The strengths of an excellent salesperson lie in their ability to build relationships, gain trust, and close deals. However, the burden of manual tasks chews up precious time that could be better used to engage with customers.
Automation is critical for those seeking better time management strategies. Here’s how you can supercharge everyday tasks through automation and how that can affect your business and bottom line.
Automate These Common Tasks
Quit wasting time on manual sales tasks that you could easily automate. An upfront investment in specific tools and systems can help you quickly improve productivity and ROI. Here are some of the tasks to target.
Data Entry
You can implement tools to address the following:
- CRM updates
- Logging calls and emails
- Tracking client interactions
Follow-Up Emails
Automate the following:
- Reminders
- Personalized drip campaigns
Lead Scoring and Qualification
Data will remain imperative here, as you can automatically sort and prioritize leads based on those insights. This approach can help you improve close rates.
Why Invest in Sales Task Automation?
When creating your sales budget, you must focus on scalable success. Automation is pivotal in achieving that, so you may need to revisit how you spend your current budget. If you’re unsure whether it’s worth addressing how you spend your sales budget and if there is room for automation, consider the following.
You Can Increase Efficiency
Data shows that when companies offload and automate non-sales tasks, a sales team’s capacity can increase by 20%. Similar research shows that over 30% of current sales activities can be automated to improve efficiency. So, the possibilities are clear — it’s just a matter of altering your strategy and budget allocation.
When automation is prioritized, sales teams can spend more time on high-value tasks, boosting sales, cash flow, and growth.
Increased Accuracy Is a Major Plus
Data entry and tracking are prone to human error, which can create a significant domino effect. While variables such as the complexity of data and experience influence the rate of error, rates typically range from 1% to 5%.
Greater automation allows companies to proactively approach, reducing financial and operational risks.
Improved Response Times Are Key
In sales, you need to be on top of things. If you wait too long to follow up, you could lose the sale.
Implementing automation tools can help you ensure faster follow-ups and touchpoints so your sales teams can solidify and maintain customer relationships.
Key Tools for Sales Automation Success
The digital transformation era is in full swing, and many top companies are leveraging the latest tech, including artificial intelligence (AI). And while AI was once viewed as a nice-to-have, it is now becoming crucial for sales teams. Those who do not lean on the power of automation and AI will likely be left behind.
Research shows that 68% of sales professionals predict AI will be built into their software by 2024. Some are still wary, but the reality is that AI is here to stay — and the benefits are becoming very clear.
HubSpot’s 2023 State of AI in Sales survey shows that:
- Those in sales can save as much as two hours and 15 minutes daily by automating manual tasks using AI.
- Nearly 80% of these professionals say that AI can help them spend more time on the most critical aspects of their job.
- Personalization is another key area to consider, as 69% say AI helps them create a more personalized experience for prospects.
With that in mind, here are some top tools to consider based on common tasks.
For CRM Integration
Some of the top tools are:
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Mailchimp
When choosing a tool, focus on cost analysis, accessibility (web-based, cloud-based, etc.), the learning curve, and whether it integrates well into your current tech stack.
For Email Automation
Some of the top tools are:
- Mailchimp
- Drip
- Omnisend
Focus on similar considerations as CRM integration, but also pay close attention to communication, follow-up, and nurturing features. You want your team to get the most out of your chosen tool.
Take Your Sales Team to the Next Level
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for implementing a sales automation strategy. Each industry, sector, and business has unique considerations and goals.
Regardless, the value of automation remains constant. Automating manual sales tasks will increase productivity, improve accuracy, and produce more optimal results. If you have not already, it’s time to start investing in some of the tools and systems discussed above — your competitors surely are.
As you implement new technology, it’s crucial that you also focus on your team — talent matters, especially in sales. While the latest tools will help automate tasks, your team members are essential to ensuring high close rates. To elevate your recruitment strategy, there are lessons you can pull from sales — especially when leveraging data insights.
Now is the time to build an unstoppable team and provide them with the tools they need to support a thriving business. Work with an expert talent advisory team like MRINetwork to achieve that today!