Home | Salesforce Automation

5 Myths about Salesforce

Posted on January 12, 2017 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is debunking 5 myths about Salesforce.

Myth 1: Salesforce is only for tracking Sales

It’s no secret that Salesforce started as a Customer Relationship Manager for Sales staff. However, since its inception in 1999, Salesforce has evolved to a comprehensive platform that can manage any aspect of a business.

Myth 2: Salesforce can’t support the needs of my industry

A common misconception is that Salesforce is only good for Sales or Service Industries. However, this simply isn’t the case. Salesforce has expanded offerings to include focused industries such as: Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Communications, Media, Government, Automotive, Higher Education, and Nonprofit.

Myth 3: My business process is too unique for Salesforce

Its an understatement to say that no two businesses are ran the exact same way. Salesforce recognized the need for an adaptability early on and created a completely customizable platform. Taking it a step further, Salesforce created the AppExchange which lets you search for apps to further customize the platform to your needs.

Myth 4: You have to know a lot about technology to use Salesforce

When Salesforce started, one of the main goals was to let customers/users be able to edit their system. They recognized the skill needed to run most business software and decided to create something new. What used to take years to learn can now be learned in months.

Myth 5: It will require a lot of money to get started using Salesforce

Unlike other products, Salesforce targets all business sizes and is made to be scalable. They have several editions of the platform that start at only $25.00/per user/per month.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

During the Season of Giving, Give Back with Pledge 1%

Posted on December 15, 2016 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing on Pledge 1%. Pledge 1% is a movement encouraging companies to cultivate a culture of giving back. Several companies have already taken the pledge such as Salesforce and SPCA. Pledge 1% asks companies to donate 1% of equity, product, and/or time.

1% Equity

One of the ways you can donate through Pledge 1% is by pledging 1% of equity. Pledge 1% encourages companies to donate equity to any organization of their choosing. They make it as easy as filling out an allocation form that allows Pledge 1% to pass along 100% of the cash value of the equity or profit allocated to the nonprofit chosen. The allocation It can be changed at any time and Pledge 1% will provide ideas of nonprofits in your community. To provide an example, Salesforce uses 1% of founding stock to offer grants focused on technology innovation in nonprofits and development programs.

1% Product

Another way you can give back through Pledge 1% is by pledging 1% of product. Whether this means a physical product or service your company provides, the idea is to provide the product for free or at a deeply discounted rate to nonprofits. There are a multitude of ways that products can be donated. For example, Salesforce facilitates the donation of up to 10 licenses per company through their foundation to nonprofit organizations. This means that 10 users can use Salesforce for free, no strings attached. A simple application is all that is needed to get started in the program.

1% Time

The last way you can donate through Pledge 1% is by pledging 1% of time. By implementing and promoting a Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policy at your company, you can encourage employees to donate time giving back to the community. Several companies use a blended approach of offering both corporate and non-corporate volunteer days. This helps foster a giving culture by allowing employees to donate corporate time to support a cause they are passionate about. Some companies even offer programs that match employee volunteer efforts with corporate dollars. As an example, Salesforce employees are awarded 6 paid days of volunteer time to use over the course of a year.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Survive the Holidays Even with a Full Plate at Work

Posted on November 11, 2016 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing on how to survive the holidays with a full plate of work. By using one or more of the featured apps below, you can proactively get things done and work smarter, not harder.

With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be stressing about getting things done. It seems that everyone has the same mentality this time of year, to get as much done as possible before the holidays hit. Before the requests come pouring in and your inbox is swamped, utilize these practices to survive the holidays even with a full plate.

Keep Up with Social Media

It’s no secret that social media drives business and is a necessary part of the average company. However, it is usually one of the first things to get neglected when work piles on. If there was a way to keep up with social media without logging in Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on a daily basis, it would be a lifesaver. Luckily, such a way exists with social media management tools such as Salesforce Pardot and Buffer. Both Salesforce Pardot and Buffer allow you to plan posts in advance by linking to your social media pages. Once posts are planned, these social media management tools post on your behalf without having to login. Not only does this save time, but it is an easier way to keep up with social media.

Stay on top of Marketing Campaigns

Most businesses rely heavily on marketing to drive new deals and keep customers up-to-date with promotions and updates. Since marketing requires planning and expertise to “hit the mark,” it would be beneficial if campaigns and promotions could be planned in advance to reduce anxiety when things get busy. Fortunately, both Salesforce Pardot and MailChimp can remedy this problem. Both applications allow you to create contact lists that will receive custom emails from your company. Like the social media management applications, they can also be created as far in advance as needed. By completing more detail-oriented work ahead of time, you can stay on top of the marketing campaigns.

Avoid Communication Missteps

If you have ever had an important email not get the attention it needs because you were out of office, you know the importance of avoiding communication missteps. As luck would have it, there are tools available to help you avoid common pitfalls. These tools include setting an early out of office responder, including time off in your email signature, and creating rules for forwarding emails while you are out. In certain email systems, you can set an out of office notification as far in advance as you like. This allows you to set up a clear, detailed response now instead of last minute. Including time off in your email signature provides notice in advance to your clients and colleagues when you will be unavailable. If you create special rules for forwarding emails, you can dictate emails marked as urgent, immediate, or ASAP to forward to another colleague to action.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

EMERGING 30 – Prolocity Recognized for Stellar Growth

Posted on October 28, 2016 by John McKenzie

For the second year in a row, Prolocity Cloud Solutions was recognized by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as one of the region’s fastest growing businesses. To qualify for this recognition, companies must have achieved at least $250,000 in revenue, been in business for four years, and have an average annual growth of 15% or more over the past three years. This year’s designees were recognized at the Northern Kentucky Chamber’s Emerging 30 Celebration Presented by Strauss Troy on October 20th. The NKY Chamber of Commerce reserves this prestigious award to those they feel are reaching new heights and are contributing to a vibrant community.

Reaching New Heights

Since receiving the Emerging 30 award last year, Prolocity Cloud Solutions has looked for even more ways to reach new heights. By focusing on enhancing the customer experience, Prolocity has widened their reach and found new ways to make Salesforce even more attainable for businesses. The average business notes 3 main hurdles for implementing Salesforce: training, time, and money. As Salesforce partners, Prolocity recognized these issues and provides achievable solutions. Prolocity offers virtual training tailored to client needs, a QuickStart program that can be implemented within 2 weeks, and a financing option to make the process even more affordable.

Contributing to a Vibrant Community

Prolocity Cloud Solutions also recognizes the importance of technology on the community. As the technology field is ever changing, so is the education to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow. Prolocity recognizes this and actively engages with several local organizations to help re-build education programs in the technology field. Additionally, Prolocity has launched an internship program to help college seniors and recent graduates gain on-the-job training.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Improve Your Brain Power on National Train Your Brain Day

Posted on October 13, 2016 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing on improving your brain power for National Train Your Brain Day.

Today is National Train your Brain Day. Here are a few ways you can use Salesforce to help you improve your brain power.

1. Connect with Colleagues

Several studies indicate that social connections such as catching up with friends and colleagues can reduce the chances of developing dementia. Salesforce makes it easy to stay connected with Salesforce Chatter. Chatter provides a live feed and groups that allow employees to socialize and stay up-to-date no matter where they are located.

2. Consider a New Interface

If you haven’t heard, Salesforce redesigned its classic user interface to bring us a faster, more attractive version–Salesforce Lightning. If you haven’t made the switch yet, today is the day to test drive the new interface. Salesforce Lightning aims to provide a seamless experience and integrates with apps for easy customization.

3. Learn Something New

Salesforce hosts a Demo Jam every month on the third Thursday. This series not only teaches you about new applications you could be using–but gives you a chance to win a gift card just for participating.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Increase Your Data Quality & Work Faster With GridBuddy

Posted on March 3, 2016 by John McKenzie

As cloud computing consultants, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. One of the ways Prolocity accomplishes this is through the use of apps. Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting apps Prolocity either uses internally or has implemented for actual customers.

The app in the spotlight this week is the Salesforce native app GridBuddy. GridBuddy allows users to get the most from their Salesforce data by bringing all relevant information into one workspace. Available on the Salesforce AppExchange, GridBuddy increases productivity, provides higher user adoption, and improves Salesforce data quality.

Increase Productivity

The first way GridBuddy allows users to get the most from Salesforce is through increased productivity. GridBuddy enables users to create views that display relevant data in one workspace. This allows users to better utilize Salesforce as all the information they use is front and center. GridBuddy provides multi-object filters that can easily narrow data down to the exact records needed. All GridBuddy grids and views are fully customizable so you can edit or create views in no time. With GridBuddy, users no longer have to click around Salesforce to access or update the information they need. They can now spend more time actually doing their job.

Higher User Adoption

The next way GridBuddy allows users to get the most from Salesforce is through higher user adoption. GridBuddy provides a data view similar to spreadsheets. Since users are used to spreadsheets, the familiar look and feel provides users a tool that takes minimal training to learn. With this ease-of-use, users are more likely to switch over, support, and adapt to a Salesforce implementation. The only change they will likely notice is that it is even easier to use the #1 Customer Relationship Manager after adding GridBuddy. If you are looking for a way to get a better ROI through higher user adoption, GridBuddy is the solution.

Improve Salesforce Data Quality

The last way GridBuddy allows users to get the most from Salesforce is through improved Salesforce data quality. GridBuddy allows users to act on multiple records at once. Similar to editing a spreadsheet, GridBuddy lets you create and edit records on a singular or batch basis. By allowing for mass data updates across many fields and objects, your data can be cleaner faster. Users no longer have to update information in several places or open records one-at-a-time. GridBuddy provides the ability to update once and be done. Think of everything you can do with better quality data.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Reinvent Your Sales Pipeline with Salesforce Lightning Automation

Posted on January 21, 2016 by John McKenzie

Board

Salesforce Lightning moves the sales process faster and easier than ever before. There are two new tools available that enhance the sales process: opportunities board and the enhanced run report page. These tools not only provide new capabilities, but take Salesforce automation to the next level.

Opportunities Board

The first tool elevating Salesforce automation is the Opportunities Board. The newly created opportunities board organizes opportunities into a summarized view. Each individual opportunity is displayed in one of several columns arranged according to stage. When the opportunity is ready to move to the next stage, users make the change on the same screen simply by dragging and dropping.

Additional features of the opportunities board include: totals per opportunity stage and alerts. The totals per opportunity stage feature provides a clear picture of potential income related to stage. When opportunities are moved from one stage to the next, the totals automatically update. The alerts feature shows any open activities and allows users to create tasks or events. This integration increases efficiency as users can stay on the same page to update opportunity action.

Enhanced Report Run Page

The other tool allowing users to get more from Salesforce is the enhanced run report page. The enhanced run report improves reports and dashboards with cleaner formatting and additional capabilities. Headers are now shown on the y and x axis’s as you scroll up and down the page. Additionally, key information is displayed at the top of reports, which is ideal if you need a quick overview without digging in too deep in the report. There is also a new drop-down that allows you save, clone, and delete the report with one-click.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011