What should you look for in a CRM system for your startup?

We’re in the midst of moving to a new customer relationship management (CRM) system for one of my companies.

The term “customer relationship management” system is inherently ambiguous. Some businesses think of CRM as a sales and sales force automation tool. Others think of it as a marketing tool, a telephone agent system for handling accounts, or even a tech support helpdesk.

For the startup, you need some low-cost, flexible version of all of these.

In our case, we’re looking for a system that is easy to use, Web 2.0 friendly, integrates with our e-mail and website, provides as much automation as possible and provides excellent marketing campaign management and user support management.

Fortunately, there are systems that will accommodate.

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What Is Your Company Worth? Looking at EBITDA Multiples

Periodically, this is one of those things that executives in startup companies should think about: What are the current multiples on revenues and EBITDA in my industry and my niche?

These days, of course, this is one of those “cover your eyes, you don’t want to know” times in the market. But, periodically, you’ve got to look anyway.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, don’t worry. I’ll explain.

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