S&K Agent Officially Launches 'Apotrop' to Streamline B2B Sales Efficiency

Introduction to Apotrop

S&K Agent, based in Osaka, Japan, has officially launched its latest B2B lead acquisition service, 'Apotrop'. After over six months of rigorous testing and refinement, the service began full operations on November 10. Recognizing the significant challenges faced by businesses in acquiring sales leads, particularly in the context of a diminishing sales workforce, Apotrop aims to offer a reliable and efficient solution.

The Changing Landscape of Sales

In Japan, the sales workforce has drastically decreased by over one million professionals in the past two decades. This decline presents a critical issue for companies striving to maintain robust sales operations. Alongside this trend, the costs associated with acquiring customers through digital advertising have surged annually, complicating the situation further. Traditional sales methods such as telemarketing, email campaigns, and web advertisements have led to heightened customer acquisition costs (CPA) and a worrying inconsistency in sales performance.

Many companies currently face several issues:

- Lack of reproducibility in lead acquisition heavily reliant on referrals;
- Ineffective optimization of web advertising expenses;
- Inadequate sales resources resulting in unmet business meeting targets;
- A dependent and inconsistent sales performance heavily influenced by individual sales personnel.

Leveraging LinkedIn for Sales

Unlike conventional telemarketing or email sales approaches that often get screened by receptionists, Apotrop capitalizes on the unique features of LinkedIn. This professional networking platform boasts a user base of around 5.5 million in Japan, with a significant percentage (70-80%) comprising decision-makers within companies. By focusing on real-name registered users, Apotrop facilitates direct communication with corporate executives, bypassing the barriers commonly faced in traditional sales channels.

Apotrop ensures comprehensive assistance for the sales department: from profile design and content strategies to direct messaging and effectiveness measurement. This holistic approach allows businesses to navigate the complexities of modern sales operations seamlessly.

The Vision Behind the Service

Yoshihito Kataoka, the CEO of S&K Agent, developed Apotrop out of a desire to help small and medium-sized enterprises overcome significant sales challenges. Drawing upon his consulting sales experience at Keyence, he approached the intricacies of the sales process with a clear goal of establishing a reproducible methodology. Throughout the testing period, Apotrop has engaged in continuous collaboration with various businesses to validate its efficacy within the B2B sales domain.

Future Plans for Apotrop

Following its successful launch, Apotrop has a strategic roadmap for further development. Planned initiatives include:

- Continual publication of case studies in B2B sales-focused media;
- Hosting seminars on effective LinkedIn utilization;
- Collaborating with partner companies to enhance service capabilities;
- Compiling and sharing success stories from businesses that implement Apotrop.

The organization remains committed to achieving a balance between reproducibility and efficiency in the sales digital transformation (DX) sphere, striving to resolve pressing sales issues faced by companies across Japan.

CEO’s Closing Remarks

Kataoka stated, "Having witnessed my father's challenges in managing a small business firsthand, I understand the struggles faced by companies threatened with closure due to poor sales performance and succession crises. My experience at Keyence reaffirmed that sales should be governed by reproducible processes, which motivated me to develop this service. Feedback during the testing phase highlighted our achievement in reaching decision-makers who were previously inaccessible through traditional sales methods. With the formal launch of Apotrop, I am eager to further aid companies grappling with sales challenges."

Company Overview

Company Name: S&K Agent, Inc.
CEO: Yoshihito Kataoka
Business Focus: Sales outsourcing / Sales DX
Employee Count: 34 (including contractors)
Established: April 2023
Location: 3-15-5 Toyosaki, Kita-ku, Osaka, TK Building 2F