Option 1: Copy and Paste Report Links Manually
The first and most obvious solution is to just copy and paste a Salesforce report link directly into Slack. This can be done by either pasting the link to a Slack channel or a 1:1 conversation in Slack.
Pros
- It doesn’t require any additional software or integrations to set up
Cons
- It’s a completely manual process with no automation options
- You can’t take any direct action on reports from within Slack, removing the ability to collaborate (which is the main benefit of having a report in Slack in the first place).
So, while we appreciate that Salesforce is trying to integrate further with one of the most popular productivity and communication platforms, the native integration is currently lacking. Having to copy/paste report links from Salesforce manually doesn’t save much time.
Not being able to access records from Slack means you’ll basically always need to have both programs running, which eliminates your ability to pull up records on a whim. Having the ability to take action on a record directly from Slack is key to making sure reps keep their pipelines up to date.
Option 2: Automation Apps
If you’re looking to automate your workflow between Slack and Salesforce, you can utilize a third-party automation app like Zapier or Workato. These apps give you the freedom to create custom triggers between Salesforce and Slack that can share a Salesforce report wherever you want it to go.
Pros
- No code is needed to create automation
- Creates a layer of automation between Salesforce and Slack that the native integration doesn’t provide
Cons
- Still largely one-directional. Triggering events in Slack when items change in Salesforce but not allowing for changes to Salesforce records directly from Slack.
- Requires an additional subscription fee
- Time consuming to build and test workflows
- Zapier lacks real time triggers
Utilizing a third-party automation app creates a much smoother integration between Slack and Salesforce because it eliminates the need to send things to Slack manually. So you could, for example, have Zapier or Workato trigger sending a report from Salesforce to Slack at a specific time or based on a certain event.
However, this is still not an ideal solution. Sending a report link through one of these tools only removes the manual process mentioned in Option 1. Your reps will still not be able to review and take action on those reports directly in Slack. They’ll be forced to go back into Salesforce to review all the data and make any changes.
Option 3: Rattle
Rattle’s dedicated Slack-Salesforce integration allows bi-directional communication between the two platforms. It enables sales managers to create custom workflows that trigger actionable alerts inside Slack, including reports.
These alerts can include action items that allow your team to collaborate on Salesforce reports from right inside Slack. It also allows anyone on your team to pull records from Salesforce using commands inside of Slack, so if you’re looking for client data during a meeting, you don’t need to leave Slack to chase it down.
Pros
- No code installation and set up
- Allows for totally automated alerts between Salesforce and Slack
- Bi-directional integration and functionality
- Custom alerts can be set for non-action triggers such as deals being stuck in stage past a predetermined amount of time
Cons
- Requires an additional subscription fee
Rattle requires a bit more financial investment than other solutions but has far and away more time-saving potential than anything else out there. Setting up a whole suite of custom workflow automation that triggers for the most common events in your sales pipeline means your reps can spend more time focusing on meeting with clients and closing deals and less time working in Salesforce.
The biggest win with Rattle is the bi-directional operation. For example, you can create a custom alert that triggers after every meeting a rep schedules in their Google calendar. This alert will prompt the rep to log the meeting or call, and update the Salesforce record with detailed notes on what was discussed, all from within Slack.
Now, you are getting more detailed Salesforce records, which makes handoffs smoother and has been shown to improve win ratios. You’re also freeing up time for both you and your reps. The Rattle integration can save each of your sales reps up to four hours per week, which is four more hours they can use to put in face time with clients and follow up on leads so you can all win more deals.
Whatever solution you choose, creating a smoother workflow between Salesforce and Slack will allow you to improve transparency with your team and save valuable time. And utilizing a bi-directional option like Rattle will also help you eliminate data inaccuracies and encourage reps to follow through on record-keeping best practices that will keep the pipeline moving.
