I didn’t start my career in the world of Salesforce. In fact, my journey began bouncing through roles in healthcare and marketing. It wasn’t until I transitioned into M&A that my real transformation began. I was handed a tool called Force.com and told to learn it—this was my entry into the Salesforce ecosystem. That moment became a defining point in my career, as I realized the immense power technology has to not only accelerate business growth but to empower personal growth, too.
Now, as the Co-Founder and Chief Architect of Cloud Journey Group —my mission is to help others navigate their own paths. CJG was born out of my frustration with seeing so many businesses have poor customer experiences with other Salesforce partners. I knew we could do better by putting a relentless focus on the customer, taking a business-process-first approach, and treating Salesforce not as a box businesses have to fit into, but as a tool that enables good processes.
As we celebrate International Services Week, I want to share insights from my journey and offer guidance to others aiming to lead in the Services Era. If you’re ready to chart your path, here are a few skills, strategies, and tools that can help you succeed.
Embracing a Customer-Centric Mindset
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in leadership is that everything starts with the customer. At CJG, we believe in a business-process-first approach, meaning we design every solution with the customer’s needs at the center. We don’t force clients into pre-built templates. Instead, we use Salesforce as a tool to craft solutions that truly fit their business processes, creating an enjoyable experience for them along the way.
As you grow into leadership, maintaining a customer-first mindset is crucial. You’ll stand out by ensuring that your decisions consistently lead to better customer outcomes, and by viewing customer feedback as a key driver for innovation.
What You Can Do:
Immerse yourself in the customer’s world. Understanding their pain points and goals is key to creating impactful solutions.
Use platforms that offer insights into customer behavior and satisfaction. Tracking these metrics will help you stay in tune with what your customers really need.
Treat every interaction as an opportunity to improve. At CJG, customer feedback is a cornerstone of how we continually refine and improve our services.
Harnessing the Power of Data and Technology
My own career transformation is a testament to the power of technology. When I was first introduced to Force.com, I had no idea that learning this platform would not only shape my career but also position me to lead a company like CJG. Technology is a powerful tool, and leaders who learn to harness it can drive significant change.
As I progressed, I saw how tools like Salesforce and Certinia PSA can revolutionize how businesses operate. From automating processes to providing real-time insights, technology enables leaders to make data-driven decisions that propel their organizations forward.
What You Can Do:
Embrace technology. Don’t shy away from learning new platforms and tools that can enhance your decision-making and business operations.
Focus on using data to inform your strategy. At Cloud Journey, we leverage data to improve resource allocation, forecast project success, and streamline operations.
Stay current on technology trends, especially as automation and AI become even more integral to service-based businesses.
Empowering Others Along the Way
Leadership isn’t just about personal success—it’s about lifting others as you climb. When I began my career, I didn’t have all the answers, but I had mentors who guided me. Now, as a leader, one of my greatest joys is empowering other women in the workplace to grow into their own leadership roles.
At CJG, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered is a core value. I encourage you to embrace mentorship and prioritize creating opportunities for others.
What You Can Do:
Be intentional about mentoring others. Whether it’s formally or informally, support the growth of the people around you.
Create a culture where everyone feels heard. At CJG, we’ve made it a point to foster collaboration, open communication, and shared success.
Lead with empathy. Emotional intelligence is a powerful asset for leaders, helping you connect with your team and create an inclusive environment.
Certifications, Skills, and Continuous Learning
When I was started Force.com, I could have seen it as just another tool to learn. Instead, I saw it as a chance to accelerate my growth. Certifications and continuous learning have been key to my development as a leader, and I believe every woman in leadership should invest in her education.
For those looking to rise in leadership, gaining certifications not only validates your expertise but positions you as a lifelong learner—someone who is always ready to adapt to the changes in the Services Era.
What You Can Do:
Pursue certifications that are relevant to your role and industry. Whether it’s Salesforce, project management, or data analytics, these credentials will give you the knowledge you need to lead effectively.
Stay curious. Continuous learning is essential in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Focus on learning tools that enable business growth. At CJG, mastering platforms like Salesforce and Certinia solutions has been critical to our ability to innovate and deliver.
Defining Success as a Woman in Leadership
For me, success isn’t just about revenue growth or hitting business targets—it’s about the impact we’re making on our customers and the environment we’re creating for our team. I define success by how well our solutions serve our clients and how empowered our employees feel.
At Cloud Journey, we’ve built a culture that’s centered on providing enjoyable customer experiences and empowering our team. As a leader, you have the power to define what success looks like for you—and to make it more than just a business goal.
What You Can Do:
Define success on your terms. Whether it’s customer satisfaction, team development, or operational excellence, be clear about what drives you.
Make sure your team feels valued and supported. Your leadership should create opportunities for others to grow alongside you.
Lead with purpose. At CJG, our purpose is to provide a better experience for our clients and our team, and that drives everything we do.
Leading with Purpose and Passion
I never expected that being handed a tool would open the door to such a fulfilling career. But by embracing the opportunities in front of me, I’ve been able to grow, lead, and build a company that reflects my passion for customer experience and empowerment. My journey in leadership has been shaped by resilience, technology, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
As a leader, you have the power to shape your career and make a lasting impact. At Cloud Journey Group, we are proud to be a woman-owned and led organization, and we are dedicated to supporting other women as they rise in their careers. During International Services Week, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey and think about how you can lead with purpose and passion in the Services Era.
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