How salespeople spend their time is the key determinant of sales force productivity. In this Sales Management Association Online Experts’ Exchange, our panel examines the “how, when, and why” of measuring sales force activity. Emphasis is given to specific activity measurement approaches, determining sales force capacity, and methods for balancing...Read more

Management Practices in Solution Sales: A Multi-Level and Cross-Functional Framework 
12 January 2011
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Business-to-business sales has changed from being an isolated function with little cross-functional influence to becoming an integrated part of long-term customer management and from an operational practice to a strategically focused part of business strategy. This suggests a need to change the unit of analysis from the activities and attributes...Read more

Online Experts’ Exchange: Aligning Sales Territories 
11 January 2011
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Assigning territories are high-stakes decisions for sales organizations; firms who use an analytical approach to optimizing sales territory assignments stand to unlock a significant productivity gain. In this Sales Management Association Online Experts’ Exchange panel discussion, we review three perspectives on optimizing territory assignments, maximizing sales productivity, and administering territory...Read more
Productive sales organizations routinely change their sales processes. By first evaluating current processes, then implementing changes and measuring their impact, firms can profoundly impact sales results. In this Sales Management Association webcast, we present a framework for evaluating, optimizing, and measuring sales process effectiveness. Presenters also address participants’ sales process...Read more
The Sales Management Association encourages the formation of local chapters. Our chapter meetings provide sales management and sales operations professionals with opportunities to network with peers and thought leaders, exchange best practices, and discuss issues important to sales leadership.

Best Practices in Sales Compensation Plan Communication 
9 December 2010
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As firms prepare to implement sales compensation plan changes, they must avoid common mistakes which can undermine the plan’s desired impact. In this Sales Management Association webcast we detail practical strategies for ensuring a successful plan rollout by identifying five “Roll-Out Watch-Outs:” Chump Champions: choosing the wrong champion for leading...Read more

Managing Salesperson Decisions that Impact Profitability 
7 December 2010
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For most organizations, landing the major account is the ideal end goal for individual sales representatives, and the de facto definition of effectiveness for the sales organization. Yet focusing on account wins alone overlooks the importance of selling efficiency. Selling efficiency describes the productive use of firm resources in pursuit...Read more
Sales coaching programs have the greatest impact when they promote specific selling behaviors. In this Sales Management Association Case Study, we review a coaching initiative implemented at NCMIC Group, Inc., a leading US provider of insurance, equipment leasing, merchant services, and financing for dentists, medical doctors, veterinarians, attorneys, businesses and...Read more