Richard Moross on When to Hire a Creative Agency to Build Your Brand

In Chapter 12 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "How is Company Growth Changing Your Advertising and Public Relations Needs?" As his company hits its one millionth customer and 200 country customer footprint milestones, Moross sees a need to invest in global branding and marketing communications. He shares why his company decided to seek external expertise and what he learned as the team went about finding the right creative agency, Creature, to develop an international television ad to run in the UK and US. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Richard Moross on Lessons Learned as a Public Company Board Member

In Chapter 14 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "What Have You Found Most Educational About Participating on a Large Company Board of Directors?" Moross shares what he is learning about business, leadership, and management as a board member for publicly traded company Ladbrokes PLC. He gets to participate in a group effort to solve problems and plan for the future while also infusing the team with his knowledge of digital media and Internet innovation. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Doug Jaeger on Growing Creative Capacity by Making Brand Films

In Chapter 11 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and brand marketer Doug Jaeger answers "How Have Your Client Projects Shaped How You Present Your Skills When Pitching Business?" Jaeger and his team invest in brand film projects to learn new capabilities. As they sell brand film work for clients, the project experiences inform new ways he and his team can evolve brand storytelling beyond film work and into media distribution and commercial filmmaking. Doug Jaeger is co-founder and creative director at JaegerSloan Inc. where he focuses on brand and experimental marketing for clients such as Squarespace, Samsung and PwC. He is an adjunct professor at New York's School of Visual Arts (SVA) and co-curator of JnrlStr. He graduated from Syracuse University.

Slava Rubin on How an Executive Coach Helps Him Be a Better CEO

In Chapter 5 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Indiegogo CEO Slava Rubin answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" Rubin shares how working with an executive coach helps him be a better CEO by improving his decision making, listening, and management skills. He shares how the executive coaching relationship complements what he learns from his cofounders, board of directors, and investors. Slava Rubin is CEO and co-founder of Indiegogo, the world's largest crowdfunding platform. Indiegogo empowers anyone, anywhere, anytime to raise funds for any idea—creative, cause-related or entrepreneurial. Prior to Indiegogo, Rubin worked as a management consultant. He earned his BSE degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: What skills are you working on right now to become better at your job?

Slava Rubin: Definitely around how to lead, how to make decisions, how to listen, and how to focus on people.

Erik Michielsen: Where do you get that direction? Do you have a board of directors now?

Slava Rubin: We do have a board of directors. We’ve had a board of directors since we closed the seed round 2 years ago.

Erik Michielsen: And how do you receive guidance from the board of directors and how does that compare and contrast from the guidance that you receive from, say your co-founders?

Slava Rubin: Typically, in the board meeting, it is a little bit more functional for us, where we’re discussing “What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? How do the numbers look? What are we focusing on the next quarter or what do we do for the last quarter?” But I am in touch with the board and the other investors and advisors a lot throughout them, 3 months between board meetings, plus we’re constantly in touch as executive senior management of the team, and I also have an executive coach. So these are just things where we pull together different feedback, and listening, and keep on trying to improve.

Erik Michielsen: What have you found most helpful in the executive coaching relationship?

Slava Rubin: An executive coach is helpful from the standpoint of everybody has a little bit of bias sometimes in their relationship with you, so it’s hard to be completely open and be able to really have complete feedback as part of the process because an investor has their bias, a co-founder has their own bias, an employee has their own bias, so it’s good to speak to somebody who is a professional, who is just constantly speaking to your type of similar individuals. For me, the situation is founder or CEO, and being able to parallel that, to explain, “Hey, this is what I’ve seen. Are there people going through a similar situation? Maybe this is what you’re going through, and maybe have you thought about this?” So it’s helpful.

Slava Rubin on Why Lawyers are Fundamental to Running a Business

In Chapter 11 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Indiegogo CEO Slava Rubin answers "What Has Working With Lawyers Taught You About Business?" Starting a company opens Rubin's eyes to how fundamental lawyers are to starting and growing a business. He sees lawyers as another example of subject matter experts that help executive management teams make decisions on running the business. From dealing with intellectual property to fraud to fighting lawsuits, Rubin gets an accelerated education on ways lawyers protect and serve business owner interests. Slava Rubin is CEO and co-founder of Indiegogo, the world's largest crowdfunding platform. Indiegogo empowers anyone, anywhere, anytime to raise funds for any idea—creative, cause-related or entrepreneurial. Prior to Indiegogo, Rubin worked as a management consultant. He earned his BSE degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Transcription

Erik Michielsen: What has working with lawyers taught you about business?

Slava Rubin: I had no idea how much lawyers are actually just part of the business process. I always thought lawyers need to be like the worst case scenario, that something has gone really bad. But what’s interesting is that maybe it’s the type of platform we have, so we have really equal opportunity, and we get ourselves into really interesting situations to the platform where people create their campaigns on our platform. Lawyers are just another subject matter expert that helps to navigate a decision, and knowing more facts and knowing more information helps to navigate the decision, so it’s really interesting.

Erik Michielsen: How do you interface with lawyers in your work? Slava Rubin: We have to talk to lawyers in all kinds of different areas, whether it’s setting up international entities, whether it’s dealing with fraud cases, where you have to deal with,customer issues, whether it’s IP or other digital media concerns. We actually dealt with a lawsuit where we were sued once and we were able to win, and, yeah, it was really interesting.

Clara Soh on Ways Korean Parents Help You Live the American Dream

In Chapter 1 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Soh shares how her Korean parents immigrated to the US to attend graduate school, met while studying and then married and started a family. Born in the US, Soh learns how the American education system offers more freedom of choice than what her parents had in Korea and takes full advantage of the opportunity in studies and career. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Clara Soh on Getting Your Parents to Support Your Career Choices

In Chapter 2 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?" Soh shares how her Korean parents have often had a hard time understanding her career decisions, from joining the Peace Corps to working in non-profit and public policy jobs. Over time, Soh shows her parents that not going to medical school is okay and her parents learn to accept her choices and give her emotional support. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Clara Soh on Adapting Job Skills to Work in Washington DC Politics

In Chapter 20 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "At This Moment in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?" Soh shares how she gets research career advice from peers and experts in her field. She notes this academic and collegial community is different from a new one she needs to navigate for her job - the political network of Washington DC. She shares approaches she is taking to build new relationships for her work. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

James McCormick on Lessons Learned in Year 3 of Parenthood

In Chapter 5 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "How is Your Parenting Approach Evolving as Your Child Transitions from Infant to Toddler?" McCormick shares how his very active two-year old son Jack teaches him the importance of playing good defense at home and out and about. He finds that no matter how much he reads on being a good parent and raising a two-year old, it ultimately comes down to what he and his wife decide is best for their son Jack. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan. 

James McCormick on How to Build Cross-Functional Knowledge at Work

In Chapter 13 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "How Have You Learned to Work More Effectively Across Different Disciplines?"  Experience provides McCormick cross-functional learning experiences he then can apply in serving clients and training new employees. He learns from his father that often the only way to build institutional knowledge is to embrace the continuous learning experience that creates it in a career. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan. 

James McCormick on How to Get Better By Being Less Judgmental

In Chapter 15 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" As a facilitator connecting job candidates to hiring managers, McCormick learns how to be less judgmental and keep his personal feelings out of the job search process. He realizes the hiring decision is up to his candidates and clients and that understanding the views of others from their perspective helps him serve his clients better. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan.

James McCormick on Making the Employee to Employer Transition

In Chapter 18 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" As a young partner at his growing firm, he shares the importance of being patient and being conscious of what motivates others as he makes the transition from employee to employer. He learns on the go from more senior partners and the feedback they provide him. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan. 

Leslie Kerner on How Getting an MBA Can Advance Your Career

In Chapter 11 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Informed Your Decision to Return to School and Earn an MBA?" Working in the Deloitte analyst program after college allows Kerner to return to graduate school, earn an MBA, and then rejoin the company. Kerner uses the MBA experience to build her network and core skills that she eventually uses working in K-12 education.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Leslie Kerner on How the Aspen Institute Trains Leaders of Tomorrow

In Chapter 16 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "How Did Your Aspen Institute Fellowship Contribute to Your Professional Development?" Kerner joins a NewSchools Venture Fund-sponsored fellowship leadership development program at the Aspen Institute. There she learns from education entrepreneur peers working across startups, charter schools, school districts and nonprofits. The fellowship meets twice a year and is built off dialogue-based text reading of classic books from Aristotle, Kant, and Plato as well as more modern education industry focused writing.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Leslie Kerner on Making the Senior Manager to Executive Job Transition

In Chapter 21 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Leadership Skills are Becoming More Relevant As Your Career Progresses?" As she transitions from senior management into executive leadership at her company, Kerner works on vision casting and future planning skills. Working with two executive coaches helps her develop these skills. She also taps into her network, including her Aspen Institute NewSchools Fellowship cohorts, to get peer advice on setting vision for an organization.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Chris Hinkle on Learning Project Finance for Product Development

In Chapter 9 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Job Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" After years honing his product design and computer programming skills, Hinkle focuses on learning more about how project financing impacts both startup and corporate product development. Understanding how capital is allocated and budgeted gives Hinkle a better sense of what is required to make a business venture or project initiative worthwhile. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Jon Kolko on Making an Impact in an Executive Leadership Role

In Chapter 10 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "At This Point in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?" Kolko shares how work experience in his new Vice President role is helping him learn entrepreneurial strategy and executive leadership skills from colleagues. The senior-level role and its related exposure to higher level conversations open opportunities for Kolko to champion design strategy as a company leader. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Learning the Nuances of General Management

In Chapter 12 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" As he gains general management experience managing larger design teams at MyEdu, Kolko learns to handle challenging situations and help individuals and teams execute by using hands-off and hands-on techniques. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.