Last week I had the distinct pleasure to guest lecture at Brown University in Providence, RI. As some of you know, my daughter Hannah is in her third year there, studying Economics and playing on the volleyball team. It is always rewarding to speak at a university, but to do so in an Ivy League school where your daughter is enrolled makes it extra special.

“Selling and Sales Leadership in the Entrepreneurial Environment” is the class I spoke with taught by Professor Howard Anderson. In his words, startups only have two problems: sales and all else.  The topic we discussed was how Sales Process plays a critical role in the tactical execution of a company’s commercial strategy. The students participated actively in this dialogue throughout the 90-minute session.

At least four countries were represented in the room (Kosovo, Russia, Egypt, USA) which reflects the diversity of the Brown student community which will soon impact the global business community. What a great day-a memory I will hold on to for a long time. Thank you, Professor Anderson, and Go BRUNO (the Brown bear)!

In the fast-paced world of sales, success hinges on more than just having a great product or service—it’s about reaching the right people. All too often, sales teams focus on delivering the perfect pitch but miss the mark by not engaging the true decision-makers. Identifying and speaking to the key players, those with the power to influence and make final decisions, can make all the difference between closing a deal or losing an opportunity. Knowing strategies to ensure you’re connecting with the right individuals in your sales process, helps  you to maximize your efforts and boost your success rate.

The energy on Wall Street is palpable. And as Sales organizations round out this year, and prep for 2025, that momentum has to carry through all team members. Listen in on how to harness that power for success.

In today’s competitive market, a well-defined commercial strategy is essential for achieving long-term success in sales. But what separates high-performing sales teams from those that struggle isn’t just the strategy itself—it’s how effectively that strategy is executed.

Tactical execution transforms a high-level commercial vision into real, measurable results.

Let’s explore the key elements of tactical execution in sales, and how businesses can align their teams to ensure every move propels them closer to their goals.

What Is TECS?

Tactical execution refers to the specific, actionable steps taken to bring a broader commercial strategy to life. While commercial strategy focuses on the long-term vision—such as market positioning, customer acquisition, and revenue goals—tactical execution is about the how. It’s the day-to-day Sales activities that ensure sales targets are met, pipelines are built, and relationships with customers are strengthened.

In essence, TECS translates your strategy into action. Without it, even the best commercial strategy will fall flat.

  1. Define Clear Objectives and Metrics

One of the first steps in tactical execution is ensuring every team member knows the specific objectives they are working toward. Sales leaders must communicate clear KPIs that align with strategic goals, such as:

  • The number of qualified leads generated.
  • Conversion rates at various stages of the sales funnel.
  • Average deal size or customer lifetime value.
  1. Use Customized Sales Tools for Conversations

Sales teams can no longer rely on instinct alone. The use of tools that are created for market specific applications for your product and services are essential. Forrester Research says only 26% of sellers know how to articulate the value their company provides. Don’t leave it to chance that the other 74% will get this right. Develop and adopt the use of tools in prep and Coaching calls.

  1. Align Cross-Functional Teams

Successful execution depends not just on sales but on a harmonious effort across marketing, customer success, and product teams. Cross-functional alignment ensures that everyone is rowing in the same direction.

Sales leaders must promote open communication between these departments to create a unified approach to achieving commercial goals. Regular interdepartmental meetings and collaboration tools, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, can foster this alignment.

  1. Continuous Improvement and Adaptation

The business landscape is constantly evolving, and so too must sales tactics. TECS isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process of refinement. Adapting to changing market conditions or buyer preferences ensures that teams remain agile and ready to pivot when needed.

  1. Accountability

For tactical execution to succeed, every sales team member needs to be held accountable for their performance. Clear accountability fosters responsibility, but empowerment fuels innovation.

  1. Effective Sales Training and Coaching

Finally, none of the tactics will work without the proper skill set. Continuous sales training and coaching are critical for ensuring that your team has the expertise needed to execute the strategy.

Sales teams must be equipped with:

  • Conversation tools that allow them to present value effectively.
  • Negotiation skills to handle objections.
  • The ability to understand customer pain points and offer relevant solutions.

Conclusion

Tactical execution bridges a company’s commercial strategy and its success in the marketplace. By breaking down big-picture goals into clear, measurable actions and aligning sales efforts with other departments, businesses can effectively execute their strategy to drive revenue growth.

 

Every Revenue Stream is vulnerable to leaks, those gaps where potential revenue slips away unnoticed. Whether it’s poor follow-up, misaligned sales and marketing efforts, or inefficient lead qualification, these leaks can quietly erode growth.

Identifying and sealing these leaks requires:

Regular pipeline reviews

Improved communication across teams

Data-driven insights to track lost opportunities

By proactively addressing these gaps, companies can ensure more revenue flows where it should: to the bottom line.