In this episode Alyssa shares her shares her story on how she became a Salesforce professional.

In this follow-up episode, sisters Rebecca Youngquist and Nicole Looker delve deeper into their Salesforce journeys. They discuss the misconception that certifications are necessary to land a Salesforce job, with Rebecca sharing how she secured her first role before being certified.    The sisters offer valuable insights on how to stand out in a competitive job market, emphasizing the importance of translating existing skills to Salesforce roles and actively learning through platforms like Trailhead.   Nicole, now a CRM Manager, provides an overview of the various systems she works with beyond Salesforce, including HubSpot, LeanData, and Data Cloud. She shares her experience implementing Data Cloud in a startup environment and offers advice for those aspiring to get Data Cloud certified.   The sisters also discuss their upcoming presentation at Mile High Dreamin', revealing how they plan to share their unique story of growing up in a small town and finding success in the Salesforce ecosystem. They highlight the importance of mentorship, including the Salesforce mentorship program and the often-overlooked Salesforce for Military program for veterans.   Looking to the future, both Rebecca and Nicole express their interest in expanding their development skills, particularly in Apex. They conclude with valuable advice for those entering the Salesforce ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, building soft skills, and finding genuine enjoyment in the work rather than merely chasing high salaries.   This episode provides a wealth of practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to start or advance their career in the Salesforce ecosystem.   Contect with Rebecca Youngquist and Nicole Looker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-youngquist/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-looker/   Watch here - https://youtu.be/WIfv2tXhPSI

In this episode, we meet sisters Rebecca Youngquist and Nicole Looker, who have both found success in the Salesforce ecosystem. Nicole, with her background in finance and insurance, shares her journey of becoming an "accidental admin" and how she eventually transitioned into a product owner role. Rebecca, a former Navy nuclear engineer and instructor, explains how she pivoted to Salesforce after leaving the military, inspired by her sister's success.The sisters discuss their unique paths into Salesforce, the challenges they faced, and the skills that have helped them excel in their roles. They emphasize the importance of understanding both the front-end and back-end aspects of Salesforce, as well as the critical soft skills needed to succeed in the ecosystem.This episode offers valuable insights for anyone considering a career in Salesforce or looking to enhance their skills in the field. From the importance of visual learning to the key characteristics that make a great Salesforce professional, Rebecca and Nicole provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.Stay tuned for Part 2 of this conversation, coming next week!Contect with Rebecca Youngquist and Nicole Looker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-youngquist/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-looker/ Watch here - https://youtu.be/yR06s8kCItM

In this episode, we explore the  parallels between the evolution of Spider-Man and our own journey with emerging AI technologies. Just as Peter Parker navigates the challenges of discovering his superpowers, we too must navigate the unfamiliar terrain of AI and its capabilities. We delve into the importance of embracing a lifelong learning mindset, rapidly reskilling, and developing a strategic reserve of skills to stay relevant in an ever-evolving landscape. Join us as we discuss how the hero’s journey in both superhero tales and real life is marked by transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of making a difference.Watch here - https://youtu.be/5bIRNuCrIDQ

Become Skills-PoweredIn this episode, we dive into the Skills-Powered Advantage Framework, a revolutionary approach to professional development in the age of AI to become a Skills-Powered Practitioner. Discover how mastering the trifecta of Business Skills, Durable Skills (aka Soft Skills), and AI Skills can propel your career to new heights. You'll learn: Why these three skill areas are crucial in today's rapidly evolving job market How to approach each skill individually before combining them for maximum impact The importance of consistent practice and gradual skill integration The role of intent in guiding your skill development journey Whether you're looking to advance in your current role, switch careers, or launch a new project, this episode provides a roadmap for becoming a well-rounded Skills-Powered Practitioner. Tune in to discover how to transform your intent into insights, and ultimately, into career success. Don't miss this discussion on future-proofing your professional life, one skill at a time!Watch here - https://youtu.be/DQxOu87UgAE?source=urelevant

Episode 011 - How to Verify Your Skills for Skills-Based Organizations In this episode, we dive into the critical topic of skill verification for skills-based organizations. Claiming you have certain skills is one thing, but how do companies verify them? We explore Multi-Measure Testing (MMT), a holistic approach that evaluates a candidate's skills, personality, and suitability for a role through various assessments. We discuss why MMT is becoming a go-to method for skills verification, addressing the limitations of traditional hiring methods. MMT provides a more nuanced and accurate assessment, crucial in today’s skill-based economy. You'll learn about the different types of assessments involved in MMT, such as role-specific skills tests, work sample assignments, cognitive and personality assessments, and more. We also share tips on how you can thrive in an MMT screening process by understanding the role, preparing for skills-based tests, and developing your soft skills. Additionally, we talk about aligning yourself with skills-based organizations through lifelong learning, building a skills portfolio, and obtaining relevant certifications. For more insights, check out our free course on the Skills-Powered Advantage Framework at https://www.rapidreskill.com/skills-powered-advantage-framework-3747e4f7-0e02-4231-bd78-3c6c503c07c6  Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll discuss becoming a Skills-Powered Practitioner. Subscribe to our podcast to get notified when the next episode drops, and don’t forget to leave a review to add your voice to the conversation!Watch here - https://youtu.be/Yqc55dZn8n0?feature=shared

In this episode, we dive into the transformative shift in the job market towards valuing soft skills, now being recognized as "Durable Skills." Once dominated by technical proficiencies, today's top sought-after skills include communication, collaboration, and time management. This shift is driven by the realization that these skills have a longer shelf life and remain relevant despite rapid technological advancements. We explore the Durable Skills Advantage Framework, a partnership between CompTIA and America Succeeds, highlighting how these skills have become essential. Key findings include: Durable Skills make up 7 of the top 10 most requested skills in job postings. The top 5 Durable Skills are requested nearly 5 times more often than the top 5 technical skills. Leadership and communication are the most in-demand competencies. The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the importance of Durable Skills as remote work highlighted the need for communication, adaptability, and digital literacy. As technology continues to evolve, the demand for individuals with a strong foundation in Durable Skills will only increase.  

009 - The Future is Skills Powered! Will You Be?In this episode, we delve into becoming Skills Powered, essential for individuals and organizations. Discover how these approaches address the persistent skills gap by prioritizing tangible, measurable skills over traditional criteria like degrees and job titles.Explore how a skills-powered approach fosters a more diverse talent pool and promotes continuous learning, enabling employees to adapt to market changes and contribute based on their abilities. I share how forward-thinking businesses prioritize efficiency and leverage force multipliers, seeking advantages in both talent and tasks. Also discover how AI's pattern recognition capabilities can help build advantage frameworks for individuals and organizations.Whether you're focused on advancing your career or enhancing your company's performance, this episode will guide you through the evolving landscape of business. Watch here - https://www.urelevant.com/podcasts/urelevant/episodes/2148686250

In this final installment of our Attract, Attain, Retain series, we dive deep into the crucial topic of customer retention within CRM systems. Discover why retaining an existing customer is significantly more cost-effective than acquiring a new one and explore the pivotal role of Salesforce in facilitating customer service through case management. We delve into the concept of case deflection, self-service solutions, and the challenges of effective issue resolution. Learn about intelligent routing, support processes, and the ethical implications of AI in customer service. Join us as we explore how AI is revolutionizing CRM, enhancing productivity, and ultimately helping businesses retain customers by providing exceptional support. Don't miss this comprehensive discussion on how marketing, sales, and service intersect to create a seamless customer experience.Watch here - https://youtu.be/OXdSac-v5T0?feature=shared 

Episode 7Welcome to the second episode of our three-part series, "Attract, Attain, Retain," where we dive into the marketing, sales, and service lifecycle of any business relationship. In this episode, we shift our focus to the critical stage of attaining customers through effective CRM sales processes. Previously, we explored the importance of attracting attention to your brand, product, or service. If you haven't caught that episode yet, I encourage you to start there before continuing with this one. Today, we delve into the heart of sales: converting attracted leads into loyal customers. We discuss the key objects in Salesforce—Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities—and how they interconnect through the lead conversion process. We'll break down how lead data transitions into account and contact records, setting the stage for successful sales efforts. Discover the significance of opportunity stages and how they serve as milestones in your sales journey, increasing the probability of deal closure at each step. Learn how Salesforce’s flexible setup allows you to customize these stages to match your specific sales processes, whether you’re selling real estate, vehicles, or multi-million dollar infrastructure projects. Moreover, we’ll explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing sales. From auto-generating product descriptions and emails to predictive analytics and opportunity scoring, AI is reshaping how businesses operate within Salesforce. We'll discuss the potential of Salesforce’s AI platform, Einstein, to recommend next best actions and identify patterns that lead to successful deals. Finally, we'll touch on the future of CRM, where AI-driven automations and voice-prompted processes will streamline sales operations, making it easier and faster for businesses to thrive. Join us next week as we conclude this series by exploring the retention side of the lifecycle, focusing on how excellent customer service and AI advancements are transforming customer retention strategies. Don't miss out—subscribe now and stay tuned! Happy Learning and I'll see YOU In the Cloud!Watch here

Episode 6 - Part 1 - Attract, Attain, Retain  Attracting Attention through effective Marketing in CRM In this episode, we begin a three-part series on customer relationship management (CRM). This episode focuses on the "Attract" phase, discussing how businesses can draw attention to their brand, products, and services. Whether you're a business owner refining your marketing strategy or someone preparing for the Salesforce Administrator certification, this episode provides valuable insights. We explore the creation and management of campaigns, the importance of lead generation, and the role of AI in modern marketing efforts. Join us as we set the stage for understanding the full lifecycle of business relationships, starting with attracting potential customers. Resources: Salesforce Einstein Trust Layer - https://www.salesforce.com/artificial-intelligence/trusted-ai/ Explaining the Einstein Trust Layer Salesforce Video - https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/video/explaining-the-einstein-gpt-trust-layer/Watch here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUIEKIrq-N4cR669sWuaOw

There’s a new technological advancement brewing on the horizon - the Skills Graph. The Skills Graph follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Social Graph. Whereas Facebook mastered the social graph to dominance, the Skills Graph race has yet to be won. In this episode of Urelevant, I explore what the Skills Graph is and why it is important to your future career success. I dissect the differences between skills and talents. Also explored are adjacent skills, trending skills identification, skills assessments and a future where certifications reside on the blockchain! Recommended Resources: Rapid Reskill - https://rapidreskill.com

Yet 5 More Wright Brothers Principles for the AI Era Welcome to the final episode of our 3-part series on the Wright Brothers! In this captivating conclusion, we delve into how the Wright Brothers overcame relentless challenges and skeptics to change the world with their pioneering vision. Their journey from obscurity to international acclaim in France offers powerful lessons for navigating today's rapidly evolving AI landscape. Discover how the Wright Brothers' relentless pursuit of excellence, unwavering commitment to their principles, and ability to turn adversity into opportunity can help you pivot with purpose, 100x your productivity, and avoid the pitfalls of regret.  Join us as we explore the final five Wright Brothers principles that will inspire you to harness the transformative potential of AI, create a unique path to success, and soar to new heights in your career and personal development. Subscribe now, and let's embark on this remarkable journey together! Recommended Reading and Resources: The Wright Brothers - by David McCullough https://amzn.to/3xKIdq1 Slow Productivity - by Cal Newport https://amzn.to/3Jtwr5Y The Wizard of Menlo Park - by Randall E. Stross https://amzn.to/4aYvzCs  So Good They Can’t Ignore You - by Cal Newport https://amzn.to/4dr67XY  Van Gogh - The Complete Paintings - by Ingo F. Walther and Rainer Metzger  https://amzn.to/3JMzPcj  American Prometheus - by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin https://amzn.to/3UtkEK7  Affiliate Disclosure: The links above are most assuredly affiliate links, from which I may receive compensation.   Watch video here

In Episode 3 of the "Urelevant" podcast, "Doubters in Dayton," the series continues to explore the Wright Brothers' journey, focusing on principles 6 through 10 that guided their success amid widespread skepticism. This episode delves into the less celebrated aspects of their story, highlighting how the brothers overcame doubt and negativity from their community as they pursued their aviation experiments in Dayton, Ohio. These principles are discussed in the context of today’s challenges in adopting and advancing artificial intelligence. The episode emphasizes the relevance of the Wright Brothers' resilience and strategic approaches to innovation, which can be applied to navigating the modern AI landscape. By examining how they dealt with doubters and leveraged their own resources, listeners are encouraged to draw parallels to overcoming contemporary technological skepticism and barriers. "Doubters in Dayton" serves as an inspirational guide for those facing skepticism in the AI era, promoting a deeper understanding of how historical perseverance and innovation can inform and inspire current and future tech endeavors.  Readings and Resources: The Wright Brothers by George McCullough - https://amzn.to/3Ui0hiP  The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason - https://amzn.to/3whpAtp  Affiliate Disclosure: The links above are most assuredly affiliate links, from which I may receive compensation.

In Episode 2 of the "Urelevant" podcast, titled "Skeptics at Kitty Hawk," the focus shifts to the Wright Brothers and their pioneering first flight, an event that marked a significant breakthrough against prevailing skepticism. This episode examines how Orville and Wilbur Wright, through sheer perseverance and ingenuity, transformed a vision of powered flight into reality on December 17, 1903. Their success, initially met with indifference, underscores the often-lukewarm reception that groundbreaking innovations can receive.  The episode draws parallels between the challenges faced by the Wright Brothers and those encountered today in the realm of artificial intelligence. It highlights the importance of persistence and self-belief in the face of skepticism—traits essential for navigating the contemporary technological landscape. The episode introduces the "Wright Brothers Principles," a series of guidelines derived from the brothers' approach to innovation and risk-taking, applicable to anyone looking to make impactful advances in technology.  As the story unfolds, these historical insights serve as a backdrop for understanding the potential of AI and its transformative capabilities. The episode calls on listeners to consider these principles as a framework for their own ventures into new technologies, encouraging a proactive stance against the inevitable challenges and skepticism that accompany innovation. This exploration sets the stage for further discussion in upcoming episodes, continuing the series' examination of lessons from the past to inform future advancements.   Recommended Reading and Resources: The Wright Brothers - by David McCullough https://amzn.to/3xKIdq1 Slow Productivity - by Cal Newport https://amzn.to/3Jtwr5Y The Wizard of Menlo Park - by Randall E. Stross https://amzn.to/4aYvzCs  Affiliate Disclosure: The links above are most assuredly affiliate links, from which I may receive compensation.

In "Episode 1 - My Pivot Story" of the Urelevant podcast, Mike Wheeler shares his journey of career pivoting and adaptation, emphasizing the critical role of technological advancements and soft skills. Marking his birthday and the podcast's rebranding, he introduces "Rapid Reskill," a platform aimed at helping individuals navigate the AI-driven changes in the workforce. This episode weaves personal reflection with actionable insights for embracing the future of work.

Here is how I broke into the Salesforce ecosystem. I interview my first Salesforce boss, Kathleen Banashak. She shares why she hired me over those with more experience. I think this conversation provides invaluable insights as to how you too can overcome the most frequent objection in job interviews - 'not enough experience'. Kathleen Banashak on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-banashak-1983624/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Hannah Maruyama is a powerhouse communicator and a former student of mine. She got her start in the tech space by way of the Salesforce Administrator certification.It was a full-circle moment and a very fun interview to learn from her, discuss the #degreefree mission, and to share how she has blazed her Trail into new arenas. You don't need a degree (paper) to make six figures. Hannah discusses a myriad of approaches, as well as how she and her husband Ryan are helping "new adults" and their parents embrace the #degreefree paradigm, setting up the next generation for success and a fulfilling life where the job serves the life, rather than the other way around. Hannah's TikTok account is here  https://www.tiktok.com/@degreefree  Degree Free Website - https://degreefree.co Degree Free YouTube Channel -  https://www.youtube.com/c/degreefree   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Alyssa Lefebvre, Head of GTM at Aareon, stops by to discuss how to stand out in a crowded market, Rev Ops, CPQ and more. Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssamlefebvre/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this session, I discuss the rise of soft-skills in the age of AI, along with IBM's report that estimates that upwards of 1.4 billion people will need to reskill in the next 3 years because of AI. I also answer questions live in this recent webcast and discuss the inevitability of OpenAI creating Enterprise licenses of ChatGPT. Resources: https://www.examreadynow.com/courses for LIVE and On-Demand Salesforce Training ChatGPT Complete Course - https://www.udemy.com/course/chat-gpt/?referralCode=009763FC719BFD5D120E Rask (AI Video Translator and Editor) - https://app.rask.ai/?utm_source=affilate&via=mike-wheeler (yes - this is an affiliate link) IBM Report - Report https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/NGAWMXAK --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this episode, I am joined by best-selling author and Salesforce Thought-Leader Derek Davis. We discuss 10 ways to land your first Salesforce job without experience. Derek also discusses his best-selling Salesforce Career book, "Breaking Into Salesforce". Resources mentioned in this episode: Breaking Into Salesforce  - The Ultimate Guide to Building a High-Impact Career eBook $2.99 https://amzn.to/43TOFp8 Paperback $17.95 https://amzn.to/3qhouLd  Full Replay Here https://www.examreadynow.com/course/employmentality FREE 4-Week Live Salesforce Certified Associate Class https://www.examreadynow.com/course/associate-live Live & On-Demand Salesforce Courses https://www.examreadynow.com/courses --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Have you seen the Salesforce Admin Skills Kit? In this podcast episode, I run through  each of the 14 skills you need to take your Cloud Career to the next level! You will also discover ways to represent each of these skills on your resume. Join me as we work our way through all 14 skills. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Jake Erb caught my attention via a LinkedIn post, where he mentioned he was taking my #Salesforce Administrator course although he was already certified. I wanted to learn more about his study approach and pursuit for a stronger grasp on the fundamentals of the platform. Resources & Links: Live Salesforce Training - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist Mike Wheeler Media+ A NEW way to learn Salesforce (7 Day Free Trial) https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/ Salesforce Career Paths Course https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/salesforce-career-paths My website https://mikewheelermedia.com/ Jake Erb on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-erb-professional/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I had the opportunity to speak with the Chicago Salesforce Nonprofit User Group about getting a job in the Salesforce ecosystem.  In this clip, I share what I think the number one skill is for helping you land your first job in the Salesforce ecosystem.   I also discuss the importance of being able to execute on ideas - whether those ideas are your own, or someone else's.  With the simplicity of Salesforce, it is the go-to platform for making those ideas a reality in a short manner of time.   Many thanks to the Chicago Nonprofit User Group for having me! Resources: Video version of this episode - https://youtu.be/gDUpaErUoBo --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

On June 23, 2021, Salesforce updated the structure of their Certified Administrator Exam.  In this episode, I dissect the new exam guide and highlight the changes that have been made.   I have updated my Salesforce Self Assessment Checklist to reflect the new structure of the exam.  You can get that updated checklist here - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist  I have also updated my Salesforce Administrator On-Demand Course with several new lessons added, to also reflect the new structure of the exam. Go here for the updated on-demand course - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/new-admin  I have also updated my Live Salesforce Administrator Course to follow the new exam structure also. Go here for details on my Live class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live  Finally, I also made a multitude of updates to my 9-Week Challenge and Study Guide to follow the new exam structure. Go here for details on the Challenge and Guide - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/challenge  During this episode, I discuss an example of a junction object from my Career Launch Accelerator course, which is available at https://careerlaunchaccelerator.com    I also mention signing up for a Salesforce Developer Edition with Einstein Lead Scoring enabled, which is here - https://developer.salesforce.com/promotions/orgs/einsteinleadscoring  Here is the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/d8BCPkdkNr8 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I had the opportunity to visit with Jael Jones.    We discussed 'You Incorporated' - treating your career as your business.    Jael discussed her investment strategy of investing in herself and her career, which brings about the greatest return on investment.    As with all investment advice, you want to invest in businesses you are passionate about and believe in.  So, investing in yourself helps you to take this process seriously as well as to be taken seriously by others. Links: Career Launch Accelerator - https://careerlaunchaccelerator.com Video version of this video - https://youtu.be/aVTqnUxFerM Jael Jones' Website - https://jaeljones.com Jale Jones' LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaeljones/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I interview Vitaly Makarkin, who is breaking into the #Salesforce ecosystem after several years of working as a #CRM consultant in Russia. In this talk, we discuss the importance of always marketing your skills, service, experience, as well as having a portfolio. Resources: Video version of this interview - https://youtu.be/M1MTGX7pSBA Vitaly Makarkin LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/makarkinpro/ Vitaly's Website - https://hiresalesforcedev.com/ Vitaly's Blog - https://hiresalesforce.dev/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Here's a replay from a live show I held on May 4, 2021. The topic was '7 Levers to Overcoming Ageism in 2021' The idea for this topic came from one of my students who left a voice message for me regarding encountering ageism and to overcome it. In this podcast episode, I share the first two levers of the seven. You can continue the journey for levers three through seven by watching the full video version of this talk on YouTube here - https://youtu.be/JoiKStqYQOk If you have a question or comment for me, leave your message here https://anchor.fm/urelevant/message - you may be featured in an upcoming episode of Urelevant! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this interview, I visit with one of my students, Samuel Kephart, regarding his 10-year Cloud Career. From humble beginnings, Samuel shares his secrets to success, investing in his future and now enjoying a 550% salary increase. You can watch this interview here - https://youtu.be/R3YsEinZx08 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

This episode is the first section of my new course, called "Your Cloud Career Launch Action Plan". You can go to CareerLaunchActionPlan.com for the video companions to the audio of this episode, as well as 30 more minutes of the action plan. In this episode, I address the following topics: The Four Gatekeepers Blocking Your Salesforce Career Launch YOU Incorporated The Three Pillars of Every Business To What End? Action Plan Section Introduction Here are the topics you can access via CareerLaunchActionPlan.com Identifying Your Goals What is Your CTA? Always Be Marketing - Compelling Communication Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Conversion How Many Certifications Do You Need Before Interviewing? Virtuous Cycles and Feedback Loops What is Your USP? Take Yes for an Answer Portfolio Power Hour --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Julian Joseph is a Senior Member of Technical Staff, Quality Engineering (Education Cloud) with Salesforce.org.  We discuss Julian's journey to a Salesforce career, ultimately becoming a Salesforce employee.   We discuss the QA path as a viable option for Administrators looking to differentiate themselves. We also look ahead to where QA may be heading in the future.   Video version of this interview: https://youtu.be/EGw7cYo5UIs Julian's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Julian88Tex   Julian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliandjoseph/   Julian's Website: https://julianjoseph-developer-edition.na156.force.com/portfolio/s/   Salesforce UI Automation Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03PY9RUUqw   Janson Lantz's Salesforce Developer Podcast on CumulusCI: https://developer.salesforce.com/podcast/2020/06/episode-32-open-source-release-management-with-jason-lantz.html   Jason Lantz's Salesforce Way Podcast on CumulusCI: https://salesforceway.com/podcast/cumulusci-automation-tool/   CumulusCI Trail: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/trails/build-applications-with-cumulusci   Documentation on using Snowfakery with Salesforce: https://snowfakery.readthedocs.io/en/stable/#using-snowfakery-with-salesforce --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I so enjoyed my recent chat with Jennifer Borkovich. Jennifer is a Solution Architect for the The Hunley Group. She shares her background and experience, and how it played a pivotal role in her Salesforce Career. She reflects on her journey and how learning Salesforce has changed her life for the better. Jennifer provides a lot of great insights and tips that you can apply in your own cloud career journey. We discuss how to find Salesforce Partner companies that align with your own background and specific industry experience. Jennifer also shares information on a Safety app that she built on the platform. We discuss the new Manufacturing Cloud from Salesforce. We also visit the concept of niching down into a specific vertical in order to differentiate yourself. Video Segment from this Interview - https://youtu.be/Mq-nkTbEAT0 Full Interview Video - https://youtu.be/Lx9Kex7gOdI --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Attaining your first Salesforce certification is a great step in launching your cloud career. And the vast majority of people start with pursuing the Administrator certification, because it is there that you learn the fundamentals of the platform. Salesforce provides a wealth of free educational resources, primarily through Trailhead. But with that wealth of paths and options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start in gaining your certification. And many have found that they need more than just Trailhead in order to pass their certification exams. So I’m here to share my 5 simple steps to a Salesforce certification, to help you chart your own path to certified! Video version of this episode is here - https://youtu.be/ODr3IhHQ5rc Resources in this episode: Mike Wheeler Media+ - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist 9 Weeks to Salesforce Certified Challenge - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/challenge-signup Salesforce Administrator Practice Tests - https://www.udemy.com/course/salesforce-administrator-practice-tests/?couponCode=5YEARS Webassessor Admin Practice Tests - https://www.webassessor.com/wa.do?page=createAccount&branding=SALESFORCE Real World Salesforce Questions - YouTube Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ12axA2fmEA1t5GA3NQZE0nRkD1Io_h3 Career Launch Action Plan - https://careerlaunchactionplan.com Portfolio Power Hour - https://portfoliopowerhour.com Career Launch Accelerator - https://careerlaunchaccelerator.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live On-Demand Salesforce Training - Mike Wheeler Media+ https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist Episode Details: I interview Andrew Fischer, who got his start in the Salesforce ecosystem working alongside me at Mike Wheeler Media.  Andrew appeared in my first Salesforce course and went on to fail the Salesforce Administrator exam multiple times.   In this interview, Andrew shares his journey to eventually passing the exam, landing his next Salesforce role, passing the Dev I certification and more.   Watch for a flashback clip of ‘Young Andrew’ which we filmed before his second failed certification attempt back in March of 2016 @39:10.  This story is a case study in persistence and overcoming obstacles to a cloud career.   I discuss the emerging importance of finding the intersection of Attainable and Essential @28:24 We discuss Andrew’s college background @33:00 and his certifications @35:00 Here is the video version of this interview, available on YouTube here https://youtu.be/Z59PhFjfaF4 Andrew Fischer's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfischertn/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live On-Demand Salesforce Training - Mike Wheeler Media+ https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist Episode Details: In this interview, I learn more about Owen Leaman's background and journey to a Cloud Career. Owen had started college, but decided to try Salesforce. He has since gone on to attain 8 certifications and shares how he got his start, as well as where he's at today. Here is the video version of this interview, available on YouTube - https://youtu.be/dBafAdvTS6A Owen Leaman's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-leaman-a08068127/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live On-Demand Salesforce Training - Mike Wheeler Media+ https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist Episode Details: This goes way beyond a true proud-dad moment. I chat with my eldest son, and extraordinary Salesforce developer, Anthony Wheeler. We discuss how he pivoted from High School into a full-fledged career as a Salesforce developer. Anthony shares his own journey, and experiences with failing his first exam. We walk through his career progression and how he overcame obstacles along the way. Here is the video version of this interview, available on YouTube here https://youtu.be/jNlVEH4Wxu0 Anthony Wheeler's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-wheeler-98404a102/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I first met Stephanie Rhodes soon after she started her first Salesforce Administrator job at the age of 68. At that time, she mentioned wanting to work well into her seventies. I thought it was time to check in with Stephanie as she's approaching her three-year anniversary with a Fortune-500 company.  Stephanie shares how she overcame her own doubts in coming out of a 14-year retirement. You can connect with Stephanie on Twitter and LinkedIn. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

This is the third installment in my three-part episode series, where I cover the 6 fundamentals to getting Salesforce certified and hired in 2021. In this episode, I cover the fifth and sixth fundamentals that will be keys to your success in 2021! Resources: Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist Mike Wheeler Media+ (New Admin On-Demand Course for 2021) - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

This is the second installment in my three-part episode series, where I cover the 6 fundamentals to getting Salesforce certified and hired in 2021. In this episode, I cover the third and fourth fundamentals that will be keys to your success in 2021! Resources: Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Salesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklist Salesforce Bootcamp Series - Make Your Own Experience - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/bootcamp Monika Crooks Interview - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/videos/monika-crooks --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

This is the first installment in a three-part episode series, where I cover the 6 fundamentals to getting Salesforce certified and hired in 2021. In this episode, I cover the first two fundamentals that will be keys to your success in 2021! Resources: Live Salesforce Certified Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Mike Wheeler Media+ - http://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

This episode is coming out during Thanksgiving week, 2020. It just so happens to coincide with the five year anniversary of when we started filming my first Salesforce course. A lot has happened and changes over these past five years. From that first class, which eventually released in March of 2016, to now, we have launched Salesforce bootcamps, our own learning platform of Mike Wheeler Media+, this podcast and a Live Salesforce Q&A Call In Show. Along the way, we've had the opportunity to spend time with over 130,000 students across 174 countries. All I can say is THANKS! This episode includes several clips from those that called into my first live Salesforce Q&A show. I have selected these clips because they are the recurring theme of fighting overwhelm, overcoming the imposter syndrome, where to start and where to go next. I hope you enjoy the episode and thank you for investing your time with me. Here's to the next five years. Resources: Salesforce Live Q&A Call In Show - http://mikewheelermedialive.com Mike Wheeler Media+ https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com Salesforce Certification Maintenance Schedules - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/help?article=Certification-Release-Maintenance-Schedule Charting Your Salesforce Certification Path - https://mikewheelermedia.com/charting-your-salesforce-certification-path/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I recently went live on my Salesforce Q&A show (register to attend future shows and watch replays here - http://mikewheelermedialive.com) and discussed the NonProfit Success Pack (NPSP).  You can gain experience to put on your resume and to build out your portfolio by volunteering for a non-profit organization.   In this clip, I do a deep dive on a lot of NPSP resources, the Household data model and more.  I also discuss Salesforce's 1-1-1 model as well as how to receive 10 free subscriptions to the Nonprofit Success Pack for eligible organizations. I also shared a free Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud course which you can access here -  Resources:  Video version of this clip: https://youtu.be/wwlsvrDHhTo Free Course: Nonprofit Cloud Success – https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/salesforce-bootcamp-part-8-nonprofit-cloud-success-npsp  Nonprofit Community Groups - https://trailblazers.salesforce.com/featuredGroups?filter=a0L3000000SDIsaEAH  Taproot - https://www.taprootplus.org/opportunities?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Bkeyword%5D=salesforce&search%5Bscope%5D=all&search%5Btype%5D=all&search%5Bsort_by%5D=recent  Catchafire - https://www.catchafire.org/volunteer?name_filter=salesforce&page=1  NPSP Latest Install - https://install.salesforce.org/products/npsp/  What is the Household Account Model? - https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/NPSP-What-is-an-Account-Model  NPSP Entity Relationship Diagram - https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sfdo-docs/npsp_entity_relationship_diagram.pdf  Nonprofit Success Pack Trial - https://www.salesforce.org/trial/npsp/  Administer Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Trail - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/trails/nonprofit_fundraising Salesforce.org 1-1-1 Model - https://www.salesforce.org/pledge-1/ 10 Free Salesforce NPSP Licenses - https://www.salesforce.org/?nonprofit_product=nonprofit-editions-pricing#:~:text=Salesforce.org%20is%20proud%20to,Sales%20%26%20Service%20Cloud%20Enterprise%20Edition --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this episode, I answer a question from Julie Ann regarding FinancialForce and Salesforce’s Financial Services Cloud.  I used her question as a jumping off point to demonstrate how you can take any industry and find a lot of resources for learning that specific industry’s cloud solution on the Salesforce platform. I also demonstrate how to find companies that are using Salesforce in that industry as well as finding job leads and implementation guides. I even covered how to install and gain experience on the Financial Services Cloud, or whichever other industry cloud you are interested in. Along the way, I shared several resources during this segment from my live Office Hours show. Resources: Video version of this episode - https://youtu.be/GXVPeQY0RlQ Register for Free Office Hours Show - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zI1VigBIR0qnxOB54ETU_A Industry Cloud - https://www.salesforce.com/solutions/industries/financial-services/overview/ AppExchange by Industry - https://appexchange.salesforce.com/consulting Financial Services Cloud Admin Guide - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.financial_services_cloud_admin_guide.meta/financial_services_cloud_admin_guide/fsc_admin.htm Trailhead Financial Services Cloud Basics - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/fsc_basics Financial Services Cloud Specialist Superbadge - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/superbadges/superbadge-fsc-specialist Download the Financial Services Cloud package - https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=000323341&type=1&mode=1 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I recently launched my weekly Live Salesforce Q&A Call In Show. I fielded roughly a dozen questions from the audience and also shared about Dreamforce 2020. In this episode, we will hear from Marcos and Tetyana. Marcos wanted to share that he was hired back in July at $43/hr. as a Salesforce admin, working from Mexico for an American company. Tetyana asked how to chart he path from being Admin certified to getting into Data Analytics on Salesforce. We discuss a few of the Architect certifications and how to niche down in order to advance her cloud career. Resources: Mike Wheeler Media+ - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com Salesforce Office Hours - Weekly Call-In Show - http://mikewheelermedialive.com Dreamforce video clip - https://youtu.be/nBeyEgZRgX0 Dreamforce Registration - https://www.salesforce.com/dreamforce/ Marcos on Video - https://youtu.be/khdHt_yc8eI Tetyana on Video - https://youtu.be/xGnWrIm21qM --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

It's Election 2020, and what could be a bigger election than that of my local HOA? This year, I am running for a position on our Home Owner's Association Board, and I am using Salesforce to rock the vote! In this episode, I discuss how I am using Salesforce to help me to (hopefully) win a seat on our local HOA board. I also share ways that you can leverage Salesforce to build apps for yourself to use, such as an HOA Management app, as well as many other app examples. Resources: Live Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Free Salesforce Account - https://developer.salesforce.com/signup IMDb Clone App via Platform App Builder Course - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/salesforce-certified-platform-app-builder Stephanie Rhodes Interview - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/videos/stephanie-rhodes Make Your Own Experience - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/salesforce-bootcamp-part-1-make-your-own-success --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Salesforce has recently acquired Vlocity and rebranded it Salesforce Industries Cloud. Resources: Live Salesforce Training Class with Mike Wheeler - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/live Vlocity Website - https://vlocity.com/ Salesforce Industries Summit - https://salesforce-industries-summit.splashthat.com/VlocityWebsite Salesforce Acquires Vlocity Press Release - https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/vlocity-powering-the-future-of-salesforce-industries/ List of Industries - https://www.salesforce.com/solutions/industries/ Video Version of this Episode - https://youtu.be/7v14AFdNVpE --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

This is a continuation from last week, where we looked at 10 App ideas you can build for your own Salesforce App Portfolio. In this episode, I primarily focus on how you can distribute your apps in order to share your work with the world. When you are tasked with creating any application on the Salesforce platform, you need to ask these 6 questions: Who (are your users?) What (problem are you trying to solve? Singular focus) When (do things need to happen? Automation Options) Where (are my users? Mobile? Desktop? Lightning? Classic?) How (am I going to build this? How do I share these apps?) Why (am I building this app portfolio?) Resource: A Guide to Sharing Architecture - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.dat.meta/dat/dat_components.htm --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Now it is more important than ever to have a Salesforce App Portfolio. This is useful to exhibit your skills and experience on the platform. In this episode, I share with you ten different apps you can build for your own portfolio. Next week, for Part 2, I will share how you can distribute your portfolio and build your personal brand. References: Mike Wheeler Media+  http://mikewheelermediaplus.com Create a Salesforce App in 12 Minutes - https://youtu.be/M462r41Ydow --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this week's episode, we draw inspiration from a Western Anthology by the Coen Brothers - The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. In the 'Forever Gold Mountain' chapter, we meet two different type of people and how they react to identifying oppotunity. The Prospector The Skunk In the Salesforce ecosystem, you will also find two types of individuals - those that are willing to put in the work and earn their rewards, and then you will also find lazy, talentless hacks that resort to using Salesforce Exam Dumps and cheating their way to certification. This episode is my attempt to provide a cautionary tale as to why you should earn your certifications instead of trying to fake it 'til you make it and resorting to utilizing exam dumps. Resources: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - https://www.netflix.com/watch/80200267 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Salesforce recently had their latest earnings call and revealed that their revenue grew 29% compared to the same quarter last year.  Salesforce was also recently welcomed into the Dow Jones Industrial Average. They are now one of only thirty companies in the world with that honor and distinction. In this episode, in light of these amazing results, I discuss just how well Salesforce is positioned to weather these uncertain times. I also discuss the various paths available to you in fashioning your own cloud career with Salesforce as the vehicle to get you there. Resources: Seeking Alpha Article - https://seekingalpha.com/article/4371546-cloud-stocks-way-to-go-salesforce Salesforce Added to Dow Jones Industrial Average - https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/31/investing/salesforce-dow/index.html Salesforce Career Paths on Trailhead - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/career-path --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this interview, I chat with Monika Crooks https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikacrooks/   Monika shares her journey into a Cloud Career by learning Salesforce, attaining multiple certifications, attending Dreamforce, studying Trailhead, and more.  Monika shares how she landed a job in the Salesforce ecosystem making a six-figure salary! This is a journey that took her less than a year and a half and led to an increase of over $50k more per year. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this episode, we learn about the Luddites and their war against the machines that threatened their livelihoods some 200 years ago. We find that the more things change, the more they remain the same, as we find modern-day Luddites resisting the onslaught of automation and AI in the 4th Industrial Revolution. The answer is to pivot early (and likely often) when faced with uncertainty and the inevitable changes that life and the marketplace always bring. In this quest of finding the intersection of attainable and essential, I discuss how to get started in learning the fundamentals of key cloud technologies that can help you find relevance in the economy of now. Resources: Luddite History - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite 4th Industrial Revolution - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Industrial_Revolution Mike Wheeler Media+  https://mikewheelermediaplus.com Trailhead by Salesforce - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Prior to COVID-19, it was the best of times and it was the best of times for Salesforce professionals. Jobs were plentiful and the supply vs. demand ratio was tilted in the favor of the talent. But we now find ourselves in the Next Normal, stumbling into the 4th Industrial Revolution, and faced with record unemployment. In this episode, I explore how to respond to the hardships we find ourselves facing today in the Salesforce ecosystem. I discuss the necessity of building a portfolio, growing where you are planted and making your own experience. Resources: Leave a Voice Message for Mike - https://anchor.fm/urelevant/message Free Salesforce Account - https://developer.salesforce.com/signup Create a Mileage Tracker App in 12 Minutes - https://youtu.be/M462r41Ydow Bootcamp Courses (includes 6 apps for your portfolio) - https://learn.mikewheelermedia.com/bootcamp --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

Every successful business must master the three pillars of business: Marketing Sales Service In this episode, I explain how to apply these three pillars to your own career. These three pillars of business can be equated to: Attract Attain Retain We look at practical steps you can take to attract attention, attain jobs. We finally discuss how to retain jobs while looping  back into the marketing side of this process to expand your footprint, visibility and unearth new opportunities...whether you are currently employed or not. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this episode, I am very excited to share the story of Cooper Pond. Cooper shares his story of how he went from being homeless, to landing a job with a company that used Salesforce. He started out as an end-user of Salesforce. But over time, Cooper discovered that there was a lot to learn and work on the back-end of Salesforce. Through hard work, study and dedication, Cooper eventually passed his Administrator Certification and landed a job as a Salesforce Administrator. You will want to listen to this inspiring Salesforce success story. Leave a Voice Message - By leaving a message, you agree to potentially being featured in an upcoming episode. Resources: Mike Wheeler Media+ Full Interview Video with Cooper Pond --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

I have sprinkled several different analogies from life and film into this episode. We cover various topics, such as: Check Your Blindspots Your Goals are Closer than They Appear Embrace Your Past to Inform Your Future Avoid Distracted Driving Towards 'You 2.0' Finding Your Super-Power Career-Scaffolding Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Find Something New – Ad Council Video Ad - https://youtu.be/gAlIYTh76ak One of my students, Aaron McGriff, is featured prominently in this ad campaign. I first interviewed Aaron a couple of years ago, and here’s a clip on how he found something new - https://youtu.be/j0oEC8sFidU In Aaron’s journey, he quickly went from passing a certification to landing his first Salesforce job - https://youtu.be/h5KdBm8mpws Sunk Cost Definition on Investopedia - https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sunkcost.asp Deep Work by Cal Newport - https://amzn.to/2CNlOMA Leave a Message Link - https://anchor.fm/urelevant/message Ask a question or leave a comment (1 minute limit) to potentially be featured in an upcoming episode. By leaving a message, you are giving me permission to share your voice with the world. Also, please share your name and where you are joining us from in the voice message as well! I further expound on the concept of Career Scaffolding in the article ‘Make Your Dent in the Universe’ on LinkedIn · https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/make-your-dent-universe-mike-wheeler/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message

In this inaugural episode , I discuss what it means for YOU to find relevance in the economy of NOW...which is finding Urelevance. In this episode, I cover the following topics: What is Urelevant? How to Pandemic Proof Your Career Finding the Intersection of Attainable and Essential Three Types of Salesforce Jobs The Start of the 4th Industrial Revolution Remote Life Has FINALLY Crossed the Chasm Into the Mainstream (and the burgeoning irrelevance of the 'On-Site Mafia') Pivoting from a Consumer to a Creator Artisan Life - Your Work is Your Art (if you wish to succeed) There's a few things I reference in this episode, such as the book 'Crossing the Chasm' by Geoffrey A Moore.  I also reference a quote from Mary Kay, which is more accurately quoted as the following, "Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless". Also mentioned in this episode is my learning platform, Mike Wheeler Media+ I reference a couple of tools that make creating easier: Kartra and Wordpress I also discuss a recent study that found that 37% of jobs can now be performed remotely. Please subscribe, share and review this podcast, wherever you may be listening. You can also send me a message or ask a question to potentially be featured in a future episode! Happy listening! Mike Wheeler --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/urelevant/message