ABOUT THIS SITE

HowToUseACRM.com is built by CRM implementation experts.

Every blueprint, guide, and implementation framework on this site was produced by CRM implementation experts with direct field experience. These are not theoretical frameworks - they are tested operating models built from real implementations across dozens of industries worldwide.

How this site is funded

This site is paid for by the implementation work it brings in.

The blueprint’s free and always will be. If you’d rather have it built for you than build it yourself, that’s the work we do, and it’s what pays for the site.

We evaluate platforms independently and publish what we find, limitations included. We disclose any commercial relationship with a platform we partner with.

Firefly Consulting International owns this site, and also does implementation work. You are entitled to know that before you read our recommendations.

That’s the whole arrangement.

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The experts behind HowToUseACRM.com

OUR EXPERTS

The guides and blueprints on this site are authored by CRM implementation experts. Each brings direct implementation experience and works personally with clients.

Firefly Consulting International
Digital Dynamics®
Northing Advisory
PIPEDRIVE PARTNER
Firefly Consulting International
John Stewart, Commercial Systems Architect at Firefly Consulting International

John Stewart, MBA

Commercial Systems Architect

John Stewart is a 2nd-generation entrepreneur, sales trainer, business intelligence analyst, published author, and data-driven storyteller with an MBA and direct field experience implementing CRM and other business systems across more than a dozen industries all over the world. John works with founders, senior leadership, and sales operations teams to ensure that strategy, process, and CRM configuration reinforce how their organizations actually sell and operate, so engagements are shaped around your business, your market, and your operating reality.
IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE SINCE
2013
CORE COMMERCIAL DOMAINS
Marketing Strategy · Sales Operations · Business Systems Architecture & Implementation · Workflow Automation & Integration · Business Intelligence · Sales Enablement
KEY INDUSTRIES
Telecommunications · Construction · SaaS · Public Relations · Professional Services · Healthcare · Oil & Gas
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
North America · Central America · South America · Europe · Africa · Asia · Oceania
LANGUAGES
English · Portuguese · Spanish

Key Achievements

  • Overhauled sales operations for an international construction franchise with a CRM, increasing its annual book value from $15 million to $30 million within two years.
  • Led the design of CRM functionality for a proprietary ERP and supported the onboarding of more than 80 users across four countries.
  • Designed and built customer-facing business intelligence reporting for an automotive CRM serving 200,000 users across North America and Europe.
  • Implemented a CRM for an Australian startup and built a B2B pipeline valued at more than $2 million.

Contact

Ready to implement your CRM with direct expert support? Start the conversation with Firefly Consulting International.

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PIPEDRIVE PARTNER
Digital Dynamics®
Gareth Poley, Fractional CMO at Digital Dynamics

Gareth Poley

Fractional CMO

Gareth Poley is the solution for ambitious brands that need to feed their CRM with a reliable lead generation strategy. Fluent in both executive and technical language, he works across leadership and delivery teams to simplify complex problems to turn website visitors into consistent, measurable conversions.
IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE SINCE
2014
CORE COMMERCIAL DOMAINS
Marketing Strategy · Fractional Marketing Leadership · Digital Marketing · CRM Architecture & Implementation · Brand & Customer Experience · Marketing Automation & Analytics · Product Management
KEY INDUSTRIES
Construction & Trades · Franchise Networks · Technology · Sustainability · Professional Services
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Africa · Asia · Oceania
LANGUAGES
English · Afrikaans

Key Achievements

  • Implemented CRM systems for businesses across New Zealand and international markets since 2014.
  • Delivered award-winning marketing work, including the TVNZ Transformational Marketing Award and multiple marketing-effectiveness awards across web and advertising.
  • Led integrated marketing strategy and execution across CRM, digital advertising, product management, user experience and brand development for global brands and franchise networks.

Contact

Ready to connect your CRM with a clearer, more accountable marketing strategy? Start the conversation with Digital Dynamics®.

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PIPEDRIVE PARTNER
Northing Advisory
Adrian Green, Principal at Northing Advisory

Adrian Green

Principal and Consultant

Adrian is a veteran consultant with deep experience in enterprise-scale IT implementations in politically complex, multinational corporate environments. As principal of Northing Advisory, he combines strategic advisory, enterprise systems architecture, CRM implementation, and data-driven decision making to help organizations navigate operational complexity with confidence. With extensive experience across a wide array of industries, Adrian works directly with executive leadership to understand where the business stands today before recommending technology, process, or data improvements. He brings practical advice and thoughtful planning to every engagement. The result is a solution that serves the business long after implementation is complete.
IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE SINCE
2014
CORE COMMERCIAL DOMAINS
Business Transformation · Financial Systems Integration · Accounting & Data Migration · Business Process Improvement · Project & Change Management · Systems Architecture
KEY INDUSTRIES
Insurance · Construction · Professional Services · Finance · Supply Chain Management · Accounting
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Oceania · Asia · Europe
LANGUAGES
English

Key Achievements

  • Led systems transformation across financial and policy administration functions for major NZ insurers including AA Insurance and Fidelity Life.
  • Led the development of a proprietary business management system for an international franchise, rolled out across New Zealand, Australia, UK and USA.
  • Directed PeopleSoft ERP consolidation across 65+ business units at TOWER, and led multiple Microsoft Dynamics AX implementations spanning financials, supply chain and manufacturing.

Contact

Ready to integrate your CRM with your existing commercial architecture? Contact Northing Advisory.

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