Insights from ZOHOLICS 2025 with CTO Navdeep Sen on Future Innovations - AI Sales

Indy Randhawa
Sep 14
5 min read

Last week's Zoholics event in Birmingham was a whirlwind of innovation, and I'm still buzzing from the energy. But the true highlight wasn't just the tech—it was having our incredible CTO, Navdeep Sen, fly all the way from Mohali, India, to join us. Navdeep is more than just a tech wizard; he's a true visionary who has been instrumental in building the heart of our new platform, AI SALES.

I managed to pull him aside from the constant buzz of networking and masterclasses to dig into his brain about the future of AI and, of course, our game-changing new product. It was a fascinating conversation that I had to share with you all.

Interview with Navdeep Sen CTO - AI Sales

The Interview: Navigating the AI Sales Ecosystem

Indy: So, Navdeep, thanks for joining me. First off, welcome to the UK! It was great to have you here at Zoholics. Let's dive right in. The core of our new product, AI SALES, is auto lead gen. Can you explain in simple terms how this goes beyond traditional lead generation?

Navdeep: Thanks, Indy. It's a pleasure to be here. Traditional lead generation is often a manual, fragmented process. You’re either buying stale data lists or hoping someone fills out a form. Our AI SALES platform turns that on its head. Instead of passively waiting for leads, our AI actively scouts the digital world, scanning conversations and patterns to find and capture qualified leads in real time. We’re not just finding leads; we’re finding the right leads at the right time and giving them to our clients, all while automating the initial engagement. It’s like having a hyper-intelligent, tireless sales agent working 24/7.

Indy: That's a great analogy. You're known for your work with the Zoho ecosystem. How is AI SALES integrated with Zoho, and why is that integration so critical?

Navdeep: Our deep integration with Zoho is a game-changer. We don't just find a lead and drop it in a spreadsheet. Our system automatically feeds that qualified lead directly into Zoho CRM. From there, it can be nurtured using Zoho Social and other tools. The real magic happens with Zoho Books. We can trace a lead all the way to a sale, linking a financial outcome directly to the lead source. This gives our clients an unprecedented view of their ROI, allowing them to see exactly where their money is making them money. We’re not just providing a service; we’re creating a closed-loop system for business growth.

Indy: Speaking of ROI, many business owners are still sceptical about investing in new technology. What's the most common financial benefit our clients see when they adopt AI SALES?

Navdeep: The most significant benefit is the shift from "cost" to "investment." Clients often see a dramatic reduction in the time and money spent on unproductive marketing efforts. Our system is designed to generate high-quality, high-intent leads, which translates to higher conversion rates and a faster sales cycle. By integrating with Zoho Books, we also provide valuable financial insights like forecasting and tax optimisation. We help our clients not just grow, but grow profitably. It's a fundamental financial transformation.

Indy: We talk a lot about the 'Accountant-Led Business Transformation' approach. How does the technical side of AI SALES support this unique model?

Navdeep: Our technical architecture is specifically designed to bridge the gap between sales and finance. We've built an integration layer that makes the data flow from lead generation to financial transactions seamless. Our system doesn't just pass along a customer’s name; it captures and processes the financial implications from the very beginning. This means accountants can use our data to provide strategic advice, not just historical reporting. We're turning a lead into a financial asset from day one.

Indy: Let's get a bit nerdy for a second. We're moving towards more complex, autonomous AI. You mentioned "Agentic AI" at Zoholics. What does that mean for a small business owner, and how is it part of our future?

Navdeep: Agentic AI is an exciting frontier. Think of it as an AI that can not only provide insights but also take action on its own based on pre-defined business logic. For a small business, this could mean an AI that automatically cleans up duplicate data in their CRM, prepares a meeting summary after a call, and schedules follow-ups—all without human intervention. We are building our platform to be ready for this future. Our goal is to create "Zia Agents" that our clients can use to automate repetitive tasks, freeing them up to focus on strategy and building relationships.

What Makes AI SALES a "Growth Partner"?

Indy: A lot of people call themselves a "partner," but we've really branded AI SALES as a "Growth Partner." From a CTO's perspective, what makes that more than just a marketing phrase?

Navdeep: It’s in our DNA. A typical service provider hands you a product and says "good luck." We don’t do that. We provide in-depth business analysis and regular performance reviews because we are genuinely invested in our clients' long-term success. Our platform is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it's a living, breathing system that we constantly optimize based on client performance. We are their partner in growth, providing not just the tool but the expertise to ensure they achieve their goals. It's the unique combination of cutting-edge tech and human-led strategic guidance that sets us apart.

Indy: One final question, Navdeep. If you had to give one piece of advice to a business owner who is still on the fence about embracing AI, what would it be?

Navdeep: My advice is simple: don't wait. The revolution is already happening. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s an active force shaping how businesses operate. The sooner you embrace it, the greater your competitive advantage will be. Start small, understand the basics, and find partners who can guide you. The opportunity cost of waiting is far greater than the risk of exploring. We’re not just building tools; we’re building a future where businesses are more efficient, more profitable, and more sustainable. Come join us!

Key Takeaways:

AI SALES uses auto lead gen to find qualified leads in real time, going beyond traditional methods.
Deep integration with Zoho Books and Zoho CRM creates a seamless, closed-loop system that links lead generation directly to ROI.
The platform’s 'Accountant-Led' model is supported by a technical architecture that provides financial forecasting and strategic insights.
AI SALES acts as a "Growth Partner," combining powerful AI with expert human guidance to ensure long-term, profitable growth.
The future of AI involves Agentic AI—autonomous systems that can perform complex tasks, and AI SALES is being built with this in mind.