Category: Insights

Insights

How to Choose the Right Internet Provider for the Home

It’s no secret that the internet has become an essential part of our everyday routine. We use it for many things – shopping online, looking things up, working, and more. In fact, it has gotten to the point where it’s hard to remember what life was like before it. The internet is a great resource because it has so much stuff available on it. You can find almost anything you need to know if you look hard enough, even things you didn’t realize you wanted to know. Plus, with how fast-paced everything is nowadays, who has time to wait for answers? But before you decide which internet provider to get service from, make sure you do your homework. It’s important to know what each provider offers in terms of data plans so that you can choose one that will work well for your needs. There are other factors to consider when selecting an ISP as well; this article covers some more of those key points.

Factors to Consider for the Best Internet Service Provider for Home

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are like intermediaries for the Internet. They connect homes to the vast Internet through data centers and routers. ISPs offer different connection options like cable, fiber optic, or DSL. They act like traffic directors, using protocols to route information across the web.  An internet provider also assigns unique addresses (IP addresses) to devices on their network, allowing them to talk to each other on this giant global network. On top of internet access, some ISPs also provide extras like email addresses, web hosting, domain registration, and even tech support for your connected devices.

The Internet is no longer a luxury for businesses – it is essential. From video streaming giants to social media, home users are relying on the Internet for entertainment more than ever. So, whether running a business or looking for home internet, choosing the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) is crucial. This post dives into the key factors to consider when making that choice.

●  Bandwidth

Individuals need the internet to handle peak usage without slowing down. For many, speed is the top priority. They simply want the fastest option available in their area. The key metric to compare plans is called “bandwidth.”  Think of bandwidth as the size of a pipe – it determines how much information can flow through your internet connection at a time. Speeds can vary widely depending on location.  Some areas might have access to fiber-optic connections exceeding 1000 Mbps (megabits per second), while some rural areas might have slow DSL connections offering only 3-6 Mbps.  It’s also important to remember that advertised speeds aren’t always guaranteed.

●  Your Needs

Before diving into internet plans, figure out what you need it for. Here’s what to consider: Is your internet use mostly basic stuff like browsing emails and websites? Or do you need it for bandwidth-hungry activities like online gaming and streaming high-definition videos? Where you live matters a lot. Big cities often have more internet options and faster speeds compared to rural areas. Think about how many devices will be connected at once in your home or office. This includes computers, phones, tablets, smart TVs, and game consoles. The more devices using the internet simultaneously, the more bandwidth you’ll need.

●  Consult with the Nearest ISPs

Now that you know your internet needs, let’s find the perfect internet provider for your home! Here’s what to consider:

➔ Search for providers offering the internet type (cable, fiber, etc.) and speeds you require in your area.

➔ Explore bundled packages that include internet, cable TV, or phone service for potential savings.

➔ Watch out for extra charges like monthly router rentals, installation fees, and data overage penalties. Many providers limit your data usage (data cap). Ask about data caps and what happens if you exceed them (slow service or extra charges). This will help you choose a plan that aligns with your typical data usage.

●  Consistent Performance

Consistent internet access is paramount for businesses and individuals alike. When evaluating potential ISPs, prioritize providers with a proven track record of service reliability. Ideally, aim for a provider that experiences minimal downtime, with outages exceeding five minutes per month being a cause for concern. Customer reviews and industry reports can offer valuable insights into an ISP’s reliability. Focus on partnering with a provider known for delivering consistent and dependable service.

Conclusion

Lastly, to choose the best internet provider for your home, you must look for an ISP that prioritizes customer satisfaction. Sound customer service goes beyond words; it is about building relationships with customers and the community. A helpful and responsive approach is a crucial indicator of excellent service. While all companies advertise their customer service as the best, explore in detail. Research online reviews and see what real customers have experienced. A consistent stream of positive reviews suggests an ISP that excels at keeping customers happy.

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Polymesh Real-World Assets: Secure, Reliable & Accessible

Real-world assets have become more important in conversations about Web3. It is now possible to represent these assets as tokens thanks to blockchain technology. This means that things like stocks, currencies, and commodities can be traded on a blockchain. The market for tokenized real-world assets, including Polymesh real world assets, could be very large — potentially trillions of dollars’ worth of trading each year. There are many ways to think about this idea, but one key point is that lots of different kinds of value might be represented by tokens and moved around easily on blockchains- not just money or digital currencies. For example, you could also use blockchains to trade company stocks in a way that’s transparent & publicly verifiable (to make sure everyone knows what deals are being made).

Introduction to Real-World Asset Tokenization

Real-world assets (RWAs) exemplify the transformative potential of blockchain technology, enabling the digital representation of diverse physical, digital, and data-based assets. As per the research on market prediction, the asset tokenization market could reach $16 trillion by 2030, driven by anticipated annual savings of approximately $20 billion from blockchain efficiencies.

Tokenization allows assets like art, real estate, stocks, commodities, and personal data to be securely represented on-chain, enhancing ownership transfer, revenue sharing, and liquidity. This innovation unlocks new commercial possibilities for previously illiquid assets. This trend is exemplified by the increasing tokenization of the U.S. dollar, with projections suggesting the U.S. stablecoin market could grow to $3 trillion by 2028.

 

Importance of Real-World Assets in the Crypto Space

Including Polymesh real world assets in crypto portfolios allows investors to diversify beyond purely crypto-related assets. This diversification can mitigate risk and stabilize investment returns, offering a balanced approach to wealth management in volatile markets.

Real-world assets bridge traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi) by enabling lending, borrowing, and trading on DeFi platforms. This integration expands financial opportunities and functionalities within the decentralized ecosystem. Use Cases of Real-World Assets in Crypto include:

●  Lending and Borrowing: Tokenized real-world assets serve as collateral on lending platforms, facilitating stablecoin loans and interest earnings for lenders. This decentralized model offers flexible financing alternatives compared to traditional banking.

●  Index Fund Creation: DeFi platforms enable the creation of index funds composed of diversified real-world asset tokens. These funds spread risk across asset classes, providing passive exposure and investment diversification.

Asset Management: Autonomous fund protocols trade real-world asset tokens to generate returns. This active management approach offers the potential for higher yields and capital deployment efficiency in the crypto space.

Less Volatile Investments: Tokenization allows investors to access less volatile assets like real estate and commodities on blockchain platforms, diversifying risk and expanding investment horizons.

 

Tokenization Process for Real-World Assets

With these three simple steps, you can tokenize your real-world assets:

●   Asset Identification: Identify valuable assets suitable for blockchain exposure and tokenization, whether physical (e.g., real estate) or digital (e.g., stocks).

●   Regulatory Approval: Obtain regulatory clearance to ensure legal compliance and enforceability of asset-backed tokens, adhering to jurisdictional regulations.

Blockchain Selection: Choose a blockchain network like Polymesh for its robust smart contract capabilities and asset management features tailored for real-world asset tokenization.

 

Harnessing the Power of Polymesh for Real-World Assets (RWAs)

Polymesh real world assets offer transformative advantages across efficiency, cost reduction, transparency, compliance assurance, liquidity expansion, and innovative financial solutions. Polymesh Real World Assets bring:

Centralized Transaction Data Entry

Centralized Transaction Data Entry ensures trust and reliable ownership verification. The immutable ledger acts as the definitive source of truth, enabling-

●   Seamless post-trade reconciliation

●   Atomic settlement

●   Simultaneous delivery with payment

Autonomous Protocols

Autonomous protocols automate trade processes, reducing reliance on intermediaries and minimizing human error. This automation accelerates-

●   Transaction speeds

●   Lowers risk

●   Significantly cuts costs associated with manual labor

Real-time Auditability

Public blockchains like Polymesh provide real-time audibility with accessible on-chain activity and data. Enhanced transparency empowers participants to

●   Verify asset quality

●   Assess systemic risk exposure

●   Expedite dispute resolution

Compliance Assurance

Polymesh integrates complex compliance rules directly into real-world asset tokens at the protocol layer. This setup includes a unique identity system and privacy-preserving KYC features, ensuring regulatory adherence while safeguarding user privacy.

Fractional Ownership for Liquidity Expansion

Blockchain enables fractional ownership of traditionally illiquid assets, such as

●   Real estate

●   Private credit investments

●   Pre-IPO shares and carbon credits

This innovation expands access to trillions in asset value, creating new ownership models and financial products.

Supporting Both Fungible and non-Fungible Tokens

Polymesh natively hosts digital assets and settlement logic, eliminating the need for smart contracts or multiple environments. Polymesh facilitates the creation of innovative financial products like fractionalized real estate funds and liquid revenue-sharing agreements by supporting fungible and non-fungible tokens.

Conclusion

Polymesh real world assets ensure robust governance through a multi-layered model involving token holders, stakeholders, and committees, bolstered by Substrate’s adaptable upgrade mechanism. Its decentralized identifier framework guarantees verified identities for all participants, promoting trust and security. Polymesh enables customizable compliance rules for global regulations like KYC/AML and investor accreditation. It ensures privacy with zero-knowledge proofs, secure asset management, and selective data disclosure. Polymesh’s on-chain settlement engine provides fast, secure settlements for on- and off-chain assets, ensuring near-instant finality without pre-funding or smart contracts.

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1031 Tax Exchange: The Best Kept Secret of Real Estate Investors

There are many real estate sponsors offering private investment deals these days. However, their focus on long-term holdings truly sets the professionals apart. Sure, a single property purchase can be profitable, but the key to maximizing wealth is to be a long-term owner. This allows investors to leverage tax-saving strategies like 1031 exchanges when loans mature, ultimately generating greater returns for investors. Many investors need to be made aware of what is a 1031 exchange, how it works, and its secret benefits. Therefore, we will discuss every aspect in detail to gain maximum profit from real estate investment.

1031 Exchange as the Secret Weapon for Investment

Did you know there’s a way to swap investment properties and delay paying capital gains tax? That’s the magic of a 1031 exchange or a like-kind exchange. Here’s the gist: you sell an investment property, but instead of pocketing the profit and getting hit with taxes, you reinvest it in another qualifying property. It’s like trading one investment for another, so the IRS lets you postpone that tax bill. There are some catches, though.

The new property needs to be for business or investment use, not your residence, and it must be similar in type to the one you sold (think commercial for commercial, not your vacation cabin). Remember, this is just a delay, not a dismissal. Eventually, when you sell the replacement property without another exchange, you’ll owe taxes on the gains from both sales. But the beauty lies in using that tax-deferred money to buy a massive, better property and grow your wealth over time.

A 1031 exchange has some fundamental rules.

●  The new investment needs to be similar to the one you’re selling. The planning starts before you even sell.

●  Once you sell your belongings, you have 45 days to identify potential replacements in writing, and the new digs need to be a step up – pricier than what you sold.

●  One new property for one old one is most common, but you can target up to three replacements.

●  With your targets identified, you have 180 days from the sale date to finalize the purchase.

●  Now, the money from the sale – the part you want to avoid taxes on – goes to an appropriate middleman called a Qualified Intermediary. They send the funds to the new property’s seller and all the pesky paperwork.

The Secret of 1031 Exchanges

With a century under its belt, the 1031 Exchange is a powerful tool for real estate investors. It lets you sell a business property and reinvest the proceeds in another one, all with the help of a qualified intermediary. The magic? You don’t need to pay capital gains tax. Whether transitioning from commercial buildings to single-family rentals or simply looking to maximize your return on investment, a 1031 Exchange allows you to keep that sweet $100,000 (or more!) the IRS would snatch. Instead, you can reinvest it into more real estate, fueling your portfolio’s growth. Imagine selling a property that’s skyrocketed in value.

With a 1031 Exchange, you leverage a qualified intermediary to handle the sale and reinvestment, letting you defer capital gains taxes and put that money towards even more properties. In a nutshell, what is a 1031 exchange? It enables you to postpone paying taxes on the sale as long as you reinvest the profit in a similar property. This is especially valuable in high estate tax states, where investors can use this strategy to move their profits to lower-tax areas and acquire new rental properties. It’s a win-win for investors and a boon for the economy!

From a wealth maximization perspective, utilizing a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains taxes is superior to after-tax reinvestment strategies.  For most investors, the likelihood of achieving a higher return by selling an asset, paying taxes on the capital gains, and then independently reinvesting the proceeds is statistically improbable.

Conclusion

Traditionally what is a 1031 exchange? These exchanges are seen as a complex strategy for real estate pros, and 1031 exchanges are gaining traction with everyday investors for good reasons. These offer a powerful way to slash your tax bill and supercharge your returns, allowing you to upgrade your real estate portfolio without tax headaches.  While it’s true that pulling off a successful exchange requires some planning and professional help, the upfront costs (including fees) pale in comparison to the potential tax benefits.  Think of it as a smart investment in your future wealth.

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Insights

Top Internet Providers: Your Guide to Finding a Reliable Connection

Throughout our existence, particularly in light of the widespread adoption of work-from-home policies, our reliance is heavily placed on the effectiveness of a dependable, swift, and consistent wifi connection. Given the various broadband options available today, it becomes increasingly challenging to discern authentic broadband packages from those that may fall short of their advertised promises. By adhering to these suggestions, you can pinpoint the optimal internet provider and secure all the features you desire from your internet service.

Tips to Find A Reliable Internet Service Provider

Amidst the digital dominance of our contemporary era, selecting an appropriate internet service holds paramount importance in facilitating uninterrupted online engagements. The internet provider you opt for significantly influences the trajectory of your online endeavors. Therefore, it is imperative to meticulously weigh various factors when making this pivotal decision, guaranteeing a consistent and dependable online connection.

Evaluating Speed

The first thing that people need to figure out is how fast they want their internet to be. This is because it helps them know the rate at which data can be downloaded or uploaded on their network. It is important to understand that if you have more devices connected to the internet at the same time, or if you want to do several things online like stream videos or play games, then you will need more bandwidth (which means higher Mbps).

Before choosing an internet service, think about how much speed you need for different activities online. For example: For general web browsing & using social media –> 1 Mbps; To play games online –> 1-3 Mbps; Video calling (jitsi, meet) –> 1 Mbps; Standard quality live streaming –> 3-4 Mbps; High-definition video streaming (Netflix, Prime Video) –> 5-8 Mbps; For frequent large file downloading needs–>50 Mbps or more.

Analysis of Upload and Download Speeds

It is important to consider both how fast data can be downloaded from the internet and uploaded onto it when deciding on a plan since these two things affect the user experience. A good way to understand what download speed means for a specific plan is thinking about how long it takes for your broadband connection to receive data for everything included in a web page (text, pictures, videos). Upload speed, on the other hand, is how quickly your connection can send data back out into the internet.

For people who are playing games online, it’s important to think about upload speed because a high ping rate (which is related to this) will make them lag more – not some fast speeds down.

Support for Customers

Reliable customer support is very important for online services. It is comforting to know that help will be available right away if something goes wrong and it ensures that everyone can use the internet easily & without any problems. You can check what other people have said about an internet service company’s customer support by looking at reviews on social media websites. Also, if you want to see how good their customer service is, try calling their customer service hotline yourself and talking to one of their employees. Remember: the quality of customer service may change depending on where you live and which company you are using — so make sure to do some research for your specific area first.

Internet Connection Equipment

The equipment supplied by your ISP plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable connection. Seek information regarding the modem and router provided by Excitel Internet Provider. Familiarizing yourself with the capabilities of this equipment ensures that your home network is equipped to meet the requirements of contemporary internet usage.

Analyzing Various Broadband Offers

It may require some effort to diligently assess and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different wifi connections to uncover the optimal broadband service provider. Several factors warrant consideration, including pricing, speed, data limits, installation fees, equipment expenses, and average customer ratings. The ideal wifi service provider will offer an appropriate speed range and data caps at a reasonable price, meeting all your requirements.

Conclusion

It is recommended that the ideas above are considered when choosing an internet provider. However, there are some internet providers that have very good reputations for giving great service. They may have a staff team that can help you with problems quickly & easily as well as internet speeds into the house which are faster than usual. These companies also offer data plans without limits on how much you use, which means you can do more online at once without getting charged more money.

Insights

How to Measure and Improve Contact Center Performance Metrics

Contact centers (also called call centers) are pivotal in delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining customer satisfaction. To ensure the efficacy of contact center services, it is crucial to measure and improve performance metrics systematically. This article explores key performance metrics and strategies to enhance them, ensuring a robust and customer-centric contact center.

Key Performance Metrics

  1. Average Handle Time (AHT):
    • Definition: AHT is the average duration of an entire customer interaction, including hold time and follow-up tasks.
    • Measurement: Total Talk Time + Total Hold Time + After Call Work / Number of Calls Handled.
    • Improvement: Train agents on efficient call handling techniques, provide them with better tools and resources, and streamline processes to reduce hold times and post-call work.
  2. First Call Resolution (FCR):
    • Definition: FCR measures the percentage of calls resolved during the first interaction without the need for follow-ups.
    • Measurement: Number of Calls Resolved on First Attempt / Total Number of Calls.
    • Improvement: Empower agents with comprehensive knowledge bases, encourage problem-solving skills, and reduce unnecessary call transfers by providing agents with more decision-making authority.
  3. Customer Satisfaction (CSAT):
    • Definition: CSAT scores gauge customer satisfaction with the service they received.
    • Measurement: Typically collected through post-call surveys, where customers rate their experience on a scale (e.g., 1 to 5).
    • Improvement: Regularly review customer feedback, identify common pain points, and address them through targeted training and process improvements.
  4. Service Level (SL):
    • Definition: SL measures the percentage of calls answered within a specified time frame.
    • Measurement: Number of Calls Answered Within Threshold / Total Number of Calls.
    • Improvement: Optimize staffing levels based on call volume patterns, employ intelligent call routing, and reduce call duration through efficient problem resolution.
  5. Net Promoter Score (NPS):
    • Definition: NPS assesses customer loyalty by asking how likely customers are to recommend the company.
    • Measurement: Based on customer responses to the question, “On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend us to others?” with scores categorized into Promoters (9-10), Passives (7-8), and Detractors (0-6).
    • Improvement: Focus on converting Detractors to Passives and Passives to Promoters by addressing their concerns, enhancing service quality, and ensuring consistent positive interactions.

Strategies for Improvement

  1. Agent Training and Development:
    • Invest in regular and comprehensive training programs for agents to enhance their communication, problem-solving, and product knowledge. Encourage continuous learning through workshops, e-learning modules, and certifications.
  2. Technology Integration:
    • Utilize advanced contact center technologies such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems to streamline operations and provide agents with real-time information.
  3. Performance Analytics:
    • Implement robust analytics tools to monitor and analyze key performance metrics. Use these insights to identify trends, forecast call volumes, and adjust strategies accordingly.
  4. Customer Feedback Loop:
    • Establish a strong feedback loop where customer insights are regularly reviewed and acted upon. Use feedback to refine service protocols, train agents on handling specific issues, and innovate service offerings.
  5. Employee Engagement:
    • Foster a positive work environment that encourages agent engagement and satisfaction. Happy and motivated agents are more likely to deliver high-quality service, positively impacting overall contact center performance.

Conclusion

Measuring and improving contact center performance metrics is essential for delivering top-notch contact center services. By focusing on critical metrics such as AHT, FCR, CSAT, SL, and NPS, and implementing strategies like enhanced training, technology integration, and continuous feedback, contact centers can achieve operational excellence and elevate customer satisfaction. Investing in these areas not only optimizes performance but also builds lasting customer loyalty, a cornerstone for any successful business.

maximize your startup marketing potential
Insights

How to Maximize Your Startup’s Marketing Potential in 2024 and Beyond

Consumer preferences and the market are changing day by day. Along with these, technology is advancing too. In such a situation, it’s very important for startups to stay competitive to survive and thrive. The year 2024 presents entrepreneurs with both challenges and opportunities to maximize their marketing potential.

5 Tips to Maximize Your Startup’s Marketing Potential in 2024 and Beyond

Let’s have a look at some strategies that could help startups thrive in the dynamic marketing environment of 2024 and beyond.

#1. Embrace Data-Driven Insights

Using data-driven insights, startups can divide their audience into groups based on factors like age, where they live, what they like, and how they buy. This helps startups make specific and personal marketing campaigns that connect better with each customer, leading to more interaction and sales.

Startups can determine which marketing method – including social media, emails, search engine optimization (SEO), paid ads, or others – is the most effective one to reach their target customers by observing how well these marketing methods work. This helps them spend their marketing money wisely and concentrate on the methods that work the best.

Data-driven insights also enable startups to leverage predictive analytics to forecast future trends, customer behavior, and market opportunities. Startups can enhance their decision-making process regarding marketing strategies, product development, and business expansion plans by examining past data and employing algorithms.

#2. Prioritize Content Marketing

Content marketing helps startups attract organic traffic to their website and generate leads. By optimizing content for relevant keywords and topics, startups can improve their search engine rankings and increase visibility in organic search results. If your content addresses the needs and interests of the target audience, it can easily attract inbound traffic from social media, email newsletters, and other channels. This results in higher engagement and conversion rates.

By creating informative and educational content that addresses common questions, challenges, and pain points faced by their audience, startups can position themselves as trusted advisors and problem solvers. This helps nurture leads through the sales funnel and build stronger relationships with customers over time.

Compelling and shareable content can spark conversations, drive engagement, and encourage social sharing among target audiences. Startups can leverage various content formats such as interactive quizzes, polls, contests, and user-generated content to encourage audience participation and interaction. 

Startups can also include social sharing buttons and calls-to-action in their content to make it easy for readers to share content with their networks. This will improve the reach and impact of the startup’s message.

#3. Leverage Artificial Intelligence and Automation

Chatbots and virtual assistants powered by AI technology can automate customer interactions and provide instant support round the clock. Startups can deploy chatbots on their website, social media channels, and messaging platforms to answer frequently asked questions, assist with product inquiries, and facilitate seamless transactions. By automating routine customer service tasks, startups can free up resources and focus on more strategic initiatives to grow their business.

AI-driven predictive analytics enables startups to forecast future trends, anticipate customer needs, and identify potential opportunities and risks. Startups can use past data and machine learning algorithms to determine how customers will behave, predict market trends, and understand competitive dynamics. This insight empowers startups to proactively adjust their marketing strategies, optimize resource allocation, and stay ahead of the competition.

Marketing automation platforms powered by AI technology enable startups to automate repetitive marketing tasks, such as email marketing, lead nurturing, and campaign management. Startups can use features like automated workflows, behavior-based triggers, and dynamic content personalization to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time. By making manual tasks and workflows automatic, startups can save time, work better, and get better results with their marketing efforts.

#4. Embrace Influencer Marketing

Source: FreePik

Influencers are seen as trusted authorities within their respective communities. When an influencer recommends a product or service, their audience is more likely to trust and value their opinion. When startups team up with trustworthy influencers who support their brand, it helps them gain trust and credibility with the people they want to reach.

Influencers often share personal experiences, stories, and testimonials about products or services, making the brand message more authentic and genuine. The creativity level and authenticity of the influencers help startups create content that is attention-grabbing from the word go. This will get people involved and make them more likely to buy or do what the startup wants.

Startups can collaborate with influencers to create diverse and engaging content (photos, videos, blog posts, and live streams) that showcases their products or services in a creative and captivating manner. Diverse content formats can cater to different preferences and consumption habits of the audience. Storytelling techniques can effectively communicate the brand message and value proposition to the target audience.

#5. Focus on Omnichannel Marketing

Omnichannel marketing integrates various channels and platforms to create a seamless and cohesive customer journey. Startups should track customer interactions and behaviors across channels by using technologies such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, marketing automation platforms, and data analytics tools. This integration allows startups to deliver targeted messages and offers to customers based on their interactions and preferences, increasing the level of engagement and conversion rates.

Omnichannel marketing enables startups to engage with customers at multiple touchpoints throughout their journey. Startups can offer customers opportunities to engage with the brand and make well-informed buying decisions through various channels like social media, email marketing, mobile apps, and in-store experiences.

Final Thoughts

Startups need to stay agile and adaptive. They must put customers at the center of all decision-making processes. Startups should customize their marketing strategies based on their customers’ needs, preferences, problems, and feedback.

Startups need to be ready to adjust their marketing plans and methods quickly in response to immediate feedback and performance data. Whether it’s adjusting messaging, reallocating budget, or experimenting with new channels, startups must be flexible in their execution to respond to changing market dynamics and customer needs. 

Author Bio

Andy Beohar is the Managing Partner at SevenAtoms, a leading B2B demand generation agency. SevenAtoms is dedicated to driving growth for SaaS and B2B businesses through innovative and optimized paid search and is recognized by Google as a Google Premier Ads partner. At SevenAtoms, Andy plays a strategic role in managing paid search campaigns. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Twitter!

 

Insights

Pipeline Acceleration: Accelerating the Sales Cycle through Marketing


The sales team in SaaS companies are shouldered with the responsibility to achieve sales targets which often requires them to close the lead quickly. Much of the conversion in a sales cycle, from initial touch base to final conversion, involves communication with various stakeholders—ranging from initial contacts to final decision-makers.

B2B SaaS sales reps thus need to engage a diverse group of individuals within the client’s organization. It includes potential users, key influencers, financial approvers, and technical evaluators, each playing a critical role in the purchasing decision.

Because a typical B2B SaaS environment often has decision-makers who are not the end-users of the product. For instance, email marketing software will be used by a marketing executive but the decision on which software to buy rests on the marketing head or CMO (chief marketing officer).

What happens in such cases?

Deals stall, prospects disappear, and revenue targets remain unachieved. HubSpot reports an average SaaS cycle of 84 days. So, how to gauge whether you are on pace with the average?

By focusing on the pipeline acceleration. 

What Is Pipeline Acceleration?

Pipeline acceleration is a strategic approach to gauge the velocity of your sales cycle. The outcome is insights that help unlock faster growth by aligning marketing and sales. They can then be tasked to boost prospects through the sales funnel at lightning speed. 

Implementing the right tactics for sales and marketing can shorten sales cycles, boost win rates, and have a direct impact on your bottom line.

Here’s what pipeline acceleration can do:

  • Ensure fast revenue growth: A shorter sales cycle translates to revenue hitting your books sooner.
  • Allows improved forecasting: Pipeline acceleration over time presents a pattern, making it easier for the team to predict sales. This makes pipeline forecasting significantly accurate where resources for sales and marketing are allocated based on the forecasted revenue. 


This allows — 

  • Shortening the sales cycle by creating a more predictable flow of leads.
  • Enhancing visibility into future revenue.
  • Smarter budgeting and efficient resource allocation decisions based on reliable data.
  • Providing better sales efficiency: Sales efficiency isn’t just about closing deals fast. It also ensures that the efforts of your sales teams translate directly into maximum revenue, without wasted time or misdirected effort.

In this piece, we’ll explore how marketing teams can chip in to accelerate the sales cycle.

High-Quality Lead Nurturing

Once prospects show interest and advance in the sales funnel, marketing teams need to keep these leads engaged. This involves nurturing relationships with leads throughout their buying journey.

Marketing teams run targeted content and provide personalized communication to educate, guide, and demonstrate value


Often, their actions will rely on the lead score. It involves using lead scoring tools to rank leads based on their engagement and fit. This helps prioritize and customize marketing outreach for the most promising prospects.

Here’s how marketing teams can nurture leads to accelerate the sales cycle.

Email Drip Campaigns

Automated sequences that deliver personalized content to drive sales based on lead behavior (e.g., website visits, content downloads, etc.). It works by delivering relevant and timely content based on lead behavior.

When a lead performs a specific action, they are automatically enrolled in a predefined sequence of emails, text messages, or in-app notifications. Each message in the sequence is crafted to educate, engage, and advance the lead further down the sales funnel.

For example, if a lead signs up for a free trial of a software product, they might be enrolled in a sequence that includes:

  • A welcome email with instructions on how to use the software,
  • A series of emails offering tips and best practices for effective use,
  • A case study or testimonial from a similar customer, and
  • An offer for a paid subscription.

ToFu, MoFu, BoFu content

Blogs, webinars, case studies, and whitepapers that address prospect pain points and position your solution across the different stages of the funnel.

  • ToFu (Top-of-Funnel) Content: To attract and engage leads with blog posts, infographics, social media content, etc. This should address industry challenges and offer helpful insights.
  • MoFu (Middle-of-Funnel) Content: Leads with favorable (high) scores demonstrate that they are more interested. For them, provide case studies, webinars, and ebooks where your SaaS solution is presented as a tool to solve their specific problems.
  • BoFu (Bottom-of-Funnel) Content: Equipping prospects for the final decision with demos, free trials, and customer testimonials, reinforcing their decision to choose your product.

Deliver Sales Enablement

Sales teams need the tools, resources, and knowledge to close deals effectively. While they are the ones communicating with prospects, marketing teams can work behind the curtains to create compelling sales material tailored for each prospect.

Sales enablement will help deliver warmer, more qualified leads to sales, enabling them to close deals faster and increase overall win rates.

Here’s what the marketing teams can expect to do.

Create a Content Hub

Marketers create a centralized location for sales to easily access the latest marketing content, customer success stories, and product updates. Sales reps can thus save time searching for the right content, assuring them of using the most current information.

Offer Sales Collaterals

Marketing teams can infuse much-needed creativity that interactively showcases your product’s features and how they solve customer problems. 

Here’s what it includes:
 

  • Organizing live demos (led by a sales rep) or pre-recorded for prospects to explore at their own pace.
  • Visually appealing slide decks provide a high-level overview of the product, company, and customer success stories.
  • One-pagers that offer concise summaries of key product information, ideal for quick reference by sales or distribution to prospects.
  • Comparison sheet to put competitors’ products for side-by-side comparisons to highlight your product’s advantages.

Providing a Seamless Sales Handoff

A fast-moving sales cycle requires marketing and sales teams to break data silos. This means the information of qualified leads from marketing to sales should transit faster with clear communication and context. 

Achieving this handoff requires both teams to — 

  • Define clear lead qualification criteria across different stages of the buyer journey.
  • Gain contextual Insights beyond just contact details by including behavioral data (content viewed, questions asked), giving sales a richer lead profile.

Apart from these, marketing teams can work on a seamless sales handoff in the following manner.

Implementing Advanced CRM Integration

Integrating CRM lead management helps automate the transfer of lead data from marketing to sales so that all relevant information is instantly available to the sales team. 

Such integration provides real-time updates and alerts on any activity — from opening an email to downloading a case study. Sales reps can then engage with such leads while they are still hot. It also includes triggering workflows that prompt sales actions based on specific marketing interactions or lead behaviors.

Regular Training and Feedback Loops

The marketing and sales team can attend training sessions to understand the full capabilities and information available through CRM and other tools. Such trainings encourage an ongoing feedback loop where sales provide insights back to marketing on lead information that was most useful and which needed refinements. This allows the marketing team to refine their data collection and lead scoring models.

Conclusion

When it comes to boosting revenue through sales, marketing teams too can contribute. Their involvement throughout the sales cycle as discussed above can help sales reps to move the prospect further in the funnel, faster.

Visionary brands break departmental silos where marketing teams are not just responsible for generating leads. They also need to take steps to nurture prospects with the right content at the right time, equipping sales for success, and tracking results to optimize future performance.

A better alignment between marketing and sales can streamline the pipeline, leading to shorter sales cycles, and faster revenue growth.

About the Author:

Hazel Raoult is a marketing manager at PRmention. She has over six years of experience writing about startups, entrepreneurship, and all things to SaaS.

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