CRM deployments are considerable investments. Even cloud CRM services that do not require a lot of equipment and personnel to deploy are considerable investments in the long term. Even a small deployment of ten Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online seats costs $5,280 annually, a significant investment for a small company. Fortunately, CRM is an excellent investment. The average return on investment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployments is 243%, and many companies see even more outrageous ROIs (for example 2266% for this company). However, to achieve a high ROI, you have to use CRM well.
Most of us are not getting the most out of our Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployments. It is not our fault. There are hundreds of features and functions, and it is tough to be an expert at every one. Most of us learn the minimum of what we need to function in our defined roles. If we learn to use all of the functionality at our disposal in CRM, however, we’ll be in a much better position to realize the maximum potential ROI of our deployment.
How do we get more out of our CRM deployments? The answer to that question is undoubtedly training, and there are many excellent training resources available at a variety of price points. System Administrators, new users, veteran users moving into new roles, and CRM trainers can all benefit from professional Microsoft Dynamics CRM education.
Training Resources:
- Microsoft Learning– Microsoft offers hundreds of training courses for all their products as part of the company’s training and certification program. Microsoft offers courses both online and in person in cities across the world, including 15 courses dedicated to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Courses range from $795 for a one-day course to $3295 for a five-day course. For those individuals who want to obtain Microsoft Certification in CRM and whose companies can foot the bill for the courses, the Microsoft Learning classes might be the best fit.
- Third-Party Microsoft Dynamics CRM Training– Dozens of companies offer training programs designed to improve proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Many Microsoft Partners offer training programs that are highly customizable to your specific needs. Ask your CRM provider about its training programs or find a Microsoft Partner with a Gold certification in CRM. One of the best aspects of third-party training is that you can get the training customized to your exact needs. Do you need lessons on specific aspects of CRM, such as creating Process Templates, System Jobs, integrating other applications, migrating legacy data, or learning how to become a more effective CRM trainer for your organization? A customized training program from a Microsoft Partner might be exactly what you are looking for.
- The Success Portal– The Success Portal is an educational resource from xRM that offers more than 150 Microsoft Dynamics CRM training videos. The short, topical videos are organized into six classes that cover setup, use, configuration, customization, integration, and mobility. The Success Portal is a good option for organizations that need to bring sales or service personnel up to speed quickly in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The Success Portal is free, and its structure allows its users to study as many or as few topics as they wish.
Large business with more resources might choose formal Microsoft Learning, while a smaller business might hire a third-party specialist to train a small number of trainers who can pass the knowledge on to the rest of their teams. Other companies may make use of the free Success Portal for Microsoft Dynamics CRM to bring new employees up to speed quickly. Regardless of which form you choose, training can help you dramatically boost the productivity of your sales and service staffs as well as increase the value of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to your organization.