Why SMEs Need Dynamics 3657 min read

If you could flick a switch and set your business on a path to steeper growth almost immediately, would you do that? Of course you would!

This is exactly what a customer relationship management (CRM) system can help you achieve. CRM systems, like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365, can transform businesses by enabling them to engage with customers and clients in completely new ways. So how do CRM systems help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)?  

Why SMEs Need Dynamics 365 – Reason #1: it helps manage contacts

Like most businesses, yours will have an extensive list of current customers and prospects. This might be split up into different databases and spreadsheets. You might be storing them centrally, in ‘the cloud’ – or perhaps you have those details on various laptops and desktops. A good CRM system won’t just collect and hold this data in one place, it will also track the history of every customer or prospect interaction so you can see useful data, like previous orders, enquiries and service requests. This means your conversations with those clients can be informed by the entire history of your engagements in a single view, making future interatcions more relevant. You will also be able to set automated prompts reminding you to follow up on calls or emails, ensuring you never miss a good opportunity – or an obligation – to get back in touch.  

Why SMEs Need Dynamics 365 – Reason #2: it helps remove software headaches

Most SME owners have fretted over the effectiveness and security of their software systems in the past because it was difficult to keep track on what tools needed to be updated or replaced – and at what point. A cloud-based CRM system, like Dynamics 365, removes this headache. It updates automatically and scales with your business so you always have the latest iterations of the technology and the most recent security features. And, because the CRM is cloud-based, it enables you and your colleagues to use the system wherever you are ­– meaning you can collaborate more often and at times, locations and devices that are convenient to you.    

Why SMEs Need Dynamics 365 – Reason #3: it integrates with your other favourite tools

Whether your main goals are to increase lead generation, connect your sales and marketing processes or promote brand awareness, the flexibility of a good CRM system, like Dynamics 365, allows for a wide range of third party integrations to be connected to your solution. Connecting with third-party services like LinkedIn and MailChimp can help you keep on top of customer service in real time, ensuring you don’t let an enquiry slip or keep an interested prospect waiting too long for a response. Whatever its size, CRM systems can transform the way your business interacts with customers almost overnight.

#2: Use a common platform

How to get the most out of your CRM

CRMs support sales and service automation – but this is far from all they do. In fact, a key function is the support they offer in helping you deepen relationships with clients, understand your buyer’s journey from end to end and identify methods of serving your customer better than competitors. 

However, the task of selecting the right solution for you can be mind-boggling. So here are four tips to help you find the best system for you, your customers, and your business. Spoiler: we believe SMEs need Dynamics 365.

#1: Know how the parts of CRM software work together

An effective customer engagement tool assists with automating tasks, offering insights and improving customer service. It should cover the basic tasks with which your company requires support, while ensuring each component integrates and collaborates with the others.

#2: Align sales and marketing

Sales and marketing components can work together to help you better understand a customer’s needs and address those needs through the right marketing channels. Some of the ways these two functions can work together to help you are by connecting with buyers at the right time and through their preferred channels. They can also help you determine what types of messages to send to customers and when to deliver them. Finally, by prioritising and nurturing the right leads, they can ensure a smooth hand-off from marketing to sales. This is perhaps the key reason why SMEs need Dynamics 365.

#3: Increase sales productivity

The right CRM software allows your sales team to find and prioritise the right leads and deliver insights when and where your sales teams engage with customers. These systems can work together to predict future sales and budgets so you can plan accordingly. They can help your agents streamline the sales processes – from initial contact to closing the deal. A CRM also centralises data so that agents have access to real-time information and deliver solutions quicker. With cloud-based CRMs, you can also offer your sales staff mobility because system works across browsers and devices on or off-location.

#4: Build better customer relationships

Bringing customer service and sales together helps you determine and predict your customer’s preferences and make it easier for your buyers to interact and trust doing business with you. When these two solutions combine, they can help you get insights into your customers’ journeys so you can meet their expectations. You might also provide mobile applications for your clients and staff no matter what device they’re using or offer customers an easy-to-use, self-service portal so they can be in control of their data and quickly find answers to their questions.

Now what?

Cloud9 Insight is a specialist Microsoft Dynamics 365 Solutions Partner. Our process makes CRM implementation as smooth as possible for you. Your journey starts with their friendly and knowledgeable Sales team before their talented Delivery team implements a solution. Finally, post-project support from their Customer Success Team kicks in. So what are you waiting for?  Let your journey begin.

Not sure where to start? Get in touch