Business Madness: Three Case Studies of Game Changing Success

Part 3: From Frustration to Victory - The Power of the Right Coach

The best sports teams don’t just rely on talent to win games—they rely on great coaching to help unlock their full potential. Picture a basketball team stacked with talent, but chaos on the court—no plays being called, the defense in disarray, and a coach stuck on repeat. No matter how skilled the players are, without a cohesive structure and thoughtful leadership, they’re destined to lose.

Without the right direction, even the most talented players can’t reach their peak performance. For this manufacturing company, their Salesforce implementation felt like they were running in circles for over a year—investing countless hours and dollars without seeing the results they expected.

A Mismatched Strategy

When the company first implemented Salesforce, they thought they had everything needed to win. But after nearly eighteen months of struggling with a system that didn’t fit their needs, frustration was mounting. Their previous partner had offered a one-size-fits-all approach, failing to understand their unique business needs. It was like a coach running the same plays for every team, regardless of their roster.

Instead of customizing the system to fit their operations, the partner delivered a generic setup that didn’t align with how the business actually worked. Important fields were missing, critical processes weren’t being tracked, and employees found themselves working around Salesforce rather than with it.

The result? A system that wasn’t functional, a team that couldn’t execute, and a business stuck on the sidelines. Communication between the company and their partner was lacking, and trust was eroding.

The turning point came when they realized they were spending more time fixing problems than using the system to drive their business forward. That’s when it became clear: their problem wasn’t Salesforce itself—it was the way it had been implemented. They didn’t need another one-size-fits-all fix; they needed a team that would listen, diagnose the issues, and create a strategy built around their business.

Resetting the Playbook

Stuck in a cycle of frustration, the company knew it was time for a major shift—a smarter strategy and a coach who could guide them to success. That’s where SETGO came in. We knew that a successful Salesforce implementation wasn’t just about the software—it was about understanding the team using it. What are their strengths and weaknesses? Which processes are effective and which ones aren’t?

So, we started with one crucial step: listening.

Discovery Phase – To ensure we fully understood our client’s unique needs and goals, a few members of our team spent time on the ground at the company’s headquarters, shadowing sales teams, service personnel, and management. Instead of assuming what they needed, we asked, observed, and took notes. The goal wasn’t just to install a system—it was to build a strategy that fit their game.

Prioritization & Strategy – Like a coach designing plays to match their team’s strengths, we worked alongside leadership to identify top priorities. What needed immediate attention? What could be rolled out in phases? Together, we developed a strategic implementation plan that delivered quick wins while laying the groundwork for long-term success.

Execution & Adjustments – A great coach doesn’t just hand out a playbook and walk away—they stay involved, adjusting when necessary. We maintained regular check-ins, made adjustments as needed, and ensured the system worked for the company—not the other way around. The focus was on creating a Salesforce solution that felt intuitive, natural, and tailored to their operations.

From Frustration to Victory

By the end of the project, the results spoke for themselves. Leadership saw the impact of having the right guidance and support:

• A Salesforce system that actually worked – No more running plays that never put points on the board. The system was customized to their business, making operations smoother and more efficient.

• Trust restored – The company went from frustration and setbacks to naming SETGO their “2024 Vendor of the Year.” That shift didn’t come from just implementing software—it came from building a real collaborative partnership.

• A team set up for success – With the right structure in place, they weren’t just playing catch-up—they were looking ahead, already discussing future enhancements and additions.

What made this project a success? At SETGO Partners, we don’t just say “yes” to every request. We collaborate with clients to explore considerations they may not have thought of, helping them ask the right questions and make informed decisions to ensure the platform fits their unique needs.

The Takeaway: A Good Coach Changes the Game

The best teams aren’t just built on talent—they’re built on leadership, strategy, and trust. This company had the right people and the right tools, but they needed the right coach who could step in, assess the situation, and help build a plan that actually worked for them. We didn’t just implement a system; we helped them rethink the way they approached their business, enabling them to align their tools with their goals.

And with the right adjustments, the company didn’t just recover—they gained momentum faster than they thought possible. Expert coaching and guidance can make all the difference, even when the right tools are already there.

If your team feels stuck—whether it’s time for a course correction or a fresh start—let’s talk about how a well-crafted game plan can take you from struggling to scoring.