You're drowning in IT Sales tasks. How can you use technology to stay afloat and reclaim your personal time?

CRM Hygiene might be one of the most under rated things ever. From cleaning up duplicates to setting up the right automation and reporting capabilities, I feel like most companies do not utilize their CRM to its fullest capability. Learn how to master your internal systems first and then sell to others.

Mastering a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system helps streamline IT sales tasks by centralizing client information, tracking interactions, and managing sales pipelines. This allows you to quickly access key details, set automated follow-ups, and prioritize leads efficiently, freeing up more personal time for yourself.

I implemented a CRM that automated lead tracking, allowing me to monitor interactions and follow-ups without manual input easily. It helped me prioritize leads based on engagement, ensuring I focused on the most promising opportunities.

In simple terms, the use of technology comes in handy when surrounded by too many IT sales tasks that may deny one his or her personal time. Beginning with using apps such as the CRM system to automate follow-ups and leads to save time on monotonous work. Book meetings through online calendars so as to avoid a number of back and forth emails. Use project management tools so that there are no gaps in work and timely completion of every little detail is achieved. Moreover, it is possible to turn to AI-based analytics when it comes to assessing customer’s activity, which in its turn will open new possibilities for more individual approaches with the target audience.

Leverage CRM tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho to streamline your IT sales processes and reclaim your personal time. These powerful tools can automate many time-consuming tasks, such as tracking interactions, setting reminders for follow-ups, and even predicting future sales opportunities. By mastering your CRM, you can reduce the time spent on manual data entry and ensure you're focusing on the leads that are most likely to convert, freeing up time for personal interests and self-care.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems: Use a CRM like Salesforce or HubSpot to manage leads, track interactions, and automate follow-ups. This keeps your contacts organized and helps you prioritize follow-ups.

Can't recall how many times I've heard my team members complain about "feeding" the CRM. The truth is that with minimal admin work, there are so many information that can then be re-used across opportunities or for up-selling / cross-selling. For me it has always been vital as well for compliance reasons as a well designed CRM, can help track mails, proposals, dates and so on so forth. Last, but certainly not least, with my CRM, planning revenues was a piece of cake once opportunities were properly entered and I know that for some colleagues, it was always a true headache ;)

Time tracking tools allow you to monitor how much time you spend on specific tasks. By identifying time-draining activities, you can optimize your workday, focus on high-value tasks, and better balance your workload, leaving you more time to unwind.

I started tracking my time and monitored how much time I spent on different tasks, like meetings, follow-ups, and research. This helped me identify time drains and adjust my schedule accordingly.

It’s equally important to know where time goes in IT sales, especially for professionals who make decisions about business development and communication with clients. The tracking apps can be valuable in helping one learn how he/she spends one’s working hours. It may be helpful to find out that some activities take as much time as you could not have thought earlier. Assign non-urgent tasks, delay activities that can be done at a later date, or alter the approach to optimize the work. It also increases your productivity while creating valuable time outside of work for you! With this in mind, it is about doing more with less time.

Use time tracking tools to understand where your time goes in IT sales. This helps identify time-consuming tasks and areas for improvement, allowing you to delegate, postpone, or change your approach to free up more time outside of work.

Email Automation Tools: Implement tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign for automated email campaigns. This can save time on repetitive tasks and ensure timely communication with prospects.

Automation tools can simplify repetitive tasks such as email follow-ups, lead nurturing, and reporting. By automating these processes, you reduce manual effort, save hours daily, and maintain productivity without burning out, reclaiming more personal time.

To tackle the flood of IT sales tasks and reclaim personal time, I've leveraged automation tools to streamline various processes. For example, I implement email automation tools to schedule follow-ups and send personalized messages without needing to draft each one manually.

Sales tasks are among those tasks that benefit from automation in the most significant way, and that is IT is a true game changer in this sense. Try picturing yourself in a position where you can spend less time on following up emails, scheduling meetings, appointments or even updating sales figures on your company’s CRM. That is why once such systems are established, they perform the routine activities repeatedly with little or no interference from the person in charge. What this does for you is allow you to manage your time in a way that more valued errands and tasks, such as maintaining relations with clients and customers, or closing deals, or even relaxing, can be carried out effectively.

You could use Zapier to automatically send follow-up emails to leads who haven't responded within a certain timeframe, or to schedule meetings based on the availability of both you and your prospects. This not only saves time but also ensures that you're staying on top of your sales pipeline and building stronger relationships with your clients.

Task Management Software: Utilize platforms like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members. This can help you stay on top of your to-do list without getting overwhelmed.

I use a mobile CRM app that allows me to access important client information, manage tasks, and respond to emails on the go. For instance, while traveling, I can quickly check in on lead statuses and update notes after meetings without needing to wait until I’m back at my desk.

People are no more bounded to the workstation especially nowadays where technology is on the rise. When it comes to portable use of the sales tools, you are able to reply to clients and perform tasks. The advantage of flexibility is the ability to address one’s pressing matters promptly without necessarily having to be at the workplace, thus, avoiding high levels of stress and a clear interchange between work and a personal life. Just think about it; checking the emails before responding at the waiting bench or updating the records on the way to work! This war allows you to be connected but at the same time be detached from your workplace through use of mobile technology.

Mobile access to your sales tools is essential in today's digital age. This flexibility allows you to be responsive to clients and manage tasks on the go, reducing stress and allowing you to blend work with personal activities more seamlessly. Embrace mobile technology to stay connected while enjoying the freedom of stepping away from the office.

Scheduling Tools: Tools like Calendly or Doodle can simplify the scheduling of meetings, eliminating back-and-forth emails and allowing clients to book time that works for both parties.

Being employed by a technology manufacturer helps a lot to get the right tools to be effective while hitting the roads. I'm not using the CRM on my mobile phone simply because in my view the number of information is limited but I use my notebook and connect on my intranet via a VPN on my phone to keep the security required to access customers' data safely.

I use our own task management software, which helps prioritize tasks based on deadlines, importance, and client needs. This software allows me to categorize tasks and set reminders, ensuring I focus on the most critical activities first.

Prioritization software like Asana or Trello can help you manage a heavy workload by ensuring you're always working on what matters most. These tools help prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, allowing you to avoid getting bogged down in less important activities and focus on what will truly drive results. This frees up more time for relaxation and hobbies.

Once the relationship has been established, it becomes so easy to use a Teams or a Zoom call to stay in sync with the customers. COVID period has proven me this and since I had to move to another country outside of my territory I'm not suffering anymore from the distance. I think people got used to being remote but the first steps of any commercial relationship still needs to be done live according to me.

Virtual collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can significantly reduce the time spent in meetings and on travel. These tools enable real-time communication and teamwork without the need for physical presence. This streamlines project management and decision-making, granting you additional hours in your day that would otherwise be lost to commuting or unnecessary face-to-face meetings.