In B2B, achieving stellar business performance is an incredibly complicated endeavor. At the vertical level, beyond just manufacturing, distribution and services, the intricacies grow even more challenging as unique macroeconomic factors and industry disrupters further stress legacy systems and methods. Gaining strategic control of pricing and sales performance at this level will be the differentiator between leaders and laggards. B2B Reimagined is a monthly podcast with a rotating host of experts. Each of whom brings decades of experience using data science to address industry-vertical specific challenges that give the critical strategic control over pricing and sales that today’s B2B companies simply must-have.

What change do you want to make in the world?

We often talk about what change looks like in a workplace context. Yet, being an agent of change doesn’t end when you stop working. The question is, what does being an agent of change look like outside of your professional role?

In this episode, Kevin Galang visits with Christmas Hutchinson, a career confidence and growth mindset coach and author of the book The Resilient Mind. To call Christmas – or Chrissy – an Agent of Change is an understatement. While she’s always had a knack for overcoming adversity, when her back was against the wall, she had a realization that would change everything. 

If you’d like to learn more, visit https://conga.com/podcast

As we approach the end of season 4 of Agents of Change, Kevin Galang pauses for a moment to reflect on a favorite question with experts this season. 

“What are you leaving behind in 2020?” 

You’ll hear from Noel Goggin, CEO and Culture Leader at Conga, Steve Aitken, Salesforce practice international lead for Publicis Sapient, and Esther Flammer, Vice President of Demand Generation at Conga.

As you listen to their answers, think about your own. What have you left behind?

If you’d like to learn more, visit https://conga.com/podcast

How can product innovation help your business navigate uncertainty?

In 2020, the move to remote work led to a massive increase in innovations and the adoption of new technologies. The question is, how did these transformations help businesses navigate the challenges of 2020?

In this episode, Kevin Galang digs into the product innovations of the past year with expert insights from Anna Eaglin, formerly Principal Product Manager at Innovatemap, now Co-Founder and Head of Product at Uncovered, Phil Simon, author of the new book, Reimagining Collaboration, and Grant Peterson, Chief Product Officer at Conga.

If you’d like to learn more, visit https://conga.com/podcast

In this Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The importance of continuous innovation
• Collaboration is the key to effective innovation
• How to avoid making mistakes by gathering feedback

What to Listen For:

• [01:32] – What is product innovation?
• [07:16] – How to avoid complacency in your business
• [10:47] – Mistakes to avoid in innovation
• [13:36] – What happens when innovation fails
• [17:53] – How to make your product stand out
• [26:16] – What is the future of work culture?
• [31:24] – Pro tips for collaboration
• [32:27] – Agent in the News with Amy Bartner

Is a culture of instant gratification a symptom of digital transformation? Or is it the cause?

When we talk about digital transformation, we’re often talking about ways to make things faster, more efficient, and effortless. The question is, did the constant push towards technology-fueled improvement lead to a culture of instant gratification, or is it a result of wanting everything quicker?

In this episode, Kevin Galang examines this chicken-and-egg scenario with insights from guest experts Kelli Blystone, Blog and Social Media Manager at Conga, Dr. Julie Azevedo Hanks, Therapist and Coach, and Rachel Downey, President of Share Your Genius and the producer for the Agents of Change podcast.

If you’d like to learn more, visit https://conga.com/podcast

In this Episode, You’ll Learn How to:

• Protect your mental health in a digital-first world
• Be mindful when interfacing with technology
• Manage expectations regarding social media interactions

What to Listen For:

• [01:31] – The problem with instant gratification
• [08:06] – Managing your attention like a finite resource
• [11:03] – How Kelli Blystone sets boundaries as a social media manager
• [16:07] – The importance of being authentic
• [22:02] – Agent in the News with Amy Bartner

What lessons can we learn from forced business transformations?

Business transformation isn’t always voluntary, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t lessons to learn. When massive change is unavoidable, some businesses adopt a survival posture, while others see an opportunity to serve their customers better. 

In this episode, Kevin Galang examines the mindset of different businesses in the midst of major change, along with insights from guest experts Mike Rethage, Senior Vice President and Head of Senior Living for Touchtown, Dan Hopkins, Senior Director of Applied AI and Public Sector at Eightfold.ai, and Jacob Hill, Managing Director at Offploy Community Interest Company.

If you’d like to learn more, visit https://conga.com/podcast

In this Episode, You’ll Learn How to:

• Take the time to build relationships on your team
• Ask “why” before you begin
• Transforming your business can mean short-term pain

What to Listen For:

• [01:22] – How Mike Rethage maintained culture while going digital
• [06:28] – How Dan Hopkins uses technology for competitive advantage
• [14:49] – How Jacob Hill navigated the uncertainty of COVID by going digital
• [18:29] – How Jacob’s personal story empowered him to become an Agent of Change
• [24:03] – Advice for navigating a digital transformation
• [25:01] – Agent in the News with Amy Bartner

When the pandemic hit, life and work transformed seemingly overnight. From remote work to rapid digital transformations, the rate of innovation and adaptation was astonishing. 

After a year filled with immense change, what can we take with us as we continue to move forward? More importantly, what should we be prepared to leave behind?

In this episode, Kevin Galang tackles these questions with insights from guest experts Esther Flammer, Vice President of Demand Generation at Conga, Noel Goggin, CEO of Conga, Steve Aitken, Salesforce Practice International Lead at Publicis Sapient, and Mike Rethage, Senior Vice President and Head of Senior Living for Touchtown.

As it became clear that 2020 would be unlike anything any of us had experienced, expectations and predictions surfaced around how the year would turn out. But what happened when those predictions didn't come true? 

Kevin Galang revisits predictions, while looking back at lessons learned with guest experts

Noel Goggin, CEO of Conga, Tracy Cote, Chief People Officer at Zenefits, and Lori Ramas, Founder and Chief Communications Officer for Ask Relezant.

If you’d like to learn more, visit https://conga.com/podcast

Most of us spent 2020 reacting to a world outside of our control. And as soon as we adjusted, everything seemed to change. This year, it’s time we shift the focus, breathe and start being proactive. How? By embracing the new normal.

As the season unfolds, we’ll revisit past predictions, ways businesses innovated, and what the way forward looks like in this new normal.

We’ll also be introducing a new segment called Agents in the News, highlighting the positive things happening in our communities often missed in a sea of doom scrolling.  

And as always, we want to empower you to continue to be the agent of change you are, creating a lasting impact on your organization.

For established companies, change can mean overhauling years of processes and proven methods. But is change any easier in a younger or smaller company? 

In this episode, we’re revisiting our conversation with Eboni Blake, Senior Business Systems Analyst at Ibotta, an app that helps you earn cashback every time you shop. When Eboni started her role, she was tasked with analyzing processes and implementing changes to help the business scale. Before making change recommendations, Eboni took the time to step back, listen, and observe. Listen in to find out why.

Resources and links discussed:

• Connect with Eboni
• Learn more about Ibotta
• Connect with Jason
• Learn more about Conga