Season 1 - #18 Karen Budell, VP Brand, Survey Monkey

In this episode, Joe sits down with Karen Budell, VP of Brand at SurveyMonkey, to discuss her career journey and insights into marketing and brand leadership in today's dynamic workplace environment. Karen shares her experiences transitioning from major companies like Google and YouTube to her role at SurveyMonkey, highlighting the challenges of leading teams through periods of unprecedented change, especially in the remote work landscape brought on by the global pandemic.

Karen delves into the importance of empathy, data-driven decision-making, and creativity as cornerstones for modern marketers and leaders. She also discusses how flexibility and collaboration are crucial in a world where work is increasingly remote, with boundaries between personal and professional life blurred. Tune in to hear about the tools and strategies Karen and her team at SurveyMonkey use to maintain creativity and productivity, as well as her thoughts on the future of the modern workplace.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - 2:00: Introduction & Technical Difficulties
• 2:01 - 6:00: Karen’s Journey: From Chicago to Silicon Valley
• 6:01 - 10:00: The Impact of the Pandemic on Work and Brand Leadership
• 10:01 - 15:00: Remote Work: Adapting Creativity and Team Collaboration
• 15:01 - 20:00: Leadership Tips for Managing Teams Virtually
• 20:01 - 25:00: Meeting Culture and Maximizing Productivity Remotely
• 25:01 - 27:04: Predictions for the Future of Marketing and the Modern Workplace

Key Takeaways:

1. Empathy and Human Connection: Karen emphasizes the importance of understanding team members as individuals and how this builds stronger, more resilient teams.
2. Flexibility in Leadership: The shift to remote work requires leaders to adapt meeting structures and be available in innovative ways, like virtual office hours.
3. Data-Driven Creativity: While data remains a cornerstone of marketing, creative thinking and adaptability are equally crucial to stay relevant in changing environments.

Notable Quotes:

• “The modern workplace is about increased flexibility and finding ways for teams to have more autonomy.” - Karen Bedell
• “Empathy and understanding are key to being better marketers. It’s about connecting with audiences on a human level.” - Karen Bedell