Best Tools for New Remote Sales Teams
With more employees working remotely worldwide in response to the recent global crisis, we all have been forced to adjust to a new way of doing business. Small and local businesses switching to a strictly remote salesforce (even temporarily) are making the leap into unknown territory.
Whether you were already switching to remote sales or being forced to sell remotely due to the pandemic restrictions, this is an opportunity to introduce new, better processes and systems.
Tools for Highly Productive Remote Sales Teams
Throughout your transition to remote sales, there are going to processes and activities that will only work with the right tools. Here is a quick rundown of popular services you can research to support your sales team.
Team Communication Platforms for Remote Sales Teams
SLACK – an integrated messaging and chat app that connects your conversations with your online tools using a robust API that integrates with 1500+ apps making it easier to access and share files.
MICROSOFT TEAMS – host audio, video, and web conferences internally and with third-party organizations on a platform that allows you to schedule bookings, set deadlines, take notes, screen-share, upload files, and instant message. Works well with other Microsoft products but doesn’t play so nice with other tools such as Google Docs.
Video Platforms Specifically for Sales
CRANKWHEEL – zero-hassle screen sharing with no download, tailor-made for sales teams who need to connect with and convert hard-to-reach prospects. Prospects view using any browser — desktop or mobile. Add a “Call Me Now” button to your website to find an agent to call the moment your prospect requests it.
DEMODESK – screen share with prospects with no downloads, content shared on a virtual display, instant control sharing. It comes with automated scheduling, real-time sales assistance, and analytics so you can perform better demos, onboard customers faster, automate manual tasks and scale your team.
CRM for Remote Sales Teams
SALESFORCE SALES CLOUD – CRM and sales automation software with analytics functionality that provides detailed insights on customer sales history, interactions, and social media activity with automatic lead scoring and routing.
HUBSPOT CRM – CRM and sales automation software solution that offers pipeline and contact management and lead scoring. Predictive lead scoring functionality lets you focus on high-impact leads and prioritize outreach based on a contact’s likelihood to convert to a customer.
PIPEDRIVE – CRM software to manage the sales pipeline, generate sales reports and do sales forecasting. Categorize deals based on the pipeline stage and focus on high-priority deals first.
Remote Sales Video Messaging Tools
ONEMOB – the video engagement platform for Salesforce that gives sales reps the ability to connect with buyers via video emails. Record and upload videos, customize landing pages and then send them from anywhere. Measure engagement with real-time tracking.
BOMBBOMB – a video email marketing platform with tools to send, and track the results of video emails. Create and send rich video emails in an Email Editor and get analytics on precisely who’s opening your emails, clicking your links, and watching your videos.
LOOM – record your screen, voice, and face to create an instantly shareable video in less time than it would take to type an email. Reduce back-and-forth typing and get your message across the first time.
Document Tracking for Proposals, Contracts & Signatures
GETACCEPT – e-sign important contracts, agreements, sales quotes, proposals, and other documents with a single click. Built-in video messaging feature that allows users to create personal video presentation with the document and a real-time live chat feature.
PANDADOC – manage contracts and documents with this collaboration solution for professionals, all with a built-in eSignature feature. Various teams can collaborate on a single document by commenting and in-activity logging. This works well with quotes, contracts, agreements, and other sales collateral.
Cloud Storage for Remote Teams
DROPBOX – popular free cloud storage, with a web interface that remains streamlined and easy-to-use but has one of the least generous free packages for new users at just 2GB.
IDRIVE – offers continuous syncing of your files, even those on network drives, and supports sharing files by email, Facebook, and Twitter. Files deleted from your computer are not automatically deleted from the server, so there’s less danger of removing something important by accident as up to 30 previous versions of all files backed to your account are retained.
Integration Tools to Connect All Your Remote Sales Tools
ZAPIER – automate everyday sales tasks in workflows by connecting over 1,500 apps using conditional logic. Collaborate with your team with several features on plans that range from free to $250 a month.
INTEGROMAT – an online automation platform with an editor that allows users to visually create automated workflows without having to touch a line of code integrates with hundreds of apps and services. It provides templates to set up workflows quickly.
AUTOMATE – integrate cloud-based apps and create complex workflows to automate marketing, sales, and business processes. Automatically generate and send invoices and track orders and payments.
Adaptability is a key characteristic of small business success, and savvy leaders are seizing these crisis conditions as an opportunity to roll out new, more productive systems. Research these tools to get your remote sales team through transitional times and back to closing deals.
