Featured Commentary

Everyone Says Cold Calling Is Dead. They're Wrong.

SC
Sarah Chen VP of Sales APAC
January 31, 2026

The best SDRs I know are crushing it on the phones. Here's why the "cold calling is dead" crowd is missing the point.

The Myth

Every year, some thought leader declares cold calling dead. And every year, the top-performing SDRs prove them wrong.

The Reality

I've managed over 100 SDRs in my career. The ones who hit 200% of quota? They're on the phones. They're not hiding behind email sequences.

Why It Works

  1. Pattern interruption - Your prospect gets 150 emails a day. They get 2 sales calls.
  2. Real-time objection handling - You can pivot immediately. Emails can't.
  3. Relationship building - People buy from people, not templates.

The Caveat

Bad cold calling IS dead. Scripted, robotic calls that don't add value? Yeah, those don't work.

But consultative, research-driven calls that lead with insight? They're more effective than ever.

My Challenge

If you're an SDR reading this: spend one week doing 50 calls a day. Real calls, not voicemails. Track your results.

I guarantee you'll outperform your email-only colleagues.

Hot Takes represent the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of OnTargetIsh or any employer.