Businesses need steady sales to prosper, but simply creating good products and employing the right sales reps won’t cut it. The sales reps need the right technology solutions to optimize the selling process, take advantage of lucrative opportunities, and stay on the top of their game. In today’s app age, that should be no problem.
The only thing you need to do is find the right app that fits your needs. Don’t worry. Below we discuss the top five types of apps every sales rep must have to up his or her game, whether it’s for door-to-door sales or inside sales.
1. Learning Management System App
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A regular influx of information and training is required to successfully close deals. But, it would be too overwhelming to attempt to learn everything you need to know if you are expected to find all the information yourself. You would then have less time to concentrate on how to present yourself to your clients.
A Learning Management System (LMS) delivers training and information that can be accessed with the help of a mobile app. It enables you to access information and training about the products and services, selling techniques, and buyer personas, while on the move.
Sure, you could get this kind of information from sales conferences and in-class training programs. So, why do you need an LMS app for sales training?
Week-long sales conferences take you away from your sales territories. According to a report by Sales Performance International, up to 90% of sales training is lost within weeks. That is a whole week that you spent to retain 10% of the ideas.
Such conferences and intensive in-class sales training programs may also cause information overload. So, you may find it is easier to learn when the information is presented in small chunks instead of all at once. An LMS app provides bite-sized training.
So, one of the most important benefits of an LMS app is that it provides you with Just in Time Training (JITT). Your work may require you to meet a lot of prospects and you may not get much time to prepare before each meeting. JITT, when used properly, prepares you with the right content, messaging, and sales strategy in a short time to deal with the needs of each buyer.
Also, it can be challenging to keep up with industry trends. Buyers can ask questions that may put you on the defensive. With the help of an LMS app that gives you access to JITT, you can gain current knowledge to become an expert on the product, industry, and buyer pain points.
Furthermore, JITT can be proactive. When a product is updated or critical information is released, it can be sent to you on your mobile device. Fellow sales reps can also provide information about their experiences which you can then use to ensure customer satisfaction.
Another important benefit of an LMS system is that it enables you to upload video or audio recordings of your pitch. In this way, your sales managers can measure the progress you have made with the help of JITT. An LMS app also offers other reporting and analytics tools that help sales managers understand how engaged the learners are and how many sales reps have accessed the training.
Some LMS apps even offer gamification functionality, introducing game mechanics into non-game situations like work or training. This has proven to be successful, turning the training and work process into a game where sales reps can earn badges or reflect upon their position in leaderboards.
2. Social Media App
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In this age of social media, you have to explore the digital space. A social media business app, such as Mention or Oktopost, provides you with a platform to identify prospects, connect with them, and convert them into sales.
Such apps help you build your network, communicate with your target audience strategically, strengthen the sales funnel, and achieve your sales goals all from a mobile device.
For example, you may gain industry insight that a prospect would appreciate knowing. With a few swipes, you can forward the information to the prospect. This is a great way to stay on top of your prospects’ minds.
You can also use your time more efficiently with a social media business app. So, you can pull up a prospect’s profile to learn more about him or her and ensure you instantly recognize him or her when first meeting.
Many social media business apps offer opportunities for prospecting, publishing, branding, communicating, sharing, and relationship building.
3. Video Conferencing App
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Due to the pandemic, some prospects may prefer to meet you virtually. You must have a very good video conferencing app installed on your smartphone to be able to meet with these prospects virtually and seamlessly establish communication with them to deliver effective sales pitches.
Many popular video conferencing apps, including Zoom and Cisco Webex, allow two-way high definition video, screen sharing, and high-quality audio. You and your prospective client can join and begin meeting with a click of a button. Some apps even offer chat functionality.
Take note that, while choosing a video conferencing app, you must prioritize security.
4. Customer Relationship Management App
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A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) app can be a useful tool to manage all your company’s relationships and interactions with your current and potential customers. A CRM app, such as Salesforce, will help you with contact management, sales process management, and profitability improvements. The best CRM apps even give you a very clear and easy to read view of your customers and everything related to them.
5. Dictation App
Source: businesswire.com
You may feel the need to note down certain things. But, if you prefer talking to writing stuff down, a dictation app like Dragon Anywhere can be useful. The app provides 99% accuracy and is one of the best speech to text apps for both Android and iOS devices.
From short notes to lengthy documents, you can create and edit almost anything. You can even use the free Google Docs voice typing feature to note anything down on your doc.
Final Thoughts
Although we have discussed the five types of apps you must use, there are many other powerful apps you can use as well. These include the Route4Me app for finding the right driving directions from one place to another to show up at sales appointments on time or ConvertKit for email automation or Keynote for product demos. Just weigh the pros and cons and choose the one that fits your requirements.
So, do you use any type of app for sales reps that you would like to add here?
