CRM Shouldn’t Suck: Avoiding CRM Pitfalls Using Strategies for Success
Session Overview:
Let’s face it—most CRM systems don’t live up to the hype. They promise streamlined operations, better customer engagement, and higher revenue… but for many organizations, CRM becomes just another expensive, underutilized tool.
In this dynamic, no-fluff session, we’ll unpack the real reasons CRM fails—drawing from nearly two decades of CRM rescue missions across industries. From missed strategic alignment and poor data quality to vendor mismatches and scope creep, you’ll discover the most common (and most costly) mistakes organizations make—and more importantly, how to avoid them.
Expect real talk, battle-tested insights, and practical strategies you can implement right away to transform CRM from a burden into a powerful growth engine. You’ll leave this session with a clear game plan for aligning your CRM with your business goals, driving user adoption, and building a system that actually delivers value.
Bonus: Attendees can order a free copy of the book CRM Shouldn’t Suck: Avoiding CRM Pitfalls Using Strategies for Success
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the top reasons CRM initiatives fail and learn how to recognize early warning signs before they derail your implementation.
- Gain actionable strategies to align CRM with your organization’s strategic goals, ensuring technology supports growth, not hinders it.
- Apply key insights to build a CRM strategy rooted in practical execution, user adoption, and long-term business value.
Speakers: Christopher Smith
Recorded at: Community Summit NA 2025
Type: Breakout Session
Ability Level: 201 – Intermediate
Primary Product: Dynamics 365 CE (CRM)
Tracks: Sales
Terms: All rights reserved by the speaker, Community Summit NA, and Dynamic Communities and cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written consent by the speaker and Dynamic Communities.
