Customer Acquisition Assessment  
       
  Take the customer acquisition proficiency assessment to see how well your organization is doing in developing and executing its customer acquisition marketing plans, programs and activities.   
  Instructions
       
  Select your level of agreement with the statements made below regarding customer acquisition marketing processes and practices in your organization.  If the statement does not apply to your industry or business model, select "0" which is the default value from the drop down list, so that it is not counted in your overall score.  There is a reset button at the BOTTOM of the assessment.  Select the RESET button to clear all of your answers.  You can also print a copy of this quiz by clicking the PRINT button at the bottom of the quiz.  You can elect to save your work in the browser and come back to it later when you have time to complete the assessment.

The assessment is broken down into sections with headings that generally apply to the statement made in that section.  This is done for ease of use so you can take the time you need to complete the overall assessment and complete one section at a time when you have the time.  To close a section, check the box to the right of the section heading.  To open the section, uncheck the box.  The default is all sections are initially open.  Click the RESET Button at the bottom to open all sections, but remember you will clear all of your entries.

Again, keep in mind that this assessment was developed for B2B, B2C and non profit organizations, so some of the statements may not apply to your business or situation.  In that case, leave the answer as non applicable.  All statements are initially set as non applicable, so you need to answer all that apply to your business in order to get an accurate score.  Your score will be based on completing all sections of the assessment.  There are a total of 230 statements that can be scored.  Like any assessment, the higher your score, the better your performance.  But, the in depth nature of this assessment will allow you to identify minor as well as major problem areas where you can take remedial actions that can improve your overall customer acquisition efforts.
 
       
    Scoring System            
       
    Answer --------------- Points  
    Not Applicable (NA) ---------------------  0       
    Strongly Disagree ---------------------  1       
    Disagree ---------------------  2       
    Somewhat Agree ---------------------  3       
    Agree ---------------------  4       
    Strongly Agree ---------------------  5       
       
Marketing planning / management
   
  1 We have documented our USP.
  2 We have a marketing plan with a section that addresses customer acquisition.
  3 Our organization and processes are structured around our customers to better serve them.
  4 Our sales and marketing programs are customer-centric (provide a positive experience before and after the sale).
  5 We can quickly adapt to changes in the market that impact customer acquisition/recruitment efforts.
  6 Our sales team has input into the development of marketing programs aimed at new customer prospects.
  7 Our customer service team has input into the development of marketing programs aimed at new customer prospects.
  8 Our sales team  has input into the creation of marketing materials (e.g. sales brochures, catalogs, website, print, social media and broadcast advertisements, etc.)
  9 Our customer service team  has input into the creation of marketing materials (e.g. sales brochures, catalogs, website, print, social media and broadcast advertisements, etc.)
  10 We have a referral program in place to acquire new customers
  11 We have a partner go-to-market marketing program to generate new customers.
  12 We use affiliates to acquire new customers
  13 We have documented sell against strategies for our primary competitors.
  14 We know what advantages or disadvantages of our company and products/services are in the prospective customers' eyes.
  15 We have calculated the Life Time Value (CLV - customer lifetime value) of our customers so we know what we can afford to spend to acquire a new customer.
    Market analysis  
   
  16 We use information that we gather about our best customers to target customer acquisition efforts.      
  17 We have done market opportunity analysis so we know how large our target markets are and the sales opportunity they represent.
  18 We know the demographics (firmographics) of our target markets.
  19 We monitor market trends that impact our business and target markets.
  20 We do target market segmentation and analysis.
  21 We know who our target audience is.
  22 We develop market segment profiles.
  23 We have formal profiles of our target markets.
  24 We have identified segments within our target audience that offer us the greatest opportunity for success.
  25 We have identified and understand the typical customer's purchasing process.
  26 We know what the key decision criteria used by our target audiences to make a purchase decision.
  27 We know what the key issues are of our target markets.
  28 We know what the target audiences' perceptions are of our organization and its products/services.
  29 We know who are the external influencers (trade, public figures, etc.) are for our target markets.
  30 We know who the internal decision makers and influencers are for our target markets.
  31 We know why the target audiences will buy our products/services.
    Acquisition planning  
   
  32 We have a customer acquisition strategy.
  33 We have formal customer acquisition plan and programs.
  34 We have a formal customer acquisition process review.
  35 We have documented the stages in the buying process that each buyer goes through.
  36 We have a formal lead generation strategy and plan with supporting budgets and forecasts. 
  37 We have a universally accepted definition of what constitutes a lead, qualified lead, opportunity, etc.
  38 We have an "optimum contact strategy" for our prospects.    
  39 We know what our sales (closing) cycle is from point of lead generation to closing a sale.
  40 We are effective at developing special offers to attract new prospect leads.
  41 We know what it costs to acquire a new customer.
  42 We are constantly striving to lower our lead generation costs.
  43 We are constantly striving to lower our customer acquisition costs.
    Sales and marketing organization involvement   
   
  44 Our marketing department is responsible for training sales and service personnel on upcoming marketing programs, campaigns, and offers.
  45 We have dedicated marketing/sales management team that works exclusively with new prospects.      
  46 Our sales team is thoroughly educated on all promotional efforts before they runs, including: media selection; samples of advertisements; detailed explanation of offers; etc.     
  47 Our sales team has input into the development of marketing materials (e.g. sales brochures, catalogs, website, print and broadcast advertisements, etc.)
  48 Our sales team has input into the development of marketing programs aimed at our customers.
  49 Our sales team is involved in the development of all lead generation/customer acquisition programs.      
  50 Our sales team is happy with the QUALITY of leads generated from our customer acquisition efforts.      
  51 Our sales team is happy with the QUANTITY of qualified leads that are generated from our customer acquisition efforts.  
    Customer relationship management  
   
  52 We have a CRM system.
  53 We are satisfied with our CRM system.
  54 We are satisfied with our CRM processes and programs.
  55 Our CRM system is accessible by EVERYONE within our organization.
  56 We capture ALL customer interactions (transactions, services, communications) in our CRM system.
  57 We collect customer financial, lifestyle, psychographic, and demographic information from internal and external sources and use this information to acquire customers.
  58 We capture ALL customer contacts in our CRM system.
  59 We use our CRM system to its fullest capabilities.
  60 We have a CRM strategy to improve communications and services with prospects and customers.
  61 We are satisfied with our processes for managing the relationship with prospective customers from the point of initial contact through their first purchase.    
    Messaging  
   
  62 We have documented and confirmed the customer's buying process (all steps and information required at each step).
  63 We have determined and documented our customer/target markets preferred information delivery methods.
  64 We have a formal customer acquisition messaging plan.
  65 We have developed buyer personas that we use in our customer acquisition messaging.
  66 We have mapped out the messaging for each stage in the buying process for each identified persona type.
  67 We constantly analyze current customers to identify our best customers.
  68 We develop profiles / personas of our best customers
  69 We use buyer personas for our marketing campaigns.
  70 We develop supporting messaging plans for customer personas.
  71 We develop customer journey maps for our customers and target market prospects.
  72 We have a formalized messaging plan for the prospect/lead to customer/buyer journey.
  73 We have determined and documented content requirements for each audience and step in the buying process.
  74 We have developed a contact strategy for contacting prospective buyers at specific times based on their action or inaction to earlier communications.
  75 We have an editorial calendar for producing and delivering content.
  76 We have regular ongoing communications programs with our prospects.
  77 We have tested and documented key product/service messages for each customer need, issue and capability.
  78 We make it easy for prospective customers to get information about programs, services and our institution via EMAIL.
  79 We make it easy for prospective customers to get information about programs, services and our institution via MAIL.
  80 We make it easy for prospective customers to get information about programs, services and our institution via our WEBSITE.
  81 We make it easy for prospective customers to get information about programs, services and our institution via SOCIAL MEDIA (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) on the Internet.
  82 We make it easy for prospective customers to get information about programs, services and our institution via TELEPHONE.
  83 We make it easy for prospective customers to get information about programs, services and our institution via MOBILE.
    Lead generation / management processes  
   
  84 We constantly review our processes in order to improve and provide greater value to prospective customers.      
  85 Marketing and Sales mapped out and agreed to our lead management processes.
  86 We have a planned and prioritized lead nurturing and qualification process for inquiries.
  87 We have documented our lead generation, qualification and nurturing process.
  88 We have a formal process for qualifying leads.
  89 We have a formal training program for all departments and staff that interact with prospects to ensure consistent levels of service.
  90 We have a process for managing the relationship with prospective customers from the point of initial contact through their first purchase and delivery.
  91 We have an efficient process of managing relationships with qualified buyers in order to increase conversion rates.    
  92 We make our new account signup process as painless as possible for the new customer.
    Lead generation programs / activities  
   
  93 We know all of the stakeholders and their roles in the buying process at each prospect/customer.
  94 We keep track of the cost of acquiring new customers
  95 We know how much it costs to generate a new customer (customer by definition means having made a purchase)
  96 We know how much it costs to generate a new prospect/lead.
  97 We know how much revenue we have to generate to breakeven on the cost of acquiring one new customer.
  98 We target our lead generation/recruitment efforts based on a well-defined profile of what we know to be our best / most successful and profitable customers.
  99 We are satisfied with prospect response rates to our marketing activities / campaigns.
  100 We are satisfied with our lead qualification rate.
  101 We are satisfied with our lead to sales revenue ratio.
  102 We are satisfied with our year-over-year lead to sales revenue ratio.
  103 We are satisfied with the results of our customer acquisition programs.
  104 We are satisfied with your year-over-year lead qualification rate.
  105 We are satisfied with the number of leads generated from marketing programs.
  106 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition costs.  
  107 We want to lower our customer acquisition costs.
  108 We use lead generation/recruitment programs to identify and qualify prospect interest and potential before committing  resources.
  109 We use multiple customer acquisition channels.
  110 We use inbound marketing activities to generate inquiries/leads.
  111 We use outbound marketing activities to generate inquiries/leads.
  112 We use cross-channel, multi-channel marketing campaigns for lead generation.
  113 We are satisfied with our lead generation programs and activities.
  114 We are satisfied with the overall quality of leads.
  115 We are satisfied with the number of leads that we generate.
  116 We know what it costs on average to acquire a new lead.
  117 We are satisfied with the cost of acquiring a new lead.
  118 We want to lower our lead generation costs.
  119 We know the cost of generating a lead from each marketing channel / medium.
  120 We are satisfied with our process for qualifying leads.
  121 We are satisfied with our process for prioritizing and routing new leads.
  122 We are satisfied with our processes for managing the relationship with prospects (leads) from the point of initial contact through their first purchase.    
  123 We are satisfied with our system for lead scoring and ranking.    
  124 We are satisfied with our conversion rate of leads to sales.
  125 We are constantly striving to increase our lead to sales conversion rates.
  126 We are satisfied with the conversion rate of inquiries to leads.
  127 We are satisfied with the conversion rate of leads to qualified leads.
  128 We are satisfied with the conversion rate of qualified leads to opportunities.
  129 We are satisfied with the conversion rate of opportunities to qualified opportunities.
  130 We are satisfied with the conversion rate of qualified opportunities to sales.
  131 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from ALL marketing campaigns.
  132 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from traditional (print / broadcast) media.
  133 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from direct mail campaigns.
  134 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from email campaigns.
  135 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from digital media.
  136 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from social media.
  137 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating at events and trade shows.
  138 We are satisfied with the number of leads we are generating from outdoor media.
  139 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from ALL marketing campaigns.
  140 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from traditional (print / broadcast) media.
  141 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from direct mail campaigns.
  142 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from email campaigns.
  143 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from digital media.
  144 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from social media.
  145 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating from outdoor media.
  146 We are satisfied with the costs of leads we are generating at events and trade shows.
  147 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from ALL marketing campaigns.
  148 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from traditional (print / broadcast) media.
  149 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from direct mail campaigns.
  150 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from email campaigns
  151 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from digital media.
  152 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from social media.
  153 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating at events and trade shows.
  154 We are satisfied with the quality of leads we are generating from outdoor media.
    Acquisition programs / activities  
   
  155 We understand that lead generation is a never ending process that must take place year round.
  156 We test all of our lead generation / new customer acquisition campaigns.
  157 We test offers for lead generation / customer acquisition campaigns.
  158 We test outside rental list for our direct mail and email lead generation / customer acquisition campaigns.
  159 We use email marketing for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  160 We use social media marketing for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  161 We use traditional media (print & broadcast) for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  162 We use outdoor media for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  163 We use direct mail for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  164 We use SEM (Adwords) marketing for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  165 We use event (events, conferences, trade shows) marketing for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  166 We use trade associations and other organizations for lead generation / customer acquisition.
  167 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition email campaigns.
  168 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition SEM (Adwords) campaigns.
  169 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition traditional media campaigns.
  170 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition social media programs and activities.
  171 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition outdoor media programs and activities.
  172 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition direct mail programs and activities.
  173 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition event marketing programs and activities.
  174 We are satisfied with our customer acquisition trade associations marketing programs and activities.
  175 We regularly review performance of our lead generation/recruitment programs in order to determine if we are successful.
    Digital / social marketing activities  
   
  176 We use social media effectively for customer service.
  177 We use social media effectively to build brand identity among our publics.
  178 We use social media effectively to generate new customer leads.
  179 We use email effectively for customer acquisition.
  180 We have established a search engine optimization program.
  181 We have established a search engine marketing strategy and program, and supporting budget for keyword purchase.
  182 We use Facebook to build brand identity.
  183 We use Facebook to generate new customer leads.
  184 We use Instagram to build brand identity.
  185 We use Instagram to generate new customer leads.
  186 We use LinkedIn to build brand identity.
  187 We use LinkedIn to generate new customer leads.
  188 We use Pinterest to build brand identity.
  189 We use Pinterest to generate new customer leads.
  190 We use Snapchat to build brand identity.
  191 We use Snapchat to generate new customer leads.
  192 We use Twitter to build brand identity.
  193 We use Twitter to generate new customer leads.
  194 We use YouTube to build brand identity.
  195 We use YouTube to generate new customer leads.
  196 We use SMS text messaging to build brand identity.
  197 We use SMS text messaging to generate new customer leads.
    Lead management (qualification, nurturing, prioritization)  
   
  198 We have an effective lead management system in place.
  199 We know how many know how many leads we need at the beginning of the year to make our yearly revenue goal.
  200 We know how many qualified leads are in our pipeline.
  201 We have mapped out each stage in the lead management process so we know the exact stage of each lead in our pipeline.
  202 Marketing and Sales have agreed to definitions of leads and their stage in the buying process (e.g., inquiry, lead, marketing qualified lead, sales qualified lead, opportunity, etc.)
  203 We have a closed loop lead management process from inquiry through closed sale.
  204 Our lead management process requires prospects be qualified and prioritized before turning them over to sales team.   
  205 Our marketing department qualifies all leads before passing them on to sales.
  206 We have a formal lead nurturing process and system for working and converting qualified leads that are not yet ready to make a purchase.
  207 We have an effective lead nurturing program.
  208 We score and rank all of our leads.
  209 We use B.A.N.T. criteria to score and rank leads. 
  210 We use our own non B.A.N.T. criteria to score and rank leads.
  211 Only qualified leads are turned over to our sales team.
  212 Our sales team does not cherry picks the leads they receive from marketing.
  213 All leads that have stated a desire to make an immediate purchase are immediately turned over to the sales team.
  214 Sales generated leads go through the same process as marketing generated leads unless they are referrals or first person contacts.
  215 We know the buying stage of each lead is in our pipeline.
  216 Our lead pipeline is always full enough that our sales team has enough leads to work.
  217 We respond to all leads in a timely manner.
  218 All prospect / customer inquiries are typically responded to within one business day.
  219 We are satisfied with our lead response time.
  220 We respond to a lead within 24 hrs (one business day)
  221 We respond to a lead within 8 hrs
  222 We respond to a lead within 1 hr
  223 We communicate weekly or more frequently with our prospective customers (leads).
  224 Qualified leads that temporarily withdraw from the buying process are funneled back into our lead management sales pipeline for reengagement.
  225 We tie lead nurturing content to the buyer's position in the buying cycle.
  226 We utilize capacity and lead flow planning to manage lead flow so that it matches our sales team's capacity to handle them.
    Operations  
   
  227 We have programs in place for training all departments and staff that come in contact with prospects.
  228 We use a marketing dashboard for displaying key performance metrics for all prospecting and customer base marketing activities and programs.
  229 We use a contracted external Level 1 call center team (a first level call center generally operates 24/7, acts as the initial point of contact for user requests and has knowledge of the products, terms and conditions offered by the business) to qualify all leads before turning them over to our direct sales team.
  230 We use an in-house call center team that has knowledge of the products, terms and conditions offered by the business to qualify all leads before turning them over to our direct sales team.
       
    Total Points Scored
    Total Possible Points
    Percentage Score
    Grade
       
   
 
     
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