As the demand for more customer intelligence increases, companies find themselves turning towards (Customer Relationship Management) CRM software as the solution to many problems.
Salesforce is the most popular, and well-known CRM solution in the market today. This cloud-computing technology allows organisations to tap into the power of big data to increase customer satisfaction, improve revenue and drive sales.
Unfortunately, most businesses won’t have the expertise they need in-house to unlock the benefits of CRM solutions fully. A Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant helps with this, delivering the tailored support companies need to make the most of their new technology.
A career as a Salesforce consultant can be incredibly lucrative for the right individual. The question is, how do you become a Salesforce consultant in today’s evolving ecosystem?
1. Develop a Rich Experience Background
Any technology star requires an in-depth knowledge of their space to excel in their role. Extensive experience in customer relationship management systems is crucial for Salesforce consultants.
To achieve a role as a consultant, show your would-be employer that you know how to use the latest technology to their advantage. Salesforce has various platforms and tools within it; a consultant must know how to navigate each platform, from the Service Cloud to the Marketing Cloud, to support business goals.
Exceptional Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant also have experience in leading projects. They know what it takes to bring a team together towards a unified goal, and support the adoption of advanced technology. Make sure you have experience in:
- Every Salesforce Platform (Marketing, Service, and Sales)
- Integration and configuration of CRM tools
- Leading various teams within a business
2. Get Your Salesforce Consulting Certifications
The scope and versatility of Salesforce as a CRM platform means that there’s more than one avenue for consultants to explore. Salesforce offers 6 separate certifications that consultants can use to demonstrate their skills in customer relationship management. The available certifications include:
- Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant: This certification provides the education experts need to design and implement Cloud solutions, including interface and application design. You’ll also discover how to manage analytics for tracking Salesforce performance.
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Consultant: This certification demonstrates your ability to implement and configure unique cloud-based marketing tools for email, and other campaigns.
- Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant: A certification intended for those who specialise in support for cloud contact centres, this educational solution also includes an overview of analytics and metric tracking.
- Salesforce Certified Field Service Lightning Consultant: Salesforce Lightning is the developer platform for Salesforce. This certification highlights your ability to design and manage app solutions for customers.
- Salesforce Certified Pardot Consultant: Intended for consultants working with the Pardot range of solutions in connection to the Salesforce CRM, this certification teaches the implementation and design of Pardot solutions.
- Salesforce Certified Community Cloud Consultant: With this credential, you can show employers that you’re capable of implementing Salesforce Communities apps and troubleshooting issues for teams.
3. Improve Your Communication Intelligence
The right education and experience are crucial for a Salesforce consultant. However, it’s also essential for you to have the right soft skills too. When clients come to a company like Resource on Demand looking for Salesforce expertise, they’re also searching for someone who can drive significant change within their company culture.
Salesforce consultants must be able to analyse the needs of the business carefully, then offer suggestions to IT teams that everyone can understand. As a Salesforce consultant, you’ll need to know how to translate the language of a CRM system into something that various employees and departments can grasp.
Make sure that you know how to:
- Address and lead solution discussions with technical architects.
- Feel comfortable both working as part of a team and leading teams towards stronger Salesforce implementations.
- Provide functional and technical experience to business teams.
4. Enhance Your Analytical and Listening Skills
Salesforce consultants must also be adept in listening and analytics. The results of your work as a consultant are based on the information gathered from workshops and meetings. This means that consultants need to be able to absorb ideas and sometimes read between the lines too.
When you’re developing your career plan, focus on looking for opportunities to build your analytical and judgement skills. Being able to demonstrate problem-solving expertise will support you both in the everyday business environment, and in any competency-based interviews, you have as you develop your career.
Exceptional listening will also make you a more valuable part of any business team. Knowing how to respond to the needs and expectations of other people within a business ensures that the company will fully embrace any solutions you implement. Work on your:
- Listening and communication skills
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to define solutions that properly leverage the Salesforce platform.
5. Keep Learning
Finally, as the Salesforce ecosystem continues to evolve, the mark of a great consultant is a commitment to continuous learning.
Salesforce certifications are available in multiple paths, even within the consulting space. The more you build on your training with new knowledge, the easier it will be to serve the needs of a diverse range of clients and employers.
A commitment to consistent learning may also include networking with other industry experts within the Salesforce Ohana community. There are countless forums and events out there designed to support professionals on the path to a new Salesforce career.
About Resource On Demand
Resource On Demand is Europe’s first specialist Salesforce Recruitment Company, now also focusing on growth Cloud markets.
We assist innovative and disruptive organisations to grow their technology teams. Supporting companies to fill Cloud roles that span across Digital Marketing, Marketing Automation, Human Capital Management and the growing Salesforce.com suite of skills.
The team at Resource On Demand have access to an extensive database of key talent, registering over 8000 Cloud professionals each year.
To find out how we can support you call us on 01322 272 532