How to Choose a CRM System - part 1

When it comes to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) it's important to understand all the benefits of an integrated system before beginning your selection process. That's why we created this series of articles — to provide you with the essential information you need to make the best decision possible

This series is designed to help you build a business case for a CRM system, form an effective project team, ask the right questions, identify the challenges involved and much more.

We know how important it is to have good information before making smart decisions. What's more, we're confident that the more you know about CRM systems the more likely you are to seriously consider - and ultimately choose — Sage CRM. In other words, our software stands up to the most stringent selection criteria.

• Getting Started
  Most companies require that you justify the need for a new system before you make a purchase. Building a case for CRM provides the necessary background information to help you define the need, justify the cost and demonstrate the value of the investment.
  
  
• Elect a core team
  Establish a core group of individuals dedicated to driving the CRM project to completion. Before planning your strategy and implementation make sure your team includes a project leader and project managers to oversee the functional divisions of your organisation — such as marketing, sales, customer service and technical departments.
  
  
• Set your goals
  Your team should have a shared understanding of your CRM goals. To achieve this, the core group should identify your organisations objectives, focus on processes that require re-engineering and discuss the appropriate courses of action.

• Examine your current processes
  Analyse your existing business processes from many viewpoints, to find out how they impact both your organisation and your customers. By evaluating your processes now, you can identify what's working and what's not and prepare to implement a new CRM system that emulates the most effective strategies for achieving success.

The next chapter - Understanding the Core Components of CRM