Effective Sales Training: What Are the Foundational Elements?

Frank V. Cespedes

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Article | Top Sales Magazine | April 2018

Effective Sales Training: What Are the Foundational Elements?

by Frank V. Cespedes

Abstract

Across industries, turnover in sales positions averages about 25–30% annually. This means that, at many firms, the equivalent of the entire sales force must be replaced and trained every four years or so. No other function has an ongoing talent management task of that magnitude. Yet, in a given year, over a third of firms do not train salespeople at all, and others budget and manage training initiatives in ways that make it difficult to determine cause and effect. This article discusses four components of effective sales training and the implications for sales trainers, sales managers, and senior leaders.

Keywords: Salesforce Management; Training;

Format: Electronic

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Citation:

Cespedes, Frank V. "Effective Sales Training: What Are the Foundational Elements?" Top Sales Magazine (April 2018), 22–23.

About the Author

Frank V. Cespedes

MBA Class of 1973 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

Entrepreneurial Management

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Case | HBS Case Collection | February 2016 (Revised April 2019)

InsightSquared: Developing the Sales and Marketing Plan

Mark Roberge, Tom Eisenmann and Frank Cespedes

Fred Shilmover and Sam Clemens prepared for their fourth quarter board meeting. They were excited to have scaled their software startup, InsightSquared, to $2 million in revenue and secured an $8 million round of venture capital. However, they disagreed on the path ahead, specifically on the sales and marketing plan. Shilmover preferred a sales-centric approach to growth while Clemens preferred a marketing-centric one. Which strategy was optimal for their venture’s next phase of growth?

Keywords: Sales planning; Software; Marketing; Sales; Planning; Growth and Development Strategy;

Citation:
Roberge, Mark, Tom Eisenmann, and Frank Cespedes. "InsightSquared: Developing the Sales and Marketing Plan." Harvard Business School Case 816-074, February 2016. (Revised April 2019.) View Details

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Case | HBS Case Collection | August 2018 (Revised February 2019)

Shindigz

Frank Cespedes

Shindigz provides party and celebratory items for various occasions and events through its branded online channel, through third-party retail and wholesale channels, and external online marketplaces. The case focuses on pricing challenges facing a venture with an historically premium-priced strategy in an ecommerce environment where promotions and discounts have become the norm. The case concerns the interaction of branding, channel, and pricing in a firm as well as the impact of Amazon Prime on consumer expectations for “free” shipping from vendors.

Keywords: ecommerce; e-commerce; pricing; Price; Strategy; Decision Making; Brands and Branding; Distribution Channels; Consumer Products Industry;

Citation:
Cespedes, Frank. "Shindigz." Harvard Business School Case 819-010, August 2018. (Revised February 2019.) View Details

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Case | HBS Case Collection | February 2019

Canibal—Play It Green!

Frank V. Cespedes, Joseph B. Fuller, Tonia Labruyere and Elena Corsi

In 2011, Canibal launched a machine that could sort and compress aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and cups. Users could play a jackpot-style game on the machine’s digital display, while disposing of their beverage containers and earning coupons or other rewards. The machine could also display advertising or serve as a communication tool. In 2016, the company's new machine, the i3, had more potential than earlier models, due to enhanced reliability and displays that could allow Canibal to pursue new markets. Benoit Paget, CEO and founder of Canibal, must choose a growth path: which customer segment should he focus on? How should he position his product? What would be the implications of these choices for marketing and sales requirements, pricing, and funding?

Keywords: sales growth; recycling; start-up; scaling; market selection; Sales; Marketing; Business Startups; Growth and Development Strategy; Segmentation; Product Positioning; Technology Industry; France;

Citation:
Cespedes, Frank V., Joseph B. Fuller, Tonia Labruyere, and Elena Corsi. "Canibal—Play It Green!" Harvard Business School Case 319-089, February 2019. View Details

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Effective Sales Training: What Are the Foundational Elements?

Abstract

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