Showcasing Brilliance of Showcasing Brilliance of
TThe business world is constantly changing; business leaders are adapting to new challenges and opportunities. They are flexible and open to new ideas and are willing to pivot their strategy when necessary. In the dynamic business arena, an inspiring CEO is true to themselves and their values. They are honest and transparent with their team and are able to build trust through their authenticity. A CEO who is empathetic and understands the needs of their team can create a positive and supportive work environment.
A successful business leader is often the driving force behind a company's growth and success. A CEO possesses various traits that create a difference from the rest and can motivate and inspire their team to reach new heights. An inspiring CEO has a clear and compelling vision for their company's future. They are able to articulate this vision in a way that motivates their team and creates a sense of purpose.
A leader who is passionate about their work can inspire others to share that passion. They are enthusiastic about their company's mission and are willing to go above and beyond to achieve their goals. An excellent CEO is able to make tough decisions quickly and confidently. They weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a choice based on what is best for the company.
They listen to their employees and are able to address their concerns in a thoughtful and compassionate way. Building a successful company is not without its challenges, and an inspiring CEO is able to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. They are tenacious and persistent in the face of adversity. A CEO possesses a combination of vision, passion, decisiveness, adaptability, authenticity, empathy, and resilience. These traits enable them to lead their team to success and create a positive impact on the world.
Spotlighting these charismas and their odyssey of excellence, the latest edition of Insights Success, “ The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023 ,” features the CEOs who are making a positive difference in their respective industries in 2023.
These CEOs are not only successful in their businesses but also lead with purpose and have a significant impact on their communities and the world. Flip through the pages and indulge in this saga of brilliance.
Have a delightful read!
Abhishek Joshi
Featured Person
Adeshina Adewumi CEO
Bailey Jordan CEO
Bruce Magown
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Christopher Carter
Founder and CEO
Dupe Olusola
Managing Director and CEO
Nicolae Buldumac
Founder and CEO
Paige Arnof-Fenn
Founder and CEO
Sian Morgan CEO
Thierry M. CEO
Veronica Crisafulli CEO
Trade Lenda tradelenda.com
The Jordan Group Jordancollective.com
Integration Technologies interweave.biz
Adeshina Adewumi is a social entrepreneur, MB100 2021 Entrepreneur committed to using technology to support small retail businesses as regards Access to market and Finance across emerging markets.
Bailey is a results-driven entrepreneur with a passion for helping business leaders develop, launch and manage successful companies, products and services.
Bruce Magown is the Founder, Chairman and CEO at the InterWeave and is supported by a passionate team that is empowering businesses of all kinds with CRM integrated solutions.
Approyo approyo.com
Transcorp Hotels PLC transcorphotelsplc.com
Global Database globaldatabase.com
Mavens and Moguls mavensandmoguls.com
Hafan Cymru hafancymru.co.uk
Paytweak Paytweak.com
MO Technologies motecnologias.com
With almost 30 years of experience in the SAP industry, Christopher M. Carter founded Approyo to provide full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting and managing services, upgrades, and migration of its clients, running any AP-supported core functionality.
Dupe Olusola serves as the Managing Director/CEO Transcorp Hotels Plc., Africa's leading hospitality brand; and owners of the award winning Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja & Transcorp Hotels Calabar.
Royal Holloway graduate, Nicolae has learned well to express himself in an easy-to-follow way for professionals and beginners alike
Paige is a creative, strategic thinker who exudes energy and enthusiasm and she continues to identify and address strategic marketing opportunities.
An accomplished CEO with a track record of success in business development and Project Management whilst working for a variety of Government Bodies and private sector organisations.
Thierry M. enables customer experience by providing highly innovative payment services through Social networks, instant messaging applications, ultra-secured E-mails and texts.
Veronica considers herself a creative mind with a clear focus on innovation in the digital space and financial inclusion.
Christopher Carter Founder and CEO Approyo
Sheer Excellence
Approyo has a firm mission to support any company running SAP software and to support them with the best skilled and most supportive staff members around the planet.
Transformation is imperative for most companies
today. In a fast-paced environment marked by digitization, organizations face threats that emerge faster and from a broader range of competitors than ever before. In this environment, some businesses must transform their organizations to stay competitive, while others are experiencing a decline in performance and require drastic measures to turn things around.
As a result, CEOs cannot concentrate solely on short-term operational improvements. They must also present a strategy for new growth—the transformation's success chapter. This entails challenging the firm's business model's foundations, developing a new vision for growth (via new products, services, and value propositions), and a pure commitment to innovation.
There are additional traits and abilities that come with confidence. When CEOs are confident in themselves, they also have confidence in the company they are in charge of, its employees, and the work everyone completes to bring even more success to the organization.
Some of the best CEOs are genuinely enthusiastic about their work and the company they lead. This is usually because they believe in the mission statement and values of the company and want others to do the same. Employees notice these qualities in their leaders and are inspired to emulate them in their work.
CEOs keep their promises, finish their work, communicate effectively, share company news on time, and make time and resources available to employees. When a CEO is dependable, employees can have faith in the organization's potential.
Striving towards the horizons of success with all these attributes that exhibit exceptional leadership and sheer brilliance is Christopher Carter , CEO of Approyo .
With almost 30 years of experience in the SAP industry, Christopher Carter founded Approyo to provide full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting and managing services, upgrades, and migrating its clients, running any AP-supported core functionality.
Under Christopher's adept leadership, Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting and managed services, upgrades, and migrations for its customers, running any SAP-supported core functionality.
With over a thousand SAP environments under management around the globe, the organization supports businesses from production landscapes to migrations onto SAP S/4 HANA.
In this exclusive interview with Insights Success, Christopher shares valuable facts highlighting his professional tenure, journey, and the significance of Approyo as a global leader in the dynamic business arena.
Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position at Approyo. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
My journey has been a long and winding trail of success and failure of highs and lows of growth and stagnation. It's one thing that makes me proud of my current status in this journey, as every executive will learn, and every executive knows no path is a straight line.
As such, I started out as a young man in Wisconsin, having grown up in the home of a parent who was on the social welfare system. We lived in and out of different homes with different friends and coaches throughout my youth. As we finally settled down for my high school years, I gravitated toward business and athletics.
People work for me and with me, but I also treat them as if some family members would be treated like bringing them inside the fence. the planet.
One of the things that caught my eye early in 1984 was computers. I literally bought the first Commodores Vic 20. It was the first time I ever coded on a computer. It was a cool experience. I had seagulls flying across my screen, and I was soon creating my own video games and code.
Some of the trials and tribulations as I went through college learning about a new SAP creativity called R3 were surreal. There were highs and lows growths and stunts, but at the end of the day, it's not how many times you get knocked down. It's how many times you get up and keep moving forward. Can you take a punch? Can you take a hit and keep moving forward?
As Sylvester Stallone quoted in the great movie rocky, I was fortunate in my early years to be able to run with some SAP folks who have taken to executive positions; having good friends in the ecosystem is always exciting and beneficial. We can share ideas, thoughts and concepts with each other.
Even when I was highly leveraged in one of my companies, with one of our clients taking up 70% of all billable activities, and when that came crashing down, I learned very quickly the next direction not to put all my eggs in one basket.
I also learned very quickly to trust other executives and team members. Why did I learn this? Because some offshore team members out into the world of SAP do it for no other reason than to hide and be disruptive to the ecosystem.
One thing that I continue to learn today is that you have to be very careful about whom you hire, especially when it comes to consultants in overseas capacities; too many times, they are working for two 3-4 different companies at the same time, and it just is a disruption on you your company and your remaining staff.
Tell us something more about your company and its mission and vision.
Approyo has a firm mission to support any company running SAP software and to support them with the best skilled and most supportive staff members around the planet.
We provide full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting and managing services upgrades and migrations for our customers running any SAP-supported core functionality. Our true mission is to ensure that the customer can sleep soundly at night and not be interrupted by any sort of outage or support issue; we put your mind to ease.
Enlighten us on the impact of your work through your expertise in the market.
I feel that you can see the impact of our work in the market almost every day. We are still known as one of the first partner companies to launch an SAP production environment in an encapsulated VM or cloud environment. When we launched that at sapphire, phones were ringing, text messages were going off questions were being asked how is this possible? This is not approved yet; who's doing this, and why are they doing this? Finally, it came down to someone finding me, Christopher Carter, immediately!
Our expertise starts in the SAP landscape and that clouded environment that companies use to run the environment. With we believe in taking full control and working hand in hand with our partners and our customers on a day-in and day-out basis, so our expertise in the marketplace shines through with every customer that we work with and every partner that we engage with.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.
The values we bring to the table internally as an organization start at the top. I know many companies like to write a mission or value statement, and then it's just a piece of paper not for me.
The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023I know what it's like to be that consultant on the road. I know what it's like to be the executive behind the desk worried about their systems being secured or unsecured and being attacked being vulnerable.
I know what it's like to have those tough conversations through HR. I know what it's like to have tough conversations with my staff members, so the work culture that I've tried to cultivate is semi-family. At the end of the day, I get it.
People work for me and with me, but I also treat them as if some family members would be treated like bringing them inside the fence. I may be a little bit more open with staff members than maybe most companies would be, but I also feel that by being a part of a team and being part of a family and working together hand in hand with my staff.
A quick story of one of my staff members who has been with us for several years now was a very green SAP consultant out of college. He was very motivated, wanted to learn, and took the extra initiative.
I've tried to give him every opportunity to be what he wants to be, no matter if it's with the cloud side of the business, the basis side of the business, or wherever that leads him year after year after year. He has grown, and he has taken new courses.
He has learned new SAP tools, and he has grown in our company every year. He has been promoted within the organization, and I value him as a person as well as a staff member by his example. I hope I've led that way as an example to everyone in the company.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you leveraging technological advancements to make your solutions resourceful?
Technology plays an incredibly significant role in our company, from our cloud-based solutions with SAP to our tools , specifically around our Overwatch tool, cloud-based management security, and AI-based tool set.
As a managed service provider in the SAP ecosystem, we understand how important IT total landscape infrastructure is. We also understand how important your data is to the daily success of your business. There are many parts of your landscape that make management and monitoring a complex task. Still, with Overwatch, we can quickly gain a
complete view of that IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud containers, and applications.
We help companies avoid issues before they even occur and provide the 24 by 7—365 effective monitoring of the data and systems no matter how complex your landscape is. So as such, owning and building from scratch, this tool set gives us an advantage in helping our customers to be successful and helping you sleep easily at night.
What change would you like to bring to the IT industry if given a chance?
What would I change? Well, I would love to have every company running SAP software working with us so they can see how we put their minds at ease and how we, as an organization, are there for them to help us all become better SAP-run customers. What else would I change? I want to change the ability for more encryption from a data perspective.
Homomorphic encryption and AI-based tools are going to be a future for everyone. We just started using those tools two years ago, and they're seeing dramatic success results with data monitoring support and proactive activities that help customers not only in the SAP ecosystem but across their entire landscape around the globe.
We are at the forefront of an empidid where Approyo will lead By example and by success from our customers around the globe, and that's the great thing about this organization. We have customers in Europe, Asia, the United States, and Latin America. We support them in so many different manners, core SAP ECC. We even have an R3 environment that we manage and run for an organization. Our team is built around technology and how that technology can be utilized for everyone.
What, according to you, could be the next significant change in the IT sector? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?
As I mentioned above, I firmly believe that homomorphic encryption and AI-based tools are the future of IT. As I stated also above, we've already started using those tools in situations to monitor and maintain landscapes across the globe.
When our tool is enacted and supported across an entire landscape, the ticket reduction and the ability to see into the future is greatly increased. I firmly believe that these tools are going to revolutionize how a company is managed and supported.
I no longer need 20 people to staff, manage and run a landscape. I can install Overwatch in a very small way and manage an entire landscape with a quarter of the people. I can now have you or us take the remaining staff members and use them for projects use them for new activities to grow your organizational structure and to keep you better sleeping at night with ease.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for Approyo?
I so enjoy running this company. I love my staff, and to see them talk with them on a day-to-day basis, I so enjoy going to see our clients face to face as often as I can. That being said, I also love my family, and as they get older, I want to
be able to interact with them a little bit more 16 and 18hour days for 30 years is getting a little old, but I am not slowing down anytime soon.
I so want to help this ecosystem and the companies within the SAP ecosystem to be successful. The upgrade cycle that we are in is the strongest and most vulnerable upgrade cycle I've ever been a part of since the 1990s when we started the R3 upgrade cycle.
Imagine that 1/2 a million customers need to upgrade to the new S4, and because of that, I am motivated every day to help them to succeed because mind you, it is a strong, tough upgrade with all the modifications and changes companies make day in, and day out on their system it is not easy.
But I sure do love having conversations and helping organizations take that step. As I like to say, "Let's all rise together," and let's be successful for your landscape.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the IT sector?
Do it…do it…do it…do it…there is nothing greater in my life other than my daughters and family than having started multiple companies and have grown them and nurturing them and going in knowing that when I get up at 5:00 o'clock in the morning, I may be the first one up. Still, I'm preparing the company for success; it's on me. It's on my shoulders.
I'm the one that wants to help customers to succeed. Then the second part of that is nurture, nurture other staff members bring in smarter people who know what you do not know to bring in staff members that will help let them be the Ying to your Yang.
Watch your productivity grow as well as theirs, and then help with the new generation behind you. Just because you're a young entrepreneur does not mean there's not a younger entrepreneur behind you. Remember, as you're growing and going up the ladder of success, reach your hand back and help the next young entrepreneur come up the ladder of success.
Offering organized and comprehensive datasets on
companies globally, which enables users to explore business opportunities worldwide easily, Nicolae Buldumac launched Global Database
As the Founder and CEO , Nicolae utilized his decade's experience to elevate the company to newer heights. Under Buldumac's leadership, Global Database has become one of the leading providers of business intelligence and company data, serving clients in over 195 countries.
The company's platform offers a wide range of data points, including financial information, contact details, company structure, and more, making it an invaluable tool for businesses looking to expand their operations or conduct due diligence.
We caught up with Nicolae and talked about his journey and where it headed next.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position at Global Database. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
As the CEO and Founder of Global Database, I have been on a challenging and rewarding journey over the past eight years. Before founding Global Database, I worked with some of the world's most recognizable companies, such as Amazon and Fitch Ratings. These roles allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge in various areas, including market research, business intelligence, and customer engagement.
My passion for data and technology motivated me to take a leap of faith and create a business that could help other companies leverage these assets to drive growth and minimize risks.
One of the most significant challenges was to build a team that shared my vision and could execute it effectively. Finding the right people took a lot of time and effort, but eventually, we created a talented and dedicated team.
Another challenge was gaining our customers' trust and convincing them that our solutions could deliver real value. We had to prove that our data was the most up-to-date, genuine, and trustworthy. We had to show how our technology could help them identify high-probability prospects, verify, engage, and monitor new prospects while keeping tabs on existing business partners effectively. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance, but we brought proof-of-value solutions to hundreds of companies, including the London Stock Exchange, Amazon AWS, WeWork, and SAP.
Tell us more about your company's mission and vision.
At Global Database, our mission is to provide structured company datasets that enable businesses to explore opportunities globally, verify and approve financially stable and regulatory-compliant companies with high lead scores, contact the right people at the right time, and grow their business exponentially through data-driven decisions. Our vision is to become the go-to global company intelligence hub that clients fully trust. This way, each stakeholder can rely on our business intelligence engine to make informed business decisions and explore word-grade partnerships or growth opportunities. We are committed to accuracy, clarity, commitment, continuity, and trust value
Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation drives the values and work culture at Global Database. Nicolae Buldumac Founder and CEO Global Database
margins by constantly updating and validating company information, compiling profiles from reliable sources, providing dedicated support and guidance, recording updates, and using trustworthy sources.
Enlighten us on the impact of your work through your expertise in the market.
At Global Database, our expertise in the market has had a significant impact on businesses globally. Our data and technology solutions have helped companies of all sizes to identify potential prospects, verify them, and engage in data-driven decision-making. Doing so has enabled our clients to drive growth and minimize risks, translating into increased revenue and profitability.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.
Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation drives the values and work culture at Global Database. We strive to provide our clients with the highest-quality data and technology solutions while ensuring complete transparency and accountability in all our business dealings. Our work culture is collaborative, empowering, and focused on continuous learning and growth.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you leveraging technological advancements to make your solutions resourceful?
We leverage technological advancements such as machine learning and automation to make our solutions more resourceful and efficient. By doing so, we can provide our clients with real-time data insights, automated workflows, and streamlined processes, enabling them to make datadriven decisions easily. However, we aren't relying solely on AI to source or organize data due to this paradigm's "black-box" paradox. Delivering accurate company insights and firmographics requires a human-machine duo to ensure transparency for our data-focused operations and be aware when something doesn't quite fit.
What change would you like to bring to the IT industry if given a chance?
I'd want to bring a stronger focus on transparency, data-centricity, and effective operations to the IT industry. Transparency is critical in building trust with customers and partners and should be a fundamental value for any company operating in this space.
Additionally, data-centricity is essential to creating solutions that meet customers' needs in a rapidly changing business landscape.
What, according to you, could be the next significant change in the IT sector? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?
I believe digital twins will be the following significant change in the IT sector. For those unfamiliar with the term, a digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system, or process that allows for analysis and optimization in a simulated environment.
In the business world, digital twins can help companies improve their operations by predicting and preventing problems, testing scenarios, and identifying opportunities for optimization. At Global Database, we're preparing to participate in this change by continuing to invest in our data and technology solutions. We aim to provide an exact replica of companies worldwide to deliver the best growth chance to each stakeholder.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for Global Database?
As the CEO and Founder of Global Database, my long-term vision is to continue the journey of a market leader in business intelligence and data-driven solutions. I envision Global Database expanding its reach globally, serving more businesses across various industries and sectors. The company already provides innovative and disruptive solutions leveraging technology to drive growth and minimize business risks. I'd continue building a culture of innovation, transparency, and data-centricity within the organization to keep up with the ever-changing business landscape.
The future goals for Global Database are to become the goto platform for businesses globally to access accurate and up-to-date company data. We aim to keep investing in technology and automation to streamline our processes and provide customers with faster, more reliable service edges. We will continue to expand our data coverage to more regions and industries to offer our customers a comprehensive business intelligence engine while maintaining our commitment to transparency and datacentricity by continuously improving the quality and accuracy of our data to help businesses confidently make data-driven decisions.
What would you advise budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the IT sector?
My advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the IT sector would be to focus on creating value for your clients. Develop solutions that solve real-world problems and provide genuine benefits to your clients. Additionally, stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and be willing to adapt and evolve your solutions accordingly. Finally, maintain a strong work ethic and remain committed to your goals, despite challenges and setbacks.
Disruptive innovation is a concept that has been
around for decades, but it is only recently that it has become a buzzword in the business world. Disruptive innovation refers to the process by which a new product or service enters the market and disrupts the existing market, ultimately displacing established products and services.
While disruptive innovation is often associated with startups and new entrants to the market, established companies can also drive disruptive innovation. However, driving disruptive innovation requires a company to take risks, invest in new technologies, and be willing to disrupt its own business model.
This is where the CEO plays a crucial role. The CEO is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company and making sure that the company is wellpositioned to compete in the market. In order to drive disruptive innovation, the CEO needs to have a clear understanding of the market, the company's strengths and weaknesses, and the potential for disruption.
These leaders possess various traits that enable them to lead their company towards a compelling vision for the future. They are strategic thinkers, creative and innovative, passionate and committed, and able to inspire and motivate their team towards success.
The CEO must also be willing to take risks and invest in new technologies. This can be a difficult decision, as investing in new technologies can be costly, and there is always the risk of failure. However, without taking risks, a company cannot innovate and disrupt the market.
In addition to taking risks, the CEO must also be willing to disrupt the company's own business model. This can be challenging, as established companies often have a strong sense of identity and may be resistant to change. However, in order to drive disruptive innovation, the CEO must be willing to challenge the status quo and be open to new ideas.
Strong communication skills: CEOs are able to articulate their vision for the company in a clear and compelling way. They are also skilled at communicating their vision to their team, stakeholders, and customers. These leaders are able to navigate challenges and setbacks with resilience and adaptability.
They are able to learn from their failures and make adjustments to their strategy as needed. Strategic thinking: Visionary CEOs are strategic thinkers who are able to see the big picture and understand how different parts of the company fit together. They are able to anticipate trends and changes in the market and adapt their strategy accordingly.
Creativity and innovation : Business leaders, especially CEOs, are often creative and innovative thinkers who are able to come up with new ideas and approaches. They are not afraid to take risks and are willing to experiment with new products, services, and business models.
Passion and commitment: They are passionate about their vision for the company and are deeply committed to its success. They are willing to put in hard work and make sacrifices to achieve their goals.
Ability to inspire and motivate : Visionary CEOs are able to inspire and motivate their team to achieve their vision for the company. They are able to create a sense of purpose and meaning for their employees, which leads to higher levels of engagement and productivity.
Customer-focused : Visionary CEOs are often customerfocused and are able to anticipate and meet the needs of their customers. They are able to create products and services that are not only innovative but also meet the needs of their customers in a meaningful way.
One example of a CEO who successfully drove disruptive innovation is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Bezos recognized the potential of e-commerce early on and invested heavily in the technology and infrastructure needed to build an online retail giant. He was willing to take risks and disrupt Amazon's own business model, such as when he introduced Amazon Web Services, which initially cannibalized the company's own retail business. However, this decision ultimately paid off, as AWS has become a major revenue stream for Amazon.
In conclusion, disruptive innovation can be a powerful force in the business world, but it requires a CEO who is willing to take risks, invest in new technologies, and disrupt the company's own business model. By doing so, the CEO can position the company for long-term success and ensure that it remains competitive in a rapidly changing market.
In today's data-driven world, we all have information, statistics, and reports at our fingertips 24/7. However, accessing this information is only part of the challenge we face; great marketing leaders cut through the noise to find the signal, digesting data quickly and smartly to identify the right metrics by which to measure their success.
Marketing doesn't operate in a silo; it's part of a crossfunctional business strategy. Successful leaders realize that marketing is part of a relay race; their job is to get a winning lead before handing off the baton to sales, who can convert that lead into an opportunity.
This is where Paige Arnof-Fenn , Founder & CEO of Mavens & Moguls, excels in the niche as a strong leader with extraordinary strategies, resulting in vast business growth.
Moreover, under her steady leadership, Mavens & Moguls envisions a future where all organizations, regardless of size or budget, have access to the best marketing talent on an outsourced basis to help them find their audience with the right words and pictures to tell their stories in compelling ways.
In an interview with Insights Success, Paige shares valuable facts highlighting her professional tenure and the significance of Mavens & Moguls in the niche.
Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position at Mavens & Moguls.
What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
My dad and both grandfathers were commercial bankers in the South. I was always good with math and numbers, like my dad, an Economics major in college. I started my career in NYC on Wall Street in the 80s, thinking I would follow the 3 of them in finance, albeit a more intense path.
I was good at the job, and it paid very well, but I did not really enjoy it at all, so I decided to return to grad school to get an MBA to figure out a better fit. There were really only 3 parts of my investment banking job I truly enjoyed -upon completing a deal, transaction, merger or sale, I was responsible for planning the closing dinner, advertising it in the financial trade publications, and buying a gift for the team to commemorate and celebrate its completion.
My friend pointed out to me that the parts of the job I most enjoyed were not, in fact, finance in nature at all. They were all under the marketing function—event planning, advertising and promotions.
I also got the top grade in my first year required marketing course for my MBA and a great summer internship that led to a full-time offer in marketing post-graduation. My friend was right and very perceptive; I was not meant to be a banker after all but a marketer!
I worked at a series of more mainstream corporate jobs for 1-3.5 years at places like Procter & Gamble and Coke; then I ran marketing at 3 successful venture-backed startups that all had strong exits after 1-2 years each, so if you had told
me my longest job would be at a company I started I would have said that's crazy yet here I am running a global branding and digital marketing firm that I started 20+ years ago right after 9/11 when the startup I ran marketing for cut their budget, so I hung out a shingle and the rest, as they say, is history. I guess that makes me an accidental entrepreneur.
Tell us something more about your company and its mission and vision.
How we deliver on our vision has changed, but I think we are more relevant today than when we started 2+ decades ago; great stories never go out of style. I want to bring world-class marketing talent and expertise to organizations that want to make a difference in the world.
Your core values and mission statement are intangible assets that are your roadmap to success. They must evolve as you grow and are reflected in your branding because people choose to do business with companies that align with their values, so this information needs to be visible to them. Your mission also gives your team a clear objective, which helps them to make decisions that align with the company's purpose.
Enlighten us on the impact of your work through your expertise in the market.
Since starting my business, I have joined boards and volunteered at several organizations. I am a mentor to the next generation of leaders and have helped build a very successful anti-bullying program that >150,000 middle school aged kids have gone through. As a marketing consultant, I am able to write articles, contribute to books and speak at events to share my experience and lessons learned.
Volunteering is a great way to give back and get to know like-minded people who care about causes you believe in. I am on the boards of several nonprofits; volunteering is the ultimate way to do well by doing good. In my experience the more you give, the more you get.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.
It is important to me to stay true to my core beliefs. Loyalty is one of my core values—a commitment to myself and to others whom I respect. It's important to me to gauge how many colleagues and customers come back and refer us to those who trust them. Being true to the mission of the organization and delivering superior experiences matter to me a lot too.
Having the confidence to walk away from a client or colleague who's diluting the equity in your brand is tough, but it's necessary sometimes. You must always be authentic to the essence of your brand and surround yourself with people who reinforce your brand and its values--not tarnish it.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you leveraging technological advancements to make your solutions resourceful?
Technology is essential for my business today; it has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic. Pivoting to online meetings, webinars, etc., has been a smart and productive way that companies can continue to have conversations that educate and inform, build relationships and move forward during this crisis period.
Social media is also a great way to build your brand, increase your visibility more broadly, raise your profile and attract more clients/customers.
It is important to me to stay true to my core beliefs. Loyalty is one of my core values—a commitment to myself and to others whom I respect.
With Zoom, social media, cell phones, etc. we see that technology does not have to be isolating; it can be used to build our real-world communities and relationships too!
What, according to you, could be the next significant change in the IT sector? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?
I think AI and ChatGPT are already having major impact/making waves for entrepreneurs and SMBs, especially when your task is low stakes, with high fluency (i.e. writing copy); conversational AI is likely a good fit for the task. The possibilities for entrepreneurs are everywhere to save time, increase productivity and replace jobs.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for Mavens and Moguls?
I have no idea where my business will go post-pandemic. Still, I have built a great foundation with interesting clients and colleagues who value communication and want to use marketing best practices to make a difference in the world. It has been a circuitous route to get here, but as Steve Jobs said, only by looking backwards can you make real sense of connecting the dots in life.
I believe I am on the right path and am going to follow it and see where it goes. The lessons from the pandemic that will stay with me include my gratitude and appreciation for the simplicity of good food, nature, my inner circle, essential products/services and health.
In my experience, the sayings are true: your network is your net worth, and your health is your wealth. Everything else is a distraction, so stay focused on what matters most!
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs?
If I have learned anything in my career as an entrepreneur, here are the lessons that have really stuck with me:
Not getting what you want can lead you to magical outcomes, and you learn a lot more from failure than success in life.
When things work well, you never really know why, but when there are problems, mistakes or failures, you have a real learning opportunity to see which assumptions were incorrect, and that is the knowledge you will never forget again. The hard-fought lessons that come from age and experience are gold. Being in the trenches together is where I have met some of my best friends and colleagues though, those relationships are deep.
Looking back at what you once thought was a failure could make you realize it was, in fact, a blessing in disguise…
Whether you were laid off, overlooked for the job or did not get the full bonus you expected, as Winston Churchill said, failure is not fatal and being resilient is really what matters in life; you have to keep trying again. My definition of success changed once I left corporate life to become an entrepreneur.
I realized I did not need to run a Fortune 500 company to be happy; I love building a small business and growing it successfully. Entrepreneurship is scary, but you can't wait for the perfect time to act; you just have to course correct as you get more feedback along the way.
Learn to get comfortable making decisions without perfect information. Entrepreneurs never give up on their beliefs; dreams can become a reality when you pursue them with intention and courage. When you learn from every setback, you make better mistakes over time; in my experience, that is where you learn the most! You learn to do by doing. Course correct and pivot along the way; it makes for a fun path in life.
In today's rapidly changing business landscape, continuous learning and self-improvement have become essential for CEOs and business leaders. The pace of technological change, global competition, and evolving consumer needs and preferences make it imperative for leaders to stay abreast of the latest trends, tools, and strategies. With the rise of new technologies, global competition, and evolving consumer preferences, it is more important than ever for leaders to stay ahead of the curve and continuously update their skills, knowledge, and strategies.
Here are some of the key reasons why continuous learning and self-improvement are so important for CEOs and business leaders.
Keeping up with technological changes: Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and CEOs and business leaders must stay up to date with the latest trends and tools.
This includes emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, as well as the latest advancements in software, hardware, and cybersecurity. By staying informed about the latest technology trends, leaders can make more informed decisions about investments in technology, develop new products and services, and improve business processes.
Driving Growth and Innovation : Continuous learning and self-improvement can also drive innovation and growth for the organization as a whole. By staying informed about the latest trends, tools, and strategies, leaders can identify new opportunities for growth and development. They can also inspire their teams to think creatively and come up with new ideas and approaches to business challenges.
By driving innovation and growth, leaders can position their companies for long-term success in a rapidly changing market. It can also create a competitive advantage that can set them apart from their competitors.
Adapting to changing market conditions : Market conditions are constantly evolving, and CEOs and business leaders must be able to adapt to these changes. This includes changes in consumer preferences, shifts in industry trends, and the emergence of new competitors. By staying informed about these changes and continually learning about new approaches to marketing, sales, and product development, leaders can position their companies for success in a rapidly changing market.
Building new skills and knowledge : Continuous learning and self-improvement enable CEOs and business leaders to build new skills and knowledge that can be applied to their businesses. This includes skills such as leadership, communication, negotiation, and strategic planning.
By investing in their own development, leaders can become more effective at leading their teams, driving innovation, and achieving business goals.
Inspiring and motivating employees : CEOs and business leaders who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement can inspire and motivate their employees. When employees see their leaders investing in their own development, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn and grow themselves. This creates a culture of continuous learning and improvement, which can drive innovation and success for the entire organization.
Driving innovation and growth : Continuous learning and self-improvement can also drive innovation and growth for the organization as a whole. By staying informed about the latest trends, tools, and strategies, leaders can identify new opportunities for growth and development. They can also inspire their teams to think creatively and come up with new ideas and approaches to business challenges.
So how can CEOs and business leaders engage in continuous learning and self-improvement? Here are some strategies:
Attend conferences and seminars : Conferences and seminars are a great way to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in your industry. They also provide an opportunity to network with other leaders and share ideas.
Read books and articles : Reading books and articles is an easy and accessible way to learn about new ideas and approaches to business. This can include books on leadership, business strategy, marketing, and other relevant topics.
Take courses and training programs : There are a wide variety of courses and training programs available online and in person. These can be focused on specific skills, such as public speaking or data analysis, or on broader topics such as leadership or innovation.
Seek out mentorship : Finding a mentor can be a great way to learn from someone who has more experience or expertise in a particular area. Mentors can provide guidance and support, as well as share their own experiences and insights.
Experiment and take risks : Experimenting with new approaches and taking risks can be a powerful way to learn and grow as a leader. This can involve trying new marketing strategies, developing new products or services, or exploring new business models.
One of the critical reasons why CEOs and business leaders must commit to continuous learning is to keep up with technological advancements. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and businesses must embrace digital transformation to stay competitive. Leaders who do not invest in their knowledge of technology risk falling behind their competitors.
By staying informed about the latest trends, tools, and strategies, leaders can make informed decisions about investments in technology. This can include emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, as well as the latest advancements in software, hardware, and cybersecurity. It can also enable them to develop new products and services and improve business processes.
In conclusion, the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement for CEOs and business leaders cannot be overstated. With the ever-changing business landscape and increasing competition, it is crucial for leaders to stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. Moreover, continuous learning and selfimprovement not only benefits the individual but also their organizations as it leads to better decision-making, innovation, and overall business success.
As such, CEOs and business leaders should make it a priority to invest in their personal growth and development through various learning opportunities such as workshops, courses, and mentorship programs. By doing so, they can effectively lead their organizations towards success and create a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Today, new technologies and digital revolutions are a
key factor for success. They create real opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs and all professionals who want to grow.
In fact, the emergence of artificial intelligence and the blockchain are now offering perspectives that can be both attractive and worrying at the same time. On the one hand, they can improve performance and efficiency in order to differentiate a company from its competitors; on the other hand, they also create anxiety among people and in the world of work.
Since the pandemic, we have been witnesses to the emergence and democratisation of new technologies that have accelerated the transformation of use.
Covid has been both a disaster and the best manager of digital transformation in the enterprise. It has forced consumer behaviour to change, to adapt to ever greater fluidity, security, personalisation and speed.
Those who have seized the opportunity to transform and focused on long-term goals have been able to grow their business significantly.
Artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, cryptology... The latest technologies are at the heart of Paytweak. They ensure the security of all remote bank and PSP transactions.
In the coming years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play an important role in improving the world of payments and transaction security.
We can already see the enthusiasm from all over the world for the GPT chat, but we need to understand that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
AI will provide greater security and a better user experience. This includes identifying fraud risks and suspicious behaviour, as well as taking preventative measures to avoid fraudulent transactions.
It can also provide data and trend analysis to better understand how users behave and pay. Finally, it can be used to provide personalised advice and recommendations to help increase conversion rates and optimise the payment experience, while ensuring that security is maintained.
Blockchain is the trust technology that is changing the world, and highlighting the new era of the internet. In fact, it has the potential to revolutionise business, money, government and society.
For the first time in human history, people around the world can trust each other and transact directly. Trust is established not by a large institution, but by collaboration, cryptography and smart codes. Thanks to blockchain, we are entering a radical new evolution in the way we interact and trade, reducing the doubts we have about others in order to exchange value with confidence.
Since 2015, in order to offer an innovative, disruptive and secure payment solution, Paytweak has chosen to use these technologies, the trusted private blockchain. Machine learning to learn from the transactions recorded, especially fraudulent ones, and finally artificial intelligence to select and advise the merchant in accepting payments.
The aim is to register each transaction in a perpetual chain by associating it with a profile token. This will create an intelligence base to increase trust but also to combat fraud. Online payment: the Covid-era solution for businesses.
Businesses have been forced to reinvent themselves as the health crisis and its economic fallout have significantly altered our consumer habits. This has led to an increase in the demand for digital payments and an acceleration in the growth of e-commerce. The lock-in period has thus highlighted the importance of those involved in online payments!
For the payment ecosystem, which has made its activities almost transparent to customers (immediacy, ease of use, security), this difficult period has been full of lessons and challenges. Moreover, crises are often an opportunity for companies to reorganise their operations and focus on innovation and technology. A blessing in disguise for those willing to seize these opportunities.
With the right strategy and drive, a company in any industry can grow and reach new heights.
Many changes are afoot. The changing regulatory environment, PSD2, increased payment security, 3DS2 migration are all important allies in protecting against fraud, improving the customer experience and reducing costs.
Instant transfer is a secure, paperless solution that fits perfectly with current trends and benefits all stakeholders, including banks, payment service providers, merchants and consumers.
Another trend to keep an eye on is the development of voice commerce. Voice assistants are on the rise and their use is sure to increase with the growing trend for consumers to do their shopping from home. Therefore, a promising market for commerce is the shopping experience that combines voice and secure payment. Paytweak saw this coming back in 2017 with the creation of VoicePay®, a secure voice payment solution initially designed for call centers and now expanding to voice assistants.
The crisis has made it necessary to think about opening up to other sales channels and the creation of new services, while at the same time meeting one imperative: the customer experience.
This requires the introduction of secure and flexible payment solutions in an increasingly omnichannel world. Email, SMS, WhatsApp and even chat payment links have proven invaluable in offering customers services like clickand-deliver, click-and-collect and a secure alternative to telephone orders.
This interactive shopping experience increases customer loyalty and becomes a success factor for all merchants, regardless of size.
Surrounding yourself with the right partners is key to meeting the challenges of new technologies and seizing the opportunities they offer. Everyone will agree that successfully transforming your business and delivering the best customer experience is one of the best levers to success.
With streamlined, secure and innovative online experiences, you're ready to meet the challenges of the digital age and transform your business.
The landscape of business is changing at a neverbefore-seen rate thanks to emerging technology. Businesses that are in the loop of the most recent developments might acquire a sizable competitive edge and remain ahead of the curve.
The way organizations work is changing as a result of upcoming technologies like blockchain, 5G, IoT, and AR/VR. Development is being revolutionized by no-code platforms, while AI is automating procedures and improving customer service. Virtual events and immersive consumer experiences are becoming more and more accesible because of the metaverse. Companies who properly use these technologies will be better positioned to prevail in a market that is becoming more and more competitive. We’ll look at these new technologies and their possible commercial uses.
The newest wireless technology, 5G, provides faster and more reliable connectivity. The internet of things (IoT) enables physical devices to connect and exchange data. Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) creates immersive experiences for customers and employees. No-code platforms enable developers to create software without writing code.
There are many ways these technologies may be applied to enhance business operations. Blockchain, for instance, may be used to safely store and exchange data, while 5G can provide distant employees quicker and more dependable connectivity. Although AR and VR may be used to create immersive consumer experiences, IoT can be utilized to check inventories and monitor supply chains. No-code platforms may speed up and streamline the development of software, while AI can streamline operations and improve customer service. New options for virtual events and product creation may be offered by the metaverse.
As we've seen, new technologies are revolutionizing how organizations operate. These are some examples of how businesses are utilizing these technologies to streamline their processes:
Blockchain: Walmart is tracking the origin and movement of its products using this technology, giving customers more transparency and assurance that their food is safe. IBM is collaborating with a number of significant shipping businesses to create blockchain-based supply chain management systems that will assist to decrease fraud and expedite procedures.
5G: AT&T is collaborating with a number of manufacturers to create smart factories powered by 5G, allowing quicker and more effective production techniques. Real-time data and virtual replays will be available to fans during games thanks to a partnership between Verizon and the NFL.
IoT: Rolls-Royce uses IoT to optimize maintenance plans and track engine performance, resulting in less downtime and more dependability. IoT sensors are being used by Amazon in its warehouses to manage inventory and boost productivity, allowing for quicker and more precise order fulfillment.
AR: IKEA has created an AR software so that buyers can visualize furniture in their homes before making a purchase. Walmart has trained sta ffmembers in areas like leadership and customer service using virtual reality, making the training process more interesting and productive.
No-code platforms: Unilever uses no-code platforms to create and implement software applications for a range of corporate tasks, such as marketing and supply chain management. Siemens is embracing no-code platforms, which save time and money by eliminating the need for human data entry.
AI: In order to produce and advertise items that are more likely to be well-received by customers, H&M uses AI to evaluate customer data and forecast fashion trends. Capital One uses AI-powered chatbots to offer customer care around-the-clock, eliminating the need for human customer service agents.
Metaverse: Nike has built virtual storefronts in the metaverse so that clients can explore and buy things in a completely immersive digital setting. In order to provide guests a more interesting and engaged experience, BNP Paribas uses the metaverse to offer virtual conferences and events.
These examples show how developing technologies may be used for a variety of business tasks and several businesses are already making use of them to enhance their operations and gain an edge over rivals in their sectors.
There will be a lot more innovation because there are so many business opportunities for technology development. Artificial intelligence is expected to advance and spread, with possible uses in targeted marketing, preventative maintenance, and autonomous decision-making. Virtual and augmented reality will keep delivering more realistic and immersive learning, marketing, and consumer engagement experiences.
Blockchain is expected to be increasingly frequently used outside of banking, and it has the potential to change industries including supply chain management, healthcare, and real estate. No-code platforms are becoming more and more popular as businesses look to automate and streamline their processes without requiring extensive coding expertise. Businesses who successfully adopt and use these new technologies will be in a strong position to succeed as they advance and advance.
In fact, the technologies are so far advanced, that as an example, the paragraph above was written entirely by AI, and most of us wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. This shows how much room there is and how many possibilities there are for innovation that is to come.
In conclusion, new business models and chances for development and innovation are being created by rising technology. Forward-thinking businesses are already
utilizing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the metaverse, to improve consumer experiences, streamline operations, and increase profitability.
Emerging technologies are still young, therefore it's vital to keep in mind that there is still a lot to come. We may anticipate even more fascinating advancements in the years to come as businesses continue to investigate the opportunities presented by these technologies.
Businesses need to be aware of developing technologies in order to stay ahead of the curve. They also need to be ready to adopt and integrate these technologies into their daily operations. By doing this, businesses may stay one step ahead of the competition and take advantage of the numerous opportunities that these cutting-edge tools provide.
You don't have to be the Biggest to be the best. You have to be the Best to be the biggest.
