Firms that do not analyze the individual profitability of their product lines risk wasting time and money chasing the wrong opportunities. Salespeople who spend the majority of their time chasing large, low margin sales, close the odd big deal, but do so at a very high opportunity cost. Does this situation sound familiar to you?

Many organizations suffer from a lack of alignment between Sales and Marketing. Part of the problem is that most marketing departments don't view sales support as one of their most important functions. Be proactive in your effort to work with Sales. Start by opening Demand Metric's downloadable Sales Support Checklist to identify where your gaps are. Following is list of 16 tools and templates that you can use to overhaul or create an effective sales support process.

Sales Analysis Tool – Use this tool to analyze product/service sales, channel sales, sales by representative, market segments, and sales team goals.

Objection Response Tool – Use this tool to craft solid arguments to handle common objections.

Sales Forecasting Tool – Use this tool to prioritize and manage sales opportunities, and chart the following: Total vs. Expected Revenue, Opportunities by Stage, Probabilities by %, Deal Size, and Top Objections

Sales Call Reporting Tool - The purpose of this tool is to assist you with reporting on sales call results. This tool can be used in conjunction with Key Account Plans to strategize and report on new business opportunities with senior management.

Sales Skills Assessment - Use this tool to evaluate your sales team’s skills.

Office Evaluation Matrix – Use this tool to evaluate competing new office locations. Change the weighting and customize selection criteria if necessary.

Product Development Schedule - Use this tool to create a work breakdown structure for new product developments.

Achieving ever-increasing revenue targets requires that new recruits and average performers are equipped with the right tools, resources, training, and knowledge. Establishing a Sales Growth Team can help you transfer sales & marketing Best Practices from your top performers to those who need them most. Use Demand Metric's downloadable Sales Growth Team Charter template to set a mandate for this new team.