Why selling is a team sport

Employee Advocacy Published: September 13, 2020
Why selling is a team sport

Sales is no longer the driver of everything in an organization. Selling is a team sport and holding MVP status of that team is marketing.

However, quite often there is a big disconnect between sales and marketing. Sales is looked at as king and marketing is often out for debate on how effective it can be.

But here’s the thing, the world has changed.

When it comes to selling, sales needs marketing in new ways they have never needed marketing before.

In this podcast episode of Stuff You Should Know About Our Changed New World, Oktopost‘s Managing Director of EMEA Colin Day, sits down with modern day sales guru and Founder of Modern Sales Training, Derek Shebby to talk about a new normal: a world where selling requires united marketing and sales initiatives to drive the organization forward.

You can catch the conversation by subscribing to our podcast channel, B2B Marketing Now wherever you get your podcasts. Or Follow Oktopost on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook to get new episodes directly to your social media feeds!

Listen now:

About Derek Shebby:

Making President’s Club 13 times during his 17 year career at Xerox, Shebby has become YouTube’s most popular sales trainer. As Founder of Modern Sales Training, Derek Shebby, he has helped sales professionals become top sales performers in just 21 days.

With over 15,000 individuals trained around the world in his program, Sales in 21 Days, Derek Shebby joins the show to provide listeners with lessons learned and actionable takeaways from his own career for both sales and marketing professionals, alike!

Key takeaways from Derek Shebby:

  • Selling is a team sport where sales and marketing must work together.
  • Sales is no longer king.
  • People are seeing the information you put out on social media and those observations are making little purchases in their minds.
  • Sales professionals are used to seeing direct results, but employee advocacy, for example, drives value even if nobody is liking your content directly.
  • You never know how far your content is reaching and who is seeing it.
  • Organic reach is brilliant for sales professionals and important as a sales tool.
  • Be active on social media. Digital channels are necessary and you need to be part of the new ways people are connecting.
  • Understand your audiences and get in front of them on social by posting tailored messages.
  • Know how to answer the 4 most common objections:
    • I’m not interested.
    • Too busy!
    • We’re good, we are all set.
    • Can you just send me some information?
    • Pricing objections.
  • Sales fears comes from the unknown, but it’s impossible to be afraid when you know what’s coming.
  • When you learn how to track the right numbers, you’re cued in on where you need to improve.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How has the role of marketing evolved to become essential for B2B sales success?

The modern B2B landscape has shifted, making selling a true team sport where marketing holds MVP status. Sales professionals now rely on marketing to drive united initiatives, create consistent messaging, build brand authority, and engage prospects across digital channels. This collaboration is crucial for organizational growth, as sales needs marketing in new ways to connect with today's buyers.

How does B2B employee advocacy directly impact sales and pipeline generation?

Employee advocacy significantly contributes to B2B sales by leveraging the organic reach of your team's social networks. When employees share company content, it builds credibility and trust with prospects, making 'little purchases in their minds.' This consistent exposure drives value, even if direct likes aren't always visible, expanding reach, nurturing leads, and ultimately feeding the sales pipeline.

What are key social media best practices for B2B sales professionals?

B2B sales professionals must be actively present on digital channels, understanding their audience to post tailored messages that resonate. The goal is to consistently provide valuable information that prospects see, fostering an ongoing connection. Organic reach on social media is a powerful and necessary tool for building presence, engaging potential clients, and connecting with them in the new ways they prefer.

How can B2B sales professionals effectively overcome common objections?

Derek Shebby highlights that sales fear often stems from the unknown. By anticipating and understanding the most common objections—such as 'I’m not interested,' 'Too busy,' 'We’re all set,' 'Can you just send me some information?' and pricing concerns—sales professionals can prepare thoughtful, informed responses. Knowing what to expect empowers them to address concerns confidently and guide the conversation forward.

Why is tracking the right metrics crucial for B2B sales and marketing alignment?

Tracking the right numbers provides invaluable insights for both sales and marketing teams. It allows organizations to understand the effectiveness of their content, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the tangible value of their efforts, especially for initiatives like employee advocacy where direct results might not be immediately apparent. This data-driven approach is essential for continuous optimization and proving ROI in a unified sales and marketing strategy.

Get ready!

The latest B2B marketing magic is about to land in your inbox
Join 30K+ pros already on the inside

Engaging social media content and interaction, illustrating B2B social media marketing tips and insights.