The Synergy Post

The last of the BIG three

Finally, we have come to the end of our informative articles on the three most important things for a CEO to look for when trying to find the perfect ERP system.

Let us refresh those memories a little. Firstly we had agility. We all know by now that agility is the ability to move with the times, being able to change your tactics and techniques as you realise that there is a change in your target market, or even when you want to explore a different target market completely.

Secondly we had productivity. Productivity is the driving force behind every successful business. It is all about reaching goals and targets within your business, ensuring returns on your investments. Money, money, money, that is what productivity is all about. At the same time remember to keep the company’s moral standards and the employees’ best interest at heart while striving for productivity.

Responsiveness

And here it is, better late than never, responsiveness.

According to Wikipedia responsiveness is the ability of a system or functional unit to complete assigned tasks within a given time. This would refer to a ‘sort of’ artificial intelligence. I love those words. What a brilliant reference to the ideal ERP system (artificial intelligence).

How can responsiveness help your business?

So responsiveness is the ability of a company to react fast and quick to any request or problem that can occur within your business. Let’s put it this way, a client phones enquiring about a certain product or service. What next? This is all fine and well and it means that the awareness of your company is present. But what happens if you don’t have a system in place to track the call, or log the client’s details into a system? Will you know to phone them back and do a follow up, or not? The post it will get lost amongst the rest of the clutter.

It all starts with a phone call

The ideal ERP system will have the functionality that makes it easy to track clients and functions to see what action needs to be taken next. Logging of calls, follow up calls, emergency calls and helpline calls can and will assure responsiveness. Why? You will be one step ahead the whole time and you will know what action needs to be taken next.

Keeping your existing clients

After all the hard work has been done to create sales and closing deals it is essential for businesses to keep their clients happy.  As mentioned in a previous article, the ideal ERP system will consist of a CRM system that is ideal for follow ups or drip marketing. This type of system will ensure that you keep all info on your existing customers and it is easier to evaluate what additional or other products or services will be beneficial to your clients. Responsiveness is pushed to another level, because you will always be one step ahead in knowing your clients’ specific needs.

Artificial Intelligence?

I think after all our articles on the ideal ERP system is it safe to say that it can be seen as an artificial intelligence. (Almost like having a resident Albert Einstein, except that you don’t have to pay for his medical.) These systems can do absolutely anything and in some cases even make coffee. (Really, it can – if we want to get technical, we can go into ERP for Process Manufacturing – but we’ll leave it for another day.)  When you are looking for a little more intelligence in your organisation, always look for an ERP system that promotes agility, productivity and responsiveness.