8 Things You Need In a Salesforce Consultant

In order to get the very most out of Salesforce, you’ll want to partner with a Salesforce consultant who understands your business needs and can help you reach your goals, be they training, customization, services, or a full implementation.

Here’s a checklist of things to look for in a Salesforce implementation partner to make your investment a success.

First Things First.

1. Expertise in your industry or niche

One of the first things you’ll want to look for in a Salesforce implementation partner is expertise in your specific industry. Nothing beats pairing with a partner that has deep expertise in the things that are important to you.

In the last year or so, Salesforce itself has emphasized industry focuses. They recognize that successful implementations don’t require product expertise alone. Rather, it’s about how well a Salesforce consultant understands your business goals, regulatory requirements, and common workflows. Ultimately, consultants with proven experience in your industry will implement your project faster and with more best practices, resulting in cost savings in both the short and long term.

Don’t want to dig through a sea of results in Google searches? Salesforce offers an excellent consultant finder tool that helps you find your niche across over 15 industries, including healthcare, life sciences, and high tech.

2. A Healthy Dose of Certifications

Certifications are often seen as Salesforce’s stamp of approval. When you hire a certified Salesforce implementation partner, you’ll have assurance that you’re receiving top-notch Salesforce services. There are a variety of certifications – Designers, thinkers, developers, and marketers. Choose the ones that are a good match for your needs.

It’s easy to view the certifications of any partner. Just go to the AppExchange, navigate to your partner of choice, and click the “expertise” tab.

3. Case Studies that Show Success

Case studies are another great thing to dig into when reviewing potential Salesforce implementation partners. They’re extremely helpful because they are a chance for partners to boast a little, while having the data to back up their claims. You can look at similar industries, pain points, and results you hope to achieve.

As an added bonus, case studies can also help you get a feel for the Salesforce partner’s project management style, culture, and key proficiencies.

4. High Navigator Level and Industry Focus

When you begin your search for potential Salesforce implementation partners, navigator status should definitely factor in. These replace the previous Silver, Gold, and Platinum badges, statuses that recognized the size of a partner.

Rather, Salesforce Navigator statuses recognize consultants for their expertise in a specific industry, product, or service.

This is determined by knowledge (number of credentials), experience (completed projects), and quality (measured by CSAT scores).

The criteria are strict; Expert Navigators must achieve specific goals and delivery objectives while driving customer success across multiple Salesforce implementations.

5. A History of Responsiveness

We’ve all been there. White glove service during the sales process and once the paperwork is signed and the payment has cleared, the service is suddenly slower, more impersonal, and lacking overall.

How can you make sure you’re about to sign with a responsive partner? Ask them for references, as well as examples of previous projects. This gives you the opportunity to chat one-on-one with people who have worked with the prospective partner and you’ll have a framework for asking specific questions.

Additional, ask what their client teams look like…normally, white glove consultants will provide a dedicated engagement manager who will be your biggest advocate.

6. Strong App Exchange Rating

Pay close attention to the AppExchange rating and review section.

This is where you can hear from companies that have worked with the Salesforce partner and get their candid feedback. The ratings can help you quickly gauge which partners deserve a closer look, and the reviews will offer specifics about what is what like to work with them, their strengths, and how they helped clients succeed.

It’s easy to view the rating of any partner. Just go to the AppExchange, navigate to your partner of choice, and click the “reviews” tab.

7. Strong Relationship with Salesforce

A dynamic ecosystem like Salesforce isn’t “set it and forget it.” New enhancements and functionality are released regularly to help companies keep up with a changing digital and business landscape.

That’s why it’s important to choose consultants that have a strong relationship with Salesforce. By partnering with people who are plugged into the latest news and innovations, you can rest assured you’re getting the most up-to-date information and guidance to help you reach your business goals.

Ask if they have members on Salesforce advisory boards. See how long they’ve been in the ecoystem. The stronger their relationship, the better they’ll be at delivering for you.

8. A Symbiotic Culture Fit

We’ve all been there, in a long planning meeting with consultants, counting down the minutes because the celebrated consultants are, simply put, not genuine. It feels…alien. Expertise is a must-have, but you don’t have to settle for “the Bobs” when you choose a Salesforce partner.

Configuring your Salesforce instance requires collaboration and creativity, so culture fit is important. Look for a Salesforce partner who will dig deep during planning meetings, but also makes the process authentic.

A team that doesn’t shy away from a challenge or a tough conversation in order to help you crush your business goals – and then celebrate your success.