Weekly Newsletter - 1.15.2025

SPONSORED BY

CES 2025 RECAP📅

Anna Peggram at CES 2025: Key Takeaways and Insights

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, with over 4,500 exhibitors and 141,000 attendees, once again proved itself as the epicenter of tech innovation. This year, AI was the undisputed star of the show, permeating every major announcement and innovation. As someone deeply invested in sales enablement and productivity, I couldn't help but draw parallels between what I saw and Hive Perform's mission: empowering sales teams through cutting-edge technology. Here are my top takeaways from CES 2025:

L'Oréal's Beauty Genius: AI Meets Personalization

L'Oréal unveiled its Beauty Genius technology, which leverages AI to offer personalized beauty advice, skin diagnostics, and virtual product try-ons. What struck me was how seamlessly this technology could enhance customer engagement—a priority for any sales-driven organization. For companies like Hive Perform, the takeaway is clear: personalization powered by AI isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a necessity. This aligns with our vision of tailoring sales insights to each rep, enabling them to connect with prospects more effectively.

NVIDIA's Agentic AI: Redefining Sales Productivity

NVIDIA’s keynote focused on Agentic AI, a transformative leap that promises to delegate routine tasks to AI agents. Imagine a world where sales reps can focus solely on selling, while AI handles administrative burdens. At Hive Perform, we’re exploring how similar technologies can shift sales reps’ time away from non-sales activities, boosting productivity and driving revenue. NVIDIA’s blueprint for Agentic AI reaffirmed our commitment to redefining sales productivity through intelligent automation.

Accenture's People, Process, Technology, and Data Framework

Accenture’s keynote introduced an evolved framework: People, Process, Technology, and Data. Data, now a critical pillar, underpins modern business strategies. At Hive Perform, we’ve long recognized the power of data in driving sales success. Our platform extracts deal insights from call recordings and CRM systems, enabling accurate forecasting and better decision-making. Accenture’s emphasis on data reinforces the importance of our data-centric approach to sales enablement.

Conversations with Sales Leaders: The Demand for Simplicity and Speed

Throughout CES, I had insightful discussions with sales leaders who echoed a common theme: the need for clear, actionable data insights. They expressed frustration over the time spent on admin tasks, longing for tools that prioritize selling over reporting. This feedback directly aligns with Hive Perform’s mission to provide concise, actionable sales insights that enhance visibility into team performance. By reducing time spent on data entry and analysis, we empower sales reps to focus on what they do best—closing deals.

Hive Perform: Empowering Sales Teams with AI

At Hive Perform, we’re on a mission to transform sales enablement. Our solution streamlines workflows, leverages AI to deliver actionable insights, and reduces the administrative burden on sales reps. By equipping teams with the tools they need to succeed, we help drive better performance and achieve greater sales success.

In case you missed us at CES 2025, do press the button below to connect! 🙂 

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 🌐

Sell Smarter, Not Harder! Best AI-Powered Selling Tools in 2025

AI-powered sales tools have become indispensable in 2025. They super-charge sales operations, driving efficiency, productivity, and customer engagement through informed decision-making. Tools such as Salesforce Einstein and HubSpot Sales Hub are leading this transformation. Salesforce Einstein leverages predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs, optimizing lead conversion and enhancing upselling strategies. Similarly, HubSpot Sales Hub excels with its AI-powered email tracking and lead-scoring, streamlining sales workflows and improving deal closure effectiveness. Other noteworthy tools include Gong.io, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and Zoho CRM.

AI’s role in sales is not transient but a fundamental element of future success. Businesses investing in these tools position themselves to exceed customer expectations by optimizing operational efficiency and data-driven strategies. AI is reshaping sales to not only meet but also surpass future demands.

Streamline Sales Commission Management with Seamless Automation Solutions

Sales commission management remains a persistent challenge due to complex team dynamics, intricate compensation structures, disparate data sources, and constant changes. Both spreadsheets and legacy systems fall short. The ideal solution integrates ease-of-use with automation strengths, providing a balanced and effective commission management approach.

Recruiting & Retaining A Killer Sales Team - Live at PPAI Expo 2025

Nicole Rhooms, HR director at PPAI, moderated a panel on “Future Ready Sales: Recruiting and Retaining a Killer Sales Team.” The panel discussion unpacked the secrets to recruiting top sales talent, building a high-performing team and retaining the best in the business.

Key strategies included fostering a strong employee value proposition, leveraging referral programs, and creating a culture of transparency and collaboration across sales teams. Panelists emphasized hiring slow, firing fast, balancing inside and outside sales roles, and effectively managing multi-line key accounts. To prevent burnout, companies highlighted strategies such as Summer Fridays, sabbaticals, and maintaining clear work-life boundaries. The session also covered inclusive hiring practices, emphasizing diverse recruitment channels and team interviews. The discussion wrapped up with insights on commission-only structures, providing value to sales reps, and leveraging internal support systems to drive sales success.

INDUSTRY NEWS 📰

Navigating AI's Potential - Balancing Innovation with Human Touch in Sales

AI is transforming sales by enhancing efficiency and providing data-driven insights. However, SBI Growth highlights a key paradox: while AI can streamline processes and boost performance, over-reliance on it risks diminishing critical human skills in sales.

Effective sales still depend on human connection, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex customer relationships. To fully leverage AI, sales teams need tailored training programs that integrate technology without sacrificing these essential skills.

The solution lies in a balanced approach—using AI to handle repetitive tasks and deliver insights, while prioritizing human-led strategies for building trust and closing deals. By embracing this hybrid model, companies can unlock the true potential of AI in sales while preserving the human touch that drives lasting customer relationships.

What New Research Tells Us About Blending Sales Training Modalities

ATD research shows that blending virtual and in-person sales training offers the best results. Virtual tools deliver scalable, cost-effective foundational learning, while in-person sessions build advanced skills and foster team connection. This balanced approach maximizes engagement, ensuring sales teams are well-prepared for dynamic market challenges.