CRM, CRM Management Blog TeamJanuary 21, 2022

5 Most Common CRM Implementation Risks

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5 Most Common CRM Implementation Risks

What are the most common CRM implementation risks?

The five most common CRM implementation risks are 1) Lack of executive support, 2) Lack of customer input, 3) Failure to effectively train, 4) Poorly defined metrics, and 5) Unclear goals and objectives.

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CRM Implementation Risks

Lack of executive support,

One of the most common CRM implementation risks is a lack of executive support. 

This puts the CRM program at risk for early cancellation or failure. Lack of executive support includes lack of funding, lack of top-level commitment, and other factors that can slow or kill a CRM program. 

To avoid this risk, make sure that you have the appropriate level of senior-level executive support before beginning the implementation. 

If you don’t already have it, then work to gain it before you begin work. 

If this isn’t possible, then at least make sure that there is a high degree of executive support by someone else in the C-suite. 

This way your CRM implementation will not get lost in the shuffle.

Lack of customer input

The second most common risk is a lack of customer input. 

Customers are the most important part of any CRM program. 

If customers aren’t involved in the creation of your CRM program, then there is a high risk that it will fail. 

Lack of customer input can also lead to a program that isn’t what the customer needs. A lack of customer input should be avoided at all costs. 

To avoid this risk, make sure that you involve customers in the creation of your CRM program. This includes both initial planning and implementation. 

Failure to effectively train staff on the system 

The third most common CRM implementation risk is failure to effectively train staff on the system. 

Training is extremely important for any new CRM system because it can make or break its success early on. 

If staff isn’t trained properly, then mistakes will inevitably occur that can slow down or even kill your CRM program. 

They will also make mistakes that could cause customers dissatisfaction which could cost you valuable business. 

Poorly defined metrics

The fourth most common risk is poorly defined metrics. 

Metrics are the most important part of a CRM program because they can tell you how well the program is working. 

If you don’t know what success looks like, then you won’t know what to change or fix. 

Failure to define metrics properly can also hurt customer satisfaction and retention which will hurt your bottom line. 

To avoid this risk, make sure that your CRM program has clear goals, objectives, and metrics. 

Unclear goals and objectives

The fifth most common CRM implementation risk is unclear goals and objectives. 

It’s crucial to have clearly defined goals for any CRM program so everyone involved knows what success looks like. 

If you don’t define your goals and objectives properly, then there is a high risk that you won’t reach them. 

To avoid this risk, make sure that your goals and objectives are clear so everyone involved knows what success looks like. 

Wrapping Up

CRM implementation risks can be avoided. 

To avoid them, make sure that you have the appropriate level of executive support, involve customers in the creation of your program, effectively train staff on the system, define metrics properly, and make sure that your goals and objectives are clear.Â