There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Salesforce is the world’s leading customer relationship management (CRM) solution. According to Forbes, Salesforce now has more than 19 percent share of the CRM market. The online business publication also revealed that Salesforce grew faster than other CRM solutions in 2018, increasing its revenue by over 23%. Following is an illustration of this:

The Salesforce Job Market is Growing

With this increased demand for Salesforce worldwide, the demand for Salesforce developers across the globe is also increasing. According to a recent study by the International Data Corporation (IDC), there has been a huge increase in jobs that require Salesforce skills, and the Salesforce ecosystem is predicted to 3.3 million new jobs and over $850 billion in revenues worldwide by 2022. Following is an infographic illustrating this:

From the above infographic, we find that 3.3 million new jobs are predicted to be created in the Salesforce economy by 2022. This is 1.4 million more than 1.9 million new jobs prediction for 2020. An important factor in this increased growth in Salesforce-related jobs will be the increase in Salesforce mobile adoption and Salesforce mobile adoption.

With more businesses adopting Salesforce mobile, the top app development companies will have to start hiring app developers with Salesforce skills. They also need to fill some other roles at the mobile app development company, with people having some level of expertise in Salesforce

It isn’t just IDC that sees a bright future for Salesforce developers and other Salesforce professionals in the coming days, months, and years. Burning Glass Technologies, an analytics software company, also indicates in a 2016 study that the demand for Salesforce skills is on the way.

Knowing the People That Make Up a Salesforce Project Team

Successful Salesforce implementation requires proper planning and a lot of commitment. This means having the right combination of people, processes, and technology. The people part is especially important because it can be the difference between success and failure. The aim should be to build the perfect Salesforce project team.

In other words, Salesforce implementation requires the right people with the right skills. Additionally, members of the implementation team must complement each other in the right ways. Below are the most important people of a Salesforce project team and how they complement other team members.

1. Program Manager or Salesforce Administrator

The Program Manager or Salesforce Administrator is the most important member of any Salesforce project. This is especially true for projects involving a large team with a lot of different roles. The Program Manager is responsible for scheduling, coordination, and communication. Additionally, they ensure that everything occurs according to the plan. This makes things easier for other members of the project team.

2. Network Engineer or answer creator

The Solution Architect is the second most important member of a Salesforce project team. They know the ins and out of the different business models. Additionally, they have good knowledge of the Salesforce platform.

In addition to the above, the Solution Architect can collaborate with a Salesforce consultant to design a technical solution that enables the robust use of Salesforce. Additionally, they can work with an analyst to ensure the system’s successful configuration. The importance of a Solution Architect is discussed in a bit more detail later as this role is the most critical for successful Salesforce project implementation

3. Salesforce Analyst

The analyst is responsible for the Salesforce configuration. This includes the configuration of the dashboards, fields, reports, third-party apps, automation, and objects. The analyst is also responsible for testing and making changes. Additionally, they collaborate with the consultant to ensure that the solution is built to meet the exact needs of the client. A Salesforce Analyst is one of the Salesforce-specific roles that many app development companies are looking to fill today.

4. Salesforce Developer

The Salesforce Developer is another key member of the Salesforce project team. This is because Salesforce Developers are the ones that write the code when it is required in a Salesforce project. The developer teams up with the technical lead to understand the requirement. This is followed by the execution of the requirement.

5. Technical Lead

Another key member of the Salesforce project team is the Technical Lead. The main responsibility of a Technical Lead is customizing Salesforce integrations. They are also responsible for enabling additional platform functionality. In short, a Technical Lead is a Solution Architect who knows how to code.

6. Salesforce advisor

The consultant bridges the gap between the available technical solutions and the needs of the business. They work with the client to understand their process and pain points. This allows them to determine the best way to use Salesforce to meet the goals of the client. In most cases, the consultant is the client’s main point of contact throughout the entire project.

These are the six most important roles in a Salesforce project team. Ideally, the people assuming these roles will constantly communicate with each other to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Effective collaboration will allow the project members to meet the client’s goals and the highest levels of success.

What Makes the Salesforce Solution Architect the Most Important Member of the Salesforce Project Implementation Team

We briefly mentioned this in the previous section. Successful Salesforce project implementation requires project members to collaborate effectively. It also requires them to take the initiative based on their importance to the Salesforce project. The three people that need to take the most initiative on a Salesforce project are the Program Manager, Salesforce Developer, and the Solution Architect.

Overall, the role of the Solution Architect is the most critical to the successful implementation and integration of Salesforce. This is because the Solution Architect is the Salesforce project team member responsible for the overall technical design of the project. Additionally, they are responsible for building custom elements of the project.

The Solution Architect is a strategic role that works across marketing, sales, and delivery. They provide technical guidance to develop Salesforce to support business and product strategies. Additionally, they are required to lead technical requirements gathering and supervision. They also supervise and approve application maintenance and system design documentation.

The Solution Architect delivers the desired solution to the customer through the Program Manager and other supporting team members. Below are some key responsibilities assumed by a Salesforce Solution Architect.

1. Definition

The Solution Architect works with businesses and their IT team to identify their needs. They also define the technical solution and business architectures needed to meet these needs.

2. Delivery

The Solution Architect can help to deliver the complete Salesforce implementations. They do this by managing and leading teams from start to finish.

3. Sales and Business Development

The Solution Architect supports sales and business development teams. They do this by presenting viable Salesforce solutions and proposals.

4. Internal Resource Development

The Solution Architect can support the sales reps to convert leads and prospects. They do this by defining and executing internal resource development.

5. Internal Collateral Development

The Salesforce Solution Architect can help to enhance the service offering by assisting the front office. The assistance includes collateral for sales and delivery that can be commoditization and reused across several projects and clients.

It is critical to have the right people on your Salesforce project team to ensure successful Salesforce implementation/integration. One such person is the Salesforce Solution Architect, and they are critical to the success of Salesforce implementation/integration due to the reasons mentioned above.

Why the Demand for Salesforce and Related Skills Are on the Way Up

By now, we know that the demand for Salesforce and related skills are on the way up. But what is the reason for this? The 2019 Salesforce Economic Impact study by IDC provides some answers. Increased revenue generation is a major reason more and more companies today are making the shift to Salesforce CRM. According to IDC, business revenue from the use of Salesforce Cloud Services from 2019 through 2024 will add up to $1.2 trillion to the Salesforce economy. Following is an illustration of this:

From the above graph, we find that $1.2 trillion will be added to the global Salesforce economy by the business revenue generated from the use of Salesforce Cloud between year-end 2018 and year-end 2024. Another important finding of the IDC study is that 4.2 million new jobs will be created during this period

In 2019, North America was the biggest spender in the global Salesforce Economy; it was also the Salesforce economy’s biggest beneficiary. Following is a graph showing this:

From the above graph, we find that the North American region was the highest spender on Salesforce in 2019 and also its biggest beneficiary. Of the overall spending on IT globally, 38% was spent by businesses in North America. The region’s percentage of spending on cloud software was 68% of the overall spending, and it was the recipient of 60% of the overall benefits that came from the use of Salesforce Cloud.

Western Europe was some way off in second place. Brazil and Mexico came in third place. The fourth position was shared by Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the remaining share was made up by the rest of the world.

The purpose of proving these figures is to let you know about the biggest market for Salesforce developers and other Salesforce-specific roles detailed above. In addition to the most promising regions for Salesforce developers and other Salesforce-specific roles, you may want to know the industries/sectors with the greatest demand for Salesforce developers; this includes the app developers with expertise in Salesforce implementation and integration. Following is a breakdown of the Salesforce economy spending and benefits by industry in 2019 provided by IDC.

From the above graph, we find that the industry that spent the most on Salesforce and experienced the greatest benefit from it in 2019 was the financial sector. Of the overall spending on cloud software by industries throughout the Salesforce economy, the finance industry had a 19% share; it also had a 19% of the overall benefits experience by industries from the use of Salesforce Cloud.

Manufacturing was a close second in terms of Salesforce spending and benefits. However, Retail/Wholesale was some way off the top two in third place. The media industry took fourth place, followed by the government sector, healthcare, and the rest.

Looking at the above findings, we can say that the greatest demand for Salesforce developers and other Salesforce-specific roles is in the finance sector. There are also good opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

So, it is established that the use of Salesforce and the demand for Salesforce-related skills across regions and industries is increasing. What we at yet to establish is what is causing this? Increased sales revenue is one factor, and we have mentioned this above. However, that is not the only reason for the increased use of Salesforce and demand for people with related skills. Following are the three main reasons the demand for Salesforce and related skills are on the way up:

1. Growing Revenue

Managing contacts is no longer sufficient to keep customers engaged and build a long-term relationship with them. A lot more is needed today. For businesses today, it is critical to have a smart CRM solution that can not only identify potential customers but can also provide valuable insights that allow customization of services according to the customer. By making this possible, Salesforce is helping companies worldwide to increase their sales and revenues. The demand for Salesforce and related skills is increasing every day as more and more companies are finding out about the above-mentioned capabilities of Salesforce.

2. Increasing client Satisfaction

The primary goal of any business is to ensure client/customer satisfaction. Salesforce makes this easy by allowing businesses to meet the needs of their customers quickly and on the go. With Salesforce mobile or a Salesforce integrated with other business databases, companies everywhere can improve customer satisfaction to levels never achieved before. This is increasing the demand for Salesforce mobile and app development companies that have app developers with Salesforce skills.

3. Guaranteeing a decent come on Investment (ROI)

There are several ways in which Salesforce makes things easier for businesses everywhere. Some of these ways include lead generation, customer behavior anticipation, and tracking of customer and business sales activity. All this helps to improve customer loyalty.

In addition to the above, businesses are not required to buy any hardware or download any software to provide their sales reps and other users with access to the Salesforce CRM solution. Instead, the Salesforce solution works on the cloud, saving the businesses hardware and software costs. This ultimately results in a good return on investment as the adoption and use of Salesforce is known to increase business revenue.

This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other reasons the demand for Salesforce and related skills are on the way up. However, the reason listed above is the biggest motivators for businesses today to invest in a Salesforce solution and hire dedicated developers skilled Salesforce.

Why a Successful Consultant is Needed to Implement and Integrate Salesforce for Your Business Successfully

Salesforce is easily the most popular CRM today. This is because Salesforce can provide great insight into customer preferences and their purpose of visiting websites. Additionally, the CRM platform allows organizations to store key information related to business contacts. This includes their user information, the industry they belong to, the products they sell, and the contacts they have within the company. However, a Salesforce consultant is needed to make the use of the Salesforce CRM platform.

Most companies start Salesforce implementation by properly training the workforce and then rolling out the system. Companies take people away from their regular responsibilities and instead turn their focus towards the implementation of Salesforce. Even then, there is no guarantee of successful Salesforce implementation.

As a result, more and more companies today are working with Salesforce consultants to ensure successful Salesforce implementation. What is the role of the consultant in Salesforce implementation? The Salesforce consultant arranges or provides the support a business needs for successful Salesforce implementation and user adoption.

The consultant ensures a successful Salesforce CRM by providing the technical and non-technical implementation help needed by a business. Salesforce can help any business to grow, but only if it is implemented properly. Proper implementation of Salesforce is something a Salesforce consultant can ensure. There are several advantages of using a Salesforce consultant for businesses. Below are some of the top reasons that companies give for working with a Salesforce consultant or advisor.

1. The Ability to Act Fast and Save Time

One of the biggest benefits of working with a Salesforce consultant is the ability to act fast and save time. Salesforce consultants have an incredible response rate, which saves organizations a lot of time in Salesforce implementation and user adoption. They ensure that no time is wasted by providing an extremely fast response rate.

Salesforce consultants are highly qualified professionals experienced in the implementation and use of Salesforce. They know all the ins and outs of Salesforce implementation and user adoption. In the past, businesses did not prefer using consultants for Salesforce implementation because they would take a lot of time to produce the desired results. Companies not only had to perform thorough research to find a good consultant, but they also had to wait to send and receive the required information.

However, things are changing. Today, Salesforce consultants are much faster and proactive. They allow businesses to implement any new changes quickly. Additionally, they make sure that all authorized users have 24/7 access to the data they need. Most importantly, Salesforce consultants allow you to stay on top of your competition.

2. Expert Advice in Decision Making

You will have to make several key decisions when you want to expand your business. This may include having to make changes to your Salesforce CRM platform. A Salesforce consultant can relieve you of this problem by ensuring seamless development and transition of the Salesforce platform for business and related operations.

Hiring Salesforce consulting services will make it easier for you to make decisions regarding Salesforce that affect your business. This is because these services have a team of seasoned Salesforce advisors. These advisors or consultants have helped hundreds of companies to implement and use Salesforce successfully.

In short, working with a Salesforce consultant will pay off big time. However, this does not mean that you cannot make any decision on your own. Instead, it means that you can get expert help when making decisions related to Salesforce implementation or use. This will ensure that you invest in resources and Salesforce strategies that are truly worth it.

3. Having QualityOutside Perspective

Business owners and other key decision-makers are often required to make a clear decision. However, the possibility of being subjective in ideas can make this a hard task. This is where a Salesforce consultant can help. The consultant will not be subjective in their idea. Instead, they will come up with an objective perspective by analyzing the underlying strategies and ideas. This allows the consultant to know if a strategy or idea is doable and beneficial for the business.

4. Ability to Fix Several Problems

Business owners can make easy judgments about their business by getting an unbiased opinion from an outside consultant. This, in turn, will allow them to address several critical issues. The outcome of this is reduced business risk and money saved. A Salesforce consultant will allow you to know about the problems that exist in your Salesforce implementation and use. However, you will decide whether to go ahead with the resolution/elimination of these problems or not.

5. Accurate and Timely Solution to Problems

One of the biggest reasons to hire a Salesforce consultant is ensuring accurate and timely solutions to problems. The solutions are guaranteed, and they are tailored according to the unique problems of your business.

6. Increased Customer Loyalty

You are probably surprised by this. After all, how can a Salesforce consultant increase customer loyalty? Well, you better believe it because it is true. Salesforce consultants positively impact the communication between a business and its customers across different channels. This helps to increase customer loyalty. Salesforce consultants also help businesses to streamline their processes. Additionally, they allow businesses to manage relationships with vendors and suppliers in an efficient manner.

7. Experienced and Valuable External Service Provider

The final benefit of using a Salesforce consultant is getting access to an experienced and valuable service provider. While business owners can make decisions about Salesforce on their own, getting help from an outside consultant can do wonders for them.  The consultant will provide appropriate recommendations for improvements by thoroughly understanding your problem. There is a little that can top that.

As seen above, working with a Salesforce consultant has many advantages. A Salesforce consultant can help your organization in all aspects of Salesforce, which will allow you to get the most out of the Salesforce CRM solution.

Conclusion

From the above information, we find that the demand for Salesforce and related skills are on the way up. There are many opportunities for Salesforce Developers and other professionals with Salesforce-specific skills today. There are also several advantages for businesses to hire Salesforce Developers and other Salesforce professionals.

In this research on the demand for Salesforce Developers and other Salesforce-Specific roles, we discussed the growing Salesforce job market, the people that make up a Salesforce project team, and the importance of Salesforce Solution Architect in a Salesforce project team. We also discussed the main reasons the demand for Salesforce and related skills are on the way up, the importance of a Salesforce consultant in successfully implementing, and integrating Salesforce for your business, the qualities to look for in a Salesforce Developer, and the demand for Salesforce app development and related skills today.