Target the Right Customers for Cloud Services

Instead of focusing on customers who will shoot you down, start focusing on accounts and individuals who are open to change.

CI Staff

It’s easy to geek out on new technology and think that everyone should be just as excited about it as we are. Unfortunately, not all customers have the background to appreciate innovative technologies as much as we do.

Not every customer is a good target for cloud services. Some don’t even want to hear about how valuable these services could be to them. They’re completely closed off to investing in advancing their technology.

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So, instead of focusing on customers who will shoot you down, start focusing on accounts (and individuals within those accounts) open to change. You need a champion inside the customer’s company who will go to bat for cloud adoption—dramatically improving your odds of closing the deal.

Identify the Right Targets

If you’re haphazardly approaching all of your customers with cloud opportunities, you’ll find it hard to close deals. Selling the cloud requires a little help. You need an innovative, early adopter on your inside to help you make the cloud case.

Look for These Things When Qualifying Cloud Targets

1. Early technology adopters.

2. Innovation is a priority.

3. Someone who will partner with you to champion the solution.

Your Action Item

Identify 10 targets in which you already have an innovative internal champion. Once you’ve completed this task, check back as I share proven ways to partner with your champion in educating decision makers.

Author Chris Peterson, co-founder and president of Vector Firm, has nearly 20 years of experience in sales leadership, with a focus on developing strategies, processes, and tools for technology businesses in the security space.

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