Adventures in Growth

E13 | Succeeding in Product Marketing and FinTech with Ed Lin | Former Head of Global Product Marketing for Payments and Point of Sale at Square, First Marketing Hire at Affirm

Join us as we chat with Ed Lin, former head of global product marketing for payments and point of sale at Square, to unearth the nuances of product marketing in the fast-paced world of FinTech. Listen in as Ed shares his unique journey from finance to tech leadership, providing an inside look at how product marketing serves as the critical link between customer insights and successful go-to-market strategies. Whether you're a budding marketer or an experienced leader, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge on how product marketing shapes the development, launch, and growth phases of a product, playing a pivotal role in customer acquisition and retention. In our conversation with Ed, we uncover the key attributes that define a successful Product Marketing Manager (PMM), from customer empathy and strategic thinking to creativity and cross-functional collaboration. Ed emphasizes the importance of leveraging customer insights, market data, and competitive analysis to inform product strategies, and highlights the different skill sets needed at various product life stages. He also sheds light on the nuances of B2B versus B2C marketing, underscoring the need for human-centric messaging and empathy across all audiences. For anyone looking to master the art of product marketing, this episode is an invaluable resource filled with actionable insights. Ed shares his perspective on the essential role of strategic prioritization for business leaders, the distinction between leaders and managers, and the often-misunderstood strategic involvement required in product marketing. Ed also touches on adapting leadership to remote work environments and the value of a mission-driven approach in FinTech. This episode is a treasure trove of advice for anyone aspiring to build a customer-centric company, adapt to leadership challenges, and navigate the complexities of the tech industry with strategic acumen. (0:00:08) - Insights From a Product Marketer Ed Lin's non-traditional journey to tech leadership, transition from finance to digital marketing, and insights on product marketing at Square. (0:12:59) - Successful Product Marketing Manager Key Attributes Successful PMMs need customer empathy, strategic thinking, and cross-functional skills to gather insights, drive growth, and adapt to B2B/B2C marketing. (0:21:38) - Go-to-Market Strategy and Differentiation in Business Positioning, pricing, and channel strategy are crucial for reaching and retaining customers within the Square ecosystem. (0:26:55) - Advice for Building a Customer-Centric Company Strategies for building a Voice of the Customer program, involving cross-functional teams, empowering PMMs, and effective leadership across both traditional and tech-focused companies. (0:34:50) - Adapting Leadership in a Remote Environment Leadership, team management, trust, delegation, minimal remarkable product, fintech, technology, financial access, underserved populations, incumbent banks. (0:47:53) - The Importance of Strategic Product Marketing Prioritization, leadership vs. management, career advice, debunked beliefs, and strategic involvement in product marketing. (0:54:10) - Continuous Marketing for Team Success Continuous marketing is crucial during economic downturns, emphasizing leadership, flexibility, and networking for professional development. Book Recommendation: ‘Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’ by Oliver Burkeman  Content / Community Recommendation: Product Marketing Alliance Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardlin-sf/  # [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=productmanagement&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256]marketing #productmarketing #product #positioning #gotomarket #customerinsights #innovation [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=innovation&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #management [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=management&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #startups [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=startups&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #networking #socialnetworking #podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=podcast&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #leadership [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=leadership&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #techcareers [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=techcareers&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #startup [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=startup&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #startuplife [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=startuplife&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #motivation [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=motivation&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #technology [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=technology&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7095420799871840256] #personaldevelopment #fintech #strategy

E12 | Unlocking Leadership Coaching Secrets and Redefining Success with Prakash Raman | Executive Coach, Executive Development at Linkedin

Wouldn't it be refreshing to discover a path to inner peace amidst the relentless pursuit of success? Join us as we explore this intriguing concept with our esteemed guest, Prakash Raman, a high-performance coach to Silicon Valley's top CEOs and executives. Prakash shares his unconventional journey into the realm of executive coaching, revealing how he guides his clients towards inner tranquility while fueling their ambition. Engage with us as we delve into the distinctions between a coach, mentor, and manager, crucial skills such as effective listening, and the profound impact of seeing the goodness in people. As we navigate through this digitally dominated era, we examine the way this remote environment influences coaching sessions, and Prakash provides insight into the struggles of Zoom fatigue. We consider the pivotal qualities that make someone coachable, including an open mindset, an insatiable desire for personal growth, and a clear vision of one's values and goals. We also delve into the concept of life design and discuss how clarity, courage, and resilience can propel success in both personal and professional spheres. In the latter part of our conversation, we discuss self-reflection and compassion, skills that bring us closer to understanding ourselves. Prakash offers exercises like loving-kindness meditations and simple strategies to nurture self-compassion. We also challenge the idea of blindly following passion in career choices, emphasizing the link between intrinsic motivation and external validation. Our conversation wraps up as we explore the notion of life design and how it relates to career success, the importance of intentional decision making, and the elements of successful leadership. So, immerse yourself in our thought-provoking discussion and uncover a whole new perspective on success, leadership, and personal growth. (0:00:08) - The Art of Leadership Coaching Executive coach Prakash Raman discusses finding inner peace, defining success, and the impact of coaching on leadership and personal growth. (0:07:06) - Remote Environment's Impact on Engagement Zoom fatigue, coachability, life design, clarity, courage, and resilience are essential for success in coaching and personal growth. (0:16:25) - Developing Self-Reflection and Compassion Self-reflection, self-compassion, and exercises like loving-kindness meditations can bring clarity and growth in our lives. (0:25:36) - Passion and Skills in Career Journey Nature's role in career choices: understanding strengths, avoiding distractions, and focusing on intrinsic motivation and skill development. (0:31:05) - Life Design and Success in Leadership Life design is crucial for career success, considering all aspects of life, balancing goals, and cultivating habits for intentional and self-aware leadership. (0:44:46) - Exploring Coaching and Leadership Concepts Coaching and leadership benefits, qualities of a successful leader, managing emotions, and impact of AI. (0:51:29) - Challenging Convention and Personal Growth Challenging convention, defining success on own terms, networking hacks, recommended podcasts and books, and emphasizing personal and professional growth. Podcast Recommendations: Andrew Huberman, Michael Lewis, Tim Ferriss  Book Recommendations: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute  Contact: www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-raman/  #executivecoaching #coaching #leadership #entrepreneurship #startups #management #careers #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth #innerpeace #businessadvice #companyculture #teambuilding #remotework #adventuresingrowth

EP 11 | Shattering Sales Myths: A Deep Dive into Revenue Operations with Todd Rode | Xevant, Stratasan, Mars

Can you imagine a world where every department in a company is seamlessly working together to drive revenue? This episode explores that fascinating possibility with our guest, RevOps expert Todd Rode, who reveals the crucial role of RevOps in unifying every aspect of the customer journey. Todd peels back the curtain on the intricate relationship between RevOps and traditional sales, and the potential future of corporate operations. He also shares insights on how RevOps leaders can cultivate operational efficiency and foster a culture of servant leadership. Ever thought about treating your career like an athlete treats their sport? We take a deep dive into the realm of career development, where we explore this compelling concept. We discuss the necessity of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially in a remote work setting. We also challenge some common myths around sales, emphasizing the importance of deal velocity and the role of human psychology in closing deals. Whether you're looking to enhance your career trajectory or simply seeking to better understand your professional strengths, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Finally, we address the significance of process within both large corporations and small, agile startups. Drawing on personal experiences, we discuss how processes are critical to all organizations, debunking the myth that they're only necessary for larger entities. Winding down the conversation, we focus on authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy in the workplace, revealing a unique networking hack that could potentially unlock hidden job opportunities. Enlightening and engaging, this episode promises a wealth of knowledge that will inspire and inform your professional journey. So tune in, lean in, and get ready to revolutionize the way you see your career and work environment. (00:07) Understanding RevOps and the Customer Journey RevOps ties together customer journey, potential for corporate operations, optimizing journey, networking, authenticity, aligning metrics, and differences from traditional sales. (07:05) The Importance of Specializing in RevOps RevOps requires technical skills, project management, a service mentality, self-awareness, and assessments for career progression. (13:25) Efficiency and Customer Insights Maximization RevOps leader adds value through operational efficiency, servant leadership, and collaboration for success in an organization. (23:32) Understanding Self, Finding Right Career Fit Career development, networking, self-assessments, utilizing alumni connections, values and mission in a company, and career guidance. (31:45) Treating Your Career Like an Athlete Treating your career like an athlete: self-care, boundaries, exercise, rest, work-life balance, and prioritizing health for success. (35:08) Sleep Hygiene and Challenging Sales Myths Prioritizing sleep hygiene and challenging sales myths, while incorporating art and science, for a healthy workplace. (44:30) Myths in Companies Guest speaker shares experience in big and small companies, debunking myth that processes are only for big companies. (47:26) Balancing Agility and Processes Nature's processes are crucial for consistency and efficiency, market-based and product-based principles, scalability, and effective feedback utilization. (55:59) Authenticity and Productivity in the Workplace Evolution of leadership in corporate world, embracing vulnerability and authenticity, tapping into hidden job market, and recommended content. (01:01:14) Sales and Consulting Recommendations and Tools Experts in sales, revenue, and processes share insights for early stage companies with $10 million revenue and 2-10 sellers. Contact Details: * Email:  todd@year-6.com [todd@year-6.com] * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddrode/ Content Recommendations: * Mike Weinberg - Writer on sales topics * Jim Blunt - Expert on sales development * Bryn Tillman - Expert on social selling on LinkedIn * Taft Love - Expert on RevOps * Harold Toker - Expert on RevOps, builds Salesforce applications #RevOps, #RevenueOperations, #CustomerJourney, #CorporateOperations, #Sales, #Networking, #CareerDevelopment, #Efficiency, #Collaboration, #SelfAwareness, #Authenticity, #Vulnerability, #Empathy, #Processes, #Metrics, #Success, #Leadership, #Productivity, #Tools

EP 10 | From Product Leader to Startup Founder With Stephanie Dorsey | Capital One, Metric Collective, Margins Capital

Get ready to join me on an exciting journey with Stephanie Dorsey, the founder and CEO of Margin's Capital. Listen in as she recounts her compelling journey from Chief Product Officer to startup executive. Stephanie unveils the origin story of Margin's Capital, the motivation behind her leap into executive leadership, and her innovative approach to product team management. She shares valuable insights on leadership principles and how to evaluate new hires, emphasizing the need for prioritization, psychological safety, and the construction of trusted alliances. Venture further with Stephanie as she unravels her groundbreaking strategy to democratize investing for underserved groups. She lays out her company's mission to provide an alternative to traditional investments that requires no in-depth knowledge of the stock market or venture capital. The conversation uncovers the inspiration behind their diverse portfolio covering private equity, venture capital, spirits, venues, and hospitality. Stephanie explains the process of getting her company registered with the SEC and plans to make it accessible to retail investors. The discussion extends to why her company chose a risk-averse approach to investing for their target audience over focusing only on venture or private equity. Stephanie shares her experiences from transitioning from a large corporate environment to leading a startup. She speaks about the challenges she faced, and how it helped shape her approach to business. We also discuss the highs and lows of her career, emphasizing the importance of service as a leader and manager, and how networking played a crucial role in her success. In the closing segment, we have an open conversation where Stephanie shares her personal rule - to converse with everyone who reaches out, and encourages listeners to adopt the same. She also shares her unique approach to the first 90 days of a new job. Listen in to be a part of this enriching discussion and be prepared to have your views on financial success and doing good broadened. (00:07) Opening Doors Stephanie Dorsey shares insights on product leadership, prioritization, psychological safety, and building trusted alliances to open alternative investing to underserved groups. (10:07) Investing Strategy for Retail Investors Stephanie Dorsey discusses alternative investments, SEC registration, and a risk-averse approach to investing. (21:01) Transitioning to Founder From Large Company Stephanie Dorsey discusses corporate challenges, risk aversion, positives of working in a large organization, and the importance of collaboration. (36:15) Chief Product Officer's Challenges and Growth Stephanie Dorsey shares how she used facts to prioritize product investment and influence people, and her journey to becoming a leader. (48:51) Importance of Authority and Energy in Leadership Create a 90 day plan, listen more than talk, get quick wins, evaluate team members, build social capital. (57:51) Reflections on Career, Leadership, and Networking Stephanie Dorsey challenges convention, emphasizes service, networks, and recommends a book to shift money mindset. (01:06:25) Open and Personal Conversation With Stephanie Stephanie Dorsey encourages conversations with everyone, emphasizes the importance of servicing, and provides advice on starting a new job. Contact Details: * Website: marginscapital.com * Social Media: * Instagram / TikTok / Facebook: @MarginsCapital * Email: Sdorsey@marginscapital.com [http://Sdorsey@marginscapital.com] * LinkedIn: Stephanie Dorsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedorsey/] Content Recommendations: * Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel #Investing #FinancialSuccess #Leadership #Networking #ProductManagement #AlternativeInvestments #StockMarket #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #Spirits #Venues #Hospitality #SEC #RiskAverseApproach #Prioritization #PsychologicalSafety #TrustedAlliances #ShortTermGains #Collaboration #SelfConvincing #InfluencingPeople #QuickWins #SocialCapital #90DayPlan #EvaluatingTeamMembers #DoingGood #MentalShift #SpreadsheetHack #Service

Ep 9 | Tales from a Successful COO, Kieran Luke | Lunchbox, General Assembly, BCG

Imagine taking the leap from a secure job to a roller coaster ride of a startup; would you have the guts to do it? If you're someone mulling over a career transition or a tech enthusiast itching to navigate the startup terrain, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. Our guest today is Kieran Luke, the accomplished COO at FoodTech Lunchbox. Kieran opens up about his unique career journey, the lessons he learned in the C-suite, and much more. We're unraveling Kieran's transition from consulting to tech, the value of networking, and the influence of mentors. He doesn't shy away from discussing the financial trade-offs of joining a startup, as well as the crucial role of a COO. You'll hear Kieran candidly talk about managing layoffs with transparency and respect, and why a CEO's role is often defined by what they are not. As we round off our enlightening conversation, Kieran shares his take on career development, the importance of adaptability, and the impact of standardized certification. He also shines a light on the value of an executive coach and the importance of investing in a company's mission. We delve into the nitty-gritty of financial risks in startups, and Kieran emphasizes the role of a strong team, a powerful mission, and self-acceptance in leading a successful organization. Not to be missed! (00:07) Exploring Startups and Tech Leadership Kieran shared insights on cash flow, bias for action, startup roles, financial trade-offs, scaling, imposter syndrome and career paths. (07:48) Transitioning Careers and Seeking New Opportunities Discussed importance of networking, criteria for career move, motivations for entrepreneurial path. (12:32) Transition From Consulting to Tech Skills Kieran Luke and I discussed networking, transitioning to tech, and unlearning habits for success. (17:23) Role of CEO and Career Development Kieran found motivation in creating quality products, and emphasizes the importance of having a good boss. (28:42) Key Factors in Managing Layoffs CEO role, downsizing staff, communication, respect, inspiring hope discussed. (31:49) General Assembly and Inspiring Leadership Lessons Kieran Luke discusses taking initiative, self-belief, CEO role, finding a mentor, and strategic decisions. (39:01) Developing Teams and Instilling Confidence Kieran Luke and I discussed self-acceptance, strong colleagues, a powerful mission, executive coaching, and investing in the mission. (45:17) Standardized Certification and Adaptability Importance Kieran Luke shares insights on career journey, CFA coding, B2B enterprise, CEO role, initiative, self-belief, self-acceptance, strong colleagues, and powerful mission. (52:00) Assessing Financial Risks in Startups We consider financials, equity, potential for big outcome, and self-belief when deciding to join a startup. Contact Details: * Email: kieranluke@gmail.com [kieranluke@gmail.com] * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieranluke/ * Lunchbox: lunchbox.io Book Recommendations: * The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins - Practical book on transitioning into a new leadership role * Reboot by Jerry Colona - Self-help book on overcoming childhood insecurities and becoming a leader Podcast Recommendations: * Trajectory - https://www.trajectorypodcast.com/ * All-In - https://www.allinpodcast.co/ * How I Built This - https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this #Startups, #TechLeadership, #CareerTransition, #Consulting, #TechSkills, #CEORole, #CareerDevelopment, #Layoffs, #GeneralAssembly, #LeadershipLessons, #TeamDevelopment, #Confidence, #StandardizedCertification, #Adaptability, #FinancialRisks, #CashFlow, #BiasForAction, #Networking, #ImposterSyndrome, #SelfAcceptance, #Mission, #Equity, #BigOutcome, #SelfBelief, #Initiative