Why B2B Companies Should Use a Virtual Assistant to Boost Sales

Virtual Assistants Are Ready – Is Your Business?

Artificial intelligence is transforming our world and economy at an accelerating pace. In the B2B space, AI-driven virtual assistants (VAs) are gaining rapid traction. These Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) are becoming increasingly advanced, offering sophisticated solutions for a variety of business challenges.

Customers today expect exceptional service and are more likely to engage with companies that consistently deliver. In B2B sales, the path to conversion is long and complex, often involving product demos, pilot tests, negotiations, and eventually a purchase. This journey spans weeks or even months, with multiple touchpoints between the buyer and seller.

During this process, sales reps must respond to a high volume of recurring inquiries, often from multiple prospects simultaneously. This can lead to overload and declining productivity. When processes are designed with customer needs in mind, AI-powered assistants can become true game changers in sales communication.

Why Should B2B Companies Invest in IVAs?

1) 24/7 Service Availability

Over 90% of customers prefer companies that respond quickly and professionally. For global operations, IVAs ensure round-the-clock support and guidance. Thanks to smart functionality and ongoing training with real-world interactions, IVAs are becoming increasingly adept at handling even complex customer queries.

The critical first 5 minutes: Risk or Reward

Only 7% of companies respond to leads within 5 minutes. According to Dr. James Oldroyd’s lead management study, leads contacted within this golden window are 21 times more likely to qualify.

For digital marketers, the message is clear: responding quickly means not losing leads to competitors. An IVA pays off quickly by handling multiple conversations at once and significantly increasing conversion rates.

2) Better Data Quality and Access

Sales success depends on access to meaningful market and customer insights. But deep research takes time and resources. This is where IVAs come in: they support your team from the first interaction, integrating seamlessly with CRM, SAP, and other systems to centralize customer data.

Each conversation adds valuable insights about your customer’s needs, pain points, and preferences. This bird’s-eye view allows your team to take smarter, faster actions—and close more deals.

3) Personalization That Enhances User Experience

Think of how Starbucks calls your name with your order, it’s a simple touch that builds connection. In B2B, personalized experiences are just as powerful.

IVAs can tailor conversations using past customer data and interactions. With the help of AI, you can analyze user journeys and adapt your approach accordingly.

Here's how IVAs personalize the experience:

• Understanding customer needs: IVAs learn from every conversation and integrate CRM or ERP data for a complete view.
• Relevant recommendations: By analyzing buying behavior, IVAs suggest complementary or upgrade products.
• Using preferred channels: With omnichannel capabilities, IVAs reach customers where they are—whether it's email, chat, or messaging apps.

4) Field Service Support: Save Time, Cut Costs, Scale Fast

Why automate? Because it helps your sales team focus on what they do best.

GetResponse found that the top benefits of sales automation are time savings, lead generation, and revenue growth.

Consider this:

• Sales reps spend just 35.2% of their time selling, the rest goes to task switching and information hunting (Forbes).
• Automation boosts sales productivity by 14.5% and cuts marketing costs by 12.2%.
• IVAs can help shorten sales cycles and increase deal volume by up to 30%.

With IVAs, internal meetings become more productive too, information is just a voice or text command away.

5) Multilingual Capabilities: Localization That Builds Trust

Imagine the comfort of being able to communicate in your native language. A report by Unbabel found that 74% of customers are more likely to buy again if post-sale support is available in their own language.

Here’s why multilingual IVAs matter:

• Reach new markets: Customers respond better to companies that speak their language.
• Build trust and loyalty: In B2B, trust is essential, and communication is the foundation.
• Avoid misunderstandings: Language gaps can drive prospects to competitors.

With multilingual support, IVAs scale effortlessly and lighten your service team’s load.

Conclusion

Every benefit listed here leads to one thing: better business performance. Investing in an IVA gives your sales team a powerful edge and brings you closer to your customers.

There’s a myth that AI will replace humans in sales. In reality, it empowers your team, handling repetitive tasks and delivering the insights they need to excel. It also improves the customer journey every step of the way.

Don’t wait. The sooner you implement an intelligent virtual assistant, the sooner you’ll see results.

Curious how Sally can support your sales? Give Sally a try today.