CRM Best Practices
There’s no question that customer relationship management (CRM) software can take businesses to the next level. In fact, CRM can increase sales conversion rates by up to 300%, drastically increasing business profits.
CRM software is equipped with tools that improve customer service, sales, marketing, and management. However, the only way to truly maximize the robust capabilities of CRM software is by incorporating best practices. Outlined below are a few best practices that will help your manufacturing or distribution business get the most of your software.
Choose the Best Vendor for Your Company
Not every CRM software is made equally–every software vendor has its strengths and weaknesses. Plus, your business needs are unique. We recommend investigating all the services the vendor provides and choosing the CRM software that will fit your business process.
Examples of questions to ask when deciding on a CRM vendor include (but aren’t limited to):
- What are the business processes I would like to improve with this software?
- Do I want to be hosted on-premises or in the cloud?
- What is the budget for this project?
- Does my business need customizable features, or will basic functionality work?
- How will this integrate with my existing software?
Neglecting to ask these questions while deciding on a CRM vendor can result in a business getting tied to a vendor that does not support their company.
Undergo Comprehensive Training
If your employees can’t use your software, then the value of the CRM solution is greatly diminished. We know old habits die hard, but comprehensive training can help your team embrace the new software and utilize all its functions.
Proper training is the only way to ensure seamless user adoption of your new enterprise software or integration platform throughout your business. When your employees undergo effective software training, your business increases productivity and mitigates risk.
Because effective training is so beneficial to the implementation process, we suggest working with a consultant- manuals and books just don’t compare to hands-on training. Working with a consultant that understands your organization and its diverse roles will help you maximize the value of your implementation.
Automate Workflows
CRM software is meant to streamline business processes regarding customers. In this way, the software automates tasks so employees can minimize errors and improve customers’ experiences.
We recommend taking advantage of workflow automation features like repetitive data entry to improve reporting, allowing employees to spend more time on other important responsibilities, and allowing executives to make better-informed business decisions, mitigating risks.
Collaborate
The most productive businesses are those that encourage interdepartmental collaboration. When departments share the same data and purposes, they can efficiently solve problems and improve processes. Inversely, when departments don’t work together, silos promote confusion as individuals pursue different goals and lack immediate access to data that can optimize their performance.
Utilizing CRM software to unite departments–sales and marketing, for example–is key to mobilizing organizational success. Your CRM software’s predictive analytics capabilities coupled with centralized data are a huge asset to your business and can exponentially streamline your company’s processes.
Wrap Up
Following these CRM best practices can maximize your ROI! However, this is not an exhaustive list, so enlisting the help of a business and software expert may be just what your company needs to see real business growth!
Here at Datix, we are experts in CRM and countless other exciting software solutions, so we can assist your business in implementing CRM best practices! Plus, as a certified partner in both Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce with over 20 years of in-depth experience transforming manufacturers and distributors through software, we have a uniquely dynamic perspective when we help clients select the best CRM software for their enterprise.
To learn more about Datix’s exciting CRM solutions, read our CRM selection guide, or contact one of our expert consultants, today!
