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Connected Vehicles
29Aug

Connected Vehicles

Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry: Salesforce’s Connected Car App The automotive industry has always been a beacon of innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries to enhance the driving experience. From the iconic Model T and the assembly line to today’s electric and autonomous vehicles, the evolution of automobiles has been driven by an unyielding pursuit of progress. I actually purchased a new-to-me car today, and with the connected vehicle on the horizon I’m kind of glad I’ll be able to upgrade in a couple years. Bluetooth and back up cameras are great. But a car that can tell the dealership to get me on the horn before some automotive calamity occurs? The future is here, my friends. Connected Vehicles for Better Experiences Now, as digital transformation reshapes industries, a new chapter is emerging in automotive innovation: the connected car. Leading this charge is Salesforce, a global powerhouse in customer relationship management (CRM), with the introduction of its groundbreaking Connected Car App, poised to redefine in-car experiences for both drivers and passengers. From my personal buying experience today, the car business could use some customer relationship management! The Future of In-Car Connectivity Salesforce’s Connected Car App is more than just a technological enhancement; it represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with our vehicles. By leveraging Salesforce’s Customer 360 platform, this app creates personalized, engaging experiences that go far beyond traditional automotive features. The Connected Car App is designed to make every journey more intuitive and efficient, offering real-time insights and services tailored to the unique needs of each driver. Whether it’s maintenance alerts, optimized route suggestions based on traffic, or personalized entertainment options, the app transforms the car into a truly smart companion on the road. A GPS feature? I guess I can plan on deleting Waze off my phone in the near future! Powered by Salesforce Customer 360 At the heart of the Connected Car App is Salesforce’s Customer 360 platform, which delivers a comprehensive, 360-degree view of each customer. This integration ensures that the app provides tailored experiences based on a deep understanding of the driver’s preferences, habits, and history. It isn’t going to just know you by a vehicle loan number, a VIN number, or even just an email address. For instance, a driver who frequently takes long road trips might receive customized recommendations for rest stops, dining options, and attractions along their route. Meanwhile, commuters could benefit from real-time updates on traffic, weather, and parking availability. The app’s ability to anticipate and respond to the driver’s needs in real time distinguishes it from traditional in-car systems. I can just hear my car now, advising me it has been one hour since I stopped for coffee, and she’s worried about my sanity. Enhancing Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction with Connected Vehicles The Connected Car App offers significant potential to boost customer loyalty and satisfaction. By delivering a personalized driving experience, automakers can strengthen relationships with customers, transforming each driving journey into an opportunity to build brand loyalty. If Toyota is suddenly going to treat me like Shannan Hearne instead of customer # xxxxx would be ecstatic. Additionally, the app’s capability to collect and analyze data in real time opens new avenues for automakers to engage with their customers. Predictive maintenance reminders, targeted promotions, and special offers are just a few examples of how the app fosters a deeper connection between the brand and the driver. Oh, yeah. My connected vehicle app is DEFINITELY going to be talking to me about changing my oil (I’m not exactly diligent), how great the latest model of Toyota is (I drove a Corolla for 18 years and have also owned a Tacoma, a Tundra, and a Prius), and if it would add coffee coupons I would be golden. A New Era of Automotive Innovation Salesforce’s Connected Car App marks a pivotal moment in the automotive industry’s digital transformation. As vehicles become increasingly connected, the opportunities for innovation are boundless. Salesforce is at the forefront with a solution that not only enhances the driving experience but also empowers automakers to build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their customers. In a world where customer expectations are constantly growing, the Connected Car App is a game-changer. Customers, even car owners, expect their brands to know them and recognize them. By integrating Salesforce’s CRM capabilities directly into vehicles, the app creates a seamless, personalized experience that stands out. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the Connected Car App is just the beginning of an exciting new era of automotive innovation. As a marketer at heart and a technologist by trade, I’m really excited about the potential here. Connected Vehicle: A Unified Digital Foundation Salesforce’s Connected Vehicle platform provides automakers with a unified, intelligent digital foundation, enabling them to reduce development time and roll out features and updates faster than ever before. This platform allows seamless integration of vehicle, Internet of Things (IoT), driver, and retail data from various sources, including AWS IoT FleetWise and Snapdragon® Car-to-Cloud Connected Services Platform, to enhance driver experiences and ensure smooth vehicle operation. Can you imagine a smart app like the Connected Vehicle talking to your loyalty apps for gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores? I would be driving down the interstate and the app will tell me there is a Starbucks ahead AND I have a 10% off coupon. Automakers and mobility leaders like Sony Honda Mobility are already exploring the use of Connected Vehicle to deliver better experiences for their customers. The platform’s ability to access and integrate data from any source in near real time allows automakers to personalize driver experiences, in-car offers, and safety upgrades. Why It Matters By 2030, every new vehicle sold will be connected, and the advanced, tech-driven features they provide will be increasingly important to consumers. A recent Salesforce survey revealed that drivers already consider connected features to be nearly as important as a car’s brand. Connected Vehicle accelerates this evolution, enabling automakers to immediately deliver branded, customized experiences tailored to

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August 29, 2024in Salesforce Implementation Services, Salesforce Managed Services, Salesforce Manufacturing Automotive Energy
Salesforce Holiday Forecast
28Aug

Salesforce Holiday Forecast

Value-conscious consumers are increasingly opting for lower-cost options, waiting strategically for discounts, and turning to budget-friendly Chinese shopping apps, leading to a projected 2% year-over-year (YoY) growth in holiday sales both in the U.S. and globally, according to the Salesforce Shopping Index. This index analyzes data from over 1.5 billion global consumers on retail sites. The Salesforce Holiday Forecast isn’t necessarily bleak, but it will leave some merchants feeling glum. In 2023, holiday sales grew by 3% YoY, reaching .17 trillion. However, Salesforce forecasts that global sales for November through December 2024 will only reach .19 trillion, with the U.S. contributing $277 billion. This modest projection aligns with Salesforce consumer surveys, which indicate that while 47% of shoppers plan to spend the same amount as in 2023, 40% intend to spend less this year. “The global economy remains fraught with risks, despite inflation stabilizing,” said Rob Garf, VP and General Manager of Consumer Goods at Salesforce, during a recent briefing. “Interest rates are still high, global conflicts are disrupting supply chains, and we see consumers transferring inflationary costs to debt.” Indeed, a Salesforce survey conducted earlier this month revealed that 37% of consumers are using credit cards more frequently than last year, 32% are turning to buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, and 43% are carrying more monthly debt. Rising Popularity of Chinese Shopping Apps Consumers seeking value are gravitating towards deep-discount Chinese shopping apps like Temu, Shein, and increasingly, TikTok. According to Salesforce’s August 2024 survey, 63% of consumers have made a purchase through these apps in the past six months, and 50% plan to use them during the holiday season. These figures are even higher among Gen Z and millennial consumers, with 80% having purchased from these apps in the past six months and nearly 70% planning to do so during the holidays. Overall, Salesforce predicts that Chinese shopping apps will account for just over 21% of holiday purchases! “Temu and Shein lead the pack, but TikTok is gaining traction, up 24% since April, making it the third most popular app,” said Caila Schwartz, Director of Consumer Insights and Strategy at Salesforce. Consumers cite value as the primary reason for using these apps (58%), far ahead of fast shipping (28%). Consumers Plan to Wait for Cyber Week Deals Many shoppers intend to stretch their budgets by holding off on purchases until Cyber Week, the period around Thanksgiving that includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday. “In 2023, price-conscious consumers waited for Cyber Week to make purchases, and we expect this trend to be even stronger this year,” Schwartz noted. Salesforce data shows that 67% of shoppers are delaying “splurge” purchases until Cyber Week. Salesforce forecasts that global discount rates will briefly rise in October, likely coinciding with the fall edition of Amazon Prime Day, when many retailers run promotions to capture the holiday season’s momentum. Discount rates are expected to peak at an average of 28% globally during Cyber Week, with U.S. discounts forecasted to reach 30%. Shorter Season Highlights BOPIS Importance With only 27 days between Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) and Christmas this year, retailers with strong buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) offerings will have a significant advantage. Salesforce predicts that BOPIS will account for one-third (33%) of global online orders during the week before Christmas and Boxing Week. The compressed season will increase the pressure on retailers to execute BOPIS effectively, as failing to meet customer expectations could have serious reputational costs. “Retailers can extend the digital shopping season with BOPIS, but the real winners will be those who can deliver on it,” Garf emphasized. “Store associates are already feeling the strain, especially during the holidays, and some retailers have scaled back their BOPIS offerings, citing increased anxiety among both staff and customers.” Holiday Strategy: Prioritize Customer Acquisition To capture a share of what may be a smaller holiday “pie,” retailers should focus on customer acquisition—and the sooner, the better. With the 2024 elections in the U.S. and many other countries, advertising costs and space availability will be at a premium, making it harder for brands to reach consumers. “Online traffic is cheaper now than it will be in a few months, when political ad spending ramps up,” said David Oksman, VP of Marketing and DTC at Samsonite, who joined Garf and Schwartz at the briefing. “Acquisition costs will rise even more than we’ve seen before.” One additional challenge of holiday sales in an election year. Oksman recommends tried-and-true tactics for driving acquisition and gathering customer data: “Fall is a great time for sweepstakes and giveaways. The old playbooks still work, and customer acquisition is gold.” A sweepstakes prize like a shopping spree or offering exclusive early access to products or deals can incentivize consumers to share their email addresses with a brand. “Loyalty programs are another strong value proposition in the consumer’s mind,” Schwartz added. “Even if you’re not offering points, benefits like free returns or shipping can encourage shoppers to sign up.” Right now is the best time to engage in reactivation campaigns to old customers and prospects. Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. 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August 28, 2024in Marketing Automation, Salesforce Optimization
Salesforce and the Connected Car
21Aug

Salesforce and the Connected Car

The concept of the Connected Car has been a topic of discussion for years, often accompanied by ambitious predictions from consultants about its market potential. For example, McKinsey in 2021 projected that by 2030, Connected Cars would constitute 95% of all vehicles on the road. Central to the success of these vehicles is data, with each one generating approximately 25 GB of data per hour. That’s a lot of data. Like a whole truckload of data! Salesforce and the Connected Car is uniquely a perfect fit. However, this raises two critical questions. First, do consumers actually understand what a Connected Car is? Second, if they do, are they comfortable sharing their personal data with automakers to enhance their driving experience? In January, Salesforce conducted a study of 2,188 car owners in the U.S., revealing some unsettling insights. A significant portion of drivers—over two-thirds (65%)—are unfamiliar with the concept of a Connected Car. Even more telling, over a third (37%) had never heard the term before. As of now, two-thirds of respondents either don’t have connected features in their cars or are not using them if they do. This includes features like Apple CarPlay and others. Personally, while shopping for a car I look for all those connected bells and whistles. On the flip side, this presents a considerable opportunity for automakers. According to Salesforce’s data, drivers expressed a willingness to pay a premium for advanced features, such as driver assistance, touchscreens, and smartphone integration. When it comes to sharing personal data, however, there’s still work to be done. While over half of respondents (54%) are comfortable with cars collecting data on vehicle diagnostics or seatbelt usage (35%), fewer are okay with data collection on driving speed (34%) or route history (31%). The discomfort grows when it comes to more sensitive data like voice recordings (17%), biometrics (13%), or text messages (12%). There are incentives that could encourage data sharing. For example, over two-thirds of respondents (67%) would be willing to exchange personal data for better insurance rates. Other incentives include advanced driver personalization (43%), such as customized seat and mirror settings, and enhanced personal safety features like real-time health monitoring (36%). Introducing Salesforce Connected Vehicle Salesforce for the Automotive IndustryIn response to these trends, Salesforce has introduced Connected Vehicle, a new application within the Automotive Cloud, alongside new partnerships with Qualcomm and AWS. These innovations aim to help automakers create the cars of the future. According to Salesforce: With a single console and a ready-to-use set of industry-specific, low-code/no-code development tools, Connected Vehicle helps automakers roll out new services and features to drivers faster. It enables bidirectional, over-the-air (OTA) capabilities for data sharing and software updates between the cloud and the vehicle via wireless or cellular networks. Key features for automakers include: Connected Vehicle is available today, with additional features like Connected Vehicle Summary, Interaction Summary, Warranty Summary, and Sales Agreement expected to be generally available in the fall. Why Now? The Connected Car has been around in some form since 2005, but according to Achyut Jajoo, SVP & GM of Automotive at Salesforce, connectivity is just the beginning. He explains: “One big challenge for automakers was that once a car left the factory, it was difficult to update its software or add new capabilities. The car was limited to the features it shipped with, unless you took it back to the dealership. But today, the fundamental architecture of these vehicles is changing. I often describe it as a phone on wheels. With standardized chips and modules, data can now be pushed to the cloud, allowing for real-time control and updates.” This shift means that once a vehicle leaves the factory, its performance and features can evolve over time. This “software-defined vehicle” revolution allows for continuous enhancements and the deployment of new capabilities that weren’t possible before. While connectivity is an essential piece, this software-driven approach is the real game changer. As for Salesforce’s role and its partnerships with AWS and Qualcomm, Jajoo says: “We are known for taking data and creating customer experiences. When we looked at the automotive market, we saw how complicated it is. We heard horror stories and realized that by partnering with other tech powerhouses, we could provide an end-to-end solution. This approach was shaped by our discussions with customers who said they struggled with these challenges and would love for us to collaborate.” Final Thought We may not be close to McKinsey’s 95% prediction quite yet, but the trajectory is clear. With data being central to success—and consumer trust in how that data is used—Salesforce’s collaboration with AWS and Qualcomm seems like a smart move. Apparently I am the ideal customer as I want my vehicle connected! By Tectonic’s Senior Consultant, Shannan Hearne Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. 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August 21, 2024in Salesforce Automotive Cloud, Salesforce Development Services, Salesforce Manufacturing Automotive Energy, Salesforce Optimization
Generative AI Overview
19Aug

Generative AI Overview

Editor’s Note: AI Cloud, Einstein GPT, and other cloud GPT products are now Einstein. For the latest on Salesforce Einstein The Rise of Generative AI: What It Means for Business and CRM Generative artificial intelligence (AI) made headlines in late 2022, sparking widespread curiosity and questions about its potential impact on various industries. What is Generative AI? Generative AI is a technology that creates new content—such as poetry, emails, images, or music—based on a set of input data. Unlike traditional AI, which focuses on classifying or predicting, generative AI can produce novel content with a human-like understanding of language, as noted by Salesforce Chief Scientist Silvio Savarese. However, successful generative AI depends on the quality of the input data. “AI is only as good as the data you give it, and you must ensure that datasets are representative,” emphasizes Paula Goldman, Salesforce’s Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer. How Does Generative AI Work? Generative AI can be developed using several deep learning approaches, including: Other methods include Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) and Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs), which generate new data or create 2D and 3D images based on sample data. Generative AI and Business Generative AI has captured the attention of global business leaders. A recent Salesforce survey found that 67% of IT leaders are focusing on generative AI in the next 18 months, with 33% considering it a top priority. Salesforce has long been exploring generative AI applications. For instance, CodeGen helps transform simple English prompts into executable code, and LAVIS makes language-vision AI accessible to researchers. More recently, Salesforce’s ProGen project demonstrated the creation of novel proteins using AI, potentially advancing medicine and treatment development. Ketan Karkhanis, Salesforce’s Executive VP and GM of Sales Cloud, highlights that generative AI benefits not just large enterprises but also small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by automating proposals, customer communications, and predictive sales modeling. Challenges and Ethical Considerations Despite its potential, generative AI poses risks, as noted by Paula Goldman and Kathy Baxter of Salesforce’s Ethical AI practice. They stress the importance of responsible innovation to ensure that generative AI is used safely and ethically. Accuracy in AI recommendations is crucial, and the authoritative tone of models like ChatGPT can sometimes lead to misleading results. Salesforce is committed to building trusted AI with embedded guardrails to prevent misuse. As generative AI evolves, it’s vital to balance its capabilities with ethical considerations, including its environmental impact. Generative AI can increase IT energy use, which 71% of IT leaders acknowledge. Generative AI at Salesforce Salesforce has integrated AI into its platform for years, with Einstein AI providing billions of daily predictions to enhance sales, service, and customer understanding. The recent launch of Einstein GPT, the world’s first generative AI for CRM, aims to transform how businesses interact with customers by automating content creation across various functions. Salesforce Ventures is also expanding its Generative AI Fund to $500 million, supporting AI startups and fostering responsible AI development. This expansion includes investments in companies like Anthropic and Cohere. As Salesforce continues to lead in AI innovation, the focus remains on creating technology that is inclusive, responsible, and sustainable, paving the way for the future of CRM and business. The Future of Business: AI-Powered Leadership and Decision-Making Tomorrow’s business landscape will be transformed by specialized, autonomous AI agents that will significantly change how companies are run. Future leaders will depend on these AI agents to support and enhance their teams, with AI chiefs of staff overseeing these agents and harnessing their capabilities. New AI-powered tools will bring businesses closer to their customers and enable faster, more informed decision-making. This shift is not just a trend—it’s backed by significant evidence. The Slack Workforce Index reveals a sevenfold increase in leaders seeking to integrate AI tools since September 2023. Additionally, Salesforce research shows that nearly 80% of global workers are open to an AI-driven future. While the pace of these changes may vary, it is clear that the future of work will look vastly different from today. According to the Slack Workforce Index, the number of leaders looking to integrate AI tools into their business has skyrocketed 7x since September 2023. Mick Costigan, VP, Salesforce Futures In the [still] early phases of a major technology shift, we tend to over-focus on the application of technology innovations to existing workflows. Such advances are important, but closing the imagination gap about the possible new shapes of work requires us to consider more than just technology. It requires us to think about people, both as the customers who react to new offerings and as the employees who are responsible for delivering them. Some will eagerly adopt new technology. Others will resist and drag their feet. Like1 Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. 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August 19, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Salesforce Einstein, Technology
Unified Omnichannel Retail Platform
08Aug

Unified Omnichannel Retail Platform

Salesforce has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PredictSpring, a leading unified omnichannel retail platform in the retail POS market. This acquisition aims to enhance Salesforce’s Customer 360 capabilities by integrating PredictSpring’s technology into physical retail environments. Jeff Amann, EVP of Salesforce Industries, emphasized the potential synergies: “Consumers demand a retail experience that seamlessly blends physical and digital shopping. The combined talent, resources, and innovation of Salesforce and PredictSpring will empower brands and retailers to drive frictionless and personalized engagement across all touchpoints.” PredictSpring’s modern POS software offers a fast checkout service centered around customer experience. It advocates for intelligent and user-friendly technology to revolutionize in-store operational efficiency. On its website, PredictSpring details how its unified retail platform enables consistent shopping experiences by incorporating features such as diverse payment options, inventory access, customer data management, and personalized recommendations. This alignment supports Salesforce’s 360-degree customer view, multi-tender payment management, and streamlined customer experiences. PredictSpring also provides Cloud POS solutions, enabling mobile transactions within stores, and includes features like Store Operations, Clienteling, Endless Aisle, and Store Fulfilment to enhance worker efficiency and shopper experience. Its Content Management System (CMS) allows retailers to create customizable experiences matching company branding, promotions, and loyalty programs. Already a Salesforce partner, PredictSpring has integrated Commerce Cloud and Service Cloud. Its customers include Movado, LoveSac, Steve Madden, Suitsupply, Bouclair, and Deceim. Nitin Mangtani, Founder & CEO of PredictSpring, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are excited about the future of PredictSpring and what this means for the retail industry at large. We’re energized by the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the future of shopping as part of Salesforce.” Why PredictSpring mPOS? Retailers have become acutely aware of the detrimental impact that outdated legacy point of sale systems are having on their brand’s reputation and overall customer satisfaction. The consequence is evident in prolonged queues and an unsatisfactory shopping experience. However, the remedy to this challenge presents itself in the form of a modern solution: the mobile point of sale (mPOS). Forward-looking brands are embracing the concept of prioritizing mobile-first POS systems as the natural progression, and the integration process is surprisingly straightforward – a seamless extension to existing point of sale infrastructure. Facilitate cash payments with a mobile point of sale, streamlining the payment experience. With the Modern POS, store devices are wirelessly connected to a cash drawer so payment can be taken from anywhere in-store, leading to a higher engagement and conversion rate with customers. According to research released by Capterra, “48% of retail workers prefer using mPOS”. PredictSpring True Omnichannel Replace the need for separate technology stacks with a completely unified retail platform. PredictSpring ensures in-store experiences benefit from the same functionality as online ones. This includes the same payment options, company-wide inventory access, customer data management and personalized product recommendations. With these capabilities, stores are empowered by a truly Modern POS that provides seamless cross-channel personalization, inventory management, order management and order fulfilment. Encompassing the power of a full Modern POS, the system offers brands 50+ 00TB modules of integrated technology, including mPOS, clienteling, order fulfilment, order management and inventory management features. The Modern POS platform provides store associates with a 360 view of customers and access to a global inventory, resulting in a fully integrated brand experience at every touchpoint. This way, when a customer visits in-store they can interact with the physical products and receive a high-touch service while also still benefiting from the same access to inventory, reviews and recommendations as an online customer. APIs and Integrations PredictSpring is built for integrations. With the REST API, developers can access and seamlessly integrate PredictSpring functionalities into existing operations as well as other third-party applications. The platform’s API layer allows data to be shared securely across channels while minimizing risk. With this added flexibility comes the ability to create individually personalized and completely seamless experiences both online and in-store. Leverage easy integrations to offer more payment options for global customer bases. PredictSpring supports integrations with third-party payment providers such as Adyen, Elavon and Stripe to simplify the collection of global payments. PredictSpring fully supports omni channel order management. Ensure orders arrive on time while incurring the lowest costs with item-level smart order routing and rules-based configurations. Leverage inventory, location and fulfilment data to ensure order routing is optimized for orders on all channels – whether in-store or eCommerce. Leverage enterprise-wide inventory data and integrate with third-party logistics platforms to maintain a full, real-time picture of inventory. As well as cycle counts and easy inventory adjustments, the platform supports integration with RFID to ensure accurate inventory data. As well as offering BOPIS and curbside pickup solutions, the PredictSpring platform natively supports find in store and ship to store capabilities to maximize fulfilment options. Pick and pack allows fulfilment from any location with orders also able to be routed from store to store. PredictSpring allows the device’s own camera to be used as a barcode scanner, with no additional hardware required, to ensure easy order tracking functions for associates. Salesforce Commerce Cloud With a secure integration with Salesforce Commerce Cloud, PredictSpring offers even more flexibility. Users can choose to utilize features as a combined offering or independently to suit requirements. With this partnership, PredictSpring customers can benefit from the deployment of key Salesforce features including, customer data insights, order management, cart synchronization, product information management and more. AI-Based Voice Assistant Natural Language Based Voice Assistant for Modern POS Retail in the digital era is a story of constantly rising customer expectations. These days, customers demand seamless omnichannel experiences, so they can shop whenever and wherever they want. They expect personalized in-person shopping experiences, instant gratification, and fast, reliable delivery options. The only way to continue to meet these expectations at scale without breaking the bank is to harness the capabilities of AI—which is where the PredictSpring Modern POS comes in. As Modern POS systems have evolved into a complete operating system for stores with functionality ranging from checkout, returns, store fulfillment, clienteling,

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August 8, 2024in Salesforce Commerce Cloud
State of AI
03Aug

State of AI

With the Dreamforce conference just a few weeks away, AI is set to be a central theme once again. This week, Salesforce offered a preview of what to expect in September with the release of its “Trends in AI for CRM” report. This report consolidates findings from several Salesforce research studies conducted from February last year to April this year. The report’s executive summary highlights four key insights: The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) An intriguing statistic from Salesforce’s “State of Data and Analytics” report reveals that 77% of business leaders feel a fear of missing out on generative AI. This concern is particularly pronounced among marketers (88%), followed by sales executives (78%) and customer service professionals (73%). Given the continued hype around generative AI, these numbers are likely still relevant or even higher as of July 2024. As Salesforce AI CEO Clara Shih puts it: “The majority of business executives fear they’re missing out on AI’s benefits, and it’s a well-founded concern. Today’s technology world is reminiscent of 1998 for the Internet—full of opportunities but also hype.” Shih adds: “How do we separate the signal from the noise and identify high-impact enterprise use cases?” The Quest for ROI and Value The surge of hype around generative AI over the past 18 months has led to high expectations. While Salesforce has been more responsible in managing user expectations, many executives view generative AI as a cure-all. However, this perspective can be problematic, as “silver bullets” often miss their mark. Recent tech sector developments reflect a shift toward a longer-term view of AI’s impact. Meta’s share price fell when Mark Zuckerberg emphasized AI as a multi-year project, and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai faced tough questions from Wall Street about the need for continued investment. State of AI Shih notes a growing impatience with the time required to realize AI’s value: “It’s been over 18 months since ChatGPT sparked excitement about AI in business. Many companies are still grappling with building or buying solutions that are not overly siloed and can be customized. The challenge is finding a balance between quick implementation and configurability.” She adds: “The initial belief was that companies could just integrate ChatGPT and see instant transformation. However, there are security risks and practical challenges. For LLMs to be effective, they need contextual data about users and customers.” Conclusion: A Return to the Future Shih likens the current AI landscape to the late 90s Internet boom, noting: “It’s similar to the late 90s when people questioned if the Internet was overhyped. While some investments will not pan out, the transformative potential of successful use cases is enormous. Just as with the Internet, discovering the truly valuable applications of AI may require experimentation and time. We are very much in the 1998 moment for AI now.” Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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August 3, 2024in Generative AI
AI for Consumers and Retailers
02Aug

AI for Consumers and Retailers

Before generative AI became mainstream, tech-savvy retailers had long been leveraging transformative technologies to automate tasks and understand consumer behavior. Insights from consumer and future trends, along with predictive analytics, have long guided retailers in improving customer experiences and enhancing operational efficiency. AI for Consumers and Retailers improved customer experiences. While AI is currently used for personalized recommendations and online customer support, many consumers still harbor distrust towards AI. Salesforce is addressing this concern by promoting trustworthy AI with human oversight and implementing powerful controls that focus on mitigating high-risk AI outcomes. This approach is crucial as many knowledge workers fear losing control over AI. Although people trust AI to handle significant portions of their work, they believe that increased human oversight would bolster their confidence in AI. Building this trust is a challenge retailers must overcome to fully harness AI’s potential as a reliable assistant. So, where does the retail industry stand with AI, and how can retailers build consumer trust while developing AI responsibly? AI for Consumers and Retailers Recent research from Salesforce and the Retail AI Council highlights how AI is reshaping consumer behavior and retailer interactions. AI is now integral to providing personalized deals, suggesting tailored products, and enhancing customer service through chatbots. Retailers are increasingly embedding generative AI into their business operations. A significant majority (93%) of retailers report using generative AI for personalization, enabling customers to find products and make purchases faster through natural language interactions on digital storefronts and messaging apps. For instance, a customer might tell a retailer’s AI assistant about their camping needs, and based on location, preferences, and past purchases, the AI can recommend a suitable tent and provide a direct link for checkout and store collection. As of early 2024, 92% of retailers’ investments were directed towards AI technology. While AI is not new to retail, with 59% of merchants already using it for product recommendations and 55% utilizing digital assistants for online purchases, its applications continue to expand. From demand forecasting to customer sentiment analysis, AI enhances consumer experiences by predicting preferences and optimizing inventory levels, thereby reducing markdowns and improving efficiency. Barriers and Ethical Considerations Despite its promise, integrating generative AI in retail faces significant challenges, particularly regarding bias in AI outputs. The need for clear ethical guidelines in AI use within retail is pressing, underscoring the gap between adoption rates and ethical stewardship. Strategies that emphasize transparency and accountability are vital for fostering responsible AI innovation. Half of the surveyed retailers indicated they could fully comply with stringent data security standards and privacy regulations, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to protecting consumer data amidst evolving regulatory landscapes. Retailers are increasingly aware of the risks associated with AI integration. Concerns about bias top the list, with half of the respondents worried about prejudiced AI outcomes. Additionally, issues like hallucinations (38%) and toxicity (35%) linked to generative AI implementation highlight the need for robust mitigation strategies. A majority (62%) of retailers have established guidelines to address transparency, data security, and privacy concerns related to the ethical deployment of generative AI. These guidelines ensure responsible AI use, emphasizing trustworthy and unbiased outputs that adhere to ethical standards in the retail sector. These insights reveal a dual imperative for retailers: leveraging AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency and customer experiences while maintaining stringent ethical standards and mitigating risks. Consumer Perceptions and the Future of AI in Retail As AI continues to redefine retail, balancing ethical considerations with technological advancements is essential. To combat consumer skepticism, companies should focus on transparent communication about AI usage and emphasize that humans, not technology, are ultimately in control. Whether aiming for top-line growth or bottom-line efficiency, AI is a crucial addition to a retailer’s technology stack. However, to fully embrace AI, retailers must take consumers on the journey and earn their trust. Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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August 2, 2024in Generative AI
Conversational Commerce Explained
23Jul

Conversational Commerce Explained

Conversational Commerce is a modern approach to customer engagement and sales that leverages chat-based interfaces (like messaging apps, chatbots, and voice assistants) to facilitate seamless, personalized, and real-time interactions between businesses and customers. It combines the power of conversational AI with e-commerce to create a more natural and interactive shopping experience. 1. What is Conversational Commerce? Conversational commerce allows customers to interact with brands through text or voice conversations instead of traditional methods like browsing websites or using apps. It enables businesses to engage with customers in a more personalized, immediate, and convenient way, often using tools like: 2. How Does Conversational Commerce Work? Conversational commerce uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and machine learning to understand and respond to customer queries. Here’s how it typically works: 3. Key Features of Conversational Commerce a) Personalization b) Real-Time Interaction c) Omnichannel Support d) Automation e) Seamless Transactions 4. Benefits of Conversational Commerce a) Improved Customer Experience b) Higher Engagement c) Increased Sales d) Cost Efficiency e) 24/7 Availability 5. Examples of Conversational Commerce a) Chatbots b) Voice Assistants c) Social Media Messaging d) In-App Messaging 6. Technologies Powering Conversational Commerce a) Artificial Intelligence (AI) b) Natural Language Processing (NLP) c) Machine Learning d) APIs and Integrations 7. The Future of Conversational Commerce 8. Challenges of Conversational Commerce In summary, conversational commerce is transforming the way businesses interact with customers by making shopping more conversational, personalized, and convenient. It’s a key trend in the future of e-commerce and customer engagement! Content updated February 2025. Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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July 23, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Google, Salesforce
Alphabet Abandons Acquisition for HubSpot
10Jul

Alphabet Abandons Acquisition for HubSpot

Alphabet Abandons Acquisition Plans for HubSpot The integration between Salesforce and Hubspot could have changed drastically. The HubSpot-Salesforce integration allows you to pass data between HubSpot and Salesforce seamlessly, and maintain consistency between your marketing and sales teams. Current HubSpot Google integration includes: ability to log emails sent from Gmail into HubSpot CRM with one click, so your team spends less time on busy work and more time doing what they do best. HubSpot integrates with your Google Calendar to help you book more meetings in less time. Google parent Alphabet has abandoned its plans to acquire HubSpot, according to sources familiar with the matter. This decision puts to rest what would have been one of the year’s largest takeovers. HubSpot, Inc. is an American developer and marketer of software products for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service. HubSpot was founded by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah in 2006. The talks between Alphabet and HubSpot never progressed to due diligence and fell apart shortly after the companies held initial discussions on a potential deal, the source said, on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential matters. HubSpot’s shares, a customer relationship management company, plummeted by as much as 19 percent on Wednesday (Jul 10) in New York trading, marking the most significant drop since 2020. The shares closed down 12 percent at $492.31, giving the company a market value of approximately $25 billion. Earlier this year, Alphabet had expressed interest in a potential deal with HubSpot. However, the two sides never progressed to detailed discussions or due diligence, said the sources, who requested anonymity due to the confidentiality of the matter. Representatives for Alphabet did not immediately comment. A HubSpot spokesperson also declined to comment. Any acquisition of HubSpot would have been among the largest tech deals of the year, comparable to Synopsys’s pending $34 billion acquisition of Ansys, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. HubSpot recently suffered a hack attack. HubSpot, which builds marketing software for small and medium-sized businesses, has specialized in so-called inbound marketing, where consumers start engagement with a brand. HubSpot customers apply its software to make advertising content that consumers can click on. CEO Yamini Rangan said in May on HubSpot’s financial results call that customer demand had weakened, as small businesses worried about the economic impact of high interest rates. Acquiring Cambridge, Massachusetts-based HubSpot, which caters to small and midsize enterprises, would have bolstered Alphabet’s competitiveness against rivals like Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce. Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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July 10, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Google, Salesforce
Hubspot Hacked
01Jul

Hubspot Hacked

HubSpot recently disclosed a “security incident” where unauthorized access was attempted on several customer accounts. HubSpot is an American software company that provides tools for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service. It was founded in 2006 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah, and is today best-known for its all-in-one growth platform that helps businesses attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers.. The CRM company detected the incident on June 22, though it was publicly acknowledged six days later by Alyssa Robinson, Chief Information Security Officer at HubSpot. HubSpot seems to have suffered a data breach, but claims to have everything in hand – for now. Robinson stated that the incident involved bad actors targeting a limited number of HubSpot customers, aiming to gain unauthorized access to their accounts. Upon detection, HubSpot promptly activated its incident response procedures and has since been in contact with affected customers, taking necessary steps to revoke unauthorized access and safeguard customer data. HubSpot Hacked With how the statement was worded, it would seem that the attackers, whoever they are, tried to break into the account – but not necessarily succeeded. Still, the company proceeded with the usual practice in case of a cyberattack: “HubSpot triggered our incident response procedures, and since June 22 we have been contacting impacted customers and taking necessary steps to revoke the unauthorized access and protect our customers and their data,” said Robinson. As of Friday, June 28, HubSpot has not disclosed any communication from the hacking group, nor has it specified the full scope of the incident or the exact number of impacted customers. Despite having over 100,000 paying customers and achieving significant financial milestones, such as breaking the billion annual recurring revenue (ARR) mark, HubSpot’s stock price remained stable amid the news, which surfaced through TechCrunch. Ironically, this incident follows HubSpot’s recent announcement of new data protection capabilities for its Smart CRM users. However, it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by major enterprise tech providers regarding cybersecurity. HubSpot says fewer than 50 customer accounts were victims of a breach in late June, all impacted customers were notified and all has been quiet since the initial incident. As of May 2024, HubSpot had more than 216,000 customers, so an incident that impacts fewer than 50 doesn’t seem like a big deal, unless of course you’re one of the accounts involved. What we know:  The company is not releasing many details about the incident other than the basic facts. The company said in a June 28 release that it detected a security incident on June 22, 2004, where bad actors were attempting to gain access to customer accounts without authorization. HubSpot’s detection of the breach triggered its incident response procedures and the company notified impacted accounts. On June 28 and again on July 1, 2024, the company reported no further signs of a problem. What’s not known at this time is whether the attack was targeting a specific group of HubSpot customers. Back in March 2022, fewer than 30 HubSpot customers were impacted by a data breach, but all of the impacted customers were in the cryptocurrency business. HubSpot joins a growing list of enterprise tech firms experiencing cybersecurity incidents. While recent arrests, such as that of the alleged ringleader behind attacks on Twilio, LastPass, and Mailchimp, offer some hope, cybersecurity threats continue to evolve with the proliferation of digital devices and AI accessibility. This trend poses new risks, including the misuse of AI technologies like deepfakes, as highlighted by concerns raised by organizations like OpenAI. As businesses expand their digital presence and adopt new technologies, they must remain vigilant against evolving cybersecurity threats to protect sensitive information and maintain customer trust. HubSpot is an American software company that provides tools for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service. It was founded in 2006 and is today best-known for its all-in-one growth platform that helps businesses attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. Impact for Marketers As marketers, our martech stacks are heavily reliant on cloud-based SaaS applications (like HubSpot) and cloud-based data storage from vendors like Amazon’s AWS and Google Cloud. Even on-premise applications and data are a security risk. The applications running in the cloud and the data stored there are at arm’s length from your data security professionals. More than 80% of the data breaches recorded in 2023 involved data stored in the cloud, according to the Harvard Business Review. Big breaches impacting millions of consumers get a great deal of attention, like those that struck Sony or Target in years past. But smaller, targeted attacks can be devastating to the businesses that have their data exposed, though they fly under the radar of the national press. The number of reported data breaches increased 78% from 2022 to 2023. The cost of the average breach surpassed $4 million in 2023 and is up 15% since 2020. How secure is HubSpot? Is my data secure with HubSpot? All communications between a web client and HubSpot servers are protected using TLS (1.0, 1.1, 1.2) protocol encryption using 2048 bit keys. We also provide customers with the ability to enable Two-Phase Authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized use of their portals. Another July Hack One of the most significant data leaks in recent history is reported to have occurred on July 4. The leak, dubbed RockYou2024 by the original poster, “ObamaCare”, on a leading hacking forum, compiled 9,948,575,739 unique passwords into plain text. This means close to ten billion passwords were leaked. That said, the RockYou2024 is primarily a compilation of all previous password leaks and is built on a prior RockYou2021 compilation of 8.4 billion passwords. That means between RockYou2021 and RockYou2024, about 1.5 billion passwords were added to the list. Further, according to the hacker, at least a few of these passwords were cracked using RTX 4090, a tactic that was warned about earlier. According to Cybernews researchers, “In its essence, the RockYou2024 leak is a compilation of real-world passwords used by individuals all over the world. Revealing that many

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July 1, 2024in Salesforce Shield
Salesforce's Bold Predictions for Holiday 2024 Sales
21Jun

Salesforce’s Bold Predictions for Holiday 2024 Sales

Salesforce’s Predictions for the 2024 Holiday Shopping Season Salesforce’s Bold Predictions for Holiday 2024 Sales include that trade routes, artificial intelligence, pricing, and Chinese shopping applications will significantly influence the 2024 holiday shopping season. Here’s a breakdown of their insights: Changes in Holiday Shopping Experiences Salesforce, the software giant known for its e-commerce platform and cloud services, predicts a “challenging season” for both retailers and consumers. The company notes that shoppers have been delaying major purchases in hopes of finding discounts. As a result, retailers will need to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and economic pressures. Consumer Behavior and Economic Pressures Salesforce observes that consumers, resilient through four years of economic uncertainty, are finally feeling the impact of persistent inflation and supply chain issues. A significant 32% of global consumers have increasingly turned to alternative credit options like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) this year. Holiday Shopping Timeline Salesforce defines the holiday shopping season as running from November 1 to December 31. In 2022, 76 of the top 2000 online merchants in North America, using Salesforce as their e-commerce platform, generated over 6.97 billion in combined online sales. Salesforce’s Bold Predictions for Holiday 2024 Sales 1. Dominance of Chinese Shopping Applications Salesforce predicts that Chinese shopping apps will dominate the holiday season. According to their research, 63% of Western consumers plan to shop from Chinese apps such as Cider, Shein, Temu, TikTok, and Aliexpress. The primary driver for this trend is competitive pricing. Salesforce expects these apps to account for 21% of sales outside China during the holiday season. 2. Impact of Middle-Mile Shipping Costs Middle- and last-mile shipping costs are projected to increase by $197 billion in 2024, a 97% rise from the previous year. Factors contributing to this include rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions affecting global shipping routes. Despite these challenges, Salesforce advises retailers not to pass shipping costs onto consumers, as free delivery significantly influences online purchasing decisions. 3. AI Adoption in Gift Searches Salesforce reports that AI influenced 17% of online purchases during the 2023 holiday season, generating 9 million in sales. In 2024, more consumers are expected to use AI for gift discovery. With Google’s integration of generative AI into its search tools, retailers can shift from keyword searches to natural language prompts, potentially tripling conversion rates compared to non-engaged site traffic. Conclusion Salesforce Marketing Cloud’s array of features, including automation, personalization, analytics, and collaboration, empower B2B marketers to streamline their efforts and achieve superior results. By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can elevate their marketing initiatives and drive significant outcomes during the 2024 holiday season. Like1 Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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June 21, 2024in Generative AI, Salesforce Marketing Cloud
AI-Powered Smarter Media
10Jun

AI-Powered Smarter Media

Transforming Retail Media: Personalization and Faster Monetization with Smarter Media Dentsu, a leading growth and transformation partner, has announced a strategic collaboration with Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI-powered CRM, to launch Smarter Media—an innovative solution designed to accelerate retail media monetization through personalized buying experiences powered by AI. Why Smarter Media Matters With shifting consumer priorities, personalized retail experiences are more critical than ever. Salesforce research highlights that: Smarter Media addresses this growing demand by enabling retailers to quickly adapt, offering tailored buying experiences that strengthen customer loyalty while driving revenue. What is Smarter Media? Smarter Media combines the power of Salesforce’s ecosystem—including Media Cloud, Sales Cloud, and Marketing Cloud Engagement—to deliver an end-to-end retail media solution. The platform assesses a brand’s retail media maturity, identifies gaps, and creates a roadmap to optimize media, technology, and skills. The solution simplifies access to advanced media technology, empowering brands to connect with customers 24/7, expand their customer base, and nurture long-term relationships. Key Features and Benefits 1. Comprehensive Assessment 2. AI-Powered Personalization 3. Built for Retail Media Success 4. Quick and Easy Adoption How Smarter Media Works Smarter Media combines Salesforce Sales Cloud’s leading sales and pipeline management tools with Media Cloud’s Advertising Sales Management application. The result is a solution that seamlessly supports both simple and complex retailer models: Real-World Value Across Retail By addressing challenges like fragmented media strategies and inaccessible technology, Smarter Media delivers transformative value for retailers: Driving Innovation Together Paul Lynch, Integrated Solutions Lead for Commerce and Retail at Dentsu UK&I, shared: “Smarter Media will democratize cutting-edge technology for brands by providing a one-stop solution to create personalized buying experiences. In today’s experience economy, maintaining compelling customer relationships has never been more vital.” Christopher Dean, SVP and GM for Communications, Media & Entertainment at Salesforce, added: “By combining Salesforce Media Cloud’s industry-specific solutions with Dentsu’s creative retail media expertise, we’re making advanced media technology accessible for retailers, helping them thrive in a competitive market.” The Future of Retail Media Smarter Media from Dentsu and Salesforce offers a transformative approach to retail media, empowering brands to deliver personalized experiences, improve customer loyalty, and accelerate revenue growth—all while leveraging cutting-edge AI and automation. With its ability to deliver value in just six months, Smarter Media is the ultimate solution for retailers looking to succeed in today’s fast-paced, customer-centric market. Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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June 10, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Media Cloud, Technology
Improve Patient Care and Trust
09Jun

Improve Patient Care and Trust

A recent survey conducted by Kyruus Health and shared with HealthPayerIntelligence reveals that consumers are demanding more accurate online provider data from payers to enhance access to care. Healthcare solutions from Tectonic and Salesforce improve patient care and trust by improving data accuracy. The survey, fielded by Wakefield Research in April 2024, involved 1,000 healthcare consumers. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) had private health insurance, with Medicare being the second most common form of coverage (18%). The participants represented an even distribution across U.S. regions and age groups, with 57% identifying as women. Payers have historically struggled to maintain up-to-date provider directories, and this survey highlights the significant impact of these challenges. About 30% of consumers reported skipping care due to inaccurate provider information, with 70% of them seeking this data online. Consumers primarily rely on health plan websites or apps for provider information, with 32% naming these platforms as their first resource. Medicaid enrollees were particularly dependent on their plan’s digital resources, with 64% turning to these tools first. Besides health plan websites and apps, consumers also used general internet searches, provider or clinic websites, and healthcare information sites like WebMD. Social media platforms were also popular for care searches, with 77% of users turning to Facebook and 61% to YouTube. The survey also revealed that payers often fail to provide accurate cost predictions. Only 32% of respondents said their health plans offered accurate cost information. Price transparency tools are particularly important to younger generations, with 76% of Millennials and 80% of Gen Z respondents using these tools. However, 40% of Baby Boomers were unsure if their plans even offered such tools. Among those who did use them, 34% found that the tools presented incorrect provider data, with 45% of Gen Z reporting this issue. Inaccurate provider information can lead to significant negative consequences for consumers, including delays in accessing care, difficulties contacting preferred providers, and higher costs. Some consumers even reported accidentally receiving out-of-network care or forgoing care altogether due to these inaccuracies. These experiences not only hinder access to care but also damage consumer trust in their healthcare providers and payers. Overall, 80% of respondents said that inaccurate provider data affected their trust, with 27% losing trust in their health plans and 22% losing trust in their providers. The survey results underscore a clear call to action. Over 60% of consumers, and nearly 75% of Gen Z specifically, want their health plans to provide more accurate data. Tectonic has decades of experience applying Salesforce solutions to health care providers and payers. To address these concerns, the report recommends that health plans take three key steps: First, engage with members through appropriate channels, including social media. Second, unify and validate their provider data to ensure accuracy. Third, introduce self-service capabilities within their digital platforms to empower consumers. Reach out to Tectonic today if your organization needs help applying these three steps. Like Related Posts Who is Salesforce? Who is Salesforce? Here is their story in their own words. From our inception, we’ve proudly embraced the identity of Read more Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails Salesforce Marketing Cloud Transactional Emails are immediate, automated, non-promotional messages crucial to business operations and customer satisfaction, such as order Read more Salesforce Unites Einstein Analytics with Financial CRM Salesforce has unveiled a comprehensive analytics solution tailored for wealth managers, home office professionals, and retail bankers, merging its Financial Read more AI-Driven Propensity Scores AI plays a crucial role in propensity score estimation as it can discern underlying patterns between treatments and confounding variables Read more

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June 9, 2024in Mulesoft, Salesforce Health and Life Sciences Solutions, Salesforce Health Cloud, Salesforce Implementation Services, Salesforce Managed Services, Salesforce Optimization
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