Social CRM – Who Will “Get It”?

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That would entirely depend on your definition of “get” (smile). Once Nimble is available, anybody with a credit card can “get” it. Now, what they do with it may be an entirely different matter. I have been in business to business sales since 1977. My first “CRM” had several modules. There was my “DayTimer”, my “Call Report”, and my “3×5 Card Tickler File”. These three components were utilized to create my “Sales Forecast”. In the mid to late 80’s, I was able to go electronic but the basic functions remained the same. In fact, CRM has changed little since it was first introduced. What has changed is the sophistication of the tools we are now able to deploy to accomplish our goals.

I am simply amazed by the number of professional sales people who have still not taken advantage of the tremendous benefits of having and using an effective CRM. Time is money and a good CRM saves you time and makes you money. Sure, it does a lot more than that but shouldn’t that be enough!? Everybody has a computer and, for crying out loud, you can probably get ACT! for less than $100! You can get something web based like ZOHO for $0.00. It can’t be the money. It has to be the “get”. A lot of sales and marketing people still, for whatever reasons, do not “get” CRM. I’d venture to say it’s the majority of these people.

Now along comes “Social Media”. How many “get” that? I know that I sure as hell didn’t. I thought that social media was about the stupidest thing I had ever heard of. Fortunately for me, I made the correct decision to research it and work with it before I totally dismissed it. I was also lucky to have the time available to do so. Even then, it took me at least 6 months before I even started to “get” it. If you don’t believe that (or you relate to it now), look at some of the earlier posts on my other site. How about the one entitled “Twitter Can Kiss My A …”.  I’m a B2B salesperson all the way and I can tell you that a lot of B2B folks are very much struggling with understanding, and even identifying, any value that would be associated with social media whatsoever.

So …. what are the odds that a majority of business people will “get” both “social” and “CRM” right out of the gate? Honestly, I’m thinking “not real good”. But, that’s not all bad. I used to work for a gentleman and, even when the sky “really was falling”, he would come to us and say “Guys, we have an opportunity!”. “Opportunity!!?? We’re all gonna’ die here!”. But, he was right. While most sales people (and Social CRM is not just limited to sales people) may not understand “social” and/or “CRM”, they do understand increased earnings, luxury vacations, exotic cars, and all the finer things in life that good sales people have traditionally been drawn to. They are also attracted to the phrase “less work” (smile). A good CRM will help you to reach those goals. A great Social CRM will dramatically allow you to exceed them and, therein lies our opportunity. A chance to help others get to where they want to be.

Thanks for visiting!

Craig

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Craig M. Jamieson

Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services
Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!
Craig M. Jamieson

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