What is CRM (Customer Relationship Management)?
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is an information industry term for methodologies, software, and usually internet capabilities that help an enterprise manage customer relationship in an organized way. For example, an enterprise might build a database about its customers that describes relationships in sufficient detail allowing management, salespeople, etc, to build and nurture relationships.
CRM systems can match relevant information with that of the customers and suggest products and offers to the specific customers. This will lessen the burden on the marketing team’s shoulders and help them to effectively communicate with their customers.
Challenges faced by CRM users
1. Get to know the Objectives
What are the objectives the company wants CRM to fulfill? Make sure these objectives are spelt out clearly and define a measurement metrics to measure the success of the implementation
2. The Cost Factor
There is nothing unusual about CRM implementations overrunning costs. There are two ways of implementing CRM, the ASP model or the license model. The ASP model is considered better because it offers a fully managed and continuously developing system and it is also cost effective
3. Product Development Metrics
As the company matures in the usage of CRM the anticipations get tripled. It is good to go in for CRM products that offer modules like Sales Force Automation, Marketing Automation, Customer Support and Services. This will enable the company to scale the ladder of success fruitfully
4. Training
Training is the key to the success of any CRM. It is imperative for the company to provide excellent training programs to enhance the skills of the end users. Do not expect the sales executives to navigate complex screens because it will not work.
5. Try to find the Right Partner
The right partner to select would be someone who can do justice to both strategy and implementation. Try to find a local partner who understands the work culture and limitations of technology.
An interface that is difficult to navigate can hamper the effectiveness of the CRM, causing only certain sections to work and rendering the other sections useless. Companies are being asked to consider the overall impact of the CRM software and the potential for its use.
CRM consists of the following advantages:
1. Helping an enterprise to permit its marketing departments to identify and target their best customers
2. Helps the company to improve telesales, accounts and sales management by optimizing information shared by multiple employees
3. Allowing individualized relationships with customers, with the aim to improve customer satisfaction and maximize profits
4. Providing the employees the information to know the customer better to build a solid relationship between the customer base and the distributors.
One of the biggest problems faced by the CRM systems is one wherein clients have to work to plug gaps. Unless these gaps are plugged you cannot have the CRM system working.
CRM for Marketing
CRM for marketing is the system used for generating prospective clients. A key to using this system is tracking the multi-channel including email, search, social media, telephone and direct mail. Metrics examined include clicks, leads, deals, revenue and responses.
Large Enterprises
In the large enterprises there are several departments and the CRM system can integrate different departments like sales, service and marketing. For instance a feedback from the technical support team can educate the marketing team about the products and services.
Small Businesses
For the smaller organizations a Contact management system can accomplish tasks such as recording interactions that includes emails, documents, faxes, scheduling and others. This tool focuses entirely on accounts rather than individual contacts.
Customized CRM
Customized CRM is built for one specific customer and the CRM system will have the required functionality. Therefore using CRM to increase connectivity with your customers has increased. Companies are using it to boost efficiency and to improve their ROI. It helps them to communicate effectively with their customers and spread brand awareness.
By
Stanley Rao
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is an information industry term for methodologies, software, and usually internet capabilities that help an enterprise manage customer relationship in an organized way. For example, an enterprise might build a database about its customers that describes relationships in sufficient detail allowing management, salespeople, etc, to build and nurture relationships.
CRM systems can match relevant information with that of the customers and suggest products and offers to the specific customers. This will lessen the burden on the marketing team’s shoulders and help them to effectively communicate with their customers.
Challenges faced by CRM users
1. Get to know the Objectives
What are the objectives the company wants CRM to fulfill? Make sure these objectives are spelt out clearly and define a measurement metrics to measure the success of the implementation
2. The Cost Factor
There is nothing unusual about CRM implementations overrunning costs. There are two ways of implementing CRM, the ASP model or the license model. The ASP model is considered better because it offers a fully managed and continuously developing system and it is also cost effective
3. Product Development Metrics
As the company matures in the usage of CRM the anticipations get tripled. It is good to go in for CRM products that offer modules like Sales Force Automation, Marketing Automation, Customer Support and Services. This will enable the company to scale the ladder of success fruitfully
4. Training
Training is the key to the success of any CRM. It is imperative for the company to provide excellent training programs to enhance the skills of the end users. Do not expect the sales executives to navigate complex screens because it will not work.
5. Try to find the Right Partner
The right partner to select would be someone who can do justice to both strategy and implementation. Try to find a local partner who understands the work culture and limitations of technology.
An interface that is difficult to navigate can hamper the effectiveness of the CRM, causing only certain sections to work and rendering the other sections useless. Companies are being asked to consider the overall impact of the CRM software and the potential for its use.
CRM consists of the following advantages:
1. Helping an enterprise to permit its marketing departments to identify and target their best customers
2. Helps the company to improve telesales, accounts and sales management by optimizing information shared by multiple employees
3. Allowing individualized relationships with customers, with the aim to improve customer satisfaction and maximize profits
4. Providing the employees the information to know the customer better to build a solid relationship between the customer base and the distributors.
One of the biggest problems faced by the CRM systems is one wherein clients have to work to plug gaps. Unless these gaps are plugged you cannot have the CRM system working.
CRM for Marketing
CRM for marketing is the system used for generating prospective clients. A key to using this system is tracking the multi-channel including email, search, social media, telephone and direct mail. Metrics examined include clicks, leads, deals, revenue and responses.
Large Enterprises
In the large enterprises there are several departments and the CRM system can integrate different departments like sales, service and marketing. For instance a feedback from the technical support team can educate the marketing team about the products and services.
Small Businesses
For the smaller organizations a Contact management system can accomplish tasks such as recording interactions that includes emails, documents, faxes, scheduling and others. This tool focuses entirely on accounts rather than individual contacts.
Customized CRM
Customized CRM is built for one specific customer and the CRM system will have the required functionality. Therefore using CRM to increase connectivity with your customers has increased. Companies are using it to boost efficiency and to improve their ROI. It helps them to communicate effectively with their customers and spread brand awareness.
By
Stanley Rao