OK, you have a list of jobs and even a back log. But are you going to make any profit on the jobs? Are you tired of dumping your advertising money into a big, black hole without knowing where your real profits are coming from? Is your top seller really your top seller? Was it worthwhile to spend your weekend on your feet at the trade show? By The Numbers answers these and other critical questions about costs and profits for your firm. Data is entered into the online software about each project. I can look at projects by Customer (Love those repeat clients!) or by Project Type. I can analyze if I made a profit on that particular job or that type of project. It¹s even possible to look at projects by Supervisor/Team to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Customer service follow up calls can be noted in the system. Warranty follow up can be handled from the reminder letter to the inspection to the new work.

Data is entered into the software about each type of advertising from the trade show to the yellow pages ad. When compared to the details of jobs closed from that lead source, I can tell which ad was profitable. Now I have real input to help me budget my marketing dollars wisely. No longer will I have to be swayed and subject to some Media Salesperson's, "you must do this, you must do that"! No, I can very quickly check what has historically worked for my Company and spend my Advertising Dollars on what works for my Company.

The software also helps manage sales staff. How many jobs did Salesperson A close? At what profit margin? Is he better with trade show leads or radio ad leads? How does A compare to B? I need hard numbers to make decisions, not the morning¹s warm and fuzzy feeling (or lack thereof!). If I know B has trouble with yellow page leads, I can work on training her to answer queries or overcome objections. If everyone loves A but he never asks for the contract, I know I need to provide some sales training.

By The Numbers has some CRM (Customer Relations Management) capabilities but it really isn¹t a CRM. It¹s a very strong analytic program to ensure that I¹m making money with the right kind of work and the right staff.

Although By The Numbers has the typical features/functions and works well as a CRM Package (Customer Relations Management) it's real strength and uniqueness is in it's ability to very easily and quickly (with a couple of keystrokes) provide actual historical data, so Management can base Advertising, Marketing and Sales decisions on historical facts unique to their company, instead of somewhat hazy and usually inaccurate "recollections".

--­ Pamela Bir, Your Computer Lady