CRM/AMS for non-profits and associations

A CRM/AMS is vital for organizing data, segmenting contacts, facilitating transactions, 
and enhancing member and donor communication. It empowers organizations to scale
and grow efficiently, ensuring streamlined operations and effective engagement with their
 community. 

Ten signs that your current AMS/CRM is hurting your organization 

1. Low user adoption: Your staff is reluctant to use the system. It is obvious that it is not
   architected well, is not user-friendly, or does not meet the unique needs of different
   groups within your organization.
2. Data integrity issues: Your member/stakeholder data is inconsistent, inaccurate, and contains duplicate records. Your team cannot rely on using the data. 
3. Frequent technical issues: If your system crashes regularly, is slow, and disrupts your operations regularly, it is a sign that it is at the end of its life. 
4. Negative user feedback: If you think the system is being used by everyone but you constantly hear complaints, it is a sign that the system is misaligned with your organizational strategy. The system would fail to support your staff in meeting your organization’s objectives.   
5. Lack of 360-degree stakeholder view: You do not have a 360-degree view of your stakeholders (members, prospective members, donors, volunteers, board members, sponsors, advertisers, etc.). It implies your AMS/CRM is not integrating poorly with your systems for events, marketing/communications, community, finance/accounting, fundraising, volunteer management, etc. 
6. Your staff uses spreadsheets and other software to manage data and information: Your staff uses spreadsheets and other software to manage data and information. It is a sign that your CRM or AMS is limiting your staff to perform their functions within the system. This is generally due to a lack of extensibility in the platform. It is also a sign that your system does not provide adequate reporting and analytics to your staff. 
7. You are constantly looking for other platforms: When you explore new programs and initiatives for your members, you find yourself looking in the marketplace for new systems. That means your CRM/AMS limits you, and you cannot extend your current platform to deliver the new programs and initiatives. 
8. You cannot justify the maintenance costs: Each platform requires an ongoing fee to keep it functional. This fee can be higher when you do not have an IT team. However, it is time to look at options when you feel you are not getting the value or ROI and are spending a lot to “rent” or “own” the platform. 
9. You and your staff do not sleep well at night. You are constantly worried that your data and system are not secure enough. 
10. You feel “hostage” to the current AMS/CRM: You are afraid of investing in the system to build additional programs and services for your members. You fear that all your investment would be wasted if you gave up the system. This happens when you do not own the base technology or underlying platform on which the AMS is built (Salesforce, Dynamics, NetSuite, .NET, PHP, etc.).