By The Numbers - Does your CRM make you MONEY?

It seems that recently I have had lots of questions worded in this way: "What's a good CRM?" That's about the same as asking what's a good food, or what's your favorite color? What is good food tonight might not be quite as tasty tomorrow night, or my favorite color of clothing is not necessarily my favorite color on a house. I need more information!

When seeking a good CRM, you need to clearly define the purpose of your CRM. Is it simply to track names and addresses? Is it to track production? Is it to track leads, sales and marketing? Is it to track time on the phone? Is it to track ZIP codes? The sky is the limit as to the types of data that can be tracked, and guaranteed, there is a CRM available for tracking whatever you want to track.

Keep in mind, when in business the main purpose of your CRM is to MAKE MONEY. What is the motivation from the owner's side? What is the motivation from the sales rep's side? How will it reduce the sales cycle? How will it increase productivity? How will it help you in the event that your greatest and best seller suddenly leaves your company?

Would it be of a benefit to you if your CRM could instantly tell you your sales/month/sales rep? Would it benefit you to know who is closing what kinds of leads? Would you be more inclined toward a system that can actually improve sales as well as communication? Would it benefit you to know that you can benchmark your sales through a CRM?

There is not just one CRM that will work for everyone. Examine your own needs, and then find a solution to your problem. Be absolutely certain that you can use your CRM system to effectively MAKE MONEY for your company. Get the best numbers available: Utilize those numbers to track, improve, increase and grow your business.

And, of course, I have a great solution for many businesses that have a sales force and spend money on advertising.