From Static CRM to Dynamic Mission Infrastructure with Mission Essentials

Background 


When we first partnered with Mesa Global, they were already using Salesforce. As with many nonprofits, the decision to move forward followed a deliberate due diligence process—something we encourage and fully support to ensure the right strategic fit. While Mesa recognized Salesforce’s potential, their implementation wasn’t living up to it. 


The platform was operating more like a glorified spreadsheet than the dynamic, relational database it’s capable of being. The system lacked the dimensional depth needed to analyze workforce data and global trends effectively. Key historical, relational, and layered insights—critical for a global sending organization—were buried or inaccessible within the system’s flat architecture. 



Challenge 


Mesa Global was in the midst of a strategic consolidation, merging multiple subsidiary areas under a unified organizational umbrella. This required not only data alignment but a complete transformation in how people and mobilization data flowed across systems. While Salesforce was in place, it wasn’t set up to support advanced reporting, scalable mobilization workflows, or the relational complexity of a truly global mission organization. 



Solution 


Solertiae partnered with Mesa Global to evolve their Salesforce instance from a basic CRM into a mission-first infrastructure using the Mission Essentials framework. The engagement unfolded in key phases: 


  • Phase 1: Mobilization Refresh We began by modernizing the mobilization process to align more closely with Mesa Global's operational goals and terminology, ensuring better candidate tracking and smoother handoffs between departments. 
  • Phase 2: People Lifecycle Overhaul We redesigned their entire people data architecture—building a more dynamic and flexible data model that could track missionaries across past, present, and future stages. This included: 
  • Major data migrations 
  • Rebuilt page layouts and record types 
  • New automation to reflect lifecycle stages 
  • Governance models for subsidiaries now under the Mesa Global umbrella 
  • Phase 3: Re-alignment with Mission Essentials With foundational structures in place, we returned to the mobilization flow and fully aligned it with our best-practice package, Mission Essentials. This standardized key workflows while preserving the flexibility needed for Mesa Global’s global context. 
  • Phase 4: Cross-System Integration and Cost Optimization Recognizing the widespread adoption of Microsoft 365 across the organization, we designed a hybrid approach—leveraging Power Apps and Microsoft Teams to surface read-only data and lightweight interaction points. This enabled: 
  • Greater access across the organization without additional Salesforce licenses 
  • Targeted, secure data sharing with field leaders and mobilization partners 
  • Operational efficiency at lower long-term cost 


Impact 


  • Strategic Reporting Unlocked: Mesa Global can now track the "who, what, where, and when" of global missions—past, present, and future—within a truly relational database. 
  • Unified Operations: The new structure supports consolidated reporting across formerly independent ministry areas, offering leadership a unified picture of organizational impact. 
  • Smart Cost Management: By integrating read-only capabilities into Microsoft 365, Mesa Global expanded access without bloating their SaaS budget. 
  • Scalable and Sustainable: The Mission Essentials framework positions Mesa Global for future growth—without sacrificing flexibility or incurring significant retraining costs. 


Conclusion 


What began as a slow courtship has evolved into one of the most successful long-term Salesforce transformations in our history. Mesa Global now stands as a prime example of how existing tools, when properly aligned to mission workflows, can become powerful catalysts for global impact. 


With Mission Essentials, Mesa Global isn’t just tracking mobilization—they’re equipping a global workforce, unifying a complex organization, and stewarding resources wisely. Their story is a testament to what’s possible when vision, patience, and platform meet. 


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