Salesforce dominates the global CRM market, with over 150,000 companies and 3.3 million jobs relying on its innovative solutions. It’s no wonder Salesforce alone can lay claim to being the world’s number one CRM.

That’s why staying ahead of the curve is paramount for Salesforce org optimization. As we venture further into 2024, we’ve seen the trends we identified at the start of the year continue to reshape the landscape of how organizations harness the power of Salesforce. From enhancing user adoption to embracing iterative development methodologies and keeping pace with seasonal updates from Salesforce, let’s check in on how these trends are impacting Salesforce org optimization this year.

Start with your users to optimize ROI

User adoption remains a cornerstone of successful Salesforce implementations. In 2024, organizations are doubling down on strategies to enhance user adoption and drive engagement across all levels of the workforce. One notable trend is the emphasis on personalized user experiences tailored to individual roles and preferences. Companies are leveraging Salesforce’s robust customization capabilities to create intuitive interfaces that resonate with end-users, thus fostering a sense of ownership and familiarity.

Moreover, the integration of AI-driven insights within Salesforce workflows is gaining traction. By harnessing AI tools like Salesforce Einstein, organizations can surface actionable intelligence, predictive analytics, and personalized recommendations directly within the platform. This empowers users to make data-driven decisions in real-time, thereby amplifying productivity and driving better business outcomes.

Another pivotal aspect of user adoption is ongoing training and support. Organizations are investing in comprehensive training programs and intuitive self-help resources to empower users with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage Salesforce effectively. Furthermore, gamification techniques, such as badges and leaderboards, are being employed to incentivize continuous learning and encourage active participation within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Our change management practitioners—just one part of our larger Business Transformation Services practice—are skilled at navigating these changes and honing in on the people side of change at every step. Get in touch to see how you can better harness user adoption within your org. 

Consider iterative development options

the paradigm of software development within the Salesforce ecosystem continues to evolve towards iterative methodologies. Agile, Scrum, and DevOps practices are increasingly becoming the norm, enabling organizations to deliver value incrementally while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.

A notable trend is the collaborative partnership between organizations and certified consultant partners. These partnerships extend beyond traditional vendor-client relationships, fostering a culture of co-innovation and shared success. Consultant partners, like Simplus, bring a wealth of expertise and best practices to the table, guiding organizations through the intricacies of Salesforce development and optimization.

Furthermore, the rise of low-code and no-code platforms is democratizing app development within the Salesforce ecosystem. Citizen developers, equipped with intuitive tools like Salesforce Lightning App Builder and Flow Builder, can prototype, iterate, and deploy custom solutions with minimal reliance on IT resources. This accelerates the pace of innovation and empowers business users to drive digital transformation initiatives from within.

Don’t underestimate the impact of seasonal updates

Enterprise businesses often operate on a grand scale, with intricate systems and processes in place. However, amidst the complexity, it’s crucial not to underestimate the significance of Salesforce seasonal updates. These updates aren’t just about adding new features; they represent an opportunity to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Each update brings enhancements, bug fixes, and security patches that can streamline operations, improve user experience, and bolster data integrity. Ignoring these updates can lead to compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, and missed opportunities to leverage the latest innovations. For enterprise businesses aiming to maintain their edge, embracing Salesforce seasonal updates is not just advisable—it’s imperative for staying ahead of the curve and driving sustained growth. You can read more about the highlights of the latest Summer ‘24 update with overviews for each industry on our blog. 

2024 is continuing to be a transformative year for Salesforce org optimization, driven by a relentless focus on user adoption, iterative development methodologies, and staying abreast of seasonal updates from Salesforce. By embracing these trends and harnessing the full potential of the Salesforce platform, organizations can unlock new opportunities, drive efficiencies, and propel their digital transformation journey forward.