If you’re responsible for getting your sales team to actually use software that makes their jobs easier—not harder—you know how painful it is to sort through all the B2B go-to-market (GTM) tools out there. This guide is for anyone who’s sick of “magic quadrants” and wants a no-B.S. way to compare tools like Orcaforce to the rest of the market.
Whether you’re a sales leader, ops manager, or just the unlucky soul in charge of software buying, here’s how to cut through the noise and find out if Orcaforce (or anything else) will really help your team close more deals with less hassle.
1. Nail Down What “Streamlining” Means for Your Team
Start here. Every tool claims to “streamline” your process, but what does that actually mean for you?
Ask yourself: - Is your team buried in manual data entry? - Are leads slipping through the cracks because of clunky handoffs? - Does reporting take forever and still miss the real story? - Do reps complain about switching between too many tabs?
Write down your top 3 time-wasters or pain points. You’ll use these as your North Star when looking at features. If a tool doesn’t directly address these, move on.
Pro Tip: Don’t let vendors define your problem. Get specific and use examples from your own sales process.
2. Identify the Type of GTM Tool You Actually Need
The B2B GTM stack is a zoo: CRMs, sales engagement platforms, pipeline management, forecasting, intent data, the list goes on. Orcaforce, for example, positions itself as a sales process streamliner, but every vendor tries to stretch into as many categories as possible.
Break down the main types: - CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): Your system of record. - Sales Engagement (e.g., Outreach, Salesloft): Cadences, email, calls. - Pipeline/Forecasting (e.g., Clari, InsightSquared): Pipeline hygiene, forecasting accuracy. - Process Automation (e.g., Orcaforce, Troops): Make workflows less painful for reps. - Point Solutions (e.g., Gong, ZoomInfo): Call recording, contact data, etc.
Which pain points from Step 1 are you actually trying to fix? Don’t get distracted by “all-in-one” promises if you really just need better pipeline updates.
3. Map Out Must-Have Features—Not a Laundry List
Ignore the endless checklist of “possible features” you’ll see on vendor sites. Instead, build your own short list based on your actual needs.
Here’s a good way to break it down: - Deal/Lead Management: How easy is it to move, update, or prioritize deals? - Workflow Automation: Does it actually cut down on clicks and manual updates, or just shift the work around? - Reporting: Can managers and reps get the info they need without spreadsheets and heroics? - Integrations: Does it play nicely with your CRM, email, and other essentials? - Adoption: Is the UI simple enough that reps won’t ignore it?
What to ignore: Fancy AI buzzwords, dashboards you’ll never look at, and “engagement” metrics that don’t tie to revenue.
4. See How Orcaforce Stacks Up
Here’s where Orcaforce usually claims to shine: automating sales process steps, making CRM updates less painful, and surfacing pipeline risks before deals fall apart. But does it actually deliver?
What Orcaforce gets right: - Saves time: Automates reminders, follow-ups, and data entry, so reps aren’t stuck in CRM admin hell. - Process visibility: Managers can see where deals are stuck and who’s dropping the ball—without endless status meetings. - Plays well with others: Integrates natively with most big-name CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and communication tools (Slack, email).
Where it’s weaker: - Not a full CRM: You’ll still need your main CRM as the source of truth. - Limited as a sales engagement tool: If you want deep multi-channel sequencing, you’ll need Outreach/Salesloft/etc. - Customization: Some teams want more granular workflow tweaks than Orcaforce currently offers.
Bottom Line: Orcaforce is best if your team is drowning in manual process work and needs to make CRM updates as hands-off as possible. If you’re looking for a tool to replace your CRM or run complex outreach, look elsewhere.
5. Compare with Other Top Contenders
Don’t just look at Orcaforce in a vacuum. Here’s how it compares to some other popular categories:
a) Against Traditional CRMs
- Orcaforce: Focuses on making the CRM you already have actually usable for reps.
- Salesforce/HubSpot: Great as a data warehouse, but often despised by reps for day-to-day updates.
When to use: If your CRM is solid but everyone hates updating it, layering Orcaforce on top can save sanity (and deals).
b) Against Sales Engagement Platforms
- Orcaforce: Handles process nudges and pipeline hygiene, but doesn’t do automated sequencing at the same level.
- Outreach/Salesloft: Designed for high-volume, multi-channel outreach and follow-up.
When to use: If your pain is process sloppiness (not email automation), Orcaforce is more targeted.
c) Against Workflow Automation Tools
- Orcaforce: Purpose-built for sales, with sales process best practices baked in.
- Zapier/IFTTT: More generic; can be powerful, but you’ll spend hours building and troubleshooting workflows.
When to use: If you want plug-and-play sales automation without becoming a part-time engineer.
6. Dig Into Real-World Adoption and Support
A tool is only as good as your team’s willingness to use it. Here’s what to look for (and what to watch out for):
- Ease of onboarding: Can your least tech-savvy rep pick it up in an hour? If not, expect headaches.
- Support quality: Look for real humans who know sales, not just a help center full of generic articles.
- Training and resources: Some tools (including Orcaforce) offer hands-on onboarding. Others throw you a PDF and wish you luck.
Red flag: If a vendor can’t show you proof of other teams like yours using the tool successfully, be skeptical.
7. Test Drive the Shortlist—Don’t Buy on Demos Alone
It’s easy for any tool to look slick in a salesperson’s demo. Insist on a hands-on trial for you and a couple of your actual reps. Here’s what to do:
- Set up a real pipeline with real data.
- Try out your actual workflow (moving deals, updating statuses, running reports).
- Get feedback from the folks who’ll have to use it daily.
- Watch for clunky steps, confusing screens, or places where people just give up.
Pro Tip: If your team can’t see the value in a week, they probably never will.
8. Factor in Pricing—But Don’t Chase Bargains
Most GTM tools (Orcaforce included) are going to be “mid-market” priced. What matters is whether the tool saves you more than it costs—either in saved time, more deals closed, or fewer headaches.
- Don’t be sucked in by “introductory offers” or yearly discounts if you’re not sure about adoption.
- Watch for hidden costs: required onboarding fees, integration charges, or per-seat pricing that scales fast.
Ask yourself: If we dropped this tool tomorrow, what would actually break? If the answer is “not much,” don’t sign a long-term contract.
9. Ignore Hype—Trust What Works for Your Team
There’s always going to be a new tool with AI, automation, or “predictive” something. Ask for proof, not promises. Look for:
- Case studies with real numbers (not just “increased productivity!”).
- References from companies with similar sales cycles and team sizes.
- A clear plan for measuring success—before you buy.
If a vendor can’t provide this, or dodges your questions, it’s a sign to walk away.
Keep It Simple: Your Next Steps
Here’s the truth: No software will fix a broken sales process, and no tool is magic. The best approach is to pick the tool that actually addresses your team’s specific pain points, get it live fast, and see if it makes life easier. If not, move on.
Start small, test with a few reps, and don’t let fancy features distract you from what matters—closing deals without making people hate their jobs.
If Orcaforce lines up with your needs, great. If not, keep looking. The only “best” tool is the one your team will actually use.