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If your business has not considered the transition to marketing software, you are now at the risk of being behind in the competitive race. You may be dealing with a boss who is a little hesitant about making the transition, or you are probably afraid at how much it may cost you to implement the software. You may also think that you already have enough resources to get the job done. 

Whatever the reason is for not using marketing software, you may need to think differently about it. Businesses that are using marketing automation or marketing software to develop prospects are seeing a significant increase in leads. It is highly important that you think about all the opportunities marketing software will present for improvements and growth.

If you are not quite convinced, here are some signs that your business may need to transition to marketing software.

You Do Not Have Enough Time For Anything

If your office has been using a disconnected set of tools and resources to try to accomplish something in your marketing department, it is highly likely that you probably feel the odds have been stacked against you. Well, honestly, they probably are.

The disconnection of putting information in and information coming out, having to learn new things just to remain proficient will take everything out of you. You will do this all day, and you will have missed opportunities to do other important things. With marketing software, you will have a tool that will provide you with all the resources and tools you need to be successful. 

You Have No Idea How You Got Those Leads

If you do not know which of your marketing platforms or efforts helped you get those leads, then you are definitely missing out on a huge opportunity to optimize and improve your traffic. If you have the right marketing software, you will never have to make guesses about leads. You will be able to quickly break down where everything came from. You will not have to feel like you are walking around in darkness. 

Knowing where your information is coming from and how you can improve from it is critical to the success and improvement of your business.

If you do not have the necessary insight to what is or is not working for your business, contact us today for help. 

A good salesperson will be able to fully explain and convince potential customers why he or she is better than the next competitor. The ability to do this is what puts them in the front of the line when it comes to competition in their field.

In order to be among the best salespeople, your salespeople or salesperson should posses the following qualities:

• Have the desire that can not be broken
• Have the commitment to get the job done
• Be responsible and have the understanding of the bigger picture
• Have the technical skills for finding prospects and following through on them

Sales is what drives the revenue of your company. If you want to improve your sales organization and grow it, you need to implement a sales process improvement process that will allow you to manage, support, and examine everything. 

When you are seriously ready to make improvements to your sales process, you should evaluate where you are right now. You should ask yourself these questions about your company. Whatever your answers are, you can use them to take a new walk on the path of success:

• Is it simple or difficult to order or buy from your company?
• Why is it simple or difficult to buy from you?
• What kind of feedback have customers given you? Why do they say those things about you?
• What kind of things do your sales people tell you? Does your company support their sales process? Does it make them productive and effective? 
• How well does your CRM software or system assist in the selling process? 

You need to consider what is important to your customers. When you have an understanding of what is important to them, you will be able to create a process that your salespeople can use to be effective and productive.

If you are serious about changing your organization with an improved sales process, do not hesitate to contact us today. You want to create better opportunities for your sellers and your customers. 

Businesses are often faced with the difficult task of staying modern while still making prudent long-term decisions. Particularly now, there are many new software developments that allow businesses to communicate with clients efficiently. While much of the software would have an immediate impact on customer relations, not all of the programs or applications will still be relevant in a few years time. Businesses therefore have to keep the balance between being trendy and making logical long-term investments.

Of all the customer relations software on the market today, experts remain confident that CRM software will be relevant in the distant future. CRM software has been growing and developing over the past few years, and it's expected to stay on that path.

A recent Gartner study asserts that CRM will continue its growth over the next few years. The company's research states that CRM software revenues will grow in 2014 and 2015.  Joanna Correia, research vice president at Gartner, voices her opinion of CRM software in the study and explains which areas of investment are particularly important:

"CRM will be at the heart of digital initiatives in coming years. This is one technology area that will definitely get funding as digital business is crucial to remaining competitive. Hot areas for CRM investment include mobility, social media and technologies, Web analytics and e-commerce."

CRM is the ultimate software for managing customer relations. It provides sales teams with the tools and information they need to keep their clients happy. With CRM software, sales representatives don't have to start from scratch with each client, rather they can look up their past order history and assist them through a simple order process.

In addition, it benefits the clients because they are able to place their orders quickly and with a reduced chance of error or miscommunication. This strengthens customer loyalty and lays the groundwork for future business deals.

If you would like more information about CRM software, contact us.

One of the driving thoughts behind CRM software is that if businesses are more thorough and methodical, they'll ultimately finalize more sales. CRM keeps sales representatives on track so that they're concentrated on each individual customer.

A problem with old sales techniques is that they relied too heavily on the memory of representatives. Sales were based off of personal relationships rather than data or information. While a personal touch is still important in sales today, this style leaves room for error as there's no real routine.

Programs like ACT! or Salesforce introduce routine into sales. They compile information about clients and present it in a neat and organized way. This way, when clients are ready for another order, sales representatives know their buying habits and needs.

A recent Business 2 Community article discusses the implementation of CRM software and explains how it can improve a business' sales process. According to the article, CRM software ensures that sales representatives are more though in their approach:

“Knowing exactly where each of your leads or potential clients is along this line makes it easier to allocate your time. Nobody will fall through the cracks, get forgotten or get too many calls when they’re not interested. Most CRM systems should literally allow you to move people along a sales process in a systematic way until the deal is done. Working in a methodical way like this, ensures your business grows in a sustainable fashion.”

In addition to helping company representatives during the sales process, CRM software benefits clients as well. Clients will enjoy the more systemic approach to purchases because it's more efficient and accurate. They won't have to worry about missing an order or having to start from scratch with a new sales representative.

The overall effect of CRM software is improved continuity in businesses. Sales representatives are more informed and aware of approaching sales, and clients are guided by a knowledgeable representative through their purchase order.

If you would like more information about CRM software, contact us.

Market segmentation is crucial to a business’ sales and marketing programs. If they’re going to be successful in marketing their product, they need to target people who would actually have a need for it. Otherwise, businesses would be spending tons of money on unprofitable ventures.

Market segmentation is generally looked at as a part of the marketing process. Sales representatives aren’t supposed to think about their target audience, rather they’re supplied with it by the marketing team. The communication between the sales and marketing teams is crucial for the effective targeting of the market segment.

With CRM software, however, the process changes a bit. With all the data stored about customers in the software, businesses can easily find their specific target market. This information needs to be communicated between the sales and marketing teams. When done correctly, this process is more efficient and effective.

A recent Toolbox article discusses marketing segmentation and the use of CRM. According to the article, businesses can improve their segmentation with CRM software:

“There's an art to effective market segmentation, but it's an art that can be learned. What's more, modern CRM tools can help you come up with effective segmentation and guide you in producing strategies aimed at maximizing returns on the segmentation approach.”

With CRM software, sales representatives are better equipped to finalize sales with the data and information about customers stored in the system. The data allows them to predict customers’ needs and wants based on their past order history.

In addition, marketers are better informed with CRM software because they have information about their target market. They can analyze statistics and incorporate the new information into their market segmentation process.

If you would like more information about CRM software, contact us.  Enjoy your Labor Day!  

The combination of Customer Relationship Management(CRM) and social media can be a fantastic combination that will allow your brand to connect with your customers much better than before. Social media can help improve and enhance your normal CRM methods because you will be able to engage in numerous social media conversations. You can also track leads on Facebook, Twitter, and any other network you choose to interact with.

Your social media marketing process should focus on the efforts that will have content that attracts and encourages your audience. As a result, your audience will share it with their networks. A message that comes from a corporate site or page that spreads among the users will resonate because the message will be looked at as a legitimate source.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

There is a growing need for some type of engagement with your marketing and your social media's customer service. There is a growing pressure to come together to make social media engagement better. When the day is over, the brands will be depending on the two sides to come together, and work closer together.

Customer Experience

You are able to interact with customers based on their preferences. Whether it is Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, you should reach out and connect with your customers. Customers are at the center of what can be the difference between a trusted relationship or a forced relationship. Instead of pushing messages out to customers, your brand should collaborate with your customers to come up with unique ideas and solutions.

What Can You Do For Your Employees?

We are all a little opposed to any kind of risks, but social media and CRM aren't new things. There are numerous conversations happening constantly, whether publicly or privately. You can't control everything, but you can add tools and other policies to show people how to do things the right way. Set certain guidelines and basic rules. Teach your employees everything you know, and then sit back and put your trust in them. The employees who are considered "social" will understand that you're not only selling to the customers, but to the community surrounding your business.

Social media is an inexpensive podium that gives you an opportunity to enhance you marketing processes.

If you would like more information on social media marketing processes and CRM, contact us.

CRM software can have a powerful impact on a business' sales process. Sales representatives are better equipped with data and information so they can be more effective in their talks with clients. The data gathered and compiled by CRM software can increase efficiency within a company.

Considering all of these benefits, there's certainly an opportunity cost associated with CRM software. In other words, choosing not to invest in CRM software can actually cost a business money. Instead of enjoying the benefits of the software, the company would be staying stagnant while their competitors pass them by.

A recent Business 2 Community article discusses CRM software and explains how a business can lose money by not investing in the software. This perspective also takes into account the rising costs of the service:

“Another built-in benefit of choosing a robust platform at the start of managing associations comes in the form of future savings. Manpower, equipment upgrades, loss of opportunities and allowing your competition to hurdle you add pressure to those deciding to switch relationship database software later down the road. Costs will inevitably grow, constraining business growth.”

CRM software is a long-term investment. Businesses that worry about the initial cost aren't focusing on the long-term benefits of the software.

Another thing companies should keep in mind is how their competition will benefit from the software. Any business that has crucial data about their target market has an edge over their competitors. It may not make a big difference in the first few weeks, but after a few months it will be evident. If a business doesn't want to fall behind in their market, they should focus on collecting data and information about their sales and customers.

Businesses should think of the opportunity cost if they're unsure about CRM software. Choosing to save money now may be a bad financial decision in the long run.

If you would like more information about CRM software, contact us.

Business owners are always seeking new ways of achieving Sales Process Improvement to increase revenue. Often, though, an owner may not have the time to diligently search the latest tools in technology.

Sadly, its the company’s customers who are hurt: they are not benefiting from the transparency and communication derived from software like a proven Customer Relations Management (CRM) platform.  

In fact, a study of companies on a fast-track for growth indicated that 63 percent of those with the highest trending growth (revenue) were using CRM software.

CRM and sales planning…

Instead of numerous sales people working independently in ill-defined territories, CRM software analyzes those silos of isolated information; then, it can produce forecasting reports to help managers assign sales teams to optimize their efforts.

CRM and Lead Conversion…

Forget about the task of assigning all of those incoming leads when they’ve gone ‘cold.’ CRM programs will track incoming leads to provide assignments to productive salespeople.

In short, CRM helps track sales quotas and create sales strategies.

CRM helps the customer 'win'…

Knowing what your customer needs, and when he’s most likely to need it, is the key to exacting more revenue from the best sourcer: your existing customers.

CRM will make customer profiles easy to access remotely on an array of smart devices; this, while managing customer contracts.

Analysis of data…

Leads are not only tracked more efficiently, but the information is readily available to assist sales teams in ‘cross-selling’ by understanding customer needs.

Pricing and order completion…

Instead of sales teams putting customers on hold, or calling them back because they don’t have current pricing data, CRM provides a seamless channel to the latest company information.

What’s more, the orders can be completed via CRM, which speeds up the process and makes for a happy customers.

We work with lots of CRM software, including ACT!, Hubspot, Salesforce and Zoho, making it our goal to know the ins and outs of the programs and the industry surrounding it.

Contact us to learn more about CRM software, and how it can be customized to grow with your business---without starting all over again with new software!

You are one of several people who have a career sales. Congratulations because you are in a great deal of luck. There are several opportunities and advances that makes it much easier to sell products and services. Contact management software, like ACT!, Hubspot, Salesforce, or Zoho, is important in any sales operation because it is a key that can get everything started.

Know Who You Are Interacting With

With everything that is involved with selling products and services, it is important that everyone knows about their prospects. You have to find out everything your potential customers want and need. When you use contact management software, you will be able to track every bit of information of your prospects, clients, and customers. You can store all information and communication activities that occur during the sales process.

Paint A Picture Of Your Prospects

When someone wants to find something pertaining to a particular customer, there should be enough stored information that will allow anyone to paint a picture of who that person is and what that person likes. Whenever you are attempting to sale something, you have to know who you are speaking with. You need enough confidence to effectively win the customer and knock the sale out of the park. One of the main purposes in using the software is that everyone who looks at the information can understand what goes on during the process of selling products and services.

Make Selling Happen On A Consistent Basis

When every one in the office is on the same page or at least in the same book, it makes it easier to handle things on a consistent basis. When using contact management software, everyone will be able to determine what selling techniques are being used so they can successfully make a sale. People will know that whenever they are in contact with your business or organization, every one of your colleagues will all be linked together.

When everyone is linked together and everyone knows that is going on, you can provide outstanding services and experiences. Contact management software will keep everyone on track. The contact management software will keep up with everyone's daily tasks and responsibilities; you will not have to worry about anyone wasting precious time.

Contact us if you want to find out how this software can work for your business. 

CRM software will improve many companies' business operations, but there are a few things they can do to take it a step further. One of which deals with coordination across departments within the company.

CRM software, like ACT!, Hubspot, Salesforce, and Zoho, will have the most powerful impact if all employees are using the system. This keeps employees informed not just about the company, but also about current clients.

This is particularly important for sales representatives. It's crucial that they know the most recent customer interactions from all different perspectives. A recent Forbes article explains how collaboration can improve the experience for representatives:

“It’s about more than just sales and salespeople. Have you ever called a customer to talk about your new offering only to find out that they are having a major problem right now? Most of us have had that happen. Ensure that your entire organization uses the platform to document customer interactions. Of course, your salespeople need the discipline to check the system before contacting the customer.”

Sales representatives should be using CRM software to constantly stay informed and updated about their clients. This makes the sales process more efficient, as representatives know their clients' patterns and when they'll be ready for their next order.

But with coordination, all of the weight doesn't fall on the shoulders of sales representatives. They certainly have the responsibility to use the software, but that doesn't mean other employees shouldn't use it as well. When the entire company is contributing to and keeping updated with CRM software, the employees are more informed and in touch with the sales process.

Keeping track of all customer interactions on CRM software leads to future customer loyalty. Clients know that the company cares about them and they feel more like a respected client than a source of money.

If you would like more information about CRM software, contact us.