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.