Product Management

66 | Leadership Through Adversity | Encouragement, Gratitude, & Uplifting Others

Katy Profile Pic LI.jpg

Katy Brown | Vice President of US Enterprise, West Region | Microsoft

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Today's episode is a Simply Tech LIVE interview recorded February 25th, 2021, featuring my co-host Ali Mazaheri, and our very special guest, Katy Brown, Vice President of US Enterprise for the West Region, at Microsoft.

Both Ali and I have shared the distinct pleasure of working with Katy and her senior leadership team professionally at Microsoft, but in preparation for and execution of this very discussion, we had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Katy on a more personal level, and to really understand her own journey of overcoming adversity, and how it has shaped her as a leader.

The discussion will cover everything including hard decisions Katy had to make to take better care of her teams and people in the wake of the pandemic, as folks had to really show up more than they ever had for their customers, partners, and families. We will discuss Katy's reflections and adjustments in how she has been taking care of herself and showing up as her best self across the past year, as well as some guiding learnings and perspectives she has developed while navigating through challenges in her personal life.

We are so happy to deliver and share a truly, special episode with all of you - we all need to hear more voices of vulnerability, courage, and strength, as we continue to help each other navigate very challenging moments as we move through life and adapt, struggle, and learn through our individual journeys.

***Navigate the episode***

 [09:23] Organizational changes and continuous evolutions in the new normal for the future of work across Katy’s teams at Microsoft.

[11:09] Katy’s opinion on the change in the customer landscape due to the Pandemic, and how Microsoft has risen to meet customer and partners with empathy.

[13:03] Adapting to changes in environment, stress, and work life harmony - how Katy manages her time efficiently as a leader in the new normal.

[17:50] New paradigms for how organizations can give time back to their employees, while increasing productivity and reducing work related stress during a challenging year – Katy’s decisions and perspectives around empowering her organization adopt new ways of working.

[18:45] General guidance to maintaining a healthy work and life balance while working remotely.

[21:32] The deep life experiences that have shaped Katy as a leader: the importance of co-dependency of courage and vulnerability.

[26:21] How to embrace, support, and empower others in ways that guide them to their best selves.

[29:41] Katy’s mindset for sharing challenging moments in her life, and how those stories can redefine how others approach their own journeys, to help shape them into stronger versions of themselves.

[32:03] The incredible opportunity that presents itself, when someone reaches out from a place of struggle – the opportunity to make a lasting impact in their life.

***Resources and Links***

Connect with Katy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyabrown/

Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/

65 | Future Crunch | Understanding Basic Principles for the Future of Technology

Dr. Gus Hervey

Dr. Angus Hervey | Political Economist & Co-Founder | Future Crunch

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Today's discussion is a LinkedIn LIVE recording of the Data Binge Podcast featuring Dr. Angus Hervey, Political Economist and co-founder of Future Crunch.

Future Crunch, based out of Australia, is a think-tank focused on fostering intelligent and optimistic thinking, inspiring enthusiasm and excitement for technology, and empowering people to contribute to an inclusive future.

I came across Gus in a Global MBA learning event where he led a presentation focused on the adaptability quotient, or one's ability to overcome challenges by quickly determining what's relevant in the current era of knowledge. The interest of Gus's work doesn't stop there, Future Crunch is really trying to get people excited about technology again, as it exists within every layer of our lives, and as it tends to get mostly negative attention - there is another story to tell. Future Crunch disperses a phenomenal newsletter based on optimistic events happening in and around our planet, in an attempt to change the stories of the 21st century, by changing the stories we tell ourselves. In this discussion, Gus brings together his interests across economics, politics, and science, to weave together a new perspective on human kinds future, how to prepare for it, how to understand it, and how we can all look to empathize , entertain, and contribute to a novel and wonderful, narrative for our species.  

***Navigate the episode***

[10:11] The mission of Future Crunch, optimism, story-telling, and technology[09:53] Why “Giving a Damn” is different than talking about impactful causes – the Fondo Guadalupe Musalem, and other groups and charities of importance. 

[15:56] The history of story-telling, and the criticality of stories and their importance to the human existence across the 21st century 

[18:50] Modern journalism and how it has evolved 

[23:36] 5G and the opportunities represented by a new future of data movement  

[28:46] On understanding the future of technology: Language, Fire, and Medicine  

[37:53] The applicability of the Language, Fire and Medicine Framework and how it can help leaders and organizations navigate in both business and innovation 

[45:37] Why change moves very slowly, until it moves very quickly: the Adaptability quotient 

[49:15] On efficiency and adaptability in adjusting to change, examples of how the US Navy is building talent pools to handle more fluid work environments. 

[54:04] What people and organizations can do to embrace unexpected and high-velocity change 

[55:03] How to contact Angus and Future Crunch 

[56:10] Given unlimited resources, what global challenges would Angus attempt to solve 

***Resources and Links***

Future Crunch Website: https://futurecrun.ch/ 

Future Crunch Twitter: https://twitter.com/future_crunch 

Future Crunch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/futurecrunch/ 

Additional Featured Podcasts: Open the Pod Bay Doors: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e106-angus-hervey-future-crunch/id1246074250?i=1000505737408  

Dr Angus Hervey - Future Crunch: Purpose and The Adaptability Quotient: https://www.rebeccatapp.com/decodingpurposepodcasts1/2019/12/10/dr-angus-hervey-future-crunch-purpose-and-the-adaptability-quotient  

Chemex Coffee Maker (the ultimate  example of perfect design): https://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/coffeemakers.html  

64 | The Evolution of the Supply Chain | Technology, Talent, and Intelligence

Ross Valentine Image.jpg

Ross Valentine | Director of Product Services | Arrow Electronics

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Today's episode is a Simply Tech LIVE interview recorded October 29th, of 2020 - pulled out of the vault to serve to you at this very relevant time - produced by my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and featuring special guests Ross Valentine, and guest co-host Greg Vigil.

Ross Valentine is the Director of Product Services at Arrow Electronics (the world's largest electronics distributor), and has spent the last 20 years studying the global supply chain from a perspective across different industry verticals and organizations.

Greg Vigil, Industry Solutions Director for the US, will be co-hosting the Manufacturing mini-series, bringing more than 10 years of manufacturing industry experience to highlight trends in market, and to bring the most modern perspectives of how the world's largest manufacturers are approaching emerging business challenges.

This is going to be a really fun listen for those looking to better understand how the supply chain has been evolving over the past 20 years, the different roles that technology and talent play in the supply chain ecosystem, and the trends and business models that are declining or EMERGING as the world moves faster, better, and becomes just a little smaller each day.

***Navigate the episode***

[08:53] Ross’ 20 years experience working on supply chain and its evolution over the years

[10:00] Supply chain security and how it has evolved from deep impacts across global events ranging from 911, to the Great Recession, to a global pandemic.

[14:16] The shift of the supply chain as a business strategy – moving from a cost of doing business, to a competitive advantage

[16:41] Observations of the consumer and business in the supply chain ecosystem, and relationships as the core competency

[19:01] NASA and the reverse logistics of getting man BACK from the moon – how this compares to real world supply chain challenges

[26:52] Data sharing and how technologies like Blockchain, RPA, robotics, digital twins, and AI advisors, will shape the future of the supply chain

[28:17] New business models and everything as a service

[30:31] Zooming out and looking at supply chain as a supply web

63 | Women as Highly Empowered Technical Leaders

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CAT Susch | Principal Technical Architect | Microsoft Technology Center, New York

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Today's episode is a Simply Tech LIVE interview recorded July 27th, 2020, featuring my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and our special guest,  CAT Susch.

CAT is a Principal Technical Architect at the Microsoft Technology Center in New York, and is sharing her experiences as a highly technical leader in the tech industry, why there are so few women in technical roles, and the challenges and opportunities presented for the culture change that businesses need to make to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

There are very few highly technical women leaders in industry, whether it be business broadly, or specifically in the tech world - this conversation will really surface both some data for why this could be, as well as solutions for women specifically, as CAT walks through her experience both working at Microsoft and at other organizations, as well as what we can all do to contribute to causes that impact the overall inclusion and leadership participation of women in our workforce and society.

This was such a special episode, and we're so happy we can surface it this month as a special feature to Woman's History Month.

***Navigate the episode***

[06:59] CAT’s background, and her career journey as a highly technical practitioner

[09:32] Opportunities for diversity and inclusion in technology, and her latest work in virtual hackathons

[12:47] The challenges facing women in highly technical leadership roles

[16:22] How to get a wider base of women to apply to technology opportunities

[20:52] On cultivating and mentoring women towards attracting them to technical roles

[23:36] The impact of community events for young women and early in career women

[26:06] On the influence of culture and customer expectation – how to be good examples of partner organizations and customers

[28:06] On cross-collaboration or partnerships to build confidence for women to apply

[29:26] What the Digi Girls project is and doing things for the younger women in Microsoft

[31:57] CAT fostering international mentor relationships and engagements: a story about Beatrice and Ana

[34:55] Innovative and ideas for structuring experience heavy activities for women through the pandemic

[37:41] CAT’s endeavors and ambitions to continue creating an impact on the current and future state of the women’s technical community

62 | Technology for Good: Leadership, Community, and Culture Transformation

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Today's episode is a special "Black History Month" Simply Tech LIVE interview, produced this time, by my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and featuring our guests, Sonya Weaver-Johnson: Director of Sales for Healthcare and Life Sciences at Microsoft, and Celeste Alleyne, Director of Executive Engagements for Content Operations & Corporate Events.

We visit topics across the episode ranging from the very idea of Technology for Good and what that means, to the power of community and culture transformation in large organizations, to how to build communities - however that may need to come about, whether in organization or in your local community. Both Sonya and Celeste really bring an incredible energy that you'll feel in the discussion, I'm proud to be connected to these two women, and so happy that we can share some of their perspective with you today.  

***Navigate the episode***

[06:19] Sonya & Celeste describe their current roles at Microsoft, and their journey into big-tech 

[10:12] A description of what “Technology for Good” actually means, as a focus area for business 

[12:40] The Global Skills Initiative, and the impact that skilling can have on the digital divide as exacerbated by the global pandemic 

[14:48] Sonya’s opportunity to be part of Nasdaq’s closing bell ceremony, to kick off Black History Month 

[15:23] The Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) employee resource group, and the foundations of its mission oriented pillars 

[17:50] National Ambassador Councils, and how assembling people within distinct communities can generate lasting change and impact at scale 

[20:18] The new Empathy in Action initiative at Microsoft in response to needed culture change, and Celeste’s visit with Brian Stevenson from the Equal Justice Initiative 

[22:14] The most critical components in building successful communities 

[25:10] What both Celeste and Sonya both wish they knew Ten years ago coming into their career 

[28:06] Guidance on how organizations can approach using technology or business for good 

[29:49] Q&A: The difference between a mentor and a sponsor 

61 | Refactoring the Mass Incarceration System | Hope, Transparency, Technology

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This discussion is a LinkedIn LIVE recording of the Data Binge Podcast featuring Chris Redlitz and Jason Jones, of The Last Mile, a non-profit breaking the mass incarceration cycle by combating recidivism through in-person education and post-release mentorship focused on coding and software engineering. (for those pondering what this means, recidivism is the tendency for a convicted criminal to reoffend).

The Last Mile's returned citizen alumni, maintain 0% recidivism.

———————————

Chris Redlitz is a general partner of Transmedia Capital, one of the best performing micro funds in Silicon Valley, and co-founder of The Last Mile. Through The Last Mile, Chris, along with his wife and co-founder Beverly Parenti, launched the first-ever full stack coding program inside US prisons. Previously, Chris co-founded KickLabs, which Forbes ranked as a top technology accelerator and incubated Wish, AngelList and other influential companies. He received Ad Age’s prestigious i20 award for his contributions to the development of interactive marketing and advertising. Earlier in his career, Chris was part of Reebok’s explosive growth where he held positions in sales and marketing and also owned one of the first specialty sports retail chains in Southern California.

Jason Jones is a full-time disruptor, activist, educator, and software engineer. Jason is the Remote Instructor Manager for The Last Mile, and leads a team of educators that remotes into classrooms across the US to deliver virtual lessons in computer coding. On September 25th, 2018, Jason was released after 13 ½ years incarcerated, during which time he graduated from The Last Mile’s inaugural coding class. Three weeks before his release, Jason became the first person from his cohort to sign a work agreement with a tech company as a software engineer. Jason was also the first justice-involved person to be accepted into the Lightspeed fellowship with a team from Stanford, and today he is a participant in the Koch Associate Program.

We talk across a broad range of topics in our time together today, from the very problem that The Last Mile is committed to help solve, to the systemic impact that incarceration creates within different communities, and the importance of solving the challenges facing the formerly incarcerated and system impacted individuals in our country.

If you'd like to find out more about The Last Mile, or you are looking for ways to contribute, you can navigate to thelastmile.org/, or you can send an email to info@thelastmile.org

Thank you for listening, and for being a part of this very important conversation.

***Navigate the episode***

[07:28] The context of The Last Mile (TLM) and why is it created

[09:30] What TLM means and the importance of Jason’s story

[11:31] The gap between hope and transparency for the justice impacted

[13:41] What came into Chris’s mind in creating TLM, and the vision for creating hope and transparency

[17:12] How TLM integrated into the prison system, and the importance of story telling

[19:36] The big problems that The Last Mile is trying to solve

[20:54] The challenge of developing a support system and creating opportunities for the justice impacted

[24:39] How Chris and Jason think providing coding skills disrupts the very lineage of the problem

[30:18] The process of admitting and providing education within the prison system

[34:55] The obstacles that Chris and Jason have to overcome at the student level as part of the process and how this is navigated

[38:46] Perceived challenges at the hiring organization level, when hiring justice impacted graduates

[41:49] What Jason sees as potential challenges in working with companies as a TLM graduate

[44:55] The big vision for TLM

[48:58] What direction Jason seeks from the program, its listeners, and its communities

[51:05] What support TLM needs and ways to get involved

[55:55] What causes would Chris and Jason focus efforts on, if allocated unlimited resources and seven days to execute

***Resources and Links***

The Last Mile – thelastmile.org/  

Learning to Code in Prison - https://youtu.be/7P4klAfyiG8

A Look Inside An Oklahoma Prison | Women Learning to Code - https://youtu.be/XjCpEKF_K6o

Prevalence of Imprisonment in the US Population, 1974-2001 - https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/piusp01.pdf

Prison Policy Initiative: Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2020 - https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2020.html

Just Mercy Movie - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4916630/

60 | Inclusive Tech Innovation and Adoption Across Cultures & Communities

Joseph Akoni Headshot.jpg

Joseph Akoni


|

Product Manager | LinkedIn

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This month, February of 2021, is a very special month for many different communities, February is officially designated as "Black History Month" - an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans, and for recognizing their central role in U.S. History. Originally this special time of year was sponsored by the Association for Study of African American Life and History, as the national Negro History week, chosen in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln & Fredrick Douglass. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”. Since 1976, every American president has followed the February designation of Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The theme for 2021, "Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity".  

 In honor of Black History Month, the content of this podcast through February, will focus on black leadership in technology, and will give more attention to voices that are very seldom elevated.  

-------------------------------- 

Joseph Akoni is a Product Manager at LinkedIn, and joins this LIVE recording of the Data Binge Podcast to discuss how different cultures and communities develop and consume technology. Joseph's first product release as a LinkedIn Product Manager was highlighted in the Wall Street Journal in July of 2020. The profile name pronunciation feature allows for the opportunity of correct pronunciation of names, a critical component in creating an inclusive workplace. If you haven't seen this capability, it allows you to record a 10 second clip of a LinkedIn member recording their name, a brilliant piece of tech changing a very important part of how we relate and communicate to each other as humans - the correct pronunciation of our very names. 

Joseph brings with him a collection of product manager and consulting experiences across some very recognizable businesses from Lyft, Intel, and Nvidia, all the way to Ford Motor Company. Joseph's academic achievements include an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, and a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Joseph was also a fellow of the Management Leadership for Tomorrow's MBA Prep program, a non-profit led fellowship focusing on accelerating the career outcomes of African Americans, Latino Americans, and Native Americans. If you are interested in the program or would like to find out more about Management Leadership for Tomorrow, you can find links in the show-notes of this episode. 

***Navigate the episode***

[07:56]  Joseph’s Management Leadership for Tomorrow experience, and background on his career trajectory into LinkedIn 

[09:49] The LinkedIn profile name pronunciation feature, and the product debut in the Wall Street Journal 

[11:04] Joseph’s experience with LinkedIn  

[13:53] Careers in product management, and the types of experiences and capabilities that are native to the role 

[20:11] The intersection of product and culture 

[23:32] Understanding multi-constituent cultures, and how they consume technology 

[27:55] Product management trends and changes to expect in 2021  

[34:09] The criticality of recruiting for diverse and inclusive talent pools, and how organizations can look at changing their recruiting patterns 

[34:52] Joseph’s journey across academics, organizational networks, and creating connections for future opportunities 

[39:17] The “lived experience”, and the global perspective needed to capture product adoption at a planetary scale 

[43:19] Adopting new perspectives, and how to increase the aperture for perspective across product management and development 

[46:55] Future projects  

***Resources and Links***

Joseph Akoni on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephakoni/ 

Joseph Akoni Product Management Blog - https://www.thepzeropm.com/ 

Management Leadership for Tomorrow - https://mlt.org/  

Boomerang by Michael Lewis - http://michaellewiswrites.com/#boomerang 

LinkedIn Wants to End Pronunciation Gaffes on Names With New Audio Feature - WSJ - https://www.wsj.com/articles/linkedin-wants-to-end-pronunciation-gaffes-on-names-with-new-audio-feature-11594067349  

The 5 Top Trends in Product Management to Watch in 2021 - https://www.productplan.com/top-trends-in-product-management/ 

9 Surprising Stats about Product Management (and What They Actually Mean for You) | airfocus - https://airfocus.com/blog/surprising-product-management-stats/ 

Why Software is Eating the World - https://a16z.com/2011/08/20/why-software-is-eating-the-world/