products

tential

high-profit

3. Pressure Your Company

to Cut Price

and special logistical arrangements

customers and de-

4. Give Service to Get Sales

can be very expensive. Activity-based

vote its time to

cost systems can enable a company to

them. The corollary

understand those costs that are often

is that the salesper-

hidden. Kanthal, a global supplier of

son must have the

electrical components based in Swe-

ability,

den, did an analysis of its customer

and discipline not to

base that showed that many of its cus-

waste time with the

tomers were unprofitable because of

unsaleable or un-

special services and low prices. It developed a program to improve prof-

Old Approach
1. Get New Accounts

1. Retain Existing Accounts

2. Get the Order

2. Become the Preferred Supplier

5. Manage All the Accounts

the Same Way
6. Sell to Anyone

Necessary New Approach

3. Price for Profit

4. Understand Cost Implications
and Manage for Profitability
5. Manage Each Account for
Maximum Long-Term Profitability
6. Concentrate on the High-Profit
Potential Accounts

judgment

profitable customer.

EXHIBIT VI
THE NEW MARCHING ORDERS

.....................

To support company profitability,

obvious that most established sales

itability based primarily on better

the sales force has to manage:

forces are in deep trouble. They were

price negotiation and more careful

account retention

designed for a simpler, more pleasant

service provision. Results were most

account dominance

era. Selling was much more fun in the

impressive.

pricing

old days. Now it is real work with enor-

selling and service cost

mous profit impact. The old sales force

account selection.

must be redesigned to meet the new

important parts of the sales force role

That is a complex activity indeed.

needs. The challenge is so daunting

in profitability management. The final

The contemporary sales force must

that it is hard to decide where to begin.

one is account selection.

Price negotiation and sales/service cost management are two more

respond to these imperatives by ef-

The wrong place to begin is with

Some accounts will never be

fectively managing the large accounts

current structure and systems: incre-

good ones because their interests in

for profits and efficiently serving the

mental change will not accomplish the

buying are so different from the ven-

small accounts at minimum costs.

goal. Moreover, when the process

dors in selling. Perhaps the logistics

This requires sales-task clarity, a new

starts with the current approach, pol-

fit is poor, or operating styles and sys-

architecture and a new management

itics quickly gets out of hand and to-

tems are inconsistent. Whatever the

system. The old general-purpose sales

tally torpedoes the desire to respond

reason, the buyer and seller should

force is generally not up to the chal-

to a new set of customer and compet-

not do business. All too often in to-

lenge. The differences are presented

itive imperatives.

days world, however, the sales force

in Exhibit VI.

Thus, we must begin at the customer interface, not at headquarters.

wants to sell to anyone. Salespeople

waste enormous amounts of effort try-

MAKE THE SALES TASK CLEAR

We must examine the nature of the

ing to sell to accounts that will never

At this point, it should be abundantly

sales task when the company con-

...............................
Robin Cooper and Robert S. Kaplan, Measure Costs Right: Make the Right Decisions, in Benson P. Shapiro and John J. Sviokla (eds.),
Keeping Customers (Harvard Business School Press, 1992), pp. 337-353.

Robert S. Kaplan, Kanthal (A) and (B), Case Studies 190-002 and 003 (1989), Harvard Business School, Boston, Mass. 02163.

39
Issue 8

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

fronts the reality of managing cus-

transportation, the all-account sales

One of the most powerful tools to

tomers in a competitive marketplace.

force may not make sense any longer

analyze these issues is a listing of the

The only way to define the requisite

in many companies. A focus by ac-

sales task by account type and prod-

systems is to focus on the needs at the

count type can enable a salesperson

uct, as shown in Exhibit VII.

customer/company interface. That fo-

to develop a higher level of customer

With such a chart, one can see

cus also minimizes the politics. Cus-

knowledge and better customer ser-

whether the similarities are greater

tomer satisfaction, sales growth and

vice/sales skills. It can facilitate inter-

down the columns or across the rows.

profitability can be clear goals at the

nal support for special account

If column similarities predominate, or-

field level. If we talk about splitting or

needs. On the other hand, geograph-

ganize by product. If row similarities

combining sales forces, the discus-

ical coverage minimizes travel time, a

predominate, go with an account-type

sion instead will wallow in personal

very important issue, especially with

orientation.

politics, and customers and competi-

small orders and accounts and in low-

The sales task must also be de-

tors will be neglected.

density areas. Accounts with very

fined by which activities the salesper-

The clear specification of the

large potential may justify a totally

son is expected to perform. Some

sales task is not only the right place to

dedicated account manager, or even

salespeople do everything related to

begin strategically, but also the right

a whole account team. With the

their products and accounts. Others

place to end tactically. Indeed, re-

largest accounts, the question is not

zero in on a set of tasks such as open-

search shows that a clear sales task is

the traditional one of how many ac-

ing new accounts or managing com-

a more powerful salesperson motiva-

counts per salesperson but how

plex partnerships. The broadly de-

tor than the nature of the compensa-

many people per account.

fined task encourages job enrichment,

7, 8

There are no simple answers for

minimizes hand-offs or coordination

Four key determinants define the

account and product specialization.

in a single account (such as the switch

But intense customer-level analysis

between the account-opening sales-

1. which accounts?

can provide light. Increasingly, we

person and the account maintainer)

2. which products and services?

see mixed sales forces where some

and minimizes travel time.

3. what specific activities are to

salespeople are product specialized,

Some products and/or accounts

some account specialized and the

present so much complexity or activ-

rest general-purpose. And sometimes

ity that a team of specialists must be

some of the selling is done through

mobilized to accomplish them all.

tion system or personality types.

sales task:

be accomplished?
4. what are the key interactions
with other parts of the company?
A sales force was traditionally or-

distributors or independent com-

Some team members might be re-

ganized by geography, with each per-

mission representatives. Such an or-

sponsible for order flow and logistics,

son covering all accounts in a given

ganization structure is not pretty on

while others concentrate on more

territory. Willy Loman carried the

paper because it is so complex. But if

strategic, financial or technical activi-

whole bag. He sold all the products

the right systems are in place, and

ties. Teams sometimes have full-time

and services his company offered.

the architecture is clear to its resi-

members for large accounts and high-

With the increasing size and com-

dents, it will work. Hewlett-Packards

volume products. At other times, the

plexity of accounts, and the decreas-

huge but effective sales force is a

teams have many members who share

ing costs of communication and

great example.

their attention across several or more

...............................
7
Stephen X. Doyle and Benson P. Shapiro, What Counts Most in Motivating Your Sales Force, in Benson P. Shapiro and John J. Sviokla
(eds.), Seeking Customers (Harvard Business School Press, 1992), pp. 237-253.

Benson P. Shapiro and Stephen X. Doyle, Make the Sales Task Clear, in Benson P. Shapiro and John J. Sviokla (eds.), Seeking Customers (Harvard Business School Press, 1992), pp. 255-259.

40
Third Quarter 97

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

teams. If the task specifications and

puter superstores and discounters,

supplier-customer relationship. What

assignments to individual people are

reduced its direct-selling organization

had been a sales rep-to-purchasing

not crystal clear, the team will not be

and focused on providing the support

agent interaction was reconfigured to

able to work at peak productivity.

that these low-cost distribution chan-

be a business manager-to-business

Time and effort will be wasted and,

nels needed to represent the compa-

manager partnership. The conse-

more important, some activities will

nys products effectively.

quence: revenue was protected, the

be neglected. Teams also need clear

management structures.

At the other extreme, the sales

growth rate increased and the prof-

task is equivalent to building, manag-

itability of the relationship was en-

The final aspect of task definition

ing and protecting a long-term busi-

hanced for both parties.

involves the relationship of the sales

ness relationship. Consider a leading

The environmental forces char-

force to other parts of the company.

consumer product manufacturer and

acterizing todays business land-

Internal company communication and

Wal-Mart. For the manufacturer, the

scape make sales task definition high-

coordination must be swift, flawless

Wal-Mart account represents $200

ly unstable. Changes in customer

and wide bandwidth. Information

million in sales, and is growing at 20

priorities, the arrival of new com-

flow between the sales

petitors or offerings and

unit and internal opera-

alterations in customer

tions is often complex, in-

needs and power can

volving new or custom

Product A

Product B

Product C

Task B1

Task C1

products and services,

delivery and promotional
commitments and major
financial implications.

redefinition of the task.

Account Type 1
Account Type 2
Account Type 3

Task A1
Task A2
Task A3

Task B2
Task B3

For these reasons, it is

best to think of sales

Task C2

task definition in a dy-

Task C3

The variation in sales

tasks is dramatic. At one
end of the spectrum, the

namic framework: What

was the task in 1990?

EXHIBIT VII
SORTING OUT THE ORGANIZATION

What is it today? What

task can be fairly simple.

For one computer com-

trigger a fundamental

will it be in 2000?

.......................

pany, for example, the key

Once the companys sales task is defined

task was efficient management of a

percent per year. As one executive ob-

clearly, and situated in a dynamic

large number of sales transactions to

served about this and a handful of oth-

framework, many other decisions can

numerous new accounts. This defini-

er relationships: These arent ac-

be made correctly. One of the most im-

tion, when combined with changing

counts, these are businesses! Indeed,

portant of these is the design of the

industry economics, dictated a radi-

these accounts are larger than the

companys sales force architecture.

cal change in how the company orga-

business many international compa-

nized itself to execute the sales task.

nies do in many large countries.

SALES FORCE ARCHITECTURE

Over a six-year period, price per unit

Procter & Gamble, for example, does

Designing the architecture requires

fell to $3,000, from $10,000; gross mar-

more than 12 percent of its sales with

answering the following types of ques-

gins to 30 percent, from 70 percent.

Wal-Mart.

tions: How many different sales forces

Absolute gross margin per unit shrank

Clear sales task definition can

should we have? How should they be

to $900, from $7,000, making it impos-

lead to extraordinary solutions. What

structured and staffed? What degree

sible to support a direct-selling mod-

was required to discharge the task de-

of specialization is needed? What is

el for the product. The company

fined in the Wal-Mart case above was

the appropriate mix of in-house and

chose to go to market through com-

a fundamental restructuring of the

outsourced activities? What resource

41
Issue 8

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

levels should be dedicated to each

We have carefully differentiated

the product, branding, advertising

sales force? What determines the

the definition of the sales task and the

and pricing. Distribution was general-

boundaries between the sales forces?

design of the sales force architecture.

ly split the marketing people did the

Determining the sales force ar-

The most common mistake in sales

strategic, cerebral, policy-level work,

chitecture must precede the develop-

management is to diddle with the or-

and the sales force executed in the

ment of the specific sales force sys-

ganization structure without under-

field. Those days of easy separation

tems. It is impossible to formulate

standing the sales task. We constant-

are gone.

systems before knowing the overall

ly find people engaging in pitched

At the top of the pyramid, mar-

design the systems are to support.

battles about product-oriented vs. ac-

keting and sales must make joint deci-

Just as the definition of the sales

count-oriented sales forces without a

sions about product, price, brand and

task derives from customer needs, the

clear definition of the sales task. Such

all kinds of support. When heavy-

design of the architecture derives from

arguments never lead to useful out-

weight distributors demand private-

the definition of the sales task. The

comes. The decision is made on the

label merchandise, both organiza-

sales task analysis described above

basis of political power, not sound

tions need to be involved. Pricing,

will often reveal several separable

thinking. If the specification of the

product customization and service

tasks. Although these may overlap,

sales task precedes the architectural

customization cannot be entrusted to

typically the patterns that emerge are

discussion, however, the architecture

either group alone. The impact on eco-

quite distinct. The companys sales

can be shaped to meet customer

nomics, the whole account base and

force architecture creates a structure

needs and competitive exigencies, in-

corporate strategy require an inte-

that prevents the commingling of dis-

stead of political whims.

grated approach.

tinct tasks, and it enables the efficient

execution of all the different tasks.

Before we move to the actual

At the small-account end, the

sales management systems, we want

sales force competes with and is often

The number of distinct tasks will

to add one more caveat regarding the

complemented by telemarketing, di-

drive the complexity of sales force ar-

relationship between the marketing

rect mail, catalogues, advertising and

chitecture. For a small pharmaceuti-

and sales functions.

diverse distribution channels. Often

cal firm with a narrow product line,

these were the sole purview of the

there were two distinct tasks: detail-

MARKETING AND SALES

marketing people. Now, the marketing

ing to general practitioners and selling

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

and sales organizations must make

to hospitals. The right architecture

As the preponderance of sales activi-

joint architectural policy and execu-

consisted of two units: the general

ties shifts from the middle-sized high-

tion decisions. Without coordination,

field force and a separate specialized

ly profitable accounts to the mega-ac-

the decisions will be short-sighted,

force calling on major hospitals.

counts at the top of the account base

suboptimal and conflict-ridden.

For a much larger pharmaceuti-

triangle and the micro at the bottom,

Industrial firms have traditional-

cal firm with a broad product line and

new challenges arise. We described

ly had closer sales-marketing ties than

many products sold to more types of

the challenges of account profitability

consumer goods companies, espe-

medical specialists, the sales task

and sales force focus. A third chal-

cially consumer packaged goods com-

analysis led to a much more complex

lenge involves the relationship be-

panies. Even the traditional industrial

architecture, with different sales

tween the companys own marketing

goods ties are not strong enough. But

force units for government buyers,

and sales organizations.

in consumer packaged goods, the

neurologists, general practitioners,

Traditionally, the salespeople

changes will be cataclysmic. No

cardiologists, major hospitals, man-

dealt with accounts and the marketing

longer will the sales force be able to

aged-care organizations and trans-

people worried about the other ele-

take marketing plans and simply exe-

plantation centers.

ments of the marketing mix, such as

cute them. The account managers,

42
Third Quarter 97

STRATEGY

product managers and advertising

managers will need to work together
to protect profits and enhance volume

MANAGEMENT

2. The

competency

COMPETITION

creation

the ranks. If the chief executive receives a certain piece of data, he or

system
3. The motivation system.

in the harsh world of customer power,

she is likely to respond to it. If a different piece of data is received, the chief

intense competition and overcapaci-

THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

executive would respond to that. The

ty. Most of all, the product and adver-

The measurement system provides in-

trick here is to figure out what infor-

tising managers will need to develop a

formation on sales performance rele-

mation is needed to accomplish the

new respect for and understanding of

vant to the nature of the task, and in-

task and make the architecture work.

customers, account managers and

formation about competitive and

Second, the measurement system

sales managers. No longer will head-

customer activity. The information is

is often the clearest statement of the

quarters reign supreme. As power

provided to everyone from the sales-

sales task. In many traditional sales

shifted from seller to buyer, it has also

person up to the chief executive.

forces, the only real explanation of

shifted from headquarters to the field

Rather than going through a detailed

what each salesperson was supposed

sales force.

description of what might be included

to do was embodied in the compensa-

in the measurement system, we would

tion plan. The salespeople would

A NETWORK OF SALES

like to emphasize some important

study the plan in great depth and iden-

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

principles.

tify how they were being measured

So far in this article, rather than fo-

First, by and large, you get what

and paid. While many sales managers

cusing primarily on the traditional

you inspect, not what you expect.

thought it was the pay that drove the

concerns of recruiting the right peo-

That is, the very process of measure-

performance, we have substantial da-

ple or developing a sales incen-

ta indicating that the informa-

tive compensation scheme that

tion value of the pay plan in

will get them to do the right

many situations had more im-

things, we have explored how

pact than the motivational val-

tectonic changes among customers and competitors have

forced a total reassessment of
the nature of the sales task and
thus the very architecture of
the sales force. While it is important not to diminish the impact of various sales management approaches, they must be
derived from the clearly specified sales task and the architecture of the sales force.

The measurement system

must be tied to the key
variables central to corporate
strategy profitability, for
example, and not just revenue.

In this section, we turn to

ue of the money provided.

Third, the measurement
system must be tied to the key
variables central to corporate
strategy profitability, for example, and not just revenue.
Despite

enormous

invest-

ments in information technology, many companies still do

not operate with useable data
on account profitability (at the
level of both contribution margin and operating profit). This

the more traditional aspects of

information is critical, espe-

sales management. The most powerful

ment changes the way the sales force

cially when one considers that up to

way to do so is in a systemic, integrat-

operates. In essence, salespeople will

60 percent of accounts can be unprof-

ed fashion as a network of three relat-

focus their efforts on those things that

itable. Without such data, strategic

ed systems:

are being measured. The same, of

sales management is impossible.

1. The measurement system

course, is true of management right up

43
Issue 8

Fourth, a good measurement sys-

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

tem looks both inside and outside the

The second element of the exter-

all the information provides a detailed

firm. The external view should have at

nal view concerns potential. All too

and integrated perspective. We need

least three components.

many sales measurement systems fo-

to keep the richness of the salesper-

One is a strong relationship to the

cus on sales versus budget or sales

son/account/territory data but we al-

planning necessary for major ac-

versus last year. It is important to look

so want to identify important trends

counts. Account planning is the part of

at penetration by product/service, by

and patterns.

the measurement system enabling the

account and by site. This is the only

Recent advances in computer

salespeople and their managers to

way to insure we are meeting broad

power and mobility, combined with

learn what the accounts need and to

market-share goals and we are allo-

standardized software packages, offer

develop a detailed program to meet

cating our sales and support re-

enormous help in measuring the per-

sources in accordance

formance of the sales force and in al-

with the potential we

lowing salespeople access to central-

want to tap. Informa-

ized data bases. The data should flow

tion on total customer

both ways. The systems provide inven-

purchases is difficult

tory, delivery, engineering, promotion-

to get, but it is an ab-

al and other information to the sales

solutely necessary part

forces. In return, the sales force pro-

of the account planning

vides detailed account and competitive

and sales allocation

information to a centralized data base.

Recruiting is only the

first step in the competency
creation system. The second is
training... Salespeople need more than
personal negotiation skills; they need
business management skills.

processes. Clever application of analytical pro-

THE COMPETENCY CREATION

cedures such as ratios

SYSTEM

of sales to the number

The second system in our sales man-

of customers or cus-

agement network is the competency

tomer revenue, com-

creation system. Earlier in this article

bined with thoughtful

we stressed the importance of the

questioning by sales-

field sales force and the complexity of

people and sales man-

its task. In the new world of sales, we

agement, can yield ac-

need carefully chosen, well-trained

curate information.

salespeople, particularly to handle

those needs. The account plan does

The final external perspective of

major accounts or, where necessary,

not have to be lengthy, but it must be

the measurement system addresses

a large variety of products, services,

precise and accurate. Each plan must

the competition. Often, salespeople in

accounts and selling activities. One

focus on the reason for the relation-

the field know more about what is go-

cannot afford, and one does not need,

ship with that account. And any good

ing on competitively than do high-lev-

outstanding sales talent for simple

plan must have a detailed set of action

el marketing executives back at head-

tasks with little variety. But, for com-

steps specifying who will do what and

quarters. Data from each salesperson

plex, multivaried tasks one needs ab-

when. This insures, for example, that

should be gathered and merged into

solutely outstanding people. An ac-

top managements involvement with

important information patterns. While

count that generates $400 million in

accounts is both effective and efficient.

each salesperson sees only a piece of

sales, a figure we increasingly en-

Each top manager visiting a major ac-

the picture from a territory- and ac-

counter in both the industrial and

count knows her or his job and how ac-

count-focused view, and with all kinds

commercial marketplaces, justifies a

complishing the job will be measured.

of biases the constructed mosaic of

business manager capable of manag-

44
Third Quarter 97

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

ing a $400 million business. Many

Much of the training has to be

more work. Salespeople are often re-

companies labor carefully to choose

centralized because that is more effi-

sponsible for relationship mainte-

country managers or product man-

cient, and because it increases com-

nance, product mix management and

agers responsible for much lower vol-

parability across salespeople, prod-

pricing.

umes. But, when it comes to managing

ucts and accounts. But centralized

schemes that looked only at sales rev-

the major accounts, they use a re-

training is not enough. The new world

enue are disasters when the other is-

treaded Willy Loman. It wont work!

of selling demands intensive one-on-

sues are raised.

The

old

compensation

The competency creation system

one coaching, the third competency-

It is important to understand the

comprises three activities. The first is

creation activity. Coaching enhances

role of personal acknowledgment in

recruiting and selection. Research

and complements centralized train-

the motivation system. Salespeople,

shows that salespeople need ego

ing. It insures that the skills learned in

including top account managers, have

drive, empathy and ego toughness.

the classroom are applied in the field.

an enormous need for feedback. They

But a major account manager also

It also enables the salesperson to

want to know they are winners. The

needs the ability to understand strate-

hone more subtle skills that can be de-

manager who can show appreciation

gically the business he or she man-

veloped only through experience.

and acknowledge success is an im-

ages. It is very difficult to find major ac-

Most salespeople will require two

portant part of the motivation system.

count managers or salespeople

or more weeks of training per year and

In many situations, the motiva-

capable of dealing with a wide variety

significantly more for coaching. Be-

tion issue transcends personal, one-

of products/services/accounts and

cause major account managers are of-

to-one recognition. As we have noted,

activities. But recruiting is the critical

ten true business managers, they

many account managers are respon-

first step. If you do not start with the

need a wide variety of time-consuming

sible for revenues several times

right individual horsepower, no moti-

training the more experiential, the

greater than those of many country

vation scheme or measurement sys-

better. It is not enough to be taught

managers. Yet a country manager will

tem around will turn the person into

theoretical concepts such as return

spend more time with and receive

an outstanding performer.

on investment. The application to the

more direct attention from the chief

Recruiting is indeed only the first

specific customer and business must

executive and top management than

step in the competency creation sys-

be demonstrated and understood.

the account manager of a mega-cus-

tem. The second is training. The

tomer. This pattern no longer makes

salesperson must understand the cus-

THE MOTIVATION SYSTEM

sense. A critical element of the moti-

tomers, products and services, not to

The final part of our sales manage-

vation system in the new sales envi-

mention the company. Beyond that,

ment network is the motivation sys-

ronment is greater recognition by and

he or she must have a combination of

tem. This includes a wide variety of in-

access to the top management group.

selling skills, negotiation skills and

dividual parts, such as incentive

Such increased access is critical for

business management skills. Often

compensation, personal encourage-

two reasons: 1) to better understand

major account managers are involved

ment, contests and so forth. Their

the companys strategic direction, and

in negotiations that balance sales vol-

complexity has gone way up, particu-

2) to provide invaluable real-world in-

ume and unit price. They need to un-

larly for the more demanding account

put into the refinement or resetting of

derstand the financial impact of vari-

management positions. It certainly is

that direction.

ous outcomes of those negotiations

not enough just to pay a straight com-

In addition to recognition, sales

on their own company and their cus-

mission, for this assumes that be-

task clarity is essential. Because a

tomer. They need more than personal

cause the salesperson sells more, he

clear task is the most powerful moti-

negotiation skills; they need the busi-

or she should be paid more, and that

vator for a salesperson, more power-

ness management skills.

the hope for more pay will motivate

ful even than personality or pay plan,

45
Issue 8

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

COMPETITION

it is critical to define the task and de-

that enormous motivation is created.

Finally, we have suggested a way

velop an architecture that encourages

In many ways, account planning pro-

to think about sales force redesign. Be-

each salesperson to understand his or

vides both the focal points for the sales

gin with the customer, and other ele-

her task. Once we get the task clear,

force and the glue to hold it and its

ments of the outside world, particu-

everything else gets easier. It becomes

management systems together.

larly competition. Factor in your own

easier, for example, to design feedback

strategies and economics.

and incentive compensation systems,

CONCLUSION

and accouterments like contests.

The customer, competitor and

The fundamental changes reshaping

company information enables you to

The individual systems must be

the business landscape require that

clearly define the sales task for each

integrated into a single network. The

management view the sales function

market segment you face, and each

in a radically different

product or service you sell. Define the

way than what has been

task carefully. You cant do the other

prevalent (and produc-

steps without this critical activity,

tive) for the past three

which will provide the foundation for

decades.

sales

the architecture and sales manage-

function has evolved

ment systems and, in fact, will provide

from a tactical to a

the fundamental motivation for the

strategic boardroom is-

salespeople.

When the task is defined, you

can move on to organizational
architecture and the performance
measurement, competency
creation and performance
management systems.

The

sue. This transforma-

When the task is defined, you

tion is driven by the

can move on to organizational archi-

changing nature and

tecture and the performance mea-

content of the sales

surement, competency creation and

task, which will force

performance management systems.

companies at a mini-

If you skip the sales task definition

mum to change their

stage, all the subsequent work will be

mix of selling capacity.

mired in haggling and personal horse

In most cases, it will

trading. The customer will be ne-

force them to redesign

glected and the competitor will win.

their sales force.

We are familiar with the sales

If your company is

manager who addressed his under-

measurement system feeds back to the

well established, it probably needs a

performing sales force at the start of

motivation and competency creation

new type of sales force thinking. Your

a new month: We are going to have

systems. For example, when a sales-

customers have changed. Your com-

a sales contest this month. The win-

person is not achieving her or his goals,

petition has intensified. Your own eco-

ners will get to enter next months

the problem could lie with the goals,

nomics, strategies and goals have

contest.

competency, motivation or other parts

evolved. Is it any surprise that the

of the company. We need a way to sep-

sales force must change?

arate various causes and effects.

Top-level executives are in a contest as well. The winners who redesign

We have demonstrated here that

their sales forces to meet the needs of

The role of account planning in all

the challenges facing the sales force

a more intense competitive environ-

of this is crucial. The account plan is

have grown more daunting. We have

ment will get a chance to do it again.

the basis for the measurement system,

also shown that financial perfor-

The others will not!

defines the competencies needed and

mance is driven in a major way by

can be used to clarify the sales task so

sales force quality.

46
Third Quarter 97

&
SB

Reprint No. 97303

STRATEGY

MANAGEMENT

47
Issue 8

COMPETITION