How to Smash Organization Silos and Empower Employees - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 8 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares his views on why now is the time to smash silos of traditional organizational structure models. McKenzie feels overly narrow focus limits individual and organizational potential. He agrees checks and balances, specifically in role definition, are necessary to prevent chaos while encouraging empowerment through functional flexibility.  Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.  Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

How to Travel Internationally and Engage Influencer Culture - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 7 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares why international travel is fundamental to understanding influencer culture. Immersion into local activities, experiences, and communities shaping an influencer culture breaks down outsider perspectives formed via media. McKenzie uses Sex and the City and Law and Order as two examples outsiders use when trying to understand New York City life and culture.  Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.  Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

Why Thinking Globally Matters in Influencer Culture - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 6 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares why he is taking his Influencer Conference - http://influencer10.com/ - business international in 2011. Building upon early childhood experience exploring culture, McKenzie learns the local limitations of understanding culture in a increasingly globalized and connected world. McKenzie avoids narrow-mindedness inherent in a regional approach and puts an international plan in place to embrace the global and community nature of trendsetting and tastemaking. Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.  Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

What Creates Influencer Culture Clusters - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 5 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares why he sees influencer culture by clustering together arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and technology communities. He finds intersections across these individual groups, in effect a multi-dimensional map of how influencer or tastemaker culture develops. Influencer culture cannot be defined without understanding how it connects the dots. Marketing and brand professionals develop models to plug into and influence culture. McKenzie shares how influencer culture is different than mass market culture and, as a result, requires a different marketing approach. He highlights a 180 degree marketing plan speaks better to influencer clusters than does a traditional 360 degree mass market brand marketing campaign. Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.  Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

What Defines a Tastemaker - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 4 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares what separates tastemakers, trendsetters, and influencers from an average consumer or business. McKenzie notes how tastemakers, trendsetters, and influencers aspire to get in front of trends and apply passion and expertise to generate thought leadership. Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

Why Respect Matters to Small Business Success - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 3 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares why respect matters in a small business environment. McKenzie notes relationships cannot work unless mutual respect exists across parties. He draws comparison to corporate organizational charts and their purpose to systematically define success. In entrepreneurial environments, McKenzie also believes structure is critical and works with partners to define roles and responsibilities in a way that are mindful, transparent, and sincere. The result is greater trust across the team and improved performance. Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

Why Distinct Roles Matter Building a Business Partnership - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 2 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie shares why it is important to have distinct roles in a business partnership. The roles create the accountability, efficiency, focus, and trust that allow the business to be more successful. McKenzie shares detailed role definition applies in his collaboration efforts with business partner Todd Triplett creating a magazine. Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

How Goldman Sachs Sales and Trading Teaches MBA to Adapt - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 1 of 12 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, media and publishing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie joins Goldman Sachs sales and trading upon earning his MBA at Duke University. McKenzie is thrown into an unfamiliar trading floor and industry environment and is forced to adapt over time. McKenzie recounts that initial year as the most challenging in his career given the intensity and overwhelming amount of new information to learn, both at the bank and within the industry - pharmaceuticals - he covered as a trader. McKenzie worked at Goldman for eight years before embarking on an entrepreneurial career. McKenzie is now co-founder of FREE DMC, a New York based event, media and publishing company, and co-founder of the Influencer Conference, a global event series bringing together entrepreneurial, arts, design, and non-profit communities. Phil McKenzie graduated from Howard University and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Before starting FREE DMC and the Influencer Conference, McKenzie worked for eight years in sales and trading at Goldman Sachs.

How Dad Teaches Son Valuable Social Skills - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 1 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm grows up going to work, a community college, with his father. Hamm's dad encourages him to take the initiative and introduce himself to the many people he meets each week at his dad's office. Over time, this openness to meeting people helps Hamm navigate a school change in college and sets the foundation for his sales career. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

Why College Graduate Decides to Pursue Sales Career - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 2 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm graduates the University of Illinois and begins a sales career. As a child, Hamm would pick up a new toy or pair of shoes and try to persuade friends on why they should also get them. Over time, Hamm works summer jobs and internships and is naturally drawn to sales roles. In sales, Hamm finds it fulfilling and meaningful meeting new people, forming relationships, and learning and developing through the resulting experiences. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

How to Be Successful in Sales by Building Trusting Relationships - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 3 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm shares how developing a relationship and establishing trust enables long-term success in a sales career. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

How to Search for an Executive Sales and Marketing Job - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 4 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm shares the job search process he uses to find great jobs. To identify an opportunity, Hamm looks for great product and compatible culture. Once he identifies these, Hamm then qualifies each using his business and personal network. This provides him honest insight, feedback, and introductions that further the matchmaking process. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

How to Hire a High Performance Sales Team - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 5 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm details his approach to interviewing, hiring, and building teams. After meeting the candidate, Hamm asks himself whether he could sit next to the person on a cross-country flight. Hamm continues by going through more traditional elements, including interest in the position, past accomplishments, and business networks or Rolodex. If a second interview occurs, Hamm applies lessons learned in sales and management training at previous companies to gauge strengths and personality using standardized tests, namely Gallup Strengthsfinder. This helps Hamm better understand fit between individual, the role, and the team. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

What Marriage Teaches About Teamwork - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 6 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm shares what marriage has taught him about teamwork. He highlights compromise and its importance balancing and sharing parenting responsibilities at home where both parents work. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

How Account Executive Adapts Into Sales Manager Role - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 7 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm adapts from account executive sales roles into sales management roles. Hamm learns to let go of the hands-on sales elements and focus more on cultivating talent, encourage individuality, and foster growth in his team. Hamm applies a strengths-based skill building approach while finding resources to address weaknesses and gaps. This approach increases loyalty across the team. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

How Patience Helps Manage in a Political Corporate Climate - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 8 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm shares how he navigates political climates in large Internet companies. Hamm learns to practice patience and prioritize understanding another's point of view. He assumes good intentions and addresses the situation from this perspective. This helps Hamm align goals and achieve objectives in difficult situations. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

How to Safely Navigate a Corporate Restructuring - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 9 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm shares corporate restructuring and reorganization lessons learned going through several mergers and acquisitions. Hamm retreats from decision-makers following personal agendas and instead seeks ways to align with customer focused factions. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.

Why to Work in Innovative and Disruptive Industries - Geoff Hamm

In Chapter 10 of 16 of his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, online media sales executive Geoff Hamm shares why he enjoys working in innovation rich industries. Hamm, a 15-year Internet industry veteran, notes the necessary perseverance investment and potential payoff, highlighting a big career moment when a large telecommunications company Chief Marketing Officer - CMO - committed the majority of its advertising spend to digital, rather than television. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois - http://illinois.edu/ - and is now SVP of Sales at at Scribd http://www.scribd.com/ in Silicon Valley. Previously he held online sales management positions at Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC, and Excite.