Are Sales And Marketing The Same?

prema.jayabalan@leaderonomics.com

For most of us, the words “sales” and “marketing” mean the same thing. We associate sales with marketing and vice versa. When we see a sales person, we assume that the same person does marketing too.

Well, sales and marketing are not the same thing. They may come under the same division in most organisations but the job scope is certainly not at all the same.

Below are a list of differences between the two to help us understand what each role actually means.

1. Sales is very much driven by relationship. Once a product is created for a customer’s needs, sales people take on the task of analysing a limited group of people whom they feel will benefit from the product and start working on persuading the customers to purchase it.

The customer is usually one particular individual whom they can liaise with. They do not develop a product.

Marketing on the other hand, is data driven. Marketers usually take on the task of identifying customers’ needs.

This is done through research, analysis of data and tests, and focusing on target audiences that come in a large quantity.

Once the need of the target group is identified, then a product is created to cater to those needs and promotions and advertisements are carried out to introduce it.

2. Sales people focus on numbers and their main aim is to generate purchases and keep orders flowing in.

Their focus is on fulfilling sales volume objectives. They try their level best to get as many buyers as they can for the products that have been put under their care.

Marketers generate leads, catering and fulfilling customers’ needs and requirements by providing products or services that best suit them.

3. Sales is all about selling. They are focused on selling whichever product they have as that is how they also make their commission.

Sales people are known to be persuasive as they try to influence you into buying their products or services. A good sales person is tactful and good at convincing you to purchase their products.

Marketers on the other hand focus on managing reputation by creating a good product and advertising it in a proper manner. They are paid a salary and don’t go just by commissions.

Prema Jayabalan is part of the Digital Learning team at Leaderonomics. As a travel enthusiast who loves connecting with people from all walks of life, Prema believes that everything thrown to us by life enhances our development, hence she loves the fact that the Leaderonomics Digital Learning platform provides an avenue for people to gather valuable insights that will enable them to grow in their professional and personal domains. Click here for more articles.