How to speed up a CRM project As a CRM consultant, I get into a lot of conversations with clients about how long projects are going to take, and, invariably, our guidance on average project duration is longer than they were expecting. Which, in turn, normally elicits a question along Continue Reading
Should I set up my own CRM system?
Should I set up my own CRM system? The attraction of the current generation of CRM technologies is that, not only are they by and large hugely flexible, but the underlying tools that underpin that flexibility are generally pretty user friendly. This means that in many cases you don’t need Continue Reading
The basics of CRM change control
Following on from my previous blog post which, unashamedly, focused on user adoption and making sure it happens, I thought it might be useful to take a look at the other great post go-live challenge; change control. For clarity, in this instance I am not talking about managing the organisational Continue Reading
Why an independent CRM consultant? In around 100 seconds.
Why an independent CRM consultant in 100 seconds I set myself the task of trying to describe why someone should consider using an independent CRM consultant in ninety seconds. I couldn’t speak fast enough and ended up missing by eighteen, but this was the result…
The system is live – now the real work starts!
In my own (somewhat geeky) opinion, the warm glow of a new CRM system successfully deployed is one of the best feelings in world. There is something deeply satisfying at seeing all the imported data sitting in the correct fields, all beautifully formatted on a pristine looking user interface. And Continue Reading
Eleven early stage red flags when considering a CRM project
I’ve been an independent CRM consultant for close to fifteen years and counting. Quite a lot of the work I do is in the early stages of a CRM project helping clients plan out what a CRM project looks like for them and what will be involved in implementing it. Continue Reading
The fine art of CRM project phasing and why it’s important
One thing that I don’t think is thought about as often as it should be, and, when it is, isn’t generally done as well as it could be, is the whole concept of phasing a CRM project. There are a number of reasons that phasing is important. Firstly, and perhaps Continue Reading
Free CRM coaching and mentoring for UK-based charities
We’ve recently launched our CRM mentoring and coaching service. It’s designed to help CRM sponsors and project managers navigate the potential pitfalls of a CRM project, without the need to commit to a heavy consulting engagement. The service consists of monthly calls to track the project’s progress and advise on Continue Reading
Why absolute clarity of purpose is so important in implementing CRM systems
I was asked to review a CRM system a few years ago. The client suspected that there was a user adoption issue. Which indeed proved to be the case. The system was, in principle at least, used to support sales forecasting, but usage was pretty mixed. Some areas of the Continue Reading
The first and most important question you need to answer, and answer right, when implementing CRM software…
There’s one key question that you need to address when implementing a CRM system. It’s a question that needs addressing early, and, unless you want to experience a huge amount of unnecessary pain and expense, it’s a question you need to answer correctly. Before I get to the question, I Continue Reading