|
B-to-B companies are seeking new ways to address their demand- and lead-generation strategies. Especially at a time of economic disruption, teleservices programs can boost the productivity and effectiveness of a company's sales force, ultimately enabling it to close more deals.
In contrast to consumer teleservices campaigns, B-to-B programs typically focus on prospecting vs. selling. Effective prospecting (i.e., identifying and prequalifying leads) requires skills, techniques and time that many salespeople lack. Furthermore, most successful sales reps simply dislike cold calling and don't approach it in a disciplined, consistent way. In an ideal B-to-B scenario, teleservices agents contact prospects, prequalify leads, set appointments, and then hand off well-vetted opportunities to salespeople to manage the selling cycle and close the deal.
It's a process we call "ThinSourcing," in which outside teleservices agents interoperate with in-house salespeople. The model addresses a need all businesses face: how to maximize the value and impact of their organizations' internal talent to achieve vital goals, while assigning related business activities to partners.
Six steps that can lead to highly successful B-to-B teleservices campaigns are:
1. Start With a Smart Strategy. Each B-to-B teleservices campaign must be driven by the revenue requirements of a well-thought-out sales strategy that clearly identifies the goals, messages, implementation protocol, qualified lead criteria and expected outcomes. As part of this strategy, product positioning, core customer benefits, definition and attributes of "qualified leads" should be clearly defined and agreed upon.
2. Scrub the Data. Most B-to-B campaigns kick off with existing lists of customers and prospects to be contacted. However, these names invariably need to be checked and updated to verify titles, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and decision-making responsibilities. Importantly, they also need to be evaluated against a strategic profile of the type of company that represents the best prospecting target.
3. Don't Be Rote. In B-to-B teleservices programs, agents typically do not use scripted pitches. Instead, drawing on their seasoned experience and product training, they work from message tracks and call guides, engaging prospects in conscious conversations with the goal of discovering issues, challenges and opportunities, and setting up prequalified appointments for the sales force. At the end of each call, teleservices professionals carefully record notes and details that help sales professionals prepare and deliver a targeted, prospect-specific and effective engagement with a new lead.
4. Share the Platform. Ideally, teleservices agents should operate on the same technology platform as the salespeople and other executives involved in a B-to-B campaign. Using a shared CRM system facilitates communication, standardization of data capture, timely reporting and ongoing evaluation of campaign success.
In contrast to consumer teleservices campaigns, B-to-B programs typically focus on prospecting vs. selling. Effective prospecting (i.e., identifying and prequalifying leads) requires skills, techniques and time that many salespeople lack. Furthermore, most successful sales reps simply dislike cold calling and don't approach it in a disciplined, consistent way. In an ideal B-to-B scenario, teleservices agents contact prospects, prequalify leads, set appointments, and then hand off well-vetted opportunities to salespeople to manage the selling cycle and close the deal.
It's a process we call "ThinSourcing," in which outside teleservices agents interoperate with in-house salespeople. The model addresses a need all businesses face: how to maximize the value and impact of their organizations' internal talent to achieve vital goals, while assigning related business activities to partners.
Six steps that can lead to highly successful B-to-B teleservices campaigns are:
1. Start With a Smart Strategy. Each B-to-B teleservices campaign must be driven by the revenue requirements of a well-thought-out sales strategy that clearly identifies the goals, messages, implementation protocol, qualified lead criteria and expected outcomes. As part of this strategy, product positioning, core customer benefits, definition and attributes of "qualified leads" should be clearly defined and agreed upon.
2. Scrub the Data. Most B-to-B campaigns kick off with existing lists of customers and prospects to be contacted. However, these names invariably need to be checked and updated to verify titles, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and decision-making responsibilities. Importantly, they also need to be evaluated against a strategic profile of the type of company that represents the best prospecting target.
3. Don't Be Rote. In B-to-B teleservices programs, agents typically do not use scripted pitches. Instead, drawing on their seasoned experience and product training, they work from message tracks and call guides, engaging prospects in conscious conversations with the goal of discovering issues, challenges and opportunities, and setting up prequalified appointments for the sales force. At the end of each call, teleservices professionals carefully record notes and details that help sales professionals prepare and deliver a targeted, prospect-specific and effective engagement with a new lead.
4. Share the Platform. Ideally, teleservices agents should operate on the same technology platform as the salespeople and other executives involved in a B-to-B campaign. Using a shared CRM system facilitates communication, standardization of data capture, timely reporting and ongoing evaluation of campaign success.
|
Business-to-Business Lead Generation Strategies (2nd Edition)
Business to Business Marketing Research