Elevate Your Salesforce Strategy Beyond the Initial Rollout
In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, Salesforce stands out as a powerful catalyst for efficiency, enabling organisations to streamline processes, gain visibility into data, and ultimately drive revenue.
Whether you are a new adopter of Salesforce or a seasoned user, the decision to implement this powerful tool was likely centred around simplifying processes, improving data visibility, and increasing overall efficiency. However, the journey doesn’t end with the initial implementation; sustainable success with Salesforce demands ongoing management and strategic planning.
The Initial Decision – A strategic investment
Implementing Salesforce is a significant decision that involves evaluating and aligning business needs with the platform’s capabilities. Whether the focus is on simplifying processes, standardising operations, or increasing revenue, multiple stakeholders play a crucial role in shaping the decision-making process.
Salesforce represents a significant investment that holds the potential for substantial returns, but this potential can only be fully actualised with proper ongoing management, avoiding the pitfall of “set it and forget it” after the initial implementation.
The Pitfall of “Set It and Forget It”
Salesforce is a potent solution that can bring your business success, but it is not a passive one. Success requires active management, particularly in the form of a robust Salesforce strategy.
Unfortunately, we see many organisations invest time and effort into the initial implementation only to leave the solution untouched post-launch. This approach leaves untapped potential on the table, as the true power of Salesforce is realised when it evolves alongside the business.
The Role of Salesforce Strategy
Effective management in the form of having an ‘always on’ approach, commonly known as continuous improvement, is pivotal for utilising the potential of the Salesforce platform. A robust Salesforce strategy that is consistently reviewed, is not just a requirement but essential for scaling your return on investment.
Here is why it is crucial:
1. Fostering Growth: Aligning Salesforce with Business Evolution
As businesses grow, so should their use of Salesforce. Organisations need to make sure they are taking full advantage of new features and functionalities released by Salesforce each year
Agility in adapting to change becomes a competitive advantage, and a well-structured strategy focussed around continuous improvement is the linchpin for achieving this flexibility.
2. Maximising Success: Encouraging User Engagement and Streamlining Change Management
User engagement and change management stand as cornerstones for the success of any Salesforce implementation. A well-defined and robust Salesforce strategy should not only initiate but continually manage and review both aspects.
Continual review of user adoption and engagement is paramount. This practice enables businesses to identify top performers while pinpointing and addressing bottlenecks with various techniques (training, process excellence enhancement etc.) Understanding the user sentiment of the platform and establishing a feedback loop are critical components, of fostering a collaborative environment that contributes to the continuous improvement of the Salesforce experience.
Equally crucial is having a clear plan for change management. This ensures that the platform seamlessly grows with the business. Using a range of tactics, helps users gain a deep understanding of new and existing features and processes being rolled out, ensuring their success.
Both user engagement and adaptability to change are crucial elements of a Salesforce strategy, forming the foundation for success in any business. It is important to consistently monitor and assess to ensure the best results.
3. Creating Stability: Crafting a roadmap
The inevitability of change is the first step toward sustained success, however, the effectiveness of change lies in its implementation and rollout. This process demands a roadmap aligning with the points mentioned above (business growth, user adoption, and change management)—all an embodiment of continuous improvement principles.
Developing a roadmap is key to ensuring stability for users while mitigating the inherent risks associated with the intended change. When creating this roadmap, it needs to be intricately tied to your business goals and user considerations, as the guiding framework.
By investing time in its development the decision-making is centralised to a key group, and appropriate time and consideration is given to ensure the best practices in development and design standards.
This approach not only provides a structured plan for change but also facilitates a seamless rollout of new developments, fostering an environment where stability is paramount.
Having a roadmap focussed around continuous improvement within your Salesforce strategy is integral to scaling your Salesforce ROI.
Embracing the Long-Term Value of Salesforce
The Salesforce journey is a continuous evolution that extends far beyond the initial implementation. Adopting a structured Salesforce strategy not only ensures ongoing value but also elevates the platform’s capabilities over time.
Once your strategy is established, proactive execution and consistent resource allocation become essential.
At Fullcrm, we specialise in guiding organisations through the formalisation of their Salesforce strategy and ensuring dedicated effort is consistently directed toward achieving your goals.
Ready to formalise your Salesforce strategy for success but unsure where to start? Download our free 8-step guide on ‘How to create a Salesforce strategy.’
If you would like further assistance, feel free to contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation on enriching your current strategy and identifying areas for improvement.