Going into 2017, the top trends for companies will have two main characteristics: they're either relatively new concepts driving business success or trends that started before 2016 that have since become mainstream ways for firms to reach higher profits. Take a look at the top 10 ways for businesses to make waves in 2017.
1. Subject Matter Experts
The three types of sales people who help bring about business success are the sales person, order taker and subject matter expert. In a world of sales analytics, SMEs are the new rainmakers thanks to tons of software tools. With a combination of sales technology and the right human touch, SMEs can take purchase information, inventory records and Internet analytics and produce buyer personas that win the day.
2. Crowdfunding Gains
Crowdfunding remains a strong option for getting products off the ground. Crowdfunding websites are increasingly better ways of producing market research and predicting the business success of a new product.
3. Video Information
A survey from Forbes states that as many as 80 percent of executives watch videos to receive information, and nearly 75 percent watch work-related videos online. This format has really taken off because of FAQ pages that standardize customer service modules for companies. Videos are going to be an even bigger way to create business success in 2017.
4. Integrating Sales and Content
Sales and content marketing continue to become more and more integrated into business models in 2017. Online research, setting appointments and placing orders are all done online at some of the world's largest retailers. Thanks to lower costs, smaller businesses can take advantage of these tools.
5. In-Store Expertise and Products
Physical stores have to offer more than great merchandise to attain business success. Employees have to be experts on what they sell — this means giving advice about products or selling specific lines of products with dynamite customer service principles.
6. Collaboration Beyond Email
Collaboration tools move beyond traditional email messages and into video, online conferencing and specific software tools such as Slack for internal communications. With these models, employees are more productive by checking email less frequently.
7. Excellent Sales Support
Sales support staff become even more crucial to sales teams. These employees integrate sales tools, manage proposals and make behind-the-scenes decisions about how customers buy products.
8. Customization
People want to order precisely what they want, not what everyone else wants, when they walk into stores and restaurants. More and more companies continue to recognize that customization is the way to keep loyal buyers coming back repeatedly.
9. Subscriptions
Rather than one-time payments for smaller services, businesses move toward subscription services that are all-inclusive. Monthly or yearly payments help predict where a company's revenue goes in the future and improve financial forecasts.
10. Millennial Takeover
Millennials have already moved into middle management positions. In 2017, this younger generation should start moving into C-suite positions as well.
Business success comes from a combination of the right technological tools and the insights that come with analyzing the information that companies receive. These top trends can all help your firm jump to new heights in 2017 and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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