Abstract With artificial intelligence, autonomous agents, and shifting dynamics, Salesforce serves as a key case study for how established software firms adapt. This post explores Salesforce’s impressive AI strategy, leveraging vast data, distribution, and brand via Agentforce, despite complex software and fierce competition. It traces Salesforce’s history, success roots, and current state, highlighting AI opportunities and threats, while its story offers a blueprint to challenge incumbents. Topics include founding lessons, Porter’s Five Forces, Five Ps of Marketing, branding, pricing, competitive advantage, growth strategies, Agentforce, IT value chain disruption, leadership, financials, and the shift from CRM to a platform with network effects. The Salesforce Story: Lessons from a Cloud Pioneer Salesforce’s journey offers timeless lessons for understanding how incumbent advantages evolve in the AI era. Tracing its history, drawn largely from Marc Benioff’s books and public records, f...