Episodes

  • #22 - Agent Support vs. Supplant, Technical Architects needed, Inspiring Interviews

    #22 - Agent Support vs. Supplant, Technical Architects needed, Inspiring Interviews
    Jan 28 2025
    This episode delves into Salesforce's Agent Force, stressing the importance of measuring ROI by comparing current costs with potential savings. Agents are valuable for handling routine tasks, augmenting human capabilities in support, sales and development roles. The discussion also explores how AI is reshaping developer roles and career paths, highlighting the need to learn AI tools in development and the importance of career progression within the Salesforce ecosystem, with a variety of roles such as admin, consultant and sales engineer. The use of parallel LLMs improves the quality of AI responses. There is a focus on declarative development for agents, and the necessity of governance. It's important to engage fully with AI to understand its limits and potential, and embrace new technologies to stay ahead in the rapidly changing field of tech.
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    25 mins
  • #21 – From Church Leadership to Salesforce Success: A Trailblazer’s Journey with Jeff Loven

    #21 – From Church Leadership to Salesforce Success: A Trailblazer’s Journey with Jeff Loven
    Jan 21 2025
    This podcast episode of "Salesforce Trails and Trials" features Jeff Loven, a Salesforce professional, discussing his career journey. Loven details his transition from a 17-year career in church leadership to a successful role in the Salesforce ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of both technical skills acquired through programs like Talent Stacker and soft skills developed through the People First Academy, DevPod for Salesforce Partners, and People First Method. He highlights the evolving Salesforce job market, noting the decreasing emphasis on solely technical qualifications and the increasing value of interpersonal skills and leadership qualities. Finally, he offers advice for job seekers and hiring managers alike, stressing the significance of soft skills and a people-first approach.
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    51 mins
  • #20 - SF Ben: How to avoid bad Salesforce partners

    #20 - SF Ben: How to avoid bad Salesforce partners
    Jan 14 2025
    Salesforce executives seeking qualified partners must prioritize those with strong communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills. Look for partners who emphasize continuous deployment, use artifacts like test plans for clarity, and engage front-line employees to align solutions with real-world needs. The best partners model collaboration, invest in intangible skills like leadership and problem-solving, and foster a culture of improvement, ensuring higher project success and measurable ROI.
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    48 mins
  • #19 - Proxemics, Job Market updates, AgentForce 2.0

    #19 - Proxemics, Job Market updates, AgentForce 2.0
    Dec 24 2024
    This episode of Salesforce Trails and Trials explores crucial soft skills and emerging trends in the Salesforce ecosystem. The hosts, Jon and Erik, begin by discussing the impact of proximity in virtual communication, emphasizing the need to be mindful of personal space on video calls. They then delve into a project anecdote highlighting the importance of explicit communication and avoiding assumptions, using the example of a visual force page migration. A key takeaway is the value of feedback as a gift for professional growth, and techniques for giving and receiving feedback effectively. The conversation shifts to the evolving Salesforce job market, with the rise of AI tools and the need for professionals to specialize in areas like data cloud and agent force. Eric shares his enthusiasm for the innovative AgentForce, demonstrating its power through a real-world example of an electric car company's customer service bot. The episode concludes with a motivational message inspired by dog training: "What gets rewarded gets repeated," emphasizing the power of positive reinforcement in both personal and professional settings.
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    52 mins
  • #18 - How to prepare for your Salesforce interview

    #18 - How to prepare for your Salesforce interview
    Oct 23 2024
    This episode of the "Sales Force Trails and Trials" podcast offers advice on acing a Salesforce job interview by leveraging soft skills. The hosts emphasize the importance of thorough preparation, including researching the company and its goals. They suggest demonstrating tenacity by showcasing problem-solving skills and a commitment to overcoming challenges. Finally, the hosts recommend highlighting emotional maturity by demonstrating an understanding of team dynamics and building relationships. By focusing on these soft skills, candidates can set themselves apart and showcase their value beyond technical expertise.
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    50 mins
  • #17 - Evaluating a Salesforce Career in 2025 and Beyond

    #17 - Evaluating a Salesforce Career in 2025 and Beyond
    Aug 23 2024
    This episode explores if a Salesforce career is right for you. The Salesforce market is growing but is becoming more competitive. The episode emphasizes the importance of soft skills, such as communication and leadership, in addition to technical expertise. To evaluate if this career path is a good fit, listeners are encouraged to consider their learning style, comfort with change, and preferred work environment. The episode highlights that individuals who enjoy continuous learning, are comfortable in evolving environments, and possess strong soft skills are well-suited for the Salesforce ecosystem. Practical advice on “toeing in” to Salesforce and differentiating yourself in a competitive job market is provided.
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    30 mins
  • #16 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and the Importance of Intangibles in the Salesforce Ecosystem

    #16 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and the Importance of Intangibles in the Salesforce Ecosystem
    May 7 2024
    This podcast episode, hosted by two Salesforce architects, focuses on the importance of intangible skills for success in the Salesforce ecosystem. They discuss the impact of AI on the industry and how Salesforce Ben is releasing an article addressing the high rate of project failures due to non-technical reasons. Citing the FoxMeyer Drugs case as an example of a project failure, they stress the importance of involving all stakeholders and emphasize the value of communication, change management, and performance testing. They highlight the significance of intangible skills like confidence, communication, and problem-solving, even over technical certifications. The hosts share personal anecdotes of overcoming imposter syndrome and encourage listeners to share their own experiences.
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    42 mins
  • #15 - A philosophy major to TaskRabbit to Salesforce consultant with Zachary Pals

    #15 - A philosophy major to TaskRabbit to Salesforce consultant with Zachary Pals
    Mar 13 2023
    Zachary Pals, a philosophy major, unexpectedly found a fulfilling career in the Salesforce ecosystem. After moving to Los Angeles and working various jobs, he connected with John Klein through a chance encounter while moving a couch. Jon introduced him to Salesforce and Trailhead. Zachary initially balanced Salesforce work with bartending, but eventually committed fully to Salesforce, joining Jon's Salesforce Experience Academy and DevPod for Salesforce Partners. Through the academy and mentorship from Jon and the team, Zachary gained valuable experience and certifications. He transitioned from an admin role to a more solution-oriented position, embracing challenges and anxieties as opportunities for growth. Five years later, Zachary is thriving as a Salesforce expert and considering a future in development.
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    50 mins