Get to know Hireforce! Meet Hannah, Salesforce Consultant

Hannah joined Hireforce in March 2020, and has displayed a high-level of dedication, loyalty and empathy with every candidate, client, colleague and individual she encounters since day one, making her an extremely valued member of Hireforce and asset to the Salesforce Ecosystem. Hannah comes from a background in Marketing and Advertising where she received positive customer experience survey scores with high response rates, management of risk accounts, and improvement of processes based on client feedback to contribute to revenue retention. Hannah has continued to exemplify her strong sense of attention to detail and care with every individual she interacts with each and every day at Hireforce. Hannah has seen great success in her time with Hireforce, connecting with and placing both Salesforce contractors and full time candidates on new projects, as well as growing her network within the Salesforce Ecosystem.

Q: What’s the best part of your job/Hireforce?

A: Hands down my colleagues! I’m surrounded by such sharp communicators and effective resources within the Salesforce Ecosystem. I’m constantly impressed by my co-workers and connections and am proud to be part of the Salesforce Ohana.

Q: What’s the best way you start the day?

A: A piping hot cup of coffee and a new Spotify playlist/radio – lately it’s been of the beachy/indie rock variety. Shoot me some tune recommendations!

Q: What do you wish you knew more about?

A: As a lover of all things nature, I’ve always been interested in knowing more about geography and the specifics of what I see around me. What better place to learn than Colorado?

Q: Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

A: On a southwest summer road trip, I stayed in a small New Mexico town known for its bountiful UFO sightings and encounters that has earned it a reputation as “one of the most mystical locations on the planet.” I didn’t see any UFO’s unfortunately, only a couple questionable shooting stars.

Q: What have you been doing to keep yourself busy during this shelter-in-place?

A: Growing my plant collection exponentially. Just when I think I’ve run out of space, I somehow always find a ledge or inch of countertop for something new. Next time you see me online, let’s talk houseplants!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Salesforce?

A: The endless possibilities of adoption and use for a variety of business structures. Education, Nonprofit, Sales, Marketing, Health Industry – you name it! The features that Salesforce offers as a CRM are vast and flexible based on clientele need. Not to mention all of the unique professionals you’ll encounter that are interested in each avenue.

Q: What’s your favorite AppExchange app or expert?

A: Classy for Salesforce! “Classy for Salesforce gives you the tools to optimize your fundraising data, nurture your donor relationships, & accelerate progress towards your mission.” What could be better than that?!

Q: What is your favorite Salesforce blog or MVP?

A: David Liu – Salesforce MVP and Technical Architect at Google. Did you catch his latest video on interview red flags for Salesforce Developers? Super insightful!

Q: Favorite trailhead character?

A: I try to channel my inner Cloudy – how cute is she?! “Cloudy brings out the best in everyone and encourages you to tap into your own unlimited potential” – let’s all be a little more like Cloudy.

The Market Shift to Remote Work

Being cloud-based, Salesforce positions are uniquely positioned to work remotely. Prior to the pandemic, many candidates we spoke with were highly prioritizing and considering remote work. With the pandemic forcing companies to allow their workers to work remotely, now many can’t imagine commuting to an office five days a week. With so many opportunities in the Salesforce ecosystem, candidates have plenty of options. 

While there are concerns around remote work, including a decrease in informal interactions and a potential impact on company culture, there are also many benefits.

Surprisingly, employee productivity increased. With fewer in-office distractions and the elimination of commute at the forefront, many people worked more hours or worked more efficiently. A Mercer study found that 94% of employees were similarly, if not more productive while working remotely. 

The transition to remote work is inevitable to retain and attract employees, but how can employers effectively implement a remote work environment?

• Build teams that have at least a 4-hour overlap in their workday

• Create employee recognition platforms to acknowledge the successes of remote team members

• Create opportunities for regular informal and formal check-ins

• Focus on output, rather than hours worked

• Use video rather than audio calls for face to face interactions/team meetings

• Collect employee feedback and make changes

• Use digital tools for employees to collaborate

• Have clear expectations and defined targets

• Create opportunities for virtual socializing

As true always, and especially in tech, if you don’t keep up with the changes, you’ll be left behind. The market shift is clear, which side of the trend will you be on?

Sources

1. Maurer, Roy. “Study Finds Productivity Not Deterred by Shift to Remote Work.” SHRM, SHRM, 6 July 2021, www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/pages/study-productivity-shift-remote-work-covid-coronavirus.aspx. 

2. Lund, Susan, et al. “What's next for Remote Work: An Analysis of 2,000 Tasks, 800 Jobs, and Nine Countries.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 3 Mar. 2021, www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/whats-next-for-remote-work-an-analysis-of-2000-tasks-800-jobs-and-nine-countries. 

Digital Workplace. “What Is Remote Work Culture?: 6 Ideas to Build a Remote Team Culture.” Kissflow, 20 Aug. 2021, kissflow.com/digital-workplace/remote-work/building-effective-remote-work-culture/

Get to know Hireforce! Meet Bri, Salesforce Consultant

Bri joined Hireforce in March 2021 and has displayed a high-level of empathy work and understanding with candidates, making her an extremely valued member of Hireforce and asset to the Salesforce Ecosystem. Bri has a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and previously worked for Baylor University, Texas Christian University and California Polytechnic State University where she led talent acquisition initiatives and onboarded over 1,000+ staff and volunteers annually, as well as managed major University Orientation programs serving 6,000+ incoming students & 5,000+ guests per program, making Bri a perfect fit for Hireforce! In her time with Hireforce, Bri has already seen great success connecting with and placing Salesforce contractors on new projects, as well as growing her network within the Salesforce Ecosystem.

Q: What’s the best part of your job/Hireforce?

A: Definitely the people and the community! I feel grateful to have a job where everyone genuinely supports one another and encourages each other to be the best version of themselves.

Q: What’s the best way you start the day?

A: A cup of coffee, time spent meditating, going through my skincare routine, and quality time with my two cats—Pancake & Toast.

Q: What do you wish you knew more about?

A: Geology and astrophysics

Q: Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

A: Alaska, for sure. My partner and I went for our honeymoon and loved every second of it! We got to go dog-sledding on a glacier, kayak between icebergs, and take incredible scenic drives. Definitely unforgettable. 

Q: What have you been doing to keep yourself busy during this shelter-in-place?

A: I’ve been spending a ton of time outdoors hiking and exploring the Central Coast in California. I’m energized by spending time in nature and feel thankful to live in a place where it’s ample of wide open spaces and places to explore. I’ve also gotten really into cooking and baking. And, as always, my cats provide a lot of free entertainment - ha!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Salesforce?

A: The possibilities! Salesforce is versatile and adaptable; I love how this highlights the creativity behind different organizations and how they use it.

Q: What’s your favorite AppExchange?

A: I recently stumbled across Blackthorn Events and think it’s awesome! It’s a holistic event management app that supports the entire event planning and implementation cycle including marketing, registration, payment, attendance, and analysis. I previously worked coordinating large-scale university events, and this app would have been a dream to use! I can only imagine how helpful it is to organizations that utilize it now.

Q: What is your favorite Salesforce blog or MVP?

A: Tiffany Spencer—her vision for shaping an inclusive tech workforce is important and needed. She is the founder of HBCUForce (among a lot of other accomplishments!), which connects alumni, supporters, and students who attended HBCUs to enhance exposure to the opportunities within Salesforce/tech. Her work and accomplishments have left a significant positive impact within the field; it will be exciting to see how the impact continues to grow.

Tiffany was also featured on Hireforce’s Blog back in March to celebrate Women’s History Month!

Q: Favorite trailhead character?

A: Appy is the character I relate to most from their description. Appy is described as a connector who will get you connected with who/what you need to accomplish your goal. As a recruiting consultant, I see myself as a connector as well—just connecting passionate Salesforce professionals to their next opportunity.

Get to know Hireforce! Meet Taylor, Salesforce Consultant

Taylor joined Hireforce in April 2021 and has displayed a strong work ethic and radiates positivity, making her an extremely valued member of Hireforce and asset to the Salesforce Ecosystem. As a former Special Education Teacher, Taylor brings a high level of empathy, understanding and guidance to our team. In a short time with Hireforce, Taylor has already made great relationships with her colleagues, strong connections with members in the Salesforce Ecosystem and landed numerous individuals’ new opportunities!

Q: What’s the best part of your job/Hireforce?

A: I would have to say the interactions! Whether that may mean the interactions with my awesome teammates here at Hireforce or with the highly skilled Salesforce professionals, I love getting to make those connections and share in meaningful conversations.

Q: What’s the best way you start the day?

A: I always start my day with a workout, preferably outside if the weather is nice!

Q: What do you wish you knew more about?

A: I would love to learn more about self-awareness, meditation, and yoga practices. I need to actively remind myself to slow down and be present sometimes!

Q: Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

A: I have traveled to some really awesome places - Costa Rica, Hawaii, Jamaica, Barbados, etc. But I think I’d have to say that the Canary Islands are the most interesting and beautiful. Once you swim in a natural pool, you’ll never want to swim in your backyard pool again!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Salesforce?

A: As I learn more and more about Salesforce, I just love how versatile and accessible it is! Coming from a teaching background, Salesforce was not something I was too familiar with prior to starting at Hireforce. It has been really interesting and eye-opening to see just how many “household name” companies utilize it!

Q: What’s your favorite AppExchange?

A: As a former teacher, I think Studentforce is so interesting. I wish I had this technology available when I was a student because it is a great and useful way to track grades, assignments, and goals.

Q: What is your favorite Salesforce blog or MVP?

A: Jenwlee’s blog, now her content via Salesforce Admins! Jen Lee is a Salesforce 6x MVP, and I enjoy blogs written by strong females.

Q: Favorite trailhead character?

A: Codey the Bear! I think I am biased because my son’s name is Bear. I also come from a family full of manual laborers, so the “maker and builder” resonates with me.

Are Salesforce Automation Trends and AI Still on the Rise?

The year 2020 rapidly sped up digital transformation, and in 2021, we have continued to see that trend continue by way of increased hiring demand for projects related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation within Salesforce. With customer expectations for innovation and connected engagement on the rise, increasing pressure on employees who were already stretched thin. To meet the needs of all stakeholders, many companies are implementing workflow automation initiatives or accelerating those that were already in process.

Artificial Intelligence

Tableau CRM, formerly Einstein Analytics, enhances productivity, gives marketing predictions, and supports customer engagement. Tableau CRM uses data gathered on every user action to provide predictive analytics, natural language processing (NLP) capabilities, and machine learning to Salesforce customers. Utilizing Tableau CRM allows companies to take advantage of its enormous user base by analyzing every action taken to continue to improve its capabilities, which provides users with more accurate analysis as it continues to learn. Companies can support sellers to make correct decisions with the help of real-time sales data when they incorporate AI with their CRM, and experts in the field predict that AI-CRM integration will heighten the performance of Salesforce companies and increase their revenue generation significantly.

Marco Casalaina, SVP Product Manager, Einstein Salesforce, notes that “Rules-based processes are still of paramount importance in the new world of automation. However, AI augments workflows with the ability to understand language, predict behavior, or make recommendations.”

Salesforce surveyed its customers and found that less than a third of business’s have incorporated AI into their automation initiatives so far, with many teams planning to do so soon.

Automation

According to Salesforce, “technical leaders who have implemented automation report strong ROI. Nearly 75% see time savings equivalent to at least four hours per 40-hour week. As manual tasks shift from human to machine, employees have more time for strategic work.”

Salesforce reports that 95% of IT and engineering leaders say their organizations are prioritizing workflow automation. As companies reinvent how they engage customers, service agents are particularly under mounting pressure. Transcription of data and notes is the most common way teams automate.

Automation and AI trends in Salesforce are revolutionizing the way online businesses operate around the world by enhancing employees’ efficiency and freeing them from repetitive, tedious, and time-consuming processes.

Utilize Hireforce, a Salesforce specific service provider, for recruiting purposes in order to implement these trends successfully and utilize Salesforce’s capabilities to cater to the rising expectations of customers. If you’re hiring or looking for an AI or Automation-specific role within Salesforce, please reach out to one of our employees for more information. We are happy to connect with you.

Sources

“Salesforce Future: 8 Big Trends to Watch out For (2021).” The Whatfix Blog | Drive Digital Adoption, 15 July 2021, whatfix.com/blog/salesforce-future-trends/.

“Trends in Workflow Automation.” Salesforce.com, www.salesforce.com/resources/research-reports/trends-in-workflow-automation/.