In this episode, I sit down with Gary Strauss, a seasoned digital sales professional whose impressive career has spanned groundbreaking moments in the media industry. Gary was a key player in the pioneering days of digital advertising as part of the initial outside sales team at DoubleClick, a company whose acquisition by Google in 2008 was pivotal to shaping the tech giant’s dominance in the ad tech space.

Gary’s career highlights include being part of two companies that went public and contributing to successful acquisitions, one of which culminated in a sale to Epic Games—the creators of Fortnite. Most recently, he led Business Development at Kidoodle TV, a free, kid-safe streaming service featuring premium content such as Dude Perfect.

Throughout our conversation, Gary shares invaluable insights on building a fulfilling and impactful career in sales. He underscores the importance of preparation, persistence, and adaptability in the face of challenges, offering practical advice for navigating the professional landscape. Key takeaways include:

• Sales as a career path: It’s not just about selling a product but solving problems and building trust. Likeability and strong client relationships are the cornerstone of success.

• Entrepreneurial spirit in sales: Sales professionals often run their own “mini-business” within larger organizations, making it an ideal path for those with a knack for innovation and initiative.

• Career strategies: Take jobs for the education, not just the paycheck. Understand the company culture, and choose environments that nurture talent and align with your goals.

• Giving back: Gary shares his involvement with the amazing Tom Deierlein Foundation. To learn more, click here TDFoundation.org

Whether you’re exploring sales as a career or looking for inspiration on how to grow professionally, Gary’s story and advice will leave you motivated and ready to tackle your goals!

LAUNCH Career Strategies was founded by Karen Elders and Elyse Spalding. We help young professionals launch a successful career path with expert coaching services. Reach out today for an initial FREE coaching session.
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In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Brian Lawler, a Senior Sales Manager, Amazon Ads with an impressive career in the advertising industry. Brian has held senior roles at top companies, including LinkedIn, AOL, DoubleClick, and News Corp, and has spent over seven years at Amazon. Known for his exceptional sales skills and leadership qualities, Brian is highly respected by customers and colleagues alike.

A proud graduate of Providence College with a degree in Marketing, Brian is passionate about developing and mentoring emerging talent. In our conversation, he shares his personal work experiences and learnings that listeners can apply to their own careers, including:

• Interview Preparation: Learn how to align with a company's mission and values, and prepare for behavioral interviews using the STARR method to articulate your story and impact (plus, learn what the extra "R" is for!)
• Continuous Learning: Discover the importance of understanding the deeper purpose of your role and how to expand your skill set, while adopting the "raising the bar" mentality and embracing feedback as a gift.
• The Magic Loop: Brian explains this concept developed by Ethan Evans, emphasizing the importance of performing your job well, supporting your manager's success, and aligning your contributions with your career goals.
• Amazon Leadership Principles: Gain insights into key principles established by Jeff Bezos, including the importance of speed, curiosity, grit, and earning trust, and how these can influence your career trajectory.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your interview skills or navigate your career path, this episode with Brian Lawler is packed with practical advice and inspiration. Tune in to learn from one of the best in the business!

Links to amazing books mentioned in this episode:
Radical Candor by Kim Scott (and here Kim breaks it down on YouTube)

LAUNCH Career Strategies was founded by Karen Elders and Elyse Spalding. We help young professionals launch a successful career path with expert coaching services. Reach out today for an initial FREE coaching session.
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Meet Teddy Fuller, Account Executive with Oracle NetSuite. Teddy is a 2021 graduate of the University of Denver and has spent the past 2.5+ years selling for NetSuite. Teddy shares his experience breaking into a top tech sales team. Hear about the undergrad courses and skills he developed that helped him get his first role as a BDR (Business Development Representative) and make the jump to an AE role. Learn about the interview process and the day-to-day of a BDR and AE. Plus, other career path options to take the BDR experience. This episode is chock full of career advice and direction for anyone interested in tech and/or sales.

LAUNCH Career Strategies was founded by Karen Elders and Elyse Spalding. We help young professionals launch a successful career path with expert coaching services. Reach out today for an initial FREE coaching session.
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