CRM integration in the sales process of my business
What is a CRM?
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. A CRM software is a digital tool that facilitates client relations, sales processes, and marketing for a business. By collecting all necessary data in one place, all processes related to that data are optimized – this is one of the greatest strengths of a CRM. It also makes it easier to identify mistakes, saving time and increasing sales.
How to choose the right CRM for your business
Once convinced of the necessity of a CRM to optimize the sales process in a business, the next step is to choose which one to use. Because there are so many tools to choose from in the marketplace, its important to keep the following in mind when making your selection:
- Contact Management. A sales process is not efficient if it doesn’t have contact information organized appropriately.
- Lead and Sales Management. In sales forecasting, it is crucial to know which phase of the process each contact is in.
- Team Coordination. Your CRM should adjust to the sales team of your business and have the capability to grow alongside your team.
- Follow-Up. As a relationship with a client grows, there will be emails, inquiries, forms, etc. The CRM should have the capability and configurations necessary to securely store data. It is vital that accessing this information be simple and conducive to workflow.
- Integrations with other business programs. It’s important that the CRM be compatible with any other programs used within your business.
How a CRM will benefit the sales process of your business
A CRM brings many benefits to your sales process. Below are just a few
Facilitates documentation of the sales process
After integrating a CRM into your sales process, it will be possible to document each step in the relationship with your clients.
Makes process repetition possible
Thanks to your CRM, it will be possible to standardize the interactions between clients and vendors, which is crucial to save time in processes.
Automated data entry
Without a doubt, one of the greatest benefits of a CRM is the ability to automate data entry. Not only does it humanize the process, but it also makes it possible to reduce the margin of error and the processing time of information.
More accurate forecasting
By reducing the margin of error in data capture, forecasting and predictions become more reliable.
Followup of objectives
A CRM that is integrated in your sales process will allow for clear followup of objectives. You will be able to identify inefficiencies in processes and quickly make corrections as needed.
All sales information in one place
If you were formerly overwhelmed at the thought of gathering various types of information related to sales, a CRM will make life much easier. All the necessary sales data points will be centralized and easily accessible.
Control
When you need to know the quarterly results or what the last interaction with a client was, you won’t need to ask an employee. You can consult your CRM to see how business is going.
Information for the benefit of all
Although the CRM is primarily used in the sales department, it is possible that other departments in your business will need access to certain information. In as such, a CRM will facilitate transparency of information.
Increased margin
It’s easy to see that with all the benefits mentioned above, there will be a positive change in your sales processes. Productivity will increase, sales will rise, decision-making will improve, and the benefits will continue to grow.