By Mike Cerruti, Software Solutions Manager
I just finished reading a book on leadership that discusses using advanced technology to help humanity. The book also made the point of doing something because it had always been done that way is not a good reason; it was about doing less, better.
How many things that we do, that could be reduced, made more efficient, or eliminated, and still deliver the same level of customer service that our clients have grown to expect.
Reports are an area where we do less, better. How many reports do we create on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis? Do they serve a business purpose? Check with our target audience. Are they nice, useful or necessary? Are they actually used by their target audience? Think about the time it takes to generate a report, and the frequency it is distributed.
Once the necessary reports are identified find out if they are useful, timely or even necessary. If a report is useful, how often do they want the report, and actually do something with the information? Maybe the report contains good information but the requester can’t do anything with it as often as it is delivered. Maybe they need the information more frequent.
After you have this feedback, we need to look at a few ways to work less, better.
Does the report contain all the information that is needed for the business case? Can several reports be combined into one? Can the report be automated and scheduled? What would be the best delivery method?
Salesforce can generate many reports with a button click on demand. This makes the report available on an as need basis.
Using Conga, a third party application that is integrated into Salesforce the Software Solutions team can generate an Excel spreadsheet, Word document, or PowerPoint presentation. The document can be delivered on a schedule, workflow event or button click.
Doing less, better? We’ve determined the business case for a report, and justifying your job shouldn’t depend on a report. The Software Solutions team can design the report for automation purposes. Then create a process based on the delivery method; on demand, workflow based, schedule, or a combination of any or all the methods.
Salesforce Tip
Did you know that your work extension is on your Contact Record? Instead of calling reception to be transferred or ask for an extension you can use Salesforce. Search for the employee you want to call. On the contact record, right side near the top is a list of contact phone numbers. The SIS Extension is listed as the Work Phone Extension.
If you have any questions or suggestions that will make you more efficient at your job, and make your day easier, please contact the Software Solutions team as sfadmin@sis.us. No project is too small or idea too big for us to consider. The answer might not always be yes, and a no might just mean we don’t know how to do it today. Never under estimate the possible. Dream big!
Love the Salesforce Tip! This could be fun to also add to the Messages and Alerts section Thanks Mike Great Article! Erin (HR)