Technology is constantly transforming how we get our jobs done. From completing work more efficiently to keeping projects on track, technology is removing tasks from your to-do lists so you only need to work on the tasks that only you can do. If you have administrative support, it’s helpful to delegate tasks when you can, and technology makes the process even easier by automating the workflow so no human intervention is necessary. Anytime you can add automation to your process, you’ll see it become more streamlined, and sales automation is just one of the ways technology can not only improve your processes but also your bottom line.
Three Automation Technologies to Consider
There are many technology platforms designed to improve workflow and automate your process, and it takes time and research to find the right fit for your organization. However, we’ve found that there are three types of technologies worth considering and have compiled some key features to look for with each.
Proposals
Anyone that’s written a proposal knows that it can be very time consuming and, if you don’t win the bid, you might feel like the effort was a waste. Now think about how much easier it would be if you had a system in place that helps you build the proposals and lets you create templates so you don’t have to start from scratch each time. Doesn’t that sound like a better and more efficient way to get the proposal written and in the hands of your prospect in a timely fashion?
When you’re looking at proposal technologies, keep an eye out for the following features:
- An attractive look
- E-Signature
- Automated follow-up
- Tracking of views and clicks
At Rocket IT, we recommend Proposify. This online software helps you create professional and attractive proposals quickly so you can deliver them to your leads before they turn cold. Proposify also offers organizational support so you can collaborate with your team on proposal content, as well as the ability to track activity once the proposal has been sent. Has the client opened the proposal? Did they read it? You’ll get a notification for each interaction with the proposal from the time you hit send until you get a signature.
Scheduling
Scheduling is extremely important as a part of your sales process and not everyone has the resources to have a personal assistant to keep track of their meetings. The last thing you want is to double book yourself with meetings. By adding a scheduling technology to your process, you can better maintain your calendar without having to live in it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Some key features to look for with a scheduling technology are:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) language patterns
- Calendar integration
- Triggered by CCing
Two of our favorite scheduling technologies are Calendar.help and X.ai. Each platform integrates with your calendar and uses “AI assistants” to schedule meetings. When you CC your AI assistant on an email with a note to find time on your calendar, they will respond to the person you need to schedule time with by sharing your availability and will handle the back and forth communication until a decision on the meeting time is reached. Then, the AI assistant will send a calendar invite on your behalf.
Keyboard
Have you ever turned to Google to help you find a product or look up the answer to a question and noticed how Google starts to predict what you’re typing in? Keyboard technologies work in a similar manner. From automatically replacing text as you type to launching websites or opening files through the use of hotkeys, keyboard technologies can essentially automate your keyboard to help you work more efficiently.
If you’re looking at keyboard technologies, make sure to look for these features:
- Able to integrate across all of your programs
- Includes more complex capabilities like window activation, mouse clicks, and delays
Our keyboard technology of choice is TyperTask. This keyboard not only simulates keyboard typing, but also automates chat conversations and launches programs, mouse clicks, and more. Plus, TyperTask is free for both business and personal use.
How These Technologies Help Increase Revenue
These technologies each have their own strengths to help you improve your workflow and processes, but how do they work together to help you increase revenue? When you implement these technologies, you’ll experience:
- A more professional presentation and appearance in your proposals
- Schedule appointments faster and eliminate double booking
- Eliminate “dropping the ball” in your follow-up and reduce the number of leads that turn cold
- Speed up repetitive tasks
Automating aspects of your sales process can help your entire team work more efficiently and be more productive, leading to increased revenue when you do it correctly. We’d love to know how you’re incorporating automation in your sales process, as well as what tasks you wish you could automate or if you have any further questions. Contact us so we can help you work more efficiently.