The Tech Less Podcast

In Episode 13 with guest Charles Ackerman, we explore consulting project challenges, identity with work, working modalities, and more.

Key Learnings:

• Learn about a common challenge in consulting: misalignment between the client + consulting partner, and what to do about it
• We also explore the value of deep work and how to set expectations with your teams and clients to get back time for creative thinking and brainstorming during your work day

Charles Ackerman has made a career figuring out what he wants to be when he grows up. A former film student, teacher, help desk manager, and project manager, Charles approaches problems the way mountaineers are always chasing the next summit. Naturally, when he turned to consulting more than five years ago, he never looked back. He currently serves as the Regional Head of Delivery for North America with VRP Consulting.

Connect with Charles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-ackerman-833899a9/

Books mentioned in the show:

• Radical Candor
• How to win friends and influence people
• Crucial conversations
• 7 habits of highly effective people
• Deep Work
• Catching Fire/Stealing Fire

In this episode we hear from Brigette Sjoboen (B) on how she prioritizes projects for her technical team, and her experience navigating stakeholder management. We also get to hear her journey from reframing her identity and relationship with work.

About Brigette Sjoboen (B): B has been in the tech space for enough years to age her (direct quote haha). Currently managing/coaching technical teams to build out scalable GTM tech and reduce risk of redundancy and spend. Most importantly she is a proud mama to one seriously spicy fun-loving kiddo.

Learn more about B on her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigettesjoboen/

In this episode, guest Alanna Steffens (Managing Director, Attain Partners) and host April Rust, discuss the challenges of implementing CRM solutions (and solutions!). We also take a closer look at how to up-skill consultants who may be great at configuration, but need help learning how to navigate the consulting business. Lastly, we wrap up with Alanna's personal journey of work-life integration.

Key learnings:

• setting up a project for success by getting the pre-sales cycle right
• identifying and qualifying a potential client to understand what strategy they might need, outside of a technical solution
• qualities that make up an effective executive sponsor
• setting expectations and navigating hard conversations with clients
• coaching junior team members on consulting "how to's" and soft skills to enable their growth

Alanna Steffens is a Managing Director with Attain Partners, serving as the Salesforce Implementation Capability Lead for Attain Digital, providing customer relationship management (CRM) solutions to higher education and nonprofit clients. She has seven Salesforce certifications and participates in Attain Partners’ coaching and mentoring program.

Learn more about Alanna on her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanna-steffens-pmp-56a25a4/

Learn more about Attain Partners: https://attainpartners.com/

Learn about Pei Mun Lim's "Rubber and Glass Balls of Life" teachings: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pmlim_onthepeiroll-timemanagement-icantjugglefornuts-activity-7177644684796669953-d5A3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Learn lifestyle design practical tips to build a system of healthy + positive structure that becomes your default.

Meet our guest:

Alex currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Salesforce Career Development Program by Talent Stacker where she actively trains and supports individuals in changing their lives through Salesforce Careers.

When "Tech-ing Less"" you can most often find Alex traveling to a new country, hiking or rock climbing, or eating good food.

Learn more about Alex at: Alexwarneke.com or LinkedIn

Talent Stacker 5-Day Challenge: TalentStacker.com/start

Trailblazermentorship Program by TalentStacker: Trailblazermentorship.com

Books mentioned:

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://www.andrewmellen.com/books

In this episode, host April Rust sits down with Scrum Master and business analyst Anita Smith to discuss how she helps teams work more effectively through optimized Scrum processes.

Three Key Learnings:

1. How Anita Smith created templates and lessons in her "Scrum in a Box" course to help new Scrum Masters get started.

2. Best practices for implementing Scrum frameworks like daily standups and adapting for larger distributed teams.

3. Insights into challenges of blending agile with professional services work, and tips for maintaining work-life balance.

Learn more about Anita at https://anitaunboxed.mykajabi.com/ or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-salesforce/

Anna Shaffer is passionate about two things: leveraging technology to make insurance more fun, and fostering a supportive community for women in tech. Tune in to learn practical strategies on holding space for each other to support not just women in tech, but all humans.

Learn more about Anna Shaffer on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-shaffer-b414043a/

Darius Tracy shares his inspiring story of transitioning from a career in manufacturing to the Salesforce ecosystem. Tune in to learn more about the power of building genuine friendships in your industry, inspiration for consistency, and practical tips on finding some peace during your day.

Learn more about Darius Tracy on his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darius-tracy-406385249/

Learn more about the Talent Stacker 5-Day Challenge to kick-start your career here (free!): https://talentstacker.rfrl.co/8zzz6

Learn more about the Talent Stacker Salesforce Accelerator Toolkit: https://talentstacker.rfrl.co/p777m

Kelly Sandstrom has over fifteen years of experience in project management, IT and operations in the consulting and tech industries, and currently serves as the Project Portfolio Management Office Director at the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Tune in to hear her transition from ambitious professional striving to succeed at all costs, to new momma prioritizing her family and personal life and setting boundaries at work.

Learn more about Kelly on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellysandstrom/

Are you ready for real, vulnerable talk on (un)healthy ways we cope with the chaos of life in tech, imposter syndrome, and misaligned priorities? Tune in with your host April Rust, and special guest Justin Jackson, as they share their personal stories of coping, reprioritizing what matters, and what cyclical growth looks like for them.

Listeners can expect to learn about:

• The challenges of work-life balance in the tech industry and the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being
• Experiences with burnout, self-doubt, and overcoming imposter syndrome
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms like overwork, substance abuse, and escapism
• The value of self-reflection, identifying unhealthy patterns, and making positive changes
• Practical tips for improving priorities, habits, and asking for help when needed
• Insights on balancing productivity with rest, indulgence, and quality time

Learn more about Justin on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realjustinjax/

This episode explores how strategic narrative and narrative power can help overcome organizational challenges like misalignment and silos. Guest Guillaume Wiatr shares his experience using his methodologies to connect teams and achieve success on technology implementation projects. Guillaume also introduces the idea that integrating our personal and work lives can lead to increased fulfillment and flow.

Listeners can expect to learn:

- How strategic narrative and narrative power methodologies can help address common challenges like silos and misalignment in organizations.

- Insights into building alignment across remote teams through inclusive narrative-building and diverse communication channels.

- Strategies for integrating personal life and values with work in a way that increases productivity, fulfillment and flow.

Learn more about Guillaume Wiatr:

Website: https://www.metahelm.com/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOxZx1U1FbBrcLDIjX_EEE5e1jGnkmYQH&feature=shared

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaumewiatr/