10 MOST COMMON MISTAKES COMPANIES MAKE WHILE IMPLEMENTING A CRM SYSTEM

3 mins read

What is a CRM system?

A CRM system essentially provides a centralized platform where businesses can store customer and prospect data, track customer interactions, and share this information with colleagues. It allows businesses to grow by managing customer relationships in the most effective way.
CRM offers a wide range of benefits for businesses. Some businesses use CRM to track their lead, while some businesses invest in CRM to increase sales and some might extend it to marketing automation and resolving work orders. Businesses have started to realize the importance of CRM and have been increasingly implementing CRM as a driving force of success for the company. BUT “Successful CRM Implementation” Remains a major concern amongst businesses. Many CRM’s Fail due to some of the common mistakes that businesses make while implementing a CRM Solution.

What are the 10 most common mistakes while implementing a CRM system?

There are many CRM’s available in the market today and it might be quite challenging to choose from the different vendors. But do you know what is even more challenging? “Implementing the CRM solution.”
Most of the businesses use spreadsheets even now, and CRM is a new platform for businesses at present. We are going to make it easy for you by letting you know the most common 10 mistakes that you shouldn’t make while implementing a CRM system.

Mistake 1 – Lack of Planning:
While implementing a crm, businesses should plan and strategize things beforehand. The businesses should define their goals and objectives clearly and analyze how they can be achieved by implementing a CRM system. Without a proper plan, the implemented CRM will become a problem creator rather than a problem solver. Talk to your CRM vendor and have an outline on how you can attain your goals by successfully implementing the CRM system.

Mistake 2 – No Team Involvement:
Implementing a CRM system needs guidance and inputs across teams who are going to access CRM. Team involvement and co-ordination is very important as CRM is going to be the centralized data warehouse across different teams in the organization. Lack of engagement from the internal stakeholders will lead to high failure rates.

Mistake 3 – Being Over- Ambitious:
Purchased a CRM? Excited about trying all the features of the CRM? Always start with a gradual plan, reflect on your purpose for using the CRM and how you are going to utilize it for your business workflow. Start off with features that fit your business requirements and customize them accordingly. Before implementing, talk to your vendor on what you need and what you don’t need and implement a well- planned phased approach.

Mistake 4 – Errors in Data Migration:
The quality of data is central and plays a major role in CRM implementation. Any errors in data can lead to hassles in day-to-day operations and workflows and thus will have a negative impact on your business. While migrating the data to the crm system, you need to make sure that proper format is followed and data checks are in place.

Mistake 5 – Inadequate Staff Training:
The very success of CRM lies in taking time to host and train the employees to get comfortable with the software. The employees need to spend a good time and understand the working of the new software. Proper training needs to be given to the staff/users to effectively utilize the software and to benefit from it. Inadequate training might defeat the very purpose of the CRM system.

Mistake 6 – Ignoring Mobile Access:
Considering the busy lifestyle, People are often working on the go. Moreover, smartphones are being increasingly used nowadays and more employees tend to use their mobiles when they are doing field work or during travel. Always consider a CRM with mobile access. You can have access to information and do stuff related to your business even outside the office.

Mistake 7 – Choosing an incompatible system:
As your business progresses, you will need to bring in more tools for sales and marketing automation. The more seamless integrations your CRM has, the more effective your workflow will be. It will save a lot of burden for you. Hence you should know in advance if there are integrations for the CRM you are going to invest in and also get to know how these integrations are going to be helpful for you.

Mistake 8 – No Scalability:
As your business grows, the CRM needs to grow along with you. Make sure you use a CRM that has the capabilities to adopt and grow to your changing needs and requirements. The CRM you implement now is going to be the central platform for your sales, marketing and customer services to collaborate the workflow and build your business in a better way.

Mistake 9 – Failure to track KPIs:
Each team should implement CRM to achieve measurable results. Determine each team’s goals and identify the KPIs and draw an outline on how you are going to measure your KPIs with the help of CRM software. Assessing your progress and making necessary adjustments is really important.

Mistake 10 – Duplicating your Database:
Always be careful with the data you input in CRM, Good data will definitely help your team’s ability to leverage the CRM in a better way. Duplication of data might hinder the advantages of CRM and the insights you gain from CRM will be unreliable. If data analytics is messed up, so will be your decision making. Hence if you are importing data from other sources into your CRM software, make sure you deduplicate as a part of the implementation process.

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