Preparing for a new Salesforce Consultant role
𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟲 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟮 – 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿
Just so you know, all PMs aren’t as awesome as I am 😏
However, the two elements that differentiate #ProjectManagers in a way that that matters to you as a consultant are:
𝟭. 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
We all got to where we are via different routes.
I was a systems/network/database administrator, MS Dynamics consultant, QA Manager before landing the PM role.
I love everything about data, integration, infrastructure, systems design – which is why I love reviewing Discovery deliverables.
Others may have been sales managers or software engineers.
They may even hail from a different industry – such as media/entertainment, defence, life science.
I know an ex-marine, who is an extremely capable PM.
While he isn’t able to review technical documents, he is a highly effective leader.
Someone like him is devastating in large projects, where there are many senior technical resources who can take care of system design, but where his strategic and team management expertise would be valuable in complex environments.
I’m useful in my own way and have been able to step into integration and data migration workshops, as well as lead as-is workshop ones as well.
Someone who’s come up the #Salesforce ranks and understand the capability of product and platform, will aid project team in a different way.
𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲
Do they think #ProjectManagement is about measuring task progress, taking minutes, organising workshops and meetings?
Do they manage resources and budget, and forget about the real people doing the work?
Or are they insecure, and micro manage, fearing catastrophe if they take their eyes of the ball?
Understanding your Project Manager, or anyone that has a direct impact on the quality of your work day is important. Having empathy, and a deep curiosity for human nature will help.
You’ve heard the term “Manage upwards”.
The key thing is to manage their expectations.
If you’ve promised to deliver work of a certain quality at a specific time, make sure you keep your PM apprised of your progress.
TIming and frequency of this update is important, especially if you feel that you might struggle to keep your promise because PMs don’t like surprises, mainly because we can’t plan for them.
Our job is to anticipate risks and manage them before they turn into a raging flood of poop. 💩
Understanding our leadership style helps you manage us.
Some may need constant reassurance (box of 🍩 helps sometimes!)
Others requires just enough.
As a rule of thumb: Inspire trust by delivering quality work consistently, and you’ll probably be ok.
Regardless – there are still jerks among us 🤷🏻♀️
Tomorrow – 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟳 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟮 – 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
What sort of support will you be provided as you embark on your new role as a #SalesforceConsultant?
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