The Kansas City Users Group of SalesForce.com got off to a great start this week! If you weren't able to attend our inagural meeting let me tell you a bit about what went on...

I apologize. I personally hate long posts. This posting covers a lot of topics and I've tried to break them with a header.

• Opt In
  Framework for Future Meetings
• Opportunities to Get Involved
• Summer Release Notes
• Survey -- We need your input
• Future Meeting Date
• DreamForce 2008
• SFDC on LinkedIn

OPT IN

The very most important thing we need is for you to follow the link below and OPT IN to the Kansas City Users Group. SFDC requires this OPT IN process for us to continue to share information with you.

http://usergroups.salesforce.com/kansas_city/

Be sure to visit the BLOG page often so you can stay connected to the community. I suggest you create a shortcut on your desktop to the link above.

Framework for Future Meetings

We had 32 people in attendance. This is a great showing for our first meeting. I want to thank Jason Kort, Brian Vestle, Danny Wastler and Brian Connell for their help in getting things rolling.

Admittedly this first meeting was laying the framework for future meetings. We decided that we would plan to meet every other month. We will be targeting a three hour format that will allow us to really dig into some tough concepts, show examples and execute some real training.

There was a consensus for the group that we really wanted information. The challenge is that everyone is at a different skill level. As we plan programming we will want to be aware that we have beginner users as well as expert administrators. Our hope is that our experts will step up and share the knowledge.

Opportunities to Get Involved

The key to a successful users group is peer sharing. AND, that everyone gets involved. Remember that you get what you give!

As we talked I asked for help and several people offered assistance including Paul Eide, April Bowden, Kelly Hollowell, David Pease, and Dave Kressin. I will be reaching out to each of you for help in handling:

• Programming
• Communication
• Hospitality
• Membership
• Vendor Relations

I think the key thing we have to focus on is providing VALUE to our membership. If you are interested in doing more please contact me at ginad@mailprint.com or call me at 816-459-8404.

Summer Release Notes

Finally I want to thank Dixie Larson and Tim Poolman of SalesForce.com who were in attendence. Dixie walked us through some of the Summer Release Notes. If you aren't aware, SFDC regularly adds features to the platform AND allows you or your administrator to add those to your view of the application. You can review the new release notes by clicking on HELP & TRAINING after you have logged into SFDC. Be sure to spend some time with with the PDF that outlines all the notes and then talk to your administrator to see about adding those features you believe are valuable to your use of SFDC. There were several that I was surprised to learn about and that will be helpful.

Survey

Jason Kort of SoftVu was helpful in setting up a survey to give us a little more insight into the profile of our group. Please take a moment and follow the link below to take the short survey.

http://relay.softvu.com/cn/Relay/Relay2/viewItem.asp?itemId=ee2a7b08a7b54b00a6be9bdd3aae5317

Future Meeting Date

Look for a notice of our future meeting date... we are targeting August 13, but look for an email next week to confirm location and times.

DreamForce 2008

DreamForce 2008 is scheduled for November 2 - 5 in San Francisco -- Are you going? Learn more at www.dreamforce.com.

SFDC is on LinkedIn

If you are a part of the professional social networking group LinkedIn be sure to join the SFDC Community --http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/47390/25D51B54E354

SFDC Testing Opportunities

Salesforce.com wants to let user group members know there is an ongoing need for Salesforce users to participate in testing sessions. You don't even have to leave your desk! Sessions are run using Web conferencing software, so all you need is an internet connection, a phone, and a bit of time to spare. You're even rewarded with a gift card for your time and input.

If you are a Salesforce user and would be interested in helping out, please fill out the form at http://www.clicktools.com/survey?iv=b4118a9b965b6ef so they can put you on the list! Please forward this url to your sales, marketing and support users so they can participate too.

They appreciate the help to improve Salesforce and make it the best product it can be for you and your business. If you have any questions or concerns, direct them to their research department email address at: tester@salesforce.com.

THANK YOU

Finally... thank you for your support and I look forward to getting to know each of you better in the coming months. Remember, the best way to learn is to lead. If you want more from SFDC then I encourage you to raise your hand to help organize.

Have a great week!

G

Gina M. Danner, CEO :: ginad@mailprint.com

MAIL PRINT :: 816.459.8404 :: 800.660.0108 :: 816.459.8407 fax :: www.mailprint.com

8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 122 :: Kansas City, MO 64161