Contact us anytime to know more — Amit A., Founder & COO CISIN
What Is Salesforce Consulting?
An expert Salesforce consulting firm will offer your company the guidance, support, and experience required for digital transformation.
Many Salesforce consulting companies also provide basic services like Customer relationship management consulting, integration of CRM into business systems, and migration to the cloud.
Cisin draws upon our industry experience and CRM consulting knowledge to assist companies in selecting and implementing suitable Salesforce solutions that best align with their business goals.
As an independent Salesforce Consulting Company, our services include New Product Implementation (NPI), Product Enhancements (PE), Data Migration Services (DMS), Managed Services for ongoing Salesforce support (ongoing support contracts), System Architecture Designing, User Experience Researching Designing - Implementation Repair (IR). And many others. An expert Salesforce consulting firm should be able to select the appropriate products for your business goals and needs.
They'll assess what needs to be accomplished as part of a budget/timeline/and solution implementation strategy plan.
Why Do I Require A Salesforce Consulting Company?
Salesforce continues to introduce exciting products and features, no matter if you are familiar with its use or new to it.
Even experienced project managers may find the complexity of its implementation challenging; that is why consulting firms exist: to assist marketers, sales reps, and customer experience specialists in optimizing marketing and sales efforts and enhance customer experiences by optimizing implementation process complexity and managing implementation effectively.
Your Salesforce Org needs to expand and evolve alongside the business, and by selecting an experienced Salesforce consulting company, you can ensure it does so without gaps in skills, lengthy implementation schedules, or keeping pace with recent releases.
A Salesforce consultancy firm can assist your organization in reaching its objectives without worry over skills gaps, lengthy implementation schedules, or keeping current with all available releases.
What Is A Salesforce Consultant?
Salesforce CRM is an essential tool companies use to maintain client relations; unfortunately, not every employee understands it fully - that is where Salesforce consultants come in handy! They're here to assist!
Salesforce consultants serve many roles, such as:
- Manage the client relationship
- Create and manage project plans
- Map out business processes
- Supporting Change Through People
- Gathering business function requirements
- Managing a Technical Team
- Proposing technical requirements
- Technical Product Configuration
- User Testing and Training
Salesforce consultants help businesses leverage the full potential of the Salesforce platform. Their knowledge, business practices, and exceptional communication abilities set them apart as highly valuable consultants.
Need Consulting For Sales Cloud Or Service Cloud?
Sales Cloud and Service Cloud, two applications built upon the Salesforce Platform core, share similar wide range features.
Businesses interested in adopting either must understand both products' similarities and distinctions before selecting either solution: Service Cloud is best used for Case and Knowledge management as part of customer interaction support and field service delivery; Sales Cloud excels in Lead/Opportunity management/forecasting/sales process automation while both feature Contacts/Accounts management alongside Case management features.
Salesforce can assist in helping your organization decide whether it requires Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, or both solutions for optimal operation.
They'll collaborate closely with you to establish long-term goals and business objectives while offering advice as a consultant company on which solutions would best suit your needs. After all, the Sales and Service departments share many customers. An implementation may make sense.
Does Salesforce Provide Consulting/Implementation Services?
Although Salesforce only offers consulting/implementation services to certain accounts (6%), companies looking to implement Salesforce for their business can work with their Salesforce Account Executive and find an approved Certified Salesforce Implementation Partner from among thousands listed on the AppExchange database.
Partners of Salesforce are there to assist them in reaching their goals more easily while making maximum use of investments already made in it.
Salesforce offers three success plans that offer expert guidance and assistance for businesses of any kind - they differ from consulting services provided by partners in that each plan offers different expertise and Salesforce Customization options.
These are the Standard Success Plan (also referred to as SSP), Premier Success Plan, and Signature Success Plan. These three provide expert advice that suits different levels of business requirements.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
How To Choose The Best Salesforce Consulting Company
Consider various factors to maximize your investment in the Salesforce platform. Here are five of our best tips to assist in this regard.
1. Do your research
With so many Salesforce consulting firms out there and each offering something different, identifying your ideal Salesforce partner may seem daunting - yet this research process can help make all the difference in finding one suitable to you and solutions tailored specifically to your company.
Learn from case studies specific to your industry about what has worked well with other businesses before discovering that many issues don't just reside at one company - these case studies and customer success stories provide helpful solutions specific to you as you find solutions tailored specifically to you and discover that many issues don't just reside solely within.
Salesforce Trailblazer Community can also offer valuable advice from fellow users when choosing an advisor firm before selecting them and clarify your goals and expectations before selecting an advisor firm from this community platform.
2. Find a partner that isn't afraid to ask hard questions.
A good Salesforce consulting firm will stay open to difficult discussions or challenging questions about your business, encouraging new ways of thinking with regards to them based on previous experience with clients of similar size as well as an abundance of Salesforce expertise.
They don't ask hard questions because they want you to succeed. Instead, they provide valuable feedback while inspiring further thought than is currently on offer from what might appear familiar solutions.
Consultants don't exist to implement the scalable solutions you request; their main role should be providing valuable feedback and pushing beyond what's already familiar to them.
3. Check out these reviews.
Customer reviews on Salesforce AppExchange provide valuable insight into a consulting firm's project experience and client interactions; how they collaborated with their client(s); client relationships and experience; certifications, areas of expertise, and awards won.
In Financial Services environments, it's also key to confirm if a consulting firm has served similar clients before, as it will allow you to determine who are suitably certified Salesforce Implementation Partners who could best fit into their work business processes and business models.
If necessary, consult your Salesforce Account Executive about which Implementation Partner certified Salesforce Implementation Partners they think best fit into these sectors or ask them directly what their Certified Salesforce Implementation Partners they recommend most suited for certified Salesforce Implementation Partners best suit your project type/business.
4. Cost isn't the only factor, but it certainly plays a role.
Implementation can be expensive if chosen incorrectly; we advise seeking partners that offer comprehensive solutions tailored to meeting long-term goals instead.
Before embarking on complex projects, be sure to ask questions regarding pricing--for instance, how much the "per hour" fee truly costs, whether any extra fees apply beyond this hourly rate, and exactly what's covered under your contract agreement.
Feel free to seek multiple proposals from various Salesforce consulting companies to compare their offerings before choosing.
When reviewing individual proposals, be aware of what each includes - cheaper proposals may only provide 70% of functionality compared to more costly plans - to compare costs properly.
5. Certs
Understanding Salesforce's intricate certification system can assist in selecting an effective partner. They offer credentials for administrators and consultants as well as hire salesforce developers, architects, and marketers - while Certified Salesforce Implementation Partners receive specific tiers depending on several factors, like the number of experts certified on their team.
Certifications provide an easy way to stay current on new releases while ascertaining whether a partner fits your project, industry, or business size by showing whether they meet current releases.
Furthermore, choosing one that makes sense for your company - can mean something other than Summit partners; for medium-sized firms, it may be more beneficial to partner with Ridge/Crest partners (Silver/Gold).
What Are The Qualities Of A Good Salesforce Consulting Company?
An ideal Salesforce partner should possess comprehensive expertise across the Salesforce ecosystem, including Sales, project management, and the various technologies and apps that Salesforce integrates.
A diverse team of specialists gives your organization access to abundant knowledge to find solutions tailored specifically to its business. Additional factors to keep in mind:
Trust
At Cisin, trust is at the core of any successful project. We work tirelessly to earn yours, so you know we are looking out for your business's best interests - an essential quality in any Salesforce consulting firm! At the same time, an effective consulting firm must also know how to maintain it over time.
Trust that clients will put forth the effort and time required to make projects successful. While we specialize in Salesforce solutions, you are the expert on your business needs.
When we work together in trust, we can find an equilibrium between adapting business to technology and technology adapting business.
Collaboration
Collaboration is at the core of every successful Salesforce project. Starting by identifying team members at your organization who should participate, understanding who will work on what project, then clearly outlining and identifying the roles of consultants (solution architects/project managers/consultant partners).
Furthermore, communication should remain direct between all involved, building accountability and an atmosphere of open collaboration.
Passion
Passion is hard to pin down, yet an essential aspect of every project we undertake. Consultants should feel excited by their work, while businesses should feel excited by changes made to systems and processes.
At Cisin, we take great pleasure in connecting technologies and businesses, helping companies view Salesforce as an asset that employees, partners, customers, and partners can use rather than see as a burden - your success becomes our success! We see every project from inception through implementation to success as part of the Cisin mission statement.
Read More: Optimizing Operations And Supply Chain With Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud
How To Choose The Right Salesforce Consulting Partner
Your company likely already recognizes the necessity of Salesforce CRM or one of their enterprise applications; now is not the time for hasty decisions when selecting an ideal Salesforce Consulting Partner; your company will reach new heights with an ideal Salesforce Consulting Partner on board.
Failing to make the correct choices could haunt you for the rest of your life. Our experts can match you with a premier Salesforce Consulting Partner who can give your organization an innovative edge.
First, let's explain why it is critical to allocate time and resources wisely.
Poor execution, data handling issues, unrealistic goals, and ineffective data management are the top causes for 18-69% of CRM projects to fail.
You don't want this happening with your project either - so read on and discover how you can find a suitable but perfect Salesforce Consultant to assist in its completion!
Do Your Homework
Do your homework online and discover more about Salesforce before locating an ideal consultant. Do some research before trying your luck at finding someone.
Salesforce provides an array of software services. Assess the needs and goals of your company before selecting which Salesforce field service will help achieve those goals.
Doing your homework first to ask the correct questions from Salesforce Consulting Partners when engaging them for services is imperative. Salesforce provides several resources that will assist with learning more. Forums, AppExchange, and Designated Account executives are among the many useful options for this goal.
Understanding this website takes effort, but remember: our community of users is supportive and available to offer assistance at every turn.
Go On Hunting
No need for bloodshed here - all it takes is an internet-enabled computer and some good connections to locate top Salesforce consultants with proven records of success - including Salesforce partners with experience to be found!
Visit their official websites and devote some time to noticing any indicators of distrust or trustworthiness. Good observation skills come in handy during this pursuit.
Your ability to spot questionable businesses by their many warning signs is an easy way to ensure you avoid making costly errors. As part of your search process, select companies with solid track records; this shortlist will further screen potential Salesforce consulting partners.
Communication And Avoiding Flattery
Once you have created a list, you must begin speaking to each potential Salesforce Consulting Partner. When researching, these questions will likely arise, and it would be useful if all parties come prepared with prepared questions beforehand.
Take some time to reflect upon your company's needs, challenges, vision, and desired goals when considering Salesforce custom CRM development as part of their business solution when the time is right for creating your communication map.
Keep a sharp eye out for red flags when speaking with your partner; one key red flag you should look out for is flattery or Yes Men responses.
Once again, it may seem your conversation with them is proceeding smoothly. Yet, eventually, they'll come around to agreeing to all your unrealistic expectations despite real-world circumstances being entirely different than imagined - and both money and time are wasted due to wasted conversation!
If they feel your plans are unrealistic, an experienced Salesforce consultant will offer creative solutions that help you meet your objectives and reach your goals.
Always let others know of your plans, and seek plausible expert advice. Communicating about and seeking expert opinions for projects to succeed are vital to ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Proper Salesforce Certification
Certification provides an effective means of distinguishing genuine Salesforce Consulting Partners from imitations.
Salesforce has done a brilliant job with its policies regarding certification. Salesforce Certifications verify and classify Salesforce partners based on their expertise and experience.
Salesforce consultants can be divided into four distinct roles based on their roles as administrators, developers, or app developers.
Experts receive certificates in four tiers: Registered, Silver and Gold, Platinum, and Global Strategic Partner. These awards depend on how many of their employees have been verified for employment purposes.
What certificates should you consider? Depending on your budget and expectations, top-tier Salesforce consultants might only sometimes be necessary; someone with lesser qualifications could do just as well for your requirements.
Find a partner that meets your needs and budget requirements; all certified partners are legitimate.
Estimate The Value And Cost Of A Project.
Your project should start by discussing it with one or more Salesforce Consulting Partners that have been chosen, including getting estimates online of how much the development might cost.
Doing your research will enable you to estimate the costs associated with your project accurately. While actual development expenses might differ significantly from your estimates, conducting thorough research will reveal generic project costs you need to consider when developing.
Estimates provided by partners will be tailored specifically for your project, making the cheapest solution not necessarily the optimal one; what matters more than cost savings is getting maximum value out of each dollar invested into work done.
Craft A Project Management Strategy
Assuming realistic expectations is essential to creating a successful project management strategy. Extinction will only lead to regret if expectations become unattainable, so having open conversations with your Salesforce partner can ensure expectations remain reasonable and manageable.
Early in a project's journey, you will understand who has the superior management plan and whose ideas might seem too far out there.
Project success hinges upon crafting an intelligent project management strategy; creating such a plan is half the battle won!
Define Roles And Responsibilities.
After developing an effective project management strategy, speak with your Salesforce Consulting partners regarding the roles and responsibilities of the project.
Both you and Consultant Partners need to allocate appropriate roles and responsibilities among project stakeholders as well as between Consultant Partners themselves.
Execute your project strategy without issue by filling the roles of Strategic Consultant, Change management Consultant, Data architect, Project Administrator, Technical and Organizational Manager Administrator Admin (TAOMA).
Both parties should clearly understand these roles to complete any project strategy successfully.
Search For A Long-Term Relationship And Support.
COVID-19, an unprecedented global event, has shown economies around the globe how an economic tsunami must eventually arrive.
To survive such an economic tsunami successfully, you must remain resourceful.
Companies need to be ready for all situations that could arise and fast support and enhancement when necessary. Informed businesses should develop relationships beyond contractual ones for optimal growth and sustainability.
Only companies that formed trusting alliances with others to share resources and values during such an uncertain time could weather the pandemic.
Resource exchange usually goes beyond contracts or fixed deals.
Consider it essential that your CRM Consulting partner offers long-term assistance and helps build bidirectional business relationships where both sides benefit equally.
Mutuality will give you someone you can count on if disaster strikes. Establish a long-term partnership with your Salesforce Consulting Partner if you wish to maximize the return on your investment.
Read More: Exploring The Extensive Marketplace Of Apps And Solutions On Salesforce Appexchange
Six Major Benefits Of Hiring A Consultant For Salesforce
Our Salesforce Consultant Team can assist in managing and improving your CRM system, developing strategies to increase Salesforce Education, understanding your potential customers better, increasing productivity, and creating valuable opportunities for collaboration between consumers.
1. Improving Effective Decision-Making
An incorrect decision could bring your business crashing down, so hiring a Salesforce consultant is one way to help ensure you make informed decisions and maintain efficiency throughout your organization.
Make an educated choice when expanding your business - technology evolves at lightning speed, and needs must adapt accordingly.
Salesforce consultants offer quick and straightforward decisions when designing or forecasting needs for Salesforce customers.
2. Understanding Customer Needs
Salesforce consultants are certified, knowledgeable professionals equipped to understand their client's needs. A certified Salesforce consultant can also track customer loyalty over time; convincing consumers through various strategies is another aspect of being an experienced consultant.
3. Increase Your Business Roi
An expert Salesforce consultant can assist in increasing ROI by implementing cutting-edge technologies. A consultant's help can increase productivity, further increasing business returns.
4. Solve Business Problems Quickly
Businesses often fear losing data to another organization or being stolen by hackers. Hiring a Salesforce consultant will alleviate those worries by safeguarding your business against and avoiding such issues.
5. Business Growth:
Hiring a Salesforce advisor can be key to fast business expansion. They will transform your business workflow, helping businesses scale operations up.
6. Productivity Is Increased By Saving Time
Losing business opportunities is always disappointing, so hiring Salesforce consultants to implement current trends and generate leads to increase the productivity of your Salesforce business can save time and money in many ways.
Salesforce consultants offer cost-saving advice for implementing Salesforce correctly - they are there for both cost savings and efficiency benefits!
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Conclusion
Finding the ideal Salesforce Consulting Partner may appear like an impossible feat; however, it can pay dividends with careful effort.
A quality partner offers comprehensive services and expertise within Salesforce's ecosystem; once your project goals and requirements have been established, you should select a partner capable of fulfilling them while offering holistic business support solutions.
Cisin can assist in all your technical integration and implementation needs, from sales cloud implementations and service cloud configuration to experience cloud, marketing cloud development projects, and custom development work.
Our team has completed hundreds of successful projects for various variety of industries - get in touch now so we can start the ball rolling on your technical integration or implementation needs!
