GartGuy & Gal
Just as I was lamenting TRMan and his brother and singing the praises of Gartner’s sales engine in came emails from GartGuy and GartGal much to my chagrin. Yes, finally a sister in the bunch which doesn’t make this a female or male problem. It’s a sales problem. The messages went like this:
Hi Anthea, reaching out because Gartner is actively tracking technology providers like Outsell so that we can better advise our end-user clients of their options in the space…Given Gartner speaks directly with your buying community, I’d like to show you how we work with providers like Outsell to drive your GTM efforts and identify opportunities you may not already be aware of.
Are you available next week to meet?
All the best,
GartGuy
Business Development Representative | Gartner Inc.
I hate to break it to GartGuy but they don’t speak to my buying community. I decide not to respond. One week later from the same person:
Anthea, Gartner has identified Outsell as a great fit to engage our analysts for thought leadership and strategic insight, particularly in the Emerging Technologies & Services channel, which is now the fastest-growing channel within Gartner. Are you available for a few minutes next week? I will be sure to bring the latest research we have in the marketing space.
All the best,
GartGuy
Business Development Representative | Gartner Inc.
Honestly, I’m not even sure what engaging our analysts for thought-leadership and strategic insight even means especially in the context of an emerging technology & services channel.
He’s also raising the marketing space and while we all wish to market better it feels like one big non-sequitur.
And then somehow GartGal kicks in as if her message is intended to be some extension of his because she refers to ‘last question’ like we were somehow continuing a dialog… adding to the feeling of some tangential set of messages none of which felt remotely linked.
Are we spraying and praying here? I have no idea but none of this feels good or relevant and I’m disappointed in Gartner just like I am Thomson Reuters when I hear from her:
Hi Anthea — Last question, would you be opposed to seeing the latest research around Outsell and your related tech space, as well as how Gartner analysts are advising your buying community on the vendors best suited for their needs?
We’ve seen a spike in end-user demand this month, which is why I’ve reached out…
Might we find a few minutes next week to discuss?
Best,
GartGal
(No title — she must be a machine! I think.) But there is a link to meet with her. I decide not to. Honestly, I’m tempted. I want to see where this leads. How they sound. What they say, and if they have any idea who they are talking with when they finally do land a call. Do they do their homework? Do they give ChatGPT and Claude a whirl and find out more about me or Outsell?
It’s a big mystery to me how any sales are getting done in this day and age, if this is the best our industry’s best can do. They give me a chance to unsubscribe, but I don’t. This is research after all about how industry firms do their bidding. I want to see more.
I am tempted to run, not walk to Christine, our partner at M3 Learning, and send her a lead. They need training.
Next week be on the lookout for insight from our Q3 sales benchmark and how 2025 sales performance is evolving. We complete this important benchmark each quarter (open to all industry participants) and for clients who participate we host meetings to discuss results and what leaders can do to sharpen the saw and improve sales outcomes. The sales engine always needs stoking and there is always room to improve.
The Outsell Sales Benchmark findings provide clear evidence that business leaders want (need!) sharper, more effective sales teams — and yes, tech and AI are part of that story. But it’s not about replacing people with machines; it’s about empowering them to sell smarter, faster, and with more precision and to leave bad habits like these emails out of the picture.
To learn more contact us and happy selling. Meanwhile please take a look at your marketing outreach. We must do better!