Spreadsheets were once the saviors of companies. They helped them organize, visualize, and plan their finances. However, spreadsheets became obsolete with time, at least for medium—to large-sized businesses. For small businesses, spreadsheets offer the same functionality and ease. They are inexpensive and easy to manage, adapt, and edit.
Unfortunately, relying on spreadsheets has become a hassle in today’s digital age. There are numerous issues involved when you maintain your finances on a spreadsheet. From data theft risks to file corruption, spreadsheets can bring down your entire operation in a day. How do you protect yourself from that? You secure your business like most companies do: You shift from spreadsheets to CRM (customer relationship management software).
What is a CRM?
As the name implies, CRM, customer relationship management, is a function that every business is already involved in deeply. A CRM allows you to manage all your customer-related tasks regarding software on a single platform. Whether you deliver a product, send an invoice, or manage your inventory, you can do it all with a CRM. Since it is software, it is much more secure than spreadsheets and offers the ease of completing your tasks in just a few seconds.
Moreover, with CRMs, you can organize, visualize, and forecast customer data in real-time since everything is regularly updated. Not just that, with a CRM, you can even manage sales, advertising, leads, and communication with your customers. Having a CRM means having a one-stop shop for all your business requirements.
What are the Benefits of Using a CRM as Opposed to Spreadsheets?
Unlike spreadsheets, CRMs don’t require manual input of customer information, communication strings, project requirements, and financials. All of these functions are automated. You can focus on the main business while the CRM handles the management. Here are a few more benefits every business can reap when using CRMs.
Less Time Consuming & More Effective
As mentioned earlier, since CRMs are automated, they reduce the need for manually performing tasks, giving you the luxury of saving time. You can easily collaborate with your sales, production, accounts, and finance teams through CRM to perform all the functions on one platform. The most significant benefit you get is efficacy.
You streamline the entire process without any data leakage or missed deadlines. You won’t find a needle in a haystack in case of a discrepancy. You will scroll through customer communication, project history, etc., to see where the difference lies. A CRM makes your business easier to manage and less hectic.
Real-Time Visualization of Your Business
Planning is the cornerstone of every business. If your planning is perfect, your business cannot fail. Unfortunately, with spreadsheets, achieving nirvana in terms of planning is nigh impossible. With CRMs, your data is always up-to-date, so you have an overall view of your business’s performance every minute.
Benefits of Moving from Spreadsheets to CRMs
The most important thing for your business is introducing high-security measures that spreadsheets cannot. With spreadsheets, your data is always at risk of being stolen by an employee or an outsider. With CRMs, this is not the case. This software has many security features to ensure your data is regularly backed up and is not prone to viruses, malware, and hacks.
Should You Switch to a CRM?
Suppose your business involves online marketing, sales, data management, and invoicing. In that case, you should immediately move to a CRM since it will make things easier, more secure, and streamlined for your business and among your teams. With spreadsheets, all of these functions are impossible to perform. You would have to hire a separate group for data management, which will obviously burden your payroll.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while spreadsheets have been reliable tools for businesses, their limitations and vulnerabilities are increasingly apparent in today’s digital age. Many are transitioning to customer relationship management (CRM) software as businesses prioritize efficiency, security, and real-time insights. CRMs offer comprehensive solutions for managing various business aspects, from customer relations to sales, advertising, and financials. Unlike spreadsheets, CRMs automate tasks, streamline processes, and provide real-time visualization of business performance, enhancing effectiveness and decision-making.
Moreover, CRMs offer advanced security features to protect sensitive data, providing peace of mind regarding data integrity and confidentiality. For businesses involved in online marketing, sales, and data management, transitioning to a CRM is highly recommended, as it simplifies operations, ensures security, efficiency, and collaboration among teams, and represents a strategic investment in future success and sustainability. Relying solely on spreadsheets may hinder growth and expose the business to unnecessary risks and inefficiencies.
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