BCG’s Key Takeaways and Insights From Dreamforce 2024

By Bryan Gauch , Phillip Andersen , Dr. Basir Mustaghni , Kim Keating , and Benjamin Quirt

As Dreamforce 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on a week filled with exciting announcements, thought-provoking discussions, and a clear vision for the future of technology and business. This year, BCG had the honor of being an Innovator Sponsor and Exclusive Partner of the CIO+ Experience , a role that allowed us to engage deeply with many of the most impactful themes shaping the industry today. Whether you joined us in San Francisco or tuned in virtually, here are the key takeaways from Dreamforce 2024 that will shape how we approach business transformation, AI, and the future of work.

Takeaway #1 | A Shift Toward Reimagined Workflows Through AI-Powered Automation

One of the most prominent themes this year was the evolution from task acceleration to fundamentally changing the way we work. Salesforce’s announcements around Agentforce, Slack, and Tableau illustrated how automation and integrated workflows are no longer about making tasks faster—they’re about transforming the very nature of work. The integration of AI agents into workflows, combined with multi-channel automation, is set to redefine productivity across industries. The focus is shifting from isolated efficiency improvements to the complete redesign of work processes.

Takeaway #2 | Embracing an Open Ecosystem for Flexible Data Integration

Salesforce continues to champion an open ecosystem, and this year’s updates around Data Cloud and MuleSoft reinforced that commitment. These platforms are enabling seamless integration of data across silos, which is crucial for enterprises managing multiple systems like Workday, SAP, and Azure. For organizations deeply embedded in Salesforce, the possibilities are immediate, but more extensible iterations are already on the roadmap, allowing businesses with mixed systems to benefit from these integrations soon.

For companies with complex, multi-vendor ecosystems or simply multiple Salesforce instances, Data Cloud is becoming a key point of consideration for their architecture. It’s not just about managing data anymore; it’s about unlocking its full potential to power AI-driven personalization and next-gen customer experiences. Throughout our CIO-track conversations, leaders consistently emphasized the need to balance these innovations with cost considerations as they plan for a GenAI future.

Takeaway #3 | GenAI: Opportunities and Challenges on the Horizon

AI—and especially GenAI—was a dominant topic throughout Dreamforce, and the excitement is palpable. Many conversations revolved around the increasing enterprise readiness of Salesforce’s AI capabilities. However, while the opportunities are immense, some challenges remain—particularly for organizations with older, heavily customized Salesforce instances. The path to unlocking the full potential of AI hinges on tackling data and business process calcification, making transformation an imperative for those looking to stay competitive.

The discussions also made it clear that AI’s future success isn’t just about technology. It’s about adoption and integration at scale, a theme we’re seeing across industries. Change management will be a critical factor in realizing the full benefits of AI. As AI becomes more integrated into workflows, businesses will need to focus on blending both top-down organizational initiatives and employee-driven AI innovations.

BCG’s Role in the Digital Transformation Journey

BCG’s presence at Dreamforce wasn’t just about observation; it was about partnership. As an Innovator Sponsor, we showcased how our Salesforce Value Accelerator can help companies transform by incorporating groundbreaking AI and data-driven experiences into their customer relationship management (CRM) systems. From AI’s role in automating everyday tasks to reinventing operations, we’re committed to guiding organizations on their path to successful digital transformation.

Through our work with clients, we’re helping businesses build for the future—not simply by improving existing processes, but by intentionally combining human and technological capabilities to drive long-term growth. We also discussed the importance of AI in next-gen marketing, sales, and customer service, offering practical insights on how companies can turn AI magic into measurable business impact.?

Looking Ahead

As we pack up from Dreamforce 2024, we leave with a renewed sense of excitement about the future of AI and digital transformation. From the new capabilities of Agentforce and Data Cloud to the growing focus on open ecosystems and enterprise-ready AI, it’s clear that the landscape of business technology is evolving rapidly.

However, the shift ahead is more profound than just technology implementation. It’s about complete business integration, where technology reshapes organizational structures, processes, and strategies. The companies that will thrive are those that not only adopt AI but embed it deeply into their operations, allowing it to transform how work is done. This requires businesses to adapt not just their tools but also the skills, behaviors, and mindset of their teams to align with this new reality. Now is the time to embrace change, leverage AI, and prepare for a future where continuous transformation is the key to success.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and helping organizations navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Stay tuned for more in-depth insights from our team as we explore the future of marketing, sales, and business transformation in the age of AI.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us at Dreamforce 2024. Whether you were there in person or followed along remotely, we’re excited to continue the conversation and shape the future together.

Additional Resources:?

• The Future of Sales with AI ??

• How to Accelerate the GenAI Revolution in Sales ??

• A Bold AI Ambition for B2B Marketing? Sales? and Service? ??

• Creating More Value with Your Integrated Sales Tech Stack ???