AI and Salesforce: Why Most Companies Aren’t Ready (And How to Fix It)
- Malika Desai
.png/v1/fill/w_320,h_320/file.jpg)
- Sep 24, 2024
- 5 min read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the hot topic in the tech world, and with the recent rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, it's more relevant than ever. Salesforce has also embraced the AI wave, branding its flagship event Dreamforce as “The largest AI event in the world.” While the potential of AI is clear, most companies are still not ready to leverage the full power of AI in Salesforce.
Salesforce’s Einstein AI isn’t new—it’s been around since 2016, offering businesses powerful tools to automate tasks, improve customer interactions, and make data-driven decisions. But despite its availability for years, AI in Salesforce is only now becoming mainstream. Many companies still face challenges that prevent them from tapping into its full potential.
Why AI in Salesforce is a Game-Changer
Salesforce’s Einstein AI offers a variety of powerful features that help businesses improve efficiency, gain predictive insights, and deliver personalized customer experiences. These AI-driven features allow businesses to automate repetitive tasks, improve sales forecasting, and even recommend next steps in the customer journey. Some key features of Salesforce Einstein include:
Einstein Prediction Builder: Create custom AI models to predict outcomes based on your Salesforce data, such as identifying high-risk customers or predicting which deals are likely to close.
Einstein Lead Scoring: Automatically rank leads based on their likelihood to convert, helping sales teams focus on the most promising prospects.
Einstein Case Classification: Automatically categorize and prioritize incoming support cases to improve customer service efficiency.
Einstein Bots: Deploy AI-powered bots to handle routine customer inquiries, freeing up human agents for more complex tasks.
Einstein Vision: Integrate AI-powered image recognition into your Salesforce workflows, helping your team analyze visual data like product images or brand logos.
These features allow businesses to enhance productivity and make smarter decisions based on real-time data. However, in order to fully harness the power of AI, businesses need to have the right systems, processes, and data in place—something many companies still struggle with.
Why Many Companies Aren’t Ready for AI in Salesforce
Despite the impressive potential of Einstein AI, many businesses face significant challenges in integrating AI into their Salesforce systems. Here are the most common obstacles:
1. Poor Data Quality
AI relies on high-quality data to generate accurate insights. If your Salesforce data is incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated, tools like Einstein Prediction Builder and Lead Scoring will be less effective. Many companies still face issues with data hygiene, such as duplicate records, missing fields, or unstructured data, preventing AI from delivering accurate results.
2. Lack of Integration Between Systems
For AI tools like Einstein AI to function optimally, your Salesforce platform needs to be integrated with other business systems. Data silos—where critical information is locked away in separate systems—hinder the effectiveness of AI because it lacks the complete data set needed for accurate predictions. Without end-to-end system integration, Einstein AI can’t access all the relevant information it needs.
3. Lack of a Clear AI Strategy
Many businesses dive into AI without a clear strategy or understanding of the problems AI is supposed to solve. AI is not a magic fix—it needs to be aligned with specific business goals. Without a well-defined strategy, businesses risk wasting time and resources on AI projects that don’t deliver tangible value.
4. Underutilizing Salesforce Features
Before jumping into AI, many businesses haven’t fully optimized their use of Salesforce’s existing features. AI solutions like Einstein Case Classification and Einstein Vision build on Salesforce’s automation capabilities, but without fully utilizing workflows, automation rules, and reporting features, AI’s value is diminished. Companies need to ensure their Salesforce foundations are solid before adding AI into the mix.
5. Insufficient User Training and Adoption
Even with powerful AI tools at their disposal, businesses may struggle with low user adoption. Employees often lack the training needed to interpret and use AI insights effectively. For example, sales teams may not fully trust or understand how Einstein Lead Scoring works, causing them to overlook valuable insights that could improve their sales efforts.
Salesforce Einstein: It’s Not New, But It’s New to the Mainstream
Although Salesforce Einstein was introduced in 2016, it's only now reaching widespread adoption. Many companies are just beginning to explore how AI in Salesforce can transform their business. With tools like Einstein Analytics, Einstein Discovery, and Einstein Voice, AI has the potential to automate tasks, enhance customer experiences, and boost sales team efficiency.
However, SFWiz has been working with Einstein AI for over six years, helping businesses implement these features before they became mainstream. While AI is the buzzword of the moment, at SFWiz, we’ve been on the cutting edge of AI in Salesforce for years.
How to Get AI-Ready for Salesforce
To prepare your business for AI integration in Salesforce, here are a few steps you need to take:
1. Clean Your Data
Before you can rely on AI, you need clean, organized data. Tools like Einstein Prediction Builder and Einstein Lead Scoring require accurate, up-to-date data to generate meaningful insights. Start by conducting regular data audits and implementing validation rules to improve your data quality.
2. Integrate Your Systems
Ensure your Salesforce platform is integrated with other key systems across your business. AI relies on data from various sources, and without integration, your AI tools may miss valuable information. Focus on system integration to create a unified data ecosystem.
3. Develop a Clear AI Strategy
Create a clear AI strategy that aligns with your business objectives. Whether you want to improve sales forecasting, customer support efficiency, or lead management, a well-defined strategy will help ensure AI is implemented effectively and delivers measurable results.
4. Optimize Salesforce Workflows
Before adding AI to the mix, ensure that your Salesforce workflows, automations, and processes are already optimized. AI builds on your existing CRM capabilities, so having a solid foundation will enhance the effectiveness of AI-driven tools.
5. Train Your Team
Your team needs to understand how to use Salesforce’s AI features to see real benefits. Provide training on how to interpret AI insights and incorporate them into everyday workflows. Teams that are confident using AI tools like Einstein Case Classification or Einstein Bots will be more effective and efficient.
How SFWiz Can Help You Leverage AI in Salesforce
Many companies recognize the potential of AI in Salesforce but struggle to assess if they’re ready or how to start. That’s where SFWiz comes in. With over 9 years of Salesforce experience, including 6 years working with Einstein AI, we can help you prepare for AI integration and ensure your system is set up for success.
Conclusion: Get AI-Ready with SFWiz
While Salesforce Einstein has been available for years, many businesses are only now beginning to explore the power of AI in Salesforce. But without clean data, proper system integration, and a clear AI strategy, many companies aren’t fully prepared for AI adoption.
SFWiz has the experience and expertise to help your business overcome these challenges. With over 6 years of experience with Einstein AI, we’ll ensure your Salesforce system is ready to deliver the AI-driven insights and automation that can drive real business growth. Contact SFWiz today to prepare your Salesforce system for the future of AI.
Comments