5 red flags that it’s time to change your CRM

While it is important to choose the right CRM system for your company, it is by no means uncommon for companies to change their CRMs. As the company develops, the current CRM systems simply cannot provide the necessary service. And, unfortunately, like most changes in the company happen gradually. This makes it hard to determine what the current CRM system is no longer viable. So, to help you out, we are going to pinpoint five distinct signs that it’s time to change your CRM.

Clear signs that it’s time to change your CRM

While we will try to outline these signs as clearly as possible it is important to mention that, and the end of the day, they will be up for your interpretation. As a business owner, you need to understand how your business functions and what part CRM plays in it. So, instead of exclusively focusing on the signs we will outline, try to look at your business as a whole and only then decide what’s best to do.

Your CRM doesn’t satisfy your business needs

Having a CRM system from the start of your company is usually a good idea. Most startup companies benefit greatly from CRM as they are able to use the gathered customer data to streamline their company. But, small businesses know that having a CRM is beneficial, they seldom have the necessary fund to get a robust one. This leads them to get cheaper versions that can sustain their limited need.

Once the company takes off, it is not uncommon for it to grow out of the first CRM system. If you start feeling that the CRM system you are using simply cannot satisfy your business needs, it is probably a good time to change it. Mind you, this doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with your CRM, which is what makes

You cannot rely on your data

A big part of CRM utility is that it collects valuable data. By using that data you then optimize your business dealings, streamline your sales process and make customer management much easier. Unfortunately, not all CRM systems can collect the same data, both in quality and in quantity. If after a while you feel that the data you are collecting isn’t sufficient enough to make quality-of-life changes to your company, you might need to get a new CRM system. Keep in mind that data is easily one of the most valuable resources you can gather. Incomplete or inaccurate data can take a tremendous toll on your revenue and can easily keep you from valuable insights. So, all things considered, the moment you feel that your data is not sufficient, start looking for a new CRM.

You cannot connect your CRM to other aspects of your business

As you probably know already, a CRM system is not only used for managing customers. Both marketing teams and sales teams rely heavily on CRM in order to make the right business decisions. And seeing that there is a certain business decision that these teams make on daily basis, you want to give them a good CRM system to rely on. So, if your marketing or sales team starts complaining that your CRM is not doing what they need, it’s time to start looking.

Another important aspect that CRM helps with is forecasting. By gathering and interpreting data your CRM system should be able to give you a forecast on how your business endeavors. The more your company grown, the more complex it becomes. Therefore, in order to make reliable forecasts, you need to use a sophisticated CRM system. If you don’t update, your current forests will soon become worthless as they will base their deduction on insufficient parameters.

You don’t have the necessary workflow automation

Most outdated CRM systems don’t provide much automation if any. Sure, they may provide you with a  decent dashboard and a few functionalities to handle your customers. But, if you are truly going to reap the benefits of using a CRM, you need a system with workflow automation. Having one is a well-received benefit for smaller companies, as it opens up employee time to address other issues. And, it is pretty much a necessity for larger companies. Without workflow automation, larger companies simply couldn’t manage customer data. So, if you haven’t already got a CRM with ample workflow automation, know that you are likely to change.

Your customer relations team cannot keep up with the demand

The main reason for using a CRM system is to ensure that your customer relations team can handle the customer demand. Customer requests, complaints, and behavioral data all have to be addressed in a timely fashion. Only then can your CR team handle the remaining aspects of customer relations and ensure smooth sailing. So, if your CR team starts complaining that your CRM system isn’t cutting it, listen to them.

Thoughts on changing your CRM

While it is important to know when is the time to change your CRM, it is also important to remember how arduous the process can be. Transferring old data to your new system can be quite difficult, especially if the systems aren’t compatible.

Furthermore, keep in mind that one of the main reasons for CRM implementation failure is the lack of employee training. You will probably spend weeks checking out different systems and trying out their functionality. By the time you settle on a CRM system, you will probably already know its ins and outs. But, keep in mind that your employees won’t. No matter how intuitive the system may seem, you should still invest in employee training and education.