6 Steps to a Successful CRM Implementation
Customer relationship management (CRM) software has since evolved from a tool to help sales teams store customer data into an intricate hub that drives the technology suite of any business. When implemented right, it adds immense value to your company. Marketing expert Jordan Beier shares an article on Business News Daily about the powerful impact a CRM platform can bring to your business when utilized correctly. According to Beier, these six key concepts clarify the required investment and strategies that businesses can follow for a successful CRM implementation process.
- Set realistic, actionable goals. You should have a clear and simple vision for your CRM directly related to your most essential business functions.
- Do your research to find the right CRM solution. The most important factors in your decision could include pricing, the relevancy of the CRM’s tools to your process, ease of use and available integrations.
- Select a CRM team, with department champions. Once you have selected the CRM platform that most closely aligns with your company vision, you can mobilize the creation unit. This requires a specialized team to complete daily tasks and steer progress.
- Forecast the costs and benefits. Work with your various teams to forecast the specific effects this CRM will have on your business during the implementation process, the initial six months after launch as your team acclimates, and the following 12 months once the CRM is a fixed part of their daily use.
- Migrate and integrate data. Cleaning your data and migrating it into the new CRM platform will be the longest element of the implementation. Consequently, missing or incorrect data needs to be acquired and fixed, or it will reduce the effectiveness of your CRM.
- Train the team and test the system. Most CRM offerings include training and consulting programs to enable businesses to get the most out of their platforms. During this testing phase, assign your IT team to perform quality assurance tests. Some bugs are inevitable, but you don’t want the opening launch to be marred by many urgent IT fixes while the system is live.
Beier mentions some common CRM implementation mistakes to avoid such as doing too much too soon or losing team support during the initial implementation period. Take the time to implement the necessary software and programs and invest in training your staff, which includes addressing any concerns early on. Lastly, don’t forget the purpose of a CRM once it’s implemented. A CRM platform helps your team solve problems; it doesn’t solve problems itself. When utilized right, the power of CRM can introduce your business to many opportunities.
