Focus on strategic capabilities
Managers sometimes do not want to plan because they fear that their plan will become rapidly outdated (it will), or that some of their strategies will be wrong (quite likely). Rather, in the era of CRM, strategies should be framed in terms of strategic capabilities rather than strategies per se. Base a plan on the range of capabilities that the company should have, including process, technology, people and knowledge/insight. CRM initiatives could prove difficult if technology is the only focus and people and their organizations receive insufficient attention. Stakeholders such as suppliers, employees and channel intermediaries form a chain of relationships, and the end-customer relationship can only be as strong as the weakest link. Plan to create durable bonds with these stakeholders, too. For example, when considering employees, pay attention to the link between relationship management and performance reviews, recruitment, training and compensation.