51 | Leadership, Sustainability, and Solutions for Transformations in Manufacturing

Today's episode is a Simply Tech LIVE interview, capturing a new mini-series the program is doing on Transformations in Industry, Manufacturing. The episode features our guest co-host, Greg Vigil, Industry Director for Manufacturing at Microsoft - who is Microsoft’s in-vertical expert on all things industry related - and our very special guest for the episode, Tracy Galloway, US Vice President of Manufacturing at Microsoft. Tracy has more than 20 years of experience in technology, some of her experiences include, Director level leadership at Unilever North America, as well as more than 15 years at Hewlett Packard, holding experiences ranging from managing the Ford Motor company relationship, all the way to multiple VP level roles including Channel and Attach sales, US technology services, and Strategy, Segments, and Alliances. At Microsoft, Tracy spent time as the regional VP of Microsoft's enterprise commercial team in the great lakes, as well as leading the Microsoft US services team just last year. Tracy brings an immense amount of passion and energy to the discussion.Key Takeaways[08:10] Microsoft's new Manufacturing industry vertical, and why Microsoft decided to carve out a special organization specifically for manufacturing customers and partners[09:05] High level solutions and key scenarios that are driving business impact in manufacturing, and the “why now” impetus for the market[16:10] The importance of strategic partnerships and cohesive collaboration for digital work accelerations in manufacturing[19:25] Tracy's experiences as a woman VP, and the importance of female leadership in the industry[23:25] One of Tracy’s most passion fueled focus areas in manufacturing: sustainability. Why it’s important for manufacturers globally, and the leadership that Microsoft is exemplifying in the space.[26:40] What Greg is seeing when it comes to sustainability across large global organizations[29:48] Tracy’s thoughts on organizational skilling and education in the quickly evolving and maturing world of cloud and AI,[32:29] Greg’s thoughts on how Microsoft is differentiating through education based approaches to technology adoption[33:50] What Tracy thinks business leaders in manufacturing should be thinking about when they want to partner with a large tech organizations like MicrosoftMemorable Quotes[09:33] “Using technology to bridge that gap (the workforce), reskilling the workforce, and embracing technology is really part of the future.”[20:18] “As a leader, you have to manage that success drive with a balance around where everybody’s at right now.”[20:53] “Gender diversity really does provide benefits to organizations and the data just shows that over and over.”Resources:How to contact Tracy & GregTracy Galloway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trgalloway/Greg Vigil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregjvigil/Full Interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UUeZOfK04hoMicrosoft Manufacturing: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/industry/manufacturingMicrosoft Azure: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/Thank you for listening!--------------------------------Join the **New Monthly Newsletter** - Data Binge REFRESH: https://www.derekwesleyrussell.com/newsletterInterested in starting your own podcast? Some candid advice here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-start-podcast-3-step-gono-go-beginners-guide-derek-russellLearn more about the Data Binge Podcast at www.thedatabinge.comConnect with Derek:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekwesleyrussell/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN1c5mzapLZ55ciPgngqRMg/featuredInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drussnetwork/Twitter: https://twitter.com/drussnetworkMedium: https://medium.com/@derekwesleyrussellEmail: [email protected]