The AI Revolution: 70% of Salespeople Will Be Replaced Within 18 Months 🚀

Automation and AI are redefining the rules of the game, with phenomenal advancements. At the recent SaaS Summit Benelux, Jacco van der Kooij, founder of Winning by Design, shared a graph illustrating the evolution of the customer journey. From lead generation to expansion, each stage still relies, for the time being, on traditional Sales teams. However, this dynamic is evolving rapidly, paving the way for an unprecedented technological revolution.

AI isn’t just optimising a few tasks; it’s reshaping the entire process. Advanced automation tools aren’t just supporting teams; they’re gradually taking over to generate, qualify, and convert leads at a scale that humans alone can’t achieve.

Every stage of the funnel is now an opportunity for automation and scalability. You may have already noticed: bots are becoming more sophisticated, virtual assistants are multiplying, and predictive systems are anticipating customer needs. We’re on the brink of a new era where humans can focus on what truly matters: building deep, strategic connections, while machines handle the rest.

AI is revolutionising every stage of the sales cycle 🌐

Here’s how :

Sales

1. LeadGen: Spotting Opportunities Before Anyone Else

Intelligent prospecting bots scan platforms like LinkedIn identify the most promising profiles, and initiate targeted conversations. Gone are the days of lengthy manual searches: AI detects interest signals in real time, allowing you to engage the right people at the right moment.

2. LeadDev: 24/7 Lead Qualification

Intelligent voice assistants can qualify leads in real time through smooth and natural conversations. They analyse tone, keywords, and the prospect’s intent to assess their level of interest. With these tools, qualification is no longer restricted to business hours and becomes instant.

3. Sales: AI Avatars Selling for You

AI avatars handle first-level video calls, answering frequently asked questions, providing product demonstrations, and guiding prospects through the buying journey. Meanwhile, your teams can focus on more complex and strategic sales.

Expansion

4. Onboard: A Smooth and Intuitive Customer Experience

Virtual assistants streamline the onboarding process for new clients. They guide users step-by-step through getting started with your tools or services, answer common questions, and ensure that every user enjoys a seamless and effortless experience.

5. Usage: Anticipating to Build Stronger Loyalty

Predictive analytics tools monitor product or service usage and detect early signs of potential disengagement. When a risk is identified, these systems intervene proactively, offering solutions or adjustments before the customer even feels the need.

6. Expansion: Smartly Increase Customer Value

Automated recommendation systems leverage behavioural data to identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities. They send personalised offers at the most opportune moments, maximising customer value while boosting revenue.

The era of AI is no longer a futuristic vision; it’s already here.

Every interaction, decision, and opportunity can now be optimised with these technologies. Humans still play a central role, but their strengths are amplified by automation. The question is no longer whether you should adopt AI, but how you can leverage it today to stay competitive.

In the next 18 months, up to 70% of sales tasks could be automated. 💥

Tomorrow’s salespeople will need to focus on what AI can’t replace: strategy, intuition, and authentic human relationships.