CPQ (Configure Price Quote) software helps you sell more professionally, accurately and efficiently. Don’t ignore the warning signs. Identify them (and what you can do about them) so you can prepare your sales team for growth in the coming years. 

We have seen many scenarios that drive business leaders to finally say “ENOUGH!” with the old way, and then take them on a smarter path with CPQ software.  As we talk to Sales leaders, we continue to hear 6 warning signs over and over again -- signs that indicate it's time to fix, automate and streamline sales. If you are starting to notice any of these signs in your company, they it's time to look at CPQ software.

1. You depend on a person to personally review all quotes for configuration approval

Having a person look over sales quotes to  ensure accuracy for product configuration may work for the short term, but it is not really a long-term solution. It just does not scale. What happens when that person decides to take a family vacation for a few weeks? Will configuration approvals just stop? Can a temp  be trained to take over?  Not likely! This is not a long-term solution, especially since CPQ software can automate the process and actually improve accuracy and speed. 

2. You are sending out inaccurate sales quotes 

Whether it has to do with incorrect pricing or incorrect configuration, sending out inaccurate quotes to prospects and customers is unacceptable. You are starting a relationship with this new customer, and you don’t want to start with avoidable mistakes. These mistakes are not only embarrassing, but can hit you in the bottom line.

3. You have plans to increase revenue 

Most businesses expect to to grow in the next few years. Some are planning rapid growth, and if this sounds like you, then you are a prime candidate for CPQ software. As the business grows, so will the number of sales quotes you generate, and the amount of time your team spends generating these quotes will rise. You can free up extra time for your sales team with the use of CPQ software that enables  them to generate quotes quickly and accurately.

4. You are using Word or Excel to create price quotes

If you are using Word or Excel to configure products and create price quotes, it's time to move on! By using these outdated tools to create quotes, you risk errors, waste too much time, and typically produce non-standard sales documents. CPQ will revolutionize the way your create quotes, and you will soon wonder how you ever managed to do it any other way. 

5. Your sales team is spending less time in the office

Sales teams are increasingly mobile. They need the ability to generate accurate quotes and proposals anytime, anywhere, on any device. With SteelBrick CPQ, sales teams can be more productive, more competitive, and close more deals -- all from their smart phones and tablets. Not all CPQ software is designed to be mobile -- make sure you choose one that is.

6. Your business is always looking for new ways to improve

Technology can help you run your business more efficiently and with greater accuracy. If your business is like most, you are already doing things faster, better and smarter than ever before. With CPQ software, you can apply this "smarter, better, faster" approach to the creation of sales quotes and proposals.

If ANY of these 6 warning signs sound familiar, you owe it to yourself to take heed and look for a better way. If ALL of the 6 signs sound familiar, then it's time to talk to a CPQ specialist to learn more!