MarketStar Blog | Direct (4)

Not long ago, “outsourcing” was a taboo subject. Outsourcing meant moving business operations offshore to Asia, Latin America, or some other region where there is cheaper labor. Thanks to the internet call centers, customer support, and other administrative services could be located anywhere in the world. That same infrastructure also powers cloud solutions that are making today’s businesses more efficient and it creates new jobs.

As we wrap up the year, let's look at B2B trends. Digital lead generation channels continue to rise in popularity with B2B marketers while more traditional methods fall to the wayside, according to a research report released recently by research consultancy Software Advice.

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?

From Leonardo DiVinci to Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, there is a sweet spot at the intersection of Science and Art where incredible impact occurs. Each of us will define that magical moment in somewhat different terms depending on the challenges and opportunities we're confronting. When we are able to consider both the quantifiable and definable, with the potential of an artist's unfiltered creativity, we find solutions to even our most precarious challenges.

While reading the printed issue of BtoB magazine, a headline on the front-page caught my eye. I know, old school, huh!? But printed magazines and newspapers do still exist. Anyway! The article I am referring to is titled “Lack of resources impedes marketing automation adoption.”

Research shows that only about 10 to 20 percent of the leads in sales funnels are actually ready to be engaged by sales, and most of the leads that are currently not ready will purchase eventually – from someone else.