Sales forecasting: A complete guide

What is sales forecasting?

A sales forecast is an essential tool for any business as it allows you to anticipate sales and plan accordingly, ensuring that you have sufficient inventory, labor, and resources to meet anticipated demand. By predicting future sales, you can set realistic goals and benchmarks, which is crucial for strategic planning, budgeting, and risk assessment. A well-informed sales forecast helps in identifying potential shortfalls or opportunities, enabling you to adjust your strategies proactively rather than reactively. This forward-looking approach is vital for maintaining a competitive edge in any market, optimizing operations, and ultimately, ensuring maximum profitability. 

Why do you need a sales forecast for your business?

Furthermore, a sales forecast is instrumental in managing cash flow—a critical component of business sustainability. Understanding when and how much revenue is expected to come in allows for more effective management of expenses and investments. It facilitates better decision-making regarding when to launch marketing campaigns, expand into new markets, or invest in research and development. Moreover, external stakeholders such as investors, lenders, and partners often require sales forecasts to evaluate the viability and financial health of the business. Accurate sales forecasting serves to build credibility and confidence among these stakeholders, potentially leading to more favorable terms and opportunities for the business.

Strategic planning

Sales forecasting is integral to strategic planning as it provides a foundation for making informed business decisions. It allows a company to anticipate market trends, understand customer demand, and predict economic conditions, which are crucial for developing long-term business strategies. With a reliable sales forecast, companies can identify growth opportunities, potential new product lines, and expansion possibilities. 

It also enables them to be prepared for market downturns and changes in consumer behavior. In essence, sales forecasting acts as a navigational tool, guiding the strategic direction of a business by aligning sales predictions with company-wide objectives and market opportunities.

Resource allocation

Effective resource allocation is critical for operational efficiency and financial management within a business—sales forecasting plays a pivotal role in this process. By providing estimates of future sales, a forecast helps businesses determine where to allocate their limited resources to maximize returns. This can involve decisions on inventory levels, staffing requirements, production planning, and capital expenditure. 

Accurate sales forecasts ensure that a company can meet customer demand without overcommitting resources, which can lead to excess inventory costs or understaffing issues. It also helps in prioritizing investment in areas with the highest expected growth, ensuring that the company's resources are invested smartly to support projected sales volumes.

Performance evaluation

Sales forecasts serve as a benchmark for performance evaluation, allowing businesses to measure actual sales against projected figures. This comparison is vital for assessing the effectiveness of sales strategies, marketing campaigns, and product launches. Regular evaluation of sales performance against forecasts enables management to identify areas where the business is underperforming and take corrective actions promptly.

It also allows for the recognition of overperforming areas, which can provide insights into successful strategies and market trends. Performance evaluation based on sales forecasting helps in fine-tuning sales tactics and making necessary adjustments to meet and exceed future sales goals.

Goal setting and motivation

Sales forecasts are fundamental in setting achievable and realistic sales goals that motivate employees and drive business growth. By establishing clear targets based on forecasted sales, employees understand what is expected of them and can align their efforts accordingly. Goals derived from sales forecasts provide a clear direction and purpose, which can enhance employee motivation and engagement. 

Furthermore, when employees are involved in the forecasting and goal setting process, they are more likely to be committed to achieving these targets. This can lead to a more driven sales force, better team cohesion, and an overall increase in company morale, as everyone works towards common objectives that contribute to the business's success.

Set realistic sales targets

A good place to start sales forecasting is to ensure every individual and team has targets set on a weekly/monthly basis. However, before you start haphazardly setting targets, it’s important to be realistic about your sales goals. Setting achievable targets enables accurate forecasting. Most growing businesses use their CRM software with seamless integration and set targets based on their achievements.

Use a comprehensive CRM

Understand prospects’ needs and pain points and educate them through online presentations and demos on how your product can help solve their business challenge. Utilizing a CRM like Freshsale can enhance your sales forecasting accuracy and efficiency, giving you more room to focus on selling with superior data to support you.

Define your sales process

Have a defined sales process so there is uniformity in how sales reps identify a lead and convert the opportunity into a deal. You can set criteria for your team to convert a lead into an opportunity. Additionally, having a uniform sales process can give you more accurate sales predictions as the sales pipeline is easier to follow.

Ensure accountability

A sales rep inflating the sales prediction could harm the business. Ensure that there is a follow-up mechanism for sales reps so they are careful about the data and deals they key into the system. Doing this means more reliable data and, therefore, more reliable sales forecasting.

Why do you need a sales forecast for your business?

Business and sales leaders are faced with significant decisions daily. These decisions are influenced by factors both macro and micro, such as:

• Economic conditions,

• Efficiency of sales teams,

• Competitive industry,

• Technological development,

• Social and cultural forces.

Effective sales forecasting enables a range of benefits, including

• Better resource allocation,

• Improved planning,

• Informed decision-making.

Sales forecasting software exists to enable these benefits and help sales leaders tackle decisions both macro and micro. By harnessing sales forecasting that can make sense of these random and arbitrary factors, leaders can make crucial business decisions, accelerate growth, increase retention, and improve cash flow.

Decoding the sales forecasting process

Set realistic sales targets

A good place to start sales forecasting is to ensure every individual and team has targets set on a weekly/monthly basis. However, before you start haphazardly setting targets, it’s important to be realistic about your sales goals. Setting achievable targets enables accurate forecasting. Most growing businesses use their CRM software and set targets based on their achievements.

Use a comprehensive CRM

Understand prospects’ needs and pain points and educate them through online presentations and demos on how your product can help solve their business challenge. Utilizing a CRM like Freshsale can enhance your sales forecasting accuracy and efficiency, giving you more room to focus on selling with superior data to support you.

Define your sales process

Have a defined sales process so there is uniformity in how sales reps identify a lead and convert the opportunity into a deal. You can set criteria for your team to convert a lead into an opportunity. Additionally, having a uniform sales process can give you more accurate sales predictions as the sales pipeline is easier to follow.

Ensure accountability

A sales rep inflating the sales prediction could harm the business. Ensure that there is a follow-up mechanism for sales reps so they are careful about the data and deals they key into the system. Doing this means more reliable data and, therefore, more reliable sales forecasting.

Sales forecasting methods

Historical forecasting

Effectiveness score: 2/5

This is probably the oldest sales forecasting methodology for small businesses. In this method, if you want to project sales for a particular week, you can do that based on data from the previous week or year to arrive at an estimate. For instance, if you secured a business worth $10,000 in September, your sales forecast would be $10,000-$11,000 in October.

Opportunity forecasting

Effectiveness score: 3/5

This sales forecast method depends on probability and analyzes behavioral prospects. A CRM that tracks a prospect's in-app and website behavior will play a huge role in identifying leads that would convert to prospects based on their demo. If you find that more leads who sign up for trial from your website are converting into customers, you can plan your activities around this behavior. Effective sales forecasting software can determine client behaviors to determine which scenarios deals are more likely to close, allowing you to plan future endeavors.

Pipeline forecasting 

Effectiveness score: 4/5

A deal pipeline is the easiest and most accurate way to forecast sales as it is based on data within your CRM. This method involves adding the value of all the current deals in your sales pipeline for a particular period. A good CRM software like Freshsales comes with a visual pipeline of all your deals in one place, which will help you forecast your sales better. 

Length of sales cycle forecasting

Length of sales cycle forecasting is a method that estimates future sales based on the average amount of time it takes for a lead to move through the entire sales process, from initial contact to final sale. This technique considers the duration of each stage in the sales cycle, recognizing that longer cycles usually indicate larger, more complex deals, while shorter cycles are associated with quicker, smaller transactions. 

By analyzing historical data to determine the average length of time leads remain in each stage, businesses can predict when current leads are likely to convert into sales. This method is particularly useful for businesses with well-defined sales stages and a consistent sales process, as it allows for more accurate forecasting based on the progression of leads through the sales funnel.

Intuitive forecasting

Intuitive forecasting relies heavily on the instincts and personal judgments of experienced sales professionals. It involves using intuition, gut feelings, and qualitative information to predict future sales. Sales managers or team members who have a deep understanding of the market, their customers, and their own products or services often use their insights to make forecasts. 

This method can be beneficial in rapidly changing markets or when dealing with new products without historical data. However, it is subjective and can be influenced by the salesperson's optimism or pessimism. Despite its lack of statistical rigor, intuitive forecasting can be a valuable supplementary method when combined with more data-driven approaches, providing a holistic view of potential sales outcomes.

Multivariable forecasting

Multivariable forecasting, also known as complex or multiple regression analysis, is an advanced quantitative method that considers multiple factors that could affect future sales. This approach uses statistical techniques to analyze historical sales data alongside various independent variables, such as economic indicators, market trends, promotional activities, competitive actions, and other external factors. 

Multivariable forecasting creates a model where each variable is assigned a weight based on its correlation with sales outcomes. The resulting equation can forecast sales with a high degree of accuracy, accounting for a wide range of influencing factors. This method is particularly suitable for larger businesses with access to comprehensive data sets and the analytical capabilities to manage complex statistical models. It offers a more sophisticated and holistic view of how various elements interact to drive sales, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions.

Sales pipeline Vs. Sales forecasting

There is only a sliver of difference between a sales pipeline and a sales forecast and not many know this difference. Sales pipelines show all your pending deals in the sales pipeline. This includes sales yet to be closed.

A sales forecast predicts the opportunities that will be closed in a given time. This is about estimating deals that will be closed and secured to understand future performance.

Common challenges of sales forecasting

Sales forecasting is an indispensable component of business strategy, yet it is fraught with inherent challenges that can profoundly affect a company's operational efficiency and decision-making prowess. Ensuring accuracy in forecasts is a continual struggle, as unpredictable variables can significantly sway outcomes. The subjective nature of human judgment further complicates the precision of these predictions, as biases and personal perspectives often color the data. 

Inefficiencies in the forecasting process, stemming from manual methods and disjointed systems, can hinder a business's ability to act swiftly and adapt to market demands. Moreover, the difficulty in effectively transforming forecasts into actionable decisions can mean the difference between leveraging insights for success or failing to capitalize on foresight. Each of these challenges—accuracy, subjectivity, inefficiency, and transforming forecasts into actionable decisions—presents a unique obstacle to harnessing the full potential of sales forecasting.

Accuracy

Achieving accuracy in sales forecasting is a significant challenge due to the unpredictable nature of many factors that influence sales outcomes. These factors include market volatility, changes in consumer behavior, economic shifts, and competitive actions, all of which can diverge significantly from historical patterns. 

Inaccurate forecasts can lead to misguided business decisions, such as overproduction or underproduction, inventory mismanagement, and poor financial planning. To improve accuracy, businesses often employ sophisticated forecasting methods, incorporate a wide range of data, and regularly update forecasts to reflect the latest market conditions. Despite these efforts, perfect accuracy remains elusive, and businesses must be prepared to adapt quickly to discrepancies between forecasted and actual sales.

Subjectivity

Subjectivity in sales forecasting arises when the process relies too heavily on individual judgment rather than objective data. Sales personnel may have inherent biases or overly optimistic or pessimistic views of their pipeline and prospects. This human element can skew forecasts, leading to overestimation or underestimation of future sales. 

To mitigate the effects of subjectivity, companies can blend quantitative data with qualitative insights and use collaborative forecasting approaches that involve multiple perspectives. Additionally, regular training and clear guidelines can help sales teams to recognize and control their biases, fostering a more objective and data-driven forecasting environment.

Inefficiency

Inefficiency in sales forecasting processes can consume significant time and resources with little return on investment if not managed properly. Manual data entry, spreadsheet errors, and the use of disparate systems can lead to inefficiencies that delay the forecasting process and introduce potential for error. 

Moreover, inefficient forecasting can stifle timely decision-making and responsiveness to market changes. Implementing automated forecasting tools, using integrated CRM systems, and establishing standardized procedures can streamline the forecasting process, reduce manual labor, and enhance overall efficiency. By focusing on these areas, businesses can allocate their resources more effectively and ensure that the forecasting process contributes to, rather than detracts from, their strategic objectives.

Transforming forecasts into actionable decisions

One of the most significant challenges with sales forecasting is translating forecasts into actionable decisions that drive business success. Forecasting data must inform decision-making in areas such as budget allocation, marketing efforts, sales strategy, and product development. However, without a clear process for integrating forecast insights into operational planning, forecasts can remain theoretical and fail to influence real-world actions.

To overcome this challenge, organizations should establish robust communication channels between those responsible for forecasting and decision-makers. They should also create actionable plans that are directly linked to forecast outcomes, ensuring that forecasts have a tangible impact on the company's strategic and tactical moves. Regularly reviewing forecast accuracy and the effectiveness of subsequent decisions can further refine the process, creating a cycle of continuous improvement.

The role of data accuracy in sales forecasting

Sales forecasting is a data-driven practice and requires numerous accurate inputs to attain the best results. Incorrect or inaccurate data inputs can cause incredibly skewed results, leading to unrealistic expectations. This could be damaging if those predictions were used to chart a direction.

For example, not considering economic shifts or inputting inaccurate sales data could lead to overestimating sales predictions in the future.

Choosing key performance indicators (KPIs) for forecasting

Having an accurate means of identifying realistic KPIs, such as Conversion Rate, Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), and Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), and tracking them amongst your sales team can be an effective way of predicting key metrics and earnings. However, if those numbers are inflated through inaccurate data or loopholes in company policy, it could negatively impact future forecasting.

Ensuring KPIs like Lead-to-Customer Conversion Rate, Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), and Sales Growth Rate are created, and input in a controlled and authentic environment can lead to more accurate expectations in the future.

Continuous monitoring and adjustment of forecasts

In the dynamic business landscape, marked by diverse and unpredictable factors such as economic fluctuations and shifts in customer preferences, it becomes imperative to engage in continuous monitoring and adjustment of forecasts. Real-time data serves as a crucial compass in navigating the ever-evolving market dynamics. Always stay attuned to the changes in your market and meticulously analyze the conditions that might influence your sales trajectory. Though managing this wealth of data may seem overwhelming, it is an essential practice for obtaining realistic and accurate sales forecast data.

Collaborative forecasting: Involving sales teams

Innovative tools and historical data can give you an initial steer on future sales trends. But without real-world insights and experience, you could be left with abstract numbers and untested theories.

One solution is to involve your sales team in the forecasting process actively. Sales reps have a wealth of first-hand knowledge regarding customer sentiment, the economic climate, and how quickly products are selling. 

Don’t let this valuable resource go to waste. Instead, consider feeding their insights into your forecasts and encourage them to review your projections. They can then deliver an honest opinion on whether future sales estimates are realistic based on what they’re seeing in their day-to-day work.

Ready to start collaborating? There’s a key ingredient to remember: transparency. Encourage your salespeople to talk openly and candidly. After all, if they’re worried about sharing honest opinions and experiences, you’ll struggle to get meaningful answers.

Using AI and Machine learning in sales forecasting

If you’ve ever waded through multiple spreadsheets or faced complex data calculations, you’ll know that traditional sales forecasting can take time. Tracking and inputting accurate data doesn’t always come easy. And it can cost valuable hours within your team.

Thankfully, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can now take some of the load. For instance, tools like Salesforce Einstein can automate labor-intensive, manual processes, freeing up team members for more meaningful tasks. Cutting down on manual data entry might reduce the risk of human error within your organization as well.

AI and machine learning also offer advantages when it comes to the presentation of data. After crunching complicated numbers and analyzing trends on your behalf, they could generate tailored reports and recommendations.

Finally, AI has the potential to cast your net wider, integrating data from a much bigger range of sources. As an example, these might include web analytics, your CRM, and enterprise resource planning software. It opens the door to real-time forecasting and updates.

Sales forecasting within the CRM

A CRM with the capability to predict future sales can significantly improve your decision-making abilities. 

With a CRM like Freshsales, you can track sales growth over multiple timeframes, identify the value of deals in each stage, generate visual reports without complex setups, and monitor the performance of your sales team, all from within one intuitive system.

Freshsales achieves this by analyzing the sales data of your historical deals. Additionally, you can input win/loss data for each sale at each stage of your sales pipeline. As the system accrues more data, it can begin estimating potential close dates. You can receive data as a visible report, perfect for performance check-ins.

If you want to make informed business decisions, then Freshsales CRM with in-built predictive sales forecasting capabilities, can help you achieve that.

How the Freshsales CRM can enhance your business’s sales forecasting

The Freshsales CRM significantly enhances sales forecasting by offering an integrated platform with advanced tools designed to streamline the sales process and provide comprehensive insights. With built-in sales forecasting visual reports that are enhanced through AI-powered predictive algorithms, Freshsales enables businesses to gauge the potential of deals in their pipeline effectively and use this information to project revenue for upcoming periods.

This level of foresight is instrumental in assigning and fulfilling sales quotas, empowering sales managers and representatives to monitor their progress against targets from a unified interface. By leveraging the sales forecasting features, organizations can plan their sales operations more strategically, focusing on the most promising deals and minimizing the risk of end-of-period surprises. Learn more about all of Freshsales’ predictive features here.