Why VP of Marketing is a Brutal Job - Even When You're Crushing It (April Dunford)

This episode is presented by:

AppUnite: The right dev partner can make or break your product. AppUnite embeds with your team to build apps that scale. - https://bit.ly/3QOKHtT

Fullstory: Behavioral data that empowers - https://fullstory.com/value

April Dunford, author and globally recognized expert on product positioning, reflects on her unconventional journey from aspiring doctor to tech executive to in-demand consultant. In this episode, she shares what made her finally walk away from VP marketing roles, how she reinvented her career in her late 40s, and why teaching, not advising, is at the heart of her business today.

April opens up about:

The burnout and politics that pushed her to “fire herself” and leave startup life

How imposter syndrome nearly kept her from recognizing her true superpower

What she learned from one of her toughest client sessions

Things to listen for:

(00:00) The challenges of a VP of Marketing role

(08:14) Breaking into product marketing

(09:25) Thank you to our sponsors, AppUnite & Fullstory

(12:01) Navigating career decisions and public speaking

(19:33) Transitioning to consulting

(31:38) The importance of disqualifying bad clients

(33:39) Handling political traps in big companies

(38:45) Transitioning from startups to big corporations

(42:14) The importance of management training

(45:47) Navigating layoffs and job security

(54:59) Managing up and leadership skills

Resources:

Connect with April:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/

April’s official website: https://www.aprildunford.com/

April’s newsletter: https://www.aprildunford.com/newsletter

April’s podcast: https://www.positioning.show/

Connect with Andrew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/

Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.co

Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching