So CRM really does make a difference, says ZDNet in what I guess is a paid post (?) when it quotes an independent research firm.

The project results prove companies using salesforce.com get 52% more leads, 34% more sales revenue and 27% boost in win rates.

Anybody who thinks this is a genuine piece of research reported as independent comment will be more than welcome at my Florida office where we have a number of development plots for sale. :-)

Seriously though, it makes absolute sense that any company applying some level of organization to it's sales processes should improve performance by at least the numbers quoted.

Whether there's something very special about salesforce which means companies can do it with that software as opposed to other salesforce automation stuff is less obvious.  There certainly wasn't when I used it.

And it doesn't change the vast number of companies reporting failures of CRM projects, including those implementing salesforce, mostly based on the complexity and inflexibility of the software.

But I should celebrate the research findings (which is why it's posted here).

The good news is organizing their Front Office to better manage sales opportunities and stay on top of customer relationships will help any business make more sales with less effort and lower costs.

The even better news, not quoted of course in the ad, is they can do it without struggling with salesforce.

They can use Front Office Box!

http://path.cnetdirectintl.com/s/3890eda503/4915447798