Kickstart 2015 With These 5 Tips for Business Success

culled from:http://blogs.salesforce.com

1. Make Everyone an Analyst 

Big Data is driving actionable change across business all over the world. But the days where access to these critical data points was confined to highly-paid data analysts are long gone. Instead, business information should be in the hands of those who need it most that so they can take action and drive innovation forward. Both your service agents and salespeople can be a part of this "analytics for all" movement.
Your service agents are often the face of your company to its customers and prospects. In order to keep customer service processes on the cutting-edge, data are critical to identifying what is working well and what needs improvement. Salesforce integrates all of your service data in one place so that it is easily accessible for employees, partners and managers in the palm of their hand.
When it comes to data, salespeople can often feel like they're drinking from the fire hose. The problem isn't obtaining data, it's parsing through it to find the information the reps truly need. With robust filtering options and a best-in-class visual interface, identifying key data points is easier than ever.

2. Establish a Mobile-First Mindset 

Technology has made anywhere a possible workspace for your customers and your employees; the people that drive your business forward are increasingly reaching for their smartphone or tablet rather than their laptop, whether it's to browse Facebook, check in for a flight, or answer an email. Your employees and customers are adopting a mobile-first mindset, but what about your business?  Mobile should no longer be an afterthought, it needs to be the first step. Tools like Salesforce1 Lightning enable anyone in your company to build engaging apps that can run on any device — without even writing a single line of code.

3. Help Customers Help Themselves 

The benefits of giving your customers the tools to help themselves are plentiful: less case load for service agents, lower service costs, and more convenience for customers. But how do you get started? With a community, customers can easily find answers to their questions on their own—without having to pick up the phone. Customers can share knowledge amongst one another and service agents have access to the questions asked within the community to make sure that no question goes unanswered. Communities foster engagement and ensure a top-notch customer experience that provides your business with valuable insight.

4. Remember Who's Behind Each Device

The possibilities of connected devices are completely changing the way our world works. But it can be easy to get caught up in the new technology and the promise of the Internet of Things. The bottom line should always be the customer that is behind each and every one of these devices — and the engagement opportunity that your business can provide.

5. Meet Your Customers Where They Are

There are a wealth of channels that your customers and prospects can connect with every day: social media, your website, live chat, phone number, email and apps. As a business, it is your job to provide an omnichannel customer experience with the same quality of service—regardless of how the customer reaches out to you. It's no longer just about the basics, it's about staying on top of how your customers are engaging and anticipating new channels before they even ask for them.