Scoble keeps up the discussion on WM, iPods, and such...
One of the essential differences between marketing and sales is when and what information is gathered. Marketing will go out a lot earlier in the process, tap the potential customer base, and grab as much data as they possibly can. Any data that turns into information is even more golden. Even the flaming is useful stuff. All that can be turned around into future products, positioning, and branding
And sales? After marketing and engineering have (hopefully) done their magic, people like me get to take a look at the potential audience and try to figure out how to sell those bad boys to them. And more importantly, make that nth sale to customers. If we can't bring them back for more, it's bzzt--game over, take your Rice-a-Roni and *go home*. That's why sales will ask the questions pre and post sales, and the questions coming from sales will usually be a lot more pointed.
And that iinfo goes back into products for the next round.
Posted by lsefton at December 20, 2004 09:00 PM