SportsSalesGuy

Enterprise Account Executive

SKO's Good or Bad?

This may be controversial, but I am not a big fan of Sales Kickoff (SKO's). I feel like they are a waste of money and time. For the company, especially when many companies are starting cutbacks on spending, hiring and potential layoffs looming. I feel the juice is not worth the squeeze. The spend on the location/venue, flights and travel for the attendees. The speakers hired for motivation or sales training or both. Of course it beats working, and your getting paid and travel is expensed. However, I just don't see how people can enjoy it.

Especially at the beginning of the year, when I believe it is crucial to hit the ground running and get in front of accounts for year plans, roadmaps, etc.

Instead I will be in a hotel conference room for 4 days listening to presentations, sales trainings, and false promises. I've done both in person ones and virtual, both are a waste of money and time to me.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Maybe some of you can convince me otherwise prior to my SKO in a couple weeks...

SKO's worth it?

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22 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

5

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Ours is virtual this year, but we're still holding it. There's some training and our QBRs to get through. I'd feel a bit guilty if we were flying and meeting in person, all things considered with the economy.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

3

Sales Rep

Virtual I think is a waste of time, since the main benefit is networking with leadership.

TennisandSales

Politicker

3

Head Of Sales

im a total fan of SKOs but only for the reasons you mentioned haha. i get a free trip, free food, and some fun on the company dime? sign me up.

ive never had going to SKO negatively effect my results.....but ive never had it POSITIVELY effect my results ether 😂

ExtremeVibeChecker44

Arsonist

3

Inside Sales

Friends had SKO at Atlanta a few years ago. Got in mild trouble for trying to expense Magic City.

TheIncarceration

Politicker

1

SDR Manager

I commend whoever pulled that move

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

2

Bravado's Resident Asshole

I haven't worked at a company that has had a SKO, so I don't exactly know what it's like.

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Lucky you! Haha

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

2

Lead Sales

Most SKOs are just poorly executed. No one can remember 8 hours of content and almost none of it will every be implemented. I would rather give salespeople 8-one-hour trainings than do the equivalent of a business pep rally.

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Couldn’t agree more! Unfortunately we have SKO AND 1.5 hour trainings once a week for the next couple months. The trainings I like they are helpful. The SKO just brings no value to me.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

Better virtual.

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Couldn't agree more

notdavemoss

Valued Contributor

2

CCBW

take the budget for the SKO and spend it on demand gen and lead gen. that's the way to make sales people happy and perform well. anything else is preformative bs from a CRO or Sales VP who simply wants to Lord over their fiefdom.

kittychachas

Valued Contributor

1

VP/Director of Sales

It’s nice to get out there and meet with everyone. Especially if you’re remote. Good to put a face to a name and build rapport with your colleagues and ELT.

White

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

Waste of time and money.

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Thank you!

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

It’s not controversial. SKOs suck and are huge wastes of 3 days of time.

bigperm

Good Citizen

1

Account Executive

Huge waste if longer than a couple days or so. And y’all know with sales the work doesn’t go away. So a week wasted means you’ll be making that up somewhere. Quota doesn’t sleep!

Juancallclose

Catalyst

1

Director

Not really a fan. Interrupts my prospecting.

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

1

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

We had virtual SKOs ever since covid hit. But I am not very sure.
Has it been motivating? yes.
Has it pumped me up? Yes.
Was it useful in terms of setting right expectations? Hell nah.

Pachacuti

Politicker

0

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

SKO’s imo are good. Sure there are some time killers but it’s good to get face time with people who’ll be dealing with through the year.

ADK

Opinionated

0

VC Associate

I see it more a team event than an absolute need. It can be powerful if the preparation was done right and always good to have people in the same room

I_LOVE_WINE

Executive

0

Enterprise AE

I think they are worth it if they are executed properly. A great SKO will build up morale and should reinvigorate the team. I also learned some incredible strategies at a couple of SKOs throughout the years.

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