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.