4 reasons to forget spreadsheets and adopt a CRM solution

Love them or hate them, it’s time to put the spreadsheets away. Excel cannot manage the volume of data that sales teams need to track and control every day.

What’s the alternative? An integrated CRM solution is a better tool to store, manage and analyze customer information. CRM systems keep everything in one place and connect to other business tools, such as email and social media. From one platform, salespeople can check call notes, track tasks and keep a tally on their numbers.

Can your spreadsheet do that?

Of course not. CRM solutions supercharge your sales abilities in ways that Excel formulas and macros simply cannot.

Are you ready for a CRM?

Does a CRM solution sound like a big leap ahead from the technology and processes you use today? It might be — and that might be a good thing. Ask yourself these four questions to see if you’re ready to upgrade:

1. How much visibility do sales leaders have?

If leaders need a customer’s status, what’s the process? Do you have to find the right spreadsheet and tab through the data to find out? Which department owns the information? Data ownership changes hands across the customer journey, through sales, ordering and customer service.

With a CRM, customer information is available immediately. It’s comprehensive and accessible, usually from any device. You can see real-time campaign and salesperson performance and can interject if plans need to change or someone needs coaching

2. Is your data consolidated? 

Different teams collect different information about customers and accounts. Does it ever come together to create a comprehensive view of accounts and activity? Or do you have to piece together contacts, orders and service requests?

A CRM provides a single version of the truth, so everyone has access to the same, up-to-date information about customers and leads. When the entire organization is tightly coordinated, customer interactions are smoother and build trust.

3. Can your team work effectively from anywhere? 

Staff members need access to the same tools and information whether they’re in the office, working remotely or in the field. If salespeople and customer service reps are bound to a physical location to be effective, you’re doing everyone a disservice.

Remote access is a must-have in today’s on-the-go world and imperative for business continuity.

4. Can current systems and processes grow?

If business doubled or tripled in a month, could your systems handle it? Some growing pains are inevitable, but your processes shouldn’t get in the way of growth.

A CRM standardizes processes and makes it easier to grow, while also protecting accuracy and accessibility. A CRM naturally connects the organization, so that silos and manual handoffs don’t slow growth.

Making the change

A CRM solution can make your business more efficient and effective. Instead of just storing information, you can use it to uncover trends and transform relationships. 

Ready to learn more? Our professionals can help you forget the spreadsheets — and never look back. We can help you select the right CRM solution for your business, plan a smooth implementation and manage change and training to maximize adoption. Learn more about our CRM services.