The death of the traditional Sales & Marketing Manager

Should the Sales and Marketing Manager role still exist? Having worked in both roles certain elements do overlap but marketing has evolved at such a fast pace its time to separate these divisions. The modern marketers’ remit has now extended and the skills, role and responsibilities of a marketer have and will continue to change. With technology like CRM (Customer Relationship Management) altering the sales process and a shift in the buyer behaviour the sales process has shifted. The Sales & Marketing Manager role is dead!

Sales and marketing managers have some similar duties, but their careers are different. Both manage groups of employees but take on very different roles in their occupation. Sales managers are responsible for selling a product or service, coming up with strategies to gain additional customers while marketing managers focus on gauging the demand for these goods based on survey results, customer buying trends, and other market research.

The two roles are clearly defined:

Sales are activities related to selling or the number of goods or services sold in a given time period.

Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.

In conclusion, the sales and marketing departments are two very unique entities, although alignment between these two divisions is the best opportunity for improving business performance. When these divisions unite around the revenue cycle, you as a General Manager or Managing Director will see an improved ROI (Return On Investment), sales productivity and top-line growth.