Difficult Economic Times Offer Both Microsoft Dynamics CRM Users and Partners the Opportunity to Become More Strategic

It shouldn't be a surprise that the tumultuous global economic situation will also affect the world of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Certainly Dynamics CRM offers companies opportunities to work more efficiently on the sales front, and thus realize cost savings in the long run. Yet we all know that in an uncertain economic environment, companies cut costs across all areas, so while the market for Microsoft Dynamics CRM continues to increase, the competition becomes ever more difficult, meaning that users are looking harder and negotiating more aggressively before making buying decisions.

Increasingly, users are seeking partners that focus most heavily on solving specialized and specific problems-in other words, their choices of partners is increasingly  a strategic decision.

Thus, users are seeking partners that specialize in their particular industry, and on their particular needs. For example, manufacturers of medical products may well be seeking partners that specialize both in medical products and in the latest manufacturing and inventory control techniques, as well as marketing and sales approaches.

Thus, for both users and partners alike, there is increasing pressure to align needs and capabilities. Users need to be more strategic in their use of new systems, and partners need to be more focused on catering to these strategic requirements.  Given the intensity of competition in the current economic downturn, mistakes are more costly for both sides.

A common error by Microsoft CRM partners is that they offer all kinds of verticals, add-ons, solutions, etc. and in the process lose focus about how best to exploit their most important knowledge areas. The process of choosing the right partnerships (e.g. verticals, add-ons or solutions) is a strategic decision. The right choice enables partners to distinguish themselves from their competitors.

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