Most independent professionals hit the same wall:
0-10 clients: Excel works fine. 10-30 clients: Excel gets messy. 30+ clients: Excel breaks down. You start forgetting people.
This isn't about discipline. Your brain can't remember 30+ people. That's biology.
Why 30? Why not 50 or 10?
Your brain has limits. Psychologists call it "Dunbar's number" — roughly 150 meaningful relationships total. But that includes family, friends, everyone. For professional relationships without a system? Most people max out around 20-30.
The Real Cost of Forgetting
Forget to follow up once a week? That's 52 lost opportunities per year. At RM 1,000 each = RM 52,000 gone.
Spend 25 minutes daily searching Excel? That's 100+ hours per year wasted. Time you could use closing deals.
Miss renewal dates? Clients go to competitors.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Each client = RM 2,000/year (renewals, referrals, repeat business)
Excel users (lose 30% yearly):
- Year 1: 30 clients = RM 60,000
- Year 3: Still 30 = RM 60,000
- Stuck forever
CRM users (lose only 10% yearly):
- Year 1: 30 clients = RM 60,000
- Year 3: 60 clients = RM 120,000
- Growing every year
5-year difference: RM 400,000+
What Successful People Do Differently
They don't try to remember everything. They use systems.
Excel approach: "I'll remember to call Ah Seng next week" → Forgets → Loses client
CRM approach: Set reminder → Phone pings → Makes call → Keeps client
When a client calls, CRM users instantly see:
- Last conversation details
- Upcoming renewals
- Important dates
- Full history
They look professional. Clients feel valued. Trust builds.
Every morning, a CRM shows you:
- Who to call today
- Whose birthday is coming
- Which renewals need attention
No more "Oh no, I forgot!" Just "Here's my action list for today."
Why This Matters
Top earners don't work harder. They have better systems.
The compound effect:
- Keep clients happy → They renew yearly
- They buy more from you → Upsell
- They refer friends → Free marketing
Start with 30 clients:
- Year 3 with Excel: Still 30 clients
- Year 3 with CRM: 60 clients
- Year 10 with CRM: 200+ clients
But only if you don't forget people.
What to Look For
Simple test: Can you add a client + set reminder in under 1 minute?
If no → too complicated.
Must-haves:
- Quick contact creation (30 seconds)
- Automatic reminders
- Full conversation history
- Works on mobile
- Affordable (not RM 500/month)
Making the Switch
Time needed: 2 hours
- Export Excel (5 min)
- Import to CRM (10 min)
- Set key reminders (1-2 hours)
Results:
- Week 1: Close 1-2 extra deals = RM 2,000-5,000
- Year 1: RM 30,000-80,000 more income
The Bottom Line
Excel is for data. CRM is for relationships.
Your business runs on relationships. Get the right tool.
People earning RM 10,000+/month aren't smarter. They have better systems.
Ready to Break Through?
Try JomClient free. No credit card required.
- Unlimited contacts on our free plan
- Import your Excel contacts in minutes
- Experience the difference a real system makes
Your client relationships are too valuable to manage in a spreadsheet.