Many companies have implemented CRM. But what happens after implementation? What are the motivators that make CRM a success with its users? Some sales and marketing professionals admit they are required to use CRM, but confess they just \u201ccheck the box\u201d to satisfy their bosses. In other words, they see using the system as a top-down management imperative\u2014not a way to make their jobs easier. <\/p>\n
Rethink the software selection committee<\/strong> \u2022\tThe early adopter<\/strong> \u2013 This is the person who always looks for the latest and greatest. They were thinking mobile-first while everyone else was still on landlines. They were cloud-based while the rest of us were earthbound. They can help a team think outside the box and look for an innovative, future-oriented solution that breaks new ground\u2014and does not just address current needs. Once the CRM system is implemented, the next challenge is usually adoption and consistent use. How can companies get their salespeople to see that logging their activity into CRM is more than a chore\u2014it is actually something that can make them more productive and efficient? To do that, they need to show how the benefits of each piece of data entered can outweigh the time and effort of entering it. <\/p>\n \u2022\tI can access the data I need, when I need it<\/strong> \u2013 Each entry greases the skids for future customer interactions by providing anytime\/anywhere access to data on any device. The reality is, logging data into CRM isn\u2019t a distraction from the salesperson\u2019s core responsibilities. It frees them to spend more time engaging customers and means less time filling out spreadsheets and reports. It pays off in the form of easier access to data that helps generate business and provides insights that they would otherwise miss. <\/p>\n Build buzz and celebrate success<\/strong> Capitalize on sales\u2019 competitive instincts<\/strong> The takeaway: A better customer experience <\/strong> \u2022\tRicher cross-channel interaction<\/strong> \u2013 Customers do not have to continually re-educate their vendor on their needs and challenges even as the engagement cycle crosses multiple channels and involves more people in the vendor\u2019s organization. From the customer\u2019s perspective, the data that sales people enter into CRM can help smooth the transition from prospect to customer. It also helps ensure a tighter alignment between what they heard in the sales cycle and the post-sale reality.<\/p>\n CRM success is about demonstrating value and functionality. It is also essential to show how the result of using CRM becomes part of the normal workflow and supports organizational reporting. Put all of this together and you have a CRM strategy that cannot lose.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many companies have implemented CRM. But what happens after implementation? What are the motivators that make CRM a success with its users? Some sales and marketing professionals admit they are required to use CRM, but confess they just \u201ccheck the box\u201d to satisfy their bosses. In other words, they see using the system as a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12287,"featured_media":333287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[128,14,117,429],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853474"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12287"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=853474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853474\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/333287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=853474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=853474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/customerthink.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=853474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nImproving salesperson adoption of a CRM system starts with the software selection process. Most selection committees are cross sections of the enterprise\u2014and they should be. A representative group of stakeholders throughout an enterprise should have the chance to weigh in on the features and capabilities they need from CRM. However, in addition to the usual role-based approach to choosing committee members, companies that want to maximize adoption should also include the following \u201cpersonas\u201d in their selection process:<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tThe complainer<\/strong> \u2013 This person may be hard to like, but you want them in the room during the evaluation process. Why? They complain for a reason. If you can make the CRM system do what this person wants, you get more than just a happy future CRM user, you get an evangelist\u2014one with instant credibility with his\/her colleagues.
\n\u2022\tThe strategist<\/strong> \u2013 This is your big-picture thinker. They can synthesize the pros and cons that the other two \u201cpersonas\u201d raise and make sure that the project stays focused on business goals, and not simply the needs of the loudest voice in the room. <\/p>\n
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\nFlip the script on the purpose of CRM<\/strong>
\nTo get the frontline salesperson to enter data into the CRM system, companies need to change that person\u2019s preconceptions. They need to shift the conversation from CRM as Big Brother\u2019s way of monitoring and controlling their daily to-do list to focus on the \u201caha moments\u201d that a CRM system provides. <\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tOthers can access the data I enter<\/strong> \u2013 And bother me less.
\n\u2022\tI can keep management informed, and spend less time doing it<\/strong> \u2013 Updating pipeline status, completing trip reports, and other management reporting tasks become easier.
\n\u2022\tI can help out marketing, so marketing can help me<\/strong> \u2013 I can spend less time helping them understand my customers, while I get quicker access to the content that they produce that I need for outreach.
\n\u2022\tI can see what others have done<\/strong> \u2013 My customers interact with multiple people in my company. Seeing whether they have a customer service, invoicing, or delivery issue makes me more effective.<\/p>\n
\nCompanies that encourage adoption of the CRM system need to minimize the fear of change and tap into the desire for something new and innovative. They should take a cue from the marketing department and hold pre-launch demos, publicize executive endorsement, and even host a launch party that sends the message that the new system is a step forward\u2014not a disruption. It has been said that no one loves being sold to like a sales person, and selling to the sellers before the go-live date can help build interest and enthusiasm and encourage higher usage from the outset.<\/p>\n
\nCompetition is already in every sales person\u2019s DNA. Individuals want to be recognized and rewarded for success\u2014and companies can use that competitive drive to encourage CRM adoption. Hold contests to see who logs the most calls into the system each week. Buy lunch each month for the rep who closes the most service tickets. Whether you call it by its 21st century name of \u201cgamification\u201d or think of it as old-school competition, it\u2019s an approach that works.<\/p>\n
\nCRM is not just for sales and marketing\u2014ultimately, the data in a CRM system acts as the collective corporate memory that enables a company to deliver a more compelling customer experience. It provides the context and insight that deliver:<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tGreater personalization<\/strong> \u2013 Customers get an experience and solution that are ultimately a better fit for their needs.
\n\u2022\tClear differentiation<\/strong> \u2013 Choosing the right vendor can be a high-stakes decision with long-term implications. The quality of the experience provided can help a customer differentiate among potential partners with similar offerings. <\/p>\n