What American Express Marketing Job Teaches MBA - Anatole Faykin

In Chapter 7 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur Anatole Faykin answers "As an MBA, What Did You Learn About Product Marketing Working at American Express?"  Working in the American Express, or AmEx, travel division, he learns how large organizations can leverage economies of scale to make big bets on projects or campaigns.  Through this process, he learns lessons on brand loyalty and brand management.  Faykin is the founder of Tuanpin, a Shanghai-based daily deals site he grew to 25 employees and sold in the fall of 2011.  Previously, he worked for British Telecom in London, Intel in Shanghai, American Express in New York, and Oracle in San Francisco as well as several startup ventures.  He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a BS in computer science and biology from the California Institute of Technology.

Nina Godiwalla on What Makes a Professional Women's Network Valuable

In Chapter 13 of 22 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, author Nina Godiwalla answers "What Makes a Professional Women's Network Valuable?"  She shares how a network of female professionals supports her career development as well as allows her to support helping other women succeed.  Godiwalla also shares how she has built network relationships with more senior women professionals.  Godiwalla is the author of "Suits: A Woman on Wall Street". She is also a public speaker on workplace diversity and founder and CEO of Mindworks, where she teaches mind-based stress reduction techniques to help organizations improve employee wellbeing.  Godiwalla holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, an MA in Creative Writing from Dartmouth University and her BBA from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  What makes a professional women’s network valuable?

Nina Godiwalla:  I’ve really used my network, so part of my, I think, my success with my book has been leveraging the networks that I’m part of and 85Broads is one of those and I think they’re an incredible women’s network.  I’ve had so many people that helped me.  Part of it is we share a passion for helping other women succeed because we have seen that there’s challenges out there.  Everyone’s coming from a different field and you can see how sometimes it’s not as easy to make connections and some of the organizations were most of them are in male-dominated environment so you see that connection.  What I think becomes so successful is that passion that people have for each other and what’s interesting about that particular environment is people are from across the board so when I’m interested, here I am.  I was a corporate executive.  I’ve been in the advertising world, the finance world, marketing.  I’ve just switched through so many worlds and now I’m into publishing world and the writing world and the reality is, is I need – as I switch through different things, I don’t necessarily have a network all piled up.  What I’ve found is through the women’s network, I do have a network all piled up.  I have – I can reach out to all these people in different industries and say, “Hey I just got a book deal and I have no idea what to do.  Do I need an agent?  Do I not?”  And not everyone takes the risk of going out there and just reaching out to people they don’t know but I think that’s one of the best things that I do is I’m very comfortable with it and the reality is I help so many people that you have to – it’s an exchange.  I’m always looking out for who can I help and I always have people reaching out to me and I make it within any kind of busy day that I have to help, you know a certain number of people that week.  That’s just - you make the time for it because so many people have helped me along the way and the fact that, you know, when you have that accessible – it’s just a diverse group of people that we have and it’s so accessible that I think it just – it makes it completely you know people are able to do -- kind of get whatever they need out of that environment which I think is amazing.

Erik Michielsen:  Do you tend to find yourself working more with people at your level or work, reaching up and dealing with more senior individuals or is it, does it vary?

Nina Godiwalla:  I will grab any which way and I don’t have a problem reaching out to the senior people. I think you always have to be careful and it’s one of the advice I give to younger women when I’m talking is, one of the things I wasn’t scared of and I haven’t been is, I typically do reach out to very senior people but there usually needs to be a reason so I mean I’m not talking you don’t walk into a 50,000 person corporation and contact the CEO right away but I’ve seen a lot in my environment.  I worked at Johnson & Johnson and I was interning there once and there was a president of that whole organization that I was in-charge that -- she ran that whole organization and I mean my boss’s boss’s bosses probably didn’t talk to her very often but I just decided we had a connection that we talked about meditation.  I heard her mention it to someone else.  I didn’t speak directly to her and honestly, I just wanted to meet her.  I was interning there.  She seemed really interesting so I reached out to her and nobody else would reach out to her.  My boss wouldn’t reach out to her and I just let her know I wanted to get to know her a little better.  I was interested in what she’d said about meditation and there it was.  I mean I ended up meeting her and she is one of my biggest advocates for the rest of the time and the reality is, is I think a lot of people are too scared.  We see the hierarchy and – but when I think there’s a natural -- I wouldn’t be persistent about reaching out to someone incredibly senior but sometimes you take that risk and it really pays off and I’m one of those people that are very comfortable taking that risk.

Hiring a Talent Agent to Negotiate TV Show Terms - Hattie Elliot

In Chapter 15 of 16 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, The Grace List founder and entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What Value Does an Agent Bring When Pitching a Television Show?"  Elliot notes the invaluable role her agent has played in negotiating talent fee, wardrobe, hair and makeup, travel, hotel, hours worked, etc.  She notes the importance of having someone on her side to ensure she can stay balanced between running her business and filming the show.  Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, which is redefining the dating world by creating opportunities for singles to revitalize personal interests and find intriguing people who will influence their lives.  Before founding The Grace List, Elliot worked as a social entrepreneur and business development consultant.  Elliott graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

How to Overcome Career Insecurity - Ken Rona

In Chapter 2 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, data analytics expert Ken Rona answers "What Factored into Your Decision to Take a Job That Would Relocate Your Family?"  As a newly graduated PhD working for McKinsey, Rona loses his job during the dotcom blow up.  The experience scars Rona and during the many years that follow, he remains wary of employer job security given his 'at will' employee status.  He learns to let go of this insecurity and need to have a backup plan and focus more about making a contribution and committing to a company, town and establish family roots.  Rona is currently VP Audience Insights and Ad Sales Partnerships at Turner Broadcasting.  Previously, Rona has worked in roles in data analytics at IXI Digital and AOL and management consulting at McKinsey & Co.  He earned a BA and MA in Political Science from Stony Brook University and a PhD in Behavioral Economics from Duke University.

Stacie Bloom on Making Education a Top Family Priority

In Chapter 3 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Stacie Grossman Bloom answers "In What Ways Has Your Family Cultivated and Supported Your Passion for Science?" She notes how her grandparents were Holocaust survivors who came to Brooklyn and made education a top family priority. Stacie's parents pass on these values in their own parenting, doing what it takes to support their children's education.

Stacie Grossman Bloom is the Executive Director at the NYU Neuroscience Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center. Previously, she was VP and Scientific Director at the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS). She earned her PhD in Neurobiology and Cell Biology at Georgetown University and did a post-doctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University in New York City. She earned her BA in Chemistry and Psychology from the University of Delaware.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: In what ways has your family cultivated and supported your passion for science?

Stacie Grossman Bloom: In my family, education was always really important. My father’s parents were holocaust survivors who lost everything and started their lives basically from the ground up. Came to America, came through Ellis Island, settled in Brooklyn. My father met my mother and they believed firmly that education was the key to success.

And, I have one brother and growing up that was the one thing that was always so important that we do really well in school and that they provide us with whatever we would need to do really well in school. And, we did. We did really well at school, they did a good job.

You know, I went to college; I was the first person in my family to go to graduate school -- that was a really big deal. And, I remember finding out that I had been accepted and calling my parents and I was very excited and I was going to Georgetown and it was so unbelievably expensive and my father said that no matter what he had to do, I was going to go and he would even take a second job. And it was like such an amazing thing. Fortunately, I ended up getting a fellowship and full ride and stipends and nobody had to get any second jobs. But, I would say that I was always really supported and given the resources that I needed to do well in school. 

How Family Values Set Entrepreneur Career in Motion - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 6 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive Throughout Your Entrepreneurial Journey?" Growing up, Parker's parents teach her to pursue what makes her happy. Knowing she has the love and support of her family helps Parker gather courage to take the entrepreneurial leap. Once an entrepreneur, Parker's family provides her support that helps her develop. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

Why Entrepreneurs Need Great Cheerleaders - Audrey Parker

In Chapter 7 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, entrepreneur Audrey Parker answers "Why is It Important for an Entrepreneur to Have Great Cheerleaders?" Parker notes having optimistic and supportive cheerleaders are there to remind you who you are. She notes entrepreneurial business can be a roller coaster and having people around you supporting you provide the calming presence that have helped Parker get through difficult times. Parker is currently on a one-year sabbatical. Parker co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm. In 2010, CLEAResult ranked #144 in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies. In late 2010, CLEAResult was sold to General Catalyst Partners. Parker graduated from Wake Forest University.

How to Make Your Leader More Effective - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 4 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Do You Make a Leader More Effective in What You Do?" He notes the importance of supporting them and focusing not on individual aims but the aims of the elected official. Curtis notes the daily challenges elected officials face with nonstop interaction. He amplifies leadership effectiveness by providing a positive environment and also identifying and making introductions that support his leader's aims. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Joe Stump on Working With Investors as a New Entrepreneur

In Chapter 9 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur and SimpleGeo CTO Joe Stump shares his experiences learning to work with startup company investors. In his 2009 Capture Your Flag interview, Stump shared how he developed a "tell it like it is" approach. He carries this into venture capitalist and investor meetings. Surprisingly, he finds his transparent and honest approach well-received. Stump is the co-founder and CTO at SimpleGeo (www.simplegeo.com), a San Francisco-based mobile location infrastructure services company. Previously Stump was Lead Architect at Digg. He programs in PHP, Python, Django and enjoys scaling websites. He earned a BBA in Computer Information Systems from Eastern Michigan University.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  How has your approach of telling it like it is went over with the investment crowd?  

Joe Stump:  Uh, surprisingly well, actually.  I think that the things that investors hate the most is the unknown.  They’ll talk about the more information that they have the better investment decisions that they can make.  And so I really don’t sugar coat anything, I tell them exactly what is going on and exactly how I feel like I fit in, and it’s resonated pretty well.  They know exactly what they’re getting and they know exactly where they stand on the whole thing and where I stand.  So, it’s gone over a lot better.  It’s a fine line between being overly abrasive and being honest and open.  And as long as I stray more on the open and honest and away from the abrasive, it’s gone mostly fine.

Erik Michielsen: What were you expectations going into those conversations and what has played out in reality?

Joe Stump: It’s really funny, I thought that basically a tattooed, t-shirted asshole who doesn’t filter himself coming into those offices on Sand Hill Road will basically get me thrown in jail and it’s been the direct opposite. I think what really resonates with them and I think actually terrifies them is that I’m okay with things failing because my failure is a lot better than most people’s.  

My failure is to go have a nice, cushy salary at Facebook or Netflix or something like that.  So, I don’t really care and that resonates with them but it also scares them because they know that a lot of other entrepreneurs that don’t have that possibility, particularly younger ones, the investors in part rely on the fact that if they fail that they go back to the ground floor and have to work their way up through the system.  And with me I’m like failing one rung down.  Like, it’s not a big deal.  So, I think that is good and bad for them.

Joe Stump on How to Lead an Engineering Team

In Chapter 12 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur and SimpleGeo CTO Joe Stump notes what it means to be an engineering leader. Motivating and managing technical talent requires many things. Engineers want leaders to understand their responsibilities and interests. Stump believes engineering leaders must accept they will be unable to please everyone and then follow through making difficult decisions to keep product goals aligned with available resources and timeframes. Stump is the co-founder and CTO at SimpleGeo (www.simplegeo.com), a San Francisco-based mobile location infrastructure services company. Previously Stump was Lead Architect at Digg. He programs in PHP, Python, Django and enjoys scaling websites. He earned a BBA in Computer Information Systems from Eastern Michigan University.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  What does it mean to be a leader in what you do?

Joe Stump: I think from an engineering stand point the people that - and what I try to do and what I try to emulate – engineers want to know that the people that are guiding the ship know where they’re coming from, think like they think and defend their interests.  And I think that’s probably true for most employees.  You know, they want to know that – I’m sure that people in marketing and accounting want to know that their views are being represented and defended to other people in the company.  

So, the qualities that I look for in an engineering leader are – I don’t think really nice people work well as engineering leaders or leaders in general because they haven’t really learned the “you can’t please everyone all the time” thing.  And it’s particularly true with engineering, because the problem with engineering is technically with enough computing power and enough money anything is feasible.  Technically, right?  But as a technical leader you have to be able to say, “No, we can’t do that.” And explain why. And if you’re unwilling to do that and you say yes to too many features and too many people, it wreaks havoc on the engineering organization because now they’re under extreme deadlines and you only have so much capacity.  

I think one thing that a lot of engineering leaders haven’t really wrapped their brain around is that engineers manufacture features in code. And just like a normal manufacturing facility you can only produce so many widgets in a given day with so many machines.  So, if you have a bunch of engineers, even if they are amazingly talented engineers, they can only produce so much code in a given time.  

So, if you have an engineering manager that’s out off in the rest of the company saying, “Oh yeah accounting, we can totally build that.  Oh yeah marketing, we can totally build that.  Oh yeah, we can totally build this.”  But you only have one or two engineers, next thing you know you have ten things that need to be out and that’s when things start getting off the rails and the engineers start getting really upset.

How Lawyers Help a Small Business Grow - Mike Germano

In Chapter 5 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, social media expert and Carrot Creative president Mike Germano shares how his team has learned to appreciate and work with lawyers.  He notes how building a business progressively raises legal issues that determine the success or failure of the company.  As a result, Germano and his team learn the value of investing in legal services.  Germano is co-founder and president of DUMBO, Brooklyn based new media agency Carrot Creative.  Before Carrot Creative, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

What Makes a Good Business Partner - Mike Germano

In Chapter 1 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, social media expert and Carrot Creative president Mike Germano shares what he feels makes a good business partner.  Willingness to fully commit to the business tops Germano's list.  This creates security through ups and downs of the entrepreneur roller coaster ride.  He notes the difficulty involved starting a business and shares that if it were easy, everyone would do it.  Germano is co-founder and president of DUMBO, Brooklyn based new media agency Carrot Creative.  Before Carrot Creative, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

How Behavior Change Helps Film Director Develop as Leader - Tricia Regan

In Chapter 5 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, director and filmmaker Tricia Regan addresses a weakness - interpersonal communication skills - to strengthen her leadership skills. After multiple films, Regan learns the technical skills required in shooting, directing, and producing. She then works on how to better interface with those around her who challenge her vision. She recognizes her need to accept responsibility and the need to find better ways to communicate with her team. Regan is an Emmy-Award winning filmmaker. She directed, produced and shot "Autism: The Musical." When not shooting documentary films, Regan has worked as a director, producer, and writer at ABC, NBC, FOX, and Lifetime. She earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University.

How Little Brother Helps Big Brother Develop Writing Career - Mark Graham

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how his little brother's support and encouragement has made him a better writer. Graham's younger brother, a freelance music writer and Detroit News pop culture writer, actively seeks ways to support his big brother. Trust begets mutual admiration and respect and provides a safe place where the pair can openly share criticism and feedback. This continuous sharing leads to idea exploration and potential collaboration. Mark Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

What Creates Enduring Friendships - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 11 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares how friendships differ from acquaintances and business relationships. He notes business relationships are by nature transactional and results-driven. Sometimes these become friendships but Jaeger notes it is not required. He sees friends not as a shoulder to cry on; rather, he sees friends as people with whom to share one's life and create happiness. They develop from shared experiences which become more enduring as the relational bonds and history grows. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

How to Align Career Purpose With Childhood Ambition - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 8 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares how his aspirations and goals have changed from his childhood, through his 20s, and into his 30s. After finding early success and the associated financial rewards, Jaeger begins aligning his creative career aspirations with early childhood aims to contribute by creating lasting media. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

What Motivates Pursuit of Freedom Over Security in Life - Garren Katz

In Chapter 3 of 13 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, executive and private life coach Garren Katz answers what motivates him to pursue freedom over security in his life pursuit. Garren questions security - asking if it is only a perception rather than a reality. Katz believes security is a mindset that can be created in different environments. He cautions how security can be restrictive and can be overcome by considering diversification as a life approach. Garren is a graduate of Western Michigan University and coaches clients on areas such as entrepreneurship, relationships, and personal finances. Learn more about Garren at http://about.me/garrenkatz .

Lessons on Leaving a Corporate Job to Start a Business - Jason Anello

In Chapter 10 of 15 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, creative director and experience marketer Jason Anello shares the most notable changes in leaving a corporate job - in his case Yahoo! - to start a new company. As an entrepreneur, Anello learns to manage without corporate infrastructure support such as travel. He also adapts to a world where work and personal life are much more intertwined. Anello is the co-founder of non-traditional marketing agency Manifold Partners - www.wearemanifold.com . He is the co-founder of Brooklyn-based supper club Forking Tasty - www.forkingtasty.com . Previously he held creative leadership positions as an Ideologist at Yahoo's Buzz Marketing team and as an associate creative director at Ogilvy & Mather - www.ogilvy.com . Anello is an alumnus of the University at Albany - www.albany.edu .