978-395-1155
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
The Portfolio Partnership
  • Our Operating Model
  • Services
    • Scaling Through Operational Excellence
    • Scaling Through M&A
  • Our Team
    • Leadership
    • Credentials
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Featured Insights
  • Speaking
  • Contact
Select Page

Key Account Penetration Checklist

Key Account Penetration Checklist

by Ian Smith | Jul 10, 2017 | Sales - Farming

Scaling private companies is tough. We work with our portfolio clients to help prioritize and execute activity that will move the dial. This ensures our clients grow safely, in control, aligning all actions to the the strategic plan, and thus improving the...

The New Sales Playbook for Manufacturers – 5 Moves

by Ian Smith | Sep 8, 2013 | Sales - Farming, Sales Management, Sales Process, Sales Tips, Scaling

 Last week the WSJ highlighted a fascinating study published by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The study claimed: Adjusted for productivity, US average labor costs by 2015 will beat Japan by 18%, Germany 34% and France 35%. It details how declining energy...

The Art of Prospecting is Dead – 15 Tips to Change That!

by Ian Smith | May 23, 2013 | Sales - Farming, Sales Process, Sales Tips

I was chatting to a good friend the other day who leads one of the leading Sandler Sales Training Practices in the US. His key takeaway from the last 5 years – sales professionals have lost the art of prospecting! I’ve blogged about the inbound marketing...
Training a World Class Sales Team – 3 Simple Categories

Training a World Class Sales Team – 3 Simple Categories

by Ian Smith | Dec 30, 2012 | Sales - Farming, Sales Process, Sales Tips

Mentoring your sales team to fulfill their potential is never easy but I see real confusion out there and it’s making the task so much more difficult than it needs to be. All sales training can and should be taught in three distinct categories: 3 Big Categories...
Customer Development – The Tourist v The Resident

Customer Development – The Tourist v The Resident

by Ian Smith | Nov 14, 2012 | Sales - Farming

Are your sales team tourists or residents? A tourist rarely has time to map out all the streets, investigate their favorite Thai restaurants, get to know local people, build relationships with the natives. A resident on the other hand puts down roots. Builds...
Sales Professionals – 15 Questions To Ask Yourself

Sales Professionals – 15 Questions To Ask Yourself

by Ian Smith | Nov 6, 2012 | Sales - Farming, Sales Tips

Sales is a great place to be if you want to be in sales, as one of my top salesmen once said to me! It’s like running your own business. It demands that you think like a businessman. So here are my top 15 questions every sales professional should be asking...
« Older Entries

Search

Subscribe to our mailing list

Categories

Operational Excellence For Exits



Get Your Copy!


Acquisition Support Services



Get Your Copy!


Acquirers Need a Playbook



Get Your Copy!


The Saleability Test



Get Your Copy!


Recent Posts

  • Lessons for Owners – Refreshing Your Operating Model
  • Lesson for Owners – Legacy Product Dependency
  • Lessons for Owners – Customer Dependency
  • Lessons For Owners – Owner Dependency
  • Lessons for Owners – Positioning

Our Books

The Acquirer

  • Lessons for Owners – Refreshing Your Operating Model

    Lessons for Owners – Refreshing Your Operating Model

    February 6, 2026
    McKinsey published an article in August last year titled “How to get your operating model back on track”. So, I’d …Read More »
  • Lesson for Owners – Legacy Product Dependency

    Lesson for Owners – Legacy Product Dependency

    January 26, 2026
    As promised, over the coming months we will be posting various aspects on how buyers think. What motivates an acquirer? …Read More »
  • Lessons for Owners – Customer Dependency

    Lessons for Owners – Customer Dependency

    January 16, 2026
    As promised, over the coming months we will be posting various aspects on how buyers think. What motivates an acquirer? …Read More »

Contact us and get started

The Portfolio Partnership

978-395-1155

  • Home
  • Scaling Through Operational Excellence
  • Acquisition Support Services
  • Our Operating Model
  • Blog
  • Start a Conversation with Ian
  • Sitemap
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn

Website Design and Development by Nu-Image Design

Post-Acquisition Integration Playbook Download

Fill out the form below to access the Post-Acquisition Integration Playbook download




    Pre-Sale Operational Excellence Download

    Fill out the form below to access the Pre-Sale Operational Excellence download




      Download the Divestiture Playbook

      Fill out the form below to access the Divestiture Playbook download




        Download Why Acquisitions Fail

        Fill out the form below to access the Why Acquisitions Fail download




          Download the Exit Playbook

          Fill out the form below to access the Exit Playbook download