Tag Archives: forecasting

Real-Life Examples of Bookings and Revenue Forecasts

Monday, December 21st, 2009

In two previous posts, I discussed the need for a bookings and a revenue forecast and how to create those two types of forecast. But sometimes the easiest way to learn about something is to hear how others are doing it.

So, here are a few real-life examples of companies driving their business on a bookings forecast and a revenue forecast. (more…)

Creating a Bookings Forecast and Revenue Forecast

Monday, December 14th, 2009

I recently blogged on the need for both a bookings forecast and a revenue forecast. Now that we understand the difference and need for both types of sales forecasts, let’s talk about how to create them. While every organization is different in how they utilize bookings and revenue terms, here are a few steps you can follow to ensure you don’t miss anything critical.
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Is Your Sales Forecast a Bookings Forecast or a Revenue Forecast?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Revenue and bookings forecast. Why do we forecast? So that a VP of Sales can yell at his team to produce more?

Actually, no.

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Sales Forecasting Pain and Success: It Starts with the Process

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

For most organizations, sales forecasting is a time-consuming painful process that results in very little value. As stated in a blog I recently read, the typical process goes something like:

  1. Collect the forecast from sales reps, and assemble in a spreadsheet
  2. Roll-up forecast to managers who apply their subjective judgment
  3. Roll-up manager forecast to VPs who apply their own personal bias
  4. Roll-up the VP forecast to executives, who change it because it is too low
  5. Hand over the forecast to operations and finance who toss it in the garbage because they don’t trust it and it’s not timely enough to make an impact to production or planning.

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