CRM as Relationship Marketing Tool
February 12, 2025
Introduction An organization is often influenced by the environment they work under. There are several factors which influence such as customers, suppliers etc of the micro environment can be controlled to a certain extent by the organization. The nature of micro environment is very much dependent upon macro environmental factors. The macro environment consists of […]
Analytical CRM supports organizational back-office operations and analysis. It deals with all the operations and processes that do not directly deal with customers. Hence, there is a key difference between operational CRM and Analytical CRM. Unlike from operational CRM, where automation of marketing, sales-force and services are done by direct interaction with customers and determining […]
What is a County of Origin Effect? COO or Country of Origin Effect refers to the practice of marketers and consumers associating brands with countries and making buying decisions made on the country of origin of the product. For instance, as we shall discuss later, we tend to associate quality with the Japanese and precision […]
Affiliate marketing is a catch all term. It is a term just like marketing meaning that it applies to a lot of industries and businesses. Since the connotation is so vast, generalizations must not be made for affiliate marketing. What may be true for affiliate marketing in case of one product may not be applicable […]
Print advertising is a widely used form of advertising. These advertisements appear in newspapers or magazines and are sometimes included as brochures or fliers. Anything written in the print media to grab the attention of the specific target audience comes under the purview of print advertising. People who read newspapers or other publications have a […]
Business dynamics have forced the Organizations to recognize Customer as the most important factor responsible for its own existence and survival. Organizations have no option but to be customer centric.
When we say that Organizations have to be customer centric, we are not only referring to the marketing and sales tuning in with the end customer in the market, but to the Organization tuning in to listening to the customer, establishing a relationship with the customer.
When we talk about an Organization’s relationship with the customer, we are not only referring exclusively to the end consumer alone, but to the intermediate agencies that are involved in delivering the Company’s products and services to the end customer too. To the Organization these intermediaries are also its customers.
Depending upon the product, particular market and the business model, an Organization might be engaging with franchisees, Whole Dealers, Stockists, Booking agents, Warehousing partners, Distribution partners etc.
Normally it is understood that the relationship between the company and the channel is based on the commission, product volumes and the targets set for sales etc.
If you analyze the network you will find that there is a power play that operates between the Organization and the partner which needs to be managed by the Company by engaging the agency in an interactive relationship and working towards a win win approach.
Take the case of an Wholesale Dealer engaged with a Company. The whole sale dealer by virtue of his position does have the power to strengthen or weaken the sales of the Company in the particular segment or territory.
The wholesaler can influence the market sentiments to the existing products as well as any new products of the Company.
The wholesaler can effectively block or create roadblocks if the Company tries to engage in direct marketing or other alternative forms of selling in the same region.
The Company which is able to manage the relationship with the whole seller effectively is able to get the whole seller to be a partner in its business and not an outside agency.
Effective relationship management can yield in the whole seller representing and converting the market opinion on behalf of the company and boost the sales.
Effective market penetration, market reach and market cover can increase as the outcome of a positive relationship between the Whole seller and the Company. Such a situation calls for the Company to practice a healthy marketing strategy as well as Organizational business strategy outlining its attitude and relationship towards its business partners.
The Company’s attitude and commitment towards the relationship will determine the strength of the partnership and draw participation from the whole seller as well as other partners in the business cycle.
There is a clear cut differentiation between the Organizational policy and relationship management practice towards its partners to the business process requirements expected from the partners.
When the partners are engaged in a relationship, the business process requirements with reference to the business transactions are met with and honoured by both parties. A healthy relationship can effectively convert the Whole seller to be the spokes person of the Company in the market thus leading to opening of many more doors for the Company.
Realising the need for relationship building and seeing the value that can be released based on such a healthy relationship, Companies engage and focus on engaging with the business partners and associates on long term basis. Though marketing departments take the initiative to build such relationship, the management of the organizations as well as other functions like finance, service etc are also involved closely with the business partners talking one common language and following one set of corporate values that speaks for the Organization.
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