Robbie Bain: From Battlefield to Boardroom
From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Robbie Bain’s Journey from Army Veteran to Salesforce Professional
Robbies Military Background
Robbie Bain spent 24 years in the British Army, serving in various capacities, from infantry to senior fraud investigator and heading up Finance. His military career took him across the globe, from the battlefields of Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan to the financial oversight roles within the Army. “I was mainly HR towards the end, but also an accountant and fraud investigator. My last role was head of finance for the British Army Personnel Centre, managing budgets and ensuring operational readiness,” Robbie recalls. His service was filled with both experiences and a deep sense of duty.
During his time in the Army, Robbie began to dabble with technology. “We were still a paper-based organisation, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. My role was to digitise processes using whatever tech we had, mainly Microsoft tools like PowerApps and SharePoint,” he explains. This experience sparked his interest in tech, particularly in finding creative solutions to complex problems.
Transitioning to Salesforce
Robbie realised he wasn’t ready to leave the workforce as he approached retirement. “I wasn’t ready to retire, so I started exploring tech roles,” he says. A friend introduced him to Salesforce, and Robbie began to see the potential for a new career path. “I started learning independently, but it was a steep learning curve. That’s when I met Dave.”
Meeting Dave
Robbie’s journey took a significant turn when he met Dave, a Salesforce expert known for his unique teaching methods. Working at Salesforce as a Solution Engineer, he was provided with many Salesforce learning opportunities but quickly realised that Dave was the key to unlocking potential as he made Salesforce seem simple to understand. “Dave was super curious about my Army background and took me under his wing. He made the complex seem simple and gave me the confidence to dive into Salesforce. The teaching I had from Dave every week was better than any Salesforce training I ever received; he was the guy at Salesforce who would teach people and the guy people would go to with questions.”
Dave’s Teaching Methods: Dave’s approach was a game-changer for Robbie. “He broke down difficult concepts into manageable pieces. For example, he explained Salesforce security using the analogy of filing cabinets, which made everything click for me. Dave’s methods were engaging, practical, and relatable; he even used Pokémon analogies to explain workflows I saw in another testimonial video with Bianca, which just sums Dave up, he meets everyone where they are at!
“So, I ended up passing admin. Two weeks later, I passed my advanced admin. Three weeks later, I passed my App Builder, and then six months in, I passed my Service Cloud and my Sales Cloud, all with the help of David and just him being a very, very good teacher and a guy that you can actually relate to with Salesforce. So he’s very knowledgeable, brilliant.”
Robbies Advice to Others
Robbie’s advice to anyone considering a career in Salesforce is straightforward: “Grab the opportunity with both hands, Dave is the best teacher you can have, it will change your life. His approach is simple, concise, and constantly updated. You won’t find a more dedicated and caring instructor.”
Career Now: Today, Robbie has successfully transitioned from the military to a thriving career in banking technology. “The skills and knowledge I gained from Dave’s training have been invaluable in my role in the banking industry,” he shares. Robbie’s journey from the battlefield to the boardroom is a testament to the power of resilience, continuous learning, and the right mentorship. He has found a new purpose in the world of tech, leveraging his military experience to make a significant impact in his new career.