Sales

First there was competitive intelligence—data that helped organizations understand what their rivals were doing to grow their business. Then came market intelligence, which looked more broadly at the economic forces and buying patterns across a sector.

Most salespeople know how to pitch to a potential customer long before first contact. Improve your pitch and close the deal even faster with these 9 statistics.

When the other side scores in a hockey game, the TV cameras quickly pan over to the home team coach’s face. And usually, apart from looking a little unhappy, that coach wears an expression that shows he or she is already thinking of how they can help turn things around.

Want a successful sales team? You need three elements: the right people, effective processes, and the technology to get the job done.

Social media has changed the sales landscape, and companies need a strategy for handling it. Use these tips to refine your strategy and be successful on social media.

The Internet is filled with advice on how to help parents and children adjust to the back-to-school transition. Some of these tips make just as much sense for those selling products and services as it does for those learning the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic.

One of sales managers' biggest challenges is inspiring the people in their department. Use these tips to effectively lead your sales team and build great leaders in the process.

The key to effective marketing is to make it easy for prospects to accept your offer. Use our advice to improve your efforts and increase your ROI.

David Priemer is the VP of Sales at Salesforce. He is also a three-time startup guy.

With shortening attention spans, it's harder than ever to gain the attention of potential customers. These quotes and tips will help you close the sale with self-directed consumers.