Group Forums >> Creativity in Sales >> CRM Tool
CRM Tool
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Posted 10 months ago How many of you use a CRM tool? What do you think of it? Is it useful or just time consuming? |
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| Posted 10 months ago The problem with most CRM tools is you have to first learn them and then use them. Both take time away from selling. It's a big question: If the tool is worth the resources required to make it effective. Anytime you have to type anything, not only does it take time, but there's ALWAYS a chance for errors, errors that can sometimes be debilitating, losing sales and even customers. In the old days, you used a daytimer, now if you don't use a daytimer to back up your CRM (which practically doubles the time necessary to do paperwork), you're begging for trouble. The creativity aspect comes in for making the CRM quick, easy and accurate. Some technology has actually helped. Business card readers go a long way to help, if you have a lot of them. Creating a CRM that meets this criteria is actually something that has been on my backburner for some time now. Get a FREE copy of my book, "HOW TO GET SOMEONE TO BUY SOMETHING: Fear and Loathing of Cold Calls and Closing" at: http://onelittlebook.com/downloads/BUY_SOMETHING.pdf |
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| Posted 10 months ago I've used a couple versions of ACT and for simple contact info and management, I still like it best. I also previously used a custom built product that I didn't care for and ended up only using it to record information that management wanted to see on the accounts. Most recenlty, I used Salesforce. It's easy to use, and easier to customize than ACT. It can paint a very clear picture of where every client is in the sales process and what the salesman's activity is in general. However, it is an online tool. If you are out on the road and don't have access to the internet, you don't have access to your notes on the account. For that reason alone, I would stick with ACT. Larry, I disagree about the concern over typing taking time and presenting the opportunity for errors. For those of us that don't have a photographic memory, we are going to be writing or typing our notes after we leave every meeting or end every phone call anyway. My handwriting is not good and I can type a lot faster than I can write. I either have to rely on my memory, file miscellaneous pages of notes, or consolidate my note into an organized, easy to retrieve location. For me, it makes more sense to use an electronic CRM tool that I'm comfortable with than try to rely on a paper system. Luke |
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| Posted 10 months ago CRM can be an extremely useful tool provided that it is implemented correctly (the downfall of most CRM attempts at companies). When correctly implemented, they can reduce admin time
and help your marketing and customer service centers generate more leads for you (using data mining and automated prospect development). You do need to address data integrity issues as part of the implementation: not only to make the system easier and more efficient for use, but also to correctly extract the data. Another plus for CRM from a management standpoint is the secure, centralized capture of highly valuable customer data which could be lost should a sales person decide to leave the company.
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| Posted 10 months ago MSI: I agree with you completely about the benefits. I was just saying that salespeople generally DON'T like doing the work required, especially if it takes more than 15-20 minutes a day. Get a FREE copy of my book, "HOW TO GET SOMEONE TO BUY SOMETHING: Fear and Loathing of Cold Calls and Closing" at: http://onelittlebook.com/downloads/BUY_SOMETHING.pdf |
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| Posted 9 months ago So true, Larry, and why so many CRM implementations fail. If the sales person USING the system day in day out doesn't see the benefit (saves time, makes their life easier, etc.) they won't use the system -- which ultimately will lead to the failure of the system. In my experience, I've found that sales folks who are more techy to begin with generally love such systems and maximize them to their advantage; the others kick, scream, fight or avoid the system unless it's forced on them (which opens up an entirely different set of problems!). |
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| Posted 9 months ago Does anyone have any recommendations for a quality CRM Tool? |
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| Posted 9 months ago Are you looking for your own personal use or an enterprise-wide system (with the entire sales, marketing or customer service group)? Do you plan to integrate into an ERP system such as SAP? Do you need integration into a call center? ACT is a good contact manager for personal use; can also be used enterprise wide (either via web or synchronization). It's fairly inexpensive. Salesforce.com is a great real time system online; also relatively inexpensive. Both of these options are also extremely easy to implement. SAP has a CRM module but extremely expensive so unless you are doing a lot of online ordering and want full integration with your inventory and customer service departments, not a good option. I used Markesoft's Demand More system; loved it (salesforce.com is nearly identical). (Have also used ACT (personal and enterprise wide) and OnContact enterprise systems.) Hope that helps.
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| Posted 9 months ago We are in the process of working with a new CRM tool. www.perfectsalesclient.com The product is in it's first release but they seem very focused on overcoming many of the challenges we have faced with other CRM solutions. |
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| Posted 9 months ago I've used everything from Gold mine to ACT and so far the RAVE entellium is the best |
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| Posted 9 months ago AndyLowe says ...
"Thoughts are things what you think about most you become." |
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| Posted 9 months ago Sell4U says ...
"Thoughts are things what you think about most you become." |
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| Posted 9 months ago > Can you direct me to a HOME page for RAVE? RAVE DOWNLOAD: http://www.brothersoft.com/rave-crm-60413.html NOTE: You have to have MS SQL Server 2005 Express installed. If you don't have it installed, it's a free download from MS: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=220549b5-0...
Get a FREE copy of my book, "HOW TO GET SOMEONE TO BUY SOMETHING: Fear and Loathing of Cold Calls and Closing" at: http://onelittlebook.com/downloads/BUY_SOMETHING.pdf |
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| Posted 9 months ago I've used most of them, but we are currently using Maximizer and it is fantastic. From a management point of view you can get some great reports out of the back end. Staff seem to like it. Its nice and tidy and not very complicated. |
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| Posted 9 months ago JohnKapcia says ...
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| Posted 9 months ago entellium is in the process of being purchased by Intuit....JohnKapcia says ...
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| Posted 9 months ago I noticed the entellium website was absent. That actually looks like a good move for Intuit. Get a FREE copy of my book, "HOW TO GET SOMEONE TO BUY SOMETHING: Fear and Loathing of Cold Calls and Closing" at: http://onelittlebook.com/downloads/BUY_SOMETHING.pdf |
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| Posted 9 months ago AndyLowe says ...
"Thoughts are things what you think about most you become." |
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| Posted 9 months ago LarryGrimes says ...
"Thoughts are things what you think about most you become." |
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| Posted 9 months ago AndyLowe says ...
Thanks to everyone that posted recommendations for me. I think I am going to try out www.perfectsalesclient.com so a big thanks goes out to AndyLowe. The three main reasons for my choice are: Price point, Ability to work offline, and Ease of use. Plus they are going to demo the product for me and give me a 30 day trial for no cost to me. If I don't like it, I don't have to buy it. Again, Thanks everyone! |
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| Posted 9 months ago Aedgeworth, Your last post indicated you are checking out Andy's recommendation: www.perfectsalesclient.com. If your 30 day free trial doesn't work out, here's links to 2 different comparison sheets (one for hosted options; one for internal options). They provide a cost and feature breakdown on several of the various CRM tools which were mentioned on here by others. Hosted comparison: http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/html/itp/insidecrm_hosted_comp_guide_7_07.pdf Internal comparison: http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/html/itp/InsideCRM_On-premiseCRM_Comparison_Guide.pdf |
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| Posted 9 months ago How about this one? I owned a computer company for 17 years and my customers would rely on our judgement on software product that do as they say they would do. Here is my recommendation http://www.chaossoftware.com/intellect.asp. For all levels of prprofessionalism. "Thoughts are things what you think about most you become." |
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| Posted 9 months ago Sry for the late reply. The CRM /SFA I am talking about has been purchased by Intuit USA and is avaiable for demo I am not a reseller |
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| Posted 8 months ago A great CRM is worth it's weight in gold! It should be easy to use and can do any and all you want it to do. Right down what reports you need it to do. What task you would like it to do for you. What Data you would need it to capture. Call up the company that makes the product and talk to them about these things. Make sure they offer training on these things and get one or two employees trained to be your CRM specialist. If you do this you will wonder how you functiioned without a CRM at all. |
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| Posted 8 months ago lmonest says ...
Exactly as partner in the Brand www.wizwebpro.ca we do all of this and more tech, design and marketing support included in the licence, live people to talk to about any issue we do it all (free hosting and 15 free email accounts). But the tool is built for the average persona (if you can create a power point or use word) then you can build and deploy your own website reach me at (alan at wizwebpro dot ca) |
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| Posted 8 months ago CRM is all about communication. And in turn, communication is all about ideas. I wish to share my NetCom5 vision with this group. Backdrop: Every communication composition has a creative process. This revolves around properties of subjects and situations. What is more, this creative is definable. We call these, ideas. |
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| Posted 5 months ago I have been using ACT! since about 1990. I was tracking calls with a 3-part, dry-carbon form my boss required me to complete on all calls- and I am grateful for him inadvertently causing me to develop that habit. My handwrighting is hard to read, and he complained about it a lot. I was able to convince him to buy me a laptop (a Tandy HD1500!) and the contact database on it was helpful- but then I found a softward bundle at Radio Shack- it was opened and some of the softward diskettes were missing- but ACT! for Tandy Deskmate (and Quicken for Deskmate) were both there. I grabbed the bundle for next to nothing, and found ACT! was great for my needs. And I never looked back. I have upgraded about a dozen times, considered Goldmine (but stayed with ACT), suffered through a couple of ACT vendor changes (some of them almost had me ready to jump ship, but that seems to be behind me, now.) One drawback to ACT is it's price- it is not an inexpensive product, and it's price could be a barrier for a independent sales person who has to absorb his own expenses. If I could make some recommendations: Get SOMETHING. Any CRM is probably better than none. There are some free ones, and you can often get demo versions. (I personally have had limited sucess with CRM's that are overlays for MS Excel, so I avoid them. Your mileage may vary, though- and they are available free or cheap.) Make sure the CRM you start with can export to other CRM's or databases- you may find it does not meet your needs, being able to easily export all the contacts and info on the "wrong" CRM into a different one you are trying is key. Learn to use it, on a basic level. When you find one you like, learn it's secrets- Goldmine and ACT, for instance, have features that even I do not use- but they are there for a reason. Find out what they are. If you are part of a sales force, team, or group, become the CRM expert among your peers, then share what you have learned with them. It will cast you in a very good light, as a team player, a leader, a CRM expert, etc.
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| Posted 5 months ago JohnKapcia says ...
"Thoughts are things what you think about most you become." |
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| Posted 5 months ago I wish there was a tool where I could write the clients information and the solution and when I need to follow up hit submit and it will remind me. A one step process. I love simple The time is now to grow and learn as much as possible. Take action and responsibility for your actions
Join me at http://twitter.com/rich34232
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| Posted 5 months ago rich34232 says ...
www.virginiabahs.com
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