How Startup Develops Product to Solve Customer Problems

In Chapter 17 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "How Are You Learning to Identify Potential Customers for Your Technology Product?" Geller shares how his team builds problem solving into the product development process. By understanding education customer needs, he and his team build relationships with education customers and more successfully sell observation and feedback video platform solutions to improve teacher training.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Learning to Build Technology for Teacher Education

In Chapter 18 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "What Has Been Most Challenging About Building a Technology Platform for Teacher Education?" Geller learns that technology startup success does not happen overnight. He pushes beyond the myth of overnight startup success by being patient and incrementally building product features and growing user base. These incremental gains help him sell into education buyers and better manage sales cycle buying constraints.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Staying Inspired by Keeping in Touch With Teachers

In Chapter 19 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" Geller stays connected to fellow teachers and school administrators from his previous work experience. These connections and the updates they share on Facebook provide Geller a constant reminder of why he does what he does working to improve education by improving teacher training.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Adam Geller on the Importance of Self-Reflection

In Chapter 20 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Geller shares how self-reflecting has helped him professionally by honing his sales delivery. Personally, Geller finds self-reflection helps him think through his actions and identify gaps where asking for advice would have helped him make better decisions. He also learns how to more openly ask friends and colleagues for feedback to understand how his actions are affecting others.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

A Simple Rule to Live a More Fulfilling Life

In Chapter 21 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing As Your Experience Grows?" As he gains experience as an entrepreneur, Geller finds that work alone will not allow him to live a fulfilling life. He pushes himself to set aside more time outside of work to feel more fulfilled. From cycling to yoga to healthy eating, Geller pursues things that add joy to his life. He finds that happiness outside of work makes work more enjoyable and sustainable as well.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

How Diversity Enhances Career Advisor Network Value

In Chapter 22 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, education technology entrepreneur Adam Geller answers "At This Point in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?" Geller gets career advice and career coaching from a broad, diverse professional network of people working across different fields. The diversity of experiences - from PhD scientists to management consultants to venture capitalists to startup CEOs to his hairstylist, help Geller develop and grow.

Adam Geller is founder and CEO of Edthena, a video platform enabling online teacher coaching, peer review, and group learning. He is a recent Education Ventures fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the founder of Teach For Us, a network connecting Teach for America corps members and alumni. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Geoff Hamm on What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder

In Chapter 1 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" Hamm shares that managing his time as husband, father, and employee is getting harder with two children under four years old and two working parents. As he turns 40, Hamm reflects on his 17 years working in digital media and how he has grown more comfortable and confident in his skills.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on How Reflection Builds Business Development Skills

In Chapter 2 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?" Relationships are fundamental to Hamm's work in business development and sales. He uses reflection techniques to learn from his actions as a professional and as a parent as he gains experience. He visits an executive coach multiple times annually for coaching and unbiased feedback.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Why to Work With an Executive Coach

In Chapter 3 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Has Working With an Executive Coach Helped You Develop Your Career?" Hamm regularly meets with his executive coach to get feedback on his career. The informed, unbiased perspective a professional coach provides gives Hamm perspective on how to handle challenges and problems he faces leading teams and motivating employees.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Building Business Relationship Trust

In Chapter 4 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?" For Hamm, it starts with finding mutual connections to establish credibility and transparency. To build trusted business relationships over time, Hamm relies on consistency, accountability, and honesty, especially when a situation does not go as planned.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Why to Do Business With People You Consider Friends

In Chapter 5 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" Hamm believes that work life and personal life are not mutually exclusive. With experience, he learns to prioritize and embrace doing business with friends who also work in the Internet industry.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Selling With Confidence Not Cockiness

In Chapter 6 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "What Role Does Confidence Play in the Work That You Do?" Hamm notes confidence is everything working in sales. Without confidence in what you sell it is very difficult to succeed in sales. Sales experience teaches Hamm the nuances between confidence and cockiness and why being confident does not mean you need to have a big ego.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Performing Under Pressure Working in Sales

In Chapter 7 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Hamm finds high performers can benefit from putting pressure on themselves to succeed. He gets motivation building better business relationships, beating the competition, and making his company successful. As he builds sales experience, he develops confidence, learns his strengths and weaknesses and discovers where and when to put that pressure on himself.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Learning Work Ethic From Self-Made Parents

In Chapter 8 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Hamm learns his work ethic from role  model parents who instill the value of hard work. At age 15 Hamm gets his first job at a hardware store and learns to appreciate working with his hands. He finds having a job gives him purpose and the means to better others who also work with purpose.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Organizing Your Social Network for Success

In Chapter 9 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Do You Use Your Network to Get Help in Making Career and Life Decisions?" Hamm shares how he structures his personal and professional network as a series of rings, with immediate family and best friends at the core. In the ring nearest the core, Hamm includes mentors, bosses, and peers who have been engaged, reliable, supportive when he has asked for help in the past.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Assessing Fit When Interviewing for a New Job

In Chapter 10 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Do You Assess Fit When Interviewing for New Job Opportunities?" When interviewing for new job opportunities, Hamm first makes sure he sees value in what the company is building. He then learns about the founders and the values and belief system they have brought to the company. If first-time entrepreneurs started the company, he looks more closely about founder focus and resources in place to keep founders focused on reaching their goals.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Geoff Hamm on Leaving Corporate Politics Behind to Join a Startup

In Chapter 11 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "What Did You Learn About Yourself by Leaving a Corporate Management Job to Join a Startup?" After over a decade working at large corporations, Hamm decides to leave corporate political situations behind for new challenges working at startups.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.

Two Key Things to Look For Before Joining a Startup

In Chapter 12 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, mobile business executive Geoff Hamm answers "How Did Working at Your First Startup Inform What You Looked For at Your Second Startup?" When looking for a new startup job, Hamm first looks at the founders' story and experience. He learns a hard lesson about inexperience working with first-time founders and chooses a founding team with previous startup experience when he joins his next startup. Additionally, he learns to understand what to look for in an advisory board and the importance of board involvement in the company.

Geoff Hamm is a business development executive and VP Strategic Alliances at mobile marketing platform start-up Applovin in San Francisco, CA. Previous to Applovin, Hamm held senior sales management positions at Tapjoy, Scribd, Electronic Arts, Yahoo!, Orbitz, IAC and Excite where he built deep relationships with advertisers and brands. Hamm graduated from the University of Illinois.