Best Practices for Managing Salesforce Staff in Non-profit Organizations
For a small nonprofit, maintaining spreadsheets and jotting down notes in a word document about projects, beneficiaries and donors may be a simple process. But what happens when your NPO stars growing, and you need to employ more staff?
Your nonprofit depends heavily on its staff. From leading impactful community programs to planning fundraising campaigns, staff members play a special role in your organization’s ability to create change. However, as the organization grows, it will quickly become apparent that this is not a scalable system, your nonprofit’s productivity will decrease if your staff are overburdened with heavy workloads and admin tasks that leave them feeling less connected to your mission.
Salesforce in the Nonprofit Industry
As a nonprofit organization you will typically have different goals compared to other markets.
At the same, you need to attract donors, manage relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, and ensure operational efficiency to support the good work in the community.
Fortunately, Salesforce can help across all those needs. Salesforce is a CRM ‘customer relationship management’ platform, where nonprofits can achieve a comprehensive view of donor relationships, program engagements, and overall organizational interactions in one place. Better visibility translates into greater efficiency, deeper insights, and richer connections, which will enable you and your team to focus on what matters: achieving your mission and driving impact.
To harness the full potential of Salesforce in a non-profit setting, it’s essential to implement best practices in managing the staff responsible for its operation.
1. Strategic Onboarding and Training:
The foundation of successful Salesforce management in non-profits begins with strategic onboarding and continuous training. While nonprofits don’t usually have large training budgets compared to the private sector, your staff must be kept up to date on Salesforce capabilities and unique implementation for your organization.
Ensure that your staff is well-versed not only in the technical aspects of Salesforce but also in the specific use cases and workflows relevant to your organization. Establish a comprehensive training program that includes both initial onboarding for new staff and ongoing training sessions to keep everyone updated on new features and best practices.
For example, organize monthly workshops addressing specific non-profit needs, such as donor management, grant tracking, and program monitoring. Incorporate real-world scenarios to provide practical insights, ensuring staff is well-equipped to navigate non-profit challenges.
2. Customized Training for Non-Profit Needs:
While Salesforce is a versatile tool used across various industries, tailoring training sessions to address the unique needs of non-profit organizations is crucial. Focus on features such as donor management, grant tracking, and program monitoring. Provide real-world scenarios that your staff may encounter, offering practical insights into using Salesforce to enhance their daily workflows.
There are also specialized online communities that help nonprofits with free help and support. Nonprofits can leverage these communities to get new ideas and tips. You could also seek help from the Salesforce support team. Leveraging these services can help augment your offerings without breaking your budget.
3.Clear Communication Channels:
Establishing clear communication channels is pivotal for effective Salesforce management. Create a dedicated channel or platform for staff members to discuss Salesforce-related concerns, share insights, and ask questions. This fosters collaboration and ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding updates, changes, or new implementations within the Salesforce system.
4.Regular Performance Reviews and Feedback:
Implementing regular performance reviews and feedback sessions is beneficial for both staff development and Salesforce optimization. Use these sessions to assess staff proficiency in using Salesforce, identify areas for improvement, and address any challenges they may be facing. Encourage an open dialogue where staff can share their experiences and provide feedback on how Salesforce can better serve their needs.
5.Role-Specific Training Tracks:
Recognizing that different staff members have varied roles within a non-profit organization, develop role-specific training tracks for Salesforce users. Tailor training content to align with the responsibilities of each role, whether it’s donor relations, program management, or finance. This ensures that staff members receive training relevant to their specific tasks, enhancing their efficiency and confidence in using Salesforce.
6.Documentation and Knowledge Base:
Maintain a comprehensive documentation and knowledge base accessible to all Salesforce users. Document specific processes, workflows, and troubleshooting steps. This serves as a valuable resource for staff to find answers independently, reducing the reliance on dedicated support for common issues. Regularly update the documentation to incorporate changes in processes or new features.
7.Continuous Learning Opportunities:
Encourage a culture of continuous learning within your non-profit organization. Provide opportunities for staff to attend webinars, workshops, or industry conferences focused on Salesforce best practices. Investing in ongoing education ensures that your team remains informed about the latest Salesforce developments and can apply new strategies to enhance non-profit operations.
8.User Support and Helpdesk Services:
Establish a user support system or helpdesk services dedicated to addressing Salesforce-related queries and challenges. Having a designated point of contact for staff members to reach out to when they encounter issues ensures prompt resolution and prevents disruptions in non-profit operations. Consider incorporating a ticketing system to track and manage support requests efficiently.
9.Regular System Audits:
Conduct regular system audits to evaluate the efficiency and integrity of your Salesforce implementation. Identify areas of improvement, such as optimizing workflows, streamlining data entry processes, or integrating additional functionalities. System audits help maintain a clean and well-organized Salesforce instance, contributing to enhanced usability and performance.
10.Community Engagement and Networking:
Encourage your Salesforce staff to engage with the broader Salesforce community. Networking with other non-profit organizations using Salesforce can provide valuable insights, best practices, and solutions to common challenges. Participation in community forums, events, or user groups fosters a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing becomes a two-way street.
11.Security Awareness and Compliance:
Prioritize security awareness and compliance training for Salesforce users. Safeguarding sensitive donor information and maintaining compliance with data protection regulations are paramount in the non-profit sector. Regularly update staff on security best practices, such as secure password management and data encryption, to mitigate the risk of data breaches.
12.Integration with Other Tools:
Explore opportunities for integrating Salesforce with other tools and software used within your non-profit organization. This may include financial management systems, communication platforms, or project management tools. Seamless integration enhances the overall efficiency of your operations, allowing staff to work cohesively across different applications.
13.Agile Adaptation to Updates:
Salesforce regularly releases updates and new features to enhance its functionality. Foster an agile mindset within your Salesforce staff, encouraging them to adapt quickly to changes. Provide training sessions focused on new features and updates as they are rolled out, ensuring that staff can leverage the full potential of Salesforce’s evolving capabilities.
14.Data Quality and Cleanup Initiatives:
Maintain a proactive approach to data quality within Salesforce. Implement regular data cleanup initiatives to remove duplicate records, outdated information, or inaccuracies. This not only ensures that your Salesforce data is reliable but also contributes to the overall efficiency of your non-profit organization’s decision-making processes.
15.Recognition and Acknowledgment:
Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of your Salesforce staff. Recognizing their efforts in optimizing Salesforce for non-profit operations boosts morale and motivation. Consider implementing an acknowledgment system, such as employee of the month awards or team recognition events, to highlight the positive impact of their Salesforce management efforts.
In conclusion, managing Salesforce staff in non-profit organizations involves a combination of strategic training, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By implementing these best practices, non-profit leaders can empower their teams to harness the full potential of Salesforce, ultimately contributing to the success of their organization’s mission.
16.Recognition and Rewards Programs
Recognizing your Salesforce staff for their achievements can be a great, low-cost way to appreciate your team members. Use recognition programs to boost morale and make your employees feel valued and appreciated. It can be as simple as a public shout-out during a staff meeting or an email announcement recognizing an employee’s hard work and dedication.
Rewards or incentives for exceptional performance can also be a powerful motivator. For example, establish a “Salesforce Star of the Month” program to recognize outstanding contributions and reward the recipient with a small bonus or special recognition. The pitfall to avoid with rewards programs is to avoid the perception of favouritism or politics. The best way to do this is to tie the rewards to clear, measurable goals.
In Summary
Managing Salesforce staff in non-profit organizations involves a combination of strategic training, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By implementing these best practices, non-profit leaders can empower their teams to harness the full potential of Salesforce, ultimately contributing to the success of their organization’s mission.
Recruit Top Salesforce Staff for Your Non-profit Organization
At Tech2, we understand your non-profit has unique requirements. You need the right individuals with the crucial skills for success. We can help your non-profit organization find the perfect Salesforce talent so you can focus on your mission. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and desired outcomes.
