As specialists in our field, we have put together a list of 9 top tips for success when implementing a new CRM system.

1. Have a clear strategy. Plan what you want to achieve from the CRM system from the onset. Define goals so that you can measure your success. Ensure that you understand why you are implementing the system, and how it will improve your business. What data / reports will you need from the system?
2. Ensure that you have support from key decision-makers and management teams within your organisation. CRM success will require some changes across the business as a whole, and so support from the top is vital.
3. Understand that you will only realise the full potential of your CRM system if the relevant data is input. Plan how your existing data will be migrated to your new CRM system, and who will be responsible for updating it. Remember that reports and information generated by your CRM system will depend upon accurate, up-to-date data. Ensure that you will have the facility to export your data should you wish in the future.
4. Future-proof your plans. You may only have 5 employees now, but what if your business takes off and has 1000 employees in a few years’ time? Ensure that your chosen solution is scalable, and is capable of changing and growing with your business over time.
5. Consider how your chosen CRM solution will integrate with your existing applications. Does it need to integrate with Outlook, or interface with your telephone system? Perhaps you need to display information from your Sharepoint site, or access your CRM data from your mobile phone or Blackberry?
6. Communicate with your employees. Making changes and implementing new systems will inevitably make changes to peoples’ day to day roles. New processes will need to be followed, and the success of these may well depend upon support from those who will be expected to use the system on a daily basis. Involving as many stakeholders as possible from the early stages of your project can boost adoption, as well as allowing them to contribute ideas and requirements.
7. Train your employees to use the new system. Staff who have been properly trained to use and understand a new system will be more likely to enter data and update records, allowing you to extract more useful information from the database. “Garbage in = Garbage out”, so ensure that your employees know how to use the system correctly.
8. Ensure that you have reliable, efficient support in place for your staff, to ensure that any issues that do arise can be resolved quickly.
9. Review the system. Once your chosen solution has been in place for a few weeks, take the time to step back and evaluate your progress. Is everyone using the system correctly? Are you obtaining the desired results? Do you need to make any changes? Listening to user feedback and regularly reviewing the system can greatly improve the value that it adds to your business and ensure that it continues to meet your needs.

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