Sales Super Saturday (SSS) @ Sep 17, 2011

This time, we enjoyed our Sales Super Saturday at InfoStretch office.  

Agenda for Sales Super Saturday on Sep 17, 2011

10:15 AM : Morning Keynote
10:45 AM : The Magic Called Follow-Up
11:15 PM : Brand Failure
11:45 PM : Biography - Dhirubhai Ambani
12:15 PM : Telephone Etiquettes
12:45 PM : Lunch
3:00 PM : Enterprise Mobility
4:00 PM : Movie / Surprise

My viewpoints to this SSS:

It started with a welcome note, followed by a Europe Sales Strategy Plan shared by our Head - Business Strategy (ISPL Sales Sardar). Hearing at projected sales target for next year 2012-2013 raised our hairs. We all then applied the mantra of Ranchodas Chanchad (Aamir Khan in lead role @ 3 idiots) by saying "Aal Izz Well ... Aal Izz Well ..." 

It then entered into some great sessions as scheduled for the day. I personally liked the content and delivery of "The magic called follow-up" presented by one of our BD team member. The session revolved around the essence of follow-up in sales, classic success stories supporting this strategy & helping to build a long term biz relationship.

We also attempt to do something different @ SSS. This time, we have two new ingredients 1) Recording Luncheon Qs 2) Surprise Event.

Luncheon Qs were A) What's the most embarrassing moment till date? 2) What's your brand identity @ InfoStretch? Two Super Qs..... With equally hilarious and out-of-the-blue answers from each one.

Surprise Event - To decorate your workplace using your childhood photo & craft skills! Some, like me, just appreciated and motivated others with this task...

Instead of movie, we opted for playing cricket @ our parking basement. Everyone tried to show-off they are masters of this game in their own style. Swing bowling like Wasimbhai & Malinga, Spin (Phirki) like Bhajji & Monty Panesar, Batting like Mahi & Mr. Dependable.. Fielding... Ah who does that [not even our Indian cricket team :)].. Everybody looks at each other to get the ball.. 

6 PM and it's time to pack & go...

Yet another SSS ended with great learning and fun!

Sales Super Saturday (SSS) @ Aug 6, 2011

This time, Sales Super Saturday was conducted at InfoStretch office, due to some rain and festive occasion. The sessions picked for this time were more focused on Sales (as the current quarter stands more important than the next one).  

Agenda for Sales Super Saturday on Aug 6, 2011

10:00 AM: Keynote Topic

11:00 AM: Sales for Emerging Companies

12:00 PM: European QA Strategy of ISPL

12:30 PM: Lead Generation Best Practices

 1:00 PM: Lunch

 3:00 PM: Recent Sales Closures - Experiences - Open Discussion

 4:00 PM: Sales Superstar Biography

 4:30 PM: Sales Movie / Videos

My viewpoints to this SSS:

I personally liked the “Sales SuperStar Biography” session that speaks about Mr. Phaneesh Murthy – Sales Super Star & Unsung Hero of InfoSys. The session touches upon his contribution to InfoSys and not on other sides of his story. It was this champion so called “The Other Murthy” (of course, the one that we all know Mr. Narayana Murthy) that pushed InfoSys’s revenues to $700M USD in over next 10 yrs of his working. Indeed, A BIG number, before he left InfoSys in 2002. 

Mr. Phaneesh Murthy’s working principles are quite simple - Always look to build the sales organization – No unlimited clauses – agree on targets – no loss of integrity – initial watch, then full autonomy. With strong sales numbers, he is very sharp with his memory, persistent, patient and open for extensive travelling. He likes reading mystery books, fond of Golf (“If you don’t golf for business, you just won’t get it,” – Phaneesh Murthy often says), pure vegetarian & teetotaler. Currently, he is MD & CEO of iGate Patni.

Rests of the other sessions were quite informative too! Due to lack of time, we skipped the Sales Movie which is always inspiring!

Idea b/h covering SSS on blog

• Cover those learning from the session(s) that might be informative for others
• Try to collect thoughts from other viewers   
• Spread the word of this event (as something similar always helps to any organization)

About Sales Super Saturday

At InfoStretch, at third week of every month, there is an event called “Sales Super Saturday”. It was initiated about 1 year back from Business Strategy Head @ InfoStretch. And motto behind this event is to come, participate, brainstorm, learn and enjoy. It’s more likely to be a team building exercise with a right to express their ideas/thoughts/learning in their own way, irrespective of any person’s designation, job profile, his/her influence at management level etc.

No Laptops!  No Work! No Late Coming!

Content Delivery Mode:

Powerpoint Presentation, Games, Whiteboard learning, mimicry/drama, plain vanilla speech

Participants:
Mostly India BD/Sales Team.

Venue:

It varies. Sometimes at office or organize the same at some resorts/camps, hundred kms away from office.

Sales Super Saturday is “Learn with Fun”…  Sales Super Saturday ROCKS!!! … I don’t like to miss any SSS.