The below process is the outline that Sales Managers should follow to communicate needs to Product & Sourcing and Marketing.
- Minimum of 3 weeks before the meeting date – sales managers to send a detailed email to Marketing and Product & Sourcing regarding the meeting. This email should include:
- Customer name, including buyers names
- Meeting date
- Categories or products being reviewed, in detail
- Samples needed
- Any specific presentation instructions, ie: format, presentation order, breakdown by buyer, etc.
- Date that samples and presentations have to arrive by
- Shipping instructions
- No later than 2 days from sending the email (preferably next day) – sales managers to set a conference call with marketing and product management to review the email instructions and answer any questions anyone might have. At this time, Marketing and Product & Sourcing may also recommend additional products (cross sell opportunities, products in development, etc.) to be included in the meeting/review.
- Meeting recap – within 2-3 days after the meeting, sales managers to send a detailed meeting recap, with action items to follow up on.