Imagine standing in NASA’s mission control room as the countdown ticks away. The rocket is fueled, systems are checked, and everything seems ready. But suddenly, a system failure occurs—an unforeseen problem with no backup plans in place. The mission is compromised, and the team scrambles to find a solution. Without a well-thought-out launch strategy, even the most promising mission can face costly setbacks.
Now, think about your business. You’ve invested in cutting-edge technology and redefined processes, yet when you roll out your new CRM system, things don’t go as planned. Employees are overwhelmed, key processes are disrupted, and the system isn’t fully adopted. Without a comprehensive change management strategy, your business faces delays, missed opportunities, and frustration.
Just like any successful mission, a smooth transformation requires a clear strategy. To launch your CRM rollout effectively, you need to prepare your team, mitigate risks, and ensure continuous support. We connected with Shiva Javdani, one of SETGO’s expert consultants, to break this down into three key steps.
1. Mission Briefing: Why Your Team Needs to Believe in the Mission
Before astronauts ever step inside a spacecraft, they undergo a thorough briefing on the mission's purpose, goals, and their role in the success of the mission. Similarly, before implementing change, your team needs to understand why it’s happening and how it benefits them—not just the company.
Without this company wide alignment, resistance can quickly build, stalling the whole process. As Shiva emphasizes, early buy-in is crucial:
“If there’s ever a lack of buy-in, that’s going to be very disruptive when it comes time for this change. You have to proactively answer that question: ‘What’s in it for me?’”
What you can do:
Communicate early and often—before changes happen, not after.
Engage key stakeholders and power users in testing to build advocacy.
Connect changes to individual and company success to create alignment.
When businesses prioritize early engagement and clear communication, employees are not just aware of change—they’re invested in its success. This proactive approach makes the entire transition smoother.
2. Astronaut Training: Reducing Resistance with Preparation
NASA doesn’t launch a mission without rigorous preparation. Training helps astronauts develop muscle memory, so when challenges arise, they can adapt with confidence. Similarly, your team needs structured support to navigate change effectively.
Resistance isn’t just about reluctance—it often stems from uncertainty and fear of the unknown. The more proactive you are in providing support, the smoother the transition will be.
Shiva highlights the importance of empathy and preparation:
"Start addressing concerns early and foster engagement from the beginning. Active listening and genuine empathy help ease resistance and create a smoother transition."
What you can do:
Offer hands-on training that’s relevant to employees’ day-to-day roles.
Make space for open conversations—address concerns before they become obstacles.
Assign change champions within teams to reinforce learning and adoption.
With enough prep time and the right support structures in place, employees can feel confident in their ability to handle the changes, and they’ll be more likely to embrace them.
3. Mid-Mission Adjustments: Keeping Momentum Post-Go-Live
A successful launch isn’t just about takeoff—it’s about staying on course. Even after a rocket leaves the ground, mission control continues to monitor systems, adjust for unexpected challenges, and ensure long-term success. The same applies to change within your business.
Too often, companies view go-live as the finish line when, in reality, it’s just phase one. Without ongoing support, adoption can stall, and employees may revert to old ways of working.
Shiva warns that overlooking post-launch support can lead to long-term struggles:
“If you don’t have a change management strategy in place, you’ll start to see the cracks forming down the line—especially during training and go-live.”
What you can do:
Set realistic expectations—change is a process, not a single event.
Monitor engagement and collect feedback to refine processes.
Provide ongoing reinforcement, from refresher training to leadership check-ins.
Ongoing support ensures that businesses maintain momentum and continue to adapt as needs evolve, keeping teams on track even after go-live.
The Future is Built on Change
Every great mission starts with a plan, a team, and a clear vision of success. Businesses that embrace change with a structured strategy don’t just survive inevitable shifts in technology and process—they thrive because of them.
At SETGO, we prioritize more than just building out a Salesforce platform. We focus on developing comprehensive change management strategies that guide your business through every phase of transformation—from alignment and training to post-launch support. It’s not just about adopting new tools; it’s about ensuring lasting success.
So, the question isn’t whether your business will face change. The question is: Are you prepped and ready to launch?
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