Why Traditional CRM Is Failing Sales Teams and How AI Is Replacing It | Adam Honig
Thu Feb 05 2026
Is your CRM helping your sales team close deals or slowing them down with endless data entry?
In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Adam Honig, founder and CEO of Spiro, to explain why traditional CRM systems are broken and how AI is transforming sales operations in manufacturing and B2B companies.
Adam shares why most sales teams never fully adopt CRM, how manual reporting destroys productivity, and why forcing data entry leads to bad data and wasted investment. He introduces Spiro’s AI-driven approach that captures customer intelligence automatically and delivers real-time insights without administrative burden.
From voice-based interfaces to predictive preparation tools, this conversation reveals how modern companies can eliminate CRM friction, improve customer relationships, and increase revenue without burning out their sales teams.
If you want your sales systems to work for your people instead of against them, this episode is essential listening.
What You Will Learn
Why most CRM systems fail inside sales organizationsHow manual data entry destroys sales productivityWhy bad CRM data is worse than no dataHow AI can automate customer intelligenceThe difference between CRM systems and anti-CRM platformsHow manufacturers can modernize sales operationsWhen it is time to replace your existing CRMHow voice and chat interfaces will reshape business softwareHow to reduce administrative costs in sales teams
Chapters
(00:00) Why most companies never adopt CRM
(01:26) The hidden cost of forced data entry
(03:25) The inspiration behind Spiro’s AI model
(04:52) Why salespeople should not be behind desks
(05:16) The data quality problem in CRM
(06:27) How Spiro prepares reps for meetings
(07:49) Reducing administrative burden in sales
(08:26) Why Spiro calls itself an anti-CRM
(09:06) Real-world examples in customer service
(10:38) The future of voice and chat interfaces
(12:58) Security and biometric risks
(14:49) How manufacturers should start using AI
(16:43) The No CRM philosophy
(17:51) Quotes, contracts, and ERP integration
(18:55) Adam’s background in sales and CRM
(20:47) When companies should replace CRM
(23:29) Hidden organizational resistance
(24:44) Final thoughts on CRM
(25:10) Where to connect with Adam
Guest Bio
Adam Honig is the founder and CEO of Spiro, an AI-powered sales platform designed for manufacturers and B2B companies. With decades of experience in CRM consulting and enterprise software, Adam is known for challenging traditional CRM models and building systems that eliminate manual reporting. His work focuses on helping sales teams spend more time with customers and less time on administration.
Connect with Adam Honig
Website: https://spiro.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhonig
Connect with Executive Connect
Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel
LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect
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Is your CRM helping your sales team close deals or slowing them down with endless data entry? In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Adam Honig, founder and CEO of Spiro, to explain why traditional CRM systems are broken and how AI is transforming sales operations in manufacturing and B2B companies. Adam shares why most sales teams never fully adopt CRM, how manual reporting destroys productivity, and why forcing data entry leads to bad data and wasted investment. He introduces Spiro’s AI-driven approach that captures customer intelligence automatically and delivers real-time insights without administrative burden. From voice-based interfaces to predictive preparation tools, this conversation reveals how modern companies can eliminate CRM friction, improve customer relationships, and increase revenue without burning out their sales teams. If you want your sales systems to work for your people instead of against them, this episode is essential listening. What You Will Learn Why most CRM systems fail inside sales organizationsHow manual data entry destroys sales productivityWhy bad CRM data is worse than no dataHow AI can automate customer intelligenceThe difference between CRM systems and anti-CRM platformsHow manufacturers can modernize sales operationsWhen it is time to replace your existing CRMHow voice and chat interfaces will reshape business softwareHow to reduce administrative costs in sales teams Chapters (00:00) Why most companies never adopt CRM (01:26) The hidden cost of forced data entry (03:25) The inspiration behind Spiro’s AI model (04:52) Why salespeople should not be behind desks (05:16) The data quality problem in CRM (06:27) How Spiro prepares reps for meetings (07:49) Reducing administrative burden in sales (08:26) Why Spiro calls itself an anti-CRM (09:06) Real-world examples in customer service (10:38) The future of voice and chat interfaces (12:58) Security and biometric risks (14:49) How manufacturers should start using AI (16:43) The No CRM philosophy (17:51) Quotes, contracts, and ERP integration (18:55) Adam’s background in sales and CRM (20:47) When companies should replace CRM (23:29) Hidden organizational resistance (24:44) Final thoughts on CRM (25:10) Where to connect with Adam Guest Bio Adam Honig is the founder and CEO of Spiro, an AI-powered sales platform designed for manufacturers and B2B companies. With decades of experience in CRM consulting and enterprise software, Adam is known for challenging traditional CRM models and building systems that eliminate manual reporting. His work focuses on helping sales teams spend more time with customers and less time on administration. Connect with Adam Honig Website: https://spiro.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhonig Connect with Executive Connect Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast Facebook: Executive Connect