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South Carolina Department of Commerce

South Carolina Department of Commerce achieves ambitious investment and job creation targets with Maximizer.

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The South Carolina Department of Commerce is dedicated to fostering economic growth by attracting new investments and supporting existing businesses in the state. Competing with prominent states like California and New York, South Carolina aims to set itself apart with efficient follow-up, accountability, and the message of a low-cost, high-quality environment for businesses. To support its mission, the Department’s Global Business Development unit required a robust CRM to manage potential investments and track project status effectively. In 2019, under the leadership of Secretary Joe E. Taylor, Jr., they selected Maximizer as their solution.
“We had the database built, users logged in, and initial training sessions completed within the first week.” — Mark Heaton, IT Manager, South Carolina Department of Commerce
Mark Heaton IT Manager South Carolina Department of Commerce

Challenges

Before implementing Maximizer, the South Carolina Department of Commerce faced multiple hurdles in its investment efforts. Over 20 sales and project managers were tracking more than 278 potential investment projects across disparate Excel documents, creating gaps in follow-up and accountability. With no centralized system, it was difficult to generate reliable status reports and leads often fell through the cracks due to miscommunication over who was managing each account. This lack of organization hampered the team’s ability to send a cohesive message to potential investors about the benefits of choosing South Carolina.

The need for an effective CRM became a priority when Joe E. Taylor, Jr., appointed Secretary of Commerce, challenged the IT department to research, select, and implement a CRM solution within just 30 days. IT Manager Mark Heaton knew he needed an affordable, flexible CRM that would integrate easily into existing workflows and scale as the Department’s needs grew.

Solutions

With the tight timeline, Mark Heaton turned to Maximizer. He was impressed with Maximizer’s responsive customer support and straightforward implementation process, which allowed the Department to complete initial training within the first week. The system’s flexibility minimized disruption to existing workflows, addressing initial staff resistance and making the transition seamless.

Maximizer became the central platform for the Department’s data, providing each project manager with secure, password-protected access to a browser-based portal. The solution’s Workflow Automation feature allowed managers to break down sales processes into concrete steps, ensuring consistent follow-up and improving project accountability. Maximizer’s integration with Microsoft Outlook further streamlined communications, helping project managers log client interactions and stay informed on project status from any location.

Maximizer’s Executive Dashboard and robust reporting capabilities provided instant insights into performance metrics, enabling Department leaders to track projects in real time. By implementing Maximizer, the Department of Commerce was able to surpass its investment goals and create over 42% more jobs than anticipated.

Benefits

Improved Accountability

With Maximizer’s centralized data, each team member has clear visibility into project status, increasing accountability and reducing lost leads.

Enhanced Reporting Accuracy

Maximizer’s reporting tools offer reliable, up-to-date metrics, enabling the Department to confidently share hard numbers with stakeholders.

Consistent Follow-ups

Maximizer’s automations prompt timely follow-up actions, supporting consistent client engagement and improving investment outcomes.

Easy Setup

The Department was able to get Maximizer fully operational within 30 days, achieving a fast return on investment and minimal workflow disruption.

Increased Job Creation and Investment

Maximizer’s efficiency allowed the Department to surpass its regional investment target by $62M and exceed job creation goals by 42%.

Scalable for Future Growth

Maximizer’s flexible setup allows the Department to add seats as needed, supporting other business units as they adopt the CRM.

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