“Don’t be afraid to show your true colors. Embrace your “feminine traits” or values–such as selflessness, empathy, collaboration, flexibility, and patience.”
Salesforce stands behind the largest and best-known cloud-based platform for CRM solutions. They offer cloud-based applications for sales, service, marketing, and more.
Salesforce has already been numerous times awarded by the Forbes magazine as the most innovative company in the world. They offer many apps and add-ons to customise your CRM as much as possible. One of these apps is also Nicereply.
You can easily integrate Nicereply with Salesforce and enjoy different distribution options and many benefits.
Salesforce is also known for their emphasis on building strong communities and sharing useful information and tips throughout the entire Salesforce community.
There are many inspiring people working with Salesforce who share their knowledge and experience and are important part of this community. Therefore we’ve prepared series of interviews with Salesforce influencers to get you closer to this CRM platform.
Amy Oplinger
- Salesforce MVP
- 5x Certified Freelance Consultant
- Women in Tech and Nonprofit User Group Leader
- Dreamforce Speaker
- Skilled in all aspects of Salesforce Administration for SMB
- Proficient in evaluating/recommending 3rd Party Solutions and/or AppExchange packages based on project needs
You are very active on social media and constantly try to engage your followers into your posts. Why do you think it’s important to be active on these platforms and what is the key to success on social media from your point of view?
Believe it or not, I actually hated Twitter before I entered Salesforce as a career! I only joined because I was told it was where I could connect with others in the Industry, so that is what I did! Looking back, it was really the best thing I ever did for my career, as I was able to quickly connect and learn from Salesforce leaders like Chris Duarte, Melissa Van Dyke, Kristi Guzman and Steve Molis, plus build connections across the world that I would not have otherwise been able to establish.
I feel that Social Media is very important for not only sharing information, but for building diverse relationships across the Salesforce Ohana. I think the key to social media success is to be true to who you are; find your own voice and share it. People respond to authenticity, and you will make some amazing connections as a result!
In one interview you said that it is important find your voice, and engage with the community to make YOUR path. But how exactly should people do this? What are the simple steps, or things to do, to start a journey to becoming MVP?
I will admit, it did take me awhile to figure out my own voice. I spent most of my first few months emulating people to whom I looked up, and I see others doing this as well. You create an impression on social media, and that should match who you are as a person, not emulating others.
It took awhile for me to understand that I have a point of view, and people want to hear it. For me, finding my own voice was just a natural progression as I got more comfortable in the Salesforce Ohana. You create an impression on social media, and that should match who you are as a person.
As for the MVP bit, this is probably the question I get asked the most. My answer is always the same: there is no path. MVP is an aspiration, and a lovely title, but earning it is not a calculated series of steps. Be yourself, follow your passion and the accolades and perks will naturally follow.
What is your favourite thing to do in Salesforce and why?
My favourite thing to do in Salesforce is PROCESS BUILDER! I not only love the ease with which Admins can automate processes, but how they can also see a visual representation of their process. It’s a great timesaver for most businesses.
Do you have any advice for achieving success as a woman in business?
I delivered a session with Stuart Edeal at Midwest Dreamin 17 titled, “Be Bold! Be YOU! Leading Like a Woman In A Man’s World.” In that session, we discussed the following tips to succeed:
- Being open and honest about your emotions, values and fears is the best way to engage modern audiences. So don’t be afraid to show your true colors — most people will like you for it.
- Develop and nurture your natural leader. Embrace your “feminine traits” or values–such as selflessness, empathy, collaboration, flexibility, and patience.
- You don’t have to emulate male leaders. Reject “masculine notions” of control, aggression, and black-and-white thinking that underlie many of our business, political, and social structures.
- Get allies. Men who are in powerful positions and are able/willing to support you in your journey are important.
- Be a role model. Be accessible and willing to help lift other women up.
You are proficient in evaluating/recommending 3rd Party Solutions and/or AppExchange packages. Our integration, Nicereply, is focused on small and medium sized businesses. How would you rate our app for this segment?
I would install on my dev org and play around with it to get a good understanding of its capabilities.
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