Budget vs Time in Digital Change: Why Faster, Smaller Projects Are More Effective
In any CRM implementation project, there are two major factors to consider – budget and time. In the past, businesses have taken the approach of investing large amounts of time and money in their CRM implementations, expecting this approach ensures everything will be near-perfect on launch. Truth is, it doesn’t work. Customers expect immediate results, and businesses need to adapt to stay ahead of the competition.
A small and fast approach is the best way to get a CRM implementation in the hands of your users and customers for the least amount of risk. This method focuses on delivering a limited, pre-agreed set of core features, in the quickest timeframe. This approach allows businesses to get their CRM up and running quickly, which is critical for driving immediate value.
Why go this way?
Time to Value
Time is money. A small and fast implementation approach allows businesses to deliver value quickly. It’s better to implement a system that delivers 80% of the functionality in four weeks than to wait six months to get 100%. Taking this path means your sales team get to use the system quickly, and the revenue generated from these benefits can be reinvested in expanding the system further.
Cost Savings
Big and slow = expensive. To deliver a fully expanded system, with all points of integration and customisation complete requires more resources, more time, and more money. A feature-constrained launch allows businesses to get their CRM up and running quickly, at a lower cost.
Flexibility
Business needs can change quickly. This approach to a rollout allows businesses to adapt to changing market conditions. As you start to see the benefits of the system, you can invest more money to expand its functionality. You start small and grow as needed, rather than investing everything upfront.
Targeted Improvements
At the start of your CRM project there will be unknowns. As much as any business can outline its processes, the benefits of a well implemented CRM will offer new avenues that might not have been seen at the start if the project. By keeping the deliverables small and fast, your team can call out the next high-value outcome based on measured benefits and knowledge from the current system.
A quick implementation with a constrained scope delivers value quickly, saves money, and allows businesses to be more flexible. When evaluating a CRM implementation partner, consider who can deliver a small and fast implementation while balancing budget and time. This partner will help your business achieve its CRM goals quickly and efficiently.