Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered

In this episode of 'Harder Than it Looks: Parking Uncovered', our host, Brian Wolff, CEO of Parker Technology, dives into the transformative journeys of two servant leaders. Alejandra 'Alex' Argudin, MBA, CAPP, discusses her rise from a young city worker to leading Miami Parking Authority as the CEO, as well as becoming Chair of IPMI, tackling challenges like the pandemic, advancing parking technology, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry.We then speak with Barby Valdes McDaniel, Associate Director of the WOW Center, who brings her 30-year career to light, advocating for adults with special needs.In segment one, Alex Argudin emphasized her leadership philosophy of empowering her team and promoting collaboration between the parking industry and urban planning sectors. As the new chair of the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI), Alex aims to drive legislative changes and technology advancements in parking, all while remaining committed to community service.In segment two, we sit down with Barby Valdes McDaniel, who shares her lifelong dedication to serving adults with special needs, inspired by her early experiences. She detailed her impactful work at the WOW Center, providing life skills, community education, and employment opportunities for individuals with special needs, as well as the importance of family support.To learn more about and/or contribute to Barby and Alex’s work with the WOW center, visit their website https://wowcentermiami.org/Here are some key takeaways from this episode:Empathy and Leadership in the Parking IndustrySmart Cities & LegislationThe Power of Personal Connection and Community SupportServing the Special Needs CommunityBe sure to check out these great clips from Segment 1 with Alex Argudin:00:21 Meet Alejandra “Alex” Argudin02:02 Alex's Early Career Journey04:28 Transition to the Parking Industry07:31 Challenges and Growth in the MPA11:43 Leadership and Modern Management12:43 Innovations and Future Plans20:11 Expanding Services and Partnerships32:00 Smart Cities and Technological Advancements34:43 The Curb and EV Challenges35:40 Micro Freight Solutions39:10 Legislation and Policy Hurdles40:41 Smart City Initiatives44:30 WOW Center: Supporting Adults with Disabilities49:54 Balancing Work and Family52:10 Lightning Round: Personal InsightsSegment 2 with Barby Valdes McDaniel:01:05:06 The Beginning of a Powerful Partnership01:09:19 A Life-Changing Experience01:13:45 Daily Operations at the WOW Center01:19:49 The Impact of Special Needs Individuals01:21:51 Personal Stories and Inspirations01:25:30 The Hospice Detour01:29:32 Supporting Special Needs Families01:33:50 How to Get Involved with the WOW Center01:37:24 Final Thoughts and Farewell​​Want to help the show? Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

To kick off the episode Brian invites Dani Crain and John D. Conway, industry legends and podcast hosts of ‘All Things Parking with Dani and John,” to share their experiences, hot industry takes, and diversity and supporting women in parking. In Segment 2, Heidi Barber, our VP of Marketing, sits down with Kyle Lacy, CMO of Jellyfish, who shares his journey in marketing growing and scaling leading tech companies. In his segment, we discuss balancing creativity with revenue, the alignment between marketing and sales, personal branding, and strategies to avoid burnout. Here are some key takeaways from this episode:Hot takes and controversy in the parking industryHow “All Things Parking with Dani and John” came to beThe value of marketing and sales alignmentStrategies to level up your personal brandBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:Segment One: Dani & JohnDani's Dog Axel (02:37)Dani's Career Path: From Radio to Parking (05:04)John's Career Path: From Military to Parking (11:23)The Origin of 'All Things Parking' Podcast (19:05)Challenges and Sacrifices in the Parking Industry (35:45)Hot Takes: Smart Cities and EVs (41:56)Empowering Women in Leadership (50:47)Addressing Industry Biases (51:32)Personal and Professional Struggles (56:14)Podcast Crossover and Future Goals (01:05:36)Segment Two: Kyle LacyMarketing Insights with Kyle Lacey (01:09:16)Sales and Marketing Alignment (01:20:28)Personal Branding and Writing (01:24:00)Lightning Round (01:35:11)​​Want to help the show? Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker TechnologyWhile delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

In segment one of this episode, Brian sits down with Ross Allanson, CAPP, CPP, who is the Director of Parking at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus. Ross is an industry veteran, having been in parking since 1989. He shares his wisdom on alternative transportation, micro-mobility, and efficient event parking.Then in Segment two we invite Kathy Wellik, CAFM and Senior Client Success Manager of Agile Fleet to talk about her experience in fleet management. Kathy and Brian discuss her career transition from banking to fleet management, emphasizing continuous learning and participation in professional organizations. We will also dive into her personal journey navigating male-dominated industries, overcoming gender biases, and restoring a classic 1969 Camaro.Here are some key takeaways from this episode:Cutting edge innovations in parking and transportationThe value of trusted peersElevating women’s voices in male-dominated industriesBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:Segment One: Ross AllansonMeet Ross Allanson: Parking Expert (00:21)Ross's Early Life and Career Beginnings (02:20)Transition to University of Minnesota (05:15)Event Parking Insights (10:11)Leadership and Team Management (22:10)Technological Changes in Parking (28:23)Personal Stories and Reflections (35:30)Lightning Round Questions (41:40 )The Hardest Thing You've Ever Done (44:06 )Empathy in the Workplace (44:55)Parking Challenges and Solutions (47:21)Hobbies and Personal Life (48:40)Proudest Achievements (49:54)Segment Two: Kathy WellikFleet Management Insights (54:41)The Importance of Professional Organizations (01:11:03)Women in a Male-Dominated Industry (01:15:18)Fun and Travel Stories (01:20:15)​​Want to help the show? Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker TechnologyWhile delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

This episode is a deep dive into the world of transportation and personal development.In segment one, we welcome Kenyata Smiley, Transportation Planning Department Manager at HNTB, who shares her inspirational journey from Chattanooga to leading multimodal transportation projects, emphasizing strategic planning, equity, and community engagement. She also discusses her work with the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials and Delta Sigma Theta sorority.In segment two, Nikki Miller, Executive Coach at Kairos Consulting, explores Enneagram types, recounts her decade-long experience homeschooling, her transition to public schooling, and her insights on executive coaching, personal growth, and maintaining a growth mindset. This episode is filled with relatable anecdotes and crucial takeaways on public participation and continuous self-improvement.Here are some key takeaways from this episode:How to build, manage, and leverage the communityInnovative ways to implement technology in the parking industryWorkplace communication and collaboration based on personality typesBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:Segment One: Kenyata SmileyKenyata's Early Life and Career Beginnings (01:52)Transition to Public Administration (04:05)Career Growth and Public Sector Experience (05:25)Current Role and Responsibilities (08:36)Equity and Community Engagement (22:25)Challenges and Success Stories (27:33)Life Legacy and Appreciation (45:03)Segment Two: Nikki MillerNikki's Journey to Executive Coaching (48:16)The Enneagram and Personal Growth (57:16)Meditation and Mindfulness Techniques (1:03:46)Homeschooling and Parenting Insights (01:12:42)​​Want to help the show? Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker TechnologyWhile delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

We had seasoned parking professional Brandy Stanley, CAPP on the show to share her incredible ascension within the parking industry. Brandy, with over 30 years in the parking industry, shares her journey from a valet to a VP role at FLASH, discussing industry challenges, technological advancements, and community importance.In segment two, Toph Day highlights Rally (use code: rallytoph to get a discounted ticket) and all the things that make this conference one-of-a-kind. He also shares insights into cross-sector collaborations, education shifts, and Indiana's new growth-stage fund supporting scaling companies.Here are some key takeaways from this episode:Innovative ways to implement technology in the parking industryTips and tricks to building and leveraging communityCross-sector collaboration and creative convergence and why it mattersBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:Segment One: Brandy StanleyMeet Brandy Stanley (00:21)Brandy's Career Journey (01:52)Valet Stories and Career Reflections (05:22)Challenges in the Parking Industry (08:52)Engaging with Elected Officials (13:55)Technology and Parking (18:31)Personal Stories and Fun Questions (23:30)Lightning Round and Final Thoughts (29:31)Discovering Passion and Career Reflections (40:58)Gratitude for the Parking Industry (41:13)Acknowledging Contributions and Closing Remarks (42:17)FUSION25 User Conference Announcement (43:08)Segment Two: Toph DayToph’s Entrepreneurial Journey (45:52)Elevate Ventures and Indiana's Innovation Ecosystem (48:27)The Importance of Community and Acceleration (54:31)Challenges and Strategies in Venture Capital (01:00:31)Rally Innovation Conference Highlights (01:07:54)​​Want to help the show? Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker TechnologyWhile delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

Today we welcomed Joseph R Madison II, Associate Director of Parking Operations at Kennesaw State University.In the episode, Joseph shares his urban planning expertise, managing parking for over 43,000 students and staff, as well as his experience connecting students with new opportunities.The conversation also delves into Joseph's involvement in IPMI's Allyship and Equity Advisory Group, as well as the anticipated impact of the World Cup on KSU.In the second segment, we explore crucial golf fundamentals with Todd Firestone, Head Golf Professional at Meridian Hills Country Club. Todd talks about his experience embodying servant leadership, and provides key tips about the importance of the starting position and large muscle engagement in golf swings.He also shares personal anecdotes, including his experiences with singing and the balance of work-life dynamics. Here are some key takeaways from this episode:Explore steps to become a leader and ally in your communityNeed for change on consumer perspective in parkingQuick tips to improve your golf gameThe importance of service-oriented approaches and leadershipBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:Introducing Joseph Madison: Parking Operations at KSU (00:26)Joseph's Journey: From Urban Planning to Parking Professional (02:27)Challenges and Innovations in Parking Management (04:54)World Cup and Parking: Preparing for Major Events (06:16)KSU's Parking Layout and Technology (08:10)Communication and Enforcement Strategies at KSU (14:31)Joseph's TED Talk: We Are the Neighbors, We Are the World (18:32)Personal Stories and Advocacy for Equity (22:47)The Future of Parking and Community Engagement (36:12)Joseph's Personal Interests and Volunteer Work (40:01)Reflections on Career and Personal Growth (43:56)Joseph's Appreciation and Episode Hopes (46:15)Segment 2 with Todd Firestone:Todd's Journey to Becoming a Head Golf Professional (48:22)The Player Ability Test and the Grind (50:02)Balancing Golf and Professional Responsibilities (50:52)Managing the T Sheet and Member Experience (56:02)Building a Servant Leadership Culture (01:05:53)Golf Lessons: Starting with the Basics (01:14:16)Todd's Musical Talents and Personal Interests (01:22:20)The Importance of Self-Care and Balance (01:25:25)Strength Under Control and Final Thoughts (01:28:46 )Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click Here to Subscribe via SpotifyClick Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. Thank you so much!​​Want to help the show? Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

In this episode of 'Harder Than It Looks,' we delve into the intricacies of the parking industry and the entrepreneurial world. We first sit down with Joaquin Rojas, Director of Parking for Bal Harbour Shops and owner of Parking Guy consultancy.With two decades of experience, Joaquin shares his journey from parking cashier to managing significant parking operations, highlighting technological innovations and the importance of customer service in reshaping the industry. Next, we explore the entrepreneurial landscape with Steve Morrell, Managing Director of ContactBabel, a leading research and analysis firm for the contact center industry. For more information about ContactBabel, visit: https://www.contactbabel.com/Steve has written hundreds of research reports and his opinion on contact centres has been featured on the BBC, ITV, Sky, the Guardian, Forbes.com and the Financial Times. He has also advised the UK government on the effect of offshoring on the UK economy.In his segment, we discuss the value of focusing on established successes and features insights on the contact center and customer experience industry.Here are some key takeaways from this episode:How to implement technology to improve valet services and customer experienceTips on hiring and managing employees in the parking industryCustomer experience best practices for call centersHow to use AI and machine learning in customer serviceBe sure to check out these great clips from Segment 1 with Joaquin Rojas:02:12 Joaquin's Early Career and Growth05:15 Challenges and Innovations at Bal Harbour Shops11:06 Event Parking and the Miami Marlins19:02 Hiring and Managing Parking Staff25:42 Technology in Parking Operations31:29 Lightning Round: Personal Insights34:42 Building Relationships in the Parking Industry35:22 Magic Wand: Fixing Tailgating in Parking36:21 Balancing Work and Family Life37:57 Pride in Helping Others SucceedSegment 2 with Steve Morrell:41:14 Steve Morrell's Journey into Contact Center Research44:09 The Importance of Customer Experience50:03 Challenges in Contact Centers and Offshoring52:59 The Role of AI in Contact Centers59:29 Funny and Challenging Parking Stories01:03:21 Lessons from Starting Multiple Businesses

Roamy Valera, a parking veteran and President of Automotus, shares his journey from Cuba to transforming parking with innovative curb management. He discusses overcoming challenges and the role of tech in reshaping outdated parking policies. Amy Brown, CEO of Authenticx, juggles raising four kids while growing her healthtech company. She reveals how AI can empower healthcare executives by harnessing customer feedback. Together, they highlight the intersection of technology, customer voices, and the evolving landscape of parking and healthcare.

In this episode of Harder Than It Looks, Sarah Blouch dives into the journey of managing parking solutions at CampusParc and The Ohio State University. We’ll discuss challenges from stakeholder management, the integration of environmental initiatives, and get into what concession agreements look like from negotiation to execution. Then we explore the significance of customer centricity beyond typical service teams, detailing a universal five-step model. In Segment 2, guest host Claudia Lopez, Client Success Manager at Parker Technology, interviews Jyo Shukla, author of “Customer Success Mindset: Building Customer-Centricity into the DNA of your Growth Strategy,” advocates for empathetic engagement and the creation of raving fans through exceptional service and strategic communication.This convo does a really good job of breaking down complex parts of parking like concession agreements and customer experience into easy-to-understand ideas and tactics  Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:The pros and cons of a Concession AgreementHow Sarah Blouch is breaking down diversity barriers in parkingHow Jyo Shukla turns customers into raving fans Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:Sarah's Career Journey (00:03:02)Transition to Ohio State University (00:05:00)Transition to a Concession Agreement (00:07:13)Managing the Transition (00:10:56)Understanding Concession Agreements (00:15:20)The University's Financial Gain (00:20:18)Challenges Faced During COVID-19 (00:21:05)Navigating the Arm's Length Relationship with the University (00:23:12)Adapting to Technology Changes (00:26:20)Managing Parking Rules and Regulations (00:27:44)Addressing Customer Frustrations (00:29:15)Navigating Campus Politics and Decision-Making (00:30:04)Challenges of Operating within a Concession Agreement (00:35:06)Perspective on Diversity and Inclusion in the Industry (00:39:55)Segment 2: Jyo ShuklaFostering Customer Sucess and Advocacy (00:57:16)Takeaways from “Customer Success Mindset” (01:06:30)Embracing Change and Overcoming Adversity (01:19:25)Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click Here to Subscribe via SpotifyClick Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. Thank you so much!​​Want to help the show?Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

This episode is a masterclass in parking marketing or “Parketing.” We sat down with 3 incredible marketing leaders in parking, RJ Juliano, Sarah Becherer, and our own Heidi Barber. You are going to learn actionable tips that you can use to improve the marketing function at your company immediately. In segment two, we sit down with Casey Crouse to dive into some of the intricacies that make running Ultra Marathons even harder than they look. We compiled an all-star panel of “parketers” to dive deep into a topic typically overlooked in our industry. RJ Juliano, is the CIO, CMO, and Senior Vice President at Parkway Corporation, a Philadelphia-based leader in real estate and parking development that operate nearly 21,000 parking spaces. Sarah Becherer is the VP of Marketing at Ocra, you might remember our episode with their CEO, Ethan Glass. Sarah has over 15 years of experience in demand generation, brand awareness, and customer acquisition. In 2018 she was selected to the NPA’s 40 Under 40 list. Heidi Barber is the VP of Marketing at Parker Technology and also a member of the NPA 40 Under 40 list. She has over a decade of B2B Marketing experience and sits on the steering committee for Women in Parking. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:The Connective Power of Marketing between product, sales, and customer experienceHow to build your parketing team from the ground up. The village it takes to cross the finish line of an Ultra MarathonBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:The Parketing Collective (00:04:44)Transition from CIO to CMO (00:08:24)The importance of a distinct brand for parking operators (00:10:55)Challenges in marketing (00:16:17)Discipline and benchmarks in marketing (00:21:37)Science of Marketing (00:22:32)Consistency in Marketing (00:23:02)Effective Marketing Tactics (00:24:56)Brand Establishment and Thought Leadership (00:27:29)Humanizing the Brand (00:30:52)Digital PR and Blogging (00:33:53)Data and Analytics Investment (00:38:00)Building a Marketing Team (00:41:28)Product Marketing and Differentiation (00:42:44)Brand Ambassadors and Leadership (00:43:50)Outsourcing and Resource Allocation (00:44:18)Joining the Parking Collective (00:45:03)Challenges in Parking Jobs (00:49:16)Wishful Changes in Parking (00:51:56)Professional Achievements and Parketing Collective Call (00:55:59)Segment 2: Casey CrouseUltra Distance Running (01:05:20)Running a 100-Mile Race (01:08:01)Adversity in Ultra Distance Running (01:11:15)Nutrition and Preparation (01:14:48)Lessons Learned and Finish Rates (01:16:08)New Shoe Day (01:19:14)Measuring Success (01:24:47)The Mission of Providing New Shoes (01:24:50)Fundraising and Challenges (01:26:05)Cost of Providing Shoes (01:26:53)Becoming a Board Member (01:28:29)Leadership and Fundraising (01:31:31)Meaning in the Struggle (01:34:10)Empathy in Customer Service (01:36:55)Balancing Work and Family (01:39:06)Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click Here to Subscribe via SpotifyClick Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. Thank you so much!​​Want to help the show?Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com