DevOps Diaries

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy sits down with Dangsenpenan, a Salesforce Analyst at RSPCA. Discover Dangsenpenan's inspiring self-taught journey into the Salesforce world and how he's paying it forward by founding West Africa Dreaming. Learn about the power of accountability, the strength of the global Salesforce Ohana in fostering local talent, and the challenges of event sponsorship. Dangsenpenan also shares insights on engaging the next generation in tech and the evolving definition of community in the digital age. Tune in for a story of passion, community building, and the transformative impact of non-profit work.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters:00:00 Introduction to Dangsenpenan's Journey02:53 The Path to Salesforce: A Unique Journey05:53 Self-Learning and Overcoming Challenges09:02 The Importance of Accountability in Learning11:51 Building a Community: West Africa Dreaming14:53 Creating Opportunities for Others17:59 The Global Salesforce Community and Its Impact20:59 Vision for the Future: Expanding the Community25:37 Building Community Through Ohana Spirit30:29 Overcoming Challenges in Sponsorship35:47 The Power of Non-Profit Work41:48 Engaging the Next Generation in Tech45:03 Redefining Community in the Digital Age

Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ladder from Salesforce developer to Salesforce architect to Salesforce manager in the complex and fast-paced ecosystem we live in?  In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy sits down with Salesforce leader Jessica Riffe to uncover her incredible journey. Get ready for a deep dive into the evolution of Salesforce DevOps, the secrets to impactful documentation, and the real-world challenges (and triumphs!) of growing a high-performing team. If you're navigating your own DevOps transformation or looking to elevate your team's collaboration, Jessica's hard-won insights on pipelines, understanding DevOps user needs, and effective communication are pure gold. Don't miss these invaluable lessons – listen to the full episode now!About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Valerio Chang from Gearset chats to Jack about the evolving landscape of customer support in SaaS companies. Valerio offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Gearset has built a world-class support team, leaning into the importance of truly understanding customer needs and using documentation to elevate user experiences.Valerio delves into the unique challenges of supporting customers in the Salesforce ecosystem, and how the nature of Salesforce DevOps conversations has matured over time. Valerio discusses Gearset's mission to act not just as a tool provider but as a trusted advisor, helping users navigate complexity through empathy, curiosity, and continuous improvement.Throughout the conversation, Valerio highlights the power of asking the right questions, the role of customer feedback in shaping product development, and the fulfilment that comes from solving meaningful problems. The episode wraps with a thoughtful reflection on the human side of support and the profound impact it can have on the people behind the tickets.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Think database skills are dead in the Salesforce era? Think again. In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy talks to Chris Starleaf of Zinc Partners, who argues they're more relevant than ever. Listen in as Chris shares insights from his Salesforce journey, exploring why tech pros need sales skills, the crucial balance between quick wins and long-term strategy, and the vital role of data governance. They tackle the generalist vs. specialist debate and discuss how strong leadership and team development drive success. Want to build better data strategies and lead more effectively in the Salesforce ecosystem? Don't miss this episode!About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters00:00 Introduction to Chris Starleaf and His Journey03:02 The Relevance of Database Management in Salesforce06:00 Sales Skills for Tech Professionals09:12 Understanding Different Roles in Salesforce11:52 Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Success14:59 The Importance of Data Governance18:09 The Role of Generalists vs. Specialists20:58 Fostering Pride in Data Management23:55 Building a Data Governance Strategy27:03 Team Leadership and Development29:53 Creating Efficient Processes33:13 Navigating the Salesforce Ecosystem36:08 Conclusion and Contact Information

From his early days in the Salesforce ecosystem to becoming a driving force behind Okta's DevOps strategy, Varun shares candid insights and hard-won lessons.Jack McCurdy sits down with Varun Kavoori, Principal Salesforce DevOps Engineer at Okta, for a deep dive into his career journey and the evolving world of Salesforce DevOps. Jack and Varun explore how Okta approaches release management, the power of flexible DevOps practices, and why setting strong guardrails is key to compliance and scale. Varun lifts the lid on the tools and tactics that keep his team running smoothly, especially on high-stakes release days, and looks ahead to the growing role of AI in the DevOps space. Whether you're a seasoned Salesforce engineer or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and fresh perspectives.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters:00:00 Introduction to Varun Kavoori and His Journey03:06 Understanding the Role of DevOps in Salesforce06:08 Release Management at Okta08:55 Building a Flexible DevOps Process11:54 Guardrails and Compliance in Releases15:00 Scaling the Team and Managing Growth18:02 Challenges with Metadata and Deployment20:54 Release Day Process and Code Freeze23:51 Tools and Techniques for DevOps Success26:53 Future of DevOps and AI Integration29:53 Excitement for Salesforce Innovations

Megan Tuano shares her unique journey into the tech industry, the importance of communication, questions, and the value of empathy in customer service. She discusses her experiences with Salesforce and the significance of building relationships, emphasizing that success comes from being authentic and understanding the human aspect of technology. Megan and Jack also explore various themes surrounding customer service, the journey of content creation on YouTube, the challenges of balancing careers and parenthood.They wrap up by discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on business analysis, how to craft effective user stories, and how shifting left collaboratively harnesses the best results. Learn more:- Salesforce release management best practices.- How to deploy Agentforce.- DevOps for enterprise Salesforce implementations.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:08 Breaking into Tech: Overcoming Misconceptions05:53 The Role of Communication in Tech08:49 The Importance of Asking Questions11:59 Shift Left: Identifying Issues Early15:01 Building Relationships in Tech18:02 Empathy in Customer Service20:58 Salesforce Experience and Insights23:54 The Relationship Between Customer Service and Tech28:00 Navigating Customer Service Challenges30:55 Creating on YouTube33:57 Balancing Parenthood and Careers35:57 The Role of AI in Business Analysis40:00 Crafting Effective User Stories43:02 Collaboration Between Teams for Success47:04 Building Community and Finding Your Why

How do DORA metrics apply to the unique challenges of Salesforce development? Join Jack McCurdy and Nathan Harvey as they dive into the evolving landscape of software delivery, exploring the intersection of platform engineering, AI, and human performance. They discuss practical strategies for implementing DORA metrics, navigating the shift to agile, and reducing developer burnout. In this episode they uncover how to foster empathy, improve team collaboration, and leverage AI to enhance your Salesforce development processes. Expect insights on effective tooling, communication strategies, and the importance of questioning the status quo to drive innovation.Learn more:- Everything you need to know about Agentforce- Insights from the latest DORA report- How to apply DORA metrics to SalesforceAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters00:00 Introduction to DORA and Its Importance02:57 Understanding Software Delivery Performance Metrics06:01 Challenges in Measuring Metrics in Salesforce09:04 The Role of Platform Engineering12:04 AI's Impact on Software Delivery17:57 Navigating AI in Development and Deployment29:38 Understanding Customer Needs in AI Development30:43 The Journey of Continuous Improvement32:45 Collaboration in Salesforce Teams36:07 Effective Communication Strategies40:12 The Shift from Waterfall to Continuous Improvement42:25 Reducing Developer Burnout48:24 Building Empathy with Users53:10 Challenging the Status Quo

Wade Wegner was a key member of the team that helped reshape the developer landscape at Salesforce. In his conversation with Jack, Wade recounts his journey from navigating the once-dreaded development platform, to spearheading groundbreaking initiatives which we now know as SalesforceDX. He explains how the introduction of Scratch Orgs and a strategic shift to VS Code revolutionized the developer experience, transforming complex challenges into agile, collaborative opportunities.Wade breaks down the evolution of key projects, from Project Janus laying the groundwork, to early concepts like DevOps Center and Code Builder, that set the stage for today's fast-paced development environment. He also shares insights on the critical role of ISVs, the importance of strategic planning and team alignment, and the delicate balance between core features and new technologies. With his deep consulting background and a passion for collaboration, Wade reveals how building trust and strong relationships with engineering peers is essential to delivering real value and solving complex problems in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.Tune in for an engaging discussion packed with real-world lessons on innovation, teamwork, and the transformative power of a forward-thinking approach to product development.Learn more:- Gearset for SalesforceDX teams- SalesforceDX whitepaper- Gearset's Agentforce deployment solutionAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqChapters:00:00 Introduction to Wade Wagner and SalesforceDX03:04 The Evolution of Salesforce Developer Experience05:52 Wade's Transition from Microsoft to Salesforce08:55 The Birth of SalesforceDX and Project Janus11:54 Building a Cohesive Product Suite14:47 The Role of ISVs in Salesforce's Success17:54 Innovations in Developer Tools and Practices25:48 Revolutionizing Salesforce Interaction27:09 The Developer Experience and Salesforce DX28:22 Building the CLI: A Game Changer30:53 Transitioning to VS Code: A Strategic Move33:24 The Evolution of DevOps Center34:43 Challenges in Innovation and Development36:54 Understanding Packaging and Its Complexity39:23 Navigating Change in Salesforce's Focus41:58 The Importance of Trust in AI Agents44:40 Lessons Learned from Salesforce Experience

Jack McCurdy is joined by Ian Gotts and Jack Lavous from Elements.cloud to discuss the transformative impact of Agentforce within the Salesforce ecosystem.In this episode we explore how Elements.cloud implemented Agentforce internally, emphasizing the importance of well-defined business processes and the role of business analysis in building effective agents. The conversation delves into the Job to Be Done framework, the challenges organizations face in adopting agents, and the necessity of documentation and structured approaches to ensure success.Jack Lavous offers insights into the actual build process of agents and the importance of making documentation AI-ready, how to use prompt templates, data cloud strategies, and deployment using Gearset. They also discuss the significance of internal trust and the return on investment from implementing AI agents, while also expressing excitement for the future of AI technology in business.Learn more:- Deploy Agentforce with Gearset- What is Agentforce?- How to effectively document Salesforce processesAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Agentforce and Its Impact01:47 Elements Cloud's Implementation Journey06:00 Understanding Topics and Their Importance09:59 The Role of Business Analysis in Building Agents13:56 Applying the Job to Be Done Framework17:54 Challenges in Building Agents and Organizational Readiness22:00 Starting the Fix: Documentation and Business Processes25:57 The Implementation Process of Agents28:14 Understanding AI Language and Communication33:10 The Learning Curve of AI Agents35:47 Designing Effective Prompt Templates37:57 The Role of Data Cloud in AI Implementation43:11 Return on Investment and Internal Trust51:06 Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Agents

Mitch Spano, Senior Application Engineering Manager at Google, shares his journey in the Salesforce ecosystem and discusses his early experiences with Salesforce, the importance of an engineering mindset, and how to advance your career in tech. He outlines the typical role structures in technology companies, from junior to VP levels, and emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptation to avoid career stagnation. Mitch also shares hard truths about career growth and the importance of taking initiative to create new opportunities. Jack and Mitch share their insights, emphasizing the importance of identifying opportunities, key traits for success, the significance of organizational culture, and the necessity of setting ambitious goals. They also discuss how to navigate workplace dynamics, the value of mentorship, and the need for self-awareness and resilience in the face of challenges. The conversation culminates in actionable advice for listeners to track their progress and to set high aspirations for their careers.Learn more:- Automate Salesforce releases with Pipelines- How to analyze your Apex code- How to document processes in large Salesforce teamsAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Mitch Spano and his journey03:57 Career Advancement in the Salesforce ecosystem08:59 Understanding role structures in tech companies15:09 The path from Senior to Director and VP23:02 Hard truths about career growth29:33 Identifying opportunities in your career39:21 Key traits for career growth46:28 Building and transforming organizational culture53:55 Setting ambitious career goals

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy welcomes Paul Battisson to discuss his 15-year journey in Salesforce. They explore the importance of saying yes to challenges, the evolution of the Salesforce platform, and the balance between simplicity and complexity. Paul shares insights on innovation, problem-solving, and the significance of good processes and communication in successful project delivery. In this conversation, Paul and Jack discuss the challenges and strategies involved in implementing change within organizations, particularly in the context of DevOps and consulting. They emphasize the importance of transparency, building trust, and involving stakeholders in the process to overcome resistance. The discussion also touches on the human element of consulting, the impact of technology on job security, and the necessity of consistency and detail in achieving success.Learn more:DevOps for the Salesforce enterpriseTransforming Salesforce DevOps in financial servicesHow to deploy Salesforce flowsGroundwork AppsAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 The journey of saying yes06:06 Innovation in a mature platform09:01 solving problems creatively12:03 Salesforce: simplicity vs complexity15:06 The double-edged sword of low technical barriers18:06 Establishing good processes20:55 The Importance of communication in teams26:24 Incremental changes29:15 Building trust through transparency32:37 Overcoming resistance to change36:44 The human element in consulting41:40 How AI agents change the job market53:20 Consistency and detail: keys to success

In this episode of DevOps Diaries we cover some of the outstanding moments from DevOps Diaries in 2024. Hear about everything from artificial intelligence and Salesforce Flows, to Heroku and QA testing.You can expect snippets of conversation with: Julián Duque, Steve Fouracre, Alba Rivas, Dave Carroll, Jon Robinson, Todd Halfpenny and Andy Utkan. Thank you to all our guests this year for sharing wonderful insights and knowledge!All episodes from this year can be found on Gearset's YouTube channel as well as audio platforms.Learn more:- Deploy Salesforce Flows easily- Salesforce DevOps for enterprise organizations- Easy backup and restore solutions for Salesforce- How successful are teams using Gearset?About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Julián Duque — Heroku and Salesforce03:55 Steve Fouracre — Impact of AI on Salesforce Development08:02 Andy Utkan — Why Salesforce Developers should care about Salesforce Flows 10:58 Todd Halfpenny — The future role of Salesforce Developers15:12 Dave Carroll — The best learning method for Salesforce professionals19:38 Alba Rivas — How does Agentforce work?25:38 Jon Robinson — How to implement a good Salesforce QA strategy

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy interviews John Robinson, a seasoned QA professional. They discus the significance of quality assurance (QA) in the Salesforce ecosystem, exploring the evolution of QA, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the necessity for dedicated QA roles within teams. John emphasizes the importance of understanding testing practices at their core, the role of tooling, and why there's the need for education to elevate the QA standards in Salesforce implementations. Jack and Jon's conversation highlights the challenges faced by teams in adopting effective QA processes and the critical need for a proactive approach to ensure quality in software delivery. They delve into the critical aspects of testing and quality assurance (QA) within the Salesforce ecosystem. They chat about the misconceptions surrounding testing, the importance of understanding user perspectives, and the need for a robust QA strategy. Jon also shares his take on the shift left ideology and the necessity of collaboration between QA and business analysts. Learn more:- What is Salesforce test automation?- How to integrate testing into your Salesforce deployment pipeline- What are the best practices for Salesforce testing?About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to QA and Its Importance in Salesforce Development06:03 The Role of Salesforce Tooling in QA12:14 Educating the Salesforce Community in QA17:46 Challenges of Salesforce QA and Perception of Testing29:23 Understanding Good Salesforce Testing Practices37:13 The Shift Left Ideology in Salesforce Testing43:30 Resources for Quality Assurance in Salesforce

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy speaks with Alba Rivas, Principal Developer Advocate at Salesforce. They discuss Alba's journey in the Salesforce ecosystem, her role in engaging the developer community, and the evolving landscape of Salesforce technologies.Alba dives in to the nuances of artificial intelligence and Salesforce's new Data Cloud. She shares insights on the differences between Agentforce and Einstein Copilot, the importance of hands-on experience, and how to effectively test AI applications. Their conversation emphasizes the need for developers to embrace new technologies, engage with the community for growth and learning, and how to submit a great session for TrailblazerDX.Learn more:- How to pick the right Salesforce DevOps solution for your needs- What is Platform Engineering and how does it impact Salesforce DevOps? - Salesforce CI/CD Pipelines that include LWC testing DevOps - Salesforce DevOps for AI Enterprise About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Alba and Her Role03:02 The Developer Advocate Journey06:06 Engaging the Developer Community10:00 Navigating the Evolving Salesforce Ecosystem14:23 Embracing AI and Data Cloud16:45 Generative AI: Surprises and Insights22:04 Understanding Agent Force vs. Copilot27:53 Hands-On Experience with Agent Force37:45 Testing and Evaluating AI Applications40:04 Data Cloud Innovations and DevOps45:47 Final Thoughts and Learning Recommendations

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy sits down with Dave Carroll, a veteran in the Salesforce ecosystem. They discuss Dave's journey from being a Salesforce ISV partner to a key player at Salesforce for 21 years. Dave's mission has been to help develop the tools and practices that empower Salesforce developers to be successful, and has graciously stepped out of retirement briefly to appear on DevOps Diaries.Jack and Dave's conversation covers the evolution of Salesforce, the importance of customization and integrated solutions, as well as the challenges faced by developers across the development lifecycle.Dave shares insights on what it takes to build a successful developer evangelism team through experimentation, and offers valuable advice for aspiring developers looking to navigate the Salesforce ecosystem successfully.Dave Carroll was a Senior Director at Salesforce, managing product development for Salesforce DX, Salesforce Einstein, and was the founding member of the Salesforce developer relations programme.Learn more:How to pick the right Salesforce DevOps solution for your needsWhat is Platform Engineering and how does it impact Salesforce DevOps? Salesforce DevOps for Enterprise customersImprove the quality, performance, and security of your Apex codeAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Dave Carroll and His Journey02:54 The Evolution of Salesforce and Developer Tools05:52 Customizability and Integration in Salesforce08:59 Developing for the AppExchange Platform11:51 Salesforce DX and Developer Tooling17:52 Challenges in Developer Experience and Testing23:48 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Salesforce29:

Todd Halfpenny is a Salesforce MVP, Golden Hoodie recipient, and community leader. His impact on the UK Salesforce community is extensive and far reaching. Todd co-leads the London Salesforce Developers user group, is an organizer of Salesforce community conference London's Calling, and a co-founder of charitable clothing organization, Shirtforce. In this episode Jack and Todd discuss Todd's journey from a telecoms engineer to a prominent figure in the Salesforce ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of luck, opportunity, and community engagement. Throughout the conversation, Todd explores the dynamic between declarative and programmatic development, the evolving roles of admins and developers, and the significance of empathy in collaboration. Todd shares insights on the growth of business analysis roles, the challenges of managing complex Salesforce orgs, and the value of open source contributions. They also touch on the impact of AI on future roles, the importance of building resilient applications, and investing in community relationships. Learn More: Gearset acquires Salesforce code analysis platform, ClaytonHow to deploy Salesforce Flow with easeJoin the Salesforce community at DevOps Dreamin'Discover ShirtforceAbout DevOps Diaries: Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:00 The Role of Luck and Opportunity in Career Development06:06 Transitioning from Telecoms to Salesforce Development08:57 The Dynamic Between Declarative and Programmatic Development12:04 The Importance of Empathy in Admin and Developer Roles15:01 The Evolution of Business Analysis in Salesforce17:47 Navigating Complexity in Salesforce Orgs21:01 The Balance Between Over-Engineering and Practical Solutions23:59 The Value of Documentation and Flexibility in Development27:11 Open Source Contributions and Community Collaboration30:09 The Impact of Open Source on Developer Creativity32:59 The Role of Shirtforce in the Salesforce Community36:13 Building Resilient Applications in the Face of Outages39:01 The Future of AI and Its Impact on Salesforce Roles51:57 Final Thoughts

This week on DevOps Diaries, catch up on the recording of a game-changing moment in the world of Salesforce DevOps — Gearset has officially acquired Clayton.Join Jack McCurdy as he chats with Kevin Boyle (Gearset CEO and Co-Founder) and Lorenzo Frattini (Clayton CEO and Founder) about their vision for the future. They discuss how this acquisition will transform the DevOps experience for Salesforce professionals, enhance product offerings, and unlock powerful new capabilities for customers.Expect insights into:- Why this acquisition? How Gearset and Clayton came together to redefine releases on the Salesforce platform- What is code scanning for Salesforce? - What's next? An early sneak peek into the future of what to expect from Gearset- Your role in this exciting new chapter!This is your chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping the future of Salesforce DevOps. Whether you're a current Gearset or Clayton user, a Salesforce expert, or simply passionate about Salesforce, you won't want to miss this.Learn more:- Develop and deploy secure, well-architected Salesforce solutions using Clayton from Gearset- Clayton's 2024 State of Salesforce Development Report- The State of Salesforce DevOps 2024 Report- 10 common engineering mistakes Salesforce teams still makeAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:10 What is Clayton and how did it come about?07:00 Kevin's background and how it resonates with Clayton11:01 How does Clayton help Salesforce customers? 17:46 Clayton is for everyone and shifting-left24:23 The cost of vulnerabilities and the importance of security 27:38 How Clayton helps catch vulnerabilities32:00 Why Salesforce customers should adopt a more security-based mindset in an AI-driven world38:54 Why Gearset acquired Clayton47:10 What the future holds 51:08 Outlook for Gearset and Clayton customers and closing

Andy Utkan is a Salesforce MVP, founder of Flow Canvas Academy, and a Salesforce Flows expert. His newsletter, Salesforce Break, has over 10,000 subscribers. His involvement in the Salesforce community has been profound, providing support and guidance for thousands of professionals brining declarative automation to their Salesforce orgs. In this episode, Andy and Jack chat about the power and potential of Salesforce Flows for automating business processes. He shares the benefits of visual programming and the ability to simplify complex technical concepts. Andy emphasizes the importance of collaboration between admins and developers and its importance in being able leveraging the strengths of Flows and Apex. He also addresses the challenges of using version control, testing, and deploying Salesforce Flows. He advocates for improved testing capabilities, using Gearset's Flow Navigator, and questions whether a Salesforce Flow certification is necessary. Learn more:- Gearset acquires Clayton- How to deploy Salesforce Flows successfully- Discover Gearset's Flow Navigator- Discover best in class code analysis for SalesforceAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Background03:17 The Power of Visual Programming09:01 Collaboration Between Admins and Developers19:58 Challenges and Solutions in Flow Development24:26 The Future of Flows: Specialization and Certification35:34 Exciting Flow Updates in the Winter '25 Release

Steve Fouracre is the founder of Self Evolving Software (SES), and Head of Salesforce Delivery at Metacube. Steve started his career in the Salesforce ecosystem as a Salesforce Developer, and grew to managing Salesforce development teams for some of the largest businesses in the UK. In this episode, Steve and Jack dive deep into the merits of using artificial intelligence to support Salesforce development. Steve's company SES provides a way to introduce AI into the development process in an impactful way — Steve shares what that means, and where in the software development lifecycle AI can have a positive and transformative effect. Steve shares how we can make AI more useful for gathering requirements, as well as how the ability for AI to generate code is going to change the way that developers work. While it's easy to overlook the human aspect of this process, Jack and Steve discuss how people can make the biggest difference in the successful adoption and impact of AI. Learn more: - Where to find Gearset at Dreamforce- How to automate your Salesforce tests- Transform your AI enterprise with enterprise DevOps- Connect with SteveAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Opportunities and considerations of using AI in Salesforce development08:48 Streamlining the software Delivery lifecycle with AI11:16 The role of human collaboration in AI development27:17 The impact of AI on developers' careers31:40 The future of AI products in the Salesforce ecosystem

Julián Duque is Principal Developer Advocate for Heroku at Salesforce. His background in Node.js allows him to think objectively about development on the Salesforce platform and how it scales. His work with Heroku gives him a unique perspective on where traditional software engineering, DevOps, and Salesforce development intersects. In this episode, Julián and Jack discuss the importance of community in software development. Julián dives into how his career has developed in the Developer Relations space, and how sharing knowledge benefits the teacher and the student, building great relationships.Julián teaches Jack what Heroku is, and shares some of the common applications. He explains how Heroku benefits Salesforce teams, and provides the foundation for integrating applications, enabling one source of truth for data so businesses can make data-driven decisions across their tech stacks. Heroku is constantly evolving. Julián sheds light on the future roadmap, why he's excited for the future of Salesforce and what we'll be achieving with new technologies. Learn more Build applications with HerokuWhere to find Gearset at DreamforceHow Gearset integrates with your tech stackSalesforce DevOps for Data CloudAbout DevOps Diaries Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gearsetFacebook: facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.Chapters:00:00 Get to know Julián09:09 The Importance of Community in Software Development19:38 What is Heroku?24:09 Integrating Salesforce & Heroku32:54 Common Use Cases for Heroku36:25 The Future of Heroku: Next-Generation Platform46:02 Advice for Developers Transitioning to Heroku

Kevin Boyle, CEO of Gearset, joins Jack on this episode of DevOps Diaries. Kevin's career has taken him from software engineering intern at Microsoft, to leading one of the most successful Salesforce ISV's as CEO. His background gives him a unique approach to running a business, with a foundation of great software engineering and product strategy.Kevin & Jack discuss the origin story of Gearset and how it has grown over the years. They also talk about the intricate challenges of implementing DevOps practices in the Salesforce ecosystem and how Gearset has developed features to address those challenges. Kevin emphasizes the importance of understanding the users' needs and continuously iterating, one of the core principles of DevOps itself, to improve the Gearset platform. He also shares his experience transitioning from a software engineer to a CEO and applying software engineering principles to other areas of business. Kevin discusses the importance of continuous iteration and feedback in product development. He shares how the onboarding process at Gearset empowers employees to develop this mindset.Kevin is passionate about the  value of equipping Salesforce teams with the right tools to be successful in their jobs. He talks about some of the proud moments he's had as CEO — expressing gratitude for the team and the positive feedback from customers.Learn more:Gearset revolutionizes Salesforce DevOps with new features Manage long term projects in your CI/CD pipeline Why DevOps toolchains need purpose build solutionsFive ways to improve your Salesforce DevOps strategy About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube and your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel.LinkedIn:   https://linkedin.com/company/gearset  Facebook: https://facebook.com/gearsethq  About Gearset: We launched Gearset when we saw how lackluster DevOps was preventing teams from taking full advantage of Salesforce. We'd experienced first-hand how Salesforce allowed anyone to become a Trailblazer and build amazing apps, but then left you stranded, with only change sets or complex command lines to get your work to users. Gearset makes DevOps on Salesforce as simple as everything else on Salesforce. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.

Jack is joined by Daisy Garcia, CEO and founder of ImagineCRM, and Hannah Kahn, CRO at ImagineCRM. Daisy and Hannah share a love for philanthropy, and driving foundations and nonprofits to success through technology. Their love for their mission is equal to their passion for uplifting women in tech.In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Hannah & Daisy discuss their experiences as women in tech, and how to support other women in the industry — including what they've done for each other. They share their diverse backgrounds and career paths, highlighting the importance of networking and mentorship.Throughout the episode they emphasize the need for women to support each other and create opportunities for one another. The conversation also touches on the challenges women face in leadership roles and the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. They wrap the episode with advice for attendees of the WITness Success, highlighting how to maximize their experience with networking opportunities that can be created intentionally.Learn more:ImagineCRMWitness SuccessWomen in Salesforce DevOps, ignite your careerBring your full self — Rebecca's experience as a UX InternJoin the women in Salesforce DevOps communityAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channelLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: We launched Gearset when we saw how lackluster DevOps was preventing teams from taking full advantage of Salesforce. We'd experienced first-hand how Salesforce allowed anyone to become a Trailblazer and build amazing apps, but then left you stranded, with only change sets or complex command lines to get your work to users. Gearset makes DevOps on Salesforce as simple as everything else on Salesforce. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.

Over thirteen episodes in 2024, we've learnt a whole lot. About Salesforce, leadership, DevOps, and personal growth. To mark the half-way point in the year, Jack has compiled some of the best snippets from all thirteen episodes!Strap in and listen to brilliant nuggets of wisdom from a star-studded line up. There's something for everyone. Technical advice, how to support your team, artificial intelligence, deployment management. If you can think of it, a DevOps Diaries guest has it!Thank you to all the amazing guests for making this podcast what it is, and committing to sharing your wisdom with the Salesforce trailblazer community. Learn more: Watch the whole series on YouTubeLearn more about GearsetThe State of Salesforce DevOps 2024Upcoming live DevOps eventsConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Abi Claus has been in the Salesforce ecosystem since 2011. She is passionate about spreading her knowledge to empower women in technology. She's grown from a Salesforce admin to a Salesforce platform owner and director, and is now dedicated to sharing her knowledge and wisdom through her new venture as co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of She Makes It Work.In this episode, Abi discusses what it takes to be successful in the corporate world. She and Jack discuss the challenges of communicating effectively across your team, and with stakeholders above you to excel. They discuss how language plays a pivotal role in how information is relayed, using analogies as a powerful tool for being understood and heard.Jack and Abi also dive into the importance of allyship, how you can make sure you're seen and heard in every  room, and why events like WITness Success are imperative to the growth and betterment of the Salesforce community.Abi is candid with her experiences, regaling the time she spent crying in bathrooms learning SalesforceDX, and how she brings her authentic self and “true genius” to work.Learn more:She Makes It WorkGet the most out of SalesforceDXAccelerate digital transformation with Salesforce DevOpsRegister for WITness SuccessConnect with AbiLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Jason Lantz is a prominent figure in the Salesforce ecosystem, known for his contributions to Salesforce DevOps and open source tooling. He is the founder and CEO of MuseLab, a company that enhances Salesforce ISVs' product lifecycles, and is the creator of CumulusCI and MetaDeploy. Jason was the Sr. Director of Release Engineering at Salesforce.org, where he led the development of tools that support nonprofits.In this episode Jason talks about how to develop deployment practices with automation that benefit every Salesforce team. His experience in the ecosystem has been dedicated to addressing complex deployment challenges, which he talks about in depth. Jack and Jason also discuss high-fidelity testing, sandboxes, and the merit of scratch orgs. They also dive into the human element of processes, why asking the right questions and effective partnerships leads to the best solutions.Jason is an advocate for modular development — he shares how and where we can get started with second generation packaging.Learn more:Choosing between sandboxes and scratch orgsSalesforce CI/CD best practicesGet the most out of SalesforceDXHow to automate Salesforce testingConnect with JasonLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Nathen Harvey is Developer Advocate and the lead for DORA at Google Cloud, their DevOps Research and Assessment unit. For ten years Nathen has spearheaded tech communities and authored several reports that now form the industry standard for measuring DevOps performance. He was once a CRM system administrator too — he knows his stuff and the challenges we all face too!Nathen joins Jack on the DevOps Diaries podcast to discuss all things metrics. In an enticing and insightful conversation, Nathen shares with us how the DORA metrics came to be, what they are, and why measuring performance is important for all teams to drive their businesses in the right direction.Nathen also shares with us some of the common pitfalls of metrics, including Goodhart's Law, and what we can do to avoid them. If you're unsure of where to start when it comes to measuring performance, or how to improve, this is the episode for you.Nathen and Jack also discuss the wider market trends and how engineering teams can up their game using the SPACE framework.Learn more:DORA 2023 reportThe State of Salesforce DevOps 2024 reportThe common pitfalls when measuring performanceHow to align metrics with business performanceConnect with NathenLinkedInX/TwitterConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Jolene Mair is a Salesforce Application Engineer at cybersecurity company, HackerOne. She is also a Gearset DevOps leader. Jolene has six-years of experience in the Salesforce ecosystem, is 11x Salesforce certified, and brings technical expertise and deep knowledge of Salesforce to an industry where protecting data and creating great user experiences are central to success.In this episode Jack and Jolene go deep on data backup for Salesforce. They discuss why it's important, why it's overlooked, and why backing up and securing Salesforce orgs is a team sport. If you're wondering why Salesforce is tricky to back up, even more so to restore and how you can save yourself countless hours in downtime, this is the episode for you. Jolene shares some of the scenarios she's found herself in, and what she did to overcome them — and you'll never have to face the same challenges again. Backing up your Salesforce org, or not, has consequences for your entire organization. Jack and Jolene dives into the knock-on effect on everyone from end-users, Salesforce admins, and even executives. This episode is your Salesforce backup bible!Useful linksWho are Gearset's DevOps leaders?How to encrypt your Salesforce backupsBuild a business case for Salesforce backupThe complete guide to Salesforce backupConnect with JoleneLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Derek Bisson is a senior technology leader. He's worked in the Salesforce ecosystem for 14 years, and cares deeply about how he can get the most out of his teams while leaving them feeling fulfilled and motivated. In this episode Jack and Derek dive deep into communication and leadership. They explore the concept of “native genius” and how to create environments where magic can happen by unlocking creativity. Derek has a background in business analysis, so communication and understanding the “job to be done” is an integral part of who he is. He discusses how everything is rooted in value creation and effective questioning to achieve the best results, while navigating the challenges of performance culture. Leaving no stone unturned, Jack and Derek also chat about how we can approach ourselves and our own growth with humility and emotion management — recognizing how fear of failure plays into how we approach our day-to-day. They also discuss how leaders can create emotional safety for employees.Useful linksHow to manage multiple Salesforce orgsHow to align metrics to business valueUpcoming Salesforce events to boost your careerThe Work Flow PodcastDiary of a CEOConnect with DerekLinkedInConnect with JackX/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Melissa Hill Dees is an innovator. She is committed to the Salesforce community, no more so than the non-profit community — she shares her warmth and energy with everyone that's fortunate enough to cross her path. And we're lucky enough to have her share with us on DevOps Diaries!In this episode Jack and Melissa jump into the world of Salesforce non-profit. They discuss the ways that non-profit organizations can be as successful as the best corporations — by investing in the people that work for them, the technologies that can accelerate their success, great user experiences, and freeing up humans to “do more good”. Jack asks Melissa how we can innovate to stop ourselves and businesses stagnating. They also chat about how data will shape every interaction we have with companies and institutions, as well as the important role that AI will end up playing in our lives. And, maybe the biggest question of all, “is SMS dead?”.Useful linksBoundless by Vala AfsharHow to protect your Salesforce dataA guide to masking Salesforce dataSeed your Salesforce sandboxes with easeDeploying Salesforce Communities for a better user experienceConnect with MelissaX/TwitterLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Joy Shutters-Helbing is a Senior Manager at CapTech Consulting. She is also a wonderful mom! In this episode Jack and Joy consider where life and work intersect and how the skills we develop in our personal lives are applied to our profession.If you like analogies then this is the episode for you. Hot Wheels, Lego, cars, rocket ships, and flying carrots all have their place here! Filled with laughter from the start, Jack and Joy discuss the bigger picture.Nothing is off limits. Joy speaks to her experience with the Salesforce platform and how that's tied back to what she's learnt as a parent. She discusses everything from user management, to stakeholder relationships, to the continually changing capabilities of Salesforce. Joy also shares the importance of the Salesforce and Chicago community, and how it's played a big part in her success. Useful links based on key themes from this episode:Attend DevOps Dreamin' and meet Joy & Jack!How Gearset helps Salesforce consultanciesThe top priorities for Salesforce teams this yearHow to improve team collaboration with DevOpsConnect with JoyX/TwitterLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Lauren Krcatovich is CRM Development Manager at Cision. Her journey in tech has been shaped by business analysis and product management before taking the reins for overall Salesforce development. In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Lauren shares why product and design thinking is critical to the success of Salesforce implementations. She uncovers the key stakeholders that need to be involved in projects from the start to achieve the best results — some may surprise you!Jack and Lauren also dive into the importance of accountability and quality management across the organization. Listen in to get Lauren's take on retrospectives and methods for continuous improvement that help you learn from project experience. They also discuss strategies for tech stack consolidation.Useful links based on key themes from this episode:How to align performance with objectivesWhat are the business benefits of DevOps?How to manage multiple Salesforce Production orgsThe State of Salesforce DevOps 2024Who are Gearset's DevOps Leaders?Connect with LaurenLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Jeremy Foster is a software engineer by trade, and now Manager of Salesforce Development at Pilot Company. Jeremy and his team have been on a DevOps transformation for 5 years, and he's joined Jack on DevOps Diaries to tell us about the journey. Jeremy articulately weaves through his own personal journey, and that of his team. Jeremy's motto is “always be learning”, whoever you are, and that shines through in this episode. Jack and Jeremy discuss the transition from change sets, adopting bespoke DevOps tooling to help streamline their process. From there, he tells the tale of adopting version control and CI practices that have transitioned into full development pipelines, and how Salesforce community events play a pivotal role in learning.Pilot work closely with a number of system integrators. Jeremy also explores what it takes to work effectively with Salesforce consulting teams, and how to get the most out of your working relationships with them. Useful links based on key themes from this episode:Live in-person and virtual events for Salesforce DevOpsDevOps advice for consultantsHow to manage your whole Salesforce pipelineWhere to learn Salesforce DevOpsTrailhead for SalesforceConnect with JeremyLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Rob Cowell is a DevOps advocate, Salesforce architect, and published author. Rob's Salesforce career has spanned 13 years. He's recently shared his knowledge and dedicated expertise in DevOps with the world via his new book, Salesforce DevOps for Architects. In this episode Rob shares with Jack his experience and background as a Salesforce developer and architect that has shaped his career. Rob's deep understanding of development best practices and agile methodology encompasses this conversation, as he shares what it means to be an architect on the Salesforce platform, and how anyone can get there with the right mindset. Rob dives into how we can better engage with senior level stakeholders, how to work effectively across all depths of role, and what he's learnt by being a regular contributor to the Salesforce community. Stay tuned to the end to hear the best pearls of wisdom from a DevOps expert, and where you can get your hands on some great Salesforce merch for even better causes. Useful links based on key themes in this episode:Order “Salesforce DevOps for Architects”ShirtforceShould you use scratch orgs or sandboxes?When to build or buy a Salesforce DevOps solutionHow to rock your role as a Salesforce AdminBetter understand your org as a Salesforce architectConnect with RobX/TwitterLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Eric Dreshfield is a veteran of the Salesforce sphere. Spanning 15 years, Eric has held a number of roles across organizations that have shaped him into one of the most thoughtful, engaging personalities that you'll find when you're out and about in the Salesforce ecosystem. The work that he does has transcended the community, and he is credited with founding the first “Dreamin'” Salesforce event. In this episode, Eric talks to Jack about the origins of Salesforce community conferences, and why they're so important for the ecosystem as a whole, as well as for every single individual, regardless of role. They chat about how to get the most out of attending a professional conference, and what you need to know heading in so you're in safe hands (which you always are at a “dreamin'” event!). Jack and Eric also talk about the importance of advocacy, how to leverage your personal brand to build your career, and how simple it is to get started once we remove expectations. This episode really is a testament to humble beginnings and what might grow with a little bit of time, initiative, and passion! Useful links based on key themes from this episode: An interview with DevOps Advocate Rob CowellForcelandia 2023: Unpacking the code, unveiling the magicTrailblazerDX: First time tips for a terrific time!Lessons learned from not being prepared for DreamforceHow to improve performance with collaborationConnect with EricLinkedInX/TwitterConnect with JackX/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Luke is a global Customer Success leader and current VP Customer Success at Gearset. Luke started his career as a Salesforce Admin and has become obsessed with providing amazing experiences for customers through education, strategy, and technology. He has held roles with major SaaS companies and has played a pivotal role in scaling start-up businesses and guiding strategy post-acquisition.In this episode Jack and Luke discuss what customer success teams need to be successful, and in turn make customers successful. This episode is a deep dive and a great resource for understanding why companies bring in technology to support their operations, and wonderful insight for Salesforce professionals into how their work on the platform impacts business success. Luke also chats about the importance of education within teams, especially how iterative on-the-job learning enables success. He identifies what leaders can do to get the most of their teams to encourage learning and self development. Luke shares real-life examples of Salesforce teams that he's worked with and the compounding benefit education, being consciously curious, and how showing vulnerability as a leader has had on their businesses. Useful links based on key themes from this episode:Match performance to business goalsHow to improve performance with collaborationWorking with partners to increase customer successDoes my team do enough training?Connect with LukeLinkedInConnect with JackX/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Laurel Jones is a Senior Product Manager at Amazon. Working for the Amazon Air team, Laurel is blazing trails for women in a male-dominated field. Laurel operates in the heart of the technology that is critical to Amazon's success. Tune in to find out how Laurel is pioneering women in technology initiatives, and the pillars for their success!In this episode Laurel chats to Jack about her experience as a Gearset DevOps Leader. Laurel shares how she has developed Salesforce skills from scratch, how she's flourished in her career with a DevOps mindset, and how that's allowed her to bring success to each of her customers as a consultant, as well as for end-clients. We get technical in this episode, too. Laurel dives into the nuances of working backwards from the end result to figure out what time and resources are needed across projects. She shares her experience and advice for working with Digital Experiences (aka Communities), and how design thinking can foster wonderful results. Useful links based on key themes from this episode:What are DevOps priorities for 2024How to deploy Salesforce communitiesOvercome challenges with distributed teamsSalesforce CI/CD best practicesWhy we need purpose built solutions for Salesforce DevOpsGearset DevOps LeadersConnect with LaurelX/TwitterLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Meri Williams is the CTO of Pleo, and ex-CTO of influential challenger bank, Monzo. Meri has held technical leadership roles for the last 10 years, and over that time has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build high-performing teams with a foundation of exceptional culture. She is also the Chair and Host of The Lead Developer conference — a conference for technical leadership centred around “Team, Tech, and Tools”.In this fantastic episode Jack and Meri take a look at the nuances of culture and leadership. Meri gives her take on how you know you're ready for that next step in your career as a people leader, or not as the case may be.. They also discuss the importance of reframing the feeling that doing great work only means more work to your detriment. Meri is also a DEI leader, and has spent time understanding what's important in creating an accepting, inclusive environment to work. It hinges on three things that you should consider as an employee or prospective employee in your organisation. Tune in to hear what they are!Useful links based on key themes from this episodeHow to improve team collaborationHow to create a successful Salesforce team cultureHow to document your Salesforce DevOps processesHow to unite distributed Salesforce teamsTips to assess your Salesforce teams' training needsConnect with MeriX/TwitterLinkedInConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

In this episode Jack reflects on 2023, sharing insight from across the year. Taking insight from The State of Salesforce DevOps survey, Jack dives into the response from the ecosystem; where we were, where we got to, and where we're headed in 2024.This episode covers the biggest buzzword in Salesforce right now, artificial intelligence. He dives into the buzzwords of the past — digital transformation, security, communities. And, the buzzword of the past that he thinks will make a strong resurgence, business value.Useful links based on key themes from this episode:Submit your responses to the State of Salesforce DevOps survey How to adopt CI/CD for SalesforceLearn Salesforce DevOps best practicesA complete guide to backup for SalesforceHow to calculate the ROI of Salesforce DevOpsConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Randy is a Salesforce Consultant and one of the voices behind the popular Salesforce newsletter, Salesforce Cha Cha. Randy has a knack for simplifying technical content and injecting humour to make typically heavy concepts fun and digestible. Salesforce Cha Cha is a must-subscribe — “it's a vibe”!In this episode, Jack and Randy chat about how coming from different backgrounds outside of SaaS, consulting, or even Salesforce have been pivotal in the success of their careers. They talk about having forward looking vision, speak to process and scale, and bring culture to the forefront of the DevOps conversation. They also discuss how core skills are important, and going above and beyond as a consultant by caring, doing the right thing, and how you can empower clients. Useful links based on key themes from this episode: Salesforce Cha ChaThe secret to Salesforce success: DevOps cultureCreating a culture of successHow consultancies deliver DevOps successfullyConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Julian Joseph is a Salesforce DevOps Engineer that has built hugely valuable experience during his time at Salesforce, Salesforce customers, and partners. Julian has built his career following best practice engineering principles and believes that a DevOps mindset has transformative power when combined with sound business strategy. In this episode Jack and Julian dive into the importance of high-quality testing in the Salesforce delivery lifecycle, and how Julian has levelled up his career to help teams speed up and maintain high-quality Salesforce releases. They also explore the differences between developing Salesforce applications on the customer side and the partner side.Tune in to also hear Julian's recommendations for source control branching, his take on effective sandbox strategy, his predictions for the DevOps ecosystem as we approach 2024, and a surprisingly simple hidden challenge in Salesforce development.Useful links based on key themes from this episode: Should you use a sandbox or a scratch org?How to automate unit testing for SalesforceWhat are the salesforce version control best practices?How to refresh a Salesforce sandboxA complete overview to Salesforce test automationHow to avoid merge conflicts in SalesforceConnect with JulianLinkedInLinktreeConnect with Jack X/TwitterLinkedInPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days. 

Nadina Lisbon is a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect and Golden Hoodie recipient, She is a pillar of the Salesforce community, supporting a number of great organizations focussed on skills, knowledge, and building great relationships to advance careers. In this episode Nadina shares her brilliant take on becoming a Salesforce CTA and how it's shaped her career. Tune in to hear her takes on how to learn effectively, how learning journeys change and develop, as well as how being an introvert is a superpower for communication. Learn from Nadina's experience supporting the community through organizations like Ladies Be Architects and RAD Women, as well as how to communicate with executives and leadership. Useful links based on key themes from this episode:Salesforce DevOps for EnterpriseThe top 10 business benefits of Salesforce DevOpsCulture: the secret sauce to Salesforce successBuilding your Salesforce network RAD WomenLadies Be ArchitectsConnect with NadinaLinkedInTwitterConnect with JackLinkedInTwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Lorenzo Frattini has been a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect since 2016. He is also the founder of automated testing platform, Clayton.io. With extensive consultancy experience, having worked with some of the largest Salesforce implementations globally, Lorenzo brings a wealth of knowledge and problem solving experience to this episode of DevOps Diaries.Tune in to hear Lorenzo's take on how Salesforce teams can embody a safe and secure attitude towards Salesforce development. Discover his recommendations for automated testing on the Salesforce platform, what it takes to "shift left", how process can outweigh technology in the race for success, and his opinion on how the role of artificial intelligence will improve the developer experience. Useful links based on key themes in this episode: - Salesforce test automation - Shifting left with Apex static code analysis - Automated unit testing for Salesforce - DevSecOps for Salesforce teamsConnect with LorenzoLinkedIn X/Twitter Connect with JackLinkedIn X/Twitter Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Hayley Tuller is a United States Navy veteran, having served for 20 years as an Aircrewman, building deep technical knowledge and leadership expertise that has shaped an incredible Salesforce career transition. She is co-founder of Salesforce consultancy Navigators, is 12x Salesforce certified, and advocate for Veterans transitioning to tech supporting organizations like Trailhead Military and Merivis. Jack and Hayley talk about Hayley's transition to Salesforce, focussing on the technical skills, learning methods, and leadership lessons that make veterans an asset to organizations and communities post-service. They discuss what civilian organizations should look for, and how they can make the most of the community of veterans out there transitioning to tech. Hayley also dives into some of the methods learnt in the military that have helped her become a successful Salesforce Consultant and Architect, including Operational Risk Management, a checklist mentality, and training for leadership, and how this applies to DevOps. Useful links for key themes in this episode:- The business case for Salesforce backup to mitigate operational risk - Salesforce deployment best practices - How to measure your Salesforce DevOps performance- Salesforce Military- MerivisConnect with Hayley LinkedIn X/TwitterConnect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Justin Edelstein has 17 years experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. He is one of the co-founders and now board member of Salesforce consultancy Arkus, is member of the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame, and has been a key figure in establishing Salesforce's Web3 offering. In this episode Justin and Jack uncover what Web3 is and what the foundations of this emerging technology is, including a dive into what the blockchain and NFT's are. Justin also shares his experience of guiding the development of Web3 Cloud with Salesforce, and how this technology has the potential to transform customer experiences. Web3 goes far beyond art and cryptocurrency. Justin gives his take on how to create mass appeal where consumers can leverage this emerging technology, and how Salesforce customers have started to use Web3 along with AI in a secure way to provide new customer experiences and brand partnerships.Useful Links:https://www.arkusinc.com/blog Justin Edelsteinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/justinedelstein  https://twitter.com/JustEdelstein Connect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Grant Mangum and Deepak Veera are Salesforce Consultants at consulting company, Cloud Giants. Between them they have 14 years' consulting experience, and have spent the last 4 specializing in CPQ implementations. They bring to the table tangible real-world experience and understanding of the nuances of a product rising rapidly in popularity. In this episode we discover in-depth what CPQ is, and some of the challenges of working with it as part of your DevOps process. Jack, Grant, and Deepak chat about the particularities of building CPQ, ghost quotes, and the 3 key things that form the backbone of a great CPQ delivery process. Grant and Deepak also share their thoughts on the differences of working with config data vs. metadata, and how important it is to have a testing process that is robust to be successful. Listen to the end to find out their recommendations on where you can learn more about CPQ, as well as what makes Gearset's CPQ product awesome. Useful Links based on key themes in this episode:- How Cloud Giants use Gearset for CPQ to halve their Salesforce CPQ migration times - A how to guide for intuitive Salesforce CPQ deployments- Free whitepaper: Salesforce CPQ deployments- Compare and deploy complex Salesforce CPQ configurations with Gearset- Milo Massimo - Cloud Giants Ask an ExpertConnect with Deepak VeeraLinkedInConnect with Grant MangumLinkedInConnect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Taylor Grimes is an Architect at Salesforce, managing partner success with an Architect's lens. Taylor has spent 10 years in the Salesforce ecosystem managing implementations for end-user customers, as well as designing solutions as a consultant. She is passionate about staying on the leading edge of technology, and ensuring the community has a wealth of resources to support their professional learning journeys. In this episode Jack chats to Taylor about the fast-start to her career, and how Salesforce has played a pivotal role in transforming employee experiences with technology. Taylor shares how leaning into and understanding data can drive better decision making and improves a customer's relationship with a business. Taylor also shares her take on what'll be important for the partner ecosystem over the rest of the year, where we should focus our investment, and the most helpful resources that Architects can use as a foundation of successful processes. No animals were harmed in the making of this episode!Useful LinksHelpful resources (Quip): https://grst.co/3VpzykPTaylorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/salesforcetay/https://twitter.com/SalesforceTay Connect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Blanca Leon-Carter is a DevOps Architect and Principal Consultant at Slalom. Blanca has experience working with teams of all shapes and sizes with varying complexities of DevOps challenges. She is based in Chicago and is a Salesforce MVP, Golden Hoodie Recipient, Architect User Group Leader and advocate for diversity and women in tech.In this episode Jack chats with Blanca about her journey through the technology space, and how she came to be the pillar of the Salesforce ecosystem that she is — traversing the world of non-profit organizations, higher-education, and eventually consulting via RAD Women Code. Blanca also shares with us how she gives back to the community that she has benefited from and become invested in, and how the community revitalized her career.Blanca gives her take on some of the biggest findings from the State of Salesforce DevOps 2023 report. She predicts what we can expect from Salesforce DevOps and the wider ecosystem this year, as well as some of the challenges that Salesforce teams practicing DevOps are facing and how to overcome them. Useful Links:RAD Women Code: https://radwomen.org The State of Salesforce DevOps Report: https://grst.co/3od3uUR Blanca:https://twitter.com/blancavleonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bvleoncarter/ Connect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Sam and Jack chat about the documentation that supports a great DevOps process. Tune in to hear about what documents you can add to support your delivery process, why good documentation is needed, and how you can keep documentation relevant in your orgs. Sam is a DevOps Architect at Gearset helping enterprise customers with their Salesforce delivery processes, and self-confessed PowerShell pro.Sam CrosslandTwitter: @crossland92LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelcrossland/Connect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Jack and Jodi talk about the ever evolving role of the Salesforce Admin. Tune in to hear about how an Admin can rock their role, question everything, deliver value, and pick the path that's right for you.Jodi is author of "Rock Your Role as a Salesforce Admin", a long-standing community member, and is a Senior Director for Salesforce Center of Excellence in her organization.Jodi HrbekTwitter: @jodihrbek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodihrbek/Web: sfadminbook.comConnect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Jack and Ben chat about the origins of Salesforce Ben, and how it's developed to be the media platform it is today. Tune in to hear Ben's predictions for the ecosystem in the coming year, the kind of content you can expect to see from the recently re-launched SFBen YouTube channel, and his thoughts on where the community should be focussing their learning. Ben McCarthy is the founder of Salesforce Ben, a non-exec director and strategy advisor, and an ex-Salesforce Consultant. Ben McCarthy Twitter: @SalesforceBenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesforceben/Connect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.

Jack and Tracy (they/Tracy) talk about burnout in the workplace, what you can do to protect your mental health, and how you can make sure you continue to bring your best self to work. They also chat about working at NASA, self-reflection, and the support of the Salesforce community. Tracy has 20 years experience in software engineering with a background in computer science, and self-confessed Flownatic. Useful links based on key themes from this episode: - 3 tips for building your Salesforce DevOps support network- Seeking less work stress? Salesforce DevOps could be your answer- How can Salesforce DevOps boost your work-life balance?- How to improve collaboration: the key to success with Salesforce DevOpsConnect with TracyX/TwitterLinkedIn Connect with JackLinkedInX/TwitterPodcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.