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.