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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.

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

Run Your Business from Your Phone with the Salesforce1 Mobile App

Posted on September 15, 2016 by John McKenzie

As cloud computing consultants, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing on the Salesforce1 mobile app. The Salesforce1 mobile app allows you to run your business virtually. The Salesforce1 mobile app allows you to stay connected by managing your day, managing your sales, and accessing your information.

Manage Your Day

The Salesforce1 mobile app keeps you connected by helping you manage your day. With the ability to view your scheduled events, you can access a daily summary within seconds. The Salesforce1 mobile app directly links to contacts and accounts to keep you organized and provide a high ease-of-use. The app includes a notes feature that allows you to jot down items immediately after meeting.

Manage Your Sales

The Salesforce1 mobile app allows you to close deals faster by managing your sales from your phone. Opportunity creation, approvals, and sales tasks can be updated without having to log on to a computer. This flexibility lets you move faster as information can be communicated faster to the rest of your company. The Salesforce1 mobile app helps you stay in the loop on your account updates by sending notifications straight to your phone.

Access Your Information

The Salesforce1 mobile app brings your Salesforce information to you front and center no matter you go. You can get a picture of how your business is doing with live updates and feed changes. The app increases accessibility by displaying your custom list views, custom objects, and apps on your phone. Not only does this allow you to work faster, but it allows you to work smarter. The Salesforce1 mobile app gives you the ability to review metrics and make informed decisions even when on-the-go.

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 Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati and 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

Are you lacking these 3 key Salesforce features?

Posted on September 9, 2016 by John McKenzie

As cloud computing consultants, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing to focus on 3 key Salesforce features your business should be using. The abilities of Salesforce are notably impressive, but if you aren’t using these 3 key Salesforce features, you could be missing out on useful capabilities of the platform.

Key 1: Web-to-Lead

The first key Salesforce feature you should be using is Web-to-Lead. Web-to-lead allows a lead to be created from a form submitted through a company web page. Imagine the following scenario: A visitor submits an inquiry through the Contact Us page that generates an email to your company. Whomever received the email uploads the lead into Salesforce. While this isn’t a bad process, it certainly isn’t scalable. Web-to-lead introduces a better way. By using web-to-lead, extra functionality is added that can automatically create a lead in Salesforce once a form is submitted. Additionally, web-to-lead can also redirect the visitor to another web page with a “Thank you” or “Next Steps” message. This functionality not only improves process flow, but can improve the customer experience.

Key 2: Email Integration

The second key Salesforce feature you should be using is Email Integration. Email integration can be synced to Salesforce from Gmail or Microsoft Outlook. Synchronization between Salesforce and email removes the need to flip-flop between two screens and saves time. Time spent looking up, copying, and pasting the contact is eliminated by sending emails straight from Salesforce. Another bonus with this key Salesforce feature is that branded email templates can be built and used from Salesforce.

Key 3: File Sync and Share

The third key Salesforce feature you should be using is File Sync and Share. File sync and share allows users to share and collaborate on files in real time on any device. Users can be notified when a new version is uploaded, maintain sharing settings, and use drag-and-drop technology with this key Salesforce feature. Not only does this improve efficiency, it can also improve the time it takes to find files. File sync and share puts all files in one location and uses filters to drill down and find the file you are looking for.

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

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

Google Apps for Work Streamlines Communication for Businesses

Posted on February 12, 2016 by John McKenzie

The first app being featured is Prolocity’s most coveted and personally adopted app suite, Google Apps for Work. This week we will specifically focus on how Google Apps for Work has streamlined communication for businesses. Google Apps for Work increases communication efficiency with the use of Gmail, Google Hangouts, and Google Calendar.

Gmail

There is a reason Gmail tops the list of communication efficiency tools, it is highly customizable and accessible anywhere. Almost every business uses email, but not all businesses use email through cloud technology. The main difference is that standard email limits the mobility of employees. Beyond accessibility, Gmail has become a top cloud trend for its high marks in ease-of-use and customizable abilities. Standard features available with Gmail are: undo send, multiple email addresses, and faster loading when needed (switches to basic version). These features provide ease-of-use by allowing for review of an email you weren’t ready to send, the ability to track who is giving out your email, and accessibility with any internet connection.

Gmail is also user friendly in its ability to customize. Like other platforms, Gmail allows you to add filters to incoming mail to help stay organized. Gmail can be customized as little or as much as needed to provide users with a an email experience similar to what they are used to through Gmail Labs. Gmail Labs provide additional features or add-ons to customize the look and feel. This allows for easier user adoption from other email platforms to Gmail. Additional features available through Gmail are: preview pane, canned responses, calendar gadget, and right side chat.

Hangouts

The second efficiency tool provided through the Google for Work Apps communication set is Google Hangouts. Google Hangouts allows employees to take teleconferences virtual. Users can connect face-to-face for a more personal meeting with Google Hangouts. Each Google Hangouts video call allows up to 15 participants to chat with no time limit. Like Gmail, Hangouts is accessible anywhere. Each Hangouts connection is secure and allows external participants to join who don’t have a Google Apps for Work account. Additional features available through Google Hangouts include: call capability from your computer to a phone, screen sharing, and integration into Google Calendar.

Calendar

Last but certainly not least in the lineup of communication apps provided by Google Apps for Work is Google Calendar. Like Gmail, Google Calendar is also ranked high in its ability to customize and its accessibility. Google Calendar can be customized to include color coding, toggle calendar visibility, and create appointment slots. With the ability to launch through your Gmail account, Google Calendar is available everywhere. With the ability to put a specific location for meetings, Google Calendar can keep you up-to-date on where you should be even while on-the-go. Google Calendar is accessible with mobile devices and integrates to Maps. This feature provides directions to your next meeting location with a one-click launch directly from the Calendar Event. Additional features available through Google Calendar include: the ability to set working hours, add time zones, add notifications and search past/future events.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Prolocity’s 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

Streamline Your Sales Process with Salesforce Lightning Sales Path

Posted on January 28, 2016 by John McKenzie

Salesforce Lightning creates an enhanced sales experience with the roll out of Sales Path. Sales Path brings two features to Salesforce that were previously only available on Salesforce1: top-level visibility and a customizable sales process. When utilized, these features provide a clear picture of opportunity advancement and simplify the daunting task of managing your pipeline.

Top-Level Visibility

Sales Path provides top-level visibility by creating a visual path of each opportunity. Sales Path breaks every opportunity into individual stages. Each stage provides a summary of the applicable fields, activities, and account information. This allows the user to focus on the actions needed to move the deal along. Additionally, several tools are available that provide assistance without navigating to another screen. These tools include the ability to access notes, attachments, call logs, and emails on the same screen.

Customizable Sales Process

Sales Path also provides a customizable sales process. The customizable sales process allows you to regulate the order and content of stages used to close deals. Each opportunity will go through the same Sales Path to create consistency across the board. The ability to customize doesn’t stop there. Sales Path also allows you to add guidance per stage to give your sales reps tips and tricks for moving to the next stage.

Whether you have one sales process or several, Sales Path has you covered. Not only can you customize Sales Path to fit your needs, but you can create additional Sales Paths to accommodate different sales processes as needed. There is even capability to have one Sales Path per each opportunity record for even more flexibility. This allows for greater user adoption as the process can be clearly defined and easy to use.

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

3 Million Downloads in the Salesforce AppExchange

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Matt Farano

I am sure you have heard of the iTunes App Store, but have you heard of the Salesforce AppExchange? Today, the Salesforce AppExchange hit 3 Million Downloads, according to a blog post on Medium.com. What’s really impressive…that number only represents the amount of downloads, not the individual users across a company.

The Salesforce AppExchange is the world’s leading business app marketplace, and houses more than 2,700 pre-integrated apps that extend the power of Salesforce. Everything from Marketing, Sales, Service, ERP, HR, Payroll, Accounting, and just about every other function you can imagine, exists in the AppExchange. The most beautiful thing about the Salesforce AppExchange (in my humble opinion), is that you no longer have to try and fit every single business requirement that you have into a single out-of-the-box solution. Salesforce is the heart…and the AppExchange serves as your other vital organs.

In the old world of business software, if you had a unique functionality requirement that was not inherent to the core solution, it usually meant a huge increase in cost, time, and long-term maintenance. With the advent of App Stores, the game was changed forever. With powerful APIs and mobile-ready tools, the Salesforce1 Platform lets you easily build apps that you can sell and market on the AppExchange. By piggy-backing the world’s #1 cloud computing company, you can rest assured that these apps are flexible, reliable, and secure. Salesforce takes care of all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on solving business problems.

To give you a real-world example, I will reference a project that we recently completed for one of our customers. This particular customer had multiple departments, all working in silos with very poor internal communication & organizational efficiency. To make matters worse, they were highly dependent on Excel spreadsheets and error-prone manual processes. When we got engaged with the customer, they had already made the wise decision of implementing Salesforce, but quickly realized that their needs extended beyond the core functionality that Salesforce had to offer. To give you a point of reference, I would estimate that Salesforce alone was only going to meet about 70% of their needs. After completing a business process review session (what we coin a “Discovery“), we determined that 4 AppExchange applications were needed to bridge the gap with their total solution. This included functionality such as: high-volume document storage, proposal generation, electronic signature, & project management. In the end, the customer received a taylor-fit solution to meet their unique needs that has set the stage for long-term growth and scalability.

Prolocity is a national Salesforce Partner providing cloud advisory, implementation, and support services to businesses and non-profits. Our cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, development, implementation, training, and optimization services. www.prolocity.com

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

CRM User Adoption Is Critical For A Successful Implementation

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Matt Farano

CRM user adoption is critical for a successful implementation of Salesforce. When thinking about successful practices in a sales driven business, it is important to fully leverage your CRM tools to achieve maximum success. Full adoption of Salesforce can not only drive sales through the roof, but can also allow clients to feel secure in knowing that their investments will be properly handled in a smart and confident manner. As more and more technological advances are made, businesses everywhere are working to adopt solutions that will keep them on the cutting edge of the cloud software revolution.

Successful user adoption of a platform such as Salesforce can best be ensured by emphasizing the innovation of the system. An outdated, non user-friendly CRM system will only hinder the process. The answer to this question is Salesforce, a customizable, dynamic, user friendly platform. Achieving universal adoption of Salesforce as a CRM can be reached by highlighting the benefits of working with a system that can cater to the individual needs of a business and its target audience, rather than just accepting quantity over quality. Salesforce enables user adoption by giving the ability to customize their CRM for that “fit like a glove” sensation that businesses strive for in order to reach their peak.

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