What is 'success'?You need to have measurable goals and you need to make sure that each department's goals are aligned so you leverage your resources for maximum performance. That means marketing and sales need to be aligned - no more "marketing hit its goal of 100,000 leads" and "sales fell short of its goal of 1,000 new customers."
If your goal is to grow your business and that requires 1,000 new customers, then marketing needs to generate highly qualified buyers so sales can close deals. Do you have a shared definition for what a 'highly qualified buyer' is for your business - and is marketing measured on its ability to bring 'highly qualified buyers' to your door? Remember, when one piece fails to succeed, the entire organization fails to succeed.
How will we succeed?
You have limited resources and unlimited opportunities - your success comes from your ability to focus your resources on activities that generate the greatest return on investment. Do you have the right products and services? Are you priced appropriately for your audience? Are you using all of the right distribution channels properly so you products and services are easily accessible by your customers? And are you reaching your customers with the right message and offer through the most effective communication channels in order to motivate response and action?
If you answered 'Yes!',you should rethink your response because the one thing about sales and marketing is 'You can always improve - so test!'