Apttus

Apttus, the category defining Quote-to-Cash solution provider, is excited to engage with our customers and partners at #DF16.  We are known for going BIG at Dreamforce, but we hope to exceed expectations this year. Apttus is a Titanium sponsor, as well as the official sponsor of the Welcome Reception, Dreamforce Lunches, AppBash and the West Hall DJ booth. We’ll feature our Quote-to-Cash solutions in booth #915, E-Commerce solution in booth #309 and our X-Author solution in #308.  You’ll also see us in the Salesforce.org Lodge, the Partner Lodge, DevZone, Admin Meadow, and Lightning Lookout .

We’ll be showcasing Max, one of the only Intelligent Agents for Quote-to-Cash. For those that visit our booth for a demo, schedule a meeting with us, or attend one of our sessions, we’ll be giving away a trip around the world ($25,000 value) live during our Super Session “Intelligent Quote-to-Cash: The Outcome-Based Approach To Transforming Your Business.”

We’ve put a luggage tag in every Dreamforce 16’ conference bag, be sure to display those on your backpacks for a chance to win prizes. Learn more at apttus.com/dreamforce. Happy Dreamforce!

Bio: Maria Pergolino

Maria is SVP of Global Marketing at Apttus, the category-defining Quote-to-Cash solution provider.  There she is responsible for go-to-market and sales development activities at Apttus.  She has been to over 10 Dreamforce events and was one of the first 500 Salesforce Certified Admins, still holding this designation.

CallidusCloud

Cutting Beyond the Clouds to Choose the Right Sales and Marketing Solution Everyone wants to drive better results from their sales and marketing organizations. And everyone wants to drive a Porsche. By talking to CallidusCloud at Dreamforce® 2016, you could satisfy both desires in a single visit! After three straight years of decline in average quota attainment in the industry, it's time to shake things up. Hear from three business leaders who are overcoming the trend, driving their teams to profitable growth, and turning customers into fans along the way. You will hear how to use incentives to drive winning selling behavior, equip your team with the answers to the tough questions in the field, and take a customer-centric approach to your tech stack. They’ll share secrets for making great technology decisions for sales and marketing that gives your teams powerful, connected tools that effortlessly share data and actively promote alignment between sales/marketing, leading directly to more dollars in the pipeline, bigger deals, better win rates and larger margins. See our session 3 Ways to Make Your Sales Teams Great Again, and learn to drive better results. Then stop by Booth #1215 for a chance to win a Porsche*!

Author Bio: CallidusCloud’s Director of Content Marketing, Chris Bucholtz, writes a column for CRM Buyer and has covered 10 consecutive Dreamforce conferences.

1. Watch Dreamforce ‘16 from Anywhere with Salesforce LIVE

Do you have Dreamforce FOMO (fear of missing out)? Never fear, Salesforce LIVE is here with an incredible lineup of livestreamed keynotes, sessions, exclusive interviews and more. This blog post has the full schedule of the daily streams all throughout the week. Read it here.

2. It’s a Beautiful Day: The Dreamforce 1016 Dreamfest

Planning on joining us at the Cloud Palace to see the one and only U2 rock the house to benefit UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals? Read this blog post first to get all of the details and tips for making the most of the show!

3. How Compassion and Mindfulness are Changing Dreamforce

This year for the first time we’ve designated an entire day for Compassion Day at Dreamforce. Friday includes some incredible sessions, but we’ve also incorporated the ethos of mindfulness throughout the whole week. Learn more about what to expect - read the blog post.

4. Download the Dreamforce Events Mobile App for the Best Dreamforce Experience

The key to an amazing Dreamforce is the right tools in the palm of your hand. Use the Dreamforce app to navigate the campus and get questions answered right away. See more of what the app has to offer - read the blog post!

5. Top Running and Hiking Routes During Dreamforce

Dreamforce is one crazy week. Between the keynotes, happy hours, parties, and packed schedules, it can be hard to stay on track with your health and fitness goals and take a moment to breathe. Schedule some time for one of these hikes or a lunchtime run to make the most of your time in beautiful San Francisco. Check out the best trails here.

6. 7 Customer Experiences that You Can’t Miss at Dreamforce

Dreamforce is all about learning - what better way to learn about how to make the most of Salesforce than by hearing from our incredibly innovative customers? At the Salesforce Campground you can hear from how customers like Chevrolet, Farmers Insurance, Coca-Cola, and more are succeeding with Salesforce. Learn more, read the post.

7. 10 Must-See Product Experiences in the New Salesforce Campground

With over 72 product demos and 288 workshop sessions, there’s something for everyone in the Salesforce Campground. Read this blog post to see what products you can get hands-on with at Dreamforce.

8. 7 Ways Dreamforce is Focusing on Diversity and Equality

At Dreamforce, thousands of the brightest minds gather at the epicenter of technology innovation. This is an opportunity to spotlight the learnings from top thought leaders, today’s change-makers, foster conversations, and take action. Here’s what you can expect - read the blog post.

9. 22 Amazing Dreamforce Facts, 22 Days to Dreamforce

We’re now a lot fewer than 22 days away, but these facts are still amazing! Brush up on your Dreamforce trivia by reading this post.

10. Dreamforce: Equality Through Accessibility

We’ve been hard at work identifying features, modifications, and processes to ensure that all Dreamforce Trailblazers, regardless of ability, have an incredible experience. Read more to see the exciting accessibility experiences offered at Dreamforce this year.

11. Giving Back: The Heart and Soul of Dreamforce

Dreamforce is an opportunity for Salesforce to bring the company’s philanthropic spirit to life. In fact, Dreamforce is actually the largest nonprofit technology conference in the world. Check out all of the different opportunities to get involved and give back during the week. Read the post. 

12. Trail Maps: Discover Your Four Perfect Days at Dreamforce

With thousands of sessions, amazing keynotes, and so much more, you can blaze your trail at Dreamforce tailored specifically for your role and industry. Use trail maps to discover your four perfect days at Dreamforce - check them out. 

13. 9 Apps You Need to Get the Most Out of Dreamforce

So you’ve got the Dreamforce mobile app, but what else do you need on your phone to make the most of all four days? Check out this list.

14. It’s Back! Announcing the Second Annual Dreamforce Women and Equality Summit

This year, we are excited to take the conversation at the Women and Equality Summit to the next level, by raising awareness around equality, and the business drivers for diversity and inclusion. See what’s on the day’s agenda.

15. Read These 6 Books By Dreamforce Speakers

Inspired by the incredible lineup of Dreamforce speakers? Keep the learning going by picking up one of these six books from speakers, including Congressman John Lewis, Billie Jean King, Lilly Ledbetter, and Tony Robbins. Read the post.

Let’s get ready for the best Dreamforce yet, Dreamforce ‘16 is almost here!

The Dreampark

In the middle of the campus, on Howard Street, is one of the most magical places at Dreamforce — the Dreampark! We’re hosting non-stop fun on the Dreampark all week long, including awesome bands, live karaoke, airstreams, opportunities to volunteer, and games.

After the huge success of the past three years of the Dreamforce Music Festival, we are continuing to provide awesome musical entertainment during the conference. The Dreampark on Howard Street will have outstanding live music on two separate stages — The 4th Street Accenture Stage and the 3rd Street Dreamforce Stage. We are so excited to announce the addition of amazing artists and bands to the Dreamforce 2016 lineup.

Dreampark Music Festival Schedule

Tuesday, October 4

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Alison Branch

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. LT Smooth

Born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand,  LT Smooth spent many years of his life doing drugs and alcohol, and running from the law and the people that loved him most. He has been  eighteen years sober now, and would not change a thing. His music has changed his life, his lyrics a journey through the struggles he has conquered. He uses his music  to help, encourage, heal, and to mend what we go through in life.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Teja Gerkin

Born in Germany in 1970, Teja Gerken began his journey on the guitar at the age of six and became a serious student of the instrument after his family moved to California in the mid '80s. An active participant in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area acoustic music scene, Teja is a regular performer at many of the region's venues. A firm believer in creating community, he hosts a monthly acoustic guitar showcase (currently at Fairfax's Sleeping Lady ) which features both established and emerging players. Teja also frequently introduces international talent to Bay Area audiences.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Boca Mundial

Led by charismatic vocalist Alexa Weber Morales, Boca Mundial is a “flamboyantly multilingual” (San Jose Mercury News) jazz band freely mixing infectious traditions including salsa, bolero, samba and funk. The dynamic salsa dancer and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter leads the vibrant Boca Mundial through creative sets of Spanish, French, Portuguese, English, and even Italian jazz. “With a voice sweet, pure and strong, Alexa Weber Morales is poised to ride the Bay Area Latin jazz scene to national recognition.” (San Francisco Chronicle). Boca Mundial includes Ami Molinelli, percussion; Jonathan Alford, piano; Colin Douglas, drums; and Sam Bevan, bass.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Klipptones

From instrumental jazz to full on party mode, The Klipptones are the perfect soundscape. Their rep spans 40's Sinatra-style swing, blues, 50's/60's rock & roll, and pop classic twists ala Postmodern Jukebox (including a few mash-ups) that Dreamforce attendees will die for. They have  even opened for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy! They perform regularly around the Bay Area and our musicians are some of the finest, having played with the likes of James Moody, Wynton Marsalis, Ernie Watts, Mary Wilson, Ritchie Cole, Diane Witherspoon, Peter Erskine, Wycliffe Gordon and many more.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Chris Clouse Project

Chris Clouse is a man of many hats and a true musician at his core.  From his early beginnings of being a competition fiddle player to now, he has crossed genres, written and recorded numerous albums, shared stages with the likes of Johnny Cash, The Flaming Lips, The Beach Boys, Gorgon City, Miike Snow, The War On Drugs and Kaskade.  Writing songs has always been at the heart of Chris's music but he was driven to provide something new to the people that came to see him.  Using technologies such as Ableton Live he was able to bring his original music to an intensity unique to electronic music.  He honed this sound with a 2 year running show at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Apex & The Limits

Apex & the Limits is a band made up of current Salesforce MVPs. They produce parody songs and original compositions to give back the community they hold so dear. Want to know more about the band? Check out their blog post: Why A Band?

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Embarassonics

The Amazing Embarrassonic Human Karaoke Machine is an interactive rockstar fantasy experience that allows you to front a real, live, 3 piece rock band. They've got guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, a stage and a repertoire of over 500 songs, but without you they are nothing but a crappy jazz/fusion instrumental headache. So read over the song list, pick a song you’re familiar with and sign up to sing with the Amazing Embarrassonic!

Wednesday, October 5:

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 am. LT Smooth

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum lives for a good time, and a mindful recklessness settles in whenever these five guys step on stage. No matter where they are, the group’s onstage chemistry fuels the love-fest that is a live Butter show. Rooted in the trajectory of west coast bluegrass, Hot Buttered Rum plays what has been described as California’s own acoustic music.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Forever (Michael Jackson Tribute Band)

Since 2009, Foreverland has been mesmerizing audiences around the country with their larger-than-life tribute to the one and only Michael Jackson. Featuring four dynamic vocalists, a powerhouse rhythm section, and the hardest working horn section in the biz, Foreverland recreates hits from the Jackson 5 era through the end of Michael’s incredible career in a way that honors the King of Pop’s musical genius and legendary showmanship like no other tribute band has ever done.

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Chum

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. DJ Mancub

Chip Corwin, (a.k.a.) DJ Mancub, is one of San Francisco's premiere DJs. Mancub delivers a one-two punch, using authentic boxing gloves during his performance. He is the only DJ in San Francisco to use such a peculiar technique. Expect a T.K.O.! Chip represents the world famous Space Cowboys and Sleevin Records (www.sleevin.com) in San Francisco and for the last 4 years he as been one of the top vote-getters in Nitevibe's San Francisco DJ Dream Team poll (along with Mark Farina, Miguel Miggs, Bassnectar, Fred Everything, Smoove, M3 and David Harness).

Thursday, October 6:

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kendra McKinley

Kendra McKinley perceives a song like a painter views a blank canvas: an opportunity to expand an audience’s mind, to wash their thoughts in brilliant hues of blue and violet, scarlet reds and effusive orange. Inspired by the past but not chained to it, McKinley’s music spans the diverse spectrum of pop music. She echoes the intricate vocal arrangements crafted by Brian Wilson, fractures the narrow definitions of a genre like St. Vincent, and recognizes storytelling as the key aspect of a great tune the way the best singer-songwriters have for generations.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. LT Smooth

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Brass Magic

Instead of the traditional New Orleans Second Line brass band approach that their instrumentation would suggest, Brass Magic merges hip-hop, rock, R&B, soul, world music, and electronic dance music into a contemporary sound that brings audiences to their feet. Started in 2010 by trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden, Brass Magic originally existed as a casual assemblage of musician friends to play Lubin-Laden’s compositions at house parties in the Bay Area. With a move to Brooklyn and recruitment of classmates from The New School to perform around New York City, the band developed solid performance experience and a fiery book of originals. Moving back to the West Coast and settling in Oakland in 2013, Brass Magic have developed a hard-won following for their raucous live shows around the Bay Area at night clubs and impromptu busking gigs on city streets.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.The Ceremonies

The Ceremonies is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. The Ceremonies’ sound has been described as ‘80s New Wave nostalgia meets cutting-edge alternative rock. The three members, brothers Matthew Cook (age 23), Mark Cook (age 21), and Michael Cook (age 21), formed the band in 2010. They did not, however, release any music until late 2012.[1] They are now managed by Troy Carter (Lady Gaga, John Legend). The band is the first artist signed to the joint label between Atom Factory Entertainment and Capitol Records. [2]

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Shelters

For a moment there, Los Angeles based band The Shelters seemed like 21st century rock 'n roll’s best kept secret. But word got out. It started in the clubs. And everyone who saw them thought maybe he or she had gotten there first. By now, however, it’s clear that they’ll all have to share. The Shelters have their self-titled debut LP is now available on Warner Bros. Records. Just like the EP they released last October as an album preview, their full-length is a blast of Southern Californian rock and roll from a four-piece like they used to make them, when the factory was still up and running. Co-produced by Tom Petty, this album comes at you from behind, nothing you were expecting.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Gavin Turek

It’s impossible not to become infatuated with disco-pop princess Gavin Turek. The LA Native is always clad in a hand-made 70s fringe dress (she has one in every color) and armed with the best dance moves you’ve ever seen. It’s easy to draw comparisons anywhere from Tina Turner to Beyoncé but really, Gavin is her own force to be reckoned with. Even the most apathetic concert goer leaves her shows revitalized and obsessed. Mayer Hawthorne was the first to take notice, not only inviting Gavin to open his sold out tours early on but also bringing her in as a guest vocalist for his latest  project Tuxedo. (You may recognize her as the golden disco goddess gracing the stage with them this past year, everywhere from the legendary Hollywood Bowl to Japan).

Friday, October 7:

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Garrin Benfield

Benfield’s shows center on his quirky pop melodies, but are stretched by Garrin into improvisational explorations into new territory each night. Familiar songs are often twisted and contorted into gorgeous new creations that leave audiences breathless. At once organic and eclectic, Garrin’s shows are an experience as much as they are a musical concert! Utilizing electronic effects and a loop station, audiences find themselves grooving to atmospheric rhythms and settling back into Benfield’s soothing vocal style.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. LT Smooth

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Garrin Benfield

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. DJ Nima Mostafavi

Let the good times roll on the Dreampark during Dreamforce!

Note: Free Expo+ Pass holders have access to some of these performances. Get details on Free Expo+ Pass accessibility here.

Tuesday, October 4:

Wednesday, October 5:

Thursday, October 6:

Friday, October 7:

Be sure you're pre-registered to view all the action on Salesforce LIVE here!

In the past that context was limited to phone, email, SMS and webchat, making it more costly for business and less effective for the user. But social channels have established a new dynamic that is significantly impacting the very foundation of customer service - creating a unique opportunity for a new win/win relationship where businesses can drive scale and cut costs while simultaneously improving the customer experience. Social channels demand human interaction, not scripted generic responses and as these channels become increasingly prevalent, the demand for humanity and authenticity has now spread to include those same legacy customer service channels.

So how can you infuse the lessons of social into your customer service system?

Be Authentic

The human element has become the most decisive ingredient in customer-brand interactions. Scripted dialogues should be a thing of the past, both literally and figuratively. Social engagement between customers and brands is renowned for its realness, playfulness, and conversational tone – and of course, immediate resolution. Legacy channels should be following suit. Managers must focus on not being afraid of spontaneity on the part of their representatives – being unscripted will cause the occasional mistake, but these can be made positive, and consumers are far more forgiving when they sense that the rep on the other end of the phone or computer is a human who understands them and genuinely wants to help. Take the training wheels and robotic shackles off your reps and let them be people – your customers will sense the change instantly and respond accordingly.

‘Social-izing’ Traditional Customer Service

Today, although social customer care is steadily gaining traction as a first-stop resolution option, old school platforms like phone, email, and webchat are by no means extinct. In fact, studies have shown that they are often the first choice for customers with particularly complicated issues, and that 57% of customers have had to switch from web to phone for one reason or another. This has compelled companies to figure out how to apply the lessons learned from social media customer engagements back to standard platforms like telephone and email. In other words: how do we socialize the legacy channels?

Social customer engagement was born not just from the newfound technological capabilities of instant messaging or tweeting, but just as importantly, from a culture of spontaneous, real, and human dialogue. The internet’s tradition of casual and immediate communications among private users hatched a similar cultural language of straightforwardness and real-talk between consumers and brands, devoid of the stiff, scripted corporate-speak which had always characterized these engagements. Twitter’s 140 character limit, in particular, forced a direct, honest type of communication, shedding the scripts almost by default.  

The Socially-Empowered Customer

Part of the impetus for social-based customer engagement from the beginning was the fact that it suddenly became incredibly easy for thrilled – but more often less-than-thrilled – customers to rant about their experiences on the global stage of the internet for all to witness. Yet, even more importantly, they were doing it from their own personal accounts, and not from an anonymous user name. The result was the convergence of a public stage and a personal relationship.

Brands were pushed to adapt their strategies, recognizing that these public engagements weren’t just classic customer service requests, but open displays of who their brand really is. The best customer service teams started to infuse their interactions with the very qualities that had come to define their brand in all other respects – marketing, advertising and the like – and the result was a new recognition that by responding with a human touch, they could not only resolve a complaint, but turn it into a huge victory for the brand.

From Public to Private

When these same tactics were applied to private channels, the same benefits applied and on an even deeper level. The growing trend of private messaging options being embedded into formerly exclusively public platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook Messenger created a unique opportunity for personal and direct engagement with customers on the very platforms where they spend the most time. Consumers are voting with their fingers, and the upswing in traction on these channels has been huge - private messaging has exploded and some messaging platforms are now bigger than the social media predecessors that spawned their creation.

Private, one-on-one engagement, where agents can be human and real is leaving a lasting impression on customers, increasing the likelihood of their return and improving their perception of the brand. From constant availability and speedy response times to issues like tone of voice and the nature of the actual responses, leading legacy engagement managers are increasingly adopting  these best practices to channels like phone, email and webchat. It’s increasingly clear that social customer service is changing the face of how customers want their brands to engage with them. It’s time for the legacy channels to join the fray - social is calling.

Joshua March is the CEO of Conversocial

Last year, I tackled a few ways for you to get SaaSy at Dreamforce. Most of those tips still apply, with a few updates, of course. This year, I wanted to talk about something very important: my posse. I think my squad definitely beats Taylor Swift’s squad in terms of cuteness and personality, don’t you? I don’t want to brag, but I’m really proud of all of my pals and I want you to get to know them. You’ll see them around the Dreamforce, so don’t forget to say hello and take a picture. And remember, even if you can’t make it to San Francisco this year, be sure to catch all the latest on Salesforce Live.

Chatty

Chatty is an old pal of mine. We both have several Dreamforce events under our belts, so we know what to expect, how to navigate the campus, and where all the action is. Chatty really loves the new Events mobile app. It has all of the session details, session Trail Maps, transportation information and Chatter (Chatty’s favorite!) to stay on top of the latest conversations. The events app is a must for Dreamforce newbies and seasoned pros.

Astro

As a true outdoors mascot, Astro can usually be found running around on Trailhead, helping everyone learn Salesforce. In fact, Astro’s passion for helping customer trailblazers and fun-loving enthusiasm has spread, and you’ll see the spirit of Trailhead infused all across Dreamforce. But one thing that Astro is really pumped about is Salesforce’s partnership with U2’s Bono and his organization (RED), an organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness of the fight against AIDS. This year, our goal is to raise one million dollars for (RED). I know we can do it, together! You’ll be seeing lots of (RED) at Dreamforce and there will be numerous ways to get involved. Make like Astro and get inspired!

Codey

As you wander the campus, be on the lookout for Codey, my photo-crazed ursine friend. Codey may look a little gruff on the outside, but is the sweetest bear ever (and is surprisingly good at playing stringed instruments!). Codey is really excited about the 1st floor of Moscone West this year. Have you heard? It’s an all new Trailhead Zone! It’ll be the epicenter of learning at Dreamforce and a place where some of the most awesome Salesforce communities can meet and mingle: our awesome admins and developers. There’s Admin Meadow, where admins can make connections and develop new skills. There’s also the Developer Forest, filled with workshops, IoT activities, and technical consultations. Sounds like Codey will be right at home in the Trailhead Zone.

Einstein

Einstein is a new friend of mine, but I’m sure you will like him as much as I do. To call him smart is an understatement; he might be the most intelligent friend I have. Einstein knows about cool things like artificial intelligence, robots, predictive analytics. And the best part is that he loves to use his knowledge to help people. Salesforce Einstein is about removing the complexity of AI and enabling more companies to deliver better customer experiences through AI for CRM. We can’t wait to show you what Einstein can do at Dreamforce!

SaaSy

Then there is me! I’ll be there to greet everyone and put everyone in a great mood. I’ve been practicing my selfie pose and am ready to bring the energy! You’ll see me all over the campus and maybe even on stage warming up the crowds before keynotes. Speaking of keynotes, have you checked out the amazing speaker lineup we have this year? I’m really looking forward to hearing all the different perspectives and knowledge these innovators will share. And then to party the night away at Dreamfest with U2, aka one of the greatest bands in the world?! It’s going to be unforgettable. I can’t wait! See you all next week!

The above graphic was published by Ovum as part of a larger research document and should be evaluated in the context of the entire document. Download the entire report here.

Here are some highlights of Ovum’s assessment of Salesforce:

• “SaaS service provider Salesforce plays a dominant role in the CRM space across industries, telecoms inclusive. Commencing operations in the sales automation space, the vendor has now extended functionalities to include customer service, marketing, order management, and other CRM platform capabilities such as analytics, social, and mobility.”

• “Salesforce obtained one of the highest scores for technology assessment, and recorded high scores for sales automation, customer services and case management, and analytics and reporting tools. All seven core products are based on a single platform, which includes a single data model and a single set of administration capabilities. This single platform includes call center, retail store, online, social, and mobile apps. These channels are fully integrated, and so enable the easy transfer of interactions from one channel to the other in real time. Consequently, telcos that have invested in the Salesforce CRM have the opportunity to move very swiftly to delivering omnichannel experience.”

• “To further extend its functions and the operational efficiency delivered by the Salesforce CRM platform, the vendor engages with telco software providers like CloudSense, Sigma Systems, and Vlocity to deliver telco-specific capabilities such as configure, price, quote (CPQ). These capabilities use the same resources generated from the Salesforce platform, which are also used by the core Salesforce products. This approach allows for easy integration of all products.”

• “In our execution assessment, the vendor recorded high scores in the areas of scalability, innovation, and partner ecosystem. The vendor is in constant communication with clients to understand their requirements and solicits their input in developing new features. The outcomes of these interactions are included in releases, which are rolled out three times a year. Its partner ecosystem, AppExchange, is a broad ecosystem of software providers creating capabilities that can be developed either directly on the Salesforce CRM platform, as with Vlocity and CloudSense, or outside the platform, as with Comptel and Sigma Systems. In either case, these capabilities can be integrated seamlessly with the Salesforce CRM platform using the Salesforce Communications Industry Framework. Given this approach, telco clients buying into the Salesforce CRM gain access to not just the capabilities provided by Salesforce, but also to the applications developed by other software providers.”

• “Given the maturity of the Salesforce CRM product and the intent of telcos to adopt cloud-based offerings, Salesforce is well positioned to capitalize on opportunities in this vertical. While the vendor does not provide guidance on its telecoms revenue performance, telecoms is among its six focus verticals. Salesforce does, however, need to prove its capabilities to support not just B2B customer segments but the B2C space as well. However, it has growing momentum in B2C with customers including Virgin Media, Telus, Sky Italia, and DirecTV. Core to its business roadmap for 2016 is to increase market awareness of its capabilities in the B2C space with a view to generating new customer references that would then be used to drive new customer wins.

• “Salesforce's success in the CRM space proves the benefit that cloud-based offerings can bring to the telecoms space. CSPs looking to deliver a unified omnichannel customer experience, with strong functionality for social and mobile channels and the ability to extend the partner ecosystem, must consider the Salesforce CRM solution.”

“We are incredibly proud and honored to be named by Ovum a market leader,” says Andy Baer, Senior Vice President, Communications and Media, Salesforce. “In the communications industry, Salesforce has been helping service providers improve their ability to connect with their customers in a whole new way, and in doing so, improve their business performance. Our customer success is what contributed to this amazing recognition.”

To read the entire report, click here.

Here are some of our food and drink recommendations:

Here are some of our food and drink recommendations:

More Formal Dinners

Le Colonial

Just a few blocks away from the Westin St. Francis in Union Square, this is a San Francisco classic. Start in upper level lounge for a well-made cocktail while sitting under rotating rattan fans. Head downstairs to enjoy an authentic Vietnamese meal, touched with a nice French influence. The menu does change often, but make sure to try the wok-seared filet mignon if it’s available.

RN74

Named for the highway that runs through the Burgundy region of France, this restaurant has an amazing menu in addition to an incredible wine program. Michael Mina, one of San Francisco’s most renowned chefs, opened this beautiful restaurant just a few blocks from the main campus. I would highly recommend the fondue and the cheese soufflé.

Casual Bites

Oasis Grill

You cannot beat the convenience of this delicious location. Delivering fantastic Mediterranean food for an incredible price, Oasis Grill satisfies locals and visitors alike.The perfectly cooked falafel, delicious hummus, and delectable shawarmas are well worth the wait!

The Sentinel

Don’t blink; you might miss this small eatery. Located on the corner of the alley across the street from The Palace Hotel, this small space turns out some of the best sandwiches around. Though the line can be daunting (don’t worry, it moves quickly), the food is well worth the wait. The roast beef sandwich with homemade horseradish cream cheese on freshly baked bread is one of my personal favorites.

La Taqueria

Why not hop on BART and go a few stops to 16th and Mission to try one of San Francisco’s best local taquerias. Located in the heart of the Mission district, this local favorite has been named the Nation’s Best Burrito. No matter what you get, the authentic food will satisfy fully while your wallet thanks you!

Happy Hour

83 Proof

Located just a few blocks from the main Dreamforce campground, this bar is a great place to relax over a well-made drink. You can sit upstairs in the lounge, park downstairs at the bar or crowd by the large, street-level windows. Unwind with coworkers and socialize with locals at this hidden gem.

111 Minna

A bar that happens to share its name with its address (convenient!) also showcases local art. A large, open space with two bars, 111 Minna is a great space to relax after a day packed with great sessions! I would highly recommend their white sangria.

Top Tips:

1. Start connecting now.

Don’t wait until you get to Dreamforce to start making connections with fellow attendees — get started now. Make sure that your profiles are updated across all social channels, including  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Salesforce Success Community. Let people know that you’re ready for Dreamforce by updating your profile pictures with Twibbon. Even better, let your followers know if you’re attending, speaking, or sponsoring.

2. Join relevant pre-event channels.

LinkedIn and Twitter are key channels for your pre-Dreamforce connections.

On LinkedIn, you can join relevant groups and tell your professional network you’re coming to Dreamforce, and you can also  look into the backgrounds of fellow attendees to get the scoop on who you’ll be meeting. You can also publish blogs organically in LinkedIn —  it’s a great way to spread your knowledge. Learn more here.

On Twitter follow the appropriate hashtags (see below) to  join in on the current conversation. This is also a great way to connect and make friends with attendees coming from all over the world. Another great resource is Twitter lists — you can follow lists people have already created for Dreamforce-related content and then create your own list of handles that you find particularly interesting.

3. Stay active during Dreamforce, too.

LinkedIn helps you solidify connections by adding them to your professional network. It’s also a great place to post long-form content . Keep updates short, and share up-to-the-minute info.

Share all of your real-time updates on Twitter, like live tweeting your impressions or sharing your favorite speaker quotes. Participate in the live experience, and make sure to ask questions for speakers in Twitter for a real-time response.

Facebook is a more personal network, and you should tailor your posts to your specific audience of Facebook friends. Most friends love to see your pictures and high-level information, but leave the  business details on Twitter.

Instagram is all about visuals, and Dreamforce has some AMAZING photo opportunities! Use Instagram to share all your photos, and make sure to use #DF16 to be part of the curated feed.

What’s the most exciting and innovative way to stay social at Dreamforce this year? Snapchat! Snapchat is a great opportunity to share your fun videos and pictures with your followers during Dreamforce. Make sure to follow the @Dreamforce and @Salesforce handles, and don’t forget to use our custom Dreamforce geofilters to take advantage of our creative and fun ways to show all of your friends that you’re at the largest gathering of Customer Trailblazers.  Download your story at the end of each day so you can relive Dreamforce whenever you want. And send us your snaps throughout the conference so that we can see Dreamforce through your eyes.

Periscope and Facebook Live let you live-feed your videos through Twitter and Facebook. Your followers can ask you real-time questions, and you can let everyone see what a great time you’re having, and even who you’re meeting. On Periscope use #DF16Live to join the stream of Dreamforce-related feeds on Twitter.

4. Keep connecting after Dreamforce.

After Dreamforce, make sure to stay in touch with your new connections over social. Add them on LinkedIn and continue the conversation. Use what you’ve learned at #DF16 to create and share content that matters to your followers. Did you miss a session? Check out what you missed on Salesforce.com/live and get recommendations from social on which videos to watch. Also, take your social networks offline  —  join user groups or go to meetups of fellow attendees.

5. Participate in the conversations.

Twitter

@Salesforce and @Dreamforce give you a chance take part in and shape the Dreamforce conversation. Here is the list of hashtags and topics you can use to tap into the Dreamforce community :

Make sure to follow the overall Dreamforce conversation with #DF16. If you need help while on site, use #dfhelp  and we’ll point you in the right direction. Here are some additional hot hashtags to follow and engage with:

• #DFGives — Follow the 1 million dollar donation goal for (RED)’s fight to end AIDS. You can also find additional volunteer activities.
• #SalesforceEquality - Support all  elements of equality at Dreamforce.
• #DFLive - This is the periscope feed for Dreamforce.
• #struckbylightning - See all things Lightning-related at #DF16.
• #SalesforceEinstein -Join conversations about our new AI Product, Einstein.
• #SalesforceGROW - For growing small and medium businesses at Dreamforce.
• #SalesSummit - Follow the  Sales Summit conversation here.
• #SalesforceIQ - Let’s hear it for SalesforceIQ!
• #AppDemoJam - Checking in at the DemoJam? Use this hashtag!
• #DevForest - Are you in the Developer Forest? This is your hashtag.
• #AwesomeAdmin — Connect with all the awesome Salesforce admins.

Facebook

Check out our Salesforce and Dreamforce pages daily for live video, galleries of the best photos from Dreamforce, breaking news from the keynotes, and inspiring conversations.

Instagram

Make sure to also follow our Instagram accounts, @Salesforce and @Dreamforce, for a behind-the-scenes peek at of all the action at Dreamforce ‘16! Use #df16 on your Instagrammed pictures to add your photos to the stream.

Blog

We will have more Dreamforce content than ever before with a live, magazine-style editorial and blogger team on site throughout Dreamforce creating real-time, engaging, helpful articles. Content will cover sessions, keynotes, conversations, speakers and more for sales, customer service, marketing, CRM, and mobile throughout the days of the show.

Every day during Dreamforce, we’ll be posting a morning agenda  —  your guide to the day’s best events, destinations, swag, and more — as well as a late afternoon wrap-up so you can hit the Dreamforce party circuit with plenty of clever talking points about the day’s happenings. Check out the Salesforce Blog and follow Dreamforce on Medium for additional highlights throughout the day.

Salesforce LIVE

You can catch all the action from home on our SalesforceLIVE stream. If you can’t make it to Dreamforce this year, make sure to watch all week for great content. Salesforce LIVE at Dreamforce is bringing more of the conference to you than ever before. Join the conversation and millions of online viewers with #SalesforceLIVE in our social stream and in Twitter. Don’t miss out on all of the inspiring keynotes, exciting studio content, breakout sessions. Register now so that you don’t miss a thing!

Did you miss this week’s episode of The Road to Dreamforce: Connecting at Dreamforce? On the last episode of The Road to Dreamforce before the big show, we helped you get the inside scoop on Dreamforce, from the Dreamforce flair and social media, to parties and SWAG. Check it out now:

I joined the Salesforce Dublin family eight years ago as an Emerging Small Business Account Executive, and progressed through the typical promotion path right up to General Business Account Executive. At the start of this fiscal year, I was so thrilled to be back in ESB, but this time as a sales manager, running a team of 10 ESB AEs for the UK … and was recently honored to be recognized as Salesforce’s September Woman of the Month. While I’m very busy, I still manage to make time for my other interests, like singing (I performed with my choir on The Late Late Show!), taking evening classes (I just finished a mindfulness course), and being an active member and leader of the Dublin chapter of our global Salesforce Women’s Network.

The vision of our group is to attract, develop, and retain more talented women into the business. Besides being the right thing to do, it is proven that teams and organizations with better gender balance are more successful. We are inspired by our Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff and his commitment equal pay, equal advancement, and equal opportunity … he is truly paving the way for all of us.

We host networking events, career panels, volunteer activities, and welcome inspiring speakers including Anne Del Santo, Global VP of Engineering, and Mary Moloney, former CEO of CoderDojo. We believe conversations around inclusion should include everyone, and just this year we decided to re-brand the networking group with the new name ‘50:50 for 2020’ and are delighted to now have amazing male members also on our leadership committee in Dublin.

I chose to become involved in our women’s network because I’m passionate about our people and culture at Salesforce. I want to help create a more diverse workplace, support our core value of Equality for All, and make this an even better place to work. Helping women at this company be fully confident in their abilities, more courageous and inspired to develop into future leaders is so rewarding, and the relationships I have forged through this group are invaluable.

Whether you’re passionate about equality, wellness, innovation, or anything else, I strongly urge you to join a networking group. Networking and building relationships with people, no matter what role or industry they are in, will significantly impact your success. You never know who your next boss will be, or who you might rely on in your next role, or who might lead you to an entirely new career path. The connections you’ll make will make you a better person and a better professional, and will help you achieve your greatest career goals.

If your company or industry doesn’t have the specific networking group you’re looking for, I encourage you to start one! Reach out to leaders who are passionate about your area or cause, set up calls, and ask for guidance and suggestions. People are typically happy to help! Also, don’t rush to add members as you ramp up – instead of quantity, look for quality. Find people who are really dedicated to cause and genuinely care about improving the culture of your company. Start small, build your group, and see where it takes you … the sky’s the limit!

The Salesforce Woman of the Month campaign turns the spotlight on the amazing women who help make Salesforce one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies according to Forbes and one of Fortune Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For. Honorees are nominated by fellow employees and selected by a dedicated committee that works to ensure a variety of roles and regions are honored.

To hear more from Áine Corcoran, make sure to connect with her on LinkedIn and follow her on Twitter. And stay tuned for more career tips and tools for success from our next Salesforce Woman of the Month, coming your way in October.

Ready to join the team at Salesforce? Learn more and find opportunities at salesforce.com/careers.