Blogs

What a rollercoaster 2023 has been in the Salesforce world! It's been quite the shift from the hiring frenzy we saw from mid 2020 to late 2022. As we wave goodbye to this eventful year, we thought to share a real and insightful overview of what has changed and why. We'll chat about how these changes have played out for companies and candidates, and more excitingly, what we think 2024 has in store. So put your feet up, grab a coffee or tea, and let’s dive in! 1. The Overall Market Shift in 2023 The year began on the heels of a hiring frenzy, a period marked by an aggressive demand for Salesforce professionals. However, 2023 brought a change in the tide, starting the year with multiple waves of redundancies from the mothership and subsequently other related companies in the salesforce ecosystem. Given all the macroeconomic conditions of this year and therefore overall uncertainty, we have seen a preference for permanent staff over contractors, Australia wide. Where we have seen differences is in the private sector compared to the public sector. Whilst private companies are holding tightly onto their budgets, the federal and state government are steadily continuing their investment and expansion in the Salesforce space. Another notable trend was the return to office. After a period of remote work, the majority of companies started requiring employees to be in the office for 2-3 days a week, with expectations of this increasing in the coming year. Yet, the landscape remained diverse, with some companies operating fully remotely and others returning to the office full-time. 2. Companies: Adapting to a tighter economic environment Companies in 2023 were cautious and many held onto their budgets, leading to delayed projects and a reduced pipeline for implementation partners. This led to a shift in focus from new projects to wrapping up existing ones and settling into a period of business-as-usual activities until new budgets are released. Organisations that continued hiring experienced a dramatic surge in job applications – a jump from a handful to over 150 applicants per position in some cases. This surge was partly due to multiple redundancy waves within the Salesforce ecosystem, particularly affecting talent at implementation partners but also Salesforce customers of all sizes. Despite the larger pool of applicants, securing good, experienced, and committed Salesforce talent remained a challenge, as those who retained their jobs were hesitant to change roles in an uncertain market. This meant greater challenges for some talent acquisition teams. With a significantly increased volume of applications to process, identifying the exceptional Salesforce talent remained difficult, especially under time pressure. This also highlighted the need for efficient and at times automated hiring processes. 3. Candidates: Surprises, uncertainty and navigating a more competitive landscape For candidates, 2023 was a year of resilience and adaptation. The market saw multiple redundancies, leading to increased competition among highly skilled abd entry level professionals for the same positions. This competition, coupled with the economic slowdown, led to a softening of salaries and daily rates, a reverse trend from what we all experienced around 2021. The rise in AI technology and higher demand for Salesforce Industries, in particular public sector solutions, offered new opportunities to learn and upskill. We have seen candidates rise to the challenge and asking lots of questions around Salesforce trends in the new year and other skills to learn outside of the pure technical landscape. If there is one thing we can leave you guys with, is to not give up. If you keep learning, apply yourself, connect with the Salesforce ecosystem and continuously show up, you will be fine. We are here to support you along the way. 4. Looking Ahead: The 2024 Salesforce Market Looking at 2024, we feel cautious optimism. Based on our conversations this last quarter of the year, we are expecting staggered but continuous growth. Many clients are starting their new financial years (either January, April or July) with fresh budgets and new projects on the horizon. This suggests a potentially busy year ahead, with Salesforce talent that has been waiting out the uncertain period likely to re-enter the job market. We anticipate a continued focus on Salesforce AI Cloud and Salesforce Data Cloud, driven by increased sales activities from Salesforce itself. There will be new customers entering the Salesforce ecosystem, whilst others will continue to expand. If the current harsh and uncertain macroeconomic conditions soften, 2024 will see new energy and optimism in the Salesforce ecosystem. I for one can’t wait for Salesforce World Tour in Sydney in February. We are excited for new opportunities, energy and excitement for both companies and candidates alike in the new year. Conclusion In summary, 2023 was a year of transition for the Salesforce market, where we have seen shift from a contractor demand to a preference for permanent employees. Companies are working through economic challenges, while candidates faced redundancies, uncertainty, increased competition but also new opportunities in the AI and Data space. Looking forward, 2024 holds promise for renewed growth and enthusiasm in the Salesforce ecosystem, with both companies and candidates ready to start the new year fresh. See you all in 2024 and at the World Tour the latest. I can’t wait to continue to work alongside you, with you and for you. Your #SalesforceKat

The technology landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for both individuals and businesses. One technology that continues to play a pivotal role in many sectors is (of course) Salesforce. Whether you're an experienced Salesforce professional or a newbie in the Salesforce world, there's always room to hone your skills and expand your knowledge. Salesforce continues to provide a huge array of training options to cater to different learning needs and preferences. So here I would like to wrap up some of the latest and most popular Salesforce training options: 1. Salesforce Trailhead Of course we could not write a blog without mentioning Trailhead first. Salesforce’s free online learning platform is still the go-to place for those seeking to upskill and expand their Salesforce knowledge. Trailhead offers a combination of content, learning paths known as 'Trails', and hands-on challenges that allow you to learn at your own pace. New modules and trails are added regularly to keep up with Salesforce's frequent updates and new features. 🔗 Salesforce Trailhead 2. Salesforce Certifications Salesforce provides a wide range of certifications, for specialisations across administration, development, architecture and many more. Each certification focuses on a specific knowledge and/or product area, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of that topic. The certification process has also seen significant updates, with remote options available for most exams. 🔗 Salesforce Certifications 3. Salesforce Training and Certification Paths Salesforce has launched new training and certification paths that guide learners through progressive levels of expertise. These paths include beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for various roles such as Salesforce Administrator, Developer, and Architect. (I can’t open the link on my computer. Could you share the link via email? I have a feeling this refers to the two above as there are training and certification paths in trailhead and for the certifications but it would not make a separate point. 🔗 Salesforce Training and Certification Paths 4. Partner-Led Training Salesforce partners with several training providers to deliver in-depth courses, boot camps, and workshops. These courses are led by certified Salesforce instructors who provide a thorough understanding of Salesforce's features and functionality. Some well-regarded partners include Focus on Force, Udemy, Simplilearn and Coursera to name a few. 🔗 Focus on Force 🔗 Udemy Salesforce Courses 🔗 Simplilearn Salesforce Training 🔗 Coursera Salesforce Courses 5. Salesforce Events and Webinars Salesforce regularly hosts events such as Salesforce World Tour, Salesforce community group meet ups, Down Under Dreaming, Trailhead DX Bootcamps, and of course many webinars and other get togethers. These provide learning opportunities along with updates on the latest Salesforce features and best practices. Salesforce has increasingly offered digital versions of these events to ensure accessibility. 🔗 Salesforce Events Benefits of Salesforce Training Engaging in training can help your Salesforce career in so many ways, such as: Marketability: Being skilled in Salesforce is highly sought after in many industries, making you a valuable asset to any team. Versatility: Salesforce is not industry-specific. It is used in a wide variety of sectors, from healthcare and finance to education and retail, making your skills transferable across different industries. Career Advancement: Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, continuous learning can help you advance in your career. Confidence: With extensive training, you will be more confident in your skills and abilities, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. The world of Salesforce is vast and continually evolving. Keeping up with the latest training and certification options allows you to stay relevant in the market and could be a game-changer in your professional growth. As Salesforce continues to innovate and expand, so do the opportunities for those skilled in it. Salesforce's commitment to education, its diverse training options, and continuous updating of resources truly makes it a platform that promotes lifelong learning. So, no matter where you are in your Salesforce journey, there's always an opportunity to learn more and do better.

Every woman has a unique story. Each of them is marked by determination, resilience, and the will to transform their circumstances. And yet, there are still many women who face hurdles that limit their potential and success. This is where Dress for Success Sydney comes in, an organisation that believes in empowering women to achieve their goals. Kohort Partners are proud to be partnered with such a great non-profit organisation. In this blog, we will share why we are so passionate about their mission, and why you should get involved too. Who is Dress for Success Sydney? Dress for Success Sydney is a non-profit organisation committed to helping women in need to achieve economic independence. They do this by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools. They believe in every woman's ability to succeed in work and life, and exist to offer the necessary support, empowering women to break the cycle of poverty. What Does Dress for Success Sydney Do? Dress for Success Sydney is about more than just providing clothing. They operate on a model of support that extends beyond the wardrobe. While they offer clothing to women in need, they also provide essential services like job search support, career counselling, and mentorship programs. These services are geared towards empowering women to secure lasting employment and build a sustainable career. They are designed to give each woman the confidence to enter or return to the workforce, make a great first impression and create a platform for success and economic independence. Why We Are Passionate About Dress for Success Sydney They Empower Women: As a partner, we share Dress for Success Sydney's commitment to empower women. They make a tangible difference in women's lives, not only by giving them the tools they need to succeed in the workforce but also by boosting their confidence and self-esteem. They Foster a Supportive Community: Dress for Success Sydney creates a nurturing environment where women can find mentorship and camaraderie. We admire the way they encourage a community of women who support each other, creating a powerful network of professional relationships and friendships. They Promote Sustainable Change: Their programs are designed to help women achieve economic independence sustainably. This isn't about a one-off solution; Dress for Success Sydney helps women build lasting careers and break the cycle. Why You Should Get Involved Too Your involvement can have a significant impact on the lives of many women. By donating professional clothing, volunteering your time, or offering financial support, you contribute to a woman's ability to succeed. Here are some reasons why we think you should get involved: Make a Direct Impact: Your involvement can help transform a woman's life by giving her the confidence to walk into a job interview ready to impress, or empowering her to take that next big step in her career. Foster a More Inclusive Society: You contribute to creating a more equitable world where women, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to thrive in the workforce. Join a Community of Change Makers: When you join Dress for Success Sydney, you become part of a global movement dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equity in the workforce. At the heart of Dress for Success Sydney is the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. By providing the tools, resources, and support necessary for women to achieve economic independence, they offer more than a service – they provide a lifeline to a brighter future. We are proud to be a part of this journey and invite you to join us in supporting them. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or spread the word, your involvement can make a real, tangible difference. Because when we lift each other up, we create a world where success is possible for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Click here to get involved.

Day rate contracting in the Salesforce ecosystem. What do I need to consider?

Interview preparation in the Salesforce ecosystem