As we all know, customers are at the heart of every successful business. Social media offers a powerful opportunity to connect with those customers on a more personal level. But in order for organizations to realize the real tangible benefits of social networking they need to be able to effectively plan, manage and measure those efforts. Without an organized approach, social media can quickly become overwhelming. It is the careful execution of a strategic plan that helps turn casual conversations into leads and ultimately into sales. One of the best ways to build and execute this type of strategic plan is by integrating your social media efforts with your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. You might be wondering how this type of integration can be achieved. In the whitepaper, , Microsoft gives a few suggestions for success:
- Treat social networking as a new channel within CRM. Many companies already use CRM solutions to manage customers, contacts, interactions, and communications, so it makes sense to continue to use customer management tools when these activities move into social networking channels.
- Enhance and extend CRM through social networking. While social networking activities can be considered as an additional channel in CRM, they also extend and enhance the capabilities of CRM with new ways of engaging customers and managing conversations.
- Play to the strengths of both CRM and social networks. Use CRM and social networking sites together to better listen to customers, analyze information, and respond to customers in a way that’s meaningful to them.
In order to help Microsoft Dynamics CRM users successfully implement these strategies, there are several different social media integration tools available for download on the One such application that works and integrates well with is InsideView. In the whitepaper, , the app’s developers outline its most useful features, including:
- Smart Agents™: Continuously scans 25,000 + online sources to deliver useful compelling business insights about prospects, customers, and competitors.
- Smart Connections™: Goes beyond LinkedIn and helps sales people connect with prospects through their personal and extended professional networks including colleagues, former colleagues, and reference customers.
- Social Media Profiles: Allows you to view 360° profiles for your contacts, including their detailed work history, key affiliations, and real-time social network updates so that you can be relevant in your conversations.
- List Building: Offers dynamic prospect list building by company, contact, industry, geography, business events and/or social media profiles.
As you can see there is great value to be had from merging Microsoft Dynamics CRM with your social media activities. But that being said, we have just scratched the surface on how this type of integration can help your organization better manage its online marketing and sales activities. So, feel free to if you have any questions or would like to find out how we can help your organization succeed with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
By: Laura Heinbockel Intelligent Technologies, Inc., a Greensboro, NC Microsoft Dynamics Partner
