Sales & Distribution Management

Chapter 1 : Introduction to Sales Management

 Evolution of the Sales Concept

 Nature and Role of Selling Image of Selling

 Objectives of Sales Management

 Integrating Sales and Marketing Management

+Environmental Changes Affecting Sales Management

 Entry of Women in Sales Management

 Structure of the Book

Chapter Summary

Sales is one of the most crucial functions of an organization. It is the principal, and often, the only revenue generating function in the organization. Sales has formed an important part of business throughout history and will continue to do so. A constant evolution has been witnessed in the sales function from the early Stone Age, through the Iron ages and the Middle Ages to sales in the twenty-first century. The evolution of the sales concept can also be studied in terms of seven generations.

In addition to helping an organization achieve its business goals, the selling function performs various other roles such as enhancing knowledge pertaining to the internal and external environments, developing positive relationships with customers, suppliers and distributors, and negotiating with customers to sell the company’s products profitably. Despite the crucial role the selling function plays in the growth of an organization, sales has a rather negative image associated with it.

This can be attributed more to the misconceptions in the minds of the people rather than actual knowledge of the profession. The major objectives of a sales organization are to increase sales volume, contribute to profits, and attain long-term growth. For an organization to be successful, it is essential to integrate the sales and marketing functions so that coordination of activities can be achieved.

Over the years, substantial changes have taken place in the selling environment, sparking a change in the sales function too. The various trends that have shaped the sales function include shorter product life cycle, longer, more complex sales cycle, reduced customer loyalty, intense competition among manufacturing firms, rising customer expectations, increasing buyer expertise, electronic revolution in communications, and the entry of women into the sales force.

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