-
CRM and the Big Bang Theory
John Eccles, 12 August 2013
I love the show, but I have grave doubts about the Big Bang Theory. I find it impossible to imagine the complex systems all around us originating from the randomness of some sort of cosmological explosion. Not surprisingly, I’m equally sceptical of Big Bang software implementations – esp
Read the full article here -
User Adoption of CRM – The Key Issue
John Eccles, 30 July 2013
How’s this for an IT strategy: • Management decides “we need a CRM system.” • Careful selection to find the best fit CRM software. • Find a consultant or partner to implement it. • Run a training course. • Less than 20% of users act
Read the full article here -
Successful Implementation of CRM
John Eccles, 03 June 2013
According to a study by SandHill Group and Neochange (2008) the number 1 indication of "success" for an enterprise software implementation is "value realisation for the company." 96% of buyers thought so! But the same study showed that only 40% of buyers and 35% of software provide
Read the full article here -
Salesforce.com vs Dynamics CRM Online
John Eccles, 06 March 2013
The main arguments made by Salesforce in promoting their software against Dynamics CRM online are out of date. I recently watched a video clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGgkM_hsmiI) on Youtube in which a Microsoft Gold Partner (identity hidden) explained why they had switched from D
Read the full article here -
Introduction of New Software is Not Easy
John Eccles, 10 February 2013
Introduction of a new software system such as Dynamics CRM involves change and that change must be initiated, agreed, planned and managed. But making change happen is not easy. Human nature is stacked against you! I recently read a quote from Bill Bryson which says it all. In A S
Read the full article here -
Step by Step Approach to CRM Implementation
John Eccles, 14 October 2012
The greatest risk of CRM project failure is to tackle too many business processes or too much functionality at once. It can be like trying to eat an elephant at one sitting. It can overwhelm end-users. I recommend a strategy of incremental improvement: start small, achieve some successful ou
Read the full article here -
Why Fairtrade is Good for Business
John Eccles, 10 October 2012
Magnetism is a Fairtrade certified workplace, which means we serve Fairtrade products to staff and visitors, including trainees, at our Dynamics CRM training courses. My reasons for leading the company down the Fairtrade path were probably not well grounded in economic theory: My daughter is p
Read the full article here -
Single Business Numbers – Good for CRM, Good for Business
John Eccles, 31 August 2012
The Action Plan for Better public services for business, published by the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment yesterday (30 August, 2012) indicates that a Single Business Number is on the way. Under the heading Action: Collect information and share it so businesses only have to tell g
Read the full article here -
Avoiding CRM Project Cost Overrun
John Eccles, 02 July 2012
Why is it that the final project cost is often more than we expected? Many of the CRM development projects I have been involved in, the task of estimating costs has not been simple. But I am reading an enlightening book, “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman which has helped me und
Read the full article here -
Automate Your Sales Process with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
John Eccles, 24 September 2010
Joan’s blood pressure is rising. She is beginning to work late and when she gets home, she is grumpy with the family. So she has decided that her dead-end job is really not worth it. The problem is that Joan knows the business well, is highly efficient and has become the critical person,
Read the full article here -
Automatic Bill Collections with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
John Eccles, 03 October 2010
Collecting money from debtors is not exactly the best job in the company. The glamour is in product design or marketing or selling. Collecting money only gets attention when the accounts receivable blows out and the cash dries up – which unfortunately is what happens if collections is no
Read the full article here -
Warning to NZ Small Employers
John Eccles, 17 October 2010
The 90-day trial period introduced in April 2009 for NZ employers was established to encourage small businesses to risk taking on un-tried staff. It allows companies with less than 20 workers to hire new workers on the scheme, if they agree to it. Under the scheme they have a 90-day tria
Read the full article here -
The System is Silent!
John Eccles, 31 October 2010
A couple of years ago I listened to an employee complain about our student management system. One of the issues that had arisen as a result of an internal audit was that some international students had expired visas or expired medical insurance and some had not had their homestay accommodation
Read the full article here -
Smart Implementation of CRM
John Eccles, 14 November 2010
You’ve done some research and you realise that you need a state of the art CRM system to keep your business cutting edge in terms of productivity and customer service. You know that application of CRM can bring improvements to many aspects of the business, but you don’t have unlimited capital
Read the full article here -
Bulk Mail-outs via NZ Post and Address Compliance
John Eccles, 28 November 2010
* ** In our electronic age, “snail mail” is still alive and well. For direct-mail marketing, newsletters and magazines there is not really a good alternative. If you are involved in such activities, then you will most likely have come across NZ post’s bulk-mail services Bulk Discounts Th
Read the full article here
