#marcbenioff

[thxnews]

Salesforce: From Its Humble Beginning to Its Billion-Dollar Empire

  In 1999, four tech professionals took a chance on a novel concept: delivering software as a service. Over two decades later, their company, Salesforce, became a leader in the customer relationship management industry, with a valuation of $140 billion. Salesforce's success didn't happen overnight: it was a result of Marc Benioff's visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to innovation. In this article, we'll explore Salesforce's fascinating journey from a startup to a billion-dollar empire.  

History

Marc Benioff, a former Oracle executive, believed that enterprise software was headed toward a future in which data would be stored in the cloud, rather than on servers maintained by individual companies. He recruited three other tech professionals – Parker Harris, Dave Moellenhoff, and Frank Dominguez – to join him in creating a software-as-a-service company that would revolutionize the industry. They called it Salesforce, in reference to the sales-focused capabilities of the software they were developing.  

CRM

A New Era in Customer Relationship Management Salesforce's initial offering was software that enabled sales teams to track their interactions with leads and customers. But Benioff soon realized that the platform could be used for more than just sales. He expanded the software's capabilities to include customer service, marketing, and analytics features, making Salesforce the first company to develop a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) platform.  

Partnerships and Acquisitions

One of Salesforce's greatest strengths is its strategic partnerships. In 2003, Salesforce partnered with Google to integrate Google AdWords into the platform, allowing businesses to track the effectiveness of their online advertising campaigns. A few years later, Salesforce partnered with Facebook to launch the Salesforce AppExchange, a marketplace for third-party apps that integrate with Salesforce's platform.  

Strategies

Salesforce also made strategic acquisitions to bolster its capabilities. In 2013, Salesforce acquired the marketing automation platform ExactTarget for $2.5 billion, adding email marketing and automation capabilities to its offerings. In 2016, Salesforce acquired productivity software company Quip for $750 million, giving users the ability to create and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and other files within the Salesforce platform.  

Trailblazing Innovation

Salesforce has always been at the forefront of innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible with enterprise software. In 2015, Salesforce introduced Einstein, an artificial intelligence platform that uses machine learning algorithms to provide predictive insights for sales, service, and marketing teams. In the years since, Einstein has been integrated into various parts of the Salesforce platform, providing users with valuable insights that help them make better decisions.  

Major Acquisitions

Ariba In 2004, Salesforce acquired Ariba, a company that specializes in procurement and supply management. The acquisition was aimed at bolstering Salesforce's procurement offerings. Shortly after the acquisition, Salesforce launched its AppExchange platform, which allowed developers to create and sell procurement applications within the Salesforce ecosystem. Although the acquisition helped Salesforce expand into a new market, it did not result in significant revenue growth.   Tableau In 2019, Salesforce acquired Tableau, a data visualization company, for $15.7 billion. Tableau's expertise in data visualization paired well with Salesforce's services, allowing clients to transform data into insights and make data-driven decisions. Since the acquisition, Tableau has been integrated into Salesforce's platform, and it has significantly expanded the company's offerings. This acquisition has been one of Salesforce's most successful acquisitions to date.   Quip In 2016, Salesforce acquired Quip, a productivity software company that allowed users to create and collaborate on documents and spreadsheets in real-time. Quip was integrated into Salesforce's platform and has helped the company expand its offerings into the productivity software market. The acquisition was successful in helping Salesforce broaden its market, but it did not result in significant revenue growth.   ExactTarget In 2013, Salesforce acquired ExactTarget, a marketing automation company, for $2.5 billion. The acquisition was aimed at expanding Salesforce's marketing offerings, and it was considered one of the most significant acquisitions in the company's history. ExactTarget was integrated into Salesforce's platform, and it helped the company expand into the marketing automation market. The acquisition was successful, and it helped Salesforce increase its revenue.   Demandware In 2016, Salesforce acquired Demandware, an e-commerce platform, for $2.8 billion. The acquisition allowed Salesforce to expand its offerings into the e-commerce market. Demandware was renamed Salesforce Commerce Cloud and has been integrated into the Salesforce platform. The acquisition helped greatly expand Salesforce's offerings, and it helped the company grow its revenue.  

Timeline

1999: - Salesforce is founded by Marc Benioff, Parker Harris, Dave Moellenhoff, and Frank Dominguez. - The company launches its first product, Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, as a cloud-based solution. 2000: - Salesforce.com raises $64 million in funding from various investors. - The company introduces AppExchange, an online marketplace for third-party applications built on the Salesforce platform. 2003: - Salesforce reaches 5,000 customers and goes public with an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CRM." 2004: - Salesforce launches Salesforce.com S3, the third generation of its CRM platform. - The company introduces the concept of "Software as a Service" (SaaS) and popularizes the cloud computing model. 2005: - Salesforce introduces the AppExchange OEM Edition, allowing partners to build and sell their own applications on the Salesforce platform. 2006: - Salesforce launches Salesforce Mobile, a mobile application for accessing CRM data on smartphones. - The company acquires Sendia Corporation, expanding its mobile capabilities. 2008: - Salesforce launches Force.com, a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering that allows developers to build and deploy custom applications on the Salesforce infrastructure. - The company introduces Salesforce Content, a content management and collaboration tool. 2009: - Salesforce introduces Chatter, a social collaboration platform integrated with the CRM system. - The company acquires Jigsaw, a data services provider, to enhance its data quality and enrichment capabilities. 2012: - Salesforce acquires Buddy Media, a social media marketing platform. - The company launches Salesforce Communities, enabling organizations to build private social networks for customers, partners, and employees. 2013: - Salesforce acquires ExactTarget, a digital marketing software company, and renames it Salesforce Marketing Cloud. - The company introduces Salesforce1, a new platform that unifies its various cloud offerings and provides mobile app development tools. 2014: - Salesforce introduces Salesforce Lightning, a redesigned and more customizable user interface for its CRM platform. - The company launches Salesforce Analytics Cloud, a business intelligence and data visualization tool. 2015: - Salesforce acquires SteelBrick, a quote-to-cash software provider, and renames it Salesforce CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote). - The company introduces Salesforce Einstein, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform embedded within its products. 2016: - Salesforce acquires Demandware, an e-commerce platform, and renames it Salesforce Commerce Cloud. - The company introduces Salesforce DX, a set of development tools and practices for building and deploying applications on the Salesforce platform. 2018: - Salesforce completes the acquisition of MuleSoft, a data integration platform, expanding its capabilities for connecting and integrating various systems. - The company introduces Salesforce Blockchain, a distributed ledger technology for secure and transparent data sharing. 2019: - Salesforce acquires Tableau Software, a data visualization and analytics platform, enhancing its capabilities in data analysis and visualization. - The company launches Salesforce Customer 360, a platform that provides a unified view of customer data across multiple systems. 2020: - Salesforce announces the acquisition of Slack, a collaboration and messaging platform, aiming to integrate it with its existing products. - The company launches Salesforce Anywhere, a suite of productivity tools for remote collaboration and communication. 2021: - Salesforce completes the acquisition of Slack, integrating its features into the Salesforce ecosystem. - The company introduces Salesforce Hyperforce, a re-architected and globally available infrastructure to support its cloud services. 2022: - Salesforce announces the acquisition of Acumen Solutions, a global cloud consultancy firm, to expand its professional services capabilities. - The company launches Salesforce CDP (Customer Data Platform), a unified platform for collecting, organizing, and activating customer data. 2023 (up to the current date): - Salesforce continues to innovate its products and services, focusing on enhancing AI capabilities, expanding industry-specific solutions, and providing a comprehensive customer experience platform.  

Conclusion

Today, Salesforce is a dominant player in the CRM industry, with a customer base that includes many of the world's largest companies. But the company's success is not just due to its cutting-edge technology – it's also a result of its commitment to social responsibility. Salesforce has been recognized as one of the world's most innovative companies and as a leader in environmental and social responsibility. Its 1-1-1 model, which donates 1% of the company's equity, product, and employees' time to charity, has inspired other companies to follow suit. As Salesforce continues to expand its offerings and shape the future of enterprise software, it remains committed to its core values of trust, innovation, equality, and sustainability. We can't wait to see what the company will accomplish next.   Sources: THX News, Wikipedia & SalesForce. Read the full article

[biglisbonnews]

How much does mass tree planting affect climate change? This is the full transcript for season 4, episode 1 of the Quartz Obsession podcast on tree planting.Read more... https://qz.com/tree-planting-climate-change-1850154587

[yoshikiofficial]

In SF with Marc Benioff and Matthew McConaughey. Amazing people. オンラインではよく喋ったけど､会うのはいいね！ Yoshiki “Keep on, keepin on” #matthewmcconaughey #marcbenioff #yoshiki #xjapan #dreamforce #マシューマコノヒー　 (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiymdZ1ri4a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cloudycoders]

Here is a fun fact for all the #gameofthrones fans out there! Brought to you by the creative department at Cloudy Coders.

Shh! No spoilers though! 🤞

[instadw]

Don’t know how to get employees back in

[metingulerce]

Salesforce nedir, ne firması? Salesforce hangi ülkenin şirketidir? #SanFrancisco #MarcBenioff #Kaliforniya #Ekim #Gündem #2020Wrapped #yks2021 #SpotifyWrapped #MustafaÖztürkİhraçEdilsin

Bulut tabanlı olarak geliştirilen yapılardan biri olan Salesforce Slack’i satın alacağına dair olan anlaşmayı açıkladı. Bunun üzerine ne olduğu merak edilen Salesforce hakkında sorulan soruların cevaplarını sizler için derledik. Salesforce Slack’i ne kadara satın aldı?

Dünyanın 1 numaralı CRM çözüm merkezi olarak kabul edilen ve çevrim içi yazılım kiralama iş modelinin öncüsü olan SalesForce…

[paolophoto-blog-blog]

#frogsleap #marcbenioff #trailblazer-good book with sunshine and wine #wine #dog #puppy https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ek3qYAFGg/?igshid=3riuxa55grze

[amitaher-blog]

Good quote #quoteoftheday #marcbenioff #salesforce #developer #programming #motivation #inspiration #postoftheday #AmitAher https://www.instagram.com/p/BxppMq7HyYp/?igshid=7kqfhuixe396

[4-digital-blog]

Industria 4.0, cos’è?

Ormai da qualche anno ci ritroviamo nel mezzo della quarta rivoluzione industriale, un accozzaglia di parole per indicare che le industrie stanno iniziando ad adottare nuovi mezzi per far svolgere alle macchine dei lavori in maniera autonoma.

Per spiegare in modo chiaro cosa si intende per Industria 4.0 bisogna però fare un salto nella storia dei processi industriali, i quali si stanno evolvendo ormai fin dal 1700 con l’introduzione del vapore.

Più in là, verso la fine del 1800 le industrie vedono comparire nel mondo della produzione l’elettricità, un mezzo che ha velocizzato i processi in maniera esponenziale, tanto da definire questo periodo Seconda Rivoluzione Industriale.

L’avvento dell’Industria 3.0 è stato tanto rapido quanto rivoluzionario con l’introduzione dei computer nelle aziende alla fine del 1900, i quali sono riusciti a velocizzare le analisi dei dati e i controlli che le industrie erano spesso tenute a fare.

Foto di un computer portatile - Fonte: Lalmch da Pixabay

Infine, pochi anni fa, il progresso tecnologico è arrivato ad uno sviluppo così avanzato da riuscire ad automatizzare la maggior parte dei processi industriali, così le macchine non hanno più il bisogno di essere supervisionate dall’uomo, ma svolgono il loro compito grazie alle tecniche sviluppate negli anni e alla possibilità di riprodurle sistematicamente e senza lavoro aggiuntivo. 

Immagine che schematizza il collegamento tra i cloud e le nuove tecnologie - Fonte: Tumisu da Pixabay

Negli ultimi anni le aziende hanno iniziato a testare nuovi metodi innovativi per velocizzare le loro produzioni, fino ad arrivare all’utilizzo delle “tecnologie abilitanti” e delle “Smart Technologies” (che saranno l’argomento di un prossimo post) in grado di migliorare la qualità e la velocità delle produzioni, delle ricerche e delle promozioni aziendali. 

Come disse Marc Benioff nel 2016, CEO di Salesforce, famosa piattaforma che mette in contatto le aziende e i clienti in modo veloce ed efficace, sempre utilizzando le tecnologie dell’Industria 4.0:

“Speed is the new currency of business.” - Fonte: Diginomica.com

Con questo Benioff ha centrato in pieno il motivo dell’importanza che viene attribuita alla quarta rivoluzione industriale: aumentare la velocità e l’efficienza dei processi industriali.

L’industria 4.0 non è altro che l’ultima evoluzione della produzione industriale che ha come obiettivo quello di accelerare l’efficienza aziendale in modo da lasciare indietro tutti i competitors che non vedono la velocità come nuova forma di business.

di Gabriele Cirotto

[bolt-today]

We are sharing salesforce.com fact. Hope you are interested and liking it. Share your comments and views. To learn more about Bolt’s pipeline and CRM solutions, check out https://www.bolt.today/

[revolvesoftech]

All you need to know about Marc Benioff, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Salesforce World's No.1 Software Company.

[biglisbonnews]

Why Matthew McConaughey and Will.i.am "frequently" attending Salesforce meetings matters We’re living through another era of vicious battles between corporate management of publicly traded firms and activist investors with strong opinions about how those companies should be run differently. Read more... https://qz.com/matthew-mcconaughey-and-will-i-am-at-salesforce-meeting-1850029294

[yoshikiofficial]

So sad that Idei-san (former CEO of Sony) passed away. He was one of my best friends for many years. So many wonderful memories. He was an amazing person. Miss you Idei-san. Rest In Peace. ソニーの元CEOの出井さんが亡くなってしまった。 悲しい…素晴らしい人だった。 親友だった。 思い出は数えきれない。 安らかにお眠りください。 Yoshiki Story of our friendship 出井さんとの出会い https://forbesjapan.com/articles/detail/23050 #sony #ceo #idei #playstation #marcbenioff #yoshiki #xjapan #friendship #rip https://www.instagram.com/p/CeiffPcu-UG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bujiastorch]

#FelizLunes y feliz semana amigos.

Hoy ofrecemos para tu negocio la bujía Torch 9055-T (cross reference KH5RTPI-11), bujía de Iridium que aplica a:

Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L y Escape (fine wire).

Es muy fácil incrementar tus ventas con la mejor bujía del mercado asiático. Así que es momento que te comuniques a través de nuestras redes sociales o llamando al número de atención al cliente: +58 414-041.04.59. Donde podrás obtener mayor información y asesoría.

«El secreto para contratar a los mejores es: busca a personas que quieran cambiar al mundo.» – Marc Benioff, CEO de Salesforce.

#BujiasTorch #9055T #KH5RTPI #Jeep #GrandCherokee #Escape #Iridium #Autos #Motor #Cars #MarcBenioff #Valencia #Carabobo #Venezuela

https://www.instagram.com/bujiastorch/

[technologyinnovators-blog]

[instadw]

Zoom's fast ascent to $100 billion made acquisitions a sudden priority