careers in tech

The SCALE Program is a 90 day, 1:1 Product Management coaching program designed as a performance enhancer for new Product Managers. 

Imagine: you've spent three, six months or more trying to land a Product job. You've learned to recode rejection and learning lessons and redirection. And now, ta-da! You've gotta perform. 

But the anxiety sets in. 

How do you show up as everything you sold in the interview process? What do you do first? How do I nurture what is likely the most vulnerable part of your career? 

Listen in to learn more about how SCALE works.

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

If landing a Product were easy, the SPRINT Program wouldn't exist. Full stop.

When I started teaching Product Management in 2017, there were experiences of aspiring Product Managers that I didn't recognize.  I decided then that I would dedicate my career to dropping the proverbial ladder, and creating pathways to make a Product  Management career accessible to folks who may have otherwise quit or settled another a less aligned job. 

If you're curious about how the SPRINT Program works, listen in for the details. 

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

Finding a new job is kind of the worst, if we're being super honest. Finding a Product Management job is just beyond. We tend to avoid all the things that cause us pain and inconvenience and, instead, focus on the things we mildly enjoy or feel like doing at the moment. We intuitively choose the path of least resistance in lieu of tangling with the hard stuff beneath the surface.  In this brief but impactful episode, I encourage you to deal with the rough stuff.

Start your binge here and LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

Join us as we celebrate the 100th episode of the Women in Customer Success Podcast with a special guest - Aurore de Saint-Exupéry, a passionate Customer Success Manager at  ClickUp who took the road less travelled. Aurore transitioned from the high-end retail world into the tech industry, manifesting her belief that caring, loyalty, and teamwork are the secret ingredients for success in any industry.

Aurore's journey to ClickUp, her dream company, was filled with intense preparation, professional advice, and a few nerve-wracking interviews. The moment she discovered the job opening, she embarked on a challenging ride, connected with the right industry expert, continuously learning about the role and its challenges and presented a highly successful case study that got her a job. Learn about the steps she took to land the interview, prepare for this transition and nail the interview process. 

The world of luxury retail and customer success might seem worlds apart, but Aurore talks about the principles for serving customers that are universal across roles and industries. She shares her strategies for succeeding as a new CSM, emphasizing the importance of product knowledge, undertaking extra projects and approaching her role as a customer coach, making sure they feel guided and supported. 

We also touch on the joy of travelling, immersing oneself in new cultures, and living abroad. Join us for this episode and hear the inspiring journey Aurore took to embrace her dream career in Customer Success. 

Did you know?

• Aurore was born in Paris and has lived across France, the UK, Hong Kong, and Japan
• She started her career in luxury retail (Chanel & Louis Vuitton) 
• Avid traveller
• Transitioned from non-tech into SaaS Customer Success 
• Aurore was promoted to a Sr CSM within a year 
• Direct descendent of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of the book 'The Little Prince' - one of the best-selling books in history!

In this episode, you'll learn about: 

• Aurore's career entry in luxury retail and its lessons on customer experience
• Process of applying for Customer Success role without previous tech experience 
• Interview preparation for non-tech and non-saas experience
• Hiring Manager's perspective on hiring for a non-traditional background
• Learning curve as a first-time Customer Success Manager
• Standing out as a 'newbie', setting high standards and getting promotion-ready

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

It's been one heck of a year in the Product hiring world, for sure.  Listen in for my take on how 2023 changed everything, and LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Vitally.io, the leading all-in-one customer success platform. Visit vitally.io/women today to schedule your demo and get your Airpods.

Join us as we sit down with Margriet Paagman, who remarkably transitioned from a sales role in a global printing company to leading the EMEA customer success team at Contentstack.

Margrit shares her journey filled with challenges in adapting to a new industry, culture, and language, and how her team's support was instrumental in her success. She transitioned from hardware to the Saas industry where she started as an account director and climbed the corporate ladder to become the VP of Customer Success at Insided.

In this episode, you'll hear proven strategies and experiences of leading teams through significant changes like mergers and acquisitions, highlighting the importance of transparency and communication. 

We talk about the qualities of an effective leader, emphasizing the importance of listening and helping team members maximize their strengths. We're also dispelling myths about career progression. 

So, tune in and don't miss out on an opportunity to hear practical advice on career growth and leadership.

Follow Margriet!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

"Help?! The job application has a spot for a portfolio. What do I put there?!"

Ah. The age-old question: how do I effectively demonstrate my Product Management ability and potential via a portfolio? Listen in for my take and LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

Welcome back to the productmanagHER podcast! This episode is specifically for the folks who are interested in landing a new Product Management job. We're diving into the importance of having a solid job application strategy versus haphazardly applying. In today's competitive job market, a strategic approach can make all the difference in landing your dream job. Let's explore why having a well-thought-out job application strategy is necessary.

Listen in for perspective on how a solid strategy is the game changer you're looking for. LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Vitally.io, the leading all-in-one customer success platform. Visit vitally.io/women today to schedule your demo and get your Airpods.

In this insightful conversation, meet Shruti Sharma, Customer Success Advisor and Consultant. Shruti shares her journey to customer success, starting from her background as a product manager to becoming a sales engineer and ultimately pursuing a career in customer success. She discusses her passion for working directly with customers and the joy of making a direct impact on their growth. 

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career in customer success, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice on building your soft skills acumen - a crucial skill set anyone working with customers will ever need. So grab your favourite cup of coffee, get your trainers on and have a healthy walk with this conversation with Shruti Sharma on the Women in Customer Success Podcast.

Fun facts about Shruti:

📍 Shruti is based in Newton, Massachusetts
✈️ Her last travel was to Europe 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 🇪🇸
💃🏻 Shruti also teaches Bollywood dancing! 🔥

In this episode, you'll learn about:

💎 Shruti's career journey from product management into Customer Success and entrepreneurship 
💎 Career lessons
💎 Soft skills are crucial for business relationships
💎 Strategies for developing soft skills 
💎 Shruti's unique approach as an advisor and practitioner

Shruti's top soft skills every CSM should have:
 
🌟 Empathy
🌟 Communication
🌟 Time Management
🌟 Adaptability
🌟 Open-mindedness

Follow Shruti Sharma!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Get ready to meet Nikki Clarke-Crossman, Global Head of Customer Success at Coherent. Nikki shares her experiences of leading teams in changing economic environments, as well as her interesting PhD research in Customer Success. In particular, she's exploring the ambidexterity between being customer-centric while also reaching the company's revenue goals and targets. 

Main takeaways:

• 1️⃣ Customer-focused vs Business growth-focused: If Customer success is all about being customer-focused, it's important to find the balance between driving company growth and facilitating customer needs.
• 2️⃣ The challenge of customer centricity in a SaaS organization: Can we truly be customer-centric when we have targets and revenue goals to meet? This ambidexterity within the CS role and organization itself is something that Nikki is diving deep into with her ongoing PhD research.
• 3️⃣ The Customer Success Skills for the Future: Customer success has evolved in recent years, emphasizing adoption, usage, operations, metrics, and digital success. In the future, technical proficiency and commercial acumen will be the essential skills for the job.

Episode chapters:

• [00:05:41] Can we truly be customer-centric in CS?
• [00:11:21] Customer success has evolved and now requires diverse skills, including business acumen and technical skills
• [00:13:49] Will CS teams still be relevant in non-business critical environments? 
• [00:23:51] Master the product, embrace challenges, and maintain rhythm.

Follow the guest: 

• Follow Niki!
• Check out the Customer Success Executive Circle!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Continuing in our theme this season of finding your footing, we're discussing what to do after a layoff. I pivoted into Product after a layoff so I have a sweet spot for clients who know this vulnerable place intimately.  Listen in for perspective on how to make the most of your time or forward this episode to a friend who's in the midst of a layoff. LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Vitally.io, the leading all-in-one customer success platform. Visit vitally.io/women today to schedule your demo and get your Airpods.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Shanta Bodhan, a Director of Customer Experience at Talespin. She shares her insights on building resilience in times of change and adversity. 

Main takeaways:

1️⃣ Embrace a growth and capability mindset: Shanta highlights the importance of developing a growth mindset and continuously building new skills. By embracing challenges and seeking opportunities to learn and grow, you can navigate uncertain times with confidence and adaptability. Remember, you are capable of more than you think!

2️⃣ Consistent networking matters: Networking should be a consistent part of your professional journey. Starting small, like joining industry Slack groups or attending virtual meetups, can be a great way to build connections and learn from peers. Just 30 minutes a week can make a significant impact on your career. Remember, relationships are key!

3️⃣ Seek mentorship for growth: Mentoring is a valuable personal and professional development resource. Whether it's addressing impostor syndrome or honing specific skills, having a mentor can provide guidance and support. Forming mentoring relationships can also lead to valuable connections within the customer success community. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask!

4️⃣ Developing Soft Skills: Effective communication, active listening, or articulation, are instrumental in customer success roles. By investing in soft skills training, one can enhance confidence and resilience in navigating challenging situations.

In this episode, you'll learn about: 

• Consistent vs constant networking 
• Knowing your worth despite of economic environment 
• Look for continuous learning & leadership opportunities
• Be prepared, not paranoid

Follow Shanta!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

If you know me well, you know that there are a ton of similarities between dating and finding a new job in Product Management. From waiting by the phone for a recruiter call to just how picky we become when selecting a partner. Join me in this conversation to discuss the overlapping elements, and see if you're able to leverage something you already know well (dating) to find new perspective in your job search. LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

Listen into identify ways that you may be contributing to your own chaos without even knowing it, and LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

In this episode, we welcome Delia Vishan - a pink-minded customer success coach and solopreneur.

Delia shares her inspiring journey and practical tools for success in the customer success field. Delia opens up about her passion for self-growth and personal development, which has played a significant role in her career in customer success.

Delia's love for teaching and writing shines through as she explains the joy she finds in helping others and sharing her experiences. She mentions the fulfilment she gets from seeing the impact her work has on both businesses and customers. With her innate ability to connect with people and create authentic relationships, Delia has truly found her professional home in customer success.

During the episode, Delia takes us through her career journey, starting from humble beginnings with part-time jobs to her current role in customer success. She emphasizes the importance of customer interaction and relationship building, which led her to naturally gravitate towards customer success.

One of the highlights of Delia's work is the impact she has on both the business she serves and the success of the customers. She shares the challenges of maintaining a balance between customer needs and business scalability, highlighting the joy she feels when customers are satisfied and see the value in the products and services provided.

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-development is essential in customer success as it allows individuals to continuously grow and make a positive impact on others
2. Balancing customer needs with business scalability is a challenge, but seeing customers happy and successful is incredibly rewarding
3. Delia's journey proves that following your passions and staying true to yourself can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career

Follow Delia!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

What are the strategies for building strong partnerships with sales teams and aligning on growth plans for accounts?

How to move away from the 'them versus us' mentality?

In this episode of Women in Customer Success, our host Marija is talking to Dannah Vaughan, Customer Success Executive Leader. 

Key takeaways:

1. Building Trust & Relationships - Trust is the foundation of every successful partnership. Getting to know your colleagues on a personal level, spending time together, and investing in in-person relationships can drive significant success
2. Partnering with Sales - In Customer Success, partnering effectively with Sales is crucial. By using RACI metrics, honesty and taking ownership of relevant actions, CSMs can influence account managers and executives, leading to revenue generation.
3. Mentoring for Success - Having mentors and being mentored is one of the keys to having a successful career in Customer Success. Mentors can provide a fresh perspective, and guidance and encourage personal growth. Dannah is also a mentor at the Women in Customer Success PowerUp.

Episode chapters:

• [00:02:40] From a Lawyer to a Success Advocate
• [00:09:13] Customer Success: Making an Impact
• [00:11:57] Tips for Building Crucial Partnerships Between Sales and Success 
• [00:19:06] Understanding Motivations for Different Team Members
• [00:22:50] Building Relationships is as Important as Growing Revenue
• [00:31:17] How to Reflect and Improve for Personal Growth

Follow Dannah Vaughan!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Welcome back to season 3 the productmanagHER podcast. The theme for season 3 is #findingyourfooting focused on resiliency and stability as you navigate your career journey into Product Management.  Listen in, subscribe, and share. Full episodes coming super soon. 

Also, find me on the internet; I'd love to engage with you in real-time too: 
•blairpresley.com
•https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
•https://instagram.com/blairpres

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

Join us for an engaging chat with Jenni Conner, director of Customer Success for EMEA and APAC at User Testing, as she shares her unique journey from New Mexico to Edinburgh, Scotland, and how she ended up in customer success. Listen in as Jenni reflects on her past experiences, from playing soccer in college to interning at Sandia National Labs and how these have influenced her career path. Hear her talk about her non-linear path to success and how a chance encounter at a coffee shop launched her into the world of tech startups.

The second part of our conversation focuses on Jenni's insights about the role of relationships and personal branding in success. Hear her discuss how building strong relationships, going beyond the tasks at hand, and being open to new opportunities have shaped her career. Jenni underscores the importance of having a strong internal brand and how you show up every day can significantly influence your future career trajectory. 

In the final part of our discussion, Jenni explores how to develop leadership skills through learning. She highlights the value of listening to podcasts and engaging in conversations with top leaders. Jenni also shares advice on how to navigate situations where you may not have all the answers but must display confidence, such as asking for others' perspectives. Plus, she talks about the critical skills of a customer success manager that can be applied in leadership, including communication, executive presence, change management, and data analysis. Tune in to get some invaluable insights and advice from Jenni on succeeding in customer success.

Did You Know:

• Jenni was a soccer player in college 
• Last year, Jenni relocated from New Mexico, Texas 🇺🇸 to Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
• She's a cofounder of Lead in Public Newsletter

Episode chapters:

• (0:00:09) - Jenni's Career Journey
• (0:10:35) - Relationships and Personal Branding for Success
• (0:19:46) - Developing Leadership Skills Through Learning
• (0:24:49) - Leadership and Effective Communication Skills

Follow Jenni Conner!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

While we know that there are several roles that are Product-adjacent and chocked full of transferable skills, it's still *really* hard to know how you fit, or even whether you will ever make the pivot. First, know that career-doubt and imposter syndrome are incredibly common. Nine out of ten clients wonder whether "if they're good enough for Product".  Listen in for my take and connect with me to LMK your thoughts on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley
and/or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairpres/

Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.