• Salesforce quietly released diversity executive Jacalyn Chapman in May, sources tell Insider.
• The company told some employees Chapman's role was being eliminated, one of the people said.
• Salesforce is facing a discrimination lawsuit from another diversity executive.

Salesforce terminated the employment of a popular diversity, equity, and inclusion executive in May, people familiar with the matter told Insider. The people asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.

Jacalyn Chapman spent 12 years at Salesforce and was most recently vice president of equality, employee advocacy, and belonging. Although the circumstances of her termination are unclear, one person said some employees were told her role was being eliminated. Salesforce declined comment to Insider.

She was well-liked by colleagues and known for having a direct line to Salesforce executives like CEO Marc Benioff and Chief People Officer Brent Hyder, the people told Insider. Once word spread internally that she was gone, dozens of employees thanked Chapman for her contributions to Salesforce on an online card viewed by Insider.

Salesforce's dismissal of Chapman, a Black woman, comes as the company is aggressively cutting headcount and costs in recent months. Chief Business Officer Ebony Beckwith, the only Black executive on Salesforce's leadership team, also left the company in May.

As Insider previously reported, Salesforce is also currently facing a discrimination lawsuit from another Black woman who worked as a senior director in the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion unit called the Office of Equality. The lawsuit claims she was denied a promotion to vice president after performing tasks others in the role performed and was held to different standards than her white colleagues. The company denies these claims.

Led by philanthropy-minded Benioff, Salesforce has long aspired to be the tech industry's champion for social justice. But Salesforce has been under pressure to focus on profit from a group of activist investors. It announced a plan to layoff 10% of its global workforce earlier this year, shed some real estate, and hired Bain & Company to help it restructure. Many of the layoffs have been sales, recruiting, and marketing roles, as well as jobs in some of its acquired companies, including Tableau, Mulesoft, and Slack.

With a newfound focus on budgets and profits, some employees say that its culture is becoming radically changed.

Do you work at Salesforce and have insight or information to share? Contact Ellen Thomas on Signal at 646-847-9416 or ethomas@insider.com. Contact Ashley Stewart via the encrypted messaging app Signal (+1-425-344-8242) or email (astewart@insider.com). Use a nonwork device.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, adapting to change is no longer a choice — it’s a necessity. And when it comes to managing those changes seamlessly, Salesforce stands tall as a powerhouse. However, navigating the intricate realm of Salesforce Change Management can often leave even the most seasoned professionals scratching their heads.

We unveil six invaluable tips that promise to unravel the complexities, making the process not just manageable, but downright straightforward. Whether you’re a salesforce novice or a seasoned pro, these insights will empower you to wield change as a tool for growth, without breaking a sweat.

Clear Change Identification and Prioritization

Before embarking on any salesforce changes, it’s essential to meticulously define the scope and objectives of the proposed modifications. This involves a detailed analysis of the current system, identifying pain points, and recognizing opportunities for enhancement. Once potential changes are identified, a rigorous prioritization process should be employed.

This prioritization should be based on factors such as the anticipated business impact, alignment with strategic goals, and feasibility of implementation. The impacts of any change should be thoroughly evaluated, considering both short-term and long-term consequences. This includes assessing potential disruptions to existing processes, workflows, and user experiences, as well as estimating the financial, resource, and time investments required for successful implementation.

ALSO READ: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SALESFORCE INVESTMENT

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Successful salesforce change management thrives on collaborative efforts across diverse departments. Forming a dedicated change management team comprising representatives from different functional areas fosters a holistic approach. Involving stakeholders early in the process ensures that all perspectives are considered, mitigating resistance and enhancing buy-in.

Open communication channels must be established to facilitate idea sharing, status updates, and issue resolution. This collaborative synergy not only promotes comprehensive change planning but also empowers a sense of ownership among stakeholders. By uniting expertise and insights from various disciplines, organizations can navigate change with collective strength and drive more successful implementations.

Comprehensive Change Documentation

Thorough documentation is the backbone of effective salesforce change management. Detailed records of change requests, requirements, and implementation plans ensure a clear roadmap for all involved. A well-maintained repository of version-controlled documentation facilitates transparency, aiding in tracing the evolution of changes and reducing confusion. This meticulous documentation also supports knowledge transfer, enabling seamless onboarding and continuity.

By meticulously capturing every step and decision, organizations establish a reliable foundation for change, ensuring that stakeholders remain informed and aligned throughout the process. Robust documentation safeguards against uncertainties and serves as a valuable resource for future enhancements.

Thorough Testing and Quality Assurance

Rigorous testing and quality assurance are cornerstones of successful Salesforce change management. Crafting comprehensive test plans and scenarios allows for the meticulous examination of new configurations and functionalities. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) involving end-users validates the changes from a practical standpoint, ensuring they meet user needs and expectations.

Addressing any detected bugs, performance issues, or discrepancies during testing guarantees a smoother transition. A robust testing phase minimizes post-implementation disruptions and fosters user confidence. By prioritizing quality assurance, organizations fortify their change management process, delivering dependable solutions that align seamlessly with business objectives.

User Training and Support

Empowering users through effective training and ongoing support is pivotal in salesforce change management. Developing comprehensive training materials, including guides and tutorials, equips users with the knowledge to navigate new features and processes. Conducting engaging training sessions and workshops enhances user proficiency and fosters a positive transition experience.

Providing accessible avenues for user support, such as help desks or forums, ensures timely issue resolution and knowledge sharing. Prioritizing user training and support cultivates user confidence, reduces frustration, and promotes efficient utilization of the salesforce platform, ultimately contributing to the success of change initiatives.

Effective Change Rollout and Monitoring

A well-executed change rollout and vigilant monitoring are pivotal to salesforce change management success. Careful planning of controlled rollouts or pilot launches ensures gradual adoption and minimizes disruption. Monitoring user adoption, feedback, and system performance provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of implemented changes. Iterative improvements based on real-time data help fine-tune configurations and address evolving needs.

This proactive approach guarantees that the change’s impact aligns with expectations, promoting sustained user satisfaction. By maintaining a watchful eye on the ongoing change process, organizations can swiftly adapt, optimize, and enhance the Salesforce environment, driving long-term success and continuous improvement.

Simplifying Salesforce change management is a multi-faceted endeavor that demands strategic planning, collaboration, documentation, testing, training, and vigilant monitoring. By adhering to these key principles, organizations can navigate transitions with clarity, engage stakeholders effectively, and ensure seamless system enhancements. Embracing change as an iterative process allows for agility and continuous improvement, leading to a Salesforce environment that not only meets current needs but also lays a solid foundation for future innovation and success.

ALSO READ: SALESFORCE GENIE CAN TRANSFORM YOUR SALES STRATEGY

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) has observed the following analyst ratings within the last quarter:

In the last 3 months, 37 analysts have offered 12-month price targets for Salesforce. The company has an average price target of $238.16 with a high of $278.00 and a low of $153.00.

Below is a summary of how these 37 analysts rated Salesforce over the past 3 months. The greater the number of bullish ratings, the more positive analysts are on the stock and the greater the number of bearish ratings, the more negative analysts are on the stock

This average price target has increased by 5.59% over the past month.

Stay up to date on Salesforce analyst ratings.

Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.

Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.

Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.

If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in Benzinga Pro.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

• Salesforce reportedly paid Matthew McConaughey $10 million a year during layoffs.
• The actor has started to appear publicly on behalf of Salesforce. Some employees aren't happy.
• "I was denied a promotion this cycle because of 'lack of budget' but we can throw $10mil a year at this guy," one wrote.

Salesforce appears to be trying to get its money's worth out of Matthew McConaughey since it was publicly reported by the Wall Street Journal in February that the company paid the actor $10 million a year.

McConaughey's voice appeared in Salesforce's "AI Day" event in June and Salesforce recently announced McConaughey as a speaker at the company's annual Dreamforce conference in September.

But some employees are not happy about it because the McConaughey deal was made public just a month after Salesforce announced it would be conducting widespread layoffs this year. The company is still emphasizing cost cutting to employees.

Some employees complained about the company's relationship with McConaughey in an internal Slack channel called "airing of grievances," according to messages viewed by Insider.

"Well, that was totally worth a salary of 10 million USD a year," one employee wrote, sharing a 15-second Salesforce marketing video of McConaughey asking, "If AI collects your data in a forest, and no one is around to watch it, what happens?"

"Yet, there's a focus on revenue, team meetings are cancelled due to having to book billable hours, and budget for promotion is limited," another employee responded.

"I was denied a promotion this cycle because of 'lack of budget' but we can throw $10mil a year at this guy?" another wrote.

In January, Salesforce began layoffs of 10% of its workforce as activist investors pushed for higher profits. A draft of Salesforce's annual planning document viewed by Insider earlier this year detailed how the company planned to exceed 30% profit margins. Salesforce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Are you a tech-industry employee or do you have insight to share? Contact Ashley Stewart via the encrypted messaging app Signal (+1-425-344-8242) or email (astewart@insider.com).

Salesforce.com (CRM) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Over the past month, shares of this customer-management software developer have returned -0.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.7% change. During this period, the Zacks Computer - Software industry, which Salesforce.com falls in, has gained 2.4%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings Estimates

Here at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Salesforce.com is expected to post earnings of $1.90 per share, indicating a change of +59.7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $7.44 points to a change of +42% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.

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For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $8.99 indicates a change of +20.9% from what Salesforce.com is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.4%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the exact change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Salesforce.com is rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue Growth

Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Salesforce.com, the consensus sales estimate of $8.52 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +10.4%. The $34.63 billion and $38.47 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +10.5% and +11.1%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise History

Salesforce.com reported revenues of $8.25 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.3%. EPS of $1.69 for the same period compares with $0.98 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.17 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.95%. The EPS surprise was +4.97%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

Valuation

Without considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Salesforce.com is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom Line

The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Salesforce.com. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

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