What is a CRM and Do I Need One?

Since I created Simply Helpful I have worked with over 30 companies and organizations and one thing they all have in common is that they need a place to store their client contacts and interactions with those clients and perhaps even more importantly, their prospective clients. The most efficient way of doing this is with a CRM.

What is that you ask? Wikipedia defines CRM as “customer relationship management – system for managing a company’s interactions with current and future customers. It involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support.”

A company’s CRM is a HUGELY important asset.  I came across this blog by Super Office that explains the 4 reasons why a CRM is an organization’s most valuable asset.  I encourage you to read the whole post but in a nutshell, here are the 4 reasons:

1. It allows you to register your leads and contacts. Keep them warm.  You never know when they are ready to buy so it’s important to keep in touch. You might have 4 different email address books, spread sheets and business cards tucked everywhere (in an old school rolodex like above IF you’re lucky).  What’s your tried and true process to keep in touch with them all? I’m guessing you might not have one.
2. You can track all customer interaction – from everyone in your company.  That’s right, no more guessing about who talked to whom about what.  If used properly and consistently, it’s all there in one spot. Every last interaction.
3. It reveals possibilities. How many prospects have you “not sold to” yet? Most likely a lot.
4. It makes your most valuable asset – the customer data – remain. People change jobs and take their information with them. Not if these contacts are in your CRM.

It can be challenging and time consuming to choose the correct CRM for your organization and then implement it, figure out the best most user-friendly way to use the system for your organization and then the process of documenting those steps for consistent use across all users but it’s so absolutely important.  I have helped organizations through this process time and time again and guess what?  I love it!  I know, I’m a strange bird.  If you recognize that you need some help in this area I would be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Let me take just one stressful task off your shoulders!