Pre-CRM

The phase before a relationship has a deal attached to it. No pipeline, no opportunity, just a connection worth keeping warm. Where most of your network actually lives.

Pre-CRM, also known as “before the CRM“ is the phase of a professional relationship before it belongs in a Customer Relationship Management system. No deal, no pipeline stage, no defined opportunity, just a connection worth maintaining. For most professional services firms, this is where the majority of their network actually lives: former colleagues, past clients, conference contacts, referral partners. Pre-CRM is where relationships are built, but it's also where they're most likely to be forgotten.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pre-CRM mean?

What happens to contacts before they enter a CRM?

How do you manage relationships that aren't in your CRM?

Why do most CRMs not work for early-stage relationships?

When should a contact move from pre-CRM to a CRM?

Related Terms

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Software for managing customer interactions, typically organized around deals and pipelines. Works well once there's commercial intent, less so for the relationships that come before it. Relationship Management The practice of deliberately tracking and nurturing your professional relationships so you know who to reach out to, when, and why.