Technology is constantly evolving and transforming the way businesses market their products and services. From social media to mobile technology, companies are able to reach their customers in ways that were previously unimaginable. Digital marketing has become increasingly important, as it allows for messages to be tailored to specific audiences with laser-like precision. Additionally, technology can be used to improve sales performance and increase customer relationships.
In this article, we will explore the role of technology in the sales process, how to improve sales performance with technology, and how companies can implement this technology effectively today.Charles Wells, marketing director of the charitable fundraising service JustGiving, spoke at a panel about the need for marketers to combine their creative and marketing skills with a real-time understanding of technology. Marketing leaders are also concerned about the security of the data they handle, which reflects the increasingly data-driven nature of their work. By analyzing customer behavior on digital channels, companies can gain actionable insights that were previously unattainable for both sales professionals and marketing professionals. Hema Chauhan, marketing executive at the TMW agency, asked if brand teams, technologists or agencies were better able to implement new technological systems. The modern marketing department needs to combine the creative side of discipline (using powerful narratives to harness people's desires and aspirations) with the technical aspect of data, digital engineering and analytics.
Gregory Gillette, an information analyst at the 1000 Heads agency, asked what kind of skills those who wanted to go into marketing needed. Those seeking a career in marketing should be prepared to combine the magic of marketing and the science of technology to create powerful and relevant marketing campaigns. For brands to work together effectively in the digital world, marketing managers and chief information officers must work in unison. Steve Mullins, director of content at brand-e, posed a question about the effectiveness of digital marketing. Just as marketers need to know more about technology, data and analysis, technically minded staff on the digital side need to be more creative.
When asked about their opinion on whether or not IT departments can provide business units with the technology they need in sales, 48% agreed and 22% totally agreed. As a result, internal relationships between IT functions and sales and marketing functions are evolving as they take control of their technological destinations by defining new solutions that take advantage of emerging trends such as mobile computing and social networks. Not all technology is right for every business, but it's a good idea to stay ahead of trends so you know what may come in the future and plan your marketing technology strategy accordingly.