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Web based versus Desktop Contact Manager/CRM Solutions - 02/26/12 01:49 PM
A statement is often made that having a Web based CRM is clearly superior to a desktop CRM. The reality is that there are pros and cons to both. While there are many arguments over which is better and why, let's address a few of the most common misconceptions.
The first thing to do to is to realize that desktop does not mean what it used to. It is likely that many people form their opinion on the limitations of having a desktop CRM based on the most well known original ones - Howard and Friends, Agent Office and Top Producer. … (18 comments)

Not using all of your CRMs features. That's OK. - 02/22/12 07:22 AM
There is a common complaint with agents feeling that if they don’t use all the features of a CRM, that they are spending more money than they should for features they don’t use. Developers have to build a CRM to suit the needs of the many, so there will undoubtedly be features that not everyone wants. It’s one thing if all you want is an electronic Rolodex. If that’s the case then just use Outlook or Google and be done with it. But if you want other features, chances are you’re going to have to take a CRM that has what … (5 comments)

Respond is out, InTouch is in - 02/16/12 11:29 AM
Sorry to announce that the Real Estate CRM "Respond" from Pat Zaby's Systems & Seminars is no longer being offered due to issues with MS Office 2010.   So as not to be the bearer of only bad tidings, I'll take this same opportunity to announce that Pat's focus is now on a new project called InTouch. You can check it out at http://patzaby.com/Products/InTouch/ … (0 comments)

Computer hardware and software purchases are not independent decisions - 02/16/12 08:50 AM
When smart phones first gained popularity, people started buying them without first finding out what CRMs would synch with them. When Mac started doing its marketing push and agents started going out and buying Mac desktops and laptops, they bought them and then came to me to find out if the CRM they had been considering would work on them. They were often disappointed.
Now the same thing is happening with tablet computers.
The point is that hardware comes and goes. Phones, desktops, laptops, phones, and tablets get replaced every few years. If you pick the right CRM, you may end … (1 comments)

A Brief History of CRM & who will survive? - Part 2 - 02/09/12 08:18 AM
So what determines which CRMs will survive? There are certainly no hard and fast rules because there are far too many variables. Issues to take into account other than the obvious, “Is it a good CRM?” are:
How long have they been out of beta? (meaning when they finished testing and started selling it) How big is their user base? How many people are in the company? Are they part of a larger company that can support it for a while, or is it a mom and pop using personal funds? How is their support? While the length of time a … (1 comments)

Are you using your CRMs activity plans? - 02/02/12 12:49 PM
It's a shame so few people use their CRM for Transaction Management. Many agents use the CRMs activity plan/campaign/task series capability for following up with leads or for post closing follow-up. But very few understand the value of tracking your listings and closings with that same feature.
For those of you who have ever created a prioritized checklist of tasks for the day, you know what it feels like while you are burning through that list. It is so much easier and faster to complete your tasks for the day for a couple reasons. One is that you do not … (3 comments)

A Brief History of CRM & Who Will Survive? - Part 1 - 02/02/12 11:34 AM
Currently, there are about 40 Real Estate specific CRMs (Customer Relationship Managers) and they are surprisingly unique in many respects. Can the industry support them all? If not, how do you pick one that is most likely to survive?
Moving from one CRM to another is very costly in terms of loss of data and the investment of time in a new learning curve. If at all possible, you want to pick the right one the first time.
The very first Real Estate specific CRM was Howard Sanderson’s Howard & Friends in 1982. Around 1986, another came out called Real Estate … (1 comments)

 
Gary1000 Rainmaker_large

Gary David Hall, RE CRM Broker, REALTOR,e-PRO,RECS

Doylestown, PA

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RE-ACT, LLC

Office Phone: (215) 345-5222

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This blog is dedicated to the dissemination of information about Real Estate specific contact management and CRM software.


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