Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett delve into the crucial practice of asking the right questions before adding new fields in Salesforce. Inspired by Vanessa Grant’s insightful guide, we explore 10 essential questions every Salesforce Admin should ask to maintain an efficient and clutter-free org.

Here’s what we will cover:

• The Hidden Complexities of Adding Fields:
• Discover why a simple request to add a field can lead to significant complications if not properly vetted.
• Top 10 Questions to Ask:

1. What specific business requirement does this field address?
2. Who are the primary users or stakeholders of this field?
3. How will this field be used in business processes or workflows?
4. What data should be captured or stored in this field?
5. Are there existing systems or processes that this field should integrate with?
6. Are there data migration or data cleansing requirements for this field?
7. Are there any data privacy or security considerations?
8. Are there any performance or scalability considerations?
9. Are there any reporting or analytics needs related to this field?
10. Are there any user interface or user experience considerations?

• Best Practices for Salesforce Admins:
• Learn how to partner with stakeholders, prioritize tasks effectively, and ensure data integrity while managing field requests.
• Preventing Admin Burnout:
• Strategies to handle overwhelming to-do lists by asking critical questions and maintaining a strategic approach to field additions.

Whether you’re new to Salesforce or a seasoned Admin, this episode provides valuable tips to help you make informed decisions, streamline your workflows, and keep your Salesforce org running smoothly. Join us to enhance your admin skills and ensure your Salesforce environment remains organized and efficient!

Listen now to empower your Salesforce administration with Trailblazer Talk!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Join us, Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett, on Trailblazer Talk as we dive into the dynamic world of the Salesforce Business Analyst. This episode is dedicated to equipping you with the 10 best practices to excel in this crucial role, acting as the bridge between business stakeholders and the technical teams. We discuss the importance of understanding the current Salesforce state, mastering communication with stakeholders, gathering precise requirements, and embracing Agile methodologies. We also explore practical tips on user story writing, testing, training, reporting, and utilizing essential tools like Jira and ADO. Whether you're a seasoned BA or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you optimize your skills and become a true Salesforce BA Rockstar.

Source: Salesforce Ben

Hey there, Trailblazers! In this episode, we're diving deep into Salesforce's newest certification - the Salesforce Certified Associate. We'll walk you through everything you need to know about this entry-level certification that's creating buzz in the Salesforce community.

Join us as we break down the exam structure, share our personal insights, and discuss why this certification might be your perfect stepping stone into the Salesforce ecosystem. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone with a few months of Salesforce experience, we'll help you understand if this certification is right for you.

In this value-packed episode, we'll cover:

• Who this certification is really for (spoiler: you don't need any technical experience!)
• The four main exam topics and what to focus on
• Our tried-and-tested study strategies
• Common misconceptions about the certification
• Tips and tricks to ace your exam

Plus, we'll share our thoughts on why this certification might be more challenging than you'd expect, and how it can bridge the gap between complete beginners and certified professionals.

Don't forget to hit subscribe and join us every week as we explore the ever-evolving world of Salesforce. Let's blaze that trail together!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett uncover one of Salesforce’s best-kept secrets: Opportunity Historical Trending. Inspired by Stacy O’Leary’s insightful guide, we explore how this powerful, free feature can transform your sales pipeline analysis without the need for costly add-ons.

Here’s what we will cover:

• What Is Opportunity Historical Trending?
• Discover how this feature allows you to track and compare changes in your sales pipeline over time, highlighting key metrics like stage and amount variations.
• Setting Up Historical Trending:
• Learn the simple steps to enable Historical Trending on Opportunities and build your first insightful report effortlessly.
• Practical Use Cases:
• See real-world examples of how sales leaders use Historical Trending to monitor pipeline progression, measure conversion rates, and make data-driven decisions.
• Benefits Over Traditional Methods:
• Understand why Opportunity Historical Trending outperforms Pipeline Snapshots and Opportunity Field History by providing a user-friendly, actionable view directly within Salesforce.
• Best Practices and Considerations:
• Get tips on maximizing the effectiveness of Historical Trending, including setting appropriate comparison dates and integrating with dashboards for enhanced visibility.

Whether you’re a Salesforce Admin or a Sales Manager, this episode will show you how to leverage Opportunity Historical Trending to gain deeper insights into your sales performance and drive your team’s success. Join us to unlock the full potential of this underrated Salesforce feature!

Listen now to enhance your Salesforce analytics with Trailblazer Talk!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett showcase 9 free Salesforce apps that can elevate your productivity and enhance your Salesforce org. From Clone This User for effortless user management to Mass Delete for efficient data cleanup, we cover essential tools for both admins and developers. Discover how these apps streamline workflows, improve data management, and make your Salesforce experience more efficient. Listen now to supercharge your Salesforce setup with these must-have free apps!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett explore Dynamic Loading of Parent and Child Data in Salesforce using External IDs. Inspired by Bassem Marji’s quick guide, we break down how External IDs can simplify your data integration process and enhance efficiency.

Here’s what we will cover:

• What Are External IDs?
• Understand the role of External IDs in linking Salesforce records with external systems like ERPs and third-party applications.
• Streamlining Data Integration:
• Learn how to associate parent and child records in a single DML call using External IDs, reducing complexity and improving performance.
• Basic vs. Advanced Methods:
• Compare the basic approach of multiple DML statements with the advanced technique of using External IDs for a more efficient single DML operation.
• Practical Code Examples:
• Walk through real-world code snippets that demonstrate both basic and advanced methods for inserting parent and child records.
• Best Practices:
• Gain insights into maintaining data integrity and optimizing your Salesforce data management workflows with External IDs.

Whether you’re a Salesforce Admin or Developer looking to enhance your data integration skills, this episode provides the essential knowledge and strategies to make your Salesforce org more efficient. Join us to master the use of External IDs and streamline your data processes with Trailblazer Talk!

Listen now to boost your Salesforce data integration capabilities!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett share 6 essential tips from Jack McCurdy to help Salesforce Admins manage their workload and prevent burnout. Discover how to break down tasks, prioritize effectively, maintain scope, centralize requests, leverage the right tools, and tackle tough tasks first. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or looking to boost your productivity, these strategies will help keep your Salesforce org running smoothly. Listen now to streamline your admin responsibilities with Trailblazer Talk!

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, we—Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett—break down the key differences between Salesforce List Views and Reports. Whether you're new to Salesforce or looking to optimize your data management, this episode will help you decide which tool best suits your needs.

Here’s what we will cover:

• Understanding List Views:
• Learn how List Views allow you to manage and edit records directly, perfect for day-to-day tasks and smaller data sets.
• Exploring Reports:
• Discover how Reports provide in-depth data analysis, visualization, and insights for larger volumes of data and strategic decision-making.
• Key Differences:
• Use Cases: When to use List Views for operational tasks vs. Reports for analytical purposes.
• Features Comparison: Inline editing, exporting capabilities, formulas, charts, and more.
• Additional Functionalities: Explore Kanban, Split, and Intelligence Views in List Views and advanced features like cross-object filters and email subscriptions in Reports.
• Practical Examples:
• See real-world scenarios for Sales teams and Managers to understand the best applications of each tool.
• Decision-Making Tips:
• Get straightforward guidance on choosing between List Views and Reports based on your specific business needs.

Whether you're managing sales opportunities or analyzing customer data, this episode equips you with the knowledge to leverage Salesforce effectively. Join us to enhance your Salesforce skills and make informed decisions for your organization.

Listen now to master Salesforce List Views and Reports with Trailblazer Talk!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, we—Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett—explore the Lightning Record Picker component in Salesforce. Perfect for both admins and developers, this tool simplifies searching and selecting records, enhancing your Salesforce apps' user experience.

Here’s what we will cover:

• What is Lightning Record Picker?
• Learn how this component allows quick and easy selection of records from objects like Accounts, Contacts, and Leads.
• Key Features:
• Enhanced Retrieval: Fetch up to 100 records for faster searches.
• GraphQL Support: Enjoy offline functionality and cross-platform compatibility.
• Customization: Tailor fields, add secondary information, and apply advanced filters.
• Data Validation: Ensure accurate inputs with built-in validation.
• Practical Use Cases:
• Discover how to streamline data entry and improve user interactions in your Salesforce apps.
• Setup Guide:
• Get a straightforward walkthrough on adding and configuring the Lightning Record Picker in your Salesforce environment.
• Best Practices:
• Tips to optimize performance, maintain security, and create a seamless user experience.

Whether you're building a new app or enhancing an existing one, this episode provides the insights you need to effectively implement the Lightning Record Picker. Join us and elevate your Salesforce skills with Trailblazer Talk!

Listen now to master the Lightning Record Picker and boost your Salesforce development!

Source: Salesforce Ben

Welcome to Trailblazer Talk! In this episode, we—Ethan Parker and Sophia Bennett—are excited to dive into the top 10 hottest features introduced in the Salesforce Winter ’25 release. Whether you're a seasoned Salesforce Admin or just getting started, these new tools and enhancements are designed to make your life easier and your Salesforce org more efficient.

Here’s what we will cover:

1. Configure Record Highlights in Lightning App Builder: Discover how the Dynamic Highlights Panel can dynamically display up to 12 fields, enhancing the user focus on important data. Learn about customizing the highlights panel for both desktop and mobile apps.
2. Enable Dynamic Highlights Panel and Dynamic Forms on Mobile With One Click: Simplify the rollout of Dynamic Forms and Dynamic Highlights Panel on mobile devices with just one click, ensuring a seamless mobile experience.
3. Make Record Fields Stand Out With Conditional Formatting: Explore how to apply conditional formatting to fields on Dynamic Forms-enabled pages, using icons and colors to visually differentiate data based on set criteria.
4. Add Calculated Fields to Your Lightning Reports With Einstein Generative AI: Learn how Einstein Report Formula Generation can assist in creating Summary and Row-Level Formulas through natural language descriptions, speeding up report customization.
5. Do More With Custom Report Types (Beta): Understand the revamped Custom Report page in Setup, allowing easier creation and management of custom report types with enhanced flexibility and usability.
6. Get Better Performance for List Views on Custom and Standard Objects: Experience faster list views with Lightning Web Components (LWC) and discover additional ways to optimize list view performance.
7. Make Inline Edits With the Enhanced User List View: Utilize the new enhanced mode for User List Views to view, sort, filter, and modify records directly from the list view without navigating away.
8. Improved User Access Summary Page: Access a consolidated view of user information with the improved User Access Summary page, allowing quick insights into user permissions and access levels.
9. Get Insight into How a User’s Permissions Are Granted: Quickly identify which Permission Sets, Permission Set Groups, or Profiles grant access to objects, simplifying permission management and enhancing security oversight.
10. See How Object Access Is Granted in Object Manager: Gain a comprehensive view of object access permissions, seeing exactly which profiles and permission sets provide access to specific objects.

Bonus Feature: Salesforce Mobile App Enhancements: Discover the significant enhancements to the Salesforce Mobile app, including the new seller-focused experience that allows users to review activities, update records, and interact with Einstein through voice commands.

Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflows, enhance data management, or simply enjoy a smoother admin experience, the Salesforce Winter ’25 release has something for you. Join us as we break down each feature, discuss its benefits, and share best practices for implementation.

Listen now to stay ahead with the latest Salesforce updates and boost your admin skills with Trailblazer Talk!

Source: Salesforce Ben