Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and which one is right for you

One of the most common questions I get is: “What is the Best Database to Use?”

“What CRM works best with (7L)?”

“I’m currently using ____ but I’m frustrated. What else is there?”

{The Best Database/CRM in the world is the one you will use!} 

Not what you were hoping to hear? Stick with me.

What is your current database not doing that you want a database to do? Is it not doing those things because of the limitations of the software or because we just a) don’t need them or b) haven’t mastered our current tool to that point?

Please hear me out… Business is simple. Big production, big revenues, big profits are simple. Why complicate things?

START HERE.

I love pen and paper. I love Excel. It’s what makes sense to me. It’s where I go every single day. I didn’t have a learning curve and I was able to jump right in. If you are starting out, I highly recommend getting organized here.

Generosity Generation members have also mentioned InTouch or Microsoft Office 365.

No matter what you will need to grade your database according to (7L). Now you are ready to go.

Quick note: If you aren’t willing to pay for a CRM, you’ll want to be solid with the above. A majority of the CRMs below will range in prices.

THE NEXT THING TO CONSIDER-WHAT WILL YOU USE IT FOR?

If you want to stay simple (all contacts in one place, track notes/interactions, and to-do’s, including reminders), then something like LessAnnoyingCRM is great. Other CRMs that cover the basics are Base and Solve360.

If you have a lot of contact info you want to store, we’ve heard Batchbook as a suggestion.

If your needs go beyond the basic contact management, there are more complex systems such as Zoho and Salesforce.

If you’re looking to bucket your contacts, Contactually has been referred as a platform to easily implement the (7L) System you are already familiar with. My Calendar has also been referred since it connects easily.

The Final Decision: What’s your process?

The tool is less important than the system you use to reach people. Think of your favorite strategies in (7L): The Great ReTrace. Handwritten Notes. The Guaranteed Response Email.

There is absolutely, positively no tool, no technology, no social media, no app that will make you a top producer, give you an edge, or serve as the magic pill.

Technology exists for the simple reason that it is a tool to leverage so you can build better relationships, serve more clients, and have MORE interaction with people. Somewhere in today’s “digital age” this message has been forgotten. You don’t need to change your database… you need to change your Communication! The Best CRM in the World is not a software or technology… it’s a person.

As with many things in life, it won’t work if you don’t!

REMINDER: None of them will do you any good if you don’t use them…

There have been many suggestions over the years but the field of business improvement is always changing and always improving. Let’s get updated.

I’d like your advice. Comment below with the following:

1) What database/CRM do you use?

2) Rate it on a SCALE of 1 to 10 with 1 being Poor and 10 being Perfect CRM. Go…

Blessings,

Michael

PS: Keep an eye on www.gengenevents.com for upcoming 2018 events!