Real-Time Reporting..
..is a business intelligence practice that consists of gathering up-to-the-minute data and relaying it to users as it happens. Information is presented in its most current form for managers to easily make quick decisions. Gathering Real-time information requires a unique system but when in use has some tremendous advantages. No where is real-time reporting of greater advantage than in the sales world. It becomes a win-win for all stakeholders.
For Sales Reps
It lends itself perfectly to the way sales reps would like to work . “I love doing sales reports” said no sales rep ever. But a good real-time reporting system would allow a sales rep to submit a report in 60 seconds or less from any cell phone immediately after a customer interaction. Imagine a sales rep that can complete and submit their report while waiting at the elevator or walking to their car. Imagine a sales rep that does 5, 10 or even 20 sales calls per day – what a tremendous improvement in productivity they would get having to spent only 5, 10 or 20 minutes per day doing sales reports.
For Sales Managers
Information that comes in from real-time sales reporting will revolutionize your sales managers. Not only will they get more information because their sales reps are engaged, but information will arrive as it is happening. Sales managers will have insight into all sales rep and customer activity. Sales managers will have real-time information to support their reps, react to situations, address issues, have accountability, develop personalized training programs and have early information about new reps. Real-time reporting could be the most powerful tool available to turn your sales managers from cheerleaders into coaches and leaders.
For Management
Real-time reporting is about having more information to make big decisions: decisions about company direction, product development, competitive activity, and more – decisions that can only be made with input from the customer-facing employees.
For Executives
Real-time reporting has a proven ROI, has improved employee retention, and builds team concept and transparency into the workforce.