In any business, customer care and management is essential to ensure that you keep your customers happy. After all, finding new customers may be a long and time consuming process, but making sure your existing patrons are happy doesn't have to be. That's why employing a range of customer relationship management tools is so important for a business to progress. But what exactly is customer relationship management (CRM) and what does it entail?
Essentially, CRM is a catch-all term that incorporates a number of concepts used by companies to manage their relationships with their customers. This can include the capture, storage and analysis of data gleaned from the customer, vendor, partner or any internal research process. In a theoretical sense, CRM is divided into three key functionalities: marketing, sales and services. Marketing primarily relates to the long-term planning and short-term execution of marketing-related activities within a company. Sales functionalities, on the other hand, are essentially focused on helping an organisation execute and manage the presales process in a more structured manner.
In contrast, services concentrate on effectively managing the customer service aspects of a business, in order to provide first and second level support to customers. These service functionalities could include service order management, resource planning and scheduling, warranty management and knowledge management. Currently, however, one of the most popular forms of service functions for customers is call centre support.
Call centre management is now a crucial component of the customer relationship management activities in a business. Fundamentally, call centres cover the need to add value to a company's consumer support and help deliver real benefits in the forms of more loyal customer relationships, a rise in sales and indispensable information.
Nevertheless, running a call centre can be tricky. Call centre management requires the effective balancing of efficiency and service; customers will be keen to avoid long queues, so there must be sufficient staff and capacity to handle inbound calls effectively to maintain a high quality of service. Conversely, it is estimated that maintaining staff can form up to 70 per cent of the cost of running a call centre. So a successful call centre management strategy must undertake to minimise the number of staff present without compromising on the level of service offered.
Thankfully, the high demand for call centre management services today means that it's possible to choose from an array of leading call centre management outsourcers. Leading call centre management outsourcing partners will provide a range of services, including outbound and inbound call support, as well as expertise in customer enquiries, order and payment processing, sale acquisition and retention and basic technical support. As a result, it's now easier for you to provide your customers with many levels of customer support - and happy customers are sure to generate better business prospects!
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
For and apartment
By: puppylove6550 | 18-07-2008
hi i just want to ask if you have house there for h i v persons. with disability and social security and medicare im 49 years old disabled too since 2004. i live in hempstaed ny 11550 my my son moved down glen falls ny upstate so im justing asking to see if they have the same help as here where im at ihave here options for commnity living. puppylove6550@aol.com please comment back to me please marisa polanco.
What are variuos CRM solutions available.in the ...
By: mukhtar | 21-06-2008
what are variuos CRM solutions available.in the market?
What exactly CRM means?
By: dalmakani | 10-03-2008
What exactly CRM means?
What online CRM do you recommend? and why?
By: nirb | 08-01-2008
What online CRM do you recommend? and why?
What's the best free online CRM for Windows?
By: Stevo | 25-10-2007
What's the best free online CRM for Windows, suitable for a single user, with data able to be shared online?
Who makes infinity ? Nissan?
By: bootman | 04-10-2007
who makes infinity ? Nissan?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Customer Service Articles
How to Find Great Sushi
By: 10x Marketing | 25/07/2008
Do you need a Japanese translator to find great sushi? No! Just follow these steps to find the best sushi in your area.
Mogul Energy Announces Sea Dragon Energy Inc.‘s Ipo
By: atomxiao | 25/07/2008
The common shares of Mogul Energy are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) system under the symbol 'MGUY,' and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") under the symbol 'BKX'. Further information concerning Mogul Energy can be found in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
Forward-Looking Statements:
The common shares of Mogul Energy are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) system under the symbol 'MGUY,' and the Frankfurt Stock Exch
The Weighty Burden of Anticipating Customer Needs
By: Kirsty Dunphey | 24/07/2008
Find the way to say yes to your customers, instead of no, don’t or can’t.
Rain Bird Rain Sensor
By: Kathleen Chester | 23/07/2008
The Rain Bird RSD Series Rain Sensor is extremely durable and visually pleasing. It is apt for residential complexes and also for commercial places.
Logo Reference Materials
By: Robert Johnston | 23/07/2008
If you have decided to design your own logo but aren’t sure where to start or if you can’t come up with any ideas, here are some resources that will educate and motivate you.
Learning Forex Trades
By: itmar | 23/07/2008
This article is for the traders who want to make some bucks from forex trading. Before you learn more about forex trading, out of 10 traders 7 persons keep losing money in this market; and the rest work freely from their house and earn millions. Rest 30% might be those with insider news, or those with forex trading skills and knowledge.
Understanding the Nanaimo Real Estate Market
By: Gary Bowen | 23/07/2008
Nanaimo is the real estate market provides exceptional options for investors and residents. Location of Nanaimo is good with its huge appeal for professional, tourists, retirees, artist, tourism associated- business & enthusiasts. They require for authentic property in this city is kept by Nanaimo's status just as gateway of Vancouver Island. The opportunity of eco tourism can't be hyped, with global visitors. Millions of the visitors are drawn to unbelievable power of west coastline beaches.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
By: Gary Bowen | 23/07/2008
The purchase or ownership of a house is a greatest investment that you make in your life. There are many beautiful areas in Nanaimo. Campbell River grows formwork of miners, fishers and foresters. Giant Mountain, beaches & vistas surround it. Campbell River is really astonishing place to work and live. It is a hub for tourism, shopping, arts and industry. Campbell River is a gateway of courage & adventure.
More from Elisha Burberry
Tour China: Exploring the Red Giant
By: Elisha Burberry | 26/03/2008 | Exotic Locations
China's vast size and massive diversity may at first seem bewildering to the traveller, but with such a great choice of escorted tours on offer, getting the most from this fascinating land is easy.
Stay in Touch With Long Distance Video Calling
By: Elisha Burberry | 24/03/2008 | Travel Tips
It is now extremely easy to stay in touch from anywhere in the world, and thanks to free video messaging conversations with friends and family are only a click away.
Hungary for Hot Water? the Baths of Budapest
By: Elisha Burberry | 07/03/2008 | Destinations
Budapest's opulent bath houses are drawing more and more Brits who are Hungary for a hot and steamy experience in this Eastern European capital.
Call of the Clog: Holidays in Holland
By: Elisha Burberry | 06/03/2008 | Destinations
Many Brits typically head south on their holidays, hoping to escape the UK's dreary climate in search of some fun in the sun; however Holland is an excellent place to visit if you're looking for culture, nature and great cuisine.
Photography: Thanks for the Memories
By: Elisha Burberry | 05/03/2008 | Visual Art
Photography, the way it is taken and the way we use it has evolved out of all recognition since the first photograph was created in 1826.
First-time Buyer Affordability 'worsens'
By: Elisha Burberry | 05/03/2008 | Real Estate
First-time buyers are finding it harder than ever to fund the purchase of their first property. However, an internet savings account could help them save for their deposit.
Paradise Drowning: Maldives Under Threat
By: Elisha Burberry | 20/02/2008 | Exotic Locations
As the lowest country in the world, the Maldives - a collection of some 1200 islands - will be the first nation to go under as sea levels continue to rise due to climate change.
Society’s Elite Gear Up for the Gumball 3000 Rally
By: Elisha Burberry | 20/02/2008 | Cars
Since 1999 the Gumball 3000 - a 3000 mile international, transcontinental rally that takes place on public roads around the world - has been the annual adventure playground for society’s elite with celebrities racing every day and partying every night.