The real hidden benefit of Salesforce is its dynamism. When you, the user or executive, need a new feature, Salesforce can probably do it, and it can be ready in a fraction of the time of any other system. It’s one of the things I love most about Salesforce. The problem is that because it is so dynamic, it’s easy to run over to your admin’s desk, give them a rough idea of what you’re looking for, then charge off to your work leaving them to try and figure out the details of your request, critical process flow elements, and priority as compared to everything else on their already full plates. Rather than throwing a general request into the ether and hoping it sticks, follow these simple tips before approaching your administrator. You’ll make their lives easier, be more likely to get exactly what you want on the first try, and might even bump your request up in the queue!

The first thing you need to do is clearly articulate what you’re looking for. Start with a simple “story” – something like: “As a user, I want Salesforce to automatically send a congratulations email to a client when an Opportunity closes.” After that, put together the details. Tell them when you want it to happen, when it shouldn’t happen, and any special circumstances which may break from the norm. Be as specific as possible – tell them which existing fields you will be updating for each scenario, and try to anticipate their “why” questions. Next, tell them why this new feature is important. Something like, “this new automated email will significantly reduce manual efforts of the sales team, saving at least two minutes of work for every closed deal,” makes it clear that this should be a priority. Finally, put it all in writing, hand it to your admin, and offer to schedule a time to review your request with them and answer any questions. This process may seem tedious at first, but you’ll start seeing results with your first request. Your administrator will have the tools they need to properly prioritize and implement your new feature in lightning speed!

-Jared and the Salesforce Guys

Mike Walsh

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.