Welcome To pfireStorm

Using CRM Software Effectively


By Matthew J. Boyle


Creating Leverage for Growth

CRM software should be more than an electronic address book. A good CRM platform is the central point for leveraging the relationship intelligence possessed by all members of a firm. In addition to storing contact information, some CRM packages, such as ContactEase by Cole Valley (www.colevalley.com), track myriad details to help increase business and revenue while reducing time spent on marketing endeavors.

There are two avenues to pursue when using CRM software to grow a firm: increasing business from current clients, and obtaining new clients. The first step is to understand the firm’s current clients; their additional needs, and how their satisfaction and service can be improved. Once input is complete, the firm can evaluate the type and volume of work done for any given client—a snapshot of current and prior work. That information can then be analyzed to determine options for providing additional services.

Personal information about clients and prospects should be tracked as well, including clients’ interests and hobbies. Keeping track of birthdays, expectant mothers, and who is caring for an elderly parent helps staff remember to make appropriate inquiries of interest about personal situations when speaking or meeting with that client.

When all contact with clients is tracked in the database, a tab or section will show a user what everyone in the firm has done regarding a specific client. If a holiday card was sent, that should be noted. If a survey was sent, responses should be tracked. If a partner has had lunch with that client, that should be tracked as well. The text of e-mail sent to a client should be accessible through the CRM file, and so on.

A CRM system can provide accurate background information to facilitate account-staff turnovers and other transitions. When bringing a staff accountant up to date, tracking the entire history of the client is vital. Any staff member can be brought up to speed without a briefing from those who have previously assisted that customer.

Second, CRM software can help the marketing department track metrics on all aspects of the individuals and companies in the database. For example, running analysis on a client’s geographical location can pinpoint areas to pursue. Entire marketing strategies can be defined through the metrics extrapolated by the software.

CRM can lead to increased efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability of information when sending out newsletters, tax alerts, and other mailings. Instead of needing weeks to prepare for a prospect mailing, CRM software can compile and track all mailing lists, saving time and money. Following through by tracking potential leads or new business resulting from mailings in the database provides an advantage to the firm on competitive intelligence and gives guidance for the next round of marketing.

Information about new business that results from a referral should be tracked as well. The entire firm then knows not only which client is affiliated with which partner, but also which banker or which attorney. The firm should also track incoming recommendations, so that business can be referred back and the firm can maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with other professionals.

Flexible CRM software allows for modifications that will enhance the pursuit of business. The firm’s IT specialists should modify the software or create new processes for updating information in the database. For example, e-mail requests that include a link to the CRM database can be sent out to clients, allowing the recipient to type in responses to questions correlating to certain information in their files, essentially updating their own information. This improves data quality because it limits the chance of errors on the part of the firm.


Matthew J. Boyle is director of marketing at Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico, LLP (www.mfa-cpa.com), a regional accounting and consulting firm based in North Andover, Mass.

July 2004 Issue

The contents of this article are sourced from third parties.There is no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the information or any aspect of this article. We shall not be responsible for and disclaim liability for any loss, damage (whether direct or consequential) or expense of any nature whatsoever, which may be suffered as a result of, or attributable to, the use or reliance upon the information provided in this newsletter



Contact Details

company: pfireStorm
address: 21 Alexander Drive
Winston Park, Gillits
tel: +27 87 474 2200
fax: +27 31 764 4090
website: https://www.pfire.co.za

People

BRANCH: Head Office
Cindy Buxton
Central Hub Manager
Daphne Lombard
Social Responsibility Manager
0317644090
0836459962
DIVISION: Finance
DEPARTMENT: Finance
Mike Lombard
Financial Manager
0317644090
0832718746
DIVISION: Operations
DEPARTMENT: Operations
Gareth Hopkins
Operations Manager
0317644090
0844225556
DIVISION: Sales and marketing
DEPARTMENT: Distribution
Grant Hopkins
Sales & Distribution Manager
0317644090
0832540052

Company Profile



WHAT IS PFIRESTORM?

    Pfirestorm is an affordable internet based service that organisations are able to offer their clients that will result in the cementing of existing relationships and/or the establishment of new relationships between the clients and the organisation.

    This service is CLIENT-CENTRED and simultaneously provides the organisation with a platform that addresses fundamental business matters such as strategy and wealth creation, operations and practice management, compliance issues, day to day matters, vast Marketing opportunities, leveraging IT in a unique way, staff incentives and measurements and impact directly and indirectly on your income flows from day one.

    The purpose for this service is to enable organisations and clients to be able to reach out to one another in an environment that is transparent, promotes shared responsibility and facilitates relationships providing mutual benefit for the client and the organisation.

    It is no longer a matter of who you know! It is who knows YOU!

    It is time!


VALUE PROPOSITION TO OUR CLIENTS

Pfirestorm’s unique collaborative technology will enable our clients to deliver a branded and unified sustainable experience to their customers at all levels of their organisation, through programmed alignment of internal procedures and processes with their Customer Value Proposition.

Our clients will experience the power of a programmed behavioral system designed to sustain, facilitate and deliver to their clients, a distinctive Customer Value Proposition resulting in increased new and retained customers that can be measured in terms of higher production outcomes, reduced operating costs, focused employee and customer activities, customer services that exceed expectations, business continuity, and ultimately good corporate governance aligned to a dynamic regulatory environment.