Salesforce Engagement Success Story: Empowering a Global Consumer Goods Organization with a Strategic CRM Solution
A global consumer goods organization approached The Negotiator Guru (TNG) to assist in sourcing, negotiating, and contracting a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) digital capability for a new business unit within their organization. The client's objectives were to thoroughly assess the marketplace, identify suitable suppliers, secure a fair market price, and eliminate any potential contractual risks that could hinder future growth. We commend the client's proactive approach, and as a result, they partnered with Salesforce, a supplier incentivized to support our client's success and expansion.
Our Approach
To achieve optimal results, we leveraged our 4-step IT Software Negotiation Process, tailored specifically to meet the client's unique requirements:
Step 1) Discovery
We collaborated with the client's project team, assisting them in understanding and considering various assessment criteria in alignment with their business and technical needs. This process ensured a comprehensive understanding of the organization's specific requirements.
Step 2) Strategy
To maximize the value of the CRM capability, we developed multiple user personas across the new organization. By considering how different users would utilize the CRM solution, we created a tailored approach that addressed diverse user needs and facilitated seamless adoption.
Step 3) Negotiate
Throughout the negotiation process, we provided expert advice to our client, ensuring an equitable relationship between Salesforce and the organization. By advocating for our client's interests, we secured a mutually beneficial agreement that supported the client's growth objectives.
Step 4) Contract Execution
With a focus on future-proofing the client's CRM implementation, we diligently analyzed the contract, identifying and eliminating potential contractual risks that could impede the organization's progress over the next 3-5 years. This step provided the client with valuable safeguards and ensured a commercially aligned path to growth.
The Remarkable Results
Our engagement delivered exceptional results for the global consumer goods organization. The client established a strategic partnership with Salesforce, positioning them for long-term success. Furthermore, we provided a competitive rate benchmark baseline, enabling the organization to ensure they were paying a fair market price. With our expertise in contract execution, we aligned the contractual terms to protect the client's interests and foster their growth trajectory.
At The Negotiator Guru, we are committed to empowering organizations with strategic software solutions. This success story exemplifies our ability to source, negotiate, and contract CRM capabilities while ensuring favorable outcomes for our clients. Contact us today to leverage our expertise and drive optimal results for your CRM engagements
See More Case Studies
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Contract Consolidation Post-Merger
Client Profile
A national healthcare provider with 10+ facilities undergoing post-merger integration of systems and vendor contracts.
Challenge
Multiple overlapping software and infrastructure contracts (some with auto-renewal clauses and duplicative pricing) created an estimated $5M in redundant spend and significant compliance risk across entities.
TNG Solution
- Conducted a full post-merger contract risk assessment.
- Identified conflicting licensing terms and misaligned SLAs across vendors.
- Renegotiated bundled agreements, centralized governance rights, and aligned pricing to true usage.
Outcome
Eliminated $5.3M in redundant costs and created a centralized contract framework that mitigated legal exposure while ensuring scalability for future growth.
SaaS Contract Optimization
Client Profile
A Fortune 100 big-box retailer implementing a multi-year rollout of a cloud-based workforce management platform across 1,200 locations.
Challenge
Vendor’s original SaaS contract included non-negotiable annual price escalators, unscalable support fees, and unrestricted termination clauses, leading to a potential $14M overcommitment.
TNG Solution
- Conducted a clause-by-clause risk audit.
- Introduced performance-based renewal language, capped escalators, and tiered user thresholds.
Outcome
Negotiated total contract value down by $6.8M, implemented enforceable performance guarantees, and secured rights to re-negotiate upon key business changes.
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SAP Indirect Access & Audit Exposure
Client Profile
A publicly traded global logistics company with over 30,000 employees and a complex SAP landscape.
Challenge
SAP alleged the client owed $9.6M in retroactive fees due to indirect access violations following an internal audit. The client had signed an outdated license agreement that left them fully exposed.
TNG Solution
- Performed a forensic risk analysis of the original SAP contract and audit report.
- Identified outdated metrics, ambiguous user definitions, and license overlap.
- Negotiated a new licensing model that eliminated indirect access exposure and established a future-proof digital access clause.
Outcome
Reduced SAP’s claim from $9.6M to $0 and negotiated a forward licensing strategy that saved the client $7.2M over five years.
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