Taking the Lead
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Taking the Lead is a podcast for B2B Tech professionals, leaders, and executives who are looking to learn and be inspired. In each episode, Christina Brady interviews top female icons who are at the forefront of revenue teams. Through highlighting their unique stories, journey, wins, and challenges, Taking the Lead helps tech professionals understand the industry, trends, and how to navigate the B2B Tech landscape.
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Mar 7, 2023
Learning how the She Gets It community helps women with self-development with AmyK Hutchens
Although we live in a male-dominated world, women beat all odds and challenge the dominant structures everyday. Further, many women are in leadership positions; they are managers, directors, and even independent entrepreneurs and founders.
But to be successful in business, women still have to work harder than men. They have to invest in themselves to learn, and considering that their mentors and bosses are mostly men, they lose the will to advance because it seems impossible for them to be in a higher position than men.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes AmyK Hutchens, Founder and Intelligence Activist at AmyK International Inc. AmyK describes her journey from being a school teacher to entering sales and starting her own business. AmyK and Christina discuss leadership, how to lead your team successfully and how the She Gets It community helps women with self-development.
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Feb 20, 2023
Learning how having an ingrained sales process helps with training featuring Dina Gallay
Adopting a sales methodology can help develop a successful sales process because it provides sales reps and managers with a scalable and predictable way of operating that ultimately determines the organization's ability to improve win rates. Further, it is critical that as many people as possible in the organization should be fully trained in the sales methodology to apply it successfully.
But in many companies, even if the entire company has undergone comprehensive long-term methodology training by experts, employees may struggle to provide that level of training to others. In that case, the company has to allocate money from its budget to train new people on their methodology.
Dina Gallay, Senior Specialist in Sales Enablement at Relativity, suggests a scalable way to train employees in the company’s sales methodology. "It's shadowing people, providing the resources (the talk tracks, the questioning strategies, objection handling), and a lot of role-play," says Dina.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Dina explains why she left people leadership and moved into the sales enablement sector. Dina and our host Christina Brady get into the similarities and differences between sales enablement and sales leadership and discuss the sales process and methodology.
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Feb 7, 2023
Understanding the power of your network with Samantha McKenna
If you work hard, succeed at your job, progress quickly, and contribute to your organization, you may eventually want to start your own business. While being a founder can bring you more money, more free time, and more freedom to implement ideas, there's no denying that starting a business is challenging, especially if you're a woman.
Women generally face many more obstacles than their male counterparts in entrepreneurship. Some apparent challenges are gender bias and discrimination, but women often do not even have government support, and their access to funding is limited.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Samantha McKenna, the founder of #samsales Consulting. Sam describes her journey in sales and how she became a founder. Sam and Christina discuss sales, prejudices relating to jobs in sales, and how to create a successful brand.
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Dec 28, 2022
Learning how discussion and debate help reduce friction at work with Natalie Lambert
An important segment of any organization is its employees — on whom the company's success depends. It is just as important to take care of your current employees as it is to find suitable candidates when recruiting new ones.
That's why many choose to transfer employee management from manual to digital and use platforms and tools that quickly find suitable candidates.
In healthcare, the Apploi platform can help you attract, hire, and engage talent. Their comprehensive analytics dashboard gives you complete visibility into every stage of the hiring process, and you can actively follow and analyze workforce, recruitment, and hiring trends at each of your facilities.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Natalie Lambert, the CRO at Apploi. Natalie describes the quota-carrying AM, retention-focused CSM, and enablement-focused CSM roles, and she gets into the importance of using discussion, debate, and commitment to reduce moments of friction at work. Natalie and Christina discuss how to structure a CSM team and how to start creating a compensation plan.
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Dec 14, 2022
Learning how data helps you make decisions with Stephanie Sanders
Data-driven teams use company-wide data insights to identify, advance, and achieve their business goals. And using data, you can have insight into how your employees operate daily.
But inaccurate data can be a big problem that can lead to bad business decisions and negative business performance. Also, incorrect data can lead to a drop in productivity because everyone — sales, marketing, customer support, etc. — uses the same data.
According to Stephanie Sanders, it's important to take action if data seems inaccurate and collaborate with others to get their perspective. "It's always about communication. It's always about being open to other perspectives and ways of looking at the same slice of the pie and then using that to help progress your agenda and everything else in the next situation," says Stephanie.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Stephanie explains how you can use data as a diagnostic and to make decisions. Stephanie and our host Christina Brady discuss the importance of being open to other perspectives when analyzing data, data usage in the sales funnel, and wrong data.
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Nov 30, 2022
How to embrace your biggest strength as an executive leader with Jamie Kirmess
An executive is a powerful leader who is in charge of their company's growth, and it takes a lot of hard work, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills to become one.
But you can be authentically yourself and still be a successful executive. In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, our host Christina Brady welcomes Jamie Kirmess, the managing director at Shift Paradigm. They talk about the power of being yourself, how to embrace your biggest strengths, and why you should never stop learning.
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Nov 16, 2022
Learning how a partnership strategy helps your business with Jessie Shipman
A partnership is a relationship between two or more companies who come together to provide even more value to their customers. There are different types of partnerships — strategic, channel, or technical — and they can have a significant impact on the business. Each such relationship plays a specific part in the company’s strategy and must be entered into after giving it a lot of thought.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Jessie Shipman, the CEO and founder of Fluincy. Jessie and Christina get into the importance of partnerships and how a partnership strategy can improve business. They discuss strategic, channel, and technical partnerships, partnerships as a go-to-market strategy, and how a partnership team can achieve success.
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Nov 3, 2022
Learning how past experiences help with your new job featuring Kimberly Evans
When certain companies are hiring new people, usually the first step is to review the CVs of interested candidates. And then, the company eliminates those candidates who don't have the specific qualifications they're looking for, whether it's the experience in that job/industry or education.
But if you just look at the resumes and reject candidates based on them, without talking to them, you can miss out on people who would contribute to your company. By rejecting diversity, that is, by not digging into each candidate before making a final decision, you may not hire the best.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Kimberly Evans, a global sales enablement director at Logz.io. Kimberly and Christina get into the importance of diversity in the company and providing opportunities for people. They discuss how previous experiences can be used in a completely new environment and how companies can contribute to increasing diversity.
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Oct 19, 2022
How to say no to things that don't fulfill you and find your purpose with Margaret Weniger
''What do you want to be when you grow up?'' is one of the most common questions kids are asked. But what about adults? Just because someone finished school, got a job, and succeeded doesn't mean they are happy where they are. Maybe they still wonder what they want to do when they grow up. After all, growing up is a life-long process.
Of course, at some point, life kicks in; we have to pay the bills and earn a living.
Therefore, it is critical to set priorities, be realistic with your resources, and see what's important to you and will make the lives of you and your loved ones better. So, don't assume. Instead, seek to understand yourself and others.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, we have a fantastic guest — a woman who proves that determining what you don't want to do is sometimes more important than knowing what you want to do. She is Margaret Weniger, once a successful sales leader, and now, an entrepreneur and a podcast host living her purpose.
Margaret and our host Christina Brady discuss the challenges and concerns of quitting the well-trodden career path and digging into the unknown. Margaret shares why she decided to step out of the sales leadership role and dedicate herself to creating a space for women to share their stories and become entrepreneurs. They also discuss what it takes to be a good leader and how celebrating and learning from small victories is the path to great success.
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Oct 5, 2022
How to Encourage an Employee to Nurture Their Authentic Self With Amy Hegarty of MedTrainer
Believe in yourself and never settle for less than your authentic self. But that's easier said than done, especially in the corporate world, where employees are sometimes expected to hold back a part of their personality and natural strengths to meet certain expectations.
It's time to eradicate that belief and prove to executives that only a culture of trust and open communication drives success. Therefore, we asked Amy Hegarty, SVP of Sales at MedTrainer, to join us on this episode of Taking the Lead.
Amy shares her professional and personal background and explains how a strong support system is a prerequisite for professional growth. She also talks about gratitude as the key ingredient of success and why encouraging employees to nurture and be their authentic selves in the workplace will help take the business to the next level.
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Sep 21, 2022
Going from a sales leader to a CRO position with Megan Dimmer
You have to work hard to get your dream job. You also have to continuously learn and be ready to take certain risks to reach your goal.
However, despite a strong desire, many people are insecure and afraid to step into something new. They are lulled into the routine of their current job, and although they are aware that they will not progress there, they remain in their comfort zone and do not make their career into what they really want.
Megan Dimmer is someone who has taken risks to make her dreams come true. She made decisions that may seem frightening to some. But, those calculated risks are why she is the CRO at Esellas today.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Megan gets into her career journey and describes her transitions through it. Megan and our host Christina Brady discuss career planning, taking career risks, and the importance of having your life team.
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Sep 7, 2022
Learning how angel investors help startups grow with Amber Illig
An angel investor is an individual who provides capital — mainly for a business — usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. Angel investors typically support startups in the beginning, when most investors are not prepared to back them. And if you pick the right investments, you'll get a high reward.
But angel investing can be risky since the investment or the business is unproven. While making money is possible, many angel investors lose their entire investment.
Amber Illig successfully went from angel investor to the role of founding general partner at The Council Fund, an emerging venture firm that invests in technology companies that are transforming traditional industries in Logistics, FinTech, Digital Health, and the Future of Work. She has a handful of successful investments behind her.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Amber gets into angel investing and venture funding. Amber and our host Christina Brady discuss different ways to invest as an angel…
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Aug 24, 2022
How to successfully go through the onboarding program with Carly Lehner
Onboarding is the process of integrating new hires into the organization, and it helps them adjust to the social and performance aspects of their jobs so they can quickly become productive, contributing members of the organization.
But not all companies have onboarding programs that prepare a new hire for success. As a result, many new employees are not ready for work and do not do well.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Carly Lehner, the senior director of RevOps & Enablement at Andela. The two get into the importance of the connection between sales enablement and RevOps and the importance of good onboarding programs. Carly and Christina also discuss RevOps, Andela, and Andela’s onboarding programs and the departments involved in them.
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Aug 11, 2022
Learning how asking questions helps with professional growth featuring Kim Mirazimi
A common misconception regarding sales teams is that they ignore rejections and try to sell at any cost. But, modern-day and high-quality sales departments don't fear rejection. Instead of trying to sell, they focus on understanding the client's needs and challenges and demonstrate that they are trustworthy partners.
If you aspire to have such a sales team, you need a leader who understands that employees need to pause and take a breath to perform well and deliver the desired results. You also want your employees to be courageous.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Kim Mirazimi, Senior VP, Commercial Sector at 3Pillar Global. Kim and Christina discuss courage in the workplace. Kim explains that being courageous means being intentional, well-prepared, and curious. She also reminds us that we are humans and encourages everyone, especially those in sales, to not be afraid of asking questions and admit that they are wrong. It is the only path, Kim says,…
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Jul 27, 2022
How to make sure everyone's aligned with your company's north star featuring Renee Psenka
There are many processes and structures in a business, and they're the backbone that holds the organization together.
But alignment is the secret sauce of success, so you need to ensure that everyone is aligned with the north star of your business.
In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, our host Christina Brady welcomes Renee Psenka, Head of Revenue Operations at RudderStack. They chat about the key qualities of good leaders, why there's no such thing as bad ambition, and how to align your teams.
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Jul 13, 2022
Toggling between an individual contributor & a leader with Amy Volas
Even though there are more women in leadership positions or starting their own entrepreneurial journeys, the fact remains that the fight for gender equality is still going on.
Further, recent US events like the overturning of Roe v. Wade highlight how much more progress still needs to be made.
Therefore, it's up to all of us to empower women to raise their voices and join forces for a better and more equitable world.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Amy Volas. Amy is the founder and CEO of Avenue Talent Partners. The two discuss the position of women in today's business world. Amy shares her career path and why she prefers being an individual contributor rather than a leader. They also touch on the idea of success in the public and private sphere and conclude that standing up for what you believe is right creates better opportunities for everyone.
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Jun 29, 2022
Going from an Office Manager to the President and COO of a tech company with Kristen Habacht
Startups are built for fast and consistent growth, and everything you do must be planned.
But sometimes, it's hard to adapt to the changes that happen pretty quickly in a startup. For example, it happens that you need to hire 50 people at once and adding so many people to your team can lead to chaos.
Kristen Habacht, President and COO of Shogun, points out that sometimes it just looks like you need more people; so, she advises a detailed analysis to ensure that you have a solid foundation for acceleration.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Kristen describes her journey from an office manager to becoming a female president and COO of a tech company. Kristen and our host Christina Brady get into constant changes in startups and how to adapt to them, employment in a fast-growing startup, and the relationship between PLG and sales. They also discuss how to properly incentivize a new business rep and the importance of looking at your mix of the comp to base.
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Jun 14, 2022
How to make training activities exciting and meaningful for employees with Lauren Goldfinger
Enablement-related roles are growing in popularity, and people are increasingly becoming interested in the field. But, not many know what this role involves and the requirements you must meet to land it.
Therefore, it is critical to familiarize yourself with those who have already paved the way to becoming enablement professionals by helping others reach their career goals.
Lauren Goldfinger, a shared services enablement manager at Salesloft, joins host Christina Brady in this episode of Taking the Lead. The two discuss what the enablement role involves, how companies and especially leaders should approach employee training, and how to go from a good to an excellent manager by acquiring proper coaching skills.
''One of the most important pieces of a leader's job is coaching. It is also often the first thing they don't do [because] of time and priority and commitments and resources. But it is critical. And there is so much data that supports how well teams perform, how much better te…
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Jun 1, 2022
Learning how professional curiosity and resilience can help your sales career with Jennifer Ives
Being a salesperson is an emotional rollercoaster. And when things don't go your way, or you struggle to make a sale, you will be tempted to ponder on whether you're really cut out for a career in sales.
However, once you master these crucial sales skills, you will be unstoppable.
In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, host Christina Brady welcomes Jennifer Ives, a founder, advisor, and board member. They chat about the most critical tips for making it in sales and how to embrace your curiosity and build professional resilience.
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May 11, 2022
How to build relationships with your employees using the Win-Learn-Change tool with Gianna Scorsone
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the world had to adapt to a new way of life and work. Remote work has become commonplace, and both companies and employees are facing many new challenges. Mutual trust has become very important, and companies have been looking for ways to drive the engagement of their employees.
Even before the pandemic, so many organizations struggled to hire someone for entry-level positions. But a lot of companies don't accept retail experience as one of the entry points, even though retail could be great preparation for a job in sales.
In the new episode of Taking the Lead, Christina Brady welcomes Gianna Scorsone, the Head of North America at Aircall. Christina and Gianna get into why retail is a good starting point for a sales job and discuss the importance of creating more empathy in the workplace.
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Apr 27, 2022
Making space for previously incarcerated people in the tech industry featuring Kate Leidy
One of society’s most complex problems is mass incarceration. And contrary to popular belief, incarcerated people can also be talented, motivated, and capable individuals who are ready for the opportunity for a thriving career — in technology, for example. They need support, inclusion, and a second chance.
But many tech companies don’t hire folks with prison backgrounds, and as a result, they often miss out on really good candidates.
In the new episode of Taking the Lead, Christina Brady welcomes Kate Leidy, the CEO of Strively. Christina and Kate talk about reducing prison recidivism, the similarity between tech salespeople and those in the prison system, and also the importance of making space for the previously incarcerated because they can be an incredible asset to the tech industry.
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Apr 13, 2022
How to bring an executive presence to the table with Christine Rogers of Aspireship
Women are more than capable of managing teams and leading companies. And without a doubt, we need to have more women at executive tables.
But no matter their gender, age, or race, all leaders need to have an executive presence and truly show up as leaders when they walk into a room.
In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, our host Christina Brady welcomes Christine Rogers, the President and COO of Aspireship. They talk about why sales is not for everyone, how to stay true to yourself while moving up the company ladder, and what are the main issues with having a lack of diversity at the executive table.
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Mar 16, 2022
Why Hiring Employees Has Become a Challenge for Recruiters with Amber Smith of InsideView
Hiring new people has become one of the most challenging tasks for a company. Given how incredibly competitive compensation plans have become, it's hard to chase talent as they’re ready to turn down any offer that doesn't meet their needs.
However, should compensation be the determining factor for a candidate? Even if compensation plans aren't as convenient as expected, candidates should look at the opportunities available at the company and how they can use them to gain valuable experience in the field, whether it's sales or something else.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Christina Brady welcomes Amber Smith, the VP of Small Business & Mid-Market Sales at InsideView (a Demandbase company). They get into the challenges of hiring talent, how compensation plans impact the candidate's decision while choosing a company, the importance of chasing opportunities, and other ideas concerning hiring and paying employees today.
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Mar 2, 2022
How to become successful by taking a step back with Michelle Pietsch of Dooly
In almost all companies, there are top sales representatives who are also capable of leading teams and achieving excellent results in their field. They not only know how to position the company and create qualified potential clients, but they also have the skills to build trust within their teams.
But most sales representatives do not know how to reach the position of leader (even if it is handed to them), and they are often afraid to take the next step. Should I ask for a promotion? Am I even ready for that kind of responsibility?
In this episode of Taking the Lead, Christina Brady welcomes Michelle Pietsch, the VP of Revenue at Dooly. Christina and Michelle get into how to get to your desired position and advance in your career and emphasize that the most important thing is to work meaningfully on your development path.
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Feb 9, 2022
What It Takes for a Woman to Show She Deserves a Seat at the Table with Debra Senra, Head of Sales and Client Experience at ThreeFlow
The comfort zone is our worst enemy, and most of us decide to settle for less because we fear being rejected by a company we want to be a part of. But, being in a place where you don't feel valued can do more harm than facing failure.
Therefore, every time we think there's no way to accomplish more, we should look for examples of successful individuals who once were where we are now.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady welcomes Debra Senra, the Head of Sales and CS at ThreeFlow.
In this insightful and inspiring conversation, Debra shares her professional experience and how she fought gender inequality. She also explains how to ask for what you deserve without jeopardizing your position, and how even lousy advice can help you grow.
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Jan 26, 2022
Learning How User Feedback Helps with Creating a Better Tool with Esther Friend, VP of Sales Efficiency and Transformation at Five9
Shopping for a new tool requires the attention of several departments within the company — marketing, sales, and customers. And the same goes for the piloting, implementation, and trial of a tool. As a rule of thumb, all departments must be aligned to create a coherent strategy, which is the key to accomplishing any goal.
But is it necessary to plan and create a thorough annual plan to achieve good alignment between teams? Or is it enough to craft a list of primary goals and observe it from various standpoints?
In the latest episode of Taking the Lead, Christina Brady welcomes Esther Friend, the VP of Sales Efficiency and Transformation at Five9. They get into the piloting phase of tool evaluation, creating alignment between teams, the role customer feedback plays in tool improvements, and other such aspects relating to tool acquisition and assessment.
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Jan 12, 2022
How to Adapt to a Work Culture Without Losing Your Authenticity with Jenni Dettman, VP of Marketing at DZS
Women have proven time and again that they can be equally good leaders as men. They are able to demonstrate strong leadership skills, make bold decisions, and boost company performance.
But being a female leader often comes with some significant challenges, such as getting interrupted, spoken over, or feeling excluded.
In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, our host Christina Brady welcomes Jenni Dettman, the Vice President of Marketing at DZS and a powerful female leader. They get into the issues women encounter at the workplace and discuss ways to overcome them and come out even stronger. In addition, they chat about self-awareness, adaptability, and authenticity as key aspects of being an inspiring leader.
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Dec 1, 2021
How to Overcome Fear of Failure and Follow Your Passion with Kirsten Reynolds, Head of Partnerships at Airvet
It is safe to say that the tech sector is taking the lead in today's business world, and every company, regardless of the industry, relies on it. But, how can someone who’s never worked in the tech space and has no prior knowledge of it build a career in it?
According to our guest, Kirsten Reynolds, Head of Partnerships at Airvet, it all comes down to our willingness to ask questions, learn, and not compare ourselves to others.
''Stop comparing yourself to other people. I still challenge myself with that all the time. It's something I need to tell myself to this day. I wish I would've started when I was younger, but everybody's on this journey. And so, everybody has different speeds at different times.''
In this episode of Taking the Lead podcast, Kirsten introduces Airvet, discusses the magical combination of the vet and tech space, and shares what it was like moving from the corporate world to a startup. Kirsten and our host Christina also chat about the importance of building a…
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Nov 5, 2021
Learning How Professional Networking Helps With Career Development with Mary Ward, CRO at Athennian
Chief Revenue Officer is one of the newest roles in the C-suite range. Since they're responsible for generating revenue and driving growth, their job is to bring sales and marketing together to ensure customer success.
But most CROs struggle with the customer experience piece of the puzzle and rely only on the efforts of their sales and marketing teams to drive revenue.
In this episode of the Taking The Lead Podcast, our host Christina Brady welcomes Mary Ward, the CRO of Athennian, to discuss the challenges and perks of being a CRO. They get into how CROs can bring marketing, sales, and CX together, why this holistic approach to revenue generation is so effective, and the best ways to help these teams work towards their common goals.
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Oct 5, 2021
Simple Tips for Finding a Fulfilling Career with Nanette George, Director of Product Marketing at Comet
*Do you love your job? If the answer is anything but a firm yes, we suggest you listen to this uplifting episode of the Taking the Lead podcast… and even if it is a “yes” check it out anyway! *
*Today's guest is Nanette George, a pioneer in career changes. But you know what? She is happy and thriving. So if you want to feel the same way, tune in to hear what she has to say.*
*Nanette is the Director of Product Marketing at Comet. Prior to that, she was the Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Oracle and Senior Marketing Manager at Cloud Factory and is also launching her own podcast soon. Nanette says that over the years, she's learned how to leverage all her skills from all these different experiences and go after what she wants in business. Now she wants to help others do the same, discover their North Star, and make that career change they've been dreaming about for so long.*
*In this episode, our host Christina Brady and Nanette chat about the role of curiosity in finding…
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Sep 21, 2021
Defining the Key of Achieving a Successful Work-Life Balance with Angela Earl, Vice President of Global Marketing at RFPIO
*People tend to express one personality at home and another at work. However, it sometimes makes us fake our true selves and pretend we are something we are not. Is there a way to overcome that obstacle and achieve a true work-life balance?*
*Angela Earl is the VP of Global Marketing at RFPIO Inc., and she believes the key to achieving a flawless work-life balance lies in picking up the pieces of each and integrating them in both spheres. She encourages executives to be who they are at work, be vulnerable, and take a break when things become overwhelming. That way, their teams will be encouraged to do the same.*
*In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady introduces us to Angela Earl. Angela reveals the secrets of maintaining a perfect balance between personal and professional life, especially in the COVID-driven environment.*
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Sep 9, 2021
Ask the Right Questions Before Taking Any Road with Gabriella DeFlorio, Co-Founder and CEO of Prelay
*In today's episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady has an interesting conversation with Gabriella DeFlorio, the Co-Founder and CEO of Prelay. They talk about things you can and can't control in life and explain how important it is to find balance.*
*Gabriella explains what it takes to become an entrepreneur, how to find a great business partner, and points out that luck is very important for success. But, of course, there's much more you'll need to become an entrepreneur and run a company.*
*During this insightful interview, Gabriella remembers her path through the industry and provides us with great pieces of advice on how to pave the road toward your dreams. She thinks it's important to be disciplined, emphatic, and aware of your strengths.*
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Aug 24, 2021
Understanding Customers' Needs Is Key to Success with Romaine Buck, Vice President of Customer Success at Articulate
*How fluent are you in Customer Success? We could all be a little better no matter what line of the business we’re in. And most companies have different approaches and definitions regarding this CS.*
*Luckily, some people have proven to be experts in the field, and it's our pleasure that one of them is with us today. Meet Romaine Buck, the VP of Customer Success at Articulate.*
*With over 20 years of experience in CS, sales, account management, and recruiting, Romaine is a professional you would want to run to if you need advice regarding business growth.*
*In today's episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, Romaine joins our host, Christina Brady, to discuss the most common misconceptions regarding customer success. *
*Romaine also shares details from her prolific career, encouraging women not to be afraid to raise their hands, ask questions and show how amazing they are.*
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Aug 10, 2021
We Need to Invest in Each Other with Anna Talerico, Operating Partner at Arthur Ventures
*The universal key to success does not exist. One's aspirations don't necessarily correlate with the desires of others. People have different goals, and if someone is content with their current job position, business leaders should show understanding and support.*
*On the other hand, those who show interest in climbing the career ladder should not be afraid to ask for feedback. Therefore, fruitful business relationships depend on open communication.*
*Anna Talerico is an operating partner at Arthur Ventures. She is our guest today. Anna is also the co-founder of SaaSX and the advisor for Founders Advisors. In today's episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, Anna and our host, Christina Brady, discuss the importance of mastering the skill of managing up. As our guest explains, those who want to prosper need to understand their company's modus operandi. *
*They also talk about women's position in the business world. Diversity is such a powerful word these days, but we should not stop t…
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Jul 27, 2021
There is Vibe and Culture in Silicon Valley with Jenny Coupe, Vice President, Global Revenue Marketing at ActiveCampaign
What’s it like to work in Silicon Valley, especially as a woman? Jenny Coupe, the VP of Global Revenue Marketing at ActiveCampaign, shares her experience of being a part of Silicon Valley during the nineties. She explains that Silicon Valley has a special vibe and culture and that she would do some things differently if she could turn back time.
Jenny has a Bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy, but she ended up being a marketer when it was all said and done. She thinks that innovations aren't always promising, mainly when companies tend to innovate without a particular purpose, but believes in companies with progressive cultures, where people can be their true selves, regardless of their skin color or sexual orientation.
In this new episode of Taking the Lead, Jenny Coupe and Christina Brady discuss the impact COVID has had on companies, whether the salary depends on the cost of living in these circumstances, the future of Silicon Valley careers, and other exciting…
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Jul 12, 2021
We are Our Habits with Roquita Williams, Senior Business Development Leader at Habits at Work
*The role of a leader consists not only of guiding their team professionally but also of empowering them to make progress in their personal life. What leaders must recognize are the roles that skills and habits have in shaping work culture. That way, they can pave a path for a better, more inclusive culture.*
*Roquita Williams is a fantastic female leader and a professional speaker with over 25 years of business experience. As a keynote speaker at Habits at Work, Roquita sees habits and skills as two different yet equally important concepts that encourage the creation of a healthy, inclusive culture at the workplace.*
*In this episode of Taking the Lead, Christina Brady and Roquita Williams discuss the key differences between skills and habits and other concepts that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. Besides, Roquita defines the four key habits every culture should possess in order to achieve revenue goals - giving and receiving feedback, listening emphatically, posing the rig…
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Jun 29, 2021
Leadership 101: How to Become an Inspiring Sales Leader with Catie Ivey, RVP of Sales, National at Demandbase
*What makes a great leader? What core qualities do bad managers have? And how to create a safe, respectful work environment open to two-way feedback? Catie Ivey is here to talk about all things leadership.*
*Catie has a rich background in leadership, from being a Vice-President of Sales to now the RVP of Sales at Demandbase. She's on a mission to help sales leaders be better and find ways to propel more women into the highest levels of leadership. She thinks sales leadership is hard sometimes, especially if you thrive on being great at it. But the key is to learn, get feedback from others, and evolve constantly. *
*Feedback plays a significant role in sales leadership, and it's not reserved only for employees. Leaders also need to be open to receiving feedback if they want to become better at their job. In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, Catie and Christina talk about everything a sales leader should know. They exchange ideas on how to ask for feedback constructively, an…
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Jun 15, 2021
You've Got to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Take Risks with Anna Baird, CRO at Outreach
*In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, Christina Brady introduces Anna Baird, the CRO at Outreach. Anna is an amazing woman with an astonishing resume. Before coming to Outreach, she was the CFO responsible for providing financial and strategic leadership at Livongo Health. Anna was also the President & CFO of RadiumOne and CFO & Head of Operations at SAY Media.*
*Anna loves software and B2B SAAS tech. She is passionate about developing solutions and helping people improve their businesses. She is aware of the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and believes companies must focus on buyers, their needs, and purchasing strategies. Vendors should be partners with their customers. *
*Anna and Christina also talk about the time to value. Many products and services take time to mature, and it seems hard to evaluate their value at an early stage. However, interlocutors agree some things can happen in those early stages that can show whether the product or service is right for…
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Jun 1, 2021
A Definition of a Fearless and Successful Mexican Women in Tech with Lorena Morales, VP of Marketing at Go Nimbly
*It may not be common to see a brave, educated, and immigrant woman in the tech field. Her bravery reflects in chasing her dreams and making tough decisions despite the struggle of being in a foreign country, far away from home. What is the position of Mexican women in tech? How do they overcome common fears and obstacles?*
*Lorena Morales, a VP of Marketing at Go Nimbly, shares her incredible story of coming to the USA and becoming the VP of the first revenue operations consultancy. She reveals the common gaps within companies, especially now, during the pandemic and the most viable problem solutions. She also focuses on CRM and tool creation, including the most common mistakes people make during the process.*
*In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host Christina Brady and guest Lorena Morales discuss the struggle of being a woman in a foreign country, especially in terms of finding a job. Lorena also reveals a defining moment in her life and how education helped her deal with unp…
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May 18, 2021
Women Empowerment and Mentorship with Rita Jackson, VP of Product Marketing at Mulesoft
*The tech industry is a male-dominated place, but it shouldn't make women less eager to enter this field. Young girls should be motivated and empowered to choose this path, which would result in an increase of women in technology in the next ten to fifteen years.*
*Rita Patel Jackson is a versatile woman whose goal is to keep empowering other females to follow their dreams and overcome the fear of public speaking. She used to work for great companies, including IBM and GE Healthcare. The rich experience she has gained has helped her excel in what she does now - product marketing.*
*In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, Christina Brady and Rita Patel Jackson talk about women's position in technology, what young women need to be heard, and how marketers and sales teams should join their forces towards a common goal - the customer.*
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Apr 27, 2021
Embracing Change & The Unknown with Tracey Tennyson, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy at XSELL Technologies
*The world is continually changing, whether we like it or not. The question is, how do we navigate change and turn the odds in our favor? One thing is for sure, businesses all around the globe had to go through a major change due to circumstances caused by the pandemic. They had no choice but to adapt. One of the most impacted industries was certainly the events industry. Tracey Tennyson is here to share her experience.*
*Tracey is currently the VP of marketing and brand strategy at XSELL Technologies. Before that, she spent a long time leading complex client-facing events. And then, COVID happened. Not only did she find herself with six months of already planned events, but she also changed her job mid-pandemic. There's no denying that she is the expert on change and dealing with the unknown.*
*In this episode of Taking the Lead, our host, Christina, talks to Tracey about the importance of flexibility and empathy in the business world. Also, they touch upon important topics such as…
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Apr 13, 2021
Hiring the Right People with Helen Calvin, CRO at Jellyvision
Helen Calvin’s behavioral science background helped her come up with innovative solutions for Jellyvision. She got to the heart of user behavior and shares valuable insights about job interviews and career progress. In this episode, Helen gives you useful tips on how to excel in your career.
Learn about the DOs and DON'Ts during the job interview process, what traits a company should look for to find the best fit, and much more useful information directly from Helen Calvin, the CRO at Jellyvision.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, with host Christina Brady, you'll hear everything you need to know about job interviews, how to ask the right questions, and attract amazing people.
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Mar 30, 2021
Finding your Career’s ‘North Star’ with Kimberly Miller, Senior Director of Sales, Head of Search & Staffing, North America
*They say that the road to success is not easy to navigate. Well, thanks to inspiring leaders like Kimberly, you don't have to walk that road alone.*
*Kimberly Miller is a leader at heart. She is passionate about lifting others, helping them grow and become the best version of themselves. Once a CEO, now a Senior Director of Sales, Kimberly knows the ins and outs of leadership, sales, management, and much more. She is a successful businesswoman, selflessly sharing her knowledge and experience with others.*
*In this episode of Taking the Lead, host Christina Brady talks to Kimberly Miller about career pathing, growth, and development. They discuss employee motivation, the cost of success, and how to negotiate your way to your perfect job. *
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Mar 16, 2021
From Sales Manager to C-Suite with Kate Ahlering, CSO at Glassdoor
Kate Ahlering is a Chief Sales Officer at Glassdoor, a company that helps people find jobs that meet their needs. Our host Christina Brady describes her as a credible, strong, and passionate female leader.
Kate talks about her work experience and how she ended up working at Glassdoor. She mentions the importance of building relationships and earning the team's trust in the workplace. She also claims that communication is a key to overcoming obstacles at work and finding viable problem solutions.
In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast, you will hear about the most common challenges female leaders face every day. You will also learn exciting facts about Kate outside of the corporate world.
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Mar 2, 2021
Maximizing Every Moment of Your Life with Alison Hadden, Keynote Speaker and Podcast Host at No Time to Waste
"The only thing that is constant in life is change," says our guest Alison Hadden and we couldn't agree more. During these unprecedented times, everyone is struggling to balance between work and personal life. But are we forgetting what really matters? Do we know how to fully appreciate our time on earth?
According to Alison, there is no time to waste. She is a motivational speaker, business advisor, and podcast host. Above all, she is a fighter. She is on a life quest to teach people from different companies and industries how to live a life without regrets while still being successful in their jobs. She says, "You can still give 110% at your job, but make sure that you keep the things that really matter at the forefront."
If you feel unhappy at your current job or you're not maximizing every moment of your life, make sure you listen to the latest episode of the Taking the Lead Podcast. Hear what Alison and Christina have to say about the hyper-growth tech, work-life balance, and mo…
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Feb 13, 2021
Job Promotions: Favoritism vs. Good Performance with Stephanie Jenkins, SVP of Sales at Flowhub
Leaders are responsible for building a transparent system, ensuring a positive working environment, and fostering effective communication among colleagues. In a truly transparent system, decisions are not based on personal relationships and office gossip, but on results. Creating a good office culture should be the number one priority for any member of leadership.
Stephanie Jenkins is a Senior Vice President of Sales at Flowhub and a woman with a lot of experience in both leadership and office politics. Her background includes a wide range of roles in a series of big tech companies. When Stephanie changed her career path and switched roles from an individual contributor to a sales manager/director, she grew as a leader. And that’s what led Stephanie back to a smaller environment at Flowhub, the cannabis tech company.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, host Christina Brady talks with Stephanie Jenkins about leadership, decision-making processes, professional development, favoritism…
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Feb 9, 2021
Don't Get Furious, Get Curious with Andee Harris, CEO of Challenger
The business world is an injustice arena. Members of minorities, including women, are still fighting for better job conditions and equal opportunities. Some changes have occurred, but we can’t say we live in a society in which gender, race, or religion don’t determine our career path.
Andee Harris is an incredible and versatile woman. She is a leader and a role model to many women. Andee is dedicated to spreading the idea of diversity, culture, and equal chances. She is also a mentor and angel investor.
In this episode of Taking the Lead, host Christina Brady and Andee Harris discuss inclusivity, minority rights, women leaders, and startups. Listen in and get the encouragement needed to think outside the box and show your potential.
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