Global Tech Leaders' Podcast

Women in Tech Series: Kirsten Hurley Managing Director at Thoughtbot shares the importance of diversifying your talent pool.

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Welcome to the Women in Tech Series from the Global Tech Leaders Podcast. Today we are speaking to Kirsten Hurley Managing Director at Thoughtbot, helping make product teams a success. She has a background in professional services and business development.

We kick off by asking Kirsten to share her career journey and what has led her to where she is today.

  • Steered into journalism.
  • Always been interested in psychology and communication.
  • Student debt.
  • Technology evolving.
  • Computer literacy.

    • We ask Kirsten what makes her successful in sales.

    • Empathy.
    • Love understanding what makes people tick.
    • Genuinely interested.
    • Consideration and benefit of the doubt.
    • Prompt you can coach people on.

      • Then we ask Kirsten what advice would she give young women wanting to get into technology sales.

      • What company does something that you think is sexy and innovative?
      • Exceeding targets.
      • You doing well, so stay there.
      • Weaknesses in your skillset.
      • Unconscience bias.
      • Valued for contribution.
      • Make an impact even in the background.
      • Living the values.

        • Next, we ask Kirsten to share what Thoughtbot is and why are things exciting over there.

        • 20-year anniversary next year.
        • They build web and mobile applications.
        • Team of designers and developers.
        • Opensoucre technology.
        • Just over 100 people globally.
        • From the US to London.
        • Remote working company.
        • Diversify their talent pool.
        • Build better products.

          • Then we ask Kirsten what a diverse team has brought to the business.

          • Translations.
          • Fixed addresses.
          • No landlines and more mobile phones.
          • Geographically diverse.

            • Next, we ask Kirsten more about her role and how many people she takes care of.

            • 25 people
            • Directors and Product Manager.
            • 5 designers and others are developers.
            • She is responsible for sales.
            • Always has a team member in those sales meetings.
            • The marketing team works closely with her.
            • A lot of inbound communities.

              • We ask Kirsten how one gets into leadership.

              • Coaching realm.
              • Skillsets to be nurturing.
              • Learn from advice.

                • Then we ask Kirsten, does she have a tool that is key to keeping her organised.

                • A pen and paper lady.
                • Prioritising a to-do list.
                  • ...more
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                  Global Tech Leaders' PodcastBy Ross Lauder & John Quigley
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