Organizations are always changing in ways that can impact your Salesforce implementation. Changes like mergers and acquisitions, rapid growth, leadership change, and reorganization can all impact how you leverage technology.
There are some key questions to ask and guidance to consider during these changes that ensure your Salesforce Org continues to align with your business.
Bring your Salesforce account executives along for the ride
Your Salesforce account executive (AE) is a great resource for understanding how the Salesforce platform can support your organization now and in the future. Bring your AE into the discussion as early as you can to make sure you can fully leverage their advice.
Your Salesforce AE can also help you secure the licenses you need for your growing team and compare contracts in merger and acquisition scenarios to make sure you are getting the right deal.
Evaluate existing contracts
Speaking of contracts, if you have been using Salesforce for a while you probably have an interesting array of applications from the Salesforce AppExchange. Times of change are great to inventory what you have and what you really need. If you are working through mergers and acquisitions, compare the tools and contracts you have and make sure you have the right tools in your belt and are getting the best possible price.
Comparing Salesforce tools and other technology assets
When you are analyzing your Salesforce and other technology tools, take your analysis further by going beyond a comparison list of tools. Instead, compare notes on how you are using technology tools.
It’s common that different teams are using different tools for the same purpose or are using the same tools for different purposes. Take time to get feedback from the team on what tools you are using and what they:
Loved
Learned
Lacked
Longed For
Check out the 4 L’s Retrospective Format to learn how to guide your team through this type of discussion.
Comparing Data Models
To go one level deeper, take the time to not only look at your tools and how you are using them but really analyze your data model.
Some key questions are:
What Salesforce clouds are you using?
What customizations and custom objects are being used?
Are you getting the reports you want? Comparing reports is a powerful way to understand what information your various teams are watching and how they are using your data every day.
Determining Security and Permissions
When you are bringing new teams together, this is an important moment to make sure everyone is on the same page about what users should be allowed to see and do in the system. Some important questions to ask yourself and inventory are:
Who can see what?
Who should see what?
What can people do?
How do these decisions impact licensing?
Making the decision: One Org, Two Orgs, or New Org?
When working through a merger, there are many options for how to handle the Salesforce orgs the newly formed or restructured organization now has.
There are three main paths to take:
One Org
Migrate into one of the existing orgs.
Benefits: Centralize the data, unified processes, some familiarity for some of the team
Risks: Keep old customizations you no longer need. There may be a steep learning curve for some members of the team.
Two Orgs
Keep two orgs and integrate them using tools like Salesforce Connect or an ETL Tool (Boomi, Mulesoft, etc).
Benefits: Centralize the data. Keep existing processes. Combine later.
Risks: Cost and maintenance
New Org
Start fresh in a new org.
Benefits: Fresh start. Create opportunities for thoughtful change management and strategic thinking.
Risks: Cost. Lots of decisions need to be made immediately.
Looking toward the bright side
It’s important to think about how changes to your organization impact how you use the Salesforce platform. Keep it positive during times of change by looking at the opportunities created through organizational restructuring. It’s a fresh start for you and your team. Whether you’re sticking with one org, two orgs, or a new org, your team can utilize this time to evaluate and optimize your technology tools so everyone can look toward a brighter future.
Watch the webinar replay
Want to learn more? This blog is a summary of our recent webinar, New Org, New Org: Managing Your Salesforce Strategy Through Organizational Change. Click here to watch the webinar replay.
Contact CRM Science Salesforce Consultants
Organizational change can send your team into uncharted territory. Whether you decide to stick with one org, two orgs, or create a new org, CRM Science Salesforce consultants manage Salesforce org changes through mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring.
