SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Sales — tracks feedback from sales managers and executives. We run the poll question each Wednesday in our e-newsletter.
Last week, we asked: Have you finished your planning for 2012?
- No: 83.02%
- Yes: 16.98%
This time of year is crunch time — you have to ensure you are meeting current-year goals while at the same time laying out next year’s plan. Ask yourself these questions as you go through the planning process:
- What macroeconomic trends will affect our business in 2012?
- What industry trends will affect our business?
- How can we position ourselves to outperform the projected industry growth rates?
- What can I do to support my sales team in meeting their goals next year through training, research/data, marketing tools, etc.?
Answers one to three will drive your plan. Answer No. 4 will drive your success.
Stephen Pia is the founder of COACH MEdia and a sales trainer and coach.