Leverage Your CRM Vendor Relationships
While keeping your CRM running smoothly internally is always a chief concern, don’t forget about nurturing your vendor relationships as well.
Think about your vendor relationships in three buckets:
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Your CRM vendor and any other vendors who have worked directly on your CRM – to write code, add features, train your staff on CRM best practices, etc.
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Vendors who use your CRM. You may have some vendors who interact with your CRM to gather data for product fulfillment, manufacturers, bookkeeping, financial analysis, or as sales affiliates.
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Vendors who do not directly use your CRM, but who are nevertheless affected by it. This could include vendors who manufacture the products you sell (and who might be subjected to last minute “rushes” if your CRM forecasts are incorrect), or vendors you supply with product.
Let’s start with the last one – vendors who do not directly use your CRM. Approach this group the way you would approach your customers. What works well for them in their relationship with your company? What do they feel could be improved?