Methods for staying in contact with past customers

One of the first things you get taught in sales is that it is far more expensive to attract new customers than to keep an existing one. Though it doesn’t mean you should stop from finding new customers. Instead, aim to solidify relationships with existing and former ones and use those methods to attract new ones. The key is to keep in touch. It can be a tricky thing to stay in touch with customers without seeming too pushy, but worth the effort when done right. A good way to manage customer relationships are with customer relationship management (CRM) systems. CRMs not only keep a digital record of interactions and customer information, but they can also forecast solutions for continued and older contacts as well as new tactics to gain more contacts. Below are some methods to consider when keeping in contact with clients:

  • Track interactions
  • Emails/newsletters
  • Events
  • Gifts

It’s important to note that although technology makes life easier for your organization and even the customers, an old-fashioned hand written note or even a simple phone call follow up can go a long way. Test your waters with the type of clients you have and you’ll have relationships to last for years to come.

 

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Five Ways To Enhance Returns From Your ERP Implementation

As we continue to make advancements in technology and the workplace, more and more businesses are realizing the benefits of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and cloud technology. With benefits of increased efficiency, ease of access, quicker implementation cycles, and overall cost reduction, it’s no wonder that 22 percent of organizations worldwide have moved their ERP to the cloud. Businesses can also leverage current technology to not only get more out of their ERP systems, but ensure success. Below are five technology trends that can potentially shape the future of ERPs:

  • Machine learning
  • Internet of Things
  • RFID
  • AI/ chatbots
  • Social collaboration

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Install WebSphere Fix Packs

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Pre-requisites

Download Fix Packs

NOTE: You will need your passport advantage credentials

https://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27004980#ver85_0

Application Server Fix Pack

Customization Toolbox Fix Pack

WAS Supplements fix pack

Unzip WAS parts 1 & 2 into one directory

Unzip WCT parts 1 & 2 into one directory

Unzip WAS Supp parts 1 & 2 into one directory

Install Fix Pack

Stop WebSphere Services

Open IBM Installation Manager as administrator

Set the repository in File > Preferences (select the location where you saved the fix pack files)

Click ok

Click update

Select all, click next

Accept the license agreements

Click update

Click Finish

Start WebSphere services

Propagate Plug-Ins

WebSphere Console > Servers > Server Types > Web servers

Select web server

Generate Plug-in

Propagate Plug-in

Restart Application Server

3 Tech Trends to Watch in 2019

If there’s one thing we can take from 2018 is to embrace and work through chaos. It’s time we get smarter about anticipating change – and a huge part of that is to master new technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart devices, space travel, electric vehicles and other trends will continue to be ever present and we need to decide what’s worth our time and what has reached it’s end. Amy Webb, professor of strategic foresight at the NYU Stern School of Business, has taken on an approach to look for weak signals and emerging trends in different areas of technology and forecasts the following trends to watch in 2019:

  1. This is the beginning of the end of smartphones
  2. 5G will be deployed at scale
  3. Data regulation is coming, and it won’t be pretty

Webb suggests the best strategic position in 2019 is to think exponentially but act incrementally.

Three key ways to ensure your ERP project is a success

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project are a costly investment. When done right, it will provide positive turnover. It is essential that you maximize the chances of ERP project success early on to ensure minimal setbacks. There are three main keys to ensuring ERP project success.

Key 1: Plan for the project

  • Put together an initial plan for the project’s journey
  • Always Test in between phases to make sure the plan is going accordingly
  • Focus on Post-Implementation
  • Consider Change Management Planning

Key 2: Nail the functional requirements

  • Interview Stakeholders to Leverage Expert Opinions
  • Plan the Conversations
  • Consider Delegating for efficient communication
  • Take a Moment to Consider Overall Importance
  • Leverage RFPs (Request for Proposal)

Key 3: Assemble your all-star team

  • Leverage Cross-Departmental Discussion
  • Understand Team Needs
  • Open lines of Communication
  • Meeting Structure
  • Management Tools
People often assume if they follow steps, everything will fall into place. But that almost always never happens. By having backups of backup plans, preparing for every condition, and understanding there will be slack/wasted/extra time needed, you can bet that your ERP selection and migration goes smoothly.

Why CRM Projects Fail and How to Make Them More Successful

Despite the growing need for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems within organizations, a 2017 report shared that around one third of all CRM projects fail, according to CIO Magazine. The primary reason for this is that companies used CRM systems for inspection — to report on progress, improve accuracy of forecasts, provide visibility, predict project delivery dates, and provide a range of other business intelligence — rather than creating improvement in the sales process. CRMs today serve a lot of departments, from executives in the C-suite, technology, marketing, finance, and, of course, sales. Because of this, the system can be spread thin, and training won’t be as hands on due to wanting the system to run immediately, and for simple purposes. If you want your CRM systems at its full potential and to increase your revenue, consider the following (recommended by consultant Scott Edinger):

  • Re-think your CRM as a tool to increase revenue
  • Integrate your marketing efforts with sales activity
  • Managers provide coaching to improve, not reporting to inspect

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5 Ways To Increase RoI From ERP Implementation

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has been around since the early 19602, yet most businesses are only not realizing its potential. Initially as a tool to help top management with decision making, ERPs have transformed significantly. They can improve businesses with increased efficiency, ease of access, protected data, and much more. A huge question can be asked:  how can ERPs help organizations to maximize value creation, be more proactive, and stay relevant? Here are the five technology trends that have the potential to shape the future of ERPs:

  • Machine Learning
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • RFID
  • AI/ Chatbots
  • Social Collaboration

When we integrate ERP with technology of today, a door of opportunities awaits. This merge has the potential to deliver greater insights to decision makers at almost every organizational level.

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7 CRM Trends That Will Dominate 2019

Before the rising popularity of the internet, products and services were market centered. Then came the internet, and it was a game changer. In the early 2000s, the customer became more educated and aware of things that the demand for better value for the price was key. The internet introduced quicker competitor comparison, increasing customer choices. This trend has continued to evolve to today’s society, which is the era of relationships. Businesses listen to customers and try to meet their needs. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has played an indispensable role in helping businesses achieve optimal relationships. CRM works on two frameworks – operational, which concerns the automation of business processes to build long-term, profitable relationships with specific customers, and analytical,  which focuses on analyzing customer characteristics and behavior to decide how to allocate resources to the most profitable customer group. Both these frameworks will get a boost in the coming years. These frameworks will encourage the following CRM trends that will dominate 2019.

  1. Data Mining Will Gain Prominence
  2. Social CRM Will Boost Relationships
  3. Companies Will Go Beyond Expectations
  4. Response Times Will Come Down
  5. CRM Adoption Will Increase
  6. CRM Will Become Easier to Use
  7. Cloud Will Stay a Popular Platform

It’s 2019 and customers have more power to shift the market and trends. They are calling the shots about which products and services that the marketplace should offer. And businesses are adjusting their business models to keep up, all thanks to CRM. For the businesses who embrace this software, they will gain better relationships with their customers in years to come.

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Gilberts Airs Make-to-Order Production Benefits with Infor

Air distribution product manufacturer, Gilberts (Blackpool) Ltd. recently adopted Infor’s Configure Price Quote (CPQ) in an effort to help boost capacity, enhance production and improve customer service. With Infor CloudSuite Industrial integrated in Infor CPQ, Gilberts will use the application to reduce inventory and employee training, and obtain the ability to more efficiently process orders regardless of whether they are make-to-stock or make-to-order. the manufacturer is already reaping benefits with a 50% line entry improvement on quotations and orders placed. Ian Rogers, Sales Director, Gilberts (Blackpool), comments, “As the business has grown, the quotation and subsequent order processing, particularly for more bespoke products, has become time intensive and resource hungry which were at odds with our focus on Kanban, efficiency and service.”

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New technology to help seniors live longer at home

Thanks to a $260,000 Government investment, high-tech movement monitoring promises to help seniors in Australia live safely and longer in the comfort of their own homes. This investment funds a trial of IT company Ericom’s Monitor Data Response Solution (MDRS) system, which allows early detection and intervention for older people living at home, should safety issues arise. “This is Australian innovation at its best, enabling remote monitoring and tracking of an aged care recipient’s daily routine, to help prevent misadventure or the possible deterioration in their wellbeing,” says Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt. The trial will be evaluated by the University of Wollongong, with the final evaluation report to be publicly available to share the potential benefits of this technology across the elder-care hospitality sector.

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