Wrecking the 80-20 Rule
CRM, if it’s working right, is a tool for destroying the 80-20 business equation.
The best examples of CRM wrecking 80-20 rule are experienced when methodology is formalized, integrated into business processes and encoded within software. Few examples to illustrate the point are dramatic improvements in
- margin via elimination of excessive discounting caused by inadequate forecasting methods and practices;
- new sales hires retention and rump up enabled by clearly stated process guidance, terminology, and definitions;
- lead conversion ratio since streamlining of pipeline management eliminates “stale” leads;
- customer satisfaction, i.e. retention enabled by flowing customer (contact/person) information across departments/sales teams/customer support/marketing, etc. within a proper context.
That makes CRM initiatives such a high risk/but much higher return proposition - if done right the ROI is much higher and faster than most of other options.

