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
Eagle Education flies with web-based CRM provider webCRM
Eagle Education and Training is one of the UK’s fastest growing specialists in accountancy training. When it wanted to improve its sales lead conversions it needed a CRM system that was easy to use and implement within the business and so it turned to webCRM.
The Wrexham-based company provides specialist home and remote training and education for businesses and individuals seeking a range of accountancy qualifications to enhance their careers or as part of staff development programmes and training. The business had previously relied on its sales team dealing with enquiries through conventional office databases, but realised that it needed to modernise and implement a professional CRM system in order to grow the business.
Sonya Ashbury of Eagle Education and Training explained: “Because the business was growing it was getting more difficult to keep track of leads and we wanted to have a professional system in place. We found out about webCRM through networking with other people who told us about it. I was finding it more and more difficult to find a system that wasn’t over complicated. The webCRM website was easy to find and the system itself was very simple to understand.” 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
Fusion Group recommends webCRM
webCRM works with a wide range of businesses in various sectors and industries, demonstrating the ability of the web-based CRM system to work with businesses of all sizes and types.
Fusion Group is one company that has understood the importance of CRM systems and has been impressed with the webCRM system.
“We’ve now been a client of webCRM for nearly two years and both myself and my whole team are really appreciative of the way that you handle our queries no matter how simple or complex in such a helpful and straight forward way. We would have no hesitation in recommending the webCRM software team to any forwarding thinking and fast growing company,” said Alex McKie, Managing Director of Fusion Group – www.fusiongroupuk.co.uk.
webCRM gets A* from PTC Education
The system is so easy to use, I’m actually enjoying using it!
Definitely made the right choice. What I love is the speed. Even with our slower internet connection it does not feel like a web application. Feels like I’m working from my desktop!
PTC Education
WSG Associates Inspired by webCRM
WebCRM is a fantastic sales tool, it has improved our efficiency and sales reporting, James and Stephen have provided us with first class support, guidance and training
Stuart Galloway Cert Ed MIfL
Senior Associate
WSG Associates
Health Charity using webCRM
We are a mental health charity which needed a database that was flexible, adaptable and able to store large quantities of information very securely. We have found the adaptability of the database invaluable and are excited by the prospects of how we can further adapt it to suit our needs. We are now able to extract statistical information about our client base which tells us how we can help people further and what areas they need more help and support . The customer service support provided by webCRM has been excellent. Staff have helped us come up with new ideas of how to adapt the database and have responded very quickly to troubleshoot problems. We are very pleased with the product.
Jude Wynne
Advocacy Manager
