FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:                      Michael J. Webb

Phone:                         (877) 784-6507

Email:                          mwebb@salesperformance.com
                                   bobs@web2one.com

"Mending the Marketing / Selling Gap" public teleconference announced

Chicago, Ill, (November 1, 2005) — Unfortunately, more than 25% of the total cost of marketing and sales is often wasted and lost forever by misaligned assets, processes, and activities. Most executives acknowledge that there is a problem between marketing and sales but many of them just shrug their shoulders and treat misalignment much the same way parents treat puberty..."There's nothing I can do about it, right?"

On Thursday, November 10, 2005, Michael Webb will interview Bob Schmonsees, author of "Escaping the Black Hole - Minimizing the Damage from the Marketing-Sales Disconnect" to explore the issues surrounding misalignment, answer the following questions, and provide a roadmap for turning marketing and sales into a sustainable competitive advantage.

• What causes the disconnect, and is it getting worse?
• What are the symptoms companies feel every day, and what does the problem really cost in time and money? 
• How can you get senior management engaged and involved?
• What can companies do to mend the gap? 
• What are the experiences of companies who have taken these steps?

You can read Michael Webb’s review of "Escaping the Black Hole" in the articles section of www.salesperformance.com, under Sales and Marketing Management articles.

In this teleconference you'll learn examples of marketing and selling business practices that have created dramatic improvements. You will also receive examples and common sense advice on how to get your team to work together more effectively. We will hold a question and answer period after the presentation to answer all of your questions live on the teleconference. A recording of the call will be made available shortly afterward to registered attendees only.

Date:     Thursday Nov 10, 2005
Time:    5:00 Eastern
              4:00 Central
              2:00 Pacific
Fee:     This will be a free call

Registrations are being taken at the following url:

http://www.salesperformance.com/sellingvsmarketing.aspx

Bob Schmonsees is Principal of RJS Associates and author of the provocative new book Escaping The Black Hole (Thomson / AMA 2005). Schmonsees is a former high-tech marketing and sales executive and CEO who has managed marketing and sales organizations for over 30 years.  His new book contains some unique insights on how to improve marketing and sales alignment and effectiveness in light of the new dynamics that drive 21st century markets.  And, as you will see, he pulls no punches on what’s wrong with the current marketing and sales model and what management needs to do to create what he calls a "synchronized marketing & sales ecosystem."  His website is www.web2one.com and he can be reached at 540-872-5379 or bobs@web2one.com.

Michael J. Webb is President of Sales Performance Consultants, Inc., a consultancy devoted to helping senior executives who are struggling to measure and improve unreliable and unmeasurable processes for finding, gaining, and keeping customers. Mr. Webb delivered the keynote address for the first two conferences held on applying Six Sigma to marketing and sales. He has helped clients such as American Express, 3M, Marriott, and many others to improve their sales processes and results.  He also works with certain sales training firms to integrate best selling practices into client's sales operations.  Mr. Webb’s website (www.salesperformance.com) contains information and resources for companies that want to improve their sales performance. You can reach him at (877) 784-6507 or mwebb@salesperformance.com.

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