There is no "I" in Team
I have never been much of a clique person. In school, I was one of the peripheral kids that mingled with the jocks, nerds, band geeks, and hippies. I easily found something in common with each group, but never was a real 'fit' with any one over the other's.
(At first I thought it was because I just didn't like being boxed into a group. A rebel who was not sure of the cause yet.)
It wasn't until many years later as I started my professional life that I realized I enjoyed and needed to be part of a team. In small businesses, I had to "wear many hats". That in turn meant having to be able to work within multiple teams. From that I learned how the departments worked and overlapped each other.
Soon after I tried out corporate life I learned I was better at my primary role when I was able to work with many teams. I also witnessed the inefficiencies of processes that only existed in the head of the CEO or whomever was running the show that day.
From the front desk reception to being part of a team whose goal was to increase company revenue to a multi-billion dollar corporation over 5 years, I have played the role of the Undercover Boss many times.
It was 2007. I am going to assume that most of us know what happened between then and now.
Marketing's Identity Crisis
With the recent release of Paul Roetzer's book, "The Marketing Agency Blueprint: The Handbook for Building Hybrid PR, SEO, Content, Advertising, and Web Firms" someone has finally addressed the pink elephant in the room. Marketing has evolved from the days of the Mad Men like agency and become a hybrid.
But with sales?
Marketing Can't Do Sales
Oh, those might be fighting words. With the recent rise of smarketing, I have heard this push back from many sales (and marketing) people when they learn about smarketing. Given their likely experiences with marketing in the past, I am not surprised.
However it's true. Marketing can in fact do sales. But only if it is using the same smarketing process at every step of the way.
In fact, sales can even do marketing.
For example; who in your organization talks with your prospects and customers daily? Is it your marketing department? Your inbound marketing agency?
Do you use your blogs as a way to start, or facilitate, an online conversation with your prospects and customers? Or is it just another way to get your message out there and get found by search engines?
Who buys from you? Search engines or people?
Are you wondering why your blogging and inbound marketing is not producing quality leads? Have you asked yourself, "Who is blogging for you? And why?"
Sales and Marketing In Sync
Remember, smarketing works best when sales and marketing are aligned and integrated so that the evolution from prospect to customer evangelist is a seemless transition.
This post was inspired by our company's Christmas party which took place at the Dark Star Orchestra show here in Portland, ME. It was an amazing show. One thing stood out to me above all.
They had two separate drummers and drum sets. Since I have played in bands I understand how timing is the backbone to a great performance. Every other part of the song rests on that consistent beat to carry them through from beginning to end. (this is why a cappella is so difficult to do well).
The two drummers were so well in sync, it was as if a mind melding had happened. When one had to adjust his set, the other knew within a beat to fill in the gaps. They were able to hand off the responsibility of driving the entire performance between each other and stay in harmony with the rest of the band.
Do You Dance to the Beat of a Different Drum?
Are you waiting for your team to keep the beat going? Are you ready to change your business before the end of the year? Learn how a smarketing strategy can change your business.
Thinking that smarketing is the answer for you and your team's business development challenges? Apply for the Smarketing Business Development Course.
Or join us and our smarketing partners for the next live smarketing webinar. Indicate MiM sent you.
