In particular, there was a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in the day’s programming. Here’s what we found out today:

1. Trailblazers are more impactful together

We kicked off the day by celebrating Trailblazers creating change for their customers, companies, and communities. These are the leaders and change-makers using Salesforce Customer 360 to transform their company. “That is why we’re here as Trailblazers: to improve the state of the world with trust, customer success, innovation, and equality,” said Chairman and Co-CEO Marc Benioff. As Marc, Co-CEO Keith Block, and fellow Salesforce executives took the stage throughout the morning, the online audience and attendees got a preview of how we can build a connected and smarter Customer 360 together and how we can enable a single source of truth.

Read our opening keynote highlights post for more details.

2. Diversity and soft skills are important in the future workplace

As more organizations move towards digital transformation, they’re realizing the key role that AI plays in this process. It’s the driving force behind changing business models, consumer expectations, and our workforce. Chief Technology Community Officer at the Kapor Center Lili Gangas and Co-Founder and CEO of pymetrics Dr. Frida Polli discussed the potential and pitfalls of AI, the reskilling problem our workforce faces, and the need for more diversity to recognize and prevent bias in AI. Diving into the conversation, Dr. Polli jokingly remarked, “AI is like teenage sex: everyone says they’re doing it, but no one actually knows what it is.” She went on to initiate a discussion on the mind of workers everywhere: AI and jobs. Dr. Polli believes that with growing AI, we need to look more at people for their soft skills and their potential. “Once we find the right balance between historical jobs and new industries — and train people — that’s the way to go.”

The discussion also touched on the importance and need for more diversity in the AI field. “When we have a homogenous group creating technology, if you’re not thinking of the unintended consequences, you’re doing it wrong,” Dr. Polli said addressing the tech industry’s lack of representation. “We’re leaving a lot of undeveloped talent on the table and that’s not good for anybody.” Gangas agreed and brought up the need for underrepresented communities to ask tougher questions of their industries. “To create new systems, we need new founders,” she said. “If someone isn’t asking tough questions, you’re building blindly. I think we can do better and we should.”

3. The potential of 5G is like magic

The excitement surrounding the possibilities and potential of 5G technologies grows every day, but there are equally plenty of questions about how 5G can be rolled out responsibly. Dreamforce welcomed Director General of the GSMA Mats Granryd, Chairman and CEO of KT Corporation Hwang Chang-Gyu, Tech Ambassador of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Casper Klynge, and moderator Fortune’s Sr. Editor Ellen McGirt to discuss the cascading impact of 5G and how businesses can prepare.

Though 5G may seem like magic, Ellen asks if it is “good magic.” To answer this question, the panel discussed the realistic roll-out of 5G networks, the positive impact of 5G connectivity in remote villages, and the power of lower latency and higher “speed lanes.” As the panel wound down, Klynge, the diplomat, asked the audience to consider new ways of cooperating and new alliances we will need to ensure inclusion of data-security, inclusivity, equality, and sustainability in embracing this new technology on the horizon.

4. Preventing bias in AI is still a challenge for many

The conversations around ethics and responsibility in the use of data, technology, and AI solutions continues to grow. However, there’s still uncertainty in what actionable steps businesses can take to manage bias in AI and ensure organizations are paving the way for digital transformation in an ethical way.

In a fascinating panel, World Economic Forum’s Head of AI and Machine Learning Kay Firth-Butterfield, Co-Founder & Executive Chair of Socos Labs Vivienne Ming, and Salesforce’s Architect of Ethical AI Practice Kathy Baxter discussed the state of ethics in AI and shared their insights on what steps all companies can take.

For starters, It’s all about practice. Ethics and AI starts with asking the right questions like, “What needs to be solved” or “Is this something people want or is it something they need?” “Ethics is a lived experience and making hard decisions when your interests and society’s needs diverge,” Ming advised. Firth-Butterfield agreed with this assessment. “We need to be thinking about the entire process as we design, build, and sell.” This is important because ethics isn’t something that can be learned in a classroom – it’s something that needs to be put into practice.

Similarly, another important benchmark for creating ethical AI is asking yourself if what you build makes people better — is humanity better for it. “Always ask yourself: does this make me a better person, even when I turn it off?” Ming says. Firth-Butterfield explained that we should not think of AI as surpassing our abilities, but about AI helping us overcome what we’re not so good at. “We really need to think about if we really need AI everywhere, and making sure that AI is lifting us up as humans, rather than oppressing us.”

Whew, that’s a wrap for day one! Get a good night’s sleep and stay hydrated because we’re going to crank up the energy again tomorrow for another day of learning and inspiration.

Bonus Insight: Apple CEO Tim Cook believes values enhance innovation

In the same theater where many of Apple’s most revolutionary products have been unveiled, Apple CEO Tim Cook joined Marc Benioff to discuss mobile’s role in the enterprise and the intersection of innovation and values, such as equality, sustainability and privacy.

Befitting yesterday’s announcement of two new Salesforce apps on iOS and an enhanced Mobile SDK, they discussed the importance of app development for business. “For too many still, mobile is about browsing, email, and messaging,” Cook said. “But arguably, the way you change the business is using mobile apps.” He gave two examples of this, including how Hästens mattress company built a custom iOS app to reduce mattress sale configuration time by 90%.

The conversation pivoted to values and how Cook leads Apple to continue 40 years of innovation while maintaining its focus on values, like sustainability and equality. He openly shared how he came to his personal sense of purpose in his late 30s: “At some point you recognize the reason we are all here is to help someone else. That is the sole reason. And once you get that in your head, life gets so much simpler.”

The post What We Learned on Day 1 of Dreamforce ‘19 appeared first on Salesforce.

Although it’s well known for its large crowds, hands-on workshops and seemingly endless networking opportunities, your Dreamforce agenda should include plenty of opportunities for quiet reflection on what you see, hear and learn. This may be especially important for people who identify as introverts and feel exhausted at the thought of non-stop small talk.

Unlike shyness, which tends to be based on a fear of interacting with others, introverts have a preference for situations that avoid overstimulation. After all, not all sales people are extroverts — it’s a role that can and should attract all kinds of personalities.

At first glance, a large technology and business conference might not seem like the ideal setting for introverts, but staying away isn’t the answer. There’s too much value in the education and inspiration you’ll hear from those at the forefront of sales, marketing and customer service to bypass the opportunities Dreamforce offers.

Instead, anyone coming to Dreamforce should recognize that a big part of their experience is based on how they choose to participate. It’s a matter of planning and preparation, in other words, where introverts think about the outcomes they want and engage at Dreamforce accordingly.

Here are a few ways to get started with that process, long before you touch down in San Francisco:

Set some Dreamforce conversation KPIs

Many of us are laser-focused on key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the health of our business. This could include the number of customers who have opted into our marketing messages, deals closed and so on. Introverts could apply a similar approach that treats their self-care as a priority amid Dreamforce activities.

Some examples of those KPIs could include things like fatigue or clarity of thought. Following a keynote or breakout session, for example, what kind of time will you likely need on your own before moving onto the next thing on your agenda? Dreamforce is filled with more sessions than will ever be possible for one person to attend, so don’t worry about making room for time to process what you’re thinking or feeling.

Do a little check-in with yourself at the end of each day, or the middle of the day. Is the pace you’ve set working? If not, don’t be afraid to change it up as Dreamforce continues.

Choose content that fuels conversation

It probably goes without saying that you want to pick sessions at Dreamforce that are relevant to your business goals, industry or role, but that criteria might not be granular enough to make your final selections. For introverts, one other factor to consider is whether the content will give you something to talk about with new people you might meet.

Look for speakers or panels that might give you ideas you’ll actually be eager to bounce off a new acquaintance, for example. Choose sessions that might inspire you to ask questions, whether it’s of a speaker or other attendees afterwards.

Just being able to compare notes, see what others agree or disagree with or compare your experience with someone else’s can help ease the flow of conversations that can’t be avoided.

Schedule some in-depth discussions

Lots of companies use Dreamforce to connect on site with their customers of course, but even beyond that, look for a few fellow attendees with whom you could pre-arrange a chat. This can be an ideal way for introverts to feel more in control of the way they manage their time and energy, rather than getting trapped in networking limbo.

These pre-arranged chats could be “informational interviews” to better understand your peer’s secrets of success, their approach to using Salesforce, or simply to see if you can help them in some way.

Having conversations that are “meaty” will feel more satisfying, and might make it easier if there’s some small talk experiences later on.

Accumulate some emergency icebreakers

Even with the best-laid plans, you might find yourself cornered unexpectedly during a break, or in a situation where a speaker suggests everyone turn to their neighbour and spend a few minutes getting to know each other.

Instead of approaching such conversations with dread, come to Dreamforce with a few opening lines that can be used almost universally. Here are a few you could tweak and make your own:

• What’s been your biggest Dreamforce takeaway so far?
• Are you on Trailhead yet? What’s your favourite Trailhead badge?
• What’s on your Dreamforce must-do list, whether it’s for work or fun?

Satisfy the extroverts via social media

Being an introvert doesn’t mean ignoring everyone else around you, but interacting in a way that makes the most sense for your well-being.

In some cases, social media can provide a great alternative to sharing your thoughts, feelings and ideas with fellow Dreamforce attendees. Ask questions of speakers or panelists that you might not want to track down in the Moscone Center afterwards. Like or reshare comments from attendees you agree with, maybe adding some of your own feedback or two cents.

This might not work for everyone, but it can be a way to feel engaged without having to constantly feel pressured to interact in person.

Opt out of the non-essential

You don’t have to go to every cocktail party. You don’t have to mix and mingle every time a session ends and people stand up to leave. It is perfectly okay to eat lunch in a quiet spot by yourself, or to spend an evening in your hotel room versus exploring San Francisco.

You may be an introvert, but you still have agency! This is your Dreamforce, so make sure you assert your right to make it the kind of conference that gives you what you need to be successful long after you leave.

Just as growing a business means focusing on delivering a great customer experience, attending a conference like Dreamforce means designing the best possible experience for yourself.

The post How To Enjoy Dreamforce As An Introvert appeared first on Salesforce.

For a first-time Dreamforce attendee, though, those crowds and the sheer magnitude of the event might seem overwhelming. What if you miss some of the most relevant sessions? How do you make the most of the networking opportunities?

Take Karen Rivera, a certified Salesforce administrator, who did the smartest thing a Dreamforce newbie could to prepare for the experience: ask around for help.

Posting on Twitter as @MsSteamGeek, Karen asked the Trailblazer community to share some of their best advice and how to overcome any initial nervousness about diving into such a major event.

Almost immediately, Karen got back advice, much of it very practical. This included grouping sessions you’re interested in based on the venue, so you’re not spending most of your time trying to get from one spot to another. Other tips included downloading a Starbucks app so you can order with a mobile device to save time, and balancing the in-depth educational tracks by joining the many parties to let off steam.

While Karen took the initiative in this case, there might be many other Dreamforce first-timers who aren’t as proactive because they’re shy or don’t realize the wealth of experience more seasoned Trailblazers can offer them. If you’re one of those people who know Dreamforce well, consider some of the following ways you can give back and make the event even better for everyone in 2019:

Lay the groundwork with a blog post or video

There’s still time in the last few weeks before Dreamforce to share your insights directly with an audience that will be all too eager to hear them.

Write an article to post on your company blog or LinkedIn where you sum up the biggest takeaways from your first time at Dreamforce, or some collected wisdom if you’ve been coming for years. How do you pick sessions? What kind of note-taking or other techniques did you use to capture what you learned? Where are the hidden gems in nearby San Francisco where you can go out with colleagues for a meal afterward? Any thought-starter questions you typically use when you meet other Trailblazers?

Be as detailed as possible, and encourage your audience to follow up with anything you might have overlooked.

Let the newbies lead via ‘ask me anything’ sessions

If you don’t feel able to articulate everything you know about Dreamforce, you can also go about it the other way — making yourself available as an expert and letting the first-timers drive the conversation.

Many organizations might send one or two people to Dreamforce the first time but increase the size of the contingent the following year. If you haven’t already, schedule a lunch n’ learn opportunity where you can help prep your coworkers, rather than leaving it for when you’re on the ground in San Francisco.

Outside of Dreamforce itself, of course, there are all kinds of Salesforce meetups and local Trailblazer groups that are hungry for great content. If you’re involved in one of these associations, consider hosting a Dreamforce Newbies session where you and perhaps some other experienced Trailblazers stage a town hall-style panel discussion.

In-person activities aren’t the only ways to let Dreamforce first-timers ask questions, though. Think about a Twitter chat, a Facebook Live or LinkedIn live video where you can take what Karen did to the next level.

Live the Dreamforce experience out loud for first timers

While it will no doubt be invaluable for first-timers to get advice prior to the event, they might only realize the kind of questions they have once they’re sitting in the audience among other Trailblazers. Of course, you can be the person they turn to for advice, but don’t ignore the many digital opportunities to serve as a sort of teacher or guide.

Twitter provides a great conduit for live-tweeting which sessions you’re going to and why, or even where the lineups for food aren’t as long. Maybe you could develop a specific hashtag for all your posts so your fellow Dreamforce attendees can easily find your advice over the course of the week.

Besides Twitter, short posts on LinkedIn can also work, or you can even use platforms like Instagram, where Stories offer a mix of text, still images and video. Encourage Dreamforce first-timers to virtually come along with you as you create a dynamic multi-media record of your journey in real-time.

Finally, keep the true spirit of being a Trailblazer alive by suggesting that first-time Dreamforce attendees follow in your footsteps. Not only should they come back to Dreamforce next year, but they should look for ways to pass on your advice and extra tips they’ve picked up on their own. This is the heart of a true community approach to making the most of an event like Dreamforce, and it’s one of the reasons the community, like the event, continues to grow.

The post How A Veteran Dreamforce Attendee Can Help First-Timers appeared first on Salesforce.

The nature of that change — from the people you meet to the insights you’ll learn — is really up to you.

There’s no shortage of opportunities to get actionable ideas at Dreamforce, whether it’s checking out some of the more than 50 keynotes or some of the more than 2,700 breakout sessions, workshops and circles of success. The mark of a true Trailblazer is how you prepare for what you want to accomplish, long before you set foot in San Francisco to meet with experts and your peers.

Some of the basics would probably apply to attending many other industry events, but they bear repeating: wear some comfortable shoes, because you might find yourself walking a lot! Allot yourself enough time to enjoy meals and to stay hydrated. Pack enough business cards to help continue any conversations you start at Dreamforce with other attendees.

Other than that, there are a few more specific tips — think of them as Dreamforce best practices — that will help you maximize your time with moments of inspiration as well as education:

1. Set goals based around your audience’s post-event needs

Even if you come to Dreamforce with a group of your coworkers, there will probably be a few team members who don’t make it out. This could include your boss, whether that’s the CEO of the entire company or someone to whom you directly report.

In some cases you might be formally asked or required to present some of what you saw and heard at Dreamforce, whether as an agenda item on an existing meeting or as a more informal lunch ’n learn. That means, as you attend Dreamforce, you keep some of their potential questions or everyday pain points top of mind.

Don’t limit this to those in your immediate department or line of business. If you’re a sales rep coming to Dreamforce, think about what might be useful to your colleagues in marketing. If you’re a marketer, stay alert for fresh thinking or perspectives on the art of customer service.

“Audience” in this case could also mean your customers, who may share challenges or would be interested in some of the strategies and tactics you hear about during Dreamforce. Some of this could be relayed through conversations, but it could also become fodder for your blog or other channels. Which brings us to our next tip:

2. Capture the takeaways rather than commit to memory

“Nota bene” is simply Latin for “take note,” and Dreamforce is a notetaker’s paradise.

You’ll hear quotable lines from senior business leaders, tech tips from certified pros and enlightening ways to overcome hurdles from Trailblazers around the world. Unless you were born with the power of perfect or photographic recollection, though, you’ll need to actively jot things down.

If you don’t love working with pen or paper, that’s okay. There are apps like Quip that were tailor-made for digital note taking. Other options include using an audio recording app (which could allow you to turn your Dreamforce experiences into a podcast episode) or video recorder.

Social media is also a handy real-time note taking mechanism. Live-tweet your favourite Dreamforce session, for example, and at the end you’ll have the equivalent of rough notes you can flesh out after you’ve come back to the office.

3. Make your own expo map

Beyond keynotes and sessions, however, Dreamforce also offers one of the most dynamic exhibit halls in the tech industry. You’ll need to carve out some time during the four days to make it there so you can see not only what’s new from Salesforce, but also how our ecosystem of partners is using Salesforce as a platform to develop other innovative applications.

While there’s always value in serendipitous discovery, you can get a sense of who will be on site by browsing the list of sponsors. Exhibitors are usually happy to set up specific times to walk through demos and answer questions so you can still make it to the keynotes and breakouts you want.

4. Use mobility to balance work, play and giving

People come to Dreamforce to grow professionally, but that doesn’t mean fun should be left off the agenda.

As you use the Dreamforce app to determine the best possible schedule, ensure you’re not only connecting with customers, prospects, experts and peers in formal settings. Dreamforce will include parties, concerts and other ways to blow off steam while fostering relationships with new acquaintances or those you’ve met before.

Dreamforce is also a unique time to think beyond your own development or your company’s objectives, and ways to contribute to the greater good. There has been a longstanding tradition at Dreamforce of creating opportunities to volunteer or donate to the worthiest of causes. In fact, Dreamforce attendees have helped Salesforce raise $73 million to date. This year’s event will take us even further.

5. Upgrade your goals

You may arrive at Dreamforce with some specific targets you need to hit at work, whether it’s a sales quota, a number of leads generated through marketing or a reduction in time spent resolving service issues.

As you listen to speakers and talk to other Trailblazers, think about how the ideas you gather might allow you to refine those targets, or maybe set new goals that align with them. These could include a boost in productivity, in the number of deals you close, campaign performance or the number of customers your firm is able to retain.

The name “Dreamforce” hints at the idea that this is no ordinary business conference. It’s a place to think big — and then execute on the ideas you’ve developed to generate even bigger results.

The post Get The Most Out Of Your Time At Dreamforce appeared first on Salesforce.

Here are other philosophical moments from their discussion.

The evolution of the narrative

Kalanick, fresh off an interview with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert told Benioff that he is just starting to get comfortable with telling the Uber story.

“As an engineer you make stuff and let the work speak for itself,” Kalanick said. Since the phenomenal growth of Uber, he’s realized that actions don’t always speak louder than words and that he’s had to learn how to tell the Uber narrative, otherwise other people will almost certainly decide to fill in the blanks themselves. “I’m just learning to get out in front of it.”

When Benioff asked him why he started Uber in the first place, Kalanick responded that his inspiration was the challenge faced by taxi cab drivers to make a decent living without working around the clock.

“Taxi drivers are good people being treated badly,” he said.

When Benioff challenged him on this inspiration, intimating that this narrative must have changed over time, Kalanick conceded that it had, quipping “You’ve gotten better at telling your story, too.”

Finding a company’s heart

During their discussion, Benioff asked Kalanick how he knew Uber has a heart. After putting his hand on his chest and joking that he could feel it beating, Kalanick shared his perspective on the topic.

“You know it when you see it,” Kalanick said. “You ask that question every day because you want to go to work and feel it.”

Kalanick then shared some of the company’s philanthropic efforts including Uber’s Military program, which encourages unemployed or underemployed military veterans to sign up and drive for the platform. Additionally, he mentioned a program delivering gifts to kids during the holiday season and transporting “goods, food and water” to displaced migrants fleeing Syria.

The difficulty in showing heart, Kalanick suggested, is that much of what is done happens at a very local level.

“Every day…we’re doing three or four of these things. This is how we show heart,” he said.

Benioff, recently referred to as the “tech world’s moral conscience” in Vanity Fair, encouraged Kalanick by citing Salesforce’s own 1-1-1 model and recognizing that there’s always more to do.

“I think that it’s really about getting back to what is the culture and what are you trying to create. There are a lot of different ways to create success. There’s a wide spectrum of leaders and there’s a wide spectrum of success and so you can be intentional on where you’re trying to go,” Benioff said. “I look at what we’re able to do with our 1-1-1 model – we’ve done a million hours of community service, or we run 25,000 non-profits, or have given away $100 million. But when I look at the spectrum of what other organizations do for the world, it’s just a speck of sand on the beach.”

Developing a philosophy of work

Both Salesforce and Uber have strong, proud cultures – and it’s not accidental. According to Kalanick many companies don’t dig as deeply as they should when it comes to corporate culture.

“We’re in the process of creating what I call a philosophy of work. You spend half of your day working, and it should matter,” Kalanick said. “It should be more than work; it should be something you believe in. And the principles and how you approach your work should matter too.”

For Kalanick culture is integral to a company’s success.

“The most important thing…is creating a culture at your company of people who want to invent, want to create, want to make a difference and who you love working with – super smart people who work really hard, who are creative problem solvers and are super optimistic,” he said. “Because if you have that, and you don’t know the destination in your journey…your journey’s going to be amazing.”

Taking the metaphor a step further, Kalanick stated that “We’re on the road, we’re driving, it’s a little bit foggy, and we don’t know where it’s going, but we’re really psyched to be on this journey.”

Want more Dreamforce? Watch Dreamforce ’15 videos of keynotes, fireside chats, and more or download the e-book of Marc Benioff’s keynote now for a readable way to experience his memorable talk.

The post Salesforce’s Marc Benioff and Uber CEO, Travis Kalanick, Talk Storytelling, Culture and Philanthropy appeared first on Salesforce.

Here are five of the biggest takeaways from the Women’s Leadership Summit:

1. There is no time like the present.

Salesforce co-founder Parker Harris said that while workplace equality is a widespread issue, tech companies need to take a step in the right direction and “set the example.” Arquette emphasized the urgency around the issue, saying: “We really have to look at what’s going on with women in America right now, we can’t wait 50 years.”

2. It comes down to culture.

“In order to make values come to life, you have to be building practices around them,” said Stitch Fix CEO and Founder Katrina Lake. Salesforce Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff said the company’s intention is “to be an example of great women’s leadership in our industry,” adding, “What you prioritize is what you create.”

3. Parental leave can increase retention.

As a mother of five children, Wojcicki said she was surprised to learn just 12% of women receive paid maternity leave in the private sector and that 25% go back to work after ten days. “We found that having longer maternity leave helped us retain women at [YouTube]. You’re most ready to come back to work when the kids are a little bit older.” Actress and The Honest Company founder Jessica Alba announced that paid parental leave for their employees will increase to 16 weeks as of January 2016.

4. Offer a helping hand.

“Be incredibly kind to yourself and to those around you,” advised CoderDojo CEO Mary Moloney. Wojcicki noted that at most tech companies, the majority of employees are men, and as a result, most of her mentors have been male. “We need men to look at their teams and find out ‘Who are the women I can help get to the next level.’ I’ve worked really hard over the course of my career, but I realize there were men that sponsored me; that gave me that next position. And it’s only because they did that that I’m in this job today.”

5. STEM is for everyone.

“Computer science should be a required course,” said Wojcicki. Actress, model, and app developer Lyndsey Scott added that “letting our kids know that they can learn technology is critical.” European Digital Girl of the Year, 10-year-old Lauren Boyle, summed it up by saying: “Mindsets have to change. I think that the mindset that’s seen is that [technology]’s boring or it’s stupid, but it’s not. It’s actually really cool.”

Missed Marc Benioff’s Dreamforce keynote? Catch up with the free Dreamforce e-book.

The post 5 Big Takeaways from the Dreamforce Women’s Leadership Summit appeared first on Salesforce.

Though each of the speakers came from a different angle, the message of carving out your own path came through loud and clear. Here are five takeaways from these sessions.

Don’t be afraid to try

Corinne Warnshuis, Executive Director of Girl Develop It, shared her journey from a sociology major and documentarian at PBS and NPR to speaking at the White House advocating for opportunities for women in technology.

Without a background in computer science, Warnshuis decided to take a course with Girl Develop It to learn HTML. The environment, designed to be welcoming, judgment-free, jargon-free and supportive, bolstered her confidence and encouraged her to dig deeper. Within two years she started her own local chapter of Girl Develop It. And when it came time for the organization to appoint an Executive Director of its 54,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, Warnshuis raised her hand.

Now, Warnshuis spends her time focused on empowering women to take a chance on coding and see where it leads. She shared inspiring stories about women who’ve involved themselves in Girl Develop It and changed their lives – from a Whole Foods cashier who took a course, decided she wanted to find a career in coding and is now an engineer, to a grandmother who learned to code and created an app to help women in abusive domestic situations.

Don’t fear the point of the arrow

Cheryl Porro, now the SVP Technology and Products at Salesforce Foundation, started with Salesforce a decade ago. She managed and grew a team over the course of seven years in platform quality engineering, but felt as the years went on that her passion was for the company itself and its distinct culture.

When a role came up at the Foundation, a place she knew she’d have a hand in maintaining the culture and furthering Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model, she looked at the requirements and realized she only had about half of what they were looking for. Her response: to lean in.

“One of the things I see as a woman in tech is that we often shy away from being at the point of the arrow. I knew I needed to be at the point of the arrow in my career, so I waited until I found the opportunity I wanted and went for it.”

All you have to do is ask

Leyla Seka, SVP and GM of Desk.com at Salesforce, was great at her job. In the same role for six years, she could answer any question, solve any problem and realized that she just wasn’t challenged anymore. Assuming she was stuck in this position she started looking for a new opportunity and found one outside of Salesforce. She was about to resign when she was told that she was already being considered for promotion, and was asked pointedly what she wanted to do.

She said she wanted to lead and was offered her current role as GM and SVP of Desk.com – a position she never imagined she’d land. It was at this point she realized the limitations she imagined were keeping her stuck in her role were her own – all she had to do was ask.

The right step isn’t always up

When Mary Scotton, Principal Developer Evangelist at Salesforce, was faced with the need to move from the Bay area to New Jersey to help care for her mother who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she knew it would put a hiccup in her career path. But the truth was, even though she was headed towards the next level, which would have been VP of product management, she know it wasn’t really what she wanted.

Her manager didn’t hesitate when she told him she needed to leave with no clear plan in sight. “Don’t worry, just go and email me when you’re ready to re-engage.”

When she decided to stay in New Jersey, she knew she needed to rethink her career path, so she started connecting with everyone she knew to ask about what they did, gathering contacts and information. She used and relied on the network she’d built up over her career to help inform her decisions moving forward, and eventually connected with someone who inspired her to become a Developer Evangelist. She knew she wanted a role that would have big impact on people, but would still allow her to live where she wanted to live. It wasn’t a step up, but it was a step that worked for her life and she couldn’t be happier.

Support each other

Melinda Gates has said: “We’ve seen again and again that when you invest in women, you invest in the women who invest in everyone else.” Each of the women in Tuesday’s sessions echoed this sentiment, and encouraged participants to support and celebrate each other’s successes.

“I’ve always believed that we’re better together. There are plenty of opportunities to carve out for all of us, so it’s important that women not undermine each other, but help each other out,” said Seka. “There’s a philosophy that there are only a few spots for women at the top and people can get nasty to each other in the pursuit of those spots. For me, I’ve gotten faster and further by standing with my friends and pushing them up, not pulling them down.”

Watch the Women’s Leadership Summit at https://www.salesforce.com/video/.

The post Five ways to carve your own path as a woman in technology appeared first on Salesforce.

As borders shrink and global markets open, all eyes are on the success of these Canadian entrepreneurs – but international success can be tricky. Traditionally faced with legal, financial and governmental challenges, the road can be long and bumpy.

At a Canadian media panel discussion at Dreamforce, Salesforce announced survey results that explore the attitudes and experiences of more than 500 Canadian small businesses (SMBs) regarding expansion of their businesses into the U.S. and other global markets.

According to the survey, 81 per cent of Canadian SMB owners have considered expanding their company beyond the Canadian border, and almost half (49 per cent) said they are likely to expand in the future.¹ 51% of those who are very/somewhat likely to do so, plan to do so in the next 11 months. Alternately, 70% plan to do so sometime within the next 2 years, with the most desirable market being the U.S./Mexico (78 per cent of respondents).² But the reasoning behind the desire to expand isn’t what some might assume. In fact, the survey shows that just over a quarter (27 per cent) of respondents say they plan on expanding because it will make them more attractive for acquisition.² The remainder are looking to make a go on their own.

Always fiscally responsible, the survey shows that 40 per cent of small businesses who plan to expand across borders do not believe they require any funding, and many intend to use existing Canadian revenue (30 per cent), personal savings (39 per cent), or bank loans (36 per cent) to fund growth.² Showing remarkable confidence, only 15 per cent of these SMBs are concerned about finding new customers, 10 per cent are concerned about customer retention and six per cent are concerned about running their business remotely.²

When it comes to how SMB owners feel about future growth, the general attitude is optimism, indicating that they’re not only eyeing international expansion, but exhibiting pride about their global prospects.

But could all this optimism be misplaced? According to the survey, almost a third (30 per cent) of businesses with expansion plans agree that information on expanding beyond Canadian borders is conflicting, and one in five (19 per cent) respondents doubt they have the proper tools and resources to expand.² And they might be right. The survey showed that 84 per cent of SMB owners that plan to expand do not use a customer relationship management solution, and more than a third (37 per cent) do not use a digital marketing platform, custom mobile application, a data analytics tool, a sales tracking/lead generation tool or accounting software. ²

While the survey shows that Canadian small business owners are eager about international expansion, it’s clear that many are lacking the knowledge and necessary technology to achieve this growth.

To be successful in today’s ever-expanding and changing global economy, it’s important that Canadian small business owners develop a detailed plan and use the right business tools. Being hungry and aggressive can take entrepreneurs a long way, but without relevant and timely insight into their business and target markets, small business owners with an eye towards expansion could be setting themselves up for disappointment.

Organizations like the C100 can help businesses plan accordingly for the exciting expansion ahead, giving SMBs smart recommendations on how to best enter foreign markets. But SMBs with an eye toward international expansion should arm themselves with the right technology tools, such as cloud computing. When information is centrally stored and managed, it becomes easier to see how it’s growing– and how many people will need to help make use of it. Customer relationship management (CRM) and analytics tools also provide businesses with greater insight into their customers, helping identify the skill sets they need to hire in order to best serve them.

And, more importantly, cloud computing has made it possible for software to run anywhere, anytime, on any device, allowing decisions to happen more quickly than ever before from any location.

In the year ahead, smart entrepreneurs will be wise to utilize all the technology and expertise available to them before looking to expand. While it’s true that international markets provide endless opportunities for Canadian small businesses, only those armed with the proper knowledge and tools will grow and thrive.

Survey Methodology:

1. Refers to statistic quoting total sample:

From August 29^th to September 7^th, 2015, an online survey was conducted among 523 randomly selected Canadian small business owners who are members of the Angus Reid Forum panel or partnering networks. All qualified respondents are employed full-time/part-time/self-employed, own a business with zero to 99 employees and either currently conduct business outside of Canada or look to expand their business beyond the Canadian border in the future. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

2. Refers to statistic quoting subset of total sample:

For statistics quoting sub-group of those who plan to expand:

From August 29^th to September 7^th, 2015, an online survey was conducted among 212 randomly selected Canadian small business owners who are members of the Angus Reid Forum panel or partnering networks. All qualified respondents are employed full-time/part-time/self-employed, own a business with zero to 99 employees and look to expand their business beyond the Canadian border in the future. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

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Media from Canada, Brazil, the U.K., Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Japan and other countries were hosted at the headquarters of Autodesk, Uber and Fitbit for tours, discussions and a glimpse of what’s ahead.

While the tour wasn’t directly linked to Dreamforce – aside from the fact that all of the media were in San Francisco for the event – the symbiosis between Salesforce and these other brands was evident throughout.

For example, Woody Scal, Chief Revenue Officer at Fitbit, explained to the group the persistent question that has driven the brand from its inception. It isn’t “What can I do with this technology that people will want to use?”, but rather: “What can I do that’s useful to people?”

Both Uber and Autodesk had similar philosophies.

Uber’s David Plouffe, the company’s strategic advisor, could have focused his time with the group on how the company has become a verb and is often held up as a strategic example of innovation. Instead he focused on how Uber is changing lives – the lives of people in cities with mobility challenges, but, more pointedly, the lives of Uber’s drivers, who are using the service to supplement their income in a way they can control.

During his session, Plouffe, who served as campaign manager for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and then as Senior Advisor to the President, explained that Uber’s massive growth and expansion has happened organically thanks to word of mouth. Linking his political experience with his Uber work, Plouffe said that success in politics or in promoting a brand like Uber’s boils down to one important factor: a conversation between two human beings. No amount of advertising or marketing can replace the recommendation of a candidate or a service from one trusted person to another, and it’s something he sees on both the passenger and the driver side of the Uber story.

During this stop, media were also given a first look at a new program rolling out under the Uber for Business umbrella. Already a popular service in Canada – Toronto sits in the top four international cities making up 40 per cent of all trips for Uber for Business along with London, Mexico City and Paris – this new program will allow users to create a business profile alongside a personal profile, simplifying business expenses and making it easier for companies to use the service. More information on this announcement will happen this week when Marc Benioff has a fireside chat with Uber CEO Travis Kalanick.

Autodesk Senior Vice President Andrew Anagnost focused his time with the media discussing the future of making things. Breaking it down into sections on design, production, demand and product, he gave his audience a glimpse into what’s already happening around the world and what’s around the corner. From generative design, where a computer can actively participate in the design process, to using technology to perform facial reconstruction, Anagnost had dozens of examples of demonstrating how his company is finding ways to be useful to people.

Which brings it right back to Salesforce. This philosophy seems to permeate the Dreamforce campus, and is something that’s woven into the fabric of Salesforce itself. The conference isn’t simply about learning to be useful to customers, but to the world. With every day of the event devoted to a different issue, such as education, encouraging girls to learn to code, backing veterans as they re-enter the workforce, and giving back to the environment, attendees are encouraged to participate and take positive action alongside Salesforce – on Wednesday, more than a million books will be donated by attendees for underserved children.

It’s going to be a great week of innovation and inspiration, and the innovation tour for international media was definitely a great place to start.

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It’s Dreamforce’s 13^th year, and like the 12 preceding, it’s geared up to be an inspiring, innovative, educational and fun event. The speakers are diverse – from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick to Oscar winning actress Patricia Arquette and The Honest Company Founder Jessica Alba—and the topics wide-ranging, with over 1,600 breakout sessions throughout the event. And of course, Marc Benioff, Chairman and CEO of Salesforce, will be on hand to tie all of this together.

We’ll be on the ground at Dreamforce, reporting back to you what we’ve seen, heard and learned, but with a Canadian spin. So come back often next week—we’ll have a lot to talk about.

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