In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra speaks with Tenisha Griggs, founder and CEO of 37 Digital Marketing Agency. Tenisha shares her journey from AT&T to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and maintaining a balance between personal well-being and business success. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from a stable corporate job to the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and highlights the power of strong professional relationships.

Tenisha and Jane discuss:

• Tenisha's journey into B2B marketing and entrepreneurship.
• Transition from corporate roles at AT&T and a tech company to starting her own agency.
• The significance of personal branding in attracting clients and opportunities.
• The emotional and financial challenges of entrepreneurship compared to corporate jobs.
• The importance of building and maintaining professional relationships.
• Strategies for effective B2B marketing, including humanizing brand messaging.
• Balancing personal life and business identity to prioritize well-being.
• The impact of rejection and the need for resilience in the entrepreneurial journey.
• Creating a positive work environment and fostering genuine relationships.
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on networking and self-advocacy.

Key Links:

Guest: Tenisha Griggs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenishagriggs/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra speaks with Kelly Cheng, VP of Marketing at Goldcast. Kelly shares her transition from agency roles to in-house positions, emphasizing operational excellence and prioritization in B2B marketing. They discuss the evolving landscape of virtual and in-person events, the importance of building mindshare, and innovative marketing strategies. Kelly also highlights the significance of cultural fit in hiring and advocates for collaborative interview processes. The episode concludes with Kelly's advice on effective time management and the value of mentorship in professional growth.

Kelly and Jane talk through:

• Kelly's career journey from agency roles to in-house marketing positions.
• Insights on B2B marketing strategies and audience engagement.
• The importance of operational excellence and prioritization in marketing.
• Challenges and rewards of marketing to marketers.
• Enhancing brand visibility and mindshare through various channels and authentic content
• The evolving landscape of virtual and in-person events in marketing.
• Moving the BDR team under marketing for improved communication and collaboration
• Strategies for effective team management and collaboration.
• The significance of cultural fit in hiring and team dynamics.
• Innovative approaches to the interview process for marketing roles.
• The role of mentorship and relationship-building in career development.
• Time management techniques for professionals in fast-paced environments.

Key Links:

Guest: Kelly Cheng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyhcheng/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

LinkedIn Lessons Encore: Uplevel Your LinkedIn Profile and Posts with 10 Tips from Mark Jung: https://www.goldcast.io/blog-post/linkedin-lessons-encore

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra chats with Emma Clayton, a seasoned CMO, consultant, and bestselling author. They discuss the evolving role of the CMO, emphasizing the challenges faced by modern marketers in a rapidly changing landscape. Emma highlights the need for strategic marketing over short-term tactics and stresses the importance of hiring qualified marketers. The conversation also touches on the significance of curiosity and understanding customer needs. Both speakers advocate for a strategic approach to marketing, aiming to build meaningful connections and deliver value to customers.

Emma and Jane discuss:

• The evolving role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in the current marketing landscape.
• Challenges faced by modern marketers, including unrealistic expectations from organizations.
• The perception of marketing and the qualifications of marketers, highlighting a lack of formal training.
• The impact of hiring practices on marketing effectiveness, particularly the trend of hiring sales-focused individuals for marketing roles.
• The importance of a strong marketing strategy in driving business success, especially during scaling.
• The need for alignment between marketing teams' skills and the overall business strategy.
• The significance of understanding the customer journey and building genuine connections with customers.
• The role of social media in shaping marketing practices and its potential to promote mediocrity.
• The necessity of prioritizing strategy over execution in marketing efforts.
• Advocating for a shift in how marketing is perceived and valued within organizations, emphasizing its strategic importance.

Key Links:

Guest: Emma Clayton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-clayton-bebrilliant/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Brilliant Teams by Emma Clayton: https://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Teams-Emma-Clayton/dp/191577179X

CMOs on Boards: https://www.spencerstuart.com/research-and-insight/cmos-on-boards

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra speaks with Naomi Nuta, Vice President of Marketing at AptEdge. Naomi shares her unconventional journey into B2B marketing, starting from a liberal arts background to roles in political communications and market research. She delves into her work in consumer neuroscience, emphasizing the impact of emotional and physiological responses on decision-making. Naomi highlights the importance of understanding the audience's context and emotional state when crafting marketing messages. The discussion also explores the parallels between B2B and B2C marketing, underscoring the significance of tone and delivery in effective communication.

Naomi talks us through:

• Her unconventional career path into B2B marketing.
• The impact of political communications and market research on her marketing approach.
• Insights from consumer neuroscience regarding emotional and physiological responses in decision-making.
• The significance of understanding the audience's context and emotional state in crafting marketing messages.
• Parallels between B2B and B2C marketing, emphasizing emotional triggers in both sectors.
• The critical role of tone, pitch, and delivery in effective communication.
• Strategies for brand building and the importance of emotional engagement in marketing.
• The concept of "human in the loop" in AI development and the importance of user feedback.

Key Links:

Guest: Naomi Nuta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-n/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

** Originally published on March 1, 2023 **

I hope you're enjoying these throwbacks! Truth be told, life has been LIFING lately, and I am a bit behind on getting new episodes out. BUT, I do not want to leave anyone hanging, so figured it was a good time to bump up some of my favorite episodes. Don't worry - new episodes coming soon! What should we cover next on the show? Who would you like to hear from? DM me, comment, or write a review to share feedback. I appreciate you! - Jane

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In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra interviews Corrina Owens, well-known (and loved!) Fractional ABM and GTM Advisor. Corrina shares her transition from education to B2B marketing, emphasizing how her teaching skills in communication and multi-threading have been pivotal. They discuss the evolution of Account-Based Marketing (ABM), its applicability to businesses of all sizes, and the importance of strategic marketing over jargon. Corrina highlights the need to focus on business objectives and customer experience, advocating for authentic connections and community-building in marketing strategies.

Corrina and Jane discuss:

• Corrina Owens' transition from education to B2B marketing.
• The significance of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) and its evolution to ABX.
• The relevance of ABM for businesses of all sizes.
• The importance of strategic marketing over industry jargon.
• Building and maintaining customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle.
• The role of technology in tracking customer sentiment and engagement.
• The impact of community and networking in marketing strategies.
• Effective communication styles and overcoming limiting beliefs in marketing.
• The value of writing and self-reflection in personal and professional growth.
• Engaging authentically with audiences on social media platforms.

Key Links:

Guest: Corrina Owens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrina-owens/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Mentioned in this episode:

Find Corrina on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@featuring_corrina?lang=en

Corrina's Advice on building your personal brand: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/corrina-owens_b2bmarketing-marketingtips-personalbrand-activity-6942118841967652864--nmm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Gender Bias with AI & Job Descriptions: https://joshbersin.com/podcast/

Which Marketing Jargon Should Be Left Behind: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/corrina-owens_marketing-marketingb2b-saas-activity-7013956814941609984-3q3l?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

[POLL] Share Which Marketing Jargon You Want Gone: https://bit.ly/3KiEQZQ

** Originally published on February 15, 2023 **

Here's a star replay episode, another one of my favorites! Apparently, it's one of yours too - as one of the most downloaded episodes so far. Michelle does an amazing job walking through all things Operations for GTM. What should we cover next on the show? DM me, comment, or write a review to share feedback. I appreciate you! - Jane

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In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra sits down with Michelle Kim, former Director of Sales Operations at Zendesk (now Senior Director, Sales & Customer Success Operations at Culture Amp). Michelle shares her career journey from sales to customer success operations and her current role in sales ops. The discussion highlights the distinctions between sales operations and revenue operations (rev ops), emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration among sales, marketing, and customer success teams. Michelle also discusses challenges in forecasting, the balance between data and human elements, and offers advice for those new to operations. The episode provides valuable insights for marketing professionals aiming to enhance operational efficiency.

Michelle talks us through:

• Her professional journey from sales to customer success operations and sales operations.
• The distinction between sales operations and revenue operations (rev ops).
• The importance of communication and collaboration among sales, marketing, and customer success teams.
• Responsibilities and strategies involved in sales operations, including territory management and forecasting.
• The debate between centralized and decentralized operations models.
• Challenges in achieving accurate forecasting in a fluctuating economy.
• The significance of research and understanding existing processes in operations roles.
• Balancing data-driven decision-making with the human element in operations.
• Motivating team members by understanding individual motivations and aligning them with business objectives.
• Advice for individuals new to operations on self-management and identifying operationally inclined team members.

Key Links:

Guest: Michelle Kim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejykim/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Mentioned in this episode:

Women in Revenue community: https://womeninrevenue.org/

The amazing Sydney Sloan (future WIB2BM guest!): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydsloan/

Dimitri Tamparopoulos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitri-tamparopoulos/

[Book Reco] How Women Rise: https://www.howwomenrise.com/

Michelle's Podcast Recommendations:

The Revenue Engine: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-revenue-engine/id1554168319

UnapologeTECH: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetech/id1526386752

Permission to Speak: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-speak/id1491356006

Dear Asian Americans: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-asian-americans/id1500293933

Speak as a Leader: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-as-a-leader/id1647699850

Asian Hustle Network: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asian-hustle-network/id1520338573

The Tao of Self-Confidence: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tao-of-self-confidence/id1035011998

You Are The Brand: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-are-the-brand/id828811790

**Note from Jane** This week, it felt wrong to publish a typical marketing-focused episode, with a big election on many of our minds. So somehow, last minute, we gathered this amazing group of women leaders to talk about how they're handling this emotional time with their teams. I hope our conversation provides guidance, camaraderie, and a little hope during tumultuous times. - Jane

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In this special roundtable episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra leads a discussion with 5 fellow women leaders in GTM on navigating the workplace during the emotionally charged 2024 U.S. Presidential election. The panel includes Anne Pao, Michelle Kim, Sarah Reese, Meg Thomman, and Purna Virji, who share insights on fostering a supportive work environment. They emphasize empathy, open communication, and mental health awareness, drawing from personal experiences, particularly from the 2016 election. The conversation also touches on handling political discussions professionally, advocating for respect and understanding.

Together, this group discusses:

• The impact of the 2024 election on workplace dynamics.
• Emotional toll of significant events like elections on employees.
• Importance of empathy and vulnerability in leadership.
• Strategies for creating a supportive work environment during stressful times.
• Normalizing conversations about mental health in the workplace.
• Navigating political discussions and differing beliefs in a professional setting.
• Balancing personal and professional identities regarding political views.
• Encouraging open communication and validation of feelings among team members.
• Practical strategies for supporting employees during election day, such as flexible schedules.
• Fostering a culture of respect and understanding in diverse workplaces.

Key Links:

Guests:

Anne Pao - Founder & CEO of Ignite Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annepao/

Michelle Kim - Entrepreneur, 3x VP Marketing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejeankim/

Sarah Reece - Director of Demand Gen @ Orum - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbethreece/

Purna Virji - Principle Consultant, Content Solutions @ Linkedin

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/purnavirji/

Meg Thomann - Communications Director @ Wedgewood Pharmacy

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-thomann/

Host:

Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Book Recommendation:

• Difficult Conversations - https://www.amazon.com/Difficult-Conversations-Discuss-What-Matters/dp/0143118447

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra engages with Marion Siboni, founder and CEO of "La Creme de la STEM." With over a decade in tech, Marion shares her inspiring journey from employee to entrepreneur. The discussion highlights her initiative to support early-stage female founders in tech and science, addressing challenges like funding and community support. Marion emphasizes the importance of building a supportive network and gathering customer feedback.

Marion and Jane talk through:

• Marion's journey into the tech industry and her transition from employee to entrepreneur.
• The founding and mission of "La Creme de la STEM" to support early-stage female founders in tech and science.
• Challenges faced by women in the tech industry, particularly regarding funding and community support.
• The significance of building a supportive network for female entrepreneurs.
• The importance of customer feedback in refining business models and achieving product-market fit.
• Strategies for setting clear milestones and goals in entrepreneurship.
• Navigating the realities and challenges of entrepreneurship, including funding misconceptions.
• Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including research and financial mindfulness.
• The role of angel investing and understanding the investment landscape.
• The value of building genuine relationships beyond professional interests in business.

Key Links:

Guest: Marion Siboni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionsiboni/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

La Creme de la STEM: https://www.lacremedelastem.com/

Newsletter: https://lacremedelastem.substack.com/

Elephants, not Unicorns: https://prc.beehiiv.com/p/elephantsnotunicorns

Do Good While Doing Well: https://www.amazon.com/Good-While-Doing-Well-Financial/dp/B0CZY368YY/

** Originally published on December 21, 2022 **

This episode is a classic from when Women in B2B Marketing first launched - and how I met one of my good friends, Trinity Nguyen. The content and advice she shares is still super timely and applicable - and I'm hopeful we'll record a followup episode soon. Would you like that? What should we cover? DM me, comment, or write a review to share feedback. I appreciate you! - Jane

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In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra sits down with Trinity Nguyen, CMO at UserGems. Trinity shares her journey into marketing, emphasizing the importance of sales and marketing alignment, multi-threading in sales strategies, and adapting to economic changes. They discuss the evolving role of CFOs in buying processes, the shift towards customer retention, and the challenges of measuring marketing effectiveness. The episode offers valuable insights for marketing professionals on strategic alignment, community engagement, and navigating the current economic landscape.

Trinity walks us through:

• The importance of multi-threading in sales strategies for closing deals.
• Alignment between sales and marketing teams for effective collaboration.
• The significance of a clear Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) for both teams.
• Challenges in coordinating outreach efforts between marketing and sales.
• Impact of the current economic climate on marketing strategies and customer profiles.
• Shift in focus towards customer retention and cost efficiency in marketing.
• The evolving role of CFOs in the buying process.
• Community-driven word-of-mouth marketing and its challenges in measurement.
• Personal growth, self-reflection, and self-advocacy in the marketing industry.
• The role of emotional intelligence and empathy in team management and personal development.

Key Links:

Guest: Trinity Nguyen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinitynguyen/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

UserGems: https://www.usergems.com/

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra speaks with Liza Adams, an AI advisor and fractional CMO with over 20 years of B2B marketing experience. Liza shares her inspiring journey from immigrating from the Philippines to becoming a key figure in the B2B Marketing space. She discusses her three passions: elevating marketing's strategic value, advocating for diverse voices, and using business for good. Liza emphasizes the importance of understanding customers, building defensible market positions, and leveraging AI to enhance marketing effectiveness. The episode offers valuable insights for marketing professionals seeking to navigate today's complex business environment.

Liza and Jane talk about:

• Liza Adams' journey from immigrant to B2B marketing leader.
• The significance of elevating the strategic value of marketing.
• Advocacy for diverse voices in marketing teams.
• Utilizing business as a force for good and ethical practices.
• The transformative role of AI in enhancing marketing effectiveness.
• Understanding market positioning and competitive dynamics.
• The evolving role of marketers from tactical operators to strategic leaders.
• How AI can help transform marketers from tacticians to strategists, enhancing effectiveness and innovation.
• Innovative applications of AI in marketing strategies.
• Balancing AI-driven efficiency with the human element in marketing.
• Liza's favorite AI tools
• The importance of ethics and trust in brand building, especially in the AI era.

Key Links:

Guest: Liza Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizaadams/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Discussed in Episode:

Disrupt or Be Disrupted: AI's Verdict on Your Product's Defensibility

Competitive Defensibility Analyzer GPT