It is often assumed that all CRM systems are made roughly equal: they all collect and store client data and enable you to manage that data quickly and easily - keeping your sales and customer service staff updated with the latest developments in the status of individual customers.
More advanced systems have automated email marketing systems with mail-merged contact data - e.g. Dear firstname lastname, etc., an appointment/follow-up diary, phone call logging, statement & invoice management, the ability to add customized fields, and various ways to query and recall data held in the database.
However, what businesses tend to focus a lot on is how that data is stored and managed - not whether it is possible for the CRM system to automate their sales and marketing processes. This is termed an Active CRM system.
Think of it like this: if you installed the software you are looking at buying on your computer and walked away for a year - never touching it, what would it have done for your business? Almost every offline (i.e. not Internet based) CRM system is Passive - i.e. requires your manual intervention for anything to happen. At best you may be able to set-up a series of emails to be sent at predetermined dates, but because your clients cannot directly interact with your system, it still remains passive.
If on the other hand your system was able to actively interact with your clients, changing their status when the client buys something or makes an inquiry, ensuring that their contact details are kept up-to-date as they change - how much more useful would this be to you?
If you could configure it to literally automate your sales and marketing, then imagine the possibilities: regular and reliable cash-flow, no more lost opportunities and ultimately a more salable business. And the cost to you? More free time!
The Woogloo CRM system has been designed to be totally Active - enabling you to automate almost every part of your sales and marketing - including regular client follow-ups and reminders.
If you want to know more about our CRM system or any of our plug-ins, please contact your Reseller or Woogloo for more information and a demonstration.
Source: Dream: Profound Insights For Creating Business Success by Terrence Bull