What does it take to be a quintessential serial entrepreneur, and how does it feel to have founded and exited multiple startups over nearly 30 years? In this episode, Dennis Mortensen shares insights from his nearly 30-year entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of clear communication, setting realistic expectations for employees, and the necessity of strong sales skills for founders. We also explore his latest venture, LaunchBrightly, which automates product screenshots to keep help websites up-to-date. Don't miss this conversation, tune in now!

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00) Introducing the quintessential serial entrepreneur

(03:35) The things that got better with time

(07:18) Working at X.AI

(09:28) People's reaction to AI in workplace

(12:34) His latest venture - LaunchBrightly

(17:32) Important leadership qualities at an early stage startup

(20:52) Picking apart your ideas

(25:03) Dennnis’s Happiest exit

(26:23) Looking back, what would Dennis have done differently?

OUR GUEST: Dennis Mortensen: Serial Entrepreneur; CEO and Founder of LaunchBrightly

Dennis Mortensen is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of founding six startups and successfully exiting four of them. With nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, Dennis is known for his passion for solving real-world problems through technology. Dennis's latest venture, LaunchBrightly, reflects his commitment to making products better and more user-friendly. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismortensen/ 

YOUR HOST: ALISON EYRING

Alison is the Founder & CEO, Produgie and Chair of the Board at Organisation Solutions. She serves as Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and is author of the award-winning book, "Pacing for Growth: Why Intelligent Restraint Drives Long-Term Success' '. Alison is the creator of the Growth Leaders Podcast and the associated Growth Leaders Community. 

‌Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneyring/

Growth Leaders Community: https://community.produgie.com/home

“Pacing for Growth” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.sg/Pacing-Growth-Intelligent-Restraint-Long-term/dp/1626568170

ABOUT PRODUGIE

Produgie’s personalised, intelligent software drives manager and work team performance with immediate results. Businesses use Produgie to accelerate leader, team and organisation adaptation for sustained performance and growth.  

https://www.produgie.com/

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This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. 

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Join us on the Growth Leaders Podcast as we dive deep into the remarkable journey of Dao Chi Anh, a trailblazing entrepreneur with a passion for food and wellness. From her unconventional career start in sales and marketing to founding multiple successful ventures in Vietnam's food and beverage industry, her story is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to learn how she balances entrepreneurship with motherhood, the challenges of fundraising while pregnant, and her exciting plans for the future as she leads larger teams and ventures into new horizons. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with valuable insights and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit!

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00) Starting On Her Journey

(03:38) Selling Her Business

(04:53) Learning About Growing a Business

(06:32) Birth of a Child vs. Birth of a Business

(09:51) Shifting Businesses

(11:18) Finding Her Interest

(14:11) Managing Time After Having Twins

(15:27) Greatest Learning About Self

OUR GUEST: Dao Chi Anh

Dao Chi Anh is a dynamic entrepreneur with a background in sales and marketing. She left her corporate job to start four successful food and beverage companies in Vietnam within just six years, including Cafe Group Kitchen, Art Yung, Taiwanese Tea House and Dining (in collaboration with Golden Gate Group), and Vietnam's first creative food and beverage agency, D C A Holdings.

YOUR HOST: ALISON EYRING

Alison is the Founder & CEO, Produgie and Chair of the Board at Organisation Solutions. She serves as Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and is author of the award-winning book, "Pacing for Growth: Why Intelligent Restraint Drives Long-Term Success' '. Alison is the creator of the Growth Leaders Podcast and the associated Growth Leaders Community.

Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneyring/

Growth Leaders Community: https://community.produgie.com/home

“Pacing for Growth” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.sg/Pacing-Growth-Intelligent-Restraint-Long-term/dp/1626568170

ABOUT: PRODUGIE

Produgie’s personalised, intelligent software drives manager and work team performance with immediate results. Businesses use Produgie to accelerate leader, team and organisation adaptation for sustained performance and growth.  

https://www.produgie.com/

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. 

Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

Join us on the Growth Leaders Podcast as we embark on a journey with Haji Munshi, Group CEO of Cloud Kinetics. From his adventurous spirit to building a thriving private equity-backed platform, Haji shares invaluable insights. Dive into lessons drawn from big tech - envisioning audacious goals, cultivating trust, and communication prowess, all while uncovering the unlearning required when transitioning from a tech giant to an entrepreneurial venture. Tune in for a masterclass in scaling, culture crafting, and competing with billion-dollar giants!

IN THIS EPISODE

• (00:00) About Haji Munshi, CEO of Cloud Kinetics
• (02:28) Three learnings from Big Tech that apply to startups
• (03:54) Things to unlearn from Big Tech for a startup
• (05:01) How a startup can compete with billion-dollar companies
• (07:32) 3 key things you build at each growth stage from 0 to 100M+
• (09:22) 3 common traits of successful growth leaders
• (10:48) How to set high standards without burning people out
• (12:20) How to give people autonomy
• (14:27) How leaders become leaders
• (16:29) Should you work at an established company or startup?

OUR GUEST: HAJI MUNSHI

Haji Munshi is the Group CEO of Cloud Kinetics, one of the largest Cloud Managed Service Providers (MSP) in SE Asia and India, focused on transforming customers’ business to realise the power of cloud in everything that they do. Haji partnered with I Squared capital, a US PE/Infrastructure fund to establish an Asia focused Cloud MSP investment platform to execute a ‘roll-up’ strategy in this industry segment, culminating in the concurrent buy-out & merger of Cloud Kinetics and InfoFabrica, both well-established Cloud MSPs with partnerships with AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud and others. Cloud Kinetics will continue to grow their Cloud MSP business organically and via acquisitions.

Haji was previously with Google Cloud as their Managing Director, Corporate APAC, as well as ASEAN President ASEAN for Cisco Systems & HPE. He has been a member of the Young Presidents Organization for 5+ years.

Linkedin Profile: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/saleh-m-haji-munshi-15a391 

YOUR HOST: ALISON EYRING

Alison is the Founder & CEO, Produgie and Chair of the Board at Organisation Solutions. She serves as Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and is author of the award-winning book, "Pacing for Growth: Why Intelligent Restraint Drives Long-Term Success' '. Alison is the creator of the Growth Leaders Podcast and the associated Growth Leaders Community.

Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneyring/

Growth Leaders Community: https://community.produgie.com/home

“Pacing for Growth” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.sg/Pacing-Growth-Intelligent-Restraint-Long-term/dp/1626568170

ABOUT PRODUGIE

Produgie’s personalised, intelligent software drives manager and work team performance with immediate results. Businesses use Produgie to accelerate leader, team and organisation adaptation for sustained performance and growth.  

https://www.produgie.com/

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. 

Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

In this episode of the Growth Leaders Podcast, host Alison interviews Jose Antonio Benjamin (known as Banjo), a seasoned growth leader. Banjo shares key insights from his career, how he handled a range of challenges, and how it shaped his passion for helping others achieve their aspirations. They discuss Banjo's experiences as a young manager, leading more experienced personnel in a developing country, and later, managing people who were themselves managing others. Tune in to learn how curiosity, asking the right questions, and building trust played crucial roles in Banjo's journey as a growth leader.

IN THIS EPISODE

• 00:00 | Guest Introduction
• 01:09 | Learning to uncover people's aspirations even as a child
• 02:49 | Leading more experienced people straight out of college
• 02:58 | Leading a team right out of college
• 05:04 | The trick to winning over an experienced team
• 09:27 | Three things learnt as a country head
• 13:21 | Three qualities in early-stage startup founders
• 16:09 | Lives are the only asset class that matters

OUR GUESTS: Banjo Castillo

Banjo Castillo is a seasoned growth leader with an inspiring story. Coming from humble beginnings, Banjo's early life experiences fostered a natural curiosity and passion for helping others achieve their aspirations. With a career that started as a management trainee in sales and marketing for Unilever in the Philippines, he quickly rose to leadership positions, leading teams of various backgrounds and experiences. Banjo's journey took him to different countries, where he successfully managed people, guided their development, and navigated the challenges of driving sustained business growth while bringing diverse people along. Join us as we delve into Banjo's unique insights and learn from his remarkable leadership journey.

Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/banjo-castillo/

YOUR HOST: ALISON EYRING

Alison is the Founder & CEO, Produgie and Chair of the Board at Organisation Solutions. She serves as Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and is author of the award-winning book, "Pacing for Growth: Why Intelligent Restraint Drives Long-Term Success' '. Alison is the creator of the Growth Leaders Podcast and the associated Growth Leaders Community. 

‌Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneyring/

Growth Leaders Community: https://community.produgie.com/home

“Pacing for Growth” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.sg/Pacing-Growth-Intelligent-Restraint-Long-term/dp/1626568170

ABOUT PRODUGIE

Produgie’s personalised, intelligent software drives manager and work team performance with immediate results. Businesses use Produgie to accelerate leader, team and organisation adaptation for sustained performance and growth.  

https://www.produgie.com/

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers. 

Find us on our website, LinkedIn or Instagram

Join host Alison Eyring on the Growth Leaders Podcast as she delves into the secrets of long-term growth with the world's top leaders. From innovative startups like Meta and LinkedIn to established giants like 3M and MasterCard, each episode offers entertaining and highly insightful conversations that uncover the remarkable journeys of these growth leaders. Prepare for another hard-hitting season as Masters of Growth share their successes, failures, and everything in between on the path to sustained, healthy business growth!

YOUR HOST, ALISON EYERING

Alison is the Founder & CEO, Produgie and Chair of the Board at Organisation Solutions. She is also Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and author of the award-winning book, "Pacing for Growth: Why Intelligent Restraint Drives Long-Term Success' '. Alison is the creator of the Growth Leaders Podcast and the associated Growth Leaders Community.

‌

Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneyring/

Growth Leaders Community: https://community.produgie.com/home

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ABOUT PRODUGIE

Produgie enables growing businesses to 3X manager impact on individuals, teams, and the business. Produgie education, coaching, and consulting partners use our software to scale coaching and personalised leadership development for their clients.

https://www.produgie.com/

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. 

Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

Join us for an insightful discussion on future work insights in Episode 1 of the Growth Leaders Podcast. Renowned guests John Boudreau and Kevin Oakes share their expertise on fostering agility and driving cultural transformation in organizations. Discover the key strategies and approaches needed to thrive in an ever-changing work landscape. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation packed with valuable insights for the future of work!

IN THIS EPISODE

• (00:00) Intro Audio
• (00:30) Introducing Kevin and John
• (01:44) Future managers have to learn to deploy capabilities vs jobs
• (04:49) Only 15% of organisations are agile enough to adapt
• (07:36) What organisations can do to be more culturally agile
• (09:13) Organisations might move from hierarchies into talent marketplaces
• (13:53) The best managers will act like they manage volunteers
• (14:57) What leaders should do today to prepare

OUR GUESTS: JOHN BOUDREAU AND KEVIN OAKES

John Boudreau is an accomplished thought leader and HR strategist with extensive experience in organizational effectiveness and workforce planning. He is the CEO of a leading consulting firm, providing innovative solutions for talent management and HR strategy. John's expertise lies in helping organizations navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and adapt to future workforce trends.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-boudreau-115500/

Kevin Oakes is a renowned author and speaker on talent management and learning. With a deep understanding of organizational development and employee engagement, he has worked with numerous global companies to drive performance and enhance employee experience. Kevin is the CEO of a cutting-edge software company that specializes in talent management solutions, empowering organizations to unlock their full potential.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinoakes/

YOUR HOST: ALISON EYERING

Alison is the Founder & CEO, Produgie and Chair of the Board at Organisation Solutions. She is also Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore and author of the award-winning book, "Pacing for Growth: Why Intelligent Restraint Drives Long-Term Success”. Alison is the creator of the Growth Leaders Podcast and the associated Growth Leaders Community.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneyring/

https://community.produgie.com/home

—-

ABOUT PRODUGIE

Produgie enables growing businesses to 3X manager impact on individuals, teams, and the business. Produgie education, coaching, and consulting partners use our software to scale coaching and personalized leadership development for their clients.

https://www.produgie.com/

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. 

Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

Eunice Goh, CEO, SmartUp.Io shares the importance of having a Growth Mindset and how it has helped her and her team thrive in an environment where is there is no playbook for success.

JY Pook, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific and Japan, Tableau shares the importance of using data to develop talent and why everyone in a company should be given access to all the tools and data available so that their day to day decisions won’t be misguided by ambiguity but guided by data.

Benjamin Joe, VP of SEA and Emerging Markets, Facebook shares the importance of developing successful growth plans and why companies should have a deprioritise list and only focus on the items that give the most impact to their business.

Andrew Sotiropoulos, Vice President Asia Pacific/Japan, Pure Storage shares the importance of understanding team diversity, and the role of simple and thoughtful communication.

Grace Ho, President, SWAT Mobility shares the importance of being market-focused and why businesses should use it to guide their strategy and innovation.