Navigating through the digital landscape of modern Customer Relationship Management (Modern CRM) can sometimes feel like steering a ship through uncharted waters. But, if we anchor ourselves with the timeless wisdom of business moguls from the 1900s, we might find that the principles of successful customer and business management have remained largely unchanged. Let’s explore how we can intertwine these old-school methods with today’s CRM technologies.

1. Building Genuine Relationships:

• Old School Wisdom: Rockefeller emphasized the immense value of people skills.
• Modern CRM Application: Use your CRM to truly understand your customers. Keep track of their preferences, purchase history, and interactions with your business. Personalize communications and ensure every interaction adds value to their experience, thereby building a genuine relationship. Use the task management function to keep track of it all.

2. Valuing More Than Profits:

• Old School Wisdom: Henry Ford reminded us that a business should be about more than just making money.
• Modern CRM Application: Leverage your CRM to enhance customer experiences and provide solutions that genuinely benefit them. The classic example of this is providing an easy way for them to pay their bill, offering things like link to pay, and the ability for them to use tools, like Venmo, is less about making money, and more about providing convenience.

3. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work:

• Old School Wisdom: Carnegie highlighted the power of collective effort towards a shared vision.
• Modern CRM Application: Ensure that your CRM becomes a collaborative tool for your team. Share information, insights, and customer data across departments to ensure everyone is working towards the same organizational objectives. A unified team enhances customer service and fosters a positive company culture.

4. Customer Appreciation:

• Old School Wisdom: A simple “thank you” goes a long way, as per Dale Carnegie.
• Modern CRM Application: Utilize your CRM to set up automated thank-you emails, rewards, and loyalty programs. Ensure that customers feel appreciated and valued after every interaction or purchase. This not only enhances their experience but also fosters loyalty towards your brand.

5. Adaptability and Innovation:

• Old School Wisdom: Business leaders of the past were pioneers in their fields, unafraid to innovate and adapt.
• Modern CRM Application: Ensure that your CRM system is flexible and can adapt to changing business needs. Regularly update it with new features and ensure it evolves with technological advancements and changing customer expectations.

In essence, while CRM systems offer a plethora of modern tools and functionalities, the core principles of successful business management — valuing people, building genuine relationships, and working towards a common goal — have remained steadfast through the ages. By marrying the timeless wisdom of yesteryear’s business leaders with the technological capabilities of modern CRM, businesses can navigate the path to sustainable success and customer satisfaction.

Imagine You’re an Artist, and Your Canvas is Your Modern CRM.

The colors on your palette represent the different aspects of your business: your customers, your team, your products, and your services. A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is like having a guide on how to mix those colors perfectly to create a masterpiece – a thriving, successful business.

In the context of “Flourish or Fail with CRM: Simple Wisdom for Businesses,” think of the CRM as your art assistant. It helps you keep track of all your customers (your admirers), manage your tasks (your art projects), and ensure that you get paid on time (selling your artworks).

• Building Genuine Relationships: Just like how you might remember which clients love your landscape pieces and which prefer your portraits, a CRM remembers your customers’ preferences and helps you communicate with them in a way that shows you understand and value them.
• Valuing More Than Profits: Your art is more than just a source of income; it’s a passion. Similarly, a business should provide genuine value to its customers, not just sell products. A CRM helps you understand and cater to your customers’ needs, ensuring they find real value in your offerings.
• Teamwork: Imagine collaborating with other artists on a mural. You need to work together, sharing ideas and coordinating efforts to create a cohesive piece. A CRM helps your business team collaborate effectively to serve customers seamlessly and work towards common goals.
• Customer Appreciation: Just as you might send a thank-you note to someone who purchased your art, a CRM helps businesses show appreciation to their customers, enhancing their experience and building loyalty.
• Adaptability and Innovation: As an artist, you might explore new styles or mediums to express your creativity. In business, a CRM helps you innovate and adapt by understanding changing customer needs and market trends, ensuring your business stays relevant and continues to meet customer expectations.

In essence, a CRM helps you blend all the colors of your business harmoniously, ensuring each stroke (interaction) leads towards creating a masterpiece (a successful business). So, with the wisdom from business leaders of the past and a modern CRM, your business, like your art, can truly flourish.

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A Little Story: “Bloom & Petal”

Imagine a shop, “Bloom & Petal,” bustling with customers but struggling behind the scenes with messy order details and a stressed team. Then, they use a CRM system. Suddenly, everything is organized, the team can easily talk to customers, and the shop starts doing really well with happy customers and a relaxed team.

Well, this sort of thing happens every day, as companies grow they tend to get disorganized because they have so much going on. It’s hard to keep up with all the balls they have in the air. That’s where great organizational systems come in, back in the old days it was simple ledgers and 3 x 5 cards, but today we can use simple CRM systems to accomplish the same things and have it mobile with us all the time.

Wise Words from the Past, How Customer Services Hasn’t Changed

• John D. Rockefeller believed that being good with people was super valuable. Selling Lane’s CRM helps businesses do just that – be good with people by understanding and talking to customers in a friendly, personal way.

“The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the sun.”

John D Rockefeller

• Henry Ford reminded us that customers pay the wages. So, customer retention management ensures every penny from the customer is well spent, making their experience great and keeping them coming back.

“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.”

Henry Ford

• Dale Carnegie knew saying “thank you” and appreciating people was important. CRM helps businesses say “thank you” to customers by remembering their likes and making them feel special.

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

Andrew Carnegie

CRM: Old Wisdom, New Tech

A CRM system is a tool that helps businesses understand and care for customers, helps the team work together, and ensures customers are always happy and appreciated. It takes the old wisdom of understanding and valuing people and puts it into action with modern technology.

In today’s world, where customers have so many choices, using a CRM system that applies this simple, timeless wisdom might be the secret to making sure your business doesn’t just survive but thrives. So, here’s to using wisdom from the past to flourish today!

How Do I Apply Old School Methods to Modern CRM?

Building genuine relationships with your customers have not changed over the centuries, customers still expect you to treat them fairly and to follow up. The only difference is today. We have tools to help us remember everything from their birthday to what products they like the most. Everything from task management systems that help us remember dates and times to invoice systems that help us get paid faster. In the past, we would use a brochure or a A-frame, sign out in front of our business to get people’s attention, but today a good CRM includes a business website as well so that you can get found both in person and online. Read more on Old School New School Methods here

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Hey there! If you’ve got a business, you need a business website. It’s like your online shop where people can visit, look around, and get to know you, even when you’re sleeping! And guess what? It doesn’t have to cost a lot. Let’s talk about Selling Lane – a super handy tool that helps you build a website and manage your customers all in one place.

“Websites promote you 24/7: No employee will do that.” – Paul Cookson, a guy who knows a lot about internet businesses

Why Your Business Needs a Website

Think of a website as your online shop that’s open all the time. It tells people what you do, what you sell, and how they can get in touch with you. And with Selling Lane, you get a tool that helps you build that shop and also keep track of your customers easily.

Try This:

Check Out Selling Lane – Take a look at all the cool stuff Selling Lane offers. It’s not just a website builder but also helps you manage your customers and business smoothly.

“If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business.” – Bill Gates, the computer wizard and business hacker from Microsoft

What’s Special About Selling Lane’s Free Business Website?

Selling Lane isn’t just a website builder. It’s like your online business buddy. It helps you build a website and also manage your customers, all in one spot. So, you can show off your products and services to the world and make sure everything is running smoothly behind the scenes.

Full Integration: Your Products show on your business website, and inbound leads are pushed into your Selling Lane CRM, so you can manage and sell them faster. Add a user to Selling Lane, and you can add them on your team page with just one checkbox. Change of product photo, and it appears on your website instantly, but it also can be used for your in-person menu selling and invoicing. That’s what full integration looks like.

Best Practice:

Use All the Features – Dive into Selling Lane and use all its cool features. From managing customers to showing off your products on your website, make sure you use it to the fullest!

“It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.” – Scott Belsky, a guy who turns ideas into reality

Turning Your Ideas into a Real Business with Selling Lane

Selling Lane helps you turn your cool ideas into a real business. It makes sure people see your products and services online and helps you manage your customers and sales easily.

Best Practice:

Make Your Website Interactive – Use your website to talk to your visitors. Turn them into customers by using all the features from Selling Lane, from showing your products to managing your sales. With the direct connection to the Selling Lane CRM, no lead goes unnoticed

What Features Should Your Business Website Have?

Building a website sounds fancy, but it’s super fun and easy with the right tools. Here are some things you might want on your website:

• Pictures: Show what you do with cool photos of your products or services.
• Testimonials: Let new customers see the nice things others have said about you.
• Product Menus: List all the stuff you sell or services you offer.
• Team Info: Introduce your awesome team with pictures and a little bit about them.
• Contact Info: Make sure people can find you or send you a message.
• Maps and Directions: if your business has a physical location that you’d like customers to come to having a map to your location is essential

With Selling Lane, you get all these and more without burning a hole in your pocket. It’s like your online business toolkit that helps you build a website and manage your business, all while keeping things simple and fun!

Feel free to change things up to match your style, and let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to add!

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Hello, wellness warriors! For those who’ve sculpted a sanctuary of tranquility with their massage therapy businesses, the quest often becomes about sustaining that peaceful environment for both clients and oneself. Let’s delve into how a CRM isn’t just a tool for expansion but a silent partner in maintaining a serene, efficient business that allows you to take a breather too.

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”

Estée Lauder, a pioneering businesswoman who understood that behind every thriving business is a foundation of diligent work and smart strategies.

For massage therapists, whose work is to alleviate stress and promote wellness, having a business that runs smoothly in the background is paramount. A CRM like Selling Lane ensures that your operations are as tranquil as the services you provide, allowing you to step back without a hitch in the experience you provide.

Feature Spotlight: Seamless Scheduling and Client Management

Selling Lane ensures that your appointments are scheduled efficiently, avoiding overbookings or gaps that could disrupt your flow. Plus, with comprehensive client management, every individual’s preferences and history are at your fingertips, ensuring personalized care without the stress. Explore how Selling Lane manages your schedule and client data effortlessly.

“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”

Anne Sweeney, a respected leader in the entertainment industry, who emphasizes the importance of crafting a business and life that aligns with your values

In the realm of massage therapy, where your business is a reflection of your commitment to wellness and balance, a CRM helps you maintain that ethos. It ensures that your business operates smoothly, clients are cared for, and you have the space to breathe and enjoy the success you’ve built.

Feature Spotlight: Stress-Free Invoicing and Payments

Selling Lane’s Invoicing feature ensures that payments and financial management are a breeze. With automated invoicing and streamlined payment processes, you ensure a smooth, professional experience for your clients and easy financial management for you. Discover how Selling Lane simplifies your financial processes.

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

Mother Teresa, a symbol of selfless humanitarian work, reminding us that personal, one-on-one interactions are the heart of any service.

Your massage therapy business thrives on the personal, one-on-one care you provide. A CRM like Selling Lane ensures that every interaction, from scheduling to follow-up, is personal, professional, and stress-free, allowing you to maintain the intimate, caring nature of your work, even when you take a step back.

Feature Spotlight: Personalized Communication and Follow-Up

Selling Lane’s CRM capabilities ensure that every communication is personalized and timely. Automated follow-ups and personalized messages ensure that your clients feel cared for and valued, enhancing their connection with your business and allowing you to maintain relationships effortlessly. Learn how Selling Lane nurtures client relationships seamlessly.

In the serene world of massage therapy, maintaining the tranquility and personal touch that defines your business is crucial. With Selling Lane, you ensure that every aspect of your business, from scheduling to communication, reflects the calm, caring environment you’ve created, even when you’re taking a well-deserved break.

Ready to embrace serene efficiency with Selling Lane?

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In today’s tech-savvy world, having a company without a business website can be like driving out of state without directions. While some businesses manage to carve out a niche without an online presence, there are unseen hurdles that might be slowing them down. And quite frankly, the reasons for not having a business website are diminishing every year, especially with companies like Selling Lane offering free websites with their CRM small business software

It’s not the 1950s, where relationships were built at parties and toasters were your only appliance. To compete today, you have to have a Business website, so you can still have those parties and let your business grow online while you’re chatting with friends.

Still not convinced? Let’s explore some of the challenges you might face when you don’t have a website to showcase your offerings.

1. Not having a Business Website, is Like Being Invisible in the Online World

Imagine a customer searching for a product or service you offer, but they can’t find you online, so, they shop your competitor instead. In the absence of a business website, companies miss out on a massive pool of potential customers who scour the internet for their needs. Your business becomes a hidden gem that only a few local customers might know about, while a vast ocean of potential remains unexplored.

2. You Cannot Depend on Referrals in a World with Diminishing Loyalty.

As the years go by, depending solely on referrals is becoming problematic, as customers become less loyal. And I don’t mean to be cruel when I say this, but your older clients are dying off.

When General Motors use the line, this is not your father’s Oldsmobile. They were not wrong because they were noticing a trend where younger clients were not buying Oldsmobile anymore. The result, they no longer exists because they were too slow to evolve with the times.

3. Your Credibility will Take a Hit without a Business Website

When consumers hear about a business, one of the first things they do is check it out online, look at ratings, and then make the decision to call or fill in a form. A well-designed website is often seen as a credibility marker, just like having a clean showroom or when you pull up to a job site with a new truck.

Without a website, potential customers might question the legitimacy of your business, wondering why it lacks an online presence in a digitally dominated era. When they hop on your site and see customer testimonials and product listings, along with smiling staff members, they will want to do business with you.

4. Communication Gaps and Google Business Listings

Your Business Website serve as a 24/7 communication channel between your business and potential customers. Without it, you miss out on an opportunity to communicate your offerings, values, and stories to a wider audience. Customers might struggle to find essential information like your contact details, operating hours, and services, which can lead to missed business opportunities.

Even if they go to your Google Business Listings or Google Maps, many times the very next step is for your potential customer to click on the business website listing and see your offerings. So, if you don’t have a business website connected to Google, you just don’t have the credibility your company deserves. We see a time and time again, where older businesses neglect their business website and as a result, their credibility diminishes overtime. If you’re looking to leave a legacy to your children, get your website up-to-date.

5. No Business Website? You’re at a Competitive Disadvantage

While you’re operating without a website, your competitors with an online presence are likely attracting customers that might have chosen you. A business website allows you to showcase your unique selling points, attract potential clients, and compete on a larger scale, both locally and beyond.

Meanwhile, your competitor is getting leads from his site, so it’s working for him even when his business is closed. How does that seem fair?

6. Limited Marketing Opportunities Without an Online Presence

Without a business website, your marketing strategies might be confined to traditional methods, which are often more costly and have a limited reach. For example a simple postcard mailer can cost $100 per thousand mailed with a 1% return on investment, meanwhile the website included with Selling Lane, only costs $6 per user and has on average a 140% return on investment

A website acts as a versatile platform where you can showcase your portfolio, share customer testimonials, and even establish a blog to share your expertise and attract organic traffic.

Organic traffic is customer searches online, for example “Best Driveway Sealers” results in your driveway sealing business coming up on the search. This is critical to your success, because something like 80% of all customers start their decisions, by performing a Google search.

7. You Think a Business Website is too Expensive

In the past, you were correct, because business websites cost thousands and were extremely hard to launch. Now there are free services that offer excellent free sites. Even Selling Lane includes a Free Integrated Business Website in their CRM, so you don’t have to pay at all.

Why is an integrated website so important? Because it allows you to make changes to your software that reflect automatically on your website, so you don’t need two separate teams to manage your business for example, if your sales team decides to make changes to products, those changes reflect on your website instantly. This is exceptionally useful, especially for solopreneurs who are doing everything themselves?

My final thoughts

While traditional business methods have their own charm, your competitors will take advantage of you without a business website. Why give them the opportunity to challenge the business you built?

A website is more than just an online presence; it’s a tool that enhances visibility, credibility, customer interaction, and competitive edge, propelling your business towards broader horizons.

In the context of these challenges, platforms like Selling Lane offer a fantastic solution. Not only does it provide a robust CRM to streamline your business operations, but it also offers a feature to create your own business website, ensuring you sail smoothly through the digital world, reaching customers far and wide. So, why stay invisible when you can shine online?

Selling Lane includes, CRM, Retention, Invoicing, Business Website, Task Manager, QR Code Business Cards and much more.

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When is it time to switch from pen and paper to a CRM?

I used to jokingly call myself computer illiterate, not because I didn’t know how to use a computer, but because I didn’t like change.

Not only that, I used to love to handwrite everything, because I thought it looked personal. But then somebody told me that that is like hitchhiking to a job site instead of pulling up in my F-350 Super duty.

Yes, both walking and driving will get you there, but the truck will get you there faster, and you look successful when you arrive.

Seasoned veteran of business software

Handwriting invoices, may seem personal, but just looks unprofessional in today’s day and age. Handwriting is prone to mistakes, and quite frankly is not future-proof for the next generation.

But there is a world where old-school wisdom meets modern tech. Were goals specific, CRM’s can be used as your secret weapon, to keep the personal touch while skyrocketing your business, past what you’re doing today.

“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

Vince Lombardi, a legendary football coach who knew a thing or two about the importance of strategy and teamwork.

For tree Services, massage, therapists, window estimators, or any small business for that matter, having a game plan is crucial. Imagine your team moving in sync, knowing every play, and executing strategies with precision. That’s what a CRM like Selling Lane can do for your business – it’s your playbook for success!

Feature Spotlight: Efficient Scheduling and Route Optimization

With Selling Lane, your team can easily schedule appointments and optimize routes, ensuring that you’re always on the winning path. Plus, real-time tracking lets your customers know exactly when you’ll touch down at their location. Learn more about how Selling Lane optimizes your routes.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Wayne Gretzky, a hockey legend who understood the value of seizing opportunities.

Pen and Paper Crates Unnecessary Bottlenecks

Every lead, every client, and every opportunity counts, so sorting through piles of papers on your desk, or flipping through notebooks might seem like the faster method, but that only applies to you.

Your staff in the field, your employees on the switchboard, have to call YOU to get answers, making YOU the bottleneck. This creates employee fatigue, where employees throw their hands up because you micromanage every move they make instead of allowing them to do the job you train them to do.

This sometimes causes lost opportunities because you’re not making every shot on goal count because you are slowing down the process, sometimes causing customers to defect to faster and more efficient businesses.

Great business software and smartphone apps, such as Selling Lane, helps you take your shot on goal with features that manage customer details, appointment history, and communication all in one place. It’s like having a top-tier player who never misses a pass!

So now instead of creating a bottleneck, you empower your employees to do the tasks, faster and more efficiently. Allowing you time to do the most important job you have, which is thinking about your business so that you can grow it to the next level.

Selling Lane Feature Spotlight: Effective Customer Relationship Management

Selling Lane’s CRM ensures that every interaction with your clients has a goal. It’s not just a tool; it’s your strategy to keep your customers at the heart of your operations. Discover more about how Selling Lane manages customer relationships.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

Phil Jackson, a revered basketball coach who believed deeply in the power of teamwork.

Your team is your biggest asset, and with a business software package like Selling Lane, ensures that every member can perform at their best. From managing tasks to optimizing your website, it empowers your team to work together seamlessly, ensuring no opportunities are missed, and every client is satisfied.

The employees on the road can use the smartphone app to look up customer details, have the customer scan QR code business cards, and even generate estimates and invoices on the spot.

Selling Lane Feature Spotlight: Maximize Revenue with Menu Selling

Selling Lane’s unique Menu Selling feature allows you to present a menu of your services to clients, leading to effective upselling and cross-selling, and ultimately, increased revenue. It’s like having a star player who always knows how to score! Explore how Selling Lane maximizes your revenue with Menu Selling.

It also allows you to place those menus right on your business website so that your customers can self select the products and services that they wish before they even call you for an appointment.

Having a robust CRM is like having a seasoned coach, guiding your team to victory with strategies that have stood the test of time. So, are you ready to let your business flourish with a little help from the wisdom of the past and the tech of the future?

Jude Campbell, Managing Partner of Selling Lane and business success coach

Let’s win this game together with Selling Lane!

What Customers are Saying

“We’ve seen a significant increase in our revenue since we started using Selling Lane’s Menu Selling feature,” says Emily, owner of overhead door company in Silvercreek NY. “Before, we were only offering a handful of services, but now we offer a full range of garage door services. With Menu Selling, we can easily show our clients all of the services that we offer and make it easy for them to add additional services to their order. As a result, our average revenue per job has increased by 15%.”

It’s Easy to Switch to Selling Lane

Guess what? Trying out Selling Lane’s CRM doesn’t cost a penny for the first 31 days! That’s right, you get to test drive this awesome business buddy for a whole month, absolutely free. It’s like getting a sneak peek into how much easier and cooler running your business can be without having to dig into your wallet. You’ll get to see how it keeps everything organized, helps you chat with customers, and manages all your appointments and bills without any of the stress.

Yeah, but free trials don’t last

And here’s the kicker – once your free trial is up, and you’ve seen how much Selling Lane can boost your business, it only costs $6 per user to keep it around. That’s less than the cost of admitting you still own a fidget spinner! 🌀😂 and less than the price of one lost sock in your laundry.

Time to let your team act like a professional

So, you get a super helpful tool that makes running your business a breeze, for a price that’s super affordable. You get to look professional, while still maintaining the personal touch. You give your employees the ability to manage their accounts on the go and not have to call you for everything. Not only that, but you buy back time, so you can think about your business and grow it further. These are just some of the wins you get when you replace pen and paper with great business software like Selling Lane CRM.

Let’s jump in feet first future where your business isn’t just doing good; it’s absolutely rocking, without breaking the bank. With Selling Lane, we’re not just moving; we’re zooming into a future filled with fun, ease, and success in your business adventures. Let’s do this together!

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Keeping track of customers and sales can be tough, especially for small businesses. That’s where CRM software comes in. CRM for small business is a tool that can help you organize your customer information and improve your customer relationships.

CRM software stores information like customer contact information, purchase history, and communication history. It makes this data easy to access, so you can better understand your customers and their needs. This can help you provide better customer service, target your marketing more effectively, and close more sales.

Here’s a simple analogy to help you understand how CRM works:

Imagine you’re running a small lemonade stand. You have a lot of customers, but it can be hard to keep track of everyone’s favorite flavors and when they last came by. That’s where a CRM system would come in handy.

With a CRM system, you could create a profile for each customer. Each profile would include the customer’s name, contact information, favorite lemonade flavor, and when they last visited your stand. This information would be stored in a central database, so you could easily access it whenever you needed it.

For example, if a customer comes up to your stand and says they’re not sure what flavor to get, you could look them up in your CRM system and see that their favorite flavor is strawberry. Then, you could recommend strawberry lemonade to them.

Or, if you’re planning a marketing campaign, you could use your CRM system to target customers who haven’t been to your stand in a while. You could email them or text message with a special offer to entice them to come back.

CRM software can be a valuable tool for small businesses of all sizes. It can help you stay organized, improve your customer relationships, and grow your business.

Here are some specific examples of how a small business could use CRM software:

• A coffee shop could use CRM software to keep track of its customers’ favorite drinks and birthdays. Then, the coffee shop could send customers personalized birthday messages and offers for their favorite drinks.
• A small retail store could use CRM software to keep track of its customers’ purchase history. Then, the store could send customers targeted emails with recommendations for new products or accessories that they might be interested in.
• A small business consulting firm could use CRM software to keep track of its clients’ contact information, project timelines, and communication history. Then, the firm could provide better customer service and stay on top of all of its projects.
• A Tree Cutter/Arborest could use a CRM for their small business to keep track of customers and the potential need for additional services, such as limb removal schedules.

If you’re running a small business, consider using CRM software to help you stay organized, improve your customer relationships, and grow your business.

Understanding CRM for Small Business

As I’ve mentioned before, CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. It is a software solution that helps businesses manage their interactions with customers and potential customers. CRM software can help businesses of all sizes, but it is especially beneficial for small businesses because it can help them to:

• Improve profitability: CRM software can help businesses to improve their profitability by helping them to close more deals, increase customer lifetime value, and reduce customer churn.
• Streamline processes: CRM software can help businesses to streamline their processes by automating tasks such as lead management, sales pipeline management, and customer support.
• Enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty: CRM software can help businesses to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing them with a personalized and consistent customer experience.
• Menu Selling CRM systems facilitate menu selling by organizing and presenting product offerings in an easily navigable format. This feature allows businesses to efficiently showcase their products or services, enabling customers to make informed decisions, thereby boosting sales and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Business Website Integration A CRM system can integrate seamlessly with a business’s website, providing a unified platform for customer interaction, inquiry management, and online sales. This integration enhances the online presence of a business, making it more accessible to potential customers and offering a streamlined online experience.
• Task Management CRM software aids in effective task management by organizing, assigning, and tracking various business tasks. It ensures timely completion of tasks, enhances team collaboration, and improves overall business efficiency.
• Route Planning For businesses involved in deliveries or services that require traveling, CRM software offers route planning features. It helps in optimizing routes for timely and cost-effective deliveries or service provision, ensuring customer satisfaction and reducing operational costs.

In essence, CRM for small businesses is not just a tool but a comprehensive solution that caters to various aspects of business operations, ensuring efficiency, profitability, and enhanced customer experience. The inclusion of features like menu selling, business website integration, task management, and route planning makes CRM software a multifaceted tool that drives business growth and success.

How CRM software works:

CRM software stores customer data in a central database. This data can include customer contact information, purchase history, communication history, and other relevant information. CRM software can then be used to analyze this data to gain insights into customer behavior and preferences.

Benefits of CRM software for small businesses:

• Improved customer relationships: CRM software can help businesses to improve their customer relationships by providing them with a better understanding of their customers’ needs and preferences. This can lead to more personalized and effective customer interactions.
• Increased sales: CRM software can help businesses to increase sales by helping them to close more deals and increase customer lifetime value. CRM software can also help businesses to identify and target new leads.
• Reduced costs: CRM software can help businesses to reduce costs by automating tasks such as lead management, sales pipeline management, and customer support. This can free up employees to focus on more strategic tasks.
• Improved efficiency: CRM software can help businesses to improve their efficiency by streamlining processes and automating tasks. This can lead to increased productivity and reduced costs.

Examples of how small businesses can use CRM for small business:

• A small retail store could use CRM software to track customer purchase history and preferences. This information could then be used to send targeted marketing campaigns or offer personalized recommendations to customers.
• A small business consulting firm could use CRM software to track client contact information, project timelines, and communication history. This information could then be used to provide better customer service and stay on top of all projects.
• A small e-commerce business could use CRM software to automate tasks such as order processing and customer support. This could free up employees to focus on more strategic tasks such as product development and marketing.

“CRM is the largest software market in the world, and has increasingly proven to be the best technological asset that companies can invest in.”

– Kelsey Jones, Marketing and Digital Communications Professional

Why Do Small Businesses Need CRM?

Enhanced Customer Management

Small businesses need CRM software for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of the most important ones:

• To improve customer service: CRM software can help small businesses to improve their customer service by providing them with a better understanding of their customers’ needs and preferences. This can lead to more personalized and effective customer interactions.
• To increase sales: CRM software can help small businesses to increase sales by helping them to close more deals and increase customer lifetime value. CRM software can also help businesses to identify and target new leads.
• To reduce costs: CRM software can help small businesses to reduce costs by automating tasks such as lead management, sales pipeline management, and customer support. This can free up employees to focus on more strategic tasks.
• To improve efficiency: CRM software can help small businesses to improve their efficiency by streamlining processes and automating tasks. This can lead to increased productivity and reduced costs.

In addition to these general benefits, CRM software can also help small businesses to achieve specific goals, such as:

• Launching a new product or service: CRM software can help small businesses to launch new products and services by helping them to identify and target potential customers, track sales leads, and manage customer relationships.
• Expanding into a new market: CRM software can help small businesses to expand into new markets by helping them to identify and target potential customers, build relationships with local partners, and manage customer relationships across multiple markets.
• Improving customer retention: CRM software can help small businesses to improve customer retention by helping them to identify and address customer pain points, provide personalized customer service, and offer rewards programs to loyal customers.

Overall, CRM software can be a valuable asset for small businesses of all sizes. It can help businesses to improve their profitability, streamline processes, and enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Here are a few examples of how small businesses can use CRM software to achieve their specific goals:

• A small retail store could use CRM software to track customer purchase history and preferences. This information could then be used to send targeted marketing campaigns or offer personalized recommendations to customers. For example, the store could send a customer an email with a discount on their favorite product or offer them a free gift on their birthday.
• A small business consulting firm could use CRM software to track client contact information, project timelines, and communication history. This information could then be used to provide better customer service and stay on top of all projects. For example, the firm could send a client a reminder email about their upcoming project meeting or check in with them to see how their project is progressing.
• A small e-commerce business could use CRM software to automate tasks such as order processing and customer support. This could free up employees to focus on more strategic tasks such as product development and marketing. For example, the business could use CRM software to automatically send customers an email with their order confirmation and shipping information.

If you are running a small business, consider using CRM software to help you achieve your goals and grow your business.

“In today’s competitive market, it’s more important than ever to understand customer behavior and build strong relationships with them.”

– Bill Gates, Co-Founder of Microsoft

Improved Communication

With CRM, all customer communication and interactions are logged, ensuring that employees can provide personalized and consistent service.

Efficient Task Management

CRM systems help small businesses automate tasks, allowing employees to focus on their core responsibilities and ensuring that no task is overlooked.

“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency.”

– Bill Gates

Effective Marketing

CRM software provides valuable data that can be used to create targeted marketing campaigns, helping small businesses reach the right audience and convert more leads.

Examples of CRM Working Well to Grow Businesses

Example 1: Improved Customer Retention

A local bakery implemented CRM software and found that their customer retention rates improved by 20%. The software allowed them to track customer preferences and send personalized offers and communications, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Example 2: Increased Sales

A small e-commerce store used CRM software to analyze customer data and create targeted marketing campaigns. This led to a 30% increase in sales as they were able to reach customers with the right message at the right time.

Example 3: Enhanced Efficiency

A consulting firm utilized CRM software to automate various tasks, including scheduling, follow-ups, and invoicing. This automation allowed them to save significant time and focus on providing quality service to their clients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting a CRM for your business is not just something you need to do, it’s going to be an investment in enhancing customer relationships, improving efficiency, and driving business growth.

“A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all.”

– Michael LeBoeuf, Business Author and Former Management Professor

By implementing CRM software, small businesses can ensure they are meeting the needs of their customers while also streamlining their operations for optimal business performance.

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Customer relationship management (CRM) software is a tool that helps businesses manage their customer interactions and relationships. SaaS CRM, or software as a service CRM, is a type of CRM software that is hosted in the cloud and can be accessed over the internet. This means that businesses do not need to install or maintain any software on their own servers.

SIDE NOTE: SellingLane CRM is a SaaS CRM, hosted in Google Cloud Services, arguably the fastest and most secure service on the planet.

“CRM is the heart of any successful business.”

– Marc Benioff, co-founder and CEO of Salesforce

A SaaS CRM has a number of advantages over traditional on-premises CRM software, including:

• Affordability: online CRMs are typically more affordable than on-premises CRM software, as there is no upfront cost for hardware or software licenses. For example, SellingLane CRM is free to try then a very reasonable $6 per month.
• Scalability: Online CRM’s are easily scalable, so businesses can easily add or remove users as needed.
• Ease of use: SaaS CRM is typically more user-friendly than on-premises CRM software, as it is hosted in the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

A SaaS CRM can be used by businesses of all sizes to improve their customer interactions and relationships. It can be used to track customer interactions, manage sales opportunities, provide customer support, and more.

“CRM is not about managing data, it’s about managing relationships.”

– Esteban Kolsky, customer experience advisor, keynote speaker, and author

Here are some of the benefits of using SaaS CRM:

• Improved customer service: SaaS CRM can help businesses to improve their customer service by providing them with a central place to track customer interactions and support tickets. It can also help businesses to personalize their customer service experience by providing them with insights into customer behavior and preferences.
• Increased sales: SaaS CRM can help businesses to increase their sales by providing them with a better understanding of their customers and their needs. It can also help businesses to automate their sales process and to track their sales pipeline more effectively.
• Increased efficiency: SaaS CRM can help businesses to increase their efficiency by automating tasks and streamlining processes. This can free up employees to focus on more important tasks, such as building relationships with customers and closing deals.
• Mobile First: most great sass CRM’s are mobile friendly first, in other words the software is designed for mobile, so reps in the field can use the software as seamlessly as a person sitting in an office at a computer.

“CRM is the key to unlocking the value of your customer data.”

– Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google

Here are 5 ways SaaS CRM can help you grow your business:

1. Improve customer relationships: SaaS CRM can help you improve your customer relationships by providing you with a central place to track customer interactions, manage sales opportunities, and provide customer support. This can help you to better understand your customers’ needs and preferences, and to provide them with a more personalized experience.
2. Increase sales: SaaS CRM can help you increase your sales by providing you with a better understanding of your sales pipeline and by automating tasks such as lead nurturing and follow-up. This can help you to close more deals and grow your revenue.
3. Increase efficiency: SaaS CRM can help you increase your efficiency by automating tasks and streamlining processes. This can free up your employees to focus on more important tasks, such as building relationships with customers and closing deals.
4. Improve customer satisfaction: SaaS CRM can help you improve customer satisfaction by providing you with the tools you need to deliver a personalized and efficient customer experience. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
5. Make better decisions: SaaS CRM can help you make better decisions by providing you with insights into your customer data and sales pipeline. This information can help you to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

Overall, SaaS CRM is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes to grow and succeed. By improving customer relationships, increasing sales, increasing efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and helping you to make better decisions, SaaS CRM can help you to achieve your business goals.

Our Final Opinion

SaaS CRM is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes to improve their customer interactions and relationships, increase their sales, and increase their efficiency. If you are looking for a way to improve your business, I encourage you to consider using SaaS CRM.

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Customer loyalty is essential for businesses of all sizes. Loyal customers are more likely to make repeat purchases, spend more money, and refer your business to their friends and family. CRM systems can help you build customer loyalty by providing you with the tools and insights you need to understand your customers and deliver a personalized experience.

Here are a few tips on how to use CRM to build customer loyalty:

• Segment your customers. Not all customers are created equal. Segmenting your customers based on their demographics, purchase history, and other factors will help you to understand their needs and deliver a more personalized experience. For example, you could send a different email newsletter to new customers than you would to loyal customers.
• Personalize your communications. Customers appreciate it when you take the time to personalize your communications with them. Use CRM to track customer preferences and purchase history. This information can then be used to send targeted marketing messages and promotions. For example, you could send a customer a discount on a product that they’ve been browsing lately.
• Provide excellent customer service. Customer service is essential for building customer loyalty. Use CRM to track customer interactions and ensure that all issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. You can also use CRM to identify customers who have had a negative experience and reach out to them to resolve the issue.
• Reward loyal customers. Show your loyal customers that you appreciate their business by offering them rewards and incentives. For example, you could offer a loyalty program that gives customers points for every purchase they make. These points can then be redeemed for discounts or other rewards.

CRM systems can also help you to identify and address customer churn. Churn is the rate at which customers stop doing business with you. By tracking customer interactions and analyzing customer data, you can identify customers who are at risk of churning. You can then reach out to these customers and offer them incentives to stay with you.

Building customer loyalty takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the long run. Loyal customers are more likely to make repeat purchases, spend more money, and refer your business to their friends and family. CRM systems can help you to build customer loyalty by providing you with the tools and insights you need to understand your customers and deliver a personalized experience.

“Customer loyalty is not something that you can buy. You have to earn it.” –

Michael LeBoeuf idea what you’re talking about

Here are a few additional tips for building customer loyalty with CRM:

• Make it easy for customers to do business with you. Your CRM system should be easy to use and accessible to all of your employees. This will ensure that everyone in the company has the information they need to deliver a great customer experience.
• Use CRM to automate tasks. CRM systems can automate many of the tasks involved in customer management, such as sending follow-up emails and scheduling appointments. This can free up your employees to focus on building relationships with customers and providing excellent service.
• Use CRM to measure your progress. CRM systems can provide you with valuable insights into your customer relationships. Use this information to track your progress and identify areas where you can improve.

By following these tips, you can use CRM to build customer loyalty and grow your business.

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Businesses and solopreneurs are constantly seeking tools to streamline their business, enhance customer relationships, and boost sales. Enter CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, the superheroes of modern business tools. But like every superhero, there are variations: the in-house CRM and the SaaS (Software as a Service) CRM. So, which one should you choose? Let’s dive deep into the battle of the CRMs.

From Spreadsheets to SaaS CRM: The Modern Shift

Many businesses, especially startups and SMEs, begin their customer management journey with tools like Excel or Apple Numbers. While these tools are great for basic data storage, they lack the advanced features, security, and ease of use that a dedicated CRM system offers.

Why make the shift?

1. Security: Online CRMs, especially SaaS versions, come with robust security features, ensuring your customer data is safe from breaches.
2. Centralization: No more juggling between multiple sheets or files. Everything you need is in one place.
3. Automation: From sending follow-up emails to generating reports, automation features in CRMs save time and reduce errors.
4. Collaboration: Multiple team members can access and update the CRM in real-time, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

In-house CRM: The Homegrown Hero

What is it? In-house CRM systems are software solutions developed internally or customized by a third-party but hosted on a company’s own servers.

Pros of Homegrown In-house Software:

1. Customization: Since it’s developed in-house, you can tailor it precisely to your business needs.
2. Data Control: All data remains within the company’s infrastructure, which can be a plus for businesses with sensitive information.
3. Offline Access: No need for internet access to get to your data.

Cons of Homegrown In-house Software

1. High Initial Costs: Development, hardware, and software licenses can be pricey.
2. Maintenance: You’re responsible for updates, bug fixes, and dealing with potential downtimes.
3. Scalability Issues: As your business grows, you might need to invest more in infrastructure and further customization.

SaaS CRM: Online Software to Run Your Business

What is it? SaaS CRM is a cloud-based service. Instead of being hosted on a company’s servers, it’s hosted on the provider’s servers and accessed via the internet.

Pros of Online SaaS CRM

1. Cost-Effective: Typically, you pay a subscription fee. No hefty initial investments. And most online CRM’s, have the ability to increase the size of your database as you grow. And will allow you to add additional users as you grow without any need for programmers come in and reprogram your servers or add additional equipment.
2. Easy Upgrades: The service provider handles updates and new features. As opposed to what happens with in-house systems, where any customization requires an expense
3. Scalability: As your business grows, you can easily adjust your subscription to fit your needs.
4. Accessibility: Access your data from anywhere with an internet connection. This is a big one, it allows entrepreneurs to run their business, even when on vacation or offsite. For example, the other day I was in the hospital, waiting for my significant other, and I was still able to run my business from my phone.

Cons of Online SaaS CRM

1. Internet Dependency: No internet, no access. This is definitely a concern if your business is in the wilderness or you wish to access your database remotely. But remember, in-house systems only work in house and the availability of Internet today is pretty universal. Especially with companies like Starlink satellite Internet available, almost worldwide
2. Customization Limits: While many SaaS CRMs offer customization, there might be limits compared to in-house solutions. However, most sass CRM have all the tools you need to run your business. It may not look the way you’re used to, but after a little bit of utilization, in most cases, you’ll be better off then with an in-house system.
3. Data Control: Since data is stored off-site, some businesses might have concerns about security and compliance. But this is usually not the case anymore with SSL certificates and bank level user security that most CRM’s use to protect customer data.

The Verdict

The choice between in-house and SaaS CRM boils down to your business’s specific needs and resources. If you have the budget, technical expertise, and a need for deep customization, in-house might be the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a cost-effective, scalable solution with minimal maintenance, SaaS CRM is a strong contender.

As the great business thinker Peter Drucker once said, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” Whether you choose in-house or SaaS, the key is to ensure that your CRM aligns with your business goals and enhances your relationship with your customers.

Ready to explore the world of SaaS CRM? Check out Selling Lane, where efficiency meets effectiveness, and watch your business soar to new heights!

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