There’s a very good reason Microsoft recently shelled out $26 billion to buy the career social network LinkedIn. That reason can be summed up in one word: data. What kind of data? The kind that can be plugged into to a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system.

The Value of Data

Think about it: throughout the world, LinkedIn has well over 400 million users who are more than happy to plug in the details of their current and past job histories. The ability to have information updated in real time from so many professional business people is well worth the cost. The career-focused information entered on LinkedIn will simply supplement the regular customer data most sales people already utilize.

A New Kind of Data for CRMs

With CRMs ultimately being all about managing relationships, one would be hard-pressed to find a more powerful vehicle than LinkedIn, with its own built-in directory of who is connected to whom. The purchase further solidifies Microsoft’s position as a CRM provider. Soon, sales representatives using M/S Dynamics should be able to harvest critical background information on potential customers – information that will come directly from LinkedIn, which will be housed within the Dynamics CRM tool. The sale is poised for big payoffs because any successful salesman will tell you that customization, personalization and make an emotional connection with the customer are essential to closing the deal.

Ready to Get Serious With Sales Through a CRM? Call the Experts at C3IT

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we’re big fans of CRMs; mainly because of their ability to be a reliable workhorse for a businesses’ sales force. If you’re ready to up the game of your sales team, get in touch with us here at C3IT for a free consultation. Our number is 800-728-1441 or you can send an email.