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Selling After the Crisis

By: Frank V. Cespedes
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Abstract

Like perishable goods in grocery stores, sales models have a sell-by date. As product standards evolve and new entrants emerge, buyers have more choices and demand more in terms of quality and performance across vendors. Firms that fail to adjust to changing customer expectations lose advantage. Building and maintaining a relevant sales model—that is understood by everyone from executives in the C-suite to sales reps in the field—is the most important way that companies respond to market changes. As firms emerge from the pandemic crisis, they should take a fresh look at their sales models. This includes revamping customer selection criteria, increasing clarity about the customer buying process, and making more effective use of selling metrics.

Keywords

Sales Model; Sales; Management; Customer Relationship Management; Health Pandemics

Citation

Cespedes, Frank V. "Selling After the Crisis." Harvard Business Review 99, no. 2 (March–April 2021): 52–57.
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