David Dulany, CEO of Tenbound, emphasizes the importance of flexibility and continuous learning in sales development to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. Drawing from over 20 years of experience, he explains how companies have shifted from growth at all costs to a focus on efficiency. In today’s unpredictable landscape, sales teams must use a scientific approach to find what works—testing, learning, and iterating on strategies.
The Tenbound “H.E.R.E.R” Model
This model applies the scientific method to sales development:
- Hypothesize: Begin with a hypothesis about your ideal customer profile (ICP) and the tactics you believe will work to generate leads. For example, your hypothesis might suggest that tech companies with 100 employees are your best prospects, and the motion would be reaching out via cold calls, emails, and LinkedIn touches.
- Experiment: Execute a 90-day experiment to test this hypothesis. Set clear metrics, use sales tools, and track activities to generate a dataset. For example, run outbound campaigns to target the selected ICP and document the outcomes.
- Analyze: Analyze the results of the campaign. Review metrics like response rates, engagement, and conversion to identify patterns. Were the target accounts engaging? Which strategies worked best?
- Report: Share insights from the campaign with relevant stakeholders. This could involve reporting on which ICP segments are engaging and where adjustments may be necessary. Transparency in what worked and what didn’t is crucial.
- Examine and Research: Go back to the drawing board, incorporate the lessons learned, and research new tools, strategies, or tweaks to refine the next cycle. This is where continuous improvement becomes essential.
- Repeat: Rinse and repeat. Sales development isn’t static—continue to test, iterate, and optimize for each 90-day cycle, adjusting tactics to refine the overall sales motion.
Key Shifts in Sales Development David emphasizes that companies once hired large teams to drive pipeline growth, relying on a “throw bodies at the problem” approach. However, with economic shifts and reduced budgets, sales teams are now being asked to do more with less, making strategic experimentation even more essential.
Challenges in Sales Development
- People: Ensuring your team is well-trained and motivated is crucial. This includes regular onboarding, training, and coaching to ensure they maximize productivity.
- Processes: Time-wasting tasks, such as excessive research or inefficient tech stacks, can significantly hinder sales. Simplifying processes through automation or tech can free up sales time.
- Technology (Frankenstack): A chaotic “Frankenstack” of disconnected sales tools can create more inefficiency than value. Streamlining tools into an efficient stack allows for more effective workflows.
AI’s Role in Sales Development David encourages companies to think of AI as a tool to streamline processes rather than rely on it to generate leads automatically. Tools such as Orum and Quan are great for making cold outreach more efficient by helping reps engage with the right prospects faster, without the need for manual research.
Adoption of Sales Strategies For successful adoption of these methodologies, David stresses the importance of leadership buy-in. CEOs and sales leaders must commit to continuous learning and agile adjustments to ensure that strategies remain relevant and efficient as markets evolve.By implementing the H.E.R.E.R model and focusing on refining processes, people, and technology, sales teams can build a robust, adaptive sales development function capable of driving consistent pipeline growth even in challenging times.
