LIFT

Leadership inspiration for professionals who appreciate life-long learning infused with sarcasm and wit. Silicon Valley consultant Allison J. Taylor curates intelligent conversations that illuminate fresh points of view across business, technology, communications, and management. Time-pressed execs can get informed and inspired in under 60 minutes.

EP#6: Sending Money Freely -- Sara Drakeley 09/22/2023

EP#6: Sending Money Freely -- Sara Drakeley Sending Money Freely with Sara Drakeley, CEO of MobileCoin Episode 6: Show Notes Welcome back to another episode of the Allison Taylor LIFT Podcast. In our sixth episode, Allison discusses leadership in technology, specifically the nascent cryptocurrency market, with Sara Drakeley, CEO of MobileCoin, a cryptocurrency payment application that runs on the blockchain. The discussion centers on Sara’s mission to reimagine payments from the ground up and her vision of sending money as easily as sending a text, anywhere in the world, instantly, securely – and at a minimum of cost. Sara also shares her unconventional leadership journey from technical director at Disney Animation Studios in Los Angeles to New York as a Wall Street hedge fund software engineer, and then back to California where she landed as third engineer at MobileCoin. After becoming CEO in five years, Sara shares her leadership style and also unveils life as a female millennial CEO in a predominantly male-dominated technology environment, and how trust with her team has enabled her to take time off for maternity leave. Thank you for listening in. Key Points From This Episode: • Insight into Sara’s new role as CEO of MobileCoin. • What MobileCoin does and what its mission is. • Sara tells us all about her studies, vast experience, and non-linear career. • How she carried the robustness she learned working on Wall Street throughout her career. • Ways that authenticity has brought Sara joy and success in her career. • How the concept of “learning how to catch up” relates to AI. • Sara's leadership style (and how she incorporates math!) • Why MobileCoin’s payment landscape is different from any other. • The criminal challenge in this industry and how MobileCoin is addressing it. • A look at MobileCoin’s business model and their mobile app, Moby. • Sara’s advice for inspiring engineers and CEOs: expand your focus! Tweetables: “There's something about diving into the way in which money moves and the way in which value moves at a systems level that [is] really impactful.” — [0:06:04] “If you can back something up with math, then that's the best mitigation you can have.” — [0:09:00] “Entertainment matters, finance matters, it all matters. It's just [about] the degree of risk tolerance that can be acceptable within that space.” — [0:09:52] “Ultimately, it's my job to empower my team to help realize the vision that we all share.” — [0:23:47] “At the end of the day, we need to build a product, get it out there, and make the world a better place.” — [0:44:47] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Discerna Web Site () Email Listener feedback to /episode/index/show/liftpodcast/id/28115918

EP5: Intent Data: The Perfect Answer is Imperfection 04/22/2022

EP5: Intent Data: The Perfect Answer is Imperfection Welcome to the fifth episode of our LIFT podcast! In today’s new market landscape, intent data is becoming increasingly relevant. In this episode, we are joined by the VP of Growth Marketing at Celigo, Michelle Bastelier, to discuss all things intent data. Celigo is a Series C automation platform company, which enables integration of all different SaaS applications into one platform. Through this discussion, you will discover how to shape your organization in order to use intent data, as well as three pertinent use cases to leverage it. We also share some common pitfalls and lessons we’ve learned so you can prepare prior to implementation and ensure no resources go to waste. Finally, we fill you in on how you can get started with using intent data, getting farther, faster. Tune in to hear Allison and Michelle’s insights and learn how to optimize your programs and teams. Key Points from This Episode: The topic covered in this webinar: the reality versus the hype of intent data. Introducing Michelle Bastelier, VP of Growth Marketing at Celigo. The skillset suited for growth marketing. What Celigo does and how it’s changing the landscape for digital transformation. Host, Allison Taylor, shares her background. What intent data is and the purpose it serves. Why it’s important to constantly feed the market with new updates, assets, and messaging. Ensuring the business outcome matches your business goals when employing intent data. What accelerates the ROI of the intent data system. The countless benefits of employing intent data. How Celigo has used intent data to expand its accounts. How intent data assists sales productivity. The integration challenges Celigo has experienced. How intent data has enabled Celigo to grow its install base. Setting up teams, training, and bonding through daily stand-ups. How long it took for the intent data to start driving pipeline contribution for Celigo. How to ensure your intent data is capturing and mapping according to your data structure. Important lessons learned about territory mapping. The operational impact of using intent data. What to be aware of, in terms of budget allocation. How priority scores in ABM programs assist growth marketing and segmentation. How to get started with intent data! Tweetables: “I think intent data is incredibly relevant to today’s new market landscape.” — [0:03:15] “[Intent data] gives you the data you need to fully optimize your programs in a way that typical tracking software just can’t offer you, not at scale.” — [0:14:43] “With intent data, we’ve been able to coalesce things into programs and get things set up in a more organized and strategic way to grow the install base.” — [0:23:42] “One of the great things about intent data is it allows you to up your ad click-through rate and engagement noticeably and get your cost per click significantly lowered.” — [0:42:47] “The best approach is not to be perfect, but to be able to live with imperfection.” — [0:50:55] “Every company on the planet needs to automate in order to survive in the future of a machine-driven world.” — [0:53:16] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Email listener feedback to /episode/index/show/liftpodcast/id/22881707

EP4: Leading a STEM Organization -- Andrew Chrostowski 05/25/2021

EP4 (Part 1): Leading Amidst Complexity -- Andrew Chrostowski 04/06/2021

EP4 (Part 1): Leading Amidst Complexity -- Andrew Chrostowski Welcome to the fourth episode of our LIFT podcast! Allison identifies how skilled leaders approach systems complexity and the fundamental role people play solving problems successfully. She is joined by Andrew Chrostowski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RealWear, a tech company making hands-free industrial head-mounted wearable headsets for safe connected workers. He discusses how he applies systems thinking from his background in leadership and problem-solving both in the military and private sector. RealWear is the industry leader for powerful, voice-operated headset computers, their flagship product being the HMT-1, an industrial hands-free knowledge transfer platform for frontline workers. With experience in the Air Force, as a research physicist, and as a business leader, too, Andrew has an extensive understanding about the relationship between complex systems and the role of people within them. Our conversation starts with a sketch of Andrew’s career and education, where he shares different scenarios that helped him gain the perspectives on systems thinking he shares today. From there, we dive into some important takeaways about the importance of humans in increasingly automated systems, why complex problems cannot be solved with simple solutions, how to build systems that tolerate failure, how to include your team in the development of company culture, and navigating employees with different strengths to align them to a common goal. Other golden nuggets describe the importance of the presence of mind in leadership, applying the “rule of five” to building resilient systems, and how to use the “pyramid of trust” to scale an organization. Tune in for all this and a whole lot more from today’s enlightening conversation. Key Points from This Episode: A brief introduction to Andrew’s company, RealWear, and its HMT-1, a wearable tablet for remote frontline workers. A window into Andrew’s background in the Air Force, as a physicist, and as a CEO. How Andrew has applied systems thinking from his background to leadership and problem-solving. Why complex problems cannot be solved using simple solutions. How to apply systems thinking to product portfolio management by starting with the initial goal. The rise of automation and the importance of the human element in delivering outstanding systems. Systems diagnostics techniques to solve complex problems. Managing risk tolerance and how it relates to failure tolerance in the context of organizations. Defining resilient ways of failing by setting up a structured experimental framework. Using the “rule of five” to solve problems and build more resilient organizations. Using the “trust triangle” that promotes a team-based, solution-oriented, and data-driven culture. Drilling down on values like ethics and authenticity. Instilling values in a team, some which come from the leader while others come from the team. Leading Amidst Complexity – Andrew Chrostowski Guest Biography: Andrew Chrostowski is a senior executive with deep experience in developing teams and strategies that enable innovation, growth, and profitability improvements. As an NACD Certified Director, Qualified Technology Executive and a founding executive member of the Digital Directors Network, he strives to improve board performance and digital governance excellence. Andrew has a passion for the art and science of value creation and embraces demanding business challenges to deliver results across the spectrum from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. He is recognized for using world-class techniques to overcome complex technical, marketing, and customer-driven challenges, bringing the proof to the bottom line. Tweetables: “Everyone sees the simple result and wants to flip a switch and fix it, but in reality, there's a whole bunch of things that have to be looked at in totality in order to give that system resilience to operate in whatever condition we're trying to design it for.” — [0:07:55] “My epiphany, if you will, of leadership really came down to the idea that all technical problems begin with the human element. How well people are working together.” — [0:10:16] “A 70% solution today is better than a 100-% solution six months from now.” — [0:21:00] “Risk management is where it all begins and ends. People don't realize that risk is not always bad. Risk gets you reward.” — [00:15:47] “A lot of times I’m brought into teams to work on communication skills just as a side effect of trying to achieve a project. We can see the communications is what is holding up the project. I think so many people do not realize that a huge part of communication is listening.”— [0:24:22] “A CEO is a steward with a ‘do the right thing’ mentality.” — [0:25:04] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Thought Marketing — Thought Marketing email — /episode/index/show/liftpodcast/id/18627137

EP3: Succeeding in a World of Risk -- Bob Zukis 08/25/2020

EP3: Succeeding in a World of Risk -- Bob Zukis Succeeding in a World of Risk with Bob Zukis Podcast Episode 03: Show Notes Welcome to the third episode of our LIFT podcast! Allison discusses problem-solving our way through this pressing global situation, as systems have failed us and we need to reinvent at scale. She is joined by Bob Zukis, co-author of The Great Reboot and a former PwC Advisory Partner, who shares pragmatic models for this important work ahead of us. We’re all born into a world that already has many systems in place but, frankly, they could all use an overhaul. The year 2020 offers that reinvention moment, but how? In this episode, we face head-on the simultaneous global change at scale and speak with co-author of a book that is aptly titled THE GREAT REBOOT: Succeeding in a World of Catastrophic Risk and Opportunity. We discuss the optimistic focus on a typically negative topic like risk, systems, and digital transformation during COVID, as well as cybersecurity, and practical frameworks to serve as digitally savvy board members. Bob shares his perspective on diversity, shaping the digital agenda in the corporate boardroom, and the role that CIOs and CISOs play in preserving and protecting value. Tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: Bob shares a quick summary of his background. What led Bob and his co-authors to write THE GREAT REBOOTduring the pandemic. Allison’s views that we can have an optimistic focus on opportunity within a typically negative topic like risk. How Bob views systems and the need to understand the complexity within those systems. The DIRECTOR model, how it relates to understanding the complex digital business system. A universal model for how a company uses their IT environment to create and protect value. How COVID is driving digital transformation, and technology as operational excellence. The long-overdue appreciation for digital systems and IT professionals during the pandemic. RISCX fits within the DIRECTOR framework as the identifiers of risk within that framework. Advice for those looking to rebuild their companies with systems in mind – be a systems thinker, understand the risk, and capitalize on systemic change. The importance of embedding a systems thinking mindset at the leadership level. Cybersecurity from the perspective of systems thinkers and board members. What skill sets boards need to understand the complexity of the digital world they oversee. How the Digital Directors Network is training CIOs and CISOs to take board seats, because companies need digitally savvy directors. The need for more women technology leaders in the corporate boardroom. Bob’s recommendation for executives running a technology company – be actively involved in shaping the digital agenda in the corporate boardroom. CIOs and CISOs need to talk about value and understand their board’s view on value. Succeeding in a World of Risk – Bob Zukis Guest Biography: Bob Zukis is the CEO of Digital Directors Network and a leading advocate for digital diversity in the corporate boardroom. Bob is also passionate about strategic thinking, cybersecurity and managing risk with diverse board advisors. In addition, Bob is an Adjunct Professor at the USC Marshall School of Business, where he teaches strategy, structured problem-solving, as well as corporate governance. Tweetables: “The system, the world has become very complex, and we've made it complex because it needs to serve a very diverse collection of needs and wants. That complexity isn't necessarily bad, but we haven't done a good enough job to understand the complexity within the system that we've built.” — [0:07:28] “Great systems thinkers naturally see the world as a collection of component parts that they have to manage, and understand, and optimize to create a value proposition.” — [0:22:51] “If we want to change the world, we need to get more women technology leaders, specifically more women who are technology leaders, into the corporate boardroom. If you want to reboot the world, that’s how we’re going to do it.” — [0:34:24] No matter your circumstance, there’s always something you can do with the right mindset. — [0:5:58] There’s been so much conversation around the term digital transformation, which is unfortunate, because it is a thing. It is real. It does drive value. It’s just that it’s been over-marketed. — [0:14:25] At the end of the day, you need a process and organizational change to adapt technology. — [0:18:19] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Thought Marketing — Thought Marketing email — Santa Clara University Women’s Corporate Board Readiness Program /episode/index/show/liftpodcast/id/15750659

EP 2: Digging Deep on Motives to Meet Your Customer’s “Invisible” Needs - Cheri Anderson 02/07/2020

EP 2: Digging Deep on Motives to Meet Your Customer’s “Invisible” Needs - Cheri Anderson Welcome to the second episode of LIFT podcast! On today’s episode, Allison is joined by global researcher Cheri Anderson of the Values and Lifestyles Program (VALS) from Menlo Park, California, to unravel motives and their impact on everything from building a business to positioning a product. Based on her 25-year experience applying research findings to a variety of sectors from Nigeria to Japan, Cheri reveals the connection between self-image and VALs personality types to explain why some technologies are readily accepted and others miss the mark. Allison and Cheri contrast longstanding academic theories with today’s business realities to consider novel approaches to marketing, sales, and product design. Learn common mistakes to avoid when trying to analyze customer needs, and what it means to be a rebel, trendy or an achiever and how that impacts motivations and buying decisions. Dig deeper into understanding your customers and gain the rewards of meeting their “invisible” needs. For all these incredibly rich insights, join us today! Key Points From This Episode: Why viewing customers from a psychological standpoint is important for business leaders. How motives affect customers and business leaders alike. The difference between motives and psychographics. The role that motives play in decision making. How tech executives are different from executives in other industry sectors. How trendy and traditional are two sides of the same coin. Some insights into the dynamic computer buying group. Where differentiation can be found when looking at people types. How motives and self-image are linked. Some of the common mistakes when thinking about motives in the business world. Why it’s not enough to ask direct questions to uncover motives. How to identify different groups of people according to their motives. What competitive substitution is and why it is important. Digging Deep on Motives to Meet Your Customer’s “Invisible” Needs - Cheri Anderson Guest Biography: Cheri Anderson helps organizations worldwide to make decisions that depend on how populations will respond to new products, services, and policy initiatives. Whether the decision relates to a new consumer-electronics gadget, a service, or even efforts to encourage green lifestyles or responsible citizenship, Cheri brings big-data-based insights about different types of people and the attitudes and behaviors they exhibit, and how they are likely to respond. In her role as Global Director of Research for Strategic Business Insights' VALS service, she's aided advertisers, broadcasters and TV makers; nonprofits and governments; automotive industries, real-estate developers and many more. Her findings are backed by surveys she conducts of populations of multiple countries, using algorithms that segment a population into groups that have distinct psychologies. Strategic Business Insights (SBI) is an employee-owned SRI International spin-off. VALS is a practice group of SBI. Tweetables: “There are two aspects to conforming; you can conform by being traditional, or you can conform by being trendy.” — Cheri Anderson [0:06:30] “The computer buyer is like a moving target. Who is this person?” — Cheri Anderson [0:11:36] “The reason you're looking at motives and these forces is because that's where the rich rewards lie, and you need that context.” — Allison J Taylor [0:30:28] “You can't know what the competitive substitute is unless you really know what's driving the behavior.” — Cheri Anderson [0:18:50] “Where is the crack in the egg? Where do I see the differentiation that I need to follow up for my next product design?” — Cheri Anderson [0:14:41.9] “We are all pretty fractured. You've got the part of yourself who you think you are. You have the part of yourself who other people expect you to be.” — Cheri Anderson [0:16:49.4] “You’ll find risk-taking in unexpected pockets.” — Cheri Anderson [0:17:50] “To be trendy is essentially an imitative position.”— Cheri Anderson [0:08:13.2] “People tend to think that trendy and traditional are opposites in terms of the core force. They actually cohere and come together. Both are forces of belonging.” Cheri Anderson [0:06:16.2] “When you're doing whatever marketing you're doing, you really have to think about what's moving and what's not moving.” Cheri Anderson [0:11:39.3] “Self-image is how someone sees themselves and conversely, a mirror, how other people see them.” Cheri Anderson [0:15:38.9] “Some motives might be wanting to be safe and secure in a decision they make.” — Allison J. Taylor [0:05:07] “All of us are doing PhDs on a daily basis, in terms of keeping up with the technology trends and the business trends simultaneously, and having to go deep into that and come back up.” Allison J. Taylor [0:12:02.1] “In the personality type, you want to look for the things that don't change.” Allison J. Taylor [0:13:37.7] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: VALS - Thought Marketing — Thought Marketing email — Additional Information: To contact Cheri Anderson, contact us at: VALS Survey (including ability to take the survey): Case Studies from a VALS Perspective: /episode/index/show/liftpodcast/id/13065110

EP 1: Unpacking a Loaded Term: Communications - with Matt Abrahams 04/24/2019

EP 1: Unpacking a Loaded Term: Communications - with Matt Abrahams Welcome to the inaugural Lift podcast! Today we chat with Matt Abrahams, a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the founder of BoldEcho. Matt and Allison are both passionate about strategic communications, and today discuss exactly that -- what do we mean when we say someone is a "great communicator” and how can leaders use some simple guidelines to increase their emotive communications success? We outline three fundamental steps towards more action-driven interactions, whether between a group or just two individuals and add stories from our collective experiences as coaches to executive teams. Find out what karaoke-time storytelling means, how to handle suddenly short presentations, and whether messages can be iterative, as you listen to veterans in the field share their insights. Please join us on today’s episode! Key Points From This Episode: What does it mean to be a great communicator? The importance of listening and audience centricity. Understanding the fail fast model with regards to communication. The criteria for assessing successful communication. Altering communication according to your audience and their biases. Leveraging stories and reaching for a higher level to bridge across audience types. One-on-one communication and directive-driven interactions. Clarity and definition in important messages. Leading a conversation or using questions and imagination scenarios. Considering time constraints in any scenario. How further upskill if you’re already an advanced and sophisticated communicator. And much more! Tweetables: “It’s about empathy, it’s really about doing the appropriate amount of reconnaissance and reflection in advance of the communication.” — Matt Abrahams "I think communication is about listening, slowing down and listening, not just literally, but to all the kinds of subtexts that are happening." — Allison J. Taylor “To me, it really boils down to the ability to synthesize a lot of information, make it accessible, really emotionally connect to your audience, to motivate them.” — Matt Abrahams "What makes or breaks communication is one-on-one direction and priority setting." — Allison J. Taylor “What I found is, it’s very helpful to be crisp in an outcome you’re looking for.” — Allison J. Taylor "In business organizations, it's important not to lose sight of why a person is in a particular role and what that role is supposed to bring, or we misconstrue what the role is supposed to be. It's coaching employees to help them understand their roles." — Allison J. Taylor “Really, to me, the three criteria are again, information, emotion and action.” — Matt Abrahams Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Matt Abrahams — https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/ Speaking Up Without Freaking Out — Allison J. Taylor – BoldEcho – http://boldecho.com/ /episode/index/show/liftpodcast/id/9519650

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