DreamForce 2013 Take-Aways

Posted by Ron Snyder in Other | 3 comments

1.    Enable Mobility

The promise of Salesforce 1 is to make it easy to develop apps that run across all platforms and take current apps and make them mobile easily and quickly. The intent is to enabling mobility for the business world; making it easier to stay connected to all  stakeholders; customers, partners and team members.

It is interesting to see that the user interface is very Facebook-like; leveraging B2C best practices.

2.    Be Purpose-Driven
Marc Benioff led with the importance of being purpose-driven. This is demonstrated in his commitment to the 1:1:1 model which incorporates philanthropy into business, improving health care via contributions to health care providers, such as the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, and donating to good causes, such as helping the people of Haiti, featured in his opening keynote.

Given how challenging the business environment is, making a difference in the world, can easily be seen as yet another challenge on a business leaders’ already full plate. Yet, we were told, it is not only a good thing to do. As demonstrated by Salesforce.com and many others, it is good for business too.

3.    Lean In
Sheryl Sandberg reminded us that it is important that people receive equal pay for equal work and have equal opportunity for equal skill and potential. As demonstrated by the number of high-powered women in very important leadership positions showcased in this Dreamforce, such as Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, Sheryl Sandberg, CEO of Facebook, Meg Whitman, CEO of HP and many senior leaders at Salesforce.com, much progress has been made on this front.

Let us remember that, regardless of gender and other demographics, it is important for us all to bring our best effort to our commitments every day. This makes for a more fulfilling life.

4.    Health and Well Being
There was surprising synergy between the personal health segment on Thursday morning and the rest of the Dreamforce conference. I think it was unfortunate that the attendance on Thursday morning was much less. We all benefit from being healthier; at the individual, organizational and world level.

Dr. David Agus echoed the notion of going mobile, but he meant to move your body.

Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer talked about positive impact being purpose-driven has on one’s health. They emphasized how important the elements of one’s ecosystem are on health, including relationships with others, one’s community and the bigger picture.

Wayne Dyer reminded us of Maslow’s hierarchy. Even as we work at the speed of the Internet, engage and satisfy all customers at every moment and drive ferocious growth, let’s seize the opportunity to focus on the top of Maslow’s hierarchy and pursue a purpose that feels worthy of our effort.

As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s all remember how blessed we are.

Tags: DreamForce, sales leadership, sales management