---

While researching social marketing today I found that eHow, a purveyor of how to articles, provides some helpful information to assist potential CRM users in various CRM topics. The topics range from How to short list CRM vendors to How to Hire a CRM Software Consultant. Below are the helpful articles and some extra information around the topics.

1. How to Short List CRM Vendors

For this article I especially like #12

#12 "Check whether it has open API and web-services to facilitate integrations with other important applications in your organization."

Many CRM vendors do not offer a robust API which for some small business may not be a big deal. At some point in the business growth phase integrations will need to occur to streamline process. The CRM that you pick can have a great impact on what happens with your data in the future, especially when you start discussing migrations.

2. How to Hire a CRM Software Consultant

#3 "Decide if you want to use an in-house CRM software consultant that is an actual employee of the company or hire an independent firm to manage all of your CRM applications"

The decision from step #3 of this article should also be identified before shortlisting a set of CRM vendors. If your CRM customization effort is going to be in house then the CRM package should compliment the in house skills. The CRM packacge should not make them go out of their way to learn completely new programming languages or tools of possible.

3. How to Select CRM Software for an Online Business

#6 mentions the mobile component which can be extremely important. If most of your sales force is made up of constant travelers then be able to pull data easily and at any time from a smart phone is paramount.

4. How to implement CRM?

This article mentions an assessment consultant which you never here a whole lot about. Bringing a consultant in to assist the in house team with selecting a CRM package can have a positive impact on the future of your CRM implementation.

5. How to Use CRM Software for a Small Business

6. How to Become a CRM Change Manager

7. Role of Segment Manager in CRM

8. How Does CRM Work?