A Salesforce Panel Discussion on Values-Driven DesignOps
Summary
- Discuss practical ways to weave values into our Ops work
- Consider what’s necessary to build community and culture for hybrid design teams
- Understand how effective onboarding tools can help new team members feel welcome
- Identify the design practices and tools that keep teams and leaders aligned
Key Insights
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Including physical descriptions during virtual meetings fosters inclusivity for visually impaired team members.
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Salesforce's V2MOM framework (Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Measures) aligns personal, team, and company values strategically.
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Prioritizing design Ops initiatives through core values helps focus teams on work that builds connection, clarity, scalability, and kindness.
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Slack workflows automate routine check-ins and gratitude sharing, enhancing remote team connection with minimal effort.
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Regular peer recognition practices like 'Shout Out Thursdays' increase community and morale with low implementation effort.
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Revamped onboarding processes developed with direct new hire input increase engagement and make remote welcome experiences feel supportive and confident.
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Consistent, transparent communication from leadership, via structured cadences and messaging, builds trust and clarity across distributed teams.
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Values serve as an anchor during rapid organizational change, helping teams to maintain trust and a cohesive culture.
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Using design thinking principles such as user interviews and prototyping enhances the effectiveness of internal process improvements.
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Addressing misalignment around values is best handled through private one-on-ones that explore individual perspectives before attempting realignment.
Notable Quotes
"We do this with intention of fostering a more inclusive experience for audience members who might be sight impaired."
"The V2MOM stands for Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, and Measures and is a framework every Salesforce employee uses."
"Our value of connection is brought to life through team offsites and weekly meetings with intentional moments to build connection."
"Showing gratitude through Slack workflows is a low effort, high impact way to build community and recognize everyday wins."
"Onboarding feels like somebody's holding your hand, even though you're remote, which makes a huge difference."
"Clear and consistent communication really keeps design leadership accountable and promotes transparency via knowledge sharing."
"Values determine the team environment you create; they permeate through leadership and affect performance and happiness."
"Trust takes time, hard work, and consistency to build, especially in times of change when time is a luxury we don't have."
"Always remember the power of your values in times of doubt and change; lean into what your team really stands for."
"If you find someone not following values, start with a one-on-one to understand their point of view and realign together."
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