7 Key Ways to Boost Your Salesforce CRM for Better Operations and ROI

Salesforce can be a game-changer for mid-market and small enterprises, but many find it tough to get the most out of it. If your team is frustrated by messy data, manual tasks, or lackluster results, you're not alone. Let's dive into seven practical ways to turn your Salesforce CRM into a powerful tool for efficiency, insights, and real financial returns.

Why Your Salesforce CRM May Not Be Delivering Results

Many mid-market and enterprise organizations invest heavily in Salesforce but still fall short on performance. Common issues include feeling like the system is a waste of money, having overwhelmed admin teams, and spending too much time on repetitive tasks instead of strategic work.

Data quality problems, like duplicates or incomplete records, are a major hurdle for nonprofits, often worsened by disconnected systems. Healthcare organizations face similar challenges with fragmented tools, leading to slow decisions and extra manual effort.

The issue often isn't the software itself, but how it's set up and used. Focusing on small fixes instead of big-picture goals can make Salesforce feel like a burden. A strategic shift to prioritize outcomes over features can change that. Book a consultation to see how targeted optimization can improve your Salesforce experience.

Organizations that rethink their approach see clear benefits, like better data for decisions, automated workflows, stronger system connections, and smarter choices driven by insights. Moving past basic upkeep to advanced features is the key to unlocking value.

7 Practical Steps to Improve Salesforce Performance and ROI

1. Streamline Salesforce Mobile for Better Team Use

Mobile adoption often lags when field teams find Salesforce hard to use on the go. This causes delayed data entry, missing information, and slower operations. Without tailored mobile setups, your CRM data suffers, impacting decisions.

Custom mobile layouts and role-based profiles make the app easier to use, boosting adoption. Simplified data entry, key field prioritization, and offline access help teams stay productive anywhere.

For healthcare, field nurses can log patient details right after visits. Nonprofits benefit as volunteers capture event data on-site, even without a signal.

Equals 11 builds mobile-friendly Salesforce setups for faster, more accurate data capture. With the National Kidney Foundation, we revamped mobile workflows and custom profiles, dramatically improving field data collection.

2. Use AI for Actionable Predictions with Einstein Prediction Builder

Many organizations want AI's benefits but don't know where to start. Without predictive tools, teams react to issues after they happen, missing chances to act early on risks like patient drop-off or donor loss.

Einstein Prediction Builder creates custom models using past data to spot trends, helping teams act before problems grow. Healthcare can predict no-shows or readmissions, while nonprofits can flag donors likely to stop giving.

Equals 11 guides clients in using Einstein Prediction Builder to shift from reaction to prevention, focusing on measurable results for high-value contacts, whether patients or donors.

3. Guide Teams with Salesforce Next Best Action

Frontline staff often waste time on low-priority tasks due to unclear next steps. This inconsistency leads to missed chances and lower productivity.

Next Best Action offers real-time suggestions based on data, helping staff focus on high-impact actions. Healthcare teams might get prompts to confirm visits or refer patients, while nonprofit reps could be nudged to follow up with key donors via SMS or calls.

Equals 11 sets up Next Best Action to align workflows with your specific goals, ensuring every interaction counts through smart, data-driven guidance.

4. Cut Admin Work with AI and Automation

Too much time on routine tasks like data entry or drafting emails drags down productivity. Staff should focus on high-value work, not paperwork.

Generative AI and automation handle repetitive jobs, like creating case notes or pulling up key info for decisions. In healthcare, AI can summarize patient histories. Nonprofits can automate donor thank-yous or volunteer follow-ups.

Equals 11 implements Agentforce and AI tools to automate mundane tasks, freeing teams to focus on impact. Our solutions prioritize practical results tied to your goals.

5. Improve Data Quality and Connect Systems

Unreliable data across disconnected systems leads to bad reports, weak decisions, and compliance risks. Duplicates or gaps in records erode trust in your CRM.

Tackling data issues through audits, deduplication, and integration builds a reliable single source of truth. Ongoing monitoring keeps quality high. Nonprofits face significant data challenges that need thorough strategies.

Healthcare can link CRM, EHR, and billing systems for clean patient data. Nonprofits gain from connecting donor and event data for better engagement tracking.

Equals 11 solves data problems with deduplication, enrichment, and system integration, ensuring trustworthy Salesforce data for decisions and supporting AI tools.

6. Build Stronger Connections with Personalized Engagement

Generic outreach fails to engage stakeholders, missing chances to build lasting bonds. One-size-fits-all communication often falls flat.

Combining data from across your organization creates a full view of each person, allowing tailored interactions that respect their history and preferences. Healthcare can adapt messaging to patient needs, while nonprofits can craft appeals based on donor pasts.

Equals 11 integrates data for personalized engagement, strengthening trust with patients or donors through interactions that feel relevant and meaningful.

7. Plan Projects with Clear ROI Goals

Many Salesforce projects lack focus on financial returns, leading to endless requests with no clear benefit. This wastes time and money on efforts that don't align with objectives.

An ROI-focused design ties features to outcomes like higher donations or efficiency gains. Strategic roadmaps pinpoint challenges, highlight impactful opportunities, and sequence tasks for quick wins and long-term goals.

Equals 11 turns feature requests into measurable initiatives, ensuring every Salesforce investment delivers value through a focus on outcomes over additions.

Why Partner with Equals 11 for Salesforce Optimization?

Equals 11 helps organizations maximize Salesforce with technical skills, strategic planning, and reliable delivery. As one of about 100 global Salesforce partners with over 600 certified engineers, we offer both depth and a tailored approach.

Here's what makes Equals 11 different:

• Outcome Focus: We target business impact, understanding your challenges before building solutions for measurable returns.
• AI and Salesforce Knowledge: Our team excels in Einstein AI, Prediction Builder, and Agentforce for cutting-edge results.
• Strong Project Handling: Clients consistently praise our clear communication and quick responses.
• Adaptable Resources: Our partner network lets us scale to your needs without delays.
• Solid Results: Named Clutch's Top CRM Consulting Firm for three years, reflecting ongoing client trust.

A client shared this feedback: "Equals 11 evaluated our Salesforce rail-logistics prototype and built a roadmap for a SaaS product. Their mix of strategy and technical depth gave us a build-vs-buy matrix, agile backlog, and cost model no other partner offered."

Clients often turn to Equals 11 after disappointing experiences elsewhere, valuing our grasp of business needs and precise delivery. Book a consultation to see how we can help.

Common Questions About Salesforce Optimization

How Soon Can You Expect ROI from Salesforce Improvements?

ROI timelines depend on project scope, but most see gains within 3 to 6 months. Simple updates like mobile tweaks or basic automation bring quick results, while complex AI or data projects may take 6 to 12 months for significant returns. Focus on high-impact areas tied to your main goals for faster outcomes.

What’s the Difference Between Managed Services and One-Time Salesforce Projects?

Consulting projects tackle specific goals, like data moves or AI setups, within set timeframes. Managed services offer continuous support, maintenance, and tweaks to keep Salesforce delivering value through regular checks and updates.

How Do You Maintain Data Quality Without Disrupting Work?

Improving data quality takes careful steps to avoid interruption. We start with audits to spot issues, then roll out fixes like automated deduplication in phases. Testing in sandbox settings and working off-hours keeps daily tasks running smoothly.

Which AI Tools Should Mid-Market Companies Focus on in Salesforce?

Mid-market firms should target AI with quick impact. Einstein Prediction Builder helps spot risks or opportunities. Next Best Action guides consistent outreach. Automated data tools ease manual work and improve record accuracy.

How Can Organizations Avoid Salesforce Adoption Pitfalls?

Strong adoption hinges on user experience and process fit. Common errors include overloading features at once and skipping training. Prioritize mobile ease, involve users in design, and fix data issues early to build trust in the system.

Ready to Enhance Your Salesforce Results?

Your Salesforce CRM holds potential to improve operations, sharpen decision-making, and deliver solid returns. The seven steps covered here offer proven ways to go beyond basic use and tap into advanced tools.

If you're dealing with low usage, data issues, overstretched teams, or AI uncertainty, strategic planning and skilled execution are essential. Successful organizations focus on outcomes and work with partners who blend tech know-how with business sense.

Don't let Salesforce sit as an unused expense when it can drive growth and efficiency. Waiting to optimize only increases missed opportunities.

Contact Equals 11 Today for a Salesforce Optimization Demo! We'll review your setup, pinpoint key improvements, and craft a roadmap to make your CRM a vital decision tool for your team.