Fifteen BCFA member attended the CRM Implementation workshop at the Boss Design showroom in Manchester, led by Peter Holland the Principal at Linear Structure (http://www.linearstructure.com)and David Beard the CRM Principal at Sage www.linkedin.com/in/talkcrm
In a highly interactive afternoon the delegates worked through the key elements that need to be considered and planned for when a company embarks on a new CRM project including:
- Ensure that you win the ‘buy in’ and engagement from all levels in the business from top to bottom.
- Overcome the pitfalls that are inherent in many CRM projects.
- Understand how to make your project a success and how to identify the new opportunities that a CRM project will create.
- Know how to find the best CRM system and provider for your needs.
- Manage the change between your existing processes and the way that CRM’s work.
- Ensure that your teams maximise the benefits of the investment in a CRM system.
Many of the delegates were at the early stages in their CRM journeys and found that they all largely faced similar challenges in their companies. The group asked for there to be follow up sessions and we are now considering setting up a BCFA CRM online forum where members can share their experiences and ask for help in overcoming particular challenges.