Illogical processes

[dougouverson]

I'm a new sugarcrm user, so take this in with a grain of salt.

I like the "Business Card" option in sugarcrm, but there's no place to enter the business name!? Don't find many business cards w/o a business name!

Also, why would I have to create an account to create an opportunity at this step? Scenario: I make a business-to-business cold call and find that there's an "opportunity" to generate a sale. The decision maker doesn't have time to talk details, but gives me a business card and asks me to call. I set down and enter the information from the business card (minus the business name ?). Why would I create an account at this juncture? Contact - yes, and opportunity - yes, but account - no.

I've played around with the "studio" setting a bit, so I know I have some flexibility, but this hard-coded stuff is illogical.

-Doug

[malcolmh]

I'm a new sugarcrm user, so take this in with a grain of salt.

I like the "Business Card" option in sugarcrm, but there's no place to enter the business name!? Don't find many business cards w/o a business name!

Also, why would I have to create an account to create an opportunity at this step? Scenario: I make a business-to-business cold call and find that there's an "opportunity" to generate a sale. The decision maker doesn't have time to talk details, but gives me a business card and asks me to call. I set down and enter the information from the business card (minus the business name ?). Why would I create an account at this juncture? Contact - yes, and opportunity - yes, but account - no.

I've played around with the "studio" setting a bit, so I know I have some flexibility, but this hard-coded stuff is illogical.

-Doug

Hi,

The Account Name is the Business Name in Sugar that you are looking for

Hope this helps!

[dougouverson]

There is no "Account Name" in the "Enter Business Card" screen/window, i.e., there is no place to enter business name, account name, etc. in this screen/window.

Thanks for the reply.

-Doug

[andydreisch]

dougouverson, under Related Records you have the ability to associate the new Contact with an existing Account or to create a new Account.

Andy

[dougouverson]

I'm not sure what this has to do with the fact that in the "Enter Business Card" screen, there is no place to enter a business name.

2 issues:

1.) There should be a field in the "Enter Business Card" to enter a business name.
2.) You should be able to create an opportunity w/o having to create an account.

[This was my point in the original post]

Today was a perfect example. I made a sales call and got a business card. There is a opportunity. Under the current configuration, I'd have to create an account to create an opportunity. This makes no sense. Why create an account at this stage of the relationship with the prospect. If the sales process end in "closed won", then the account would be created, and future sales would be under the account.

-Doug

[andydreisch]

Hi dougouverson, you should consider then using a Lead to track this type of interaction.

A Lead represents an individual for whom business may stem but is far from certain, has a "Business Name" but no actual Account, etc. Later, when the Lead is nurtured and represents a concrete opportunity for which you feel a considerable investment of time and energy is appropriate, you can convert the Lead to an Opportunity.

Andy

[malcolmh]

Hi,

An Account can have different types associated with it, i.,e. customer.,partner or what you are looking for you can define your customer as a prospective customer. You can also add "Lead" tot he list of Account types.

Hope this helps

[justinmeyer]

If you aren't ready to create an account, then you aren't ready to create an opportunity. Conversely, if you have an opportunity, then you have an account.

Think of it this way: if you get to the point where you have a real opportunity (not just a lead), then even if you lose, there is the chance at getting the business somewhere down the line. It is still your account, even if there is no immediate sales to come from it. You probably also have a couple of people who you can call upon by that point.

I think you are mis-applying the program for what you want it to do.

[andydreisch]

I'm interested in dougouverson's thinking regarding the use of Leads in the context he described.

I think Leads is the correct choice.

Andy