How to Recruit Top Technical Talent - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 14 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers "How Have You Learned to Be a More Effective Recruiter of Top Technical Talent?"  Ferrentino notes the scarcity of top technical talent means companies must look outside regular levers, including pay, to differentiate themselves and attract the best employees.  He notes the power of storytelling in better framing the company culture and purpose.  Additionally, he uses story to help people feel they are part of something larger than themselves and part of a cause.  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 Cloud Computing Adoption Changes IT Career - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 15 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino "Why Did You Decided to Take on a New Challenge by Leaving Salesforce to Become CTO of Cloud Computing at BMC Software?"  Ferrentino details how he saw cloud computing transform enterprise information technology.  Starting as an evangelist speaking to CIOs, Ferrentino sees opportunity to focus on large scale managed services and joins BMC to make it happen.  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 CTO and VP Engineering Job Roles Compare - Marc Ferrentino

In Chapter 16 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, cloud computing technology executive Marc Ferrentino answers how a VP Engineering role compares and contrasts with a CTO role."  Ferrentino begins by detailing what each role is not.  He notes how early stage company responsibilities may require someone to do both but over time, a VP Engineering becomes more tactical where a Chief Technology Officer becomes more strategic.  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.

What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 1 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Harder in Your Life?"  Pryor notes how raising his children is entering an easier phase that requires less oversight.  With regard to what is getting harder, Pryor speaks to getting older and confronting the challenges that come with entering a middle aged period of life.  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 Marriage Teaches About Teamwork - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 2 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?"  Pryor notes marriage is the ultimate team.  He shares how building a marriage relationship requires continuous commitment.  He shares how a recent roadtrip exemplifies how coming together around a goal shapes experiences.  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 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. 

How Children Inspire Parents - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 4 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "How Do Your Children Inspire You?"  Pryor finds inspiration in children's honesty and transparency.  He also finds inspiration experimenting with different ways to raise the kids, learning from these decisions along the way.  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 Break Out of a Comfort Zone and Live More Fully - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 8 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "Where is Your Comfort Zone and What Do You Do to Break Free of Living in It?"  Pryor discusses the benefits of immersive moves and travels to change scenery.  He also details how becoming a parent and raising children evolves his approach 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.

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.