Try this weird trick to boost CRM adoption
That which is scarce is precious.
That which is abundant has little value.
More or less, this drives much in our lives.
Sales organizations go through the CRM selection process with great diligence. They spend even more resources to redesign existing processes, integrate the technology and people, and train and roll out the shiny new thing with great fanfare. Making sure every sales person is empowered.
Yet adoption remains at an abysmal level by measures beyond logins, “clicking on plays” and “call blocks.” Why?
Here are three most cited reasons discovered by research:
- CRM is delivered primarily as a technical tool, relegating the human element.
- CRM is perceived to be management pushing something from above.
- CRM is not believed to generate more value in sales, profits, targets.
In other words, when CRM adoption is low, CRM is perceived as not adding value to the life of the sales person.
One sales leader I know used to say:
“If you don’t know the value of what you’re doing, then stop doing it. You will find out.”
Yes, we are asking you to consider the opposite of what every expert says, and everything you have heard.
Stop using CRM if you’re hearing that some don’t see the value.
But wait, you say! Why would we stop using CRM when we’re trying to get sales reps to use it?
Well, paradoxically, you can try to increase use by MAKING IT SCARCE.
If you really believe you are adding value with your CRM, then start by giving it to less people. Select a team, or select reps via a lottery system. If you don’t want to do this with the entire CRM, then some components which are considered valuable should only go to a select few. Make it a privilege to get these components.
No pushing from the top management tier. If a few sales reps using the system see that their lives are better, they meet goals easier, it is intuitive to use, that data is accurate, analytics is meaningful and timely, and it flows well with their daily activities, then acceptance and adoption of the system will spread throughout the sales force.
Make the CRM about adding value, the people who are using it, and the results being delivered. If sales sees results, increased adoption rate should follow.
President & CEO at Valgen
Rainmaker extraordinaire for our clients. Turns databases into gold. Analytics executive and entrepreneur with a track record of producing significant and sustained revenue gains for sales teams in fleet, transportation, high tech & financial services.
