Leadership is a Skill, Not a Position
The Executive Edge
Episode 213 Released June 26, 2025 Episode: Leadership is a Skill, Not a Position Guest: Andy Coley - Leadership Development Expert & TEDx Speaker of the Year Episode Overview Join Sue Firth as she interviews Andy Coley, a leadership development expert who transitioned from tech to transforming how people think about leadership. Andy shares his personal journey from IT professional to TEDx Speaker of the Year, revealing why leadership is a learnable skill rather than an automatic privilege of position. Key Topics & Timestamps Andy's Background & Career Transition (5:00-12:00) ...
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Finding Work-Life Balance with Lauren Taubes
The Executive Edge
Episode 212 Released June 12, 2025 Guest Bio brings over 20 years of experience in fashion technology, with a unique background spanning trend forecasting, retail training platforms, ERP systems, and data analytics. She holds a degree in apparel merchandising with a minor in business and currently serves as Director of Business Development at Seventh Online, where she helps fashion companies optimize their merchandise planning through advanced technology solutions. Key Topics Discussed Fashion Technology Evolution Journey from trend forecasting at WGSN to SaaS platforms Experience at...
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In Your Power: Regaining Control, Reducing Stress & Preventing Burnout - with Dr Sharon Melnick
The Executive Edge
Episode 212 Released May 29, 2025 Episode Overview In this episode, Dr. Sharon Melnick reveals the critical difference between being "in power" (having a position) versus being "in your power" (having personal agency). Drawing from her 10 years of research at Harvard Medical School and extensive coaching experience, she provides practical strategies for leaders to manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain peak performance. Key Topics Covered The Three Pillars of Being "In Your Power" Agency - Having options and the ability to influence your situation Sovereignty - Maintaining your...
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From Chaos to Clarity: Why Project Management Is the Secret Weapon for Strategy Execution
The Executive Edge
🎙️ The Executive Edge – Episode 210 Guest: Professor Adam Boddison, CEO of the Association for Project Management Host: Sue Firth Released: May 15, 2025 Episode Summary: In this episode, Sue Firth is joined by Professor Adam Boddison to unpack the underestimated power of project management in modern business. As the CEO of the Association for Project Management, Adam shares his unconventional career journey — from teaching secondary school math to leading a major charity through a financial turnaround, and now championing strategic delivery at the helm of a major professional body....
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Finding Purpose, Creating Joy, and Building a Business That Makes a Difference - Jeff Bogensberger
The Executive Edge
Episode 209 Released May 1, 2025 In this compelling episode, Jeff Bogensberger, a former corporate executive turned purpose-driven entrepreneur, shares his candid story of transformation after hitting a life crossroads at age 50. Jeff opens up about the personal losses, disillusionment with corporate life, and global events that pushed him to radically change direction. Fueled by a desire to make people happier and life more fun, Jeff founded **The Laughing Otter**, a multimedia and events company designed to spread positivity, support social causes, and make a genuine impact—especially for...
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What millennials can teach us about leadership
The Executive Edge
Episode 208 Released April 17, 2025 Millennials aren’t broken — the leadership model is. In this week’s podcast, bestselling author & exec coach joins Sue Firth to unpack how a gift-centered leadership approach is the future of work. Visit for more. Also, connect with Sue on:
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Awakening Possibility in Leadership
The Executive Edge
Episode 207 Released April 3, 2025 In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth talks with , a thought leader and author who founded . Graham shares insights from his military background and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership. Visit for more. Also, connect with Sue on: Podcast editing & production:
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Philosophy, Sports, and Business Success
The Executive Edge
Episode 206 Released March 20, 2025 In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth interviews Anders Inset, a business philosopher and author of "The Viking Code." Anders shares insights on building high-performance cultures rooted in values, drawing from Norwegian principles that have led to success in both sports and business. Guest Profile Anders Inset Former entrepreneur and company builder Philosopher focusing on the intersection of business and philosophy Author of six books, including "The Viking Code" Currently writing "Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and...
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Balancing innovation with profit!
The Executive Edge
Episode 205 Released March 6, 2025 This week's guest is Rani Al Hajji, a seasoned global executive with a proven track record of driving growth, business transformation and consistent financial results in the Consumer Goods / Personal Care industry. Rani has over 20 years of experience at L’Oréal and Colgate-Palmolive, and has successfully led and grown businesses across Europe, the US, and Asia (including 3 years in China). On the show we talk about how his insights from the consumer goods industry is helping him work with tech startups and bringing their products to market....
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Get results that count
The Executive Edge
Episode 204 Released February 20, 2025 This week's guest is , a management consultant who helps businesses achieve profitable growth, transfrom operation and align teams for outstanding performance. On the show, Connie talks about her book "Get Results that Count" and her belief that businesses need to optimise their results measurement to drive success. Visit for more. Also, connect with Sue on: Podcast editing & production:
info_outlineEpisode 212
Released June 12, 2025
Guest Bio
Lauren Taubes brings over 20 years of experience in fashion technology, with a unique background spanning trend forecasting, retail training platforms, ERP systems, and data analytics. She holds a degree in apparel merchandising with a minor in business and currently serves as Director of Business Development at Seventh Online, where she helps fashion companies optimize their merchandise planning through advanced technology solutions.
Key Topics Discussed
Fashion Technology Evolution
- Journey from trend forecasting at WGSN to SaaS platforms
- Experience at Multimedia Plus (retail associate training technology)
- Transition through ERP companies and data analytics
- Current role at Seventh Online focusing on merchandise planning
The Power of Data-Driven Planning
- How technology helps fashion companies avoid overstock and stockouts
- The psychological aspects of consumer buying behavior
- Supply chain optimization and inventory management
- Real-world impact on customer satisfaction and full-price sales
The Amazon Effect
- Consumer expectations for instant gratification
- How modern shoppers demand next-day delivery
- Challenges for retailers in meeting these expectations
- Balancing customer satisfaction with operational efficiency
Career Development Insights
- The importance of passion-driven work
- Benefits of working within established structures vs. entrepreneurship
- Building expertise through diverse roles in the same industry
- The value of relationship-building in B2B sales
Working Mom Realities
- Balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities
- The guilt factor and learning to manage it
- Importance of supportive workplace culture and flexible employers
- Practical strategies: Google Calendar as "brain," detailed documentation for travel
Success Mindset
- Influence of family work ethic and parental modeling
- The drive to make customers' work lives "better, faster, and easier"
- Building long-term relationships even when deals don't close
- Continuous learning and adaptation in technology sales
Notable Quotes
"I want people's lives to be better, faster, and easier. I want to sell them something that makes their jobs day-to-day within the fashion industry more effective, more efficient."
"Google Calendar is my best friend. It's my brain. Who has what sport? Who has what activity?"
"You have to decide, are you a career woman who happens to have children? Or are you a mom who happens to work? Which one are you?"
Company Spotlight: 7th Online
What they do: Merchandise planning technology that helps fashion companies optimize seasonal inventory and product availability
Problem they solve: Eliminating the guesswork in inventory planning to ensure customers can always find products at full price
Website: 7thonline.com
Target market: Fashion, apparel, footwear, and accessories companies globally
Key Takeaways
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Technology Integration: Small to medium fashion companies can significantly benefit from moving beyond Excel-based planning to sophisticated SaaS solutions
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Work-Life Integration: Success comes from finding supportive environments that understand the realities of being a working parent
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Relationship-First Sales: Building genuine connections and providing value leads to long-term success, even when immediate deals don't close
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Industry Expertise: Deep knowledge of your sector combined with genuine passion creates authentic sales conversations
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Supply Chain Reality: Modern consumer expectations require sophisticated planning and forecasting to maintain satisfaction
Connect with Lauren
- LinkedIn: Lauren Taubes
- Company Website: 7thonline.com
- Open to: Industry discussions, career conversations, and connecting with fellow working parents
About The Executive Edge
The Executive Edge provides practical skills for life and business success. Hosted by Sue Firth, each episode features insights from successful professionals sharing real-world strategies for achieving and maintaining success.
Topics: #FashionTech #WorkingMoms #SaaS #BusinessDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #WorkLifeBalance