CRM Success Tips Blog

Often when firms embark on implementing a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system, the primary motivation is to have centralized contacts and lists so they can send clients and prospects newsletters, alerts, thought leadership pieces and/or event invitations. Significant effort and expense go into choosing and implementing the right CRM, but sometimes less consideration goes into the selection of the email delivery tool, known as an eMarketing or marketing automation system. In fact, because these systems are (or should be) tightly integrated, the consideration of one system typically should not be made without the other. When exploring the two systems, here are a few features and other things to consider. Bi-directional Synchronization Data

But Is Outsourcing Marketing Technology Right for Your Firm? There are many factors to consider before deciding to outsource CRM,  eMarketing or Data Quality functions. To help determine if outsourcing marketing technology support is right for you, consider these four questions: Why are you thinking of outsourcing? If your existing staff is too busy with day-to-day tasks, processes and requests to focus on more strategic initiatives or goals, or if gaps in knowledge are preventing you from realizing the benefits of your marketing and business development technology systems, your team could likely reap a significant return from outsourcing. What are the short-term and long-term goals you want to achieve or problems you

But Is Outsourcing Marketing Technology Right for Your Firm? Smart leaders are always looking for ways to make their firms more efficient and profitable. Outsourcing some administrative functions, especially in areas involving some of  the technologies that support marketing and business development, can be an excellent option to improve operational efficiencies, enhance business development and ultimately increase profitability. Three areas that are particularly well-suited to outsourcing marketing technology support are management of the firm’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and eMarketing systems and cleaning and maintaining the firm’s data. All three of these roles can be particularly challenging in a professional services firm. While this technology is critical to support the firm’s marketing

The Honeymoon Once a firm is ready to begin the marketing technology implementation, it’s important to focus on doing everything possible to ensure that the initial “honeymoon period” of the technology rollout is blissful. One way to do this is to start small. Begin by finding a pilot group of attorneys who could really benefit from using  the technology. Look for a group with a strong, committed leader and an interest in marketing or business development. Spend some quality time talking to the group to get to know their desires. Are there problems they want solved, processes they want automated or information they need access to? Adopt and adapt the technology to

The Perfect Partner/Provider The beauty of technology is that it can do so many things. The problem with technology is… it can do so many things. But for technology to succeed, it has to satisfy a need. So, it can be a mistake to fall for any type of technology too quickly.  Frequently, firms get infatuated with the latest and greatest software without fully investigating other options, or more importantly, really understanding their unique requirements. Because each firm is unique, technology selection should start with a needs assessment. Interviews should be conducted with key stakeholders to determine how the technology can really help them. It’s important to focus on people, processes and

As states across the country consider lifting restrictions and allowing business and other activities to resume, many businesses are anticipating what operations will look like in the weeks, months and even years to come. What does #TheNewNormal mean for your own team and your clients? Here is what we are hearing from our clients, along with a few predictions of our own. It’s Not Business as Usual Firms of all sizes are instituting cost-cutting measures in the form of salary reductions, layoffs and furloughs. Some partners are also being asked to defer distributions and forego bonuses and even contribute capital. Almost every firm has imposed a hiring freeze. Many summer associate programs

While CRM systems are essential to assist in communicating effectively and coordinating your responses and outreach during this crisis, there are also a number of other supporting technologies that you can invest in and leverage to support your organization in its outreach and business development efforts at this challenging time. ERM Systems It is important to ensure that the right people in your organization are responsible for reaching out to every relevant contact. While many firms have tasked relationship or billing professionals with this outreach, these are not always the people with the most significant day-to-day interactions with some clients. Additionally, their relationships may be with people who are not the right