Perplexity in Practice - AI Workflows for Business Development Teams

In today's fast-paced business environment, the need for efficient and effective research tools has never been greater. Perplexity, an AI-powered answer engine, is stepping up to the challenge by redefining how professionals can leverage AI for their research needs. In this article, we will explore how Perplexity can serve as your dedicated research analyst, aiding in tasks such as prospecting research and filling out RFPs. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Perplexity's functionalities, particularly for business development teams.

🚀 Understanding Perplexity: The AI-Powered Answer Engine

Perplexity is designed to empower users to satiate their curiosity by asking questions and receiving answers in the most efficient manner possible. Unlike traditional search engines that present a long list of links, Perplexity utilizes advanced AI algorithms to provide concise and accurate answers directly. This is achieved by indexing the web and pulling in relevant data from trusted sources before delivering it in a natural language format.

One of the standout features of Perplexity is its partnership with various Large Language Models (LLMs) like Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and XAI. This allows users to choose from different models, enhancing the quality of information provided. Additionally, Perplexity’s reasoning models help in generating insightful responses by analyzing the context and intent behind a query.

🔍 The Product Suite: Consumer and Enterprise Versions

Perplexity offers both a consumer product and an Enterprise Pro version, catering to different user needs. The consumer version is accessible via the website, allowing anyone to ask questions and receive answers, while the Enterprise Pro version is tailored for organizations. Some key differentiators include:

• Security: The Enterprise version does not train on client data, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential.
• Customizability: Admin controls allow organizations to set security levels based on company policies.
• Data Sources: The ability to integrate various data sources, including internal files, web data, and third-party datasets, enhances the user experience.

📂 Integrating Data Sources: A Game Changer for Businesses

One of the most exciting features of the Enterprise Pro platform is the integration of multiple data sources. Users can upload internal documents and files, allowing for a more comprehensive search experience. Supported platforms include Google Drive, SharePoint, OneDrive, Dropbox, and more. This multi-source capability enables organizations to pull information from not just the web, but also from their internal databases, enhancing the depth of insights available.

Moreover, the introduction of app connectors means that users can seamlessly connect to various platforms, making it easier to access and utilize information. For example, users can pull data from Crunchbase for financial insights or from Wiley for academic resources, ensuring that knowledge workers have everything they need at their fingertips.

💡 Querying with Perplexity: Levels of Complexity

When executing queries within Perplexity, users can choose from three distinct levels of complexity:

1. Level One: Basic Queries

Level one queries are straightforward and designed for quick information retrieval. By selecting one of the available LLMs, users can execute queries that return concise answers with inline citations. This feature is particularly useful for quick fact-checking or obtaining basic information.

2. Level Two: Reasoning Queries

Level two queries are more in-depth and suitable for users looking for detailed analysis. These queries can involve multiple components, such as identifying common objections from prospects and providing effective counters. Reasoning queries leverage the AI’s ability to think and reason, resulting in more robust answers that consider various perspectives.

3. Level Three: Research Queries

The most complex of the three, research queries dive deep into a topic, often taking several minutes to produce comprehensive reports. These queries can analyze hundreds of sources and break down information into detailed sections. For instance, a research query might explore emerging trends in the retail industry, providing insights into market size projections and technology adoption patterns.

📊 Output Options: Flexibility in Presentation

One of the significant advantages of using Perplexity is the flexibility in how information is presented. Users can choose to export their findings in various formats, including PDF, markdown, or Word documents. This capability is particularly beneficial for professionals who need to share information across teams or present it to stakeholders.

Additionally, Perplexity allows users to request outputs in specific formats, such as tables or charts, making it easier to visualize data and insights. This level of customization ensures that the information is not just informative but also engaging and accessible.

🌐 Creating Pages: A Unique Feature for Reports

Perplexity offers a feature known as "pages," which allows users to convert their queries into more polished reports. This is particularly useful for creating marketing materials or internal presentations. Users can edit the layout, add images, and structure the content to suit their needs.

For example, if a user queries Perplexity for innovative AI partnership campaigns, the output can be transformed into a well-organized page that can be shared internally or externally. This capability streamlines the process of preparing detailed reports, saving time and enhancing the quality of presentations.

🤝 Collaborative Spaces: Enhancing Teamwork

Another notable feature of the Enterprise Pro platform is the concept of "spaces." These are dedicated areas where teams can collaborate, share information, and execute focused searches. Spaces can serve multiple purposes:

• Custom Answer Engine: Create tailored outputs for recurring tasks.
• Collaborative Tool: Invite team members to contribute and share resources.
• Research Assistant: Focus on specific topics like competitive intelligence or client research.

📈 Use Case: Prospect Research

For business development teams, prospect research is a crucial task that can be streamlined using Perplexity. By building a prospect research space, users can set custom instructions for the AI to follow when gathering information about potential clients. This can include company overviews, decision-makers, and strategic opportunities.

In practice, a business development representative preparing for a call with a new client can execute a query that provides a comprehensive prospect intelligence report. This not only saves time but also enhances the quality of interactions with potential clients.

📝 Filling Out RFPs: Simplifying Complex Processes

Filling out Requests for Proposals (RFPs) can be a daunting task, but Perplexity makes it manageable. By creating an RFP engine within a space, users can guide the AI to fill out as much information as possible based on the data available. This includes sourcing information from uploaded files and internal documents.

The AI can identify gaps in information and suggest follow-up questions, ensuring that nothing is overlooked. This feature significantly reduces the time spent on RFPs, allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.

🔍 Client Intelligence: A Strategic Advisor

Perplexity can also serve as a strategic advisor for client intelligence. By integrating data from CRM systems, users can query the AI to identify potential referral opportunities or analyze client health scores. This functionality empowers teams to make data-driven decisions, enhancing their approach to client relationships.

📊 Competitive Intelligence: Staying Ahead of the Curve

In a competitive landscape, understanding your rivals is crucial. Perplexity's competitive intelligence space allows users to gather insights about competing products or services. By analyzing uploaded data and external sources, teams can compare their offerings against competitors and identify areas for improvement.

🔐 Security Features: Protecting Sensitive Information

For organizations, security is paramount. Perplexity Enterprise Pro includes robust security features such as single sign-on and the ability to manage user access. Importantly, the platform does not train on enterprise data, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential.

Admin controls allow organizations to set security levels and monitor user activity, creating a secure environment for collaboration and research.

🌟 Future Developments: What’s Next for Perplexity?

The roadmap for Perplexity includes exciting developments, particularly concerning app connectors. As the platform matures, more integrations with popular tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Notion are on the horizon. This will further enhance the capabilities of Perplexity, making it an indispensable tool for business professionals.

📣 Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Research with Perplexity

Perplexity is revolutionizing the way business development teams approach research and information retrieval. With its advanced AI capabilities, users can access high-quality data quickly and efficiently. The flexibility in querying, reporting, and collaboration makes it a powerful asset for any organization.

As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex business landscape, tools like Perplexity will be essential for staying ahead of the competition. Embrace the future of research with Perplexity and unlock new possibilities for your business.