How do you solicit and incorporate feedback and suggestions from sales operations and finance stakeholders?

1 Identify the stakeholders

The first step is to identify who are the relevant sales operations and finance stakeholders that you need to engage with. Depending on the size and structure of your organization, this may include sales operations managers, analysts, directors, finance managers, controllers, CFOs, or other roles that are involved in sales planning, reporting, forecasting, compensation, budgeting, or compliance. You should map out the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, as well as their pain points, goals, and expectations.

2 Establish communication channels

The next step is to establish clear and consistent communication channels with the sales operations and finance stakeholders. You should use the appropriate tools and platforms that suit the needs and preferences of each stakeholder, such as email, phone, video conference, chat, or collaboration software. You should also set up regular meetings or check-ins to review progress, share updates, address issues, and solicit feedback and suggestions. You should document and track the communication history and outcomes for future reference and accountability.

3 Ask open-ended questions

The third step is to ask open-ended questions that encourage the sales operations and finance stakeholders to share their insights, opinions, and ideas. Instead of yes-or-no questions that limit the scope and depth of the feedback and suggestions, you should use questions beginning with how, what, why, or where. For instance, you could ask how they measure and evaluate sales performance and productivity, what challenges or opportunities they face in their role or function, why they think current sales processes or systems are working or not working, and where they see potential for improvement or innovation in the sales operations and finance alignment.

4 Listen actively and empathetically

The fourth step is to listen actively and empathetically to the feedback and suggestions from the sales operations and finance stakeholders. You should show genuine interest and respect for their views and experiences, and avoid interrupting, judging, or dismissing them. You should also use verbal and non-verbal cues to acknowledge and affirm their contributions, such as nodding, smiling, or saying thank you. You should also ask clarifying or follow-up questions to ensure that you understand their points and perspectives.

5 Validate and prioritize the feedback and suggestions

The fifth step is to validate and prioritize the feedback and suggestions from the sales operations and finance stakeholders. You should analyze and evaluate the feedback and suggestions based on their relevance, validity, feasibility, and impact. You should also compare and contrast the feedback and suggestions from different stakeholders, and identify any common themes, patterns, or gaps. You should then prioritize the feedback and suggestions based on their urgency, importance, and alignment with the sales strategy and goals.

6 Implement and monitor the feedback and suggestions

The final step is to implement and monitor the feedback and suggestions from the sales operations and finance stakeholders. You should communicate the action plan and timeline for implementing the feedback and suggestions, and assign roles and responsibilities for each task. You should also monitor the progress and results of the implementation, and measure the impact and outcomes of the feedback and suggestions. You should also share the feedback and suggestions with other relevant teams or departments, and seek their input and support. You should also report back to the sales operations and finance stakeholders on the status and outcomes of the implementation, and solicit their feedback and suggestions for further improvement or refinement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?