Aug 05 2011

Preview of CRM Evolution 2011 Bootcamp

My 3-part CRM Executive Bootcamp at CRM Evolution 2011 (August 8-10, NYC) will review how CRM, Social CRM and Social Media are changing the way that companies successfully realize their customer-centric strategies.  The bootcamp breaks the discussion into core success components including:

·         Process: We dig into key process areas including how to secure the effective use of sales pipeline management, how to create new digital marketing processes, how to effectively utilize social media to lower customer support costs
·         People: We review key change management topics to include creating an effective CRM Communications Plan, creating a CRM Training Plan, securing Executive Sponsorship, creating the  optimal CRM governance structure, putting into place meaningful rewards and incentives to drive high CRM user adoption, and creating meaningful CRM metrics
·         Technology: We examine how organizations are utilizing the new CRM technologies – especially in the areas of sales, digital marketing, social-media based support, mobile CRM, and Social CRM – to deepen customer relationships by creating two-way dialogues with customers/prospects

Attendees of the bootcamp will learn some of these core takeaways:

·         Social CRM is built on the CRM foundation and integrates the social customer into CRM profiles and activities
·         Social CRM cannot take place without meaningful social media communities
·         Sales 2.0 tools, especially in the area of lead qualification, are welcomed additions to a sales person’s toolbox
·         Digital marketing is at its infancy; the new tools including predictive modeling are poised to take digital marketing to new heights
·         Social media tools, when properly implemented, will continue to drive down customer support costs
·         New business analytics tools are providing deep insight into enhanced decision making and must become a core component of every successful CRM initiative

Looking forward to the interactive session next week. What’s your take?

Tags: , , , Posted by - Barton Goldenberg @ 8:28 am


Jul 08 2011

Social CRM – Tapping into the Emotional Side of the Customer

Recently, I spoke as the closing keynote at the Sales 2.0 Conference in Boston. Throughout the conference and even at past conferences I have attended and/or presented, the question still remains – Does Social CRM really apply to sales? Or is it a marketing and customer service tool that doesn’t really benefit sales?

The answer is simple. Social CRM is a very powerful sales application that sales organizations need to embrace as an extension of their core CRM solutions. When a sales professional goes out to sell, they utilize lead management, contact management and other information gathered during discussions with the customer/prospect to create basic customer profiles that also integrate transactional systems data such as previous purchasing history and customer service records. But, by using those solutions alone, organizations and professionals alike are missing the emotional side of the customer relationship – only gained by Social CRM.

What better insights for a sales representative trying to get to know a potential or existing customer than those found on social networks – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or online communities via Social CRM. We all know that social media is the preferred means of communication. Why not tap into that power, capture its emotion and consequently gather ideas for innovation and enable customers to help each other with user communities.

Tags: , , , Posted by - Barton Goldenberg @ 9:28 am