Speeding up sales cycles: Automating questionnaires in AI procurement

AI procurement involves complex processes that can significantly lengthen sales cycles. Here are some of the primary challenges:

Complexity and Length of Sales Cycles

The AI procurement process is inherently complex due to the nature of the technology and the high level of scrutiny it requires. 

Enterprise buyers often demand detailed explanations and assurances regarding data practices, model performance, security, and compliance. 

According to Deloitte, 70% of Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) have noted an increase in procurement-related risks and supply chain disruptions, which complicates the procurement process further​.

Extensive Compliance and Security Questionnaires

Enterprise buyers, particularly in regulated industries, need to ensure that their AI vendors comply with stringent security and compliance standards. This results in extensive questionnaires that cover everything from data privacy practices to the specifics of AI model performance and compliance certifications. The need to address these detailed queries can divert valuable time and resources from core business activities, slowing down the sales process significantly.

Varied Requirements Across Industries

Different industries have unique compliance and security requirements. This variation means that AI vendors must be prepared to customize their responses to meet the specific needs of each potential buyer. According to the already mentioned McKinsey report, 80% of procurement leaders are focusing on enhancing digital capabilities to manage such complexities, yet integrating these capabilities remains a significant challenge​.

Risk and Compliance Management

Managing risk and ensuring compliance are critical in AI procurement. Enterprises need to mitigate risks related to data breaches, algorithmic biases, and regulatory compliance. This necessitates comprehensive risk assessment and continuous monitoring, adding further complexity to the procurement process. As reported by Deloitte, procurement-related risks have increased, making risk management an even more crucial component of the procurement process​​.

Impact on Sales Teams

These challenges can overwhelm sales teams, who must spend a significant amount of time and effort addressing compliance and security queries. This diversion from their primary sales activities not only elongates the sales cycle but also affects their ability to meet sales targets and drive business growth. The need for streamlined processes and tools to handle these inquiries efficiently is therefore more critical than ever.

By addressing these challenges head-on, AI vendors can better meet the needs of their enterprise buyers, ensuring smoother and faster procurement processes. But let’s jump on the benefits automated questionnaires can bring to the AI company.

Automating the process of answering compliance and security questionnaires offers several key benefits that can significantly enhance the efficiency of AI procurement. 

Efficiency Gains

One of the most significant advantages of automation is the time saved in responding to detailed questionnaires. Automated systems can quickly pull relevant information from a database of pre-approved answers, drastically reducing the time needed to complete each questionnaire. 

Consistency and Accuracy

Automated responses ensure that the information provided is consistent and accurate across all questionnaires. This reduces the risk of human error, which can occur when manually filling out multiple forms. Consistency in responses builds trust with potential buyers, as they can rely on the accuracy of the information provided. 

Faster Time to Close Deals

By streamlining the questionnaire process, automation helps accelerate the sales cycle. Faster response times mean that procurement teams can make decisions more quickly, leading to shorter sales cycles. 

Enhanced Compliance and Risk Management

Automated systems can be continuously updated with the latest compliance requirements and security standards. This ensures that all responses are up-to-date and in line with current regulations. This proactive approach to compliance can prevent potential issues before they arise, ensuring smoother procurement processes.

Resource Optimization

By automating repetitive tasks, companies can optimize their resources more effectively. Sales teams can allocate more time to strategic activities, such as building relationships with potential clients and developing tailored solutions. This not only improves productivity but also enhances the overall strategic focus of the sales team.

Overall, automating the process of answering compliance and security questionnaires provides a multitude of benefits that can streamline AI procurement, improve accuracy and consistency, accelerate the sales cycle, and optimize resource allocation. In the next section, we will explore how TrustAI Center can be the perfect solution for automating these questionnaires and speeding up your sales process.

At TrustPath, we understand that challenges described in this article can prevent AI companies from growing quickly. To help them overcome these hurdles, we have developed the TrustAI Center, a central hub designed to build trust and boost customer confidence.

With the TrustAI Center, AI companies can easily automate questionnaires and share comprehensive information about their operations. This includes details about their AI models, internal policies, certifications, data privacy practices, and the datasets used for training their models. Everything is managed from a single, user-friendly platform.

Our customers get access to our app where they can control their narrative, manage information access, and seamlessly share links to their public TrustAI profiles. This transparency not only builds trust but also simplifies the procurement process, making it faster and more efficient.

Want to learn more about TrustAI Center? Get in touch.