What AI actually costs in sales
Evaluating AI cost in sales requires considering integration and data work, as a sales team using AsscherAi to query customer data may need to spend weeks cleaning and formatting the data, and the cost of using the AI system is driven by the volume of queries submitted.
A sales dashboard that nobody opens is a common sight in many organisations, a reminder that the cost of implementing AI in sales is not just about the licence fee for the software, but about the resources required to integrate it into the existing workflow and make it useful to the team.
Integration and data work as the dominant line
The biggest cost in deploying AI in sales is usually the work required to integrate the AI system with the existing customer relationship management system, and to prepare the data that the AI system will use to answer queries from the sales team. This work can be time-consuming and require significant resources, including staff time and budget for external consultants or contractors.
In many cases, the cost of integration and data work can be several times the cost of the AI software itself, and can take several months to complete. For example, a sales team using AsscherAi to query their customer data may need to spend several weeks cleaning and formatting the data before it can be used by the AI system.
Run cost against query volume
Once the AI system is up and running, the cost of using it is typically driven by the volume of queries that the sales team submits to the system. The more queries that are submitted, the higher the cost of running the system, as more computing resources are required to process the queries and return answers to the sales team.
This means that the cost of using AI in sales can vary significantly from one month to another, depending on the volume of queries submitted by the sales team. A sales team that is using AsscherAi to support a major sales campaign, for example, may see a significant increase in query volume and therefore in the cost of running the system.
The cost of a wrong answer nobody caught
Most people get wrong the idea that the cost of AI in sales is just about the cost of the software and the cost of running it. They are wrong because they forget that a wrong answer from the AI system can have significant costs, including the cost of lost sales or damaged customer relationships.
A wrong answer that is not caught by the sales team can lead to a range of negative consequences, including lost sales, damaged customer relationships, and reputational damage. For example, if a sales team is using AsscherAi to provide product recommendations to customers, and the AI system provides a recommendation that is not suitable for the customer's needs, the customer may become dissatisfied and take their business elsewhere.
Attributing spend to a process rather than a model
When evaluating the cost of AI in sales, it is important to attribute spend to the process that the AI system is supporting, rather than to the AI model itself. This means looking at the cost of the entire sales process, including the cost of staff time, marketing campaigns, and customer support, and evaluating how the AI system is contributing to the overall cost of the process.
For example, a sales team using AsscherAi to support their sales campaigns may find that the AI system is reducing the cost of staff time required to respond to customer queries, or that it is improving the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. By attributing spend to the process rather than the model, the sales team can get a clearer understanding of the value that the AI system is providing.
For more information on how AsscherAi can support sales teams, please contact us.
What this does not do
The approach to evaluating the cost of AI in sales that is described in this article is not suitable for all organisations, and there are some cases where it may not be the best choice. For example, organisations that are using AI to support a simple, well-defined process may find that a more straightforward approach to evaluating cost is sufficient.
In other cases, the cost of AI in sales may be driven by factors other than integration and data work, or query volume. For example, organisations that are using AI to support a highly regulated process, such as financial services or healthcare, may need to consider additional costs such as compliance and risk management. If you are unsure about how to evaluate the cost of AI in sales for your organisation, please contact us for more information.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main costs associated with implementing AI in sales?
The main costs are integration and data work, which can be time-consuming and require significant resources.
How does query volume affect the cost of using AI in sales?
The cost of using AI in sales is driven by the volume of queries submitted, with more queries requiring more computing resources.
What is the impact of a wrong answer from the AI system on sales?
A wrong answer can lead to lost sales, damaged customer relationships, and reputational damage, making it crucial to ensure accuracy.
How should organisations evaluate the cost of AI in sales?
Organisations should attribute spend to the process supported by the AI system, rather than the AI model itself, to get a clearer understanding of its value.