Advice for deploying customer relationship management software at small to mid-size enterprises. 1. Buy user-friendly Chances are you won’t have an IT expert running your CRM products like the big guys. So buy based on who will actually have to operate the software. 2. Avoid sticker shock Don’t be scared off by reports of competitors spending millions on CRM. Seek out vendors serving the small to midsize market or your vertical industry for a price more in line with your budget. 3. Create power users You probably won’t have many full-time employees whom you can dedicate to making the most of your CRM tools. Supplement them with those on staff interested in getting their hands dirty exploring the software’s full potential in order to make the most of the investment. 4. Align your CRM solutions with your overall strategy “You have to define CRM first and foremost as a business strategy and organizational philosophy that is supported by technology so you create a culture that understands what it’s all about,” says Michael Frey, COO of Union National Community Bank in Mount Joy, Pa. 5. Change processes that don’t work Building CRM systems and processes around existing inefficient processes is a waste of time; don’t be afraid to ditch them, no matter how long you’ve been doing it that way. Related content brandpost Sponsored by SAP What goes well with Viña Concha y Toro wines? Meat, fish, poultry, and SAP Viña Concha y Toro, a wine producer that distributes to more than 140 countries worldwide, paired its operation with the SAP Business Technology Platform to enhance its operation and product. By Tom Caldecott, SAP Contributor Dec 04, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Azul How to maximize ROI by choosing the right Java partner for your organization Choosing the right Java provider is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on your organization’s success. By asking the right questions and considering the total cost of ownership, you can ensure that you choose the best Java p By Scott Sellers Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Application Management brandpost Sponsored by DataStax Ask yourself: How can genAI put your content to work? Generative AI applications can readily be built against the documents, emails, meeting transcripts, and other content that knowledge workers produce as a matter of course. By Bryan Kirschner Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence feature The CIO’s new role: Orchestrator-in-chief CIOs have unique insight into everything that happens in a company. Some are using that insight to take on a more strategic role. By Minda Zetlin Dec 04, 2023 12 mins CIO C-Suite Business IT Alignment Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe