The Rebekah Panepinto Project

In this episode, Manuel Martinez, a Technical Account Manager at AWS and the host of the Career Downloads podcast, opens up about his inspiring journey through the tech industry. From starting out as a help desk technician in a casino to eventually working with AWS, Manuel shares the twists and turns that shaped his career. He talks about the importance of solving business problems with technology and building authentic relationships in the professional world.

Manuel also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at hisCareer Downloads podcast. He reveals how the podcast began, fueled by his passion for mentorship and helping others navigate their tech careers. The conversation touches on the highs and lows of starting a podcast, the lessons he learned, and the surprising opportunities that emerged from sharing his own story.

Takeaways

Career paths in tech are rarely linear; everyone has their own unique journey.

The value of mentorship and teaching others in your career.

Success is not just about personal achievement but also about making an impact on others.

Embrace challenges and learn from mistakes, both in career and podcasting.

Building relationships is more important than transactional networking.

Sacrifice, success, and significance: balancing career growth with personal impact.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:16 Manuel’s Early Career Journey

03:09 Transitioning to AWS

05:25 The Evolution of Career Downloads

08:06 Starting the Podcast During COVID

12:56 The Challenge of Podcasting: Failures and Lessons

15:41 The Value of Networking and Storytelling

19:06 Memorable Episodes and Key Takeaways

21:22 What Inspired Personal Growth and Career Changes

23:43 Looking Ahead: Vision for the Podcast’s Growth

25:53 Key Career Principle: Sacrifice, Success, and Significance

29:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Kira Shishkin, CEO of informed.now, discusses his journey as a global citizen and the importance of providing quality news without the noise. He reflects on his experiences growing up in Ukraine, living in Israel, and moving to the United States, emphasizing the cultural richness of different regions. Kira also addresses the current state of news media, highlighting the shift towards sensationalism and the need for a platform that restores dignity to news consumption.

He discusses the challenges of misinformation in the digital age, the role of AI in news, and the importance of critical consumption of information. He emphasizes the need for journalistic integrity and the value of primary sources in news reporting. Kira also shares insights into the user demographics of informed.now, highlighting the platform's focus on media mindfulness and community building. He concludes with his guiding principles for success, emphasizing the joy of helping others.

Takeaways

Cultural diversity in the US is often overlooked.

The news industry has shifted towards sensationalism.

Quality journalism is essential for informed decision-making.

The term 'post-truth' reflects current media challenges.

AI can help filter out noise in news consumption.

The mission is to inform without overwhelming the audience.

Critical consumption of news is essential for informed citizens.

Media mindfulness is key to avoiding information overload.

Headlines often manipulate emotions; be cautious.

Community building is vital for creators and builders.

Helping others can be more rewarding than receiving help.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:25 Global Citizen Journey

07:21 Restoring Dignity in News Consumption

08:47 AI's Role in News and Misinformation

14:54 The Informed Platform: A New Approach to News

21:13 Understanding the User Base of informed.now

29:25 Guiding Principles for Success

In this conversation, Richard Sides discusses the digital transformation in the food and beverage industry, focusing on the integration of technology, particularly within the Microsoft ecosystem and Shopify. He shares insights on brand loyalty, direct-to-consumer strategies, and case studies like Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Richard also explores future tech advancements, the intersection of music and leadership, and the guiding principles that have contributed to his success.

Takeaways

Digital transformation is crucial for the food and beverage industry.

Understanding the Microsoft ecosystem can be complex but rewarding.

Brand loyalty drives direct-to-consumer strategies.

Case studies illustrate successful technology implementations.

Exploring new industries can provide growth opportunities.

Music and leadership share common principles of trust and empowerment.

Giving first creates lasting relationships in business.

Continuous learning and humility are key to personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:18 – Navigating the Microsoft Ecosystem

08:28 – Brand Loyalty and Direct-to-Consumer Strategies

10:54 – Case Study: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

13:35 – Exploring New Opportunities Beyond Food and Beverage

17:38 – The Intersection of Music and Leadership

22:58 – Guiding Principles for Success

In this conversation, Rebekah Panepinto and Zach Goldberg discuss the innovative solutions Gruntwork is providing to address DevOps challenges, particularly through the use of Terragrunt. They explore the complexities of navigating different cloud service providers and the unique strategies Gruntwork is employing in the marketplace to establish itself as a leader in the industry. The discussion highlights the importance of open-source contributions, the need for specialized tools in a complex cloud environment, and the significance of building trust within the marketplace.

Zach also discussed his book, 'The Startup CTO Handbook,' which serves as a resource for tech leaders facing common challenges in their roles. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills and strategy in technical leadership and the frameworks for decision-making. Zach shares insights from his coaching experience, highlighting the need for leaders to balance technology with business objectives. The discussion also touches on the significance of communication between technical and non-technical teams, as well as the value of continuous learning and adaptation in the tech industry.

Takeaways

Terragrunt is a key tool for automation and orchestration in DevOps.

Gruntwork's approach allows for scalable infrastructure management across multiple cloud accounts.

The marketplace offers unique opportunities for companies to provide tailored solutions.

Building trust in the marketplace is essential for Gruntwork's growth.

Understanding the business side of technology is crucial for success in the marketplace. 

Soft skills are crucial for technical leaders to succeed.

Decision-making frameworks help leaders navigate complex choices.

Communication between technical and non-technical teams is essential.

Coaching helps leaders build confidence in their decisions.

Understanding the business impact of technology is key.

Continuous learning is necessary for effective leadership.

Balancing innovation with practical business needs is vital.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Rebekah Panepinto Project

00:02 Meet Zach Goldberg: Executive Coach and CTO

01:27 Diving into Gruntwork's DevOps Innovations

03:15 The Open Source Impact of Terra Grunt

04:42 Navigating Cloud Service Providers

05:32 Challenges and Opportunities in DevOps

12:04 Exploring the Startup CTO Handbook

16:16 The Importance of Soft Skills and Strategy

22:21 Frameworks for Tech Decision Making

25:31 The Value of Hackathons and Innovation

27:06 Guiding Principles for Success in Business

28:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Jim Harris discusses the rapid evolution of AI technology and its implications for various industries. He emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's potential to transform business operations, enhance productivity, and facilitate language translation. Jim also explores the concept of agentic AI, which personalizes user experiences, and highlights the necessity for continuous learning and adaptation in a fast-changing technological landscape.

Takeaways

AI is the fastest adopted technology in history.

Many industries are resistant to AI due to misconceptions.

AI can enhance productivity by freeing up time for strategic tasks.

Language translation through AI can open global markets.

Agentic AI personalizes user experiences based on preferences.

Continuous learning is essential in the age of AI.

Humility is crucial for leaders to adapt to change.

The future of work will require new skills and adaptability.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

03:00 - Industry Adoption of AI

18:47 - The Role of Language in AI

27:43 - Agentic AI: The Next Evolution

34:25 - Learning and Change in the Age of AI

In this conversation, Rebekah Panepinto and David Vulcano discuss the intricate relationship between Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and the healthcare industry, particularly focusing on the drug development process, the challenges of clinical trials, and the role of AI in enhancing efficiencies. They explore the lengthy timelines involved in bringing new drugs to market, the importance of diversity in clinical trials, and the ongoing efforts to improve interoperability in healthcare systems. The discussion also touches on the implications of rapid drug approvals, particularly in light of recent developments like the COVID-19 vaccines, and the need for responsible AI integration in clinical research. In this conversation, David discusses the responsible implementation of AI in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of human oversight and ethical considerations. He highlights the significance of privacy and confidentiality, particularly in the context of clinical trials and digital twins. David also shares insights on the role of clinical trials in bringing innovations to market, his experiences in angel investing, and the impact of technology on job roles. He concludes with his guiding principle of making data and patient experiences better through professional tithing and community involvement.

Takeaways

CROs play a crucial role in the healthcare ecosystem.

Long-term safety monitoring is essential for drugs.

Interoperability issues persist in healthcare systems.

AI is becoming integral to clinical research.

Human involvement is crucial in AI decision-making processes.

Clinical trials are essential for bringing new treatments to market.

Angel investing can diversify knowledge and foster innovation.

Technology can enhance job roles rather than replace them.

Professional tithing is about giving time back to the community.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction to the Rebekah Panepinto Project

[00:46] Meet David Vulcano: A Leader in Clinical Research

[01:23] Understanding the Role of CROs in Healthcare

[04:17] The Timeline of Bringing a Drug to Market

[05:37] The Impact of AI on Clinical Trials

[08:53] Challenges in Clinical Trials: Diversity and Rare Diseases

[17:23] Interoperability and Data Integrity in Clinical Trials

[21:17] David's Insights on AI and the Future of Clinical Research

[30:16] David's Guiding Principles for Success

[33:03] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Brent Hagan discusses the innovative landscape of direct mail automation and its integration within the supply chain. He highlights the importance of direct mail in marketing, especially for Gen Z, and the need for compliance in mailing practices. Brent shares insights on campaign planning, the role of USPS partnerships, and the future of logistics in direct mail. He also touches on the impact of robotics in operations and shares personal leadership principles that guide his career.

Takeaways

Direct mail remains a powerful marketing tool.

Gen Z shows a surprising affinity for receiving mail.

Lob aims to solve the entire vertical supply chain.

Effective campaign planning is essential for success.

Robotics can significantly reduce workplace injuries.

Building strong partnerships with USPS is crucial.

E-commerce businesses can greatly benefit from direct mail.

Timing and coordination are key in marketing campaigns.

Innovations in logistics are shaping the future of direct mail.

Leadership principles from Amazon influence Brent's approach. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Rebekah Panepinto Project

00:02 Meet Brent Hagan: Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob

00:38 The Impact of Direct Mail on Supply Chain

01:14 Exploring Lob's Direct Mail Automation Platform

03:20 The Role of USPS in Modern Supply Chain

06:45 Innovations and Challenges in Direct Mail

22:12 Brent Hagan's Insights from Amazon

25:40 Guiding Principles for Success

27:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Mark Zawodny discusses the integration of AI in healthcare, the challenges of caregiver recruitment and retention, and the importance of technology in enhancing patient experience. He shares insights on the buy vs. build debate for AI solutions, the future of aging tech, and his personal journey in healthcare IT. Mark also draws parallels between scuba diving and business principles, emphasizing the need for balance and teamwork in both fields.

Takeaways

AI is rapidly changing the landscape of healthcare.

Understanding AI's capabilities is crucial for adoption.

Recruitment of caregivers is a significant challenge.

Retention strategies are essential for caregiver satisfaction.

Home health care can reduce overall healthcare costs.

Technology should enhance, not hinder, patient care.

Remote monitoring tools need better integration with AI.

Healthcare innovation is necessary for future success.

Clarity and consistency build trust in leadership.

Lessons from scuba diving can apply to business management.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rebekah Panepinto Project

00:02 Meet Mark Zawodny: CIO at Care Advantage

01:28 The Role of AI in Healthcare

03:05 AI Implementation Strategies at Care Advantage

04:20 Challenges and Solutions in AI Adoption

06:24 Caregiver Recruitment and Retention

13:21 Enhancing Home Healthcare

16:46 Mark Zawodny's Journey in Healthcare IT

20:53 Scuba Diving and Business Insights

25:34 Guiding Principles for Success4

In this conversation, Rebekah Panepinto interviews Sebastian West, who shares insights into the 3PL industry and the unique services offered by WSI. They discuss the evolution of WSI from a warehousing company to a comprehensive logistics provider, emphasizing the importance of safety, technology, and customer experience. Sebastian highlights the challenges of e-commerce fulfillment, the role of autonomous vehicles in the future of transportation, and his people-first leadership philosophy. The conversation concludes with insights on hiring for culture fit and the guiding principles of effective leadership.

Key Takeaways

3PL is often overlooked but crucial for customer loyalty.

WSI evolved from warehousing to include transportation and e-commerce.

Strategic warehousing locations enhance service efficiency.

Chemical warehousing requires strict compliance and safety measures.

Technology plays a key role in ensuring safety and efficiency.

Transportation management is being enhanced through automation.

Autonomous vehicles will soon impact logistics significantly.

E-commerce fulfillment requires flexibility and adaptability.

A strong company culture is essential for organizational success.

Effective leadership involves making tough decisions and trusting your team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:28 Sebastian's Career Journey and Philosophy

01:35 The Role of WSI in Retail and Logistics

02:44 WSI's Unique Value Propositions

08:39 Safety and Compliance in Chemical Warehousing

11:12 Leveraging Technology for Safety and Efficiency

13:42 Transportation and Automation at WSI

18:48 People-First Leadership in IT

24:42 Guiding Principles for Success

In this conversation, Tim Currie shares his extensive career journey in high-growth consulting firms, focusing on organizational change and the concept of 'Swift Trust' in remote work environments. He discusses the balance between service and product offerings in consulting, the unique value proposition of his current company, Nova, and the importance of building trust in virtual teams. Tim emphasizes the need for leaders to adapt to the digital landscape, maintain engagement, and foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning.

Takeaways

Chapters

In this conversation, Rebekah Panepinto and Michelle Pacynski explore the latest trends and innovations in the beauty industry, including the impact of AI, robotics, and personalization. They discuss the importance of customer loyalty, clean ingredients, and the role of influencers in shaping consumer decisions. Michelle shares insights from her experience at Ulta and as a startup advisor, highlighting emerging companies and the future of e-commerce. The discussion emphasizes the significance of curiosity and partnerships in achieving success in business.

Takeaways

Chapters

In this conversation, Rebekah Panepinto interviews Shawn Harrs, who shares his journey from Disney to Red Lobster, emphasizing the importance of customer experience, teamwork, and creating memorable brand interactions. Shawn discusses the significance of the 'red carpet experience' at Red Lobster, employee engagement strategies, and the five C's of a high-performing IT team. He also draws parallels between leadership lessons learned from scuba diving and business management, highlighting the need for planning and adaptability.

Takeaways

Chapters

In this conversation, Cydni Tetro shares her journey in technology, her experiences at Disney, and her commitment to empowering women in tech. She discusses the balance between innovation and tradition, the importance of empathy in business, and the evolving landscape of customer experience post-COVID. Cydni emphasizes the need for IT organizations to transform their branding and approach to become drivers of innovation rather than cost centers. She also highlights her work with the Women Tech Council, aiming to increase female representation in technology and leadership roles.

Takeaways

Chapters

In this conversation, Chris Meyerpeter shares insights into the agriculture industry, emphasizing the importance of technology, partnerships, and leadership in ensuring a sustainable food supply. He discusses the journey from farm to table, the role of augmented reality in agriculture, and the significance of data-driven decision-making in leadership.

Takeaways

In this Episode

In this conversation, Doug Saunders shares insights into the unique ice industry, discussing his journey to Arctic Glacier and the innovative strategies implemented to optimize operations. He emphasizes the importance of technology, data analytics, and partnerships in enhancing efficiency and customer service. Doug also highlights the impact of weather and events on sales, the role of private equity in shaping business strategy, and his leadership principles centered around trust, transparency, and collaboration.

Key Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rebekah Panepinto Project

00:02 Meet Doug Saunders: Technology Veteran and CIO

00:21 Doug's Career Journey and Role at Arctic Glacier

00:34 Innovations in IoT and Edge Computing

00:48 Doug's Unique Industry Insights

03:20 Understanding the Packaged Ice Business Model

06:29 Challenges and Solutions in Ice Distribution

10:09 Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

21:52 Private Equity and Business Strategy

28:27 The Importance of Strategic Partnerships

32:09 Leadership Principles and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Justin Swagler from AWS discusses the evolving landscape of physical retail, emphasizing the importance of customer experience, technology integration, and data-driven strategies. He highlights innovations such as Amazon One technology and the role of computer vision in enhancing retail operations. The discussion also covers the significance of workforce optimization and the challenges retailers face in managing returns and measuring success. Swagler shares insights on the future of retail leadership and the necessity of being customer-obsessed in driving transformation.

Takeaways

Chapters

In this conversation, Rebekah Panepinto and Michael Campbell discuss the evolution of AWS and cloud technology, the shift in business engagement with IT, and the importance of partnerships in sales. They explore the challenges of cloud migration, the dynamics of sales leadership, and share memorable experiences from transformative deals. Michael emphasizes the need for trust, collaboration, and a strong work ethic in achieving success in the cloud ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

Chapters:

What happens when cutting-edge tech meets the heart of hospitality? In this episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project, Rebekah reconnects with longtime friend and industry leader James Rogers, COO of Prosper Company, for an inspiring conversation about the future of foodservice and hospitality.

They explore how Prosper is empowering the next generation of industry changemakers through initiatives like the Prosper Forum, a signature leadership gathering, and the Prosper Accelerator Program, which supports emerging leaders across the sector.

From career evolution to the emotional intelligence of robots, Rebekah and James delve into the intersection of technology, leadership, and community. While robotics and AI continue to reshape operations, they agree that human connection remains at the heart of hospitality, and that authenticity is the ultimate key to lasting success.

Key Takeaways

In This Episode

Notable Quotes

Our Guest

James Rogers is the Chief Operating Officer at Prosper Company, a leadership-focused organization in the foodservice and hospitality industries. He’s the driving force behind community-centric initiatives like the Prosper Forum and the Prosper Accelerator Program, with a background in national trade associations and media. James lives in Phoenix with his wife and three children and is passionate about hiking, music, and building meaningful relationships.

Resources and Links

James Rogers

Rebekah Panepinto

🎙️ Welcome to The Rebekah Panepinto Project! In this episode, I'm thrilled to have a captivating conversation with William Gilchrist, the CEO of Konsyg. Konsyg, a trailblazing global sales organization, has been revolutionizing the way businesses approach sales in an international context. With 15+ years of technology sales experience spanning various continents, William's journey from Google to leading Konsyg is a treasure trove of insights. Join me in this podcast as we uncover the secrets of success in global sales with William Gilchrist. 

Timestamps: 

00:00 Meet William Gilchrist, CEO Of Konsyg 

01:30 What Is Konsyg? What Solution Is It Bringing To The Table For Sales? 

06:31 William’s Perspective On Fractional Roles Taking Over Full-Time Jobs 

10:42 William’s Sales Philosophy 

13:29 Is Sales An Inherent Skill Or Is It A Learnable Skill? 

22:46 William’s Business Success Guiding Principle

Join me in this podcast episode where I sit down with Tolga Tarhan, who is a seasoned entrepreneur with a knack for both business and technology. Tolga discloses the transformative power of vision-enabled apps. Discover how these cutting-edge innovations are reshaping industries and gain insights into fostering teamwork, harnessing cutting-edge tech, and venturing into new realms of innovation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Tolga Tarhan – CEO Kibsi

02:00 Exploring Digital Transformation: Evolution and Impact

05:30 Navigating Business Timing & Technological Trends

09:00  People-Centric to Software-First: Tolga Tarhan's Journey & Skillsets

14:35 Striking the Balance: Entrepreneurial Freedom vs. Audience Expectations

16:23 Customer-Centric Innovation: Solving Problems with Computer Vision - Real-Life Example

19:00 Tech to Business: Navigating Conversations with Customers for Success

21:58 Fueling Innovation: From Concept to Realization in the World of Data & Cameras

23:11 Nurturing Success: Team Advocacy & Guiding Principles For Business Success

26:35 Exploring Future Technology Trends Beyond Computer Vision

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Dan Prestegaard, Chief Information Officer at United Urology Group (UUG). Private equities may seem hasty in their decision-making but Dan shares how it looks from the other side of the fence.

Dan gives an insider's look into their company, from managing security to spearheading innovation in AI and RPA, so that they can serve their whole spectrum of patients and physicians. He talks about the importance of a good team and their constant evolution in being intentional with innovation.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Dan: "I think some of the bad rap that private equity has is because they have such broad access to multiple businesses that they can see what bad looks like. They understand pretty quickly when you have whether it's management that isn't performing or they have costs that are out of whack."

Dan: "The nice thing about private equity, what it's trying to do is, it's trying to find places to grow the business so that you can scale and take economies of scale.

Dan: "I would highly recommend if others do the similar type thing which is get a VC in place that really knows it and can help to bring along the technical staff and the administrative staff in getting policies and procedures, technology, other things in place so you can really grow the program."

Find out more about Dan in the link below:

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Elliott Cordo, Head Of Data at Capsule. In his current role, Elliott also shares how they leverage data to digitize the pharmacy service. 

The pharmacy model has barely changed since its invention and Elliott and his team have been trying to solve it with digital means to give stakeholders a smooth and integrated experience. 

The benefits are intriguing, from helping with access which in turn increases adherence to improving customer journeys with digital means. He also shares how they empower their users, from doctors to insurance to pharmacists to patients, the final end-user. 

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Elliott: "It feels quite saturated like it doesn't seem like there's as much undiscovered country of digitization cases that haven't been solved. So pharmacy is one of those and I think what intrigued me, you know, if you think about how pharmacies operate, they haven't changed in model since they were invented. It's still very laborious, manual processes by pharmacists. Kind of a traditional customer service model."

Elliott: "It's not cohesive. It's like a doctor, I'm handing this off to some pharmacy. And then you're going to go there and you're going to deal with problems. And they might have to go back. You might have to go back and talk to your pharmacist. You might have to do something special with your insurance company in order to get the drugs paid for."

Elliott: "People will go to pharmacies far more often than they go to doctors, almost in order of magnitude, so it creates a touchpoint which allows us to provide data, provide insights that can't be found elsewhere."

Elliot: "I think it gives us an opportunity to have access to AWS in ways that we wouldn't as a customer typically, any ability to work and interact with product, have some influence, provide feedback, kind of get to touch things and kind of play with things before most folks. Though I think it's useful for AWS, it's definitely useful for me." 

Find out more about Elliott in the link below:

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with James Sherer, Sales and Business Development Manager at Keller Schroeder. He shares how their analytics data serves customers across different industries with the goal of streamlining and increasing their own customers' satisfaction.

James also talks about using data in his sales process. He uses a CRM to track his professional relationships but still gives particular importance to the value of actually calling people. 

He goes deeper on the various use cases for data analytics, like cutting response times during power emergencies, to save on company resources while also providing a better experience to end-users. 

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

James: "It's a situation where it's a series of disconnected steps in the business process and, by using some data to highlight where there are discrepancies in that business process, you can make it more streamline. So almost making it more like a project management process."

James: "I look at the sales process as almost a project process of 5 or 6 steps really to audit what I do as a salesperson and a marketer and, you know, kind of use lead generation, use technology, always kind of looking at my sales pipeline, my sales performance, and managing myself before anybody else has to manage me."

James: "I like to use a couple of different vendor-partners in the CRM space to track not only my personal connectors and my personal network, but also our own internal Keller Schroeder prospects and clients."

Find out more about James in the link below:

Learn more and follow Rebekah by checking out the following links:

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Shane Mulrooney, Co-Founder, and Head of Growth at New Era ADR. The legal space is steeped in tradition and, if there's one thing COVID made clear, it's that innovation in this space is not just useful but also necessary moving forward.

Shane shares how they remove some of the pain of dull lawyering tasks. He also shares the innovations they usher like the "neutral bench," a diverse panel of mediators who may have a deeper understanding of cases. Lastly, Shane shares how he stays fit and how speaking your mind is central to collaboration.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Shane: "We're trying to give them a tool where they can actually spend time doing the fun lawyering which is arguing the substance of the case, drafting arguments, and really litigating instead of poring over boxes of documents and doing mind-numbing discovery."

Shane: "The pool is going to be what the pool is, however, we can always make sure that when we are pulling those 10 who have the right experience, we can always make sure that that 10 is much more diverse and much more reflective of the population writ large."

Shane: "I think it's the best way to run a business and to make decisions is to just make sure that everybody can be honest and free to speak their mind."

Find out more about Shanein the link below:

Learn more and follow Rebekah by checking out the following links:

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project welcomes back Andy Laudato, Chief Operating Officer at The Vitamin Shoppe and author of Fostering Innovation: How to Build an Amazing IT Team. As the pandemic eases up, people are starting to revert back to their pre-pandemic ways.

This is most apparent in their spending habits. By adapting to this fact and utilizing new technologies to meet their customers where they are at, The Vitamin Shoppe has emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever.

Andy also shares what empathetic leaders can do to adapt to ever-changing needs and be at the forefront of innovation. He talks about the power of daily habits in molding executives into the leaders they want to be.    

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Andy: "Complacency is the enemy of reliability. Because if you get complacent, then you might not change but the world around you will."

Andy: "The most important thing for any IT department is just keeping the lights on, KTLO. And I don't mean figuratively lights but it could be that but it's your paychecks are printing and your products are shipping and your warehouses are running."

Andy: "The nice thing about technology is it always gets better, it always gets cheaper. What doesn't are people, right? And so, what you don't want to do is have people spending their time doing things a computer can do better."

Andy: "I would say to anyone who really wants to be executive, figure it out, how do you get up early? You got to go to bed early. So that's the key."

Andy: "If you're being a diode as a leader, all your team hears is when things go well. And they don't take the crap. So I say, as leaders we get paid to take the blame."

Find out more about Andy in the links below:

Learn more and follow Rebekah by checking out the following links:

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Brad Seaman, CEO of MonsterConnect. Phone prospecting can go right if a certain human element is present. Brad shares why people talk about personalization now and how it is driven by the desire for a human connection.

He shares a couple of anecdotes that highlight this, from why people who hate drive-thrus keep using them to feeling pressure from a car salesman. Brad also talks about his podcast Decision Point, its recent refocus into sales, and how it has been an irreplaceable relational builder.  

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Brad: "I don't think phone prospecting has to be intrusive if you do your homework."

Brad: "I think we got to be really careful when we ask people how they feel about certain things, like the sales cycle, like do you want to deal with a salesperson? Okay, I'm going to tell you no but Culver's, Chick-fil-A... I guarantee 90% of those people would say they hate the drive-thru but they're doing it anyway."

"So the question I think you have to ask is are they doing it because they've created a pattern that they can't break or are they doing it because they're craving human interaction? And it could be a combination of both."

Brad: "People don't like to feel pressured. And I think particularly as we're talking about phone prospecting, I've been thinking about this a lot, actually I think I'm going to get on the phone and try this as a tactic, which is hey Rebekah, here's why I'm calling you, and I'm just trying to have a conversation with you." 

Brad: "If you're thinking about doing a podcast, it probably is very helpful to find somebody, whether it's a Salescast or somebody else to produce your show... I think it's worth paying for, the creation and not getting stuck."

See Rebekah's episode on Decision Point here.

Find out more about Brad and MonsterConnect in the links below:

Learn more and follow Rebekah by checking out the following links:

Website: https://rebekahpanepinto.com/

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Fred Argir, Chief Digital Officer, who has worked for an accomplished list of retail companies leading their technology projects. Being in retail for decades, Fred was in the thick of it when the industry started shifting to digital. He shares the mindset shift that comes with it and how retail is adapting today.

In the current market, the pace of innovation is being set by the consumer. Retailers are now tasked with responding by meeting the consumer where they are. This can mean a variety of things as audience behaviors vary considerably across industries, cultures, and countries, but at the end of the day, it is about remaining relevant to the consumer.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Fred: "We're on this faster pace of innovation and it's really driven by the consumer. Right now, it used to be we would create a good idea and hope the consumer would follow. Now the consumer's pulling us. It's no more a push, it's a pull."

Fred: "The price of education is sometimes painful. We have to learn. We're always learning, whether it's personal learning, whether it's team learning, whether it's company learning, or learning more about our consumer."

Fred: "If you're not begging for forgiveness 3 times a quarter, you're not meeting my expectations. Wouldn't that be wonderful to hear? Oh, you mean I get to fail and it's going to be okay? Please. Because it leads us to somewhere where we can be more relevant to our consumer."

Fred: "I live my life with integrity. I do my business with integrity. And, as long as you can anchor that, you're never wrong. As long as you're comfortable with yourself and what you do and successes that your team does, be proud of it."

Find out more about Fred in the links below:

This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Nir Chervoni, Head of Data Security at Booking.com. The demands for a seamless user experience have teetered on the edge of data security, and one of Nir's main responsibilities is keeping all the parties involved safe in the digital space.

Nir shares how data security is shifting as more people work from home permanently. He also discusses the massive amounts of data that must be secured to coordinate third parties in the travel industry, a huge part of delivering excellent user experience and increasing brand reputation.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Nir: "Reputation is something subjective because it's how people perceive that brand, that entity, or that incident that happened to that entity regardless of the facts sometimes."

Nir: "I think there is some sort of, not a decrease, but better understanding of specific entrepreneurs about hey, if we have a great idea and maybe we can combine it with an existing idea, or maybe we can just wait a bit of a time and only then go with a go-to-market strategy."

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This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Pontus Noren, CEO, and Founder of savvi. Cloud-based services have become more sophisticated and Pontus found the space where his expertise benefits the most: transactions.

He recalls the chaotic pre-cloud days and how his focus today is on giving buyers and sellers a platform where they can collaborate. Pontus also shares his way of learning by observing and his guiding principle of always asking questions to help him become his own mentor.

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Pontus: "This is not an IT problem. Moving your emails and calendar entries and whatever from Exchange to Google, we'll take care of that. What we need to do here is work with the users and get the users up and running."

Pontus: "savvi is a platform where you exchange information, you view information, you track stuff, it's a secure environment where the buying team and the supplying team can interact and share. Now, the current version is for the supplying team, the sellers, to upload content then share it and convince the buyer."

Pontus: "You are your own best mentor because by not attaching yourself to one person, which I'm sure those people that have mentors don't do necessarily, but you put too much weight on that one relationship, I find. So in my case, for me, I find myself being my own mentor there. The most efficient way of developing myself basically."

Pontus: "You hear people say, oh, that's industry standard. We've always done it this way. Why are you questioning us? Just because you always did it that way doesn't mean it's right. It might not even have been right at the time. It just became the way you do things."

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This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Tod Fetherling, founder of multiple companies and current Managing Director at Huron. Tod shares how he got the entrepreneurial bug and the many innovations he is proud to have worked on since 1995.

But more than the tech side of things, it is the real impact of the human side of care that really drives Tod. He talks about having a curiosity for care and how he retains top talent with innovation culture and an internship that provides a sense of ownership. Tod also talks about the other projects he works on which function as his connection back to the community.

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Tod: "At that time, we didn't have a front door for entrepreneurs in Nashville. So the Chamber was finishing up a study about entrepreneurship as part of their partnership 2020 goals, and so they asked me to hey, take this study and go help us implement. And so out that came the Entrepreneur Center."

Tod: "The thing that I get most excited about is building sustainable businesses, the ones that stick around for years to come because that's how you know you're contributing, whether it's to a city like there's a tech council or health education like health teacher, those things that stick around really make a big impact."

Tod: "At the end of the day, it's about the employees and the customers and that human relationship that comes through with that. As long as people know we're trying to solve these problems together, things work out pretty well."

Tod: "I look for people who get shit done and have a lot of curiosity. That magic between those two things, that you're getting accomplishments, but at the same time always trying to look around the curve."

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This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with New Orchard CEO Rusty Goodsell and Director of Innovation Samantha Burgess. They share how they partnered up to start New Orchard with a solid foundational base and how they navigate conflict for both personal and professional growth.

They also discuss how they help their clients by providing tailored business advice, something previously beyond the capabilities of SMEs. Samantha shares how intangible KPIs also point to the health of an organization and how their tools help get "strategy fatigue" unstuck from leaders. 

Rusty talks about intentionality in building New Orchard, his core principle of working with people you love and the money will come, and how to work together and forgive one another. 

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Samantha: "I think the pandemic really allowed us to get our foundation in place in a way that let us do that patiently where other nonprofits or sorry, other startups, are trying to kind of throw things together. (Yeah, let's make it clear, we are not a nonprofit) (Revenue!) Other startups are kind of trying to throw their foundation together so they can get out into the market quickly with this competitive idea that they have." 

Rusty: "You hear iron sharpens iron. Well, that doesn't come without friction. The whole science behind that, things have to be heated up and they have to hit against one another and there's conflict and there's friction there. And so, being able to navigate through that I think is one of the most foundational pieces of business is how to deal with conflict."

Samantha: "The reason why strategy fatigue is such a major component of a business leader's life is that most of the decisions that we are making do not necessarily have clear rights and wrongs. There's not black and white in business as much as we would like it to be."

Rusty: "The best way to learn is to teach. So find out the different things and then go and repeat it to other folks and then it becomes ingrained. So New Orchard is headed in that direction and we're excited about it."

Rusty: "Humans interacting and working together will have conflict. And so learning how to fight, fight fair, forgive one another, and reconcile is probably the most important thing to me in this business."

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This episode of The Rebekah Panepinto Project features a conversation with Gyre Renwick, Chief Operating Officer at Modern Health. Modern health is the first global one-stop platform that provides mental health solutions for employees and all their well-being needs.

In today's time, employers and employees are starting to get more engaged in mental health care in the work environment. Gyre explains the role of Modern Health in breaking barriers of access and providing resources to help individuals take more proactive care of their mental health.

Gyre discusses the effect of mental health solutions in fostering a productive and overall positive work environment. He also discusses his transition to operations roles and taking on different challenges in and outside of work.

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Gyre: "There's not a single job that I got that was not about a relationship I had with someone, either a personal or professional relationship. I always try to invest a lot in just 'people first' and I really value the relationships I have."

Gyre: "Unfortunately, there's not enough therapists in the world to actually address the mental needs of everyone. So if you allow everyone to get therapy and push everyone to therapy, it's actually not good for the whole ecosystem. That's why it creates this backlog of those that need the care but can't have it."

Gyre: "Now, that is a really personal relationship that becomes incredibly powerful. It's not going to always be the best match as well. That's the nice thing is that you can come to Modern Health, get matched with a coach or therapist, and if it is isn't the right fit we can help rematch you."

Gyre: "You're almost like an air traffic controller where you're not the one flying every single plane out there but you're helping orchestrate all these different pieces of it. I love that view of trying to have a broader impact and having a broader charter."

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Matt: "We're seeing definitely a tilt toward clients demanding more from value and not willing to pay for inefficiencies. And that's been a slow trend but it's definitely helping with transformation because you just can't rest on your laurels the way we could, as an industry, before."

Matt: "They're only looking at the data they're presented, so that problems you could run into is you're giving it data that's already slanted in a particular way because you're trying to intentionally bias the results direction you want it to go, or the data sample you have is just bad."

Matt: "He has 3 questions that he asks every person and it's why you, why us, and, the third one... it's sort of like what do you get excited about or what are you excited about this project for. And so it's very much just about the personality and the connection because, in general, the credentials are there to complete the work. It's more about the fit."

Matt: "I don't think leadership necessarily is a hierarchy in the not so distant future. I think it's actually becomes another skill and another resource. Like you need people that are thinking about strategy, that are guiding the organization, that are managing the people side of that. But that is another role that is on par and parallel with everybody else."

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Lee: "Why should they have ten different systems? What if they just create an industry standard? And so that was something that we worked very closely on at Microsoft was helping this industry and many others that we did similar projects with to build a sort of industry consortium."

Lee: "We want to help you figure out what to be querying of your data. You might not even know the questions to ask, and that's a big part of what we do is help you figure out what are the questions to ask. Where should you be focusing your time and attention?"

Lee: "I'm a big believer, in general, that one of the most valuable skills you can have is just being able to predict the future with a higher degree of accuracy than the next person can. I'm a big believer that the way that you build out that muscle is by understanding the past and by understanding people."

Lee: "Sales is education and it's about understanding the people that you're speaking to, empathizing with them, and then being able to educate them on why this is good. The sale happens almost as an afterthought. It happens automatically if you can show someone the value of your product."

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Russ: "A lot of those (claims) processes are still batch-driven, latent kind of processes. So you end up on the back end of that process with a lot of vendors who do things that you and I are both familiar with like payment integrity, like coordination of benefits, like overpayment recovery."

Russ: "Our vision for all of this, we think we can really help drive more efficiency and more effective in a more transparent systems is to look downstream at those latent processes and move that workflow up all the way into what we would call our gateway, so really to the point where we are now interacting in real time with the provider around their claim." 

Russ: "Do the right thing. I love the expression integrity is what you do when nobody's looking. And it is. And I think, A, that's how I was raised and B, healthcare is a very small universe... It's a small sector. If you're not ethical, high integrity person, that's well known and it's not good for your company or your career."

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Diane: "The current way of creating content is very expensive, it's very time-consuming, and the moment you create something, it's already outdated. So why do you have to pay these amounts to create new content when it's already out there? Why not reuse the information that is there and offer it, obviously, for a much lower price?"

Diane: "If you give students a much broader library of knowledge that is suitable for their own learning skills, you enable them to search for their own interests much more, and then you are not only developing their knowledge, but you're also helping them develop their personality, their social skills, and to have a clear view of what they really, really like."

Diane: "I truly believe the moment you start to look at the things that are not possible, those things will happen. So I tend to obviously pay attention to it and not ignore them, but focus my energy on where growth, on where possibilities are, how to solve problems."

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Sivan: "I am very passionate about the combination of cybersecurity and AI. I think that almost any product today, any company has to be involved in these 2 capabilities. And AI basically makes cybersecurity products more relevant and more attractive."

Sivan: "I partnered with some other organizations here and we started to organize events, build programs for women who wants to join the industry. They also give a stage for women working in the industry and can share their knowledge with others."

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Val: "We're not selling a product, we're selling an outcome and we're selling a deliverable. So I want them to understand that and know that we're not successful unless they're happy and successful and it's a really great experience."

Val: "The thing you hate and you feel uncomfortable with, somebody else loves. They love it. Go find that person."

Val: "When people feel supported and the freedom and the openness to be themselves and to share, you get better output."

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Rich: "I want to see myself on TV, I want to hear myself on the radio, and I want to travel the world, and the only way to do that is to get uncomfortable again. So at that quarter life crisis, I moved to Nashville, made friends very quickly, and then slowly but surely, one gig at a time, one handshake at a time, just trying to rise to the occasion."

Rich: "Relationships in life are crucial. They're everything. People are the gatekeepers to anything you want to do in life. And so, I tell people, you want to cultivate, if you can, hopefully, mutually beneficial, sincere, lifelong relationships with people."

Rich: "I have all these creative things that are under in education and entertainment umbrella, so that's what you want to do. You want to see how you can maximize your God-given skillset forward and if two or three of your income streams close up, you still have some other things that are happening that are in line with your natural God-given abilities."

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Tal: "We always try to put ourselves in the other one's shoes and to understand where they're coming from. And also, we decided right from the beginning that, because we're a triangle, even if we don't agree, we have to commit to the majority."

Tal: "What we do in Mitiga, we try to look at incidence response. We started with looking at a business problem. Business problem is with incidence response is that it's a very reactive kind of activity versus an incident, then there's a response. And how well can you prepare to that?"

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Rebekah: "Probably 50% of this first batch of episodes I did had ever had an interview context previously, so getting them really comfortable and helping them understand the value and creativity they can bring to the world and how I want to showcase that has people really open up."

Rebekah: "I have some really cool personalities coming on the show and, still sticking with this theme of what does digital transformation mean in the context of what these people do day in and day out, but it is just not going to be as narrowly focused on that being technology, but instead overall affecting business success."

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