New BIA/Kelsey Report Examines How Data is Improving Sales Management Functions

Report explores the new software category of sales enablement platforms and how it is optimizing the tasks of hiring, reporting and management

CHANTILLY, Va. (December 6, 2016) – A new research report from BIA/Kelsey suggests there’s a need for sales leadership to embrace data services in response to the continuing transition to management-intensive sales organizations. Sponsored by SalesFuel, the free report, “Investing in the Sales Process – Coaching and Metrics for Success,” examines today’s changing sales team and the types of tools now needed to improve sales engagement and success.

“Data is the catalyst of dramatic changes for businesses, yet fewer people collect and correctly process data,” said Mitch Ratcliffe, digital analyst, BIA/Kelsey. “Today, the sales process can be examined and fine-tuned by managers with the help of smarter data tools. They wield an incredible advantage for sales leaders who can then use the information to develop internal sales methodologies that put the customer at the center of all activity while keeping revenue goals at the forefront. Several companies, like SalesFuel, are leading the way in creating software to accomplish these goals.”

The report profiles today’s sales environment where it is critical salespeople are motivated, on-task and experts in their product/service category. This requirement is supported by BIA/Kelsey’s recent advertiser survey, Local Commerce Monitor™ (LCM), that reveals that 44.5 percent of advertisers say it’s “extremely important” to meet in-person with a “knowledgeable” sales rep before making a decision.

As the requirement for highly-trained sales reps grows, significant challenges are facing today’s sales environment. The report explores how the number of sales managers will rise faster than salespeople, yet the number of people supporting those managers has dropped across the board. In particular, the report reveals administrative assistant positions have fallen by 25.43 percent in the sales-intensive insurance industry. Similarly, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, insurance accounting staffing (-15.25 percent), direct sales supervisors and support workers (-9.71 percent), and underwriters with actuarial skills (-13.99 percent) are all part of a diminishing workforce.

Data will be the driving force in the future to turn around sales team performance, reduce churn, increase team engagement and achieve ambitious sales goals.

The report has clear conclusions about how to unlock new kinds of analysis and insight into sales performance. Key highlights include:

• Provide specific information to sales management about the performance of individuals and the whole sales team
• Deliver contextually relevant content, research, training and other learning and industry expertise
• Allow sales management to engage a prospective hire, screen and assess their fit with the organization, as well as help track their progress toward sales and skills goals
• Integrate with the growing flood of data, providing sales managers the ability to select and use the right data with machine learning-assisted insights
• Coach sales staff each day, keeping them abreast of company news, industry news and customer-specific events

Report Availability & Upcoming Webinar

“Investing in the Sales Process – Coaching and Metrics for Success,” a BIA/Kelsey Sponsored Research report, sponsored by SalesFuel, a sales enablement and strategic management firm, is available for free download here.

Key findings from the report will be shared during a free webinar on January 18, 2017, titled, “Sales Enablement – Data-driven Coaching to Improve Revenue and Retention.” Register now.

About BIA/Kelsey

BIA/Kelsey (@BIAKelsey) combines data, analytics and insights to provide its clients with the information they need for grounded financial and strategic action. Since 1983, BIA/Kelsey has been a valuable resource for many of the leading companies in media and the financial and legal community serving media and telecom, as well as the FCC and other government agencies. Today, BIA/Kelsey offers a broad range of research, consulting services and conferences to traditional and new media companies. Learn more about BIA/Kelsey at https://www.bia.com.

BIA/Kelsey Sponsored Research
BIA/Kelsey Sponsored Research is commissioned by companies that wish to spotlight timely issues, trends and topics that have a bearing on the local media and marketing industry. BIA/Kelsey maintains full editorial control and applies its longstanding standards of editorial practice and objective market analysis. Companies interested in contracting BIA/Kelsey to cover a particular topic or profile sectors of local media innovation should email info@biakelsey.com for more information.