How do I apply 'CRM' in personal life?

Question

I see the sales guys at work using CRM techniques where they have a massive database which reminds them when to call people, make notes about when and where they are going on holiday, etc. So, now I'm wondering how I could apply 'CRM' in my personal life as I feel I need it too in that context.

More specifically, are there any apps available for the iPhone that can help with something like that? I know I could just use Omnifocus with a standard GTD approach - I have used that with reasonable success.

Answer 1

My answer would depend based on your comfort-level with technology. If you're used to using the command line and you're running on OS X 10.6+, you have the option of using Fat Free CRM with Pow.

If you're not really a command-line person, I would suggest something like Highrise by 37Signals. I love everything they do, and using Highrise means you can access the system from your iPhone either in mobile Safari or using a dedicated app.

Beyond that, you could always try to "roll your own" using Bento from FileMaker. Bento comes with the option to sync with the Bento iPhone app.

Answer 2

There's an iPhone app called Groups which might be helpful.

You also might want to check out BatchBlue.

Answer 3

Etolos CRM for iPhone is a feature-rich customer relationship management (CRM) application that gives any business the ability to automate and manage customer follow-up. The tools available in Etelos are powerful, yet simple to use. And Etelos CRM takes advantage of the unique capabilities of iPhone and iPod touch. Features include the following:

• Email management
• Contact management
• Task management
• Appointment setting
• Access anywhere
• And much more …

New e-mail search and chat capabilities, new iPhone integration features such as touch-to-dial, touch-to-map and high-performance AJAX views for the iPhone screen.

Answer 4

Heap CRM keeps all or your contacts, messages, e-mails, files, events, tasks and much more all together. Use our automation tools to follow-up on prospects automatically through E-Mail or Google Docs. With Heap CRM you always know what is happening in your small business.

Main Features:

• Advanced Dashboard
• Messages
• Calendar
• Contacts
• Crazy Powerful Search System (now with search intent)
• Reports (Including Search Reports)
• Report Visualization and Google Visualization API data source
• Event Templates (Sales-force Automation)
• Many more features

The Offline Mobile Interface works on your iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad even if you don't have an Internet connection.

Newer features include:

• Find People in long lists
• Improved Search Intent
• Enhancements to WebHook
• Easier install of Google Apps Scripts