Sales Glossary

A comprehensive collection of sales terms, jargon, and definitions that you and your team should be aware of.

  • Account Executive (AE)

    A sales professional responsible for managing and nurturing relationships with existing clients or customers, aiming to increase revenue through upselling and cross-selling.

  • Account Growth

    The process of expanding a client's business or increasing their spending within an organization, often achieved by identifying new opportunities and addressing their evolving needs.

  • Account Management

    The practice of overseeing and maintaining relationships with clients, ensuring their satisfaction and addressing any issues or concerns to foster long-term partnerships.

  • Account Manager

    A sales professional responsible for the ongoing relationship and communication with a specific client or customer.

  • Account Planning

    The strategic process of creating a detailed plan for managing and growing a client account, including goals, strategies, and tactics.

  • Account Team

    A group of individuals within a company who collaborate to manage and serve a specific client account effectively.

  • Account-Based Marketing (ABM)

    A marketing strategy focused on targeting and engaging specific high-value accounts by delivering personalized content and campaigns tailored to their needs.

  • Business Development

    The activities and strategies aimed at identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, often involving lead generation, prospecting, and outreach.

  • Business Development Representative (BDR)

    A sales professional responsible for generating leads and qualifying prospects, often the first point of contact for potential clients.

  • Business to Business (B2B) Buying Process

    The series of steps and decisions that organizations go through when making purchases for their business needs, which often involves multiple stakeholders and a longer sales cycle.

  • Business to Business (B2B) Sales

    The process of selling products or services from one business to another, involving complex negotiations and tailored solutions.

  • Buyer Enablement

    Providing potential buyers with the information and resources they need to make informed purchasing decisions, empowering them to buy.

  • Buying Journey

    The path a potential customer follows from the initial awareness of a product or service to the final purchase, including research, evaluation, and decision-making.

  • Challenger Sale

    A sales methodology that focuses on challenging a client's status quo and providing unique insights to drive change and make a compelling case for your solution.

  • Channel Design

    The strategic planning of distribution channels to deliver products or services to customers effectively, considering factors such as channel partners and intermediaries.

  • Channel Management

    The ongoing oversight and coordination of distribution channels to ensure they operate efficiently and deliver value to both the company and its partners.

  • Channel Partner

    An external organization or entity that collaborates with a company to sell its products or services, often in a specific market or region.

  • Channel Sales

    The process of selling products or services through a network of channel partners, such as distributors, resellers, or agents.

  • Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)

    An executive responsible for overseeing all revenue-related functions in an organization, including sales, marketing, and customer success.

  • Chief Sales Officer (CSO)

    An executive responsible for leading and managing the sales department, developing sales strategies, and achieving revenue targets.

  • Churn Rate

    The percentage of customers who stop using a product or service over a specific period, often used to measure customer retention and satisfaction.

  • Conversion Rate

    The percentage of prospects who take a desired action, such as making a purchase, subscribing, or filling out a form, indicating the effectiveness of a sales or marketing campaign.

  • Cost of Sales

    The expenses associated with the sales process, including salaries, commissions, and other costs directly related to generating revenue.

  • Customer Acquisition

    The process of gaining new customers, often involving marketing and sales efforts to attract and convert leads into paying customers.

  • Customer Confidence

    The trust and assurance that a customer has in a product, service, or brand, leading to repeat business and loyalty.

  • Customer Segmentation

    The practice of categorizing customers into distinct groups based on characteristics, behaviors, or demographics, allowing for more targeted marketing and sales strategies.

  • Customer Success

    The ongoing efforts to ensure that customers receive value from a product or service, resulting in satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.

  • Decision Maker

    The individual or group within an organization with the authority to make final purchasing decisions regarding a product or service.

  • Direct Sales

    A sales approach where products or services are sold directly to the end customer without intermediaries or resellers.

  • First-Call Resolution

    The ability to address and resolve a customer's query or issue during their initial contact with customer support or sales, enhancing customer satisfaction.

  • Forecast Accuracy

    The precision of sales forecasts, indicating how well predictions align with actual sales outcomes.

  • Global Account Management (GAM)

    The practice of managing and nurturing relationships with multinational or global clients to maximize revenue and service delivery.

  • Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy

    A comprehensive plan outlining how a company will bring its products or services to the market, considering pricing, promotion, distribution, and target audience.

  • Inbound Sales

    The sales strategy that focuses on responding to leads and inquiries generated through marketing efforts or customer-initiated contact.

  • Inside Sales

    Sales activities conducted remotely, often via phone or digital channels, without in-person meetings with clients.

  • Key Account Management (KAM)

    A strategic approach to managing a company's most important and high-value clients, ensuring personalized service and long-term partnerships.

  • Key Accounts

    The top-tier clients that contribute significantly to a company's revenue and require specialized attention and care.

  • Lead Funnel

    A visual representation of the stages a lead goes through in the sales process, from initial contact to conversion.

  • Lead Generation

    The process of identifying and attracting potential customers or leads through various marketing and outreach efforts.

  • Lead Management

    The systematic process of tracking, nurturing, and qualifying leads to convert them into paying customers.

  • Lead Scoring

    Assigning a numerical value to leads based on their likelihood to convert into customers, allowing sales teams to prioritize efforts effectively.

  • Lead Time

    The duration it takes to complete a sales or manufacturing process, from initial contact to final delivery.

  • Marketing-Qualified Lead (MQL)

    A lead that has been assessed and deemed likely to become a customer based on specific marketing criteria.

  • Net Promoter Score (NPS)

    A metric used to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty by asking customers how likely they are to recommend a product or service to others.

  • Opportunity Management

    The process of tracking and managing potential sales opportunities, evaluating their viability, and progressing them through the sales pipeline.

  • Pain Points

    The specific challenges or problems that potential customers experience, which a product or service aims to address.

  • Pipeline Velocity

    The rate at which leads and opportunities move through the sales pipeline, indicating sales efficiency and effectiveness.

  • Procurement

    The function responsible for acquiring goods and services on behalf of an organization, often involving negotiations and vendor selection.

  • Profit Margin

    The percentage of revenue that represents a company's profitability after deducting all costs and expenses.

  • Proof of Concept (POC)

    A demonstration or trial that illustrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a product or solution before a full-scale implementation.

  • Prospecting

    The process of identifying and reaching out to potential leads or customers to initiate sales conversations.

  • Revenue Operations

    The strategic alignment of sales, marketing, and customer success operations to maximize revenue generation and customer satisfaction.

  • Route-to-Market Strategy

    A plan outlining the channels and methods a company will use to bring its products or services to the target market.

  • Sales Academies

    Training programs or educational initiatives designed to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge of sales professionals.

  • Sales Channel

    The specific distribution or communication channel used to reach customers and sell products or services, which can include direct sales, online sales, or reseller networks.

  • Sales Coaching

    The practice of providing guidance and feedback to sales teams or individuals to improve their selling skills and performance.

  • Sales Compensation

    The structure of financial incentives and rewards offered to salespeople based on their performance and achievements.

  • Sales Cycle

    The series of stages that a potential customer goes through before making a purchase, including awareness, consideration, and decision.

  • Sales Dashboards

    Visual representations of key sales data and metrics, designed to provide real-time insights for decision-making.

  • Sales Development Representative (SDR)

    A sales professional responsible for generating and qualifying leads, often working in the early stages of the sales funnel.

  • Sales Forecast

    A prediction of future sales revenues based on historical data, market analysis, and other factors.

  • Sales Forecasting

    The process of estimating future sales performance and revenue, typically over a defined period.

  • Sales Funnel

    A visual representation of the customer journey, from initial awareness to the final purchase, used to guide prospects through the buying process.

  • Sales Intelligence

    The collection and analysis of data and insights to inform sales strategies and decisions.

  • Sales Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

    Specific metrics used to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of sales teams, processes, and strategies.

  • Sales Kickoff

    An annual or periodic event where sales teams gather to set goals, strategize, and align on objectives for the upcoming period.

  • Sales Leadership

    The individuals or team responsible for guiding and managing the sales department, setting strategic direction, and providing leadership to the salesforce.

  • Sales Management

    The practice of overseeing and directing sales teams to achieve revenue goals and targets.

  • Sales Methodologies

    Structured approaches and frameworks that define the process of selling, guiding salespeople in their interactions with customers.

  • Sales Metrics

    Quantitative measurements used to assess sales performance and track progress toward sales goals.

  • Sales Operations

    The activities, processes, and systems that support the sales function, ensuring its efficiency and effectiveness.

  • Sales Pipeline

    A visual representation of potential sales opportunities at various stages in the sales process, from initial contact to closure.

  • Sales Process

    The defined series of steps and actions that a salesperson follows to move a potential customer from initial contact to a successful sale.

  • Sales Prospect

    A potential customer who has shown interest in a product or service but has not yet made a purchase.

  • Sales Qualification

    The process of evaluating potential leads to determine their suitability and likelihood to become customers.

  • Sales Quota

    A specific sales target or goal assigned to a salesperson or team, often tied to compensation.

  • Sales Report

    A document or presentation providing an overview of sales performance, often including data, analysis, and recommendations.

  • Sales Strategy

    The comprehensive plan that outlines the approach and tactics used to achieve sales goals and objectives.

  • Sales Support

    The resources, services, and assistance provided to sales teams to enhance their effectiveness and productivity.

  • Sales Team Structure

    The organization and composition of a sales team, including roles and responsibilities.

  • Sales Technologies

    Tools, software, and technology solutions used to streamline sales processes and improve efficiency.

  • Sales Training

    Educational programs and activities designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of sales professionals.

  • Sales Turnover

    Sales turnover is a company's total amount of product or services sold in a certain period.

  • Sales-Qualified Lead (SQL)

    A lead that has been assessed and determined to be highly likely to convert into a paying customer based on specific sales criteria.

  • Sense Making

    The process of interpreting and understanding complex data, information, or situations to make informed decisions and gain insights.

  • Social Selling

    The use of social media platforms and networks to engage with potential customers and build relationships as part of the sales process.

  • Territory Management

    The practice of dividing sales regions or territories and assigning specific sales teams or representatives to each, optimizing coverage and sales efforts.

  • Value Proposition

    A clear and compelling statement that communicates the unique benefits and value a product or service offers to customers.

  • Virtual Selling

    The practice of conducting sales activities and interactions remotely, often through online platforms and communication tools.

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