Is your organisation really ready to change it's CRM?
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The question too few organisations ask — and why it matters more than you think.
You know your CRM needs to change. But before you jump into action — take a moment to ask yourself a question: Is your organisation truly ready to change?
That might sound like a strange question — especially if you’ve already had internal conversations, listed out frustrations and challenges, or started looking at new systems.
But jumping from awareness to action too quickly can trip up even the most well-intentioned teams.
If you’ve read our last blog on 'What is your current CRM really costing you?', you'll already understand the real cost of inaction for your organisation.
But CRM change is about more than simply fixing what’s broken. It’s about preparing for what’s next and making sure you’re ready for the journey.
Why readiness matters more than you think
CRM projects can look like technology decisions on the surface. List your requirements. Choose a platform. Migrate your data. Launch the new platform.
But when they go wrong — and many do — it’s rarely the tech at fault. It’s the context around it.
No platform will succeed without buy-in, clear goals, and the time and space to embed change properly. It’s why being ready to change is so important — and why it’s often the difference between a CRM that feel game changing, and one that becomes another costly frustration.
So… what does 'being ready' actually look like?
It’s not about having everything perfectly in place. But there are a few key signs that suggest your organisation is in a strong position to move forward.
You’re likely ready if:
You have a clear strategic plan — and know your current systems can’t support it.
You understand your existing processes and where they’re falling short
The leadership team is aligned and committed to exploring change
You’ve set aside at least an indicative budget and internal capacity
You’ve accepted that CRM change will require focus, not just a tech swap.
Most importantly, it’s a strategic priority — not just a side project someone’s doing when they can”.
You don’t need to tick every single box. But if most of these are missing, it’s worth pausing to reflect before you move too far down the path.
The most successful CRM projects we see, often begin with organisations who paused — even briefly — to get clear on where they stand.
What happens when you skip this step?
We’ve worked with membership teams, who before coming to us, rushed into CRM change, driven by frustration or urgency. The start feels exciting — there’s momentum, hope, the promise of something better.
But if the foundations aren’t in place, things begin to slide.
Old habits resurface. Teams struggle to adopt new processes. Expectations don’t align. And slowly, the energy that made the project happen begins to fade.
When that happens, people often assume the CRM didn’t work. But more often, it’s simply that the organisation wasn’t quite ready to carry the change through.
'Being ready' isn’t a delay — it’s a springboard
This isn’t about slowing things down for the sake of it. It’s about making sure your time, budget and energy deliver the value you want.
The most successful projects we’ve seen start with clarity. Not just on the system — but on the strategy behind it.
Because when that part is in place, everything else becomes easier. You move faster, make better decisions, and bring your team with you. Change feels energising, not exhausting.
Where do you start?
If you’re nodding along — but not sure how ready you really are — the best next step is having a conversation with one of our sheepCRM experts.
It’s a short, no-pressure conversation to help you review where you stand today, spot any blockers early, and map out what your next steps could look like.
You’ll leave with clearer priorities, realistic next actions, and a better sense of whether now’s the right time to move forward — and how.
