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Today’s guest: Chris Samila has the pulse of alliances and alliance leadership. This critical area is driving growth, shaping product, and drawing great talent! Chris opened and lead Optimizely’s Asia Pacific region and built the partner strategy and team for FullStory. Complementing this big picture success, however, is attention to detail. And to yourself.

Today’s guest: Valinda Kennedy, a 33 year IBM Executive, shares wisdom and tips she has earned on a journey that started a West Virginia State University and a degree in applied mathematics and computer science. She shares the cost of saying no to opportunity, the power of a good mentor, and the importance of travel to shaping yourself— and your luck. One of many great quotations, “Any time you have 10 or 12 people, but you have a quota of a billion dollars… there's a lot of people in your ecosystem across those 10 or 12 that are critical to the success of the whole team.”$! Billion dollar quota?!

Today’s guest: Sue Hallen has forged a career as a proven leader of technology teams, engineers, IP teams, discuss insights, ideas, and advice from a career spanning structural engineering at CBI, nuclear engineering, automated mapping tech, SAP & program management, and product leadership. She's a world class athlete in three sports, a deep expert in IP, and thought leader in many areas. The lessons and stories from this winding road are well worth the listen!

Today’s guest: Jayant Khadilkar, who is a serial entrepreneur of several successful startups, shares some of his thoughts and secrets on ‘networking.’ He has built up a wealth of relationships over the years and does not use any systems or tools to keep nurturing his communications with them. How does he do this? He claims he is not intentional about ‘networking.

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMC. You can find the transcribed version of this recording there.Today’s guest: Data enthusiast, inspiring leader, and just a good human being, Cindy Dunkley dives into her career journey and shares a lot of great perspectives on what it takes to be successful in various career stages. I have always admired how she engages with people, is present, humble, assertive, and confident. She is respected and loved by so many and I am grateful she took the time to share her wisdom with our audience.Professional background and highlights In 2005, I started my career at Coremetrics, now a part of IBM, in Austin, TX as a data analyst working with Macy’s, JCPenney, Bass Pro, Paper-Source, and more. Those were the early days of tech and big data. Back then we focused more on ‘how to track data’ versus like today, where we have so much more focus on ‘what to do with all the data’.I then moved to New York to work for Ogilvy and Mather, part of WPP, where I was an analyst measuring the effectiveness of our digital marketing and ‘microsites’ for Nestle, SAP, Time Warner, and more. Agency work is tough and it taught me a lot about finesse and elevating work to a new level.In 2011, I worked for Brooks Brothers as Director of Analytics and was then promoted to VP of Direct, managing the P&L for Ecommerce and the Contact Center. It was an honor to work for a piece of American history and to have the experience running a large team for an enterprise brand. In 2015, I was CEO and founder of a venture backed tech startup, helping to bring together buyers and sellers of enterprise software. I now consult full time across venture capital, marketing and ecommerceHow many people have you managed (includes direct reports and their teams) over your career? In total, over 40 people across marketing, development, customer service, merchandising, buying and product.For each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of marketing.Entry level: 1-3 years (8:00)Top characteristic:Nailing down Time Management early on in your career. Mid-career: 3-6 years (16:14)Top characteristic: NetworkingMgr/Directors: (21:45)Top characteristic: Being able to manage up and around you. Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career? (34:00)Be resourceful. Never wait for someone to teach you something. Public Speaking.Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline? (40:49)What are the interesting challenges you anticipate will be coming up in your discipline in the coming years? (45:22)The more I research and reflect, the more obvious it is that we have diversity issues among leadership in companies across the US. What are the challenges you have seen or faced to make this a reality in the near future? (48:40)Do you have anything in particular you would like to tell future women leaders? (56:25) You have a seat at the table. Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out? (58:20)-See the full list of Career Rocket guests here-A transcribed version of this podcast and other content on DURMC

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring digital product, data scientist, and analytics professionals looking to get an edge in their career.Today’s guest: This was a long episode because Matt Gardner packs a ton of great career advice and shares his very interesting path to where he is today. I was really inspired by his passion to learn and evolve. It is not surprising that he has had such a successful career and I know the listeners will have a lot of notes to take! Plus, he has a cool British accent which makes the listening even more enjoyable.Background & Career JourneyCurrently, Head Data Solutions at Chegg - reporting to CTOHead of Analytics at Chegg - reporting to CBODirector Experimentation, WalmartLabsHead of Data Labs and Economics - eBayHead of Experimentation Analytics - eBayHobbies - outdoors, windsurfing now kite surfingFor each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics.Entry level: 1-3 years (22:56)Mid career: 3-5 years (33:15)Mgr/Directors: (44:04)Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career? (48:46)If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? (1:00:36) Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline?What are diversity challenges we face?Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out? -See the full list of Career Rocket guests here-A transcribed version of this podcast and other content on DURMC

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring marketing professionals seeking career tipsToday’s guest: We are really excited to have Amber Sundell for this episode. She has such an upbeat attitude, fun career journey, and shared lots of tangible career advice. Background & Career Journey (0:31)Currently runs the strategy and direction of all marketing programs for Simpler, a consulting company that was acquired by IBMHas worn lots of hats at IBM - product/offering owner, SME, sales, consulting, marketingHobbies: Working out, has been training in power lifting, makes a mean charcuterie board, check her out on Instagram @famous_food_kitchen, has been teaching herself to paint and make digital artwork, lives in Chicago with her boyfriend and cat Lady For each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics.Entry level: 1-3 years (8:22)Mid career: 3-5 years (11:30)Mgr/Directors: (18:00)Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career? (15:30)If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? (20:19)Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline? (23:40)What are diversity challenges we face? (30:40)Do you have anything in particular you would like to tell future women leaders? (35:48)Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out? (39:25)-See the full list of Career Rocket guests here-A transcribed version of this podcast and other content on DURMC

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring digital analytics professionals seeking career tipsToday’s guest BIO: I am really excited to have our guest Kenya Davis here with us. I met Kenya several years ago at a conference we were hosting. I love her energy, positive nature, wealth of experience in testing, and her confidence. We tackle lots of different topics around careers as well as diversity challenges in the workplace. Especially for aspiring professional women, listen in and hear the wisdom from this rock star.Background. B.S. Applied Physics and concentration Astrophysics from The University of North Carolina at CharlotteBuilt first iteration of the experimentation team at Lowe’sCurrently works at Evolytics for Intuit-TurboTax, Mint Live, Sephora, and True ValueShe is a passionate costume designer and visual artist for her company Artist Universe. She enjoys merging science and art to create abnormally large pieces of artwork. For each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics.Entry level: 1-3 years (9:15)Mid career: 3-5 yearsMgr/Directors: (18:00)Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career? (22:30)If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? (25:40)For people in college looking to get into digital analytics, what are your top recommendations for them to start doing? (27:25)Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline? (31:38)What are the interesting challenges you anticipate will be coming up in your discipline in the coming years? (35:10)The more I research and reflect, the more obvious it is that we have diversity issues amongst leadership in companies across the US. What are the challenges you have seen or faced to make this a reality in the near future? (37:00)Do you have anything in particular you would like to tell future minority women leaders? (49:00)Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out? (52:00)-See the full list of Career Rocket guests here-A transcribed version of this podcast and other content on DURMC

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring digital marketing professionals seeking career tipsToday’s guest BIO: I am pumped to have my friend Dan London, who is an incredibly successful and talented marketer with the most distinguished laugh of anyone I know. He has a very impressive career in the digital marketing field and I know the listeners will get a lot out of what he has to share. We had a lot of fun and shared many laughs in this episode.Background. Currently, Vice President of Revenue Marketing at BandwidthDirector of Marketing at Ansible by Red HatDirector of Marketing at Citrix ShareFileDirector of Marketing at Lulu, Copywriter at a local agencyPart of two local start-ups that ended up being acquiredVP of Marketing at a company that had a successful IPOSpoke at Google for an Adwords advisory panelTaught 6th grade English and HistoryWorked a number of full-time jobs while going through college (cook/waiter, warehouse/shipping work, construction, and retail) For each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics. (5:45)Entry level: 1-3 yearsMid career: 3-5 yearsSenior career: 6-12 yearsMgr/Directors: Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career? (26:00)If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be?Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline?What are the interesting challenges you anticipate will be coming up in your discipline in the coming years?Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out? (40:00)-See the full list of Career Rocket guests here-A transcribed version of this podcast and other content on DURMC

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring digital analytics professionals seeking career tipsToday’s guest BIO: I am excited to have my friend David McBride as our guest today on Career Rocket. Anyone who is actively involved in the digital analytics industry over the last 10 years probably has heard of David. He is kind of a big deal in this space. What I love about David is his calming presence that commands respect. He always seems to genuinely care about what you have to say. David has so much experience and wisdom to share. I know readers and listeners will get valuable career insights!Background. 20 year working career, 13 years in the analytics industry across a variety of industries and functionsCurrently, SVP, Digital Solutions and Consulting at Course5 IntelligencePrevious experience includes analytics product roles at IBM and Intel as well as analytics practitioner roles at American Eagle Outfitters and Comcast.Serves on the board of directors for the Digital Analytics AssociationEnjoys cycling, hiking and trail runningLives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and four childrenFor each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics. (3:15)Entry level: 1-3 yearsMid career: 3-5 yearsSenior career: 6-12 yearsMgr/Directors: Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career?If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be?Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline?What are the interesting challenges you anticipate will be coming up in your discipline in the coming years?Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out?

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring digital analytics professionals seeking career tipsToday’s guest BIO: my friend Geoff Lewis who is ridiculously smart, humble, funny, and a total hipster who rides his bike to workBackground. Undergraduate degree in Statistics. Spent 8+ years working for small consulting firms whose solution relied heavily on data / quantitative techniques. Left Chicago to attend NC State’s Masters in Analytics program. After grad school went to work for ShareFile. At the time the company was ~25 employees and seven years later was a ~900 employee company. Now at Pendo for the last 3 years spending more time on management, operations, and strategy. He has been married for 10 years to a wonderful wife and three young kids. Right now really into running.How many people have you managed (includes direct reports and their teams) over your career? 15For each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics. (4:01)Entry level: 1-3 years. Curiosity. Having a natural desire to understand and solve problems rather than waiting around for someone to point you in the direction.Mid career: 3-5 years. Presentation. Presenting anything - specifically technical findings can get real boring real fast for the audienceMgr/Directors: AuthenticityLooking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career? (21:58) Having managers that understand the value of my work. Timing & good luck. I just happened to be working in a field that blew up. Embrace ambiguityIf there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? (25:15) Focus on solutions not problemsLooking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline? (26:20) Despite the growth in analytics, I think we’re still scratching the surface even in innovative industries. I think there will be opportunities to apply analytical techniques to slower adopting industries for years to comeWhat are the interesting challenges you anticipate will be coming up in your discipline in the coming years? (27:27) Automation will certainly present a challenge. Of the 3 main skills: Data, Analysis, Interpretation - I think automation will impact analysis the most. Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out? (28:51) Having many interests and living them out. I have never considered that career ultimately defines my success. Tip: ride your bike to work.

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring digital analytics and optimization professionals seeking career tipsToday’s guest is my friend Reid Bryant who is ridiculously smart, kind, and authentic. He was the first person hired for which I did not have a specific open role. However, he was so technically smart, driven, and grounded that I convinced our company at the time to make a spot for Reid. Background. Liberal arts UNC business administration background. Worked in real estate finance type roles for 7 years out of undergrad. NC State friends joke that he went back to NC State's Institute for Advanced Analytics to get a technical masters degree in order to be able to do something useful. Worked at two smaller digital experience consulting firms for 6 years with most of that experience focused on building and leading teams in a VP of Analytics type role. Currently at Red Hat serving as a Director of Marketing Analytics. Married to the perfect woman, proud dad to two crazy but awesome kiddos and a big UNC basketball fanRoughly, how many people have you managed (includes direct reports and their teams) over your career? Current and past totals about 40.For each career stage, please share the most important advice you can offer people in the field of digital analytics. (4:18)Entry level: 1-3 years. Focus on breadth of training, rather than depth, especially early in a career.  Mid career: 3-5 years. Understand your 'value over replacement' related to peers in the workplace  Senior level: 6+  years. The paradox of success is that what made you successful in the past won't likely make you successful in a new role with larger responsibilities.  Mgr/Directors. Never forget that the higher you go the less connected you become with daily work.   Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in digital careers, specifically around analytics or optimization? (21:36) Data architects and data engineering. Individuals that have those niche skill sets, when combined with a general understanding of analytics, should have bright futures ahead of them.Looking back, please share what you feel have been the biggest drivers of your successful career? (25:18) I remain committed to discovering opportunities. You must foster emotional intelligence. What are habits you have built over the years that have contributed to your success? (29:37) Being open to change. Surround yourself with people that will challenge you.What does living abundantly mean to you? (32:55) The One Thing book would suggest that we must first define a life purpose and how work contributes to give us space to live abundantly.  We all juggle balls for work, family, friends, health, etc.  Most folks view all those balls as glass, but in reality if done well work is rubber.  Self prioritization and contingency plans put into place by leadership should make it like a rubber ball.  If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? (34:35) No one really knows anything, be careful of those that act like they have it all figured out.

Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMCTarget audience for this episode: digital analysts looking for career tips in various stages of career milestones ranging from just starting out through senior and director level positions.Today’s guest: David Bacon. Digital analytics and optimization leader with a really fun background. David was a military brat (the child of a serviceman) and moved around quite a bit. He attended 5 different 3rd grade schools in 4 states in one year! In addition to being a blackjack dealer and a nationally published cartoonist, he finally settled down and pursued Internet sales and marketing. He has worked most recently for Verizon Wireless leading all digital prepaid sales with record year over year results. He accepted a new opportunity to manage all digital testing and optimization for SunTrust Consumer Digital and is now leading the digital testing, optimization and personalization program for InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG). He has been married for over 20 years and has two teenage daughters.How many people have you managed (includes direct reports and their teams) over your career? 35In your opinion, what characteristics defined the exceptional players vs the not so exceptional? Leadership skills, specifically the ability to see the bigger picture and make decisions consistent with the overall goals not necessarily what benefits the group or the individual. Let’s break down your top advice by career stages:Entry level: 1-3 years (7:35). Consider this the on-the-job training part of your career. Mid career: 3-5 years (14:25). Start to evaluate job breadth (should I continue to acquire new skills to augment my existing job) and/or job depth (how can I apply these skills to reach the next stage of my career)Senior level: 6+  years (14:25). This is the time when you may have to make decisions not only about your career, but also about how you manage your priorities in life. Mgr/Directors: (22:30). Lead, don’t just manage. Get your hands dirty. Teach. Learn. Empower your people.What are habits you have built over the years that have contributed to your success? (29:35). Ask questions. Be bold.What does living abundantly mean to you? (34:26). Living abundantly is being rewarded professionally, personally and spiritually based on these values and how they have shaped my life.If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? Differentiate between noise and what is truly important

Career Rocket Series is done in collaboration with DURMCTarget audience for this episode: aspiring folks, from just starting their careers through senior managers, working in the consulting world.Today’s guest: William Thomas. Consultant and thinker of big things. I wanted to bring William on because of his work experience, career path and his big picture perspectives can be of value to the listeners and readers.Career background: 20 years in IBM strategy and transformation consulting working on large scale projects with the Global 2000.  A recent assignment was the North American Lead for thev Apple+IBM Alliance. Currently, WIlliam is working on creating transformational thinking, white papers, and a podcast with Empathetic Machines and NextCurve.com.How many people have you managed (includes direct reports and their teams) over your career? Up to 12 direct reports for career.  Smaller and larger teams across strategy, technical development & implementation, transformation, functional experts, and creatives over the past two decades.In your opinion, what characteristics defined the exceptional players vs the not so much? Another way to think about it. What propels certain people forward in their career faster than others? Note, the first bullet point in bold is the point that William picked as the most important one of all.Entry level: 1-3 years (7:35)Use this time to determine which mountain you want to climb. The danger is you are so determined to move up that people can start climbing the first mountain that comes their way and later on find out it’s the wrong mountain.  They end up falling backwards only to climb another mountain.A big challenge William has seen for people just starting out on a consulting team is finding the right balance between the desire to move up and desire to experience where you are and learnAt this level, you have more time to experiment different avenues. Enjoy this time to soak it up and learn as many different things as possible.Find something that you can own, even if it’s a small aspect of the project and own it. Become an expert in that and use that as your currency.Mid career: 3-5 years (14:25)Become an awesome operator in teams. Ex: developer must have exceptional technical skills as well as how to work well in teamsFind great mentors. Challenge you, guidance and advice on your career, someone you can be open with, someone well respectedPermalink