Channel filled with 'sales elephants'

Results of CRN's Sales and Marketing Awards quiz shows there is a high level of loyalty out there

The collective channel sales floor in the UK is filled with herds of elephants, according to the results of CRN’s Sales and Marketing Awards (SMAs) jungle questionnaire.

In the run-up to the second SMA event on 19 June, CRN launched a fun quiz in partnership with headline sponsor Comms-care to find out what kind of animals inhabited the sales and marketing jungle, with the final choices being either an elephant, chameleon, lion, monkey, parrot or cobra.

Of more than 250 respondents, 41 per cent felt they were elephantine - strong, dependable and 100 per cent focused on their goals and unwavering in their loyalty to their team and company.

The next most popular answer was chameleon, with 27 per cent opting for the reptile that can adapt to fit into any environment.

In third place was the lion – with a mane of impressive hair. In total 14 per cent of our respondents felt they were the king of the sales floor and were quick to pounce and seal a deal.

Fourth place was the sales monkey, with 11 per cent admitting to being mischievous, fun-loving and energetic. (We will watch out for you at the SMAs – CRN team)

Surprisingly, joint bottom were the parrot and cobra. Clearly only a few of our respondents like to trot out buzzwords and talk the ears off their clients, while the same amount felt they were dangerous and aggressive like a cobra when facing competition for business.

And according to our results, you are a very moral bunch, with just two per cent saying they would badmouth the competition and six per cent would drop rates to undercut the competition.

In an interesting admission, 27 per cent of respondents said they would take the entire team including the cleaner out for a slap-up meal if they got their biggest ever commission, while five per cent would boast about it to anyone who cares on Facebook and Twitter.

A significant 32 per cent of respondents said they would prefer to work for a company that is described as an innovator – always guessing clients’ commercial needs and developing them in advance, while 26 per cent listed a nimble and agile young company as their preferred workplace. Just five per cent picked an established behemoth as their ideal workplace.

According to our results, the channel sales teams are a friendly crew, with 34 per cent describing themselves as sociable and friendly and able to blend with anyone, including the cleaner.

Twenty per cent said they were loyal and team orientated, and only eight per cent said they were an aggressive high achiever who would stop at nothing to be the best.

Collaboration in the channel looks to have a strong future, with 33 per cent of respondents admitting they would outsource parts of a project if they felt it was unlikely they could fulfil it themselves.

But close behind, 32 per cent said they would sacrifice personal time by working long days, nights and weekends to ensure the contract is fulfilled. An unscrupulous two per cent said they would take the deal, pocket the commission and get straight on the phone to their recruitment agent.

Finally, when asked what type of boss they would be, 25 per cent said they were fun and [that they] create a buzz in the office, with the same number saying they were always communicating with their teams and sharing their vision for the future. At the bottom of the scale, five per cent said they were straight talking and would be quick to drop anyone not hitting targets. Harsh.

Richard Eglon, marketing director at Comms-care, said the results were interesting reading.

“To be honest, I expected a few more snakes rather than elephants!" he said. "However, I came out as an elephant, and the team at Comms-care seemed to agree with that as well, which I’m not quite sure how to take.”

Speaking about the awards night itself Eglon said the SMAs were a welcome gateway to the summer.

“Sales and marketing are the frontline of the channel and I am looking forward to seeing people getting justly rewarded for their efforts in a room full of like-minded people. This time of year is just before many people go on annual leave and it is the right time for a celebration. We are very proud sponsors and are definitely looking forward to being a part of it on the night.”

If you haven't yet done the survey and would like to see which jungle animal you are, please click here.