When I first started as a contractor, I remember sending out my first invoice. It felt like a tangible sign that my business was taking off. But as the projects rolled in and the invoices went out, I noticed I had never issued a receipt. At first, I wondered if I was missing a crucial…
Just about anyone can start a business. Once you fill out a few forms, get the permits or licenses you need, offer a great product or service, and advertise it, it’s safe to say you’re a business owner. Running a successful business is an entirely different story. Several factors affect the success of a business.…
Without a client management system, also called a CRM, most businesses struggle to provide a great experience for their customers. All because their customer data is scattered all over the place, and it’s difficult to keep track of customer interactions and conversations. As a customer, let me confess that I’m loyal to my favorite brands…
One time, when I worked for IBM, I asked a prospect from a well-known engineering software company if they had determined a budget for their digital transformation initiative. He replied, “Oh, you are doing BANT qualification? I’ll make it easy for you. My budget is X, I am the project lead, I just described our…
A customer relationship management (CRM) database will help your company automate data collection and sales processes. With a hand from technology, you can boost conversions and provide collaborative access to critical customer data. Many CRM databases are cloud-based, so teams have access to contact data anytime and anywhere. CRM databases are considered the third major…
Welcome to HubSpot’s Sales 101 — a crash course on some of the key concepts, tools, and tactics you, a new or aspiring sales rep, should have a grip on as you get your career off the ground. Sales is, at its core, a fundamentally technical practice that’s guided by finesse and creativity. So while…
A strong sales strategy plan creates the foundation for a cohesive and successful sales organization. Sales strategies and initiatives also align salespeople on shared goals and empower them to do their best work — keeping them happy and successful, too. In this guide, I’ll dig into some sales strategies and initiatives that I’ve found can…
As a former salesperson in hyper-competitive industries like tech, telecommunications, and media, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of getting your product and service pricing approach right. A well-crafted AI-powered pricing strategy helps companies to be competitive in their target market. It can help them to be resilient to changing market conditions, and achieve their profitability…
When you start a new company, you probably aren’t thinking about handing it off to someone else. It’s your baby! But over time, some entrepreneurs “outgrow” their business, due to a shift in direction, priorities, or opportunities. When that happens, your best option could be to find a buyer. Alexis Grant knows all about that.…
I started a local HVAC business in the summer of 2020, and since then, I’ve learned a lot about which steps are most important for getting a business venture off the ground. To help you make your business idea a reality, I’ve put together a complete guide that walks you through the steps of starting…