Salesforce CEO Shares Memorable Advice from Steve Jobs

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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, a prominent figure in the technology and business landscape, once recounted an invaluable piece of advice he received from the late Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc. This encounter occurred during a challenging period for Benioff, when he found himself grappling with what many entrepreneurs refer to as "entrepreneurs' block"—a state of stagnation where innovative ideas seem elusive, and the path forward appears clouded. In this moment of uncertainty, Jobs imparted three crucial directives that would not only inspire Benioff but also serve as guiding principles for his leadership at Salesforce.

1. The first piece of advice was to aim for an ambitious target: grow the company tenfold in just 24 months. Steve specifically stated "Your company, it better get 10 times larger than it is now in 24 months, or it's over." This audacious goal embraced the spirit of innovation and risk-taking that Jobs himself embodied. By setting such a high bar, Benioff was reminded to push the boundaries of what is possible.

2. The second directive was to sign a big customer. This advice underscores the importance of strategic partnerships and customer relationships in the realm of business. Landing a significant client not only provides a substantial revenue boost but also serves as a powerful endorsement of the company’s value proposition. It can open doors to new opportunities and enhance credibility in the market. For Benioff, this meant focusing on building relationships with key industry players and understanding their needs, ultimately aligning Salesforce’s offerings with the demands of major enterprises.

3. The third and final piece of advice from Jobs was to build an application economy. This concept revolves around creating a robust ecosystem of applications that can drive engagement, enhance user experience, and foster innovation. In an era where digital transformation is paramount, the ability to develop and integrate applications that meet diverse customer needs is crucial. For Benioff, this meant investing in technology and resources that would enable Salesforce to not only provide exceptional software solutions but also to empower developers and businesses to create their own applications, thereby enriching the overall ecosystem.

Initially puzzled, Benioff came to realize that Jobs wanted him to create an app store. This led to the creation of Salesforce's AppExchange in 2006. Benioff fondly recalled thinking "I think he wants me to build an app store." The mentorship with Jobs greatly influenced Benioff's career and life.