Changes in selling in 2024

Changes in selling in 2024
That being said, it's expected that the selling landscape will continue to evolve in 2024 as technology continues to advance and consumer behavior changes. Here are some potential changes in selling that we might see in 2024:

1. 
   Increase in e-commerce: With the pandemic, e-commerce has already seen a significant surge, and it is likely to continue in the coming years. Therefore, businesses will continue to invest in their online presence, including websites, social media platforms, and mobile apps, to cater to online shoppers.
   

There are several reasons for the increase in e-commerce in recent years:

Overall, the increase in e-commerce can be attributed to a combination of factors, including convenience, selection, competitive pricing, improved technology, social media, and the COVID-19 pandemic

2. 
   Rise in personalization. Personalized shopping experiences are becoming increasingly important to consumers. In response, businesses will use AI-powered technology to personalize product recommendations, email marketing campaigns, and advertising efforts.
   

Personalization is becoming increasingly important in e-commerce as consumers expect a more customized and personalized shopping experience. Here are some reasons for the rise in personalization in e-commerce:


Overall, the rise in personalization in e-commerce can be attributed to a combination of improved data collection, AI and machine learning, increased competition, customer expectations, and improved technology. As personalization becomes more widespread, it is likely to become an even more important factor in e-commerce success.

3. 
   More emphasis on sustainability. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and they expect businesses to follow suit. Therefore, businesses will focus on sustainable sourcing, production, and distribution to attract eco-conscious customers.
   

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for consumers, and e-commerce companies are responding by placing more emphasis on sustainability. Here are some reasons for the growing focus on sustainability in e-commerce:

• 
  Consumer demand: Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases, and they are looking for more sustainable options. This has led to a growing demand for sustainable products and packaging, as well as more environmentally friendly shipping and delivery options.
  
• 
  Brand image: E-commerce companies are aware that their environmental impact can have a significant impact on their brand image. By emphasizing sustainability, companies can improve their reputation and appeal to consumers who are concerned about the environment.
  
• 
  Cost savings: Sustainable practices can also result in cost savings for e-commerce companies. For example, using recycled materials for packaging can reduce the cost of materials, while using more energy-efficient transportation methods can reduce fuel costs.
  
• 
  Regulations: Many countries and regions are introducing regulations that require companies to reduce their environmental impact. E-commerce companies need to comply with these regulations in order to avoid fines and maintain their operations.
  
• 
  Ethical considerations: Many e-commerce companies recognize the ethical considerations of sustainability and want to do their part in reducing their environmental impact.
  

4. 
   Use of augmented reality: Augmented reality (AR) is expected to become more mainstream in the selling landscape. By using AR technology, businesses will enable customers to virtually try on clothes, visualize home decor, and experience products in their homes before buying.
   

Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that overlays digital content onto the physical world, allowing users to interact with and visualize products in a more immersive way. Here are some reasons for the growing use of AR in e-commerce:
Overall, the growing use of AR in e-commerce can be attributed to its ability to enhance the customer experience, reduce return rates, differentiate from competitors, improve product visualization, and increase engagement. As AR technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative uses of AR in e-commerce in the future.

5. 
   Growth in social commerce: Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are already popular for brand promotion, but they're now becoming selling platforms as well. In 2024, businesses will continue to use social commerce to reach customers directly and drive sales through social media.
   

Social commerce refers to the use of social media platforms to sell products and services. Here are some reasons for the growth in social commerce:

• 
  Social media usage: Social media platforms have become an integral part of daily life for many people, with billions of users worldwide. This provides a huge audience for businesses to reach with their products and services.
  
• 
  Convenience: Social commerce allows customers to browse and purchase products without having to leave their social media platform. This provides a more convenient shopping experience for customers.
  
• 
  Personalization: Social media platforms provide businesses with a wealth of data on their customers, which can be used to create highly personalized experiences. This can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  
• 
  Trust and social proof: Social media provides a platform for customers to leave reviews and feedback on products, which can help to build trust and social proof for businesses. Customers are more likely to trust recommendations from their peers than from businesses themselves.
  
• 
  Innovation: Social media platforms are constantly introducing new features and tools that can be used for social commerce. For example, Instagram has introduced shoppable posts and stories, allowing businesses to sell products directly from their social media accounts.
  

6. 
   In-person relationships will become more rather than less important.
   

Once social media, texting, video conferencing and other mobile technologies have lost their newness, there will be a shift towards personal, face-to-face relationships. While those technologies will continue to be used more frequently, business people will increasingly differentiate between online "friends" and the personal relationships that involve face-to-face contact, and the active conducting of business.

7. 
   Sales training will move from private providers to colleges and universities.
   

Sales training is currently a multi-billion-dollar business that's dominated by private providers, many of whom teach a similar, or even identical, curriculum. While academia has generally ignored the study and teaching of sales in favor of the study and teaching of marketing, that will change over the next decade. An increasing number of business majors will "minor" in sales as well as marketing.
The idea of sales training moving from private providers to colleges and universities is an interesting one. Here are some potential reasons for this shift:

• 
  Demand for formal education: As the sales industry becomes more complex, there may be an increasing demand for formal education in sales. This could be driven by employers who are looking for more highly skilled sales professionals, or by individuals who are looking to improve their skills and credentials.
  
• 
  Recognition of sales as a profession: In the past, sales has not always been recognized as a profession in the same way as fields such as law or medicine. However, as the industry becomes more sophisticated and specialized, there may be a greater recognition of sales as a profession that requires formal education and training.
  
• 
  Collaboration between academia and industry: Collaboration between academia and industry could lead to the development of more relevant and effective sales training programs. This could involve universities working with companies to develop customized sales training programs that meet the specific needs of their industry or organization
  
• 
  Increased competition: As the sales industry becomes more competitive, there may be a greater emphasis on education and training as a way to gain a competitive advantage. Companies may be more willing to invest in formal education for their sales professionals as a way to improve their performance and results.
  

Overall, the shift towards sales training moving from private providers to colleges and universities could be driven by a range of factors, including demand for formal education, recognition of sales as a profession, collaboration between academia and industry, and increased competition. However, it remains to be seen whether this shift will actually occur and what impact it would have on the sales industry.

8. 
   Salespeople will become more specialized and more professional.
   

Traditional wisdom says that a good salesperson can "sell anything to anyone." That was never really true--there have always been different kinds of selling--but it's going to become less true as time goes on. Salespeople are already beginning to specialize in terms of industry, because specialized expertise is needed, and in terms of channel, because selling on the phone, by video conference, and in person require different skill sets.

It is likely that salespeople will become more specialized and more professional in the future. Here are some reasons why:

• 
  Increasing complexity: Sales is becoming increasingly complex, with more data to analyze, more channels to manage, and more specialized products and services. This means that salespeople will need to have more specialized knowledge and skills to be successful.
  
• 
  Emphasis on customer relationships: As competition increases, businesses are placing more emphasis on building and maintaining strong customer relationships. This requires salespeople to have a deep understanding of their customers' needs, preferences, and challenges, and to be able to build trust and rapport with them.
  
• 
  Use of technology: Technology is transforming the sales industry, with tools such as CRM systems, data analytics, and automation becoming increasingly important. Salespeople will need to be able to effectively use these tools to manage their sales pipeline and engage with customers.
  
• 
  Professionalization of the industry: The sales industry is becoming more professionalized, with companies investing in training and development programs to improve the skills and knowledge of their salespeople. This is likely to lead to a more specialized and professionalized workforce.
  
• 
  Shift towards consultative selling: As customers become more informed and empowered, there is a growing trend towards consultative selling, where salespeople act as trusted advisors and provide value through their expertise and insights. This requires a high level of specialization and professionalism.
  

Companies will continue to hire more rather than fewer salespeople.

For the past few decades, many business thinkers have treated selling as something that would eventually "wither away" as the Internet made commerce more "frictionless." That hasn't happened, however, because as soon as something becomes a commodity (and thus can be sold directly), that process has created the need to higher-level solutions. This continues to create an increasing demand for skilled salespeople.

These are just a few potential changes in selling that we might see in 2024. As technology advances and consumer behavior evolves, businesses will need to adapt to stay competitive and meet customer demands.