Salesforce is one of the most popular CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems in the world, used by businesses and nonprofits alike to manage their customer relationships and marketing campaigns. To make the most out of Salesforce, nonprofits often rely on the expertise of Salesforce consultants, who are trained professionals that help them implement, customize, and optimize the platform for their specific needs.
As a nonprofit leader, you know how valuable your time is, and what you’d like to devote your energy to. With that in mind, perhaps you’ve reached the conclusion that you’d like to hire a Salesforce Consultant to help manage your Salesforce CRM and maximize your impact.
However, not all Salesforce consultants are created equal. A great Salesforce consultant needs to have a unique set of skills, expertise, and qualities that can help nonprofits achieve their goals.
In this blog post, we'll explore the top 5 characteristics of a great Salesforce consultant to ensure that you find consulting services that can offer you exactly what you need!
5 characteristics of a great nonprofit Salesforce consultant:
- Deep knowledge of Salesforce AND Nonprofits
- On-demand Salesforce consulting
- Large scope of coverage & attention to detail
- Strong communication & Salesforce training
- Customizability & flexibility
1. Deep Knowledge of Salesforce AND Nonprofits
A good Salesforce consultant should have a deep understanding of the Salesforce platform, including its features, capabilities, limitations, and best practices. They should be able to navigate the platform with ease, customize it to meet the unique needs of their clients, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
You should look for an organization with a trusted track record in this area, that has been helping nonprofit organizations manage Salesforce for years, as opposed to a brand new consulting agency or someone who has just started in the position.
At Soapbox Engage, we have been serving nonprofit for over two decades, have multi-certified Salesforce consulting members on staff, and provide tools that have integrated with Salesforce since the dawn on NPSP in 2008.
The knowledge shouldn't stop at Salesforce! Nonprofit Salesforce consultants play a crucial role in helping nonprofit organizations make the most of their Salesforce platform. To effectively serve their clients, it's essential that these consultants have a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges of nonprofits.
Nonprofit organizations operate under different constraints and regulations than for-profit businesses, and they have specific goals and objectives that must be considered when implementing a Salesforce solution. Nonprofit Salesforce consultants who have a deep knowledge of nonprofits can better tailor their services to meet these unique needs and provide more effective solutions.
Great Salesforce consultants can also help nonprofits navigate the complex web of regulations and compliance requirements that govern the nonprofit sector. Ultimately, a deep understanding of nonprofits allows Salesforce consultants to provide more valuable and impactful services to their clients, helping them to achieve their goals and maximize their impact on the world.
2. On-Demand Salesforce Consulting
A great Salesforce consultant should always put their customers first, focusing on their needs, preferences, and goals. They should be able to design solutions that align with their clients' business objectives and deliver value to their customers. One huge component of a custom-centric approach is on-demand consulting services.
You can’t anticipate when you’ll need help with Salesforce, and sometimes you may need a quick turnaround on something in order to move a project forward. That’s why you want to hire Salesforce Consulting Services that include “on-demand” consulting. That way, a trusted expert will be available whenever you might need guidance.
Soapbox Engage Salesforce Support Retainer packages allow you to select the right amount of support for your organization. Plus, you can talk to us at any time. And our Salesforce Managed Services include virtual admin on-demand.
3. Large Scope of Coverage
If your consultant can only help you with one specific thing in Salesforce, you’re unlikely to get all you need from the service. You want them to have a large scope of coverage, and be able to help you with everything from optimizing data entry to analyzing the performance so you can make better decisions. With our Salesforce Consulting Services, you’ll have access to consultants that are able to handle all that and more.
Along with scope of coverage, is attention to detail. A great Salesforce consultant should also be detail-oriented, ensuring that every aspect of their work is accurate, reliable, and efficient. They should pay close attention to data integrity, security, and compliance, ensuring that their clients' data is safe and secure.
4. Strong Communication & Salesforce Training
It is likely that whoever is assisting your organization with Salesforce will be collaborating with multiple employees across departments. Therefore, it’s essential that they have strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, listen to their needs and concerns, and collaborate effectively with team members and clients.
Strong communication skills ensure that everyone on your nonprofit’s team is informed and supported as they use Salesforce to meet the needs of your organization. Soapbox Engage Salesforce Consulting Services and NPSP Quickstart Packages include staff training and strategy sessions.
5. Customizability and Flexibility
Maybe you’re a pro when it comes to using Salesforce for grantmaking, but could use some assistance when it comes to donor management. In that case, you don’t want a one-size-fits-all consulting package that has additional services you don’t need. You want something you can customize. Luckily, Soapbox Engage offers custom consulting services with flexible cadence.
Lastly, technology is ever-evolving. A great Salesforce consultant should stay abreast of the latest product offerings and provide future-oriented optimization. They should also be a creative problem solver, able to identify issues and find solutions that meet the unique needs of their clients. They should be able to think outside the box, troubleshoot issues, and make recommendations for improvement.
These characteristics are the most important things to look for if you’re a nonprofit in need of Salesforce consulting. And you don’t have to look far! Soapbox Engage Salesforce Managed and Consulting Services check off all these boxes, and more. Reach out to us to us to learn more!
Looking for more information to help you on your Salesforce journey? Check out these resources!
- Intro to Salesforce Education Cloud for K-12 Schools: Salesforce isn’t just for nonprofit organizations! Check out this blog post to learn about Salesforce Education Cloud and how it can be a great tool for K-12 schools.
- How Salesforce Managed Services Can Help Your Nonprofit Excel: Not yet convinced that you need Salesforce services at all? If you need help to see the benefit, check out this blog post that details how these services can help your organization excel on your journey to achieving your mission.
- Best Salesforce Apps for Nonprofits: 7 Essential Tools: Not sure which Salesforce apps are right for your nonprofit? Start your search with these tools.
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