In this episode, Tom Bassett and Saman discuss what it means to be more hands-on in the Salesforce ecosystem. Saman shares his experience as a senior software engineer and delivery lead at Okta, as well as the founder of CampApex.org, a platform that provides interactive hands-on lessons and challenges for trailblazers. They emphasize the importance of being an active learner and participant in your work and personal life. They also discuss the misconceptions around being hands-on and provide tips for developing the skills and attributes needed to be more hands-on.

In this episode, Tom Bassett interviews Luke White about document generation (DocGen) and its role in the Salesforce ecosystem. Luke shares his experience as the Operations Director at PDF Butler, an ISV in Salesforce. They discuss the different roles and responsibilities involved in using and implementing DocGen, as well as the importance of having a strong data model and corporate identity. Luke also provides tips for selecting the right DocGen tool and emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and customer-vendor partnerships. They debunk the misconception that DocGen is too complicated and highlight its ability to handle complex documents and processes.

In this episode, Tom Bassett interviews Ankit Thakkar, a Slack chapter leader, about his role and experiences. Ankit shares his journey as a solution architect in the Salesforce ecosystem and his inspiration to become a Slack chapter leader. He discusses the responsibilities of a chapter leader, including organizing events, inviting speakers, and coordinating with sponsors. Ankit also talks about his exploration of Slack certifications and the benefits of being a chapter leader, such as networking opportunities and the ability to contribute to the Slack product roadmap. He offers advice for aspiring chapter leaders and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, patience, and networking skills.

In this episode, Tom Bassett interviews Brian Shea, an independent consultant with over 12 years of experience in Salesforce. They discuss the role of an independent consultant, the day-to-day responsibilities, and the importance of networking and building relationships. Brian emphasizes the need for specialization beyond just technology, highlighting the importance of understanding industry-specific processes and cultures. He also shares advice for those looking to become independent consultants, including the need for patience and persistence. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the world of independent consulting.

In this episode, Tracy Keeling, a Marketing Cloud Consultant at Capgemini, discusses the importance of managing oneself and saying no in order to be more productive and effective in a Salesforce-based role. She emphasizes the need to back up responses with information, data, and reasoning when saying no to different people at different levels. Tracy also highlights the importance of setting expectations, protecting one's time and projects, and having difficult conversations when necessary. She advises listeners to create a list, use tools to manage tasks, and seek support and resources to develop the skill of saying no. The conversation explores the importance of saying no and setting boundaries in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It emphasizes the power and authority that comes with saying no and the need to prioritize and manage workload effectively. Tom & Tracy discuss the importance of setting realistic expectations, padding out estimates, and communicating with stakeholders to manage workload and avoid overpromising. They also highlight the significance of trust, honesty, and open communication in building strong relationships with customers and colleagues. The conversation concludes with the importance of working for a company that values work-life balance and the need to prioritize personal well-being.

In this episode, Vanessa Grant interviews Tom Bassett, the host of the Be More podcast. They discuss Tom's role as a Salesforce solution architect and his various contributions to the Salesforce community. They also talk about Tom's journey in the community, his approach to problem-solving, and the importance of saying no. Tom shares how he automates tasks in his personal life and what it means to 'Be More Tom.' The key themes of this conversation include community involvement, continuous learning, problem-solving, and work-life balance. Tom Bassett discusses the impact of his work in the Salesforce community and reflects on his journey. He shares how messages from people who have been inspired by his content motivate him to continue. Tom also talks about the importance of learning from mistakes and how they have helped him grow. He highlights Einstein Activity Capture as a Salesforce feature that deserves more recognition. Tom concludes by discussing his future plans, including finding balance, exploring new formats for his podcast, and continuously improving.

In this conversation, Joseph Kubon, a Salesforce Solution Application System B2B architect and author, shares insights on what it takes to be a successful author in the Salesforce ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience, being open to feedback, and finding your niche. Joseph also highlights the need for collaboration and project management skills when co-authoring a book. He encourages aspiring authors to start small, focus on a specific area of expertise, and leverage community groups and platforms to share their knowledge.

Maham Hassan, a organizer of Dubai Dreaming, shares insights into what it takes to organize a Dreaming event. She emphasizes the importance of building a team and distributing responsibilities among team members. Maham highlights the commitment and effort required to organize a successful event, dedicating 1-1.5 hours per day for planning and coordination. She also stresses the need for effective communication and relationship management with speakers, sponsors, and attendees. Maham advises aspiring organizers to be mindful of their commitments, select a passionate team, stay up-to-date with the latest trends, and be inclusive and respectful of all participants.

In this episode, Tom Bassett and Andrew Ermon discuss the importance of being more iterative in roles such as consulting and software development. They emphasize the need to embrace risk and ambiguity, and to trust the iterative process. They highlight the benefits of using the Salesforce platform for iterative development due to its declarative functionality. They also explore how being iterative interacts with different roles, such as admins, developers, and consultants. The conversation emphasizes the importance of feedback, constant improvement, and letting go of perfection. They provide tips for developing an iterative mindset and building the habit of continuous improvement.

In this episode, Megan Tuano, a senior technical business analyst, shares insights into the role of a business analyst and the skills required. She discusses the daily responsibilities of a senior BA, including running standups, working on the backlog, and meeting with clients. Megan emphasizes the importance of communication and relationship building in the role. She also highlights the significance of user stories and the ability to refine and improve them. Megan advises aspiring BAs to be curious, adaptable, and good listeners. She shares her own journey and encourages others to ask questions and seek opportunities to shadow experienced BAs.