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The Top 4 Reasons Why Account Planning Fails To Become Part Of The Sales Operational Cadence

Catherine Schalk • July 22, 2024

When it comes to sales, everything is dynamic. Prospecting, qualifying, influencing, closing - there is always something going on. In this process, one thing that's often overlooked is account planning. But why exactly does account planning fail to become part of the sales operational cadence? If you're looking for the answer, keep reading!

Reason #1: Account Planning is seen simply as another task rather than a high-value discipline

When a seller comes to work, they have a checklist of all the tasks they have to do that day or that week, many of which aren’t seen as high value. Unfortunately, account planning is too often seen simply as another item on the checklist and that’s if it even makes it onto the checklist. In the eyes of a seller, it has no value and is something they just have to do once they are told to and then it becomes a source of frustration rather than appreciated as a high-value process.  See our blog on the Value of Account Planning.   


Reason #2: Account planning is seen as a one-time event of filling in a template and never looked at again.

As we mentioned earlier, the world of sales is very dynamic. But on the contrary, account planning is viewed as simply a static document. But why is this so? The reason is simple. The account plan is often seen as redundant information captured once, left unchanged and unused. As a result, account planning is considered a waste of valuable time because it's just a document that is a copy and paste of  information found in your CRM system,  or other system of record. Too often account plans are created and saved as files on a hard drive, or maybe even printed documents lying in a pile of papers somewhere. So, it's easy to see why to many sellers, it only makes sense that a static document would have no place in the Sales Operational Cadence.


Reason #3:  There is too much emphasis on the format of the account plan

Contrary to the reason above, there is too much focus on the account plan, specifically the format of the plan. Should it be a PowerPoint, an Excel file, a Word document, or a fancy online tool? They get bogged down in the best tool to use, or how many pages the plan should have instead of the strategic nature of the content of the plan. What does that lead to? They end up losing sight of what actually matters: the art and skill of account planning!


Reason #4: We fail to include the customer in the planning process!

Sales may seem like it's all about the numbers, but at the end of the day, it's really all about the customer. After all, without customers, there would be no sales! Yet, despite how crucial customers are to selling success, account planning is too often conducted without any involvement from the customer. Now isn't that surprising? Instead of engaging their customers in joint collaborative account planning, sellers conduct one-sided research, eventually diminishing the value of account planning altogether. Remember, there is no such thing as a one-man army, especially in sales.



Is Account Planning part of your operational cadence?  Talk to us today about how we can help you embed account planning into your sales operational cadence.

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Whether it be a virtual, face-to-face, or hybrid kick off, one of the most critical components in achieving event objectives is content. From videos and panel discussions, to award ceremonies and presentations, content must be engaging, effective, and well designed. But the brutal truth about sales kick off content is that there is a belief it doesn’t matter – anything will do. There is little investment made in the appropriate time and effort into creating a world class experience for sellers and presenters when it comes to content. In a world where your audience and participants are increasingly looking toward well-designed content, you cannot afford to keep looking at the creation process like a simple chore or leaving it entirely up to each presenter to simply show up with their presentations. We have worked with many companies to help them deliver world-class content on countless presentations and we want to help you accomplish the same. One of the key ingredients to world-class content is that it must be reality-fueled. In today's fast-paced and attention-seeking world, it's easy to get caught up in the allure of flashy visuals, gimmicks, and over-the-top presentations. However, when it comes to delivering a truly impactful message, it is essential to ground presentations in reality. Tips for creating reality-fueled content: Know your audience: Understand their needs, challenges, and interests so you can tailor your message accordingly. Craft a compelling narrative: Use storytelling techniques to create an emotional connection and engage your audience on a deeper level. Use real-world examples: Draw from relevant, relatable, and tangible experiences to illustrate your points and make them more memorable. Keep it real: Don’t sugar coat things unnecessarily, never lie to your audience, and avoid fancy jargon and words. Simplify and clarify: Break down complex ideas into digestible concepts your audience can easily understand and remember. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse: Practice your presentation until it becomes second nature. This will help you deliver your message confidently and authentically. According to Harvard Business Review, great presenters rehearse and put in hours of deliberate practice to refine their skills and messages. And that’s not all… When preparing a reality-fueled presentation, where the focus is on delivering a clear and authentic message, presenters must not only craft compelling content but also consider their own presentation style and capabilities. By bringing these elements together, presenters can enhance their ability to connect with the audience, establish credibility, and create a lasting impact. Let’s take a look at the basics here: Presenters and content creators need to understand the speaker's presentation style. Every presenter has a unique style that reflects their personality, strengths, and communication preferences. Identifying and embracing your presentation style is vital to delivering an authentic and engaging performance. If you are a content creator, leverage the presenter’s current capabilities. Understanding a presenter’s capabilities allows a content creator to leverage the presenter’s strengths and deliver a more impactful presentation. While it is important to adapt to your presenter’s style and capabilities, it is also crucial to consider the audience's preferences and receptivity. Adapt your style to align with their expectations and needs. Research your audience beforehand to gain insights into their demographics, interests, and knowledge level. Tailor your content and your style to ensure it's relevant, accessible, and relatable to your audience. As a presenter, take stock of your own skills, talents, and areas of expertise. Are you a skilled visual communicator? Are you adept at simplifying complex concepts? Are you particularly knowledgeable about a specific subject? Capitalize on your strengths to deliver a reality-fueled presentation. Final thoughts While flashy visuals may momentarily grab attention, it is the content and authenticity of a presentation that truly leave a lasting impact. By focusing on delivering clear and genuine messages, presenters can establish genuine connections with their audiences, fostering engagement, trust, and motivation. So, embrace the power of substance and authenticity to make your presentations truly impactful and memorable instead of hyper focus on the visual appeal. If you have a sales kick off coming up, reach out to us today to talk about how we can help you build reality-fueled content… with a little flash of course.
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