
Enabling the last mile with AI generated insights
In a country like India, enabling effective
last-mile customer experiences
is crucial. When a customer walks into a retail outlet, they must have a positive interaction, one that ultimately leads to conversion. The question is, how can AI help drive better last-mile conversions?
To explore this, ETBrandEquity.com, in association with Sharpsell.ai, has released an episode of 'Enabling
Phygital Experiences
: Empowering the Last Mile with AI-Generated Insights', featuring industry leaders from the marketing world.
This episode delves into how AI can transform last-mile delivery by equipping
sales representatives
with real-time insights, simulating
customer interactions
, and improving pitch precision. Featuring voices from
Harman India
, Signify, and Sharpsell.ai, it highlights AI's role as a value multiplier when applied thoughtfully across sales, marketing, and customer support.
The episode features Akhil Sethi, head of digital marketing, Harman India, Anmol Reen Jaloota, head of the digital enabling function, Signify Greater India, and Arun Subramaniam, co-founder, Sharpsell.ai.
Jaloota observed, 'At the ground level, sales representatives need to be able to sell better. They need to understand the unique selling points of a product or project and how to effectively pitch it to the customer. AI helps answer the fundamental question: What do I sell to this customer?
By analysing past purchases, financial background, affluence, and even geographic preferences, AI helps identify customer needs, whether someone would want a fan or not, for instance.'
He added that AI is already playing a significant role across various functions at Signify, saying, 'We've been using AI in lighting design. Imagine large offices or open spaces where someone is selling lighting solutions but doesn't know the best placement. We've introduced an agentic AI lighting designer that suggests optimal lighting layouts.'
AI is not just a tool, it is a powerful mechanism that helps sales representatives better understand their customers, gain deeper insights into products, and ultimately sell more effectively. That is the real value AI brings to the table.
Elaborating further, Sethi said, 'What we've observed is that AI is advancing at a very rapid pace across every department. In customer support and marketing, we use AI to track conversations happening both in the social media space and offline, using various tools at our disposal.
We conduct sentiment analysis to understand how different products are performing, looking at ratings, reviews, and customer feedback. On the marketing front, AI not only helps us target specific cohorts more effectively from an engagement perspective but also plays a crucial role in driving conversions and sell-through.'
One of the biggest challenges in last-mile engagement is that every conversation is unique, no two are ever the same. Unlike marketing, where you often have access to rich data or assumptions about the customer, sales often operates with far less information.
Counterintuitive as it may seem, a salesperson typically knows less about a customer walking in than a marketer does, even at an aggregate level. Equipping sales reps with relevant data the moment a customer enters is easier said than done.
Subramaniam noted, 'Need analysis is what most customers ask for, yet it is often underused. Why? Because sellers on the field typically lack the confidence to ask personal questions like "How many people are in your family?" or "What's your salary bracket?" Budget-related queries are easier, but deeper profiling becomes uncomfortable. So, how can we support sellers with AI without demanding too much input from them?
We see AI helping in two ways. First, by giving sellers a tool, like a ChatGPT-style assistant, they can use it to get quick answers. While possible, it may not be well received during live customer interactions. Second, and more effectively, AI can simulate real-world sales scenarios. We use AI to conduct role plays, sending virtual customers with different personalities, needs, and behaviours to train the seller. Some may be polite, others more difficult. This helps salespeople prepare and adapt, improving performance without direct pressure during a live pitch.'
This episode explored how AI can enhance last-mile delivery, highlighting both practical use cases and potential pitfalls. When applied in the right context, AI serves as a powerful value multiplier, capable of simulating diverse customer interactions and helping sales representatives better prepare, personalise, and perform.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Is 'vibe coding' the hottest skill for IT jobs? With industry leaders riding the trend, it is the new must-have skill for coders
iStock Tech companies are now hiring engineers based on their ability to use AI coding tools, a skill dubbed 'vibe coding.' With firms like Visa, Reddit, and DoorDash listing it as essential, the trend promises faster product development. (Representational image: iStock) Move over traditional coding tests—tech companies now want you to 'vibe' with code. A new trend called vibe coding is sweeping through Silicon Valley, and major companies like Visa, Reddit, DoorDash, and even Google are paying attention. This intuitive, AI-driven approach to software development is not only changing how code is written, but also who gets hired to write it. Forget perfect resumes; your mastery of AI code generators might just be your ticket to the next big to Business Insider, job listings are no longer just asking for Python or JavaScript. Business Insider has uncovered a wave of job postings from industry giants like Visa, Reddit, DoorDash, and cybersecurity unicorn Snyk, explicitly demanding experience with or familiarity with AI code generators like Cursor and Bolt. This isn't just a niche requirement; for some, it's quickly becoming "essential." Visa, for instance, recently posted three generative AI engineer positions in Austin that list familiarity with vibe coding tools as "essential." Reddit is actively seeking an engineer to integrate AI coding tools and engage directly with the broader vibe-coding community to "drive adoption." DoorDash and Snyk also feature similar requirements, with Snyk specifically seeking "deep expertise."Perhaps the most striking embrace comes from Y Combinator startup Domu Technology, which has declared "vibe coding experience" a "non-negotiable." Their job description boldly states that at least half of the hired candidate's current code should already be underlying motivation behind this fervent embrace of vibe coding is singular: speed. These companies are desperate to "turbocharge" their engineering teams and boost "velocity" – the rate at which they can build and ship products. CTO of Intuit, Alex Balazs, has approved multiple AI coding tools, including Cursor and Microsoft Copilot, stating he has "no regrets." He reveals that "a great engineer using one of these tools can be up to 40% faster in terms of coding." Streaming service Tubi wants an engineer to integrate AI tools to "boost velocity," and Udacity seeks to "accelerate" product development through AI-savvy hires. Visa's positions also specifically mention "rapid" code and prototype generation. The term "vibe coding" itself gained prominence from influential tech leaders. Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has openly shared his "delightful" experiences with "vibe coding" — a casual yet cutting-edge way of using AI tools to build webpages with minimal manual programming. Speaking at Bloomberg Tech , Pichai mentioned experimenting with AI-powered coding assistants like Cursor and Replit to create a custom webpage. He emphasized the immense power AI is bringing to web development, a level unseen in 25 years. This shift isn't just about speed; it's about a more intuitive, AI-driven approach where developers become collaborators with AI, simply explaining their desired outcome in plain language rather than writing lines of code. OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy first popularized the concept, suggesting developers can "forget that the code even exists" as natural language prompts become the new programming interface. This trend is backed by massive user growth and investment, with Cursor hitting $100 million in annual recurring revenue and Amazon reportedly in talks to deploy Cursor for its staff. While vibe coding is undeniably gaining traction, it's crucial to understand it's not yet threatening the jobs of seasoned senior engineers. Experts clarify that AI code generators are primarily useful for automating "boilerplate code" and simpler tasks, freeing up engineers to focus on more complex, higher-level problems. Mohammad Sanatkar, a former senior machine learning engineer at Waymo now running an AI agents startup, notes that these tools excel at tasks like building a website's front page, but "I don't think they are skilled enough to do core software improvements" or handle shipping production-ready code. Intuit's Balazs echoed this, stating his company appreciates engineers who "love leveraging AI" to solve problems, rather than exclusively seeking "vibe coders." While the term may sound like Gen Z jargon, vibe coding has become a serious global movement. The cultural shift is undeniable. With powerful backers, exponential growth, and the support of tech leaders like Sundar Pichai, vibe coding may soon become as mainstream as GitHub. Vibe coding represents more than a toolset—it's a mindset. It breaks down the gatekeeping of traditional programming, making it more about creativity than technical ritual. Whether you're a beginner with big ideas or a seasoned coder looking to cut corners, AI has become a collaborator, not a competitor.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
CEO Sundar Pichai reveals Google's ‘Most Important Metric' and how company is tracking it
Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that AI has boosted software engineering productivity by 10%, a metric the company actively tracks. Google measures this by assessing the increase in engineering capacity, in hours per week, gained through AI tools. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has claimed that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing the productivity of the company's software engineers. He also noted that the Alphabet-owned tech giant is actively measuring the impact of AI on its engineers. During a recent episode of the "Lex Fridman Podcast,' Pichai explained that Google is closely observing how AI is boosting the output of its software developers. As per Pichai, it is "the most important metric,' and the company 'carefully measures it.' He even mentioned that Google actively measures 'how much has our engineering velocity increased as a company due to AI?" Pichai noted that the company currently estimates a 10% boost in engineering velocity attributed to AI. How Google tracks AI's role in increasing productivity of its engineers According to a report by Business Insider, a Google spokesperson explained that the company tracks AI's role in improving productivity of software developers by measuring the increase in engineering capacity created, in hours per week, through the use of AI-powered tools. To put it simply, it's a way of measuring how much extra time engineers are gaining for using AI tools by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo As for whether Google expects that 10% figure to continue rising, Pichai didn't clarify. However, he noted that agentic capabilities, where AI can take actions and make decisions more autonomously, will unlock the "next big wave." Google has also developed its internal tools to assist engineers with coding. Last year, it launched an internal coding copilot named "Goose," trained on 25 years of Google's technical history, Business Insider previously reported. While AI is playing a growing role, Pichai said during the podcast that Google still plans to hire more engineers next year. 'The opportunity space of what we can do is expanding too,' he said, adding that he hopes AI will reduce some of the grunt work and free up time for more enjoyable aspects of engineering. Meanwhile, the company is also monitoring the volume of code being generated by AI within Google, a figure which is reportedly on the rise. At Alphabet's most recent earnings call, Pichai mentioned that more than 30% of the company's new code is now generated by AI, up from about 25% in October 2024. Apart from Google, Microsoft UK CEO Darren Hardman said its GitHub Copilot coding assistant now writes 40% of the company's code at London Tech Week this week. He noted that this change is 'enabling us to launch more products in the last 12 months than we did in the previous three years.' In April, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg predicted that AI could handle half of Meta's developer work within a year. HP EliteBook Ultra Review: Thin, light, power in a premium package AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Beyond screen time: 10 smart ways AI can revolutionise your studying
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the way students learn, making education more adaptive, efficient, and engaging than ever before. Instead of simply spending more time on screens, students can leverage AI-powered tools to personalise their study experience, receive instant feedback, and access resources that match their unique needs and goals. AI is not just a tool for increasing screen time—it's a transformative force that empowers students to take control of their learning, receive personalised support, and achieve their academic goals more efficiently. By embracing AI-driven strategies, you can make your study sessions smarter, more productive, and ultimately more rewarding. Here's a detailed look at how AI can revolutionise your studying, with a focus on the most impactful features and strategies available today. Personalised learning paths for every student AI-driven learning platforms excel at creating personalised learning journeys. By analysing your strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences, these tools tailor content and suggest activities that are most relevant to your academic needs. This means you're not forced to follow a one-size-fits-all curriculum; instead, your study plan evolves as you progress, ensuring maximum engagement and retention. Adaptive assessments and real-time feedback Traditional assessments often provide feedback too late to be useful. AI-based platforms, on the other hand, adjust the difficulty and type of questions in real time based on your performance. If you struggle with a concept, your AI assistant can immediately offer easier questions or additional resources, while instant feedback helps you correct mistakes and reinforce learning as you go. With instant feedback available, studying becomes more interactive and engaging. Intelligent content curation and micro learning Finding the right study materials can be overwhelming. AI simplifies this process by curating content from a wide range of sources, recommending articles, videos, and exercises that align with your interests and current knowledge level. In addition, AI can generate micro learning modules—short, focused lessons that break down complex topics into manageable chunks, making it easier to study on the go and retain information. 24/7 virtual assistance AI-powered virtual assistants are available around the clock to answer your questions, guide you through challenging topics, and help resolve technical issues. Whether you need help understanding a concept at midnight or want to clarify an assignment on the weekend, these intelligent bots ensure you're never left without support. You don't have to wait for days before you can ask your tutor or mentor questions. With AI support around the clock, you can clear your doubts even in the middle of the night. Data-driven progress tracking and analytics With AI's advanced analytics, you gain deep insights into your learning journey. The system tracks your progress, highlights areas where you excel, and pinpoints topics that need more attention. Detailed reports help you—and your educators—understand your learning patterns and make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts next. You can ask your AI assistant to prepare personalised schedules for you, with primary focus on your mental and physical well being as well. Gamification for motivation and engagement AI takes gamification to the next level by personalising challenges, rewards, and leaderboards based on your individual progress. Points, badges, and adaptive quizzes keep you motivated, while the system adjusts the difficulty and type of rewards to ensure you remain engaged and challenged at the right level. This is an especially important way to combat procrastination among students. With this fun and engaging learning experience, students feel motivated to study more everyday. Emotion recognition and socio-emotional support Some advanced AI platforms use emotion recognition to gauge your engagement and emotional state during study sessions. By analysing facial expressions, voice tone, or interaction patterns, these tools can detect frustration or boredom and adjust the learning experience accordingly. This holistic approach supports not just your academic growth, but also your emotional well-being. Automated note-taking AI tools equipped with natural language processing can transcribe lectures, summarise key points, and even generate flashcards or concept maps from your notes and textbooks. This automation saves you time and ensures you always have high-quality study aids at your fingertips. Flexible learning environments AI-powered platforms are designed for flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace and on your preferred device. Whether you're using a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, you can access customised resources and assessments anytime, anywhere. This adaptability supports diverse learning styles and makes education more inclusive. Competency-based progression and mastery learning Instead of measuring your success by the amount of time spent studying, AI platforms focus on competency-based progression. You advance only when you demonstrate mastery of a concept, ensuring you build a solid foundation before moving on. This approach leads to deeper understanding and long-term retention of knowledge. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.