CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management Software. In recent years CRMs have evolved and developed at a rapid pace. And today CRMs allow businesses of all sizes to reap better rewards in terms of profits and long term growth. CRMs can improve customer service, increase sales, provide businesses with improved analytics and also increase business efficiency. But what are the best practices to adopt in order to get the most out of your CRM? Here Lateral offers up some tips.

1. Keep Customer Data Up to Date

In order to get the best from your CRM you should aim to always keep your data updated and accurate. A CRM is most effective and useful when the data it leverages is accurate. If customer data changes, be sure to encourage your staff to update it. Addresses, names and contact information should be as accurate as you can possibly make them.

2. Focus on Automation

CRM tools can automate a wide variety of business tasks. And you should be prepared to take advantage of all the opportunities you have in this regard. Automation can eliminate labour-intensive (and therefore expensive) tasks. Leading CRM systems can also automate marketing efforts on your behalf. This means you can sit back while the system carries the burden of promoting your business for you.

3. Get Support

The best CRM providers will be on hand to help you implement the CRM, and also help you get the most from its raft of features. As with any investment, find a company who can offer you customer support. It’s no good investing in an incredible CRM only to find yourself unable to use it. Also consider the setup time of the software before investing in it, and try a demo, to see if you feel it will meet the needs of your business. 

4. Integrate, Integrate, Integrate

Leading CRMs can smoothly integrate with other software and programs your business currently uses. Find a CRM that can fully integrate with whatever accounting software you use. This will lead to more insightful and detailed analytics, as well as a smoother business work-flow overall. 

5. Leverage the Power of your CRM Analytics

Insights into your customers trends and behaviour can be a great benefit of CRM and you should work to harness that capability. For example, if your CRM alerts you to an increase in demand for a product or service you provide at a specific point in time, you can work to increase sales at the same time the following year. CRM analytics are useful and can be incredibly impactful in terms of increasing your profits. Since customer data is powerful and can be harnessed to shape your sales and marketing practices in the long term. 

CRM can add value to your business in a number of crucial ways. Get in touch with Lateral today to see how our software can make difference to your business.