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Last Updated on April 2, 2022 by Rakesh GuptaBig Idea or Enduring Question: How can I use automation to update open opportunities related to an account? Objectives: Use the decision element to check the account’s current status  Define criteria so specific records receive specific updates Use record-triggered flow to update
The post Define Additional Conditions When Updating Records appeared first on Automation Champion.

Last Updated on April 2, 2022 by Rakesh Gupta Big Idea or Enduring Question: How can you bypass a Salesforce Flow for a specific user tor profile?  Until now, we have created many processes using Salesforce Flow. It is an easy and fun experience to create flows. These processes will
The post Bypass Salesforce Flow for a Specific User or Profile appeared first on Automation Champion.

Last Updated on April 2, 2022 by Rakesh GuptaIn Salesforce, relationship fields – such as Lookup, Master-Detail, or Hierarchical – allow a customer to connect one object with another object. Now imagine a use case where a customer wants to connect one object with multiple objects – i.e., relate a
The post Working with Polymorphic Relationship in Salesforce Flow appeared first on Automation Champion.

How to use Process Builder to automate business scenarios which involve cloning an existing record. 
The post Automatically Clone a Record if it Meets Certain Criteria appeared first on Automation Champion.

SMS marketing has quickly become an essential channel for businesses. Here are seven best practices to help you make the most of it.
If you’re like the average American, you spend around 36 minutes using your smartphone to text or call people every day. Most of these communications are done without a thought. However, the rapid-fire texting you do with your friends isn’t appropriate for marketing communications.
SMS marketing is one of the more interruptive ways of communicating with consumers because people feel compelled to read text messages. The 2020 Mobile Consumer Engagement report by Sinch found that 2 in 5 consumers have more than 50 unread emails in their inbox, but only around 2 in 50 have more than 50 unread texts. Many bulk SMS providers emphasize high open rates as one of the best features of text message marketing. We see it as a sign of higher stakes.
Our team here at Campaign Monitor gathered a list of SMS marketing best practices to help you meet consumers’ expectations as you launch your text message marketing campaigns. Success requires following regular marketing rules while considering how consumers interact with texts. Your customers are likely to unsubscribe from your texts if you don’t fit into their inboxes. Follow these SMS marketing tips to make sure your texts are a welcome interruption.
1. Sign up for a short code
Messaging a 5- or 6-digit short code to sign up for marketing texts is easier for consumers than texting a 10-digit phone number. That’s not the only reason to get a short code, either. These numbers have been pre-approved by cell phone carriers to send 100 messages per second. Long codes (10-digit numbers) can send 1 message per second and may get filtered if they send too many texts in a row.
Any company can get a short code via the U.S. Short Code Registry, which is run by the wireless trade association CTIA. You’ll need to develop your marketing campaign and submit an official application to be approved for a short code. This vetting process upholds the trustworthiness of marketing text messages by protecting consumers against spam.
While you wait for approval, you can prep for your mobile marketing launch by building your SMS list.
2. Comply with all laws and industry guidelines
Calling legal compliance an “SMS marketing best practice” may be generous, as it’s actually more of a necessity.
U.S. legislation, including CAN-SPAM and the TCPA, have clauses that apply to SMS message marketers. Many states have their own laws that apply to SMS marketing. You can download a state-by-state guide from the Contact Center Compliance Corporation. The CTIA’s Short Code Monitoring Handbook lays out more rules in its compliance framework.
Set yourself up for compliance by:

Getting documented permission from consumers before sending any text messages and preserving it for at least six months after they’ve opted out of SMS communications
Making your sign-up CTAs clear so consumers know what you’ll text them and how many messages they can expect each month
Setting up a double opt-in, where consumers must respond to a text or click a link before they’re confirmed on your list
Including a disclaimer about message and data rates in your sign-up message, if not every SMS you send
Including your company name in every message you send to identify it as a marketing communication
Sending your texts during business hours — typically between 8 AM and 9 PM local time

If you’re not sure whether a certain message is legal, err on the side of safety.
3. Use SMS for important and immediate messages
The best SMS marketing campaigns offer consistent value to everyone on your contact list. Send time-sensitive info (like a flash sale announcement) or critical updates (like shipping notifications or two-step authentication codes) via text to improve consumers’ relationships with your brand.
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We also recommend adding an element of exclusivity by rewarding subscribers with special offers. SMS-only coupons and free shipping are great perks to entice sign-ups and keep consumers on your list. Show readers the benefits of being on your list by including a clear CTA in each message.
4. Watch your send frequency
The optimal frequency for most text campaigns is one message a week. Start there — and then try varying your message cadence once you have a big enough contact list to gather meaningful data. If you know your target audience well, you might risk starting with a higher send frequency. Just don’t get too spammy. Upland data shows there’s a significant increase in unsubscribe rates once a brand reaches the threshold of 10-15 messages a month.
The reason message cadence is so important goes back to what we mentioned earlier about text messages interrupting your customers. Everything you send must be worth an immediate read. If it’s not, you’re betraying the trust your consumers put in you when they shared their phone numbers. Triggered marketing texts or automated message flows must be built with this in mind. Ask yourself whether drip campaigns and follow-ups are worth increasing the number of messages your customers receive.
5. Be concise without sacrificing clarity
Do U want 2 rcv a msg that lyk dis from ur fave brand? Neither do we. Text speak is annoying and unprofessional. Avoid abbreviations where possible because they make texts harder to read. Stick to common ones if you must use them.
Take this example from Ulta: Instead of writing out “24-piece,” the company wrote “24 PC.” Most people can figure out what the message means, but it takes time to translate. The capitalization doesn’t help — a PC is, to most, a computer.
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Make the best of your limited space by starting with something exciting. Flag a sale as “4 hours only!” or let SMS subscribers know when a deal is on its way out by telling them it’s their “LAST CALL” to shop. You can also just start with the goods. “BOGO” and “50% off” are things customers love to hear. Crafting the perfect SMS marketing message takes more time than you have characters, but doing it right pays off.
6. Lean into the conversational feeling
Your text message marketing efforts should respect the medium’s primary purpose: conversation. Readers should feel like you’re talking to them, even if you don’t do two-way messaging.
Start by using personalization and segmentation to send messages that reflect consumers’ interests and past behaviors. Then, write a text message, not a subject line. Messages should sound like they’re for one person rather than your entire marketing list.
The following efforts from bebe and Sally Beauty show why these details matter. One reads naturally and creates a connection with the customer. The other is a pain to scan and looks like a mass text sent by a computer.
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Autoresponders and transactional messages allow you to go above and beyond to create a true conversational experience. However, providing real-time responses takes more resources than one-way SMS blasts. Make sure you can commit to delivering a good experience if you enable two-way communications. It’s better to only run promotional campaigns than to mess up a conversational exchange.
7. Use SMS as part of an omnichannel strategy
Your SMS marketing strategy can benefit from integration with other marketing efforts. If you have a CX or CRM system, connect it to your SMS marketing software to take advantage of existing data and add new insights. The lessons you learn from other customer interactions can guide your text message marketing efforts. Likewise, SMS campaigns may surface interesting data points that point to new opportunities elsewhere.
Successful omnichannel marketing means sending the right message via the right medium. Not everyone will sign up for SMS, which means you can’t rely on it as a primary mode of reaching people. Given the other constraints we’ve discussed — namely message length and frequency limits — SMS works best when integrated with email, social media, and other marketing tools.
Rules are made to be broken
You can build SMS message marketing campaigns off existing customer data, but preferences aren’t interchangeable between vastly different channels. What works in emails may not work in texts. We suggest abiding by SMS marketing best practices until you have hard data that shows you should diverge from them. Stick to what everyone else does until your list is big enough to return meaningful insights.
All campaigns and marketing strategies evolve over time, and as consumers become more used to SMS marketing, their preferences may change. Keep testing what your audience responds to. Achieving a high open rate isn’t enough to win — it’s what you do with your customers’ attention once you have it that matters.
The post 7 SMS Marketing Best Practices to Know Before You Hit “Send” appeared first on Campaign Monitor.

Finding a new job can be a nerve-wracking experience. You pour your heart and soul (not to mention your entire work history) into this document and wait by the phone (or your inbox) for the interview requests to come in.
Fortunately, there’s a better way to communicate your skills and achievements to a potential employer than the traditional resume and summary.

Before you send out resumes for your next career move, learn how a statement of qualifications can help you stand out as a candidate.
What is a Statement of Qualifications?
A Statement of Qualifications (SoQ) is a shortlist that highlights your most applicable skills and experiences. Your traditional resume, fleshing out each qualification through your relevant work history follows your SoQ.
You can think of a Statement of Qualifications in relation to the adage “don’t bury the lead.” It comes from the world of journalism and it’s a constant reminder that you should write the most important thing first. Why? Because if you don’t hook the person reviewing your information in the first few sentences, there’s a possibility they won’t read the rest of your resume.

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Your job as an applicant is to make sure that you put your most impressive qualifications at the top of your resume so the reader can’t miss them.
A well-written Statement of Qualifications will instantly capture the recruiter or hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to read your resume thoroughly and with the mindset of “this person is well-qualified for the role.”
How to Write a Statement of Qualifications
Now it’s time to dive into how to write a statement of qualifications that stands out.
1. Review SoQ examples.
Starting with a solid example can help you get started. We’ve included some Statement of Qualification examples below to aid your writing. A bit of research before you start writing will save you time in the long run and help you create the most professional-looking product possible.
2. Select your strongest skills and most impressive accomplishments.
No doubt you’ve achieved a great deal during your career. Look at the SoQ as an opportunity to highlight the most important achievements and the skills that best serve you in your role. This brings us to…
3. Tailor your SoQ to the job you’re applying for.
If you only take one piece of advice away from this article, please let it be this. Your SoQ must be tailored to the specific job you’re looking to get.
You should use keywords from the job posting and touch on each of the main qualifications through your bulleted list of accomplishments. You’re basically saying, “I’m the best person for this job because I’ve already succeeded at what you need me to do.”
4. Focus on results.
It’s one thing to say that you “Improved sales for the Eastern region of XYZ Company.” It’s another thing (and incredibly more powerful), to say that you “Increased sales by 600% and became the highest-grossing sales manager in the history of the company.” If you can, demonstrate the tangible results you’ve created to be a standout candidate.
5. Use action verbs.
Use an active voice throughout your resume, being very direct in your SoQ. You can use words like:

Reduced
Expanded
Managed
Facilitated
Improved
Created

6. Use fewer words for more impact.
We’ve all been forced to read something that used 400 words to communicate what could have been done in five. Don’t be that person. When it comes to your SoQ, think short, impactful, and to the point.
7. Review your spelling and grammar.
Between spellcheck and (free) programs like Grammarly, your resume, and any other materials you send out into the world to represent you should be error-free.
That being said, it’s very difficult to edit your own work. Once you’ve sent your resume through a grammar program, ask a friend to review it for you. Employers want to know that your written communications are strong and if hired, you work with strong attention to detail.
Statement of Qualifications Template and Examples
When drafting your SoQ, take care to structure this section properly for maximum effect. You can use the following Statement of Qualifications template to hit all the important points:

Your current job title or relevant certification and your years of experience
Two or three qualifications and skills you possess that would help you excel in your desired role
Tangible outcomes (with data) pertinent to the responsibilities you would have in this position

Let’s take a look at two different SoQs for the same person, a call center employee interested in moving to a similar role in a new company.
What Not to Do

Experienced call center employee with customer service skills.
Responsible for addressing customer concerns.
Fast and accurate data entry skills.
Applauded for good work.

What To Do

Detail-oriented call center representative with 7+ years of experience delivering outstanding customer service.
Achieved an average call time 15% shorter than the team average.
Retrained struggling co-workers resulting in a 25% decrease in repeat calls.
Won “Highest Call Taker” award 15 months straight.

SoQs for Special Situations
One of the most common questions regarding SoQs is: “What if I’m early in my career, or making a career transition and don’t have demonstrated experience?”
Everyone was a beginner at one time. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, and you’ve probably achieved more than you think. When you have recently graduated and are just joining the workforce, it’s acceptable (and encouraged) to discuss both your education and any internship experience you’ve had. An example of this could be:

Business Attorney graduated Cum Laude from XYZ University with a 3.9 GPA.
Internship experience in administrative, transactional, and employment law.
Attended multiple court appearances, including evidentiary hearings.
Reviewed discovery and assisted in the preparation of depositions.

As you progress throughout your career, your bullet points will strengthen. As a mid-level employee, you’ll discuss personal on-the-job achievements, and then eventually, as you move into senior leadership, you’ll have leadership achievements to touch on — not only what you achieved for yourself, but how you contributed to the organization as a whole.
Of course, there are very few people in the workforce that knew what they wanted to do directly out of college and have stayed the course over a 40-50 year professional lifetime. Most workers will move into entirely new companies, roles, and industries, at least once. For those looking to move into an entirely new field, an SoQ will look slightly different.
A Statement of Qualifications example for an individual changing fields will have less to do with specific accomplishments in the industry they are choosing to leave and will focus more on the transferable skills that will appeal to recruiters in the new industry. These skills include (but are not limited to):

Leadership skills
Management skills
Teamwork skills
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Project management skills
Interpersonal skills

Notice that every single one of these skills is important for any industry you can think of. If you can prove that you’ve demonstrated these skills in another environment, you build their confidence in your ability to perform well in a new situation.
Use a Statement of Qualifications To Stand Out From Other Applications
Applying for jobs can be a daunting task for even the most qualified individuals. Thankfully, using a strong and well-written Statement of Qualifications at the beginning of your resume can help you stand out.

Compound Annual Growth Rate, CAGR, is your rate of return for an investment over a specific period.
Calculating CAGR by hand is a rather involved process, so below we’ll go over how you can quickly calculate CAGR in Excel.

CAGR Excel Formula
The formula for calculating CAGR in Excel is:
=(End Value/Beginning Value) ^ (1/Number of Years) – 1
The equation uses three different values:

End value, which is the amount of money you’ll have after the period has passed.
Beginning value, which is the amount of money you began with.
Number of years, which is the total number of years that have passed.

Below we’ll go over an example of how to calculate CAGR for a five years time frame in Excel using the sample data set shown below:

1. Identify the numbers you’ll use in your equation. Using the sample data set above,

The end value is 2143 (in cell B6).
The beginning value is 1000 (in cell B2).
The number of years is 5 (in cell A6).

2. Input your values into the formula. 
Excel offers many shortcuts, so you can simply input the cell numbers that contain each of your values into the equation. Using the sample data set above, the equation would be
=(B6/B2) ^ (1/A6) – 1
This is what it looks like in my Excel sheet:

Note that the equation changes color to correspond with the cells you’re using, so you can look back and check that your inputs are correct before running the equation.

You can also enter actual values into the formula instead of cell numbers. The equation would then look like this:
=(2143/1000) ^ (1/5) – 1
3. Once you’ve entered your values, click enter and run the equation. Your result will appear in the cell containing the equation, as shown in the image below.

CAGR Formula in Excel as a Percentage
Your default result will be shown as a decimal. To view it as a percentage, right-click on the cell your result is in, select Format Cells and then Percentage in the dialogue box.
Your result will be converted to a percentage, as shown in the image below.

Now let’s go over a shortcut for calculating CAGR in Excel using the Rate function.
How To Calculate CAGR Using RATE Function
The RATE function helps you calculate the interest rate on an investment over a period of time.The formula for calculating CAGR is: 
=RATE(nper,, pv, fv)

nper is the total number of periods in the time frame you’re measuring for. Since you’re calculating annual growth rate, this would be 12.
pv is the present value of your investment (must always be represented as a negative)
fv is future value.

Note that the standard RATE equation includes more variables, but you only need the above three to calculate your CAGR.
Let’s run an equation using the sample table below where nperi is 12, pv is 100, and fv is 500.

1. In your sheet, select the cell that you want to contain your CAGR. I selected cell B5.
2. Enter the RATE formula and input your numbers. Note that you always need to express your present value as a negative, or you’ll receive an error message.
This is what my formula looks like.
Note that you can also simply enter the cell numbers that your values are in. With my sample table the formula would look like this:
=RATE(A2,,-B2,C2)
3. Click enter and run your equation. Using the sample data, my CAGR is 14%.
Now you know how to quickly and easily calculate your CAGR in Excel, no hand calculations required.