The CMO of a fast growing startup - can't say the name, but it sounds like a that of a tropical fruit :) - shared with us how they go about marketing and selling their product, a SaaS that helps IT professionals perform certain risk-related tasks.
The company targets heads of IT at mid-size and large enterprises. They're in the ERP market. Their product is by no means cheap. You won't find them in any Gartner magic quadrant.
How many enterprise sales people does this company have?
None.
100% of their transactions are done through an inside sales team based in Israel. They sell to organizations across the globe. They close deals of five, six and even seven figures - by phone.
What's the secret sauce?
I believe it's a combination of several ingredients:
- A great product that is incredibly easy to try out (SaaS delivery model helps, but is not mandatory)
- A crisp, compelling value proposition delivered to exactly the right audience
- A well oiled marketing and sales machine that leverages automation and personalization technologies
- A good business model that is simple and aligned with perceived value and usage pattern
- Delighted customers that spread the word and lower pre-purchase anxiety levels
Is it the end or enterprise sales? Probably not. Some product and some buyers will always require the more personal touch, yet these companies prove that you can sell software - even if it's expensive, and even if it's sold to a very traditional buyer - solely over the phone or through the web. The benefits? Lower cost of sale, faster scale up.
