Powerful tools are only that if they are used optimally. And almost all powerful tools are, in a way, unwieldy until you master them. But that should not deter you from using them.
When it comes to business insights, and management, that kind of powerful a tool is Salesforce. As they say, it is the number one CRM. For it to become that, it has to be much more layered and complex than it shows. The deeper you dig, the more use you will get out of it.
However, businesses generally don’t have hours to spend learning and configuring a tool by themselves. They need a Salesforce implementation partner who can configure it and conduct thorough training on how to get the most out of it.
Let’s dig deeper into the Salesforce implementation process.
What is Salesforce Implementation? What are the types of Salesforce Implementation?
The process of assessing Salesforce needs for a business and configuring select modules of Salesforce for said business to get them insights is what we call Salesforce implementation.
There are, of course, various ways to do it:
3 Types of Salesforce Implementation
The golden words are Salesforce implementation partner. You need them to do this the right way. They are someone who knows Salesforce in and out, are always updated with it, and have experience in implementing it for companies of various sizes and industries.
Your ideal Salesforce implementation partner is someone who has experience with a company of your size and your industry.
These partners have an entire Salesforce implementation guide and are able to optimize how they go about it in terms of assessing your requirements, setting up and configuring, transitioning, and training. Leave the entire process in their hands, and you will be able to breathe easy as they go about it at their pace.
Here are three types of Salesforce implementation projects:
1. In-house implementation
In-house implementation is not the most desired. Almost anyone who wants to implement it will do it with a third-party implementation partner. Occasionally some small or mid-sized organizations will attempt to do it in-house.
There are fewer pros for it, namely lesser cost and in-house team effort to learn Salesforce.
On the other hand, the cons are plenty. It takes longer, the learning curve is messy and full of hurdles; not to mention, an in-house team will go in with only a problem-centric approach rather than a solution one because they will try to solve the problems they see in their organization. They will not have the foresight to build a solution for further scaling and challenges.
2. Third-party implementation
Third-party implementation partners provide end-to-end services, from consultation to planning, final employee training, and post-implementation maintenance. It is definitely a significant investment, but compared to in-house implementation, it has much lower chances of challenges.
Third-party implementation is more cost-effective and more long terms. The implementation partners are Salesforce experts, so they know exactly the challenges you face now and the ones you may face while scaling.
As opposed to in-house implementation, the pros are significantly more here. You get the third-party implementation partner’s experience, expertise, and vision. Because of this, the entire process is optimized, smooth, and fast. They can also show you benefits you can gain from Salesforce that you didn’t know about.
Perhaps one of the hardest things about onboarding a third-party implementation partner is choosing the right one. Another challenge is that you might be dependent on them for continuous maintenance if your in-house team is not up for it, which can increase the long-term cost.
3. Hybrid implementation approach
A third option is a hybrid approach. For this, your in-house team has to be willing to shoulder their responsibility and learn from the experts. Often the third-party partners carry out the implementation and train the in-house team. Then the in-house team takes over employee training and future maintenance up to a certain level.
The most significant pro of this method is that you organically have in-house experts who can help you maintain your solution.
Need to know more about what it’s like to have a third-party implementation partner? We can be your Salesforce implementation team!
Why Should You Implement Salesforce?
Salesforce helps manage leads, opportunities, contacts, and cases. It helps an organization get insights into customer interactions, track sales patterns, and so on. In simple words, to grow.
Let’s look at the steps for implementing Salesforce successfully.
10 Salesforce Implementation Checklist/Steps
Step #1:
No one knows the challenges an organization faces more than its business stakeholders. It is crucial to know the problem before you go seeking a solution. Connect with the different stakeholders and teams to understand their needs and challenges to understand what kind of solution they require.
Once you gather this information, you will have a better idea of how to go about the implementation. You will know what challenges to solve with Salesforce and be able to set realistic goals.
Step #2:
Document, document, document!
The next step in assessing the requirement is to ask relevant teams to document their current workflow and day-to-day tasks. Once you have that, you will be able to plan how to optimize them.
Step #3:
Timelines are important!
The third step is ensuring no projects overlap, reducing the risk of resource shortage. Planning rollout phrases, testing, and the meeting become easier after you decide on the project timeline. Moreover, you can evaluate your needs/expectations with a high-level budget estimate in mind.
Step #4:
A lot of factors like company size, amount of data to be imported, and customization influence project estimation. To avoid hassles, you can create three layouts of the implementation process: pessimistic, optimistic, and realistic.
Step#5:
If you wish to measure the success of your project, then you need to set up concrete goals. These definitive metrics can help you visualize the completion of goals and adjust strategies accordingly.
Step #6:
Team collaboration must be explicit and regular in order to attain implementation goals. The key to the successful formation and enactment of Salesforce CRM is efficient communication between all parties involved.
Step #7:
You may need to select certain people for the Salesforce implementation process, even with limited resources.
A standard CRM project involves the following stakeholders: senior management, platform users, sales, service, and marketing providers, channel partners, customers, and IT specialists. This does not necessarily mean that you have a massive team; one person is enough to handle major roles.
This primary stakeholder ensures that you are prepared for the implementation project; moreover, they will supervise the process internally and will be the first point of contact. They would be technical support, in charge of the systems you wish to assimilate with or migrate from.
Step #8:
Prepare data for exfil!
You must ensure that the data sets are precise and error-free so that they benefit the new business operations. Additionally, you can set up policies to prevent data duplication.
Step #9:
You need to have a definitive change management plan in place before the implementation’s launch. This plan must continue throughout the project, and after the date, it goes live.
Step #10:
Getting to know how the new look feels is an essential step before moving to it. It helps you regulate expectations with respect to the capabilities of the system.
Want to know more about how implementation can happen? We have all the answers here.
4 Tips for Implementing Salesforce
1. Hire a certified Salesforce admin
When you hire a certified Salesforce admin, it will probably be a full-time job and will carry on after approval. There are nine official roles in Salesforce that are considered the cornerstone of the system, and an admin is one of them. Running the system smoothly, helping to build and implement new elements, and staying on top of the products and functionality are some of their responsibilities.
2. Flexibility
Should you bring in a partner, or when you add to the cache of knowledge, your plan may change while the implementation is taking place. You should be flexible and prepared for the last-minute changes that may crop up; trial and error is the best strategy for alterations in your approach.
It is a good idea to include from every department and at every level so surprises and resistance don’t sneak up on you. Make sure that you listen to them and are ready to adjust your strategy accordingly.
3. Communicate
You must give priority to communication and regularly update everyone in the organization regarding the progress of the implementation. Even if it is too early for many people to be involved, these updates will involve a part of the process. The key advantage of prioritizing communication is that you get regular feedback from the employees and the end-users of the new Salesforce system. This helps you shape an all-inclusive CRM platform for the users and promote better employee engagement.
4. Offer training options and resources
Everyone has different approaches to learning. An important thing you will come across in Salesforce implementation is the more types of training you offer, the better; users can pick the type of training best suited to them and stay on top of updates. These could range from traditional classroom-style courses and official Salesforce training to apps, blogs, e-books, and gamified training. Salesforce is massively popular, which makes it possible for there to be plenty of resources to choose from.
Hired consultants vs. in-house IT team, which one is best?
The cost of using third-party consultants versus in-house IT teams can vary depending on various factors, including:
Third-party consultants: Consultants typically charge higher hourly rates than in-house IT teams. However, they bring expertise and experience from working on multiple projects, which can lead to a more efficient and effective implementation.
In-house IT teams: Hiring an in-house IT team may be more cost-effective in the long run, but it can take time to find and train the right people. Additionally, the cost of salaries, benefits, and training must be considered.
Project scope: The size and complexity of the project will impact the cost of both third-party consultants and in-house IT teams. A large and complex project may require more resources and increase the cost.
Location: The cost of hiring a consultant can vary based on the location of the project. Consultants in larger cities may charge higher rates than those in smaller cities.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use third-party consultants or in-house IT teams should be based on the specific needs and circumstances of the project. It may be best to use a combination of both, with in-house IT teams taking on routine tasks and third-party consultants handling more complex tasks or providing specialized expertise. Overall, the Salesforce implementation cost may be higher with third-party consultants, but their work will be efficient.
How will CRMJetty help?
CRMJetty has been in the industry for software solutions for over 8 years now and has extensive experience working with various industries. Our Salesforce experts can help you get the most out of the tool at your convenience and help you achieve your business goals.
All product and company names are trademarks™, registered® or copyright© trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
