Creating and Managing Opportunities

An opportunity is an event with associated tasks for a prospect or customer. Using the CRM Opportunity forms, you can create and track activities that engage prospects and retain customers.

Before you create an opportunity and its associated tasks, set up information in these forms:

• Opportunity Sources
• Opportunity Statuses
• Opportunity Stages
• Opportunity Lost Reasons
• Opportunity Won Reasons
• Opportunity Task Types

Creating an Opportunity

To create an opportunity:

1. On the Opportunities form, select Actions > New.
2. Enter a number in the Opportunity field, or let the system choose a number for you when you save the record.
3. Select a customer or a prospect. A territory displays if it has been assigned.
4. You may assign a salesperson or a contact to the opportunity.
5. Select the initial status of the opportunity from the Status field.
6. On the General tab, enter the Estimated Value, the percentage chance the opportunity will be won, and Projected Close Date.
7. Select Actions > Save to save the opportunity.

Throughout the course of the opportunity, you can update the status, stage, percent of success, and completion date. You can also indicate the reason the opportunity was won or lost.

Creating an Opportunity Task

Once you have saved the opportunity, you can create tasks for it using the Opportunity Tasks form.

To create a task:

1. On the Opportunity Tasks form, select Actions > New.
2. The system automatically assigns the Task number. Enter a description of the task.
3. Select the Type of task.
4. Since, it is a new task, keep the Status as Open.
5. Select a task Owner. This list is obtained from the system users.
6. Select the task's Priority - Low, Medium, or High.
7. Enter the Due Date for completing the task.
8. To indicate the task is required, select the Mandatory check box.
9. After the task is completed, enter the completion date.
10. Select Actions > Save to save the opportunity. The system displays the Create Date. The ID of the person who created the task displays in the Created By field.

Related Topics

CRM Overview