This! This [new gadget]! It will fix me! It will fix us! 🤩

It’s tempting to think a shiny new tool, like a CRM system, will fix everything in your business life.

But here’s the hard truth: *most of the time* the tool isn't the problem OR the solution—it’s the lack of clear leadership.

Oof! Hard to hear, eh? Well... I wish I wasn't cursed with this knowledge either!

The fact of the matter is that "bad" systems are usually the product of confusion. Confusion, in business, is another word for unclear leadership.

Listen, I know I’m not handing you a solution.

But consider this:
- A tool can’t define your goals. 🥅
- It can’t inspire accountability. 🤝
- It won’t fix broken processes. ⛓️‍💥

But what a tool WILL do is shine a spotlight 🔦 on the gaps you’re already struggling with. So fix the gaps before you stand up the tool! 🛠️

I don't want to see another company sobbing around the broken Jenga heap of a CRM or process automation *ever again*.

So I give this cursed knowledge to you, and remember:

- Awareness beats throwing money at tools every time.

If this hits home, message me. If you've attempted a CRM or automation rollout that *technically* worked but failed to catch on - LET'S TALK.

If you just want to sort some isht out before you take a big step, I'm here for that, too!

We at eResources and VIA Studio, and I, therein, have set up systems that didn't catch on (oops!). We own that, we learned from that.

From that "learned experience" - we have coached many a leader in how to think about their big hairy problems and address their gaps.

And THEN (and only then) we spec'd, design'd, develop'd and roll'd out successful tools for them. They are all billionaires now*.

But first... Step One is knowing, and now you know. You know?

Cheers,
Ben

* ok, not all. maybe one.


When you're ready to build out that CRM, we're here for you.

Let's Go!

CRM Management

Platform and CRM Integrations

Hubspot

Stop Blaming Tools for Leadership Gaps (CRM)

A common theme from new clients is that they have difficulty tracking their communications and interactions with prospects and customers.

How do you manage thousands of contacts? Do you know who navigates your marketing funnel and at what stage? What marketing and sales efforts are most valuable to your business? While the answer isn’t surprising, the number of options and considerations might be.

 software is vital for any modern marketer. It allows them to manage their prospects and contacts, track their touchpoints and communications with them, and determine which strategies and tactics are most effective at driving results.

Over the years, VIA Studio has worked with many clients on onboarding, managing, and utilizing CRM platforms to achieve their goals. We have experience with enterprise-level CRM projects for large organizations and small to medium-sized business-level CRM integration for start-ups and local companies.

Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics 365 stand at the pinnacle for large-scale organizations, offering unmatched functionality and customization options, albeit with a price tag to match. They can can quickly reach six-figure annual investments in licensing, onboarding, and administration. Here's what we've learned.

Best-in-class with Sales Cloud, offering detailed pipeline visibility and forecasting.

 Tailor Salesforce to fit your business needs by trimming unnecessary features.

 Can be overwhelming for those without the need for intricate systems. 

 External integrations add cost and management overhead.

 Seamless connectivity with Microsoft tools like Outlook. Users don’t have to spend time switching between platforms and accounts to do their jobs. They can focus on their tasks and know their activities are actively logged into the platform.

 Advanced analytics and reporting capabilities through 

 Custom setups require significant development effort. The time commitment is massive.

 Additional cost for Microsoft licenses, unless already integrated into your IT infrastructure.

lacks many ready-made process automation 

For smaller budgets and simpler needs, HubSpot and Constant Contact offer powerful, user-friendly solutions without the enterprise-level investment.

 User-friendly data organization and sales analytics.

 Intuitive automation flows and scheduling functionalities.

For an advanced technology platform, their sales tactics were developed in the 1950's, requiring you to call them on a phone line.

 Full feature access can become pricey for some businesses. Do we love most of what HubSpot offers? Yes. Is it worth what they charge? Unfortunately, only if you’re a certain size company (with a certain sized budget). There are still some automation processes that we would love to have in HubSpot, but the costs sometimes don’t justify the features and functionality.

Constant Contact recently purchased a tool we used called SharpSpring. These notes take both tools into consideration.

 Easy to use with extensive support and prebuilt templates.

 Exceptional service with quick response times.

Basic functionalities that might not suffice for advanced users.

Choosing the right CRM is a strategic decision that impacts every facet of your operations. VIA Studio's extensive experience across the CRM spectrum ensures you make an informed choice, balancing budget, functionality, and ease of use to find your perfect match.

If the path to CRM enlightenment seems daunting, reach out. We're here to illuminate the way, crafting a CRM strategy that aligns with your business ambitions. 

Guidance

Marketing Strategy

Unlocking Growth: Choosing the Right CRM Tool for Your Business's Scale and Success

Our team is equipped to choose or work with your existing CRM software system to manage your relationships with customers and more.

CRM Management

CRM Management: Blog Posts

Stop Blaming Tools for Leadership Gaps (CRM)

Unlocking Growth: Choosing the Right CRM Tool for Your Business's Scale and Success