A technology enabled journey to 0 melanoma deaths in NZ.

The Challenge

Melanoma NZ faced significant operational challenges with its disjointed systems and disparate platforms, which hampered its ability to manage donations, engage stakeholders, and drive its strategic initiatives. To scale its efforts, streamline operations, and increase engagement with supporters, the charity needed a reliable and efficient Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The new system had to allow for the seamless management of donations, campaigns, media enquiries, and contacts, while also supporting the team in reducing inefficiencies and costs. The need for an integrated system was critical to enable Melanoma NZ to meet its mission of preventing melanoma and improving patient care.

Melanoma NZ also required a platform that could grow alongside the organisation, enabling it to implement data-driven, impactful initiatives based on sound evidence and research. As a small charity relying on a limited staff and volunteers, the charity sought a solution that would not only enhance internal efficiencies but also improve engagement with stakeholders and ensure a smoother, more secure operational workflow.

The Solution

To address these challenges, Melanoma NZ turned to Merkle for a custom CRM solution, powered by Salesforce. Merkle took the time to understand Melanoma NZ’s specific needs and translated complex technical requirements into accessible, easy-to-understand solutions. The result was a bespoke CRM system tailored to Melanoma NZ’s unique demands.

Salesforce’s Not-for-Profit platform was implemented to consolidate and manage all aspects of the charity’s operations, from logging donations to tracking fundraising progress and managing media inquiries. The new system allowed Melanoma NZ to centralise its data and streamline workflows, creating a more efficient process for managing contacts, events, and donations.

One of the standout features of the solution was the shift from a paper-based system to a secure online platform for Melanoma NZ’s Nurse Educators. By using iPads connected directly to Salesforce, the team could now input and track GP referrals and patient notes in real-time. This upgrade was pivotal in reducing double-handling and manual data entry, saving valuable time and reducing the margin for error. The platform was designed with the future in mind, allowing Melanoma NZ to continue evolving and improving its services as the organisation grows.

CEO Andrea Newland praised the Merkle team for not only providing a solution that fit the organisation’s current needs but also for being on hand to support the transition and ongoing refinements to the system. The collaboration allowed the charity to maintain its commitment to delivering impactful results while operating efficiently within the constraints of its resources.

The Results

The implementation of Salesforce transformed Melanoma NZ's operations. The team can now efficiently manage donations, fundraising progress, event campaigns, and all related activities within a single, centralised system. By having real-time access to all this information, Melanoma NZ has improved its ability to track progress and measure the impact of its initiatives.

Key outcomes include:

• Operational Efficiency: The time saved through the new system has been significant, allowing the team to focus more on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.
• Improved Data Management: All contact information, fundraising activities, and event details are now stored centrally, making it easier for the team to access and use this information effectively.
• Increased Scalability: The CRM system supports Melanoma NZ’s ongoing growth by providing the flexibility to add new functionalities as needed.
• Better Stakeholder Engagement: The platform has enabled the charity to better engage with its supporters, stakeholders, and volunteers, driving stronger relationships and more efficient communication.

Andrea Newland expressed gratitude for Merkle's solution, particularly the way the system allowed the charity to make the most of its resources: "We are very grateful to Merkle for working on a solution that suits our situation. They respected that we don’t take investment lightly as a charity and made our dollar work hard."