Whether you’re a long-time user of NetSuite or simply considering your options, keep reading to find out:

• The differences between NetSuite and QuickBooks.
• When it makes sense to convert NetSuite to QuickBooks.
• How to migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks.
• Pros and cons of these software platforms.

Let’s get started!

Overview of QuickBooks

Intuit QuickBooks is an accounting software designed to give you core accounting functionalities in an easy-to-use system.

While it may not have  industry-specific functions, it has integration capabilities that extend its power beyond what it can do straight out of the box. This makes it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

QuickBooks Online

Image credit: QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based platform that is accessible on-the-go, making it a flexible option for businesses looking to manage their company efficiently. Whether you need to check in from a job site or on your afternoon coffee run, you don’t need to worry about being out of touch.

Pros:

• Cloud-based platform accessible from anywhere.
• User-friendly.
• Affordable.
• Large online network offering support to problems.
• Integrates with external applications to add more features.

Cons:

• Doesn’t include features for complex, large-scale, international operations.
• Lack of highly detailed reports.
• May not include features for industry-specific functions without integration.

QuickBooks Enterprise

Image credit: QuickBooks

For more complex businesses, QuickBooks Enterprise offers a wide range of advanced features, including payroll, inventory management, and advanced reporting, all while allowing scalability as your business grows.

Pros:

• User-friendly.
• Cost effective.
• Can be used on-the-go.
• Scalable for growing businesses.
• Supported by a large online network with solutions to problems.
• Can integrate with a broader range of external applications to add more features.

Cons:

• Lack of features for complex, large-scale, international operations.
• Doesn’t include highly sophisticated monthly reports.
• May not include functions for industry-specific functions out of the box.

Overview of NetSuite

Image credit: NetSuite

NetSuite is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that is developed by Oracle. It’s often recognized for its range of features tailored to larger businesses with complex business requirements.

NetSuite boasts an average of 99.96% uptime over the last five years, making it a dependable solution for companies that can’t afford to lose access to their information for even a little while.

Like QuickBooks Online, NetSuite’s cloud-based platform gives you mobile access to your data from anywhere. It offers many of the same features included in accounting software like QuickBooks Online and Desktop, in addition to customer relationship management (CRM) and e-commerce solutions.

While NetSuite has a lot of advantages, companies that won’t make use of all its features may find the range of features intimidating. It requires deep, industry-specific expertise to operate, which can be daunting for small to medium-sized businesses.

Pros:

• Centralizes ERP, CRM, and e-commerce information in a single place.
• Includes many features for complex, large-scale, global operations.
• Will generate multidimensional reporting.
• Can customize to your needs.

Cons:

• While pricing is dependent on what features you select, it can be costly.
• Difficult interface that requires an expert team with technical expertise to understand.
• The wide range of advanced features may feel bloated to users who don’t use them.

Why migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks?

The decision to migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks Desktop or Online can be driven by the need for a simpler, more cost-effective solution that still offers accounting features without the complexity that comes with NetSuite.

NetSuite offers a comprehensive all-in-one suite of features . Large companies will appreciate having all these functions available in one place. However, a small or medium-sized business that may exist as a single company will often not use all the features offered by NetSuite.

Because NetSuite boasts so many functions, that also makes it complex to use. Staff training will take time before your accounting teams can use it effectively. That also means it will take longer and require careful planning to get set up with the software.

On the other hand, QuickBooks focuses on core accounting tasks and is easier to use. It offers a range of integrations to add any functionalities you might be missing. Apps.com and the Desktop Apps Marketplace are excellent places to look for solutions that connect with QuickBooks and enhance its functionality.

QuickBooks’ range of pricing plans starts at $24 for individual users per  month. The price then goes up with numerous users or more advanced plans.

How to migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks

NetSuite QuickBooks integration

The best way to migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks is a NetSuite QuickBooks Online integration. This can be used to automatically move data from one platform to another.

A 3rd party conversion service exists to (mostly) automate what would normally be a complex process. Many platforms exist for NetSuite to QuickBooks data conversion, and the actual process will vary depending on the service.

What you can’t convert from NetSuite to QuickBooks

While third-party conversion services exist that move your data from NetSuite to QuickBooks Online, it is not entirely seamless. In a NetSuite to QuickBooks conversion, some extra steps may be needed. The following data might need to be moved over manually or re-created:

• Bank reconciliation.
• Paychecks and employee wage information.
• Custom templates.

Other additional steps may also be needed.

Is NetSuite to QuickBooks migration worth it?

Factors to consider

When considering migration, answer common questions about your company such as your:

• Budget.
• Business size.
• Required features.
• Scalability.
• Available resources to train staff.

When to convert NetSuite to QuickBooks

If you are self-employed or running a small to medium-sized business, QuickBooks is a better designed accounting solution for you. It’s affordable and has the ability to expand accounting functions through integrated apps to make it a comprehensive tool.

QuickBooks’ user-friendly interface also lets you use its features without extensive training. This saves both time and money for your company.

In contrast, NetSuite stands out as the right solution for large-scale, global operations needing detailed management. Its sophisticated financial reports are difficult to duplicate with QuickBooks.

Implementing NetSuite requires skilled professionals. It is also the higher-priced option.

These are factors that should be taken into account when planning your business strategy.

If you’re considering cutting costs and don’t use most of the functions included in NetSuite, the decision to migrate to QuickBooks is worth it. Especially when you consider how integrated apps give you the capabilities you are looking for without breaking the bank.

Demand Method, not madness

Method is the #1 lead-to-cash automation tool for growing businesses that use QuickBooks Online or Desktop. Thanks to its two-way, real-time data sync with QuickBooks, Method keeps your business running efficiently. By automating manual processes to adding e-signature capture to your estimates, Method lets you grow your business, not your stress.

For larger enterprises dealing with intricate business processes in sectors like manufacturing, wholesale, or distribution, Method presents an attractive option to round out your QuickBooks setup, as it gives you functionality somewhere between a CRM and an ERP.

To start building your business, instead of just running it, start your free trial of Method.

Recap: Is moving from NetSuite to QuickBooks right for you?

The  migration process from NetSuite to QuickBooks  involves time and effort. But, is it worth it?

To know if you should migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks, answer  the following:

• What is the current size of your company? 
• What is the future  scale of essential business operations?
• Do you need to address complex workflows?
• How much time and money do you have to train new staff on the software?
• What is your monthly budget?

Working through the above will help you decide if the conversion process is worth it.

Remember: If you’re a larger manufacturer, wholesaler, or distributor with complex workflows, then Method is a great tool to:

• Automate your lead-to-cash workflows. 
• Enhance your QuickBooks Desktop or Online account. 
• Get similar features to NetSuite at a fraction of the cost.

And if you’re a smaller to medium-sized business with workflows that may not be currently met by QuickBooks, Method can help take you the rest of the way so you aren’t being held back by the complexity and cost that NetSuite requires.

See how Method gives QuickBooks users ERP-level functionality.

Image credit: Fauxels via Pexels

The post How to migrate from NetSuite to QuickBooks to improve your bottom line appeared first on Method.

Whether you’re managing the finances for your own business or a client’s, the key to your success is organization. Unfortunately, accounting and bookkeeping courses don’t place as much emphasis on organization skills as they do on accounting principles and software. So if you don’t already have a knack for keeping things in order, how can you acquire one?

Arguably, there is no “perfect” organization strategy that will work for everyone in every role. Because organization is so closely tied to personal habits and productivity, what keeps one person on track might drive another person to distraction. However, there are a few general guidelines that everyone can follow to keep their workflows in order. Even if organization doesn’t come naturally to you, here are five tips to help accountants and bookkeepers to stay organized at work.

1. Manage Client Relationships

Be honest: have you ever thought to yourself “I could get so much more work done if only these clients wouldn’t take up my all my time?” It’s funny because it’s true…but you also know that without those clients, you wouldn’t have a business. And if your business is growing, you know this means bringing on more clients, which means more meetings and more phone calls.

Knowing how to effectively manage client relationships is a key organizational tactic for accountants and bookkeepers. Using CRM software is a great way to achieve this. A CRM gives you a complete view of each client’s history, allowing you to answer their questions and serve them more efficiently. Logging the details of each meeting makes it easier to pick up where you left off, while tracking customized client preferences allows you to provide personalized service. Your clients can also take advantage of self-service portals linked to the CRM to update information, pay invoices and submit support requests. This lets you develop a more consistent schedule for client communication, rather than being constantly on call.

2. Integrate Your Software Programs

Using CRM software is a great start for managing client relationships, but these relationships aren’t limited to pre-scheduled meetings and phone calls. When a client shoots you a “quick email” with questions, sometimes it’s easiest to answer them right away. But how are you supposed to track these conversations effectively if you receive an onslaught of messages each day?

Not to worry! To keep your email communication organized and accessible, look for CRM software that integrates with common email providers like Gmail and Outlook. CRM email add-ons are simple tools that prevent you from having to flip between your messages and your CRM. Instead, you can save the details of an email conversation directly to your CRM from your email inbox. Not only does this save you time on double data entry, it makes it easier to maintain organized records of your interactions with each client.

3. Optimize Your Workspace Organization

You knew this one was coming. Digital organization is great, but physical organization still plays a big role in your workplace productivity. Maybe you’re working in a corner office, or maybe you’re running your bookkeeping or accounting practice from your kitchen table. Either way, there are some tried and true methods for creating an organized workspace. Here are a few ideas to consider implementing:

• An L-shaped (or U-shaped) desk puts more essential items and files within reach.
• Keep clutter to a minimum. Infrequently used items should go in drawers or on shelves behind or above your main workspace.
• Use organizers to separate small items stored in drawers. Don’t be the accountant who’s always hunting around for a pen or a calculator.
• Use a combination of vertical and horizontal file folder organizers to maximize your available storage space.
• Save your eyesight! Use a combination of overhead and task lighting.
• Double or even triple computer monitors save time and minimize confusion caused by switching between programs (like your accounting software and your CRM).

4. Develop a Streamlined Workflow

If you’re an experienced accountant or bookkeeper, you probably already have a general workflow in place. However, your productivity can easily be thrown out of whack when a new stack of paperwork lands on your desk. This is especially true for professionals who now rely mainly on digital systems. If you’re struggling to keep paper documents organized, here are some tips to try:

• Thermal paper receipts should be scanned and digitally filed in the appropriate client folders, as they will fade over time.
• Standard paper receipts can either be scanned or stapled and filed with the relevant paperwork.
• Although you’re likely using accounting and CRM software, you should still have a paper folder for each client to store any incidental documents they may give you. You can then transfer the information into your software when you have time.
• Some people like to keep an old-school phone message pad on their desk to jot down notes during client calls. If this applies to you, don’t let those notes get lost! Set aside a block of time once or twice a day to log these call details in your CRM.

5. Schedule Your Day Ahead of Time

Nothing’s worse than getting to the end of your workday and wondering if you even accomplished anything. Unfortunately, this can easily happen if you don’t plan your schedule ahead of time.

At the end of each day, take a few minutes to compile a list of things you want to tackle the following day. For accountants and bookkeepers working in structured office environments, you may be able to create a detailed hourly schedule. For those working for themselves or from home, you may need to leave more room for unexpected interruptions or tasks. At the very least, aim to identify one task that you’ll deal with first thing in the morning. By starting the day off on a productive note, you’ll set yourself up to accomplish other items on your to-do list.

Getting your work done is good, but there’s a huge sense of satisfaction in getting it done in an organized fashion. In addition, staying organized at work helps you provide your clients with better service, maintain a less stressful work environment, and comfortably scale your business. Test out different tools and tips until you find what works for you!

The post Organization tips for accountants and bookkeepers appeared first on Method.

What if you had a customizable CRM that could do it all? That’s what you get with Method CRM — the #1 automation tool for QuickBooks and Xero users. 

Out of the box, Method CRM gives you a strong CRM and then takes things one step further with the deep personalization it offers.

You’ll get into the key workflows that Method CRM users benefit from later in this article, but let’s start with the basics.

What is a CRM database?

A CRM database is a tool that businesses use to store, manage, and analyze customer data.

CRM stands for “customer relationship management”, and the database is a central location to  track customer details, including:

• Contact information.
• Purchase history.
• Communication logs.

A customizable CRM helps you provide better customer service and target your marketing efforts more effectively. By storing your customer data in a single platform, you can easily access and analyze the information you need to make informed decisions.

What is workflow automation in CRM?

CRM workflow automation is the automation of repetitive tasks and processes in a CRM system. Workflow automation is a powerful CRM feature that saves you time and improves efficiency. 

Here is an example of the value of CRM workflow automation from Method CRM user Cameron Fleming.

“We’ve cut down our order processing times by 20-30% and can find the information we need 66% faster than before. Method is the lifeline of everything that happens at HealthLinc Medical Equipment and lets us make 30% more deliveries each day.”

— Cameron Fleming, President of Operations at HealthLinc Medical Equipment.

With Method’s customizable CRM platform, you can automate:

• Sending follow-up emails.
• Creating invoices.
• Collecting payments.
• Managing leads.

By automating tasks like these, you free up your schedule to focus on higher-value tasks, such as nurturing customer relationships.

Benefits of CRM workflow automation

Now that you understand what workflow automation is, let’s dive into how it helps you and your business.

The key benefits of CRM workflow automation include the following:

• Save time: Let your employees focus on what matters by automating repetitive tasks.
• Improve operations: Reduce errors and costs by supporting your processes with technology.
• Enhance customer service: Provide a personalized experience for your customers with instant follow-up emails or appointment reminders.

How does a customizable CRM work?

The difference between a customizable CRM and a standard CRM is that it allows you to tailor the system to your specific needs. This can include custom fields, screens, and workflows that match your business’ specific processes.

For example, you might create custom fields in Method CRM to track additional customer information, such as preferred communication platforms or industry-specific details.

Below is a contact screen that’s been customized in Method to include a customer’s social media profiles

Go beyond CRM with Method

When you hear “customizable CRM” you probably think of minor tweaks — change a layout here, add a field there. 

And while those tweaks are certainly possible in Method CRM, that’s not all it can do.

The deeper truth is that Method CRM is built on a no-code platform — and this means it doesn’t have to be just a CRM.

Instead, you can build on this customizable CRM to create a multi-faceted business management tool.

Method CRM workflow automation examples

Two-way sync with QuickBooks and Xero

Method CRM users love its real-time, two-way, sync with QuickBooks and Xero. Here are the top reasons why:  

• No more time wasted on double data entry. 
• A secure way to share critical business information. 
• Your accounting file stays accurate and confidential. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what real Method CRM users say about this feature.

“Method is one of the best tools made specifically for QuickBooks users. With Method’s two-way, real-time QuickBooks sync, I’m confident that my accounting data is always up to date. If you’re already using QuickBooks, it’s a no-brainer to also use Method.”

— Kayla Prusinski, Advanced Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor.

“Method CRM syncs great with Xero, all the data goes over without any problem. It has really good support systems in place and incredible troubleshooting articles when onboarding, which makes it easy. A great app to keep your information where it’s needed and makes your work life that much easier.”

— Amy DeVries, Hillsong Church Canada.

Lead management

With Method CRM, you can track leads through each stage of the sales process, from initial contact to closed deal.

The customizable CRM empowers you to manage your leads with features like online portals, automated email campaigns, and lead nurture reminders. This allows you to focus your efforts on the most promising leads to improve your chances of closing.

Plus, if you connect your Gmail or Outlook account with Method, you can easily view contact details and transactions right from your inbox.

Sales process automation

An automated sales process increases your customer satisfaction and loyalty while boosting sales for your business. From capturing leads to qualifying and nurturing them, Method CRM improves every step of your sales process.

For instance:

• Instantly get contact information from interested website visitors with web to lead forms. 
• Automatically trackin customer purchase history, so your sales teams can make personalized, upsell recommendations for each customer. 
• Get paid faster by auto-populating estimates and invoices with customer details from QuickBooks or Xero.

Contact and account management

No matter what industry you work in, you have customers to manage. And since Method is a CRM, it comes with an app for that. 

Here’s a preview of what it looks like:

With Method CRM, you can store and manage all your customer and prospect information in a single location. This includes:

• Contact information, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Detailed customer profiles, including preferences, purchase history, and communication history.
• Transaction data such as estimates and invoices. 

Method CRM also allows you to categorize contacts into groups, such as customers, vendors, and leads, for easy segmentation and targeting.

Customer support

With Method CRM, you can manage customer service tasks with online customer portals.

Thanks to its customizable CRM capabilities, your portal can be fully personalized to match your brand by:

• Adding your logo.
• Customizing the color scheme.
• Choosing which services to offer.

Here’s a preview of what’s possible with Method’s customer portals:

Why custom workflows are important

Customizable workflows are important because you can tailor them to meet your individual needs, and they help you simplify processes.

With a customizable CRM like Method CRM, you have the tools to create automation rules that follow your specific sales process. This ensures no tasks go overlooked and lets you focus on growth areas.

Additionally, customizing workflows based on your business needs will help you make the most of your available resources.

Popular custom workflows in Method CRM

The true power of Method CRM is apparent when you tailor the solution to your company’s unique needs.

Below are some of the most popular, customizable workflows Method customers use to grow their businesses with. 

Sales commission tracking

With Method CRM, you can simplify the entire sales commission tracking process by creating the commission calculator of your dreams. 

With Method CRM, you are in the driver’s seat. Control: 

• Exactly who can see sales performance. 
• Commission payout structure.  
• How commission payments will be made.

Another plus is that you can give your sales team a real-time view of their sales commissions.

E-signature capture

E-signatures make it easy for your customers to digitally sign documents and accept payment terms. Not to mention that it shortens your sales cycle to get you paid sooner.

One of the most useful customizable workflows that Method CRM offers is the ability for your customers  to electronically sign invoices, sales receipts, estimates, and other documents. See an example below!

Estimate approvals

Another one of Method CRM’s most popular features among QuickBooks users is the ability to create and share estimates from anywhere. 

You can set up Method CRM so your customers can approve estimates online by clicking a button or checking a box in their customer portal. You can then have Method CRM immediately notify your sales team so your prospective customer doesn’t have to wait to do business with you.

Recap: Take your CRM workflow automation to the next level with Method

Your business has needs that go beyond simple customer relationship management.

From automating your approval process to nurturing customers and collecting payment, there are many moving parts in your day-to-day operations. Method CRM is here to take these routine tasks off your plate.

If you want highly integrated and automated workflows, Method CRM and QuickBooks or Xero is an unbeatable combination.

Start your free trial of the #1 CRM for QuickBooks and Xero users!

Image credit: LinkedIn Sales Navigator via Pexels

The post How Method’s customizable CRM helps you take back control of your business appeared first on Method.

No matter what your business structure — if you’re like many small business owners, you probably work far more hours a week than you would if you worked for someone else. And no matter how much you love your job, you (or your friends and family) likely wish you could reclaim some of that time. But if you don’t have the budget or desire to hire more staff, this dream may seem unattainable.

However, it doesn’t have to be! Instead of bringing in more people, the solution lies in making sure every aspect of your business is as organized as possible. The more organized you are, the more efficient and productive you can be. And when you’re able to accomplish more in fewer hours, the remaining time is yours — do with it what you will.

Here are some tips for getting organized and staying organized as a small business owner.

1. Get Your Office Space Organized

When you first set up your office space, everything probably looked pretty neat and tidy. But over time, it’s inevitable that you’ll accumulate paperwork and all those other accessories that go along with running a business. By now, your office might look like a tornado ran through it.

If you find yourself spending any amount of time just looking for stuff, then you definitely need to get your office space organized. Gather up all of the papers and objects that are sitting on surfaces and sort through them carefully. If you don’t need it, toss it. And if you do need it, make sure it has a permanent home. If this means buying some old-school filing cabinets or desk organizers, so be it. When your physical workspace is clean, it’s mentally easier to develop an organized process for getting work done.

2. Use Software to Manage Customer Relationships

As a small business owner, your customer relationships are the heart and soul of your business. Naturally, you want every customer to feel important. But it’s hard enough to do this as a small team — and it’s even harder if you don’t have an organized system for tracking customer data.

The best way to keep your data organized is to use customer relationship management software. These systems consolidate contact information and conversation notes in one convenient location, streamlining the process of looking up customer details. And if the CRM integrates with your accounting software, you can even view transaction information in the same place. This makes it easier to keep your finger on the pulse of each customer’s account and provide highly personalized service. And when your customers are satisfied, you’ll spend less time dealing with complaints and more time getting other work done.

3. Streamline Your Marketing Efforts

Unless prospective customers know about your company, they’re not going to buy from it. So when you’re getting a new business off the ground, it’s natural to want to promote it at any opportunity. But this kind of “shout it from the rooftops” marketing is only sustainable for so long. After a certain point, you need to develop a more organized marketing strategy so you have time to focus on other aspects of your business.

When developing marketing campaigns, you want to be sure they’ll resonate with your audience. But don’t just guess at who your audience is and what they want to know. Instead, use the data in your CRM to map out the demographics and buying behavior of your current customers. This information will help you develop buyer personas, which in turn will help you organize your marketing efforts. Your CRM is also a valuable resource for streamlining email marketing. Rather than exporting and uploading your QuickBooks customer list (or worse, sending hundreds of emails manually), send your CRM contacts directly to your email marketing software with the click of a button.

4. Stay on Top of Your Expense Receipts

You know the feeling. Tax time is coming up, and you haven’t been diligently logging your expenses throughout the year. As a busy small business owner, there was just never enough time to deal with those receipts; you figured you’d have more time in the new year after things “settled down.” As it turns out, you’re busier than ever — this is great news for your business, but not for the looming tax deadline.

Make this the last year you end up in this position. Starting now, spend the last few minutes of each day tracking the day’s expenses. File or scan receipts into labeled folders and come up with a naming system that tells you what each document is without having to open it. If you prefer a more digital solution, there are also a number of apps available for tracking business expenses. Whichever method you choose, taking 15 minutes each day to stay organized will save you (or your accountant) a massive headache at tax time.

5. Save Time with Integrated Tools

Even with solid software at your fingertips, it’s time-consuming to constantly flip between programs. In addition, entering data into multiple systems can lead to errors that have negative repercussions down the line. To maximize productivity and minimize errors, you want to automate and integrate as much of your work as possible.

As mentioned earlier, using a CRM that syncs with your accounting software is a great organization solution. When you do so, you can enter data in one system and it will automatically sync to the other. This frees up valuable time that would otherwise be spent on double data entry. It also gives your employees immediate access to important updates. Meanwhile, using a CRM that integrates with your email provider (like Gmail or Outlook) is another huge time-saver for small business owners. Not only can you save email correspondence to your CRM directly from your inbox, but the visibility into each customer’s history will empower you to respond to emails faster.

Conclusion

There are plenty of benefits to getting more organized at work. Your workday will feel more pleasant and less chaotic. You’ll be able to provide your customers with better service, which will ultimately help your bottom line. And you just might be able to work more efficiently and leave the office a little earlier. Ultimately, the goal of these organization strategies is to create a work environment that works well for you — and isn’t that why you went into business for yourself in the first place?

The post How to Stay Organized at Work as a Small Business Owner appeared first on Method.

• Sales
• Marketing
• Customer service

With all this in mind, how on earth do you identify which sales CRM features are most relevant for your team?

As a sales representative, your top priorities are closing deals and maintaining strong relationships with your leads and customers.

To maximize your productivity, focus on the CRM features that enable you to meet these goals. Anything that helps you track potential deals, stay in touch with contacts, or organize your daily tasks is a winner.

For sales reps using Method, consider this your cheat sheet for identifying the most valuable sales CRM features. By looking at these five things, you’ll set yourself up to work efficiently and satisfy your customers.

Top Sales CRM Features

1. Activity List

Most sales reps have a never-ending to-do list of emails to send, phone calls to return, and documents to prepare. However, if these tasks are spread across multiple scheduling tools (or your mind), it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks.

That’s where the Activity List comes in.

In Method CRM, an activity is a record of a past or future interaction between you and another individual or organization.

Activities can be categorized by type (such as a phone call, email, or meeting) and you can include notes about what was discussed. You should always create an activity after an interaction is complete, but activities can also be scheduled as future tasks.

When you log into Method each day, start by checking the Activity List to view your list of to-do’s due on or before the current date. These could be activities that you created for yourself or activities that your colleagues created and assigned to you. By checking this list each morning, you’ll have a clear picture of what you need to accomplish during the day.

How to use the Activity List:

• From your Method dashboard, click the Activities App.
• In the top left corner of the Activity List, change the filter view to “My – Due Now.”

2. Contact List

In life and in sales, regular communication leads to stronger relationships. Whether you’re trying to nurture a new lead or re-engage an existing customer, it’s important to keep the conversation alive. But when you have multiple conversations ongoing, it’s hard to remember when you last talked to each person.

Enter one of our favorite sales CRM features – the Contact List.

While the Activity List displays your scheduled interactions, the Contact List can help you identify who you still need to reach out to. Use the “Last Activity” and “Next Activity” columns to sort your contacts by the date of their last completed activity or next scheduled activity, respectively. If you spot someone you haven’t spoken to in months, don’t be shy — schedule a reminder to send them a message!

How to use the Contact List:

• From your Method dashboard, click the Contacts App.
• Click the gear icon at the top of the list, select the columns for “Last Activity” and “Next Activity,” and click “Update.”
• Click the column header for “Last Activity” or “Next Activity” to sort the contacts by ascending or descending activity date.

3. Opportunity Reports

Having plenty of potential sales in the pipeline is a salesperson’s dream. But when you only have so many hours in the day, it’s essential to prioritize which opportunities to focus on. Ideally, you want to devote your time to those opportunities that are closest to closing or have the highest value — or both.

In Method CRM, an opportunity is used to track the details of a potential sale as it moves through the sales pipeline. These details include the expected revenue, the anticipated closing date, and the current pipeline stage. Opportunities can be created for new leads or existing customers, giving you a complete picture of your potential business.

Get into the habit of checking the Opportunity Reports in Method each morning. These graphs make it easy to visualize how many deals you’re working on, what they’re worth, and how close you are to making the sale. This, in turn, helps you decide where to focus your attention that day.

How to use Opportunity Reports:

• From your Method dashboard, click the three dots on the Opportunities App, then click “Reports.”
• On the Opportunity Reports screen, select “Pipeline” for the type of chart and your own name for the user, then select your desired date range.
• View the total value of the opportunities in your pipeline, as well as a breakdown of your opportunities by stage. Hovering over each stage will show the total value of the opportunities in that stage, and clicking on the bar will bring up a list of the relevant opportunities.

4. Estimate Reports

After sending a quote, you may be tempted to sit back and wait for the sale. However, shifting all responsibility to your prospects is risky — people are busy, they miss emails, or they may have concerns that are holding them back from buying. To maximize the likelihood of a quote becoming a sale, proactively following up is key.

Checking your Estimate Reports is a quick way to assess which quotes (or estimates, as they’re called in Method CRM) are still outstanding.

This is based on the fact that an estimate in Method can be labeled as active or inactive. Depending on your company’s procedures, an inactive estimate may represent a job that has been canceled, invoiced, or paid in full.

In any case, viewing your list of active estimates can help you assess which ones may require follow-up.

How to use Estimate Reports:

• From your Method dashboard, click the three dots on the Estimates App, then click “Reports.”
• On the Estimate Reports screen, select “Active” for the status and your own name for the sales rep, then select your desired date range.
• View the total value of your estimates by customer, as well as the number of estimates per customer. Clicking on each bar will bring up a list of the relevant estimates.

5. Method:Sidebar for Gmail / Method Outlook Add-In

Okay, these sales CRM features aren’t technically in your Method account — you’ll have to check your email to access them. But they’re still a valuable addition to this list!

Email is a big part of any sales job. In fact, salespeople spend 21% of their day writing emails.

Salespeople spend 21% of their day writing emails.

Hubspot, 2019

Now imagine you had to switch back to your CRM after sending each message to ensure the details were logged. This could easily double the time devoted to emails, leaving you little time to actually call or meet with customers.

Luckily, Method offers add-ins that bring your CRM inside Gmail or Outlook.

Simply open an email and the add-in will display an overview of the sender, including their contact information, CRM activities, and QuickBooks transactions. You can also save the email correspondence as a new activity directly from the add-in — no need to copy and paste text or switch between programs.

By making the email portion of your day more efficient, you’ll have more time to focus on closing sales.

How to use the email add-ins:

• Install the Method:Sidebar for Gmail (shown below) or the Method Outlook Add-In.
• Open an email in your inbox.
• Click “New” next to “View Activities.”
• Fill in the activity details and click “Save.”
• In Method: View the activity, then click the link to view the text of the saved email(s).

Truth be told, there’s always a learning curve when adopting new software. However, the curve doesn’t have to feel so steep!

Instead, focus on learning the features that are most relevant to your role. This will help you incorporate the new software into your daily routine faster — so you start seeing the impact on your sales results sooner.

The post Top 5 Method CRM features for sales reps appeared first on Method.

Education CRM software is a great solution for keeping your tasks and your business on track. By streamlining processes and automating workflows, these programs help you work more efficiently and provide better service to students and parents. Keep reading to learn why implementing an education CRM is a must during the back-to-school rush.

1. Efficiently Schedule Follow-Ups for Students

Whether you run a private school, offer tutoring services, or sell textbooks, the end of summer will bring a wave of new students requesting information. However, they can get lost in the shuffle when returning students are also making requests.

To keep new students organized and provide superior customer service, look for education CRM software with web-to-lead form capabilities. When a prospective student fills out the form on your website, their contact information is automatically logged in your CRM database and an email notification is sent to your sales team. This ensures that someone can follow up with the student efficiently to give them the information they need.

2. Quickly Schedule Tasks and Meetings From Emails

There’s no doubt that plenty of emails from students, parents and teaching staff will be pouring into your inbox. Some of these messages will inevitably necessitate meetings to discuss educational goals or deal with paperwork. Unfortunately, it’s far too easy to lose or accidentally delete an email before you have the opportunity to transfer the information to your calendar.

Many email applications, such as Outlook and Gmail, offer CRM add-ons that allow you to efficiently turn emails into appointments. In just a few clicks, you can save the email’s details in a scheduled meeting that will appear on your CRM calendar. And if the person you’re meeting isn’t a known contact in your CRM, you can also save their information directly from your email inbox.

3. Automate Redundant Processes

There are many administrative processes in the education industry that are redundant and take up valuable time. Updating student contact information, creating invoices, and sending emails are all tasks that slow down your productivity.

Thankfully, a robust customer relationship management program helps to reduce your manual workload by automating repetitive tasks. For instance, integration with your accounting software eliminates the need to enter invoice data multiple times, while saved email templates make student follow-ups a breeze. By having your CRM do the grunt work, you can focus on more productive tasks.

4. Invest in Student/Parent Portal Technology

Manually inputting each student’s contact information and payment details is tiring. Data entry errors can also lead to serious accounting mistakes, so it’s best to minimize this risk whenever possible.

Instead, let the students and parents handle these tasks. Seek out education CRM software with customer portal technology that allows students to access their personal accounts online. These portals should feature contact information as well as details about enrollment, tuition costs, and resources. Students and parents will appreciate the self-sufficiency of updating information, reviewing transaction history, and making payments online. Meanwhile, the portals will grant you extra time in the day by relieving your team from manual data entry duties.

5. Mobile Technology for Education Businesses

If you’re in the education industry, your work may involve going to schools to meet with contacts or provide resources. As you speak with students and faculty throughout the day, you need to keep their contact details up-to-date.

CRM software with mobile technology provides incredible solutions for traveling employees. With a CRM app, you can easily access student account information or faculty meeting notes on your smartphone and tablet. And for team members who are rarely in the office, being able to schedule meetings or prepare quotes while on the go is a game-changer.

6. Customization to Suit Your Needs

When adopting new software, it’s important to ensure that it can track the information that’s important to you. Using customizable CRM software offers greater flexibility for automating key processes and organizing essential data. Different schools and companies have unique needs for tracking student, parent, and teacher information, so adding custom fields can make the program a better fit for your business.

Customization can also help to streamline inefficient workflows. Say your company relies on having students and parents come into the office to sign paperwork — but sometimes they forget to show up, slowing down the sales process. A better solution is to incorporate online document signing into your CRM program. By making digital documents accessible through an online portal (see above!), students and parents can read the information at their own pace. Then, they can easily and virtually sign the document by clicking a button or typing their name. Once you receive an email notification about the signature, you can immediately move forward with next steps.

Prepare for the New School Year With Education CRM Software

With any luck, there are more and more students enrolling in your programs or purchasing your products every year. Increased business is great, but the increased workload can make you feel like you’re not getting anything accomplished. Education CRM software can help you get back on track by simplifying your workflow and automating manual processes. With these tools in your arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to provide A+ customer service and work more productively come September.

The post 6 Ways CRM Software Helps Education Companies Handle the Back-to-School Rush appeared first on Method.

Using a CRM offers several benefits to those working at creative agencies. These software platforms can help automate processes, synchronize different departments’ work efforts, and enhance client interactions. But there are a lot of CRM options out there, so which ones should you focus on? Not to worry — in this article, we’ll look at 7 key features that any CRM solution for agencies should have.

1. Web-to-Lead Functionality

Web-to-lead functionality offers an easy method to capture lead information from your website, landing pages, and splash pages. First, you set up a form on your desired webpage. When a visitor fills it out, they are automatically logged in your CRM system as a potential lead. The CRM also sends an alert to your sales reps so they can efficiently follow up with your new prospect. This feature cuts down on the amount of lead data entry required of your sales and marketing teams. It can also prevent duplicate entries from being created by different team members who are updating the database at the same time.

2. Customization for Increased Productivity

Ideally, you should look for a CRM that can be customized to your operations. One of the main issues that small creative agencies face is data overload. You collect so much information about clients, projects and marketing trends that it can be difficult to organize all of it. A CRM program that allows for customizations, such as the creation of new fields or apps, allows you to capture and organize the data you need. This helps to simplify your workload and increase productivity throughout your organization.

3. Mobile Access

It’s not uncommon for a project manager or creative designer to meet a client at their place of business. But when your team members are out of the office, you want them to be able to stay connected. Search for a CRM that provides user-friendly mobile apps. With a system that can be used on smartphones and tablets, your team can access data instantly and pick up where they left off, anywhere they go.

4. Customer Service Coordination

A client may call your accounting department to find out about their invoice. But during the call, they may bring up a problem with their project that needs to be resolved by your creative team. Unless this information is relayed between departments, the project manager won’t know that they should make a follow-up call. So what’s the solution? Your cloud-based CRM should allow all departments to easily access and update information on clients. This allows your team members to provide better, more consistent customer service.

5. Enhanced Email Communication

More and more business/client interactions are occurring over email. Clients want to know the statuses of projects, web designers want updates on the latest graphics…it never ends! When searching for a CRM for agencies, look for one that integrates seamlessly with your email provider. Whether you’re using Outlook or Gmail, a CRM add-on in your email can provide immediate access to the client’s contact information and past interactions. This type of feature helps you to work more efficiently by centralizing client details right in your inbox.

6. Client Retention Features

Your business doesn’t just survive by converting new leads into clients. It also needs to retain existing clients and provide additional services to them. Any CRM you choose should offer a 360-degree view of each client’s history, including previous interactions, notes, projects, and transactions. This visibility enables you to develop cross-selling and upselling strategies to maintain client loyalty.

7. Client Portal Options

Sometimes, your clients may want to check the status of their invoices or support requests after business hours. That’s why it’s a great idea to select a CRM that offers self-serve portals. These portals allow clients to access their account information and transaction history anytime, without needing to contact you. And the benefits don’t stop there! You could even customize these portals to offer greater functionality, such as allowing clients to submit updates to their projects.

Choosing the Right CRM for Your Agency

Every creative design, web design, and marketing agency is different. As a result, you’ll require a CRM solution that can be uniquely tailored to your business’s processes. The features described here are a great starting point for streamlining or automating common day-to-day operations. But to identify the right CRM for your agency, you’ll need to take a close look at your current processes and determine what additional features will help you work towards your larger company goals.

The post Features to Look for in a CRM for Creative Agencies appeared first on Method.

This arrangement is more familiar in the sales world, where many companies have always had a mixture of some reps working outside the office and others working in it. But the question persists — how do you balance these groups of inside and outside sales reps when they are working independently and with different goals? Keep reading to learn how to create a cohesive sales team that is ready to pursue sales from all angles.

Responsibilities of Outside Sales Reps

Outside sales representatives handle sales that involve face-to-face meetings with buyers outside the office. These roles typically involve trade shows, conventions, luncheons, conferences, and marketing presentations. The key to working with outside sales reps as a team leader or manager is trust. You have to trust your employees since they are mostly out of sight. And the fact is, many Americans want to have greater flexibility over their workday. Gallup reports that 51 percent of workers would switch jobs if they could get flextime.

The desire to have control and flexibility over one’s schedule is what draws a certain type of individual to an outside sales career. However, according to Business Insider, you want to delegate this role to individuals who have already sales experience in your industry. New hires should spend time in the office as an inside sales rep before committing to sales on the road.

Responsibilities of Inside Sales Reps

The role of an inside sales rep is to make sales via phone calls and emails, rather than in-person meetings. As stated by lead management pioneer Ken Krogue, “inside sales is remote sales.” Krogue goes a step further to declare that “the majority of all sales is done remotely, and the numbers are growing” with inside sales growing 15 times faster than outside sales.

In the past, inside sales would have been conducted primarily from a company’s office, with your sales reps in easy view. But with the rise of internet-based communication tools, many inside sales professionals no longer need to come into the office every day. Instead, they can coordinate deals from a home office, a coffee shop, or while traveling.

What does this mean for your management style? Even for your inside sales reps, you will need to exercise some of the same trust and communication skills required for your outside sales reps.

Goal Setting

To keep your inside and outside sales reps on the same page, always have at least one common goal for your entire sales team. By setting specific, attainable goals, all of your team members can work independently towards one common objective.

Some ideas of team goals include increasing the ratio of sales calls converted into high-quality leads or increasing the number of clients contacted within a set period. Offer rewards for reaching goals in an accelerated timeframe or for exceeding expectations. The act of goal setting encourages team bonding, which is beneficial for corporate morale and productivity.

Communication Style

The only way to succeed at having a team of inside and outside sales reps is through consistent communication. Yet with all of the different methods of communicating, from phone calls to online chats, having too many options can cripple a team. You need to be able to disseminate information to all of your sales reps in one convenient manner.

Cloud-based sales management software provides a convenient place for maintaining all communication about deals in progress. This way, everyone can access information on their own time, which helps boost productivity across the board. In addition, the software provides a written record of communication that can be referred to at any time. From looking back at conversations to tracking the progress of your sales team, a centralized system supports stronger communication.

Management Style

It can be difficult to develop a management style that works for both inside and outside sales reps. Start by taking a look at your outside sales reps, as well as your inside sales reps working outside the office. Sometimes managers may not fully trust the employees they can’t see, requiring them to check in more than necessary or keep more records to show their progress. But this is the wrong approach.

Recall that nearly half of American adults are working remotely, and the numbers are increasing every year. Our society is embracing remote work and management teams will need to become more supportive of it. This means trusting your employees to do their jobs even when you are not there to oversee them.

Sales Management Software

One solution for managing all of your sales reps effectively is to use sales management software. By using a cloud-based system to track deals, manage contacts, and log activities, your sales reps can take charge of their reports and information. This increases their confidence in their ability to do their jobs without being hounded.

At the same time, you as the manager will have all of the data you need to evaluate the real-time progress and successes of your entire sales team — both inside and outside sales reps.

Measurement of Key Performance Indicators

The day-to-day management of your inside and outside sales teams can only take you so far. To see if your efforts are paying off, you also need to be able to evaluate their sales results. This involves measuring key performance indicators (KPIs). For outside sales reps, examples of KPIs to track include lead response time, sales cycle length, and closing ratio. As for inside sales teams, KPIs can include contacts added, emails sent, and closing calls made.

Sales management software can often be customized to track each of these indicators over any period of time. In addition, many sales management systems can compile data from multiple areas of your business, from lead generation to accounting. This centralized view of your data enables you to identify weak links, inefficient processes, and oversaturated markets. Taken together, this vital information gives you the insight you need to improve sales and better manage your sales representatives.

The post How to Manage Inside and Outside Sales Reps appeared first on Method.

What is the accounts receivable process and why is it important?

Accounts receivable (AR) is money owed to your business by customers, so the AR process is all about collecting this money. It includes steps such as sending invoices, checking if they’ve been paid, and following up on late payments.

Your AR process is closely related to your cash flow — the money moving in and out of your business. Simply making sales isn’t enough; you need cash in the bank! If you don’t bring in enough money from sales to cover your expenses, you may end up in financial trouble. That’s why creating an effective AR process is essential for all small businesses.

How can you improve your accounts receivable process?

If you already use QuickBooks for accounting and you’re struggling to manage AR, a QuickBooks-integrated CRM may be the solution. By bringing customer and financial data together, you’ll gain a new perspective and can work more efficiently. You’ll also gain access to features not found in QuickBooks.

Here are some tips to improve your accounts receivable process.

Invoice accurately and efficiently

Before you can receive payment, you have to ask for it. Kickstart the AR process by making invoicing go as smoothly as possible.

Invoice on a regular schedule

Unfortunately, 64% of small businesses are affected by late payments. This means if you leave all your invoicing to the end of the month, you’ll be waiting well into the next month to get paid. Instead, schedule a block of time each week for invoicing, or send out invoices as soon as jobs are complete. If you’re often on the go, Method CRM’s mobile app lets you create invoices anytime without needing access to QuickBooks.

Streamline invoice creation

Starting each invoice from scratch is a surefire way to drag out the process and introduce errors. Take advantage of the features in your QuickBooks CRM to make invoicing more efficient. Estimates can be automatically converted to invoices with the click of a button. Or, create an unlimited number of custom invoice templates for different types of orders and customers.

Send invoices to the right people

Customers have a lot of reasons for making late payments — but don’t let not receiving an invoice be one of them. Make sure your team has access to your CRM so they can keep customer billing information up-to-date. In Method CRM, all contacts linked to a customer receive billing emails unless you opt a contact out.

Make it easy for customers to pay you

We all know that people tend to put off difficult or frustrating tasks. Increase your chances of receiving payment on time by making the payment process as simple as possible.

Invoice electronically

Whether you email invoices directly from QuickBooks or a QuickBooks-integrated CRM, electronic invoicing gets the balance in front of your customers sooner than snail mail. And if the email includes links to online payment options, it’s almost too easy for customers to pay you right away.

Offer multiple payment options

Some customers may like paying by cheque, while others may prefer using debit, credit cards, or online payment gateways like PayPal. By offering a variety of payment options, you’ll maximize convenience for your customers and increase your chances of prompt payment.

Offer a self-serve customer portal

Empower your customers to pay when it’s convenient for them, without needing to contact you during business hours. Method CRM’s built-in portals give customers 24/7 access to their invoices, while setting up a payment gateway lets them make online payments. Better yet, payments made through the portal sync to QuickBooks automatically, so you have money in the bank sooner.

Keep tabs on overdue invoices

To keep cash flowing into your business, you need a well-oiled system for chasing missed payments. With any luck, attentive follow-up will train tardy customers to pay on time in the future.

Maintain accurate payment records

It doesn’t look good to follow up on a paid invoice. Stay organized by applying payments to invoices as soon as you receive them. If you’re hesitant about giving your team access to QuickBooks, implementing a QuickBooks CRM is a great alternative. Not only can your team process payments right in the CRM, but the payments automatically sync to your QuickBooks file.

Know which invoices need attention

The older an invoice is, the less likely it is that you’ll ever see payment. That’s why it’s essential to monitor the age of each invoice and act as soon as the due date passes. Use the “overdue invoices” view filter in your Method CRM invoices app to easily identify which invoices are unpaid.

Take consistent steps to chase payments

Maximize efficiency when chasing late payments by having a plan for what steps you’ll take. These could include follow-up emails or phone calls, charging late fees, or even bringing in debt collectors. Whichever measures you choose, ensure your team is aware of how and when to execute them. Assign activities to team members in Method CRM, or create shared email templates for key follow-up messages.

If you’re having trouble managing your accounts receivable process in QuickBooks, why not try a QuickBooks CRM? All of the features described above are included in a Method CRM subscription, so you can start getting paid faster. Sign up for your free trial of Method today!

Ready to get started?

Sign up for a free trial of Method CRM, the #1 rated CRM by QuickBooks users on apps.com.

Includes a free demo and 1 free hour of customization.

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The post Must-Read Tips for a Better Accounts Receivable Process appeared first on Method.

For small businesses aiming to create loyal customers and drive repeat business, those should be pretty good incentives to ditch the paper.

Of course, if you’re used to paper-based processes, the idea of change may seem daunting. Luckily, adopting a QuickBooks CRM like Method CRM is a quick and simple way to kickstart the transition. With all of your customer and transaction info in one convenient, cloud-based system, you can work more efficiently and serve your customers more effectively — no paper required.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the perks of going paperless.

How does going paperless streamline business operations?

Save time and money

We all know time is money — and small businesses could always use more of both. When you’re not printing and mailing documents, you save money on paper, ink, and postage, not to mention the physical space required for storage. Plus, searching for information digitally is much faster than digging through an overstuffed filing cabinet.

Improve data security

When you only have hard copies of documents, you risk losing them to fire, flood, accidental shredding, and other disasters. Moving your documents online eliminates these risks. You can also set user permissions on digital files to restrict who has access to which data. In Method CRM, it’s simple to manage which users can access and edit customer records, invoices, payments, and more.

Nip problems in the bud

It’s hard to assess the health of your business when you don’t know where to look. By compiling essential data in a cloud-based CRM, you can review key metrics in real time and identify areas for improvement. For instance, Method’s opportunity charts provide a breakdown of sales opportunities by user, source, and stage, while invoice reports help you quickly identify overdue invoices.

How does going paperless enable better customer service?

Work more efficiently

When your customers have questions, they want answers right away. But that may not be possible if you have to search through paper documents. And if you’re out of the office…well, you won’t have any answers at all. Going paperless lets you retrieve digital files efficiently so you can better serve your customers. And with Method CRM’s mobile app, you can access essential customer and QuickBooks data anytime, on any device.

Share knowledge across your team

There’s a time and place for taking notes on paper, but it’s not when a customer is reporting an issue. After all, you don’t want to ask the customer to repeat their story because you can’t find your colleague’s notes. Instead, log all interactions with customers as activities in your CRM. Having a centralized hub for customer information allows all team members to stay up-to-date and provide a consistent service experience.

Fulfill orders faster

If your business uses paper sales documents, you know what a pain it is to pass paperwork around and enter data multiple times. Transitioning to a cloud-based sales process saves time and reduces data entry errors, resulting in quick and accurate order fulfilment. With Method, estimates can be converted to invoices with the click of a button and emailed to the customer directly from the CRM.

With these benefits in mind, now is the perfect time for your small business to start going paperless. Sign up for your trial of Method CRM and see how it can help you eliminate paperwork for good!

Ready to get started?

Sign up for a free trial of Method CRM, the #1 rated CRM by QuickBooks users on apps.com.

Includes a free demo and 1 free hour of customization.

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The post Why Going Paperless is the Key to Business Success appeared first on Method.