en

Services

We understand that no two organisations are the same. Find out more about how we've customised our talent solutions to help clients in Hong Kong meet their needs.

Read more
Jobs

Let our industry specialists listen to your aspirations and present your story to the organisations in Hong Kong that fit you the best as we collaborate to write the next chapter of your successful career.

See all jobs
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your career ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more
Services

We understand that no two organisations are the same. Find out more about how we've customised our talent solutions to help clients in Hong Kong meet their needs.

Read more
About Robert Walters Hong Kong

Since our establishment in 1997, our belief remains the same: Building strong relationships with people is vital in a successful partnership.

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters Hong Kong

Learn more

Sales and marketing specialist

If you are a sales and marketing professional, it is important to know how the sales and marketing functions have evolved in recent years.

Traditionally, the marketing departments of businesses were responsible for product design, identifying demographics, designing promotions, advertising and enabling the sales force with tools for their "go to market" strategy. If you are a sales and marketing professional, it is important to know how the sales and marketing functions have evolved in recent years.

Merging of the Sales and Marketing function

While many large businesses still operate within the traditional "marketing then sales" model, most small to mid-sized businesses have merged these two functions into one.

This has led to the rise of the “sales marketing specialist”. There are several advantages to merging the two. Most notably, it has created new and exciting career opportunities for creative thinking sales professionals who wish to benefit from the advantages of a dual-role position.

Multiple career paths

When experienced sales professionals are employed as sales marketing specialists, they bring the crucial missing piece that can make or break a marketing plan.

However, the possibility of multiple career paths also creates the potential for either one’s sales or marketing skills to wane, unless your position is one that places consistent demands on both your marketing and sales skills.

Employers should be aware of this potential risk and design job positions that reflect the university degree system commonly known as the "major-minor." This means that no employee should be 100% focused on sales or marketing, but should have a 3:1 split focusing on either marketing or sales at any one point of the career; with a ratio changing to suit varying needs.

Great talent retention strategy

Talent retention has become a key issue faced by many organisations today. With a sales marketing specialist role positioned as a prospective career advancement opportunity, employers are better positioned to both attract and retain quality employees.

While the typical career path for sales professionals is usually as follows: sales representative, followed by sales manager and finally sales director; blending marketing with sales creates multiple advancement paths.

Creating a combined role also creates a value add for employees and companies to benefit from the cross-training of mid and senior level executives. Visit our dedicated Sales & Marketing Jobs in Hong Kong page.

Take a look at our top pick of importance of a work-life balance.

 

Share this article

Useful links

Sign up for job alerts
Salary Survey
Career Advice
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View all
What a good sales professional needs

A good sales person doesn’t just sell something – this professional establishes long-lasting relationships with their clients and keeps them coming back for more. In this article we provide the top tips you can take to becoming a good sales professional. You can sell As a sales professional, the bot

Read More
A great sales CV

Your CV is obviously a vital tool in your job search to getting your foot in the door with an employer. It provides you with an opportunity to sell your skills and market yourself as someone a hiring business would want to meet. But what makes a great CV? Relevant detail As a sales professional, you

Read More
How to increase sales in a slow market

When working in sales one of the most difficult challenges is continuing to hit your targets when the market is slow. Following the economic downturn, many professionals saw a significant decrease in their sales. Here we look at key hints to help increase your sales during a slow market. Highlight y

Read More

I'm Robert Walters, Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.