How to Find Purpose in Technology Leadership Career - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 8 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?"  Ferrentino enjoys not only doing something that has not been done, but more importantly driving people - teams, partners, consumers - toward that vision.  Ferrentino is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cloud computing at BMC Software.  Previously, he was Chief Technology Architect (CTA) at Salesforce.com.  Previous to Salesforce.com, Ferrentino worked in mobile and Internet startups and at Goldman Sachs.  He earned a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

How to Design a Corporate Social Network - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 10 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "So How Has Your Approach to Solving Problems You are Having Led You to Developing Social Tools for the Enterprise?"  Ferrentino, who concepted a corporate social network called Chatter, walks through the process that informed why and how Salesforce Chatter was built.  He compares and contrasts corporate social networks with consumer social networks and what he learned about applying Web 2.0 and social tools in an enterprise environment.  Ferrentino is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cloud computing at BMC Software.  Previously, he was Chief Technology Architect (CTA) at Salesforce.com.  Previous to Salesforce.com, Ferrentino worked in mobile and Internet startups and at Goldman Sachs.  He earned a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

How Experience Shapes Product Design Excellence - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 11 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "What Have Your Experiences Taught You About What Makes a Product Great?"  In addition to solving a problem, Ferrentino underscores the importance of consistently delivering great experiences via product design.  As a result, he notes the importance of having one person responsible for managing that experience choreography.  Ferrentino is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cloud computing at BMC Software.  Previously, he was Chief Technology Architect (CTA) at Salesforce.com.  Previous to Salesforce.com, Ferrentino worked in mobile and Internet startups and at Goldman Sachs.  He earned a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

Learning the Science of Sales at Salesforce - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 12 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "How Did Working at Salesforce Teach You to Be a Better Salesperson?"  Over an immersive 18-month rotational training program, Ferrentino learns sales the a culture built on founder and CEO Marc Benioff's mission in cloud computing enterprise software.  With a better understanding of enterprise sales strategy and solution selling, Ferrentino is better prepared to excel in his senior leadership role.  Ferrentino is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cloud computing at BMC Software.  Previously, he was Chief Technology Architect (CTA) at Salesforce.com.  Previous to Salesforce.com, Ferrentino worked in mobile and Internet startups and at Goldman Sachs.  He earned a BSEE in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

How Parent Sets Boundaries Working From Home - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 3 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "How Do You Shut Off Work and Turn on Dad or Vice Versa to Give the Best of What You Do Personally and Professionally?"  Pryor accepts the boundaries between working at home and being a parent blur; however, he makes it a point to not multi-task between the two.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

Long-Term Career Benefits of an Entry-Level Job - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 5 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job Out of College at Accenture That is Still Relevant?"  Pryor finds working at Accenture, named Andersen Consulting at the time, a great transition period from student mode to career mode.  Takeaways include long-term relationships learning from start group peers as well as time management skills he still uses today.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

What are the Benefits of Working at a Large Company - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 6 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Value Do You Get Working at a Big Company That You Do Not Get Working at a Small Company or Startup?"  Pryor shares his experience starting his career at Accenture and, after several years working at small companies, now working at IBM.  At large companies, Pryor gets world-class, business-tested ways of doing things.  He finds this is useful and something to compare against working at a startup straight out of college.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

How Startups Can Better Prepare for Acquisition or Exit - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 7 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Was Most Educational Going Through An Acquisition Process as a Startup Executive?"  Pryor learns to understand how to assess what and what not an acquiring company cares about.  Pryor also shares specifics around what the diligence process taught him about what young startup companies can do to better prepare for an exit.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

How to Use Startup Skills in a Corporate Job - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 9 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Skills Did You Learn Working at a Startup That Have Been Most Useful at IBM?"  Pryor, who came to IBM via an acquisition, finds his colleagues appreciate resourcefulness and an outsider perspective.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

How Product Manager Startup and Corporate Jobs Compare - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 10 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "How Does a Startup Product Management Job Differ From a Large Corporate One?"  Pryor notes how startup product managers have a blank slate and significant autonomy, whereas large company product managers must work withing much more complex and numerous role definitions.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

How to Plan a Product Launch - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 11 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "How is Launching a Product at IBM Different Than Doing So at a Startup?"  Pryor shares how magnitude affects several dimensions of a global corporate product launch, including analyst relations, sales training, and customer feedback processes.  Pryor details the systems and structural benefits of the IBM 100-year history launching products.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

How Product Manager Learns Leadership Skills - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 12 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?"  Pryor notes it is not only being about a thought leader or focal point of contact for product details but also an effective communicator and collaborator across business groups.  He notes the importance of preparation and being respectful across those teams.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

What Makes a Good Manager - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 13 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, international product manager Ramsey Pryor answers "What Makes a Good Manager?"  Pryor, who came to IBM via an acquisition, is exposed to high-caliber management skills working in the multinational IBM environment.  Pryor compares this to startup shortcomings around not technology or passion but management skills.  Pryor learns from IBM managers who excel at people management for the long-term and who prioritize and promote these skills within the organization.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University.

How to Lead More Effective Conference Calls - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 14 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Have You Learned About Leading More Effective Conference Calls?"  Pryor, an IBM product manager, notes the difference between conference calls at startups and at large corporations.  He learns conference call etiquette organizing large calls with up to 100-person audiences, respecting very strict schedules and maintaining accountability via a communications audit trail to formally document what is being accomplished.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

Developing Public Speaking Skills Working at IBM - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 15 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "How are You Developing Your Public Speaking Skills as You Gain Experience?"  Pryor notes how even internal communications in his IBM role requires speaking in front of 100s of colleagues.  Coming into IBM from a small company Pryor constantly gets opportunities to speak to large groups of people both internally and at conferences.  He notes specific ways that have helped him improve public speaking over time.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

Career Benefits of Graduate School Research Training - Andrew Hutson

In Chapter 4 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Andrew Hutson answers "How Has Your Graduate School Education Helped You Become a More Disciplined Thinker?"  Hutson, an environmental advocate working in the private sector, notes how his PhD research training is useful in his career advising clients and solving industry problems.  He notes how his graduate school and PhD training has given him problem solving methods - structured thinking skills - that have made him a more effective professional.  Hutson is a senior project manager at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where he advises corporate partners such as Wal-Mart on sustainable supply chain initiatives.  Hutson holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MEM from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment.  He earned his BA from Michigan State University. 

How to Develop Practical Problem Solving Skills - Andrew Hutson

In Chapter 6 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Andrew Hutson answers "How Have Your Problem Solving Skills Developed Since Joining EDF?"  Hutson notes how he has become more practical working at EDF, or the Environmental Defense Fund, as an advisor to corporate clients.  He notes the results-driven nature of EDF generates a gratifying feeling of accountability and ownership associated with managing a project from start to finish.  Hutson is a senior project manager at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where he advises corporate partners such as Wal-Mart on sustainable supply chain initiatives.  Hutson holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MEM from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment.  He earned his BA from Michigan State University. 

Media Training Pros and Cons - Andrew Hutson

In Chapter 7 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Andrew Hutson answers "How Has Media Training Helped You Be a More Effective Communicator?"  Hutson notes the challenge that come with formally learning how to communicate in high profile publicity or public relations settings.  He notes integrity challenges inherent in media training as well as the communication benefits it provides.  Hutson is a senior project manager at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where he advises corporate partners such as Wal-Mart on sustainable supply chain initiatives.  Hutson holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MEM from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment.  He earned his BA from Michigan State University.