Getting a new CRM for your business is a boss move, truly. And while it can be a cause for celebration, its implementation is also a challenge. Take into consideration all the phases of streamlining the workflow. Employees get new tools to do their jobs; managers have the space to catch their breath... But overall, CRM platforms have cross-enterprise consequences. Both positive and negative, if you don't pay attention. That is why we present these CRM mistakes to avoid.
Having Too Many (or None at All) Project Managers
When too many people have the same responsibilities, the duty falls on no one! No one takes ownership of the tasks.
The project comes to a halt and heads for failure. A CRM Project Manager needs to have extensive knowledge of sales and the business's target audience.
Too Much Required Input
When marketing and sales employees hand you over information for leads and customers, ensure that they give you just the crucial data. Having too much information all of a sudden can be confusing and shift your focus. After all, you can always ask for more information if needed.
Too many input fields will also cause your employees to concentrate on details instead of customer interaction and partnerships.
Not Considering the End-User When Picking Out the CRM Solution
To succeed with your CRM platform, you should get a solution that suits your end-user. How can you achieve that?
Simple, get the end-users involved even before looking at the platforms that exist out there. Explain to the employees who will be handling the dashboard that the new addition should be a helpful tool for them and the company.
The CRM should be a toolkit for improving business goals: better revenue, lower costs, automated processes, and saved time.
Picking a CRM Solution That Doesn't Scale
A lot of enterprises will pick a CRM software that is 'in' at the moment. Sure, it may suit your needs in the first few years, but what will you do when your company grows?
What happens if you have more customers and the CRM platform can't keep up? These are essential things to keep in mind.
Underusing AI and Automation
Did you know that artificial intelligence and automation are driving the majority of the customer-first trend? These tools are so crucial for CRM. Not only does the newer tech assist your employees in streamlining their workflow and lower administrative tasks, but they also get more data and insight.
Overall, AI and automation make your overall business easier to handle, and you get the personalized engagement that lets you optimize products and services.
Forgetting to Streamline CRM Project Goals
There are a lot of benefits to CRM implementation. But if you don't settle on some benefits as goals, you get lost in the noise.
Stay efficient by defining the expectations of the CRM solution. What are those expectations and goals? Some of them are unifying and standardizing internal processes, keeping track of contact interaction, automating administrative tasks, analyzing customer data, etc.
Undertrained Staff
Having an undertrained staff is also one of the CRM mistakes to avoid. It's not enough to simply implement a CRM and stop there. Take your time with the implementation - host webinars and workshops that will educate your employees on using the new software. That is crucial for efficient and long-term productivity.
One of the most significant benefits of buying a CRM is the chance to streamline your workflow and improve your enterprise. But that falls into the water if your people don't understand the nuances of the CRM software.
Inconsistent Nomenclature and Abbreviations
So many people ignore the importance of this. They think it's just nitpicking perfectionism when it's something else entirely. It is a way to keep your affairs and tasks in order.
Many people have redundant entries for accounts (General Electric, G.E., GE, and so on). That makes it hard to capture information and prioritize tasks adequately. Each account should just be in the system once, and customers and prospects should be organized in a hierarchy capturing many purchasing centers within business units and parent-child companies.
Conclusion
A well-integrated CRM can do wonders for your business. It can boost client satisfaction and align departments. Optimizing your CRM is the key to intelligent data gathering and actionable information.
To find out more useful CRM advice and which CRM mistakes to avoid, check out the rest of our blog.
