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Is
There Any Need to Develop Bespoke Database Applications
anymore?
Tuesday May 1, 2012
I
was interested to see a recent article on ComputerWorld
which detailed how the charity, Freedom from Torture
has developed a bespoke case management system because
they couldn't find an off-the-shelf system which was
suitable for their needs. But what is interesting is
that, for database applications such as this, the bespoke
approach is becoming a rare occurrence these days, primarily
because of the flexibility, adaptability and affordability
of many "generic" CRM systems which are now
available to charities and NFPs. Read
more...
How
do you compare like-for-like on CRM Suppliers’
Professional Services?
Wednesday
April 18, 2012
I’ve recently had
several discussions with charities and database
suppliers about how difficult it can be to compare different
suppliers’ Professional Services during a database
procurement. This is partly in terms of comparing the
specific services/options they are offering, but of
course it is often about being able to compare like-for-like
in terms of cost. So, for the benefit of all, I've listed
here a few tips as to how I approach this potential
conundrum and some specific things to look out for.
Read
more...
Why
it is Bad Idea to have “Phase 2” of a CRM
Implementation (and Phase 3, 4, 5…)
Monday April 16, 2012
When you implement a new
fundraising database or CRM system, you will always
have requirements and wishes which you will want to
implement after your initial go-live – often,
many such wishes! Traditionally, this has been managed
by breaking down a project into “Phases”.
Phase 1 is the initial implementation, i.e. the build-up
to your “go-live” with the new database,
and then you plan to implement Phase 2, Phase 3 and
so on. But I think this is a bad idea and we should
look at alternative approaches. Read
more...
15
Questions Fundraising Managers Should Ask About New
CRM Projects
Wednesday April 11, 2012
Too often, fundraising
managers are not close enough to the implementation
of a new fundraising database or charity CRM system;
sometimes (incorrectly) by the nature of procurement
and sometimes (incorrectly) by choice. But for a fundraising
system, they are more likely than not going to be the
key reason for why it is being implemented, so why wouldn’t
they want to get more involved? So if you are a fundraising
manager and there are plans in your organisation for
a new fundraising database, then what questions should
you ask during the procurement process and before the
project kicks-off? Read
more...
What
should I do if my database project is failing?
Wednesday March 21, 2012
There may be times when
your database or CRM implementation (or other projects)
may be failing. Or apperar to be failing. In one way
or another. In which case, other than obey the first
rule of Douglas Adams, what should you do? Read
more...
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The
Need for Cross-Team Knowledge in a CRM Implementation
Wednesday February 28, 2012
If you have never implemented
a fundraising database before – or even if you
have - it can be difficult to apply the workings of
a new software package to your fundraising, CRM and
charity's ‘business’ requirements. The database
supplier will of course have their views, knowledge
and experience and some of your charity’s staff
might have similar know-how, but there is a real risk
that you won’t be able to apply all this joint
knowledge to create what you really foresaw when you
purchased the new system. So, enter The Bridger. Read
more...
The
Impact of the New CRM Systems on the Fundraising Database
Market: A 5 part series
Monday
January 23rd, 2012
For the last few years
I have written about the “new” generic CRM
systems (e.g. Microsoft CRM, Salesforce etc) and their
potential as a fundraising database for charities. Now,
for the first time, I feel these systems have far more
potential to challenge the dedicated (“traditional”)
fundraising packages in the domain of fundraising and
membership. I thought it would therefore be a useful
time to review the impact which these systems are having
on the fundraising software market in a bit more depth.
So I have written a 5 part series starting today...
Read
more...
The
Successful Spend Ratio on Database and CRM Projects
Tuesday
January 10th, 2012
Successful database projects
are 50% about people, 30% process, and 20% technology:
so why do so many projects have such a high budget on
technology and such a low budget in comparison on people
and processes? Read
more...
Lessons
Learned from Implementing Single Supporter Systems
Monday
May 16th, 2011
I have helped implement
and been the project manager on a number of Single Supporter
Systems over the last few years and this post is about
some of the lessons I have learned from doing so. I
have split the post into 2 parts because there is quite
a lot to say although I can sum up my lessons learned
thus: it’s the people and processes which are
the difficult parts, the technology is the simpler bit.
Although do note I said simpler, not simple… Read
more...
The
Raiser's Edge: Why does one person like it and the next
hate it?
Tuesday July 13, 2010
I have recently been talking
to several charities who use The Raiser's Edge. And
it seems to me that whenever you gather together a group
of fundraisers, throw in a few charity DBAs (and a pinch
of technology consultants), and start talking about
The Raiser's Edge, then, almost inevitably, some of
the group will sing its praises and others will slate
it and tell you it’s rubbish. But why? It’s
the same software being used at the different charities
(possible version differences aside), with the same
functionality (modules aside) and surely all organisations
could use it the same way? So why then, if one person
loves it, does the next person find it just doesn’t
work for their charity? Read
more... |
