Choosing a CRM System is Not Easy
This interesting article on Forbes likens the experience of buying a CRM system to that of making a garden hose purchase. There are too many garden hoses to choose from and, likewise, too many CRM systems.
According to the story, unless you’re in the CRM business you’ll be just as clueless when it comes time to research CRM applications.
“The other day I went into Home Depot to purchase a garden hose. Ever do this? All I wanted was a simple garden hose. Except it wasn’t so simple. I found that Home Depot actually sold dozens of different types of garden hoses. There are fifty foot hoses and hundred foot hoses. There are hoses on wheels. There are vinyl hoses and rubber hoses. There are hoses made by Flexogen, Craftsmen and Teknor. And the prices range from $11 to $82. This is the problem with our society. There are too many garden hoses to choose from.
“This experience taught me what it feels like when a small business owner is looking for the right hosted Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for his business. There are dozens of good CRM applications on the market today. Just like there are dozens of good hoses available for sale at Home Depot. Unless you’re a full time gardener you’re really not going to know which is the best hose for your needs. And unless you’re in the CRM business you’ll be just as clueless when it comes time to research CRM applications.”
