MarketStar Blog

Engaging the partner channel isn’t as easy as it once was. Partners are more diverse and specialized, margins have thinned, and hard-good solutions are rapidly transitioning from one-time fees (with service contracts) to subscription-based solutions. Those companies who recognize that the partner channel is changing, and embrace the change, will be positioned for success in the coming years. But, those who choose to maintain business as usual, will likely see their channel slip through their fingers. 

These are interesting times. The global economy is facing the possibility of a recession, and businesses are searching for ways to cut costs, streamline operations, and maximize efficiency. This past year we have seen companies like Netflix, Snap, Wayfair, and Tesla all cut costs by halting new hires and laying off portions of their workforce. Many of these same tech giants are changing the ways that they reach new customers and take care of existing customers because of the economic instability attached to a looming recession.

But it's not all gloom and doom. Economic headwinds can provide an opportunity for bold moves. When the competition is contracting and recalibrating, there are some time-tested levers that can lead to explosive growth. One such lever is outsourcing.

A Customer Success program is an essential part of modern business, especially for technology solutions that are challenging to adopt in new environments. But customer success programs can also be a challenge to implement internally, especially if your organization doesn't have the infrastructure, expertise, or resources to handle it. In these situations, outsourcing CS can take those responsibilities off your plate. This allows you to give Customer Success programs the attention they deserve while you can focus on the unique value that your company is known for.

Social selling is one of the most overlooked strategies in B2B selling. Many sales reps consider social media to be a waste of time when it comes to reaching prospects, but platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram are actively used by the buyers you want to target. Social media can be an excellent source of insight and can help you learn more about your target buyers. Using social selling channels such as LinkedIn can provide a means to directly connect with prospects. It also provides a forum where you can influence potential buyers and build a rapport over time.

The overall success of any sales and marketing initiative ultimately hinges on customer success. It’s one thing to complete a sale or close a contract, but the ultimate goal is to ensure that the customer receives maximum value from the sale or engagement. Turning a sale into a successful engagement means happy customers, which translates into additional sales to those customers and reduced customer churn.

Outsourcing is an age-old concept. If you hire someone to clean your home or repair your car, you are outsourcing tasks that take too much valuable time or that you aren’t qualified to handle. Outsourcing in business works the same way. Outsourcing specialty services such as accounting, staffing, or tax preparation is more cost-effective and allows you to hire the most skilled talent available. So why don’t more organizations consider sales outsourcing?