A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is vital to successful sales and marketing efforts. All too often business owners meet a prospect who is not ready to buy today, but will in the future if we could only keep in touch and follow-up.
Fortunately, an abundance of reasonably priced CRM software is available and the sites below highlight some of the most popular and tips on implementation.
Before diving in to a CRM project, take a look at what can happen if your business fails to pay attention to customer service. This true story or “graphic complaint” of bad service at the front desk of a large Houston, Texas hotel has been viewed by several hundred thousand business travelers. It’s just as relevant today as when published in 2001 and note that it’s still up on the web.
ACT
(ACT is the world’s largest-selling off-the-shelf CRM solution. Inexpensive, yet powerful, ACT can be purchased at many Four Corner area stores. Integrates with MS Outlook. Owned by SAGE, a leading producer of accounting and enterprise software.)
Goldmine
(Although more expensive than ACT, Goldmine is highly configurable and may be ideally suited for the really active sales force who are tied together through a computer network.)
Salesforce.com
(This cloud-based CRM solution includes a free 30-day trial download.)
Jam – 50+ Customer Service and Communication KPIs and Metrics
This is a link to a four-chapter comprehensive review of how small to medium-enterprises should think about measuring the job of customer service and customer communications. The report is produced by Jam, a large U.K.-based telephone answering service.
Chris’ combination of academic credentials, career experience and temperament ideally suit his calling as a business development advisor. Clients say he has a mind for business and a heart for service.