Wait… Google’s AI Can Answer Your Phone Now?

This week on Funnel Frontier: The AI chatbot will take calls for you, hold full conversations, and even handle spam callers.

This week:

• Wait… Google’s AI can answer your phone calls now?
• Salesforce users just found a 68% discount—it’s called Zoho.

• These 22 phrases are killing your sales deals.

• When deals stall, check out your pipeline!

• This is why your email subscribers list keeps shrinking…

Stat of the Week

An incredible 51% of Salesforce customers would switch to another CRM solution if given the opportunity. (Nucleus Research)

Wait… Google’s AI can answer your phone calls now?

You know the drill. Your phone rings. You sigh. It’s probably spam, maybe a delivery guy, or—worst case scenario—your dentist reminding you that yes, you still need that root canal.

But what if you never had to deal with an unwanted call again?

Google is cooking up an AI chatbot that will take calls for you—built right into your phone, laptop, smartwatch, or even your car. No third-party apps, no cloud creepiness, just on-device AI handling your calls like a personal secretary.

And don’t worry—Google knows your mom is sacred. The AI follows your preferences, skipping calls it knows you actually want to take.

How does this new chatbot work? Well, AI will handle all the boring stuff, and nudge you when you need to take care of the big stuff.

This isn’t just another call screening tool—it’s AI that actually talks back.

• Need to confirm a package delivery? AI’s got it.

• Car shop wants to discuss your repair? AI will summarize and text you.

• Spam call? AI can shut that down before you even hear it.

For more complicated calls—like when a business asks if you want a refund or a reorder—the AI nudges you with quick options. No awkward hold music, no repeating yourself to five different reps. Just tap a button, done.

Google’s bigger plan: a future where you never have to call anyone again

This isn’t Google’s first step toward eliminating phone calls from your life.

Last year, it launched “Talk to a Live Rep,” an AI that waits on hold for you, then calls you back when a human finally answers.

Now, Google’s testing “Ask for Me,” an AI that calls businesses, asks about services and pricing, and sends you a summary so you never have to deal with a front desk again. Right now, Ask for Me is limited to nail salons and auto shops, but let’s be real–it won’t stay that way for long.

Here’s why your business will looove this AI…

If you run a business that relies on outbound calls, you should probably pay attention.

Think about it: customers are already dodging calls, letting them go to voicemail, or blocking unknown numbers entirely. Now, with AI screening their calls (or handling them outright), getting through to them just got even harder.

For businesses, this isn’t just a tech shift; it’s a full-blown sales and support strategy shake-up. Will your top rep be closing deals with your next big client… or negotiating with their AI assistant instead?

More importantly, businesses will also be able to make the most out of this AI chatbot:

• Routine inquiries (order confirmations, scheduling, FAQs) could be managed entirely by AI, reducing operational costs and freeing up human agents for complex issues.

• AI could handle 95% of routine calls, leaving only the most complex issues for human agents. For BPOs and contact centers, this means retraining teams, rethinking workflows, and balancing AI-human collaboration.

• Google’s AI chatbot runs on-device, reducing lag and improving privacy, but businesses using AI-first customer service solutions will need to address compliance risks, transparency, and trust issues.

What’s next?

Google hasn’t set a launch date yet, but they just filed a patent for this AI chatbot, meaning it’s still in the works. But, the direction is clear. AI isn’t just screening calls anymore; it’s taking them, deciding what matters, and leaving you out of the noise. 

With on-device AI keeping things private and lag-free, this could be the beginning of a world where you never have to say, “Sorry, who’s this?” ever again.

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Salesforce users just found a 68% discount—it’s called Zoho.

Salesforce has long been the gold standard of CRM—but at what cost? Turns out, 68% less if you switch to Zoho.

That’s the key takeaway from a new Nucleus Research report, which found that companies leaving Salesforce cut their total cost of ownership (TCO) by more than two-thirds—without losing functionality.

For Microsoft Dynamics users making the leap? They’re saving 53%. Across the board, businesses that made the switch to Zoho saw a 47% drop in costs—while keeping (or even improving) the tools they actually use.

It seems that more and more companies are realizing that “premium” doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes, it just means expensive.

Is Salesforce overpriced? Customers seem to think so.

Salesforce built its empire by being the go-to name in CRM. But when prices keep climbing, customers start asking the obvious question: Is it really worth it?

According to Cameron Marsh, Senior Analyst at Nucleus Research, the answer is increasingly “not so much.” His team regularly hears from Salesforce customers wondering if the price tag still makes sense.

In fact, a recent Nucleus Research survey found that 23% of Salesforce users believe the cost outweighs the benefits.

And while Salesforce is doubling down on Agentforce, its rivals aren’t exactly standing still.

Salesforce is still the leader, but for how long?

For years, Salesforce has been the default CRM choice, dominating the market with its expansive ecosystem. But now? Businesses are rethinking if they really need Salesforce or if they’re just paying for the brand name.

1. AI is challenging Salesforce’s core model

CRMs used to rely on manually entered data—a field for every interaction. But now, AI tools analyze conversations, emails, and meetings in real-time, extracting insights without human input. 

Platforms like Zoho are built to handle unstructured data, while Salesforce’s traditional data model still depends on users inputting details. Even with Agentforce, the question remains: Is Salesforce moving fast enough?

2. Businesses don’t need Salesforce as their data hub anymore

Salesforce built its empire as the “single source of truth” for customer data. But AI-powered integrations now let businesses automate key workflows—billing, renewals, marketing—without relying on Salesforce as the hub. The result? Companies are decentralizing their data and still getting the same (or better) results.

3. Cheaper, AI-powered CRMs are catching up

Salesforce has long been the premium CRM, but platforms like Zoho, HubSpot, and Creatio now provide similar AI-driven capabilities for far less. If Zoho users are cutting costs by 68% without sacrificing functionality, why wouldn’t other businesses make the switch?

Salesforce isn’t disappearing overnight, but the CRM landscape is shifting fast. AI is reshaping how businesses interact with data, and cheaper competitors are proving you don’t need to break the bank for a powerful CRM.

As Marsh put it:

“We’re entering a world where real-time, dynamic data, drawn from actual conversations, holds more value than static records. It’s not just about adding features—it’s about rethinking CRM for modern teams.”

So, is Salesforce paying attention? Or are more businesses about to hit unsubscribe on those hefty CRM bills? 

Stellar Strategies: Tips & Tricks for Sales, Marketing & Service

These 22 phrases are killing your sales deals.

Some sales phrases are so overused, they practically come with a built-in “delete” button in your prospect’s inbox. Others? They scream rookie move or desperation—and nothing kills a deal faster.

If you’ve been saying any of these, it’s time for an intervention:

1. “Sorry to bother you.” (Translation: I have nothing valuable to say, but here I am anyway.)
2. “I’d like to connect.” (Why? Is this LinkedIn, or are we closing deals?)
3. “I thought you might be the right person to connect with.” (You thought? Do your homework.)
4. “Could you direct me to the right point of contact?” (AKA: Please do my job for me.)
5. “Is it a good time to connect?” (Spoiler: It’s not. Make it worth their time instead.)
6. “Can I tell you about … ?” (No, but you can show me why I should care.)
7. “Just checking in.” (With what? A better offer? A new angle? Give me something.)
8. “I’d like to have an informational chat.” (Sounds like I’m about to lose 30 minutes of my life.)
9. “Touching base.” (Unless it’s baseball, skip it.)
10. “I wanted to/I’d love to/I’d like to/I need …” (Nobody cares what you want. What do they get?)
11. “Are you the decision maker?” (Nothing like making your prospect feel unimportant.)
12. “To be honest …” (Were you lying before?)
13. “Trust me.” (Said every scammer ever.)
14. “Do you have budget for this?” (Congrats, you just fast-tracked yourself to ghosted.)
15. “It’s really easy to understand.” (Great, now I feel stupid for not getting it.)
16. “That’s not what I meant.” (Defensive much?)
17. [Jargon-heavy nonsense] (AI-driven synergies for optimized stakeholder engagement? Pass.)
18. “I’d like to tell you about our product.” (Again: what’s in it for me?)
19. “What if I said …” (What if I said stop talking like this?)
20. “So, you’re not interested in [insert benefit]?” (Passive-aggressive guilt trip, table for one?)
21. “You should know X about [competitor] …” (Tacky. Just be better.)
22. “Actually, that’s not true.” (Way to call your prospect dumb. That’ll go over well.)

Sound familiar? Thought so. Now, let’s fix it. Get the full breakdown on what to say instead.

When deals stall, check out your pipeline!

Quick question: Do you know which deals in your sales pipeline are closest to closing right now? If not, your pipeline report might be missing some critical insights.

A strong pipeline report isn’t just a snapshot—it’s your map to revenue growth. Companies that master pipeline reporting can see up to a 28% boost in revenue.

But not all metrics are created equal. These are the must-haves for a pipeline report that actually drives results:

• Sales stage conversion rate: Pinpoint where deals get stuck and set benchmarks to smooth out friction points.

• Pipeline velocity: Your pipeline’s speedometer—know how fast deals move and address slowdowns.

• Lead-to-opportunity conversion rate: Measure the quality of your lead-gen efforts and filter out time-wasters.

• Deal value & opportunity amount by stage: Spot where your revenue potential sits and prioritize high-value opportunities.

• Win-loss ratio: Track performance to refine sales strategies and coaching opportunities.

Think of your pipeline metrics like a GPS. Without them, you’re guessing which deals need attention and how close you are to hitting targets. With them, you’re steering your sales team with clarity and purpose.

Struggling to pinpoint what’s holding your deals back? Or maybe you’re not sure how to prioritize high-value opportunities?

This guide breaks down the exact metrics you need to track—and how they’ll transform your pipeline into a revenue-driving machine.

This is why your email subscribers list keeps shrinking…

Marketers love email. Consumers? Not so much. Turns out, one in four people unsubscribes from marketing emails every week—not because they hate email, but because most brands aren’t giving them a reason to stay.

Capterra’s latest research reveals three critical mistakes that are driving subscribers away—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

1. Your emails aren’t worth opening

The #1 reason people unsubscribe? Irrelevant, spammy content. They don’t care about your latest promo if it doesn’t apply to them.

How to fix it:

• Segment your list—no more one-size-fits-all blasts.

• Personalize your content based on purchase history, behavior, and preferences.

• Audit your email database regularly to remove disengaged subscribers.

If your emails don’t provide real value, people won’t hesitate to leave.

2. You’re not giving people a reason to sign up

More than half of brands don’t explain why their emails are worth subscribing to. Even worse, 76% don’t offer any kind of incentive.

How to fix it:

• Make the value clear—what will subscribers get from your emails?

• Offer an incentive (discounts, exclusive content, early access).

• Encourage referrals by rewarding existing subscribers for bringing in friends.

If your signup form just says “Join our newsletter,” you’re doing it wrong.

3. You’re breaking trust with bad marketing tactics

A third of consumers would report brands for using misleading subject lines. Another third have completely cut ties with companies that use deceptive tactics.

How to fix it:

• Ditch clickbait—overpromising and underdelivering kills trust.

• Respect privacy—make it easy to unsubscribe and honor preferences.

• Use transparent, ethical marketing—it’s a long game, but it pays off.

Consumers can smell desperation. Build trust, don’t break it.

Email isn’t dead—but lazy email marketing is. Check out the full story for more insights.

Galactic Gourmet

CRM blips from around the web

NICE Just Launched AI Value Calculator. How much can AI save your contact center? NICE’s new AI Value Calculator gives you an instant estimate based on key metrics like call volume and agent pay. It’s a no-fluff way to see AI’s real impact.

SAP Launches Business Data Cloud to Unify AI-Driven Insights. SAP’s new Business Data Cloud, powered by Databricks, brings SAP and third-party data together for advanced AI, analytics, and automation. Plus, Joule AI agents are set to transform workflows in finance, sales, and service.

Deepgram’s Shortcut: The AI Assistant That Imitates You. Shortcut isn’t just another AI—it listens, adapts, and mirrors your thought process. From refining sales pitches to drafting emails and roleplaying conversations, it personalizes support like never before.

Astronomical Assets

Significant moves in the past 7 days

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