It’s our birthday: what’s happened in sales and tech in the last year?

News

Outbase is one year old and although we’re still young, we’re certainly a year wiser! We’re feeling nostalgic, so we’re taking a look back at the past year.

It’s been an exciting 12 months for those in the tech and sales industries – the landscape has been constantly shifting, making it a challenge to stay on top of things! From new trends and emerging technologies to unexpected obstacles and hurdles, it’s been a wild ride. So, let’s take a look at what’s been happening. 


Tech

AI: it’s all around us

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live, work, and interact with technology. From self-driving cars to personalized recommendations, AI is transforming industries and pushing the boundaries of what machines can achieve. 

In the past few years, we’ve seen major breakthroughs in AI, and it looks like it’s quickly becoming not only something we’ll be using at work but something we’ll use in our everyday lives. And we can’t talk about what’s new in tech without talking about AI!

Chat GPT

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, what is Chat GPT? 

Chat GPT sprung to life in November 2022, and it’s been water-cooler chat for most people in sales and marketing ever since. Some of us have embraced it, some of us have questioned it, but it looks like it’s here to stay, and it’s definitely revolutionizing how we create content. 

Midjourney

Midjourney is an AI image creator and has come out with some unbelievable images this year. Although it’s picked up some controversy, Midjourney has also changed the way marketers can create image-based content. No longer do you need to rely on a designer: you just input your prompt, and Midjourney will create any kind of image for you, from detailed fantastical art to hyper-realistic photos. That being said, we can see why some people (designers and artists especially) might not be a fan of the platform.

Some of our favs are the Harry Potter house party👇 . 

Wanna see more? Check out the Midjourney showcase

Want to know how you can use AI in your business? Check out our blog: how AI can help your business grow

The metaverse

The metaverse is essentially a massive virtual world that’s made up of various interconnected virtual spaces and environments, all accessible through a range of devices and platforms. 

It’s a concept that’s been around for decades, but recent advancements in virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, and other technologies have made it finally possible. And although it was an exciting revelation when it finally launched, it hasn’t met expectations. 

It was created by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2021, but it didn’t last long. The Metaverse is currently being shut down so they can focus on AI. Maybe it’ll make a comeback one day… 

Automation

Automation isn’t a new idea. The first instances of automation can be dated back to as early as 1785, when Oliver Evans developed the automatic flour mill. So why are we talking about it? Automation has seen leaps and bounds in the past few years making it an essential part of prospecting and sales (and much more!). 

In a recent survey by Gartner, over 80% of organizations expressed their plans to ramp up automation spending in 2022. 

Automation tools are a game-changer in sales and prospecting. They take care of boring, repetitive tasks like data entry, lead qualification, and follow-ups, freeing up sales teams to do what they do best: building relationships and closing deals. By automating these tasks, sales reps can handle more prospects, boost conversion rates, and accelerate revenue growth. 

In fact, we automate aspects of your Outbase campaigns to make things easier! Our super smart platform uses automation to send out large numbers of personalized sales emails that feel one-to-one for each recipient. See how it works.

Sales

The subscription economy

You can get anything in a subscription these days: beer, toilet roll, meal kits, beauty boxes, dog food, plants, coffee, milk… you name it, there’ll be a subscription for it.

In the past couple of years (especially since lockdown) the subscription business model has boomed (81% of UK homes has some kind of subscription in 2021, compared to 65% in 2020).

Customers can get what they need delivered straight to their homes, without the faff of having to reorder. And with most subscriptions offering self-serve platforms, customers can make tweaks in just a few clicks. 

It’s not just convenient for the customer either. The subscription model provides a predictable revenue stream for businesses, which can help with planning and sales forecasting. 

Social selling

Social selling is a sales strategy that involves using social media platforms and other online channels to build relationships with potential customers. The idea is to leverage the power of social media to engage with prospects, share relevant content, and provide valuable insights and advice.

With the continuous growth of social media, social selling is becoming more and more prevalent – in fact, many people in business believe that in 2023, it’s essential to have some sort of social media presence. 

Most people will do their research before making a purchase, especially if it’s a big buy or a business decision. That means they’ll be looking at your social media accounts to help them decide if they should buy from you. So, you need to have a good presence and be showing the engagement you want your customers to see. 

New to social media? Just make sure what you’re posting is:

  • Relevant
  • Targeting the right people
  • Adds value
  • Upholds your companies values

Multi-channel personalisation

It’s a multi-channel world out there… and that means you need to be present on many different platforms. But your customers want to see one version of your company, so you need to carry the same message on multiple platforms. That means no matter if they see an ad on Facebook or an employer brand post on LinkedIn, customers will know it’s you and feel like you uphold the same values. 

Also, you need to think about personalization. That means using personalization tools across platforms to make experiences feel genuine, targeted, and one-to-one. People expect to see personalized ads these days, and whether people like them or not,  it can be a great way to get engagement! 


In the past year, sales and tech have seen remarkable advancements. Remote selling, AI tools, and data insights transformed the landscape. 

Adaptation, agility, and continuous learning are crucial for success in this dynamic field. The future holds immense potential for innovation and growth. 

So, happy birthday to us! We can’t wait to see where we are in one year from now! Join the celebrations with 30% off our three-month plan 🎉. 

Written by:
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Lily Ruaah Content Writer
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