Being an informed buyer is key. As you are stepping into a framework with amazing out-of-the-box capabilities and limitless possibilities, like Salesforce, that can be your backbone to customer success, it is highly essential to consider additional applications.
So here are a few key takeaways or tips to ensure that you find an SFDC consulting partner who can help you maximize your Salesforce investment and has a seamless and hassle-free service.
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Use your network and references
You can always connect with people in your network for suggestions to find a recommended partner. You can always check with someone who is in an organization with similar size and needs. Ideally, they can educate and support you on the lessons they learned as well. The old rule of “buyer beware” no longer applies. There is a multitude of information about potential consultants, their products, and their projects at your fingertips.
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RFP is your guide
You may be completely inexperienced in the field of CRM, is unable to grasp or understand what problems they can solve, and need help to make sure you are innovating and not just making a copy of old, out of date software, in such cases an RFP can serve as a guide. Rather than keeping it as a bible to recruit a partner, you could use the RFP to start a discussion and get a list of interested consultants. It is best to ask for demos and use cases and determine if your needs can be addressed by them the way you want.
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Pick an Expert
Experts are more expensive, they ask relevant questions and scrutinize, and take the lead in your project, creating awareness about a lot of things that you may have overlooked or didn’t know. With immense prior experience working on similar projects, they know their trade well- what works and what does not! Order takers do exactly what you tell them to do. So, it’s best to always choose the former.
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Check Partner experience- Industry, Projects, Solutions
Does the prospective partner have experience and expertise in an industry similar to yours, in a project that resembles yours or clients like you? This is an extremely important factor to consider since it will give you an idea about the capabilities of the partner and how well versed, they are for your organization. Such a partner will have a deeper understanding of your pain points, will know the best practices for the industry, and can also determine the success factor. Also, the partner’s experience implementing similar solutions for others in your industry should be a ready reckoner enabling faster and smoother implementation. Keeping humans at the heart of automation
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Partner team size
You need to analyze if your partner has an adequate team for the timely delivery of your project. This is key to the successful implementation as well.
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Budget
It is important to have a budget set. Having a too low or a very huge one can result in you finding a partner that might not be a great fit. Hence, do not budget determine the quality of your SFDC partner. Also, the budget needs to be slightly flexible since your needs may keep on evolving.
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Data migration costs
Migrating data is expensive. Data migration can be complex, time-consuming, expensive, and full of hassles, yet is worth every penny.
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Salesforce certification
Another important factor to consider when choosing an SFDC consulting partner is making sure they have a valid Salesforce certification. This in turn is an assurance of their knowledge and expertise.
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Phase your engagements
Dividing your projects into segments or phases can be extremely beneficial especially when working with new consultants. This way you can ensure steady and confident progress.
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After-Sale Support
Salesforce is continuously evolving; hence it completely justifies the need for partners who can provide support 24/7, from anywhere.
