Today’s best reps use predictive analytics, a form of AI that optimizes decision making around sales efforts. Salesforce and Microsoft have AI-driven tools and investment in AI startups is at an all-time high. This type of software uses techniques that gather customer and prospect data from multiple sources, run it through machine learning models to predict which leads are most likely to convert, and present the findings to a sales team, in the form of best prospects and accounts. AI-driven software can eliminate a great deal of manual work, helping sales reps make decisions about how to approach prospects, personalize conversations, and most importantly, focus on the leads that deserve follow-up.
Here are a few data points which can be taken into consideration by an AI-based platform: size of company; location; recent ventures; length of sales cycle; revenue; growth rate; financial health; recruitments; relocations; funding rounds; installed technologies; intent to buy; social media activity.