In order for businesses to thrive and grow, an effective and highly skilled sales team is absolutely essential, but now so is business automation software and AI. Imagineovation Insider shares that 66% of businesses now automate at least one process. Business automation is a process that allows teams to spend their time on the essentials and be supported by a structure that is designed to assist at every level. It has been reported In this blog, we are going to look at business automation and AI and the effect that these tools can have on improving sales.
What are the benefits of adopting business automation and AI?
According to BusinessDIT, 97% of businesses agree that automating business processes is important for digital transformation and nearly 45% of businesses use automation like AI to cut costs.
Some of the key benefits associated with business automation and introducing AI for the sales process include:
Increased productivity – Automation allows your team to focus on the tasks that need their expertise and experience, leaving those repetitive and low-skill tasks to the AI and automated processes. By allowing your sales team to focus on making, cultivating, and following up on sales opportunities, you can increase productivity and your bottom line.
Cost savings in multiple areas – Having a team of highly skilled sales experts working on mundane and repetitive tasks is not a good use of time or the expense of their wages. But this is not only the area where costs can be saved. With automated actions reducing human error, there is a potential to reduce customer complaints and associated refunds.
Improved operational efficiency – With the right automation tools, you can create your own data sets that monitor the metrics that are important to you, allowing you to see exactly what is working, and what is not – so you can make data-driven decisions that accurately reflect your business needs, and ensures highly effective lead management.
Enhanced data security – Compliance with legal obligations and requirements is essential when dealing with customers and their data, and using high-quality tools from a reputable provider can allow you to be compliant without the hassle of trying to determine if every individual program, tool, or process is doing so.
Reduction in errors – To err is human, but for an automated system, which runs repeatedly on the information it has been programmed with, there is less chance of problems occurring, and if an error happens – the right software will alert you as soon as possible and direct you to the issue.
Streamlined customer service and product delivery – Automation does not just make it easier for your sales team to take a customer through the process, it also allows for improved customer service that is available 24/7 and can deliver vital information to your sales team which allows for further personalisation and better quality.
How is AI changing and evolving the sales process?
Automation and AI tools are making huge changes to the way in which the sales process is operated, tasks that once took up valuable time and resources can now be automated and completed without staff oversight, and opportunities can be monitored, flagged, and escalated as required – allowing for much more efficient processes, better use of staff resources, and faster take up of opportunities for sales, development, and growth.
Different tools can be utilised to improve the sales process, although it is important that they are of an appropriate quality, offer the right standards in legal and security compliance, and integrate with the digital direction of the business.
For sales teams, AI and automation can allow the use of enhanced algorithms and analytics to source higher quality leads, automate parts of the process that do not need direct engagement, and ensure that existing customers are nurtured to improve the chances of them becoming returning and recommending customers.
By freeing up time from administrative duties, sales teams can focus on engaging with customers, satisfying queries and potential issues, and close deals / make sales far more effectively.
What challenges do businesses face using automation and AI?
There are benefits and drawbacks to any process, and automation and AI usage is no different. Some of the challenges which businesses need to evaluate and investigate before implementing the process include:
Initial data set needed – In order for AI to pick up customer signals, and provide useful insights, there needs to be a usable initial data set for it to draw from.
Incorrect data can increase errors – Automation and AI can only operate on the information that is provided to the systems, if this is entered incorrectly or infrequently updated, it can lead to errors.
Tools must be compliant and secure – There are many different automation and AI tools on the market, but businesses have to take extra care to ensure that customer data, security, and all applicable legal compliance is maintained at all times.
How can we help you take your business to the next level?
Finding the right tools to make your automation and AI usage a success is not something you should rush into, it is important that you utilise a platform and programs that are designed for your specific needs and can handle what your business throws at it.
With TEB Apps, you will experience:
Easy automation of tasks – From simply adding business cards, to assigning leads to improve your business.
Task and team management – Handled with real-time performance monitoring, you can see how your team is performing at any given time.
Monitoring and Customer metrics – Set up and manage your sales funnel and use the metric and analytic tools to discover more leads, and what your customers are truly looking for.
Centralised data – Keep all your data secure and in one place to ensure your team is connected and to your business’s performance.
You can book a free demonstration today, and discover for yourself how our service will meet and exceed your needs.
