CRM

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is both a system as well as a kind of tool. The meaning of CRM has completely changed in the digital era, with the emergence of dedicated CRM tools and software. At its core, customer relationship management refers to how a company interacts with potential customers to bring about conversion or ensure retention with current customers. This is done by deploying an effective suite of CRM solutions, where vital customer data is stored. This includes contact details, designations of contacts, date of contact, the state of the relationship, etc.

All About CRM tools

For a long time, CRM was considered part of the sales toolkit, instead of being within the ambit of marketing activity. However, CRM tools can give you useful data which helps to design marketing communications with the highest possibility of conversion and retention....  

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is both a system as well as a kind of tool. The meaning of CRM has completely changed in the digital era, with the emergence of dedicated CRM tools and software. At its core, customer relationship management refers to how a company interacts with potential customers to bring about conversion or ensure retention with current customers. This is done by deploying an effective suite of CRM solutions, where vital customer data is stored. This includes contact details, designations of contacts, date of contact, the state of the relationship, etc.

All About CRM tools

For a long time, CRM was considered part of the sales toolkit, instead of being within the ambit of marketing activity. However, CRM tools can give you useful data which helps to design marketing communications with the highest possibility of conversion and retention. An all-in-one CRM platform will include a contact manager, telephonic systems, email, chat, server support, and reporting. Using this, marketers can track which channels are delivering the most customers, which prospects need urgent nurturing, and how customers should be segmented for email campaigns. We discuss the basic functionalities of CRM tools here.

Getting Started with CRM

Customer relationships have transformed significantly with the rise of online transactions, and CRM has evolved in tandem. If you are new to CRM, start by reading this brief history of customer relationships, here. To succeed in this new era of customer relationship management, you need powerful software which combines CRM essentials, advanced analytics, and data visualization to give you all the insights needed to maximize each prospect/customer.

Marketers new to customer relationship management should check out Salesforce or SFDC as it’s called, one of the leading CRM providers in the world. It uses cloud-based hosting and marketing analytics to give marketers a deeper view of customer data. Hubspot too is a worthy contender, with a free solution for SMBs.

Scroll down for more on how to win the CRM game, with industry insights, case studies, and the latest news.

Category Experts

MID-MARKET GRID® REPORT FOR CRM | WINTER 2020

MID-MARKET GRID® REPORT FOR CRM | WINTER 2020

Research – Whitepaper Mar 20, 2020

CRM software (customer relationship management software), sometimes referred to as sales force automation (SFA) software, helps businesses track and manage customer interactions in a single system of record. A CRM will record interactions between a business, its prospects, and its existing customers. It will also ease those interactions by placing all ...

YOUR GO-TO GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRM FOR YOUR BUSINESS

YOUR GO-TO GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRM FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Research – Whitepaper Mar 20, 2020

Choosing the right CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software can help your organization streamline business processes and thrive, as it’s a critical asset for brands to understand their customers and increase customer lifetime value (CLV).

4 CRM Features Essential for GDPR Compliance

4 CRM Features Essential for GDPR Compliance

Felix Sebastian Founder & CEO, Termly

Articles Intermediate 3 mins read Dec 24, 2019

While the GDPR has attracted much attention in the tech world, it’s usually in the context of websites and cookies. However, it applies to any collection or processing of personal data, including on CRM software. Here’s how you can comply, says, Felix Sebastian, Managing Editor, Termly.

What We Learnt at Dreamforce 2019: Top 3 Takeaways for Marketers

What We Learnt at Dreamforce 2019: Top 3 Takeaways for Marketers

Suhasini Kirloskar Contributor, Ziff Davis B2B

Articles Basic 5 mins read Nov 27, 2019

Dreamforce 2019 showcased technologies that will impact marketing in the future. Here are the 3 key takeaways for marketers.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CRM

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CRM

Research – Whitepaper Nov 26, 2019

However, if you have an appetite for shaking things up and trying new approaches to old challenges, you’ll want to keep reading. Why? Because this guide will inspire you to take a fresh look at ways to supercharge your sales and marketing teams — and your business — by transforming your Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Key Insights to Inform the Future of Your CRM

Key Insights to Inform the Future of Your CRM

Jose Cebrian Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy, Merkle

Articles Basic 4 mins read Nov 18, 2019

In this article, Jose Cebrian will touch on the best ways to harness customer data and how to utilize that data across multiple channels, deepening the connection between marketers and customers.

What is Sales Tech? Definition, Examples and Trends

What is Sales Tech? Definition, Examples and Trends

Chitra Iyer Editor in Chief, Ziff Davis B2B

Articles Basic 10 mins read Nov 15, 2019

What you need to know about trends in sales tech for 2020 and beyond, with insights from Nancy Nardin of Smart Selling Tools.

Top 3 CRM Innovations and Themes for 2020: Time, Microservices and Good Intentions

Top 3 CRM Innovations and Themes for 2020: Time, Microservices and Good Intentions

Brent Leary Partner, CRM Essentials LLC

Articles Intermediate 7 mins read Nov 07, 2019

The winding road that makes up this year’s conference season is coming close to its end, but September - October reinforced a few themes while introducing some new ones into the mix. Here’s a few things that got my interest this time around.

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