Unique Content Article: Bridging the Gap Between Sales and Marketing

<h2 class = 'uawtitle'>Bridging the Gap Between Sales and Marketing</h2><br />
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Jonathan X. Livingsworth</div><br /><br />
<div class='uawarticle'>The gap that exists between sales teams and their marketing counterparts can often feel as challenging as the divide between opposite sides of the Grand Canyon. Looking out over the huge divide between the sales and marketing perspective, it is hard to understand how these two opposing teams can come together in harmony. Tough though it may be, it is not impossible.<br />
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Two common challenges to sales and marketing collaboration are:<br />
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-Lead Quality<br />
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-Opposing Viewpoints Between Sales and Marketing Teams<br />
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It is easy for both sides to play the "blame game" when it comes to lead quality. One side complains that "these leads suck" or "they aren't sending us enough quality leads". And the other side comments that "they aren't following up with the leads fast enough" or "they don't know how to close the deal". It is difficult to make progress when neither side takes responsibility.<br />
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According to Jesse Noyes of Eloqua, companies can get the two teams to work together by investing in lead scoring and sales enablement tools. Lead scoring allows marketing to prioritize quality leads, and put the sales team in the best position to interact with customers who are ready to buy. Marketing continues to work the other leads and brings them through the buying cycle until they are ready to be turned over to sales. Many more leads are good than are ready; with lead scoring companies can maintain relationships with more prospects and ultimately close more sales.<br />
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As for perspective, at root sales and marketing professionals are two sides of the same coin; inextricably tied together but distinctly different. They approach the same topic from opposing viewpoints; what works versus what doesn't work, what the numbers say versus what the numbers mean, which strategy is most effective, etc.<br />
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This tendency to talk over rather than to each other can be overcome. It's a language issue. Use common definitions for each group that will be practiced in each stage of the buying cycle. . Keep an open mind throughout the sales and marketing process and understand that neither side will have all the right answers. Be open to compromise to work towards the common goal. And most important, communicate. Open communication between the sales and the marketing teams ensures that each group stays on task and focuses on what they do best. When both sides agree to work together to bridge the gap, everybody wins.<br />
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<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />
About the Author:<br />
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<div class='uawlinks'>Jonathan X. Livingsworth is a media writer in the world of marketing. If you are interested in working with the latest in marketing he suggests you check out this <a href="http://www.pedowitzgroup.com/inbound-marketing-agency/">Inbound Marketing Agency</a>. You can learn more about this revenue marketing company at <a href="http://www.pedowitzgroup.com">http://www.pedowitzgroup.com</a>.</div><br />
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New Unique Article!<br />
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Title: Bridging the Gap Between Sales and Marketing<br />
Author: Jonathan X. Livingsworth<br />
Email: rafael.e.zabala@gmail.com<br />
Keywords: online marketing, internet marketing, marketing consultants,business marketing ,marketing, consultants<br />
Word Count: 400<br />
Category: Marketing<br />
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