1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?

To connect with colleagues in real-time who are based across the globe. One of the many reasons why I love TransparentBusiness and all of the cutting edge tools that are available thanks to our strategic partnerships.

2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?

By leading by example. Supporting all departments. Surpassing sales/marketing quotas. Improving daily. Tapping into a wide range of connections that I have established over the past decade. Learning from trends in a variety of industries.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Check emails. Connect with colleagues. Make phone calls. Send off emails/LinkedIn messages. Review social media campaigns. Engage with colleagues to understand the status of all endeavors. Post across social media platforms. Prospect for specific people/companies. Call prospects, clients, and strategic partners to ensure I'm being a strategic liaison to them.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

Every expert in any field began as a beginner. Hard work pays off. Taking care of your mind and body is imperative for you to commit 150% to your daily activities.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Secrets of closing the sale Book by Zig Ziglar. Taught me how to handle objections. Use different sales tactics pending on the scope of the situation / opportunity at hand

6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?

Setting meetings/goals/ensure everyone has the same messaging. Connecting with all departments to ensure best practices company-wide. To be there for them to assist them on their journey.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?

A colleague was struggling on a call with a prospect and asked for my assistance. I joined the call and asked the potential customer a ton of questions to understand their short/long term goals and to hear about their pain points/challenges. This approach got them talking a ton and they gave us tremendous insight as to how we can assist their organization in a variety of ways. The deal closed and my colleague was grateful for me teaching them new approaches and it increased our trust/collaborative capabilities.