The State of Generative AI in Sales, With Adnan Zijadic
Mar 29, 2024
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Adnan Zijadic, Gartner director analyst, discusses the state of Generative AI in B2B sales with highlights on use cases, C-suite engagement, and missed opportunities. Topics include challenges in AI adoption, pivotal role of C-suite, potential and concerns of Generative AI, and expectations for sales leaders.
Sales leaders are not prioritizing equipping sellers with generative AI despite growing push from C-suite.
CSOs should align sales strategies with company's AI vision by engaging with C-suite.
Deep dives
Sales Leaders' Priorities Regarding Gen AI Implementation
Many sales leaders do not prioritize equipping sellers with generative AI for effective selling, despite a growing push for AI implementation coming from the C-suite. While 71% of functional leaders see the importance of generative AI, the majority of CSOs are not aligning with this priority. This discrepancy highlights a tension between sales leaders and upper management in understanding the significance of AI in driving sales.
The Role of CSOs in Partnering with the C-suite on Gen AI
CSOs should proactively engage with the C-suite, understanding their perspectives on AI implementation and aligning sales strategies with the company's AI vision. Initiating discussions on strategic priorities, outcomes alignment, and leveraging existing AI capabilities can help sales leaders collaborate effectively with the C-suite to drive Gen AI adoption.
Challenges and Recommendations for Sales Leaders in Gen AI Adoption
Sales leaders face challenges in understanding and prioritizing AI due to growth targets and short-term profit-making pressure. To bridge this gap, they should educate themselves on various AI use cases, engage in proactive conversations with C-level executives, and emphasize the importance of AI for maintaining competitive advantage. Taking a strategic approach and fostering collaboration with the C-suite can enhance Gen AI integration within sales organizations.
After over a year of hype, what is the real state of generative AI (GenAI) in B2B sales? In this episode, Betsy and Billy speak with Gartner expert Adnan Zijadic to discuss how sales leaders and the C-suite are engaging with GenAI, which use cases are gaining ground, and where sales leaders are missing out.
Adnan Zijadic is a director analyst in the Sales Technologies team at Gartner for Sales Leaders. His research focuses on sales force automation (SFA/CRM) platforms, evaluations, and strategy, along with Sales AI use cases and best practices. Not only that, he also pioneered Gartner’s first ever workable CRM readiness assessment, the SPEED framework.
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