Automate Sales Pipeline Forecasting, Sales Call Reporting and Drip Marketing and Email Marketing with ACT! Software…
How The Database Diva Works with You on Your CRM and Marketing Automation Project
ACT! Software is one of the few entry-level CRM systems that you can certainly purchase and set up yourself. But Sage Software (makers of ACT! Software) put so many dynamic features into ACT! that most do-it-yourselfers end up using only 10%-20% of ACT!’s database firepower. They just don’t have time or resources to learn more features (or they never discover them!)
With more than 2 million ACT! users worldwide and because Sage Software wants everyone to have the very best user experience, Sage software offers software, training and support through a network of 450 “channel partners” known as Certified ACT! Consultants. Consultants train continuously with ACT!’s software developers on how ACT! is designed. Consultants are “field tested” daily on live “in production” customer databases (not in closed developer labs) and are able to support all versions of ACT!–even when Sage Software discontinues its support of older versions (which happens 18 months after a new release).
Aviva is a veteran ACT! certified consulting firm that applies a seasoned sales- and marketing-oriented approach to helping you achieve your CRM database objectives. When you select Aviva as your CRM partner, your project will be guided through these steps:
Most projects have a 14-step process
1. CRM Discovery Session
It’s Aviva’s job to help you think through all the consequences (intended and unintended) of implementing an ACT! Software database. This session can take from 2 hours to a full day, depending on the complexity of your goals. Einstein said, “A problem cannot be solved from the same thinking that created it.” You know your business very well, but you don’t know ACT! and its capabilities.
We may not know your business (yet) but we know sales pipeline forecasting, sales call reporting and drip marketing sales lead follow up systems. We bring a fresh approach and experience of working with thousands of ACT! database projects to the table. You don’t have to think of everything. From this discovery session, we build a custom solution for your company to automate its sales and marketing processes.
(Many times we are brought in for “triage” several years after a company set up ACT! Software on its own. We’re mandated: “ACT! doesn’t work right. Fix it.” Invariably we discover it’s not ACT! that’s broken, it’s the bloated workarounds the company’s ACT! users created because they didn’t understand ACT!’s built-in workflow processes. You can avoid the certainty that you’ll end up working on ACT! instead of on your business by working with Aviva.)
During Discovery, we will discuss your required customizations (if any) and ACT! add-on software you may need. ACT! has a long history of working with third-party developers to extend ACT!’s capabilities out of the box. Typical add-on software may include email and survey writing tools, links to PDAs and accounting software, advanced report writing and shipping integration with UPS and other major carriers.
2. ACT! CRM Pre-Launch Meeting
Just prior to installing ACT!, we hold a pre-launch meeting with all ACT! users and stakeholders to present the deployment plan and get feedback from all users before we “go live.” The inclusion of ACT! users into the process helps assure good user adoption of the new system in increases your company’s ROI on its CRM investment.
3. ACT! Installation
We pre-schedule your installation date to be as non-disruptive to your operation as possible, including the timing of server reboots (if necessary) and working on staff member’s PCs, laptops and PDA phones. Our consultants are precise and well informed, having been through internal Aviva project management training on yor project prior to arriving for duty. In the unlikely event of a system anomaly, the consultant will inform you of the issue and discuss additional options with you.
Aviva works on a project basis–never an hourly rate–because we are experienced at scope of work projections. Therefore, only if your project exceeds its scope will Aviva re-bid that part of your project. You will never be charged without approval, and you will never incur unexpected budget overruns without your knowledge.
4. ACT! Training
Once your ACT! database is installed and configured, it’s time for company-wide ACT! training. Aviva offers several ACT! training options, including private training live at your company site, online webinar training and in our monthly public ACT! training classes. We provide “point of view” custom training for sales reps, sales/customer support staff and management. Aviva is a Certified ACT! Professional Training company.
ACT! training classes include ACT! courseware, such as a training workbook and cheat sheet showing basic ACT! functions, and Aviva’s 60-day guarantee. Students may retake an Aviva public class at no addtional charge for up to 60 days to reinforce what they’ve learned. Remote users get 60 days of free phone support on training topics from class.
Classes are fun, interactive and teach “real world” scenarios based on the discovery and pre-launch meetings we held with you at the beginning of your project.
5. ACT! Support
During the first 90 days after your ACT! installation, it’s a normal part of the change process to feel your “hum of the business” has been unsettled. This is when Aviva takes a more active role in staying close to your project. It’s also the time that user adoption is won or lost. Our project management team checks in with you (or your ACT! Administrator) regularly to answer questions, correct misunderstood workflow steps or just take care of general troubleshooting. During this 90-day phase we ask your ACT! project leaders to keep a punch list of urgent and non-urgent issues that we can correct immediately.
Aviva’s annual ACT! support plan insures that you have help from experienced, available and understandable technicians. Aviva is also a member of The CRM Alliance, a national consortium of the top ACT! Consultants in the world who serve as Top Tier backup support. (Calling Sage Software directly gets you only Level 1 support and, often, after waiting endlessly on hold.) Aviva’s terms of service guarantee that support customers get their issues addressed immediately.
5. Advanced ACT! Consulting: Sales Pipeline Management and Drip Marketing
After about 90 days of full-time use of your new ACT! database, you’ll be ready to take your sales tracking and database marketing to the next level. Aviva has several programs to maximize your company’s ability to prospect for new business and stay in touch with current customers.
For example, if you want to automate your sales follow up to keep in touch with new customers or to follow up on sales proposals, Aviva can help you build drip marketing campaigns to do this. We are one of only a handful of Swiftpage Certified Consultants worldwide.
These programs propel your company ahead of the competition and assure that you can keep up with all the new leads you get!
Questions? Call 1-314-485-4350 (or 1-913-871-1794 in KC) for direct answers or use our Live Chat box on the right
