If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM has in their short-term business plans, chances are you'll get more than one blank stare. The fact is that most small business owners don't even know what CRM is not to mention how significantly it can benefit their growing company. This prevailing ignorance of small business CRM (customer relationship management) usually stems from just a few basic causes.
Excuses not to invest in small business CRM
The first and most common reason for disinterest in small business CRM is the very nature of small business. With limited financial and personnel resources at their disposal, business owners believe they can't afford the money or time that a small business CRM system would require to show a significant ROI. Often times the chief concern is just staying afloat long enough to sign that big contract or receive a large product order.
Still other owners of new businesses believe that they can build and maintain quality customer relations simply by the virtue of the their cordial personality or particular market niche. They see small business CRM as an unessential luxury to be enjoyed exclusively by their larger competitors. What these owners often find is that without sufficient small business CRM support their business will never expand beyond the number of customer names they can remember. The problem is compounded when the company expands into internet sales (an essential move by any growing company) and suddenly finds its present customer tracking system overwhelmed by the sheer amount of incoming customer information.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line, as all successful small business owners have learned, is that it takes more than one good idea to build long-term business growth and stability. You may be great at attracting new customers to your business, but if you fail to care for, track, and understand your customer base, not only will you hemorrhage your hard-won clientele, you will also fail to capitalize on future opportunities by not anticipating future market trends.
The Solution
The good news about small business CRM is that there is an increasing number of automated systems available at prices that most smaller companies can afford without too much difficulty, usually around $2000 a year. Some CRM companies, effectively eliminating the need for small business owners to micromanage their CRM system, largely manage newer small business CRM systems. Now small business owners can reap the benefits of a smooth running CRM system with a minimal time/financial investment.
Features to look for in a small business CRM system There are many features available to small business CRM users designed to not only track sales, but also cause sales. Here are some features to look for.
? Power Dialing-This feature allows your outbound sales agents to place 300%-400% as many sales calls, effectively quadrupling your workforce.
? Voice Messaging System-Allows you to automatically record and send sales calls designed to elicit a customer call back.
? Custom Fax and Email-Following up on leads with timely fax and email can mean the difference between closing sales and missing out on potential revenue.
Other 'must-have' features include:
? Calendaring
? Marketing management
? Sales management
? Order and quote management
? Service management
With the ability to outsource these business functions, small business owners can concentrate on implementing strategies that they've had to hold off on due to lack of customer information and/or time.
Cameron Brown is an internet marketer specializing in phone sales. For more information on phone sales, please visit phone sales.
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
As stability emerges in the Middle East there will be... Read More
You know your prospects need what you sell. You know... Read More
This morning, I went to take a short walk outside.... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
It has been said that the only constant is change.... Read More
Ongoing support for a franchise system is omnipotent. A major... Read More
The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
I was floored! I couldn't believe what they were saying!... Read More
Costs of over regulation and over disclosure end up hurting... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More
The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More
1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More
If you run a mobile car wash, mobile fleet washing... Read More
Buyers want both online and local information about where to... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
Who is responsible for maintaining the business relationship?Nurturing a business... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
One of the first things you will need to set... Read More
There is a Batting Cages Business for those people who... Read More
There will come a time in your business where you... Read More
Car Wash Crime in the Hood. Apparently not everyone is... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
Forget everything you've ever heard about the U.S. Small Business... Read More
All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More
Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More
Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More
One thing I have noticed in my travels to different... Read More
As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More
If you don't know what a Virtual Assistant (or VA)... Read More
IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is... Read More
Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More
The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More
Don't you find that there are so many decisions you... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
The current lack of industry leaders represents an exceptional opportunity... Read More
No matter what kind of small business you have, you... Read More
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
Small Business |