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Microsoft Copilot
21Sep

Microsoft Copilot

The fundamental capabilities of collaboration platforms have remained largely unchanged since the pandemic began. These platforms typically offer video conferencing, desktop sharing, and text chat, creating a virtual approximation of in-person meetings. While this setup effectively allows teams to collaborate across distances, it raises the question: Is this all there is to the collaboration experience? Enter Copilot. Microsoft is pioneering a new era of collaboration, where AI assistants help users prioritize meetings, manage follow-ups on action items, and integrate meeting outputs into future tasks. This evolution is particularly promising for knowledge workers who are overwhelmed by constant meetings. Copilot aims to redefine the collaboration experience, promising increased productivity and a more strategic approach to meetings. However, OpenAI, Microsoft’s prominent AI partner, is making moves to disrupt the enterprise space as well. OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Enterprise, which now boasts 600,000 users, including clients from 93% of the Fortune 500. This week, OpenAI also acquired the videoconferencing startup Multi, sparking speculation that the company may integrate collaboration features directly into ChatGPT. Multi’s unique approach to videoconferencing—described as “multiplayer” and drawing parallels to gaming rather than traditional meetings—hints at a potential shift in how meetings are experienced. The Multi tool, set to be discontinued in July following the acquisition, was tailored for software developers, focusing on screen sharing and leveraging Zoom’s video capabilities. Yet, the concept of enhanced document collaboration extends beyond software developers. Integrating document collaboration with AI-driven features like summarization, and linking this to advanced language models, could revolutionize the collaboration experience. This approach promises to streamline the collaborative process, focusing on the work at hand with new functionalities. That said, not all meetings revolve around documents. Many are simply conversations—often the ones people prefer to avoid. Therefore, refining how meetings are managed and integrating them into users’ work lives will remain crucial, even as new technologies enhance screen sharing and video capabilities. So, where does this leave traditional video services? The quest for meeting equity and AI-enhanced directors will likely continue to refine the experience, striving for the “next best thing to being there.” As the collaboration platform evolves, any outdated elements will become more apparent. Ultimately, collaboration is a multifaceted experience, and technology will play a key role in its continued advancement. 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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September 21, 2024in Enterprise, Salesforce, Technology
Chatbot-less AI-ifying
19Sep

Chatbot-less AI-ifying

AI-ify Your Product Without Adding a Chatbot: Inspiration from Top AI Use Cases Artificial intelligence doesn’t always need to look like a chatbot. Some of the most innovative implementations of AI have created intuitive user experiences (UX) without relying on traditional conversational interfaces. Here are seven standout patterns from leading companies and startups that demonstrate how AI can elevate your product in ways that feel natural and empowering for users. These are just a preview of the 24 trending AI-UX patterns featured in the “Trending AI-UX Patterns” ebook by AIverse—perfect for borrowing (or expensing to your company). Pattern 1: Linear Back-and-Forth (Classic Chat) While chat interfaces revolutionized access to AI, this pattern is just the beginning. Think of ChatGPT—its conversational simplicity opened the door to powerful LLMs for non-tech audiences. But beyond basic chat, consider integrating generative UI commands or API-based functionality into your product to transform linear data access into something seamless and engaging. Pattern 2: Non-Linear Conversations Inspired by Subform, this pattern mirrors how humans think—connecting ideas in a web, not a straight line. Non-linear exploration allows users to navigate through information like dots on a map, offering a flexible, intuitive flow. For example, imagine an AI that surfaces related ideas or actions based on user input—ideal for creative tools or brainstorming apps. Pattern 3: Context Bundling Why stop at simple text input when you can bundle context visually? Figma’s dual-tone matrix simplifies tone adjustments for text by letting users drag across a 2D grid. It eliminates the need for complex prompts while maintaining control over customization. Think of ways to integrate pre-bundled prompts directly into your UI to create an intuitive, visually driven experience. Pattern 4: Living Documents Tools like Elicit bring AI into familiar interfaces like spreadsheets by enhancing workflows without disrupting them. Elicit’s bulk data extraction uses subtle animations and transparency—highlighting “low confidence” answers for clarity. This hybrid approach integrates AI in a way that feels natural and predictable, making it a great choice for data-heavy tools or reporting systems. Pattern 5: Work With Me One of the most human-centered AI patterns comes from Granola, which uses meeting summaries based on your rough notes. Instead of overwhelming users with full transcriptions, it creates concise, actionable insights, perfectly blending human oversight with AI-powered efficiency. This pattern exemplifies the “human-in-the-loop” trend, ensuring collaboration between the user and AI. Pattern 6: Highlight and Curate Take inspiration from Lex’s “@lex” comment feature, which allows users to highlight and comment directly in the flow of their work—no app switching or disruption required. By building on familiar text-interaction patterns, this approach integrates AI subtly, offering suggestions or enhancements without breaking the user’s autonomy. Pattern 7: Invisible AI (Agentive UX) AI can work quietly in the background until needed, as demonstrated by Ford’s lane assist. This feature seamlessly takes control during critical moments (e.g., steering) and hands it back to the user effortlessly. Visual, auditory, and haptic feedback make the transition intuitive and reassuring. This “agentive” pattern is perfect for products where AI acts as a silent partner, ready to assist only when necessary. Tectonic Conclusions These patterns prove that AI can elevate your product without resorting to a chatbot. Whether through non-linear exploration, visual bundling, or seamless agentive experiences, the key is to integrate AI in a way that feels intuitive, empowering, and aligned with user needs. 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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September 19, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data
Transformative Potential of AI in Healthcare
16Sep

Transformative Potential of AI in Healthcare

Healthcare leaders are increasingly optimistic about the transformative potential of AI and data analytics in the industry, according to a new market research report by Arcadia and The Harris Poll. The report, titled “The Healthcare CIO’s Role in the Age of AI,” reveals that 96% of healthcare executives believe AI adoption can provide a competitive edge, both now and in the future. While one-third of respondents see AI as essential today, 73% believe it will become critical within the next five years. How AI is Being Used in Healthcare The survey found that 63% of healthcare organizations are using AI to analyze large patient data sets, identifying trends and informing population health management. Additionally, 58% use AI to examine individual patient data to uncover opportunities for improving health outcomes. Nearly half of the respondents also reported using AI to optimize the management of electronic health records (EHRs). These findings align with a similar survey conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Connected Medicine (CCM), which highlighted AI as the most promising emerging technology in healthcare. The focus on AI stems from its ability to break down data silos and make use of the vast amount of clinical data healthcare organizations collect. “Healthcare leaders are preparing to harness AI’s full potential to reform care delivery,” said Aneesh Chopra, Arcadia’s chief strategy officer. “With secure data sharing scaling across the industry, technology leaders are focusing on platforms that can organize fragmented patient records into actionable insights throughout the patient journey.” Supporting Strategic Priorities with AI AI and data analytics are also seen as critical for maintaining competitiveness and resilience, particularly as organizations face digital transformation and financial challenges. In fact, 83% of respondents indicated that data-driven tools could help them stay ahead in these areas. Technology-related priorities, such as adopting an enterprise-wide approach to data analytics (44%) and enhancing decision-making through AI (41%), were top of mind for many healthcare leaders. Improving patient experience (40%), health outcomes (35%), and patient engagement (29%) were also highlighted as key strategic goals that AI could help achieve. Challenges in AI Adoption While most healthcare leaders are confident about adopting AI (96%), they also feel pressure to do so quickly, with the push primarily coming from data and analytics teams (82%), IT teams (78%), and executives (73%). One major obstacle is the lack of talent. Approximately 40% of respondents identified the shortage of skilled professionals as a top barrier to AI adoption. To address this, organizations are seeing increased demand for skills related to data analysis, machine learning, and systems integration. Additionally, 71% of IT leaders emphasized the growing need for data-driven decision-making skills. The Evolving Role of CIOs The rise of AI is reshaping the role of CIOs in healthcare. Nearly 87% of survey respondents see themselves as strategic influencers in setting and refining AI-related strategies, rather than just implementers. However, many CIOs feel constrained by the demands of day-to-day operations, with 58% reporting that tactical execution takes precedence over long-term AI strategy development. Leaders agree that to be effective, CIOs and their teams should focus more on strategic planning, dedicating around 75% of their time to developing and implementing AI strategies. Communication and workforce readiness are also crucial, with 75% of respondents citing poor communication between IT teams and clinical staff as a barrier to AI success, and 40% noting that clinical staff need more support to utilize data analytics effectively. “CIOs and their teams are setting the stage for an AI-driven transformation in healthcare,” said Michael Meucci, president and CEO of Arcadia. “The findings show that a robust data foundation and an evolving workforce are key to realizing AI’s full potential in patient care and healthcare operations.” 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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September 16, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Salesforce Development Services, Salesforce Health and Life Sciences Solutions, Salesforce Optimization, Technology
AI-Driven Chatbots in Education
11Sep

AI-Driven Chatbots in Education

As AI-driven chatbots enter college courses, the potential to offer students 24/7 support is game-changing. However, there’s a critical caveat: when we customize chatbots by uploading documents, we don’t just add knowledge — we introduce biases. The documents we choose influence chatbot responses, subtly shaping how students interact with course material and, ultimately, how they think. So, how can we ensure that AI chatbots promote critical thinking rather than merely serving to reinforce our own viewpoints? How Course Chatbots Differ from Administrative Chatbots Chatbot teaching assistants have been around for some time in education, but low-cost access to large language models (LLMs) and accessible tools now make it easy for instructors to create customized course chatbots. Unlike chatbots used in administrative settings that rely on a defined “ground truth” (e.g., policy), educational chatbots often cover nuanced and debated topics. While instructors typically bring specific theories or perspectives to the table, a chatbot trained with tailored content can either reinforce a single view or introduce a range of academic perspectives. With tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Copilot, instructors can upload specific documents to fine-tune chatbot responses. This customization allows a chatbot to provide nuanced responses, often aligned with course-specific materials. But, unlike administrative chatbots that reference well-defined facts, course chatbots require ethical responsibility due to the subjective nature of academic content. Curating Content for Classroom Chatbots Having a 24/7 teaching assistant can be a powerful resource, and today’s tools make it easy to upload course documents and adapt LLMs to specific curricula. Options like OpenAI’s GPT Assistant, IBL’s AI Mentor, and Druid’s Conversational AI allow instructors to shape the knowledge base of course-specific chatbots. However, curating documents goes beyond technical ease — the content chosen affects not only what students learn but also how they think. The documents you select will significantly shape, though not dictate, chatbot responses. Combined with the LLM’s base model, chatbot instructions, and the conversation context, the curated content influences chatbot output — for better or worse — depending on your instructional goals. Curating for Critical Thinking vs. Reinforcing Bias A key educational principle is teaching students “how to think, not what to think.” However, some educators may, even inadvertently, lean toward dictating specific viewpoints when curating content. It’s critical to recognize the potential for biases that could influence students’ engagement with the material. Here are some common biases to be mindful of when curating chatbot content: While this list isn’t exhaustive, it highlights the complexities of curating content for educational chatbots. It’s important to recognize that adding data shifts — not erases — inherent biases in the LLM’s responses. Few academic disciplines offer a single, undisputed “truth.” AI-Driven Chatbots in Education. Tips for Ethical and Thoughtful Chatbot Curation Here are some practical tips to help you create an ethically balanced course chatbot: This approach helps prevent a chatbot from merely reflecting a single perspective, instead guiding students toward a broader understanding of the material. Ethical Obligations As educators, our ethical obligations extend to ensuring transparency about curated materials and explaining our selection choices. If some documents represent what you consider “ground truth” (e.g., on climate change), it’s still crucial to include alternative views and equip students to evaluate the chatbot’s outputs critically. Equity Customizing chatbots for educational use is powerful but requires deliberate consideration of potential biases. By curating diverse perspectives, being transparent in choices, and refining chatbot content, instructors can foster critical thinking and more meaningful student engagement. AI-Driven Chatbots in Education AI-powered chatbots are interactive tools that can help educational institutions streamline communication and improve the learning experience. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including: Some examples of AI chatbots in education include: While AI chatbots can be a strategic move for educational institutions, it’s important to balance innovation with the privacy and security of student data.  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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September 11, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Einstein 1 Platform, Generative AI, Salesforce Education Cloud, Salesforce Education Solutions
Strong AI Scalability
06Sep

Strong AI Scalability

The rapid pace of digital transformation has made scalability essential for any business looking to remain competitive. The stakes are high—without the ability to scale, businesses risk falling behind as customer demands and market conditions shift. So, what does it take to build a scalable business that can grow without compromising performance or customer satisfaction? In this Tectonic insight, we’ll cover key steps to future-proof your operations, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your business doesn’t just keep pace with the market, but leads it. Master Scalability with Scale Center Scalability doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Salesforce’s Scale Center, available on Trailhead, provides a comprehensive learning path to help you optimize your scalability strategy. Why Scalability Is a Must-Have Scalability is critical to long-term success. As your business grows, so will the demands on your applications, infrastructure, and resources. If your systems aren’t prepared, you risk performance issues, outages, lost revenue, and dissatisfied customers. Unexpected spikes in demand—from increased customer activity or internal changes like onboarding large numbers of employees—can push systems to their limits, leading to overloads or downtime. A strong scalability plan helps prevent these issues. Here are three best practices to help scale your operations smoothly and sustainably. 1. Prioritize Proactive Scale Testing Scale testing should be a key part of your application lifecycle. Many businesses wait until performance issues arise before addressing them, which can result in maintenance headaches, poor user experiences, and challenges in supporting growth. Proactive steps to take: 2. Use the Right Tools for Seamless Scalability Choosing the right technology is crucial when scaling your business. Equip your team with tools that support growth management, and follow these tips for success: By integrating the right tools and technologies, you’ll not only stay ahead of the curve but also build a culture ready to scale. 3. Focus on Sustainable Growth Strategies Scaling requires a long-term approach. From development to deployment, a strategy that emphasizes scalability from the outset can help you avoid costly fixes down the road. Key practices include: DevOps Done Right Building secure, scalable AI applications and agents requires bridging the gap between tools and skills. Focus on crafting a thoughtful DevOps strategy that supports scalability. Scalability: A Marathon, Not a Sprint Scaling effectively is an ongoing process. Customer needs and market conditions will continue to change, so your strategies should evolve as well. Scalability is about more than just handling increased demand—it’s about ensuring stability and performance across the board. Consider these steps to enhance your approach: Committing to Scalability Scalability isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a continuous commitment to growing smarter and stronger across all areas of your business. By embedding best practices into your day-to-day operations, you’ll ensure that your systems meet demand and prepare your business for future breakthroughs. As you develop your scalability strategy, remember that customer experience and trust should always guide your decisions. Tackling scalability proactively ensures your business can thrive no matter how market conditions change. It’s more than just a bonus feature—it’s a critical element of a smoother user experience, reduced costs, and the flexibility to pivot when necessary. By embracing these strategies, you’ll not only avoid potential challenges but also build lasting trust with your customers. In a world where loyalty is earned through exceptional experiences, a strong scalability plan is your key to long-term success. 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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September 6, 2024in Data, Hyperforce, Salesforce, Technology
Service Cloud Digital Engagement
17Aug

Boost Service Rep Productivity

Tips to Boost Service Rep and Field Service Tech Productivity Serviceblazer Allie Lawler shares top tactics for improving the productivity of service reps and field technicians. With over a decade of experience in the customer service industry, she has firsthand knowledge of how the landscape has changed, becoming more demanding and complex. Increased caseloads, rising customer expectations, and the pressure to generate revenue are placing significant stress on service teams. Research shows that 65% of service reps and 66% of mobile workers report that cases have become more complex. This complexity, combined with the rise of autonomous AI and heightened customer demands, can lead to burnout. Lawler explains that 69% of decision-makers in the service industry say that service rep attrition is a moderate to major challenge, which underscores the need for strategic solutions. Here are her top three strategies to boost productivity using Service Cloud and Salesforce Field Service, helping service teams thrive in today’s challenging environment. 1. Simplify Disjointed Processes One of the biggest productivity challenges for service reps and field techs is disjointed workflows. Although we picture service professionals actively engaging with customers, studies show that 61% of their day is spent on administrative tasks, internal meetings, and navigating fragmented systems. These disjointed processes slow down response times, increase the likelihood of errors, and hurt the customer experience. Streamline User Experience: A better-designed user experience can significantly reduce the time spent on non-customer-facing tasks. For instance, using Salesforce Lightning pages with Related Record and Dynamic Related List Components allows service reps to access all relevant information — from case details to account data — in one place. Quick-access buttons for workflows and automation further cut down the time spent searching for information, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. Improve Accessibility: Enhanced accessibility benefits the entire team. Features like clear labeling and visual icons on Lightning Pages improve usability for everyone. These small changes can make navigating the system easier, especially for reps with visual impairments or those looking for a more intuitive experience. Make Pages Dynamic: Instead of overwhelming reps with unnecessary fields, conditional visibility can simplify the interface. By only displaying relevant fields at the right time, reps can focus on what’s important, reducing distractions and improving workflow efficiency. For mobile field technicians, ensuring they only see actionable information—like work order details or scheduling notes—can help them serve customers faster without wading through irrelevant data. 2. Empower Reps and Technicians to Make Decisions Autonomy is key to increasing both productivity and job satisfaction. Giving reps the ability to make decisions without needing constant managerial approval empowers them to solve issues faster and reduces customer wait times. Enable Exception-Based Approvals: One way to grant reps more decision-making power is through exception-based approvals. For example, allowing service reps to offer small discounts or credits without needing manager approval increases efficiency. Setting approval thresholds — such as allowing reps to approve discounts under 2%, but requiring approval for anything higher — strikes a balance between empowering reps and managing risk. Expand Field Technicians’ Roles: Field technicians can be given the ability to upsell services or renew contracts while they’re onsite, further enhancing productivity. With Field Service Mobile extensions, techs can access tools that allow them to complete tasks, upsell services, or even renew contracts directly from their mobile devices. This not only speeds up service but also contributes to revenue generation. 3. Use Metrics to Drive Motivation Keeping service reps and technicians motivated is crucial for maintaining productivity. Lawler suggests using both individual and team metrics to create a culture of accountability and improvement. Build a Leaderboard: A leaderboard that highlights top performers encourages healthy competition and gives reps something to strive toward. Recognition of their efforts helps create a motivated and engaged workforce. Provide Access to Personal Metrics: Giving reps access to their own performance metrics fosters a sense of ownership and encourages continuous improvement. For example, Lawler recommends using dynamic dashboards on the service reps’ homepages, showing them key metrics like case closures and current caseloads. Field technicians can also view their performance metrics by using deep links from the Field Service app to the Salesforce mobile app. This allows them to track their appointments, customer satisfaction scores, and overall performance, creating a sense of pride and motivation to improve. Boosting Productivity: A Summary By making small but impactful changes to the user experience, granting autonomy, and recognizing achievements, service organizations can significantly enhance productivity. Streamlining workflows, empowering decision-making, and motivating with metrics will help both service reps and field techs thrive — leading to happier customers and more successful teams. 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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August 17, 2024in Data
Where Will the Data Scientists Go
13Jul

Where Will the Data Scientists Go

What Is to Become of the Data Scientist Role? This question frequently arises among executives, particularly as they navigate the changing roles of data teams, such as those at DataRobot. Where Will the Data Scientists Go may not be as relevant as what new places can they go with AI? The short answer? While tools may evolve, the core of data science remains steadfast. As the field of data science continues to expand, the role of the data scientist becomes increasingly vital. The need will grow, even as the role changes. Trust in AI is dependant upon human oversight. Beyond the Hype of Consumer AI The surge in consumer AI products has raised concerns among data scientists about the implications for their careers. However, these technologies are built on data and generate vast amounts of new data, presenting numerous opportunities. The real transformative potential lies in enterprise-scale automation. Enterprise-Scale Automation: The Data Scientist’s Domain Enterprise-scale automation involves creating large-scale, reliable systems. Data scientists are crucial in this effort, as they bring expertise in data exploration and systematic inference. They are uniquely positioned to identify automation opportunities, design testing and monitoring strategies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring AI solutions from concept to implementation. As automation grows, the role of the data scientist is essential in ensuring these systems function effectively and safely, particularly in environments without human oversight. New Skills for Data Scientists: The Guardians of AI Applications Data scientists will need to acquire new skills to manage automation at scale, including securing the systems they build. Generative AI introduces new risks, such as potential vulnerabilities to prompt injections or other security threats. Governance and ensuring positive business impacts will become increasingly important, requiring a data science mindset. Building Great Data Teams in the Age of AI The future of data science will not be about automation replacing data scientists but about the evolution of roles and skills. Data scientists need to focus on the core foundations of their discipline rather than the specific tools they use, as tools will continue to evolve. Teams must be built intentionally, encompassing a range of skills and personalities necessary for successful enterprise automation. Business Leaders: Navigating the AI Landscape Business leaders will need to excel in decision-making, understanding the problems they aim to solve, and selecting the appropriate tools and teams. They will also need to manage evolving regulations, particularly those related to the design and deployment of AI systems. Data Scientists: Precision Thinkers at the Forefront Contrary to the belief that AI could replace coding skills, the essence of data science lies in precise thinking and clear communication. Data scientists excel in translating business needs into data-driven decisions and AI applications, ensuring that solutions are not only technically sound but also aligned with business objectives. This skill set will be crucial in the era of AI, as data scientists will play a key role in optimizing workflows, designing AI safety nets, and protecting their organization’s brand and reputation. The Evolving Role of Data Science The demand for precise, data-literate thinkers will only grow with the rise of enterprise AI systems. Whether they are called data scientists or another name, professionals who delve deeply into data and provide critical insights will remain essential in navigating the complexities of modern technology and business landscapes. 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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July 13, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Technology
Required Startup Mentality
13Jul

Required Startup Mentality

Pivoting an established company’s business model is one of the most daunting challenges a CEO can face. When the new CEO of Zilliant took the company’s helm in 2022, the mandate was to accelerate growth and increase market share. It quickly became evident that success lay not in product updates or tech investments but in rethinking the organizational mindset. Required Startup Mentality. With a master’s degree in organizational behavior studies from the University of Illinois and extensive experience in organizational transformations, the CEO understood the process typically follows one of two paths: changing an existing culture or building one from scratch. High-profile examples provide inspiration for both approaches. Satya Nadella, upon becoming CEO of Microsoft in 2014, transformed the company from a “know-it-all” to a “learn-it-all” culture, fostering a growth mindset. Conversely, Marc Benioff of Salesforce instilled the “ohana” culture of family spirit, trust, and equality from the company’s inception. The CEO, having been immersed in Salesforce culture for over a decade, learned the importance of a robust support system for employees and customers. Upon joining Zilliant, the CEO brought lessons from Salesforce to the new role. Zilliant, a company with 23 years of history and a long-standing CEO, Greg Peters, had thrived in price optimization. However, to evolve further, the company needed to adopt a startup mentality. This approach included scrutinizing every budget line item, incorporating a new marketing playbook, and, crucially, leveraging existing talent in new ways. Identifying influencers within the company and placing them in positions of broader influence proved to be an effective strategy. Required Startup Mentality of leaders. This group of long-time employees, respected and experienced, became the “change champions.” Their elevated profile across the organization facilitated listening and acting on peer feedback, making the traditionally challenging task of cultural transformation more manageable. Initially, there was a struggle to clearly articulate the future vision. The transitional period was marked by confusion rather than resistance. This experience underscored the importance of vision and constant communication during transformation. The CEO discovered that merely communicating new company values wasn’t sufficient. Creating a unified vision with full conviction from the executive team was essential. Significant time was spent defining this vision in granular detail, learning from the successes and failures of other companies. Once the leadership team was aligned, this conviction was cascaded through the ranks. Instead of dictating change, employees were invited into the process through feedback sessions and pilot programs, giving them a stake in redefining cultural norms. Celebrating small wins, even if they’re a “loss,” was emphasized to support learning from missteps. Modeling desired behaviors, systematically updating policies, incentives, and processes reinforced the new mindsets and actions. It was an arduous journey, but staying intentional and bringing people along was crucial for evolving into the envisioned culture. Through the transformation, one principle remained constant: customers must see Zilliant as a partner rather than a vendor. This required individuals in every department—marketing, sales, customer success, product, and engineering—to proactively address and solve customer problems. Transitioning to a new business model and rethinking organizational mindset is a long-term effort requiring vision and commitment from all levels. The payoff, however, can be immense. Already, Zilliant has delivered two consecutive quarters of 60%-plus growth in year-over-year bookings and is positioned for continued record growth through the end of the year. 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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July 13, 2024in Mulesoft, Salesforce
Smithsonian Data Cloud
12Jul

Smithsonian Data Cloud

The Smithsonian already embraces technology through its Open Access Initiative. ousing 2D and 3D renders of collections it provides access to over 20 museums. Enter Salesforce and Smithsonian Data Cloud. The world’s largest network of research, museum, and education facilities, the Smithsonian Institution, manages over 150 million collections across its 21 museums, the National Zoo, and eight research centers. Navigating this vast array of artifacts can be overwhelming, even for dedicated history enthusiasts. To enhance accessibility, the Smithsonian Institution is collaborating with cloud computing giant Salesforce. The goal is to streamline the user experience by integrating disparate data sources, such as ticketing systems and donation histories, into a unified system. This initiative aims to provide a clearer blueprint of Smithsonian’s diverse locations and offerings, according to Lori Freeman, Salesforce’s Vice President and General Manager of Nonprofit Industry Solutions and Strategy. “Smithsonian is so progressive. They have all this content, they have all this history, they have incredible tools,” Freeman told Technical.ly. “So this technology is going to enable them to reach audiences they would never get to.” For instance, this system will allow museum staff and volunteers to assist visitors in locating exhibits across different Smithsonian locations. Becky Kobberod, the Smithsonian’s Head of Digital Transformation, illustrated this by describing how a visitor at the Hirshhorn could ask about a piece of art at the National Museum of American History. “It’s connecting the dots and creating a Smithsonian ecosystem that we currently don’t have. If you want to engage in our various museums, you go to each of them separately,” Kobberod said. “Whereas now, we’re providing you a front door, so to speak, that can help you navigate across all of the many different museums and resources that we have.” Although specifics about the technology and user interface have not been disclosed, Freeman emphasized that the main objectives are to keep visitors engaged and to build lifelong relationships with both in-person and virtual visitors. Building on Current Tech Resources The Smithsonian’s Open Access initiative, launched in early 2020, offers 2D and 3D renderings of its collections, totaling around 5 million items to date. Users can interact with 3D images to get a 360-degree view of fossils, sculptures, and artifacts like Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit. This initiative began with 2.8 million pieces and continues to grow, said Kobberod. In addition to Open Access, the Smithsonian has other digital initiatives. In 2022, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, in collaboration with Baltimore-based digital services firm Fearless, launched a searchable online platform to make certain collections and stories more accessible. Kobberod noted that only about 1% of the collections are physically displayed at any given time. Digitizing and uploading these collections not only preserves them but also makes them accessible to people who might not have the means to visit in person. “Smithsonian exists as a service to all of the American public,” she said. “We know that this is core to our future, and to making what we have available to the nation and the world.” 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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July 12, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Data Cloud, Salesforce Experience Cloud, Salesforce Hospitality Travel and Transportation, Salesforce Optimization, Salesforce Public Sector Solutions, Technology
Sales CRM - Do You Need It
05Jul

Sales CRM – Do You Need It

Every sale is a story of connecting needs with solutions and questions with answers. A sales customer relationship management (CRM) system is essential for facilitating these connections. It helps track customer interactions and creates meaningful engagements that drive business forward. However, many sales organizations are not fully utilizing this powerful, game changing tool. According to the latest State of Sales report, two-thirds of sales professionals feel overwhelmed by too many sales applications, and only 37% believe their organizations fully leverage their CRM systems. Let’s explore how a sales CRM can improve productivity and streamline operations to enhance every customer interaction. What is a Sales CRM? A sales CRM is software designed to help sales teams manage their interactions with customers and streamline pipeline management. It securely stores customer data, leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate key tasks and generate content, and optimizes sales processes to increase efficiency and revenue. Why is a Sales CRM Important? The State of Sales report indicates that 69% of sales professionals need efficient tools to manage job complexity. A sales CRM helps teams stay organized by storing customer details in one place, making it easier to track past interactions, follow up on leads, and close deals. This reduces time spent on administrative tasks, allowing salespeople to focus more on connecting with customers and closing sales. Today’s CRMs are more than just databases. With AI capabilities, sales teams can access and analyze customer information and automate tasks such as drafting sales emails and prioritizing tasks, transforming them into a highly efficient revenue-generating unit. How Does a CRM Help Increase Sales? A CRM assists sales representatives in suggesting products or services that meet customer needs, following up on leads, and reconnecting at the right time. For example, if a customer has expressed interest in a product, the CRM records this interaction. When that product becomes available at a discount, the salesperson can reach out with a personalized offer. CRMs can also automate follow-up reminders, encouraging customers toward a purchase. Here’s how a CRM can be applied at each stage of the sales cycle: 5 CRM Best Practices A CRM system is most effective when it supports a well-defined sales strategy. Here are some tips to enhance CRM use: Does Your Company Need a Sales CRM? To determine the need for a sales CRM, evaluate current sales processes and future goals. A CRM is particularly beneficial for business if: Tips for Choosing the Best CRM Selecting the right CRM involves considering your unique business needs. What will you gain? What will it cost? How will you implement it? How will you train sales teams to use it? Key factors include: Use Your CRM to Tell More Sales Success Stories A sales CRM serves as a comprehensive record with 360 degree views of customer interactions, helping improve productivity, foster meaningful customer engagement, and craft better success stories for your 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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July 5, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Salesforce
AI Safety and Responsibility
27Jun

AI Safety and Responsibility

The Future of AI: Balancing Innovation and Trust Authored by Justin Tauber, General Manager, Innovation and AI Culture at Salesforce, ANZ. AI Safety and Responsibility AI holds the promise of transforming business operations and freeing up our most precious resource: time. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses, where customer-facing staff must navigate a complex set of products, policies, and data with limited time and support. AI-assisted customer engagement can lead to more timely, personalized, and intelligent interactions. However, trust is paramount, and businesses must use AI power safely and ethically. The Trust Challenge According to the AI Trust Quotient, 89% of Australian office workers don’t trust AI to operate without human oversight, and 62% fear that humans will lose control of AI. Small businesses must build competence and confidence in using AI responsibly. Companies that successfully combine human and machine intelligence will lead in AI transformation. Building trust and confidence in AI requires focusing on the employee experience of AI. Employees should be integrated early into decision-making, output refinement, and feedback processes. Generative AI outcomes improve when humans are actively involved. Humans need to lead their partnership with AI, ensuring AI works effectively with humans at the helm. Strategies for Building Trust One strategy is to remind employees of AI’s strengths and weaknesses within their workflow. Showing confidence values — how much the model believes its output is correct — helps employees handle AI responses with the appropriate level of care. Lower-scored content can still be valuable, but human reviews provide deeper scrutiny. Prompt templates for staff ensure consistent inputs and predictable outputs. Explainability or citing sources for AI-generated content also addresses trust and accuracy issues. Another strategy focuses on use cases that enhance customer trust. The sweet spot is where productivity and trust-building benefits align. For example, generative AI can reassure customers that a product will arrive on time. AI in fraud detection and prevention is another area where AI can flag suspicious transactions for human review, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of fraud detection systems. Salesforce’s Commitment to Ethical AI Salesforce ensures that its AI solutions keep humans at the helm by respecting ethical guardrails in AI product development. Salesforce goes further by creating capabilities and solutions that lower the cost of responsible AI deployment and use. AI safety products help businesses use AI power without significant risks. Salesforce AI products are built with trust and reliability in mind, embodying Trustworthy AI principles to help customers deploy these products ethically. It’s unrealistic and unfair to expect employees, especially in SMBs, to refine every AI-generated output. Therefore, Salesforce provides businesses with powerful, system-wide controls and intuitive interfaces to make timely and responsible judgments about testing, refining responses, or escalating problems. Salesforce has invested in ethical AI for nearly a decade, focusing on principles, policies, and protections for itself and its customers. New guidelines for responsible generative AI development expand on core Trusted AI principles. Updated Acceptable Use Policy safeguards and the Einstein Trust layer protect customer data from external LLMs. Commitment to a Trusted AI Future While we’re still in the early days of AI, Salesforce is committed to learning and iterating in close collaboration with customers and regulators to make trusted AI a reality for all. Originally published in Smart Company. 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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June 27, 2024in Generative AI

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Gamechanger

Why Choose Salesforce Marketing Cloud for Your Business? Before diving into the features, let’s explore what makes Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) a game-changer for businesses. At its core, SFMC streamlines marketing automation, handling tasks like email outreach and audience segmentation with ease. This efficiency allows you to focus on strategy instead of repetitive tasks. As marketing shifts toward personalization, understanding your customers is more important than ever. SFMC helps businesses analyze customer behaviors, purchasing patterns, and engagement trends, making it easier to deliver highly targeted campaigns. Now, let’s dive into the top five features that set Salesforce Marketing Cloud apart. 1. Journey Builder – Create Personalized Customer Journeys Every customer follows a unique path, and Journey Builder lets you design tailored experiences across multiple channels. It helps map out customer interactions, ensuring they receive the right message at the right time. For example, if you run an e-commerce store, Journey Builder can automatically trigger: Marketing Value: ✔ Enhances personalization, leading to higher engagement.✔ Automates follow-ups so no opportunity is missed. Use Case: A customer browses sneakers on your website but doesn’t purchase. With Journey Builder, you can set up an automated sequence: 2. Email Studio – Simplify Your Email Marketing Email remains one of the most effective marketing channels. With Email Studio, you can craft high-impact email campaigns using a drag-and-drop interface—no coding required. From newsletters to transactional emails, SFMC ensures your message reaches the right audience. You can also A/B test subject lines and layouts to optimize performance. Marketing Value: ✔ Personalized emails generate 6x more transactions than generic ones.✔ Built-in analytics help refine email strategies. Use Case: Instead of blasting the same email to all customers, SFMC lets you segment audiences: This targeted approach drives better results and improves ROI. 3. Audience Studio – Harness the Power of Data Keeping track of customer data across platforms can be overwhelming. Audience Studio centralizes data from multiple sources—your website, social media, and emails—into a unified customer profile. It then segments customers based on behaviors and preferences, making it easier to deliver hyper-targeted campaigns. Marketing Value: ✔ Better audience insights lead to more effective marketing.✔ Integrates data from different platforms into one dashboard. Use Case: Launching a new product? Audience Studio – now known as Data Cloud – can identify your most interested customers based on their browsing history and past purchases. This ensures your ad spend is focused on high-intent buyers instead of a general, broad, uninterested audience. 4. Mobile Studio – Reach Customers on Their Phones With over 50% of emails opened on mobile, a strong mobile strategy is crucial. Mobile Studio enables businesses to connect with customers via SMS, push notifications, and in-app messaging. Even better, messages can be personalized based on user behavior, ensuring relevance. Marketing Value: ✔ Engage customers on their most-used device.✔ Mobile marketing sees higher open and conversion rates than email. Use Case: With most users glued to their phones, Mobile Studio ensures your brand stays top of mind. 5. Analytics Builder – Measure Your Success Running campaigns is one thing, but knowing what’s working is what truly drives growth. Analytics Builder tracks campaign performance in real time, providing insights on open rates, clicks, and conversions. Its user-friendly dashboards allow businesses to quickly identify top-performing campaigns and optimize underperforming ones. Marketing Value: ✔ Data-driven decisions outperform guesswork.✔ Helps fine-tune campaigns for maximum ROI. Use Case: If email engagement is low, Analytics Builder may reveal that your CTA is too subtle. By refining the email design, click-through rates can improve almost instantly. Unlock the Full Potential of Salesforce Marketing Cloud Salesforce Marketing Cloud offers a powerful, data-driven marketing suite that elevates customer engagement and drives conversions. It is as important in B2B marketing as it is to B2C and creates amazing customer experiences. By leveraging tools like Journey Builder, Email Studio, and Audience Studio (now known as Salesforce Data Cloud), businesses can create personalized, automated campaigns that resonate with their customers. Want to maximize engagement and ROI? Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a gamechanger. Start exploring Salesforce Marketing Cloud today—because the future of marketing is all about smarter, more connected and data-driven experiences. Content updated February 2025. 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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June 14, 2024in Analytics Builder, Data, Marketing Automation, Salesforce, Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Sales Cloud Innovation Driven by UX Design Principles
29Feb

Sales Cloud Innovation Driven by UX Design Principles

Driving Sales Cloud Innovation Through UX Design Principles: Sales Cloud Innovation Driven by UX Design Principles Enhancing user experiences and driving innovation within Sales Cloud relies on the fundamental principles of UX design. The core philosophy revolves around understanding users’ needs and ensuring simplicity as the default, allowing for increased trust and success. Here’s how three foundational UX design principles guide the product design team at Salesforce: UX Design in Action: The principles of meeting users where they’re at, maintaining low walls and high ceilings, and favoring simplicity are integral to Sales Cloud’s UX design philosophy. By adhering to these principles, Sales Cloud strives to build confidence among users, fostering a collaborative approach to developing innovative and user-friendly products.  Sales Cloud administrators need to operate with the same thought process. Tectonic is proud to introduce our Sales Cloud Implementation Solutions. Content updated May 2024. 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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February 29, 2024in Salesforce Implementation Services, Salesforce Sales Cloud

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