How to boost your Salesforce user adoption in 4 easy steps

By Beate Thomsen, Co-founder & Product Design - April 18, 2024

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So you have selected Salesforce to complement your Microsoft Dynamics ERP and get rid of old, disconnected processes. 

Now you are ready to get it implemented, or might even have implemented it. 

Top management’s ambitions and expectations are sky-high. They cannot wait to reap the benefits of their investment (as they should). 

However, you know that you need to convince your salespeople to use the system to ensure your chances of success are relatively high. If Salesforce barely becomes a database that nobody wants to update and maintain, it is bound to be a wasted investment in the end.

So, how can you secure the best return on your Salesforce investment?

That’s precisely what we will explore in a bit. We will explain why user adoption is vital to achieving high Salesforce ROI and then show how to secure a high Salesforce user adoption.

HIGH USER ADOPTION FOR BETTER SYSTEM ROI

User adoption measures the success of the onboarding process of new users of a system. System implementation is an important step. When it is done successfully, it is vital to focus on user onboarding. 

Why is user adoption important? And why do IT leaders have to focus on user adoption rates? 

This is simply because the more your staff is inclined to use your new systems, the better they will reach your implementation goals. 

Companies that implement Salesforce usually aim to streamline business processes and improve customer service and customer experience. They want to give their existing customers better interactions for longer than just a “period of time”. 

In addition, ensuring a high level of user adoption will inevitably lead to better labour productivity. Customer satisfaction will increase, and sales will eventually increase. 

When your sales operations improve and your sales results increase, a better ROI of your Salesforce CRM system implementation is secured. 

user adoption of salesforce crm

Measuring Salesforce - ERP integration ROI can be complicated. You can learn more about how much you will benefit from integrating your systems by using our ROI calculator

Secure sky high Salesforce user adoption

Nowadays, there is no Salesforce implementation project without a focus on return on investment. IT leaders must provide detailed ROI reports showing the added value of the system they recently invested in. The results need to be there as fast as possible and long-term. 

To secure good ROI, they need to ensure that the systems are being used. Like any product adoption, it requires a pleasant onboarding experience, a great first-time user experience, and a smooth user adoption process. 


salesforce user adoption

How to boost salesforce user adoption

  • Integrate with other systems 

  • Eliminate inefficiencies 

  • Ensure early involvement 

  • Adjust & customise (when needed)

This means that user adoption should be a priority for all IT leaders. How do you achieve spotless user adoption? In the case of a CRM-ERP implementation (for example, Salesforce CRM and Microsoft Dynamics ERP), you should focus on four areas:

1. Integrate Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics as early as possible

A Salesforce - Microsoft Dynamics integration will secure accurate and always updated information in both systems. That will give your salespeople a good reason to use your new CRM system. 

We are often asked when the two systems should be integrated. It is preferable to do it as soon as possible. Integrating the two systems before you start using Salesforce will get the highest user adoption.

This way, you will be able to perform user training with actual data – making the training more tangible and effective and fueling discussion about how to perform critical tasks.

You need to ensure that your staff will be fully ready to start working with your system right after the initial training. Our customers have experienced up to 100% user adoption using this approach.

2. Boost users’ results

Breaking your salespeople’s inefficient working habits in for example Outlook or spreadsheets will not happen unless you show them a better solution.

Show them they can use your newly implemented system to work faster, be more effective, and achieve better results. Speak to their pain points - starting with time.

Showcase how they can reduce time not spent on core activities and how to make their cumbersome tasks easier, less troublesome, and more productive. If you increase staff motivation, boosts in effectiveness will follow.

Remind them that the primary purpose of CRM is to allow them to achieve more, not to track and check how they use their time. Correct data collection is vital as reports are based on CRM data. This is also a driving force in adoption.

3. Involve them in the process as early as possible
 

Make sure salespeople are a part of the process from the beginning, though not necessarily every stage of the project.

Define key users early and make sure to collect their needs, involve them in defining the ideal processes, and in the planning and the testing of the solution. Then you will avoid leaving them behind because they were not a part of the decision-making process. 
 4. Adjust or customize – but only when necessary

Listen to and analyse users’ wishes and challenges. Motivate them by giving them functionality that solves their key pain points.

This could mean adding new functionality or twisting existing functionality to match their needs. For instance, you can add individual scorecards – not as an HR tracking tool but as a performance-coaching mechanism to help them reach their goals. 

Usually, all this does not require deep customisation. Sometimes, small twists or additions can resolve your users’ top pains and help you win them.

Key Takeaways

You are off to a good start if you focus on user needs and involve them early. We suggest adding an integration between Salesforce and your Microsoft Dynamics ERP (preferably as early as possible) to take it further. 

With this, you will reach sky-high user adoption and satisfaction, ensuring the success of your implementation project. Download our case studies, eBooks and white papers to learn more about how our customers have benefited from it and see how Rapidi can help boost your Salesforce user adoption quickly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Salesforce adoption?

Salesforce adoption refers to the extent to which users actively engage with and utilise Salesforce in their daily workflows to manage customer relationships, track sales processes, and analyse data. High adoption rates indicate that users are leveraging Salesforce effectively, leading to improved business outcomes, including higher sales productivity, better data quality, and more efficient operations.

What is user adoption?

User adoption describes the process where new users become familiar with and effectively utilize a new product or system, like Salesforce. It involves users learning the platform, integrating it into their daily tasks, and using its features to enhance their work processes. High user adoption is crucial for maximizing software investments as it boosts productivity, improves data quality, and enhances business performance. By focusing on these aspects, organizations can significantly increase their Salesforce user adoption and ensure their investment delivers maximum value.

How can you ensure user adoption of Salesforce?

Ensuring user adoption of Salesforce involves understanding user needs, providing comprehensive training, leveraging Salesforce's tracking features, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Start by conducting an audit of user needs to tailor the implementation process and create a sense of ownership. Offer ongoing training and support, utilizing Salesforce's extensive resources and internal support systems. Use Salesforce's Adoption Dashboards and reports to monitor user engagement and feature usage. Lastly, cultivate a culture that values feedback and continuous learning, highlighting successes and addressing challenges to motivate deeper user engagement.

How do I monitor adoption in Salesforce?

Monitoring Salesforce adoption can be effectively achieved through several methods. Firstly, Salesforce provides pre-built adoption dashboards that offer insights into user login activities, feature usage, and overall engagement levels. These dashboards can be customized to cater to the specific needs of your organization, allowing for targeted monitoring. Additionally, custom reports and analytics can be developed to delve into particular aspects of Salesforce usage, such as adoption of key features, completeness of data entry, and usage patterns across different teams or departments. Finally, gathering regular feedback from users through surveys or feedback sessions provides qualitative insights into user experiences with Salesforce and helps identify potential areas for improvement.

How do I improve Salesforce adoption?

Improving Salesforce adoption requires strategic planning, continuous training, user engagement, and the use of Salesforce's built-in tools to monitor and facilitate usage. Key strategies include tailoring training to user needs by offering sessions relevant to their specific roles, which helps them see the benefits of using Salesforce daily. Leveraging Salesforce's extensive training resources like Trailhead, webinars, and documentation provides users with varied learning options. Implementing gamification, such as badges and leaderboards, can motivate users by rewarding their training progress and achievements within the platform. Customizing Salesforce to fit your business processes, by adjusting layouts, fields, and workflows, makes it more user-friendly for specific operational needs. Using Salesforce's adoption dashboards and reports allows for monitoring usage and identifying areas where users may require additional training or support.

How do you increase user adoption?

Increasing user adoption of any platform or technology requires understanding user behavior, providing strong support, and integrating the technology into daily workflows. Engaging users early in the selection and implementation process can ensure the solution meets their needs and fosters a sense of ownership. It's crucial to clearly communicate the benefits and value of the system, emphasizing how it will simplify or enhance their jobs to boost motivation. Providing comprehensive support and training ensures that users can effectively navigate the new system. Soliciting regular feedback and acting on it shows users that their input is valued and leads to continual improvement. Making the technology a routine part of daily tasks helps it become an indispensable tool.

How do I increase user adoption of an app?

To boost app adoption, it's vital to focus on enhancing user experience, performance, and engagement. An intuitive onboarding process helps users quickly grasp the app's value. Ensuring the app is user-friendly and visually appealing promotes continued use. Personalizing experiences with customized content increases engagement, while wisely used push notifications keep users informed without overwhelming them. Offering incentives like discounts or premium content can further motivate adoption. Collecting and acting on user feedback shows that their opinions are valued and aids in refining the app.


About the author

Beate Thomsen, Co-founder & Product Design

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As co-founder of the Rapidi Data Integration platform, Beate has spent over 15 years on its development, building it around her motto: 'keep it simple, functional yet beautiful.'
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