#custom salesforce software developer

[manrastechnologiess]

Manras Technologies is a certified Salesforce consultant for CRM implementation & is the top Salesforce summit (platinum) partner offering CRM consultation services.

[habilelabs]

Salesforce provides different services, including Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Community Cloud. Let's know about the Complete guide for Salesforce Testing.

[techtalentconsultant]

Discover the power of connection with our premier Recruitment Agency in London, where your career aspirations meet the right opportunities. Our agency specializes in bridging the gap between talented individuals and leading companies across various industries. With a deep understanding of the dynamic London job market, we offer personalized recruitment services that cater to both job seekers and employers. Our dedicated team of professionals uses a tailored approach, ensuring we understand your unique skills, experiences, and career goals. We leverage our extensive network and industry insights to connect you with roles that match your aspirations and companies' cultures that align with your values. Whether you're looking to make your next career move or seeking top talent for your organization, our recruitment agency is your partner in success. Join us and experience a seamless recruitment journey tailored to meet the evolving demands of the London job market

[cymetrixsoftware]

BENEFITS OF CRM FOR GROWING SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES

Customer relationship management (CRM) software can be a game-changer for small and medium businesses (SMBs). By centralizing customer data and streamlining processes, CRM empowers SMBs to deliver exceptional customer service, boost sales, and gain valuable insights. With CRM, SMBs can automate tasks like lead nurturing and contact management, freeing time for relationship building and sales. That, in turn, fosters stronger customer bonds, leading to increased sales and customer loyalty. To know more, we suggest you to read more about the benefits of CRM for growing small and medium businesses.

[hexaview]

A Deeper Insight into Salesforce Managed Services

Salesforce managed services can be defined as the comprehensive support and maintenance provided to businesses. This is an ongoing service that ensures the salesforce CRM you are using is in the best condition and is able to continuously support the evolving requirements of businesses. Choose Hexaview - a leading Salesforce Development Company, if you are looking for Salesforce Managed Services. They have a team of highly experienced and certified experts.

[cloudfountaininc]

Salesforce Custom Application Development in Boston

The CloudFountain Inc. is a Salesforce custom application development company in Boston, USA that offers affordable, professional and reliable services. We have a team of experienced and skilled professionals who are always ready to take on your web application development services project and deliver it within the stipulated time frame. Inquiry Now!!!

[sandersbarrett69]

South African Cloud Pbx Salesforce Integration

Connect Consulting has been providing Salesforce consulting and implementation services since 2010. Connect Consulting was started as a project of U-turn Homeless Ministries. We service more than one hundred medium and enormous organisations and construct long term partnerships with our purchasers. Forged in 2014 by the merger of start-up Vistar and longstanding SFD Consulting, CloudSmiths is a Gold Salesforce Consulting Gold Partner. It’s the subscription-based mannequin, and after the success of pioneers like Salesforce, nearly every company has tried to incorporate some form of subscription-based sales or providers. Since then, barring the accessional pullback, the inventory has continued to trade steadily higher, never suffering an prolonged downtrend. Our giant banks had been both already invested in vital Salesforce multi-year journeys to remodel sales and companies experiences or were about to begin one. We already know their companies and the digital transformation journey, including Salesforce to this was a pure extension. Firstly, sturdy AWS Cloud Consulting Partners make good Salesforce Partners, likely because of their cloud-first skillsets and strategy to config, develop and they use the cloud as business transformation tools. We perceive how to convey new partnerships and technologies to fruition. The IDC has estimated the corporate might create 31,800 new jobs and generate R77 billion in new income in South Africa between 2020 and 2026. Salesforce has advanced to allow non-technical customers with the capability to satisfy necessities by making changes without using code. Many Salesforce functionalities can be delivered via configuration within the platform. • Customer-focused method to business obligations and dedication to well timed project delivery • Proficiency in reporting and information analytics instruments, e.g. Locally, Salesforce customers have now turned to proudly South African Impression Signatures for its eSignature options. As a Salesforce Connector, Impression offers customers a seamless sales management expertise, making the process of sending and signing documents convenient, legal, and protected – with out having to leave their Salesforce app. Salesforce, the world’s largest customer relationship management software company, is predicted to add more than 5,000 jobs to the SA economic system through its native community within the subsequent 5 years, in accordance with market intelligence agency IDC. So, we stated what we've mentioned many times before we stared any of our journeys, “let’s start! ” A commitment from our management team brings us so far where we're firmly on our method as a registered consulting partner with the abilities and certifications growing every month as we deliver our digital and cloud skills onto the platform. salesforce The services embrace implementation of digital office options, customer expertise management, knowledge integration, cell app development, enterprise insights, in addition to digital marketing. Saunders has a broad expertise helping firms of their Digital Transformation journey. The platform provides globally-recognised credentials that enable customers to reveal their skills to present and potential employers. Over three million individuals have already benefited from Trailhead’s capacity to scale their digital talents. Over three million individuals have already benefited from Trailhead's capability to scale their digital talents. Saleforce offers customer relationship management software and purposes centered on sales, customer service, marketing automation, analytics and application development. Extensive data of the teacher, an accessible way of talking concerning the system, willingness to assist the participants of the training. A Data Visualization Consultant with three years of hands-on data visualization experience. Increasing the bottom line, is that not what we are all striving for. A sales force that can ship on revenue expectations after we need it most. One method of supporting psychological well being is for leadership to actively frame help advantages, like counselling and extra day with out work, as psychological wellness. Like health, mental wellness must be an accepted tradition of ongoing and proactive self-discipline. Being intentional about employee experience sets people as much as thrive, not simply survive.

[william7]

Calpion Software Technologies

Calpion is a Dallas, TX, headquartered technology consulting company working with organizations that strive for digital excellence. Calpion has provided technology solutions for various industries like Healthcare, Biotechnology, Logistics and Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Retail, etc.

[techblog-365]

CLOUD COMPUTING: A CONCEPT OF NEW ERA FOR DATA SCIENCE

Cloud Computing is the most interesting and evolving topic in computing in the recent decade. The concept of storing data or accessing software from another computer that you are not aware of seems to be confusing to many users. Most the people/organizations that use cloud computing on their daily basis claim that they do not understand the subject of cloud computing. But the concept of cloud computing is not as confusing as it sounds. Cloud Computing is a type of service where the computer resources are sent over a network. In simple words, the concept of cloud computing can be compared to the electricity supply that we daily use. We do not have to bother how the electricity is made and transported to our houses or we do not have to worry from where the electricity is coming from, all we do is just use it. The ideology behind the cloud computing is also the same: People/organizations can simply use it. This concept is a huge and major development of the decade in computing.

Cloud computing is a service that is provided to the user who can sit in one location and remotely access the data or software or program applications from another location. Usually, this process is done with the use of a web browser over a network i.e., in most cases over the internet. Nowadays browsers and the internet are easily usable on almost all the devices that people are using these days. If the user wants to access a file in his device and does not have the necessary software to access that file, then the user would take the help of cloud computing to access that file with the help of the internet.

Cloud computing provide over hundreds and thousands of services and one of the most used services of cloud computing is the cloud storage. All these services are accessible to the public throughout the globe and they do not require to have the software on their devices. The general public can access and utilize these services from the cloud with the help of the internet. These services will be free to an extent and then later the users will be billed for further usage. Few of the well-known cloud services that are drop box, Sugar Sync, Amazon Cloud Drive, Google Docs etc.

Finally, that the use of cloud services is not guaranteed let it be because of the technical problems or because the services go out of business. The example they have used is about the Mega upload, a service that was banned and closed by the government of U.S and the FBI for their illegal file sharing allegations. And due to this, they had to delete all the files in their storage and due to which the customers cannot get their files back from the storage.

Service Models Cloud Software as a Service Use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure Accessible from various client devices through thin client interface such as a web browser Consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage

Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365, Petrosoft, Onlive, GT Nexus, Marketo, Casengo, TradeCard, Rally Software, Salesforce, ExactTarget and CallidusCloud

Cloud Platform as a Service Cloud providers deliver a computing platform, typically including operating system, programming language execution environment, database, and web server Application developers can develop and run their software solutions on a cloud platform without the cost and complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers

AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Cloud Foundry, Heroku, Force.com, Engine Yard, Mendix, OpenShift, Google App Engine, AppScale, Windows Azure Cloud Services, OrangeScape and Jelastic.

Cloud Infrastructure as a Service Cloud provider offers processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources Consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications Amazon EC2, Google Compute Engine, HP Cloud, Joyent, Linode, NaviSite, Rackspace, Windows Azure, ReadySpace Cloud Services, and Internap Agile

Deployment Models Private Cloud: Cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization Community Cloud : Shared by several organizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns Public Cloud: Cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public Hybrid Cloud: Cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more clouds

Advantages of Cloud Computing • Improved performance • Better performance for large programs • Unlimited storage capacity and computing power • Reduced software costs • Universal document access • Just computer with internet connection is required • Instant software updates • No need to pay for or download an upgrade

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing • Requires a constant Internet connection • Does not work well with low-speed connections • Even with a fast connection, web-based applications can sometimes be slower than accessing a similar software program on your desktop PC • Everything about the program, from the interface to the current document, has to be sent back and forth from your computer to the computers in the cloud

About Rang Technologies: Headquartered in New Jersey, Rang Technologies has dedicated over a decade delivering innovative solutions and best talent to help businesses get the most out of the latest technologies in their digital transformation journey. Read More...

[letsremotify]

How Salesforce Developers Shape the Future of Project Management Success?

The ever-changing field of project management has made technology developments crucial to the achievement of desired results. With the help of knowledgeable developers and consultants, Salesforce is a platform that can truly alter businesses, even in the face of an extensive number of competing offerings. 

A Salesforce consultant will have a huge influence on how project managers succeed in the future. They will use Salesforce's features to improve teamwork, accelerate efficiency, and streamline procedures.

In this blog, we'll reveal the critical role that Salesforce developers play in influencing the success of project management. We'll explore their experience streamlining processes, streamlining work, and customizing solutions to drive productivity and cooperation in the fast-paced project environments of today.

Customized Solutions Crafting

Explore the ways in which developers modify modules, improve user experience, and guarantee scalability to ensure future-proofing of Salesforce systems.

Adapting Salesforce Modules:

The modules in Salesforce's suite are easily navigated by developers, who may easily customize features to fit project workflows. Whether creating complex workflows, setting unique items, or connecting third-party apps, developers take use of Salesforce's adaptability to create solutions that align with project goals.

User Experience Enhancement:

Developers may simply explore the modules in Salesforce's suite and modify functionalities to suit project procedures. Whether establishing custom items, integrating third-party apps, or building intricate workflows, developers leverage Salesforce's flexibility to build solutions that support project objectives

Scalability and Future-Proofing:

Future-focused, scalable, and flexible solutions are designed by developers. They future-proof project management systems by foreseeing possible expansion and changing needs, providing the groundwork for long-term success and adaptability.

Seamless Collaboration Integration

Examine how seamless collaboration integration may strengthen teamwork, bridge systems, and enable data-driven decision-making.

System Integration:

By utilizing middleware and APIs, developers can plan the smooth connection of Salesforce with other vital programs and systems. Integration facilitates data flow and guarantees a cohesive environment through connections with project management software, communication tools, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Collaborative Workspace:

Within Salesforce, developers create collaborative workspaces that enable teams to share insights, interact in real time, and centralize communication. Transparent communication and knowledge sharing are facilitated by features like Chatter, Communities, and interfaces with Slack and other collaborative applications.

Data-Driven Decision Synthesis:

Developers facilitate the extraction of meaningful insights from heterogeneous data sources for project stakeholders by providing integrated analytics and reporting functionalities. Through the synthesis of data in Salesforce, ranging from project status to customer feedback, stakeholders can efficiently minimize risks, make well-informed decisions, and drive strategic objectives.

Automation for Enhanced Efficiency

Investigating data synthesis, collaborative workspaces, and efficient procedures for well-informed decision-making.

Workflow Automation:

Developers use Salesforce's automation features, such Flow and Process Builder, to standardize procedures and automate time-consuming tasks. They manage workflows that reduce human error, speed up task completion, and increase overall efficiency by specifying triggers, actions, and approval processes.

AI-Powered Insights:

By using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as Salesforce Einstein, developers are able to introduce intelligence into project management procedures. AI-driven insights enable project teams to make data-driven decisions quickly, from sentiment analysis that measures stakeholder satisfaction to predictive analytics that predicts project timeframes.

Mobile Optimization:

Salesforce is optimized for mobile devices by developers who understand how important mobility is in today's dynamic work environment. They ensure that project stakeholders can access vital information and complete activities while on the go by utilizing native app development and responsive design, which promotes responsiveness and productivity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Salesforce developers are the engine of innovation, using the platform's potential to entirely rethink the project management sector in conjunction with Salesforce consulting experience. By means of customization, automation, and integration, they facilitate enterprises in achieving unparalleled levels of efficiency, collaboration, and success. The combined experience of consultants and Salesforce developers will be essential in steering project management's future course toward even higher success and quality as it develops.

FAQs About Salesforce Developers and Project Management

How do Salesforce developers contribute to project management success?

Salesforce developers streamline project workflows, automate tasks, and customize solutions, enhancing efficiency and collaboration for project teams.

What skills do Salesforce developers bring to project management?

Salesforce developers possess expertise in coding, data management, and platform customization, enabling them to tailor solutions that align with project goals and requirements.

Why is Salesforce considered crucial for future project management?

Salesforce's robust platform offers scalable solutions, real-time insights, and seamless integration capabilities, empowering project managers to drive innovation and achieve project success efficient

[kodehashtechnology]

At Kodehash, we're more than just a mobile app development company - we're your partners in growth. We blend innovation with creativity to create digital solutions that perfectly match your business needs. Our portfolio boasts over 500+ apps developed across a range of technologies. Our services include web and mobile app design & development, E-commerce store development, SaaS & Web apps support, and Zoho & Salesforce CRM & automation setup. We also offer IT managed services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Our expertise also extends to API and Salesforce integrations. We shine in leveraging cutting-edge tech like AI and Machine Learning. With a global presence in the US, UK, Dubai, Europe, and India, we're always within reach.

#Kodehash

#App Development

#Mobile App development

[i4technolab]

Developers and admins in Salesforce should constantly be on the lookout for effective deployment tools for answering questions, resolving bugs, and keeping the production organs in the best possible condition. However, there are times when developers might encounter a stumbling block in the event of testing the changes they have made to the Salesforce sandbox before deployments are made to the production environment.

Planning to hire Salesforce Development Company? Connect Now

[kastecherpsoftware]

Exploring the Significance of ERP Software: How It Works, Why It's Vital for Companies, and the Benefits for Your Business

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software stands as the backbone of modern businesses, planning a masterpiece of operations seamlessly. This comprehensive suite of integrated applications manages core business processes, including finance, HR, inventory, supply chain, and more. Its significance lies in its ability to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and foster data-driven decision-making.

Cloud-based ERP solutions offer a versatile edge over traditional on-premises systems. They facilitate real-time data accessibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Conversely, on-premises ERP software provides robust security and customization options, ideal for businesses with specific compliance needs or intricate operational structures.

Adopting the best ERP Software Consulting Solutions is a strategic move for companies, as it centralizes disparate processes into a unified platform, eradicates data silos, and enhances collaboration, thereby boosting productivity and offering a comprehensive view of the business for smarter, data-backed decisions."

The benefits of ERP software for your business are multifaceted. It optimizes resource utilization, streamlines workflows, minimizes errors, and accelerates reporting cycles. This ultimately results in improved customer satisfaction, reduced operational costs, and better agility in responding to market changes.

When seeking the best ERP software development services, solutions, implementation, or consulting, businesses must prioritize expertise, reliability, and compatibility. The best ERP software development services and solutions cater to unique business needs, offering tailor-made solutions for seamless integration and functionality.

Choosing the best ERP software implementation services or solutions involves a thorough evaluation of the provider's track record, customer reviews, and adaptability to your company's requirements. Expert ERP software consulting services navigate businesses through the maze of choices, ensuring optimal software selection, implementation, and long-term success.

In conclusion, the strategic implementation of ERP software can revolutionize business operations, driving efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. Selecting the best ERP software development, implementation, and consulting services is pivotal for maximizing the benefits and leveraging the full potential of this transformative technology.

ERP Offerings & Practice's

SAP/S4 HANA ERP Software Solutions

Ellucian Banner ERP Software Solutions

Peoplesoft ERP Software services

Oracle Cloud ERP Software services

UKG ERP Software services

Salesforce ERP Software services

[bluelupinblogs]

Why Salesforce Developers are Unexplained Forces of Business (2023)

According to the company’s own website, Salesforce is known to be the world’s number one customer relationship management (CRM) platform. It is a software whose sole purpose is to help businesses grow by helping them understand the specific needs of their customers by using certain cloud-based apps that are designed for sales, marketing, and service.

However, since no 2 companies are the same, their Salesforce requirements will be different as well. When this takes place, it is usually good to have a top Salesforce development company handy, a company that is well-versed will customise the software development and in providing tailor-made solutions.

If this is something that piques your interest or if you are someone who is already working in Salesforce but would like to up your skills, then this blog is for you.

So What Is A Salesforce Developer?

A Salesforce developer is any person who builds Salesforce applications across different Platform as a Service (PaaS) platforms. However, it is important to keep in mind that he/she does not need to work for Salesforce in any way, shape, or form.

What Do They Do?

 A developer dealing in Salesforce has a deep understanding of how it works along with sufficient experience with the platform. A Salesforce developer or a Salesforce development company is hired by an organisation to customise Salesforce to the unique needs of the hiring party. However, it should also be said that the developer can even be someone who is an in-house programmer who has the necessary skills to work with Salesforce. Some of the tools that are used by these developers include Visualforce and Apex and frameworks like Lightning Component.

Roles and Responsibilities of These Developers

One thing that can be easily noticed is that the roles and responsibilities of a Salesforce developer are pretty similar to those of any other professional developer working in a top software development company in India.

However, just for the sake of completeness, here are the roles and responsibilities of these developers:

·       Analyse user needs, and then plan, design, test, and develop software that meets their unique needs.

·       Come up with effective project plans and develop Salesforce solutions. Also add more value to the 3 stages of project work: definition, development, and deployment.

·       Provide useful suggestions regarding software upgrades for existing apps and systems.

·       Stay ahead of the transforming technological landscape of Salesforce, and .Net/Java platforms and also adapt quickly.

·       Develop every part of any application and then plan how those different parts can mesh together.

·       Create programs for use over the internet and for in-house users over the company intranet.

·       Properly handle inconsistencies in data and come up with processes that can counter any deficiencies.

·       Collaborate with other programmers by creating flowcharts so as to instruct them on how to write additional software code.

·       Ensure that a program runs efficiently by performing routine maintenance and testing.

·       Keep a record of the inventory of the company’s systems and applications for future reference, especially when it comes to upgrades.

·       Team up with other computer specialists to develop optimum software.

Other than the above-mentioned points, one must also remember that a Salesforce developer should always maintain a cordial rapport with the client to understand their operation and Salesforce implementation needs. For example, the developer must make it a point to figure out how the customer is trying to use the software and also identify the core functionality. This means paying extra attention to user needs that go well beyond the scope of the software, issues concerning security, and system performance.

Therefore, you should understand by now that a Salesforce developer has a lot on his/her plate. Their work is extremely challenging, however extremely rewarding as we are going to see below.

What Is The Salary Of A Salesforce Developer?

The average salary of a Salesforce developer in India is somewhere around Rs.500,000 per annum including both profit-sharing and bonuses. It only goes without saying that the bigger the company the more money they will pay for your services. Digital technology solution companies usually pay around Rs.10, 00,000 per annum. Big names in the field like Deloitte and Cognizant pay well above Rs.6, 00,000 per year.  

Salesforce developer salaries also vary according to the experience of the individual. An entry-level developer can expect his/her salary to be around Rs.3, 00,000 per annum. However, after gaining an experience of about 2-5 years the compensation can get close to Rs.5, 00,000 per annum. And if someone gains an experience of around 9 years the hefty paycheck can get close to Rs.10, 00,000 per annum.

It is also useful to remember that the salary of a Salesforce developer also varies according to the location of the individual and his/her job as well.

What Are The Benefits Of Hiring A Salesforce Development Team?

The benefits of hiring a dedicated Salesforce development team for your business are many. Let's look at some of these benefits as listed below:

1)      Building a core business

One of the best ways of managing your in-house resources is by outsourcing your Salesforce development needs. Instead of having an in-house team, you can find experienced and thorough professionals in the field of Salesforce development taking care of your workload.

2)      Skilled expertise

By having a quick look at the portfolio of the companies delivering dedicated Salesforce development services, you can get an idea of their expertise then and there. Therefore, by choosing a dedicated Salesforce team you can be certain of the fact that you have hired people with the right amount of expertise and skill set. They can not only understand your business processes but can also come up with the most apt cloud-based CRM solutions that are tailor-made for your business specifically.

3)      24/7 Availability

Needless a dedicated Salesforce development team will be ready to render their services round the clock. Nowadays, we live in a world where remote working has become the norm, and so have customisations and testing. Therefore, a team that will offer continuous support should always be sought out for. This way, even when the in-house team is sleeping, you will have a team of experts taking care of your CRM.

4)      Cost-efficient

You can also save on costs by hiring a dedicated Salesforce development team in India. As a matter of fact, you can save up to 60% of your total costs. You can make use of this saved money to build your core business and pay more attention to business growth.

Nevertheless, here are a few wise words from Josh Kaufman on outsourcing, it goes like this - “For everything we don’t like to do, there’s someone out there who’s good at it, wants to do it, and will enjoy it.”

And that pretty much sums it all up. If you are really looking to get the best benefit from Salesforce, outsourcing is the best thing you can go for.

 How to Become a Salesforce Developer?

After such an elaborate discussion on the roles and responsibilities of a Salesforce developer and the hefty compensation that comes with being one, you might ask “But how to actually become a Salesforce developer?” read on to find out about it!!

First, to begin with, most software developers including Salesforce developers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, and software engineering along with excellent knowledge of computer programming. It is also useful to have knowledge and skills in the industry where these Salesforce skills can be put to the best of use. Moreover, you also need to have an understanding of Model-View-Controller design patterns, Object-Oriented Programming Principles, and Java, or .Net Programming.

Having an internship experience in a software business right after graduating from college also goes a long way. Arrangements like these can provide essential connections, skills, and much-needed experience. If you find it difficult to get a job as a developer, it is recommended to start as a programmer and then slowly work your way up to becoming a Salesforce developer.

In case, you want to become a Salesforce developer after a long time from graduating college, make sure to take an online course focussing on Salesforce development as it can teach you essential skills that are needed to get a job in a Salesforce development company. Certifications like these are crucial as they confirm to employers that you are armed with the skill set needed to do the job they want you to do.

What Are The Skills Required To Become A Successful Salesforce Developer?

In order to become a Salesforce developer there are certain specific skills that one needs to have and they are as follows:

·       Analytical Skills: Having sufficient analytical skills assists in analysing the client’s needs and also in developing the requisite software.

·       Communication Skills: These come in handy when dealing with customers as it might include explaining to them how an app works. It is also helpful in giving your juniors clear instructions on what needs to be done.

·       Computer Skills: It goes without saying that excellent computer skills are a must-have for a Salesforce developer.

·       Interpersonal Skills: a good Salesforce developer has to be someone who is doing teamwork at one point or another.

·       Problem-solving Skills: This skill is probably the bread and butter of every developer. Being a developer you are in charge of overseeing every stage of the software development, and you can be assured of the fact that there are going to be problems at one stage or another.

In addition, it is also helpful for developers to be detail-oriented and be able to think out of the box. The former means developers need to be creative and in the latter case, a great developer must be able to deal with all the small details.

[superlinguo]

Linguistics Jobs: Interview with a  Director of Conversation Design

This month’s interview is with Greg Bennett, a Director of Conversation Design at Salesforce, a customizable, cloud software platform for customer relationship management. In this interview, Greg discusses the culture shock from transitioning to industry from academia, and how his discourse analysis training has impacted his work and career in the tech industry. You can find Greg on Twitter @gabennett45 or on LinkedIn.

This last post of 2022 is also the last in this series, and we'll have more in 2023 about the future of lingjobs!

What did you study at university?

I hold a BA in Linguistics and MS in Applied Linguistics from Georgetown University. I also studied Japanese language and culture during undergrad. My academic focus was on interactional sociolinguistics—particularly, how users manipulate textual stylistics to convey contextualization cues during synchronous, text-based chat.

What is your job?

I founded and lead the Conversation Design team and practice at Salesforce. I oversee strategy and workflow for an international team of Conversation Designers who craft conversational experiences that “sound” like Salesforce and train language models to recognize myriad varieties of language input from users. I spend much of my time discussing with various leaders across the business the resource investment strategy for conversational apps and features that position Salesforce at the forefront of the market; scaling our resources and tools to expand my team’s sphere of influence across our ever-growing lines of business; and championing my team’s impact on our bottom line within and beyond the company.

How does your linguistics training help you in your job? 

I never expected linguistics to be as vital or central to my role as it is now. I’ve always had my discourse analytic mindset running in the back of my mind to interpret conversation and stancetaking in real time in all of my past roles. As a leader at Salesforce, I certainly maintain that approach to developing relationships with stakeholders across the business. However, since conversational AI is fundamentally about language as an interface for a technological system, I find myself referencing every aspect of my training as a linguist to contextualize and strengthen my proposals for a conversational solution—from generative syntax when debating the ‘conversationality' of a conversational app’s brand name, to acoustic phonetics when determining the pitch range for a voice app in 2019, to discourse markers when creating cohesion between turns of text-based chat with our chatbot templates—I basically spend all day, every day, using linguistics to form connections and drive product strategy.

What was the transition from university to work like for you? 

It was a huge culture shock! My first role outside academia was as a UX researcher at Microsoft. I was coming off the heels of having a limit on the amount of photocopies I could make in the Department of Linguistics to entering an office where food was catered every day, Post-Its could be used ad nauseam with nary a pang of guilt, and every time I had a research finding to articulate, it had to be done in a slide as opposed to a fleshed-out paper (to say nothing of my joy at being able to photocopy in color at the office). Everything required fewer words, had to be finished in a fraction of the time, and had to look way more visually appealing than anything I was ever expected to do in academia. I had to go beyond simply stating, “this is what I found in the data” and evolve towards, “we as a business should do y in order to make a market impact of z because the data say x.” (In industry, always lead with the “so what” and follow up with the data—something I learned from profoundly expert and gracious women in UX who taught me how to adjust to corporate priorities, read the atmosphere of a business, and succeed at advocating for oneself and one’s craft at the highest levels. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.)

Do you have any advice do you wish someone had given to you about linguistics/careers/university?

My advice would be that your title and your degree aren’t the defining characteristics of who you are and what you do. When I was in academia, I deeply enmeshed my sense of self and self-worth in my status as a graduate student, and when I took a break after the MS, I had to mourn the death of a huge part of my identity. I had no idea who I was without the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown. But, after a lot of therapy and soul-searching, I came to the realization that even if I didn’t have the title of “student” anymore, that didn’t mean I was no longer capable of learning, just like even if I no longer had the title of “Director of Conversation Design,” it wouldn’t mean that I would suddenly become incapable of leading product strategy for conversational AI. Look inward. Titles, accolades, insignia—they’re distractions. Figure out what truly motivates you, what fulfills you and align to the elements of those qualities that present themselves in whatever role you pursue.

Any other thoughts or comments? 

A quick overview of the company I work for and the evolution of its conversational technology: Salesforce is a publicly traded company that provides customer relationship management software as a service in the cloud. In 2017, the company released the Einstein Bot Builder, a declarative platform for Salesforce administrators to create and deploy text-based chatbots to their own customers for service use cases. Since then, it’s grown into an expansive feature ecosystem, ranging from chat analytics to reusable chatbot templates. The Bot Builder, coupled with Slack, which Salesforce acquired in 2020, opened up the opportunity for me to establish a design practice by which Salesforce can create unified, consistent, and inclusive conversational chat experiences based on sociolinguistic research.

Recent interviews:

Interview with a Research Scientist

Interview with a Language Engineer

Interview with a Natural Language Annotation Lead

Interview with an Artist

Resources:

The full Linguist Jobs Interview List

The Linguist Jobs tag for the most recent interviews

The Linguistics Jobs slide deck (overview, resources and activities)

The Linguistics Jobs Interview series is edited by Martha Tsutsui Billins. Martha is a linguist whose research focuses on the Ryukyuan language Amami Oshima, specifically honourifics and politeness strategies in the context of language endangerment. Martha runs Field Notes, a podcast about linguistic fieldwork.