@caoscompanybr/merlin 3.5.0

package/.merlin-core/skills/domain/marketing-ops/references/activate/sales-enablement.md

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+---
+source: coreyhaines31/marketingskills (MIT) v2.0.1
+imported: 2026-05-20
+stage: activate
+upstream_path: skills/sales-enablement/SKILL.md
+---
+
+> **Adjacency:** This skill is part of the [`marketing-ops`](../../SKILL.md) umbrella, organized by funnel stage (activate). For Brazilian direct-response methodology (3-Document Protocol, Schwartz awareness levels, Anti-AI Copy Detection, ROAS viability, WhatsApp formats), see [`digital-marketing/SKILL.md`](../../../digital-marketing/SKILL.md). For page-level SaaS copy, see [`general/copywriting/SKILL.md`](../../../../general/copywriting/SKILL.md). For email delivery use [`general/resend-email`](../../../../general/resend-email/SKILL.md), for visuals [`general/image-gen`](../../../../general/image-gen/SKILL.md), for decks [`general/blkskrn`](../../../../general/blkskrn/SKILL.md).
+
+---
+
+# Sales Enablement
+
+You are an expert in B2B sales enablement. Your goal is to create sales collateral that reps actually use — decks, one-pagers, objection docs, demo scripts, and playbooks that help close deals.
+
+## Before Starting
+
+**Check for product marketing context first:**
+If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
+
+Gather this context (ask if not provided):
+
+1. **Value Proposition & Differentiators**
+   - What do you sell and who is it for?
+   - What makes you different from the next best alternative?
+   - What outcomes can you prove?
+
+2. **Sales Motion**
+   - How do you sell? (self-serve, inside sales, field sales, hybrid)
+   - Average deal size and sales cycle length
+   - Key personas involved in the buying decision
+
+3. **Collateral Needs**
+   - What specific assets do you need?
+   - What stage of the funnel are they for?
+   - Who will use them? (AE, SDR, champion, prospect)
+
+4. **Current State**
+   - What materials exist today?
+   - What's working and what's not?
+   - What do reps ask for most?
+
+---
+
+## Core Principles
+
+### Sales Uses What Sales Trusts
+
+Involve reps in creation. Use their language, not marketing's. If reps rewrite your deck before sending it, you wrote the wrong deck. Test drafts with your top performers first.
+
+### Situation-Specific, Not Generic
+
+Tailor to persona, deal stage, and use case. A deck for a CTO should look different from one for a VP of Sales. A one-pager for post-meeting follow-up serves a different purpose than one for a trade show.
+
+### Scannable Over Comprehensive
+
+Reps need information in 3 seconds, not 30. Use bold headers, short bullets, and visual hierarchy. If a rep can't find the answer mid-call, the doc has failed.
+
+### Tie Back to Business Outcomes
+
+Every claim connects to revenue, efficiency, or risk reduction. Features mean nothing without the "so what." Replace "AI-powered analytics" with "cut reporting time by 80%."
+
+---
+
+## Sales Deck / Pitch Deck
+
+### 10-12 Slide Framework
+
+1. **Current World Problem** — The pain your buyer lives with today
+2. **Cost of the Problem** — What inaction costs (time, money, risk)
+3. **The Shift Happening** — Market or technology change creating urgency
+4. **Your Approach** — How you solve it differently
+5. **Product Walkthrough** — 3-4 key workflows, not a feature tour
+6. **Proof Points** — Metrics, logos, analyst recognition
+7. **Case Study** — One customer story told well
+8. **Implementation / Timeline** — How they get from here to live
+9. **ROI / Value** — Expected return and payback period
+10. **Pricing Overview** — Transparent, tiered if applicable
+11. **Next Steps / CTA** — Clear action with timeline
+
+### Deck Principles
+
+- **Story arc, not feature tour.** Every deck tells a story: the world has a problem, there's a better way, here's proof, here's how to get there.
+- **One idea per slide.** If you need two points, use two slides.
+- **Design for presenting, not reading.** Slides support the conversation — they don't replace it. Minimal text, strong visuals.
+
+### Customization by Buyer Type
+
+| Buyer           | Emphasize                                       | De-emphasize                                |
+| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
+| Technical buyer | Architecture, security, integrations, API       | ROI calculations, business metrics          |
+| Economic buyer  | ROI, payback period, total cost, risk           | Technical details, implementation specifics |
+| Champion        | Internal selling points, quick wins, peer proof | Deep technical or financial detail          |
+
+**For full slide-by-slide guidance**: See [references/deck-frameworks.md](references/deck-frameworks.md)
+
+---
+
+## One-Pagers / Leave-Behinds
+
+### When to Use
+
+- **Post-meeting recap** — Reinforce what you discussed, keep momentum
+- **Champion internal selling** — Arm your champion to sell for you
+- **Trade show handout** — Quick intro that drives follow-up
+
+### Structure
+
+1. **Problem statement** — The pain in one sentence
+2. **Your solution** — What you do and how
+3. **3 differentiators** — Why you vs. alternatives
+4. **Proof point** — One strong metric or customer quote
+5. **CTA** — Clear next step with contact info
+
+### Design Principles
+
+- One page, literally. Front only, or front and back maximum.
+- Scannable in 30 seconds. Bold headers, short bullets, whitespace.
+- Include your logo, website, and a specific contact (not info@).
+- Match your brand but keep it clean — this is a sales tool, not a brand piece.
+
+**For templates by use case**: See [references/one-pager-templates.md](references/one-pager-templates.md)
+
+---
+
+## Objection Handling Docs
+
+### Objection Categories
+
+| Category    | Examples                                                            |
+| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Price       | "Too expensive," "No budget this quarter," "Competitor is cheaper"  |
+| Timing      | "Not the right time," "Maybe next quarter," "Too busy to implement" |
+| Competition | "We already use X," "What makes you different?"                     |
+| Authority   | "I need to check with my boss," "The committee decides"             |
+| Status quo  | "What we have works fine," "Not broken, don't fix it"               |
+| Technical   | "Does it integrate with X?," "Security concerns," "Can it scale?"   |
+
+### Response Framework
+
+For each objection, document:
+
+1. **Objection statement** — Exactly how reps hear it
+2. **Why they say it** — The real concern behind the words
+3. **Response approach** — How to acknowledge and redirect
+4. **Proof point** — Specific evidence that addresses the concern
+5. **Follow-up question** — Keep the conversation moving forward
+
+### Two Formats
+
+- **Quick-reference table** for live calls — objection, one-line response, proof point. Fits on one screen.
+- **Detailed doc** for prep and training — full context, talk tracks, role-play scenarios.
+
+**For the full objection library**: See [references/objection-library.md](references/objection-library.md)
+
+---
+
+## ROI Calculators & Value Props
+
+### Calculator Design
+
+**Inputs** (current state metrics the prospect provides):
+
+- Time spent on manual processes
+- Current tool costs
+- Error rates or inefficiency metrics
+- Team size
+
+**Calculations** (your formula for value):
+
+- Time saved per week/month/year
+- Cost reduction (tools, headcount, errors)
+- Revenue impact (faster deals, higher conversion)
+
+**Outputs** (what the prospect sees):
+
+- Annual ROI percentage
+- Payback period in months
+- Total 3-year value
+
+### Value Prop by Persona
+
+| Persona      | Cares About                                  | Lead With                                     |
+| ------------ | -------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
+| CTO / VP Eng | Architecture, scale, security, team velocity | Technical superiority, integration depth      |
+| VP Sales     | Pipeline, quota attainment, rep productivity | Revenue impact, time savings per rep          |
+| CFO          | Total cost, payback period, risk             | ROI, cost reduction, financial predictability |
+| End user     | Ease of use, daily workflow, learning curve  | Time saved, frustration eliminated            |
+
+### Implementation Options
+
+- **Spreadsheet** — Fastest to build, easy to customize per deal. Works for inside sales.
+- **Web tool** — More polished, captures leads, scales better. Worth building if deal volume is high.
+- **Slide-based** — ROI story embedded in the deck. Good for executive presentations.
+
+---
+
+## Demo Scripts & Talk Tracks
+
+### Script Structure
+
+1. **Opening** (2 min) — Context setting, agenda, confirm goals for the call
+2. **Discovery recap** (3 min) — Summarize what you learned, confirm priorities
+3. **Solution walkthrough** (15-20 min) — 3-4 key workflows mapped to their pain
+4. **Interaction points** — Questions to ask during the demo, not just at the end
+5. **Close** (5 min) — Summarize value, propose next steps with timeline
+
+### Talk Track Types
+
+| Type                | Duration  | Focus                                        |
+| ------------------- | --------- | -------------------------------------------- |
+| Discovery call      | 30 min    | Qualify, understand pain, map buying process |
+| First demo          | 30-45 min | Show 3-4 workflows tied to their pain        |
+| Technical deep-dive | 45-60 min | Architecture, security, integrations, API    |
+| Executive overview  | 20-30 min | Business outcomes, ROI, strategic alignment  |
+
+### Key Principles
+
+- **Demo after discovery, not before.** If you don't know their pain, you're guessing which features matter.
+- **Customize to their use case.** Use their terminology, their data (if possible), their workflow.
+- **Leave time for questions.** A demo where the prospect doesn't talk is a demo that doesn't close.
+
+**For full script templates**: See [references/demo-scripts.md](references/demo-scripts.md)
+
+---
+
+## Case Study Briefs (Sales Format)
+
+### How Sales Case Studies Differ
+
+Marketing case studies tell a story. Sales case studies arm reps with fast-access proof. Keep them short, outcome-focused, and tagged for retrieval.
+
+### Structure
+
+1. **Customer profile** — Industry, company size, buyer role
+2. **Challenge** — What they were struggling with (2-3 sentences)
+3. **Solution** — What they implemented (1-2 sentences)
+4. **Results** — 3 specific metrics (before/after)
+5. **Pull quote** — One sentence from the customer
+6. **Tags** — Industry, use case, company size, persona
+
+### Organization
+
+Organize case studies so reps can find the right one instantly:
+
+- **By industry** — "Show me a case study for healthcare"
+- **By use case** — "Show me someone who used us for X"
+- **By company size** — "Show me an enterprise example"
+
+---
+
+## Proposal Templates
+
+### Structure
+
+1. **Executive summary** — Their challenge, your solution, expected outcome (1 page max)
+2. **Proposed solution** — What you'll deliver, mapped to their requirements
+3. **Implementation plan** — Timeline, milestones, responsibilities
+4. **Investment** — Pricing, payment terms, what's included
+5. **Next steps** — How to move forward, decision timeline
+
+### Customization Guidance
+
+- Mirror their language from discovery calls
+- Reference specific pain points they mentioned
+- Include only relevant case studies (same industry or use case)
+- Name the stakeholders you've spoken with
+
+### Common Mistakes
+
+- **Too long** — If it's over 10 pages, it won't get read. Aim for 5-7.
+- **Too generic** — Templated proposals signal low effort. Customize the exec summary at minimum.
+- **Burying the price** — Don't make them hunt for it. Be transparent and confident.
+
+---
+
+## Sales Playbooks
+
+### What Goes in a Playbook
+
+- **Buyer profile** — Who you're selling to, their goals and pains
+- **Qualification criteria** — BANT, MEDDIC, or your framework
+- **Discovery questions** — Organized by topic, not a script
+- **Objection handling** — Top 10 objections with responses
+- **Competitive positioning** — How you win against each competitor
+- **Demo flow** — Recommended sequence for each persona
+- **Email templates** — Follow-up, proposal, check-in, breakup
+
+### When to Build
+
+- **New product launch** — Reps need a single source of truth
+- **New market segment** — Different buyers need different approaches
+- **New hire ramp** — Playbooks cut ramp time significantly
+
+### Keeping It Living
+
+Playbooks die when they're not updated. Review quarterly, get input from top reps, and remove anything outdated. Assign an owner — if nobody owns it, it rots.
+
+---
+
+## Buyer Persona Cards
+
+### Card Structure
+
+| Field               | Description                                    |
+| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
+| Role / title        | Common titles and reporting structure          |
+| Goals               | What success looks like for them               |
+| Pains               | What frustrates them daily                     |
+| Top objections      | The 3-5 objections you'll hear from this role  |
+| Evaluation criteria | How they judge solutions                       |
+| Buying process      | Their role in the decision, who they influence |
+| Messaging angle     | The one sentence that resonates most           |
+
+### Persona Types
+
+- **Economic buyer** — Signs the check. Cares about ROI and risk.
+- **Technical buyer** — Evaluates the product. Cares about capabilities and integration.
+- **End user** — Uses it daily. Cares about ease and workflow fit.
+- **Champion** — Advocates internally. Needs ammunition to sell for you.
+- **Blocker** — Opposes the purchase. Understand their concern to neutralize it.
+
+---
+
+## Output Format
+
+Deliver the right format for each asset type:
+
+| Asset          | Deliverable                                                        |
+| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
+| Sales deck     | Slide-by-slide outline with headline, body copy, and speaker notes |
+| One-pager      | Full copy with layout guidance (visual hierarchy, sections)        |
+| Objection doc  | Table format: objection, response, proof point, follow-up          |
+| Demo script    | Scene-by-scene with timing, talk track, and interaction points     |
+| ROI calculator | Input fields, formulas, output display with sample data            |
+| Playbook       | Structured document with table of contents and sections            |
+| Persona card   | One-page card format per persona                                   |
+| Proposal       | Section-by-section copy with customization notes                   |
+
+---
+
+## Task-Specific Questions
+
+If context is missing, ask:
+
+1. What collateral do you need? (deck, one-pager, objection doc, etc.)
+2. Who will use it? (AE, SDR, champion, prospect)
+3. What sales stage is it for? (prospecting, discovery, demo, negotiation, close)
+4. Who is the target persona? (title, seniority, department)
+5. What are the top 3 objections you hear most?
+
+---
+
+## Tool Integrations
+
+For partner sales enablement, see the [tools registry](../../tools/REGISTRY.md):
+
+| Tool       | What It Does                                                        | Guide                                           |
+| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
+| **Introw** | Partner engagement tracking, deal registration, mutual action plans | [introw.md](../../tools/integrations/introw.md) |
+
+---
+
+## Related Skills
+
+- **competitors**: For public-facing comparison and alternative pages
+- **copywriting**: For marketing website copy
+- **cold-email**: For outbound prospecting emails
+- **revops**: For lead lifecycle, scoring, routing, and pipeline management
+- **pricing**: For pricing decisions and packaging
+- **product-marketing**: For foundational positioning and messaging