CRM Implementation

Modern CRM systems collect large volumes of data that can be used to better manage people, products, business opportunities and more. Without the help of filters and views to make sense of these data, though, it would be overwhelming if not impossible to draw any useful conclusions from them. 

The implementation of a new CRM software program can feel like a full-time job. While it may be tempting to push through the implementation quickly to move on to other projects, I highly recommend you roll out your CRM project slowly and grow it from there. One great way to do this is with a pilot, but there is a wrong and a right way to conduct one.

Last month, I conducted a webinar on ROI from CRM in partnership with Modern Distribution Management (available on-demand here). Among the questions I received: “What tips do you have for bringing the executive team on board after purchase?”

As a sales manager for a major industrial distribution company for 15 years before founding SalesProcess360, I gained firsthand experience in establishing successful sales processes driven by customer relationship management.

We’ve all heard plenty of statistics about how the millennial generation is impacting distributors from the buyer side; the trends of millennials being more likely to buy products online and of millennials having growing influence in B2B buying have attracted plenty of attention.

When consulting with distributors implementing CRM technology, I’m often involved in the training of the sales team. I like to start each sales team training session with this question: “Why do you think your company is moving forward with CRM?”

On Tuesday, I presented an MDM webcast on long-term CRM success, just two days after the Patriots won Super Bowl LI. I couldn’t resist drawing a parallel between a contributor to their success and a characteristic of successful sales teams: teamwork.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by CRM.

But rather than let technology get in the way of better process, I’ve learned that the most effective way for industrial sales organizations to get the most from CRM is to approach it systematically— with sales process top of mind.

The No. 1 reason I see that companies aren’t getting ROI from CRM is culture. This isn’t surprising: Many have 10, 20 or 30 years of culture under their belts, and bringing CRM in is a big change. They’ve been successful without CRM, so why should they change?

It will take time, but you can clear the culture barrier.

One-dimensional account profiling, typically using A, B, C or D based on the current business from each customer, is a step in the right direction. But if you want to take a more proactive approach to uncover new opportunities with existing and potential customers, take your profiling a step further.