Fixed fee per phase
CRM Selection & Transformation: independent CRM selection and change management
Choosing a CRM is a long-term decision that’s expensive to get wrong. I run a vendor-agnostic selection that ends in a decision you can defend to your board, then lead the change management that gets your teams ready to adopt it.
When to bring in an independent CRM selection consultant
Most CRM projects don’t fail on technology. They fail on unclear requirements, the wrong platform for the business, or teams that never adopt it. An independent selection, backed by proper change management, tackles all three.
- Your current CRM no longer fits the business, or a renewal is coming up
- You’re choosing your first enterprise CRM
- You’re bringing several systems or businesses onto one platform
- A vendor or partner has recommended a platform and you want an independent check
- You need someone to lead the change so teams actually use the new CRM
Four phases, each at a fixed fee
You agree to one phase at a time, with clear deliverables at the end of each.
- Phase 1
Discovery and requirements
Workshops with every team that will use or depend on the CRM, turned into prioritised requirements.
- Phase 2
Market scan and shortlist
A vendor-agnostic longlist, RFI and RFP, narrowed to a shortlist that fits your needs and budget.
- Phase 3
Evaluation and decision
Scripted demos against your real use cases, scored evaluation, references, business case and total cost of ownership.
- Phase 4
Contract, readiness and change management
Contract negotiation, implementation partner selection, MVP scope, impact assessments, change champions, adoption roadmap and governance.
Once the platform is chosen, I can stay on to lead the change management and oversee the implementation partner, data migration and adoption, either as a project or as your Fractional Head of CRM.
Why independence matters
No vendor ties
I’m not tied to any CRM vendor, so the recommendation is about what fits your business, budget and team.
A decision you can defend
Every step is documented and scored, so your board can see exactly how the decision was made.
The full cost, not the list price
The business case covers licences, implementation, data migration and the people needed to run the platform.
Case study
32 → 3 → 1
CRM platforms reviewed, shortlisted and selected
S&W: choosing an enterprise CRM
S&W, a leading UK accounting and professional services firm, needed its first enterprise CRM, with requirements spread across partners, directors and several service lines. I ran a vendor-agnostic selection with its leadership, narrowed 32 platforms to a shortlist of three, and oversaw contract negotiation, MVP scope, a phased adoption roadmap, governance and change management.
Microsoft Dynamics was selected and is now live.
The Log Store Group
Took a family-owned agriculture business from spreadsheets and paper to its first CRM, HubSpot, leading selection, change management and implementation oversight.
Pilgrim’s Europe: Rollover
Directed discovery, requirements, process mapping and vendor evaluation, leading to the appointment of Creatio.
Oakhouse Foods
CRM strategy and change management for the move from Dotdigital and SAP to HubSpot.
CRM selection FAQs
How long does a CRM selection take?
It depends on how many teams and systems are involved. We agree a timeline for each phase at the start, so you know when the decision will be made.
Are you tied to any CRM vendor?
No. I’m independent and not tied to any CRM vendor, so I can recommend whichever platform best fits your business.
Which CRM platforms do you consider?
Whatever fits your needs and budget, from enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce to HubSpot, Creatio and specialist marketing platforms.
Can we stop after one phase?
Yes. Each phase has its own fixed fee and deliverables, so you can pause or stop at the end of any phase.
Do you implement the CRM?
I don’t configure the platform myself. I help you choose the right implementation partner, set the scope and governance, oversee delivery and data migration, and lead the change management that gets your teams using it.
How much does it cost?
Each phase is a fixed fee, agreed before it starts. Get in touch and I’ll scope it with you.
Planning a CRM change?
Tell me where your CRM is today and what you’d like it to do. No pitch, just a straight conversation about whether one of these three ways of working fits.