Talent Hub Talk

Andrew Echevarria on building a personal brand online and securing a job at Google

In today's episode, we're joined by Andrew Echevarria, a Senior Software Engineer who has recently secured a role at one of the organisations people will tell you they'd most like to work for, no matter where you are in the world asking - Google. Andrew attributes part of why he secured his role to his personal brand activities online, and shares his own experiences and tips with us. He explains what he believes makes good quality content, and the traps people should avoid, as well as how to get started if you have reservations. Andrew moved to California for his new role, in what are somewhat unusual times, and he tells us about the onboarding experience he has experienced and having made the move outside of Consulting and into an end-user, he gives us his first impressions. We enjoyed hearing about what he's most looking forward to in this new chapter, and his plans for the future in terms of his online presence. Make sure you're following Andrew on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsfdc/ and we hope you enjoy the episode!

Leo Alves on expanding his skillset as a Salesforce Developer, and remote onboarding during lockdown

In today's episode we talk with Leo Alves, who has made the transition from the Dutch Salesforce market, across to Australia, with the timing coinciding to mean that he started in his new role during the Covid-19 lockdown. He shares his experience and tips for other companies who find themselves facing this sudden challenge, and how to make the remote onboarding process as seamless as he has found his own. Coming from a non-technical background, Leo became a Salesforce Developer but discovered a keen interest in other coding languages and expanding his development skill set. We discuss with Leo how Salesforce is perceived from the broader Developer community, and how Salesforce is positioning the platform to become increasingly appealing to non-Salesforce-specific Developers. We talk about the market in Holland, and all that he is excited about for his new life Down Under. You can follow Leo on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/leofilipealves/      and on Twitter at leofilipalves@

Pip Marlow, Salesforce CEO ANZ on joining the Salesforce Ohana and leading through change

In today's episode, we're honoured to be joined by Salesforce CEO ANZ, Pip Marlow to talk all things Salesforce and ask her a selection of questions which we've gathered from the Community. She talks us through her biggest highlight at Salesforce so far, the Salesforce Ohana, what it has meant for her, and the plans for the region in the future, including the Salesforce Tower in Sydney. She talks us through her approach to visibility within the Community, social media and networking, and how embracing these have helped her push forward with her team and remain closely connected with customers.  We talk about learning and career development when in a CEO role, and we're so thrilled to be joined by special guests from the Ohana, each with a thought-provoking question. You can follow Pip on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipmarlow/ and Twitter at @pipms

Implementing Einstein bots effectively and why they're more relevant now than ever with Suri Chandramouli

In today's episode, we talk with Salesforce Solution Architect, Suri Chandramouli about a broad range of topics given his interesting geographical and career background with 12 years in the ecosystem, including the similarities and differences between the Salesforce markets in Germany and Australia, and what life is like inside Salesforce. We discuss what he looks for when hiring Salesforce Developers and we ask him for his insights into chatbots and A.I, including best practices when implementing Einstein bots, which he has learned from his experiences on a recent project. This episode is relevant to the challenges we find ourselves in currently, as we delve into how Einstein bots can assist companies receiving increased contact from customers, and we also touch on remote working within the Salesforce ecosystem. You can follow Suri on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/suric/, and we hope you enjoy the episode

Blazing trails in the not-for-profit space with Jessica Macpherson

In today's episode we speak with the Melbourne based CEO of St Kilda Mums, Eureka Mums and Geelong Mums, Jessica Macpherson. Jessica has fully embraced the Salesforce platform, from blazing trails in Trailhead herself, to providing valuable volunteering opportunities to others looking to advance in their Salesforce careers. Jessica talks us through her own journey, what Salesforce has meant for her own organisation, and what others can learn from their experiences. As the most recent Golden Hoodie winner, we ask her how it felt to be recognised with such an honour, and what her plans are in both the immediate and longer-term future. You can follow Jessica on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamacpherson/

E.A to Salesforce Solution Architect in a start up with Priscila Renwick

In today's episode, we speak with London based Salesforce Solution Architect, Priscila Renwick, about her Salesforce journey coming from a law background in Brazil, before joining a start up in London as an E.A. Her Salesforce journey started here, where she looked after the Salesforce org, and this ignited a passion for learning inside Priscila, over the years leading her to become a Business Analyst, before making her way into a Solution Architect position. She talks with us about the resources and support that she has leant on in this journey, such as her local Salesforce community, her mentor, and the Ladies Be Architects movement. She's an example of how attitude can take you far, and as she joins a Consulting firm as a Solution Architect this month, how joining a start up can accelerate your career. She's proof that you don't have to come from a technical background to become a Salesforce Architect.

You can follow Priscila's journey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscila-renwick/

Learning to code and writing your first line of Apex with Zabou Nicoul

Today we talk with Salesforce Platform Manager, Zabou Nicoul about her career journey in the Salesforce world so far.

Zabou learned to code in Salesforce having come from a non-technical background, and talks us through the roller-coaster journey of persistence and determination which has led her to the point today of being proud of the code she writes.

Zabou gives listeners advice, tips and resets expectations as to how a journey into Salesforce development is likely to unfold, as well as the rewards she feels being able to write Salesforce code affords in the current Salesforce ecosystem, and your own role.

You can follow Zabou on LinkedIn to ask any questions and continue to follow her exciting journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zabounicoul/

Learnings from undertaking a large-scale Salesforce transformation project with Robert Whitaker

In this episode, we talk with technology leader and Head of Salesforce Platform, Robert Whitaker, who was recently involved in one of the largest Salesforce transformation projects in the Asia Pacific.

We talk to Rob about the assessment and initial investment decision around why Salesforce was chosen, the value that they got from working with a consulting partner, and the key roles that are required on such a big project. He explained to us the challenges that they faced throughout the program of work as well as how they tackled them. We covered best practices, including the most critical points throughout a project, when commencing such a huge piece of work right through to delivery.

We touch on recruitment and ongoing learning, and reflect on how far Rob has come in his knowledge of the Salesforce platform.

Lastly, Rob shares what he loves the most about the Salesforce Ohana and the opportunity that the industry presents for collaboration with other business.

You can connect with Rob on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robswhitaker/

BONUS Q&A: Do I need to work for a Consulting Partner to be a CTA? Plus other questions from listeners, answered by Ben Duncombe

Did you know that you can send your Salesforce career questions directly to us, and Ben will answer a selection from listeners on the podcast. You can leave us a voice note via the Talent Hub website, or just send Ben a message on LinkedIn and let him know it's for the podcast. Make sure we answer yours next time.

Here are a selection that Ben answers on this week's show:

1) How difficult is it going to be to secure my first Salesforce role?

2) I am a Web Developer and looking to transition into Salesforce. Do I need to go down the Admin path first?

3) Someone said I should go for a Functional Consulting role rather than Admin as I am from a Sales background. Would you also advise this?

4) I am applying for roles but not getting much response. What am I doing wrong?

5) What is the best way for me to get sponsorship for Australia?

6) Is 'not having local experience' really a factor?

7) Do I need to work for a Consulting Partner to be a CTA?

8) Why aren't there more remote roles in Australia?

Employee experience that delights with Olga Rankin

In this episode, we talk with Employee Experience Director at Simplus, Olga Rankin, and take a deep dive into what the role entails and how she works day-to-day to effectively influence a positive workplace both generally, and specifically, within a Salesforce Partner environment.

We talk to Olga about recruitment - how to hire for attitude as well as skill set, and how to ensure an engaging on and offboarding process. She gives insight into retaining and managing staff through acquisitions and challenging projects, alongside the client site component, elements common within the consulting world, and how to build and maintain a good culture when teams can't always be together in the physical sense.

We also tackle the topic of pay increases, with the particular context of the Salesforce ecosystem, and Olga shares her views, as well as some tips if you're considering your own pay and how to approach asking for a raise.

Lastly, Olga shares what she loves the most about the Salesforce Ohana and the opportunity that the industry presents.

You can connect with Olga on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgarankin/