webCRM can help the growth of franchise businesses
The UK’s £12.4 billion turnover franchise industry could create further growth by making greater use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
With more than half a million people employed in franchise businesses in the UK and the sector seeing its turnover and number of franchise businesses growing by 15 per cent in 2010, the industry is ripe for further growth with the right tools, according to Stephen Todd of webCRM, a web-based CRM provider.
A survey published by the British Franchise Association and NatWest states that franchise systems grew by 897 to 36,900 last year. Mr Todd said these businesses could develop even more growth by using CRM systems that help them track leads and retain existing clients.
“Franchise licence owners and franchises are often working together but can also be fragmented in their approach,” said Mr Todd.
“A good CRM system can bring the businesses closer together while maintaining the franchises individual business requirements. Tracking leads within each franchise, tapping into customer enquiries and enabling co-ordinated marketing communications can provide greater efficiencies and improved sales opportunities as a result. It’s a win for all involved.”
webCRM’s advantage in the healthcare and medical devices sectors
A pioneering medical system providing accurate record-keeping and greater safety in hospital anaesthetics is building on its UK market by implementing webCRM’s web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
Safer Sleep Ltd enables greater safety by cross checking drugs being administered and fast, accurate generation of anaesthetic patient records. This allows more time for medical staff to concentrate on the patient.
Mike Harrison, UK Business Development Manager at Safer Sleep, said the adaptability and simplicity of webCRM was crucial. “We are working in multiple countries, so the ability to work in multiple currencies and then bring that information together is an advantage,” he said.
But critically, it is the simplicity of webCRM. “The most critical factor is that it’s simple to use and a number of people can add to the same record in a controlled manner.” Read more
webCRM helps college engage with businesses
Farnborough College of Technology turned to webCRM when it needed a dynamic and effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to increase interaction with the business community and to compete with other training providers.
With an existing CRM system structured predominantly around learners, the college’s Business Services team needed a CRM system capable of supporting their drive for new business, securing repeat contracts, and to compete with other training providers.
“Our focus is very much on providing businesses with first-class training services and we found we needed a CRM system that would support us in both developing new relationships and managing existing ones effectively.” said Geoff Roy, Business Development Consultant.
“The training sector is highly competitive and we needed to ensure we could target and retain business and having an effective CRM system was vital. The fact that it tracks sales gives us a good idea of potential new business at any given time.” Read more
webcrm helps Seafield Logistics to distribute information
With 18 sites spread throughout the UK, rapidly growing distribution and warehousing company Seafield Logistics needed a business CRM system capable of integrating management and customer information.
A specialist in storing and distributing goods as quickly and efficiently as possible throughout the UK and Europe, ensuring the business has access to key data and customer information from each site is critical to its success within one of the most competitive industries in the UK. A fast, secure and reliable CRM system was paramount.
The company turned to web-based webCRM for its CRM system and is already benefiting from its decision.
“We have 18 sites throughout the UK which all have their own customers and they all operate autonomously with their own sales information,” said Natalie Holt of Seafield Logistics based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Read more
webCRM improves business development at Oxford Hardware
Converting from paper and Excel files to a fast, secure and integrated CRM system was the only way to improve business development opportunities at Oxford Hardware, a leading provider of commercial catering, refrigeration and plumbing equipment.
The Warwick-based company, which has customers throughout the UK and Ireland, chose webCRM because of its adaptability and the fact that its cloud hosting means it can be accessed by the sales team from virtually anywhere.
Sales and Marketing spokesperson, Joanne Taylor, said the business had needed to move from a paper-based system to improve business opportunities.
“We were all working off paper and I was finding that it was all very well knowing who our customers were but we weren’t aware of who wasn’t. So it was a waste of business development,” she said.
“Initially we were looking for a CRM system of any sort. We wanted something that was easy to use and manage. When I’m out and about I also need to be able to fire up the laptop and have information to hand and access all the relevant information about the customer. I can check that there’s anything that I should be aware of before I walk into the customer’s building.” Read more
Lightwater Environmental improves efficiency with webCRM
Environmental management company Lightwater Environmental Ltd focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of businesses in the UK and saving them money at the same time. But now it’s improving its own business efficiency with the help of webCRM.
Lightwater Environmental Ltd provides businesses with free energy management surveys and recommends financially viable solutions to help businesses make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint while saving large amounts of money in the process.
With a growing client base and range of environmental management services on offer, Lightwater realised that it needed a single system for capturing, recording and distributing customer information, data and sales leads around its team. Lightwater are also known for providing a very high level of customer service to their clients and so the simple answer was a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and it turned to web-based webCRM for the answer. Read more
‘be more effective’ with webCRM
When a business improvement training company that deals with some of the UK’s top blue chip businesses needed to implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, it turned to web-based webCRM for the solution.
‘be more effective’ designs and delivers customer and business solutions that help companies to achieve results by improving processes, enhancing employee involvement and developing skills within businesses.
As with many businesses, ‘be more effective’ had relied on its own database and Excel-based documents in the past, but needed to procure a dedicated CRM system that could help deliver even greater results.
Managing Director, Bob Hayward, who is one of the UK’s top internal communication and employee engagement consultants, realised that for his team to develop the business further they needed a single ‘live’ system that they could all work with. And after careful consideration he decided webCRM was the answer. Read more
Excel Law takes webCRM on the road
When it comes to being able to access and input customer data live you need a CRM system that has the capability to work with a range of mobile and portable devices, including iPads and Tablet PCs.
Up until now, field and sales teams have had to rely on bespoke systems that allow them access to their company’s database or CRM system – often at extortionate costs and with a host of IT requirements. The alternative has been updating system in the evening or the next day – sometimes even days later.
webCRM is a web-based CRM system that is readily available on mobile phones, tablet PCs and iPads without the need for software or specialist IT requirements and runs extremely fast through the devices web browser. Read more
Web design franchise experts realise the importance of web-based CRM systems
UK internet and web design franchise Spoton.net is an expert in its field and when the company wanted to enhance its sales leads and customer service experience it realised that a simple but effective web-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system was necessary.
With franchises spread around the UK and Ireland, Spoton.net needed a system that its own in-house team could use to develop sales leads and marketing campaigns, but one that its franchises could also use to grow their own businesses as well. So they turned to webCRM Ltd for a solution after scouring the CRM industry.
“We were a new start-up and knew that we’d need a CRM system to help develop the business,” said Karl Lewins, Franchise Development Manager at Spoton.net. “We searched for the best CRM system we could find. But it had to be simple and easy to use as we’d be rolling it out to our franchises as well.”
“webCRM was a perfect solution,” according to Mr Lewins, because its was “intuitive” and they could develop the system to how they wanted it easily. More importantly, it was web-based, allowing greater freedom and adaptability.” Read more
Praise from the Academy for Chief Executives
“Running a small business with a number of different strands, I chose webCRM over the leading hosted CRM system as I found it more intuitive, flexible and simple to set up – immediately bringing efficiency savings to our marketing and administration. The service / support has been excellent – fast and user friendly!”
Jane Hunt, Licensee for The Academy for Chief Executives
Footpower Ltd Sprint start with webCRM
I ran a company for ten years and the backbone of the business was the bespoke database for client service, but I never managed to create a database that really performed for my company. Having tried a number of the main suppliers I found they were over complex and staff never liked them.
Having sold my business I’m in start up mode again and knew that I wanted an easy to use, intuitive system. webCRM fulfils that role perfectly.
Ashley Blakemore
MD Footpower Ltd
