5 Ways CRM Can Improve Efficiency

Businesses are constantly looking at ways to improve efficiency because greater productivity means more growth, fewer costs and more sales. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a solution-focused collection of applications that are designed to work in harmony with your company's needs. Here are five reasons why you should consider investing in this technology:

1. Better Lead Management
CRM enables you to manage your leads more effectively because it allows you to prioritize them in order of validity. A strong lead will be right at the top of the list, so that it can be followed up immediately, whereas a weak lead will be placed further down the list. Being able to assess the quality of the lead helps businesses to be more productive, since more time will be spent focusing on those who are genuinely interested in making a purchase.

2. Optimal Communication
CRM delivers relevant communication in real time, which helps to improve employee cohesion and helps sales representatives make those all-important sales. Having access to a library of information will create a knowledgeable and professional workforce. This alone is of paramount importance because when your employees are interacting with customers, they represent your company. If, for example, a customer phoned in because they hadn't received their item, all the dispatch information would be just a few clicks away. This would allow your employee to give the customer the information they need to allay their concern, while at the same time positively representing your business and brand.

3. Business Growth
Selling products or services to current customers is an excellent way to grow your business. CRM will suggest the most apt products for your customers because the software will analyze existing data and turn it into productive sales strategies. Other software databases often work side-by-side rather than being part of a whole system. The problem with multiple databases is the confinement of data. It would take a team a long time to analyze and interpret the data, which can be costly, and important information can be overlooked or even lost. In contrast, CRM is an integrated system that will do all the analyzing and interpreting for you. It will also generate reports, giving you all the data you need to assess your strategies accordingly.

4. Greater Selling Potential
As a manager, you know who your strongest sales representatives are and naturally you want to bring the rest of your sales team up to their level, but how do you do that? CRM will get you closer to achieving this goal because it is adept at identifying strengths and weaknesses within your team. Having this information readily available will enable you to dedicate more time to areas lacking in productivity. A system that recognizes problems and produces solutions is essential in any organization because it saves time, money and increases sales.

5. Boost Productivity
CRM boosts productivity because the software is designed to overcome common operational obstacles. This is the beauty of automation: it is there, silently working in the background, facilitating business operations. This software will gather and store all information promptly and securely, so you and your team always have access to the latest developments. This will create a more organized and successful organization.

How can I make the change to a healthful diet?

Healthful eating means consuming nutrient-dense foods in the right quantities from all the food groups.

People often think of a diet as a specific weight-loss plan, but diet is simply the types and amounts of food we eat.

A good diet must include a balance of several food groups, as no single group can provide everything we need for good health.

With more than 2 out of every 3 American adults now considered overweight or obese, healthful eating habits are more important than ever.

There is so much information available that finding a suitable option can be overwhelming, but a few simple changes can make a diet more healthful and reduce the risk of numerous medical problems.

What is healthful eating?

Share on PinteresHaving a balanced diet means choosing from all five main food groups, in the right quantities.

Whole grains

Examples of whole grains are wholemeal bread, pasta, and cereals, in which each grain includes the germ and bran.

To make sure the grains are whole grains, look for the word "whole" or "whole grain" on the nutritional information on the packaging.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Choosing a variety of colors can help maximize the intake of nutrients.

The American Heart Association recommend consuming 8 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This equates to about 4.5 cups per day for the average person who consumes around 2,000 calories.

Juices labeled "100 percent" are considered part of this food group, but eating whole fruits or vegetables is better, as it will provide more fiber.

Research shows that a good intake of fruit and vegetables can protect against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Protein

Vital for repairing tissues in the body, many protein-rich foods also contain high levels of minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc. Excellent sources of protein include meats, fish, and eggs. Beans, nuts, quorn, and soya are protein options for those on a vegetarian diet.

Dairy

A calcium-rich diet promotes healthy bones and teeth. Dairy products are good sources of calcium. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese are recommended.

Fats

Fats are important for brain health, energy, absorption of certain vitamins, and for skin, hair, and joint health.

Saturated fats are present in cream, fatty meat, and fried foods. Too much saturated fat can lead to heart disease.

Unsaturated fats are present in avocado and oily fish. They help reduce the "bad" cholesterol in blood.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that healthy fats should make up less than 30 percent of total calories.

Sugars

Sugars occur naturally in some foods, such as fruits, or they can be added as a sweetener. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, heart problems, blood sugar imbalances, and other health issues.