Is it time to change things up? 

Maybe you’re up for a new challenge. Or, your current organization has pivoted, and it’s not feeling like a match with your goals or the direction you want to take your career. Perhaps you have an informal invitation to join a new team, but the role hasn’t yet been defined, and you get to help shape it. 

Whatever the reason for re-considering your next move, the best way to make a decision in your best interest in your career is to cast a clear vision of what you want it to look, feel, and be like. 

Casting a clear vision requires a certain degree of reflection. It involves asking yourself questions like…what would I really enjoy doing, and when am I in a flow state where time flies by so quickly I forget to eat lunch or got completely immersed in my work?  What are my core values, and what type of organization or team would feel welcoming and aligned with my own personal values? 

I can remember early in my career a common interview question would be about where I saw myself in 5 or even 10 years. The reality is today, technology and our culture change so quickly, it’s often really hard to know what we want that far out. When I work with leaders and career switchers, we often focus more on the upcoming 1-3 years, with mere ideas for what would feel great in 5 or 10 years. 

It’s really easy to get caught up in what we should do in our careers. I can’t tell you how many people I know in their 40s who are doing something much different than what their careers started as, because they felt they should follow a certain path out of college, put in the time, and only then have freedom to do what they want. This may be true to a degree, though I would encourage you to be inspired to follow your gut on this one, and gather information by having conversations with as many people who have ‘interesting careers’ in your mind as you can. Today in tech, there are so many interesting things happening, so note which news and companies in VentureFizz and other publications you gravitate to read first.

If you’re feeling stuck, as many often do, about what type of role or organization would be a great fit, here are 3 tips for discovering what really lights you up: 

1. Get out there and get curious. Talk to as many people within and outside of your current organization about their roles. Ask what they enjoy and what the biggest challenges with their jobs are. Understand what the company does and what challenges its solving. Do you want to be part of that mission? Can you get on board with their leader? The majority of people will be glad you asked for their input!

2. Conduct an honest skills assessment. What are you really good at, and do without much effort. And remember, what’s easy for you is often perceived as being tough for others. And it might be something you overlook because it comes so naturally. For me, coaching was like this - I was naturally coaching friends all the time without even realizing it, so making the switch from marketing into coaching was a natural transition, but not one I considered right away.

3. Consider that when we’re creating a vision of our future, it’s very natural to hold ourselves back from big dreams and visions. I know this may sound a little crazy, so hear me out. We may think we’re not ready for an elevated position or the next level when we start job hunting. Or maybe feel we couldn’t possibly take our skills from a customer success position and walk into a marketing role. If this is the case, it’s time to evaluate your limiting beliefs and determine if your mindset is keeping you from realizing your bigger desires.

It’s tempting to take a leap, especially when we’re recruited for a bigger role, or when the calls come in from the new shiny unicorn company. And, stepping back and getting clear on your vision for your future and your career is so valuable to ensure this next step is in alignment with what you as a unique individual really crave for yourself. Nobody is going to manage your career like you will, so take the reins, ask for help if you need it, and godspeed! 

I recently published a 2022 Vision Guide geared towards considering your career and the vision you want to create for yourself in the year ahead. It’s free, and downloadable here. I hope you’ll take advantage of it and grab your copy today, and feel free to reach out with any questions related to creating the vision for your next job. 

Christine Fiske is a mindful leadership coach to startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Her VIP methodology starts with Vision Casting and includes Inner Alignment and taking Purposeful Action. Prior to launching her coaching business, she ran her marketing consultancy working with startups and VC firms, and served as a startup executive at several Boston-based startups.

Episode #244 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Jeff Coyle, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of MarketMuse.

At this point, it’s assumed that companies have a content strategy pulled together for their marketing plan. However, even though content marketing is not a new concept, it is still really difficult to get it right.  

The challenge is on multiple levels. You need to consistently write content that is meaningful and not loaded with keywords and links that add no value to the article. Search engines are too sophisticated now and they will sniff that out.

But, when it is done right… it can be magic, especially if you end up ranking as the authority for keywords that will help drive business to your website.

Jeff saw this problem firsthand and it was a meeting with his future co-founder, Aki Balogh, where he saw the opportunity for an automated solution that bridges the gap between SEO and content marketing. 

Fast forward to today… MarketMuse is an AI-driven platform that enables companies to create predictably better content at scale that increases traffic and engagement, improves productivity, and drives revenue.

In this episode of our podcast, we cover:

• The current state of content marketing and the latest on SEO best practices.
• Jeff’s background growing up and his professional experience at KnowledgeStorm and TechTarget.
• All the details on MarketMuse and how the company’s platform works.
• His experience as a Co-Founder of Silver Bluff Brewing Company and the similarities of being a tech entrepreneur.
• And so much more.

Keith Cline is the Founder of VentureFizz. Follow him on Twitter: @kcline6.

Here's your look at the latest hires and promotions across the tech community at SmartBear, Advisor360, ZoomInfo, Akeneo, and Buckle.

Did I miss your new employees? Send me an email with their name and details about their new role. I'll add them to next week's edition of Talent on the Move. 

Smartbear

Maureen Plowman

 

Senior Vice President, Brand & Corporate Communications at SmartBear

Previously, Vice President Marketing at Alignable

Smartbear is hiring!

Advisor360°

Saša Zorović

 

Chief Financial Officer at Advisor360

Previously, Chief Financial Officer at Superpedestrian

Advisor360° is hiring!

ZoomInfo

Leon Wilkinson

 

Account Manager at ZoomInfo

Previously, Account Manager at Puzzel

Bruno Broughton

 

Manager, Global Sales Development at ZoomInfo

Previously, Senior Manager, Sales Development at Leyton

Donovan Raymond

 

Staff Accountant at ZoomInfo

Previously, Finance & Administrative Coordinator at Community Alliance of Tenants

ZoomInfo is hiring!

Akeneo

Dagbert Sansen

 

General Manager USA at Akeneo

 

Previously, Senior Vice President Business Development at Rokt

Buckle

Gordon Ho

 

Chief Marketing Officer at Buckle

Previously, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Sales at Princess Cruises

Todd Brooks

 

SVP of Sales and Underwriting at Buckle

Previously, Chief Underwriting Officer and Head of Distribution and Field Operations at Farmers Insurance

Pedram Afshar

 

Chief Credit Officer at at Buckle

Previously, Chief Digital and Operating Officer at New York Life Insurance Company

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Maayan Arbili, Senior Director of Customer Success at Aqua Security. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?   

I grew up in Jerusalem, Israel and moved to Boston in 2014. (Right in time for the worst winter on record – the weather only could improve from there.) 

As a child, I was outdoorsy and carefree. Times were simpler then! As I grew, I discovered a passion for aviation and wanted to be a pilot. I trained in gliding and aeronautics during middle and high school. When I joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) upon graduating high school, women weren’t allowed to be pilots, so I was unable to continue that track. 

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school? 

Following two years with the IDF, I went to Hadassah College Jerusalem (HCJ) in Israel to pursue a degree in Computer Science B.Sc. Unsurprisingly, there were few women who attended the program. 

While earning my degree, I started my first role as a Network Operations Center technician or NOC Operator. In Israel, it is common to start your first job while in university. 

The role was at a VoIP startup — a technology that was just emerging at that time. The company was small, but it was a vibrant culture, and I was working on cutting-edge technology. This experience gave me my first glimpse into innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today? 

In my last year of college, I moved to a new role with Comverse Technology, a flagship Israeli tech company. 

While very different than the VoIP startup, both organizations offered cultures with a sense of family and belonging. I was drawn to the mission and people. It’s very similar to what drew me to Aqua — the values and the team. 

I grew a tremendous amount during my 14 years with Comverse and progressed from a software developer to a software team leader to eventually a software project manager and then a senior program and project manager. My responsibilities expanded from strictly development to business-oriented strategic leadership.  Although I spent many years with one company, it was a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and my role was constantly evolving.  

In addition to the pivotal moments, I also think of the critical people who impacted my career path, and my mentors along the years. My mother had a significant influence. She is a strong independent woman, who balanced family and work. She was able to be very present in our household but also had her own path. She showed me that women can have their own career, and she inspired me to pursue all of my passions. 

What is your current role and responsibilities? 

At Aqua, I lead the global Customer Success department and oversee a team of over 25 amazing CSMs (and growing!). Our team is responsible for the customer journey beginning at day one, focused on maximizing adoption and value in their goal of securing their cloud native applications and infrastructure.  

We have a 360 view of the customer’s experience and act as trusted advisors and advocates internally for Aqua’s customers. We partner with Aqua’s engineering and product teams and prioritize new integrations or features that are requested by customers. We see ourselves as an extension of our customers’ teams to ensure they are successful. In other words, we help amplify the voice of the customer. 

Aqua is maturing its customer success offerings rapidly, and I’m responsible for building our global team. We are expanding into new regions including Singapore, Australia, Europe and across the United States -— we plan to hire 15 ppl in 2022 (so check out our openings!).  

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position? 

Not exactly. Customer success is still a relatively new profession that really emerged within the last 15 years.   

I was always drawn to roles that required collaboration with key stakeholders across multiple departments. I’ve also always had a passion for both the interpersonal side as well as the technical. Moving into customer success was a natural evolution. Each role I held throughout my career helped prepare and shape me for my current role. 

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals? 

I was the first Customer Success Manager at Aqua (I’ve been promoted 4 times since I was hired if it shows anything about the opportunity for growth at Aqua!). I can say that perseverance, hard work and the drive to learn is what’s helped me be successful. 

Those who are considering customer success need to enjoy working with people and see customers beyond the numbers. It requires dedication and a “do whatever it takes” mindset to help customers achieve their goals. 

I’d also stress the importance of investing the time to understand product, the market, and trends. This is the foundation for success. 

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well? 

Grit and flexibility along with the right balance of technical and interpersonal skills. You need to be able to build partnerships internally and externally. 

Project management skills are also essential. You must be detail oriented but also strategic and able to see the bigger picture to set goals (and work backwards to achieve those goals). 

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?   

I love being a part of a company that is growing so quickly (aka a high growth unicorn!). I can see firsthand how my contribution has a direct impact on the company’s success.  

A challenge I face, like many in cybersecurity and tech, is hiring in a dynamic and competitive market. We are extremely focused on retaining talent and nurturing professional growth within the company. I think this is unique differentiator at Aqua that is helping set us apart. 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment? 

I left my role at Comverse after 14 years to move to Boston with my husband, three boys and our dog. We left our family and friends for a new city and new careers. When I landed my role at Aqua, it was my first role in customer success, and I embraced the opportunity. I spent weeks learning the market and the technology and simultaneously understanding our customers and their needs.   

I built a new “Aqua” family in Boston and at the same time built the company’s first customer success team from its inception to a robust program with 28 people today. The opportunity to drive the processes and create the programs have been very rewarding. We continue to listen to customer feedback and are always evolving and improving. It's really exciting! 

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?   

I participate in executive MVP customer success forums, and I volunteer with both the Israeli Scouts and the Israeli American Council Community Leadership Forum. I also act as an internal mentor within Aqua. 

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? 

I am very active and a bit of a workout junkie. I enjoy a range of activities including yoga, soul cycle, lifting, rowing, biking, running and triathlons. I love the outdoors, the beach, hiking with my boys, dogs and husband and also traveling. 

I also like to carve out time for healthy cooking and baking as well. I am proud to say I just won the first annual dessert contest at Aqua with my mini tiramisus!   

How do you manage stress? 

See above! Being active is my secret. 

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day? 

Too many to count. More than 3 — we'll leave it at that. 

Any book or podcast recommendations?

I like to listen to Customer Success podcasts. One in particular I like is Planhat:  

https://www.planhat.com/tags/podcast/ 

I read a lot of leadership books and anything related to well-being and health. 

What advice do you have for recent college graduates? 

• Start networking as early as possible. You never know where opportunities will come from! 
• When the time comes for an interview, preparation is key. Put in the effort, it will show.   
• Lastly, don’t settle. Take the right role where you are happy, challenged and find the right cultural fit.   

I understand it’s competitive as a new graduate, but look for companies that welcome young, emerging talent. Aqua for example has an associate, entry-level program where we take recent grads. This has been really successful for both Aqua and the incoming talent. Hard work is acknowledged and rewarded, and these team members are moving up the ladder quickly. 

Take our poll! 

We are interested in learning which is your go-to app for catching your favorite podcasts. 

We'll share the results next week.

 

Episode #243 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Matt Johnston, CEO of GitKraken.

As with most entrepreneurs, you never forget the people who supported you from the early days of the company. I first met Matt towards the end of 2009. VentureFizz had recently launched and I was looking for advertising sponsors to help fund future development of the site. 

At that point in time, Matt was heading up marketing for a company called uTest (now called Applause) and they were looking to increase exposure for the company. It ended up being a great match and they were the first company to sponsor VentureFizz. Without that check… who knows what would have happened. So grateful.

Matt has been involved in lots of venture backed tech companies that have scaled. His career progressed through the marketing ranks into leadership positions to the point of becoming a CEO for startups. Thus, I was excited to hear about his professional journey and all the stories of scaling companies, plus the lessons learned along the way.

Matt recently joined GitKraken, the maker of some of the most popular developer tools in the entire Git ecosystem, as their CEO.

In this episode of our podcast, we cover:

• Advice on transitioning through the leadership ranks to a CEO position.
• Matt’s background in terms of growing up in Michigan and what he learned from his early experience at Herman Miller.
• The story behind the fast track of his career to the point of leading marketing at startups and the details on scaling Applause.
• How he transitioned into a CEO position at Mautic and their acquisition by Acquia.
• All the details on GitKraken and their growth plans ahead.
• And so much more.

Keith Cline is the Founder of VentureFizz. Follow him on Twitter: @kcline6.

Here's your look at the latest hires and promotions across the tech community at OneScreen.ai, Advisor360, Aura, Aidentified, Berlin Brands Group, Dianthus, SoWork, Flexcar, Cohere Health, Fortify, Appcues, and PERSUIT.

Did I miss your new employees? Send me an email with their name and details about their new role. I'll add them to next week's edition of Talent on the Move. 

OneScreen.ai

Adam Reidel

 

Head of People Operations at OneScreen.ai

Previously, Senior Director Human Resources at RS&H

OneScreen.ai is hiring!

Advisor360°

Brian Gruttadauria

 

Vice President of Operations & Quality at Advisor360

Previously, VP & CTO, Cloud Business Group at Oracle

Advisor360° is hiring!

Aura

Zulfikar Ramzan

 

Chief Scientist & CEO at Aura

Previously, Chief Product and Technology Officer at NetWitness, an RSA Business

Aura is hiring!

Aidentified

Elisa Steele

 

Board Director at Aidentified

 

Berlin Brands Group

Robert Land

 

General Manager, BBG USAat Berlin Brands Group

Previously, VP of Consumer Experience at Dorel Juvenile

PERSUIT

Claire Spydell

 

Client Strategy & Success at PERSUIT

Previously, Account Executive at Gartner

Michael Parisi

 

Enterprise Business Development Representative at PERSUIT

Previously, Account Coordinator at PAN Communications

Benjamin Pratt

 

Client Strategy & Success Manager at PERSUIT

Previously, Manager of Deliverability Services at Act-On Software, Inc.

Vanessa Onuegbu

 

Business Development Representative at PERSUIT

Previously, Sales and Marketing Specialist at The Beacons

PERSUIT is hiring!

Dianthus

Chris Litster

 

CEO at Dianthus

Previously, CEO at Buildium

Cohere Health

Tammi Pirri

 

Chief People Officer at Cohere Health

Previously, SVP People Ops at Arcadia

SoWork

Max Wang

 

Sr Game Engineer at SoWork

Previously, Software Engineer at Unbroken Studios

Flexcar

Corey Lewis

 

Chief Marketing Officer at Flexcar

Previously, VP, Strategy and Marketing at FlatWorld

Fortify

Ioana Knopf

 

Materials Product Lead at Fortify

Previously, Director of Materials Development at Poly6 Tech

Appcues

Tiffany Mosher Taylor

 

VP, People at Appcues

Previously, SVP People at Starry

Episode #242 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Max Lobovsky, CEO & Co-Founder at Formlabs.

Launching and scaling a successful company typically takes bold entrepreneurs who are willing to take the risk of building something in a market that doesn’t exist yet. They look at the world differently and they have a vision that some might think is crazy. But, it’s these entrepreneurs that go on to define markets and scale companies at unicorn valuations.

In the case of Formlabs, Max and his co-founders set out to make 3D printing more accessible through its revolutionary desktop 3D printer. Fast forward, the company has scaled to about 700 employees, multiple products, and a global footprint. Just last year, the company announced a $150M Series E round of funding last year at a $2B valuation.

However, when they started the company in 2011, raising capital for a company this complex was incredibly rare as it involves hardware, software, materials, and manufacturing.  Landing their first investor - that being Mitch Kapor (the founder of Lotus and a legendary investor) - is absolutely one of the best funding stories that I’ve ever heard.  

In this episode of our podcast, we cover:

• The current state of the 3D printing industry, including the variety of use cases and predictions for the future.
• Max’s background story growing up, his studies at Cornell & MIT, plus what sparked his interest in the 3D printing industry.
• How he met his co-founders and how they got Formlabs started, plus the details behind their Kickstarter campaign which was one of the most successful of all time.
• A look at Formlabs today in terms of its scale and growth plans ahead, plus the company’s culture.
• Lessons learned around hiring and what has been the key criteria for successful hires.
• And so much more.

Keith Cline is the Founder of VentureFizz. Follow him on Twitter: @kcline6.