Volunteer Blogs

‘Business development’ class at Whitechurch Youth Development, in Dublin.

Elena Rossi — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:01:52 -0400

Summary

Phil Dunne, Richard Hasslacher, Scott Brown, Jamie Lekvanichkul and Enda Eames from ‘ibinetworks’ run an afternoon class with Whitechurch Youth Development

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Dublin, 14 April 2008

Whitechurch Youth Development is a community based, not-for-profit, voluntary organisation instituted by the Department of Education and Science.

The students of Whitechurch are all bright teenagers working on potential business' ideas. Aiming to hold a trade event at the school, they welcomed professionals to come in to their class and talk to them about their career while also giving them tips on sales and business development.

Phil Dunne (EMEA corporate sales), Richard Hasslacher (EMEA corporate sales), Scott Brown (EMEA corporate sales), Jamie Lekvanichkul (EMEA Sales Engineer) and Enda Eames got invited as ‘guest speakers' to run an afternoon class on ‘Business development'.

Enda Eames tells us about the experience: ‘I was very pleased to be able to collaborate with SFDC on the new NFTE initiative for the Whitechurch Youth Development Project. It is refreshing to see SFDC staff giving their time to assist young people who have a lot of social challenges to overcome. I was delighted with the response to the module I delivered on ‘Business Development' and I anticipate all of the participants will achieve their project goals - they are a clever and energetic group. Thank you for that opportunity to contribute and congratulations to SFDC's Community Development team for this initiative.'

3 days of BizAcademy with Whitechurch Youth Development Project

Elena Rossi — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:11:35 -0400

Summary

Kieran Carrick; Rosie Carley; Eilis O'Shea; Marco Nuti; Alvern Bullard; Philip Dunne; Sanj Bhayro; Karl Harriau; Cormac Murphy; Andrew Dungan; Louise Jordan & Frank Seo from Sofiaworks have all been fantastic mentors during the 3 days summer BizAcademy.Rosie Carley

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Dublin, 01-03 July 2008

This year's BizAcademy featured a group of youths from Whitechurch Youth Development Project, who have been learning about business and entrepreneurship and who expressed the wish of spending some time with salesforce sales experts.

To accommodate this request the volunteers delivered a series of workshops aimed to showcase how to work out a business idea, how to make business plan and how to sell a product in commercial environments.

On the first day, Kieran Carrick (Regional Vice President, Corporate Sales Services, EMEA) opened the session talking about Salesforce.com, and telling the group some very personal stories which made the kids realize that ‘behind every business-man there's a hard working, enthusiastic human being'! Kieran also had the great idea to invite a ‘real entrepreneur' to the session: Frank Seo from Sofiaworks was in town and didn't hesitate a second to come in and present the kids with a real life story of a success and entrepreneurship. The kids were blown away and got empowered by Frank's narrative and enthusiasm.

Karl Harriau (Senior Renewal Manager) and Cormac Murphy (Sales Representative) were great in helping the kids to think through their business ideas and get the teams to choose various professional roles for their fictional companies.

On day 2, the students were divided in 2 groups and worked with pairs of volunteers. Marco Nuti (Senior Manager, SR), Alvern Bullard (Corporate Sales Development Representative), Philip Dunne (Account Executive (TE) and Rosie Carley (manager, Employee Success, EMEA ) helped the kids to finalize the project-plans and to figure out how to transform them into selling goods.

The 2 projects decided consisted in a ‘Mosaic Mirror production' and ‘Gift goods production'. The teams also enjoyed researching the appropriate materials and techniques to produce their goods.

The last day was all dedicated in refining the students understanding of the business process and sales techniques. Eilis O'Shea (Recruiting Manager) and Louise Jordan (Recruitment Coordinator) delivered a brilliant session, focused on presentation-skills and marketing. On the sales-side Sanj Bhayro (RVP, Corporate Sales) and Andrew Dungan (Account Executive (TE)) looked at every aspect of the sales cycle concerning the students' projects.

Overall this was another successful BizAcademy; the students really learned a lot in a short period of time, and they got very excited about the experience of being in the office and meeting real professionals. Big 'thank you' to all fantastic and enthusiastic volunteers.

Marco & Alvern

SFDC EMEA employees and some friends of The Foundation brave some six to eleven year olds.

Isabel Kelly — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:42:59 -0400

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A group of SFDC EMEAers and a few select others spent the day teaching students at Furness Primary School in Brent for a full day of teaching.

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Wednesday 2nd July London, UK

A group of SFDC EMEAers and a few select others spent the day teaching students at Furness Primary School in Brent for a full day of teaching. Using the curriculum provided by Young Enterprise, we taught about each level of socialization in contemporary British society as measured by proximity to the home. The older the students were, the wider their subject matter. For the youngens it was ‘our family. ‘Our community’ for the next year up. Then ‘our city’, to ‘our country’, and ‘our world’. I took the 3^rd years, where we learned all about ‘our community.’

I have two points of reflections about the day. The first is that teaching is surprisingly fulfilling. I had a few problems (for instance, handing out play money turned the classroom into the floor of some sort of New Yew Stock Exchange for wild seven year olds), but overall the day gave me a rare sense of satisfaction. Talking to the students, listening to their ideas, and watching them get excited about, I felt connected to my community.

My second point is that teaching is hard. It’s very true. So true, in fact, that I’ll say it again, teaching is hard. Very hard. The effort required to keep the little munchkins engaged all day taught me a deeper respect for what it must take to do this day in and day out. I have climbed to the tops of mountains, swam oceans, battled hobbits… and never have I been so exhausted after just one day of teaching.

When I fell asleep that night (at 6pm, mind you), I had a huge grin on my face. If such an opportunity ever came up again, I would volunteer without a second’s hesitation. I will die some day. If I were a teacher, it would happen sooner. But, then again, if I were a teacher, I’m sure I’d be very happy to leave for ‘our afterlife.’ - Joe Brady

BizAcademy Intern, Leeann shares her reflections on the summer!

Julie Trell — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:59:56 -0400

Summary

Leeann describes her experience as a Foundation Community Coordinator and participant in two summer workshops.

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San Francisco, CA, US July 2008

Challenge of a lifetime? I have had the privilege of being in two of the three BizAcademy Workshops this summer. With both of them being a challenge and something new to learn, I not only learned how to code or how to do "on mouse over out" or that quotation mark is not in the right place, I had the challenge of presenting in front of a group or my peers and with four very talented adults! I not only learned how to structure my presentation or learned how to own a pause and eliminate fillers ("umm", "like", "yeah") I learned a lot about myself and am not afraid to get up in front of my group as long as I have my structure! I cannot thank the Foundation Team enough for having these wonderful workshops. The only thing that I can do is look forward to the last workshop and can't wait to put those finishing touches on so that my training wheels can come off!

I have also had the privilege on being apart of the Mentor/Mentee Program here at Salesforce. This program that allows the BizAcademy graduates to have a Mentor and experience a different kind of relationship. As a mentee, my mentor is there to help me with all those things that I will need help with. Just being there to lend a ear or helping to seek out a job, or for many of us being there to help fill out college applications. That process can be grueling and its nice to have someone to help along the way. I heard it said in the BizAcademy Amazing Presentation Skills Workshop that our mentors can also assist us in our presentation skills informing us what we can improve on or what the presentation can use. It's great to have a mentor to be an audience when we have a presentation that needs practice. The mentors are there for us for whatever it is that we may need. I have heard it said that you can define a mentor as a live resource page.

It is a experience that I am thankful to have. This program has impacted me in many ways. The biggest way that it has impacted me was having someone be a listening ear. My mentor has been there every morning! I am able to chat with her for a minimum of ten minutes and that has impacted me. I know that I can count on her! This is a fantastic program and I am thankful that I am apart of mentor/mentee program!

Leeann C

Foundation Community Involvement Coordinator - Summer 2008

The Utrecht team adopts Kinabu’s children charity.

Elena Rossi — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:32:51 -0400

Summary

Marco Van Gent; Bas Visser; Roger Schins; Robbert Douma and Hans Brouwer commitment with Kinabu

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Utrecht, 18 July 2008

Hans Brouwer (Director, Field Sales) really wanted the Dutch team to get involved with a local charity and found the perfect match with Kinabu: home for children with social issues and broken families.

On 18 July the team went down to the centre to help running their Summer Festival, their annual Family event. Their commitment is now to give on going mentoring support. The volunteers are enthusiastic to provide their services to this organization and build up a relationship with them.

The fabulous volunteers are: Marco Van Gent (Senior Sales Engineer) Bas Visser (Account Executive); Roger Schins (Engagement Manager); Robbert Douma (Principal Sales Engineer) and Hans Brouwer ((Director, Field Sales Benelux)

Dublin team fundraises 2305 Euros for the Homeless Soccer World Cup organisation.

Elena Rossi — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:08:37 -0400

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A team of rugby players lead by Korstiaan Hardam has lots of fun while fundraising for the Homeless Worldcup.

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Dublin, 08 July 2008

Korstiaan Hardam (Senior Director, Telemarketing, EMEA) showed again his fantastic fundraising skills by rallying a team of rugby players and overall fundraising 2305 Euros - well exceeding his target of 2000!!!

Korstiaan who gathered support from staff from all EMEA region tells us:

‘We heard some great stories about this program while doing our warming up with Irish rugby legend Ollie Campbell. The organisers from ‘the Ireland Issue' magazine really enjoyed a successful event. The magazine is sold by socially excluded, homeless people and people living in poverty. All funds go towards supporting the Homeless World Cup in Italy next year. The tournament has huge social impact and reward for all those who participate, helping them to reintegrate into society. All the homeless people that make it into the team all deserve a lot of respect.

The day was a lot of fun: 11 penalties were scored by 10 people. Girls proved to be equally good and from around the rest of the EMEA, Hans Brouwer (Director, Field Sales) was, 'with distinction', the most insightful and generous colleague.

The players (and contributors) were:

Aisling Gaffney (UK/Ireland AE), Muireann McCarthy(UK/Ireland AE), Annemarie McShane (UK/Ireland EBR), Stephanie Achi (Continental EBR), Pierre de Gentile (Continental EBR), Marco Nuti (Continental SR Manager), Cristina Gonzalez (Continental EBR Manager), Deirdre Byrne (UK/Ireland EBR), Brigid Charmant (UK/Ireland AE), Carina Brockl (Continental EBR), Donnacha Friel (UK/Ireland AE), Korstiaan Hardam ((Senior Director, Telemarketing, EMEA)

Damien Barry helps the Disability Federation of Ireland with the salesforce application

Elena Rossi — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:30:36 -0400

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Damien Barry works with DFI in implementing their use of salesforce application.

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Dublin, 04 August 2008

Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) is the national support organisation and advocate for voluntary disability organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities and disabling conditions:

Damien Barry (Principal Business Analyst Premier Support EMEA) reports:

‘I was involved in Demo'ing Salesforce Foundation application for the DFI group. Explaining to them what the benefits of a CRM application could bring to them. Also how by using the application they could better meet the needs of the organisations they support.
I was surprised at how as little as two hours worth of configuration work could bring a workable initial solution to the table which would assist them in helping charities and organisations throughout the country.'

Global Earth week: The Dublin Office rolls out another environmental week!

Elena Rossi — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:37:34 -0400

Summary

Dublin Earth team organizes another environmental week. Over 450 driving miles weren’t driven by car on day 2, resulting in a saving a considerable amount of CO2 emission in just one day.

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Dublin, 16-20 June 2008

Dublin Environmental Awareness Campaign 2 was a great success thanks to the effort of the enlighted and creative minds of Erika Woodcock (Facilities EMEA), Caroline Kennedy (AE Ireland and UK), Liz Denieffe (EBR), Loic Mosse (AE Continental), Gillian Breen (Office Administrator Dublin) , Martin Wunderlich (Web team EMEA) and Kieran Guckian (Web team EMEA).

The inaugural event was presented this time by Elaine Nevin, Director of EcoUnesco www.ecounesco.ie non-profit organisation providing practical environmental education services to young people, youth groups, schools and interested individuals.

Day 2 Leave your car at home day was perhaps the most successful day with the participation of 60 members of staff. Over 450 driving miles weren't driven by car, resulting in a saving a considerable amount of CO2 emission in just one day.

Commuters who use public transport can now benefit of a ‘Saver Commuter Scheme' and purchase annual tickets at a great saving.

Days 3 & 4 were dedicated in the recycling of old books / dvds / cds through a charity sale. All the proceeds went to Oxfam and Dublin Childrens Hospital.

On day 5 The North UK-Ireland field sales team spent a very wet afternoon cleaning up a park, improving the look of the district main green area.

Global Earth week: an update from the EMEA quarters!

Elena Rossi — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:47:18 -0400

Summary

During the week 16-20 June, several salesforce.com offices have been involved in the running of activities for the Global Earth week. From Oct ’07 to date, EMEA has given 320 hours to environmental projects.

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Dublin, 16-20 June 2008

Beginning in 2007, Salesforce.com has committed to developing an integrated Sustainability Program into its corporate strategy and thereby infusing Sustainability best practices into every aspect of our business.
Salesforce.com sustainability initiative is currently guided by Volunteer Staff and grassroots efforts based on three main principles: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Our volunteer sustainability efforts are focused on making changes where we can, researching current practices and beginning a collaborative dialogue with salesforce.com employees.

During the week 16-20 June, several salesforce.com offices have been involved in the running of activities for the Global Earth week.
Overall the week constituted an effort to raise awareness on global warming and offered suggestions to employees on how to reduce the carbon footprints, both at work and at home.

Earth council members have worked hard to come up with interesting activities aimed to make some positive impact within our communities.

Throughout the region we have now policy in place to recycle paper & plastic. Lights in most of the offices work on-timer and we use biodegradable cleaning products.

Only ceramic & silver-ware are used for cups and cutlery.

The Earth council is also coordinating to perform Energy Audits for individual offices wherever this service is provided.
The Council receives and responds to 100's of employees' questions as this is crucial to understand what is important to them and what their suggestions are in regards to what the company could do in this area.
If you would like to get in touch contact: earthforce@salesforce.com.

Examples of initiatives happened during the Global Earth week in EMEA:

*In Morges, a group of volunteers engaged with the City council and became active in their environmental program. 2 activities have been organized so far around the Lake Geneva area (the second largest freshwater lake in Central Europe).

*In Dublin the ‘Leave your Car at home' competition saw the participation of 60 members of staff. Over 450 driving miles weren't driven by car, resulting in a saving a considerable amount of CO2 emission in just one day.

Commuters who use public transport can now benefit of a ‘Saver Commuter Scheme' and purchase annual tickets at a great saving.

*The North UK-Ireland field sales team spent a very wet afternoon cleaning up a park, improving the look of the district main green area.

We receive and respond to 100's of employees' questions as this is crucial to understand what is important to YOU and what YOUR suggestions are in regards to what the company could do in this area.

If you have suggestions contact: earthforce@salesforce.com.

12 Toronto youth energized by BizAcademy

Kimberly Hunt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:24:17 -0400

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Youth from Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre spend a week in BizAcademy

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Written by Ellen Gardner, Principal, Write to Know Communications

July 14 - 18, 2008 Toronto, Canada For 18-year old Nadia Thompson, her biggest takeaway from the BizAcademy program, was the unique business skills gained from the integrated social entrepreneurship curriculum. As a student in the international development field, Nadia was intrigued by the program content and diversity of activities. "I could not go to school and learn the stuff I acquired here in one week....it was everything from mentors to business dining etiquette to the elements of a great elevator pitch."

Nadia was one of 12 high-school and university students, selected by the Christie-Ossinton Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) to participate in this year's BizAcademy, a unique program sponsored by the Salesforce.com Foundation. In sessions held around the world, young people from underserved urban areas are given the opportunity to learn how to run a business. In Toronto, the students' crash course on the basics of developing a social enterprise - everything from creating the business and financial plan, to working with creative advertising gurus to develop creative marketing pieces - was facilitated by working closely with experienced employee mentors from salesforce.com and business mentors from the community.

During this year's Toronto session, participants were given the challenge of developing a marketing plan for a social enterprise focused on the creation of murals and the development of a sound studio for young artists and performers. Their task was to develop a written marketing plan, a creative package and to pitch their plans to a board of directors. At the end of the week, a winning team was selected and each winner received an iPod shuffle.

"We came up with this business idea for the participants since Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre is already engaged in a graffiti arts program with at-risk teens," said Lynn Daley, Executive Director of CONC.

For some of the students, this was their first experience of working as part of a team and it's an eye-opener. "For me it was all about accountability," says Nadia Thompson, who assumed the role of President of Business Development for her Project PAYSO Marketing Team. Nadia felt the pressure to succeed. She says, "I knew that if we failed, as a leader I would be responsible and I wasn't going to let that happen. I kept saying to them ‘We're going to win! We're going to win!'" (Nadia's team went on to win).

Over the five day program, the salesforce.com mentors dropped their professional veneer and became business coaches, challenging the students to figure it out themselves. "They have the knowledge but they never told us what to do," said Community ARK (Art Reflecting Knowledge) President, Venessa Chevers-Forrestor, 21. "They showed us how to crunch the numbers and guided us on when to focus on the big picture and when to focus on the details."

Interspersed with their training and planning sessions, the students also heard from real-life entrepreneurs. Fitness professionals and owners of FitMom Canada, Andrea Page and Fenley Fearon recounted their early challenges and the importance of having a vision for your business. "It helps to get out of the headspace of always turning what you love into a money-making venture," said Fenley. "The whole journey should be learning about yourself and being joyful. If money is your only motivation, it can soon become meaningless."

Etiquette Consultant, Karyln Percill provided insight on the business of etiquette dining and dressing for success, while Ketan Manohar, Senior Copywriter of Agency 59 spent a half day on Toronto Island with the teams working on creative marketing design. Later on they spent an inspiring hour with Tamara Dawit, Executive Director and Founder of The 411 Initiative for Change.

The real stars of the week were the students themselves who overcame their nervousness and lack of experience, replacing it with enthusiasm and determination as they stood up on the final day to pitch their business and marketing plans to the ‘investors'. Although they were competing for the big prize, the students showed only pride and respect for each other as they showcased their accomplishments. "It was great to hear the investors' feedback, they were so encouraging," said Cris Meillon, another participant.

It was a week full of lessons and surprises, an exciting leap for tomorrow's artists, activists, and entrepreneurs who, until this program, may have heard scant praise and positive feedback. "They were forced to step outside of themselves and their own insecurities and concentrate on working together to develop a remarkable marketing plan for an emerging social enterprise," said Pramilla Ramdahani, President of the Se-Fad Group who developed the unique curriculum and facilitated the program on behalf of Christie-Ossington for the past two years. "At the end of the program they all realized their potential as agents of social change- the social entrepreneurs of tomorrow"

As they clutched their graduation certificates and said good-bye to new friends, the students departed with a new concept of ‘no limits'. "Business is not easy, it's hard work," said Nadia, "but we learned that by working together with people who are encouraging you and supporting you, your goals are attainable." Venessa agreed. "This week I learned not to give up. Keep going, be persistent and keep doing it."