By Matt Ryder, CEO – 7th Level Inc
The art of selling has always been rooted in personal interactions, the building of enduring trust, and intuiting kindred human emotions. So why bring Artificial Intelligence (AI) into sales? Machines are machines, right? And people are people. Maybe. But I’m deeply entrenched in the world of sales, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible potential AI brings to the table.
A Vertical Dawn
The application of AI to sales isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s the beginning of a transformative era. Right now, we’re standing at the foothills of, frankly, Himalayan breakthroughs.
Of course, it’s still early days. Sherpa Tenzing and Edmund Hillary are still at base camp. AI can’t mimic nuanced and dynamic human conversations flawlessly yet. Sometimes Turing still wins.
But there’s no denying the rapid progress. The summit (or its absence) is in clear view.
What is AI good at in the realm of sales? It’s good at analysis.
Insights Like Never Before
Human intuition, experience, and training have long been the cornerstones of sales strategy. But with AI, we’re delving deeper and uncovering patterns and insights we’d previously overlooked.
Companies can harness AI to analyze the sales reps’ calls, ensure they adhere to scripts, and identify performance metrics. AI helps assess the sales teams like never before. It helps analyze intricate details that would have once gone unnoticed. And that helps identify those sales reps who aren’t performing up to their potential and enable them to progress.
The Future Role of AI in Sales
People worry about AI replacing human roles – even humans. But I think it can help us work better. I believe its primary value will be as an analytical tool. The art of sales involves reading between the lines, understanding unspoken needs, and building convivial relationships. These elements are inherently human, and while AI can augment the process, it won’t replace it.
Envision a future where AI is the silent sales partner – working in the background, feeding insights, analyzing data in real time, and empowering sales reps to make informed decisions faster. Picture a sales rep about to make a call and being provided with data-driven insights about the prospect, enhancing the likelihood of a successful outcome. Looks good, right?
Which Verticals Will Feel AI’s Impact First?
AI is awesome at sifting big data and faster than light at analysis. It’s totally objective, period. That means sectors that rely on data and metrics are poised to be revolutionized first. Think of industries with high transaction volumes or those that use CRM systems extensively. As AI is refined, even sectors rooted in tradition and manual processes will find ways to integrate it.
Quantifying the Impact
While it’s hard to quantify AI’s potential impact on KPIs at this stage, one thing is clear: AI will streamline processes, reduce redundancies, and drive efficiency. Business owners and sales teams should look forward to the surge in productivity and conversion rates that will come as AI in sales evolves. People will soon accept AI in the workplace as we now accept electricity.
I urge my fellow business owners and sales reps to embrace this evolution with optimism. AI in sales is not about your future replacement, but your ongoing enhancement.
Together, we are heading towards an era where the amalgamation of human intuition and AI’s analytical capabilities will redefine the very essence of sales.
AI isn’t the future; it’s the present, paving the way for a more efficient tomorrow.
