13 Aug 5 Traits of a Great Salesforce Partner
Choosing a partner for anything in life is a big decision. The word partner holds a lot of weight. Regardless of what you’re doing that requires a partner, they have to be someone you can trust and depend on. We take the title of partner seriously at Offprem, and we believe there are a few qualities everyone who calls themselves a partner should have. The following are just a few of the things we suggest people look for when choosing a Salesforce partner. The difference between an average partner and a great partner could make the difference between using Salesforce tools to their highest capability or just using them to get by without really understanding their full potential.
Expertise
Obviously, you want a partner with a depth of Salesforce knowledge. Considering how many technologies and platforms are available today, there are a lot of consultants who claim to be experts in all of them. When choosing a partner, look for someone with Salesforce specialization. You wouldn’t call in a carpenter to fix your plumbing just because they work on houses. You need someone with a clearly defined scope of expertise. It’s nearly impossible to be an expert in everything, you want to make sure every question you have, no matter how niche, can be answered with confidence.
Availability
Going back to dependability, your partner should be there for when you need them. There are few things as frustrating as working through an automated call chain just to get ahold of a human voice while you’re putting out fires and trying to manage day-to-day responsibilities. Vet partners and look for someone who can take your calls reliably.
Good Communicator
You likely don’t know all of the ins and outs of Salesforce, if you did you wouldn’t need a certified partner. This being said, you need a partner who can communicate clearly and help you understand your Salesforce tools in a way that makes sense to you. We’ve all had encounters with IT support where you have no idea what they’re talking about. Technical jargon does you no good. You need someone who understands the tools, but also understands how you use them and interact with them and can help lead you through solutions.
Salesforce Certified
Unfortunately, not everyone who calls themselves an expert has gone through the steps of actually becoming an expert. Fortunately, though, the internet gives you the tools and resources to check things out for yourself. Check Salesforce.com to make sure your partners are certified and capable of helping you with your toughest problems. This also goes for support partners helping you get set up from the beginning. When the tools are set up incorrectly from the start, it’s hard for people to correct and learn a new process after using the tool for some time.
Personable
Good working relationships come from someone you can connect with. Someone who is empathetic to your challenges and is passionate about helping you. You should never feel uncomfortable or dread picking up the phone to contact your Salesforce partner. Your partner is your resource and should be a welcoming voice on the other end of the phone.
Consider all of these traits when choosing a Salesforce partner. Your company has made a big investment in Salesforce. Make sure your partner understands the impact of that decision and knows how to get the most out of it for you. Your partner should be a point of relief for you and your team members. Choose wisely and look for someone who treats you like a person, not a support ticket. If you’re looking for a partner and would like to get to know our certified partners, give us a call and let us know what challenges you’re facing, we’ll be more than happy to help!