The Psychology of a Year-End Function

As the end of the year rolls around, most people are planning their family holidays (if they are lucky enough to be going away) and deciding what to get the kiddies for Christmas. But there are those few people in each company who will be running around planning the year-end function.

Pictures of the Synergy Group Staff Function held on 25 November 2011

Regardless of whether it’s a spit braai, weekend away in the bush, masked ball or picnic in the park, these year-end celebrations are of extreme importance. For a number of reasons.

Firstly, a year-end function is one way for the powers that be to thank their staff for their efforts and hard work throughout the year. Recognition makes worker bees happy.

Secondly, a year-end function is usually a free day off, and from time to time, we all need one of those.

Thirdly, year-end functions are an opportunity for networking and interactionbetween staff members who don’t usually get the chance to mingle. It fosters an atmosphere of camaraderie and allows colleagues to get to know and understand each other better. Thus, allowing them to work together better.

Year-end functions are those little things that need to become an institution. It should be illegal to not throw one, because they certainly are a lot of fun. And there’s nothing better than a good laugh.

Through Good Times and Bad Times, CRM Will be by Your Side Forevermore…

 

The best Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution out there can be used for customer retention marketing too. This means that in good times, you can happily manage your sales drives and marketing whilst getting new clients and keeping existing ones happy. And in bad times, CRM will cushion the blow and stretch your buck.

Want to know how? It’s about working smarter, not just harder. You do this by getting more out of your established clients, identifying and concentrating on your best customers, keeping your existing customers loyal, and targeting your customer development efforts.

Wanna know what all that means? Well, I’ll be available to unpack it further later. I accept payment in the form of tequila shots. Kidding. I much prefer vodka.

But, seriously, it’s not that scary. And actually pretty logical when you think about it.

How do you get the most out of your established clients? There are always opportunities to sell to your existing clients. CRM will help you utilise the most effective techniques specific to your clients to sell them the right thing at the right time. Collecting, storing and analysing data in CRM allows you to develop the ideal sales strategy. And away you go.

Identifying and concentrating on your best customers comes down to knowing which customers are worth more. Obviously, they’re all important, but by allocating your sales efforts accordingly you can maximise what you get out. CRM can help you determine which clients to focus on when. In really is that simple.

Keeping your existing customers loyal is always a solid gold investment. There is never a bad time to increase customer loyalty. As we’ve already discussed in a previous post, happy customers = happy company. CRM allows you to over deliver – every time. Especially, because you can analyse exactly what a client needs.

Targeting your customer development efforts is all about lead analysis and, basically, hunting where the ducks are. CRM can show you where the ducks are hiding and where a potential client is in the buy cycle – allowing you to concentrate your efforts.

A CRM solution is the best companion for when business is booming, but also for those times when the economy starts to get a little shaky. Keep your business on the happy side of the fence with CRM.

ClientCare/ Software Assurance/ Support Plus… Still Useful by Any Other Name

Whatever it is known by, ClientCare (or Support Plus or Software Assurance) is a vital plug that fills a gap in any business that runs a Sage ERP business solution.

The thing with software is that it is constantly being worked on and improved. Whilst this is a fantastic thing for technology and progress, it’s also a hassle if the version just before the updated edition has been bought, installed and implemented.

Who needs the aggravation, right? WRONG. There is no aggravation involved if you have a ClientCare contract in place…

Firstly, if your contract is up to date, you are automatically entitled to the latest releases of the software for the specific modules used. Secondly, a current ClientCare contract provides you with long-term security that all upgrades that fall within the 12 months of the contract are supplied at no cost. Thirdly, ClientCare is, technically, a maintenance contract for your software, so you get added value on your investment because you receive all the enhancements to your system as well as peace of mind regarding the availability of product support.

So, do you still think paying a nominal fee (18% of the total software amount) at the beginning of each year for ClientCare is an unnecessary annoyance? Think again…

And the Countdown Begins…

The fifth day of December hails the countdown to the start of many things: 20 days until Christmas (for those who celebrate), 18 days until most people go on leave, 15 days until the start of Hanukkah, zero days until the Islamic observation of Ashura, and 26 days until the start of 2012.

That’s 26 days to decide on your new year’s resolutions and come up with a plan on how to actually stick to them.

Our resolution for the coming year is to take over the world, but not in a Pinky and the Brain kind of way. We much prefer the kill them with kindness approach, so our plan for 2012 is to help as many people, animals and charity organisations as we possibly can. Not only with money, but with our time and any skills we have that may be put to use.

26 more sleeps until Operation World Domination commences…

The Importance of Being a CRM-er

A CRM-er, before we get down to it, is a person or company who has made the wise decision of using a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solution to enhance their business.

To become a CRM-er, one would need to fully understand how a software solution that manages relationships can enhance business. But first you have to embrace positive change and be prepared for your business to accelerate, simply because a CRM solution that is worth its weight in salt will increase customer retention, competitive advantage, efficiency and company profits, help improve customer service through building and maintaining relationships, and streamline the sales process.

Now that the criteria for joining the CRM club have been discussed, the next real question to answer is WHY? Why should a company join the club? Why is it so important to be a CRM-er?

To put it simply, being a CRM-er is of vital importance for any business that wants existing clients to be happy and new clients to join in their droves. No matter what line of business you are in, you will never succeed without happy, shiny customers.

Knowing how to maximise your business potential ties in tightly with knowing what’s on your customers’ (long standing, newly new and potential) minds. A CRM solution is the all-seeing eye into your customers’ preferences, opinions, wants and dislikes. Happy client = happy company.

Customer Relationship Management is important – there is no other way around this. It is a fact of life.

Google Goodies: The Cure for Boredom

If you feel the tendrils of ennui* creeping in and slowly wrapping themselves around your brain, turn to Google. Google is your friend.

Not only can you search until your heart is content (and educate yourself about some very random topics), but Google have created some really cool things that will keep you entertained with their brilliance. 

Search the word "askew" or "tilt" in the Google search bar. 

How cool is that?

If that isn't enough to bring you back from the edge of darkness, search "do a barrel roll" in Google. 

It doesn't get much better than that. Well played, Google. Well played. 

*PS: If you didn't already know, and haven't yet Googled it, "ennui" is extreme boredom.

Synergy Does Good with Little Eden

It is a sad reality that most children with intellectual disabilities live in isolation and social exclusion and do not have adequate access to healthcare, education, training and stimulation – the very things they so desperately need.

Little Eden is a foundation that is made up of a collection of inspirational people who believe that each person is deserving of respect and dignity as a human being and should not experience any prejudice or injustice because of their disabilities. 

The kiddies at Little Eden may never be able to walk, run, dress themselves or become productive members of society, but that doesn’t stop the staff from doing everything in their power to develop these special people to their fullest potential. Providing them with supporting programmes and therapies, they do what they can to make the kids’ lives as meaningful as possible whilst, at the same time, developing the community’s awareness to the plight of these extraordinary children.

Synergy Group, in our endeavour to assist wherever we can, has made a donation to Little Eden that will go towards helping as many children as possible. Liz Regenass, C.S.I Manager of Synergy Group, will also be attending their Christmas function to meet the kids, give them gifts and spend some quality time with them. She concludes, “I am really looking forward to this event and getting to know the Little Eden family”.

Reading Media

This is not a post about the different types of media out there; apart from the fact that there are so many, it’s also been done before. Many, many times. Rather, this post is about the media industry and the type of business solution best suited to constantly-evolving, vibrant media and publishing houses.

Straight up, this is not a sales pitch. This is an information piece; we’re sharing the details of the ideal business solution. Because, let’s face it, there is a plethora of solution information with which the media powers that be are bombarded.

It’s a fact that any solution provider should be able to “read” the needs of the media industry and ensure said solution meets these needs – and surpasses all other expectations.

Sage ERP X3 addresses the unique, and very specific, needs of the industry, and is also completely customisable to cover anything else desired. Add to that the fundamental basics of the solution (from contract management and complex rate card management to deadline-driven publication run management, high-volume transaction and workflow management) and everything is covered. 

So, the media get into everything; they’re everywhere and affect the way people live, think and consume. That much responsibility must be managed effectively – with minimal hassle. Booya to Sage ERP X3.

Why Managed Services?

Because Managed Services is the shizz-nizz… and is, basically, a maintenance plan that guarantees priority service in a predictable and affordable manner. That’s why.

When there’s a service delivery doo-dah that shifts responsibility to the MS provider and focus to business processes, and still manages costs, you must know you’re on to a good thing. 

The Managed Services model is extremely efficient: remote technology use, reduced costs, aligned business interests for the provider and the customer (generally, you), price predictability (no surprises), and service predictability. Throw in the guaranteed quality and reliability of Managed Services and the end result is a long-term relationship and a trouble-free network.

Still not convinced? How about washing your hands of complexity and chaos? Managed Services is a sophisticated little number that takes the difficulties of technology decisions, upgrades, and strategies (plus all that other stuff already discussed) and deals with it. 

Managed Services = no more hassles. 

Do you need more convincing? Read up about the differences between Managed Services and traditional IT maintenance here.

Knowing Me, Knowing You… But More Knowing You

The media industry, that dynamic, constantly-evolving monster that infiltrates every crevice of our existence, needs a solution as flexible as a Russian gymnastics squad to keep up with the constantly-evolving tastes and opinions of the market (i.e. EVERYONE).

A CRM solution that can do a backward bend, touch its toes without bending its knees and do the splits (all at once) is the only way to go. A solution of the necessary degree of suppleness must, without warming up, be able to:

·         Integrate with existing operational systems for advertising and circulation management.

·         Boost revenue across publications by analysing and understanding spending patterns.

·         Provide a 360° view of the business.

·         Streamline and optimise all marketing, profiling and sales activities.

·         Define target demographics in order to increase circulation.

A CRM solution that can do all of that will be the cornerstone for media and publishing houses to learn more about, and therefore understand, their customers. Understanding your customers, and giving them what they want, makes for happy customers. Which will make you happy.

Granite Mining: The Force Continues

Granite mines have unique challenges that need to be addressed by an ERP solution that accelerates business and bridges the gap between financial and production information. Another challenge is exploring and finding just such a solution.

In a previous post, the breakdown of the essentials that make up the ideal business solution for the granite mining industry were discussed (not in too much detail, because what would be the point of cutting and pasting the brochure to a blog?) and there is a solution out there that meets all these requirements.  

Sage ERP X3 for Granite Mining is, undeniably, a solution that you should investigate further. When comparing industry-specific solutions, running any other options against Sage ERP X3 will highlight the ideal mix of features to run your business - your way.