**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 Ann 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/