TruSummit Solutions, proudly a 100% woman-owned company headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, draws its strength from this very fact, fueling our unwavering commitment to empowering women and younger generations within the tech industry. This is why we’ve crafted this blog – to provide you with 7 invaluable tips and insights from the accomplished women of TruSummit, aimed at guiding your journey in the world of technology as a WIT (Woman In Tech).

TIP #1: Connect with Other Women in the Tech Field

In a rapidly evolving industry, networking is an invaluable tool. To thrive, seek out communities and individuals who share your aspirations and are eager to champion your goals. Consider exploring organizations like getWITit or your local WIT Salesforce User Group to offer you a powerful network of women in tech, resources, and opportunities to collaborate with like-minded professionals.

TIP #2: Discover Your Curiosity-Driven Tech Passion

Your newfound tech journey is more than just learning – it’s a chance to tap into what truly sparks your curiosity. There are FREE resources right at your fingertips, like Trailhead – an online platform that lets you take a deep dive into Salesforce! Now, you’ll not only grasp concepts but engage in hands-on experiences, putting your understanding to the test.

TIP #3: Unlock Professional Growth with a Mentor

Finding a mentor can be a valuable step in your personal and professional growth. A mentor can be the guiding light that fuels your professional growth journey, providing motivation and challenges that elevate your career.

Here are three quick tips to help you find a mentor:

1. Attend Networking Events: Attend conferences, workshops, user groups, and industry-specific events. These gatherings provide excellent opportunities to meet potential mentors who share your interests.
2. Utilize Online Platforms: Research on websites like LinkedIn, industry-specific forums, and other social media platforms to identify and connect with potential mentors.
3. Join a WIT Organization: Many organizations and professional associations offer formal mentorship programs and opportunities where you can be surrounded by experienced mentors to support you along your journey.

TIP #4: Reverse Engineer & Craft Your Skills for Success

Have you ever envisioned your dream job and wondered how to prepare yourself for it? Think of it as reverse engineering your career path, where you start with the end goal in mind and work backward to craft your skills for success. This approach can be a strategic and effective way to propel your career in the direction you desire.

Here are 5 steps on how to reverse engineer and tailor your skill set for your dream job:

1. Define Your Dream Job
2. Identify Your Skill Gaps
3. Seek Learning Opportunities
4. Set Clear Goals to Achieve
5. Measure Your Progress and Success

TIP #5: Embrace the Lessons of Mistakes and Fuel Your Growth

For women striving to enter the tech industry, it’s crucial not to be discouraged by the challenges. In a historically male-dominated field, obstacles are common, but they can be opportunities for growth. One of our team members, a woman in tech, faced adversity due to gender bias. Despite setbacks, she turned these experiences into opportunities for learning, adapting, and excelling.

Her lesson: “setbacks are stepping stones, not roadblocks.”

TIP #6: Develop Your Problem-Solving Prowess

In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry, one skill stands out as an absolute necessity: problem-solving. The ability to navigate complex issues, find innovative solutions, and adapt to new challenges is at the core of success in this field.

Here’s a look at how you can cultivate and sharpen your problem-solving prowess:

1. Identify the Problem: Clearly define what the problem is.
2. Break It Down: Take the time to break down the issue into its components, and ensure you understand the root causes and implications.
3. Research and Gather Information: Once you’ve identified the problem and broken it down, gather relevant data and information. Explore different perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
4. Embrace the Growth Mindset: Use a forward-thinking approach to encourage you to think creatively and outside the box.
5. Test and Iterate: Don’t be afraid to test potential solutions, even if they’re not perfect. Experimentation and iteration are essential in the tech world. Learn from failures and adjust your approach accordingly.
6. Practice Regularly: Problem-solving is a skill that improves with practice. Seek out opportunities to tackle puzzles, projects, or coding challenges that challenge your abilities.

TIP #7: Discover Non-Technical Avenues

In the realm of technology, success isn’t solely dependent on technical expertise. The tech industry offers a wide array of roles beyond coding and programming, where diverse skills are highly valued. Consider roles like Project Management, which are plentiful in this environment and demand skills beyond simply technical know-how. Embracing these non-technical avenues can open up exciting and fulfilling career opportunities in the tech world.

CONCLUSION: Thank You TruSummit Women

An applause and heartfelt gratitude to our extraordinary women and trailblazers within our team. Your contributions to this blog and your impactful role within our organization and the tech industry as a whole are truly commendable. Together, we hold the power to craft a tech community that is both diverse and empowered, a hub of innovation and inclusivity.

Are you seeking to be part of a team that treasures and welcomes women in the tech realm? Discover more about the exciting openings we have on our careers page: www.trusummitsolutions.com/careers.

About the Author

Nikki Holter is a dynamic and accomplished professional who serves as the Business Development & Marketing Manager at TruSummit Solutions.

The post Tech Transformation: Breaking Down Barriers with TruSummit Solutions’ Trailblazing Women appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.

Dealing with the ever-changing tech world and evolving industry needs can be a real headache for many companies, and their IT and executive leadership teams. Staying up to date means always checking out the newest and coolest solutions to remain competitive. If you’ve been on a team that utilizes software like Salesforce at some point in your career, or if you’re about to purchase it, you probably want to avoid the common pitfalls that can happen during big tech changes.

At TruSummit Solutions, we’re no strangers to helping out companies who’ve run into trouble with their software projects. Sometimes it’s just small tweaks, but other times it’s a big overhaul to fix problems like not enough people using the system, trouble connecting with other apps, or making it scale up. Along the way, we’ve picked up some handy tips for getting Salesforce implementation projects right from the get-go. In the sections ahead, we’ll dig into the top five reasons these projects can go sideways and share our team’s advice on how to steer clear or get back on track if you run into these common issues.

REASON #1: LACK OF VISION

Many companies often overlook this crucial step when acquiring enterprise software like Salesforce and underestimate the importance of having a vision in place before making the decision to purchase. A vision should serve as a guiding light, providing a sense of purpose and direction for the entire implementation process. Without a vision, organizations risk drifting aimlessly, making decisions based on short-term needs rather than long-term strategic goals, which will likely cause your software implementation to fail. 

Pro tip: Create a vision that not only clarifies your organization’s Salesforce objectives but also illuminates the transformation it will bring to your business processes, elevating customer relationships and catalyzing growth. As part of TruSummit’s Salesforce implementation services, our team would evaluate your existing processes, practices, and systems, facilitating a deep understanding that empowers your company to establish performance benchmarks. We also provide your team with a healthy blend of new concepts and proven solutions for improved processes that connect people to each other and to the information they need. If you embrace the vision with this forward-looking approach, you can seamlessly align your Salesforce investment with your strategic goals, resulting in enhanced utilization and an improved return on investment (ROI).

REASON #2: NO STRATEGIC ROADMAP

Poor business process design is a significant driver of failed Salesforce implementations. We notice some companies often times attempt to fit Salesforce into their existing processes without careful consideration or adaptation, it can lead to a multitude of issues. These include inefficiencies, data inaccuracies, and resistance from users accustomed to old workflows. This leads to stagnant user adoption and less willingness to utilize the system, which does the opposite of empowering users and will ultimately cause your software implementation to fail. 

Pro Tip: To avoid failure, it’s crucial to invest time in reevaluating and optimizing business processes to align with Salesforce’s capabilities. Engage stakeholders, assess current workflows, and leverage Salesforce’s customization features to create a system that mirrors your ideal processes while capitalizing on the platform’s strengths. Regular training, user involvement, and continuous process evaluation are key components of a successful Salesforce implementation that counters the pitfalls of poor business process design. As another option, TruSummit’s managed services can provide invaluable support in the aftermath of a poorly executed business process implementation or when an organization has evolved significantly since its initial Salesforce deployment. Our managed services offer a dynamic solution that enables you to continually refine and optimize your Salesforce org, ensuring success at every stage of your journey. Whether you’re grappling with the aftermath of a problematic implementation or adapting to the changing needs of your evolving company, our services allow you to build on your Salesforce platform seamlessly.

REASON #4: LOW USER ADOPTION AND UTILIZATION RATES

Low utilization rates and poor adoption of Salesforce within an organization can be attributed to a range of factors. Inadequate training often leaves employees struggling to navigate the system effectively, while a lack of user involvement during implementation can lead to disconnection. Resistance to change, particularly when employees are accustomed to existing tools and processes, can hinder acceptance.

Pro-Tip: To address these challenges and improve the utilization and adoption of Salesforce, companies should invest in a comprehensive training plan on when and who from an end-user perspective should be involved in the process. This will help you customize Salesforce to align with specific roles that will be using the system on a daily basis to accurately meet their needs and desires. At TruSummit, we embrace a proven approach that encompasses training, enablement, and scaling. Our commitment extends beyond traditional training; we aim to empower and invigorate our customers’ teams through hands-on education. We take pride in going the extra mile by providing enablement, ensuring that even as your organization faces future changes, you’ll possess the people, processes, and systems necessary to sustain long-term success effortlessly.

REASON #5: ATTEMPTING THE PROCESS ALONE

Taking on a Salesforce implementation without the guidance of experts or a trusted Salesforce partner is similar to attempting a challenging hike through unfamiliar terrain without a skilled guide. Just as you’d rely on an experienced guide to navigate treacherous paths and reach your destination safely, choosing the right Salesforce partner, such as TruSummit Solutions, is crucial.

Pro tip: Hire TruSummit Solutions and have a stress-free Salesforce. Our team can help you chart a clear path, avoid pitfalls, and develop a customized implementation strategy that ensures you reach your company’s goals with confidence and success. Click here to schedule your free Salesforce consultation.

CONCLUSION: ASK FOR HELP

If your company faces hurdles due to failed software Implementation, TruSummit Solutions, a certified Salesforce Partner, can help simplify, strategize, and leverage your Salesforce investment for long-term success. Our core values – Collaboration, Commitment, Passion, Aptitude- will guide you on your journey to Salesforce excellence. Let’s talk today about your implementation journey. Learn more about TruSummit Solutions.

 

About the Author

Nikki Holter is a dynamic and accomplished professional who serves as the Business Development & Marketing Manager at TruSummit Solutions. 

The post Pssst … Your Software Implementation Is Going to Fail. Here’s How We Know. appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.

Dreamforce 2023 was a whirlwind of innovation and inspiration. Some of the highlights included the Salesforce Platform relaunch known as Einstein 1, the offering of free Data Cloud and Tableau licenses for Sales and Service Cloud customers on the Enterprise or Unlimited edition, and the announcement of Copilot Studio featuring Generative AI through its components: Prompt Builder, Skills Builder, and Model Builder. 

But now that Dreamforce is over, your real journey is just beginning. In this blog, explore the optimal post-Dreamforce follow-up, delving into an array of comprehensive strategies aimed at helping you transform the wealth of knowledge you gained during Dreamforce 2023 into practical, actionable outcomes. 

Organize Your Notes & Learnings

During Dreamforce, you likely found yourself scribbling down notes and capturing screenshots to help you remember all that you learned. You should take the time to summarize your key takeaways and rewrite a brief summary of the main points. This can serve as a quick reference when you need to refresh your memory. You can try dividing your notes into categories that align with your interests or job responsibilities. 

For example, you might try separating your notes into categories like “Sales Strategies,” “Marketing Insights,” and “Product Updates.”  

Share Your Knowledge

Empower your colleagues with fresh perspectives and best practices that can improve their day-to-day work. Your team can benefit from the latest industry trends, technology updates, and success stories you learned at Dreamforce. Consider presenting a summary of your key takeaways during a team meeting or organize “lunch and learn” sessions where you share your Dreamforce insights over a casual team lunch where everyone can learn from the info you learned at Dreamforce.  

Engage with New Connections

Implement Actionable Insights

The process of implementing actionable insights is the essential link between acquiring knowledge and achieving tangible results. It not only keeps you competitive but also fosters innovation and propels your organization toward its goals. Here’s a strategic roadmap to make it happen effectively:

1. Create an Action Plan: The transformation of insights into measurable results demands a methodical approach. Craft a well-structured action plan that precisely outlines how you intend to put each insight into action. This plan should encompass the assignment of responsibilities, the establishment of timelines, and the definition of measurable objectives.

2. Explore New Salesforce Partnerships: In today’s dynamic business and technology landscape, maintaining a competitive edge often requires collaboration with experts who can navigate the latest innovations. Consider forging partnerships with organizations like TruSummit Solutions, specializing in areas crucial to your organization’s growth. Whether it’s leveraging cutting-edge cloud solutions, seamlessly integrating AI, or elevating the customer experience, connecting with the right partners can open doors to innovation and expansion.

By creating actionable plans and exploring partnerships, you not only extract the full value from your Dreamforce experience but also position your organization on a path toward growth and success in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Plan for the Future: Dreamforce 2024

By initiating your preparations in advance and establishing precise objectives, you are poised to extract the maximum value from Dreamforce 2024. Consider organizing a follow-up meeting or distributing a survey to your organization’s Dreamforce attendees to assess what was learned, what proved effective, and what requires refinement. This forward-thinking strategy ensures that you are well-prepared to embrace the upcoming era of innovation, learning, and growth that Dreamforce has in its arsenal.

If you have colleagues or people in your network who are considering attending Dreamforce for the first time in 2024, consider sharing our blog with them. Our insights from Dreamforce 2023 can serve as valuable guidance as they embark on their journey of planning for their future Dreamforce experience.

That’s a Wrap: Conclusion

As we wrap up, you’ve delved into strategies that will ensure the valuable knowledge acquired during Dreamforce 2023 is not just retained but actively applied. From organizing your notes and sharing insights to nurturing new connections and turning insights into action, you now possess the tools to foster innovation and attain meaningful results. Remember, Dreamforce may have ended, but your path towards growth and excellence remains wide open. Embrace the wealth of knowledge, seize the boundless opportunities, and become the driving force that shapes the future of your organization. The possibilities are infinite, and this journey is yours to define.

If you’re looking for a Salesforce partner to translate your insights into actionable outcomes and explore how to take your organization to the next level, don’t hesitate to reach out to TruSummit Solutions. Our team is ready to assist you on your journey of growth and innovation. Click HERE to contact us today! 

The post Beyond Dreamforce 2023: Navigating Your Path Forward appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.

A Guide to Maximize Your Experience

Dreamforce, Salesforce’s flagship event is right around the corner! Dreamforce kicks off September 12 in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. As the countdown begins with less than a week away, it’s time to start planning your adventure!  In this blog, I will be your compass by providing strategies, resources, and insights to help you make the most out of this three-day conference. Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or a first-time participant, this guide is your key to unlocking and maximizing your Dreamforce ‘23 experience. 

Your Must Knows Before You Go 

Prepare For Your Dreamforce Journey

As you prepare for your upcoming journey to Dreamforce, it’s crucial to have some key insights at your disposal for a well-prepared conference experience. First, take the time to discover the impressive lineup of speakers. With over 1,500 sessions spanning a wide range of topics, planning ahead is essential. Keep an eye out for regular additions to the session lineup by visiting the Dreamforce Session Catalog. To stay organized throughout the event, craft a personalized agenda that reflects your interests and tracks the sessions you plan to attend. Remember that session availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so adding sessions to your agenda helps prioritize your priorities. Lastly, for an efficient conference experience, consider scheduling sessions that are in close proximity to each other, allowing you enough time to move between them seamlessly.

1. Discover the Speakers at Dreamforce: Dreamforce – Speakers (salesforce.com) 
2. Explore Sessions, Keynotes, and More: Dreamforce Session Catalog.  
3. Build and Customize Your Agenda: Start putting together your trail map here.

Essential Packing Tips for Your Dreamforce Adventure

For a smooth and enjoyable Dreamforce experience, packing the right essentials is essential. Here’s a list of the top six packing must-haves that will take your Dreamforce adventure to the next level.

1. Light Jacket and Umbrella: San Francisco’s weather can be unpredictable, so it’s wise to pack a light jacket and an umbrella to stay prepared for any weather conditions, whether it’s rain or shine.

2. Bookbag: Make sure to bring a bookbag to carry your essentials and any swag you collect during the event. It’s worth noting that Salesforce has shifted toward sustainability and no longer provides traditional Dreamforce swag bags.

3. Smart Business Casual Attire: Observing the dress code from the previous year, which leans towards comfort with a touch of professionalism, it’s advisable to pack smart business casual attire. Include items like jeans, casual company shirts, and pullovers to fit right in.

4. Networking Essentials: Prepare for networking opportunities by stocking up on business cards. Alternatively, embrace modern networking techniques by using QR codes for quick connections or having your electronic business cards ready for seamless networking with new acquaintances.

5. Comfortable, Supportive Shoes: Be ready to explore and walk every corner of Dreamforce, so prioritize comfort by packing comfortable and supportive shoes that can handle the miles of walking and exploration.

6. Don’t Forget Your Water Bottle: Keep a water bottle on hand to stay refreshed, energized, and, most importantly, well-hydrated throughout the bustling days of the conference. These essentials will ensure you’re well-prepared for your Dreamforce adventure.

Don’t Miss Out on These Top 6 Must-Attend Events

Immerse yourself in these six key events to enhance both your Dreamforce experience and professional knowledge.

1. The First Keynote: Mark your calendar for the opening keynote on September 12th, scheduled from 10:00 to 11:00 AM PST. Arriving early is crucial for securing a seat at highly anticipated keynotes and popular sessions.

2. Explore the After Parties: Some of the most memorable celebrations and networking opportunities occur outside the Dreamforce conference, especially at events hosted by partners. Discover a comprehensive list of post-conference events on Salesforce Ben’s blog.

3. Dreamforce Homecoming Celebration: Start off the conference with a bang at the Homecoming Celebration from 5:00 to 7:00 PM PST on Tuesday, September 12th.

4. Dreamfest: Immerse yourself in rock ‘n’ roll as the Foo Fighters take the stage live at Chase Center from 6:00 to 9:00 PM PST on Wednesday, September 13th.

5. Other Wednesday Dreamforce Party: Don’t miss the Party on Howard! From 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, you can dance the night away on Howard Street while enjoying live music, delectable food, and refreshing drinks.

6. Dreamforce Volunteer Day: Make a positive impact by participating in volunteer activities on September 11th, contributing to essential maintenance projects in San Francisco’s public parks.

3 Strategies to Elevate Your Networking

When you attend Dreamforce, the connections you forge have the potential to blossom into valuable relationships and partnerships. To maximize the impact of your networking efforts, consider these three essential strategies:

1. LinkedIn QR Codes: Harness the power of LinkedIn QR codes, making it effortless to exchange your profile with new connections within the Salesforce ecosystem.
2. Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Craft a compelling elevator pitch that succinctly introduces yourself, your role, and the motivations driving your participation in the conference. This will help kickstart conversations on the right foot.
3. Foster New Connections: Remember that nurturing and maintaining the connections you establish is vital. By following these strategies, you can elevate your networking game, ensuring that your connections continue to grow and mutually benefit both you and your newfound contacts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we trust that this guide has equipped you with the confidence to fully embrace Dreamforce this year. Remember, preparation serves as your guiding star for navigating and optimizing your conference experience. Let’s collectively ensure that Dreamforce 2023 becomes an unforgettable event. See you at Dreamforce!

Not Able to Attend Dreamforce in Person?

Experience Dreamforce for Free on Salesforce+

Don’t let the opportunity slip away! Register for free online and immerse yourself in the world of innovation from the comfort of your own space via Salesforce+.

The post Navigating Dreamforce 2023: A Guide to Maximize Your Experience appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.

As a Salesforce consultant at TruSummit Solutions, one of my goals is to streamline our client’s processes and create simplified business processes that will drive a successful user experience. Actions & Recommendations allows me to connect screen flows and publisher actions into a single, standard component, that’s designed to guide users through Salesforce and to know what action to take at what time.

Take a look at Actions & Recommendations below to understand why it’s a consultant’s best-kept secret.

Here’s What’s Changed Since 2019

I remember when the Actions & Recommendations component was first released. I tried using it, but it was complicated and wasn’t user-friendly because I wasn’t using screen flows very often. In 2019, Salesforce released a separate standard component for the Einstein Next best action and its functionalities were included as part of the actions and recommendations component to auto-populate quick actions within the latest version of the component.

Now, Flow builder has seen amazing updates to their screen flows, and today I find myself building multiple screens flows for each major object.

What Actions & Recommendations Make Possible Now

A common piece of feedback I get from my builds is that it would be nice if I could connect all these flows together in one place, so users had a list of workflows they could pick from. Actions & Recommendations make that possible! 

Actions & Recommendations gives your users a to-do list on a record, helps automate tasks, and surfaces relevant information at the right time, based on data, and business processes. You can create default lists for specific channels, like phone and chat, and show which actions you want users to complete first and last.

In addition to streamlining processes, Actions & Recommendations helps you make better, data-driven decisions. By analyzing Salesforce data and suggesting actions based on that analysis, it gives insights and recommendations that users might not have considered otherwise. This helps optimize workflows, identify new opportunities, and avoid potential pitfalls. 

Keep reading to learn how to set up the Actions & Recommendations component.

How to Set Up the Actions & Recommendations

Let’s look at an example where we have a few actions and flows built out on the Account object, and we’d like to show them together for our users so they can decide which action to take. Below, I will show you how to build out the following actions:

• Update key information on an account
• Schedule a two-week follow-up
• Record notes from a site visit

6 Steps for Building Out The Actions & Recommendations Component in Salesforce

1. You can start by navigating to Setup and searching for Actions & Recommendations in the setup tree. Click the New Deployment button.

2. Click through to the next first screen and name the deployment in the label box. For this demo, we will name it Account Management. You can leave the default selections for Guidance to Show. Then click Next.

3. You can select from the Account objects from the list. Click the arrow facing selected objects to add, then click Next.

4. Select the Default tab at the top. Then select the two actions from and one-screen flow from All Actions to add them to the Unpinned section. Then click Next.

5. Click the checkbox at the top next to Action Label to uncheck all the options. Then check all our actions and flows that we added on the prior screen, then click Next. These actions show up in the component through an Add button, allowing users to add their own actions.

6. Click the Go to Lightning App Builder button and navigate to your Account record page.

7. Finally, Drag the Actions & Recommendations component onto the page, then select your Account Management deployment from the options within the component. Then click Save to enable.

3 Tips to Help You Get Started

TIP #1: SHOW THE RIGHT ACTIONS FOR THE RIGHT SET OF USERS:

The first tip you should know is how to show a different set of actions for different users based on a specific role or profile. You can create multiple deployments, then have multiple Actions & Recommendation components on the screen and use Component Visibility to show the right component for the right set of users.

TIP #2: PUBLISHER ACTIONS IN THE COMPONENT MUST BE ON THE PAGE LAYOUT:

The second tip is that actions in the deployment will need to be added to the page layout in order to show in the component. By connecting our screen flows and publisher actions into a single component with Actions & Recommendations, we are able to create a seamless user experience for the team. 

TIP #3: FLOWS GET THE RECORD FROM THE RECORDID TEXT VARIABLE

The final tip is that you’ll need to pass your record’s Id into a text variable called recordId in your Flow, instead of using a record variable. Flow actions let you pass the value of the record’s ID field into the flow, but that’s it. If your flow has a Text input variable called recordId, the action passes the record’s ID into that variable at runtime. If not, it doesn’t, and the flow tries to run anyway.

Conclusion

Overall, I’m really impressed with the Actions & Recommendations feature in Salesforce and how it has helped our clients improve their business processes and decision-making. As a consultant, it’s been a valuable tool for me and has become a staple recommendation when we review ways to optimize our client’s Salesforce org. If you’re not already using Actions & Recommendations, I highly recommend giving it a try!

About the Author

“I am a Senior Salesforce Functional Consultant at TruSummit Solutions, focused in declarative functionality across many of the clouds, serving a variety of customers. I feel incredibly humbled to work alongside some of the smartest and brightest colleagues of my career at TruSummit. It gives me great personal fulfillment to serve our clients every day.”   

Micah Perry, Senior Salesforce Functional Consultant at TruSummit Solutions 

The post A Consultant’s Best Kept Secrets: Salesforce Actions & Recommendations appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.