CRMs are like houses. Over the next few months we’ll be looking at how you can be getting the most from your ‘house’, giving you tips and tricks to get your dream home (or CRM!).
Move on, or improve what you’ve already got?
Last month’s blog Should you move house? may have sparked some discussions in your team. You may have even decided to:
Move house: in which case read on, this month we’ll be looking at how you can prepare for your house (or database!) move.
Make your existing house into your dream house: We’ll be looking at this later in the series, but if you can’t wait for then, our guide: 4 steps to get more from your database can help.
Just like moving CRM systems, moving house needs some thinking through before you start browsing estate agents’ websites or windows.
Next month, we’ll be talking about how to find your dream house, but before we do that, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for your house move.
Prepare for your move
Here are some things to think about before you move:
You’ll probably need some help to move. In the case of houses, this means estate agents and lawyers, and some time from you to manage the move. In the case of CRMs, a good Project Manager can help guide you through the process. This could be someone internal or external, but whoever they are, make sure they’re skilled and dedicated to the move.
You may need to set aside some money. Like moving house, they’ll usually be a fee for moving (this could be in the shape of paying a consultant to migrate your data) and then the ongoing cost of upkeep for the database. To save money (or even move for free!) you can do it internally, all you’ll need is time.
You’ll need to set aside some time. When you move house, you’ll usually take some time off work, or fit it into evenings and weekends. Make sure you plan some time in, away from your usual activities, to prepare for the move and make the move happen well.
You’ll need to get everyone on board. If you’re in a family, you probably wouldn’t make the decision to move house on your own. You’d ask your family (who are old enough to input!) what they think and take their needs into consideration before you move. If they got left out of the loop and suddenly got told they were moving tomorrow, they may not be happy bunnies! We’ll be talking next month about how you can prepare your team for the change, and get them on board.
The size and scale of the move, and how much time you need to put in, will depend on the size and complexity of your existing data. Think how a few belongings in a 1 bed flat will be easier to move than belongings stored all over your 4 bed house, shed and loft!
For some more information about preparing for your move, watch Step 1 of 4 steps to find the right database for free, or get in touch for some more advice!
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