Salesforce is a complex tool with a lot of moving parts. Any time you're implementing a new software system, there are bound to be some bumps in the road. However, by avoiding these 10 common mistakes, you can ensure a smooth Salesforce implementation for your company.
Lack of a dedicated stakeholder team
Without a dedicated stakeholder team in place before implementing Salesforce, companies can run into a variety of problems. One of the biggest consequences is that there will not be someone who is responsible for making sure the implementation goes smoothly and that everyone who needs to use the system is properly trained. This can lead to frustration among employees and a lack of adoption of the platform, which will delay the company's ROI and ability to progress through future stages of digital transformation.
Underestimating the Time Involved in Implementation
Many companies underestimate the amount of time required for a successful Salesforce implementation. This can often lead to rushed implementations, which can result in errors and poor adoption rates. To ensure a successful implementation, be sure to allocate enough time for planning, testing, and training.
Failing to Set Proper Goals and Objectives
Before starting an implementation project, it's essential to set clear goals and objectives for all business units who will be impacted by Salesforce. This will help ensure that everyone involved is on the same page and that the project stays on track. Without clear goals, it's easy for implementations to become bogged down in details and this is where many companies begin to lose traction.
Not Planning Enough Time for Testing before Going Live
One final mistake that can cause problems during or after the implementation process is not testing everything thoroughly before going live. Make sure you test all aspects of the system thoroughly before going live. This will help ensure a smooth transition into production and minimize any potential problems
Not Training Employees Properly
One of the biggest reasons for poor adoption of Salesforce is the lack of comprehensive employee training. Make sure you train employees properly on how to use the new system. This will ensure that they are able to take full advantage of all its features and benefits. A good training program should include both general overviews and hands-on exercises so employees can get comfortable using the system.
Focusing on Functionality Over Processes
When implementing Salesforce, it's important to focus on both functionality and processes. Many companies make the mistake of focusing exclusively on functionality, which can lead to implementation challenges down the road. It's important to have a clear understanding of your business processes and how they will work with Salesforce before starting the implementation process.
Not Having an Appropriate Backup Strategy in Place
One mistake that often leads to data loss or corruption is not having an appropriate backup strategy in place. Make sure you have a backup plan in place before starting your Salesforce implementation. This will ensure that your data is safe in case something goes wrong during the implementation process, or at any point in the future during integrations or data migrations.
Not integrating Salesforce with existing systems
Integrating Salesforce with existing systems is essential for automating business processes and achieving a higher ROI from the platform. If this isn’t done correctly, it can lead to data duplication and other problems.
Inadequate planning for technical debt management
Without a technical debt management policy in place, companies can quickly find themselves in a difficult situation when it comes to implementing Salesforce. Without a plan for how to manage and pay down technical debt, companies can quickly find themselves bogged down by the complexity of the platform and struggling to make progress.
Choosing the Wrong Implementation Partner
One of the most critical decisions you'll make when implementing Salesforce is who to partner with. Many companies make the mistake of choosing an implementation partner based on price rather than relevant experience or competence. This can lead to a number of problems, including poor adoption of the platform, delayed ROI, and difficulty progressing through future stages of digital transformation.
When choosing an implementation partner, be sure to consider their experience with Salesforce and other CRM platforms, as well as their ability to meet your specific needs. Ask for references and case studies to better understand their capabilities.
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Not Keeping up with Changes in your Tech Stack
Finally, another mistake that companies often make is not keeping up with changes in technology. As technology evolves, your Salesforce system needs to evolve with it to maintain its effectiveness. Staying up-to-date with changes in technology is essential for ensuring that your Salesforce system continues to meet your needs
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