{"id":11216,"date":"2026-02-16T17:28:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T09:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=11216"},"modified":"2026-03-04T10:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T02:19:54","slug":"interview-with-svp-boon-lai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/interview-with-svp-boon-lai\/","title":{"rendered":"AI CRM and the Future of Small Business: An Exclusive Interview with SVP Boon Lai"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To help navigate the digital landscape for small businesses, we sat down with Boon Lai, SVP of Growth Marketing at Salesforce, to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI)<\/a> and customer relationship management (CRM)<\/a> are helping businesses expand and scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the democratisation of AI to the importance of trusted data and the role of CRM, Boon provides practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to leverage technology to grow their businesses. Join me, Caylin White<\/a>, Editorial Lead and all things content here at Salesforce, as I explore the future of small business with Boon and how you can harness the power of AI and CRM (AI CRM). Don\u2019t miss out on his key takeaways and actionable tips at the end. Let\u2019s dig in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet Boon Lai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boon is a dynamic leader who joined Salesforce as the Senior Vice President of Growth Marketing. In his role, he spearheads Product-Led Growth (PLG) strategy for small businesses<\/a>, focusing on acquiring new customers and driving product adoption for Starter Suite<\/a> and Pro Suite<\/a> and, particularly for the Agentforce<\/a> platform. Boon oversees a talented team dedicated to product and segment marketing, as well as the Strategy, Operations, and Enablement (SOE) for Salesforce web and search engine optimisation (SEO) initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boon’s passion for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)<\/a> runs deep, rooted in his upbringing in Singapore. He grew up in a retail shop where his dad was a small business owner, instilling in him a strong appreciation for the challenges and opportunities that come with running a business. This firsthand experience has fueled his commitment to helping SMBs thrive and succeed, making his role at Salesforce particularly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boon currently resides in sunny California with his family.  When he\u2019s not juggling between work and being dad to twin girls, he geeks out on AI, loves building awesome teams, and believes in the power of marketing to make a difference.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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