Sales enablement is instrumental in boosting organisational performance. Recognising this, teams continuously search for the right metrics to monitor and refine their sales strategies. In this article, we’ll guide you on pinpointing the most significant metrics for your business, introducing you to the top eleven metrics you should be tracking now, and presenting 62 metrics spanning performance, proficiency, and productivity that will transform how you monitor your business initiatives and drive sales enablement success.
What are Sales Enablement Metrics?
Sales enablement metrics are data points that measure the impact of sales enablement initiatives. These metrics help businesses track sales progress and make data-driven decisions to improve sales team performance.
Importance of Sales Enablement Metrics
Sales enablement metrics provide a foundation for data-driven sales enablement strategies. When leaders analyse these metrics, they can identify trends, strengths, and weaknesses in people and processes. This allows them to make informed decisions about what works and doesn’t.
How to Identify, Benchmark, and Analyse Sales Enablement Metrics
Before collecting endless amounts of data, it is important to identify the metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter. Key sales metrics should always be tied to your primary business objectives. For example, measuring month-to-month revenue growth may be significant, improvable, and directly linked to changeable behaviours.
To identify and analyse marketing, enablement, and sales KPIs:
- Define sales enablement objectives – Outline sales enablement goals, such as improving seller productivity, shortening sales cycles, improving customer engagement, or increasing deal sizes.
- Identify relevant metrics – What metrics will measure the success of your objectives? Be sure to identify metrics that your sales enablement initiatives influence.
- Determine a baseline for comparison – Measure the current state of your metrics and KPIs. This will allow you to benchmark, track progress and directly measure sales enablement initiative impact.
- Gather data – Utilise sales enablement tools and CRM solutions to collect and organise the appropriate data.
- Define achievable targets – What is your desired end goal? Set realistic targets that you expect your team can achieve.
- Analyse data – Monitor the data for trends – both improvements and declines.
- Refine initiatives – Adjust your initiatives based on whether they are working.
- Share marketing, enablement, and sales results – Communicate metrics with stakeholders and team members, celebrate success, and brainstorm opportunities for improvement.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Sales Enablement Metrics
Qualitative metrics come from personal opinions, experiences, and observations. In contrast, quantitative metrics rely on concrete and measurable numbers. By tracking both, businesses gain a complete sales performance picture.
For example, qualitative measurements include staff and customer feedback and win/loss analysis. They provide insights that are often anecdotal but help identify areas for improvement. Quantitative metrics include quota attainment, average deal size, and conversion rates. They support data-driven decision-making. Businesses can gain a holistic view of their sales performance and make informed decisions by measuring qualitative and quantitative sales enablement metrics.
Metrics your Enablement and Sales Team Should Track
Every business has unique metric needs, but some standard sales enablement metrics can help gauge your return on investment (ROI) in sales enablement programs and tools. The only way to know if your sales organisation is succeeding is by tracking the right metrics.
Top 11 Sales Enablement Metrics
Sales enablement leaders have access to more data than ever before. Below are the top eleven sales enablement metrics that every business should keep tabs on to inform decision-making.
Time to Productivity
Time to productivity measures a new sales rep’s time to reach their full performance potential. It’s important to define what ‘productivity’ means and identify related indicators to determine when a new sales rep consistently meets that criteria. Implement periodic checkpoints and evaluations to assess their progress.
Time to Productivity = Days to train + Days to onboard + Days of shadow experience + Days of hands-on experience
Seller Engagement with Content
Seller engagement with content measures how frequently sales representatives interact with the sales enablement content. This important metric helps identify marketing collateral that works and doesn’t.
Seller Engagement with Content = (Total interactions with a piece of content / Number of content pieces) / Number of sales reps
Content Usage and Effectiveness
Content usage and effectiveness looks at how often sales enablement content is used by the sales team and its impact on sales performance, specifically deals.
Content Effectiveness = (Number of closed deals influenced by content / Total number of deals) x 100
Sales Cycle Length
Sales cycle length is the average time for sales reps to move a prospect from initial contact to a closed deal. Monitoring this key metric helps set sales targets and forecast revenue. You will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the resources needed to acquire each customer and identify opportunities for improvement in sales processes.
Length of your Sales Cycle = Total number of days to close every sale / Total number of closed deals
Win Rate
Win rate is the percentage of sales opportunities that result in a successful deal. This metric provides information about sales processes that work and don’t, sellers more likely to close deals, and other trends in deal closure.
Win Rate = (Number of deals won / Total number of opportunities) x 100
Quota Attainment
Quota attainment tracks the percentage of sales reps that meet or exceed their assigned sales targets. Monitor this metric to identify sales coaching needs and sales reps that can demonstrate best practices.
Quota Attainment = (Number of sales reps that achieve quota / Total number of sales reps) x 100
Revenue Generated Per Sales Rep
Revenue generated per sales rep is each sales rep’s average revenue during a specific period. This helps measure individual sales rep performance.
Revenue Per Sales Rep = Total revenue generated / Number of sales reps
Customer Retention Rate (CRR)
CRR measures the number of customers a company retains over a specific period. This indicates business health because retaining customers leads to repeat business.
CRR = Total number of customers at the end of a period (week, month, or quarter) / Total number of customers
Upsell Rates
Upsell rates measure the percentage of existing customers who purchase additional products or services. Upsells are one of the easiest ways to boost revenue. Monitor this metric to identify opportunities to change upsell offerings and pricing strategy.
Upsell Rate = (Number of upsell deals / Total number of sales) x 100
Seller Satisfaction
Seller satisfaction is a qualitative measure of sellers’ satisfaction with their job, sales training, resources, and overall work environment. This can be gathered from survey data.
Seller Satisfaction = (Total satisfaction score from employee survey / Maximum possible score) x 100
Turnover Rate
Turnover rate is similar to employee churn rate. It’s the percentage of sales reps that leave the company during a specific period. This key metric indicates problems or success with sales rep satisfaction.
Turnover Rate = (Number of sales reps who left / Average number of sales reps during the period) x 100
Three P’s of Sales Enablement Metrics
There are three primary categories of measuring sales and marketing team output, also known as the three Ps of sales enablement metrics. They include, performance, proficiency, and productivity. You’ll better understand overall sales enablement efforts by tracking metrics across these three areas.
Performance Metrics
Performance metrics focus on the outcomes of the sales process, such as win rate, closing ratio, quota attainment, and revenue generated.
Revenue by Product
Revenue by product measures the total revenue generated from the sale of a product or product category.
Revenue by Product = Sum of all product sales
Percentage of Revenue From New Business
The percentage of revenue from new business refers to the proportion of the total revenue from new customers.
Percentage of Revenue From New Business = (Revenue from new customers / Total revenue) x 100
Year Over Year Growth
Year over Year Growth measures the percentage increase in revenue (or number of customers) from one year to the next.
Year Over Year Growth = (Current year revenue – Previous year revenue) / Previous year revenue) x 100
Percentage of Revenue From Existing Customers
This metric measures the amount of your total revenue from existing customers through repeat add-on sales and services.
Percentage of Revenue from Existing Customers = (Revenue from existing customers / Total revenue) x 100
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
NPS evaluates customer loyalty through a willingness to recommend your company’s products or services on a zero to ten scale. The heart of NPS lies in the question, “How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or colleague?”
Net Promoter Score = Percent of Promoters (9-10 rating) – Percent of Detractors (0-6 rating)
Market Penetration
Market penetration is the percentage of the total potential market that your company has captured. Use this measurement to plan for future growth.
Market Penetration = (Number of your customers / Total potential customers) x 100
Customer Lifetime Value
Customer lifetime value is the total revenue your company can expect from a single customer throughout its relationship with your company.
Customer Lifetime Value = (Average purchase value x number of purchases) x Average customer lifespan
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
CAC is the total cost of acquiring a new customer, including all marketing and sales expenses.
CAC = Total cost of sales and marketing / Total number of new customers acquired
Average Selling Price or Contract Value
The average selling price is the average amount a customer spends per contract.
Average Selling Price = Total revenue from contracts / Total number of contracts
Conversion Rate by Sales Funnel Stage
The conversion rate by sales funnel stage is the percentage of prospects that convert to customers at each stage.
Funnel Conversion Rate = Number of conversions (at a particular funnel stage) / Total number of leads (at that same funnel stage) x 100
Number Of Deals Lost to Competition
This metric calculates the number of sales opportunities that are lost to competitors. This is a key metric for product planning using competitive intelligence.
Number of Deals Lost to Competition = Total number of deals lost to competitors
Discounting Percentage
Discounting percentage is the average reduction in price given across all deals or deals in specified categories, such as industry vertical. Discount percentage helps impact future pricing decisions.
Discounting Percentage = (Total discount amount / Original total price) x 100
Proficiency Metrics
Proficiency metrics measure the skills and competencies of your sales force. These may include the time a seller takes to onboard, their ability to use sales tools and content, the time it takes to close their first deal, and their mastery of sales techniques.
Time to Ramp
Ramp time is the time it takes for a new seller to become fully productive in their role. When sales reps ramp quickly, companies reduce costs and increase revenue more quickly.
Time to Ramp = Date when sales rep becomes fully productive – Date when sales rep was hired
Time to Quota Attainment
Time to quota attainment is when a sales rep meets their sales targets or quotas. Faster quota attainment results from efficient sales processes and leads to more rapid revenue generation.
Time to Quota Attainment = Date when target or quota is met – Date when quota was assigned
Time to First Deal
The time to first deal is the period between when a sales rep begins their role and when they close their first deal. A shorter time is indicative of high-quality sales training and onboarding.
Time to First Deal = Date of first closed deal – Date of hire
Time Spent in Sales Onboarding Sessions
Time spent onboarding measures a new seller’s total time in onboarding sessions. While allocating sufficient time for onboarding is crucial, it’s equally important to keep an eye on any representative significantly exceeding the average onboarding time.
Time Spent on Pre-Boarding Activities
Time spent pre-boarding is the total time a new sales rep spends on activities before starting their role. A well-managed pre-boarding process can reduce early attrition and increase employee retention.
Time to First Meeting
The time to a sales rep’s first meeting is the time between the sales rep’s start date and their first client meeting. A shorter time indicates a faster grasp of sales processes.
Time to First Meeting = Date of first meeting – Seller hire date
Time Spent in New-Hire Orientation
Time spent in orientation includes the hours a new seller spends in orientation sessions as part of the onboarding and training program. An overly lengthy orientation might indicate redundancy in the process, while a short orientation may leave new hires ill-prepared for their roles.
Time to Second Deal
The time to a second deal is the period between a seller’s first and subsequent deals. The shorter time to second deals indicates consistent performance.
Time to Second Deal = Date of second deal closed – Date of first deal closed
Team Performance by Manager
Team performance by manager measures the team’s collective output grouped by their respective managers. This metric can help identify high and under-performing teams, guiding training and coaching improvement opportunities.
Progress on Seller Goals
Progress on seller goals measures how well a sales rep achieves performance goals. Monitoring this metric helps identify training and coaching needs early on.
Competency Improvement
Competency improvement monitors the increase in seller’s skills and knowledge over time.
Competency Improvement = Current competency level – Previous competency level
Call Evaluations
Call evaluations assess the quality of sales calls to identify strengths and improvement opportunities.
Behaviour Change
This metric measures changes in behaviours after training and coaching. Behaviour changes may be good or bad, indicating a need for additional coaching or coaching success.
Time Spent Coaching
The time spent coaching metric includes the total time spent coaching sales reps. This metric can reveal whether sales reps receive adequate support and coaching to meet their sales targets.
Frequency of Coaching
The frequency of coaching measures the number of coaching sessions hosted within a specific period.
Frequency of Coaching = Number of coaching sessions / Time period
Number of Training Sessions Delivered
The number of training sessions delivered counts all training sessions over a specific period. Too little training time could result in underperformance and missed opportunities, while excessive training might indicate issues with the sales rep’s learning or performance.
Percentage of Completed Sessions
The percentage of completed training sessions measures completed sessions compared to those planned or started. High completion rates indicate effective training strategies.
Percentage of Completed Sessions = (Number of completed training sessions / Total planned sessions) x 100
Qualitative Feedback on Learning Activities
This qualitative metric evaluates comments obtained through surveys and interviews about the quality of and experience with learning activities.
Number of Participants
This metric counts the individuals that attended a learning or training activity. A high number of participants indicates a broader training program reach.
Number of Certified Sellers
The total number of certified sellers measures the count of sellers that have successfully completed a formal certification program.
Seller Retention
Seller retention is the proportion of sales reps that remained in their job at the company over a specific period. High seller retention indicates quality onboarding, training, and employee satisfaction.
Seller Retention = (Number of sellers at the end of the period – number of new hires during a period) / Number of sellers at the start of the period x 100
Cost of Learning Sessions
The cost of learning sessions considers all expenses associated with training or other learning activities, including material, facilities, and personnel. This metric assesses the cost-effectiveness of training programs. Alternatives, such as different training providers or methods, can be explored if costs are excessively high.
Productivity Metrics
Productivity metrics monitor the efficiency of your sales reps and the sales process. They can include time spent selling, sales cycle length, and the number of customer meetings.
Time Spent on Sales Activities
Time spent on selling activities tracks the cumulative time sellers invest in selling. These activities link directly to revenue generation.
Quantity of High-Quality Leads
The quantity of high-quality leads measures the total number of potential customers likely to convert to sales. This metric indicates the success of marketing and targeting strategies, and can identify areas for improvement.
Time Spent Preparing for Sales Meetings
Knowing how much time sales reps spend preparing for sales meetings is important. This metric is the cumulative time sellers invest in meeting preparation. Too much time preparing reduces the time available for actual selling activities. Conversely, not enough time preparing can negatively impact closing deals.
Time Spent Searching for Content
The time salespeople spend searching for content tracks the time a sales rep spends searching for content or information. High-quality content management will minimise this time, improve productivity, and leave more time for selling activities.
Time Spent Creating Content
This metric tracks the total time a rep spends editing or crafting new sales content, such as emails, presentations, and proposals.
Time Spent on Manual Data Entry
The time spent on manual data entry calculates the total time sellers spend on manual data tasks. Minimising this time improves productivity and leaves more time for selling activities.
Lead Conversion Rate
Lead conversion rate is the proportion of leads that convert into customers. A high conversion rate indicates that the company’s lead generation and nurturing strategies are working well.
Lead Conversion Rate = (Number of leads converted / Total number of leads) x 100
Opportunity Conversion Rate
Opportunity conversion rate calculates the proportion of sales opportunities that convert into customers. A high opportunity conversion rate indicates a good sales process and competent sales team. A low rate signifies potential issues in the sales process, such as poor lead qualification, problematic sales techniques, or a mismatch between the product/service and market needs.
Opportunities Conversion Rate = (Number of opportunities converted / Total number of opportunities) x 100
Email Open Rate
The email open rate measures the percentage of sent emails the recipient opens. Low open rates are indicative of poor subject lines and the bad timing of email delivery.
Email Open Rate = (Number of emails opened / Total number of emails) x 100
Email Response Rate
The email response rate metric quantifies the percentage of sent emails that receive a response, such as clicking a link, replying, or performing another action. A low response rate indicates problems with content or relevance.
Email Response Rate = (Number of emails responded to / Total number of emails sent) x 100
Meeting Completion Rate
The meeting completion rate tracks the percentage of scheduled sales meetings the sales rep completes. A high rate indicates that both the sales team and the prospects are committed and that the meetings are scheduled at suitable times.
Meeting Completion Rate = (Number of meetings completed / Total number of meetings scheduled) x 100
Call Completion Rate
The call completion rate tracks the percentage of scheduled sales calls the sales rep completes. This metric measures how many calls result in meaningful interaction as opposed to being unanswered, dropped, or resulting in voicemail.
Call Completion Rate = (Number of calls completed / Total number of calls scheduled) x 100
Customer Referrals
Customer referral measures the frequency of existing customers referring new customers to your organisation. This metric indicates customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Customer Referrals = (Number of referred customers during a given period / Total new customers during the same time period) x 100
Buyer Engagement
Buyer engagement evaluates the frequency of customers interacting with your product, service, or company. These actions may include using your product, reading content, liking social media posts, spending time on the website, and participating in user forums.
Buyer Engagement = Total engagement activities / Total active users
Demo Completion Rate
Demo completion rate is the percentage of users that complete a product demonstration. This metric indicates interest in your product and the quality of the demo.
Demo Completion Rate = (Number of completed demos / Number of started demos) x 1
Customer Satisfaction (CSAT)
CSAT measures customer satisfaction with your product, service, or company. This metric is typically calculated by asking customers to rate their satisfaction on a survey scale of 1-5.
CSAT = Total number of satisfied customers (score of 4 or 5) / Total number of answers
Sales enablement metrics are pivotal for evaluating and improving sales rep performance. They are rich in customer and sales rep behaviour, satisfaction, and engagement data. They provide insights that can guide better sales team’s training and coaching programs so sales reps can engage with customers more effectively and close more deals. Socialising the results, both favourable and unfavourable, with all stakeholders is vital to maintaining alignment and collaboration across the organisation.
By regularly analysing and adjusting, sales leaders and the sales enablement team can alter sales strategy and initiatives to fit current needs. This guarantees data-driven decisions, maintains your competitive edge, and facilitates swift adaptation to evolving market dynamics and customer requirements.
By executing sales enablement strategies using data, you can reach even the most ambitious goals. Book a demo with Highspot today to see how our sales enablement platform can help you reach your numbers.
