There seems to be an endless argument between marketing and
sales professionals about what really is the difference between
marketing and sales functions. Most of the time, both
Business terms are used to describe any business.
activity that is involved in increasing income. for little ones
business, with limited resources, is often not practical
difference in marketing and sales functions, all income
The generating activities are typically implemented by the same
staff.

As a company grows in revenue and number of personnel,
typically follows a logical progression from the business function of
“specialization”, a process where the lines between more
generic and departmental descriptions and functions became much more
more definitive and associated functional responsibilities
become much more focused. The marketing and sales functions are not
exception.

The marketing and sales functions are diverse but very
interdependent. Generally, “sales” cannot exceed revenue
goals without effective marketing planning and support,
and “marketing” directives ultimately become useless without
sales to implement the plan.

Like many complex business problems, it is sometimes easier
define something by what it is NOT like it is define it by what
it is. Let’s take a closer look at marketing to better define
what is not sale.

Simply defining “marketing” as the “Four P’s”, product, price,
place and promotion, based on your Marketing 101 class in
college is not practical in today’s global markets. in a
In a general sense, marketing is more theoretical than sales, focused
in causality of purchase and has a more prescriptive purpose than
descriptive. Marketing involves micro and macro market analysis.
focused on strategic intentions where sales are driven more by
tactical challenges and customer relations. let’s get closer
take a look at how marketing is actually different from sales:

Marketing responsibilities are distinct from sales in that
marketing:

* Establishes and justifies the best competitive strategy of the company.
position within a market

* Initially creates, helps sustain and rigorously interprets
customer relations

* Locate and profile potential markets and key players
within

* Generate quality leads

* Develop effective sales tools.

* Formally analyze and track competitor business strategies
and tactics

* Define, prioritize and justify new product or service
improvements and developments

* Promotes an explicit image of a company’s product or service

* Facilitates the transfer of customer information to the rest of
the company

* Simplifies the acquisition of the customer’s product or service
process

A full-time marketing manager would be responsible for the
following tasks:

New product launches:

Development of strategies, program incentives, times and means
coverage

Agency rating:

Selection and evaluation of external marketing contractors

Customer database management:

Selection of software, training, maintenance of contact with the client.
Information

Market research:

Market definition, prioritization, project management, data
meeting

Price analysis:

Pricing as a Marketing Tool…Initiating and Analyzing Competitors
pricing practices

Product audits:

Establishment of a formal means to assess competitiveness
Offerings

Public relations:

Establishment, direction and coordination of all areas of the
Relations

Fairs:

Definition, participation, prioritization and audit of
effectiveness of all fairs

Product promotions:

Formulation of strategies, composition of programs, definition of premiums,
all media coverage

Marketing Communications:

All printed/electronic communication: brochures, catalogues,
price lists, case histories

Media selection:

Assist in the selection and prioritization of all media options:
print, broadcast, multimedia

Internal communications:

Establish and maintain all corporate communication between companies.
medium

International market:

Establish the presence of the company in the target international markets,
efficiency audit

Strategic planning:

Offer strategic information and alternative perspectives to
corporate management strategies

Participation in the board meeting:

Communicate and reinforce the company’s marketing priorities,
strategies and tactics

Corporate Vision Statement:

Proliferate and reinforce the corporate vision throughout the
organization

Identity and Corporate Image:

Create, maintain, improve and “manage” all corporate images and
symbols

For a “pure” marketer, the marketing function in a company is not
not just a business function, but a business philosophy. Year
The effective salesperson truly believes that he “masters” his target.
the market “owns” its market. The more a seller can do to
maintain market leadership the more effective they are
perceived within the organization and within the industry.

As customer retention has become a business priority in
our increasingly competitive markets, the marketing function
has gone from influencing potential customers to engaging
They plan and advance the company’s business. Effective
Marketing has also blurred the distinction between product and
service and continues to exert more influence in the company
sales representation priorities.

In conclusion, the marketing and sales functions are deeply embedded
on each other’s purpose and revenue growth intentions. There
There are few functional areas in business that are more interrelated.
other. So the next time you hear someone say the word “sales,”
when the appropriate description would have been “marketing”,
or vice versa, think about this article and choose between any of
these documented business functions to make your point of
distinction!