Sales Teams Need to Stop Focusing on the Customer Funnel
The article argues that sales teams should shift their focus away from the traditional sales funnel and instead prioritize the entire customer journey. The author explains that the sales funnel is a limited and linear model that does not account for the complexity and fluidity of the modern customer journey. Instead, sales teams should adopt a customer-centric approach that considers the entire journey, from awareness to purchase and beyond. By doing so, sales teams can better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, and tailor their approach accordingly. The article also provides several examples of companies that have successfully implemented this approach, including IBM and Cisco. Ultimately, the article suggests that sales teams need to evolve their approach to keep pace with the changing nature of customer behavior and expectations.
Key points from the article:
- The traditional sales funnel is a limited and linear model that does not fully account for the complexity and fluidity of the modern customer journey.
- Sales teams should adopt a customer-centric approach that considers the entire journey, from awareness to purchase and beyond.
- By focusing on the entire journey, sales teams can better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, and tailor their approach accordingly.
- Companies like IBM and Cisco have successfully implemented this approach by creating personalized experiences for their customers.
- Sales teams need to evolve their approach to keep pace with the changing nature of customer behavior and expectations.
- Site: Harvard Business Review
- Author: Frank V. Cespedes