The call center business has become one of the fastest booming industries today. In the era of customer-oriented services, the provision for accessible support is now a priority. With many companies trying to cope up with their customers’ needs and demands, the concept of the call center was born.
A call center normally operates with all its agents (or customer service representatives) in one central location. It is equipped to handle a large amount of transactions between customers and the call center agents. Transactions may be carried out through a variety of media. The telephone is the foremost form of communication in call centers today. However, transactions are also carried out via email and the live chat through the Internet.
Call centers offer a wide range of services. The first thought that comes to mind for many is support - product information, technical support, and all sorts of after sales services. However, call centers can offer more than that. They also deal with marketing and sales. Telemarketing is an aggressive form of selling your product and can yield very good results. Call centers cater to businesses which aim to increase their sales as well as provide customer services. One example would be credit card companies.
While aiming to provide information and assistance to customers, they can also increase their revenue through sales spiels given by their agents. Another service that can be dealt with by a call center is debt collection. Credit bureaus also make use of call centers to provide information on a person’s credit rating. In effect, basically anything that has to do with your customers can be done through call centers.
What is the typical set up in a call center? The term call center brings up images of wide open work spaces, with small workstations containing a computer, headset, and telephone dialer. The practice is increasingly turning to the linking of data and voice in one pathway. This integration makes for more efficient work practices and is called Computer Telephony Integration (CTI). Individual agents are normally managed by a floor supervisor who also takes calls when the need arises.
Setting up a call center requires certain technology to be applied. There is a wide range of available technologies for call centers today. More often than not, different types of technologies are combined in order to achieve the most effective and efficient set up. The Computer Telephony Integration has already been mentioned is one of the trends in the business today. In fact, CTI is used to combine most applications used in call centers - voice, email, fax, and web. CTI provides many functions such as caller ID, on screen dialing, on screen phone controls (conference calls, hang up, hold, etc.), and agent status control (whether agent is available for calls or not).
With all these advances in technology and developments in consumer-oriented practices, the call center has emerged as an ideal solution for many companies. The call center provides standardized service to customers and helps cut the cost. In addition to that, the separate entity of the call center subtracts from the actual operational considerations of the company.
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Better Online Communication Makes Business Sense
Many companies are now doing the majority or even all their business online and foregoing the “Brick and Mortar” storefront. It is easy to see why that trend has happened. For one thing, the cost of setting up such a business is relatively inexpensive and easy. There is no need to pay for the overhead of a physical building. Also, the cost of maintaining a Web site is minimal. Moreover, the Internet provides a convenient and efficient way of marketing products. As more and more people are spending time on the Internet, the market of online customers continues to grow.
But when businesses shift from face-to-face customers to anonymous online customers, there is a loss of personal connection and trust. All the online spamming and scamming hasn’t helped the matter at all. That has eroded the trust in E-commerce and the credibility of many companies. How are you gaining and maintaining customer trust? What are you doing as an online vendor to communicate to your customers?
In an online world, business just doesn’t stop after hours and on weekends. What are you doing to answer your customer’s questions? Here are a few things that you can do to improve communication with your customers:
1. Offer a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and online product support information. This is an excellent way of answering basic questions that may otherwise flood your support email. For example, our voice-changing product, MorphVOX, has a FAQ on the common issues that customers may come across. We also have provided detailed online documentation on topics that users may want to explore more. This takes care of roughly 95% of the questions people may have.
2. Add a support email link on your Web site for issues that can’t be resolved by the Web support. At Screaming Bee, we try to answer our customer questions within one business day. More often, we’ll answer questions within an hour of receiving the email. I believe that we have gained many loyal customers because of our aggressive efforts to meet needs in a timely manner.
3. Provide a message board or forum for customers to voice their opinions, add comments, and interact with each other. Remember that people are social creatures and like to be heard. This also helps to build up a community of users that are empowered and have a say in the products and services that you provide.
4. Write a personal email to each customer. Have you followed up on your customers after they have made a purchase of your products or services? This is essential, not only from the perspective of getting feedback on how to improve your offerings, but more importantly, maintaining the trusting, long-term relationship with your customer. Send them an email within 3-4 weeks of the first purchase. In this way their experience with your products and services is fresh in their mind. Remember, a customer who is ignored is a customer who is lost.
Spending time and effort on better communication with your customers will pay off. Your company will rise and fall not on the customers you gain, but on the customers that you don’t lose. Loyal customers will be the ones that give you the best testimonials. They also provide you with the richest, organic, word-of-mouth marketing. Remember that every happy customer is a testament of your company’s success.
But when businesses shift from face-to-face customers to anonymous online customers, there is a loss of personal connection and trust. All the online spamming and scamming hasn’t helped the matter at all. That has eroded the trust in E-commerce and the credibility of many companies. How are you gaining and maintaining customer trust? What are you doing as an online vendor to communicate to your customers?
In an online world, business just doesn’t stop after hours and on weekends. What are you doing to answer your customer’s questions? Here are a few things that you can do to improve communication with your customers:
1. Offer a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and online product support information. This is an excellent way of answering basic questions that may otherwise flood your support email. For example, our voice-changing product, MorphVOX, has a FAQ on the common issues that customers may come across. We also have provided detailed online documentation on topics that users may want to explore more. This takes care of roughly 95% of the questions people may have.
2. Add a support email link on your Web site for issues that can’t be resolved by the Web support. At Screaming Bee, we try to answer our customer questions within one business day. More often, we’ll answer questions within an hour of receiving the email. I believe that we have gained many loyal customers because of our aggressive efforts to meet needs in a timely manner.
3. Provide a message board or forum for customers to voice their opinions, add comments, and interact with each other. Remember that people are social creatures and like to be heard. This also helps to build up a community of users that are empowered and have a say in the products and services that you provide.
4. Write a personal email to each customer. Have you followed up on your customers after they have made a purchase of your products or services? This is essential, not only from the perspective of getting feedback on how to improve your offerings, but more importantly, maintaining the trusting, long-term relationship with your customer. Send them an email within 3-4 weeks of the first purchase. In this way their experience with your products and services is fresh in their mind. Remember, a customer who is ignored is a customer who is lost.
Spending time and effort on better communication with your customers will pay off. Your company will rise and fall not on the customers you gain, but on the customers that you don’t lose. Loyal customers will be the ones that give you the best testimonials. They also provide you with the richest, organic, word-of-mouth marketing. Remember that every happy customer is a testament of your company’s success.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
All About Calling Cards
All sorts of businesses, profession or hobbies can benefit from calling cards. Whether you use them as a businessman, real state agent, doctor or any other means you can always be one step ahead of your colleagues or competitors when you have calling cards. Having a calling card is like packing all your business identity, contact information and logo into a wallet sized billboard.
Calling cards can be for corporate or personal use. When they are used for work purposes they are commonly referred to as business cards. Business cards are used for contact information and keeping in touch with your customers. Adding a business card to your marketing strategy is one way of assuring that you maintain communication with your customers. Whenever or wherever they need to contact you, reaching you won’t be too difficult because they know which number to call.
For personal use, traveler’s calling cards can come in handy when you are on the road and need to book hotels, call home or call your office. Having traveler’s calling cards can allow you to make that important call no matter where you are. Home phone cards can also be useful when you are traveling through a countryside where cell phones don’t work. Say for instance your car broke down and you need to call a mechanic, you can’t be always sure to make that call when you do not even know who to call. Your personal card can be very helpful in this occasion. Hence, having a calling card is like an added insurance to you so the next time you hit the road make sure that you never go without your phone card.
You can always design and customize your own calling card. Your choice of design can come in different forms. Among the most common design are raised ink and full color. But you can also choose among foil stamping, embossing and die cut, whichever you think suits your business. Die cut calling cards are always effective in captivating attention because of their unique shapes but they can also be expensive. Nonetheless, they can really make a difference in projecting your overall company image and making a memorable impression.
Full color printing, particularly CMKY color printing, is also a good choice in designing your calling cards because it gives you the option of using full color images and photos in your design. You need not worry anymore about color printing being expensive because with the technology that are available today, color printing can now be offered at affordable prices. Hence, they are a cost effective way to display your information.
The bottom line is: your choice of calling card design should be based on how you would like to project your business image, your advertising scheme and budget. Remember also that a simple design can always be as effective as a costly design.
Calling cards can be for corporate or personal use. When they are used for work purposes they are commonly referred to as business cards. Business cards are used for contact information and keeping in touch with your customers. Adding a business card to your marketing strategy is one way of assuring that you maintain communication with your customers. Whenever or wherever they need to contact you, reaching you won’t be too difficult because they know which number to call.
For personal use, traveler’s calling cards can come in handy when you are on the road and need to book hotels, call home or call your office. Having traveler’s calling cards can allow you to make that important call no matter where you are. Home phone cards can also be useful when you are traveling through a countryside where cell phones don’t work. Say for instance your car broke down and you need to call a mechanic, you can’t be always sure to make that call when you do not even know who to call. Your personal card can be very helpful in this occasion. Hence, having a calling card is like an added insurance to you so the next time you hit the road make sure that you never go without your phone card.
You can always design and customize your own calling card. Your choice of design can come in different forms. Among the most common design are raised ink and full color. But you can also choose among foil stamping, embossing and die cut, whichever you think suits your business. Die cut calling cards are always effective in captivating attention because of their unique shapes but they can also be expensive. Nonetheless, they can really make a difference in projecting your overall company image and making a memorable impression.
Full color printing, particularly CMKY color printing, is also a good choice in designing your calling cards because it gives you the option of using full color images and photos in your design. You need not worry anymore about color printing being expensive because with the technology that are available today, color printing can now be offered at affordable prices. Hence, they are a cost effective way to display your information.
The bottom line is: your choice of calling card design should be based on how you would like to project your business image, your advertising scheme and budget. Remember also that a simple design can always be as effective as a costly design.
All About Calling Cards
All sorts of businesses, profession or hobbies can benefit from calling cards. Whether you use them as a businessman, real state agent, doctor or any other means you can always be one step ahead of your colleagues or competitors when you have calling cards. Having a calling card is like packing all your business identity, contact information and logo into a wallet sized billboard.
Calling cards can be for corporate or personal use. When they are used for work purposes they are commonly referred to as business cards. Business cards are used for contact information and keeping in touch with your customers. Adding a business card to your marketing strategy is one way of assuring that you maintain communication with your customers. Whenever or wherever they need to contact you, reaching you won’t be too difficult because they know which number to call.
For personal use, traveler’s calling cards can come in handy when you are on the road and need to book hotels, call home or call your office. Having traveler’s calling cards can allow you to make that important call no matter where you are. Home phone cards can also be useful when you are traveling through a countryside where cell phones don’t work. Say for instance your car broke down and you need to call a mechanic, you can’t be always sure to make that call when you do not even know who to call. Your personal card can be very helpful in this occasion. Hence, having a calling card is like an added insurance to you so the next time you hit the road make sure that you never go without your phone card.
You can always design and customize your own calling card. Your choice of design can come in different forms. Among the most common design are raised ink and full color. But you can also choose among foil stamping, embossing and die cut, whichever you think suits your business. Die cut calling cards are always effective in captivating attention because of their unique shapes but they can also be expensive. Nonetheless, they can really make a difference in projecting your overall company image and making a memorable impression.
Full color printing, particularly CMKY color printing, is also a good choice in designing your calling cards because it gives you the option of using full color images and photos in your design. You need not worry anymore about color printing being expensive because with the technology that are available today, color printing can now be offered at affordable prices. Hence, they are a cost effective way to display your information.
The bottom line is: your choice of calling card design should be based on how you would like to project your business image, your advertising scheme and budget. Remember also that a simple design can always be as effective as a costly design.
Calling cards can be for corporate or personal use. When they are used for work purposes they are commonly referred to as business cards. Business cards are used for contact information and keeping in touch with your customers. Adding a business card to your marketing strategy is one way of assuring that you maintain communication with your customers. Whenever or wherever they need to contact you, reaching you won’t be too difficult because they know which number to call.
For personal use, traveler’s calling cards can come in handy when you are on the road and need to book hotels, call home or call your office. Having traveler’s calling cards can allow you to make that important call no matter where you are. Home phone cards can also be useful when you are traveling through a countryside where cell phones don’t work. Say for instance your car broke down and you need to call a mechanic, you can’t be always sure to make that call when you do not even know who to call. Your personal card can be very helpful in this occasion. Hence, having a calling card is like an added insurance to you so the next time you hit the road make sure that you never go without your phone card.
You can always design and customize your own calling card. Your choice of design can come in different forms. Among the most common design are raised ink and full color. But you can also choose among foil stamping, embossing and die cut, whichever you think suits your business. Die cut calling cards are always effective in captivating attention because of their unique shapes but they can also be expensive. Nonetheless, they can really make a difference in projecting your overall company image and making a memorable impression.
Full color printing, particularly CMKY color printing, is also a good choice in designing your calling cards because it gives you the option of using full color images and photos in your design. You need not worry anymore about color printing being expensive because with the technology that are available today, color printing can now be offered at affordable prices. Hence, they are a cost effective way to display your information.
The bottom line is: your choice of calling card design should be based on how you would like to project your business image, your advertising scheme and budget. Remember also that a simple design can always be as effective as a costly design.
The Value of Data Media Security
A basic locking cabinet can secure valuable papers or personal items but it will not protect them from theft or fire damage. Only safes can provide a superior level of protection for documents, jewelry, guns and personal items. computer data that would be difficult or impossible to duplicate if lost.
While paper records secured within a fire-rated safe can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, computer media is damaged beyond use by temperatures above 125 degrees and 80% humidity. Microfiche film, tapes, diskettes, CDs, DVDs and computer media require the added protection of a data media safe.
Data Media Safes are specifically designed for data media storage. Protect against fire and climactic changes--a requirement for a small business or home office. A data media safe must keep the internal temperature below 125ยบ and the humidity level below 85%. Several fire testing laboratories have tested our safes at a temperature of 1,832 degrees F for over one hour with internal temperatures remaining below 122 degrees F. The safes were awarded the one-hour label. In addition, the safes are manufactured under ISO 9002 quality standard requirements.
Fire could destroy your business! In fact, eight businesses burn almost every hour in the U.S. resulting in over 2.3 billion dollars in annual losses.* Unfortunately, seven out of ten businesses have not adequately protected their vital records. When that information is destroyed a business often fails. Don't become a company that incurs fire damage resulting in critical loss of data (customer, personnel, accounting files, etc.) by not utilizing quality fire and data media safes. Survival is possible but preparation is necessary.
To view our inventory of Data Media Safes visit http://www.datamediasafes.com
While paper records secured within a fire-rated safe can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, computer media is damaged beyond use by temperatures above 125 degrees and 80% humidity. Microfiche film, tapes, diskettes, CDs, DVDs and computer media require the added protection of a data media safe.
Data Media Safes are specifically designed for data media storage. Protect against fire and climactic changes--a requirement for a small business or home office. A data media safe must keep the internal temperature below 125ยบ and the humidity level below 85%. Several fire testing laboratories have tested our safes at a temperature of 1,832 degrees F for over one hour with internal temperatures remaining below 122 degrees F. The safes were awarded the one-hour label. In addition, the safes are manufactured under ISO 9002 quality standard requirements.
Fire could destroy your business! In fact, eight businesses burn almost every hour in the U.S. resulting in over 2.3 billion dollars in annual losses.* Unfortunately, seven out of ten businesses have not adequately protected their vital records. When that information is destroyed a business often fails. Don't become a company that incurs fire damage resulting in critical loss of data (customer, personnel, accounting files, etc.) by not utilizing quality fire and data media safes. Survival is possible but preparation is necessary.
To view our inventory of Data Media Safes visit http://www.datamediasafes.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Membership Management Software Is What You Need
Returning traffic and generating revenue are the goals of online business. There are different styles and strategies to reach these goals and depending on the owner of the website, one has all the freedom to employ various forms for maximized benefits and potentials. The best thing about online businesses is that there are endless opportunities for them. You only need to handle properly the business by being able to consistently maintain and upgrade the system.
Membership websites are one of the most popular in the online industry. A membership site can be integrated if you want full potential of allowing the business to expand significantly. It can be a key part of the marketing funnel of the core of the business. Maintaining a membership website for the business can be intimidating because of the huge chunks of time it can take up. On the other hand, if you integrated all the necessary tactics to make it a success, you will turn your business from a mere starter into a robust, big company which can be hard to compete with.
If you are running a membership website, some key points must be remembered for it to be a success.
First, find your niche in the market. Define your expertise so you would be able reach this market. Your would-be members are who will be paying for their subscription, so do not try to integrate fakes in your website
Second, reach out to the members of the targeted market so you will be able to evaluate their specific enthusiasms. This way, you will find what content you should be integrating on the website.
Third, determine the size of your targeted market. Consider the products and services you are going to provide for them. Are they enough to meet their need and satisfaction? How are you going to compensate them for keeping their memberships faithfully over the years?
And fourth, do not expect that building a membership website is a quick process in all aspects. It takes about a year to develop the website with all the contents necessary for the members. After which, you can start launching the website. And that would not stop there, as you have to wait to accumulate memberships.
If you have developed a network of subscribers, it still would not stop there. You have to keep your members interested with their subscription with the website. You have to keep them connected with you. You have to maintain them, but how are you going to do this?
The solution is for you to employ management membership software. This software would handle all of the maintenance schedules because it is integrated with all the necessary features to keep them. Management software is an automatic system, which takes away most of the hours needed by all those manual works.
Management membership software will make it easy for you to handle all communications needed for the members to keep in contact with you. It automates your organization in such a way that all facilitating procedures you and your members need can be done in a quick manner. Everything is integrated in this software such as renewal of dues process, automatic membership application and approval, and a lot others. The software also provides a database, so you can store all information by the members. If need be, information can be automatically retrieved and restored.
The management membership software is the must-have application that your membership website should not go without.
Membership websites are one of the most popular in the online industry. A membership site can be integrated if you want full potential of allowing the business to expand significantly. It can be a key part of the marketing funnel of the core of the business. Maintaining a membership website for the business can be intimidating because of the huge chunks of time it can take up. On the other hand, if you integrated all the necessary tactics to make it a success, you will turn your business from a mere starter into a robust, big company which can be hard to compete with.
If you are running a membership website, some key points must be remembered for it to be a success.
First, find your niche in the market. Define your expertise so you would be able reach this market. Your would-be members are who will be paying for their subscription, so do not try to integrate fakes in your website
Second, reach out to the members of the targeted market so you will be able to evaluate their specific enthusiasms. This way, you will find what content you should be integrating on the website.
Third, determine the size of your targeted market. Consider the products and services you are going to provide for them. Are they enough to meet their need and satisfaction? How are you going to compensate them for keeping their memberships faithfully over the years?
And fourth, do not expect that building a membership website is a quick process in all aspects. It takes about a year to develop the website with all the contents necessary for the members. After which, you can start launching the website. And that would not stop there, as you have to wait to accumulate memberships.
If you have developed a network of subscribers, it still would not stop there. You have to keep your members interested with their subscription with the website. You have to keep them connected with you. You have to maintain them, but how are you going to do this?
The solution is for you to employ management membership software. This software would handle all of the maintenance schedules because it is integrated with all the necessary features to keep them. Management software is an automatic system, which takes away most of the hours needed by all those manual works.
Management membership software will make it easy for you to handle all communications needed for the members to keep in contact with you. It automates your organization in such a way that all facilitating procedures you and your members need can be done in a quick manner. Everything is integrated in this software such as renewal of dues process, automatic membership application and approval, and a lot others. The software also provides a database, so you can store all information by the members. If need be, information can be automatically retrieved and restored.
The management membership software is the must-have application that your membership website should not go without.
A Look At The History Of Notebook Computers
A notebook computer is a term used interchangeably with laptop computers. For those of you not familiar, a notebook computer is one that is smaller and lighter than a personal computer. You can take it with you anywhere so it offers you more access to the internet, a way to watch movies, and even a way to work while you are away on business trips.
The first notebook computer was introduced in 1981 but they were very expensive and not as versatile as they are today. IBM and Epsom both placed versions of portable laptops on the market in 1983. Even with more models emerging, notebook computers were an item often associated only with high profile businessmen.
It wasn't until 1995 when Microsoft introduced their operating system Windows 95 that the world of notebook computers exploded. This operating system along with advances in technology that allowed notebook computers to function in the same ways as a personal computer led to them dropping in price and more consumers buying them.
Some of the improvements that occurred around this time were a better battery that no longer included acid. Power saving notebook computers were introduced so the life of the battery lasted much longer. They also were now able to hold more data so they could be used for more concepts at any given time.
Today you see people of all ages carrying their notebook computers to the office, home, on airplanes, colleges, and hotels. Many public places are set up with areas for individuals to conveniently use their laptops. Since we live in such a computer age having a notebook computer can help you stay on top of things for work and pleasure no matter where you go.
You can find notebook computers in a variety of sizes and from multiple manufacturers. They come with a good price, plenty of storage capacity, and warranties. If you are in the market for a notebook computer you will have no trouble finding exactly what you are looking for.
The first notebook computer was introduced in 1981 but they were very expensive and not as versatile as they are today. IBM and Epsom both placed versions of portable laptops on the market in 1983. Even with more models emerging, notebook computers were an item often associated only with high profile businessmen.
It wasn't until 1995 when Microsoft introduced their operating system Windows 95 that the world of notebook computers exploded. This operating system along with advances in technology that allowed notebook computers to function in the same ways as a personal computer led to them dropping in price and more consumers buying them.
Some of the improvements that occurred around this time were a better battery that no longer included acid. Power saving notebook computers were introduced so the life of the battery lasted much longer. They also were now able to hold more data so they could be used for more concepts at any given time.
Today you see people of all ages carrying their notebook computers to the office, home, on airplanes, colleges, and hotels. Many public places are set up with areas for individuals to conveniently use their laptops. Since we live in such a computer age having a notebook computer can help you stay on top of things for work and pleasure no matter where you go.
You can find notebook computers in a variety of sizes and from multiple manufacturers. They come with a good price, plenty of storage capacity, and warranties. If you are in the market for a notebook computer you will have no trouble finding exactly what you are looking for.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
10 Steps To Choosing A CRM Solution For Your Business
One of the most daunting tasks faced by staff is choosing the right Customer Relationship Management technology. Whether you are in the retail industry, financial, high tech, or any other industry doesn’t really matter. The method of choosing the right product applies to any industry and any size business. Here are 10 steps to choosing a CRM solution for your business that will help make it successful.
Company Strategies & Goals — When you choose a CRM solution that meets your company’s specific needs there are many factors that you need to considered. Not all CRM solutions are equal, and the small to medium businesses have different demands than those a billion dollar enterprise encounters. A cellular company that has hundreds of offices around the country won’t have the same requirements as a smaller retailer with just a couple of offices. However, far too many people still fail to consider the business objective when choosing software.
Hosted Web-based or on Premise – There are pros and cons to both in-house or hosted solutions. Most would agree that hosted CRM solutions are easier to implement, readily accessible, and much securer. However, if all of your employees don’t have regular internet access the online CRM software is not for your company.
If you have an in-house IT department that is able to support your CRM software, an on-premise solution is the way to go because this also gives you the ability to customize features specific to your business.
Budget - If your business goals have been properly defined budget needs to also be determined based on those goals. You should not base your decision on just the lowest cost because your upfront costs make up only about 30% of what your actual overall investment will be. only make up a portion of the overall investment. Budget should include costs for customizing, integrating, maintaining, deploying, and training.
Room to Grow without Constantly Upgrading – You should have your growth strategy in place before you purchase your CRM solution. Choose a vendor that will make upgrades easier and more cost effective. This is an important part of your long term decision making.
Rapid Deployment - If you host in-house it will take anywhere from 2 to 6 months to get your system up and running where as the average deployment of a hosted CRM solution is about 1 month. That’s a huge difference. Determine whether the length of deployment will have any impact on your business and choose accordingly.
Customize For Your Business Needs – There are many CRM software choices but you should always choose one that allows you to customize it to your business needs giving you a much smoother running system.
Ensure It Works with Existing Systems – You will have a much smoother transition if you choose a CRM solution that will work with existing systems. That’s because your employees will not have to deal with training on several new technologies . Choosing a CRM system that will pull data from your back office information can also help you better service your customers.
Choose a Vendor Based On Reputation – If you take the time to do your research and choose a vendor with a reputable reputation you will land up with a reliable product. Remember the most expensive isn’t always the best and the least isn’t always the worst but you need to do your research.
Choose An Interface That Meets Your Business Needs – You need to determine if your staff can learn the software and then use it efficiently so that productivity isn’t negatively effected. If the CRM solution you choose is too complicated staff tends to not bother to use the CRM solution because they become frustrated. Choosing wisely will avoid this.
Functionality – It is critical that the package you choose has the functionality you need. You should be able to quickly recognize if it does or doesn’t.
As with anything doing your research and shopping around will reap the benefits. Knowing what you need means you can shop right. These 10 steps to choosing your CRM Solution for your business should make a smoother transition.
Company Strategies & Goals — When you choose a CRM solution that meets your company’s specific needs there are many factors that you need to considered. Not all CRM solutions are equal, and the small to medium businesses have different demands than those a billion dollar enterprise encounters. A cellular company that has hundreds of offices around the country won’t have the same requirements as a smaller retailer with just a couple of offices. However, far too many people still fail to consider the business objective when choosing software.
Hosted Web-based or on Premise – There are pros and cons to both in-house or hosted solutions. Most would agree that hosted CRM solutions are easier to implement, readily accessible, and much securer. However, if all of your employees don’t have regular internet access the online CRM software is not for your company.
If you have an in-house IT department that is able to support your CRM software, an on-premise solution is the way to go because this also gives you the ability to customize features specific to your business.
Budget - If your business goals have been properly defined budget needs to also be determined based on those goals. You should not base your decision on just the lowest cost because your upfront costs make up only about 30% of what your actual overall investment will be. only make up a portion of the overall investment. Budget should include costs for customizing, integrating, maintaining, deploying, and training.
Room to Grow without Constantly Upgrading – You should have your growth strategy in place before you purchase your CRM solution. Choose a vendor that will make upgrades easier and more cost effective. This is an important part of your long term decision making.
Rapid Deployment - If you host in-house it will take anywhere from 2 to 6 months to get your system up and running where as the average deployment of a hosted CRM solution is about 1 month. That’s a huge difference. Determine whether the length of deployment will have any impact on your business and choose accordingly.
Customize For Your Business Needs – There are many CRM software choices but you should always choose one that allows you to customize it to your business needs giving you a much smoother running system.
Ensure It Works with Existing Systems – You will have a much smoother transition if you choose a CRM solution that will work with existing systems. That’s because your employees will not have to deal with training on several new technologies . Choosing a CRM system that will pull data from your back office information can also help you better service your customers.
Choose a Vendor Based On Reputation – If you take the time to do your research and choose a vendor with a reputable reputation you will land up with a reliable product. Remember the most expensive isn’t always the best and the least isn’t always the worst but you need to do your research.
Choose An Interface That Meets Your Business Needs – You need to determine if your staff can learn the software and then use it efficiently so that productivity isn’t negatively effected. If the CRM solution you choose is too complicated staff tends to not bother to use the CRM solution because they become frustrated. Choosing wisely will avoid this.
Functionality – It is critical that the package you choose has the functionality you need. You should be able to quickly recognize if it does or doesn’t.
As with anything doing your research and shopping around will reap the benefits. Knowing what you need means you can shop right. These 10 steps to choosing your CRM Solution for your business should make a smoother transition.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
3 Things You Should Do To Avoid Becoming Technically Challenged
Technology is moving ahead at a break neck pace. Technology is revolutionizing the way we work, live and play. These days you can barely choose a TV without some technical knowledge. So, how can you keep it all straight and stay in the 21st century? Just remember these 3 steps.
Call technology by its name. Every person, place or thing has a name. Technology is no different. TVs are referred to as LCD or Plasma. Broadband has two implementations known as DSL or cable modem. VOIP means voice over IP. Just pick up a sales paper and read the ads to learn the jargon. Some retailers have online tutorials to bring you up to speed.
Learn what devices and gadgets are used for. What does a wireless router do? What are some related devices and accessories? A wireless router manages Internet access, network administration and security, and wireless connectivity for multiple computers. Normally, a user needs a wireless adapter if he has a wireless router. The wireless adapter allows a desktop to communicate with the wireless router. Understanding what devices do and their relation to other devices is important.
Know what device you need when you adopt technology. Suppose you are ready to build a wireless home network. You have signed up for High Speed Internet from the ISP of your choice. And you want to connect both your desktop and laptop to the Internet. What might you need to accomplish this? You guessed it. You are going to need at minimum a wireless router and wireless adapter. Now you just have to select the brand.
Now you are ready to get out there and learn more about technology. You have the tools you need to get you started. Next time you hear about latest device or gadget, remember these 3 steps. Welcome to the 21st century.
Call technology by its name. Every person, place or thing has a name. Technology is no different. TVs are referred to as LCD or Plasma. Broadband has two implementations known as DSL or cable modem. VOIP means voice over IP. Just pick up a sales paper and read the ads to learn the jargon. Some retailers have online tutorials to bring you up to speed.
Learn what devices and gadgets are used for. What does a wireless router do? What are some related devices and accessories? A wireless router manages Internet access, network administration and security, and wireless connectivity for multiple computers. Normally, a user needs a wireless adapter if he has a wireless router. The wireless adapter allows a desktop to communicate with the wireless router. Understanding what devices do and their relation to other devices is important.
Know what device you need when you adopt technology. Suppose you are ready to build a wireless home network. You have signed up for High Speed Internet from the ISP of your choice. And you want to connect both your desktop and laptop to the Internet. What might you need to accomplish this? You guessed it. You are going to need at minimum a wireless router and wireless adapter. Now you just have to select the brand.
Now you are ready to get out there and learn more about technology. You have the tools you need to get you started. Next time you hear about latest device or gadget, remember these 3 steps. Welcome to the 21st century.
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