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There are so many do-it-yourself (DIY) projects online. From gardening and housekeeping to arts and crafts, there’s no shortage of helpful guides and tips. The possibilities truly are endless!
What about something like CRM system integration though? Well, I have a really big tip for you, in that regard:
Don’t ever do it yourself.
There are a lot (and I mean a lot) of reasons why we stand by this statement, which I’m going to share with you.
Mistakes are dirty AND costly
Whoever has had to clean up a mess made worse by a DIY attempt, raise your hand.
If you’re one of those people who raised your hand, I see you and feel you. Cleaning up messes, especially the technology kind, is never fun. Not to mention it can cost you in several ways!
An improperly implemented CRM system done DIY style can lead to so much trouble. One minute the software can be working, and then the next minute it’s not. Missed deadlines can become more frequent, miscommunication in the software can send your staff scrambling, and more. Plus, imagine the money spent on the software only to realize it wasn’t integrated properly in the first place!
Almost every kind of DIY project involves the risk of making mistakes. Yes, mistakes are a part of the learning process, but there’s a huge difference between a mistake made in an arts and crafts idea gone wrong and a CRM system that’s improperly integrated. The end result of both, however, is exactly the same: a big, unpleasant, and worst of all expensive mistake you’re forced to clean up.
A consultant studies CRM systems all the time in order to understand their kinks, their downfalls, and their benefits. They realize the cost of cleaning up a mess after the fact, because they’ve been there. As I mentioned, mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Thankfully, a specialist knows what to avoid when integration is needed.
No two systems are alike—neither are the learning curves
As I mentioned in our previous blog post “How to Choose a CRM System for Your Business,” no software for customer relationship management is alike. Your needs for one system are also going to be different from those of other companies. Likewise, the ability to learn new features post-integration is going to differ from one person to another.
It takes some real time and focus to learn how any kind of brand new software works. Why apply a DIY thought process to it?
By DIY thought process I mean a train of thought that involves a one-size-fits-all approach. The thing about DIY projects is they are intentionally designed and then provided to cater to certain people. These people are interested in trying new things to make life easier.
Let me tell you though: technology is really not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, one system you may think will help solve all your problems may end up becoming your worst nightmare. All because you wanted to take the easy way out.
DIY CRM can mean extra legwork you can’t afford to learn, especially if you’ve already got more than enough to chew on at work. Maybe using technology isn’t even your strong suit, or your weakness lies in organization, or you struggle with the little details while big picture thinking—all of which are skills that can make or break your new system’s effectiveness.
The silver lining to this reason is that many tutorials do exist online. You only need to look up big names like Hubspot and Asana to find out that each company features their own lineup of videos, guides, and helpful hints for business owners.
However, a CRM consultant goes the extra mile in this regard. They’ll dive deep into how best to use each CRM system that’s out there, even putting in the effort and cost it takes to access every feature available.
That’s the kind of dedication we have to offering you proper implementation and installation. You won’t get any of that by doing it yourself. Why not let us help turn your learning curves into a straightforward line?
Information overload is real
You know that groggy feeling you get when you look up from your phone after scrolling through your social media for a while? It’s the same sensation you can get from being exposed to article after article while looking for information you need. It’s also a more relevant and modern problem we have today that’s called information overload.
You and your employees are exposed to information daily at your jobs—it can’t be helped. That being said, adding the task of learning how to use a whole new CRM system on top of daily tasks may be tipping the plate over, even if it’s with good intention.
In contrast, a specialist focuses primarily on each CRM system as part of their own work, so they stay on top of what business owners need to know about it the most. To us, navigating our ways through each CRM system isn’t information overload—far from it. It’s our passion to know how each system works and how best it can be integrated into your current setup for software and how you run your business.
You may just not have the time
Time is money, and I know you may not have that much of either to spare. Being a business owner isn’t easy. And if your business is a brand new one, you may be feeling especially tempted to rely on free help. This could mean having a neighbour or friend to help get tech things set up as a favour to you, or you want to start with a freemium version of a CRM system.
There’s just one tiny problem with these ideas: they’re terrible.
Here’s the thing: you may think hiring a consultant is its own waste of time and money, but I assure you it’s absolutely worth every penny. You’ll not only save time by asking for professional help, you’ll also be saving money in the long run because your system will be integrated by someone who knows enough that they can tell you if there’s a hiccup with your plan long before it happens. The hiccups could include email integration, software incompatibility, and budgeting to name a few.
At the end of the day, ask yourself: why settle on DIY and deal with a mess after, when you can hire someone who knows what they’re doing and get a system integrated smoothly?
When you really look at it closely, hiring a specialist just makes more sense.
Okay…when should I hire a CRM consultant?
Anytime! Whether you’re deciding on a new system or you need help with your current one, hiring a CRM specialist can take some weight off your shoulders. Not only can they help with implementation, but also they’ll know how to properly install the system and even provide you and your staff with further training.
Leave everything DIY at the arts and crafts table. It’s time to start bringing some good growth and profit to your company.
Drop me a line! Let’s talk more about professionally done CRM integration!