Welcome to Inside the Salesforce Ecosystem, where we talk to leading experts and Trailblazers shaping the future of Salesforce. In this series, we uncover personal journeys, insights, and advice straight from the professionals who know it best.
In this episode, we’re joined by Wesley Bik, Salesforce Consultant at Brightfox Netherlands.
Let’s get started!
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role as a Salesforce Consultant?
Wesley: I’ve been a Salesforce consultant for over four years now, and I’ve spent the last two years with Brightfox. My role involves helping clients implement Salesforce solutions that fit their business needs, and I focus on understanding their processes to create tailored solutions.
Q: How did your journey into the Salesforce ecosystem begin?
Wesley: My journey started in marketing consultancy, where I worked with tools like HubSpot. Then started to find my way into CRM systems and then stumbled upon Salesforce and I really started to enjoy the ecosystem. I started exploring Trailhead, which sparked my interest in focusing entirely on Salesforce. After two years, I decided to join Brightfox to specialize in Salesforce implementations.
Q: What parallels do you see between your background in marketing consultancy and your current role in Salesforce consultancy?
Wesley: My marketing background helps me understand the processes customers need, whether they involve marketing or other business operations. This foundation allows me to bridge the gap between understanding customer requirements and implementing those processes in Salesforce.
Q: Can you share a highlight from your Salesforce career so far?
Wesley: I have two highlights. Early in my career, I worked on implementing a marketing solution that connected multiple systems for an event-hosting company. And the second one is more recently, I led a significant Salesforce transformation project for a large construction company. Their old org required extensive cleanup and the implementation of modern tools like CI/CD pipelines. Seeing the customer adapt and benefit from the changes was incredibly rewarding.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job as a Salesforce Consultant?
Wesley: I love working directly in the Salesforce system—building complex flows, exploring new features, and creating solutions. However, the most rewarding part is delivering a project where the client sees real value, especially when they have that “lightbulb moment” of understanding how it improves their processes.
Q: How do you stay updated on Salesforce developments?
Wesley: I use a mix of resources: Salesforce partner materials, Trailhead environment, and practical workshops, like those on Agentforce. I also maintain a thread to track new Salesforce features, reading up on anything that catches my attention. For deeper dives, Trailhead’s hands-on experiences are invaluable.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to become a Salesforce Consultant?
Wesley: I came from a more business background and then moved into the ecosystem. So, my advice would be if you’re really interested in it, start by exploring Trailhead to understand the fundamentals and work toward your admin certification.
Soft skills like active listening, problem-solving, and time management are just as important as technical knowledge. If you really understand the problem of the customer, then you can translate it to your solution.
Q: How do you maintain work-life balance in a demanding role?
Wesley: It all starts with time management. When I’m not working, I focus on relaxing and I do exercise a lot. I enjoy running and spending time outdoors with my dog. Disconnecting from work and trusting your team to handle challenges is essential for maintaining balance.
Wesley’s journey from marketing consultancy to Salesforce expert is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for problem-solving. His story offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the Salesforce ecosystem.
Stay tuned for more episodes of Inside the Salesforce Ecosystem!
