Latest insights

Companies usually task their sales team members with targets they need to meet by the end of a term. These quotas can go up or down depending on the previous period’s performance and current market conditions. When leads fail to prepare their sales team with clear strategies to acquire new clients, those quotas rarely get met. In contrast, a well-equipped team that understands the market won’t just hit their targets – they’ll exceed them. Does your sales team engage in strategic programs like sales planning and forecasting? If yes, congratulations. Reading the market and anticipating potential issues allows you to

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently forecast that growth of the global economy will slow to 3.2% this year. This is down from 6.1% in 2021, and to an even lower 2.9% in 2023. Lasting effects of the pandemic, fallout from the Ukraine–Russia conflict, and rising inflation, food, and energy prices all contribute to this. These macro-economic factors are impacting businesses locally resulting in volatile and unpredictable customer behaviour, particularly in the B2B space. To remain ahead of the curve, it is crucial for businesses to adopt technological solutions which can provide them with the crystal ball

The pandemic pushed companies in industries still dependent on legacy systems to embrace new tools. Companies in sectors like food and beverages had to focus on digital adaptation to survive and meet new customer demands. Having a solid eCommerce platform became the norm. Optimization kicks off with the right tools for companies in this industry, starting with a competitive B2B sales ordering platform. Although two years have passed since the pandemic put these changes in motion, there’s still a long road ahead. Only 48% of B2B buyers who make daily critical purchases report satisfaction when buying from a supplier’s

Information is power. Nowhere is this more apparent than in measuring the success of your sales team. Many companies leverage sales data to analyze their past performance and predict their future success. Meanwhile, other firms specialize in gathering customer insights to create highly customized campaigns and programs. Companies used to depend entirely on the merits of their product or their sales representatives’ social skills to find success. These companies are now using data to learn more about their customers and how the market behaves. The advantage of data-driven sales Before, many companies had to depend on

Technology has driven the sales industry to new heights. From landlines to cell phones, cold calling to data-driven leads, and manual data entry to automated CRMs, we’ve come a long way. Not only is technology playing a bigger role in every touchpoint of the sales process, but it has restructured the sales approach entirely. This is because sales technology allows reps to personalize their approach and close deals at the most opportune time. It minimizes time and resources wasted on poor leads. In this guide, we will analyze the impact of digitization on the industry by looking at how sales technology has evolved

To say that the pandemic caused a seismic shift in how the world does business is an understatement. In particular, the B2B market learned firsthand that surviving the COVID-19 landscape meant moving away from conventional field sales methods. This includes embracing eCommerce, even at the expense of in-person interactions. Surprisingly, B2B buyers made it clear they prefer to make deals digitally. What’s even more surprising is that B2B sellers are also welcoming the shift. When the pandemic was first declared in March 2020, many B2B companies bore the brunt of it. Companies were ordered to shut down their offices

Mentorship could be the game-changer South African entrepreneurs need, especially as 70% of mentored businesses experience a five-year increase in survival rate. Sam Clarke, CEO of Skynamo, says entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever since they see opportunities, capitalise on these, and, in doing so, create the businesses of the future. But they urgently need support if they are to succeed. He explains that not only do entrepreneurs create jobs, but they also boost economic growth through the development of innovative technologies, products, and services. “Where would South Africa be without the entrepreneurs

Customer relationship management (CRM) software and sales management software are two of the strongest tools a modern sales team should have. Both can drive sales and customer retention, but are they necessary if you already have a strong sales force? With information readily available on the internet, consumers do their own research instead of relying solely on salespeople to solve their problems. A recent study by Gartner shows 44% of buyers prefer a seller-free sales experience, with millennial buyers expected to cut out the middleman in just a few years. Sales teams should up their digital games to reach today’s

In today’s digital-first economy, data is the new currency. This is why analyzing sales reports has become essential to modern companies’ business. Sales reports enable insight into how agents are performing and what aspects of their strategy need improvement. This allows them to make informed decisions on fine-tuning their processes and improving the overall customer journey. However, generating sales reports is only the first step in developing a data-driven approach to sales. To help you out, this guide will cover the different types of reports you can create, all of the ways you can analyze them, and everything

Distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers rely on numbers to run their businesses. From receivable accounts to inventory counts, data collection and analysis is both crucial and tedious. Even if sales are streaming in, do you understand the impact that sales performance has on your business? If not, sales metrics can clue you in on what is working and what isn’t—and how you can navigate these obstacles to sustainably grow your business. Why’s that, you might say, isn’t that something I’m already capturing? Or even, Oh great, another metric to keep track of. We hear you. But there’s just no way around it. If you’re