ARISE GTM | ARISE GTM BLOG

Why CEOs Are Skeptical of CRM Solutions

Written by Arise GTM | Apr 3, 2025 9:00:00 AM

As HubSpot experts who regularly manage mid-market and enterprise CRM implementations, we've witnessed firsthand the hesitation many executive teams feel when considering CRM investments. Despite the growing CRM market, projected to reach 57 billion in revenue this year, many leadership teams remain unconvinced that new technology alone will solve their Go-To-Market challenges. This skepticism isn't unfounded—it's rooted in hard data and costly experiences.

The sobering reality of CRM implementation failure

The statistics paint a concerning picture for any executive contemplating a CRM transformation:

  • 55% of CRM projects fail to produce results according to Gartner Group research

  • One in five users report that CRM initiatives not only failed to deliver profitable growth but also actively damaged customer relationships.

  • A staggering 75% of transformations fail to deliver value-creating, enduring change, according to BCG analysis.

  • CRM implementations typically cost between $180,000 and $420,000 or even higher and take at least 24 months to complete 

These figures explain why one in five senior executives secretly believes digital transformation projects are a waste of time. When the odds of success hover around 25%, the hesitation to embark on such a journey becomes rational rather than resistant.

"CRM doesn’t fail because it’s the wrong tool. It fails because we hand it to the right people with the wrong strategy.” - Matt Bolian, CEO, Supered

Why technology alone doesn't solve Go-To-Market challenges

The data disconnect

Many organisations implement CRM systems without addressing fundamental data issues. As one marketing leader noted, "I do not trust the data in the BI reports my team is feeding to me". This sentiment reflects a common problem—siloed, incomplete, and inconsistent data that undermines the very purpose of a CRM system.

Even the best CRM implementation typically captures only 40-50% of the data it should have. This fundamental data problem creates a cascading effect of mistrust and inefficiency throughout the organisation.

The people and process problem

When digital transformations disappoint, it's rarely the technology that lets the project down. According to research, the two primary causes of CRM implementation failures are:

  1. People issues: Sales professionals, recruited for their thick skin and single-mindedness, often resist systems perceived as administrative burdens without clear personal benefits

  2. Complexity: Projects gradually become overcomplicated, leading to cost overruns and systems too difficult for users to operate effectively

Christopher O'Donnell, founder of Day.ai, aptly notes that CRMs are "supposed to be working for you... and they end up being things that we work for". This inversion of the intended relationship creates friction that undermines adoption.

The alignment challenge

Traditional CRM implementations often fail to align marketing, sales, and customer success teams. Before implementing Revenue Operations (RevOps), these departments frequently operate in silos with disconnected metrics:

  • Marketing focuses on leads and engagement rates

  • Sales concentrates on quotas and targets

  • Customer success works independently on retention metrics

This misalignment creates a disconnected customer experience and prevents organisations from optimising their revenue generation.

The Revolution of Revenue Operations (RevOps)

RevOps has emerged as a crucial framework for modern business, focusing on aligning all revenue-generating functions within an organisation. By implementing the right RevOps strategies, companies can provide a seamless customer experience throughout the entire journey.

The transformation from siloed departments to an integrated revenue engine represents a fundamental shift:

  • Marketing becomes more revenue-centric, focusing on marketing-influenced revenue rather than just lead generation

  • Sales metrics align with marketing and customer success

  • Customer success becomes integrated into the overall revenue strategy

This alignment is essential, but achieving it requires more than just technology—it demands a comprehensive methodology.

“You can’t automate your way out of misalignment. If your teams aren’t rowing in the same direction, no platform can save you.” - Matt Bolian, CEO, Supered

Introducing the ARISE GTM Methodology®: Beyond traditional CRM

The ARISE GTM Methodology represents a fundamentally different approach to solving Go-To-Market challenges. As an acronym for Assess, Research, Ideate, Strategise, and Execute, ARISE combines experience, well-established optimisation frameworks, and technology into a comprehensive approach.

Unlike traditional CRM implementations that focus primarily on technology deployment, ARISE addresses the entire GTM ecosystem:

1. Align metrics with business goals

ARISE begins by ensuring your metrics directly connect to business objectives, eliminating the tracking of random numbers that don't drive growth. This alignment creates a foundation for meaningful measurement and improvement.

2. Automate data collection

By automating data collection, ARISE eliminates spreadsheet dependency and ensures consistent, reliable information flows. This automation addresses one of the key failure points in traditional CRM deployments—inconsistent manual data entry.

3. Create custom dashboards that drive insights

Custom dashboards help teams spot trends faster and make data-driven decisions. These dashboards are designed not just for reporting but for actionable intelligence that drives growth.

4. Analyse data for strategic advantage

ARISE emphasises finding "hidden gems" in your data that supercharge strategy. This analytical approach transforms raw data into competitive advantages.

5. Turn insights into action

The methodology focuses on ditching vanity metrics in favor of taking action where it's most effective. This action orientation ensures that insights don't remain theoretical but translate into tangible business results.

What truly sets ARISE apart is that it was built specifically for B2B SaaS, Fintech, and technology-enabled businesses. It recognizes the unique challenges these organisations face and provides tailored solutions rather than generic CRM approaches.

Implementing ARISE with Supered: The 1-Click Revolution

Traditional CRM implementation suffers from lengthy timelines and complex deployments. ARISE, however, can be delivered in a month, rapidly increasing ROI on technology investments. This accelerated timeline dramatically reduces risk and speeds time-to-value.

Supered takes this efficiency even further as a user-friendly platform built specifically for HubSpot that enables:

Frictionless onboarding

Supered cuts onboarding time by 70% with guided tours and instant tips. This accelerated adoption addresses one of the key failure points in traditional CRM implementations—user resistance.

Process enforcement

The platform keeps team processes consistent with dynamic, in-app reminders that guide users to the next best action. This enforcement ensures that carefully designed processes are actually followed rather than ignored.

Seamless knowledge delivery

Supered serves knowledge with context and relevance, empowering teams with instant, context-rich answers within HubSpot. This just-in-time learning approach eliminates the "knowledge gap" that plagues many CRM deployments.

Most impressively, the combined power of ARISE GTM and Supered allows for a 1-click installation of the entire methodology directly into HubSpot. This revolutionary approach dramatically reduces implementation time, complexity, and risk—the three factors that most concern executive teams.

Weighing the pros and cons of CRM transformation

The Risks

Leadership teams are right to be concerned about:

The Potential Rewards

However, when done correctly, transformation can deliver:

How to Beat the Transformation Odds

Research indicates that successful transformations share common characteristics:

  1. Fix things before they break: Starting a transformation while performance is still strong delivers 2.7 percentage points higher Total Shareholder Return (TSR) over three years compared to waiting until problems emerge

  2. Ensure leadership commitment: Success pivots on whether leadership fully demonstrates their willingness and commitment to change.

  3. Focus beyond cost-cutting: One year into transformation, investor expectations drive over 70% of TSR outperformance, while efficiency improvements account for only 13%

The ARISE GTM methodology embodies these principles by starting with strategic alignment, securing executive buy-in, and focusing on growth rather than mere efficiency.

Making the transition: From skepticism to success

For CEOs considering a move to HubSpot with the ARISE GTM methodology®, we recommend asking three critical questions:

  1. Are you ready to think in ways you have never done before?

  2. Do you have a bold, aspirational vision to cut through uncertainty and doubt?

  3. Are you prepared to transform processes, not just implement technology?

These questions help determine readiness for transformative change rather than incremental improvement.

Your next steps: From insight to action

The path to successful Go-To-Market transformation doesn't have to be fraught with the typical risks and extended timelines. With the ARISE GTM methodology® and Supered's 1-click implementation into HubSpot, your organisation can:

  • Implement a proven, comprehensive GTM framework in weeks, not months/years

  • Achieve rapid user adoption through contextual guidance and support

  • Align all revenue-generating functions around consistent processes

  • Drive data-driven decisions through 151 pre-configured KPIs

  • Realise return on investment in months rather than years

We understand the skepticism—the statistics justify caution. But transformation doesn't have to be a leap of faith when you have a proven methodology and implementation approach.

Ready to transform your Go-To-Market approach?

Our team of HubSpot experts and GTM strategists is ready to discuss your specific challenges and how the ARISE methodology can address them. We'll show you how our clients have successfully navigated the transition to HubSpot with minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Don't become another transformation statistic. Contact our team today to explore how ARISE GTM and Supered can revolutionise your approach to customer relationships, revenue operations, and sustainable growth.

Take the first step toward beating the transformation odds by scheduling a consultation with our team of HubSpot and GTM experts today.