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- All HBS Web
(380)
- News (26)
- Research (332)
- Multimedia (2)
- Faculty Publications (306)
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- Article
Four Ways to Build a Productive Sales Culture
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Steven Maughan
This article distinguishes sales efficiency (SE) initiatives (e.g., CRM, training, and KPI dashboards) from sales optimization (SO) decisions (e.g., aligning sales tasks with business strategy, customer selection, and deployment of sales resources across... View Details
- December 2013
- Case
Clique Pens: The Writing Implements Division of U.S. Home
By: Frank V. Cespedes and James Kindley
The Clique Pens Writing Implements division of U.S. Home is a manufacturer of a full line of pens, pencils, markers, and art supplies. Despite solid sales, division president Elise Ferguson has seen gross margins drop from 42% in 2010 to just over 36% in 2012 as a... View Details
Keywords: Production; Marketing Strategy; Distribution Channels; Compensation and Benefits; Sales; Manufacturing Industry; Consumer Products Industry
Cespedes, Frank V., and James Kindley. "Clique Pens: The Writing Implements Division of U.S. Home." Harvard Business School Brief Case 914-525, December 2013.
- January 2013
- Teaching Note
Andrew Ryan at VC Brakes (Brief Case)
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Sunru Yong
- November 2012 (Revised July 2014)
- Case
Andrew Sullivan and Faraway Ltd
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Alex Godden
The "Andrew Sullivan and Faraway Ltd" case series focuses on entrepreneurial selling, and is based on an older case study, "Deaver Brown and Cross River Inc." (9-394-042). It concerns two entrepreneurs, Andrew Sullivan and Hope Abasi, who have designed an innovative... View Details
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Marketing; Sales; Management; Consumer Products Industry; United Kingdom
Cespedes, Frank V., and Alex Godden. "Andrew Sullivan and Faraway Ltd." Harvard Business School Case 813-104, November 2012. (Revised July 2014.)
- Article
Selling to Many Countries Within the U.S.
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Michael Wong
In pursuing growth, many companies have plans to sell to emerging markets like the so-called B-R-I-C nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China), but they overlook significant ethnic markets within the United States. For example, the combined African-American and Hispanic... View Details
Keywords: Management Style; Ethnicity; Sales; Business Growth and Maturation; Marketing Communications; Business Plan; Emerging Markets; Debates; Business Strategy; Growth and Development; Growth and Development Strategy; United States
Cespedes, Frank V., and Michael Wong. "Selling to Many Countries Within the U.S." MIT Sloan Management Review 52, no. 1 (Fall 2010).
- 26 May 2015
- First Look
First Look: May 26
Publications March 2015 AFP Exchange Well Said: Why Articulating Your Strategy Can Set You Apart. By: Cespedes, Frank V. Abstract—Senior finance managers now operate in an altered c-suite landscape. The... View Details
Keywords: Sean Silverthorne
- July 20, 2016
- Article
To Increase Sales, Get Customers to Commit a Little at a Time
By: Frank V. Cespedes and David Hoffeld
This article discusses what behavioral research does and does not tell us about factors that aid the "closing" of a sales call. View Details
Cespedes, Frank V., and David Hoffeld. "To Increase Sales, Get Customers to Commit a Little at a Time." Harvard Business Review (website) (July 20, 2016).
- March 2016 (Revised June 2017)
- Case
Transition at DataCo?
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Carin-Isabel Knoop
The founder of a data analytics company, Stefan Brecht, has several issues with his key business developer and head of marketing and sales, Tamara Smithson. Smithson, an early hire who had been instrumental in building the firm; operates as an individual contributor;... View Details
Keywords: Sales Management; Selling; Entrepreneurial Ventures; Performance Management; Professional Services; Salesforce Management; Sales; Marketing; Performance; Consulting Industry; United States; France
Cespedes, Frank V., and Carin-Isabel Knoop. "Transition at DataCo?" Harvard Business School Case 816-058, March 2016. (Revised June 2017.)
- August 5, 2015
- Article
What Salespeople Need to Know About the New B2B Landscape
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Tiffani Bova
Cespedes, Frank V., and Tiffani Bova. "What Salespeople Need to Know About the New B2B Landscape." Harvard Business Review (website) (August 5, 2015).
- May 2013
- Supplement
Launching Krispy Natural: Cracking the Product Management Code, Spreadsheet for Students (Brief Case)
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Heather Beckham
- November 2012 (Revised July 2014)
- Supplement
Andrew Sullivan and Faraway Ltd (B): Sam Cartwright of Mothercare
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Alex Godden
The "Andrew Sullivan and Faraway Ltd" case series focuses on entrepreneurial selling, and is based on an older case study, "Deaver Brown and Cross River Inc." (9-394-042). It concerns two entrepreneurs, Andrew Sullivan and Hope Abasi, who have designed an innovative... View Details
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Sales; Marketing; Management; Consumer Products Industry; United Kingdom
Cespedes, Frank V., and Alex Godden. "Andrew Sullivan and Faraway Ltd (B): Sam Cartwright of Mothercare." Harvard Business School Supplement 813-105, November 2012. (Revised July 2014.)
- June 2012
- Case
PV Technologies, Inc.: Were They Asleep at the Switch?
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Diane Badame
PV Technologies, Inc. is an industry-leading manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters used to convert the direct current output of solar panels into alternating current for the commercial power grid. In conjunction with a request for proposal, the company's largest... View Details
Keywords: Marketing Strategy; Customer Relationship Management; Competitive Strategy; Product Marketing; Energy Industry; Technology Industry; United States
Cespedes, Frank V., and Diane Badame. "PV Technologies, Inc.: Were They Asleep at the Switch?" Harvard Business School Brief Case 913-505, June 2012.
- November 1992 (Revised June 1994)
- Case
Packaged Products Company: Handy-Pak Introduction
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Laura Goode
The product manager and the market research director for a new line of snacking nuts are reviewing options concerning the upcoming roll-out of the product. These options include changes in pricing, promotional plans, and salesforce incentives intended to build support... View Details
Keywords: Price; Marketing; Marketing Channels; Product Launch; Distribution; Planning; Research and Development; Sales; Salesforce Management; Alignment; Consumer Products Industry; Service Industry
Cespedes, Frank V., and Laura Goode. "Packaged Products Company: Handy-Pak Introduction." Harvard Business School Case 593-057, November 1992. (Revised June 1994.)
- September 1992 (Revised July 1994)
- Case
MEM Company, Inc.: English Leather
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Laura Goode
In 1992, the president of MEM (a producer of personal care products, including men's fragrances) considered a redeployment of field sales efforts and changes in sales compensation policies. Any changes, moreover, must consider the context of strategic decisions... View Details
Keywords: Change Management; Decision Choices and Conditions; Brands and Branding; Product Positioning; Consumer Behavior; Distribution Channels; Business Strategy; Consumer Products Industry
Cespedes, Frank V., and Laura Goode. "MEM Company, Inc.: English Leather." Harvard Business School Case 593-035, September 1992. (Revised July 1994.)
- June 2018
- Supplement
Meridian Systems, Spreadsheet for Instructors (Brief Case)
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Michael J. Roberts
- August 2009 (Revised August 2012)
- Case
Cabot Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
By: Frank V. Cespedes and John T. Gourville
Traces the 12-year career of a pharmaceutical salesperson, Bob Marsh, from recruitment to termination. Marsh has had an uneven career with Cabot Pharmaceuticals and eventually is asked to resign. Following his termination, a number of Marsh's former customers complain... View Details
Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Employees; Resignation and Termination; Performance Evaluation; Salesforce Management; Alignment; Pharmaceutical Industry
Cespedes, Frank V., and John T. Gourville. "Cabot Pharmaceuticals, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 510-030, August 2009. (Revised August 2012.)
- September 2008 (Revised June 2010)
- Case
Hearts On Fire - Brand Development Manager
By: Frank V. Cespedes and Benson P. Shapiro
Hearts On Fire, a successful branded diamond producer, established the position of Brand Development Manager (BDM) to build the company's presence, sales, and relationships with its retail customers. After one year, the CEO, CFO and President must evaluate the impact... View Details
Keywords: Customer Focus and Relationships; Investment Return; Brands and Branding; Marketing Strategy; Business Processes; Salesforce Management; Business Strategy
Cespedes, Frank V., and Benson P. Shapiro. "Hearts On Fire - Brand Development Manager." Harvard Business School Case 709-436, September 2008. (Revised June 2010.)
- May 1982
- Supplement
MCI Telecommunications Corp. (A2)
By: John F. Cady and Frank V. Cespedes
Keywords: Telecommunications Industry
Cady, John F., and Frank V. Cespedes. "MCI Telecommunications Corp. (A2)." Harvard Business School Supplement 582-139, May 1982.