How woke is Salesforce?

Introduction

Salesforce, a powerhouse in customer relationship management (CRM) software, has built quite a reputation for its bold commitment to social activism and progressive policies. As one of the tech giants, Salesforce’s approach to corporate social responsibility has been a hot topic. This review examines Salesforce’s contributions to progressive causes, its diversity and inclusion efforts, mandatory training sessions, support for LGBTQ+ initiatives, and its marketing strategies.

Financial Contributions to Progressive Causes

Salesforce supports progressive causes through significant financial contributions. CEO Marc Benioff passionately believes that “business is the greatest platform for change.” He is also reportedly at odds with  conservative critics who accuse Salesforce of being “woke,” according to this article by USAToday.

Salesforce’s investments in environmental sustainability and social justice initiatives align with this dedication to making an impact in terms of social activism.

For instance, Salesforce has committed to achieving 100% renewable energy for its global operations and has already reached net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment is part of their broader sustainability goals, which include a zero-waste strategy and promoting the use of sustainable materials in their data centers​​.

On the social justice front, Salesforce’s financial support extends to various community-focused projects. They have invested in the Equality Group, which comprises employee resource groups that advocate for the rights and inclusion of diverse communities within the company. 

Prioritization of DEI Policies

Salesforce brings diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to life through action, not just words. They set a goal to have 50% of their U.S. workforce composed of underrepresented groups by 2023—and they hit this target a year early.

Using a detailed equality dashboard, Salesforce tracks real-time data on representation, hires, attrition, and promotions by race and gender.

Salesforce says: “Equality is a part of who we are at Salesforce. Our commitment to equality is embedded across our business and is reflected in the decisions and actions we take as a company.”

They even have a Chief Equality Officer and an Equality Advisory Board to keep them on track.

Their talent acquisition and development processes are designed with inclusion in mind, featuring programs like the Salesforce Talent Alliance to connect partners with diverse candidates.

Mandatory Training Sessions

Equality is a core value at Salesforce, but you won’t find explicit mentions of mandatory training sessions focused solely on social activism.

Their numerous employee resource groups (ERGs), like Outforce, offer plenty of training opportunities related to LGBTQ+ support, but the available information does not state that this is required for employees.

Support for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Salesforce is a big supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, and they show it. Their LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Outforce, boasts over 10,000 members, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees and allies.

According to the company, “At Salesforce, we believe that creating a culture of equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing.”

Salesforce also provides comprehensive gender-inclusive benefits, such as gender affirmation medical reimbursement, paid gender affirmation leave, and counseling services.

Externally, Salesforce advocates for LGBTQ+ equality, supporting the passage of the Equality Act in the U.S. Congress and participating in global Pride events.

Marketing and Branding

In its marketing and branding, Salesforce openly embraces and promotes social activism.Their Annual Equality Update doubles as a progress report and a marketing tool, showcasing their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

“We continue to advance representation and inclusion at our company, building meaningful employee experiences and expanding programs that foster greater belonging and help grow careers,” their Annual Equality Update notes.

Salesforce’s partner ecosystem initiatives like the Partner Collective Impact amplify their social impact by encouraging partners to commit to equality and community goals.

They also emphasize their sustainability initiatives, like the carbon-neutral cloud and renewable energy goals, as part of their brand messaging.

Conclusion

Salesforce champions progressive causes and social responsibility. The company leads in corporate social responsibility through generous donations, robust DEI policies, LGBTQ+ support, and activism-infused marketing. These progressive stances often clash with conservative values, reflecting broader ideological tensions in the business world.