I just wanted to put R in the mix here. CRMs have a lot to offer in terms of internal streamlining and tracking of clients and services (especially for larger organizations), R (which also has the advantage of being free) has been a great way (at least for me) to take the rigor of the quantitative methods of impact evaluation to the next level. I guess it’s kind of apples and oranges to compare R to a CRM, but it’s definitely another tool for overcoming some of the limitations of Excel.
No doubt that Spreadsheets had helped and is helping us until now, to keep the record of our data but in no way can we say that these are something useless or else such statements. We do here from people pointing out the disadvantages of spreadsheets like Excel. Most of partners at Research Assignment Writing Services usually use to throw such statements but at the same time they take help from the very same software.
Angelina- I don’t think Mr. Chang is saying they’re useless, hence the grocery store comparison. I think there are two extra lessons to be taken from that comparison both of which, in some ways, are pro-Excel/spreadsheets: 1. An amazing chef can do quite a bit with regular old groceries- Excel is actually pretty powerful, and (in the right hands) can be set up to do much of what CRMs do. 2. To make good use of a restaurant kitchen, you need to know how to use it- there’s a learning curve with any new software or system, so to benefit from any CRM you have to invest some time in becoming acquainted with it.
CRM are quite expensive to buy & maintain so small non profits are stuck with excell. you cn still do some data modelling and data analytics with excell using VBA
The answer is ABSOLUTELY YES! However, in a rush to build an application do not overlook following key elements. We have seen so many failed systems and frustration - just because organization do not do their homework!
Technical Issues
Beneficiary Change comes when you design a system to manage their lifecycle. At the heart of the work, non-profit needs to fully understand their process and turn every actionable step into some form of a free flow and structure workflow. We found that most systems fail for two reasons: 1) Their data collection is free - meaning data entry operator can enter any values (standard, non-standard, misspelled), causing it difficult to analyze. 2) The concept of workflow system has been too complex.
We have been able to solve them through extensive standards-based data dictionary (such as Job Profile, Skills, Disabilities, Occupations, Regions, Product/Service Types, Crop Type and so on..). In addition, we use free form workflow instead of tight workflow, making it easy to manage systems.
Strategic Issues
A frequently non-profit organization, do not have their own budget. That said there are many well-meaning organizations, who have a good relationship with a Philanthropic community. However, in a rush to find the donor, they often fail to use proper evaluation process or work with the vendor who has a better relationship with philanthropic org. This is not only conflict but brings an inferior solution.
Often a biggest challenge is not choosing right architecture. In my experience, a social sector organization do not have a right experience with the selection of IT architecture. In fact, many include few named above in architecture are designed based on older architecture. The world of technology has dramatically moved ahead and many vendors have not kept up ... especially vendor provides social sector solutions. This causes, significantly higher cost and difficult maintain systems.
Shela, organizations looking for a lower entry point CRM might consider NationBuilder.com. They have a great basic set of tools for tracking workflows.
COMMENTS
BY Mara
ON March 30, 2015 02:02 PM
I just wanted to put R in the mix here. CRMs have a lot to offer in terms of internal streamlining and tracking of clients and services (especially for larger organizations), R (which also has the advantage of being free) has been a great way (at least for me) to take the rigor of the quantitative methods of impact evaluation to the next level. I guess it’s kind of apples and oranges to compare R to a CRM, but it’s definitely another tool for overcoming some of the limitations of Excel.
BY Anjelina
ON March 31, 2015 02:42 AM
No doubt that Spreadsheets had helped and is helping us until now, to keep the record of our data but in no way can we say that these are something useless or else such statements. We do here from people pointing out the disadvantages of spreadsheets like Excel. Most of partners at Research Assignment Writing Services usually use to throw such statements but at the same time they take help from the very same software.
BY Mara
ON March 31, 2015 03:30 AM
Angelina- I don’t think Mr. Chang is saying they’re useless, hence the grocery store comparison. I think there are two extra lessons to be taken from that comparison both of which, in some ways, are pro-Excel/spreadsheets: 1. An amazing chef can do quite a bit with regular old groceries- Excel is actually pretty powerful, and (in the right hands) can be set up to do much of what CRMs do. 2. To make good use of a restaurant kitchen, you need to know how to use it- there’s a learning curve with any new software or system, so to benefit from any CRM you have to invest some time in becoming acquainted with it.
BY Shela Zane
ON March 31, 2015 04:46 AM
CRM are quite expensive to buy & maintain so small non profits are stuck with excell. you cn still do some data modelling and data analytics with excell using VBA
BY Unmesh Sheth
ON April 1, 2015 08:13 PM
The answer is ABSOLUTELY YES! However, in a rush to build an application do not overlook following key elements. We have seen so many failed systems and frustration - just because organization do not do their homework!
Technical Issues
Beneficiary Change comes when you design a system to manage their lifecycle. At the heart of the work, non-profit needs to fully understand their process and turn every actionable step into some form of a free flow and structure workflow. We found that most systems fail for two reasons: 1) Their data collection is free - meaning data entry operator can enter any values (standard, non-standard, misspelled), causing it difficult to analyze. 2) The concept of workflow system has been too complex.
We have been able to solve them through extensive standards-based data dictionary (such as Job Profile, Skills, Disabilities, Occupations, Regions, Product/Service Types, Crop Type and so on..). In addition, we use free form workflow instead of tight workflow, making it easy to manage systems.
Strategic Issues
A frequently non-profit organization, do not have their own budget. That said there are many well-meaning organizations, who have a good relationship with a Philanthropic community. However, in a rush to find the donor, they often fail to use proper evaluation process or work with the vendor who has a better relationship with philanthropic org. This is not only conflict but brings an inferior solution.
Often a biggest challenge is not choosing right architecture. In my experience, a social sector organization do not have a right experience with the selection of IT architecture. In fact, many include few named above in architecture are designed based on older architecture. The world of technology has dramatically moved ahead and many vendors have not kept up ... especially vendor provides social sector solutions. This causes, significantly higher cost and difficult maintain systems.
BY Paul Shoemaker
ON April 3, 2015 09:08 PM
They need to be more financially sound and move beyond Excel way more for themselves than for funders
BY Deborah Spencer
ON April 7, 2015 05:18 AM
Shela, organizations looking for a lower entry point CRM might consider NationBuilder.com. They have a great basic set of tools for tracking workflows.
BY Phillip
ON October 6, 2015 09:48 AM
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, however
you sound like you know what you’re referring to!
Thanks