Transforming Sales with AI and Emotional Intelligence ft. Burak & Spiky.ai
Join Burak, co-founder of Spiky.ai to discover how they’re revolutionizing sales meetings with AI-driven emotional intelligence and real-time analytics. Plus, new jobs and events up on our boards!
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We spoke with Burak Aksar, Co-founder of Spiky.ai
Current Work
What are you currently working on?
At a high-level, we are building Spiky, a personalized real-time coaching engine for revenue teams. With the surge in online customer interactions, teams now hold three times more meetings weekly but struggle with understanding customer behavior over time, conducting effective deal reviews, and scaling best practices. These challenges result in revenue losses. Spiky integrates with your CRM and uses existing customer conversation data to deliver real-time coaching during calls. It helps reps follow best practices, handle objections confidently, and improve qualification, starting from day one.
The Story Behind the Venture
Can you share the story behind your current venture? What motivated you to pursue this path?
Spiky was founded with a passion for optimizing training programs to unlock individual potential. We discovered that personalized interactions can transform communication, not just in education but across all areas of life. We solve inefficiencies in training by providing lifetime coaching for revenue teams, optimizing sales meetings, and automating tasks to drive sales excellence.
Connecting with the MENA Startup Community
Why are you interested in connecting with MENA's global startup community?
The MENA region is experiencing rapid economic growth and digital transformation, making it a lucrative startup market.
The region is home to innovative solutions addressing regional challenges, providing valuable insights and exciting potential collaborations.
Strategies for Securing Funding
What strategies have you found most effective for securing funding and attracting investors?
Investors invest in people they trust. Engage with them early, keep them updated, and seek their advice. Regular updates and honest communication build trust and establish you as a reliable, investable team. If you don’t think they are a good fit, move to the other ones. There is no scarcity in the VC environment :)
In a crowded market, stand out by highlighting what makes your venture unique. By focusing on these differentiators (be super clear), you must demonstrate your unique value and market potential. In summary, building relationships and clearly communicating your unique value are essential strategies for securing funding and attracting investors.
Balancing Innovation and Practicality
How do you balance innovation and practicality when developing new products or services?
At Spiky, we balance advanced AI with practical solutions that deliver real business value. We gather customer feedback to address key challenges, maintain a flexible development process to adapt to market dynamics, and use A/B testing to optimize performance. Our clear vision for Revenue Intelligence guides our innovation and research.
Overcoming Challenges
Can you share a particular challenge or setback you experienced, and what you learned from it?
I see each challenge as a valuable learning experience. My biggest lesson has been to never give up, stay flexible, and make perspective shifts a part of life. Creating value-driven solutions requires constant communication with customers and a deep understanding of their needs, which demands flexibility and the ability to adapt strategies. Building a successful startup is complex, but two key principles stand out: first, clearly define and solve a real problem, and continuously iterate on it. Second, have a team of A-class teammates who are highly autonomous and capable, especially in the early, intense stages.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in the MENA region and beyond?
The MENA region presents a unique challenge, but I'm excited about the potential. I understand the diverse market, so you need to thoroughly research the target audience and understand their cultural needs. Building solid relationships is essential to me. I leverage local networks and make connections within the region. Recognizing the value of mentorship, I am committed to seeking guidance from experienced individuals. A mentor who understands the MENA region will significantly accelerate my learning curve.
Favorite Viaka Network Moments & Connections
What's your favorite part of the Viaka Network thus far? Do you have any memorable experiences or helpful connections to share?
Sincerity. Whenever I see someone from the network reaching out, I am automatically eager to help.
Support from the Viaka Network
How can members of the Viaka Network (and beyond) be most helpful to you and your work right now?
I have a video series where I share common insights from revenue leaders and that’s why I am looking for people related to the following domains: sales, customer support, customer success, sales enablement, and RevOps!
Psst! Join the Viaka network now and unlock our exclusive Slack channel, along with many other benefits! Chat directly with members like Abe and others eager to share their expertise. Don't miss out!
Bonus: Favorite Dish from MENA
What is your favorite dish from the MENA world?
ISKENDER KEBAP
Startup Showcase: SPIKY.AI
What unique qualities or value does your product/service offer that sets it apart from others in the market?
Spiky stands out by combining AI-driven emotional intelligence with real-time analytics for the B2B market.
How do you envision getting your first customers on board? What's your strategy to grow beyond the initial phase?
Spiky's customer acquisition strategy focuses on leveraging feedback and building strong relationships. We actively seek input from early adopters to refine our platform and build trust. To encourage brand advocacy, we'll implement referral programs that reward customers for referrals and social media promotion, driving organic growth.
What kind of impact do you hope your product will have in the market? Where do you see your company headed in the next few years?
Spiky's vision for a unified "Revenue Intelligence" platform aims to revolutionize the B2B market by providing a holistic view of revenue operations. Our goal is to reduce the workload for revenue leaders, enabling them to focus on more efficient resources while gaining deeper customer insights. We plan to expand our platform with features like predictive analytics and sales forecasting to enhance its capabilities.
Follow Spiky.ai on LinkedIn and head over to their website for more information.
🪐 Events within the Viaka network & beyond:
Jordan StartUp Expo: The Global Stage For Jordan’s Most Innovative & Emerging Startups - August 14th -15th (In-Person, Amman, Jordan)
World Environmental Social & Governance Summit - 20-21 August 2024- (Dubai, UAE)
*SPECIAL EVENT CO-HOSTED BY HANI AZZAM (Viaka’s founder) REPRESENTING SVB*: Boston Startup Community Meetup- August 27th- (In-Person, Boston, US)
📝 Save the Dates: Events in September
Make sure to mark your calendars, take time off work, book your tickets, and sort out accommodations early! We’ve curated a list of exciting events happening later in September that you won't want to miss:
Seamless North Africa: The Future of Fintech, Payments, Banking, Retail & E-Commerce Across North Africa - September 2nd- 3rd (In- Person, Cairo, Egypt)
Blackbox Elevate 2024 - Brussels Networking Event - September 4th (In-Person, Brussels, Belgium) *This year 20 startup accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces, and universities from Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Tunisia will be joining the event!*
Dubai AI & Web3 festival organised by Dubai AI campus - September 11th- 12th (In- Person, Dubai, UAE)
If you’d like to share an event in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
🆙 Click above for access to our regularly updated job database, including new opportunities and talent open to work. 💡 If you apply, let us know so we can make a personal introduction!🤝
If you’d like to share a job posting in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
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