You’ve probably been hearing a lot about CRM software lately and it’s probably coming from all over the place. Whether you’re searching the Internet, being bombarded with advertisements, your colleagues are mentioning it to you or maybe just the boss is telling you its time to get a CRM software.
But…
Are you really ready for a CRM software system? Are you ready to move away from the dedicated spreadsheets you’ve come to love? Most businesses are not ready for a CRM product when they start the search. It’s not because the appetite isn’t there to have a system in place but more so because the steps haven’t been taken to get the organization ready for it.
You’re not ready for CRM software because…
you don’t know your business processes
This topic is typically a little bit sensitive for some of our clients. When we meet with our clients they typically have a lot of ideas but haven’t really made the effort to document and prioritize how these business processes work within their organization. You must document your processes so that you can find the right CRM software solution to compliment how your business actually runs. Never let the software dictate how your business works unless you really enjoy shoving a square peg into a round hole. Eligeo CRM specializes in business process design and we can help.
the executives and decision makers are not on board
I can’t emphasize this enough. The leaders in your company must, absolutely must, be on board with your implementation of a CRM software system. If you don’t do this then you’re already dead in the water. Involving your executive teams will allow you to understand their requirements and involve the key corporate objectives to drive the success of your CRM implementation.
you don’t have an expert working with you
Now, this could be mistaken as a plug but it really isn’t. We would love it if you hired us but ultimately we’re not even the most important expert you need to work on this. We’re talking about internal experts from your organization who understand the business and have had experience working in the environment. These people you identify are the champions of your organization and should ultimately be the people that manage and promote your CRM software system.
Before throwing your credit card into the mix of a CRM product make sure to take the time to understand what your needs are. A lot of business owners and executives get excited by the nice marketing pitches that are thrown at them with all of the possibilities in the world. If you don’t take the time to understand what you’re really after you could find yourself into the 70% of CRM failures that occur every year.