Even the best salesperson can’t close a deal if there just aren’t enough sales conversations happening. Many sales teams waste time on fruitless outbound calls to unverified leads but don’t know where else to turn. Other teams have enough inbound calls, but due to a painstaking manual intake process they can’t handle the volume and miss out on potential sales.
There is a solution: artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of replacing human salespeople, AI can streamline both outbound and inbound calls to maximize efficiency and create a successful environment for everyone.
Outbound calls
For teams that have lists of leads or some sort of database of potential customers, AI can take that information and narrow the field to only interested parties in just minutes. Through a text or a call, AI can engage with a potential or existing customer to get basic demographic information, field concerns, and prepare a reference page for a salesperson to have when speaking with them live.
After a potential or existing customer engages with the text or call, artificial intelligence can do a warm handoff in the moment to a team member, or the client can schedule a time to talk with the sales team at a later date. Then salespeople can make outbound calls knowing that the person on the other end is both available and interested.
If your team has been struggling, imagine the morale boost they could experience if they no longer had to deal with constant voicemail boxes or angry, uninterested customers. Success begets success, and your team will begin moving from one successful sales call to another.
Inbound calls
Artificial intelligence can maximize the efficiency of inbound calls, too. Instead of having a salesperson man the phone, AI can take the call instead. Don’t write it off as an unengaging option: you don’t have to settle for the typical robotic voice asking clients to press a one, press a two.
Instead, some AI services can actually understand a client’s conversation as if it were a human person and make appropriate responses. Some programs are even capable of handling interruptions and questions. They can make a note of what the client brought up and include it in the customer’s file.
After vetting the caller and making sure they are a qualified lead, AI can then send the call on to a sales agent. Just like with outbound calls, the sales agent can receive an AI-generated report that includes all the basic demographic information for the customer as well as an idea of what the customer’s needs are. When the salesperson speaks with the client, both parties are already knowledgeable about the potential sale and ready to take their conversation to the next level.
Find the right AI for your team
Not all artificial intelligence programs are going to provide you with the same level of benefits. When you begin searching for an option that will work for your team, follow these four steps to maximize your chances of success:
- Understand your needs. Identify if your team is struggling most with inbound calls, outbound calls, or poor organization overall. Make a note of software you already have in place so you can check compatibility.
- Take a company-wide approach. It’s a good idea to consult your legal team to make sure your implementation plan is compliant with federal and industry regulations. Even better, loop in teams like marketing and IT to get everyone on the same page about the plan.
- Try before you buy. Seek out free trials of several different AI programs. If you can’t find free trials, you should at least be able to watch a free demonstration. Ask about how the program is installed and which ongoing customer service options are available. Inquire about success rates and the evolution of the product over time. This is a fast-growing industry, so things can change quickly.
- Communicate clearly. Once you find the right fit, make sure to prepare your sales team ahead of time. There is a fear among many workers that they will be replaced by artificial intelligence. Assure your team that this software integration is meant to maximize their skillset, not replace it. Communicate early and often to avoid team pushback.
As you consider your options, be sure to look into Pipes.ai. We offer all of the features mentioned above as well as performance monitoring in real time and comprehensive reporting that allows you to tweak your approach as needed. We know the value of human connection in the sales industry and aspire to elevate, not eliminate, that connection with AI. Try our AI today to see for yourself.
