1.Build Your Team. These are the people who can tell you what a successful implementation will look like. Coordinate with external partners. Help your colleagues with the system.
2.Choose a database hero! Selecting the right system administrator for your organization is critical because the administrator will play the most important role in making your CRM implementation successful. Click here for tips about choosing the right Salesforce administrator.
3.Obtain and maintain executive support for the project. The executive sponsor should lend his or her influence to the project. Having that person’s full support and participation—from the planning stage until the go-live date and beyond—is absolutely critical!
4.To expedite the process of finding your ideal technology partner and to receive an accurate proposal, you should create a request for proposal (RFP). I wrote an article about it, If you are unfamiliar with this process you should check it out.
5.Take baby steps. Don’t try to do too much all at once. It is easy to get carried away in the midst of the excitement of building a new system. However, remember that complex projects should be broken down into manageable and measurable phases. Slowly, slowly. Rome was not built in a day.
6.Technology should be adjusted to meet your needs and not vice versa. If the database cannot support your business processes, search for a different solution.
7.Remember that most people are resistant to change. Bearing that in mind, it may take some time before people willing switch over to a new system-without complaints and with a smile. Be prepared and patient.
8.Don’t be scared to make changes during the implementation phase. Better then than 12 months into the systems use.
9.Before embarking on a “big bang” switchover approach, make sure that you have fully run the new system using sample real data from your existing system. Have different employees or members of your organization serve as “test dummies.”
10.Provide fast results. Don’t build a system that might not be relevant by the time you go live. Concentrate on getting the correct basic functionality and data, and then go ahead.
I think that about sums up my 10 for 10 (ten technology tips for 10 days) in a nutshell. These were posted on our Facebook page during the month of January. Like always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at Cloud for Good.
