It’s safe to assume that if you’re in business, you're always looking for ways to save money and improve your bottom line. One way to do this is by implementing a CRM system. A CRM can help you manage customer relationships more effectively which in turn increases sales. It will also streamline your operational processes to improve productivity, maximising your teams valuable time.
But the initial set-up cost of a CRM can be prohibitive for some businesses. That's where government grants come in. In this blog post, we will explain how to obtain government grants to fund CRM projects.
Helping Businesses Secure Government Grants for CRM Projects
FWRD have supported many customers with Zoho implementations that have been funded or part funded by government grants. In some cases, up to 80% of the project fee has been funded, in others the grant matched the company's investment pound for pound or dollar-for-dollar.
Software implementations are just the kind of projects the grants are designed to fund as they greatly assist with the goal of building sustainable and scalable businesses that are in a position to employ more people, which is typically the aim of the funding.
Where Can I Find Grants for Zoho CRM?
We are unable to provide details of specific grants currently available as they change regularly based on federal and local budgets. Some grants are available at a national level whilst others differ from council to council.
The qualification criteria for each grant will be quite stringent and could be based on turnover, industry or planned usage of the funds.
Whilst information about available grants can often be found online, we recommend you consult with your local Chamber of Commerce to better understand which grants your business will be eligible for and obtain advice on how to write a successful application.
In addition to the CofC, there are many private organisations that have made it their business to assist organisations with finding and securing funding via government grants.
FWRD are also able to assist with the application process, increasing your chances of a successful application whilst saving you a ton of time and admin. The documentation we produce as part of our project scoping process is perfectly suited to submit with the documentation required by the funders to support your application.
Benefits of Securing Grants for Your CRM?
Aside from the obvious financial benefits, having a third-party organisation invest in your project also adds a level of credibility that can be very useful when pitching to new customers or partners.
You’ll also be adding significant value to the business. If you have a plan to eventually sell the business, you’ll know that a lot of the businesses sale value is tied up in its systems. If you don’t have organised systems that are well documented to show an ability to scale, you are devaluing your business asset.
Additionally, if your project is successful and delivers the results you expect, it could lead to further opportunities for funding down the line as well as becoming case-study worthy, providing you with valuable marketing collateral.
Tips Before You Start Looking for Grants for Your CRM
Before you start your search for a government grant, it's important to understand the process and what's required. Here are a few tips:
Define your project: What exactly are you looking to achieve with your CRM? How will it benefit your business? Be as specific as possible.
Know the criteria: Each grant has different eligibility criteria. Make sure you understand the criteria before you start your search.
Get help: Applying for a government grant can be a time-consuming process. If you don't have the time or resources to do it yourself, consider using our services to help you with the process.
Be prepared: Once you've found a grant that you're eligible for, make sure you have all the required documentation ready before you start the application process. This will save you time and increase your chances of success.
To learn more about how FWRD can assist your business with obtaining government funding to implement a software solution that can transform your operational processes, book a consult with us today using the form below.
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