Business
5 Reasons Why Any Successful Shopify Dropshipping Business Needs The Right CRM
Here at SaleSource we often get questions like: “Is dropshipping legal?”, “Is dropshipping dead?”, etc. It’s important to get it out of the way first – the short answer is no, dropshipping is not dead and yes, dropshipping is absolutely legal.
Next off, what is a CRM? Well, CRM stands for customer relationship management. Essentially what that means is your CRM is your customer database and your leads database, and also your business management software. So it’s really important. If you want to effectively manage your business and scale your business, you’re going to need a great tool to do so and that’s a CRM. And that’s why it’s so important to have the right CRM. So if you’re not using a CRM, if you’re using yellow pads or spreadsheets, it’s a no-brainer, you need a CRM. And if you’re using a CRM that you don’t love, maybe this article will help you identify the right CRM to use to truly grow your business.
So there’s really six points that I want to touch on to help you determine if you’re using the right CRM for your business or which CRM you might use that would be the right CRM for your small business, so let’s go through those one by one.
1. Lead management
So the first thing to look for within a CRM is the appropriate lead management tools you have for your sales team. For any small business, such as shopify stores, to grow – they really need a good convertible process with regards to taking a lead and turning it into an account, that’s your sales process. And all of the leads that you have are your lead pipeline. And so you need a sales team to be most effective to grow your business in terms of taking those leads and turning them into accounts. Well, your CRM really helps for that because CRM will allow you to do things like when somebody fills out the lead form on your website or on social media, let’s say, like on an ad, it will automatically build that contact within your CRM, automatically assign it to your sales rep, and also give them the process that they should follow in order to close that deal. Whether it’s an initial call and then seven days later an email follow-up, and then another call; you can predetermine what that needs to be and you can build that template right into your CRM so that your sales team can just follow that and close more deals. So a CRM is really, really valuable because it allows you to optimize that process so that all of your sales people are following the same process with the same piece of software system so that you can have consistent performance over time.
2. Account management or customer management
Customer management is really important because you don’t want to have a bad customer experience and you want those customers to keep coming back. So a CRM allows you to do that because it does such things as when a lead becomes a customer, it unlocks additional fields of information that can be populated by your account managers and your customer service reps, et cetera, so that you have all the information you need for all of your customers. It can also do things like send email communications automatically. So as that customer moves through their life cycle, at key points when they need certain information sent to them, instead of counting on somebody to do this manually all the time, your CRM can serve as an automated worker for you, basically, and send this messaging out in an automated way to your customer base, which is really, really powerful if you create these journeys in the right way. The CRM also has all the notes and history logs that you might have had on a client, and it pulls in all of the data and all the pieces so that you can see the full story of each customer within a CRM. So if you don’t have that right now, definitely take a look out there and see if there’s a CRM software that fits what you’re looking for with regards to customer management.
3. Task management tools
So task management, really important. Basically everybody in your company has tasks that they’re trying to accomplish every single day. And so a CRM is a great way to have that basically streamlined in a more automated way to where as certain tasks are completed, other tasks are unlocked. So it really helps you to identify the things that need to get done. I found over the years that if somebody doesn’t really have their day planned out, they’re not very efficient because they’re always spending a lot of time thinking about what to do next, instead of just having tasks organized for them so they can come in and just start knocking them out one after the next. So a CRM allows you to think proactively because you can create these tasks for different leads you’re talking to, for different customers you’re working with, you can schedule them out so that you’re always building out your future plans of what needs to get done proactively so that when that day comes into today, I have the things that I need to do right in front of me and it keeps a log of all of this for me automatically within the CRM so that I always have a history of what’s been done.
4. Project management tools
The fourth thing to look for within a CRM is the appropriate project management tools that you might need. So you always have these little side projects going on, right? Whether it’s something you’re personally doing, or something for a customer, it could be a project you’re doing for a customer, it could just be something you’re doing yourself because you just want to do some self-development or something like that. Within a CRM, you should be able to create a project with different stages within it and tasks that need to be accomplished within each of those stages. And then you can use those templates moving forward if you wanted to, maybe it’s a project that you typically do for customers over and over again, right. Maybe it’s like a kitchen remodel, you need to do these things whenever there’s a kitchen remodel, it’s like a checklist, it’s a no-brainer. So if that’s a service that you provide, every time you have a new customer that needs a kitchen remodel, you just add that project to it and then your team can start working on it. This is really effective because it allows you to streamline and make sure that you have all of the checklists or processes built out ahead of time for all of your projects. And then if you ever need to add a stage or add a step, when you do that, it immediately is added to all the other projects because it’s a template. And so it really helps your whole team make sure that nothing gets missed along the way.
5. Company calendar
Company calendars are really nice because it helps you just see what’s going on at the company level with regards to all the events, things coming up, different customers that you’re interacting with for the day, that kind of a thing. So we all have our personal calendar usually in our email whether it’s in Gmail or those things, and that’s really good. What I’m talking about here though is a company calendar. As a team, you want to be able to see what the rest of the team is doing, and so a CRM is nice because the calendar there shows you from a business perspective what’s going on for the day for not just you but you can toggle and you can say, hey, show me everything that, all the events happening today for my whole team. And that helps you identify what’s going on as an organization, especially if you’re a manager, so you can make sure that you’re effectively managing your team appropriately.
Business
Designing Secure Commercial Spaces Without Compromising Aesthetics
In the realm of commercial design, security and aesthetics often seem like opposing forces. Business owners and designers alike grapple with the challenge of creating spaces that not only captivate and inspire but also ensure the safety and security of assets and occupants. The good news is that integrating security features into commercial spaces without sacrificing visual appeal is entirely achievable. This blog post will delve into innovative design strategies that harmonise security with aesthetics, including a look at the best deadlocks for front doors in Australia, ensuring your commercial space is both beautiful and fortified.
Embracing Technology for Seamless Security
Modern technology offers a plethora of options for discreet yet effective security measures. For instance, advanced surveillance systems can be integrated into the architectural design in a way that they blend seamlessly with the environment. Smart locks and biometric access controls offer robust security without the clunky hardware, maintaining a sleek and modern aesthetic. Implementing these technologies not only elevates the security level of your commercial space but does so without disrupting its design flow.
Strategic Use of Materials and Design Elements
The choice of materials and design elements plays a crucial role in balancing security and aesthetics. High-strength materials such as tempered or laminated glass, for example, offer excellent security without compromising on the visual openness that glass provides. Similarly, incorporating natural barriers like decorative boulders or planters can serve as subtle physical deterrents while enhancing the space’s visual appeal.
Lighting: A Dual-Purpose Tool
Lighting is another powerful tool that serves both aesthetic and security purposes. Well-planned lighting can highlight architectural features and create a welcoming atmosphere while ensuring visibility and deterring unauthorised access after hours. Motion-sensor lighting, in particular, can be a discreet addition that enhances security without detracting from the design.
The Role of Deadlocks in Aesthetic Security
A critical aspect of securing any commercial space is the choice of locks, especially for front doors which are the primary entry and exit points. Deadlocks offer a high level of security, making them an essential feature for commercial spaces. However, selecting the right deadlock doesn’t mean you have to settle for a utilitarian look. Today, the market offers a variety of deadlock designs that complement any aesthetic, from modern minimalist to classic elegance. For those in Australia, choosing the best deadlocks for front doors involves considering both the security features and how the lock’s design integrates with your commercial space’s overall look.
Collaboration Between Security Experts and Designers
Achieving a balance between security and aesthetics often requires a collaborative approach. Security experts and interior designers need to work hand in hand from the early stages of the design process. This collaboration ensures that security measures are not afterthoughts but are integrated into the design in a way that complements the space’s aesthetic appeal.
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Designing secure commercial spaces without compromising aesthetics is not only possible but essential in today’s world. Remember, the goal is to integrate security seamlessly into the design, enhancing the user experience and ensuring peace of mind for both business owners and visitors. With thoughtful planning and collaboration, your commercial space can be a testament to the harmony that can exist between security and aesthetics.
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