061 — Kurt Kemple: A masterclass in enablement and community driven product at Slack!
How does someone with a non-traditional background end up leading Developer Relations for a tech giant like Slack? In this episode, host Jack McCurdy dives deep into the incredible story of Kurt Kemple.Kurt pulls back the curtain on his journey and shares the hard-won lessons that shaped his philosophy on community, collaboration, and creating meaningful tech. He reveals the critical importance of developer enablement and challenges a "build it and they will come" mentality.Get ready for a powerful conversation about the human side of DevOps. You'll hear Kurt's take on the future of community, the one framework that clarifies every project, and why building relationships is the ultimate key to shared success.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters:00:00 Introduction to Kurt Kemple and Slack02:56 Kurt's Journey into Tech and Developer Relations05:34 The Importance of Tech Enablement08:42 Building a Career in Tech11:35 The Role of Community in Tech14:16 Job to Be Done Framework and Its Impact17:25 The Future of Community and Connection19:57 Reflections on Personal Communities and Growth24:53 The Power of Community in Professional Growth26:40 Aligning Business with User Needs28:23 Building Internal Communities30:08 Overcoming Resistance in Internal Teams31:41 The Importance of User Feedback33:51 Empathy in Community Building35:40 The Flywheel Effect in Developer Relations37:36 Collaborative Language and Shared Ownership39:44 The Role of Developer Relations41:54 Education and Enablement through Community43:13 Leveraging Slack for Effective Collaboration47:02 The Future of Slack and Developer Experience
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060 — Andy Barrick: Observability for Salesforce, your secret weapon to stop firefighting!
How much has DevOps really changed since the AI boom? Are you truly observing your Salesforce org, or just reacting to fires? When do you pay down technical debt versus pushing for the next big feature?If you're asking these questions, you're not alone. Host Jack McCurdy is joined by DevOps expert Andy Barrick to tackle the tough challenges facing teams today. This practical conversation covers the evolution of the field since 2022, providing actionable advice on implementing proactive observability, managing risk, and making incremental changes that deliver massive impact.Learn more:Read the observability whitepaper: https://grst.co/4lFfxmmHow Salesforce teams execute observability for Salesforce: https://grst.co/3GXddrUSee Flow and Apex Error Monitoring in action: https://grst.co/3IF5EqqAbout DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters:00:00 The Evolution of DevOps Since 202202:35 The Role of AI in Automation05:21 Testing Fundamentals in DevOps08:29 Understanding Observability in Salesforce11:05 Reactive vs Proactive Observability14:03 The Importance of Proactive Monitoring16:29 Implementing Observability in DevOps19:41 Starting Your Observability Journey22:14 Balancing Refactoring and New Initiatives24:56 Risk Management and Observability27:48 Final Thoughts on Observability
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059 — Amy Oplinger Singh: What they don't teach you about a career in Salesforce!
Think you know the path to success in the Salesforce ecosystem? Think again. In this candid conversation, Jack McCurdy and dataimporter's Amy Oplinger-Singh pull back the curtain on the untold truths of a career in tech.From battling imposter syndrome to mastering the art of data management, Amy provides a masterclass in navigating the complexities of the industry. Learn why your network is your most valuable asset and how to find a role that truly aligns with your personal and professional goals.This isn't just another tech talk. It's a guide to building a resilient and authentic career.Key Insights:- The power of authenticity in a competitive industry.- How to turn networking from a chore into a superpower.- Leadership strategies to foster a burnout-proof team culture.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters:00:00 Introduction to Amy02:48 Amy's Salesforce Journey and Early Experiences05:36 Navigating Imposter Syndrome08:11 The Importance of Networking10:51 Understanding and Managing Imposter Syndrome13:30 The Pressure of Visibility and Burnout16:06 Finding Alignment in Career Choices18:58 Transitioning to Data Importer21:38 Reflections on Career Growth and Future Goals23:56 Building a Supportive Work Environment30:56 Navigating Data Management Challenges36:08 Leadership and Team Well-being40:47 The Importance of End Users in Projects
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058 — Jon Cline: Mastering the People Puzzle in DevOps!
In a tech-driven world, human connection is more critical than ever. In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy sits down with Jon Cline to explore the power of a people-first approach in the Salesforce ecosystem and beyond. Discover strategies for navigating high-pressure situations, resolving conflict with emotional intelligence, and turning chaos into compliments. Learn how to foster a culture that attracts and retains top talent by focusing on what truly matters: your people.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters00:00 Introduction to the Salesforce Ecosystem03:02 The People-First Method: Transforming Teams06:05 Conflict Resolution and Project Success09:08 Embracing Discomfort in Professional Growth11:48 The Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions14:50 Navigating High-Pressure Situations17:50 The Future of Human Engagements20:53 Recognizing Dynamics in Team Interactions26:19 Navigating Political Challenges in Team Dynamics29:16 The Power of Small Talk in Team Collaboration30:43 Establishing a Culture of Values and Recognition33:41 Attracting and Retaining Talent in a Competitive Market35:31 Demonstrating Authentic Company Culture36:32 Transforming Chaos into Compliments40:50 People-First Approach to Leadership and Change
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057 — Dangsenpenan Nokshuwan — Beyond the Ecosystem: How One Analyst is Changing Lives
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy sits down with Dangsenpenan, a Salesforce Analyst at RSPCA. Discover Dangsenpenan's inspiring self-taught journey into the Salesforce world and how he's paying it forward by founding West Africa Dreaming. Learn about the power of accountability, the strength of the global Salesforce Ohana in fostering local talent, and the challenges of event sponsorship. Dangsenpenan also shares insights on engaging the next generation in tech and the evolving definition of community in the digital age. Tune in for a story of passion, community building, and the transformative impact of non-profit work.About DevOps Diaries: Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearsetX/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethqAbout Gearset: Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKWChapters:00:00 Introduction to Dangsenpenan's Journey02:53 The Path to Salesforce: A Unique Journey05:53 Self-Learning and Overcoming Challenges09:02 The Importance of Accountability in Learning11:51 Building a Community: West Africa Dreaming14:53 Creating Opportunities for Others17:59 The Global Salesforce Community and Its Impact20:59 Vision for the Future: Expanding the Community25:37 Building Community Through Ohana Spirit30:29 Overcoming Challenges in Sponsorship35:47 The Power of Non-Profit Work41:48 Engaging the Next Generation in Tech45:03 Redefining Community in the Digital Age
DevOps Diaries, brought to you by Gearset, is the podcast for Salesforce professionals to hear stories from folks in the Trailblazer ecosystem responsible for delivering awesome Salesforce implementations — the trials, tribulations, and successes. Hosted by Jack McCurdy.
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