5 Reasons Not to Consider Salesforce as Your Next AMS

5 Reasons Not to Consider Salesforce as Your Next AMS/5 Reasons You Should Avoid Salesforce—Unless You Care About Growth and Innovation

Imagine this scenario: Your association is like a well-loved, old car. It’s reliable, you know how to handle it, and it gets you from point A to point B. But lately, it’s been showing its age—frequent breakdowns, outdated features, and it struggles to keep up with modern demands. You’ve been considering an upgrade, something new and efficient like Salesforce as your next Association Management System (AMS).?

Purchasing an AMS is not an easy decision. There are many pros to purchasing a CRM-based AMS, however, you may think about whether you need a Cadilac or do with a Honda. Here are a few things to consider why Salesforce-based AMS may not be a good fit for your organization.

1. You have maxed out your organization’s growth

Associations worldwide are being challenged and looking for additional avenues for growth. However, if your organization does not have the ambition to grow and when you visualize your future – you see your organization providing the same services in the same way, then you do not need an AMS that offers flexibility to grow and scale. This is because Salesforce is a CRM and the most important benefit of a CRM-based AMS is its ability to scale and extend as your organization grows.?

For example, your organization introduces a new benefit for your members, say managing their assets. Such a service would require a system that can handle the data set related to assets, support the necessary workflows, and more (of course, you’d need staff members who specialize in Asset Management for your members).?

Fulfilling the above is going to be a nightmare or impossible with a boxed all-in-one kind of AMS.?

In a nutshell, if you think your organization can’t grow or would change any further, there is no need for an AMS built on Salesforce.?

2. Your revenue streams are perfect – so Why brother diversifying?

Blockbuster was once an industry giant, but its refusal to adapt and diversify ultimately led to its downfall. The same principle applies to associations—if you believe your current revenue streams are sufficient and see no need to expand into new opportunities, then a powerful platform like Salesforce might seem unnecessary.

However, associations that diversify their offerings tend to see stronger member retention and financial stability. According to an ASAE report, 72% of members are more likely to renew when they perceive value in their membership. Platforms like Salesforce enable associations to support new revenue-generating services, streamline operations, and enhance member engagement, in most cases, without the need to add other major technical platforms. But if you’re certain that your current approach will sustain long-term growth, then perhaps Salesforce isn’t for you.

3. Cybersecurity and Compliance is not your problem

Cybersecurity is like locking your doors at night—you wouldn’t leave them wide open, right? But if protecting your association’s data isn’t a top priority, then Salesforce’s advanced security features might seem excessive.

Salesforce acts as a digital fortress, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safeguarding member data. And with the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.45 million in 2023 (an IBM study), the stakes couldn’t be higher. But if you’re comfortable rolling the dice with security, then maybe you don’t need Salesforce.

4. Technology is standing still – so why upgrade??

We’ve all seen what happens when companies refuse to evolve—just ask Kodak. If you believe the technology you use today will be just as effective in the future, then Salesforce might seem like an unnecessary leap.

Salesforce is designed for organizations that recognize technology is constantly advancing and want to stay ahead of the curve. E.g. Salesforce is already investing billions in building and improving AI capabilities in their platform. How much is your AMS spending on AI innovation? According to Gartner, organizations that embrace new technology are 2.6 times more likely to outpace their competitors. If you’re confident your AMS will never become outdated, then maybe Salesforce isn’t for you.

5. Member Expectations never change – Right??

Remember the time when a monthly newsletter was enough to keep your members engaged? Those days are long gone. But if you believe member expectations haven’t changed, then Salesforce’s advanced engagement tools might seem unnecessary.

Salesforce helps associations stay ahead by offering personalized communication, data-driven insights, and engagement tracking. 86% of members now expect tailored interactions from their associations, according to MemberWise. But if you think what worked in the past will continue to work just as well today, then maybe Salesforce isn’t for you.

Conclusion

If you’re certain your association has reached its peak—that your current services are enough, cybersecurity and evolving technology don’t matter, and member expectations haven’t changed—then Salesforce might not be the right AMS for you.

But even if you see your organization as small or simple, growth and sustainability still matter. Your members don’t lower their expectations just because you’re not a giant corporation—they expect the same seamless, personalized experiences they get from Amazon and other industry leaders.

So, the choice is yours: stay in your comfort zone, or equip your association with the tools to grow, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.?