Success Factors for a Higher Degree of Sales–Marketing Interface Between Sales and Marketing Departmentsregarding a CRM System Project: A Case Study of Exsitec from a Customer–CRM Consultant Perspective
2022 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
With the help of a CRM system, organizations can obtain important data and information from their customers and market trends, allowing them to make the best decisions to generate more customers and close business deals. Before implementing a CRM system, organizations must align their sales and marketing departments throughout CRM system projects. The departments must communicate and collaborate, to achieve a higher degree of the sales–marketing interface. Sales–marketing interface refers to the interdepartmental integration of the sales and marketing departments to improve business operations, customer experiences with their customers, and closing deals. Sales and marketing departments have traditionally operated in silos, which increases the probability that the departments will misunderstand and devalue each other's contributions. As a result, extensive and vital preliminary work is required in a CRM system project to ensure that the departments can achieve a higher degree of the sales–marketing interface.The purpose of this bachelor thesis in information systems is to identify, describe and explain success factors for a higher degree of sales–marketing interface between sales and marketing departments regarding a CRM system project. From a customer–CRM consultant perspective. For this study, a case study method was used to conduct a literature review and design a conceptual framework. In addition, three semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from the case organization and their customers, which reflects the study's actors.The conclusions of this study are as follows the willingness of the sales and marketing departments to change for improving the collaboration between the departments. Customers and CRM consultants'ability to understand the customers’ needs to understand the requirements and priorities during a CRM system project. The alignment of the proposed solution and the needs of the customers using a CRM system, for efficient business operation and achieving business benefits. Communication between all actors is essential during change management and helps to build trust between the customer and the CRM consultant.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022.
Keywords [en]
Smarketing, Sales–marketing interface, Interdepartmental integration, CRM system, CRM system project, Customer experience, Sales department, Marketing department
National Category
Information Systems
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-91215Local ID: 992OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-91215DiVA, id: diva2:1681120
External cooperation
Exsitec
Subject / course
Information Systems
Educational program
Study Programme in IT design, 180 hp
Supervisors
Examiners
2022-07-062022-07-052022-07-06Bibliographically approved