Evaluate

Consultant help for CRM software evaluation and selection

Paul Greenberg discusses the benefits of using a consultant during a company's CRM selection process in this expert tip and gives advice on what to look for in a consultant.

Paul Greenberg, The 56 Group

Published: 10 Oct 2006

What's your take on using consultants for a CRM evaluation? We're trying to decide if it's worthwhile to hire someone to help with our selection process, or if it makes more sense for us to evaluate our options in-house, since we know better what we need. We are just not sure if we have the time to devote to the evaluation process ourselves, since many of our employees are already stretched thin with other commitments.

I'm huge on bringing on consultants for the CRM evaluation. But there are a number of things to consider. First, on your side, whether you have a clear strategy, program for execution of that strategy and the culture change associated with it and thus the processes that need to be changed or added or eliminated to make you a customer-centric company. THEN it's time for evaluation of CRM applications/services.

If you had a consultant to help you with your strategy, then work with them or someone they recommend so that there...

Step 2 of 2:

You forgot to provide an Email Address.

This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

This email address is already registered. Please login.

You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.
- I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.
- I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.

is continuity in the thinking and collaboration between you and the existing consultants and anyone new. If not, and you developed all those other items on the agenda in house and know what they are, bring in a consultant who not only understands features and functions, but has relationships in the industry and understands the companies that are providing the CRM technology. As I've said since day one in CRM, "When you buy the applications, you buy the vendor." Plus, a consultant who can work with you to understand what you're going to need will also be able to work with the companies to get you the best deal possible both in price and in relationship.

Yes, you do know better what you need, but a consultant knows better how to get it and who provides it, so there is a good marriage there. I would stick to a consultant who knows not just the technology, but the players at the companies and how to access them.

Dig Deeper on CRM strategy and implementation

Consulting firm saves thousands by billing in the cloud Consulting and outsourcing company Xoomworks claims to be making savings of over £10,000 a year, after introducing a cloud-based system to track its consultant’s billable hours.

Cautious middle managers avoiding social media CRM consultant Denis Pombriant shares a surprising result from his recent survey: Some managers have reasons to steer clear of social media.

Selecting software consultants A former ERP consultant explains how to choose the right consultant for an ERP deployment project.

Demystifying the information security consultant selection process Finding the right information security consultant is a boon for organizational security. We consult India's top CISOs to discover the optimal means to select an IT security consultant.

Five best practices for working with CRM consultants Working with a CRM consultant can be challenging, but qualified consultants are a valuable asset for a CRM implementation or upgrade project. We've outlined five best practices to help you form successful relationships with your CRM consultants and system integration partners.

How big is demand for SAP CRM consultants? What is the demand for SAP CRM consultants in the UK?

Have a question for an expert?

Please add a title for your question

Get answers from a TechTarget expert on whatever's puzzling you.

Meet all of our Customer Experience experts

View all Customer Experience questions and answers

Please create a username to comment.

New capabilities added to Alfresco Governance Services

Top 5 Office 365 skills for SharePoint administrators

Box cloud content management helps simplify digital work

CPaaS market evolves to meet changing business needs

Zoom Chat update takes vendor further beyond video

Enhancing communications with a UC-contact center integration

Top database cloud migration considerations for enterprises

Amazon cloud database and data analytics expand

Vendors move away from open source database software licensing

How GE uses a 'Humble AI' approach to manufacturing

AWS, NFL machine learning partnership looks at player safety

AI in networking helps keep systems running

Epicor ERP system focuses on distribution

5 ERP implementation best practices CIOs should know

Digital transformation strategy: 6 steps for success

Dig Deeper on CRM strategy and implementation

Related Q&A from Paul Greenberg

Have a question for an expert?

Start the conversation

0 comments

Register

Login

Forgot your password?

Your password has been sent to:

Please create a username to comment.