CRM software can be the critical factor for a business to succeed, mainly when the company's system is based on spreadsheets. Then, all your collected info comes alive as it becomes easier to spot your customers behavior trends. You'll also be able to easily spot the activities that will provide you with the most leads. Additionally, it will allow you to know the origin of your future revenue to predict what your sales will be like in the future.
However, any CRM software will be only as good as its information. That's why it's essential to know how to implement CRM into your departments, and it should be a priority from the get-go. It's vital that when you implement a CRM, all your teams understand the importance of keeping the data accurate and up to date.
It's also worth mentioning that one of the essential steps your organization will have to make is choosing the right CRM software. The goal is for it to make your business more efficient, so with that in mind, you should choose the one that meets your company's needs the most.
Implement An Easy to Use CRM
We've found that the implementation process of CRM becomes significantly easier to use. As with any new software we're trying to implement into our lives, it should be easy to use. The teams in charge of operating and updating CRM will be primarily busy; therefore, users expect it to be quick and easy to update records.
As soon as a user feels frustrated trying to perform a task on the software, it's likely that they'll stop using it correctly or using it at all. Statistics show that over 60% of a sales rep's time goes to technology use, and as we know, time is priceless. Therefore, making sure that your CRM is easy to understand and to work with should be one of your main priorities.
Quick Implementation
The right features to look for will depend on the kind of company you have. Your organization might not need the fancy features some CRMs offer, so this part is best to choose wisely. Remember that it will take longer to roll out a complex system than a simple one, plus CRMs shouldn't be too complicated.
Look for a CRM whose implementation will come as easy and smooth as possible. Your best reference for this will be the amount of training time you'll have to invest for your employees to get it right. The less training people will need, the better, considering that it's always best when users can get started right away regarding this subject.
Time-Saving Features
On top of all this, the features of your CRM shouldn't add time to your tasks; on the contrary, they should save it. Automating processes and functions are two of the most relevant qualities to look for in a CRM.
Increasing conversion rates, creating automatic reports, and workflows decrease the workload from your busy day. Integrations can also help since data automatically syncs between departments, which allows you access to all your clients' data in one place.
Implementation Is Just the First Step
It's essential that teams throughout your organization continue to value the investment after complete implementation. There are some easy steps to follow to keep the people engaged with the new software.
- Advocates Encouragement
These are the people in your organization who understand the benefits of CRM and naturally and wholeheartedly feel excited about its benefits. These super users can significantly influence the rest; the more you get throughout all levels of your business, the better. People like this can turn other people around more effortlessly than a project manager could on their own.
- Promoting the Benefits of CRM
Throughout the year, it will be helpful to keep promoting specific features of your new software as well as its benefits. Regular communications should keep reminding users why to use the CRM software and the benefits of doing so.
If the software you chose has a mobile app version, make sure that all users download it and make proper use of it. For those who are not on board yet, having access to the data on the move might be the game-changer.
When new updates or features are released, spread the word about their benefits across teams to encourage them to give it a try. This will have a more significant impact if you personalize the message more precisely to each department.
- Sharing the Success
As users start enjoying the benefits of your new software, ask what it is they love more precisely and share their opinions with the rest of the organization. It motivates people to hear other's good experiences and encourages them to try them too.
Conclusions
When an organization implements a new system, there are always teething issues as people try to adjust to a new manner of working. This is particularly true if people migrate from another CRM, so paying attention to people's concerns is essential. Showing interest will be critical to resolving any problems quickly.
It's also worth mentioning that there should be an open line of communication between you and your CRM provider. Make sure to ask all the questions needed and to suggest features that may benefit your company.
Paying attention and responding to your team will send the right message that the CRM is there to make your lives easier and that you support your teams on their journey. If you want to know more about CRM services and what we have to offer, get in touch with us, we'd love to hear from you.
