Leaders with Ambition

Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition has made his name by deploying data-driven business development strategies within the evolving realm of professional services.Matt Dixon, co-founder of DCM Insights, shares with host Nicky Acuna Ocana the leading-edge, frameworks revolutionising BD practices within firm cultures that can tend to be resistant.“Partners don’t really like (sales) and find it unseemly,” says Matt, “but the market is very competitive and you are likely to lose out to another partner or firm out there fighting for opportunities.”Chapters 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo] Introduction to Matt Dixon and DCM Insights01:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=114s] Matt's Career Journey and Transition to Research07:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=479s] The Rise of the Activator Program11:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=711s] Changing Client Loyalty in Professional Services15:41 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=941s] The Impact of AI on Professional Services19:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=1185s] The Importance of Continuous Learning and Mentorship24:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=1444s] Transitioning from Management to Leadership29:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=1759s] The Journey of Writing and Publishing Books30:06 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=1806s] The Power of Research and Publishing33:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=1983s] The Importance of Adding Value35:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=2138s] Transforming Professional Services with Activator39:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=2384s] Authenticity in Client Relationships43:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=2598s] The Rise of Activator in Law Firms47:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=2835s] Memorable Moments in Research and Business Building49:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=2956s] Staying Motivated and Inspired52:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV1ijWHpeo&t=3175s] Future Directions for DCM Insights56:57 Words of Wisdom for the Future

It’s no surprise that our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition has thrived as an executive coach. Steve Rowan brings a truly unique mix of professional bona fides, personal learnings and spot-on intuition. A highly successful former Chief Financial Officer, Steve shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana his journey through a broad range of professional services jobs, including high-stakes stints helping legal firms manage fast-paced mergers as well as reorganization and expansion. You’ll find out why this seasoned mentor, a Senior Advisor at LHH’s International Centre for Executive Options (ICEO), believes that the healthiest workplace cultures provide the heftiest bottom line results – not to mention sustained employee satisfaction and retention. Steve also lets us in on why Impostor Syndrome isn’t all bad and how intentional work-life choices equate to long-term career success. “I think the world of work now is way harder and less forgiving than when I started,” says our guest. “It's really important now for people to be pretty focused on their career and goals as early as possible.” Don’t miss a rare window into this expert’s recommended strategic first steps!

We’re all familiar with the career admonition to pay it forward, but our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition is also all about paying it back. William Washington III, Global Chief Financial Officer at Baker McKenzie, shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana how he surmounted transgenerational trauma to build an exemplary life.His tireless work ethic is the underpinning for consistent achievement as a non-traditional student, a Black man in white-dominated corporate spaces and as a mentor to those who, as he once did, are yearning for support.William highlights lessons learned about the power of vulnerability and inclusion as well as milestones that have shaped both his personal ethic and singular upward trajectory. He reflects on the drivers behind a deep hunger for excellence and the fierce effort to match.Learn about the importance of developing healthy habits – from sleep hygiene to targeted reading materials – and the transformational impact coaching can have when you’re ready to make a professional quantum leap.Today William oversees all finances for Baker McKenzie, including $3.5 billion of annual revenue across 46 countries. “It’s really about finding that opportunity,” says our Washington, D.C.-based guest. “Was I lucky? Was it serendipity? Was it a spiritual force? I think it’s all of that. But the key takeaway is to never give up – and look for that opportunity.”Chapters00:00 Introduction to William Washington III02:20 The Journey to CFO: Overcoming Challenges07:27 Finding Opportunities and Perseverance11:45 Intentionality in Career Development15:28 The Impact of Executive Coaching20:47 Leadership Through Authenticity and Vulnerability22:34 Paying It Forward: Mentorship and Community Engagement26:36 Giving Back: A Lifelong Commitment29:55 Prioritizing Time: The Key to Balance30:11 Career Growth: Embracing New Opportunities34:38 Leadership: Empowering Teams for Success37:39 Education: The Path to Opportunity42:02 Diversity and Inclusion: Building Stronger Workplaces46:30 Navigating Challenges: The Role of a Global CFO48:50 Words of Wisdom: Giving 110% in Every Role

Matthew Gardner’s enviable career trajectory has been fuelled by equal parts openness and hard work, a combination that aligns with Ambition’s overall ethic of excellence. As the international staffing and recruitment firm’s Managing Director for the US, UK and Europe, he brings to this episode of Leaders with Ambition a unique insider’s perspective on the legal and professional services industries.Matt shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana the true north values that propelled him from his initial role as a trainee fresh out of university to the highest reaches of global management. He highlights lessons learned from key mentors who helped him navigate as a brand new recruiter facing a historically challenging job market and reflects on a career-defining early managerial stint in Singapore.You’ll hear about the priority Matt places on fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace environment and what it is about the recruitment space that has kept him engaged. “We’ve grown up with people through their careers – seen them get married, have children,” says Matt, who started at Ambition 16 years ago. “To be part of that is incredibly rewarding and we’re in a privileged position to be able to make positive impacts.”In looking ahead, Matt sees seismic change (both market shifts and tech innovation) in the legal and professional services space as well as equally tremendous opportunity for growth. He also shares words of wisdom for aspiring leaders, including advice about the importance of seeking out first-rate colleagues and taking control of our careers – successes and failures alike.“The best feedback generally is the worst feedback, the most confronting, the feedback that makes you feel most uncomfortable in the moment,” says our guest. “But if you work through that and don’t put barriers up …you’ll grow.”Chapters00:00 Introduction to Matthew Gardner's Journey01:25 Early Life and Career Aspirations06:22 Discovering Recruitment and Career Path13:32 Building Relationships in Recruitment19:33 Navigating Early Career Challenges22:26 International Experience in Singapore30:01 Returning to the UK and New Challenges37:19 Achieving Directorship and Future Goals39:51 Adapting to the Pandemic and Leadership Response41:46 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1952:36 Embracing Flexibility and Support in the Workplace01:04:09 Transitioning from Management to Leadership01:11:48 Current Challenges in Professional Services01:18:01 Words of Wisdom for Career Growth

Heather Vadgama- Chief Marketing Officer at Walkers When our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition was starting out, marketing and business development were relatively new to the world of legal services. Today Heather Vadgama, Chief Marketing Officer at Walkers, takes pride in the fact that it’s a discipline studied at university. As she shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana, Heather’s understanding of the profession has advanced along with her confidence in an evolving global skill set that showcases her resilience. Additionally, as a board member with the Legal Marketing Association, this C-suite leader is focused on helping junior colleagues begin building robust networks to ensure ongoing growth and opportunity. You’ll learn why Heather believes giving team members a sense of safety – including permission to fail – is critically important to effective leadership and how a stint in the world of Big 4 consulting pushed her to do what she does best: take on challenges and navigate unfamiliar situations. “Deep down I think I feel most comfortable … when I’m in an environment that is uncertain,” says Heather. “I think it’s some sort of drive to get through it and succeed. That’s really what I enjoy!” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Heather's Journey 02:14 Cultural Curiosity and Early Experiences 05:57 Transitioning into Legal Marketing 10:52 The Importance of Mentorship and Networking 13:37 Career Growth and Opportunities in London 17:11 Expanding Horizons at Simmons and Simmons 18:05 The Big Four Experience at KPMG 21:17 Adapting to Change During the Pandemic 24:59 Stepping into the CMO Role at Walkers 28:57 Building a Strong Team Culture 32:34 Current Challenges for CMOs 40:27 Words of Wisdom for Future Generations