In this post, I’ll be reviewing some of the key points to consider when selecting the a new CRM for your business.

Let’s create a CRM Strategy

Before starting a new CRM project you should first ask yourself the following question:

How will CRM help my business gain a competitive edge?

Now, the answer to this question will differ greatly depending on which business or industry you work in.

So, in order to get an answer that is specific to you, we will first need to set out clear defined business requirements that will help align your strategic goals with the features and specifications of a potential CRM.

How to define your CRM requirements

A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple by creating a list of specific requirements that can fulfil your business strategy (as well as making it easy to comprehend from a vendor’s point of view).

So for instance, let’s say you are looking to increase your sales and reduce time spent on administration. Then you may need to look at a solution that features sales automation capabilities.

Similarly, if you are working in marketing and looking to increase lead generation and visibility, then you will need a solution that has lead capture and lead reporting functionality.

List those potential vendors

After narrowing down your set of requirements, it’s time to long list vendors to address the technical issues, from database compatibility to response times.

While reviewing a vendor, look at the out of the box functionality and only after you have a good understanding of how the pre-configured capabilities answer your business needs should you proceed to exploring the customisation.

This will help you to understand the difference between pre-set demos and the full capabilities of the system you are evaluating.

Book some online demonstrations

Our team can help advise you on making the right decision with a quick 10-30 online demonstration. Follow the link below to book your demonstration today.

Shortlist your CRM vendors

Shortlisting is a very important stage in the CRM buying process.

After going through demos and testing basic features, it’s time to go through a series of evaluations taking into consideration the following aspects: readiness of functionalities, ability to configure and expand, customise functionalities and the competency of the implementation team.

A balanced scorecard is a strategic planning and management tool used to; align business activities with the vision and strategy of the organisation, improve internal and external communications and monitor organisational performance against strategic goals.

The scorecard has to review the following criteria:

• User Interface
• Ease of Use
• Pricing
• Functionality (How does it align with your current business processes)
• User Feedback
• Time to Implement

Make that final decision

Before fully committing to investing into a particular CRM, it’s recommended that you request a full scope of the project and the implementation objectives from the vendor.

This will give you a clear understanding of whether the proposal addresses your initial strategy. Once you’ve made a final selection, take time to examine the vendor’s track record and research experiences of other companies, this will help you to erase any doubt before sealing the deal.

Still unsure?

If you are still unsure about which solution to go with then feel free to contact our team of CRM specialists. Here we will be able to advise you on which solution or path would be beneficial.

Click the link below to learn more.