If you’re in sales, you already know the drill: nothing derails your week like falling behind on updating deals and forecasts. Maybe you’re in the field, bouncing between meetings, or just tired of wrestling with your laptop in airport lounges. This guide is for anyone who needs to keep their pipeline current without being glued to a desk.
We're looking at how to actually use the Clari mobile app to update deals and sales forecasts—quickly, without losing your mind, and without falling for the usual “CRM on your phone is life-changing!” hype. Spoiler: The app can be useful, but only if you know what to ignore and where to focus.
1. Get the Clari Mobile App Set Up Right
Let's start with the basics because if you skip this, everything else is a pain.
- Download the app: It's available for iOS and Android. Just search for “Clari” in the App Store or Google Play.
- Log in: Use your work credentials. Most companies use single sign-on, but don’t be surprised if IT made the process clunky.
- Check permissions: The first time you open it, the app may ask for notifications or access to your calendar/contacts. Grant what you’re comfortable with, but notifications are actually useful for deal updates and reminders.
Pro tip: If your company uses two-factor authentication, have your phone or token ready. It sounds obvious, but you don’t want to be stuck at a client’s office fumbling with logins.
2. Navigating the App: What Matters and What Doesn’t
Clari’s mobile app isn’t as cluttered as some desktop CRMs, but it still tries to do a lot. Here’s what you’ll actually use:
Focus On:
- Deals (Opportunities): This is where you’ll spend 90% of your time. You can see your pipeline, search for specific deals, and get quick summaries.
- Forecasts: Lets you update your numbers, usually for the current quarter.
- Activity Feed: Shows recent updates, meetings, and emails related to your deals. Handy for quick context.
Skip or Ignore:
- Leaderboard: Unless you’re obsessed with rankings, this is mostly noise.
- Insights/AI suggestions: Sometimes helpful, but usually just stating the obvious (“You haven’t emailed this client in a while!”). Don’t let it distract you from updating what matters.
Real talk: Most mobile CRM apps are best for quick updates and reference—not deep analysis. Don’t expect to run your entire pipeline review on your phone.
3. Step-by-Step: Updating Deals on the Go
This is the big one. Here’s how to keep your deals current while you’re out and about.
1. Open the “Deals” or “Opportunities” Tab
- You’ll see a list of your open deals, usually grouped by stage or close date.
- Tap a deal to see details: amount, stage, close date, next steps, recent activity.
2. Make Quick Edits
- Update Stage: Tap the stage field, pick the new stage, save. Simple.
- Adjust Close Date or Amount: Just tap the field, enter the new info, and save. Don’t overthink it—Clari autosaves most changes.
- Add Notes or Next Steps: There’s usually a field for comments/notes. Use voice-to-text if you’re in a rush—accuracy is surprisingly decent.
3. Log Activities
- After a meeting or call, add a quick note or activity. This is way less painful on mobile than waiting to do it later.
- Some versions sync with your calendar or email and suggest adding activities automatically. Review before accepting—sometimes it’ll log stuff that isn’t relevant.
Pro tip: Don’t bother updating every field. Focus on what your manager or forecast requires: stage, amount, close date, and key notes. The rest is just admin for admin’s sake.
4. Step-by-Step: Updating Your Sales Forecast
Forecast updates are where most reps get tripped up. Here’s how to do it fast, without second-guessing yourself.
1. Navigate to the Forecast Tab
- Usually found on the bottom menu or via the hamburger menu (three lines in the corner).
- You’ll see your current forecast numbers, broken down by category (Commit, Best Case, Pipeline, etc.).
2. Enter Your Numbers
- Tap the number you want to update (e.g., “Commit”).
- Enter your new forecast for the week or month.
- Add a comment if your manager expects justification (“Pushing out $50k deal, customer on vacation”).
3. Submit
- Hit “Save” or “Submit.” There’s no ceremony—just make sure it goes through.
- If you get a “pending sync” message, wait until you’re back on Wi-Fi or have better coverage.
What to ignore: Don’t get lost in the roll-up views or try to forecast for other teams unless that’s your job. Update your own numbers, keep your notes clear, and move on.
5. Using Voice and Shortcuts: Speed Without the Sloppiness
If you’re between meetings or in the car (parked, please), voice features can save time.
- Voice-to-Text: Most fields accept dictation. Speak clearly, but don’t worry about full sentences. “Pushed to Q4, legal review” is fine.
- Shortcuts: Pin your most-used deals for faster access. Some versions let you swipe to update stage or add notes—use these if you’re in a hurry.
Warning: Double-check what you dictated. “Close date moved to 12/9” can turn into “clothes date mood too dozen 9” if your accent trips up the app.
6. Notifications and Reminders: Helpful or Just Annoying?
By default, Clari will ping you about stale deals, forecast deadlines, and sometimes random nudges. Here’s how to make them work for you:
- Keep notifications for forecast deadlines and deal activity. These are worth your attention.
- Mute generic “insights” or leaderboard updates if they’re just cluttering your phone.
Pro tip: If you’re getting too many pings, go into Settings and trim what you don’t care about. You want reminders, not more noise.
7. What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Watch Out For
Let’s be honest:
- Works well: Quick edits to deals, updating close dates and stages, and submitting forecasts. All fast and reliable.
- Works if you’re disciplined: Logging meeting notes right after calls. If you wait, you’ll forget.
- Doesn’t work: Trying to do deep pipeline analysis, run reports, or dig into historical data. Use your laptop for that.
Watch out for: - Spotty mobile coverage: If you’re in a dead zone, changes might not sync right away. The app usually retries, but double-check when you’re back online. - Overcomplicating updates: Don’t feel compelled to fill out every field. Update what matters. - Data privacy: If you’re in public, be smart about what’s visible on your screen, especially with sensitive deals.
8. Keep It Simple (And Don’t Wait Until Friday Night)
The real trick is to treat mobile updates as quick maintenance, not a big weekly chore. Do it right after calls, or while you’re waiting for your coffee. Don’t let deal updates pile up until you’re stuck burning an hour on Friday night.
Focus on the basics: keep close dates, stages, and amounts accurate. Add short notes when something important happens. Ignore the fluff, use the features that save you time, and don’t be afraid to mute notifications that don’t help you win deals.
You’ll stay on top of your pipeline—and maybe reclaim a little bit of your week.