My passion is helping others learn Salesforce and become a successful Salesforce professional. Since Salesforce started rolling out AI features in earnest, I’ve been concerned about how this impacts entry-level Salesforce professionals. I feel as though the AI marketing machine may be confusing to those just starting out in the ecosystem. At TDX ‘24, I was invited to attend an executive listening session with Salesforce executives. It’s an opportunity for community members, like myself, to ask Salesforce leadership questions or raise concerns.
These sessions remain confidential – but I can tell you that I raised my concerns about the correct messaging around AI and its impact on entry-level Salesforce professionals. The discussion that followed helped clarify the advice from Salesforce and allayed my concerns. In the following article, I’ll explain what AI means for entry-level Salesforce professionals, and present you with a plan to ensure you stay abreast of AI news, whilst also achieving your goal to become an outstanding Salesforce professional.
Why Is Salesforce So Focused on AI?
Let’s start by explaining why Salesforce is so focused on AI and why everywhere you look, it’s “Einstein this…” and “Einstein that…”.
The answer is very simple: Salesforce must develop its AI capabilities to keep up with the pace of AI development happening across the tech industry. Without proactive efforts to develop its AI offering, Salesforce runs the risk that a competitor (new or existing) could develop an all-singing, all-dancing AI CRM tool that poaches their customers and prospects. There is huge pressure on companies like Salesforce to keep up with the pace of change so they do not get left behind.
What Does AI Mean for Entry-Level Salesforce Professionals?
The question that remains unanswered is: what does AI, and Salesforce’s AI tools, mean for entry-level Salesforce professionals?
If you are new to the Salesforce ecosystem and perhaps trying to break into the industry or a Junior Administrator, where should you focus your efforts?
Below, I have created a plan of action, but first, let me summarize. There is SO much noise about AI and Salesforce Einstein features right now that it can feel overwhelming. You might be feeling a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) because it seems like everyone is talking about it or getting hands-on with AI.
This is simply not true! And, in all honesty, many people attempting to get hands-on with AI right now are making plenty of mistakes and are unaware of best practices. Slow and steady wins this race. Now is a great time to learn from everyone else’s mistakes and primarily follow thought leaders with experience.
It’s well known that when starting out with Salesforce, the sheer volume of information and study material can be staggering, and can prevent you from achieving your goals. Trailhead is wonderful, but how do you figure out which of the thousands of modules you should tackle first?
Instead of flitting from one badge to the next, it’s better to follow a set path, like the credential trails that Salesforce has created.
The short answer to “What does AI mean for entry-level Salesforce professionals?” is actually “not a lot (right now)”. Sorry to disappoint you! Without a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the Salesforce platform and how to customize it, you won’t make it very far in this industry. You’ve got to learn to walk before you can run, as the saying goes.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid AI completely. Here are my suggestions to embrace AI whilst also becoming an amazing Salesforce professional:
- Block out the noise: First up, try to block out all the AI noise. This will allow you to…
- Create a plan: Create a plan of action that documents the things you need to learn and stick to that plan.
- Focus on fundamental certifications: If you have little Salesforce experience, get your Associate certification first. If your goal is to be a Salesforce Admin, focus on studying towards your Salesforce Administrator certification. These certifications will give you a solid grounding in the fundamentals of Salesforce – essential for success.
- Pay attention to the tools available to you: It’s worth noting that not all AI tools will be available in all orgs or for free. Focus your learning efforts on the tools that will be available to you. You can check out the Salesforce Help article for a feature to understand who has access and discover any additional license requirements.
- Stay up to date: While it’s useful to block out the noise, it’s also important to stay up to date. Don’t spend a ton of time on AI features, unless they form part of your job. Checking out the release notes (try the SF Ben roundup for a condensed version) or reading the highlights from TDX and Dreamforce is more than sufficient.
- Use Trailhead to try out AI features: If you have extra time, and you’ve completed your fundamental studies (Associate or Admin), enjoy trying out the AI features using Trailhead. Although AI shouldn’t be your focus, it’s always fun to have a play on Trailhead.
- Take the AI Associate certification (optional): Assuming you’ve passed the Associate or Administrator certifications, you could opt to take the AI Associate to enhance your knowledge of AI and Salesforce AI features. But, don’t prioritize this over the fundamental certs!
Don’t allow all the noise to make you feel like you have to become an AI whizz overnight or feel as though everyone is using Salesforce’s new AI tools. They’re not! Many of these tools are still very new and not available to all Salesforce orgs. Most come at an additional cost, so I can promise you that a relatively small number of customers are currently using them.
Salesforce AI Tools
If you’d like to get to grips with the latest Einstein 1 Studio, check out our ultimate guide below.
We’ve also compiled a list of over 50 Einstein AI products and tools.
I would recommend taking a look at features such as Einstein Opportunity Scoring or Einstein Search, as most orgs have these tools included.
To make the most of the time you invest in learning about Salesforce AI features, follow the Trailhead modules below:
General AI Tools
There are many ways you can use AI tools such as ChatGPT to help your Salesforce career journey. One thing to note is that you should not put any proprietary information such as code or company data into these tools.
However, you could use ChatGPT to help you improve your resume, or even build your personal brand!
Resources
- Get Started with Einstein Copilot
- Get Started with Prompts and Prompt Builder
- 7+ Trailhead Badges for Learning AI
- Free Associate Practice Exams
- Administrator Course
- Administrator Practice Exams
- AI Associate Course + Practice Exams
Summary
For entry-level Salesforce professionals, the influx of AI may seem daunting, but it’s essential to focus on foundational knowledge before diving into advanced features. While Salesforce’s AI tools hold promise, they are not yet ubiquitous, and mastering the basics remains paramount.
By crafting a deliberate learning plan, prioritizing fundamental certifications, and selectively exploring AI features available within one’s organization, entry-level professionals can build a solid foundation while staying abreast of industry advancements.
Embracing AI should be a gradual process, complementing rather than overshadowing the journey to becoming a proficient Salesforce professional. With a strategic approach and a discerning eye on industry trends, entry-level practitioners can navigate the evolving Salesforce landscape with confidence and purpose.