Episode Summary
In this episode of Taking the Lead, host Christina Brady sits down with Priyanka Sundhar from 4pm. They delve into the challenges and opportunities of remote work, mainly focusing on productivity. Priyanka emphasizes the importance of personalizing productivity, cautioning against broad, one-size-fits-all approaches. She suggests that productivity is a personal journey, unique to each individual, and should not be confined to traditional notions of early mornings and relentless hustle.
The conversation then shifts to the role of daily habits in productivity. Priyanka advocates for the quick implementation of productive habits and the power of daily standups in remote teams. She underscores the importance of sales leaders holding their teams accountable for their daily activities, emphasizing the potential of each day.
Lastly, Priyanka and Christina explore the intersection of productivity and AI. They discuss the potential of AI in enhancing productivity while acknowledging the need for the human touch in sales. Priyanka’s insights provide a fresh perspective on productivity in the digital age, offering valuable strategies for sales success.
Guest Profile
Key Insights
- AI and Productivity Priyanka highlights the potential of AI in enhancing productivity. She believes AI can help eliminate administrative tasks that often bog down sales reps, allowing them to focus on what truly matters. This insight emphasizes the intersection of technology and productivity, suggesting that AI could be a game-changer in sales reps' operations.
- The CRM Challenge Priyanka discusses the inefficiencies of CRM systems in many organizations. She suggests these systems often distract reps from their core job, reducing productivity. Priyanka believes that incorporating AI into CRM systems can help alleviate this issue, making these systems more conducive to work rather than being a distraction.
- Personalizing Productivity Priyanka argues against the broad, one-size-fits-all approach to productivity. She suggests that productivity is a personal journey unique to each individual. This insight challenges traditional notions of productivity, emphasizing the need for personalized strategies that cater to individual preferences and work styles.
Episode Highlights
Ideal Schedule and Daily Standups
Priyanka talks about the importance of implementing an ideal schedule immediately. She also highlights the power of daily standups in ensuring productivity. She believes these practices can help sales reps stay ahead and meet their targets.
“I like those daily standups because it shows you the power of what each day is. And I think as a rep, a lot of reps have been in that situation where you don’t take it that seriously. It’s the beginning of the quarter. You give yourself a little leeway, and then you get to the end of the quarter, and you’re behind. So it’s all about being ahead.”
The Role of AI in Productivity
Priyanka discusses the role of AI in enhancing productivity. She believes AI can help eliminate administrative tasks that often distract sales reps, allowing them to focus on what truly matters.
“There are so many little administrative tasks that sellers have to constantly do and take care of. So with AI, I see it is powerful in eliminating some of that administrative work and helping clear up a rep’s day so they can just focus on what matters. And that is huge for so many reps so that they can hit their targets and focus on those daily behaviors.”
The Personal Aspect of Sales
Priyanka emphasizes the importance of the personal aspect of sales. She believes that despite technological advancements, the personal touch in sales must be retained. Priyanka suggests that sales reps must be present in their client conversations and interactions.
“I believe you will never get rid of the personal aspect of sales. […] I can’t get behind this idea that you’re gonna purchase software for thousands of dollars and there’s not gonna be a person to tell you, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on, and this is what you need,’ or listen to you; people need that.”
The CRM Challenge
Priyanka discusses the inefficiencies of CRM systems in many organizations. She suggests these systems often distract reps from their core job, reducing productivity. Priyanka believes that incorporating AI into CRM systems can help alleviate this issue, making these systems more conducive to work rather than being a distraction.
“One thing we’ve noticed about the AI, which is interesting, is it’s this unbiased listener in your conversations. So it forces you to, one, ask the questions that you need to ask to hold yourself accountable to discovery, which I think is important for all sellers. And second, it just helps with the workflow, the time-consuming admin.”
