How to Become a Salesforce Lightning Champion
We all know that Salesforce Lightning is now the default user experience following the Winter ’20 release – so, it’s time to considering becoming a Lightning Champion!
‘Lightning Champions’ is a peer-to-peer program that empowers Trailblazers to share their expertise in rolling out Salesforce Lightning or building apps on the platform using Lightning tools and frameworks. I joined the Lightning Champion program a few months ago, which offers amazing opportunities to learn and share your expertise with the Salesforce Ohana.
Lightning Champion Perks
Here are some of the benefits:
- Lightning Swag (Hoodies, T-Shirts, Pins and Stickers)
- Access to Lightning Champion Community Group
- Get the Lightning Champion newsletter
- Lightning Champion Activity opportunities at Salesforce Events
- Special Invitation to Lightning Champion events at Dreamforce and TrailheaDX
- Profile card with your name, photo and bio on Meet the Lightning Champions microsite
Becoming a Lightning Champion – It’s as simple as 1-2-3!
Step 1 – Choose the Path
The Lightning Champion program gives you two paths to choose from – you can choose either one of them or both.
Choose to be a Lightning Activation Champion:
If you want to help the community in their rollout process for the Lightning Experience. Choose this path if:
- You’ve successfully rolled out Lightning Experience at least once
- You know the ropes of change management
- You like to get hands-on with the Lightning Experience and show others how to do the same
- You want to present, share, and be a mentor
- You’re up for a year-long commitment to the program
- You’ve completed the Lightning Experience Rollout Specialist Superbadge
Choose to be a Lightning App Dev Champion:
If you want to help the community to build apps on the Customer 360 Platform. Choose this path if:
- You’re passionate about solving business challenges by building apps with clicks or code
- You’ve built at least one custom app on Salesforce
- You know that when business and IT work together to build apps, everyone wins
- You’re excited to plug into the community and share your expertise
- You’re up for a year-long commitment to the program
- You’ve completed the App Customization Specialist Superbadge on Trailhead
I also recommend you complete the ‘Lightning Champion’ Trailmix by Kelly Walker, which will give you a strong foundation before you continue to apply…
Step 2 – Apply
Once you have decided your path and completed the recommended Trailmixes, it’s time to apply for Lightning Champion Program.
Salesforce accepts applications twice a year (the current intake just ended on December 31, 2019), and applications will re-open in June 2020. Keep an eye out on Twitter @SalesforceforIT for the announcement.
With the previous application cycle just completed, Salesforce announced their new Lightning Champions at the start of this month, so welcome these new Trailblazer Champions!
Step 3 – Ramp-up Period
Once you have been selected, there will be a ramp-up period. It’s time to share your Lightning expertise with the Ohana, such as a Lightning Consultation shift at a Salesforce sponsored event, presenting/speaking about Lightning at a Salesforce or community-led event, running a hands-on workshop, staffing a Lightning Champions booth at a community-led event, publishing a Lightning-focused blog post, etc. You will get more details during your orientation.
You have to at least complete one activity during the ramp-up period. Once the Lightning Champion team approves the activity, you are officially titled as a LIGHTNING CHAMPION!
Wrap Up: Swag for You!
When you do some great work, Salesforce always gives back to you.
Listen out for when the next round of applications open in June 2020 – then find the application pages linked here.
