Customer Relations Management (CRM) software has come a long way over the years. If your current CRM just isn’t working for you, it may be time for a change. Yet, switching to an entirely new CRM system can be daunting, time-consuming, and stressful if you’ve been using the same software for a long time.
But what if there was a way for your business to enjoy all the benefits of a new CRM system without the hassle? Well, there is.
With so much of your business’s data and processes ingrained in your current CRM operations, it may make more sense to adapt your current solution rather than implement a new one.
It’s all about getting your current CRM solution to do more for you than it is now. But how exactly do you achieve this?
In this blog, we’ve answered this question by putting together our top 4 tips for optimising your CRM system to ensure you get the most out of it every time.
Let’s get started!
1. Ensure your CRM system is up to date
The first step in getting the most out of your CRM system is to ensure it’s regularly updated.
For your system to be effective, everything from customer details to sales insights and metrics must be kept up to date.
Your CRM system is accessed by many departments within your organisation, all of which require accurate, timely data to carry out their jobs effectively.
It’s a good idea to update customer profiles for your most loyal customers and ensure all their details, right down to how each customer prefers to be contacted, are included.
With up-to-date information, everyone across your business can access important customer data and insights quickly and easily.
Don’t forget to keep up with any new updates or integrations your software offers – for example, live chat integration.
If there are new features to leverage, make sure you’re in the know, so you don’t miss out!
2. Make better use of CRM automation
Another essential part of optimising your CRM system is making use of its handy automation features.
However, it’s important to ensure you’re automating the right tasks.
As Bill Gates once said:
“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.”
In other words, automation will improve your efficiency once your processes are well-defined and your CRM is data managed (ie: data is regularly updated and kept ‘clean’).
But if automation is used on poorly defined processes, it will do more harm than good.
Automation works great for improving the workflow of time-consuming tasks such as data entry and email sequences. It’s also a way to eliminate the risk of human error, which has the potential to impact outcomes.
Before getting started, you’ll need to ensure that your CRM integrations are structured correctly and that all relevant teams can access the information they need.
For example, with the right level of integration, you can program a CRM system to add new leads directly from email marketing campaigns. You can then automate follow-up emails to nurture these leads.
You can improve sales efficiency and your data quality with better CRM integrations and automation.
3. Leverage CRM insights more effectively
Some of the most valuable information your company possesses is situated within your customer relationship management (CRM) system.
Whatever CRM system you have in place, there’s a good chance it can provide valuable insights for your marketing strategy.
For example, if you’re targeting customer loyalty – your CRM system can provide insights relating to current loyal customers that can help your new campaign.
If you have data silos in your organisation, they can be removed by an effective integrated CRM system. Data silos trap information so that it can’t be exchanged between your organisation’s various applications. This can result in no clear overview or reporting capability. Siloed data creates barriers to information sharing and collaboration across departments and can lead to missed opportunities and wasted time. A CRM that fully integrates to your ERP and other systems, removes those silos and provides great business intelligence across all departments.
It’s important to ensure that all the teams within your company are fully trained to use your CRM system so they can each make the most of what it has to offer.
Finally, it’s a good idea to sync your CRM system to your business activities wherever possible.
This can include investigating the full potential of cloud-based or mobile CRM solutions to use while on sales trips or for unexpected meetings.
4. Never underestimate the value of a CRM strategy
As we now know, no matter how stuck you’re feeling with your current CRM system, it’s possible to adapt the system to suit your needs with the right strategy.
A CRM strategy is not one-size-fits-all, and you’ll want to tailor your CRM software to fit your company and best serve your needs.
The first step in creating a CRM strategy is to decide on your goals for your CRM platform and what you hope to achieve.
For example, are you aiming to increase sales, improve customer relationships, or retain more customers?
Whatever your goals, you can optimise your software to suit your needs best and make them achievable.
And thinking long-term, a CRM strategy helps ensure your CRM solutions can be easily adapted to suit future business changes.
Key Takeaway
Optimising your current CRM software is an effective alternative to implementing an entirely new system.
From ensuring your CRM system is up to date to making better use of its automation features. There are many ways you can optimise your software for better results.
Optimise your CRM processes with ncco
If you’re looking for a CRM consultant to help optimise your current CRM software to suit your needs – ncco is here to help.
We’re proud to offer a fully independent CRM consultancy service for Irish businesses, with no loyalties to any particular CRM system.
So whether you use Zoho, Sap, Sage, Hubspot, Salesforce, MS Dynamics, Goldmine, Act, Insightly, Pipedrive, Monday, or another application – our CRM expert, Natalie, can work with a wide range of CRM systems.
Our team is passionate about growing, developing and transforming Irish businesses. We provide no-nonsense expertise, enabling you to increase productivity and profitability.
Reach out to us to get started.