DevOps Diaries

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 links
Who are Gearset’s DevOps leaders?
How to encrypt your Salesforce backups
Build a business case for Salesforce backup
The complete guide to Salesforce backup

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Podcast 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 links
How to manage multiple Salesforce orgs
How to align metrics to business value
Upcoming Salesforce events to boost your career
The Work Flow Podcast
Diary of a CEO

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Podcast 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 links
Boundless by Vala Afshar
How to protect your Salesforce data
A guide to masking Salesforce data
Seed your Salesforce sandboxes with ease
Deploying Salesforce Communities for a better user experience

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Podcast 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 consultancies
The top priorities for Salesforce teams this year
How to improve team collaboration with DevOps

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Podcast 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 objectives
What are the business benefits of DevOps?
How to manage multiple Salesforce Production orgs
The State of Salesforce DevOps 2024
Who are Gearset’s DevOps Leaders?

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Podcast 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 DevOps
DevOps advice for consultants
How to manage your whole Salesforce pipeline
Where to learn Salesforce DevOps
Trailhead for Salesforce

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Podcast 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”
Shirtforce
Should you use scratch orgs or sandboxes?
When to build or buy a Salesforce DevOps solution
How to rock your role as a Salesforce Admin
Better understand your org as a Salesforce architect

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Podcast 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 Cowell
Forcelandia 2023: Unpacking the code, unveiling the magic
TrailblazerDX: First time tips for a terrific time!
Lessons learned from not being prepared for Dreamforce
How to improve performance with collaboration

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Podcast 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 goals
How to improve performance with collaboration
Working with partners to increase customer success
Does my team do enough training?

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Podcast 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 2024
How to deploy Salesforce communities
Overcome challenges with distributed teams
Salesforce CI/CD best practices
Why we need purpose built solutions for Salesforce DevOps
Gearset DevOps Leaders

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Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.