LinkedIn Sales Navigator began rolling out its Q1 release two weeks ago.  New features include custom list sharing, Sales Navigator Coach, list building exclusion filters, new Sales Navigator Application Platform (SNAP) integrations, and an expanded set of technologies selects.

LinkedIn Sales Solutions VP of Product Management Doug Camplejohn was most excited about custom list sharing, noting that that “selling is a team sport.”

Team members can share lists with other users on their contracts, share comments, and sort by “Last Updated” date so sales reps can stay apprised of updated leads and accounts.  Sales Navigator notifies users when lists are being shared with them.  However, lists reside only in LinkedIn and are not downloadable.

“Now we’re taking lists up a notch by adding the ability for you to share these custom lists between your team members and have comments shared as well. Sales Development Reps can collaborate with Account Executives on their team and share progress on breaking into new accounts. Relationship Managers and Customer Success Representatives can collaborate around the health of their named accounts throughout the customer lifecycle. And Marketing can easily share lists from events with the teams following up on new leads. The possibilities are endless.”

Doug Camplejohn, VP of Product Management, LinkedIn Sales Solutions

LinkedIn has long described Sales Navigator as a system of engagement that worked with systems of record (CRM) and communication (email, social).  Much of the initial focus was on lead messaging and SNAP connectors, but the firm is now placing a greater focus on teamwork.  Shared lead lists are “the first step in a broader strategy to enable collaboration across your selling teams,” wrote the firm.

Lead lists were released in Q4 and quickly employed by users.  250,000 custom lists were created within the first six weeks of availability.  A quarter of active users created custom lists post-launch.

Users can also save Leads and Accounts to custom Lists from partner applications via their broad set of SNAP partners.

LinkedIn stated that “sharing increases visibility of and fosters collaboration for your pipeline.”  Custom lists help teams organize and plan for key leads and accounts within lists: “Sharing allows them to collaborate with others as they research, contact, and advance relationships with those Leads and Accounts.”

Users can track team outreach to prospects, share leads with managers to discuss strategy, segment by source, and customize follow-on activities.

Other screening enhancements include the expansion of technology selects to 30,000 technologies and the addition of seven categories of exclusion criteria for leads: company, geography, seniority level, title, function, industry and school.  Account exclusions are provided for geography and industry.  Camplejohn noted that exclusion filters were one of the top user requests.

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Part II covers SNAP partners, SFDC Lightning Setup Console integration, and the new Sales Navigator Coach