Questions we're often asked
How working with C3 Sales & Consulting works, what it costs, and what happens to your data. If your question isn't here, call us on +44 (0)1625 380820 or book a meeting.
Working with us
How do we get started?
With a meeting. We talk through your business, your prospects and customers, and where you want to grow, then agree in writing the customers, industries, sectors and regions to focus on. We research the companies and the people to contact, and start the conversations.
Are you a call centre or telemarketing agency?
No. We're not a volume call centre and we don't read from rigid scripts. Our calls are about building relationships. We speak to your prospects and customers in your company's name, take the time to understand your products, and talk to engineers and buyers in their own language.
Will you really understand our industry?
Yes. Most of our clients are manufacturing and engineering businesses, although we are happy to talk to other businesses too. Mark has over 40 years in technical, commercial and leadership roles, selling high value, engineered to order solutions into oil and gas, power, process, subsea and wider industrial markets. We understand how buying decisions are made in your world.
We've used consultants before and it didn't work. How are you different?
We're not slide deck consultants. We don't review your sales, hand over a report and walk away. We build the plan with you, then do the work: the outreach, following up enquiries and quotes, and building a pipeline you can rely on.
Can you help us enter new markets or find new types of customer?
Yes. A big part of our work is helping businesses rely less on a few customers or one market. We agree the priority sectors and ideal customers with you, build focused target lists and run the outreach to open doors. We can also act as your sales team in key territories, having the conversations and attending meetings on your behalf.
Will you sign an NDA?
Yes, happily. Confidentiality is standard for us: we never name a client without their written permission, and your quotes, prices and customers stay between us. The only client we name on this website is one that has given us written permission.
Is the outreach in our name?
Yes. Calls, emails and LinkedIn messages go out on your behalf, so your prospects and customers always know who is getting in touch and why.
How will we know what's been done?
You get regular reports, a live pipeline showing where every prospect and customer is, and a sales forecast you can plan around. We send a report every week on every open quote, a monthly report pack with your forecast, lost orders and orders won, and minutes after every meeting with you. Above all we keep talking to you, not just once a month. It's where our name comes from. C3 stands for Communication, Communication, Communication.
What do you need from us?
Accurate information about your business, products, pricing and markets, plus any training, marketing material and technical information we need to represent you properly. The better the information, the better the conversations.
Can you agree prices or sign orders for us?
No. You keep full control of pricing, quotations, contracts and delivery. We open the doors and follow up, and you agree the terms with your customers.
Do we need a CRM?
No. We record every prospect, customer, call, email, quote and order on our own pipeline as it happens, and send you regular reports, so you can see where everything stands without one.
Agreements and fees
How is it charged?
An agreed number of days each month, invoiced monthly in arrears for the time worked, plus any expenses. Some agreements also include commission on sales. The first invoice is due when the agreement is signed, and after that invoices are payable within seven days. Fees are plus VAT.
How long is the agreement?
Agreements start with a fixed initial term, usually three or six months, so there's time to build a proper pipeline. Before the end of it we review progress together. If you'd like to carry on, we extend the agreement, and after that either side can end it by giving notice as set out in the agreement.
Do you guarantee results?
No, and we'd be wary of anyone who does. We work with reasonable skill and care and do everything we can to win you business, but results also depend on things like your market, your products, your pricing and how quickly you can follow up.
Who owns the prospect lists and data?
You do. The prospect lists, contact records and pipeline data we build for you belong to you, and you have full access to them during and after the agreement. Our own methods and tools stay ours.
Do you work with other clients?
Yes, we work with several manufacturing and engineering businesses at the same time, in the UK and overseas. Everything you share with us is kept confidential and is never shared with other clients.
How do you handle data protection?
All our outreach follows UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and PECR. We only use business contact details from legitimate business databases and publicly available sources, and anyone who asks not to be contacted again is removed straight away.
What about travel and expenses?
If you'd like us to attend meetings or visits in person, reasonable travel expenses are charged at cost, with receipts.