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Selling technology services and solutions in 2003 was a constant struggle
against buyer hesitation, pricing pressure, offshore competition, and
cutbacks in resources for marketing and sales support. Against this backdrop,
services sales expenses were up; sales coverage was thinner; and there
were not enough leads in the funnel.
By the end of 2003, however, many IT organizations had begun to turn
the corner toward more positive growth. As the economy picked up steam,
companies increased investment in the support systems required to improve
services sales productivity and effectiveness.
Turning the Corner provides in-depth data and analysis of how
companies across the technology and professional services industries
are managing and measuring their services sales performance for 2004
and beyond.
Based on ITSMA's annual Sales Performance Study, which collected qualitative
and quantitative data from 34 U.S.-based companies, the report is designed
to help services marketing, business development, and sales leaders:
- Measure their own sales performance against industry averages and
top performers
- Benchmark sales coverage models, training, and sales support practices
- Review best practices in selling IT services and solutions
This report provides detailed data, analysis, and best practices in
eight critical areas, including:
- Sales coverage models
- Direct sales force productivity
- Sales performance metrics
- Sales costs and compensation
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- Sales training
- Sales support and automation
- Account management
- Discount practices
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The report includes breakouts of the data by market sector (professional
services firms, software vendors, network systems vendors, and other)
and by size of organization (greater than or less than, $500 million
in revenue).
Data and analysis in this report enables companies to compare their
own performance to organizations covered in the study. Sales and marketing
managers can use the data to help establish realistic improvement goals
and to create and justify initiatives that enhance sales performance
and drive profitable growth.

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