How To Make CRM Stick
CRM should be the engine that drives your business forward, not a tool you install and forget about.
Some think that CRM is a one-off project and that all the work ends at launch then quickly see a drop off in value once it’s live. It happens more often than you think.
No one owns it. No one improves it. And eventually, no one uses it.
If you want CRM to be the tool that helps you sell better, faster, and smarter, you need to think long-term and avoid common pitfalls.
In a moment, we’ll give you four easy, actionable steps you can take today to achieve CRM success.
First, you’ll want what we like to call, a “Project Champion”.
Step 1: Appoint a Project Champion
What is a Project Champion? This is a member of your team that takes ownership of your implementation and is a key factor for CRM success.
What Does a Project Champion Do?
They don’t need to be in leadership or technical, but your Project Champion does need one key trait: they need to know what your team needs for their day-to-day activities.
With support from leadership, they check in regularly—both one-on-one and in groups—to gather honest feedback, help with training, and keep CRM aligned with real-world needs.
Their job is to turn resistance into progress by making sure CRM gives your team real value and time-saving wins. When CRM does that, adoption comes naturally.
Once you’ve selected your Project Champion, you’ll be ready to shift focus toward what really determines CRM success.
Step 2: Focus on Adoption, Not Installation
CRM success isn’t about installing a system. It’s about adopting a new way of thinking and new habits.
That means you need to make CRM easy, intuitive, and helpful to make the adoption process smooth and frictionless. Especially if you want your team to be on board.
If your system doesn’t feel like it fits into your teams’ day-to-day work, it won’t get used.
But when it helps them cut out busywork, follow up faster, and close more deals? That’s when it starts to stick.
Think like your sales and customer service people. What would make their job easier?
That’s what your CRM needs to do.
Now that you’ve gotten this new perspective, it’s time to get your people involved.
And what better way than creating a wish list!
Step 3: Create a Running Wish List
No CRM is perfect on day one and it doesn’t have to be.
What matters is building a process where your users can share feedback, and you can act on it.
Set up a simple wish list.
Ask your team what’s missing, what’s clunky, and what would make their day smoother.
Then improve it little by little. Iterations can be made once a year, once a month, or once a week.
You set the pace depending on your needs and budget, but the important thing is that you’re always improving.
A lot of businesses miss this step, and it evolves into a much bigger problem that could’ve been avoided.
Creating a wish list and implementing what your team needs makes them feel heard, builds confidence in CRM, increases adoption, and lets your team know that it’s built for them.
Now that your team is engaged and the system is evolving, it’s time to make sure you’ve got what you need to keep the momentum going.
Step 4: Don’t Hesitate to Look for Guidance
CRM doesn’t need to be overwhelming. But it can be, especially without the right guidance.
That’s where the OnTrack Virtual Coworker Membership comes in.
You’ll never have to figure things out on your own.
Inside a dedicated Microsoft Teams workspace, you get direct access to CRM experts so when it’s time to build a dashboard, automate a task, or solve a challenge, you have the guidance you need.
You bring the wish list, and we help you make it happen quickly, correctly, and in a way that actually benefits your team.
Think of it like having a CRM coach in your corner. One that helps you get the most out of your system every step of the way.
CRM Success is Achievable and Sustainable
CRM is more than a system that you implement. It’s a shift in how you operate and how you interact with your customers.
It helps you make life easier for you, your team, and your customers.
When it’s set up the right way, it becomes a tool that saves time, improves sales, and drives long-term growth.
But achieving CRM success requires the right approach, not rushing through the process, and a strong foundation you to build on late.
With these steps and best practices in mind, CRM will help you become unstoppable.
Take the next step today.
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Don’t make the same mistake hundreds of other businesses make when implementing CRM. Taking a simple, focused approach can save you thousands and help you get a fast ROI.
If you’re ready to transform your business with CRM, book a FREE discovery call today and learn about the best practices to stop you from wasting your valuable time and money.
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Peter Wolf is the president and founder of Azamba. He has spent the last 20 years focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses become more profitable through effective and efficient usage of CRM.
His passion is blending the promise of CRM with the realities of business needs to create successful outcomes.