Tom Sweet is the CIO of Industrial Refrigeration Pros and former Vice President Cloud Services at GM Financial. As an introvert, he was really against social media but decided it was necessary to build a brand, go to networking events and gain speaking opportunities, in order to get into the C-suite level.

His continual pursuit of learning, and ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders really helped to propel his career.

Connect with Tom Sweet on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasjsweet

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00:00 Introduction

00:47 Guest Introduction Tom Sweet

01:21 Why is networking so important to you?

03:36 What got you interested in the tech?

04:54 What are the parallels between technology and engineering?

05:41 What led you to where you are now?

07:48 Why take the CIO risk?

09:00 Being ok with being uncomfortable

10:40 Skills needed to get into to the C Suite

12:14 How do you stay up to date on the latest trends and tool?

14:38 How to overcome being an introvert?

15:46 CG Infinity

16:24 Tom's first video

16:43 What did you learn from the low points of your career?

18:08 What keeps you motivated?

18:57 Why is giving back to the community important?

20:34 Looking for mentors

21:53 The importance of asking

23:15 Networking events tech professionals should attend

24:21 Tips on how to talk to people

25:40 Where is AI going?

27:40 What is the hardest part of hiring talent?

28:34 Tips on how to look for talent

28:58 How to develop teams

30:59 What surprised you being in the C level?

31:29 What kind of legacy you want to leave behind?

32:26 Advice on how to grow in tech.

34:12 Tech CXO Launch Pad

35:49 Outro