Preparing Your Internal Team for Working with a Salesforce Consultant
Bringing in a consultant or managed services to help with Salesforce can be a game-changer. It often feels like the right move when you need to bring stability and expertise to your Salesforce org. However, to make the most out of this collaboration, it’s essential to prepare your internal team to work effectively with the consultant. Here’s how to do it:
Define the Consultant's Responsibilities
Understanding what the consultant will and will not do is crucial for setting clear expectations. Here’s a simple list to illustrate this:
Consultant Will Do
Work on designated backlog items
Reset user passwords
Provide strategic advice and best practices
Handle day-to-day administrative tasks
Customize Salesforce to align with business needs
Consultant Will Not Do
Provide end-user support (unless specified)
Conduct training sessions for your team
Manage non-Salesforce related projects
Implement new Salesforce features
Make decisions without prior approval
Establish Clear Communication Channels
Effective communication is key to a successful partnership with a consultant. Determine who will be the main point of contact and who has the authority to give the consultant the go-ahead to work on specific tasks. Here are some considerations:
Single Point of Contact: Designate one person, such as a Salesforce Admin or a Project Manager, who will be responsible for communicating with the consultant. This person will funnel all requests and updates to and from the consultant.
Team-Based Approach: If your organization prefers a more collaborative approach, create a small team that includes key stakeholders. This team will collectively review and approve tasks for the consultant.
Implement a Feedback Process
To ensure a smooth collaboration, establish a feedback process for working with the consultant. This helps your team understand how to provide input and what to expect in terms of improvements and changes. Consider the following steps:
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular meetings (weekly or bi-weekly) to discuss progress, challenges, and upcoming tasks. This keeps everyone on the same page and allows for timely adjustments.
Feedback Forms: Use feedback forms or surveys to gather input from your team about their experiences and any issues they encounter. This can be done monthly or at key project milestones.
Open Communication: Encourage open communication between your team and the consultant. Ensure that team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and suggestions.
Review Sessions: Conduct periodic review sessions to evaluate the consultant’s performance and the overall progress of the project. This helps in identifying areas of improvement and celebrating successes.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your internal team is well-prepared to work with a Salesforce consultant. Clear responsibilities, effective communication, and a structured feedback process will help you get the most out of this collaboration and drive your Salesforce initiatives forward.
