The New Playbook: Signal Based Selling with Jen Igartua - The Transaction - Ep # 21
Aug 22, 2024
auto_awesome
Jen Igartua, CEO of GoNimbly, is a multi-talented force in comedy and board game design. In a lively discussion, she unpacks the concept of signal-based selling, emphasizing the integration of diverse data sources to enhance B2B sales strategies. Jen shares her innovative approach to lead scoring and actionable insights for sales teams using algorithms and playbooks. She also explores the evolving roles of SDRs in a data-driven environment and the journey of her board game 'Side Effects,' highlighting its unexpected success.
Adopting signal-based selling with tailored playbooks allows sales teams to engage more effectively with customers by leveraging actionable insights.
Integrating diverse data sources into a cohesive system empowers SDRs to become product experts and enhance their role in the sales process.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Lead Scoring
The traditional method of lead scoring, which relies on numerical thresholds to qualify leads, is shifting towards a more dynamic playbook approach. Instead of simply assigning scores from one to a hundred, successful companies are now tailoring their scoring systems to specific outcomes, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of customer interactions. This method emphasizes identifying the right playbook based on customer signals, which can indicate various sales opportunities, including expansion and churn risks. As such, the sales team gains valuable insights to refine their strategies, leading to more effective and targeted engagements.
Signal-Based Selling and Playbooks
Signal-based selling is redefining how sales teams approach their strategies and interactions with customers. By analyzing multiple data signals—such as customer satisfaction scores and ticket volumes—companies can create specific alerts that guide sales representatives on when and how to engage with potential customers. This strategy goes beyond mere notifications; it includes tailored playbooks that provide actionable insights for effective follow-up. Ultimately, this approach aims to enhance the relevance of conversations between sales teams and their clients, setting the stage for better outcomes.
Integrating Data for Better Insights
To maximize the effectiveness of sales teams, integrating various data sources into a cohesive system is essential. Companies are moving toward using cloud data warehouses to aggregate insights, allowing sales teams to access actionable information without the clutter of raw data. This integration enables teams to not only see real-time indicators but also to assess which signals have the highest conversion rates into revenue. By creating a streamlined system, businesses can effectively direct their resources and efforts towards the most promising opportunities.
The Role and Future of SDRs Amidst Automation
The role of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) is evolving due to the integration of AI and automation in sales processes. While some may argue that SDR positions are at risk, the reality is that with the right tools and strategies in place, SDRs can enhance their importance by becoming product experts and serving as trusted advisors for potential clients. By automating initial outreach and providing SDRs with relevant insights, businesses can empower their teams to facilitate more meaningful conversations. This shift not only preserves the human touch in sales but also tailors interactions to align with customer needs more effectively.
The Transaction’s guest today is one of many talents. Jen Igartua, who is not only the CEO of GoNimbly but also a side hustler in both comedy and board game designing, provides her insights on the sales and marketing world today. The conversation covers transforming B2B sales strategies using signal-based selling and PLG (Product-Led Growth) insights. Jen shares her innovative approach of using algorithmic scoring and playbooks to refine lead scoring and offering specific actionable insights for sales teams. She emphasizes the importance of integrating data from diverse sources and creating systems in Salesforce to optimize outcomes. The discussion also touches on evolving roles for SDRs and leveraging automation to enhance their effectiveness. Towards the end, Jen shares her side venture as a board game designer and the unexpected success of her game, 'Side Effects.'
Takeaways:
Develop a system that triggers alerts and notifications based on specific business signals, ensuring those signals are integrated into CRM platforms like Salesforce for easy access by sales teams.
Deliver summarized and relevant data insights to the sales team. Ensure that raw data is processed into actionable information, with clear next steps included.
Design playbooks that align with specific triggers and signals, providing the sales team with structured guidance on how to respond and engage clients based on the data insights.
Ensure that all customer interactions, whether in marketing or sales, are unified in a single repository like a data warehouse and accessible from the CRM. This avoids silos and allows for a holistic view of client engagement.
Consider automating the initial touchpoints of outbound campaigns through marketing, and then routing the responses and qualified leads to SDRs for further personalized engagement.
Move beyond traditional lead scoring to a more outcome-focused model that considers multiple signals for different stages of the customer lifecycle, such as expansion opportunities and churn risks.
Even with automation, ensure that meaningful human interactions remain a core part of the sales process, particularly for high-value touchpoints.
Chapters:
00:00 - Jen's Comedy Career
01:28 - Welcoming Jen Igartua
02:48 - Jen's Background and Experience
03:28 - The Big Question
04:12 - Shifts in Lead Scoring
07:10 - Intercom's Tactical Example
08:40 - Challenges in Signal-Based Selling
14:29 - Building Effective Sales Playbooks
18:39 - Integrating Signals into Salesforce
25:10 - Leveraging High Usage Data for AI Product Pitches
26:01 - Effective Playbooks and Workflow Integration
27:05 - The Shift to Data Warehouses
29:29 - The Role and Future of SDRs in Sales
33:27 - The Human Element in Sales Automation
42:44 - Exploring the Side Hustle: Board Game Design
46:53 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Quote of the Show:
“It’s rare that you actually see folks really putting themselves in the customer’s shoes and saying ‘What do they actually need?’” - Jen Igartua