Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone and
welcome back to the Deep Dive.
You know how this works yougive us the source material and
we dig in, pulling out all theinteresting insights.
I love it.
So today we're taking on howCRM workflow automation can
improve team productivity andreduce bottlenecks.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Oh, this is a good
one.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
It is Plus, we've got
this really cool visual showing
how CRM can like connecteveryone in a company.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Yeah, it really
brings it to life.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
So are you ready to
get into how businesses can use
CRM workflow automation?
Let's do it All right.
The article starts by talkingabout all the challenges
businesses face when they relyon manual processes, and it's
not just that things are slow,it's bigger than that, right?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Right, you're talking
about communication breakdowns
and those missed opportunities.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Exactly, and the
article actually mentions some
stats about all this.
Like did you know that somebusinesses waste something like
20% of their time on duplicatetasks?
Wow, 20%.
Yeah, it's a lot of wastedproductivity.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
It really adds up.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
For sure.
And then there's thebottlenecks.
They're not just a littleannoying, they can actually
cause big problems.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Absolutely Like
project delays, frustrated
customers.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yeah, and even lost
revenue.
So the article is sayingbusinesses need a way to
streamline things.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
And that's where CRM
workflow automation comes in.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
OK, so let's break
that down.
What does CRM workflowautomation even mean?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, it sounds kind
of complicated, but it's simpler
than you think.
Think about like setting upif-then statements for your
business process.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Okay, I think I'm
following.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
So, like lead
assignments, say, a new lead
comes into your CRM system, theautomation could route it to the
best salesperson to handle it.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Based on things like
their territory or expertise.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Exactly, or even how
busy they are at that moment.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
So no more leads
slipping through the cracks.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Exactly, and it's not
just leads.
Think about automatic remindersfor follow-ups, so you don't
miss any chances.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
That's a good one.
Or what about those tasks thatneed several people to approve
them?
Crm automation can handlerouting those requests.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Yeah, no more crazy
long email chains.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Huge time saver, but
to do all that you'd need a
pretty advanced system.
How can a business even be surethese automations are working
right?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Well, that's where
the idea of a visual dagboard
comes in.
A lot of CRM systems these dayshave them, like the one from
Pinnacle AI that the articlementions.
It gives you a real-time viewof everything.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So you can see what's
done, who's doing what and if
there are any holdups.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Exactly Like a
bird's-eye view of your whole
operation.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
You mentioned
Pinnacle AI.
What makes them stand out?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Well, the interesting
thing about them is that they
use AI to take automationfurther.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Really.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, their system
analyzes past data so it can
actually predict which tasksmight cause bottlenecks Wow.
And then it suggests ways tomake your workflows better.
It's more than just followingsteps.
It's like it's constantlyimproving.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
So it's like
proactive.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Very cool.
So we've talked about tasks,but what about communication and
collaboration?
Does CRM workflow automationhelp with those too?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
It totally does.
One of the biggest things isthat it puts all your customer
information in one place.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
So everyone's working
from the same information.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Exactly Sales,
marketing, customer support.
Everyone has the same data andinsights.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
No more silos.
I can see how that would be agame changer for the customer
experience.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Absolutely Imagine a
customer contact support with a
question.
The agent can instantly see alltheir past activity, you know
purchases, support tickets, evenmarketing emails.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Wow.
So the agent has a reallycomplete picture of that
customer.
That leads to much bettersupport.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Right, and it
improves internal communication
too.
Instead of tons of emails andmessages back and forth, teams
can work together right in theCRM.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So everyone's on the
same page, literally.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Exactly, plus.
With automated notifications,everyone stays in the loop
without having to constantlycheck in.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Less confusion, less
wasted time.
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
And it's not just
good for the business internally
, All this efficiency andcommunication.
It leads to a better experiencefor your customers.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Oh for sure, when
your team's running smoothly,
customers definitely notice thedifference.
I feel it.
So what are those benefits theyexperience directly?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Well faster response
times for one.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Right, because
everything is moving more
quickly.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Exactly, and more
personalized interactions, since
everyone has that full customerhistory.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
It's all connected.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Right, right Fewer
errors, fewer drop tasks.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Leading to more
satisfied customers.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Exactly it's a
win-win for the business and the
customer.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Absolutely.
But I do have to ask is it allperfect?
Are there any downsidesbusinesses should watch out for.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
That's a great
question.
There are definitely somethings to keep in mind.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Like what.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Well for one.
You don't want to try toautomate too much, too quickly.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
So start small.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, start by
looking at your current
processes and figuring out whereautomation can have the biggest
positive impact.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Be strategic about it
.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Exactly.
Another important thing is tomake sure your team is on board.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Because change can be
tough.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It can be Some people
might resist using new
technology or doing thingsdifferently.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Makes sense.
So how do?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
you overcome that.
Good communication is key.
Clearly explain the benefits ofautomation to your team.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
So they understand
why it's important.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Right, and of course,
good training and support are
essential so everyone feelscomfortable with the new system.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
So it's not just
about the tech, it's about the
people using it, too ExactlyWell.
This has been a great overview.
So far, We've covered a lot ofground, from the technical side
to the impact on businesses andemployees.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
And we're not done
yet.
There's still so much more toexplore.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Definitely We've got
some great real-world examples
coming up, stay tuned.
Definitely We've got some greatreal world examples coming up,
stay tuned.
Ok, so we're back and ready tokeep going with CRM workflow
automation.
Before the break, we weretalking about those potential
challenges, you know, withimplementation.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
And actually the
article brings up data security
too.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Oh yeah, that's a big
one, especially for businesses
with sensitive customerinformation.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
I mean a data breach
can be a disaster.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
It can really damage
a company's reputation.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Not to mention the
financial hit.
So how can businesses?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
make sure their CRM
system is secure and their data
is protected.
Well, you have to really doyour homework.
Choose a CRM provider that hasa good track record when it
comes to security.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, that makes
sense.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Look for features
like encryption, multi-factor
authentication.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Right, those extra
layers of security.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Exactly, and regular
security audits are important
too.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
So you know they're
staying on top of things.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Right and don't be
afraid to ask them the tough
questions about their datastorage practices and how they
comply with industry standards.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
You really got to vet
them carefully.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Absolutely it.
And how they comply withindustry standards.
You really got to vet themcarefully.
Absolutely.
It's not just about the coolautomation features, it's about
the foundation.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Like building a house
, you need a solid foundation.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Love that analogy.
But even with a secure systemyou can still run into problems
if you don't pay attention tothe human side of things.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
The article touches
on that, but do you have any
real world examples of wherethings went wrong?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Oh, yeah, for sure.
I've seen companies try toautomate way too much right off
the bat, you know, withoutfiguring out their existing
workflows first.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So it backfires.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
It does.
It just creates confusion anderrors.
They actually end up being lessproductive.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
That's the opposite
of what you want.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Exactly.
Careful planning is key.
Yeah, another common mistake isthinking that automation will
magically fix any problems youalready have with your process.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Right, it's not a
magic wand.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Exactly.
If your sales process isalready inefficient, automating
it will just make thoseinefficiencies worse.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
So you have to
optimize what you already have.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Right, like if you're
trying to make a cake.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Okay, I like where
this is going.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
If the recipe's no
good, no amount of fancy tools
will make it better.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Ah, so true.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
You got to start with
the right ingredients.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Love it.
So planning's important, whatelse?
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Ongoing support and
optimization are key too.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
So it's not just set
it and forget it.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Definitely not.
Implementing the CRM is justthe first step.
You need to keep fine tuning it, adapting to changes.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
And fixing any issues
that pop up.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
The article mentions
Pinnacle AI as a company that's
doing CRM workflow automationreally well.
What's their secret?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Well, what's great
about them is they don't just
give you software, they reallypartner with you.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
Oh, that's smart.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
They take the time to
understand your specific needs
and they provide ongoingtraining and support.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
So you're not just
left on your own to figure it
all out.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Right, and they also
emphasize data analysis.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
I was going to ask
about that.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Their system doesn't
just automate tasks.
It tracks important metrics andprovides you with insights to
help you improve your processeseven more.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
So it's like a
continuous improvement loop.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Exactly.
It's about working smarter, notjust harder.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
And that data-driven
approach is so important for
making good decisions.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Absolutely.
And of course, we can't forgetabout the customer experience.
Pinnacle AI really focuses onpersonalization and customer
journey mapping.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Oh yeah, Creating
that tailored experience.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
It helps businesses
build loyalty and drive growth.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
So they've found that
balance between technology and
the human touch.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
They have.
It's a great example of how CRMworkflow automation can be used
to streamline operations andmake customers happier.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Okay, so I'm seeing
the bigger picture now.
Crm workflow automation isn'tjust about automating a bunch of
tasks.
It's really about changing theway businesses operate at a
fundamental level.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
I like how you put
that.
It's about being more efficient, more personalized.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
And ultimately more
human-centered in how you
approach business.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Exactly.
It's about using technology toempower both employees and
customers.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Now I'm curious what
are some other examples of
businesses that are using CRMworkflow automation successfully
?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Well, it can really
benefit any business, big or
small, any industry, but it'sparticularly powerful in
industries with complex salescycles or high customer
interaction volumes.
That makes sense, likee-commerce, for instance, they
use it to personalize theirmarketing.
Automate order fulfillment.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Oh yeah, so they can
keep up with all those online
orders.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Exactly and provide
proactive customer support.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
What about other
industries?
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Financial services is
another good one.
Banks and insurance companiesuse CRM workflow automation to
streamline things like loanapplications and personalized
financial advice.
Managed client communications.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
So many applications.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
It's really amazing
to see how different industries
are using this technology tomeet their specific needs.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
It seems like the
possibilities are endless.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
They really are.
And as technology keepsevolving, we're going to see
even more innovative uses of CRMworkflow automation.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Just imagine what AI
and machine learning could do to
make interactions even morepersonalized and even anticipate
what customers need.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
It's exciting to
think about.
Ok, so we've talked about thefuture, but let's bring it back
to the present for a minute.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
What are some key
takeaways our listener can use
in their own work right now?
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Okay, first off,
remember that CRM workflow
automation isn't just a techsolution.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
It's bigger than that
.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
It really is.
It's a strategic move thatrequires planning, careful
implementation.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
And that ongoing
optimization we talked about.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Exactly, and it's not
about automating just to
automate that ongoingoptimization we talked about.
Exactly, and it's not aboutautomating just to automate.
It's about using technology toempower your team, give your
customers a better experience.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
And ultimately grow
your business Right.
I think it's important toremember, too, that technology
is just a tool.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Couldn't agree more.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
The real magic comes
from combining it with human
creativity and ingenuity.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And that desire to
make things better.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Yes.
So I think we've done a prettygood job exploring CRM workflow
automation.
In this deep dive We've lookedat the benefits, the challenges,
some real world examples andeven peeked into the future a
bit.
We've given our listener asolid foundation to build on.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Now it's up to them
to take this information and see
how they can apply it in theirown work.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Don't be afraid to
try things out, see what works
and keep learning.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
So, to wrap things up
, we want to leave you with a
question to think about.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yeah, that's a great
question to think about.
You know, it's a good reminderthat we should be using
technology to make things betterfor people, not the other way
around.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Exactly Finding that
sweet spot where efficiency and
the human touch come together.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
And speaking of the
human touch, remember that
visual we talked about at thebeginning.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
The one that shows
CRM connecting everyone in a
company.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Yeah, it really shows
how technology can bring people
closer together.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
It's all about
working together more
effectively, being moretransparent.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Right and having that
shared understanding of the
customer experience.
Exactly Well, I think we'vecovered just about everything
there is to cover on CRMworkflow automation in this deep
dive.
We've gone from the basics allthe way to real world examples
and even touched on some of thebigger questions.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
We've really given
you a good understanding of how
powerful this technology can be.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
We've talked about
the good, the bad and what to
watch out for.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
So hopefully you're
feeling inspired and maybe have
some new ideas for your ownbusiness.
Remember, it's one thing tolearn about something but it's
another to actually put it intopractice.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
So take what we've
talked about today and see how
you can apply it to your ownwork.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Don't be afraid to
experiment a little.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Find what works for
you.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And please keep those
questions coming.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
We love hearing from
you.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
And until next time,
keep diving deep.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
And keep automating.