GUEST BIO:

Julie Lyle is the non-executive director and digital advisor to Evolus. She is a global executive, board member, advisor, investor and entrepreneur. During her career, she has established brands and organized teams for startups and the world’s largest companies, like Walmart.

She is a leader in integrated marketing, eCommerce, merchandising, operations, digital media, CRM, branding and social engagement programs. Her record for growing sustainable profits for public and private enterprises has placed her as one of the top business leaders in the world.

SHOW SUMMARY:

Julie Lyle is the Non-Executive Director and Digital Advisor to Evolus. She has worked in high management positions for global companies and is a highly sought after business leader.

In this episode, we talk about Julie’s transition from the entrepreneurial world to corporate. She explains what the transition was like and how the corporate world is much easier to navigate than the entrepreneurial. Julie also talks about the importance of learning in an organization and her spot on prediction for the future of AI.

This is The Lean Commerce Podcast.

TOPICS:

What is the difference between running your own firm and working in a corporation?

1:14 The largest difference is that you have to learn self sufficiency when you have your own business. You’re required to be so resourceful. The definition of an entrepreneur is someone who has floated payroll on their personal Visas’s first. That is leadership.

What made you decide to start helping a larger organization over growing your own business?

5:15 Honestly, I got a great offer from a company. For about a year and a half before the offer, I was working on a huge project with the Smithsonian, nicknamed “Julie’s Baby”. At the time, I talked to an intern who told me that from watching me, she wouldn’t want to be an agency owner. It opened my eyes to see that I wasn't able to practice my craft because I was so busy running the entire project.

8:03 It’s much easier to have a single set of KPI’s, one boss, and a refined focal vision instead of 40-50 clients. The basics were the same, the dynamic was a little trickier but it’s so much easier to work in a corporate environment.

What is your advice for somebody transitioning from entrepreneur to corporate?

9:20 The most important skill to practice is listening. When I joined Walmart, it had a history of a challenging work culture. People only lasted six weeks to six months. I went to meet with my upper management and he sat me down and told me I was doing a great job because of one reason, I was asking more questions than I answered.

What do you think separates individuals that reach high management versus getting stuck in middle management?

15:21 I’m a huge fan of mentorships. I always identify somebody in an organization that can (and will) give me blunt feedback. We always need it.

How do you deal with failure when it affects a lot of people?

21:17 Own it fast, own it publicly, and then fix it.

How can you help your organization, small or large, get better at learning?

29:11 He who learns fastest, wins. While that’s the macro conversation, it’s a culmination of micro, individual employees. If individuals don’t map out their own learning plan, the organization can’t move forward. For me, this means that I understand what the future of blockchain, AI, and deep learning is to implement that into our work today.

How do you build a network and find a mentor outside of your organization?

34:35 Show up. Make a point of attending networking functions and integrating into the community. If there aren’t networking events near you, be the one to start the conversation and have your own event.

What trends in marketing are you most excited about?

39:31 The fact that eCommerce will hit $2 trillion in revenue yet, the industry is slowing down says a lot about the customer experience. We’re not harnessing current technology at