Thankful

On this episode of the Salesforce Admins Podcast, we’ll hear from each member of the Admin Relations team with reflections on the year so far, hopes for the future, and even a poem. We are beyond thankful for all of you. Thanks for listening, sharing your passion, and all the inspiring things that you do.

Podcast swag

• Salesforce Admins on the Trailhead Store

Social

• Salesforce Admins: @SalesforceAdmns 
• Mike: @MikeGerholdt
• Gillian: @GillianKBruce
• Rebecca: @RebeccaSaar
• Jennifer: @jenwlee
• J: @J__mdt
• LeeAnne: @LeeAnndroid
• Ella: @Marks_Ella
• Brittney: @BrittGibs92
• Juliette: @JulietteForce

Full transcript

Mike Gerholdt: Welcome to the Salesforce Admins Podcast, where this week, there’s no splashy opens, no needless banter. Really, just a word of thanks. Perhaps, right now, as you listen to this, many of the Admin Relations team is sitting down with friends, family, loved ones, and maybe even sharing a meal. It could be, for some, the first time, in over a year. Now, like you, our team has celebrated milestones throughout the year, some new beginnings, new additions, but often, through the lens of a webcam. So for this episode of the podcast, we wanted to give thanks to you, our listeners, our admins, and our friends. Every day throughout the year, we think of you, some of you we know, and some of you we have yet to meet. But all of you, I promise, are in our hearts and minds. As a way of sharing our gratitude, the team gathered around a single idea of recording a message of thanks, that we put together as this episode. So now, it’s with great pleasure to turn it over to each team member, as they introduce themself, and say a little bit about what they’re thankful for.

Rebecca Saar: Hi, Awesome Admins, it’s Rebecca Saar here. I joined the Admin Relations team five years ago, and I have loved every minute of it. The work is just rewarding. The team’s amazing, and the impact immeasurable. I want to celebrate this by sharing five moments of gratitude for five years at Salesforce. They loosely follow my time here, but they also spell out a word that’s top of mind. I’m sure you’ll guess it right away. Okay. One, awesome admins all over the world. Let’s just get this out of the way. I wouldn’t have a job without you. I’m so grateful I get to spend my days focusing on enabling, empowering, and celebrating such a unique, impactful, and giving community.

Number two, dominating the admin cert. Looking back at those early days at Salesforce, I am so grateful for my Salesforce study buddies who motivated me to study, shared their knowledge and supported me. This is also, I would say, my number one piece of advice for anyone studying for the exam, find a study buddy who is equally committed and motivated.

Three, meeting individuals from the community that has inspired me. I will never forget my first awesome admin meetup in London, where I met folks like Tom, Gemma, Chris, Jodi Louise, lots and lots of wonderful people, and just everyone was so welcoming and kind. And that’s really when, I think, it clicked that this is more than just a professional networking and learning event. This is lifelong friendships, support, and connection. So, I’m just really grateful to be part of this community. You’re making my job meaningful. So, thank you.

Four, igniting team cohesion. My managers have always placed great importance on team building and bonding here at Salesforce that I am so grateful for. Before the pandemic, we had in-person off-sites and get-togethers that were just amazing. But even during the pandemic, we made sure we had fun. We made time for that fun. So, to this day, when I pull out a suitcase, I think of this time I tried to describe the object suitcase to my team on a Zoom. I just completely failed. It’s a game called Can You Hear Me Now?. Just Google it. I very much recommend this game for virtual team bonding. We always end up laughing, sometimes hysterically, and most importantly, just enjoying each other’s company. So, I’m really grateful that this is just core to how we operate and get stronger as a team.

Five, navigating new challenges this past year. Looking back at this year, in particular, moments of change are incredibly difficult as they are happening. But, they also give us the greatest opportunity to learn and grow. There are countless examples that I could think of, planning a unique, never been done before Dreamforce, navigating org changes, evaluating reopening plans. I mean, I could go on. But, as I get ready for the next change, next year, I am reminded how grateful I am of the lessons learned this past year. And yes, of course, I’m also grateful to my family, friends, husband, and for my health. It’s been really fun looking back at my years at Salesforce and expressing this gratitude.

Jennifer Lee: Hi, I’m Jennifer Lee, Admin Evangelist at Salesforce. Thank you for those who watched how I solve this and have enjoyed my previous work. This year, I’m grateful for joining the Admin Relations team at Salesforce, and being part of a very supportive team, where I am empowered to come up with new ideas and deliver great content to our admins, as well as be part of a company where there’s so much focus on employee wellness. I’m also very grateful to our ohana, and despite the pandemic, have continued to shine and be there for one another, regardless of where people are on their journey. Thank you for sharing with us your tips for other admins, and also telling us how we can be of help. I’m very thankful that my family and partner continue to remain healthy and safe during this time. I look forward to spending time together with them over the holidays, and especially with my nephews, which I miss dearly. And lastly, I’m very thankful for my little Pomeranian Moji.

LeeAnn Rimel: Hi, I’m LeeAnn Rimel, an Admin Evangelist here at Salesforce. This year’s giving me a lot to be thankful for. My daughter celebrated her first birthday. I joined a local nonprofit arts community for kids, and our Admin Relations team grew, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with thoughtful, compassionate, and brilliant new colleagues. One of my favorite quotes about thanks comes from Gza, “Live a life full of humility, gratitude, intellectual curiosity, and never stop learning.” I think about that quote a lot almost every day. I think it’s something that’s good to write down, put on the wall, and to revisit regularly. And, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to practice this every day.

Being a parent of a toddler is a really good exercise in humility, as I learn how to be a parent. And, I’m grateful to be intellectually challenged every day and have my own knowledge expanded, by a thoughtful group of colleagues and community members. So, I’m very thankful for a community, team, and company that prioritizes learning, both technical knowledge and the knowledge of self, how to nurture and grow ourselves every single day. So, with gratitude, from me to you, happy holidays.

J. Steadman: Hello, human beings, this is J. Steadman, and I’m here to show share with you what I am thankful for in this 2021. I think the first thing that I am thankful for is the health of my family. I’ve got a two-year-old kid, just about. She’ll be two in January. But I’m very thankful that she has stayed healthy through this whole ordeal. I’m also really thankful for the effort that so many people in the world are putting into staying connected, especially in these times that are really difficult to connect in. I’m very happy for things like group chat and the odd FaceTime call and that increased sense of connection, even if we can’t see one another. I’m really thankful for my backyard. It has a big tree in it. And when the wind blows, it’s nice to hear the leaves. That’s been really nice for me, especially during times that feel stressful.

I’m also very thankful for my team. So the whole Admin Relations team really cares about one another. We take the time to check-in and make sure that we have what we need to be successful. I’m also very thankful for our entire community. I’ve seen, time and time again, this year, last year, the community continuously uplifting the people around them. It remains a really bright spot for me, especially in social media. And we really strive to be human with one another, which I really like. I treasure that a whole bunch. And then lastly, for those times that are a little less gentle, I am incredibly thankful for my drum kit this year, because it has been nice, from time to time, to just hop over, throw on my headphones, and play how I feel on those drums. What are you thankful for? I really want to know. Hit us up on Twitter. Tweet at us. Talk to us. And, a happy time of gratitude. Thank you very much.

Juliette Warren: Hey, everyone. I’m Juliette Warren from the Admin Relations team here at Salesforce. And I’d like to say thank you to all the awesome admins out there, blazing trails and paving the path for others to follow. The Salesforce community is such a kind and welcoming place, and I’m thankful that we all get the opportunity to lift each other up every single day, lend a helping hand, and make a difference in the lives of others. Thank you.

Dan Rogers: Hey there, I’m Dan Rogers. I edit and produce the Salesforce Admins Podcast. I look forward to my weekly window into the awesome admin community because it’s truly inspiring. I am thankful for my family, my wonderful partner, my new niece, Josephine. She’s just about eight months now. And of course, all the varied and exciting rocks of New England, which I like to climb.

Ella Marks: Hi, everyone. It’s Ella Marks. I’m a marketer on the Admin Relations team, and here’s a shortlist of a few of the many things that I’m thankful for this year. I’m thankful for my family, my friends, my health, all of my people. I’m thankful for my favorite TV shows, music, TikTok, FaceTime, and a good night’s sleep. I’m thankful for my teachers who I admire, and all teachers, my mentors, healthcare workers, and vaccines. I’m thankful for my home, technology, wifi, and holidays with family and friends. I’m thankful my job brings me joy. I’m thankful for this community, the awesome admins that I’ve met, and I’m thankful for the awesome admins I haven’t met yet. Finally, I am thankful for you.

Brittney Gibson: Hi, I’m Brittney Gibson, social and content marketing manager for the Admin Relations team. What a wild year it has been. I started this job back at the end of March, and I’m so thrilled to be a part of this amazing team and community every single day. This year, though, instead of just writing a list of everything I’m thankful for, I decided to write a poem. So bear with me. It’s cheesy. Here goes nothing.

First and foremost, I’m thankful for my loved ones. I think they know I adore them tons. And where would I be without my dog, Brick? I honestly don’t know, probably a wreck. I’m thankful for the roof above my head, and for living by the beach. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be instead. I’m thankful for my health and for a body that can get up and move. I’m thankful that I’m able to nourish myself, although I’m sure there’s still room to improve. I’m thankful for a job that lets me connect with so many lovely human beings. Chatting with my colleagues makes me actually enjoy all of the meetings. I’m thankful for Salesforce and all who work in the ecosystem. It’s, honestly, because of you that I’ve been able to soak up so much wisdom.

Mike Gerholdt: So, I want to thank everyone who has listened this year and supported the podcast, been on the podcast, gave suggestions for the podcast, maybe even participated in social. It has been a very fun time, and I look forward to continuing it next year with you. And, of course, I want to take a break and add to the word of thanks that many of our team members have expressed. I want to thank you for listening. It’s with pleasure that I put out the podcast every week, and look forward to your comments on social. And, when you leave reviews, some good, some bad, but they all help. I hope you have a wonderful 2021 heading into the holidays. And I want to make sure that I mention next week’s episode, where we chat with [Ashley Sisty] about how admin skills and experience translate to other roles in career progression. I’m trying to make these podcasts a little more conversational so that they help you in everything that you do for your role as a Salesforce admin. This is a really great episode, and Ashley really knows a lot about transferable skills. I’m excited. So with that, stay safe, stay awesome, and stay tuned for the next episode. We’ll see you in the cloud.