BEYOND BARRIERS

Do you have an intense fear of public speaking? Does your heartbeat race at the thought of standing up in front of a room full of people? In this episode, Nikki shares her own experience with her fear of public speaking and what steps she took to overcome it. Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.   Highlights: [01:04] Nikki’s first experience on stage [06:34] How Nikki overcame her fear of public speaking [08:56] Practice, practice, practice [15:12] Get clear on your WHY   Quotes: “You can’t get better at something if you don't invest time in it, and you can’t invest time in it, if you never schedule it.” – Nikki Barua “The best way to overcome your fear of public speaking is to practice by seeking opportunities to speak whenever you have the chance.” – Nikki Barua “To overcome your fear of public speaking you must practice the three “P”s - you need to prepare, you need to practice and you need to be patient.” – Monica Marquez About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

You’ve likely heard some leaders described as a servant leader. But what does that really mean? Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Simply put, it is all about leading by lifting others. Our guest today, Chloe Drew, knows a thing or two about servant leadership. Throughout her career, from her corporate executive roles to her philanthropic and political engagement, Chloe has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead. In this episode, Chloe shares her story and how she chose a divergent career path from her Harvard College classmates and followed her passion to help others. Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion. She currently works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams.   Highlights: [03:04] Chloe’s journey [08:13] Gaining clarity on your path [10:35] Pushing past your fear of failure [16:11] Excelling in a new & unfamiliar environment [19:30] Tips for making difficult decisions [23:32] Dynamics of imposter syndrome [26:38] Asking your community for help [29:39] How to stay ahead of the curve and be agile [32:32] Advice on accelerating your success   Quotes: “The best and most profound lessons of my life have been when I've completely failed.”– Chloe Drew “Don’t expect to have the full picture when making a difficult decision, strive to get to feeling fairly confident in your decision.” – Chloe Drew “Asking yourself ‘what outcome are you trying to achieve?’, will help drive out the noise, assumptions and biases.” – Chloe Drew   About Chloe Drew: Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion. Currently she works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams across sectors – including technology, communications, financial services, sports and fashion – to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams. Before that Chloe was Chief People Officer at the real estate tech firm Compass where she supported a team of 2,500 employees nationally and oversaw the full employee experience through talent acquisition, total rewards, talent management, HR policy and diversity & inclusion. She also served as President of Philanthropy and launched the firm’s first community impact program engaging all employees and 15,000 real estate agents across Compass’s 20+ markets. Previously she was Chief of Staff at the Markle Foundation leading HR, strategy and fundraising at the $125M independent foundation dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to advance economic inclusion. From 2013 - 2015 Chloe was Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Appointments where she ran the Administration’s effort to recruit Commissioners and senior staff for over 60 city agencies and 200 municipal boards and commissions. From 2008 to 2013 Chloe was Executive Director of the Council of Urban Professionals, a nonprofit network of diverse business leaders in New York and Los Angeles, and from 2002 to 2007 she was Campaign Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee in California’s 13th District. Chloe earned an A.B. from Harvard College in History and Literature. She has served on nonprofit boards including Wellesley College Centers for Women, Latino Justice, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Emerge America and Oakland Vote. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-drew-7ab26a4/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chloedrew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloedrew7/  

Have you asked yourself and really thought about what distinguishes you from everyone else? What is your unique value proposition? If you don’t know the answer to these questions or if you don’t know how to articulate your story in a compelling way, then you’re limiting your career opportunities. In this episode, our guest, Sandra Lopez, Vice President for Intel Sports, shares how she turned an ordinary career into an extraordinary one when she finally answered these questions posed by her colleague. Sandra realized that she wasn’t embracing the characteristics and strengths that made her unique and stand out from the crowd of talent around her. This set her on a path to discovery, self-reflection and taking action. In Sandra’s current role as VP for Intel Sports, she is responsible for partnering with the sports and media industry to provide the future fans with the next generation of immersive media experiences.  Sandra leads a team that is focused on leading the business, marketing and market development efforts of Intel Sports and Studios. She is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on VR/AR/XR. And is dedicated to building the next generation of women leaders. Over the course of her career, Sandra has received numerous recognitions, including “Most Powerful Women in Tech” (National Diversity Council), “Top Women in Media” (Cynopsis), “Top 10 Latina Executives” (LatinaStyle), and the list goes on. Prior to joining Intel in 2005, Sandra held various positions at Adobe Systems Inc., Macromedia, Computer Associates International Inc. and several other technology companies.   Highlights: [02:37] Sandra’s journey [06:37] Building your brand and telling your story [11:36] Overcoming limiting beliefs [14:46] Owning your achievements [19:37] Difference in mentors and sponsors [24:10] Taking risks and making decisions [28:17] Overcoming setbacks and failures [30:10] Sandra’s success habits [32:57] Establishing healthy boundaries [35:59] Advice on accelerating your success   Quotes: “Life is like Waze, you know where you want to go, but allow yourself to explore the unexplored neighborhoods that you never knew existed.”– Sandra E. Lopez “Tap into who you were meant to become and lean into that because everyone else is taken.” – Sandra E. Lopez “Take baby steps towards tackling your fears and anxieties. If you get 1% better every day, imagine how much better you're going to be 365 days from now.” – Sandra E. Lopez “We need to reframe the word failure so that failure equals growth that enables you to do better.” – Sandra E. Lopez   About Sandra E. Lopez: Sandra E. Lopez is VP for Intel Sports and is responsible for partnering with the sports and media industry to provide the future fans with the next generation of immersive media experiences. In her role, she leads a team that is focused on leading the business, marketing and market development efforts of Intel Sports and Studios. Lopez is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on VR/AR/XR. Previously, she led and managed the fashion wearable business for Intel’s New Technology Group. Earlier in her Intel career, Lopez held various roles within corporate marketing, including director of new business marketing and consumer marketing. Over the course of her career, Lopez has received numerous recognitions, including “Most Powerful Women in Tech” (National Diversity Council), “Top Women in Media” (Cynopsis), “Top 10 Latina Executives” (LatinaStyle), “Most Influential and Notable Hispanic Professionals in Information Technology” (HiTec) and “Game Changer” (Sports Business Journal). Prior to joining Intel in 2005, Lopez held various positions at Adobe Systems Inc., Macromedia, Computer Associates International Inc. and several other technology companies. Lopez earned a B.S. in Economics and Textiles and Clothing from the University of California at Davis. In addition, she attended the Stanford’s Executive Accelerator Program in 2016. As part of contributing to the community, she is focused on building the next generation of women leaders. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lopezsandra/  

Have you ever heard of the phrase “you have to see it to be it”? It’s the beginning of Women’s History Month, and we're celebrating icons, innovators and leaders who have paved the way for women today, and why it’s important for each of us to inspire others.  In this episode, we discuss what is meant by “see it to be it” and the three ways that seeing these trailblazing women is empowering and enabling women everywhere to “see it” and “be it”. Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.    Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links. Highlights: [00:50] The meaning of “see it to be it” [01:09] 3 ways “see it to be it” empowers [04:45] Visibility matters [07:09] Women who’ve inspired us [10:11] Who represents the future you   Quotes: “If you're not willing to work for it, it's not a true motivation.” – Nikki Barua “The reason “if you can see it, you can be it” works so powerfully is that it helps you clarify your what, it helps you connect to your why, and it helps you codify the how.” – Nikki Barua “It's not just about getting to the top, it's becoming more visible so you can inspire change by sharing your story and making it possible for someone else to dream. It normalizes success.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez

Hustle – the Urban Dictionary defines the word hustle as: “to strive headstrong and voraciously towards a goal”. Or as Anthony Iannarino clarified in his article, “The Real Meaning of the Word ‘Hustle’”, is that you work hard every single day. It means you do the things other people won’t do, and you do them with a sense of joy and purpose because you love it. In this episode, you’ll meet Cristina Antelo, a real-life example of the word “hustle”, who lives by Thomas Edison’s motto, “Everything comes to h[er] who hustles while [she] waits.” Cristina shares her life’s journey and how she learned to hustle. Cristina Antelo is a founding principal and CEO at Ferox Strategies. She has spent more than a decade representing multinational corporations with her trademark hustle at Washington’s best-known government relations firms. From Wall Street to K Street, Cristina has set herself apart as a trusted advisor, skilled advocate, and effective negotiator who isn’t afraid of long, hard work. Featured in Washingtonian magazine in “Success Stories of Washingtonians of Latino and Hispanic Descent” and identified as a "Top Lawyer," “Power Player,” and “Most Influential 40 and Under Leader” in other regional publications, Cristina provides insider advice on how public policy is created and communicated.   Highlights: [02:35] Cristina’s journey [07:03] Gaining clarity on your path & purpose [13:11] Overcoming limiting beliefs [20:15] Building your story around your strengths [25:09] Cristina’s daily success habits [28:21] Decision making techniques [33:17] Building authentic relationships [38:57] Cristina’s advice on accelerating success   Quotes: “You will always get more information out of making a mistake than if you had done nothing out of fear of failing.” – Cristina Antelo “There is not enough Latino representation in all of the places where decision-making happens as it related to policy.” - Cristina Antelo “You can teach yourself anything. It doesn't matter what you know right now, in this moment, you just have to commit to learning.” – Cristina Antelo   About Cristina Antelo: A fierce believer in Thomas Edison’s, “Everything comes to h[er] who hustles while [she] waits,” Cristina Antelo is a founding principal at Ferox Strategies. Cristina has spent more than a decade representing multinational corporations with her trademark hustle at Washington’s best-known government relations firms. From Wall Street to K Street, Cristina has set herself apart as a trusted advisor, skilled advocate, and effective negotiator who isn’t afraid of long, hard work. She began her lobbying career in 2004, immediately representing Fortune 500 clients at top-ranked, bipartisan government and public affairs firms in Washington, D.C. Her past clients include major chain retailers, spirits companies, national theme and amusement parks, pharmaceutical firms, and nutrition and wellness companies. Her policy areas of expertise include financial services, tax, trade, border security, transportation and infrastructure, and crisis management. Featured in Washingtonian magazine in “Success Stories of Washingtonians of Latino and Hispanic Descent” and identified as a "Top Lawyer," “Power Player,” and “Most Influential 40 and Under Leader” in other regional publications, Cristina provides insider advice on how public policy is created and communicated. As a founding member and former President of the Hispanic Lobbyists Association and a long stint as the interim CEO of the non- profit Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Cristina has served as both a leader and an advocate, promoting communication, ethics, education, and bipartisanship. Before transitioning to government relations, in the early 2000s Cristina worked as a Wall Street investment banker and wealth management advisor at major Wall Street firms including Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. She also served as a legal fellow with the Senate Democratic Steering Committee, then chaired by former Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Tom Daschle (D-SD). Today, Cristina is active in charitable work, contributing her business acumen and political savvy on the Board of Directors of the CHCI, serving under Chairman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), as well as the board of the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Action Fund supporting conservation of endangered species and habitats. Cristina further serves on the finance committee for the March of Dimes' annual Gourmet Gala, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars boosting maternal and infant health worldwide. Finally, Cristina is also on the Board of Directors for her alma mater, the Brooks School in North Andover, MA, and volunteers with Common Threads, focusing on nutrition education for children. A native Spanish speaker, Cristina was born in Dallas and graduated from Georgetown University and the George Washington University Law School. She is married with two young daughters, Havana and Brooklyn, who are fiercely loyal to any client that provides toys...or snacks...or anything with glitter. Links: Website: https://feroxstrategies.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaantelo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsCEAntelo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceantelo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceantelo

True philanthropy requires a disruptive mindset, innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial drive to create opportunities. Ana Marie Argilagos embodies these competencies in spades. Ana Marie is the President and CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), a transnational network of foundations and philanthropists that make impactful investments in the Latino community in the U.S. and across Latin America. She is guiding HIP with a bold vision: to usher in a new generation of philanthropy that is for, by, and about the Latino community. Ana Marie has paved the way for a new era to democratize philanthropy. She is an entrepreneurial thinker bridging diverse agendas with a track record of working within the philanthropic, public, and nonprofit sectors. From the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Unidos US, the Annie E. Casey Foundation to HIP, she has led with her thoughtful curiosity to bridge diverse agendas. In this episode, Ana Marie shares her career journey and the importance of being open to opportunity and how her openness and willingness to veer away from a roadmap, led her to the exciting and fulfilling work of philanthropy.   Highlights: [02:37] Ana Marie’s journey [05:11] Gaining clarity on your career path [11:10] Building influential relationships [13:57] Identifying mentors and sponsors [16:27] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs [19:38] Goalsetting and execution [22:46] Sharing your compelling story to gain advocacy [25:49] Hispanics in Philanthropy   Quotes: “Have direction, but don't have a roadmap that is so defined that you actually put blinders on yourself, because you might miss some of the opportunities.” – Ana Marie Argilagos “To disrupt, to reimagine, and rebuild, we need to build a system that listens to those with a lived experience.” - Ana Marie Argilagos “Trust is key in collective problem solving.” – Ana Marie Argilagos   About Ana Marie Argilagos: As President and CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) - a network of foundations and philanthropists that makes impactful investments in the Latinx community in the U.S. and across Latin America - Ana Marie has paved the way for a new era to democratize philanthropy. From the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Unidos US, to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, she has led with her thoughtful curiosity to bridge diverse agendas. Ana Marie’s trajectory is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit that seeks to center Latinx voices and leadership. She currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband Rodger and cat Alfie.   Links: Website: https://hiponline.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-marie-argilagos-4747804/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AM_Argilagos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anamarieargilagos/ HIP’s Mackenzie Scott gift: https://hiponline.org/mackenzie-scott-gifts-15m-to-hispanics-in-philanthropy/  

We all know those who seem to easily command a room with their charisma and confidence. This is referred to as executive presence, and yes, it can be learned. In this episode, we share the 3 aspects of executive presence as taught by expert, Sylvia Ann Hewlett, as well as tips and strategies for you to gain executive presence and gravitas. Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links. Highlights: [00:58] What is executive presence [01:06] Sylvia Ann Hewlett: 3 aspects of executive presence [07:24] How Nikki & Monica developed executive presence [12:29] Exhibiting executive presence remotely [14:22] Your choice of words matter Quotes: “90% of communication is how you deliver your message and 10% are the words you use to share your message.” – Monica Marquez “Being deliberate and thoughtful when you are speaking will help you develop executive presence.” – Nikki Barua “Your ability to signal preparedness to someone through your executive presence really comes down to creating a sense of certainty and inspiring confidence in the other person by how you show up.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

You hear it all the time from super successful people, long before they were running multimillion-dollar companies, they were strengthening their entrepreneurial muscle by selling lemonade on the corner, inventing the next “big thing” in their garage or helping their parents or grandparents run the “mom and pop” family business after school. It seems that for most successful people, whether they are working for a company or running their own company, the entrepreneurial mindset sets them apart from the rest. In this episode, you’ll meet Lauren Sweeney, Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, who shares her own story of growing up in a family of small business owners and how developing her entrepreneurial mindset helped her succeed in her corporate career and ultimately gave her the courage to follow her passion and start her own business. Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people.  Their client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty.   Highlights: [02:36] Lauren’s journey [04:48] Making the decision to become an entrepreneur [06:33] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs [09:32] Identifying your strengths, passion and purpose [12:36] Asking your community for help [14:36] How to ask for someone’s time and knowledge [16:36] Creating your personal brand [19:27] Advice on dreaming big [22:00] Turning failures into lessons for success [24:35] Lauren’s success habits [28:39] How to make the decision to delegate   Quotes: “Changing your mindset to embrace failure gives you the freedom to dream big.” – Lauren Sweeney “Know who you are, what you believe, and where you are headed.” – Lauren Sweeney “When you ask for someone’s advice, share with them how you used it.” - Lauren Sweeney   About Lauren Sweeney: Lauren Sweeney is Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, a creative marketing company. After graduating with dual degrees in Economics and Art History from a liberal arts school in Virginia, she worked in communications for a Fortune 200 financial services company. Lauren launched Dotted Line in 2014, and since then the firm has grown into a full-service agency serving 50+ clients at a national scale in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty. Lauren has been recognized as a 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow with global fashion powerhouse, Tory Burch. Lauren’s involvement with Tory Burch has garnered press in MSNBC, WWD, and regional publications. Lauren uses the Tory Burch Foundation opportunity to raise awareness for entrepreneurship and women-owned businesses at events such as the 3% Conference and the Southern C Conference, as well as at educational institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University and surrounding colleges and universities. Lauren serves on the boards for Needle’s Eye Ministries. Lauren is a proud wife of a fellow entrepreneur, a stepmother of a towering teenage boy, and a new mom to a 1-year old. The Sweeney family is actively involved at Hope Church in Richmond, Virginia. They enjoy outdoor activities and traveling. Recent adventures have taken them hiking in Utah, exploring the Holy Land in Israel, or traveling to Iceland. About Dotted Line: Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people. Started by Founder and CEO at the age of 26, Lauren founded a new model agency for today’s advertising world. Dotted Lines’ client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty. Today, Dotted Line services 50+ clients with a staff of 15.   Links: Website: https://dottedline.agency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dotted-line-collaborations/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottedline.agency/  

Imagine you’re at the edge of a freezing cold plunge pool. Would you dive right in? Or would you hesitate and maybe just dip your toe in the water? Our guest, Anand Verma, likes to dive right in! Anand is a visionary leader, award-winning digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, and investor–and he believes that if you want to innovate in the digital age, you have to dive right in and embrace change no matter how scary and uncomfortable it may be. Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world. Previously, he was the Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics, an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company that was acquired by Infosys. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. Prior to Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Media brands Ventures in EMEA. He also held leadership roles at Sapient, AKQA and Modem Media. Anand has a track record of leading through disruptive change. In this episode, he shares what it means to be entrepreneurial, how to navigate uncertainty, why companies must be purpose-led, and how to build winning teams. He is a passionate advocate for diversity as the fuel for innovation and a champion for women in leadership. That’s why we are so proud to have him on the Beyond Barriers advisory board to guide us on our mission. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anand.   Highlights: [03:07] Anand’s story of entrepreneurship [09:24] Most important lessons learned [12:57] Being a builder vs an operator [15:45] How confidence is built [21:32] Anand’s current focus – bringing AI and design together [25:00] Gaining support from sponsors and advocates [27:25] Why diversity matters [35:54] Biggest trends to follow [38:28] How to prepare for future trends   Quotes: “Perfectionism is the biggest killer of any business.” – Anand Verma  “Confidence and credibility go hand in hand.” - Anand Verma  “Every day is a good day for doing and learning something new.” – Anand Verma    About Anand Verma: Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world. Prior to his recent ventures, he was the Owner, Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics (acquired by Infosys), an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company headquartered in London with studios all over the world. Successfully acquired by Infosys in 2017 to accelerate Design and Innovation for Infosys and its clients globally. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. He is also deeply involved with leading design school and university partnerships for Infosys. Anand is a digital visionary, innovator and successful entrepreneur who understands new products and services, revenue growth, operations and people. He has over 20 years’ experience in management consulting, digital and tech businesses. Anand has built a successful career by consistently delivering value through digital and customer-centricity. He loves creating value by reducing complexity in the digital world at both speed x scale. Prior to founding Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest Presidents and CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Mediabrands Ventures in EMEA, a global advertising and media conglomerate where he led digital Operations, Innovative Products and Services and M&A. And previous to that he held leadership roles at Sapient (now a part of Publicis), AKQA (now a part of WPP) and Modem Media (now a part of Publicis). Anand is an active investor, adviser, non-exec board director, academia, podcast host and speaker. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anandverma/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/anandverma  

How much time a week do you invest in learning something new? What is your yearly budget for investing in yourself? The shelf life of skills today is just 18 months. What is in demand today will likely not be in demand a year and a half from now. In this episode, we share why it is important to become a lifelong learner and 3 tips for learning that will keep you abreast of what skills will be needed in the future so you can make sure that you aren’t left behind. Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode.   Highlights: [00:48] The meaning of lifelong learning [01:42] The shelf-life of skills today [03:19] Companies need a culture of learning [05:06] Just-in-time learning [06:50] It isn’t just about the technical skills [07:31] The most powerful skill [08:43] Know your learning style [09:01] Nikki’s tips on the best ways to learn   Quotes: “A culture and mindset of lifelong learning is essential for success.” – Nikki Barua “Shift your mindset from all-knowing to always-learning.” – Nikki Barua “You are your best investment, make sure you are dedicating time for your growth every week.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez