(AI\ML): Job Redundancy

Will AI replace sales talent? A timeline:

August 6 2024

Dell is cutting 12,500 jobs as it pivots to AI. [1] 

January 17, 2024 

Google to replace part of ad sales team with AI. [2]

September 2022:  (my thoughts then)

Yes, and sooner than most think. For example, over 50% of the day-to-day tasks for salespeople have been automated; that percentage will continue to increase rapidly. And while humans still have the advantage in creativity, emotion, and empathy; (AI) enabled computers can replicate 75% of our nervous system, think memory, and information processing.

ChatGPT is churning out targeted outreach, drafting proposals and statements of work, all while simultaneously automating sales process tasks. Additionally, Salesforce.com has invested north of $4 billion in acquiring AI/ML tech start-ups (focused on perfecting Einstein.) As a result, unfortunately, for some, it's time to add "displaced by AI" to the AI paradigm shift.  

(AI) not already implemented, is being considered -- and no less than Gartner, Inc. predicts that "by 2025, 75% of B2B sales organizations will augment traditional sales playbooks with (AI) guided selling solutions."

Now is not the time to rest on one's laurels; it's time to execute. If you're struggling to retire your quota, revisit the core competencies and master relationship building and objection handling (repeatable processes offered here). Be that someone people want to engage with, to buy from, by making the emotional connection AI can't. Embrace and expand your knowledge of AI/ML; focus on your circle of control, not your circle of concern. Remember, there is only one metric that accurately predicts sales: performance.

1. https://www.businessinsider.com/dell-layoffs-ai-strategy-workers-more-effective-jobs-fulfilling-2024-8

2. https://www.computerworld.com/article/1611509/google-to-replace-part-of-ad-sales-team-with-ai.html