CRM
Signs Your Business Has Outgrown Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are flexible and familiar, which is why so many businesses run on them. But there is a point where they start costing more time than they save.
By Joshua Zaghini, RMZ Digital4 min read
Seven common signs
- Several versions of the same spreadsheet exist
- Only one person really understands how it works
- Leads or follow-ups are missed
- You copy the same information into multiple places
- Reporting takes hours to pull together
- You cannot easily see who did what and when
- Sharing sensitive data is risky or uncontrolled
Why these problems grow over time
Version control and errors
When files are emailed around or copied, no one is sure which is current. Simple typing errors can go unnoticed for months.
No automation
Spreadsheets do not remind people to follow up or notify a colleague when something changes.
Limited security
It is hard to control who can see or change specific information.
What to move to
For some businesses an off-the-shelf CRM is enough. For others, a well-fitted CRM that mirrors the spreadsheet’s logic, without its limits, is the better fit. We often migrate existing spreadsheet data so nothing is lost.
Start small
You do not need to replace everything at once. Start with the process that causes the most pain, often lead tracking, and add from there. Book a free consultation and we can review your spreadsheets with you.
Joshua Zaghini
RMZ Digital, Brisbane. [Short author bio to be supplied]