A CRM or a Customer Relationship Management tool is probably one of the most widely used acronyms relating to a piece of business software, and each CRM is vastly different than the other. It can be a complex environment to navigate if you are in the market for a new CRM for your business. We’ve comprised some of the more well-known facts and fictions relating to CRMs and how you can be well informed before making the decision to sign the dotted line.

Fact

CRMs help businesses leverage their customer relationship.

This is absolutely true. A CRM manages the relationship between you and your customers, prospects, vendors, and even employees. It offers a centralized system that monitors various processes in your business, in an attempt to streamline them, and offer growth opportunities. Each CRM offers a variety of tools and features specific for a variety of tasks, which leads us to our first fiction.

Fiction

All CRMs have the same components.

All CRMs are short for Customer Relationship Management tools, but that’s about where similarities end. Each CRM offers a variety of tools and processes that make it stand out from the group. There are more affordable/lighter CRMs that only feature a few basic action items to manage your customer relationship on a high-level (great for startups), and then there are advanced CRMs with many moving parts and can require a great amount of resources to get started.

Fact

CRMs require adoption by the business.

Many times, we’ve seen great systems fall by the wayside because the team failed to adopt the new system and processes. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence that requires hands-on training and all hands-on deck when implementing your CRM. Successful CRM providers often offer support, on-site training, robust help centers, and a variety of resources aimed at getting your entire business onboard and successful to avoid failure to adopt.

Fiction

All CRMs are static and require the business to change its processes.

Most CRM providers offer an out-of-the-box solution ready to be used on Day 1; however, the real differentiator is the providers who also offer custom development services, and processes aimed at tuning the CRM to work in relation to your business. Each business is unique, your CRM should be too.

Fact

CRMs can integrate with a variety of tools and services.

It’s true, most CRMs have a variety of integrations with 3rd party services that businesses might be currently using before signing up for a new CRM. Some, like Aysling might even have additional modules that are built into the same platform; such as project management, vendor management, automation, and other core components to fill a business’ needs

Fiction

Implementing a CRM is always complex and expensive.

We’ve definitely seen this; and we have to be honest, we’ve sent out quite a few high-value quotes and proposals. However, the cost and complexities are based purely on the size of the business, and its current processes. It’s a risky endeavor when you start cutting costs with a software solution that will be used daily, by multiple departments, and is aimed at improving operational processes.

There you have it, a few facts and fictions of CRMs. Are you on the market for a new CRM? Interested in seeing a brief demo of Aysling, and learning the facts? Click the button below to schedule your demo today.