CRM Isn’t A ‘Set It and Forget It’ System
You might think that the work with CRM is done after implementation, but that’s one of the biggest and most expensive mistakes you can make.
CRM is not a one-and-done task. It’s a continuous journey that needs regular updates to stay valuable.
It’s also a task that shouldn’t be rushed! In this article, you’ll learn what that journey looks like, why it matters, and what steps to take to keep your system delivering results.
The Philosophy You Need to Stay Successful
At the core of successful CRM implementation is the Crawl-Walk-Run Philosophy. Instead of doing everything at once, you’ll focus on what matters most first.
For a lot of businesses, that means rolling out the basics like managing accounts, contacts, emails, and calls. The goal is to deliver quick wins and get comfortable with your system.
Once you’ve embraced this philosophy for successful CRM, you’ll learn why it’s so important.
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
One of the biggest challenges we see? You don’t know what CRM can truly do for you until you start using it.
CRM replaces disconnected tools like spreadsheets with a single hub for tracking customer interactions.
By starting with quick wins, you can avoid missing out on follow-ups and lack of visibility into your customer interactions. You also avoid bloating your CRM with unnecessary features.
You’ll want to pay close attention to this next step that hundreds of businesses miss and costs them THOUSANDS of dollars.
The Critical Step That Will Set You Apart From The Others
After the basics are in place, the real work begins. To keep seeing returns, you need to treat CRM as an ongoing part of your business, not a one-time setup.
This means gathering feedback, watching how your team uses the system, and making regular improvements over time.
These updates help you catch problems early, remove unnecessary steps, and make the system even easier for your team to use.
Once you’ve built this habit, you’re in the perfect spot to explore the next layer: automation.
Automation and More Advanced Features with CRM
CRM gets even more powerful when you bring automation into the picture. Microsoft Dynamics 365, for example, gives you tools to automate reminders, follow-ups, and more.
This keeps your process consistent and frees up time so your team can focus on closing deals instead of working on tedious, routine tasks.
But don’t skip ahead. These features shine when you’ve built a strong foundation first.
It’s All About the Journey, NOT The Destination
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for CRM success. Some businesses evolve their system every year, while others make improvements week by week.
What matters is that you keep moving forward. With CRM, you’re building a more responsive business that stays competitive and keeps you profitable.
Now that you’ve seen the proven path, you’re ready to take the next step.
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.
Book a free call today!
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.