The quote above is attributed to Dr. W. Edwards Deming the American statistician, college professor, author, lecturer, and consultant. Another quote often attributed to Dr. Deming is “you can’t manage what you can’t measure”, while it might not be accurate to apply this quote to Dr. Deming , many of us have experienced a time when our company did not deliver do to a process breakdown! Effective and efficient sales management requires measurements throughout the sales pipeline, from suspect to closed business.

I have had an opportunity in my career to look into many small and mid-size companies and see sales management that drives sales. Often, if I saw management operate with limited tools, subjective decision-making, fragmented communication and limited accountability that a sales team is managed,  product failures or customer complaints would quickly gain the attention of upper management and corrective action would quickly be forthcoming.

Sales has often been considered an “art” as opposed to a process, and while there is a certain truth in that, process certainly plays an important part. Consider an under performing manufacturing asset such as a delivivery vehicle, computer system, or a key supplier. Underperformance would quickly get the attention of those responsible for those assets and action to correct the situation would be implemented. Does this happen when we consider sales as an “art” but not a process? Yet sales management can be loose and “touchy feely”,


So what does this all have to do with instant pudding; measuring, sales management and selling? It is commonly said that most buyers buy after seven touches or “impressions”, it is also commonly known that most reps quit at three. They are looking for the instant pudding. A process supports  accurate qualification; that the prospect buys what you sell, allows sales management to see a lead as it progresses, institute corrective action and creative solutions if it gets stuck and provides tools and content for seven touches. In a competitive environment being top of mind and at very least positioned as a secondary source is the appropriate investment in a valuable asset of your business, a lead.

Sales Management through a thought through strategy, tools and management provides growth potential and protects sales resources. Ultimately it also does what it is intended to do. Sell more of your product.

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