3 Min ReadOctober 11, 2024

CRM Reporting: The Key to Success

C R M Reporting. The Key to Success.

Dealers are focused on every lead and every opportunity that comes through their dealership now more than ever. Without clearly defined reporting processes, you could be missing critical opportunities to make changes and grow revenue.

What Are CRM Reports?

CRM reports detail information directly from a CRM system and present data for a specific date range in an easily digestible manner. CRM reports include customer data and touch points, Sales activity and performance, deal status, Sales forecasts, Marketing campaign results and more.

Reporting is vital to running a business. It provides the data-driven insights necessary to make informed decisions, improves efficiency and enhances customer satisfaction.

Drive Accountability Across Departments With Reports

In a fast-paced auto dealership, maintaining accountability across departments can be a daunting task. From Sales and Marketing to Customer Service and Inventory Management, each facet requires precise coordination and transparent oversight. This is where CRM reporting comes into play, serving as a powerful tool to enhance accountability and streamline operations. CRM reporting also allows you to identify trends over time, such as seasonal Sales patterns, allowing for more accurate forecasting for financial goals each year.

The CRM is the central location for reporting that gives insight to the performance and accountability of your Sales staff. CRM reporting allows for precise tracking of individual and team performance. Sales representatives, for instance, can see their progress against targets, helping to identify areas for improvement.

This accountability extends to other departments as well, ensuring that every team member is contributing to the dealership’s success. If you understand the reports in your CRM, you can leverage the data to drive decisions and improvements in your car dealership.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make sense of CRM reports:

1. Define clear KPIs: Establish clear and measurable KPIs that align with the dealership’s goals. These should cover various aspects of the business, including Sales, Customer Service and Inventory Management.

2. Familiarize yourself with your CRM reports: Collectively decide which reports best fit your needs and standardize those for everyone who’ll be responsible for reviewing them.

3. Look for correlations between different metrics: For example, a high lead volume with a low conversion rate might indicate a poor follow-up process.

4. Strategize: Develop strategies to process improvement based on the insights gained from your reports.

5. Regular review: Make it a habit to review reports weekly and monthly to stay on top of trends and make adjustments as needed.

6. Include your Sales team: Discuss key reports with your Sales team regularly to ensure everyone is working toward the same outcome.

You can make informed decisions that drive accountability and success in your car dealership when you understand CRM reports. Familiarize yourself with the dashboards, identify key reports, and analyze the data to derive actionable insights.

Want to learn more about how a CRM for your dealership can provide immense value to your bottom line? Read The Game-Changing Value of an Automotive CRM.

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Amber Good
By Amber Good
Lead Product Marketer, CRM

Amber is responsible for the implementation and go-to-market strategies for current and new CRM offerings for CDK Global. With over 17 years of experience in the automotive industry, she’s excited to highlight dealership needs and support them with innovative solutions.  

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