Choosing the Right CRM: Essential Features for small businesses

As a small business owner, you may find it challenging to choose the right CRM software from the many options available in the market. Each CRM offers numerous features, and as an SME, all these features can be enticing, which can be overwhelming. However, selecting the right CRM software can be a game-changing decision for your organization. Customer relationship management is a crucial yet time-consuming task that is prone to human errors. The right CRM can transform the way your business interacts with clients and can either make or break your business. So, let us understand what CRM software is and explore the essentials to look out for in 2023. 

CRM software is a tool that can help automate and manage the customer lifecycle for sales and marketing. This software is designed to store all consumer information in a single repository, making it easier for organizations to manage relationships. It also helps in automating common processes and monitoring performance and productivity. Therefore, every business needs to choose the right CRM software.

But, would I, a small business owner need CRM software? 

Certainly. A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system has many benefits and can be an essential tool to help you thrive in a competitive market. One of the most significant advantages of CRMs is that they provide a reliable system and process for maintaining relationships with customers. They also seamlessly integrate organizational workflows and processes across marketing, sales, and customer service departments. In addition, CRMs simplify tedious tasks and offer tools to track progress. However, it’s crucial to know what features to look out for to choose the right CRM. So, here are some essential features to consider before selecting a CRM.

Standard or core features

Every reputable CRM software will have these essential features that define a CRM.

1. Contact management

A CRM must have the ability to store contact information like names, addresses, and social media accounts in a database that is easy to search. Most CRMs do offer this but see the usability and layout of the database. This will help you choose the one. 

2. Interaction tracking

A CRM must have notes and keep records and track documented interactions and conversations of specific contacts. It must also track interaction history. You should always see how collaborative the CRM is and how many times a prospect will change hands in the sales funnel. 

3. Lead management

A CRM must have the processes and manage the process of converting prospects into potential customers (leads) by identifying, and scoring moving leads in a sales pipeline. 

Check if the CRM flows and transitions in a way that makes sense for your business, and your team. This will help you choose a CRM software that works for your business.

Common features 

Now, these features do exist in most CRMs but are not essential ones. But they distinguish a good CRM and a moderate one. These are features that you might want to consider when you are deciding on a CRM. 

1. Email integration

Integrating your Gmail or outlook or yahoo allows you to be more collaborative and is a great way to manage the contact list. But this is to consider if your team collaborates using email. If that is the case then this becomes essential for your CRM. 

2. Document management

Collecting, uploading, sharing, and storing documents in a centralized space so that they are accessible to everyone in your organization. This is a huge thing to consider if you are having a large team and document management can ensure a smooth, consistent experience.

3. Proposal management

If your organization requires some back-and-forth between contacts then a great feature to have is a centralized space for proposals meant for contacts 

4. Pipeline management

If you have a longer sales funnel then it should be a feature to look out for. Pipeline management is you can watch the entire sales pipeline and the progress of each step and manage each step of your pipeline in your CRM

5. Workflow automation

One of the many reasons why organizations invest in CRM software is because tasks can be repetitive. If you can automate those tasks, you can reduce the chances of human error and can create workflows that can trigger actions or send follow-up reminders. However, it is a feature that can be found as an upgrade. So you have to see how many tasks in your team are repetitive in nature. 

Optional features

Now, these are the features that change in each CRM. these features distinguish each CRM and if a CRM has these along with the above features then it is a good one for you. 

1. Analytics

To troubleshoot your problems, it becomes an easy process if you have the analytics of your sales figures in a centralized location. What you can measure, you can improve.

2. Forecast sales

Prediction of sales figures based on the present and past figures will be a great feature to make informed decisions for the future. 

If an organization wants a CRM to work for them it is important to look into the core features. You can look into the common and essential features according to your business requirement and choose a CRM accordingly. 

But sometimes this decision can get overwhelming. So here is Assystant to help you. Assystant will help you choose the right software so that you can have these important decisions with the information.  

PropTech Trends of 2023

Over the past three decades, the real estate industry has undergone significant changes, with information technology (IT) playing a pivotal role in shaping its landscape. The industry is currently experiencing a substantial digital transformation. It is essential to keep an eye out for Proptech trends that are likely to work well in the industry by 2023.

Proptech is one of the most prominent industries expected to reach $8.6 trillion by 2026, and technology is a major factor behind its growth. Technology has become an essential consideration in the industry, as it enables everyone involved to make better decisions and create a better consumer experience. Therefore, it is crucial to consider industry trends to stay ahead of the curve.

The pandemic forced millions of people to shift their operations online, heavily influencing the trends in Proptech. The real estate industry is undergoing significant changes due to newer innovations and technologies, which are transforming the way it operates. It is expected that there will be even more significant changes in the coming years.

Here are 6 major Proptech trends of 2023

1. AI and ML. 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are widely used in the real estate industry, and their use is expected to increase even further. These technologies enable realtors to incorporate data pipelines and algorithms in their decision-making process. Additionally, AI and ML can be employed for various purposes such as advertising and content marketing. By using AI chatbots, for instance, real estate companies can enhance the customer experience by responding promptly to consumer queries.

2. CRM software

CRM software has gained significant popularity across various industries and is now making its mark in real estate. This is attributed to the vital need for real estate professionals to stay connected with clients and leads, emphasizing the importance of maintaining seamless communication. CRM software facilitates end-to-end management, encompassing tasks such as handling incoming requests and generating price quotes for property sales and management. Moreover, these systems can offer industry-specific features tailored to the unique requirements of real estate professionals.

3. Automation

4. 3D modeling 

5. VR and AR 

6. Blockchain

Blockchain is gaining popularity for its ability to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy while ensuring necessary transparency. It stands out as an emerging trend in prop-tech due to its efficiency and multi-party involvement. The decentralized nature of these transactions also enhances security.

5G and its impact in our lives

How can 5g impact our lives? 5G is the new cool thing that is on the brink of being used all over the world. Some places are adopting 5G as their primary form of internet. But will it be good or bad?

5G is cool, and 5G is new. It’s creating a buzz for consumers, businesses, and tech enthusiasts all at the same time. 5G is capable of creating newer opportunities that were never seen before. It is 100 times faster than 4G and has ultra-low latency and greater bandwidths that can transform the world and create newer opportunities. 

But what exactly is 5G?

It is the fifth generation of mobile networks. The first generation was in the 1980s when you could have mobile calls, the second generation was in the ’90s when calls and SMS were made possible. The phones could fit in your pockets. The third one was in the Y2K era which enabled internet surfing via a mobile device. 4G started in the 2010s which enabled video consumption and high data speed. But now it’s time for the fifth generation. This is said to enable a newer kind of network and everything and everyone can be connected virtually using this generation of wireless communication technology. If you want to learn more about 5G and connected devices, check this article here.

But what makes 5G different?

Even though 5G runs on the same radio frequencies as the ones used today, it will enable the current technology to do much more. Since everything will be connected, it will be a crucial technology in creating a more cohesive and connected world. 5G can enable newer projects touching ideas like virtual surgeries and smart cities. And most importantly, the connections established by 5G networks are reliable which will help the world have more benefits. 

But how can 5G affect our lives?

Because 5G is more than just fast internet. It is capable of creating newer use cases that were never seen before. Just like 4 G-enabled apps like Instagram and YouTube. Machines objects and devices all over the world can be connected virtually with each other and this will help create a more sustainable world. 

It can touch every part of our life but here are some examples of where it can affect us the most. 

1. Cutting the cord. 

Since the dawn of wireless networks, enterprises want to cut the cord and save their prices, and cut the costs from the cable company. Guess what? 5g makes it possible. With 5G technology, you can literally bring about speeds that are just as fast (or faster) than current wireless systems. You can connect many devices reliably with the help of 5G itself. 

Just a thing to note. Wires will still exist. Just not in the enterprise space. 

2. Logistics. 

Since devices are connected at all times, With the help of 5G and IoT it will be easier to keep track of logistics and will bring end-to-end, uninterrupted visibility of goods. This is especially important for SMEs to keep track of resources and inventories so that they can optimally prepare themselves for any issues coming forward. 

3. Remote robotics. 

Imagine being connected to a robot from thousands of miles away. Cloud robotics is an upcoming thing thanks to 5G. 5G is capable of bringing humanity to a place it’s never been before. You can have a production line and can monitor workloads without being actually present thanks to 5G. Remote surgeries and telehealth can also be made possible by 5G

4. Connected homes

Our homes will be more connected than ever. Imagine a system such that as the sun sets down, the intensity of lights in your home goes up. As soon as you enter your home, with one voice command, miles away from your home. You can literally monitor your home from your office seamlessly. 

5.  Connected vehicles. 

It must be so cool when 5g can save lives. Since 5g can connect many devices, Connected and autonomous vehicles will be connected and can work seamlessly to save lives by preventing accidents.  

6. Event experiences

5g can be a game changer for many things that can including things like public events like smart stadiums and smart venues. 5G can make it easier to track the data of these veneers to find parking spaces and seats without many hiccups. 

7. Production lines

Production lines will be more predictive than ever. IoT and 5g will help you have production lines collect and analyze data and act on the given data. This will help you make more reliable faster and more valuable decisions 

But 5g is more than all these applications. It is a generation of technology that will bring humanity so close and connected that we have never seen before. Newer use cases will be seen just because of 5G networks. It will be the tool for a faster, safer, and more sustainable future.

5 Jobs Facing Imminent Threat from ChatGPT: A Look into the Future of Work

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, the emergence of powerful language models like ChatGPT has raised questions about the future of various professions. As these AI systems continue to advance, they have the potential to disrupt traditional job roles across different industries. Let’s delve into five jobs that face imminent threats from ChatGPT and explore hypothetical use cases that illustrate this looming transformation.

1. Writing:

The art of crafting engaging content, whether it’s articles, blogs, or marketing copy, has long been considered a human skill. However, with the capabilities of ChatGPT, the need for human writers may diminish. Imagine a scenario where businesses utilize ChatGPT to generate SEO-friendly blog posts or product descriptions effortlessly. With its ability to mimic human language, ChatGPT could produce content that rivals that of human writers, leading to a decline in demand for professional writers.

2. Customer Service:

Customer service representatives are tasked with addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and providing support to customers. ChatGPT has the potential to automate many aspects of this role through chatbots. For instance, a company could deploy ChatGPT-powered chatbots to handle routine customer queries, such as order status inquiries or FAQs. These chatbots could engage in natural language conversations, providing timely and accurate assistance without the need for human intervention.

3. Language Translation:

The field of language translation relies heavily on human expertise to accurately convey meaning across different languages. However, ChatGPT’s natural language processing capabilities pose a threat to this profession. In a hypothetical scenario, ChatGPT could be utilized to translate text or speech between languages with remarkable accuracy and efficiency. This could significantly reduce the demand for human translators, particularly for basic translation tasks.

4. Basic Level of Programming:

Entry-level programming tasks, such as coding simple scripts or automating repetitive tasks, may face disruption from ChatGPT. As these language models become more adept at understanding and generating code, individuals without extensive programming knowledge could use ChatGPT to perform basic programming tasks. For example, ChatGPT could assist non-programmers in creating website layouts or automating data analysis tasks, reducing the need for entry-level programmers in certain contexts.

5. Psychologists:

While human empathy and understanding are integral to the field of psychology, ChatGPT’s conversational abilities could challenge traditional therapeutic practices. In a hypothetical scenario, individuals seeking emotional support or counseling could interact with ChatGPT-powered chatbots designed to provide empathetic responses and guidance. While these chatbots may not replace human therapists entirely, they could offer accessible mental health support to a broader audience.

It’s essential to note that we are still in the early stages of AI development, and the full extent of ChatGPT’s impact on these professions remains to be seen. Additionally, as ChatGPT and similar language models evolve, we can expect to see more diverse and sophisticated use cases emerge, further reshaping the future of work.

In conclusion, the rise of ChatGPT signals a paradigm shift in how we perceive and approach various job roles. While these AI systems offer unparalleled capabilities, they also pose significant challenges to traditional professions. As we navigate this transformative period, it’s crucial for individuals and industries to adapt and embrace the opportunities that AI-powered technologies bring while also considering the potential implications for the future of work.

How a startup can survive in a recession?

A recession is a period of economic decline, typically characterized by a decrease in the gross domestic product (GDP), employment, and consumer spending. It often results in a contraction of the economy and a rise in unemployment. And in these times there can be a domino effect wherein one thing can affect all financial institutions and in turn all businesses. Recessions are especially difficult for startups and entrepreneurs and it is crucial for entrepreneurs to find creative ways to navigate through recessions 

Recessions can be challenging times for startups, but strategic partnerships can be an effective way to help them survive and even thrive during difficult economic conditions.

During a recession, startup companies can face significant challenges in maintaining their operations, generating revenue, and staying afloat. Strategic partnerships can be a key tool for startups to survive and even thrive during a recession.

A strategic partnership involves two or more companies coming together to achieve mutual benefits. In the context of startups during a recession, strategic partnerships can help to reduce costs, expand reach and access to customers, and provide access to resources and expertise that may not otherwise be available. Here are some ways that startups can use strategic partnerships to survive a recession:

1. Cost sharing: 

Cash flow is one of the most difficult issues for startups during a recession. Strategic partnerships can help by allowing businesses to share costs. For example, a startup that provides a software solution may collaborate with a company that provides hardware, allowing them to bundle and sell their products together while sharing marketing and advertising costs. This can help both companies save money and improve their bottom lines.

2. Access to new markets: 

Strategic partnerships can also help startups gain access to new markets. Partnering with a larger, more established company can provide a startup with new customers and distribution channels that they might not have had access to otherwise. This is especially important during a recession, when customers are less likely to try new products or services.

3. Joint marketing and advertising: 

Another advantage of strategic partnerships is the ability to work together on marketing and advertising campaigns. Startups can collaborate with larger corporations to develop joint marketing campaigns that will help them reach a larger audience. This will assist them in generating more leads and increasing their revenue.

4. Access to expertise and resources: 

Startups can benefit from partnerships by gaining access to their partners’ expertise and resources. This can assist them in improving their products and services, streamlining their operations, and cutting costs. A startup that offers a digital marketing platform, for example, might collaborate with a company that specializes in data analytics to help them improve their product and better serve their customers.

5. Diversification: 

Finally, strategic alliances can assist startups in diversifying their revenue streams. Startups can reduce their reliance on a single product or service and spread their risk across multiple areas by partnering with companies in different industries or markets. This can assist them in weathering a recession by providing a more consistent source of revenue.

But a big question lies, in how to establish strategic partnerships.

Strategic partnerships can be a crucial way out of recessions and this can be achieved by identifying companies that can complement their products or services, building relationships with potential partners, and finding mutually beneficial ways to collaborate. It is essential to keep communication open, work towards a shared goal and make sure both parties benefit from the partnership and help each other survive and thrive during difficult economic times.

How did startups survive previous recessions?

Recession is not a new concept and one of the most memorable recessions of recent times can be the 2008 recession. The 2008 recession was caused by a combination of factors, including the subprime mortgage crisis, risky financial practices, and a credit crunch. It led to decreased investment, less access to funding, and lower consumer demand, which all had negative impacts on startups. However one of the most iconic sustenance and survival case can be that of Airbnb.

Airbnb:

During the recession, Airbnb used strategic partnerships with major travel companies such as Expedia and Craigslist to expand its reach and attract more users. Even in a difficult economic climate, this helped them survive by increasing their customer base and driving more bookings. Furthermore, they concentrated on increasing trust and loyalty among their existing users by providing exceptional customer service and investing in quality control measures.

Craigslist :

Craigslist benefited from increased usage during the recession as more people looked for ways to save money and find affordable options. They also did not rely on advertising revenue like many other online platforms, allowing them to weather the economic downturn without suffering significant financial consequences. Furthermore, Craigslist continued to prioritize simplicity and user experience, which helped them retain and even attract new users during the recession.

Amazon:

Amazon was able to survive and even thrive during the 2008 recession due to a number of factors. For starters, they had already established a dominant position in the e-commerce market, which enabled them to maintain a strong customer base and grow. They also invested in new technologies such as the Amazon Kindle, which allowed them to diversify their revenue streams and provide more value to their customers. They also continued to expand internationally, allowing them to enter new markets and offset some of the effects of the US recession. Finally, they concentrated on cost reduction and efficiency, which enabled them to maintain profitability and weather the economic downturn.

Strategic partnerships can be a chain that can save many startups from the hell hole of recession. With difficult financial times, it is crucial for startups to identify their suitable partners and market with each other so that they can grow and sustain fluctuating markets. 

That is why Assystant has a special focus on partnerships because we believe that partnerships can help in the sustenance of businesses at all times. We collaborate with business owners so that we can adapt to their business models and provide them with valuable solutions. Get a free consultation from Assystant with no strings attached. 

From Idea to Reality: Your Essential Guide for Building an MVP

At Assystant, we believe Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) are the cornerstone of successful product development. Building a product in a vacuum, without validating its purpose and target audience, is a recipe for wasted time and resources. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and steps needed to craft an MVP that sets your business on the path to success.

Why MVPs Matter:

Imagine Jeff Bezos launching Amazon in the 1990s as a full-fledged “everything store.” Without the internet’s ubiquity and widespread email adoption, such a venture would have likely failed. Instead, Bezos wisely started with a core value proposition: selling books online. This MVP addressed a clear need (easy access to a vast selection of books), was viable (relatively simple to implement), and allowed Amazon to gather crucial user feedback to inform future iterations.

The MVP approach offers several advantages:

• Faster Market Validation: Get your product in front of real users quickly to gauge interest and identify potential issues.
• Reduced Costs: Focus on core functionalities, minimizing development time and resource allocation.
• Actionable User Insights: Gather valuable feedback to refine your product and ensure market fit.

Building a Winning MVP:

Here’s a step-by-step approach to crafting a successful MVP, adhering to industry best practices:

1. Market Research: Don’t build in a bubble! Conduct surveys, analyze competitors, and identify a clear market need your product will address. Remember, CB Insights tells us the number one reason startups fail is a lack of market need. This crucial first step in the MVP development process ensures you’re building something people actually want.

2. Define Value Proposition: What problem does your product solve? How will it benefit users and compel them to choose it? Clearly articulate the value your MVP offers, even in its initial form. A well-defined value proposition is the heart of any successful MVP.

3. User Flow Mapping: Design a user-friendly experience. Imagine yourself as the user and map out each interaction point within the MVP. Prioritize a clear and concise user journey over extensive features. By mapping user flow, you ensure your MVP is intuitive and easy to navigate.

4. Prioritize Features: Not all features are created equal. Identify the core functionalities that deliver value and prioritize them for MVP development. Consider prototyping to test and refine feature priority. Prioritization is a key MVP best practice. Don’t overwhelm users with unnecessary features in the initial iteration.

5. Launch and Learn: With a market-tested MVP in hand, gather real-world user feedback through metrics and qualitative analysis. Use these insights to iterate and improve your product. This launch phase is not the end, but the beginning of the MVP journey. Use the learnings to continuously improve your product.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Wrong Problem: Ensure your MVP addresses a genuine market need. Define your target audience, their problem, and how your solution fits.
2. Skipping Prototyping: Prototypes bridge the gap between idea and product. Use them to gather early user feedback and validate your direction.
3. Targeting Everyone: Not everyone is your ideal customer. Focus on gathering feedback from your target audience.
4. Waterfall Development: Embrace agile development methodologies to ensure rapid product iteration and adaptation to user feedback.
5. Ignoring Qualitative Feedback: Quantitative metrics are valuable, but qualitative feedback from users helps pinpoint specific UI/UX issues.

Assystant: Your MVP Partner

Building an MVP can be challenging, but Assystant is here to help. Our team of experts will guide you through every step, ensuring your MVP is market-ready and poised for success. This allows you to focus on what matters most: growing your business.

By following these MVP best practices and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to building an MVP that validates your product idea and paves the way for a thriving business.

Low-Code Software Development: A simple guide

Introduction

With newer technologies, low-code, and no-code are buzzwords amongst tech enthusiasts and software developers. This development methodology can help you elevate your coding experience. In this blog, learn more about low-code development. 

With more complex business applications being on the rise, it has become crucial that building those applications becomes simpler. Hence low-code and no-code development styles come into existence. Low code reduces the complexity of building good modern business apps adaptable to ever-changing markets. With the help of a low-code development style,  organizations are better equipped to quickly adapt and respond to fast-changing business conditions. Here is a complete guide to help you choose a low-code development platform to achieve your business goals.

What is low-code?

Low code is a development environment that can change your coding style from textual to visual. With traditional coding environments, the developer has to figure out the functionality of each line from the lines of code. With low-code environments, people of all fronts, be they software developers, business stakeholders, or decision-makers can build value-driven enterprise business applications. Unlike the traditional textual interface, low-code works in a model-driven, drag-and-drop interface. Low code can automate every step of the application development. Also, these development styles make development more accessible to all which can help accelerate the development process. 

How can low code help businesses?

The best part of Low code is its drag-and-drop functionality which is great for increasing the productivity of the developer. It will also help you visualize how the app will function while developing the code. Also since low-code has pre-configured modules, logic, templates, and connectors, it becomes easy to build cross-platform apps which is customizable and scalable. 

Since it has a visual model of development, collaboration also becomes easier with the help of built-in tools for feedback loops, revision tracking, user stories, messaging, and more. Also, generally low-code platforms are cloud-based and hence it becomes easy to scale the apps according to your business objectives.

How unique is low-code? 

Low code is not the same as no-code. No code development is for developers who have no development experience. It is also very different from the traditional coding environment. It takes the best of both worlds and allows non-technical users and professional developers can apply their skillsets, collaborate, and co-develop solutions.

But which low-code platform to choose?

There are more than 300 tools for low-code development. But here are some factors to consider to choosing a low-code development platform

1. Collaborative IDE

One of the main objectives of organizations opting for low-code development is easier collaboration. The platform must have separate accounts for professional and community developers. Your platform should have built-in tools to facilitate real-time collaboration between business and IT.

2. Data integration

Your organization will most likely have a huge amount of data. So your platform must integrate with any system and data source. The platform must enable developers to find, understand, and use data from any internal or external source — without compromising data security.

3. Application lifecycle management

Your platform must have an integrated set of tools for support at any stage of application development. This will ensure quality and eliminate the traditional bottlenecks, costs, and risks associated with app delivery.

4. User experience

Your platform must develop and support web and mobile platforms and must ensure a smooth frictionless user experience. 

5. Productivity

A big advantage of low-code development is productivity. Your platform must ensure that it has no-code IDE with drag-and-drop widgets, reusable components, and real-time collaboration along with flexible integration and extensibility, as well as out-of-the-box DevOps tools to ensure productivity for civilian and professional developers respectively. 

6. Cloud support

Your platform must support scalable cloud-native apps and should have the option to deploy on various cloud platforms. 

Conclusion:

With all these factors to consider you can choose a low-code platform that is just right for you. Because it eases the application development cycle and makes it accessible to all. With time, low-code will become the future of application development. Low code platforms will be an important tool for solopreneurs, businesses, and professional developers alike to build value-based applications that make an impact in the ever-changing market. So it is a significant leap in technology one must consider.

As technology gives you the tools to create value in the market, Assystant will help you choose the right technology to create value-based solutions for your business objectives. Contact us to get in touch with one of our consultants for free consultations.