At the intersection of technology and innovation, few leaders stand out as prominently as Shin Chen, the visionary Chief Technology Officer of Sales Marker. Born in Japan and raised in China, his journey has been as dynamic and global as the industry he is transforming.
Armed with a degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Chen launched his career at LINE Corp, the company behind Japan’s most popular messaging app. There, he played a pivotal role in developing company-wide data platforms and leading research into real-time data solutions.
His trajectory shifted when he met the CEO and COO of Sales Marker. A single conversation revealed a glaring inefficiency in traditional sales approaches, sparking a vision that would drive him to revolutionize the industry.
“Why settle for a mere 3% success rate when technology can optimize the process and yield significantly better results?” Chen asked himself. Fueled by this realization, he co-founded Sales Marker—a company dedicated to transforming sales and marketing through AI and intent data.
Sales Marker is more than just a startup; it embodies Chen’s belief in technology’s power to reshape industries. By leveraging AI, the platform enables businesses to identify and engage potential customers with unparalleled precision. “In a world overwhelmed with data, we offer clarity,” Chen explains. “Our goal is to free businesses from outdated methods and create a culture of boundless growth.”
Sales Marker’s mission is deeply rooted in fostering new challenges and opportunities for businesses. “We want to create a world where everyone can take on new challenges without fear of failure. Many companies hesitate because they worry about losing existing business. Our intent-based platform changes that mindset by increasing revenue and enabling growth,” says Chen.
The Shift to Intent-Based Sales
Traditional sales methods in Japan often rely on volume—more emails, more phone calls, more door-to-door visits. Sales teams cast a wide net, hoping that persistence will yield results. However, this approach is riddled with inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
Sales Marker is disrupting this outdated model with intent-based sales methodology, an approach that prioritizes precision over chance.
“We provide accuracy where others rely on probability,” says Chen. “By analyzing intent signals, we connect businesses with the most promising leads in real-time. It’s not just about who to reach, but when and how—a strategic process driven by data.”
Sales Marker equips sales teams with a suite of engagement tools, including emails, direct messages, and forms—all optimized for maximum impact. With its AI-driven multi-channel approach, every outreach is strategically aligned with the target audience’s needs.
In Japan’s shrinking labor market, where 80% of sales professionals consider leaving their jobs due to outdated methods, Sales Marker’s solution is timely. “We’re not just optimizing sales—we’re redefining work itself,” says Chen.
“Intent-based sales isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about empowerment. By enabling companies to do more with less, we’re driving growth and reshaping society’s approach to work. It’s about working smarter, not harder,” he adds.
AI-Powered Precision
At the core of Sales Marker’s innovation is its seamless integration of AI and advanced data analytics.
“With AI as our foundation, we don’t just react to market needs—we anticipate them,” says Chen. “Our AI leverages existing customer data to create dynamic, evolving customer profiles. These profiles incorporate factors like employee growth, funding rounds, and product launches, adapting in real time.”
Sales Marker maintains a database of five million corporate entities, ensuring accurate, up-to-date insights. By using advanced language models, the platform scours investor relations documents, company websites, job postings, and other digital sources to extract valuable information.
However, raw data alone isn’t enough. Sales Marker’s real breakthrough lies in connecting corporate data with sales signals. “Every industry has its own set of indicators,” explains Chen. “Employee count, funding history, and other key factors guide our AI to the most valuable leads.”
Beyond company data, Sales Marker also analyzes web search behavior to predict purchasing intent. “We don’t just identify needs—we anticipate them,” Chen states. “Whether a company is just beginning its research or actively comparing solutions, our AI tailors the perfect response.”
Recognizing that no two industries are the same, Sales Marker customizes its approach for each client. “There’s no universal strategy,” says Chen. “Every company has a unique rhythm, and our AI adapts accordingly, learning from past performance and real-time interactions.”
Shaping the Future of B2B Sales Intelligence
As technology evolves, Chen envisions a future where AI plays an even more significant role in B2B sales. The shift from offline to online engagement, accelerated by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, has made AI-driven sales intelligence more essential than ever.
“The rise of AI is inevitable,” he says. “The sales landscape is changing, and companies need AI-native platforms to stay competitive.”
Sales Marker is at the forefront of this transformation, continuously refining its platform with cutting-edge technology and top-tier talent. However, Chen acknowledges that innovation is not without challenges. As CTO, he focuses on building a product team that can translate customer feedback into meaningful solutions.
“It’s not just about adding features—it’s about delivering real value,” he explains. By fostering collaboration between engineers and business stakeholders, Chen ensures that Sales Marker remains agile and responsive to market needs.
For professionals looking to enter the AI-driven sales industry, Chen offers valuable advice: “Understand the business before chasing the latest technology.” In a world filled with buzzwords and fleeting trends, true innovation comes from solving real-world problems.
As technology and commerce continue to evolve, Sales Marker—and visionaries like Shin Chen—stand at the forefront, guiding businesses toward a smarter, more efficient, and more prosperous future.