Bill Clinton famously said "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. " Where his point was the tense of the word meant 'is' it happening currently, not same meaning as 'was' something happen several years ago.
When it come to communication words have the meaning we give them, so it all depends on your definition. This is why in an IT project we have a data definition library but its often the common everyday words that can cause the most trouble, if not defined.
Example 1:
Jack: Are you using the your server slice.
Jill: Yes.
Jack: Are you using the your server slice Today.
Jill: No.
In Example 1, Jack wants to use Jill's Server Slice to do some work right now, however, Jack never says that, so Jill thinks Jack is trying to get ride Slices that will never be used. Difference being: can I 'have' the that slice VS can I 'borrow' that slice. Yes, this conversation actually happened:)
Example 2:
Jill: We can not use this tool because its not enterprise.
Jack: What's your definition of enterprise?
Jill: The tool doesn't say its enterprise.
Jack: I could contact the developer and ask to add the word 'enterprise' to the tool's description.
Jill: I see, we need better criteria. It needs to be supported and recommend by Salesforce.
Jack: Well, here is a recommendation on the Salesforce wiki. Now what's your definition for support? Do you mean online documentation like on the tools website?
In Example 2 Jack has recommended a tool to auto load files into salesforce. Jack is really trying to understand Jill's definitions by both offering suggestions and asking questions for criteria to understand the root cause. Also note that Jack 'accepts' the definition given by Jill and never 'tells' Jill its a poor definition or 'dumb idea'. Jill quickly realized that the definition of enterprise needed to be more then just a keyword and came up with real criteria that added value and minimized the risk of using the tool. Enterprise companies should always have criteria for evaluating a software program and tools they uses so they can compare the options when making a decision.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Google maps error inside salesforce and other systems!
Remember all those Google maps you had inside your Salesforce org. Well Google change their Terms and conditions and just like Google ad words, well you can guess were this is going. Basically if you've been using Google maps inside your SalesForce org, you now need a Google Business License to not get an error when you keep using it. (Rumored to be at about 10k). Worse then that is that most apps on the app exchange that use Google may not be using the correct license so when this change in conditions happens on February 1 you'll be getting an error page. The “Find Nearby - Accounts, Contacts, Leads” has been confirmed to be an app that will not fit these new terms and conditions. One could try to modify the app to open the map in on Google's website instead of in Salesforce (Unmanaged Version https://github.com/scarstens/FindNearby). Other apps and even the popular Visual Force page on the Account or Contact view summary page may have used similar code and therefor also be in error soon. I'd imagine this not limited to just Salesforce, as any system using the Google Maps API to display a Google map would be having this error. Links to Google map will still work.
You can read the full warning that Salesforce is sending to its users below:
{Original Source on Salesforce Communities https://success.salesforce.com/_ui/core/chatter/groups/GroupProfilePage?g=0F9300000001qWn&fId=0D53000001NK2yY}
Google Maps API Terms of Service
At salesforce.com, your success is our top priority, and we are committed to working with you to identify which features will help you best achieve your business goals. We want to notify you of an important change regarding the availability and support of the Google Maps API. Have you installed the
Some have questioned the authenticity and noted that Google contacts where unaware of the change and so were Salesforce Account Reps. I'm not sure as to what info is being left out of the above warning, and why.
You can read the full warning that Salesforce is sending to its users below:
{Original Source on Salesforce Communities https://success.salesforce.com/_ui/core/chatter/groups/GroupProfilePage?g=0F9300000001qWn&fId=0D53000001NK2yY}
Google Maps API Terms of Service
At salesforce.com, your success is our top priority, and we are committed to working with you to identify which features will help you best achieve your business goals. We want to notify you of an important change regarding the availability and support of the Google Maps API. Have you installed the
Some have questioned the authenticity and noted that Google contacts where unaware of the change and so were Salesforce Account Reps. I'm not sure as to what info is being left out of the above warning, and why.
Monday, August 5, 2013
5 tips for Independent Broker Dealer SalesForce Adoption
SalesForce Adoption is different when a company has Independent Broker Dealer. In a traditional adoption you can get management buy in. Often a key mistake is that assuming the user isn't logging in because the they don't want to, when in reality the user may not know how to log in. In theory a one time webinar is all you need to train a group of users spread out across the country; however, its important to make sure the users know the difference between training and a demo. Its also important to follow up with the users, that are not logging or otherwise not using the system correctly, to see if they need additional help.
Each user may have their own system or data source they need migrated to SalesForce. Data can always be added latter, but starting off with migrating existing data. An integration like outlook sync will increase user adoption, because otherwise the users will need to continue using the old system.
Additionally, users have a number options to share with each other that don't require an admin to set up. I had one user tell me SalesForce was useless until I showed him how to use personal groups.
Start by providing official notification of what the companies plans are and what the user should expect to receive and do (next steps). These plans should include training session dates and where log in comes from. Warn the user to check their spam for the the login and who to notify it it doesn't arrive be a certain date. For training give them multi time slots to choose from. Although its good to train an entire team at once, don't let one person delay the entire team. Some of these people are on the road a lot and their support user may be the one doing most of the work. By having multi training slots users have the option of repeating the the training; as well as, taking it at a time that is convenient to them.
Chatter groups are good a Questions and Answers, but be careful not to squish discussions. Often a mistake of help desk is to quickly say no it can't be done or spread fear of doing something. The goal is to encourage system use, and just because method is not yet a best practice doesn't mean it can't become one.
1 Help them make the right choice
A company that uses Independent Broker or Dealers often can't force the Broker or Dealers to use the software as these users often buy their own software or may be Independent contractors that work for several companies. In this case the Broker or Dealers are more like franchises or affiliates, where they need to be brought on one at a time or by the group of people they work with. Since these user have a choice, adoption is a cross between sales and business analyst. I find it useful to build upon what they know and assume they are unfamiliar with SalesForce terminology.2 Use terms they already know
They may be more familiar with excel and outlook so you can build upon that.Each user may have their own system or data source they need migrated to SalesForce. Data can always be added latter, but starting off with migrating existing data. An integration like outlook sync will increase user adoption, because otherwise the users will need to continue using the old system.
3 Invite their fellow associates
They may have their own, or several of them may share, a support Admin assistant or coordinator. These support user report to one or more brokers but from a SalesForce hierarchy they may need to be above the the users they support in order to do work on behalf of the user they support. Most new user won't know what SalesForce is, so don't waist time asking them if they want to share each object with their support user; instead, the choice is to either: share all with support or they don't want support. Permissions can always be changed latter, and you can start them off with no sharing if unsure.Some may actually work with different group for different reasons, including domain knowledge groups.Additionally, users have a number options to share with each other that don't require an admin to set up. I had one user tell me SalesForce was useless until I showed him how to use personal groups.
4 Be flexible
When bring on lots of brokers from various locations or across the globe, you need to be flexible in the use of the fields. While some fields will have specific meaning it good to give the users other fields that they can may use for filters for their own reporting needs. With large groups of users, that are use to doing things their own way, less customization is more flexibility. You can't please everyone but you can try to give them something that's useful to most.5 Train, follow up, and train
User may not be use getting a username and password from support@salesforce.com because they expect to be getting an official corporate email for security reasons. User may also mistake a training session for a demo with more information. Additionally user need to be activated in order for some permissions to be set up (like groups); so make sure users are set back to not active, if their Log In Email has not been sent out yet.Start by providing official notification of what the companies plans are and what the user should expect to receive and do (next steps). These plans should include training session dates and where log in comes from. Warn the user to check their spam for the the login and who to notify it it doesn't arrive be a certain date. For training give them multi time slots to choose from. Although its good to train an entire team at once, don't let one person delay the entire team. Some of these people are on the road a lot and their support user may be the one doing most of the work. By having multi training slots users have the option of repeating the the training; as well as, taking it at a time that is convenient to them.
Chatter groups are good a Questions and Answers, but be careful not to squish discussions. Often a mistake of help desk is to quickly say no it can't be done or spread fear of doing something. The goal is to encourage system use, and just because method is not yet a best practice doesn't mean it can't become one.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
SalesForce Users stop waiting on your admin to share records with a group or team
Tired of waiting on your admin to set up permission, well then take matters in to your own hands with Public Groups or Default teams. That's right, if you're in a private org, and need to share data with you co-workers in ways that only makes sense to you when your in the moment, on a record by record bases, then this is the solution you've been waiting for! Take control of your data by creating and using your own Public Groups or Default Teams (Default Account Teams and Default Opportunity Teams). If you want even more power over your sharing with a Team and Group, then have the admin auto add you to your own Default Account Teams. Now you can manually share with a single user, create Public groups or teams to manually share with several users or use teams to auto share with users. Never again will you need to wait for the admin or put up with limits on criteria based sharing rules (nor need to come up with criteria.) Best of all you can watch the below video & start sharing today!
Public Groups:
- Created By Admin
- All Users can use
- Great for sharing with Global, Domain knowledge or helper users
- Any user can share records with a Public Group
- Admins can user Public groups for sharing folders, List, email alerts, and more
Personal Groups:
- Created by 1 user for their own person use
- Seen Only by the Creator
- Great if you share with several different groups of people
Default teams:
- Created by User or Admin
- Only Admin can increase access level
- Great for if only on one team or need more power
Public Groups:
- Created By Admin
- All Users can use
- Great for sharing with Global, Domain knowledge or helper users
- Any user can share records with a Public Group
- Admins can user Public groups for sharing folders, List, email alerts, and more
Personal Groups:
- Created by 1 user for their own person use
- Seen Only by the Creator
- Great if you share with several different groups of people
Default teams:
- Created by User or Admin
- Only Admin can increase access level
- Great for if only on one team or need more power
Monday, June 3, 2013
Why Cloud isn't used for IT projects?
Traditionally making changes to software requires a tedious process of waiting on the IT depart to make any seaming little change. We in IT no that even the smallest change requires impact analyst. However, with Cloud based software like Facebook, SalesForce, LinkedIn, Google, and more, the IT department doesn't need to maintain and ignores the software.
For example, Marketer may be able to update the companies Facebook page with no help for the IT department; as a result the IT department is not kept in the loop as to what happens on Facebook. Therefor the Cloud Admin works in a silo without creating system documentation, collaborating with other IT, or being included in the companies current and future Roadmap plans.
Similarly SalesForce or other Clouds that could be used for company wide IT projects are seen as managed by the users; and therefor not considered or more importantly evaluated by the IT department. By being too easy for the user to use, the IT department does not need to be involved with the software, and therefor focuses on software that requires their attention. This results in a lack of interest and skill on the unfamiliar cloud & ultimately limits its use and growth to what the user can do on their own with what ever free time they have to do it. Further more, the cloud software admin is usually doing jobs so the time spent on changes is rushed instead of thought out for impact analyst.
Like it of not, the new Cloud admins may be part time with primary job as a Marketer, Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, or other. This means they are part of the IT department and should be included in the IT discussions for future company wide IT projects, and Cloud platforms considered as useful tools. The IT department doesn't need to learn how to develop in every platform as most of these don't require maintenance and you can always find a temporary contractor to find to do the work. Like with Agile development its the collaboration and impact analyst that is most important to the successful implementation of any project.
For example, Marketer may be able to update the companies Facebook page with no help for the IT department; as a result the IT department is not kept in the loop as to what happens on Facebook. Therefor the Cloud Admin works in a silo without creating system documentation, collaborating with other IT, or being included in the companies current and future Roadmap plans.
Similarly SalesForce or other Clouds that could be used for company wide IT projects are seen as managed by the users; and therefor not considered or more importantly evaluated by the IT department. By being too easy for the user to use, the IT department does not need to be involved with the software, and therefor focuses on software that requires their attention. This results in a lack of interest and skill on the unfamiliar cloud & ultimately limits its use and growth to what the user can do on their own with what ever free time they have to do it. Further more, the cloud software admin is usually doing jobs so the time spent on changes is rushed instead of thought out for impact analyst.
Like it of not, the new Cloud admins may be part time with primary job as a Marketer, Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, or other. This means they are part of the IT department and should be included in the IT discussions for future company wide IT projects, and Cloud platforms considered as useful tools. The IT department doesn't need to learn how to develop in every platform as most of these don't require maintenance and you can always find a temporary contractor to find to do the work. Like with Agile development its the collaboration and impact analyst that is most important to the successful implementation of any project.
Monday, May 6, 2013
What is SalesForce: an Excel & Outlook comparison
Many Salesforce beginner's don't know what SalesForce is, so but they do know what Excel and Outlook are; therefor I building upon what they know to teach them what they don't know.
The below video, briefly discusses quickly what is Salesforce.com.
It covers: (editable views) excel; Outlook (contacts, tasks and events); It builds upon outlook contacts to get companies/accounts; continues on to Opportunities and sharing.
I've been working a project recently, were I started verbally giving this explanation to user that didn't know what SalesForce, as part of streamlining on boarding new users. I wanted the video to limit its scope to the minimum info the users needed for out of the box functionality, so as not to confuse the users and to keep them focused. However, I believe this will make a good intro for anyone that doesn't know what SalesForce is, as big issue is people don't know what they are ordering until they see and taste it.
The below video, briefly discusses quickly what is Salesforce.com.
It covers: (editable views) excel; Outlook (contacts, tasks and events); It builds upon outlook contacts to get companies/accounts; continues on to Opportunities and sharing.
I've been working a project recently, were I started verbally giving this explanation to user that didn't know what SalesForce, as part of streamlining on boarding new users. I wanted the video to limit its scope to the minimum info the users needed for out of the box functionality, so as not to confuse the users and to keep them focused. However, I believe this will make a good intro for anyone that doesn't know what SalesForce is, as big issue is people don't know what they are ordering until they see and taste it.
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