Fact: The marketplace is saturated with software companies. There are 314,000,000 hits for software companies on Google.
How can your company choose the best business software when advanced rapid application development now produces large numbers of great, stable software? It is especially hard to choose when you are bombarded with marketing messages daily. How would you go about planning for the best CRM software to fit your needs? Before getting any software solutions, QISYS suggests to determine the problems CRM implementation would solve, establish a reasonable budget range, create a short list of general potential solutions and prepare preliminary resource alignment.
A lack of CRM translates into a lack of central data storage which costs you thousands in lost customers, opportunities, information, wasted marketing campaigns and mailing lists. Moreover, improper integration causes many problems such as no end-user adoption, a system not aligned with actual business needs, unending bug fixes, design changes, client finicky data, data leaks, and missed opportunities – all the more reason to plan before sticking with a particular CRM solution.
Fact: Most businesses have multiple software systems in use. Today’s decision makers are seasoned by multiple software buys, seeking to address active business plans with the largest impact on the organization in the least amount of time and at the lowest risk level, while at the same time satisfying multiple stakeholders.
Fact: Businesses first look if the software would solve their problems, only afterwards do they determine if a firm has the proper level of experience and expertise to help them.
Top 7 ways to find new software
- Trusted advisor network
- Hired business consultant or consulting firm
- Peer recommendations
- Accounting firm
- Past users
- Internet search
- External marketing campaigns
CRM planning is critically important. Why? Correctly planned out and implemented CRM saves at least 2 hours a day which translates into at least 30% productivity gain, 1month worth of savings in decreased training costs, new reps experiencing increased sales 1 month earlier, and gives you a standardized system that reduces the loss of client information caused by a high turnover of reps, all resulting in substantially increased ROI. These are in fact actual results QI SalesLogix Professional Services has achieved by implementing our 7 step CRM planning method.
1. Design Audit –Concept and Vision
2. Customization – Solution Development
3. Data Import & Integration – Migration to Solution
4. Implementation – Solution Deployment
5. Training – Sharing of Expertise
6. Reports – Sales Forecasting and Activity Management
7. Priority Support Program – Ongoing Assistance
Starting with the Design Audit, we get to know our customers, analyze their diverse needs, and determine their deliverables based on what they use and how they use it. Even before the Design Audit we ask that you make your wish list combined with all the pains you encounter currently. So go ahead, make your wish list:
- What is your current system and why do you need CRM?
- Do you know what your reps do? How do they track their activities?
- What are your needs and priorities?
- What would you like to see happen that’s not working right now?
At QI SalesLogix Professional Services, we love taking business dreams and making them a reality. Especially when they relate to our specialty – Customer Relationship Management (CRM)! If you’re in need of CRM advice or help with CRM planning, or maybe you’d like us to take a look at your wish list, contact QISYS SalesLogix at (416) 253-5555.
CRM Planning FAQ