Enterprising Empathy: Chris Gladwin @ Ocient

Four-time-startup-founder Chris Gladwin is a Chicago guy, and he’s spent much of his career bucking the notion that game-changing tech solutions can only be nurtured to market maturity on the coasts. But if you ask him, it’s not lightning-in-a-bottle moments that have propelled his journey; it’s the idea that successful companies are built in increments, over what he calls “person centuries,” by constantly lending an ear to your customers and earnestly addressing their concerns and needs.

In his talk with Jesse, Chris talks about his journey as an IT customer and deliverer of user-friendly enterprise solutions. He describes why IT systems are becoming more complex, and why the need for adept IT talent isn’t likely to lessen any time soon. He reveals the ambitious plan behind P33, the organization he started to transform Chicago into a tech hub. He describes in detail how businesses can listen to the customer at scale. And he leaves us with a look at the future of data analysis - a future he’s helping to write as CEO of Ocient. 

(2:51) How Chris’s early journey as a customer of IT products prepared him to build consumer-friendly solutions

(8:19) The rapidly accelerating complexity of IT systems and data ownership

(12:40) “We know what works” -- how to prepare more people to work in IT

(14:56) The allure of Chicago, and why Chris started P33 to help transform it

(21:17) Building organizations that know how to listen at scale

(25:36) Looking ahead: We can analyze more data than ever, but what will we do with it? 

Guest Bio

Chris Gladwin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ocient, the Chicago-based company enabling rapid analysis and management of the world’s largest datasets. In 2004, Chris founded Cleversafe, which became the largest and most strategic object storage vendor in the world (according to IDC). The technology he started generated over 1,000 patents granted or filed. 

Prior to Cleversafe, Chris was the Founder and CEO of startups MusicNow and Cruise Technologies, and led product strategy for Zenith Data Systems. He started his career at Martin Marietta, and holds a mechanical engineering degree from MIT.

Helpful Links 

Ocient’s website

P33 Chicago: The organization Chris started to turn Chicago into a major tech hub by 2033

Article on Chris in the Chicago Tribune

Chris on LinkedIn

Episode features: Royalty Free Music "Chicago Nights" Prod. by Danya Vodovoz