Recommended Reading
Join us as we welcome back Alan McGuire, the Founder/CEO of ESI to discuss the evolving trends in B2B sales, focusing on talent strategy and the nuanced distinction between training and education. Alan sheds light on how organizations are now more than ever investing in commercial talent to navigate the complexities of modern sales environments.
Paul Fuller and Alan Maguire discuss the shifting landscape of B2B sales, particularly in SaaS, where companies are moving from high-volume, metrics-driven strategies to a focus on developing sophisticated sales skills. Alan argues that sales should be seen as a profession requiring education, not just training, and highlights the need for organizations to invest in talent development to bridge the gap between skill expectations and real-world capabilities. This shift aims to elevate sales teams and improve long-term performance.
Paul Fuller and Alan Maguire discuss the shift from traditional sales training, which focuses on knowledge, to a more comprehensive approach that includes coaching and behavior change. Alan explains that successful salespeople are hired for their ability to think and act strategically, not just for product knowledge. True sales development requires continuous coaching and application in real-world scenarios, not just one-time training. With tighter capital and tougher sales pipelines, organizations must invest in long-term, behavior-focused education to drive performance, similar to the ongoing coaching in other professional fields.
Paul Fuller and Alan Maguire discuss the split in the sales market: one side advocates for long-term investment in skilled salespeople, while the other turns to AI to automate tasks. Alan says that AI can enhance lead generation but can't replace human interaction in complex B2B sales. Salespeople are still needed for personalized engagement and guidance. They also emphasize that investing in employee development reduces turnover and ensures better retention, urging companies to focus on retaining and upskilling existing talent rather than constantly hiring new staff.
Paul Fuller’s stated mission is to help others maximize their gifts by using his.
Paul has been a pioneer in the sales process and training, sales as a service, content marketing and CRM. As a previous founder and owner of multiple successful growth organizations in these spaces, Paul has effectively trained and led sales and marketing teams across the world to focus on and achieve dynamic growth.
He firmly believes sales is defined best in three categories:
• Service - helping other get what they need
• Leadership - guiding others toward their vision
• Wayfinding - navigating the path to success together
He is firmly committed to elevating the sales profession through coaching, leading, and empowering others through systems that enable strong performance.
Currently Paul leads revenue growth at Membrain.com - the top sales effectiveness CRM in the world. Working with his team, and a group of over 100 top sales consultant organizations across the globe, they are focused at creating scalable growth through sales excellence in companies and teams in over 80 countries.
Schedule a call with him here.
Find out more about Paul Fuller on LinkedIn
From north to south, east to west, Membrain has thousands of happy clients all over the world.
