Make a request to the sales community

[plthompson]

I just visited a new site online called AccountMaven.com. It's like LinkedIn, only specifically targeted towards sales people. What struck me was a feature called 'Make a Request' where you could request an introduction or information from the sales community. You then offer something you may be able to do give return.

This seems like a powerful way to push past a barrier. I am interested to hear what other people might think about this site. I think it is a long time in coming that there be a business networking site geared towards sales folks.

[bubble]

If you look at it from the point of view that it is not what you know, its who you know, then I can see this site working. The make a request can be very useful for networking, providing the site can attract enough members and generate interesting topics.

[plthompson]

I think you are right-it is about who you know. It seems that the Questions and Answers in Linkedin is very popular but just not focused enough for sales people or any industry for that matter. The Make a Request feature here seems very compelling.

Do you think Sales People are willing to take the time to use tools such as these though? Meaning online business networking sites.

[bubble]

If they have the time then I dont see why not, especially when they could be useful if you wanted to move into the right circles to further yourself in your work. I do think it would need to be more sales / industry specific to work better.

[ozzie]

It sounds like a good idea to me. I think sales people can really benefit from networking. I have made some new Avon customers online through networking sites and they weren't site that were geared toward those in sales positions.

[Neil Warren]

Yes that AccountMaven does look useful, but obviously has limitations in being USA based at the moment.

I've also come across www.WeCanDo.Biz which features this push-me-pull-you aspect of networking, with a clearer focus on corporate rather than personal needs and offerings, and the benefit of a UK base.

Or, if you prefer chat amongst sales individuals, this seems like a fine place to do that and, if reading news and features about selling and sales management issues with some input in our Forum section from the "experts" is your thing, I'd humbly suggest that you might do worse than to check out our site.

[ginac84]

I poked around Account Maven and found it to be similar to a website I work for called Salesconx (www.salesconx.com). The difference between us and Account Maven is that users buy and/or sell quality contacts to each other on our site. Our site is free to use and you only pay if and when you choose to purchase a contact.

We're based in the USA and are not international (YET!) but keep checking back for updates on that!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

-Gina