How Salesforce is Investing in Account Executives with the AE Excellence Academy

Are you an ambitious sales professional looking to elevate your career and become one of the best in the industry? Imagine a company that not only equips you with cutting-edge technology but also invests heavily in your personal and professional growth. At Salesforce, that vision is a reality.

Salesforce, an award-winning leader in the tech industry, is shaping the future of digital labor with innovative agentic AI solutions like Agentforce. This creates an exciting environment where continuous learning is key, and Salesforce is committed to ensuring its Account Executives (AEs) are at the forefront of AI technology while also providing them with unparalleled support and development opportunities.

Introducing the AE Excellence Academy: Your path to sales excellence

One of the key ways Salesforce achieves this is through its exclusive AE Excellence Academy. This tailored 12-month program is designed to upskill and invest in top-performing Account Executives. This career journey focuses on accelerating sales skills, preparing AEs for future leadership roles, and empowering them as individual contributors.

In the most recent cycle, a record 450 AEs from 29 countries participated in this rigorous program. Hear what the newest cohort of grads had to say about their experience:

Exclusive opportunities and transformative experiences

The AE Excellence Academy offers a wealth of exclusive opportunities designed to help everyone succeed in the agentic era of sales. Here’s a glimpse of what participants experience:

Executive exposure

Gaining invaluable one-on-one time with top leaders like Miguel Milano, President and Chief Revenue Officer, is critical for AEs to understand the company’s strategic vision and how to align their sales efforts for maximum impact. 

As Meredith Strait, Account Executive, shared, “We were lucky enough to have one-on-one time with Miguel Milano, and learn how he’s thinking about the growth of this company with Agentforce, and this moment in history. That was really, really powerful. I also had the opportunity to pitch my idea and my customer proposal around Agentforce. I was able to close the first two Agentforce deals in-provider, and I’m really proud of that.” 

This direct exposure and opportunity to pitch ideas help AEs refine their strategic thinking and presentation skills at the highest level.

Mentorship

Participants not only receive mentoring, but step into a mentor role for others as well. 

This give and receive model is a vital opportunity for Academy participants to receive personalized guidance, product knowledge, and sales insights from seasoned professionals, while also helping them develop their own leadership skills. 

Adam Craig, Account Executive, UK, noted: “I truly believe this is one of the many unique enablement programs at Salesforce. As a mentor, I worked with three AEs from three different countries in various roles. It was an amazing experience to share product knowledge and sales insights from my own perspective. 

“Mentoring outside of my own org – helping people who might not be selling anything close to what I sell, has been incredibly rewarding. It broadened my perspective and was one of the most valuable aspects of the program”. 

This cross-organizational mentorship broadens perspectives and offers incredibly rewarding experiences that accelerate an AE’s development.

Learn how Salesforce is using its own technology to make mentorship accessible to every employee.

Peer-to-peer learning

Engaging in collaborative learning environments, particularly around pitching AI offerings like Agentforce, is essential for AEs to hone their articulation and presentation skills through real-time feedback and diverse perspectives. 

Joe Treacy, Account Executive, shares “it was amazing to learn to really articulate [the value of AI] and have that peer-to-peer learning and feedback when we were…in our groups”. This direct interaction helps AEs refine their sales narratives and learn best practices from their colleagues.

Networking

Connecting with peers from around the world is fundamental for AEs to build a strong professional network, share diverse experiences, and gain a sense of belonging within a global organization. 

Edward Selby, Account Executive, highlighted that “One of my favorite takeaways was learning from others around the world. And by far the best experience for me of the program was having the ability to travel to the US to meet people in our business, and really feel connected as part of a global organization”. 

This global networking fosters a sense of community and provides diverse learning opportunities that are critical in today’s interconnected business world.

A “Get and Give Back” model

The AE Excellence Academy operates on a “Get and Give Back” principle. While AEs receive extensive training and development, they also contribute to the collective knowledge and growth of their teams and the company. This includes:

• Get Sessions: These include Promotion Readiness Workshops, Skills Workshops, Networking with Peers, and Executive Exposure sessions. AEs attend a minimum of two “Get” sessions per quarter, focusing on those that align with their career goals.
• Give Back Opportunities: Excellence Academy participants are given opportunities to create content, serve as field experts for training initiatives like onboarding, mentor new hires, and test new products that aim to enhance the seller experience. 

This unique structure ensures that Salesforce’s top talent not only hones their own skills but also becomes a force multiplier for their teams and the entire company.

By actively participating in mentoring and knowledge sharing, these exceptional AEs help uplift their fellow sellers, embody future leadership, and drive Salesforce’s mission to empower all employees with the skills needed for the future of sales.

Learn about the Agentforce tools that Salesforce’s sellers get to use – from the leader of the team that builds them.

Ready to accelerate your sales career?

If you’re interested in joining a fast-paced, AI-powered sales team with access to world-class resources, support, and programs like the AE Excellence Academy, Salesforce could be the place for you. Check out our open roles and apply today!