On this week in sales we’ll be looking at: 

* How Apple are using virtual avatar salespeople* Why customer service are binning their apps* The insane growth and revenue in the CRM space

And much more!

This Week In Sales hosts:

* Will Barron – Salesman.org/Youtube* Victor Antonio – Youtube.com/user/salesinfluence

TOPICS:

Apple Patent envisions a completely new Virtual Store Experience with Avatar Salespeople that can make Presentations about Products & more

Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to advancing the experience of buying devices and software on their next-gen online Apple Store with avatar salespeople who can make presentations and more.  

Apple’s patent describes techniques for enabling a retail experience in a CGR environment. Online shopping can lack the instantaneous feedback, answers to questions, suggestions, demonstrations of products, and human connection of an in-person shopping experience.

https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2021/01/apple-patent-envisions-a-completely-new-virtual-store-experience-with-avatar-salespeople-that-can-make-presentations-about-pr.html

Salestech is the new martech, and it’s supercharging both professions

The evidence – 

* Outreach, which hit a $1.33 billion valuation last summer, and SalesLoft, which achieved a $1.1 billion valuation just last week.* Data from a recent 2021 Revenue Operations and Customer Acquisition Benchmark Report produced by ringDNA and RevOps Squared revealed that 28% of the companies surveyed are spending $400 or more per rep (SDRs or AEs) per month.* Aragon Research predicts sales engagement will be a $5.59 billion market by 2023.

https://customerthink.com/salestech-is-the-new-martech-and-its-supercharging-both-professions/

Salesforce Unveils Loyalty Management Platform For Businesses As Online Sales Boom 

Salesforce is rolling out a new product to let B2C and B2B companies easily add loyalty programs at a time when the company says online holiday retail sales grew 50 percent to top $1 trillion.

“Organizations with high levels of customer loyalty outperform their competition, so it’s critical that they provide their customers with valuable and memorable experiences to build trust,” David Schmaier, CEO of Salesforce Industries, said Tuesday (Jan. 12) in unveiling the company’s new Loyalty Management product.

The new system will enable businesses to easily build loyalty programs on the Salesforce Customer 360 Platform. 

https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2021/salesforce-unveils-loyalty-management-platform-for-businesses/

Where Will Salesforce Be in 5 Years?

Salesforce controlled 19.8% of the global customer relationship management (CRM) market in the first half of 2020,