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Mastering Sales Forecasting
03Feb

Mastering Sales Forecasting

Mastering Sales Forecasting: The Art and Science Behind Predicting Revenue Building a sales forecast is both a strategic art and a data-driven science. Accurate sales predictions ensure business stability, keep leadership informed, and enable better decision-making. This guide explores the essentials of sales forecasting, equipping you with the knowledge to create precise revenue projections and align expectations effectively. A Comprehensive Guide to Sales Forecasting Drawing from over 20 years of experience in sales solutions, we’ve structured this guide around the most pressing questions sales teams face in forecasting. If you’re a seasoned sales leader familiar with the basics, you can skip ahead to sections on designing a forecasting strategy and leveraging tools to enhance forecast accuracy. For insights on handling unpredictable market conditions, explore the section on adapting forecasts during uncertainty. Insights from 7,700 Sales Professionals Our latest report unveils how sales professionals drive productivity and efficiency through data-driven forecasting. Understanding Sales Forecasting What Is a Sales Forecast? A sales forecast estimates expected sales revenue over a specific period, such as a quarter or year. The most effective forecasts are highly accurate and rely on data-driven insights. Sales forecasts address two fundamental questions: Achieving these projections requires careful analysis of key factors: By balancing factual data with industry expertise, sales teams improve forecasting precision over time. The Importance of Sales Forecasting Sales forecasting plays a vital role in business operations, influencing everything from inventory management to hiring decisions. Consider these examples: Accurate forecasting enables businesses to plan effectively, ensuring smooth operations and sustained growth. When forecasts align with actual sales, companies can make strategic investments, such as expanding teams or launching new initiatives. Who Is Responsible for Sales Forecasting? Different teams contribute to sales forecasting, including: Ultimately, sales leadership is accountable for the final forecast, ensuring transparency and accuracy throughout the process. Who Uses Sales Forecasts? Sales forecasts impact multiple business functions: At every level, accurate forecasts enhance strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. Objectives of Sales Forecasting The primary goal of sales forecasting is to predict revenue with precision. When forecasts align with actual performance, companies can optimize internal operations and maintain strong external relationships. Key objectives include: A reliable forecast fosters a positive work environment, boosting morale and collaboration. How to Design a Sales Forecasting Plan Sales forecasting is an ongoing process that evolves with business needs. A strong forecasting plan includes: Adapting Sales Forecasts in Uncertain Times Market fluctuations, economic shifts, and global events can disrupt sales forecasts. When uncertainty arises, sales and finance leaders must quickly assess: Leveraging CRM solutions ensures real-time visibility into deal statuses, allowing businesses to pivot strategies as needed. Accurate data collection and analysis enable informed decision-making, mitigating risks in volatile conditions. Sales Forecast Accuracy Based on extensive industry research, most sales leaders achieve forecast accuracy within 10%. Achieving a 5% variance or lower is rare but signifies exceptional forecasting capabilities. Tools for Sales Forecasting The Role of CRM in Forecasting Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, such as Salesforce, enhance forecast accuracy by providing: CRM-driven forecasting consolidates opportunities into a structured framework, improving precision through collaborative insights and AI-powered recommendations. How AI Enhances Forecasting AI-powered tools, like Salesforce Einstein, analyze historical data to identify trends and anomalies. AI-driven alerts highlight potential risks, improving forecast reliability and efficiency. Why CRM Outperforms Traditional Methods While spreadsheets suffice for early-stage businesses, scaling companies require CRM solutions for accurate sales forecasting. CRM systems streamline data integration, improving decision-making and revenue predictions. Conclusion Sales forecasting is a critical business function that blends analytical precision with industry expertise. By leveraging CRM tools and AI-driven insights, organizations can refine their forecasting strategies, optimize resource allocation, and drive sustained growth. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how data-driven forecasting can elevate your sales strategy. Contact Tectonic today! Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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February 3, 2025in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Einstein0 Comments
AI evolves with tools like Agentforce and Atlas
03Feb

Salesforce Atlas

Salesforce Atlas: The Brainpower Behind AI-Driven Transformation A New Era of AI for Enterprise AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, and agentic AI—AI that can think, plan, and act autonomously—is at the forefront of this revolution. Salesforce is leading the charge with Agentforce, a low-code platform that allows businesses to build, refine, and deploy autonomous AI agents across multiple business functions. At the core of this innovation is Salesforce Atlas, the reasoning engine that empowers Agentforce to tackle complex decision-making tasks just like a human. But Atlas goes further—it continuously learns, adapts, and evolves, setting a new standard for AI-driven enterprises. Let’s explore how Atlas works, its capabilities, and why it’s a game-changer for businesses. Salesforce Atlas: The Reasoning Engine Powering Agentforce Atlas is the intelligent decision-making engine that powers Agentforce’s AI agents. Rather than simply following predefined rules, Atlas evaluates data, refines its approach, and continuously learns from outcomes. When an AI agent encounters a decision point, Atlas asks: ➡️ Do I have enough data to ensure accuracy?✔ If yes, it proceeds with a decision.❌ If no, it seeks additional data or escalates the issue. This iterative learning process ensures that AI agents become more reliable, context-aware, and autonomous over time. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff teased the potential of Atlas, revealing that: 📊 “We are seeing 90-95% resolution on all service and sales issues with the new Atlas.” That’s a staggering success rate, demonstrating how AI-driven reasoning can transform enterprise efficiency and customer engagement. How Salesforce Atlas Works: The “Flywheel” Process Atlas operates using a structured flywheel process that enables self-improvement and adaptability. Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ Data Retrieval – Atlas pulls structured and unstructured data from the Salesforce Data Cloud.2️⃣ Evaluation – It analyzes the data, generates a plan of action, and assesses whether the plan will drive the desired outcome.3️⃣ Refinement – If the plan isn’t strong enough, Atlas loops back, refines its approach, and iterates until it’s confident in its decision. This cycle repeats continuously, ensuring AI agents deliver accurate, data-driven outcomes that align with business goals. Once a task is completed, Atlas learns from the results, refining its approach to become even smarter over time. The Core Capabilities of Salesforce Atlas Atlas stands out because of its advanced reasoning, adaptive learning, and built-in safeguards—all designed to deliver trustworthy, autonomous AI experiences. 1. Advanced Reasoning & Decision-Making Atlas doesn’t just execute tasks; it thinks critically, determining the best way to approach each challenge. Unlike traditional AI models that follow rigid scripts, Atlas: 🔍 Analyzes real-time data to determine the most effective course of action.📊 Refines its decisions dynamically based on live feedback.🌍 Adapts to changing circumstances to optimize outcomes. At Dreamforce 2024, Marc Benioff demonstrated Atlas’s power by showcasing how it could optimize theme park experiences in real time, analyzing: 🎢 Ride availability👥 Guest preferences🚶 Park flow patterns This real-time decision-making showcases the game-changing potential of agentic AI. 2. Advanced Data Retrieval Atlas leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to pull highly relevant, verified data from multiple sources. This ensures: ✔ More accurate responses✔ Minimized AI hallucinations✔ Reliable, data-driven insights For example, Saks Fifth Avenue uses Atlas to personalize shopping recommendations for millions of customers—tailoring experiences with precision. 3. Built-in Guardrails for Security & Compliance Salesforce recognizes the importance of AI governance, and Atlas includes robust safeguards to ensure responsible AI usage. 🔐 Ethical AI protocols – Ensures compliance with evolving regulations.🚨 Escalation capabilities – AI knows when to seek human intervention for complex issues.🌍 Hyperforce security – Provides enterprise-grade privacy and security standards. These protections ensure Atlas operates securely, responsibly, and at scale across global enterprises. 4. Reinforcement Learning & Continuous Improvement Atlas doesn’t just process data—it learns from outcomes. 🔄 Refines decisions based on real-world results📈 Optimizes performance over time⚡ Becomes increasingly efficient and tailored to business needs Whether it’s increasing sales conversions, resolving service issues, or optimizing workflows, Atlas ensures AI agents grow smarter with every interaction. Why Salesforce Atlas is a Game-Changer Salesforce Atlas isn’t just another AI tool—it’s the brain behind Salesforce’s next-generation AI ecosystem. With Atlas, businesses can: ✅ Automate complex tasks with AI-driven decision-making.✅ Deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences with confidence.✅ Scale AI-powered workflows across sales, service, and operations.✅ Ensure compliance and trust with built-in governance measures.✅ Adapt AI capabilities to meet evolving business needs. Marc Benioff envisions Atlas as the core of a future where AI and humans collaborate to drive innovation and efficiency. By combining advanced reasoning, dynamic adaptability, and enterprise security, Atlas empowers organizations to work smarter, faster, and more effectively—unlocking the full potential of agentic AI. The future of AI-driven enterprise has arrived. With Salesforce Atlas, businesses can build AI agents that don’t just follow instructions—they think, learn, and evolve. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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February 3, 2025in Agentforce Platform, Agentic AI, Data, Enterprise, Hyperforce, Salesforce, Salesforce Data Cloud0 Comments
copilots and agentic ai
03Feb

Transforming Industries and Redefining Workflows

The Rise of Agentic AI: Transforming Industries and Redefining Workflows Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving faster than we anticipated. No longer limited to predicting outcomes or generating content, AI systems are now capable of handling complex tasks and making autonomous decisions. This new era—driven by Agentic AI—is set to redefine the workplace and transform industries. From Prediction to Autonomy: The Three Waves of AI To understand where we’re headed, it’s important to see how far AI has come. Arun Parameswaran, SVP & MD of Salesforce India, describes it as a fundamental shift: “What has changed with agents is their ability to handle complex reasoning… and, most importantly, to take action.” Unlike previous AI models that recommend or predict, Agentic AI executes tasks, reshaping customer experiences and operational workflows. Agentic AI in Action: Industry Applications At a recent Mint x Salesforce India deep-dive event on AI, industry leaders explored how Agentic AI is driving transformation across sectors. The panel featured: Here’s how Agentic AI is already making an impact: 1. Revolutionizing Customer Support Traditional chatbots have limited capabilities. Agentic AI, however, understands urgency and context. 2. Accelerating Business Decisions In finance and supply chain management, AI agents analyze vast amounts of data and execute decisions autonomously. 3. Transforming Travel & Aviation Airlines are leveraging AI to optimize booking systems, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. 4. Automating Wealth Management AI agents in financial services monitor markets, adjust strategies, and offer personalized investment recommendations in real time. The Risks & Responsibilities of Agentic AI With great autonomy comes great responsibility. The potential of Agentic AI is vast—but so are the challenges: The Future of Work: AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement Despite concerns about job displacement, AI is more likely to reshape rather than replace roles. What Are AI Agents? AI agents go beyond traditional models like ChatGPT or Gemini. They are proactive, self-learning systems that: They fall into two categories: “AI agents don’t just wait for commands; they anticipate needs and act,” says Dr. Tomer Simon, Chief Scientist at Microsoft Research Israel. AI Agents in the Workplace: A Shift in Roles AI agents streamline processes, but they don’t eliminate the need for human oversight. Salesforce’s Agentforce is a prime example: “Companies need to integrate AI, not fear it. Those who fail to adopt AI tools risk drowning in tasks AI can handle,” warns Dr. Omri Allouche, Chief Scientist at Gong. The Road Ahead: AI-Driven Business Growth Agentic AI is not about replacing people—it’s about empowering them. As organizations re-evaluate workflows and embrace AI collaboration, the companies that act early will gain a competitive edge in efficiency and innovation. Final Thought The AI revolution is here, and Agentic AI is at its forefront. The key question isn’t whether AI will transform industries—it’s how organizations will adapt and thrive in this new era. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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February 3, 2025in Agentic AI, AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Generative AI, Google, Laws, Salesforce, Technology0 Comments
Basejump on AI Analytics
01Feb

Basejump on AI Analytics

The Evolution of Data and AI: A New Frontier Once considered the new oil, data is no longer the sole focus of business transformation. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has shifted the conversation toward compute power as the fundamental resource driving innovation. Sequoia Capital emphasizes AI’s transformative impact, stating: “The fields that generative AI addresses — knowledge work and creative work — comprise billions of workers. [If] Generative AI can make these workers at least 10% more efficient and/or creative: they become not only faster and more efficient, but more capable than before. Therefore, Generative AI has the potential to generate trillions of dollars of economic value.”— Sonya Huang, Pat Grady, Generative AI: A Creative New World Whether this vision materializes remains to be seen, but the comparisons to past technological revolutions—such as the internet and mobile computing—are hard to ignore. The Role of AI in Knowledge Work and Data Analytics Data analytics has seen unprecedented growth, prompting businesses to reassess its value. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.3% through 2030, the market’s rapid expansion has led to a push for better tools and standards. Data analytics has evolved from a discipline primarily rooted in physics, mathematics, accounting, and economics to a more structured academic field. This shift is evident in the surge of data science degrees. The National Center for Education Statistics reported a 968% increase in data science bachelor’s degrees awarded from 2020 to 2022, highlighting growing demand. Modern Data Analytics: From ETL to ELTL Traditional extract-transform-load (ETL) processes have struggled to keep up with modern analytical demands. The introduction of extract-load-transform (ELT) architectures, championed by tools like dbt, empowered data teams by shifting transformation ownership from data architects to analysts. However, this speed came at a cost: fragmented data governance and inconsistencies in reporting. A more refined approach—ELTL (extract-load-transform-load)—adds a critical governance step, ensuring structured data models before visualization and reporting. Data Governance, the Semantic Layer, and AI Unstructured data delivery has led to discrepancies across dashboards and reports. To address this, solutions such as dbt’s semantic layer and SQLMesh provide standardized testing, metadata management, and auditing mechanisms. AI plays a crucial role here, offering: AI-Driven Precision Analytics AI is set to revolutionize data querying by replacing cumbersome dashboards with precise, real-time insights. Borrowing from the concept of precision medicine, “precision analytics” ensures that businesses receive tailored data transformations instantly. This shift reduces reliance on static filters and rigid dashboards, allowing AI to dynamically generate and refine queries. The Rise of Data Objects AI-generated SQL queries—what we term “data objects”—are distinct from traditional dashboards in that they are: AI Solutions: Retrieving and Querying Data AI-powered data analytics falls into two broad categories: Building Trust in AI-Driven Analytics AI-generated analytics must be trustworthy, requiring: The Future of AI in Data Analytics AI will not replace data teams but will enhance their efficiency by reducing bottlenecks and accelerating insights. Organizations that integrate AI with strong data governance will achieve a competitive edge, enabling faster, more accurate, and more relevant analytics. The shift toward AI-driven data analytics is inevitable. The question is: will organizations embrace the change and refine their strategies, or will they be left behind in the wake of innovation? Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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February 1, 2025in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Technology0 Comments

Einstein Service Agent

It’s been a little over a year since the global surge in GenAI chatbots, sparked by the excitement around ChatGPT. Since then, numerous vendors, both large and mid-sized, have invested heavily in the technology, and many users have already adopted AI-powered chatbots. The competition is intensifying, with CRM giant Salesforce releasing its own GenAI chatbot software, Einstein Service Agent. Einstein Service Agent, built on the Einstein 1 Platform, is Salesforce’s first fully autonomous AI agent. It interacts with large language models (LLMs) by analyzing the context of customer messages to determine the next actions. Utilizing GenAI, the agent generates conversational responses grounded in a company’s trusted business data, including Salesforce CRM data. Salesforce claims that service organizations can now significantly reduce the number of tedious inquiries that hinder productivity, allowing human agents to focus on more complex tasks. For customers, this means getting answers faster without waiting for human agents. Additionally, the service promises 24/7 availability for customer communication in natural language, with an easy handoff to human agents for more complicated issues. Businesses are increasingly turning to AI-based chatbots because, unlike traditional chatbots, they don’t rely on specific programmed queries and can understand context and nuance. Alongside Salesforce, other tech leaders like AWS and Google Cloud have released their own chatbots, such as Amazon Lex and Vertex AI, continuously enhancing their software. Recently, AWS updated its chatbot with the QnAIntent capability in Amazon Lex, allowing integration with a knowledge base in Amazon Bedrock. Similarly, Google released Vertex AI Agent Builder earlier this year, enabling organizations to build AI agents with no code, which can function together with one main agent and subagents. The AI arms race is just beginning, with more vendors developing software to meet market demands. For users, this means that while AI takes over many manual and tedious tasks, the primary challenge will be choosing the right vendor that best suits the needs and resources of their business. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 31, 2025in Data, Einstein 1 Platform, Google, Salesforce, Technology0 Comments
AI Agents in Government
30Jan

AI Agents in Government

AI Agents: A Key to Rebuilding Public Trust in Government Public trust in government services has been in decline for years, but new research from Salesforce suggests that AI agents could play a crucial role in reversing this trend. Citizens worldwide recognize the need for improved government interactions, with 40% reporting difficulties when seeking assistance and over a third unsure of the programs available to them. However, there is strong public support for AI-driven solutions—90% of global respondents indicated they would use an AI agent to engage with their government. AI Agents: A Game-Changer for Public Services The introduction of AI-powered agents presents a transformative opportunity for governments to enhance service delivery, improve response times, and build stronger constituent relationships. With budget constraints making it difficult to expand government workforces, AI agents can augment public servants, allowing them to operate more efficiently without increasing headcount. Imagine a trip to the AI Agent DMV! “It is clear from our research that AI solutions like Salesforce’s Agentforce can help governments streamline and scale services to better meet the needs of their constituents,” says Nasi Jazayeri, Executive Vice President and GM of Public Sector at Salesforce. “As global leaders convene in Davos, we have a tremendous opportunity for the public and private sectors to collaborate and explore how advancements in AI can improve how governments serve their citizens.” Key Findings from Salesforce’s Research Citizens Call for Improved Government Services Growing Public Interest in AI Agents Top Priorities for AI-Driven Government Services When considering AI adoption in public services, global respondents prioritize: The Future of AI in Government As AI technology continues to evolve, its important role in the public sector is becoming increasingly significant. By enhancing accessibility, streamlining processes, and providing real-time assistance, AI-powered agents can help bridge the trust gap between governments and their constituents. With strong public support, governments have a unique opportunity to leverage AI to build more responsive, efficient, and citizen-friendly services—ushering in a new era of digital governance. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 30, 2025in Agentforce Platform, Agentic AI, Generative AI, Public Sector Solutions, Salesforce, Technology0 Comments
AI Agents and Digital Transformation
30Jan

AI Agents Help Streamline Customer Service

AI Agents Help Fisher & Paykel Streamline Customer Service Through Expanded Salesforce Partnership Fisher & Paykel, the New Zealand-based luxury appliance manufacturer, is leveraging AI agents to automate customer service tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions and scheduling service appointments. This initiative is designed to free up employee time for more value-added tasks, enhancing the overall customer service experience. In collaboration with Salesforce, Fisher & Paykel is using autonomous agents that integrate seamlessly with its CRM system, providing agents with greater visibility into customers’ interaction histories. This enables more efficient, data-driven interactions and allows the company to proactively resolve issues, such as freezer temperature irregularities, by automatically notifying customers and helping them schedule necessary appointments. For instance, AI agents can diagnose appliance issues, alert the service team, and assist customers in scheduling repair appointments. These agents also support on-site technicians by providing critical information, such as appointment locations and appliance age, while offering helpful articles and generating post-service summaries. Additionally, the integration of AI agents will enhance collaboration with Fisher & Paykel’s retail, builder, and designer partners. These partners will benefit from more efficient access to inventory information, accurate quotes for multiple products, and streamlined order placement and tracking. Enhancing Automation-Ready Environments This initiative builds on existing capabilities from the partnership, combining AI, data, and CRM functions such as subscription management and consolidated customer engagement data. The results have been impressive: Fisher & Paykel saw a 206% increase in unique email opens and a 112% rise in unique clicks in 2023. They also reduced manual effort by 30 minutes per order and saved up to 3,300 hours through automation in the B2B side of their business, according to Salesforce. In addition to service automation, Fisher & Paykel is tapping into AI-driven automated journeys based on consumer buying signals and cloud-based customer service support that automates appointment confirmations. Rudi Khoury, Chief Digital Officer at Fisher & Paykel, emphasized that customer expectations for efficiency and personalized service align perfectly with the brand’s luxury offerings, highlighting the importance of AI in meeting these demands. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 30, 2025in Salesforce0 Comments
AI Agents and Work
29Jan

Maximizing Generative AI in Learning and Development

Maximizing Generative AI in Learning and DevelopmentHow organisations can harness the power of generative AI to enhance learning and development with strategic integration, best practices, and a culture of continuous growth CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article originally published on Vistage Organisations are increasingly recognising the value of generative AI in learning and development. While your employees may already be using it, they may not yet be maximising its potential due to limited resources or understanding. This article offers strategies for organisations to more effectively leverage generative AI and amplify its impact on their teams. A global survey of 14,000 workers by Salesforce in late 2023 revealed that 28% were already using generative AI at work, with over half doing so without formal approval. Similarly, a 2023 McKinsey report echoed these findings, and these numbers are likely even higher now. A recent study by Harvard Business School and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) highlighted the transformative impact of AI, showing that consultants using generative AI completed tasks 22% faster and produced 40% higher quality work compared to those not using it. Unlocking AI Insights Begin by conducting an internal survey to better understand how your employees are using generative AI. Gather data on the tools they use, how often they use them, and how these tools enhance their work. Frame the survey as an opportunity to learn about their experiences rather than as an evaluation or compliance check. Once you’ve analysed the results, identify employees who are using generative AI in creative and effective ways. These individuals—often informal leaders—can provide valuable insights into the practical applications of AI, as well as the challenges they face and how they overcome them. Fostering a Learning Culture Incorporating generative AI into your organisation’s learning and development strategy helps employees tap into the knowledge of early adopters while aligning AI use with broader organisational goals. Cultivate a culture that prioritises continuous learning and upskilling to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Regularly update training materials to reflect new advancements in AI. Provide opportunities for employees to attend conferences, webinars, and other educational events to stay current. Encourage peer learning by fostering a culture where employees are motivated to share their experiences, tips, and best practices with one another. Developing Best Practices Leverage the expertise of your AI pioneers to establish best practices that are tailored to your organisation’s needs. Create a collaborative environment where these early adopters can share their experiences and insights, and involve them in the development of formal training programs. This ensures that the content is both relevant and practical for your workforce. Pilot these best practices with a small, controlled group of employees before rolling them out more broadly. This allows you to gather feedback, refine the practices, and address any issues. Additionally, create comprehensive guides, FAQs, and video tutorials to give employees easy access to the information they need. Tracking the progress and outcomes of your AI-related learning initiatives is essential. Use data to customise learning experiences and promote a growth mindset among employees. By integrating generative AI into your learning and development strategy, you can tap into internal expertise to drive innovation and improve efficiency across the organisation. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 29, 2025in Data, Generative AI0 Comments
AI Agents as Tools of Trust
29Jan

Reviving Cold Leads with AI Agents

Reviving Cold Leads with AI Agents: Turning Dormant Prospects into Sales Opportunities In sales and marketing, cold or dormant leads often represent untapped potential. AI-powered agents can transform these “dead” leads into engaged prospects by analyzing past interactions, identifying key behavioral patterns, and executing data-driven re-engagement strategies. By leveraging AI, businesses can reignite interest and significantly improve conversion rates, ensuring that no potential customer is left behind. How AI Agents Revive Leads 1. Intelligent Lead Scoring and Prioritization AI can assess historical data, engagement levels, and demographic information to rank leads based on their likelihood to convert. This enables sales teams to focus on high-potential leads while automating engagement with lower-priority ones. 2. Hyper-Personalized Communication AI-driven insights allow businesses to craft highly relevant, tailored messages that align with each lead’s past interactions, preferences, and pain points. 3. Automated Nurture Campaigns AI streamlines lead nurturing through automated workflows that deliver relevant content across multiple channels, ensuring consistent engagement without manual intervention. 4. Predictive Analytics for Lead Conversion By leveraging machine learning models, AI predicts which leads are most likely to convert and recommends the best engagement strategies. 5. Real-Time Dynamic Content Adaptation AI ensures that communication remains relevant by adjusting messaging in real-time based on user behavior and engagement. Key Benefits of Using AI to Revive Leads 1. Increased Conversion Rates AI enhances engagement by delivering highly targeted, relevant messaging, increasing the likelihood of turning cold leads into paying customers. 2. Enhanced Sales Efficiency By automating lead nurturing and prioritization, AI allows sales teams to focus on high-value interactions, reducing manual workload and improving overall efficiency. 3. Cost Reduction and Resource Optimization AI minimizes wasted marketing spend by identifying which leads are worth pursuing, ensuring that budgets are allocated effectively. 4. Scalable and Consistent Engagement AI-powered systems ensure that no lead falls through the cracks, maintaining consistent follow-ups and personalized interactions at scale. 5. Data-Driven Decision Making By continuously analyzing engagement metrics and refining strategies, AI enables sales and marketing teams to make smarter, data-backed decisions. Conclusion AI agents are revolutionizing lead revival by intelligently prioritizing prospects, personalizing communication, and automating engagement strategies. Salesforce Agentforce is leading the charge. By leveraging AI-driven insights and predictive analytics, businesses can transform dormant leads into active opportunities, driving higher conversions and maximizing sales efficiency. As AI technology continues to evolve, its ability to re-engage and convert leads will only become more sophisticated, making it an essential tool for any sales and marketing team. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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January 29, 2025in Data, Technology0 Comments
salesforce agentforce ai powered agentic agents
29Jan

Agentforce 2.0

Salesforce, the leading CRM provider, is set to launch Agentforce 2.0 in February 2025—an AI-powered toolset designed as a “digital labor platform for building a limitless workforce for the enterprise.” Agentforce 2.0 is a comprehensive AI system that enhances teams with autonomous AI agents embedded in everyday workflows. Among its key offerings are AI-driven agents for Sales Development and Sales Coaching, with pricing starting at $2 per conversation. With this release, Salesforce introduces a library of pre-built skills and workflow integrations, enabling rapid customization and seamless deployment within Slack. Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, stated, “We’re seamlessly bringing together AI, data, apps, and automation with humans to reshape how work gets done. Agentforce 2.0 cements our position as the leader in digital labor solutions, allowing any company to build a limitless workforce that can truly transform their business.” Agentforce 2.0 includes pre-built AI skills across CRM, Slack, Tableau, and partner-developed integrations via the AppExchange. Customers can further extend Agentforce’s capabilities using MuleSoft, enabling low-code workflows that integrate with any system. The release also introduces an enhanced Agent Builder, which interprets natural language instructions—such as “Onboard New Product Managers”—to automatically generate new AI agents. These agents combine pre-made skills with custom logic built directly in Salesforce, offering unmatched flexibility and efficiency. Additionally, Agentforce 2.0 features Tableau Skills for advanced analytics and insights, further empowering businesses to harness AI-driven decision-making. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 29, 2025in Agentforce Platform, Data, Enterprise, Mulesoft, Salesforce0 Comments

How To Describe The World to AI

Guide to Practical Worldbuilding: Modeling Our World for AI Have you ever wondered how kids explore the world around them? How do they make sense of objects, relationships, actions, and societal rules? Picture a child seeing a cat for the first time. At first, it’s just a furry creature, walking, climbing, and purring. Then, they notice another cat with a white face and black stripes. Over time, they learn that cats are living creatures—just like dogs. But unlike dogs, cats don’t run or bark. Through exploration and reasoning, kids continuously refine their understanding of the world. How To Describe The World to AI. Now imagine a similar process, but for artificial intelligence. Like children encountering new experiences, AI requires a framework to comprehend the world—yet AI lacks the ability to crawl in the grass, taste objects, or watch sunsets. Instead, it relies on humans to provide structured models that serve as digital maps of reality. These semantic models, akin to globes in geography class, allow AI to grasp the relationships between concepts, understand unstructured data, and operate effectively within our world. 🔔🔔  Follow us on LinkedIn  🔔🔔 Why AI Needs Models of Our World While AI systems like predictive maintenance tools or autonomous cars excel at solving specific problems, they depend on carefully prepared data for training. However, generative AI has sparked excitement by working with unstructured information, leading us to believe in intelligent agents that can automate workflows, book trips, process calls, or write code. Yet, such agents often fall short because they lack a deep understanding of our world. Large Language Models (LLMs) can process information but struggle with ambiguity, such as linking corporate database entities to real-world concepts. Without models that provide contextual meaning, even advanced algorithms remain limited tools. These semantic models allow machines—and humans—to bridge vast data sources, integrate knowledge, and interpret complex systems. Modeling Reality: Key Lessons Lesson 1: Model for the Use Case Building a model is like creating a world: it depends on your goals and perspective. For instance, if you’re modeling temperature changes in an IoT system, your approach depends on whether the focus is the sensor’s behavior (event-driven) or the temperature data itself (state-driven). Similarly, some models emphasize persistent entities (continuants) like employees, while others focus on events (occurents) like meetings. Your philosophical assumptions—whether descriptive (open to integration) or prescriptive (closed to external input)—shape the model’s design. Lesson 2: Relationships Are Key Semantic models are most powerful when they show relationships between entities. These connections provide data with context, transforming raw information into actionable insights. For example, a manufacturing company could unify quality assurance, operations, and performance metrics into a shared ontology, replacing siloed dashboards with an integrated view. Visualizing these relationships helps humans see systems as interconnected rather than isolated, enabling better analysis and decision-making. Lesson 3: Serve Humans and Machines Every model must serve three audiences: Semantic models enable AI-powered tools to augment human productivity. For example, an ancient codebase can be transformed into a graph of abstract syntax trees (AST), making it accessible for AI-driven modernization. Similarly, metadata—ranging from classification labels to data lineage—plays a critical role in organizing, governing, and contextualizing data for machine learning and reasoning. The Impact of Modeling Modeling isn’t just a technical exercise; it’s a creative process akin to worldbuilding in fiction. By formalizing the relationships and rules of our domain, we create maps that help humans and machines navigate complexity. Whether you’re modeling an enterprise, designing an AI system, or simply trying to understand your organization better, semantic models offer the tools to unify knowledge, reveal insights, and drive meaningful progress. How To Describe The World to AI. In the words of Frank Herbert: “Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.” Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 28, 2025in Salesforce0 Comments
Unstructured Data
27Jan

Unstructured Data

Ultimately, combining the semantic depth of embeddings with the precision of structured retrieval methods will create more intelligent, robust AI systems—ones that understand the full context of the data and can deliver more precise, relevant results.

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January 27, 2025in Data, Generative AI
ai in marketing
27Jan

Guide to AI in Marketing

The Ultimate Guide to AI in Marketing AI-powered algorithms and machine learning are revolutionizing the marketing landscape by enabling swift processing and analysis of vast datasets. Unlike traditional methods, AI efficiently organizes large volumes of data in real time, redefining how marketing strategies are created and executed. Marketing success hinges on effective data utilization, precise targeting, engaging content, and seamless workflows. AI simplifies these complexities, making them more accessible, scalable, and impactful. Here’s how AI transforms modern marketing. Unleashing AI’s Potential in Marketing AI has become a cornerstone for enhancing customer experiences and boosting marketing productivity. However, to fully leverage AI, it’s essential to understand its capabilities and implementation strategies. Think of AI as your vehicle for uncovering actionable customer insights, optimizing campaigns, and creating tailored customer experiences. While the pace of AI’s evolution may seem overwhelming, this guide will help you take control and confidently drive your AI-powered marketing efforts. Future Trends in Generative AI and Marketing Generative AI is unlocking new possibilities in customer engagement. This guide explores the challenges, advantages, and emerging trends in AI-driven marketing. From attracting customers to maximizing ROI, you’ll discover best practices and real-world examples of successful AI adoption. How AI Works in Marketing AI uses advanced algorithms and pattern recognition to simulate human intelligence in processing data. Through machine learning and deep learning, it identifies trends, predicts outcomes, and automates tasks typically requiring human intervention. Like humans learning from experience, AI improves with practice. It rapidly identifies consumer preferences, behaviors, and purchasing patterns. Two primary types of AI stand out in marketing: These AI types work together—predictive AI extracts insights from data, while generative AI uses those insights to create personalized content and solutions. This synergy enables marketers to automate tasks, segment audiences, and deliver tailored messaging based on individual preferences. AI in Action: Enhancing Customer Engagement AI enables marketers to engage with customers more effectively by: The Power of AI-Driven Marketing Analytics AI-powered analytics revolutionize decision-making by identifying patterns and offering actionable insights. Marketers can use AI tools to: Maximizing ROI with AI AI enables businesses to expand audience reach, improve conversion rates, and enhance customer relationships through personalized content and product recommendations. Its real-time analytics empower marketers to make informed decisions, while automation frees up time for strategic innovation. Navigating Challenges in AI Marketing AI’s potential comes with challenges, including: By prioritizing ethical practices, transparent data policies, and robust compliance measures, marketers can overcome these obstacles and leverage AI responsibly. Best Practices for AI-Driven Marketing To maximize the benefits of AI, marketers should: The Future: AI Copilots in Marketing AI copilots—conversational AI integrated into platforms—are transforming marketing workflows. These tools draft content, provide recommendations, and offer guidance based on CRM data, significantly enhancing efficiency. Looking Ahead: Emerging Trends in AI Marketing Over the next two years, advancements in AI will continue to reshape marketing. Key trends include: By embracing these advancements, marketers can deliver exceptional customer experiences, drive business growth, and stay competitive in an evolving digital landscape. AI is not just a tool—it’s a transformative force. By integrating AI into your marketing strategy, you can unlock unparalleled opportunities to engage customers, optimize campaigns, and propel your organization into the future. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 27, 2025in AI Tools, Data, Generative AI
25Jan

Direct Manipulation to Intent-Driven Design

The Shift from Direct Manipulation to Intent-Driven Design: How AI is Reshaping User Interaction The way we interact with software is constantly evolving — sometimes through gradual changes, other times through disruptive leaps. Today, as AI-powered applications gain momentum, design pioneers like Vitaly Friedman, Emily Campbell, and Greg Nudelman are exploring the emerging design patterns that are reshaping user experiences. This shift is more than just another tech trend — it represents a fundamental transformation in human-computer interaction. The shift can be compared to the transition from film cameras to digital photography. In the past, users manually adjusted settings like exposure and film speed. With digital cameras, the process became automated — users simply clicked a button, and the camera handled the rest. AI is now bringing a similar transformation to software interfaces, allowing users to express their desired outcomes without dictating every step of the process. As Jakob Nielsen notes, this shift moves us away from rigid, step-by-step commands toward a goal-driven approach. In his words: “With new AI systems, the user no longer tells the computer what to do. Rather, the user tells the computer what outcome they want.” This transformation is not just technological — it’s philosophical. It challenges traditional ideas about control, agency, and human-computer collaboration. Where users once defined every step in an interaction, they now express their intent and let AI determine the optimal approach to achieving it. Direct Manipulation: The Foundation of Intuitive Design Before diving into how AI reshapes user interaction, it’s essential to understand the principles of direct manipulation, which have long defined intuitive user interfaces. In 1985, Edwin Hutchins, James Hollan, and Don Norman introduced the concept of direct manipulation in user interfaces. Direct manipulation refers to interaction styles where users directly engage with on-screen objects using physical, incremental, and reversible actions. For example, when you drag a file from one folder to another, you are directly manipulating the object. This interaction style is intuitive because it minimizes cognitive load — users can see immediate feedback as they interact with digital objects, reinforcing a sense of control. The Transition to Goal-Oriented Interactions AI is now challenging the dominance of direct manipulation by introducing goal-driven interactions. Instead of dictating each step of a process, users now express their desired outcome, and the system interprets and executes the task. Consider the AI-powered ‘Erase’ feature in Windows Photos. Instead of manually editing pixels to remove an unwanted object from a photo, users simply select the object and let the AI complete the task. This shifts the interaction from direct manipulation to intent-driven collaboration. Researchers like Desolda have explored this shift in their model of human-AI interaction. In traditional direct manipulation, users act in a linear sequence — recognize a goal, take an action, receive feedback. With AI, interactions become iterative and dynamic — users provide high-level input, AI executes, and users refine the output as needed. Enhancing Rather Than Replacing Direct Manipulation While AI introduces new interaction paradigms, it does not eliminate direct manipulation; instead, it layers new capabilities on top of it. For example, open input fields — like those found in ChatGPT or generative design tools — are built upon familiar UI patterns. These patterns reduce friction while allowing AI to extend the user‘s capabilities. Similarly, emerging frameworks like ‘Promptframes’ — introduced by Evan Sunwall — blend traditional wireframing with AI-generated content, accelerating design workflows without discarding familiar structures. This hybrid approach illustrates how AI can augment direct manipulation rather than replace it. Designing Seamless AI Interactions The ultimate goal of AI in design is to make interactions seamless. The most effective AI experiences do not draw attention to themselves — they quietly enhance user workflows. A prime example is Netflix’s recommendation engine. It does not ask users to configure settings or provide detailed input — it simply learns, adapts, and presents relevant content. This is the gold standard for AI-powered design: reducing friction, minimizing cognitive load, and allowing users to focus on their goals rather than the mechanics of interaction. As we design for AI, the focus should remain on enabling users to achieve outcomes effortlessly, rather than demanding their continuous attention. The future of user experience lies in balancing direct manipulation with AI-driven augmentation — empowering users to act with minimal friction while achieving powerful, intelligent outcomes. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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January 25, 2025in Salesforce

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