Introduction
Much like any other CRM tool, there are common mistakes that any user can make when implementing Salesforce. While Salesforce is a beneficial tool to incorporate into your nonprofit, it is still prudent to be careful when implementing new software, especially considering all the features Salesforce can provide you with. Making mistakes is a natural part of growing and learning, but you can start with the basics. Here are common mistakes to avoid when implementing Salesforce for NPOs.
How Can You Learn from Common Mistakes Others Have Made?
Never Underestimate Salesforce Implementation.
If you have decided to shift to Salesforce, chances are you have researched all the features the platform can provide to make your life easier. Going into Salesforce, having a clear goal and vision on how you want your nonprofit to succeed using the platform will help you achieve faster. But, sometimes, it can be easy to dismiss specific requirements that you need by saying, ‘No, that’s way too complex for Salesforce to accomplish.’ Salesforce offers many customizable features, so you will never have to worry about things not going your way. With scalability, integration capabilities, mobile access, and its’ vast community of support, you never need to think twice about whether Salesforce can do something for you!
Prioritize Data Cleanup.
Salesforce implementation teams often focus on brand-new features and make the mistake of thinking that integration and data cleanup are low priorities as it is exciting to discover new features. However, it is essential to remember that including dirty or incorrect/incomplete data will lead to inaccurate insights and forecasting. Prioritizing data management allows you to make sure there is no duplicate data and even includes segmentation and categorization of your existing data into relevant groups so that you can make analysis and reporting even more effortless.
Provide Rigorous Training.
Salesforce may not be a difficult tool to grasp, but it offers so many distinctive features that sometimes it can be overwhelming to learn and use all by yourself. Your nonprofit can only benefit from the features if users know how to use the system efficiently. It also ensures a smooth transition into the platform and allows you to keep in compliance with ensuring compliance and security. Ensure your users know how to perform essential functions to ensure you are making the most of the platform and all the benefits it can provide you.
Make Sure You Have a Post-Implementation Procedure.
A common mistake organizations make is that once a solution has been implemented, they never need a post-implementation plan. Sometimes things run seamlessly, and sometimes they do not, but the truth is, even if things do run perfectly, you may find yourself thinking that more can be done or added, and it can be challenging to accommodate these changes unless you have a plan. It is essential to allocate a budget to plan for anything you want to include in the initial implementation. Sometimes, this includes keeping a Salesforce admin on staff even after the project is complete just in case a fire needs to be put out or even someone who knows about the project so that they can help you add onto the completed org.
Have A Fully Planned Budget Before Implementing Salesforce.
Many organizations believe they can perform full customization and implementation of Salesforce independently without outside sources’ help or training. It may be true if you have a full-time Salesforce admin on hand, but it may only sometimes be accurate. It can be more expensive if you implement everything yourself and things do not work out as well as you hope, and then you would have to start from nothing with outside help. Planning for a Salesforce admin from the beginning may be more efficient. As mentioned, keeping a Salesforce admin on staff even after the project is done can also be an innovative idea, so you must account for those costs, too.
Refrain from Rush the Customization Process.
Trying to do everything at once on a platform like Salesforce can be overwhelming and may lead to mistakes. Stretching too much too quickly leads to pushing the limits and boundaries and may lead to issues when scaling your system in the future. One of the most significant issues of rushing the customization process is that it may work for now. Still, if the functionality needs to be designed to scale, you may need help with rebuilding pieces of the functionality in the future.
Focus On the Process, Not the Technology.
Aligning technology to your processes only works if you are clear on the process; this means that even if you know what your system can do and how to make it work for you, you may find it difficult to align to your process if you don’t have a clear view on what your organization’s core business processes are. It is common to change your processes once you start looking into what your system can do, but even changing the processes is okay; if you have a proper plan, it will be easy to scale the program. Salesforce is highly configurable, one of its most significant advantages, but to take advantage of this feature, ensure you have a comprehensive view of the entire project.
Make Sure You Have Standard Processes and Understand Details with a Wider Picture.
Salesforce works for unique processes because it is highly customizable and can do anything. However, this can create limitations in how it integrates with other applications, making it challenging to work with going forward. As mentioned, focusing on the technology and the customizable features can be fun. Still, it is also important to remember that you may want to move forward with adding features to your org, which can be challenging if all your configurations are complicated. Having standard processes allows you to make sure that your projects will be scalable in the future. Organizations with complex workflows should break up the project into minor phases to make it easier to focus on the details and the big picture so your organization does not overlook something.
Conclusion
Any CRM implementation comes with challenges but still provides more value to your organization. If your organization needs help planning or implementing Salesforce for your nonprofit, Prudent is here to help! Whether you need answers to the problems mentioned in this blog or any general questions, schedule a call or contact us to find out how to avoid any significant Salesforce mistakes!