The concept of CRM is connecting your company and customers. In older times, face to face connections could do this job, but nowadays face to face connections cannot catch up the speed of technology. On the other hand, your existing CRM is not enough for this quick sales world too. In the field of marketing, with the recently innovated CRM solutions, it is expected to be able to access CRM from anywhere, to make quick phone calls through it, and to produce analytical graphics in a very short time. Can your current CRM solutions do these? If your answer is no, now is the time for change.

Despite the change says the time has come, it is never as simple as we expected. Programs we use become habits after a long time. And habits create some kind of comfort zone that we do not want to go out of. The harder it is to change our habits, the more difficult it is to change the CRM we use. Sometimes we avoid moving even though our habits make our work difficult.

Why need to switch CRM?

According to Wikipedia, the first CRM program was designed in 1993. Since then CRM programs are innovated and still have been improving. Certainly, in this digital age, when technology is rapidly developing, CRM solutions that we have used for a long time cannot meet some needs in the marketing field.

In todays’ marketing area, customers’ decisions change quickly and do you believe that you keep pace with this rapid movements? Many people work remotely or can have access CRM at any time from any devices like mobile phone, thus your CRM solution need to support working on mobile phones.

On the other hand, it is not enough that is compatibility with mobile phone, its’ interface should not be complicated. It should be easy to use, especially by your staff. Having a lots of number of buttons in your CRM solution that will work on a large scale may not be liked by your staff because, the aim of your CRM is not to appeal all areas, its purpose is to be able to respond to your services.

If your present CRM make your staffs’ work getting more difficult and your staff cannot reach rapid sale movements, your CRM needed to be switched.

When we understand it is time?

Before changing your CRM, it is crucial to determine which components are lack in the old one and what features need to be changed. How can you understand what is missing? To know better which things leave you behind, look at your competitors. If they are more successful in customer relations management, try to figure out how they provide it. Which CRM features help you sell more?

If you cannot find out answers of these questions by yourself, take an advice from a consultant who helps you to determine whether it is time or not and review these advices with your team. Do not make this decision alone, which will affect whole stakeholders.

What do you need to care while switching?

Certainly, changing the CRM solution out of the blue is not a right thing to do. You should make your staff ready at first. Hence, have your staff get training about new CRM program, so they can use it with full capacity.

The process does not end with trainings. The new CRM solution supplier you will be switching should technically support you throughout the process. Therefore, the supplier should not only have salesperson, but also should have technical specialists for this technology. And they need to be the expert to find quick solutions for your problems with the system.

To get better decision, you might make a list about what is working on your CRM system and what not working. And do not forget while making a list that cost is also important when you try to decide for the best solution.

Is the new CRM more expensive than now you use? If it costs much, so you need to calculate what it contributes to you. It can be better to look for a CRM solution with having features that will solve only your issues. Do not forget it is another investment. Try to find the best solution without rush. After spending a lot of time by moving fast and changing everything, if something goes wrong, you might repeat the whole process.

Another important thing is the compliance with your team and the new CRM solution. If you plan to switch without examining your team, this may result with disappointment. Firstly, they need to see how their works get easier. Check your team regularly about how the adaptation is going. If they have questions, take technical support from the company that you buy CRM.

Data transfer is also important, you do not want to lose any data while switching. Is the new system reliable in this issue? Does this system transfer your data easily or do you need another program for this? Make sure to take backups to prevent data loss.

CRM shifting is not an option you can repeat every year, therefore plan this with whole details. It seems to be hard at first, but if you do this step by step and be sure to be used by your team, it increases your sales.

How can Salesforce help?

More than 150,000 customers across the world are using Salesforce for CRM solutions. Salesforce enables you to customize the system to increase the efficiency and for a perfect user experience.

Built-in artificial intelligence helps you get detailed and accurate analysis. You can also connect data generated from IoT devices, apps, and products to your CRM.

With the help of INSPARK, you can discover what Salesforce can offer for you as a consultant specialized in CRM solutions.