You're torn between Marketing and Sales priorities. How do you decide which tasks to tackle first?

I feel that for each marketing and sales task, consider the expected outcome. Marketing efforts like branding campaigns might lead to increased brand recognition and future sales, while a sales call could close a deal and bring in revenue today. lign the tasks with your goals. If immediate cash flow is crucial, prioritize closing pending deals over tweaking a marketing campaign. However, if long-term growth is the focus, a well-executed marketing campaign might be more impactful.

when torn between two competing priorties, start with evaluating impact of one over the another Assessing impact effectively involves several key methods and tools. Use KPIs to measure the success of specific activities of marketing and sales. These indicators can be financial (like revenue growth) or non-financial (like customer satisfaction scores). Cost-Benefit analysis is another good assessment method. This method compares the costs and benefits of a decision or project. It helps determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs and by how much. Tools like Google Analytics and social media insights can help measure the impact of marketing campaigns and customer engagement.

- Whether it's marketing and sales or anything else, it's a matter of understanding priorities and consequences. - What actions bring the most important result? What grows the project? What has the most significant consequences? - Know this and you will know what to do first

Why is one person taking on both of these priorities? It doesn't make much sense. One task is immediate. The other is long term. If you are doing both then you probably have a very small organization. In which case, marketing would be the most important to focus on first. Get through that and let it automate. Then get to the sales. Neither of these priorities matter if the end goal is not putting the customer and quality of your work first.

When I faced with conflicting Marketing and Sales priorities, begin by evaluating the urgency and potential impact of each task in relation to my current business goals. If the objective is to attract new customers or enhance brand visibility, prioritize Marketing efforts that will generate leads and build awareness. Conversely, if driving immediate revenue is more critical, I focus on Sales activities that will help close deals and convert prospects. Consider the timeline, resource availability, and how each task contributes to long-term growth. Ultimately, I choose the task that best aligns with my strategic objectives and will deliver the highest return on investment.

After assessing the impact of each task, urgency becomes the next crucial factor in effective prioritization. Sales tasks often have clear deadlines. Proposals have submission dates, and deals have closing windows. Missing these deadlines can mean lost revenue. Marketing campaigns may have more flexible timelines. While there might be deadlines for launching campaigns, missing them might not have an immediate financial impact.

Next best step is assessing the urgency now that we have assessed the imapct. How time sensitive will be the impacts Identify tasks with hard deadlines. For example, a marketing campaign tied to a specific event or a sales proposal with a due date should be prioritized. Evaluate which tasks have the potential to generate immediate revenue. Sales tasks that can close deals quickly might take precedence over longer-term marketing initiatives. Factor in current market trends and conditions. If there’s a sudden market opportunity or a competitive threat, marketing and sales efforts should be adjusted accordingly. Look availability of resources, budget, personnel, and tools. Tasks that can be completed with available resources is priortized

Budget limitations can influence prioritization. A marketing campaign with a low budget might be more feasible than a sales initiative requiring significant travel expenses. Consider cost-effective marketing strategies like social media campaigns or email marketing if budget is tight.

After assessing impact and urgency, we need to look at the resources at our disposal. If we have resources for a high impact and an urgent item, it's no brainer and we go for it. If we are short of resources, we need to explore how to secure funding and budget to procure the required resources. Assess the skills and availability of your team. If your marketing team is currently understaffed or lacks specific expertise, it might be more efficient to focus on sales tasks that your team can handle effectively. Consider the time required to complete each task. If a marketing project is time-consuming and your team is already stretched thin, it might be better to prioritize quicker sales tasks that can be completed with the available time.

Some tasks might require significant effort but also have the potential for a major payoff. A time-consuming marketing strategy session might fall into this category, especially if it's crucial for developing a long-term, high-impact marketing plan. Consider scheduling these tasks strategically, ensuring they don't block time for more urgent tasks. Tasks with minimal effort and minimal impact can often be delegated or eliminated entirely. This could be administrative tasks that don't directly contribute to sales or marketing goals.

Prioritizing marketing and sales tasks requires a multi-faceted approach. Consider the impact on your goals, urgency of deadlines, resources available, and the effort required for each task. Look for opportunities to sequence tasks where one completed task sets the stage for the next, creating a domino effect. By strategically prioritizing and sequencing tasks, you can ensure your marketing and sales efforts work together seamlessly to achieve maximum impact.

Just like the business environment, priorities can shift quickly. Regularly revisit your task list, considering new developments and impact on your goals. This ensures your time management adapts and your marketing and sales efforts stay focused on what matters most.

Sales always wins because it keeps the business alive. Focus on what brings money first. Without sales, there's no business to market. Start selling, then marketing comes easier. Sales fuel marketing, not the other way around. Prioritize tasks that close deals and bring cash in. Once you have sales, you can invest in marketing to grow more.