SaaSy Talk S02.05: From Grapes to Growth: The Unconventional Path to Tech Leadership

About The Guest(s): Nicole Brambila is an experienced tech leader and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) with a diverse background in sales and management. She began her career in the wine industry before transitioning to the tech sector. Nicole has worked at companies such as Eventbrite and Deputy, where she held various roles and gained valuable experience in sales, storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. Currently, she is the CRO at Medely, a marketplace for nurses, where she is focused on solving human problems in the healthcare industry. Episode Summary: In this episode, Ricky and Gauri interview Nicole, a seasoned tech leader and CRO. Nicole shares her unconventional journey from the wine industry to tech, highlighting the importance of active listening and empathy in sales. She discusses the human element in technology and the challenges of working in a global role. Nicole also emphasises the value of mentors, both male and female, in her personal growth as a leader. As she navigates her new role as CRO, Nicole focuses on building a strong foundation and shaping the future of the business. Key Takeaways: Transitioning from outside sales to inside sales taught Nicole the importance of actively listening, which became a foundational skill in her career. As a leader, it is crucial to be empathetic rather than sympathetic, as empathy allows for progress and understanding. Working in global roles taught Nicole the significance of not making assumptions and being open to learning from different cultures and perspectives. Nicole aims to be more intuitive and trust her instincts as a leader, while also hiring people who are better than her in certain areas. In her current role, Nicole is focused on building a strong foundation, utilising data as a source of truth, and shaping the future direction of the business. Notable Quotes: "Empathising with both the rep, the business, and the prospect is incredibly important, but sympathising with them doesn't actually allow you to progress forward." - Nicole  "Don't make assumptions and don't assume you know anything. Let them teach you, and you'll be much better for it." - Nicole  Chapters 00:06 Journey to CRO: From Wine to Tech 02:40 The Human Element in Technology and Career Progression 07:09 Leadership Evolution and Embracing Mistakes 09:49 The Role of a CRO: Challenges and Daily Operations 13:48 Personal Growth and Mentorship in Leadership 20:55 Cultural Differences in Global Roles 32:58 Strategic Planning and Future Goals 35:10 Quickfire Round and Closing Thoughts Subscribe on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZVkJ12FIqD39oqgj7Kcjq  Subscribe on Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saasy-talk-unfiltered/id1709426070 Subscribe on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSyTalkUnfiltered Subscribe on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasy-talk-unfiltered Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://substack.com/@saasytalkunfiltered Visit our Website:  https://saasytalkunfiltered.transistor.fm/  Follow Ricky Sevta on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickysevta/ Follow Sean Diljore on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/seandiljore/