Example Agenda for a One-Day Sales Kick-Off
Planning for an effective sales kick-off? Here's a practical one-day agenda template that keeps your team engaged while covering essentials - from morning strategy sessions to evening team building, designed especially for small sales teams.
Looking to plan an effective sales kick-off? Here's a simple yet effective one-day sales kick-off agenda that works. It is based on personal experience from GTM Club founder Ilkka, who has been organising and attending these SKOs for years. There is no corporate fluff - just honest advice on running an SKO that your team will find genuinely useful. This recipe has worked for sales teams under 10 persons.
Preparations for the SKO
Preparations for the sales kick-off start simultaneously with annual sales planning.
- The sales plan: Create a sales plan for the year and calculate individual sales budgets and targets for the sellers. This will turn into a presentation for the SKO.
- Quest Speaker: No need to present everything alone. Consider inviting participants outside of sales. For example, marketing, product, or top management are good options for inviting people to share the latest news. Of course, inviting a presenter outside the company is also a great option!
- What comes next: Things don't end when people head home. There should be action items to follow up on to keep the momentum rolling. These items could include additional training or new product launches. One must ensure everyone knows what has been started and what is yet to come!
In the context of our example agenda below, the attendees must also prepare. In this SKO, we have used GTM Club's Personal Sales Plan Template and asked the team to prepare their individual plans beforehand. This increases ownership and helps spot potential challenges early on. When sales reps arrive at SKO having thought through their strategy and targets, they're better positioned to contribute meaningfully to discussions and leave with a concrete action plan rather than just inspirational messages that might fade away. To enable your team to prepare well, consider organising an intro session before the SKO or discussing these topics in 1-to-1 meetings.
Regarding location, consider organising SKOs off-site rather than in the office. An off-site venue creates a fresh environment that helps the team step away from daily routines and focus entirely on the day's agenda. Depending on the agenda, whether it's a nearby hotel or a cabin in the woods, the venue should have proper facilities for presentations or group work. Having accommodation and dining options on-site or nearby helps maximize the time spent together as a team.
Example of Sales Kick-Off Agenda
- Arrival and breakfast. (Welcoming words from the sales lead.)
- Opening the SKO with a recap of 2024: What went well, where we can learn from, celebrating notable achievements. (Sales lead presents.)
- Sales Plan 2025: Presenting the year’s sales targets and how they are achieved. (Sales lead presents.)
- Presentation from marketing: How are they supporting sales in 2025? (Invite a speaker from the marketing team.)
- Guest Speaker - Fresh perspectives from industry experts or internal stakeholders. (Up to your preferences!)
- Lunch break
- Personal sales plans: Each team member presents their plan according to the provided template and their individual sales targets and focus areas, if any. Discuss and give feedback on each plan.
- Wrapping up the official program, sharing and assigning the next steps. (Back to the sales lead.)
- Dinner followed with fun and games.
Remember, a successful sales kick-off isn't about cramming in every possible topic or having the fanciest venue. It's about creating an environment where your team can reflect, plan, and bond. Keep the energy high, but keep the format simple. Focus on what matters most: setting clear goals and ensuring everyone knows their role in achieving them.
