A recent study revealed that approximately 65% of businesses use CRM software within their first 5 years of operation. CRM software is a staple for businesses of all sizes in the US, but finding the right CRM software solution for your business is easier said than done.
Most companies end up switching CRMs for one reason or another. This transition is a lot harder than it seems. That’s because you’ll have to implement new workflows, transfer customer data, and do everything in between.
If you’re looking to switch your CRM software but don’t know how to go about it, we’re here to help. Today, we’ll be showing you how to transition to new CRM software seamlessly in a few simple steps.
If you’ve decided to switch CRM software, make it a final decision. There’s no turning back once you decide to swap your current solution for a new one. The difficulty of transitioning to a new CRM might give you second thoughts about making the switch, but don’t give in.
That said, it’s important to realign our mindset to focus on the new CRM software solution. Remember, the main aim is to propel your business forward by enhancing customer relationships. These affirmations will give you confidence that you’re making the right choice and push you to move forward with the switch.
Keep your focus on making a successful transition and remind yourself of the many benefits of switching your CRM. Once your mindset is firm and decisive, you can move to the next step.
It’s worth noting that switching your CRM software solution isn’t exclusively an IT department affair. Although the IT department does most of the heavy lifting, CRM spills over to other facets of the company, including you in management.
That said, ensure you gather all the involved parties and inform them of the decision to switch CRM software. Transitioning to new CRM software is a collaborative process that requires cooperation from different departments. That means you’ll have to liaise with staff from customer service, sales, marketing, and, of course, IT.
Make sure everyone knows what role they play in making transitions and what you expect of them. Remember to make the CRM transition as holistic as possible for the best results.
Next, you have to analyze your current CRM to establish solid reasons why switching to a new one is necessary. This could be because of inefficiencies, outdatedness, or other pain points with the current software. Whatever the case, diligent analysis of the current CRM should furnish you with all the answers.
Here are a few guiding questions you could use in the analysis of your current CRM software:
Analysis of the current CRM is a team effort and requires contributions from different departments. This will give you a clear picture of the general feelings of the employees about the change. It’ll also give insights into what aspects of CRM the new software needs to improve.
It’s extremely crucial that you find a CRM system that meets your specific company needs. The last thing you want is a CRM software solution that seems more like a burden than a solution. This will not only waste time and resources but also ruin customer relationships.
For starters, you want to find a CRM solution that your staff is somewhat familiar with. For instance, something that almost works the same way as your current system at its core. Alternatively, you can opt for versatile and flexible CRM solutions like D365 CRM, for instance.
Here are a few questions to help steer you to the right CRM software:
The best choice of CRM software should be able to meet your company’s objectives. Employees should also embrace it entirely so they can get to work ASAP.
Choosing the proper CRM partner is just as important as choosing a CRM system. Remember, you’ll probably need professional help to run your CRM solution the right way. For most small businesses, the IT department alone won’t cut it.
You want an experienced CRM partner that has your company’s best interest in mind. The partner should have unmatched expertise in CRM operations, change management, and implementation.
Here are a few questions to ask the CRM partner to know the kind of partner you’re dealing with.
Use these questions to determine whether you’ve found the right partner for your CRM switch. Remember to explore all your options before settling on a CRM partner.
With assistance from your CRM partner, it’s now time to test-drive the new CRM system. See how it works for your business-specific operations and if it checks all the boxes, it’s a winner. If so, you can implement the new CRM system and enhance customer relations.
The above information should help streamline your transition to a new CRM software solution. Switching to a new CRM system might be difficult and time-consuming, but it is definitely worth it. So what are you waiting for? Make the switch today!
Contact us today and we’ll help you transition to the best CRM software for your company.