In this episode, host Matt Jones sits down with Erick Vargas, entrepreneur and co-founder of Followup CRM, for a deep dive into the world of customer relationship management (CRM) in the construction and trade industries. Kicking off the first podcast of 2025, Matt and Erick unpack the evolving role of CRMs—from their origins as lead and sales tools, to their vital importance in streamlining operations, improving communication, and scaling businesses.

Erick shares his journey developing Followup CRM, a platform specifically designed for contractors that emerged out of real-world frustrations with generic software. Together, they explore the critical differences between CRMs, job management, and project management software, and discuss why so many businesses lose sales simply by failing to follow up with leads. With practical anecdotes, industry stats, and insights into integrating new tech, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to future-proof their trade business and build company value through smart systems and processes.

Whether you're a business owner, salesperson, or just interested in construction technology, you’ll find plenty of actionable takeaways on maximizing your pipeline, optimizing your team, and driving real growth.

Listen to the video version of this podcast at https://youtu.be/2AChnrdchRs

00:00 "Streamlining CRM in Trade Biz
06:19 "Importance of Persistent Follow-Up
07:32 Maximize Follow-Up for Sales Success
11:48 Instant On-Site Quoting Boosts Conversions
13:37 "Improve, Don't Settle"
20:24 "CRM's Impact on Construction Businesses"
23:47 Transforming Knowledge into Scalable Systems
25:39 Embracing and Adopting Technology
30:03 "Team Collaboration Enhances Customer Success"

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