The Herman Trend Alert

January 20, 2016

The Future of Sales

Most aspects of business processes are evolving and sales is no exception. Some of the changes we are seeing in the sales process are aligned perfectly with other areas, e.g., most business processes are being affected by technology.

Convergence of Sales and Marketing

Modern technology has made available a wealth of data to prospects. That availability has led to a convergence of marketing and sales, as well as the advent of new concepts like “social selling” and “smarketing” and other changes. With all of this information at their fingertips, prospects are now in charge. To be successful, sales representatives need to change the way they interact with prospects. The best sales reps will make their prospects feel like they are receiving support and counsel.

Technology is Transforming the Role

In the coming years, the functionality of sales technology will evolve to reflect the changing role of the salesperson. The big news here is not only the automation of sales’ tasks, but also a much higher degree of personalization to each prospective customer. According to Demand Metric, 61 percent of buyers are more likely to do business with companies that deliver custom content and that percentage will probably increase over time. The opportunity is to use the new technology to make each buyer feel special and appreciated. Moreover, the best salespeople will help prospects identify problems and opportunities they may not have yet recognized.

“The Future of Sales is in the Data” (Max Altschuler, CEO Sales Hacker, Inc.)

Because it’s cheaper and more actionable than ever before, data will help sales teams to be more efficient in finding and selling leads with information they may exploit to achieve higher levels of success. In the future, customers will be even more digitally driven than they are today. Salespeople will meet customers on that digital playing field wherever and whenever the customer wants.

Social Media for Fun and Profit

In our inter-related and -connected world, 74 percent of adults now use social networking sites regularly. Facebook has 1.44Billion active monthly users. Currently, any successful sales strategy will include regular use of social platforms in ways that are tactical and authentic.

What’s Next?

Sales organizations will either be strategic or transactional. Needless to say, strategic sales organizations will deliver greater benefits to their customers and therefore, be more highly valued. Transactional sales organizations will get bogged down in the details and end up creating and delivering far less value.

In May, Joyce will deliver a seminar in Sao Paulo, Brazil, looking at the Future of Sales and other issues key to hiring and keeping talented salespeople. For more information, contact Dr. Alberto Perazzo at TDC at (55 11) 3744 6582.

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THE WAR FOR TALENT HAS RESUMED. ARE YOU READY?
Once again, employee retention is becoming a critical issue for corporate executives. If you need help now, call us.  Or if you have a a staff person you would like to be trained as an Employee Retention Specialist, we have had a request to offer our two-day training once more. If you're interested in attending, please drop Joyce an email right away at joyce@hermangroup.com or reach her at 336.210.3548.

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LOOKING FOR HELP TO INNOVATE?

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IGNITE HOPE FOR A YOUNG PERSON IN NEED

Our Trend Alert on December 23rd was about FIRE a non-profit in Detroit helping young people to use music to lift themselves out of poverty. We urge you to support this worthwhile cause with a donation of money or a used instrument? To read more about FIRE and the great work it is doing, see our FIRE Trend Alert at http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/archive_12-23-2015.html.