Should I build my CRM before my first sales person starts?

The decision to build a CRM before hiring your first sales person can set the stage for success or struggle. Discover why having a CRM in place can make all the difference.

Chicken or the Egg?

For many businesses, a dilemma emerges when considering whether to establish a CRM system before hiring their first sales representative.

This often stems from the belief that they lack the necessary expertise to set up a CRM, or that this task falls within the sales person's responsibilities.

However, it's important to recognize that top-performing sales professionals are better suited to diving into calls, setting appointments, and achieving results and commissions from the outset. The requirement for them to build their own system before they can begin delivering results can be a significant setback—especially since they may rely on the business owner for the knowledge needed to construct the system.

Save yourself the hassle by collaborating with a sales-focused CRM provider before you bring on new hires.

Setting the Stage for Sales Success

In today's competitive market, ensuring that your sales team has the right tools from the get-go is crucial. A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is one of those essential tools. When a new sales resource starts, having a CRM system already in place can streamline their onboarding process, allowing them to focus on what they do best—selling.

By setting up a CRM system before your first sales person starts, you create a structured environment where leads, opportunities, and customer interactions are organised and easily accessible. This foundation not only aids in immediate productivity but also sets the tone for a data-driven, customer-focused approach within your sales team.

Why High Performers Need a CRM from Day One

High-performing sales people thrive in environments where they can hit the ground running. They prefer to spend their time generating sales, not setting up systems. By providing a CRM system from day one, you enable these top performers to focus their energy on building relationships and closing deals rather than administrative tasks.

A well-implemented CRM can help high performers quickly access critical customer data, track interactions, and manage their sales pipeline efficiently. This immediate access to organized information can significantly enhance their productivity and sales outcomes.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Tinkering and Time-Wasting

Without a CRM system in place, new sales hires might end up spending valuable time tinkering with spreadsheets or makeshift databases to track their activities. This not only slows down their productivity but also opens the door to errors and inconsistencies in customer data.

Low-performing sales people may be more comfortable with this kind of unstructured approach, but it ultimately hampers overall team performance. By implementing a CRM system from the start, you ensure that all sales activities are tracked systematically, reducing the scope for time-wasting and improving overall efficiency.

Trusting the Experts: The Benefits of Professional CRM Setup

Setting up a CRM system correctly requires expertise and experience. Working with a company that specializes in CRM implementation can be immensely beneficial. These professionals understand the nuances of different CRM platforms and can tailor the system to meet your specific business needs.

A professionally set up CRM ensures that your system is not only functional but also optimized for your sales processes. This means your new sales person can start using it immediately, without the need for extensive adjustments or troubleshooting.

The Long-Term Advantages of Early CRM Implementation

Implementing a CRM system early on provides numerous long-term benefits. It sets a precedent for organized and efficient customer management, which becomes part of your company culture. As your sales team grows, the CRM system can scale with you, providing a consistent framework for tracking customer interactions and sales activities.

Moreover, an early CRM implementation allows you to gather and analyse customer data from the outset. This data can offer valuable insights into customer behavior, sales trends, and areas for improvement, helping you refine your sales strategies over time.