When to Fire Your Salesforce Implementation Partner

Truth from 15+ years: 70% of Salesforce partners prioritize selling more hours over delivering value. Result: €500K projects become €1.2M.

Here's exactly when (and how) business leaders fire partners without drama.

Red flag #1: "We need Phase 2" before Phase 1 works

Kill if: Core sales process doesn't work but they want custom reports.

Red flag #2: €10K+ for "small changes"

Reality: Simple field/layout changes = 2-4 hours max.
Test: Time next request end-to-end.

Red flag #3: No ownership of outcomes

Danger: "If it doesn't work, you need more training/consulting."
Good partner: "We'll make sales reps love this or it's free."

Red flag #4: Selling you AppExchange instead of configuration

Smell test: "This needs a €20K app" for basic requirements.

Your "partner health check" – 15 minutes

• Last 3 changes: Did they cost >€5K?
• Do frontline users like the system?
• Can internal team make basic changes?
• Partner owns outcomes or hours only?

2+ yes = start exit planning.

Smooth exit playbook (don't burn bridges)

1. Document everything (SOWs, deliverables, issues)
2. Hire bridge consultant (2-3 months cleanup)
3. Build minimum governance (1 page change process)
4. Internal upskilling (focus top 20% power users)

Savings: €100K-€300K first year.

When to keep them (rare)

Only if they:

• Guarantee business outcomes
• Train your team to self-serve
• Charge fixed-price for defined scope

Need partner exit advice?

Share your last 3 invoices + biggest frustration. I'll tell you if it's time.