Although you and I may have never met, it is likely we have something in common: at some point in time, both of us have probably experienced similar symptoms due to an office illness that primarily afflicts people at all levels, in organizations of all sizes. This "illness" has been known to generate high levels of stress, anger, frustration, paranoia, sweaty palms, increased heart rate, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness in the wrists and soreness of the fingertips. In fact, in some extreme cases it has even threatened the job security of successful employees. 

 

Despite its evolution through the years, this phenomenon still exists for one reason. Perhaps you have already guessed what I'm talking about. If not, then let me spell it out for you: I am referring to CRM, also known as Customer Relationship Management software.

 

Of course, referring to CRM as an illness was just a metaphorical exaggeration to capture your attention - a novice writer's attempt to sensationalize an introduction (as one might expect of a person with 20+ years' sales experience). As for the symptoms noted earlier, I have personally experienced and witnessed them in fellow sales managers and even among my own sales staff. Just to clarify, I have never been dismissed by an employer nor had to dismiss anyone for negligence in the use (or non-use) of CRM.