Ian Schmehl

Trailblazer
DISC Type : ID

Customer Advisory Board Member - FINS at Salesforce

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, United States

Overview

Ian is a senior operating executive at State Farm, previously with AT&T for over two decades. He specializes in leading large-scale transformations, elevating customer experience, and deploying AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency. He holds an MBA from Texas A&M International University and serves on the Customer Advisory Board for Salesforce.

Outside of work, Ian is committed to community service, serving as a board member for non-profits including Beyond the Bases and Kids Helping Kids. He enjoys playing chess, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two daughters. He has also volunteered with the YMCA of Austin.

Unique fact: He holds a U.S. patent for a system and method to display a media content progress bar, reflecting an early interest in user experience technology.

Personality Overview

Assertive

Charismatic

Persuasive

They prefer to ensure that they are in control of the situation.  They are charming and can persuade others to support their decisions. They are not against taking risks and can make tough decisions when required.


Topics They Care About

AI in Operations
He focuses on deploying AI solutions to reduce costs and increase efficiency in large-scale operations, a key part of his role at State Farm and a topic he writes about.
Customer Experience
A core theme in his career, he advises both Salesforce and the University of Houston on customer experience strategy and curriculum.
Human-Centric Leadership
Emphasizes blending technology with the human touch to create a culture where employees and customers thrive, a topic he has discussed in podcast interviews.

Media Appearances

Strengthening the Enterprise Ecosystem: Welcome to the Salesforce Ventures Innovation Advisory Board. Featured in Salesforce Ventures

See Now

Work History

1-2022 - 12-2024
Customer Advisory Board Member - FINS at Salesforce
10-2021
Operations Vice President - Enterprise Operations at State Farm ®
8-2021 - 9-2021
Vice President - Direct Sales - AT&T Sales and Distribution at AT&T
10-2020 - 9-2021
Advisory Panel - Customer Experience Program at University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business
1-2018 - 7-2021
Vice President, Sales, Service, and Digital Operations – AT&T Mexico at AT&T

Education

Executive Education from University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA from Texas A&M International University

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 8 Location : Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, United States Job Level : Senior Designation : Customer Advisory Board Member - FINS at Salesforce
URL has been copied!

Insights For Selling To Ian

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Keep your pitch focused on the impact but nurture the relationship too
  • Ask them for a lunch or coffee once some rapport has been established
  • Display high self-confidence and expect them to have a strong personality.

DONT's

  • Do not look like someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about
  • Avoid unnecessary negativity or slowness
  • Don’t hesitate from asking them how they truly feel about your product

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Ian is

  • Relationship and product conviction matter equally, followed by a sense of achievement.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Ian

  • If they are not convinced, they will say no though in a friendly way.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Ian move?

  • They can make decisions quickly if they develop trust in you and conviction in the product.
  • Can Ian take some risk or not?

  • If necessary, they will be ready to take risks.

You And Ian

Personality Compatibility


Other Salesforce Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals at the same organization.

More Profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Search more profiles

Looking for someone else? Search here for anyone.

Or visit Humantic AI to know more.