Now that you know what it takes to have a successful CRM implementation, the question now is, can you go it alone or should you hire a consultant? It would be a bit self-serving of me to simply say Yes. So I'll let you decide for yourself.
When making that decision here are a few things you should consider:
Do you have the people to do the work?
There's project management, implementation, training, and roll-out. That can be the job of one person or multiple. Either way make sure you have the necessary man-power to handle your implementation. If not you will need to compromise to get things done.
Do you have the time?
Consider your timeline. If you have the people, do they have the time? If they are not familiar with the CRM you chose, do you have the time for them to learn how to configure it? Conversely, a consultant can jump right in and configure your CRM with relative ease – an ideal solution if you are under a tight schedule.
Do you have the Skills?
Even if you have the people and the time, do those resources have the technical skill sets to accomplish the implementation? They may be technically savvy, but not know the specifics of your CRM. That's OK, they can learn. Just make sure you have the time to wait.
Do You have the Money?
Is it financially feasible to hire someone? Or can you afford to wait, especially if you're paying for Software for months on end and still not able to use it. Don't just consider the dollar signs associated with hiring someone. Give careful thought to the internal costs if you were to configure everything for yourself.
Also weigh the consequences of failure. I know it's hard to think about. We all like to think we will succeed. But it doesn't always happen. What is your cost of implementing it incorrectly, in terms of data inaccuracies, lost productivity. How big of a blow to your organization will that be. What if no body wants to use the software. Then its a wasted cost of software as well.
And one more thing...Make sure you hire an actual Consultant
A lot of people these days call themselves consultants, when what they really are is a contractor. A contractor is an expert in a particular subject matter and they get hired to perform a task. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you need to be clear that that’s all you’re getting. Don't pay consulting rates for a Contractor.
A Consultant will ensure you understand your deliverable, how to use the technology, how to troubleshoot any problems, and how to modify or simply maintain your CRM. They will also share their years of experience and insight so you are well informed on what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. As a result, you have a professional deliverable, specific to your needs, designed with best practices in mind, and you understand it all.
To quote Alan Weiss, PhD, a foremost expert on consulting, “The role of a consultant is to improve the client’s condition.”
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