The growing scope and complexity of businesses have forced organizations lookout for a robust solution that can empower sales reps to close more deals quickly and effectively. Salesforce CPQ is one such software that has the potential to streamline processes, speed up quoting, while generate quick return on investment. However, for effective Salesforce implementation of this software, organizations have to leverage innovative technologies like AI and ML.

In today’s competitive business era, data is the pivot on which the business world balances. With the human race generating humongous data of around 2.5 exabytes every day, forward-looking businesses are investing in processing, cleaning, and analyzing these vast stores of data to draw meaningful insights, which they can leverage to make informed decisions and better understand their customers. In fact, companies that adopt data-driven strategies enjoy higher productivity and profits than their counterparts. According to a report shared by IDC, revenue generated from big data and business analytics is expected to increase from $130.1 billion in 2016 to $203 billion through 2020. Since, sales continue to be one of the most important functions of any business entity, sales reps should be empowered to connect with their customers in a better way. Salesforce Einstein Analytics – an AI-powered tool can be leveraged by organizations to automate their time-consuming admin activities to make time for other important activities. With AI-informed insights and automation, the Sales team can streamline every aspect of their sales cycle. Here’s how Salesforce Einstein can be leveraged by organizations to improve sales performance: Prioritize Leads: By introducing AI-powered Einstein analytics to your sales team, organizations can empower their sales team to sort and prioritize incoming leads. The AI-powered sales tool helps in analyzing historical data to disclose the best kind of leads for their business, which further helps sales reps to focus on leads that are most likely to convert. The patterns identified by this sophisticated tool are more focused than the traditional criteria that are based on intuition. Consequently, sales productivity increases as more leads are converted in less time. Recognize Opportunity Health: Sales reps are bogged down with the pressure to handle multiple opportunities concurrently. With a robust AI-powered tool i.e Salesforce Einstein in place, sales reps can distinguish between opportunities that require attention and those that are doing well and moving towards a successful conclusion. This leads to high sales productivity within a short time frame. Search for Strategic Contacts: Sales reps understand the significance of a sincere and heartfelt introduction to key contacts and its significance in building a rewarding and long-term relationship. The robust Einstein tool can help find contacts that have a prior relationship with key contacts and provides sales reps the benefit of knowing the contact before the formal introduction is made.   Accurate Forecasting: The forecasting ability of this AI-powered data analysis tool help decodes the trends existing in the sales cycle right down to every sales rep. The predictive capabilities of the tool help organizations to plan accordingly for the approaching sales quarter and prioritize sales deals to maximize winning chances.  In a Nutshell: These are some of the many ways how Salesforce Einstein analytics can help organizations build a high-performing sales team and empowering sales reps to excel at their work. Adopting Salesforce Einstein analytics can help organizations to boost customer loyalty while building a long-term relationship with them. Organizations should consider partnering with one of the most reputed Salesforce consultants to avail outstanding consultation and implementation services.   

The current Covid-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm. The pandemic has severely impacted the global economy with small businesses being the worst hit. To sustain themselves during such volatile times, businesses should consider adopting SaaS-based products and services that don’t require buyers to make any additional payment or indulge in installation as these are hosted inside the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere and from any device. One such software that helps organizations to accept payments, manage income and expenses, pay bills, manage payroll, and track inventory is the QuickBooks accounting software. Developed by Intuit, the functions of the accounting software can be enhanced by integrating with other third-party tools. When integrated with Salesforce CRM, the solution can be leveraged to manage day-to-day business activities. The accounting software and the cloud-based CRM work hand in hand with each other to share information related to accounting and sales, client data, costs, invoicing, etc. which does away with the duplication of data, augments productivity, unified info on ROI, and accurate forecasting about marketing expenses. In fact, the integration of this two software will help users to access information about both accounting and customer details in a single place. Let’s explore some of the benefits of Salesforce and Quickbook integration: Automate sales order, invoices, payments, inventory management, and more processes Better execution of a wide array of accounting metrics for the reason for quick and simple data sharing between sales and accounting.   No more errors caused as a result of manual and duplicate data entry Readily available data that will help the sales team to improve sales processes by tracking expenses, creating reports, and drawing actionable insights.  How to Integrate Salesforce and QuickBooks? Integration can turn out to be extremely complex if you try to do it on your own. To ensure seamless integration of Salesforce and Quickbooks, it’s important to use an API or a third-party application that could be availed from Salesforce AppExchange. However, it’s important to do ample research regarding the features and capabilities before selecting the right application that could aid in integrating data between both the software. Quick Wrap-up: Salesforce and Quickbooks are the undisputed leaders in their respective domains. Integrating these two robust tools will not just enhance the efficiency of both the platforms but will also augment business productivity and growth. However, to receive a positive outcome out of the integration, it’s prudent to get in touch with a reliable Salesforce consulting partner who has experience providing integrations for Salesforce and Quickbook online.

The advancement in technology has paved way for robust communication tools, which in turn has bridged the gap between an organization and its end users. One such communication tool that has become an essential aspect of multi-channel marketing is the smart SMS app. While SMS owes its popularity for being the most preferred communication channel due to its great penetration power, the robust Smart SMS app that is built on the Salesforce platform takes marketing to a new-level. This robust App enables organizations to run Single and bulk SMS/ MMS campaigns. The app empowers sales teams to reach out to more customers quickly due to the presence of features like customizable SMS templates, automation through workflows, Pardot Integration, and more. Besides quicker customer reach, the smart SMS app can help companies spearhead their business promotion journey by effectively engaging with their customers.  Benefits of Smart SMS App for Businesses The smart SMS app besides empowering organizations to communicate effectively with their customers and prospects via individual/ bulk SMS or MMS also helps them to market their products and services in a quick, easy, and efficient way. It is indeed one of the best SMS apps for Salesforce that can help businesses penetrate a wide customer base through short and informative texts instead of long emailers. The app is available on the Salesforce App Exchange and can be used by small and mid-sized organizations looking to increase their sales and revenue.  Some of the efficient features offered by this robust app include the following: Home Page Displays Incoming SMS: The smart SMS app helps sales reps to view incoming messages on their Salesforce CRM home page. Sales reps can now take a quick glimpse at the client’s response thereby reducing the chances of missing out on messages shared by clients.   Automatic Response: This feature allows the setting-up of autoresponders that can provide customers with appropriate responses when they are sent promotional SMS or texts related to surveys or contests. This helps in winning the trust and support of the customers.   SMS Scheduler: This feature allows sales reps to schedule different meetings for customers living in different time zones automatically. They can schedule the sending of SMS by setting up the time, date, choosing an appropriate template, and then saving the details. The SMS reaches the intended receiver at the scheduled date and time without the need for physical intervention by the sales reps.   SMS from Report: The smart SMS app offers a feature named ‘Send SMS using Report’ that provides a solution to resolve issues related to unanswered calls and emails. With this feature, sales reps can select the report, and the number they wish to send SMS to. Opt-out Numbers: The OptOut feature helps users to remove the numbers of contacts who do not want to receive any sort of SMS from them in the future. It also allows users to view the list of contacts that have opted out from getting SMS. Whats app Integration: This feature allows users to send messages to their contacts or communicate with them on WhatsApp. One needs to fill in the details such as Name, From Number, and Country Code and Save them after enabling the feature. However, a WhatsApp Business account is required to send messages through WhatsApp. Send Single SMS from the Record Page: Users can send single SMS from the record page including Standard, as well as custom objects. Once SMS configuration for objects is created, users can easily navigate to that particular object and view detail pages of any of its record. SMS Chat View: Users can chat directly from their individual object’s record page. They should click on Setup, and then on Edit Object to view chat. SMS History: This feature allows users to view SMS History i.e. list of Outgoing and incoming SMSes. To view more details of each SMS, users will have to click on the subject.  Quick Wrap-up:  SMS continues to be one of the most-effective marketing tools for organizations looking to create their brand identity through superior customer experience and engagement. The Salesforce SMS app with its advanced features takes brand promotion and engagement to the new level.  So, stay ahead of the competition by making the most of this extremely efficient marketing tool.

The retail industry is dealing with increasing costs, declining sales, disgruntled customers, and stiff competition. This has encouraged retailers to adopt technology tools and solutions to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer interactions. In fact, the retail industry offers a lot of scope for technological transformation in areas of supply chain management, inventory management, sales, marketing and more thereby empowering retailers to increase the overall efficiency and profitability of their business.  One such technology that has the potential to transform the retail sector is artificial intelligence, which has helped retail businesses boost their speed, efficiency, and precision. Let’s dive in a bit deeper to find out how: Cognitive Inventory Management: The thinking capability of AI can be leveraged to determine the inventory components basis of the current sales trend. Depending upon the data available, AI draws inferences and forecasts of probable scenarios, provides recommendations, and even takes necessary actions with human approval. Well trained algorithms can be used to make decisions, which improve efficiency. An AI-powered system can process huge amounts of data and help create an inventory that is tailored as per the current market trends and customer demand.  Customer Purchase History: With an AI-powered CRM, organizations can target the specific interest of buyers. By breaking down huge volumes of data, AI tools can be used to identify the purchasing pattern of customers and understand their preferences. The AI-powered systems can further recommend similar kinds of items to the customers for purchase. To integrate an AI-powered CRM, retailers should consider partnering with a Salesforce implementation partner. Interactive Interactions: Customers always look for a prompt response and with an AI-driven chatbot customer service can be improved significantly. These chatbots are trained to communicate with customers and provide answers to frequently asked questions and provide customers with the necessary support. These bots gather useful customer data and use it to determine their preferences and purchasing pattern. Streamlining Supply Chain: The retail industry can streamline their supply chain by leveraging AI-powered tools. This might involve categorizing in-demand products, transporting them, tracking the shipment, and inventory management. With an AI-powered CRM in place, the retail industry is poised to attain new levels of efficiency while maintaining a good customer relationship. Why Should Retail Businesses Consider Leveraging Salesforce Einstein?  Salesforce Einstein is an AI-powered CRM that integrates predictive analytics, and machine learning. Apart from this, there are other features such as Einstein discovery that allow users to figure out hidden data patterns in customer data. Other important features such as Einstein prediction builder provides for business predictions through custom AI models. Bots connected to CRM along with the integration of computer vision make use of deep learning models for identifying the make, model, or brand via product images. Another innovative feature is the Einstein voice assistant that helps in interacting with users in real-time. Quick Wrap-up:  Given the growing preference for online retailing by customers, organizations working in the retail sector are gradually adopting AI-powered solutions to enhance operational efficiency and business productivity. With a robust AI-powered platform like Salesforce Einstein in place, retailers can provide exclusive customer experience while taking business efficiency to the next level. If you are looking for implementing Salesforce Einstein within your business ecosystem, it’s in your best interest to get in touch with a reliable Salesforce consultant.   

The global insurance sector is undergoing a dynamic change due to digital transformation. This digital disruption has forced insurance providers to either make significant changes to their business models or face the risk of being ruined. However, insurers, especially traditional insurers may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage owing to their age-old business models, as well as hefty investments made in infrastructure. In fact any change to their business model might be extremely difficult for some insurers as it may cannibalize their existing business. To create efficiencies leading to higher profitability or a competitive position, insurers are leveraging innovative technology solutions that too without making significant changes to their business models. Insurance regulators are indeed viewing technology as an enabling solution that can help them better realize their mission of warranting a competitive and sustainable insurance market. Today, insurance providers are doing away with traditional customer servicing methods and are opting for robust insurance CRM software that has helped them manage everything from a single place. Let’s take a quick look as to how a robust CRM like Salesforce drives positive growth for businesses that are a part of the insurance sector: Personalized Services: CRM software provides users a great way of increasing the understanding of existing and potential customers. This enables them to provide personalized services according to the unique requirement of every client. Financial service cloud by Salesforce paves way for marketing automation, which enables brokers to nurture leads and then turning them into customers while connecting with customers at the right time, and with the right product advice. Salesforce CRM software for insurance also helps in delivering personalized services to the policyholders. To implement Salesforce insurance CRM software within their business ecosystem, insurance organizations should consider partnering with an experienced Salesforce Implementation Partner. Improve Customer Loyalty: Offering superior customer service is a key way of improving customer loyalty. Insurance companies that have implemented robust cloud-based CRM get access to meaningful insights that are required for providing personalized sales, claims, and service-related interactions for a huge client base. Moreover, a cloud-powered solution can be integrated with different departments such as sales, marketing, etc., which allows staff and clients to connect irrespective of their location thereby paving way for a more integrated environment. Secure Repeat Business: A robust CRM can be leveraged to utilize multiple aspects of a business. This presents a cost-effective way of bringing people together, breaking data silos, providing a single view of customers. This allows insurance teams or brokers to sell (up-sell and cross-sell) more while making repeat sales to existing customers by keeping the need of each customer at the center of communication regarding sales, marketing, and support. Wrap Up: Salesforce CRM software for insurance provides insurance companies an opportunity to support their customers in a way that extends their journey with the organization rather than providing momentary service and support. With competition within the industry becoming fiercer, Salesforce CRM for the insurance sector can make organizations stand out of the crowd. Organizations looking forward to enhancing business efficiency and ROI by implementing Salesforce insurance CRM should should seek assistance from a reliable and certified Salesforce consultant.

Technology has made its way into every aspect of our lives and the higher education sector isn’t any different. Today higher education institutes irrespective of their sizes and affiliations are striving to provide superior student experience by empowering them to become forerunners of the future. While higher education institutes are utilizing innovative technology solutions to fulfill the long-lasting commitment made to every single student, yet most of these solutions leveraged by the institutes manage to partially fulfill the commitments made.  This is because the solutions utilized by these establishments are greatly siloed and thus fail to create a single perspective of the entire student journey right from admissions to student accomplishment and progression. Apart from this, increased student expectation for a more personalized and connected experience has put immense pressure on higher education institutes to provide students with a positive experience. This is where the Salesforce education cloud comes to picture.  As a cloud-based solution, the Salesforce education cloud empowers institutions to deal with most pressing challenges across their campus while drive student success across the entire life cycle i.e. from prospect to alumni. With a wide array of features, the education cloud by Salesforce has become the number one CRM for providers of higher education. Here’s what makes this platform a go-to choice CRM for higher education institutes:   Hassle-free Admission Process: This cloud solution helps institutions connect with prospective students who are seriously looking for a well-suited university and course. Institutions build brand awareness and campaigns to attract students besides leveraging the data of various applicants by maintaining a database at a single location. This not just provides a holistic view of the prospective students but also acts as a platform to provide personalized services to the students.  Convenient Student Experience: The CRM enables institutions to address specific challenges faced by students’ w.r.t to educational decisions while providing seamless service to enhance standard success. Apart from this, institutions have the option to communicate with the students via their preferred mode of communication. Finally, institutions can provide their students with access to lucrative career opportunities through the regular job posting, handling career fairs while staying connected with the alumni network.  Data Architecture: The education data architecture (EDA), which lays at the very foundation of the Salesforce education cloud enables the usage of standard objects that can be used to manage student relationships, co-curricular and more. The EDA can be customized as per the specific requirement of the institution, which further is made simpler by eliminating the need for coding. In fact, modules, custom fields, and objects, etc. can be created using a drag and drop functionality. Apart from this, EDA also updates itself on a weekly and biweekly basis and can be tailored as per the specific needs of the users through the App Exchange. It is also supported by a diverse community known as the Trailblazer community, where users collaborate and share their ideas.  Advisory Services: One of the significant benefits of using the Salesforce Education cloud is the provision of SAL (Salesforce Advisor Link) solution, which allows students to seek advice on career-related queries. Students can set up appointments with the advisors via mobile application as these appointments integrate easily with the advisors’ calendar. The CRM also integrates office management software that manages appointments and walk-ins. Quick Wrap-up:  As an innovative platform, the Salesforce Education Cloud is equally beneficial to the institutions, students, and alumni alike. Together with a robust and useful education data architecture (EDA) and advisory link, this powerful platform stands tall among all other available education CRM system. If you are keen on implementing this cloud solution, it’s in your best interest to engage the services of a reliable Salesforce implementation partner .