The power of first impressions, preparing for networking events is critical to success, aligned marketing and sales messages make a positive, powerful and lasting first impressions.
Potential customers get their first impressions from many different sources, from the sales person, the company Website, its online presence, your LinkedIn Profile, your company logo and tagline. It is important that the messages delivered by these sources is consistent and matches the company’s value proposition.

Misalignment of Sales and Marketing messages hurt you, because you need to clarify and explain what your product or service offering is so that it is understood. Rather than the consistency and clarity of your messaging laying the groundwork for a lasting relationship based on solving customer problems and helping them achieve their aspirations, you need to spend a lot of effort to undo their first impression.

You and your company are always making an impression, the question is whether you are making the impression you intend. Aligned Marketing and Sales messages leverage one another, misaligned sales and marketing messages diminish one another.

Preparing for networking events is key for success. Who do we want to show up as? What do you want the people you meet to take away from their interaction with us? These things must be thought through beforehand. Maintaining an outward focus is important. Your focus needs to be on the other person. If you are known for selling all the time, that is not a complement. Everyone wants to buy but no one wants to be sold.

Executive Summit, Doylestown, 2018