Accelerating B2B Sales at QA with an AI powered Content Recommender

I designed an AI assistant that helped sales reps recommend learning content with confidence, reducing SME dependency and speeding up deals.

0:00/1:34

Audio overview

MY ROLE ON THE PROJECT

I led the product design work from early discovery to rollout. I worked closely with Product Manager, Sales, CSM and Data teams to map out user journeys, define metrics, and prototype an experience tailored for B2B reps. I owned the UX strategy and interaction design.

MY ROLE ON THE PROJECT

I led the product design work from early discovery to rollout. I worked closely with Product Manager, Sales, CSM and Data teams to map out user journeys, define metrics, and prototype an experience tailored for B2B reps. I owned the UX strategy and interaction design.

MY ROLE ON THE PROJECT

I led the product design work from early discovery to rollout. I worked closely with Product Manager, Sales, CSM and Data teams to map out user journeys, define metrics, and prototype an experience tailored for B2B reps. I owned the UX strategy and interaction design.

We needed a faster way to recommend content

To hit our 25/26 financial goals, we needed to accelerate deal velocity and reduce lead drop-offs. But sales teams faced three major blockers

We needed a faster way to recommend content

To hit our 25/26 financial goals, we needed to accelerate deal velocity and reduce lead drop-offs. But sales teams faced three major blockers

We needed a faster way to recommend content

To hit our 25/26 financial goals, we needed to accelerate deal velocity and reduce lead drop-offs. But sales teams faced three major blockers

Many clients weren’t clear on their own challenges, making discovery calls inefficient. Reps lacked a structured way to turn business needs into learning solutions.
Many clients weren’t clear on their own challenges, making discovery calls inefficient. Reps lacked a structured way to turn business needs into learning solutions.
Many clients weren’t clear on their own challenges, making discovery calls inefficient. Reps lacked a structured way to turn business needs into learning solutions.
A recent merger tripled our content catalogue, and reps, especially new hires, struggled to keep up. Onboarding slowed, and recommendations became inconsistent.
A recent merger tripled our content catalogue, and reps, especially new hires, struggled to keep up. Onboarding slowed, and recommendations became inconsistent.
A recent merger tripled our content catalogue, and reps, especially new hires, struggled to keep up. Onboarding slowed, and recommendations became inconsistent.
For most B2B deals, reps relied heavily on SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) for content recommendations, but SME availability was limited, causing delays and lost momentum.
For most B2B deals, reps relied heavily on SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) for content recommendations, but SME availability was limited, causing delays and lost momentum.
For most B2B deals, reps relied heavily on SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) for content recommendations, but SME availability was limited, causing delays and lost momentum.

BEFORE AI CONTENT RECOMMENDER

BEFORE AI CONTENT RECOMMENDER

BEFORE AI CONTENT RECOMMENDER

How might we help reps recommend relevant content without relying so heavily on subject matter experts?

The solution was to create an AI powered content expert, designed specifically to help sales reps recommend the right content with confidence.

I designed a flow that allowed reps to:

How might we help reps recommend relevant content without relying so heavily on subject matter experts?

The solution was to create an AI powered content expert, designed specifically to help sales reps recommend the right content with confidence.

I designed a flow that allowed reps to:

How might we help reps recommend relevant content without relying so heavily on subject matter experts?

The solution was to create an AI powered content expert, designed specifically to help sales reps recommend the right content with confidence.

I designed a flow that allowed reps to:

Capture key signals from client conversations

Like industry, role, and challenges

Capture key signals from client conversations

Like industry, role, and challenges

Capture key signals from client conversations

Like industry, role, and challenges

Get relevant content suggestions instantly

Ready to share with the client in minutes

Get relevant content suggestions instantly

Ready to share with the client in minutes

Get relevant content suggestions instantly

Ready to share with the client in minutes

Create a first learning plan without waiting weeks for SME support

Keeping the lead warm

Create a first learning plan without waiting weeks for SME support

Keeping the lead warm

Create a first learning plan without waiting weeks for SME support

Keeping the lead warm

To make sure Ela delivered value quickly, I designed for fast activation, so reps could benefit from it from the very first use.

To make sure Ela delivered value quickly, I designed for fast activation, so reps could benefit from it from the very first use.

To make sure Ela delivered value quickly, I designed for fast activation, so reps could benefit from it from the very first use.

AFTER AI CONTENT RECOMMENDER

AFTER AI CONTENT RECOMMENDER

AFTER AI CONTENT RECOMMENDER

Meet ElaX Sales! Built for flexibility, speed and trust.

From a UX perspective, I designed three input modes to support different rep working styles and experience levels:

Meet ElaX Sales! Built for flexibility, speed and trust.

From a UX perspective, I designed three input modes to support different rep working styles and experience levels:

Meet ElaX Sales! Built for flexibility, speed and trust.

From a UX perspective, I designed three input modes to support different rep working styles and experience levels:

A guided Q&A flow for reps who needed more structure
A guided Q&A flow for reps who needed more structure
A guided Q&A flow for reps who needed more structure
A free-text input for jotting down client needs as notes
A free-text input for jotting down client needs as notes
A free-text input for jotting down client needs as notes
A meeting notes upload feature for reps who preferred copying the conversation's transcripts
A meeting notes upload feature for reps who preferred copying the conversation's transcripts
A meeting notes upload feature for reps who preferred copying the conversation's transcripts

Below is the guided Q&A flow, the first one we released as it felt the safest.

Below is the guided Q&A flow, the first one we released as it felt the safest.

Below is the guided Q&A flow, the first one we released as it felt the safest.

This allowed us to observe user preferences and test which input types generated more accurate AI outputs. Designing for both usability and input fidelity improved Ela’s value across varied workflows.

This allowed us to observe user preferences and test which input types generated more accurate AI outputs. Designing for both usability and input fidelity improved Ela’s value across varied workflows.

This allowed us to observe user preferences and test which input types generated more accurate AI outputs. Designing for both usability and input fidelity improved Ela’s value across varied workflows.

Some interesting early ractions

Some interesting early ractions

Some interesting early ractions

Helping users adjust to a probabilistic system took work

One unexpected insight: reps were frustrated by AI's non-deterministic nature. Getting even slightly different results from the same input felt unreliable to users accustomed to fixed systems. This exposed a core challenge in AI design: expectation management.

Helping users adjust to a probabilistic system took work

One unexpected insight: reps were frustrated by AI's non-deterministic nature. Getting even slightly different results from the same input felt unreliable to users accustomed to fixed systems. This exposed a core challenge in AI design: expectation management.

Helping users adjust to a probabilistic system took work

One unexpected insight: reps were frustrated by AI's non-deterministic nature. Getting even slightly different results from the same input felt unreliable to users accustomed to fixed systems. This exposed a core challenge in AI design: expectation management.

Quote from a Sales Rep
Quote from Client Relashionship manager
Quote from Client Relashionship manager

Valid SME concerns had to be addressed

To build trust early, we asked reps to validate Ela’s suggestions with SMEs. Over time, a deeper trust gap emerged. The issue wasn’t trusting Ela, but trusting reps to iterate confidently and know when human expertise was needed. As a result, many defaulted to waiting for SME approval, which led to a drop in Ela adoption after launch.

Valid SME concerns had to be addressed

To build trust early, we asked reps to validate Ela’s suggestions with SMEs. Over time, a deeper trust gap emerged. The issue wasn’t trusting Ela, but trusting reps to iterate confidently and know when human expertise was needed. As a result, many defaulted to waiting for SME approval, which led to a drop in Ela adoption after launch.

Valid SME concerns had to be addressed

To build trust early, we asked reps to validate Ela’s suggestions with SMEs. Over time, a deeper trust gap emerged. The issue wasn’t trusting Ela, but trusting reps to iterate confidently and know when human expertise was needed. As a result, many defaulted to waiting for SME approval, which led to a drop in Ela adoption after launch.

Quote from a SME
Quote from a SME
Quote from a SME

Designing trust signals to support better judgment

I introduced a trust signal layer. Ela now checks input completeness and flags whether a recommendation is safe to share, somewhat safe, or requires expert review. This balances speed with accountability, helping reps move faster and supported their judgment.

Designing trust signals to support better judgment

I introduced a trust signal layer. Ela now checks input completeness and flags whether a recommendation is safe to share, somewhat safe, or requires expert review. This balances speed with accountability, helping reps move faster and supported their judgment.

Designing trust signals to support better judgment

I introduced a trust signal layer. Ela now checks input completeness and flags whether a recommendation is safe to share, somewhat safe, or requires expert review. This balances speed with accountability, helping reps move faster and supported their judgment.

Motivating feedback through visible impact

We also experimented with a lightweight feedback loop. After each recommendation, reps could rate its usefulness or flag concerns, but adoption was low. To encourage participation, I designed a motivational nudge that showed how their input would improve Ela’s accuracy over time. The next iteration will introduce a percentage-based improvement signal to make that impact more tangible. While still early, this lays the foundation for long-term motivation through visible progress.

Motivating feedback through visible impact

We also experimented with a lightweight feedback loop. After each recommendation, reps could rate its usefulness or flag concerns, but adoption was low. To encourage participation, I designed a motivational nudge that showed how their input would improve Ela’s accuracy over time. The next iteration will introduce a percentage-based improvement signal to make that impact more tangible. While still early, this lays the foundation for long-term motivation through visible progress.

Motivating feedback through visible impact

We also experimented with a lightweight feedback loop. After each recommendation, reps could rate its usefulness or flag concerns, but adoption was low. To encourage participation, I designed a motivational nudge that showed how their input would improve Ela’s accuracy over time. The next iteration will introduce a percentage-based improvement signal to make that impact more tangible. While still early, this lays the foundation for long-term motivation through visible progress.

Results and impact so far

Results and impact so far

Results and impact so far

FEATURE ADOPTION

65% of reps used Ela weekly within 6 weeks 3.2 average recommendations viewed per session

FEATURE ADOPTION

65% of reps used Ela weekly within 6 weeks 3.2 average recommendations viewed per session

FEATURE ADOPTION

65% of reps used Ela weekly within 6 weeks 3.2 average recommendations viewed per session

SALES EFFICIENCY

Time from lead to first offer dropped significantly Number of first offers increased, indicating greater rep autonomy ~20% reduction in SME involvement, freeing up expert time

SALES EFFICIENCY

Time from lead to first offer dropped significantly Number of first offers increased, indicating greater rep autonomy ~20% reduction in SME involvement, freeing up expert time

SALES EFFICIENCY

Time from lead to first offer dropped significantly Number of first offers increased, indicating greater rep autonomy ~20% reduction in SME involvement, freeing up expert time

QUALITATVE FEEDBACK FROM CURRENT SALES REPS AND CSM

Reps reported more confident, smoother conversations with leads SMEs saw 30% less basic content support requests, freeing them for strategic work

QUALITATVE FEEDBACK FROM CURRENT SALES REPS AND CSM

Reps reported more confident, smoother conversations with leads SMEs saw 30% less basic content support requests, freeing them for strategic work

QUALITATVE FEEDBACK FROM CURRENT SALES REPS AND CSM

Reps reported more confident, smoother conversations with leads SMEs saw 30% less basic content support requests, freeing them for strategic work

ENABLEMENT & ONBOARDING TIME FOR NEW SALES REPS AND CSM

Confidence in catalogue navigation increased early on (2 weeks vs 6weeks) Reduced SME reliance makes new reps feel like they're contributing sooner

ENABLEMENT & ONBOARDING TIME FOR NEW SALES REPS AND CSM

Confidence in catalogue navigation increased early on (2 weeks vs 6weeks) Reduced SME reliance makes new reps feel like they're contributing sooner

ENABLEMENT & ONBOARDING TIME FOR NEW SALES REPS AND CSM

Confidence in catalogue navigation increased early on (2 weeks vs 6weeks) Reduced SME reliance makes new reps feel like they're contributing sooner

What I Learned

This was a B2B sales enablement experiment, built under tight constraints and at speed. Even so, it became a meaningful opportunity to deepen my experience designing an internal tool with measurable commercial impact.

A key learning was that AI familiarity doesn’t equal trust. Many reps still expected deterministic behavior and perceived AI’s variability as unreliable, even in a digital-first, learning-focused environment.

That insight changed how I thought about adoption. I realised that building trust in AI isn’t just about polished interfaces or familiar UX patterns, but about setting the right expectations, working with existing team culture, and helping people understand when they can rely on automation and when a human should step in.

What I Learned

This was a B2B sales enablement experiment, built under tight constraints and at speed. Even so, it became a meaningful opportunity to deepen my experience designing an internal tool with measurable commercial impact.

A key learning was that AI familiarity doesn’t equal trust. Many reps still expected deterministic behavior and perceived AI’s variability as unreliable, even in a digital-first, learning-focused environment.

That insight changed how I thought about adoption. I realised that building trust in AI isn’t just about polished interfaces or familiar UX patterns, but about setting the right expectations, working with existing team culture, and helping people understand when they can rely on automation and when a human should step in.

What I Learned

This was a B2B sales enablement experiment, built under tight constraints and at speed. Even so, it became a meaningful opportunity to deepen my experience designing an internal tool with measurable commercial impact.

A key learning was that AI familiarity doesn’t equal trust. Many reps still expected deterministic behavior and perceived AI’s variability as unreliable, even in a digital-first, learning-focused environment.

That insight changed how I thought about adoption. I realised that building trust in AI isn’t just about polished interfaces or familiar UX patterns, but about setting the right expectations, working with existing team culture, and helping people understand when they can rely on automation and when a human should step in.

Check out more projects

UI of AI assistant illustrating chat and and text selection

How a Panel Redesign Helped Sales and Customer Success Teams Avoid Critical Setup Errors

I redesigned a complex admin tool used daily by Sales and Success teams to configure enterprise clients. The old system made critical errors too easy. I rebuilt it around clarity, feedback, and safer workflows, reducing support, stress, and risk.

Drop in support tickets tied to misconfiguration

New CSMs reporting higher confidence earlier

UI of AI assistant illustrating chat and and text selection

How a Panel Redesign Helped Sales and Customer Success Teams Avoid Critical Setup Errors

I redesigned a complex admin tool used daily by Sales and Success teams to configure enterprise clients. The old system made critical errors too easy. I rebuilt it around clarity, feedback, and safer workflows, reducing support, stress, and risk.

Drop in support tickets tied to misconfiguration

New CSMs reporting higher confidence earlier

UI of AI assistant illustrating chat and and text selection

How a Panel Redesign Helped Sales and Customer Success Teams Avoid Critical Setup Errors

I redesigned a complex admin tool used daily by Sales and Success teams to configure enterprise clients. The old system made critical errors too easy. I rebuilt it around clarity, feedback, and safer workflows, reducing support, stress, and risk.

Drop in support tickets tied to misconfiguration

New CSMs reporting higher confidence earlier

UI of AI assistant illustrating chat and and text selection

How I've helped QA users learn more confidently with an AI assistant.

I led the design for the 0-to-1 launch of QA’s learning assistant at the beginning of 2025. Created to reduce friction and support learning momentum, Ela is now adopted by 80+ client accounts and holds a 4.5/5 user satisfaction score.

Avg. rating 4.5/5: Strong validation for a beta release

UI of AI assistant illustrating chat and and text selection

How I've helped QA users learn more confidently with an AI assistant.

I led the design for the 0-to-1 launch of QA’s learning assistant at the beginning of 2025. Created to reduce friction and support learning momentum, Ela is now adopted by 80+ client accounts and holds a 4.5/5 user satisfaction score.

Avg. rating 4.5/5: Strong validation for a beta release

UI of AI assistant illustrating chat and and text selection

How I've helped QA users learn more confidently with an AI assistant.

I led the design for the 0-to-1 launch of QA’s learning assistant at the beginning of 2025. Created to reduce friction and support learning momentum, Ela is now adopted by 80+ client accounts and holds a 4.5/5 user satisfaction score.

Avg. rating 4.5/5: Strong validation for a beta release

Sidebar of an assignment displayed on top of a lesson

How I redesigned navigation to keep learners on track.

I designed a universal sidebar to unify all content types during a major content merger. Learners can now track their progress without leaving the lesson, reducing distractions.

53% drop in users exiting lessons to track progress

28% reduction in fullscreen toggling to study

Sidebar of an assignment displayed on top of a lesson

How I redesigned navigation to keep learners on track.

I designed a universal sidebar to unify all content types during a major content merger. Learners can now track their progress without leaving the lesson, reducing distractions.

53% drop in users exiting lessons to track progress

28% reduction in fullscreen toggling to study

Sidebar of an assignment displayed on top of a lesson

How I redesigned navigation to keep learners on track.

I designed a universal sidebar to unify all content types during a major content merger. Learners can now track their progress without leaving the lesson, reducing distractions.

53% drop in users exiting lessons to track progress

28% reduction in fullscreen toggling to study

New UX of the text lectures featuring desktop and mobile version

How I simplified and unified a misaligned Text Lectures experience to support a major content merger.

I transformed fragmented Text Lectures into a unified, intuitive experience — resolving usability and progression issues to protect learner engagement and retention during Circus Street’s post-merger transition.

Resolved 5 out of 5 major UX inconsistencies: addressed and resolved all identified UX debt.

New UX of the text lectures featuring desktop and mobile version

How I simplified and unified a misaligned Text Lectures experience to support a major content merger.

I transformed fragmented Text Lectures into a unified, intuitive experience — resolving usability and progression issues to protect learner engagement and retention during Circus Street’s post-merger transition.

Resolved 5 out of 5 major UX inconsistencies: addressed and resolved all identified UX debt.

New UX of the text lectures featuring desktop and mobile version

How I simplified and unified a misaligned Text Lectures experience to support a major content merger.

I transformed fragmented Text Lectures into a unified, intuitive experience — resolving usability and progression issues to protect learner engagement and retention during Circus Street’s post-merger transition.

Resolved 5 out of 5 major UX inconsistencies: addressed and resolved all identified UX debt.

Marathon's user dashboard and result page

How I gamified learning at Cloud Academy boosting user motivation and MoM cashflow.

I designed a 3-month challenge that increased engagement, reduced churn, and boosted cashflow. 20% of participants stayed active three months after—well beyond typical subscription periods.

+18% increase in MoM upfront cashflow

Marathon's user dashboard and result page

How I gamified learning at Cloud Academy boosting user motivation and MoM cashflow.

I designed a 3-month challenge that increased engagement, reduced churn, and boosted cashflow. 20% of participants stayed active three months after—well beyond typical subscription periods.

+18% increase in MoM upfront cashflow

Marathon's user dashboard and result page

How I gamified learning at Cloud Academy boosting user motivation and MoM cashflow.

I designed a 3-month challenge that increased engagement, reduced churn, and boosted cashflow. 20% of participants stayed active three months after—well beyond typical subscription periods.

+18% increase in MoM upfront cashflow