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Macildowie Connect presents: Whatever happened to old school selling?

11th December 2025

Join Macildowie and Thorpes Joinery for our final Macildowie Connect of 2025 – our Christmas networking event that always draws together some of the East Midlands’ best-known businesses.

 

This year, we’re asking the big question: “Whatever happened to old-fashioned selling?”

discussions, cross-functional insights, festive networking, and, of course, prosecco and mince pies as we

In a landscape dominated by automation, hybrid working and data-driven decisions, we’ll explore how traditional relationship-led selling can (and should) work hand-in-hand with modern commercial thinking.

 

Designed for Sales Directors, Finance Directors, and Finance Managers, this event will shine a light on what “great” looks like in 2026 – from the art of winning and retaining customers to the financial rigour that ensures sustainable growth.

 

Expect thought-provoking discussions, cross-functional insights, festive networking, and, of course, prosecco and mince pies as we celebrate another successful year of Macildowie Connect.

 

Key Discussion Themes

1. Sales and Finance: The Ultimate Collaboration. How can Finance and Sales teams better align on targets, incentives and forecasting to drive margin-led growth?

2. Margin vs. Mark-Up Thinking: Why the highest-performing commercial teams focus on value and profitability, not just volume.

3. Building Confidence for 2026 What are leaders seeing across their markets – and what strategies will help them hit ambitious 2026 targets? And, more importantly, how?

4. Old School Selling in a New World Do traditional techniques still have a place in an age of AI, hybrid working and virtual meetings? What makes a top performer today?

5. What place does AI have in the sales cycle?

 

Roundtable Discussion Topic Ideas

1. Sales and Finance: The Ultimate Partnership

  • What does “good” collaboration look like between Sales and Finance in 2025?
  • How can Finance empower Sales teams to make smarter commercial decisions — not just control spend?
  • Should Sales leaders be more financially literate, and Finance leaders more commercially curious?

 

2. Margin vs. Mark-Up: What Really Drives Growth?

  • Are we still too focused on turnover instead of profit?
  • How can Finance reframe success metrics to align with commercial goals?
  • Do Sales teams understand margin as well as they understand volume targets?

 

Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Selling?

  • Are personal relationships still the differentiator — or have we become too digital and transactional?
  • What old-school sales values (e.g. persistence, storytelling, trust) still hold power today?
  • How do hybrid and remote working models impact relationship building?

 

4. The Modern Salesperson: What Does ‘Great’ Look Like in 2026?

  • What are the top 3 traits of today’s high performers?
  • Is it charisma, consultative skill, or commercial acumen that matters most?
  • How do we attract and retain sales talent with the right balance of personality and precision?

 

5. Forecasting Confidence: How Ready Are We for 2026?

  • Are current pipelines and budgets realistic, or overly optimistic?
  • What external factors are shaping confidence — economy, AI, buying behaviours?
  • How can Finance provide clearer visibility to help Sales plan with confidence?

 

6. The Hybrid Challenge

Has hybrid working improved or diluted sales culture and collaboration?

  • Are virtual client relationships as valuable as in-person ones?
  • How are Finance teams adapting controls and visibility to support remote selling?

 

7. Storytelling That Sells

  • How can stories influence buying decisions?
  • Do numbers persuade, or do emotions convert?
  • What role should storytelling play in financial presentations and board discussions?

 

8. Balancing People, Process, and Profit

  • How do leaders ensure commercial discipline without dampening creativity?
  • Where do Sales and Finance priorities clash — and how can culture bridge that gap?
  • What does “commercial excellence” truly look like across both departments?

 

9. Lessons from 2025: What Would You Do Differently?

  • What did your team nail this year — and what missed the mark?
  • Biggest lessons around pricing, forecasting, or customer retention?
  • What will you take forward into 2026 strategy planning?

 

Location:
Thorpes Joinery, Airfield Business Park, Harrison Rd, Market Harborough LE16 7UL

 

Admission: Free – places are limited.

 

👉 Secure your place today and join us for an evening of valuable conversation, connection, and celebration.