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AI Agents in Business 2025

Digital-First Auto Expectations

Gen Z is Reshaping the Auto Industry with AI and Digital-First Expectations As the first generation of digital natives, Gen Z is entering the car market with a strong preference for personalized, tech-driven experiences—disrupting traditional purchasing and leasing models. According to recent Salesforce research, 74% of Gen Z buyers want AI-powered agents to advise them on the optimal time to buy based on pricing trends, promotions, and incentives. To stay competitive, automotive leaders must adapt their strategies to meet these evolving expectations. Gen Z Embraces AI for Car Research and Financing Compared to older generations, Gen Z is far more likely to rely on AI for car shopping: A Tech-First Approach to Car Buying Gen Z’s reliance on technology stems from challenges in navigating the traditional car-buying process: Greater Trust in AI and Demand for Personalization Gen Z shows significantly higher confidence in AI-driven solutions: Subscription Models and Flexible Ownership Younger buyers favor innovative payment and ownership options: The Future of Automotive Retail With Gen Z leading the shift toward AI-powered car buying, maintenance, and flexible ownership models, automakers and dealers must prioritize digital-first solutions, transparent pricing, and hyper-personalized experiences to capture this influential market. Tectonic is here to help your company deliver on these Gen Z expectations with Salesforce. Contact us today! Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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Salesforce Essentials and Salesforce Professional

Benefits of Salesforce Essentials for Small Businesses

Salesforce Essentials: A Game-Changer for Small Businesses Salesforce is a leading force in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) industry, offering scalable solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. While global enterprises like Amazon, Accenture, Adidas, and American Express leverage its capabilities, Salesforce also caters to small businesses with Salesforce Essentials. Launched in 2017, this cloud-based CRM simplifies customer relationship management for small teams without the complexity and cost of enterprise-level solutions. What Is Salesforce Essentials? Salesforce Essentials is a streamlined CRM designed for small businesses with fewer than 10 users. It provides core features such as lead management, sales tracking, customer support, and business analytics. With an intuitive interface and cost-effective pricing, Essentials enables small businesses to leverage Salesforce’s powerful CRM tools without being overwhelmed by extensive configurations. With a cloud-first approach, Salesforce Essentials centralizes customer data on a single platform, enhancing efficiency, boosting productivity, and improving customer interactions. Who Should Use Salesforce Essentials? Salesforce Essentials is ideal for small businesses seeking a straightforward, affordable CRM to manage customer relationships, track sales, and provide support—without the complexities of traditional CRM systems. If your business currently relies on spreadsheets or disparate tools to manage customer data, Essentials offers a more organized and integrated solution. Designed for teams of up to 10 users, it is an excellent starting point for small businesses looking to scale their CRM capabilities as they grow. Key Features of Salesforce Essentials 1. Comprehensive CRM Capabilities Salesforce Essentials consolidates sales tracking, customer inquiries, and support into a single interface. This holistic approach ensures small businesses can manage customer data efficiently as they expand. 2. AI-Driven Automation Essentials includes Einstein Activity Capture, which automatically records emails, meetings, and calendar events. This eliminates manual data entry and allows teams to focus on strategic tasks. AI-driven insights further enhance customer relationship management and sales forecasting. 3. User-Friendly Interface The platform features an intuitive dashboard that provides real-time updates, task lists, and customizable views. The drag-and-drop interface simplifies navigation, reducing the learning curve for small business teams. 4. Personalized Setup Salesforce Essentials offers guided setup tailored to business needs, whether managing contacts, streamlining sales cycles, or improving customer support. 5. Third-Party Integrations While not all Salesforce AppExchange apps are compatible, Essentials supports key third-party integrations, enabling small businesses to sync data across multiple platforms seamlessly. Benefits of Salesforce Essentials for Small Businesses 1. Data Synchronization Salesforce Essentials allows businesses to import and sync data from spreadsheets, emails, and other sources. Einstein Activity Capture automates data collection, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records. 2. Affordability Priced at per user per month, Salesforce Essentials is a cost-effective CRM solution with essential features typically found in more expensive systems. 3. Scalability Though initially designed for small teams, Essentials facilitates a smooth transition to more advanced Salesforce solutions as business needs evolve. 4. Mobile Accessibility With a mobile app, Salesforce Essentials enables small businesses to manage customer relationships anytime, anywhere. 5. Training and Support Salesforce offers extensive learning resources through Trailhead, in-app tutorials, and an installation assistant, helping small businesses maximize their CRM investment. Pricing and Getting Started Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 per user per month, making it an accessible upgrade from spreadsheets or less sophisticated CRM tools. For businesses requiring advanced features, Salesforce provides higher-tier plans such as Sales Professional and Service Professional, both starting at $75 per user per month. To get started, businesses can explore a pre-built demo with dummy data before importing their own customer information. Integration with Google or Outlook ensures seamless email and calendar synchronization. With mobile access and a scalable framework, Salesforce Essentials is a strategic investment for small businesses aiming for growth. Conclusion Salesforce Essentials is a powerful yet affordable CRM tailored for small businesses. It offers an intuitive interface, automation tools, and seamless scalability to support growing teams. By adopting Salesforce Essentials, small businesses can enhance efficiency, strengthen customer relationships, and position themselves for long-term success. 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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user q and a

B2B Company With B2C Users

My company sells to dealers (so our Accounts are our dealers), but the dealers have B2C end consumers that we would also like to sometimes capture as leads to market our product to and to forward on to our dealers as leads. These B2C consumers could be sent as leads to more than one dealer, and/or could buy from more than one dealer. Does anyone have a recommendation on which object to use for the B2C consumers?     I am currently leaning toward using Contacts. I would create one Account called B2C Account and have all the B2C consumers as Contacts under that Account. Then I would create a many-to-many relationship between these B2C Contacts and our regular Accounts using a junction object called something like B2CContacts-Accounts.    Some other options I’ve considered are Person Accounts, regular Accounts/Contacts (with dummy info in the Account fields), and keeping them as Leads. It seems like Person Accounts are more for when your company does mostly B2C?     I would love any advice or to hear from anyone who has handled a similar situation. Thank you!  We would suggest using Person Accounts.  It is a standard object.  You have to enable it and then create a Business Accounts record type for the Accounts object.  Person Accounts was made exactly for this scenario.  The good news is one you enable Person Accounts, you will we walked through the steps required to prepare your Org for it’s use. We would also look into creating a partner portal in conjunction with the person’s accounts and routing leads to the correct partner. I’ve set up Salesforce both ways and say that because Salesforce person accounts have improved, it’s the way to go moving forward, but it will require proper security settings, and report adjustments so your internal users will know how to search leads/accounts with that filter.  Once you get past that, it should be ok.  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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digital transformation for tourism

Digital Transformation for Tourism

The digital revolution is in full swing, with individuals and businesses increasingly interacting through social networks and digital devices. In this new era, consumers have grown more discerning, leveraging mobile technology to make informed decisions about products, services, and trusted providers. As mobile apps become integral to daily life, organizations are compelled to reinvent their customer value propositions and operating models through digital transformation to remain competitive in today’s market. Digital transformation has become a critical priority across industries, with the tourism sector standing out as a prime example of significant disruption driven by digital technologies. According to McKinsey & Company, the tourism industry has been undergoing a digital revolution for over a decade, transforming how travelers plan, book, and experience their trips. This shift has led to changing consumer behaviors, with travelers now demanding more personalized and seamless experiences. The push toward digital adoption in tourism is accelerating. A Skift survey found that 83% of respondents view digital transformation as a top priority. Tourism businesses are increasingly investing in technology to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive revenue growth. To boost enterprise agility, companies must make strategic decisions across five key dimensions of their operating models: One of the most notable impacts of digital transformation is the revolution in the booking process. Travelport Digital estimates that over 700 million people will book trips online by 2023, marking a 15% increase from previous years. Key statistics highlight this global shift in traveler preferences: Mobile apps have become essential tools for travelers, enabling them to research, plan, and book trips seamlessly. In the hospitality and tourism sector, key digital transformation trends include: Emerging technologies like cognitive computing, omnichannel models, and advanced personalization are further reshaping the future of the industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are increasingly used to tailor travel experiences based on consumer preferences and behaviors, as noted by GlobalData. AI also improves operational efficiency, with chatbots handling customer inquiries effectively. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are enhancing customer experiences by allowing travelers to explore destinations virtually before booking. Meanwhile, social media continues to play a pivotal role in promoting tourism businesses and reaching new audiences. In conclusion, digital transformation is no longer optional for tourism businesses—it is a necessity to remain competitive. The adoption of digital technologies has fundamentally reshaped the travel experience, and businesses must embrace this evolution to meet changing consumer expectations and maintain relevance in an increasingly digital world. 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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AI Agents as Tools of Trust

5 Attributes of Agents

Salesforce predicts you will have deployed over 100 AI Agents by the end of the year. What are they? What do they do? Why do you need them? Let’s explore the 5 key attributes of AI Agents. What Is an AI Agent? An AI agent is an intelligent software system that uses artificial intelligence to autonomously pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users. Unlike traditional programs, AI agents exhibit reasoning, planning, memory, and decision-making abilities, allowing them to learn, adapt, and operate with minimal human intervention. These agents leverage generative AI and foundation models to process multimodal inputs—such as text, voice, video, and code—enabling them to:✔ Understand and analyze information✔ Make logical decisions✔ Learn from interactions✔ Collaborate with other agents✔ Automate complex workflows From customer service bots to autonomous research assistants, AI agents are transforming industries by handling tasks that once required human intelligence. Key Features of an AI Agent Modern AI agents go beyond simple automation—they possess advanced cognitive and interactive capabilities: Feature Description Reasoning Uses logic to analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions. Acting Executes tasks—whether digital (sending messages, updating databases) or physical (controlling robots). Observing Gathers real-time data via sensors, NLP, or computer vision to understand its environment. Planning Strategizes steps to achieve goals, anticipating obstacles and optimizing actions. Collaborating Works with humans or other AI agents to accomplish shared objectives. Self-Refining Continuously improves through machine learning and feedback. AI Agents vs. AI Assistants vs. Bots While all three automate tasks, they differ in autonomy, complexity, and learning ability: Aspect AI Agent AI Assistant Bot Purpose Autonomously performs complex tasks. Assists users with guided interactions. Follows pre-set rules for simple tasks. Autonomy High—makes independent decisions. Medium—requires user input. Low—limited to scripted responses. Learning Adapts and improves over time. May learn from interactions. Minimal or no learning. Interaction Proactive and goal-driven. Reactive (responds to user requests). Trigger-based (e.g., chatbots). Example: How Do AI Agents Work? AI agents operate through a structured framework: Types of AI Agents AI agents can be classified based on interaction style and collaboration level: 1. By Interaction 2. By Number of Agents Benefits of AI Agents ✅ 24/7 Automation – Handles repetitive tasks without fatigue.✅ Enhanced Decision-Making – Analyzes vast data for insights.✅ Scalability – Manages workflows across industries.✅ Continuous Learning – Improves performance over time. The Future of AI Agents As AI advances, agents will become more autonomous, intuitive, and integrated into daily workflows—from healthcare diagnostics to smart city management. Want to see AI agents in action? Explore 300+ real-world AI use cases from leading organizations. 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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Salesforce and Healthcare

Aligning Payers and Providers for True Patient-Centered Care

Patient-centered care is an approach to healthcare that prioritizes the patient’s needs, values, and preferences. It involves treating patients with respect, dignity, and compassion, and ensuring that they are actively involved in their own healthcare decisions. Key Principles of Patient-Centered Care: Benefits of Patient-Centered Care: Improved patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans, Enhanced health outcomes, Reduced healthcare costs, and Stronger patient-provider relationships. Examples of Patient-Centered Care: Patient-centered care is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on the patient as an individual. By empowering patients and respecting their needs, it aims to improve their health and overall well-being. The Shared Vision vs. Systemic Barriers All healthcare stakeholders agree on one fundamental principle: care should revolve around patients’ needs and preferences. Yet despite this shared goal, competing priorities between payers and providers often create friction that undermines patient-centered care delivery. Theresa Dreyer of the Health Care Transformation Task Force observes: “Payers and providers both want patients to receive accessible, appropriate care. But the current system’s structure frequently puts these groups at odds.” Defining Patient-Centered Care At its core, patient-centered care means: “Imagine the care you’d want for your own family members,” Dreyer suggests. “That’s the standard we should apply across healthcare.” The Fee-for-Service Roadblock The dominant fee-for-service (FFS) model creates inherent conflicts: “FFS turns cost containment into a zero-sum negotiation,” Dreyer explains. “Value-based models offer a collaborative alternative.” Value-Based Care as the Unifying Framework 1. Quality-Focused Contracting 2. Streamlined Prior Authorization 3. Holistic Care Integration The Preventive Care Imperative The long-term nature of prevention creates systemic challenges: “Diabetes management today prevents kidney failure tomorrow,” Dreyer notes. “We need payment models that reward this foresight.” Building Collaborative Solutions For Payers: For Providers: Joint Opportunities: The Path Forward The healthcare industry stands at an inflection point. By embracing value-based models that: Payers and providers can transform their relationship from adversarial to collaborative—with patients as the ultimate beneficiaries. As Dreyer concludes: “Beyond the contracting details and quality metrics, we must remember our shared purpose: helping people achieve and maintain health. When we center that mission, the rest follows.” 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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AI Agents and Consumer Trust

AI and the Future of Software Development

Beyond Coding: Why Agency Matters More in the AI Era For years, “learn to code” was the go-to advice for breaking into tech. But Jayesh Govindarajan, EVP and Head of AI Engineering at Salesforce, believes there’s now a more valuable skill: agency. “I may be in the minority here, but I think something that’s far more essential than learning how to code is having agency,” Govindarajan shared in a recent Business Insider interview. The Shift from Coding to Problem-Solving Govindarajan’s perspective reflects how AI is reshaping software development. He explains that while AI-powered systems can solve complex problems, they still need humans to define the problems worth solving. “We’re building a system that can pretty much solve anything for you—but it just doesn’t know what to solve.” This is where agency becomes critical. Instead of focusing solely on coding, the real skill lies in identifying problems, leveraging AI tools, and iterating solutions. No-Code AI: A New Way to Build Solutions To illustrate this, Govindarajan offered a real-world example involving College Possible, a nonprofit helping students prepare for college. “No code. You’d give it instructions in English. That’s very possible,” Govindarajan explained. The Two Skills That Matter Most Through this process, the individual demonstrates two key abilities: In this model, experienced coders still play a role—fine-tuning the final product once a solution proves viable. But the initial value comes from problem-solving and iteration, not traditional coding expertise. AI and the Future of Software Development The rise of AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer has automated many programming tasks, reshaping the industry. With AI handling much of the technical heavy lifting, the demand for critical thinking, adaptability, and problem identification is increasing. Soft Skills: The New Differentiator? Industry leaders are recognizing that technical skills alone aren’t enough. Mark Zuckerberg emphasized this in a July Bloomberg interview: “The most important skill is learning how to think critically and learning values when you’re young.” He argued that those who can go deep, master a skill, and apply that knowledge to new areas will thrive—regardless of their coding expertise. The Takeaway: Get Stuff Done Govindarajan’s message is clear: The future belongs to those who take initiative, leverage AI effectively, and focus on solving real-world problems—not just those who can code. Or, as he might put it: use the tools at your disposal to get stuff done. 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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ai model race

AI Model Race Intensifies

AI Model Race Intensifies as OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek Roll Out New Releases The generative AI competition is heating up as major players like OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek rapidly release upgraded models. However, enterprises are shifting focus from incremental model improvements to agentic AI—systems that autonomously perform complex tasks. Three Major Releases in 24 Hours This week saw a flurry of AI advancements: Competition Over Innovation? While the rapid releases highlight the breakneck pace of AI development, some analysts see diminishing differentiation between models. The Future: Agentic AI & Real-World Use Cases As model fatigue sets in, businesses are focusing on domain-specific AI applications that deliver measurable ROI. The AI race continues, but the real winners will be those who translate cutting-edge models into practical, agent-driven solutions. Key Takeaways:✔ DeepSeek’s open-source V3 pressures rivals to embrace transparency.✔ GPT-4o’s hyper-realistic images raise deepfake concerns.✔ Gemini 2.5 focuses on structured reasoning for complex tasks.✔ Agentic AI, not just model upgrades, is the next enterprise priority. 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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Agentforce to the Team

Redefining AI-Driven Customer Service

Salesforce’s Agentforce: Redefining AI-Driven Customer Service Salesforce has made major strides in AI-powered customer service with Agentforce, its agentic AI platform. The CRM leader now resolves 85% of customer queries without human intervention—an achievement driven by three key factors: Speaking at the Agentforce World Tour, Salesforce Co-Founder & CTO Parker Harris emphasized the platform’s role in handling vast volumes of customer interactions. The remaining 15% of queries are escalated to human agents for higher-value interactions, ensuring complex issues receive the necessary expertise. “We’re all shocked by the power of these LLMs. AI has truly hit a tipping point over the past two years,” Harris said. Currently, Agentforce manages 30,000 weekly conversations for Salesforce, proving its growing impact. Yet, the journey to adoption wasn’t without its challenges. From Caution to Acceleration: Agentforce’s Evolution Initially, Salesforce approached the Agentforce rollout with caution, concerned about AI hallucinations and accuracy. However, the company ultimately embraced a learn-by-doing approach. “So, we went for it!” Harris recalled. “We put it out there and improved it every hour. Every interaction helped us refine it.” This iterative process led to significant advancements, with Agentforce now seamlessly handling a high volume of inquiries. Expanding Beyond Customer Support Agentforce’s impact extends beyond customer service—it’s also revolutionizing sales operations at Salesforce. The platform acts as a virtual sales coach for 25,000 sales representatives, offering real-time guidance without the social pressures of a human supervisor. “Salespeople aren’t embarrassed to ask an AI coach questions, which makes them more effective,” Harris noted. This AI-driven coaching has enhanced sales efficiency and confidence, allowing teams to perform at a higher level. Real-World Impact and Competitive Edge Salesforce isn’t just promoting Agentforce—it’s using it to prove its value. Harris shared success stories, including reMarkable, which automated 35% of its customer service inquiries, reducing workload by 7,350 queries per month. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff highlighted this competitive edge during the launch of Agentforce 2.0, pointing out that while many companies talk about AI adoption, few truly implement it at scale. “When you visit their websites, you still find a lot of forms and FAQs—but not a lot of AI agents,” Benioff said. He specifically called out Microsoft, stating: “If you look for Co-Pilot on their website, or how they’re automating support, it’s the same as it was two years ago.” Microsoft pushed back on Benioff’s critique, sparking a war of words between the tech giants. What’s Next for Salesforce? Beyond AI-driven service and sales, Salesforce is making bold moves in IT Service Management (ITSM), positioning itself against competitors like ServiceNow. During a recent Motley Fool podcast, Benioff hinted at Salesforce’s ITSM ambitions, stating: “We’re building new apps, like ITSM.” At the TrailheadDX event, Salesforce teased this new product, signaling its expansion into enterprise IT management—a move that could shake up the ITSM landscape. With AI agents redefining work across industries, Salesforce’s aggressive push into automation and ITSM underscores its vision for the future of enterprise AI. 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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Sending Emails Through Salesforce

Building Trust and Consistency in Email Marketing

Maintain Consistency Consistency in email volume and frequency is essential for a strong email marketing program. Once your IP addresses are warmed up, internet service providers (ISPs) expect regular sending patterns from each IP. Sudden spikes or dips in sending activity can impact your deliverability and sender reputation. Implement Email Authentication Email authentication ensures that emails sent from your business are genuinely from you, protecting your reputation from spammers attempting to impersonate your organization. Your email service provider can help set up authentication protocols such as: These systems prevent unauthorized senders from misusing your domain and enhance email security. Monitor Your Sending Practices Take ownership of your email deliverability by tracking key metrics: Regularly reviewing these insights helps you avoid common mistakes and optimize email performance. Demonstrate Customer Care Email marketing isn’t just about promotion—it’s a channel for building meaningful relationships with your audience. Show empathy by addressing customer concerns and providing valuable resources when they need them most. According to Salesforce Research’s State of the Connected Customer report, most customers appreciate having a spam filter. This underscores the importance of maintaining trust and relevance in your email strategy. Key Strategies to Build Trust with Email Recipients ✅ Deliver Valuable Content Ensure your emails provide useful information, industry insights, or practical solutions tailored to your audience’s needs. ✅ Personalize Your Messages Leverage recipient names, past interactions, and behavioral data to create personalized, relevant content that fosters engagement. ✅ Be Transparent Clearly communicate why you’re reaching out, how you use subscriber data, and avoid misleading tactics that can erode trust. ✅ Maintain Consistency Send emails at predictable intervals with a consistent brand voice and design to establish familiarity. ✅ Craft Clear Subject Lines Use concise, descriptive subject lines that accurately reflect the email’s content to improve open rates. ✅ Make Unsubscribing Easy Provide a simple opt-out option to respect user preferences and maintain a clean, engaged email list. ✅ Engage with Your Audience Encourage two-way communication by responding to replies, gathering feedback, and incorporating customer suggestions where applicable. ✅ Leverage Social Proof Include testimonials, customer reviews, or industry recognitions to build credibility and reinforce trust. ✅ Respect Privacy Regulations Comply with data protection laws and clearly communicate how you handle subscriber information. ✅ Use a Professional Email Address Send emails from a recognizable domain-based address rather than generic or free email providers. Common Email Marketing Mistakes to Avoid ❌ Overly Sales-Driven Content – Prioritize value and relationship-building over aggressive sales pitches. ❌ Spammy Tactics – Avoid misleading subject lines, excessive punctuation, and overly promotional language. ❌ Poor Email Design – Ensure emails are visually appealing, easy to read, and mobile-friendly. ❌ Outdated Email Lists – Regularly clean your subscriber list to remove inactive addresses and improve deliverability. By following these best practices, you can build stronger relationships with your audience, improve email engagement, and maintain a positive sender reputation. By Tectonic Marketing Opps Director, Shannan Hearne 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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Adecco Group and Salesforce Launch Joint Venture

Adecco Group and Salesforce Launch Joint Venture to Pioneer AI-Human Workforce Integration Strategic Partnership Aims to Redefine Workforce Management The Adecco Group, the world’s second-largest staffing firm, has announced a groundbreaking joint venture with Salesforce to create an AI-powered workforce management platform. The new entity, backed by investments from both corporations, will focus on enabling enterprises to strategically integrate human employees with autonomous AI agents. Bridging the Human-Digital Workforce Divide The partnership combines Adecco’s workforce expertise with Salesforce’s Agentforce platform to deliver: “The mission is to unlock the full potential of humans working alongside AI,” stated Denis Machuel, CEO of Adecco Group. “We’re at a critical juncture where establishing clear frameworks for human-AI collaboration will determine future success.” Market Context and Industry Impact The move follows Adecco’s December 2024 adoption of Salesforce’s Agentforce to enhance its recruitment operations. Industry analysts view this as a strategic response to workforce transformation: “Staffing firms face a choice – lead the AI transition or risk disruption,” noted John Nurthen of Staffing Industry Analysts. “Adecco’s initiative likely signals a broader trend in the trillion digital labor market.” Platform Capabilities and Roadmap The joint venture will offer: Broader Industry Momentum The announcement coincides with Deloitte’s March 26 reveal of its Salesforce-powered marketing agent, part of a broader push to embed AI across enterprise functions. Other staffing technology providers like Bullhorn and Asymbl have also joined AgentExchange, signaling growing industry adoption. “These partnerships demonstrate how agentic AI is moving from concept to commercialization,” commented Brian Landsman of Salesforce. “We’re seeing the emergence of entirely new business models in digital labor.” The joint venture plans to release additional details about its platform and go-to-market strategy in coming months. Contact Tectonic to upgrade your staffing agency. 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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AI Agent Revolution

AI Agent Revolution

The AI Agent Revolution: How AWS, Salesforce, and Oracle See the Future of Work Executives from AWS, Salesforce, and Oracle believe artificial intelligence (AI) agents are set to redefine work in ways many may not expect. These AI-driven systems promise to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and transform the way businesses interact with technology. The Future of AI Agents in Action Imagine a world where: Swami Sivasubramanian, AWS’s vice president of agentic AI, describes this shift as a fundamental leap forward. Unlike earlier AI models, these agents don’t just generate content—they reason, plan, and execute tasks. They can research, pay bills, manage enterprise applications, and break down high-level objectives into actionable steps. Sivasubramanian envisions a “fully AI world” where agents autonomously make decisions, automate workflows, and coordinate with minimal human oversight. But, as he points out, this isn’t a distant future—it’s happening now. Companies like Genentech are using AI agents to accelerate drug research, cutting timelines by nearly five years. Moody’s has reduced its credit risk reporting process from a week to under an hour. These breakthroughs illustrate the vast potential of AI-driven automation. Salesforce’s ‘Limitless Labor’ Approach Salesforce is also at the forefront of AI agent adoption with Agentforce, a platform that has seen overwhelming demand since its launch. More than 5,000 customers signed up in its first full quarter, signaling a strong appetite for AI-driven automation. Adam Evans, EVP and GM of Salesforce AI, describes AI agents as creating a “limitless labor” pool. These agents are already supporting Salesforce’s own customers, resolving 97% of inquiries without human intervention. The next evolution, according to Evans, involves AI agents acting as brand ambassadors—not just answering questions, but understanding customer needs, driving sales, and providing personalized support. Salesforce categorizes AI agents into three types: Early adopters like Wiley Publishing have reported a 40% increase in customer satisfaction due to AI-driven customer service, while Pfizer is leveraging AI agents in life sciences. To support this transformation, Salesforce has introduced flexible pricing models, allowing companies to transition from traditional seat-based pricing to AI consumption-based structures. AI Agents as the New Enterprise Interface Oracle sees AI agents as the future interface for enterprise software, eliminating the need for users to adapt to complex systems. “Let’s stop adapting ourselves to computers and make them adapt to us,” said Miranda Nash, group vice president at Oracle AI. In this vision, users no longer navigate Oracle’s software through menus—they simply ask questions, and AI agents handle the rest through sophisticated, multi-agent workflows. Oracle is embedding AI agents across key business functions, including: As AI transforms work, Nash, Evans, and Sivasubramanian acknowledge concerns about job displacement. However, they emphasize that AI agents augment human roles rather than replace them. At Salesforce, employees previously assigned to repetitive support tasks are now moving into higher-value roles like customer success and sales. Meanwhile, AWS’s AI deployment has saved Amazon 4,500 developer years’ worth of work and over $250 million in capital expenses. “The only option now is to get in the cloud, embrace AI agents, and meet the future of work,” Nash concluded. 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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Digital Experience and Ecommerce Dictionary

Essential Ecommerce and Digital Experience Terminology The world of ecommerce and digital experiences is constantly evolving, bringing with it a steady stream of new buzzwords and concepts. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it serves as an excellent introduction to some of the latest trends and terminology shaping online shopping experiences. Accessibility Ensuring that web content is accessible across all devices is only part of the equation—compliance with international regulations is crucial to supporting individuals with disabilities. Here are key terms related to digital accessibility: Content Marketing Content marketing has evolved beyond catalogs and newsletters. It’s now an integral part of the shopping experience, helping customers discover and engage with brands in meaningful ways. Data-Driven Strategies Leading brands leverage data-driven ecommerce to deliver personalized, seamless shopping experiences. This ever-evolving space includes key concepts such as: Mobile Commerce Consumers expect to shop seamlessly across multiple devices. Mobile commerce trends ensure a smooth experience, no matter where they browse. Omnichannel Experiences Shoppers today expect a cohesive experience whether they shop online, on social media, or in-store. Here are key omnichannel concepts: Tech & Digital Experience Platforms To meet changing consumer expectations, retailers are adopting advanced technologies that streamline operations and enhance user experiences. Social Commerce Social commerce enables direct purchases through social media platforms, streamlining the shopping journey from discovery to checkout. Security & Privacy Data privacy is a growing concern among consumers. Here are key regulations shaping ecommerce security: Search Search functionality is crucial for delivering relevant results and optimizing user experience. Emerging trends include: Final Thoughts The ecommerce webscape is always changing, with new technologies and trends shaping the way consumers shop online. By staying abreast of these key terms, businesses can enhance customer experiences and remain competitive in the digital marketplace. Explore these topics further with our resources and insights! 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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Agents are the Future of Customer Engagement

Agentic Customer Engagement is Here There was a time when customer service meant going into a brick and mortar building and talking to a person face to face. It was time consuming and did not guarantee a solution. The mail order business brought on the need for the 800 number to contact a merchant. The dot com boom brought customer engagement opportunities directly to our homes. Ios and Android apps brought customer engagement to our fingertips. Yet we still were dependent upon the availability of humans or at least chatbots. Customer service often repressed customer engagement, not enhanced it. Agents, like Salesforce Agentforce, brought 24 7 customer engagement to us no matter where we are, when it is, or how complicated our issue is. And agents improved customer service! What’s next? Robots and drones who deliver our items and answer our questions? Who knows. AI bots are transforming client relationships and customer service. To achieve unparalleled efficiency, these intelligent systems plan and automate difficult activities, make deft decisions, and blend in seamlessly with current workflows. Yes, it’s widely believed that AI agents will play a crucial role in the future of customer engagement, offering personalized, efficient, and consistent experiences across various channels.  Here’s why AI agents are poised to be a key driver in customer engagement: AI agents are becoming smarter every day, using machine learning and natural language processing to predict customer needs, handle complex queries with empathy and offer real-time, personalized assistance. How AI Agents Are Redefining Customer Engagement Marketing is undergoing a seismic transformation. Tectonic shift, if you will. The past decade was dominated by complex tech stacks and data integration—now, AI is shifting the focus back to what truly matters: crafting impactful content and campaigns. Welcome to the era of agentic customer engagement and marketing. The Rise of Marketing Agents Unlike traditional customer service agents handling one-to-one interactions, marketing agents amplify human expertise to engage audiences at scale—whether targeting broad segments or hyper-personalized personas. They ensure consistent, high-quality messaging across every channel while automating the intricate backend work of delivering the right content to the right customer at the right time. This shift is powered by rapid AI advancements: How Agentic Engagement Amplifies Marketing Marketing agents don’t replace human creativity—they extend it. Once strategists set guidelines, approve messaging, and define brand voice, agents execute with precision across channels. At Typeface, for example, AI securely learns brand tones and styles to generate on-brand imagery, text, and videos—ensuring every asset aligns with the company’s identity. Key Capabilities of Marketing Agents The Human-Agent Partnership AI agents don’t replace marketers—they empower them. Humans bring creativity, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making; agents handle execution, data processing, and scalability. Marketers will evolve into “agent wranglers”, setting objectives, monitoring performance, and ensuring alignment with business goals. Meanwhile, agents will work in interconnected ecosystems—where a content agent’s blog post triggers a social agent’s promotion, while a performance agent optimizes distribution, and a brand agent tracks reception. Preparing for the Agent Era To stay ahead, businesses should:✅ Start small, think big – Pilot agents in low-risk areas before scaling.✅ Train teams – Ensure marketers understand agent management.✅ Build governance frameworks – Define oversight and intervention protocols.✅ Strengthen data infrastructure – Clean, structured data fuels agent effectiveness.✅ Maintain human oversight – Regularly audit agent outputs for quality and alignment. Work with a Salesforce partner like Tectonic to prepare for the Agent Era. The Future is Agentic The age of AI-driven marketing isn’t coming—it’s here. Companies that embrace agentic engagement will unlock unprecedented efficiency, personalization, and impact. The question isn’t if you’ll adopt AI agents—it’s how soon. Ready to accelerate your strategy? Discover how Agentforce (Salesforce’s agentic layer) can cut deployment time by 16x while boosting accuracy by 70%. The future of marketing isn’t just automated—it’s autonomous, adaptive, and agentic. Are you prepared? The Future of Customer Experience: AI-Driven Efficiency and Innovation Businesses have long understood the connection between operational efficiency and superior customer experience (CX). However, the rapid advancement of AI-powered technologies, including next-generation hardware and virtual agents, is transforming this connection into a measurable driver of value creation. Increasingly well-documented use cases for generative AI (GenAI) demonstrate that companies can simultaneously deliver a vastly superior customer experience at a significantly lower cost-to-serve, resulting in substantial financial gains. From Customer Journeys to Autonomous Customer Missions To achieve this ideal balance, companies are shifting from traditional customer journeys—where users actively manage their own experiences via apps—to a more comprehensive approach driven by trusted autonomous agents. These agents are designed to complete specific tasks with minimal human involvement, creating an entirely new paradigm for customer engagement. While early implementations may be rudimentary, the convergence of hardware and AI will lead to sophisticated, seamless experiences far beyond current capabilities. AI-Enabled Internal and External Transformation AI is already driving transformation both internally and externally. Internally, it streamlines processes, enhances employee experiences, and significantly boosts productivity. In customer service operations, for example, GenAI has driven productivity improvements of 15% to 30%, with some companies targeting up to 80% efficiency gains. Externally, AI is reshaping customer interactions, making them more personalized, efficient, and intuitive. Virtual co-pilots assist customers by answering inquiries, processing returns, and curating tailored offers—freeing human employees to focus on complex issues that require nuanced decision-making. Linking Operational Efficiency to Customer Experience Leading organizations are demonstrating how AI-driven efficiencies translate into enhanced CX. Despite these gains, companies must raise the bar even further to fully capitalize on AI’s potential. The convergence of next-generation hardware with AI-driven automation presents an unprecedented opportunity to redefine customer engagement. From App-Driven Experiences to Autonomous Agents At Dreamforce 2024, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff highlighted that service employees waste over 40% of their time on repetitive, low-value tasks. Similarly, customers face friction in making significant purchases or planning events. Google research indicates that travelers may engage in over 700 digital touchpoints when planning a trip—a fragmented and often frustrating experience. Imagine instead a network of proprietary and third-party agents seamlessly executing customer missions—such as purchasing a car or planning a vacation—without requiring constant user input. These AI agents

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