You have hundreds, no, thousands of records you need to get into Salesforce in a snap. The Data Loader and dataloader.io are too intimidating, or maybe there are some limitations keeping you from using those tools (maybe you have a lot of integrations and no free API calls). Maybe you just want a clean, easy experience for importing your records. Well, if you abandoned the Salesforce Import Wizard years ago, you may be pleasantly surprised by the new(ish) interface. The Salesforce team let me know this was one of the most neglected tools on the platform, and in this week’s Dreamforce Tip, I’d like to point you in that direction.
Using the native Data Import Wizard is extremely easy and offers some useful features. To get there, go to Setup -> Data Management -> Data Import Wizard, or My Settings -> Import -> Data Import Wizard. Click Launch Wizard, select which object you’ll be importing into from the list of available Standard and Custom Objects, and identify if you’ll be importing, updating, or doing both at the same time (“upsert”). From there, choose your file, map your fields, and click Import. The system can automatically identify duplicates, import Accounts and Contacts simultaneously, and is pretty smart at auto-matching field mappings. For more info and to help you choose the right tool, check out the help doc and this handy video from Salesforce!
-Jared and the Salesforce Guys
Dreamforce Sock Update:
These Dreamforce socks are starting to look like socks! Two heels, and the striping has begun! My goal is to finish these before Veterans’ Day, so wish me luck!
CEO of CloudMyBiz Salesforce CRM consulting services with a deep knowledge in the lending industry. Taking keen interest in the project management side of operations, playing a vital role in the 31% YOY company growth. Strategic leader, mastering the ability to problem solve at every level of the business, providing effective solutions for clients.
If your office is anything like mine, it’s constantly pinging and ringing and buzzing with mobile notifications. With the accessibility of smartphones, every workforce is at least a little bit mobile, and giving your team mobile access to their Salesforce data lets them close more deals, faster, on the go. But if you’ve considered implementing a mobile app for your team, the task can be daunting! WSDLs, APIs, security, months of development, yeah, nobody’s got time for that! But in this week’s installment of Dreamforce Tips, I’ve got good news for you. Going mobile with Salesforce is a breeze with Salesforce1!
The Salesforce1 mobile app debuted almost two years ago, but a lot of people are still intimidated by the process of implementing mobile access for their team. From my own experience, it really couldn’t be easier! Because mobile access comes built into your Salesforce org, implementing Salesforce1 involves little more than a couple clicks and downloading the app on your smartphone. As your grow, Salesforce1 scales with you with Mobile Cards, custom Chatter Actions, and new Lightning Components, letting you roll out new features lightning fast. If you’ve not implemented Salesforce1, try it today, and even if you have, this tutorial will take you beyond the basics, and our recommendations will help you make it great!
-Jared and the Salesforce Guys Cover image by Joelle Diane
Dreamforce Sock Update:
You didn’t miss it last week, I just had a bad week of knitting. But this week, I’m back on track, and yes, that’s a heel! Should be starting the cuffs and striping this week sometime, and it’s very exciting!
CEO of CloudMyBiz Salesforce CRM consulting services with a deep knowledge in the lending industry. Taking keen interest in the project management side of operations, playing a vital role in the 31% YOY company growth. Strategic leader, mastering the ability to problem solve at every level of the business, providing effective solutions for clients.
Salesforce receives significant upgrades several times every year, creating an exciting, dynamic, and ever-evolving environment for customers and those of us who love the system. This weekend is the final rollout for the Winter ’16 release, and among the new features is the incredible Lightning Experience (if you’ve not checked it out yet, do that now). If you’re in the Salesforce biz or your team uses Salesforce, getting an early look at what’s to come can be a huge benefit, and in this week’s installment of Dreamforce Tips, I’ve got a cool piece of advice you may not have been aware of.
Did you know that you can sign up for a free prerelease trial org ahead of every major Salesforce release? Let that sink in for a second. Free. Prerelease. If you work with Salesforce every day, getting a preview of new features can help in your decision-making process for upcoming projects, and can give developers and admins an opportunity to start finding their way around the new tools available. This great, free service is useful for everyone in the Salesforce ecosystem. Here’s the Winter ’16 prerelease (a bit dated now), and simply google “Free Salesforce Prerelease” for all future versions!
CEO of CloudMyBiz Salesforce CRM consulting services with a deep knowledge in the lending industry. Taking keen interest in the project management side of operations, playing a vital role in the 31% YOY company growth. Strategic leader, mastering the ability to problem solve at every level of the business, providing effective solutions for clients.
In last week’s Tip, the first in our Dreamforce Tips series, I let Sondheim do the talking on taking a phased approach to system building. This week’s tip goes hand in hand with that. So you’ve worked hard, built a solid foundation, planned appropriately, and created a state of the art new Salesforce org. You can’t wait for your team to start using it. But when you try and roll it out, things start falling apart, your team isn’t adopting it, and you’re starting to realize there’s a bigger learning curve than you thought. This seems unavoidable and insurmountable, but believe it or not, there’s a solution! It’s called planning for rollout.
This was the second most repeated tip I got from the Salesforce team at Dreamforce this year. It doesn’t matter how methodically and carefully you work to build a new system if your rollout falls apart. A little planning ahead can go a long way. Just like we recommended you build bit by bit, rolling your system out to your team should go the same way. Pick the quick wins first, things that will really get your team excited by saving them time and helping them do their job with less stress. As they gain confidence and see value, they’ll be motivated to spend more energy learning and be less stressed when a bug crops up. It may take a little time to get everything out to your team, but everyone from executives to sales assistants will thank you later.
-Jared and the Salesforce Guys
Dreamforce Sock Update:
The Dreamforce Socks are making amazing progress! I’m about almost to the heels, and I hope they’ll be turned by the end of next week. Wish me luck!
CEO of CloudMyBiz Salesforce CRM consulting services with a deep knowledge in the lending industry. Taking keen interest in the project management side of operations, playing a vital role in the 31% YOY company growth. Strategic leader, mastering the ability to problem solve at every level of the business, providing effective solutions for clients.
If you’re involved in any part of the process of building a new Salesforce system, you are an artist. And every piece of art is built bit by bit, stroke by stroke. This week, I bring you the first in our series of Dreamforce Tips – taking a phased approach. This was the most common answer I got when I asked Salesforce employees for their #1 tip for customers. Trying to build a state of the art system on day 1 is risky business. You’re safer starting small, building a good foundation, putting it together piece by piece, mapping out the right configuration over time. One of the best discussions I’ve heard on taking a phased approach in building a system comes from Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, so I’ll let the artist tell you how to make a piece of art.
“Bit by bit, putting it together. Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art… Having just a vision’s no solution, everything depends on execution. Putting it together, that’s what counts. Small amounts adding up to make a work of art. First of all, you need a good foundation, otherwise it’s risky from the start… Drink by drink, fixing and perfecting the design… Every minor detail is a major decision. Have to keep things to scale. Have to hold to your vision… Mapping out the right configuration, starting with a suitable foundation.” And that’s how to build a state of the art new system!
-Jared and the Salesforce Guys
Dreamforce Sock Update:
The Dreamforce Socks are coming along swimmingly! I’m about 1/3 of the way through the foot and already in love with the yarn. These are going to be comfy! Hoping to turn the heels in the next week or so. Stay tuned as this story develops.
CEO of CloudMyBiz Salesforce CRM consulting services with a deep knowledge in the lending industry. Taking keen interest in the project management side of operations, playing a vital role in the 31% YOY company growth. Strategic leader, mastering the ability to problem solve at every level of the business, providing effective solutions for clients.
