Change is possible: Your Career Transformation Guide

Embark on a captivating journey with Ani Filipova as she delves into a riveting conversation with Franck Benhamou. Explore his remarkable transition from a corporate executive to an innovative entrepreneur and dedicated minimalist. In this insightful interview, Franck unveils his unique path to success, offering invaluable insights into the power of minimalism and the pursuit of true freedom.

What You'll Learn:

Defining Goals: Franck discusses the crucial step of identifying what you truly want in life and strategically planning to achieve it.

Financial Minimalism: Learn how reducing fixed expenses and focusing on value creation can simplify your life.

Embracing Minimalism: Discover Franck’s unique approach to minimalism—not just as a way to declutter physically but as a strategy to achieve greater life freedom.

Career and Lifestyle Alignment: Insights into selecting a career that harmonizes with your desired lifestyle.

Action Over Perfection: Franck stresses the importance of taking action now, rather than waiting for the perfect moment.

Nomadic Entrepreneurship: Follow Franck’s current adventure across Europe, building a business from the ground up, while living as a nomad.

Marketing & Positioning: Franck highlights how to stand out in today's competitive business environment.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

00:18 Intro

02:16 Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship.

05:53 Creating a plan for financial freedom.

10:26 Managing the transition period and working on his first project.

13:14 Advice for mid-career professionals who want to change their life.

17:57 Advice for young people starting their career.

21:18 Embracing a minimalist life.

27:41 Questioning traditional views on work and education.

35:45 The nomad lifestyle: finding balance and new perspectives.

38:50 Crossing Europe: building a business from scratch.

43:58 Learning from failures and adapting in business and life - how to stand out.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE:

https://youtu.be/cYl0tcDalJQ

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

FOLLOW ANI:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

Watch Franck’s Journey: Follow his updates and learn from his experiences at WTFT.life, where he offers educational and inspirational content.

Subscribe and Join Us:

Don't miss out on more inspiring stories and valuable lessons from thought leaders like Franck.

Click subscribe, like this video, and hit the bell icon to stay updated.

Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below—we love hearing from you!

Join our host, Ani Filipova, as she delves into the dynamic world of tech with Anna McDougall, a former opera singer turned influential software engineer and author. In this engaging episode, Anna highlights the creative synergies between programming and opera singing, demonstrating how both fields require robust problem-solving skills and a deep reservoir of creativity. She shares her transformative journey from the opera stage to the tech industry, emphasizing resilience and the continuous learning needed to succeed.

Anna discusses the insights from her #1 Amazon Bestselling book, "You Belong in Tech: How to Go From Zero Programming Experience to Hired," offering actionable advice for anyone looking to break into tech. She also reflects on her powerful TEDx talk, "Finding and Proving Your Value as a Career Changer," inspiring listeners to reassess the value career changers bring to their new industries.

Learn how Anna used Twitter to navigate her career shift and why effective communication is so vital in tech.

This episode is a must-listen for career changers, tech enthusiasts, or anyone curious about blending arts with technology.

🌟 Episode Takeaways:

Learn the skill of career transition: from digital marketing to opera singing to software engineering.

Learn how to build and lead people-driven tech teams effectively.

Gain insights into breaking into tech with no prior programming experience.

Get inspired by Anna's strategies for communicating complex tech concepts easily.

Understand the creative parallels between the arts and tech innovation.

Hear firsthand how social media can open doors to new career opportunities.

Discover practical tips for career changers in the tech industry.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:54 Who is Anna and what is her story

03.25 How do you know that you are ready for a career change - from marketing to Opera singer

05.22 Second career change - becoming a software engineer.

09:09 The common thread between programming and opera singing

12:44 How to break into tech at 33 with a newborn baby in a foreign country after being an opera singer.

19:01 Using Twitter to land a job

21.36 Skills needed if you want to work in tech

25:37 Misconceptions about the tech industry

28:45 Finding your value as a career changer

31:20 The NNQ (names, numbers and quotes) system to present your value as a career changer

34:30 What societal perceptions would Anna change to make the life of career changers easier?

WATCH ON YOUTUBE:

https://youtu.be/cYl0tcDalJQ

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

linkedin.com/in/annajmcdougall

In this captivating episode, Chris O'Connell bravely opens up about his journey from running a £25-Million business to facing the daunting reality of losing everything and rebuilding it back up. Chris shares his experiences of resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of finding your purpose and starting over. Discover how he navigated the challenges of rebuilding his life, finding strength in adversity, and ultimately, emerging stronger than ever before. If you feel like you're losing everything, Chris's story will inspire you to keep pushing forward, reminding you that every setback is an opportunity for growth and transformation. Tune in for Chris' expert advice on recruitment, how to stand out from the crowd when applying for a job, what industries are booming at the moment, and how to find fulfillment in your professional and personal journey.

🌟 Episode Takeaways:

Resilience, determination, and self-belief are crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Transferable skills and personal branding significantly influence career changes and job search.

Networking and leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn are essential for building connections and opportunities.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:11 Overcoming challenges and rebuilding his life and business

10:59 The start of his career in recruitment

11.55 Building a £25-Million Business

15:27 Finding his purpose after losing his business

18:38 Career changes and transferable skills

22:03 Understanding the recruitment process

28:23 The importance of cultivating a network and personal branding

WATCH ON YOUTUBE:

https://youtu.be/yQvdrDFoe7k

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell

Embark on an inspiring journey with Nat Berman, who transformed his career from being a recruiter to a successful entrepreneur in the digital and coaching world. This podcast episode unveils Nat's path to success, highlighting how he built a substantial digital presence across 25 websites in various sectors, attracting millions of monthly views and achieving significant financial success with minimal daily work. Nat also delves into personal brand enhancement, business growth, mental health, and more. Whether you are at a career crossroads, aiming to boost your brand, or fascinated by the potential of digital entrepreneurship, Nat's insights provide a valuable roadmap. Tune in for Nat's expert advice on career pivoting, overcoming challenges, and the keys to sustained success and fulfilment in your professional journey.

🌟 Episode Highlights:

00:00Trailer

01:15 Introduction to Nat Berman's Journey

05:15 Building a Digital Portfolio from Scratch

12:48 Leveraging AI for Content Creation

14:32 Overcoming Entrepreneurial Burnout

16:15 Trends in Digital Website Portfolio

17:32 Achieving Clarity and Focus in Business

20:13 The Importance of Mental and Physical Health

22:33 Dealing with Anxiety as a Recruiter and Entrepreneur

28:23 Entrepreneurship as a Journey of Personal Growth

30:45 Escaping the 9-5: Tips and Motivation

34:06 Creating a Paid Community

38:36 How to Build a Network and Engage on LinkedIn

43:10 Staying Ahead of Industry Trends

45:47 Essential Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

47:23 Finding Freedom in Entrepreneurship

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

linkedin.com/in/nathanielberman

Join our host Ani Filipova in this eye-opening episode of our podcast as she delves into the world of change and career evolution with April Rinne.

Recognized by Forbes as one of the world's "50 Leading Female Futurists" and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, April is a renowned expert in navigating change and uncertainty, advising top organizations and governments globally.

Dive into April Rinne's rich experiences, from Harvard Law to advising giants like Airbnb and Nike, and discover how she transforms personal tragedy and global insights into a force for guiding others through flux.

As the author of "Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change," April brings unique perspectives on evolving career landscapes and developing resilience in a world in flux.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on building a portfolio career and embracing change, infused with April Rinne's personal stories and professional wisdom. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to adapt and succeed in the ever-changing world of work.

🔗 Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more insights on career development and navigating change. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

🌟 Episode Highlights:

00.00 Intro and introductions

03:44 April Rinne's mission

05:05 Pivotal life experiences

08:53 Dealing with grief after losing both her parents at the age of 20

12:52 April Rinne's varied career

21:00 Dealing with pushback and being different

26:47 Dealing with continuous change and a world in flux

33:39 Developing a Flux Mindset and the Flux Superpowers

40:30 Feeling stuck in your career

46:36 Starting a portfolio career and understanding your portfolio

50:28 Future of work trends

54:10 Advice for those at the beginning of their careers

57:54 Navigating career changes in the middle of your career

01:01:11 Trusting yourself in times of change

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aprilrinne

Website: aprilrinne.com

In this episode, our host, Ani Filipova explores the challenging yet common feeling of being stuck in a career. With a blend of vulnerability and insight, Ani delves into the myriad reasons behind career stagnation and shares the approaches that helped her find her new path.

🌟 Episode takeaways

Feeling stuck in a job is a sign that it's time for a change or a new approach.

Challenges of feeling stuck include the paradox of choice, fear of change, skill gap, information overload, and societal and economic expectations.

Seeking advice and exploring different options can help gain clarity and perspective.

Uncovering true aspirations and turning them into reality requires self-reflection and a willingness to step outside of societal norms.

Chapters

00:00 Feeling stuck in your job

01:27 Factors contributing to feeling stuck

03:26 Personal experience of feeling stuck

04:22 Seeking advice and exploring options

05:20 Realization and turning point

06:06 Uncovering true aspiratio

👍 If Ani's insights resonate with you, don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment with the topics you want to hear more about. Your interaction fuels our content and supports the community.

Remember, change is not just possible, it's within your reach. Dive into this episode to discover how!

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

In the latest episode of our podcast dedicated to career growth and change, I had the privilege of hosting Tatiana Kolovou, a renowned professor at the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University.

With her vast experience in business communication, cross-cultural communication, and resilience building, Tatiana brings invaluable insights to anyone looking to navigate the complex world of career development.

Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Tatiana has an impressive and diverse background and experience not only as a teaching professor but also as an instructor at LinkedIn Learning and a Co-Owner of Ethos Fitness.

In our enlightening discussion, Tatiana delved into various facets of career growth, offering practical advice and actionable tips. Here’s a glimpse of what we covered:

02:52 Who is Tatiana Kolovou

09:56 From Fitness to Academia

15:44 Pivotal moments in her career when communication changed the game for her

18:30 Building resilience in careers

22:53 The role of communication in the process of change

24:48 How to communicate your value in different situations

30:47 Tips and strategies for communication if you start in a new field, new job, new industry

33.21 How to prepare for a change of job coupled with a change of location, town or country.

39:30 How to use communication to transform rejections into growth opportunities.

43:10 Mastering the Art of Listening

47:59 Learning from Failures

This episode is a treasure trove for anyone aiming to elevate their career, master the art of strategic communication, and build resilience in the ever-changing business landscape.

🎧 Tune in for actionable insights and real-world advice. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more career growth and communication strategies, and share your thoughts in the comments!

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

linkedin.com/in/tatianakolovou

Dive into the financial acumen of Carl Seidman, a maestro in Financial Planning & Analysis, as he shares his journey from traditional finance roles to becoming a go-to expert for career and finance transformation and strategic business advising. In our latest episode, Carl uncovers the essence of pivoting in one's career, identifying the qualities that distinguish successful professionals and the common traps that limit potential. He also delves into the future of finance with insights that are crucial for every professional gearing up for tomorrow's challenges. Join us in this enlightening conversation that promises to reshape your financial perspective and prepare you for an empowered career path.

This is what we discussed:

00:00 Trailer

01:29 Carl Seidman back story and the key events that shaped him into the person he is today.

04:38 How he chose FP&A to be his profession

06:33 Blueprint for career pivoting "I want to take charge of the direction of my career" 11:40 Top qualities that set successful people apart

15:51 Common pitfalls that hinder people from reaching their full potential, and how can they navigate around them

18:37 Are Finance and accounting compatible with creativity?

22:02 How should professionals prepare for the future of financial planning and analysis?

28:16 How Improv comedy and Toastmasters can help finance professionals.

31:50 For those aspiring to step into the shoes of a business advisor

or coach, what core principles should they embrace?

35:12 Three pieces of advice for those who feel stuck in their career

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

FOLLOW THE HOST:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

FOLLOW OUR GUEST :

linkedin.com/in/carlseidman

seidmanfinancial.com

In this episode, Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams demystifies the art of communication and unveils the keys to becoming an exceptional speaker.

With a deep understanding of human interaction and a passion for teaching, Matt shares invaluable tips and strategies that will empower anyone, regardless of their background or experience, to master the art of effective communication.

Drawing from his extensive expertise, Matt takes you on a journey through the essential elements of successful communication. Whether you're looking to ace a public speaking engagement, enhance your interpersonal relationships, or become a more confident and impactful communicator, this episode is for you.

Here are the details:

00:01 Trailer

01:38 Who is Matt Abrahams?

03:17 Career changes: Tech, Teaching, Coaching.

05:23 What is effective communication?

07:15 Are communication skills learnable?

09:28 How to build resilience to negative comments?

12.00 How to respond smartly when someone gives us negative remarks?

14:03 Debunking the myth that extroverts are better communicators than introverts.

17:43 The art of storytelling – steps to get better.

20:48 How do we make our point heard?

23:44 Inspiration for his new book “Think Faster, Talk Smarter.”

24:38 How to tackle public speaking anxiety?

28:36 How to structure our spontaneity??!!

31:07 How to structure the perfect pitch?

33:15 Making a mistake while public speaking or presenting – how to recover?

35:01 One key message to take away from this episode.

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hIdk5DTJA46Wjd88gC1UK

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/change-is-possible-your-career-transformation-guide/id1609990507

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

Find Matt here:linkedin.com/in/maabrahams

Follow the host here: linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Join us as we journey with Amna Ajmal—Mastercard's Executive Vice President of Market Development in EMEA—tracing her ascent from banking roots to pinnacle fintech leadership. Celebrated among the top 100 women in fintech by IBM & Fintech Magazine and distinguished as one of the top 25 women fintech trailblazers, Amna's strategic impact echoes across 80 global markets. This episode delves into her illustrious international career, touching corners from the UAE and Egypt to the UK, Poland, Singapore, and Malaysia. If you're charting a course towards banking or fintech leadership on a global stage, Amna's insights are invaluable. 🔑 Key Topics in This Episode: 01:34 Intro 02:40 Who is Amnah Ajmal 04:21 Amnah's story about the event that impacted her life the most. 10:15 Overview of Amnah's career 13:30 Key qualities that helped be promoted to a Senior position at a young age. 16:00 Balancing Innovation with the need to scale and grow a product 18:28 Amnah's blueprint for career change 22:15 Key pieces of advice for a successful career change 25:26 Qualities and Skills to help you get recognition and respect in your profession 28:20 How to make it in the Fintech space 29:18 Advice to those who want to have similar career success and journey 31:50 A failure that taught her a lesson 35:20 Who is Amnah outside work 37:49 Outro 💬 Join the Conversation: What part of Amnah’s story resonated with you the most? How do you plan to implement the learned strategies to ascend in your career? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below! 📌 Remember to: Like this video if you find value in it. Subscribe to the "Change is possible" podcast for more insightful episodes. Share this episode with anyone you think could benefit from these insights. Click the notification bell so you never miss an episode! LISTEN ON: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dHKNfkkY Apple: https://lnkd.in/dQ_Fpi5f Google: https://lnkd.in/dFz3cXpA Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/ WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ FIND AMNAH HERE: linkedin.com/in/amnah-ajmal-993b186 FOLLOW THE HOST ON: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

Discover the transformative journey of Kathy McFee,  who transitioned from a high-stakes corporate sales career to become a

beacon of empowerment and leadership for women. Kathy opens up about her dynamic experiences, challenges, and the wisdom she gained while

climbing the corporate ladder to become a VP and EVP in Sales. Kathy’s mission through 'Insights to Action' is to empower women, helping them

to step boldly into senior leadership roles and thrive.

In this episode, we delve deep into Kathy’s invaluable insights on leadership transformation, career pivots, self-discovery, and women's empowerment. Learn the actionable strategies Kathy employs to help individuals seamlessly navigate from uncertainty and self-doubt to become decisive, strategic, and outcome-driven leaders without experiencing burnout.

Whether you're teetering on the edge of leaving your corporate job or aspiring to elevate your leadership skills, this episode is packed with

enriching insights to fuel your journey!

Key Topics in  This Episode:

01:34 Intro 02:40 Who is Katy McFee05:11 Katy's career journey and when she realised she wanted to be an Executive07:45 Challenges when moving from Manager to VP and strategies to overcome them13:40 Top three advice for those at the cusp of Leadership position16:19 Leaving the corporate life after becoming EVP22.19 How to prepare for the transition from corporate to entrepreneurship29:20 Key pieces of advice for those who are on the cusp of starting their own business32:27 What did she learn about herself after diving into entrepreneurship36:08 Growing her LinkedIn network as an enabler for her business40:46 One advice to her younger self Join the Conversation:

What part of Kathy’s story resonated with you the most? How do you plan to implement the learned strategies to ascend in your career? Share your

thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below!

Remember to:

Like this video if you find value in it.

Subscribe to "Change is possible" podcast for more insightful episodes.

Share this episode with anyone you think could benefit from these insights.

Click the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: ⁠https://lnkd.in/dHKNfkkY⁠

Apple: ⁠https://lnkd.in/dQ_Fpi5f⁠

Google: ⁠https://lnkd.in/dFz3cXpA⁠

Podcast site: ⁠https://changeispossible.site/⁠

 

WATCH THE PODCAST ON  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ⁠

In this riveting interview, we delve deep into Lester Chng's remarkable transition from the Singapore Navy to the world of cybersecurity in Canada. Facing challenges like job loss didn't deter Lester; instead, he turned adversity into opportunity, securing a new position in a flash and even writing a book about his experiences.

Dive into this conversation to uncover the essence of resilience, the strategy behind career transitions, and the passion that fuels a new author. Lester's story is a testament to the power of grit, adaptability, and the human spirit.

Discover how to bounce back from setbacks and be inspired to chart your own path, no matter the challenges. If you're looking to be motivated and gain insights into navigating life's curveballs, this episode is for you.

Details:

02:23 Who is Lester Chng

03.22 Moving from Singapore to Canada

04.42 Career changes - Navy - Cyber security - Author

09.44 What is cyber security and why is it important

13.26 Dealing with a layoff

18.33 How to find job quickly

21.39 Writing a book

26.40 Top three pieces of advice to those who want to change careers

30.00 Why is building a personal brand on LinkedIn important

33.29 Blueprint for building a brand on LinkedIn

LISTEN ON:

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dHKNfkkY

Apple: https://lnkd.in/dQ_Fpi5f

Google: https://lnkd.in/dFz3cXpA

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

FOLLOW THE HOST ON:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

Find Lester here: linkedin.com/in/lesterchng

Get ready to meet Robin Yoo – my guest today, who swapped his corporate desk for the entrepreneur's hustle.

For 27 years, he navigated the intricate world of corporate secretarial services, wearing multiple hats and sharpening his skills across industries.

Then, Robin decided it was time for a change. He took everything he learned from his corporate journey, packed it up, and co-founded Agile 8.

In our chat, Robin will share his straight-from-the-heart story about his shift from an employee to an entrepreneur. We're diving into the real, the raw, and the rewarding parts of his journey. Tune in; it's going to be a genuine, impactful conversation you won't want to miss.

Here is what we spoke about:

01:12 What motivated Robin to leave a corporate job and found his own company

03:21 His biggest fear when he was started and how he overcame it

06:20 Planning and preparing to become an entrepreneur

07:46 Resources or networks Robin utilized to help with the career transition

10:12 Most useful corporate career skills for the new venture

11:43 Skills Robin needed to unlearn when he became an entrepreneur

13:18 Challenges he faced in the early stage of his company

16:45 What does entrepreneurship provide him that the corporate job did not

20:18 Balancing time and priorities as an entrepreneur – is the grass greener

26:44 What would he do differently if he were to start his company all over again

28:26 Top 3 pieces of advice for a successful career change

LISTEN ON:

Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dHKNfkkY

Apple: https://lnkd.in/dQ_Fpi5f

Google: https://lnkd.in/dFz3cXpA

WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

FOLLOW THE HOST ON:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

Find Robin Yoo here: linkedin.com/in/robin-yoo-0ba15a41

Maaike Steinebach believes that technology can democratise the financial, physical, mental and sexual wellbeing of everyone and can help women in particular. After 25 rewarding years in financial services and tech, most recently as CEO of Visa Hong Kong & Macau, she founded FemTechFuture in 2023 to focus on advisory and impact investment in women’s sexual, financial, physical and mental wellbeing, female founders and Web3. In 2023 she joined Lindsay Davis, Founder of Femtech Association Asia, as co-CEO to help her build the first membership-based Femtech industry network and advisory in Asia Pacific. She advises several amazing start-ups (Luuna, Sextech School, Mixcare Health, Hello Nancy). This are the topics we spoke about: (01:35) Maike’s corporate career explained in 5 min. (07:42) What was the career she was dreaming about? (08:45) Planning career moves and helping other women on the way. (13:35) How to get promoted. (16:33) What to do if you are starting your career now (18:32) How to be future compatible in mid-career (22:00) Developing interest in Femtech and Sextech and leaving her corporate career. (30:54) The financial side of a career change (34:34) Leaving a corporate job and starting anew - what are the steps and pitfalls? (39:00) Top 3 pieces of advice for a successful career change LISTEN ON: Podcast site: https://changeispossible.site/ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dHKNfkkY Apple: https://lnkd.in/dQ_Fpi5f Google: https://lnkd.in/dFz3cXpA WATCH THE PODCAST ON YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ FOLLOW THE HOST ON: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

Hi everyone and welcome to Episode 25 of the Change is Possible podcast. 

My guest is Simon Clarke. He is a Managing Director with Citibank Private bank, and his career spans 38 years.  

You know how in the last several years people started to look for more meaning and flexibility. Many are looking for a career change. In this environment, Simon seems to have found a balance and purpose and enjoys his work and life. 

Also, he has amassed 57000 people following on LinkedIn where he shares financial tips, anecdotes, and career lessons.  So, I want to understand how he is doing this.  

While you are watching, If you find this podcast interesting, please subscribe and leave a comment  

Here is what we spoke about:  

(00:44) Intro  

(01:50) Staring a career in banking with a degree in Spanish and French 

(03:35) Qualities and skills sought after in new hires for the  banking industry 

(06.40) How are the banking jobs changing 

(09:40) What should people in their mid-career focus on to be ready for the future 

(12.32) Simon’s mid-career change 

(14:12) The importance of building a personal brand in the online space 

(17:55) Corporate policies and building a personal brand  

(19:40) Drawing inspiration to post on LinkedIn every day 

(23:47) Finding balance and purpose in career and life (28:08) How to bridge the generational divide 

(30:57) Three top qualities that helped in his career 

Connect with Simon on LInkedIn linkedin.com/in/simonclarkehk 

WATCH THE PODCAST ON  

YouTube: https://youtu.be/B-2tNUkIPok

FOLLOW THE HOST ON: 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova 

Personal site: https://anifilipova.me/

This is episode 24 and my guest today is an amazing young lady - Karolina Attspodina. She started her career in the digital marketing space, then founded her first company in the events industry, sold it, and started advising and mentoring startups around the world. Today she is the CEO and co-founder of a solar tech startup, We Do Solar. The company offers a smart balcony solar solution that can help people lower their dependence on grid energy while reducing their CO2 footprint by up to 600kg (that’s 1000m2 of the forest ) and saving up to 25% of annual electricity costs. Karolina is a passionate supporter of sustainable green innovations that help fight climate change and pollution.

Here is what we spoke about:

01:50 Her early life, education, and what she dreamt of becoming when she was a teenager

05:30 The start of her work trajectory

08:02 Founding her first company

10:35 Entrepreneur vs. employee

13:02 Move to green tech

17:40 How do you start a new company

21:23 What helped her to succeed in three different industries

23:51 Financial discipline and style of life

26:40 Financing her companies

28:47 Advice for young people who want to start in green tech

30:31 Advice for mid-career professionals to move to green tech

32:29 Top three takeaways for people who wish to change their careers

36:27 Karolina talking about her company, https://we.do.solar

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1aeNZ-2lqnp9l1VJu2FOQ

Follow the Host on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anifilipova

Hi everyone, this is episode 21 of the "Change is possible" podcast. 

Let me introduce you to my guest today – Stella Kasdagli. She is the former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine in Greece. And following over ten years of working there, Stella realized she needed to make a career change. During this period, she co-founded Women On Top as a side hustle. Today it is a non-profit organization for the professional development of women and gender equality in the public sphere. Stella is the author of 8 books, has translated more than 30, and has won multiple awards. Among them is the National Book Award for Young Adult Non-Fiction. Stella has experienced some interesting career changes, which I am excited to delve into and learn from today! 

In this episode, we explore: 

1. The start of Stella’s career — from studying French literature to becoming a translator for young adult romantic novels. 

2.  The lessons she learned and the revelation she came to while working at Cosmopolitan magazine. 

3.  What influenced Stella’s decision to quit her job. 

4. The unique way Stella overcame her doubts and fears. 

5.  What steps she took to support herself financially upon leaving her job. 

6. The inspiration for Stella’s books. 

7. The inspiration for and development of Stella’s non-profit organization, Women On Top. 

8. Catalysts for the growth and success of Women On Top. 

9. The surprising challenge Stella faced when running her own business. And the even more surprising way she adapted to this! 

Stella provides three pieces of eye-opening advice for anyone planning a career pivot: 

- Don’t underestimate the power of self-reflection. 

- Never make a career change to prove a point — do it because you are eager to learn something new. 

- Invest your time and energy in building relationships BEFORE you need anything from them. 

Tune in to hear Stella’s gripping personal story! 

You can find Stella at Women on Top https://womenontop.gr/ 

Or through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellakasdagli/

Hello, hello, and welcome to episode 20 of the Change is Possible podcast. 

I can’t wait to introduce you to my guest today - Augusto Rozo. He is one of those people for whom change is a way of life. Augusto was 19 when he first moved to NYC. At 22, he was in Barcelona and started his first company with only $80. Eventually, the business took him around the world, selling his products, building fascinating connections, and discovering opportunities. While in his twenties, he also learned three new languages and took two masters and one MBA. Later, he moved to the Middle East, where he tried the other side of the coin — being employed by others. At 39, he quit his job to pursue a new dream. Throughout this eclectic journey, Augusto learned innumerable lessons about people, business, organizations and change. And now he will share some of these with us. 

In this episode, you hear about: 

1.. Augusto’s upbringing and early life that shaped him into a person who is open and looking to try new things continuously. 

2. Going to New York to study filmmaking. 

3. Moving to Barcelona, starting as an English teacher and the jewellery business with his wife. 

4. Building a corporate career in UAE. 

5. How different side hustles drive some of your career decisions. 

6. The benefits of an MBA. 7. His approach to managing all the changes financially. 

8. The most challenging times and how he overtook them. 

9 . The three key takeaways for a successful career change. 

A quote that stood out to me was: “To make those changes happen [setting up a business or pivoting in your career], be observant of the opportunity but also of the people that can work with you to make these happen.” Augusto speaks about the importance of developing relationships and how they have presented some of his greatest opportunities and life experiences. 

The three key takeaways for a successful career are: 

1. Plan your finances. 

2. Start with the first step – it will trigger the next moves 

3. Speak openly about what you want to achieve so you can brainstorm, get feedback, identify opportunities and find people to partner with. 

Tune in to hear Augusto’s fascinating personal story! 

You can connect with Augusto and read some of his inspiring stories on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augusto-rozo/ 

He also has a website at: https://www.augustorozo.com/

Hi everyone, my guest today is Paul McVeigh. He started his career in football and became a Premier League and International football player for Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, and Northern Ireland. 

Paul competed with and against the best players  in the world on a daily basis , and this is what shaped his methodology of high performance. 

He has a unique combination of reaching the pinnacle of elite sport as well as being the first Premier League footballer to qualify with a Master’s Degree in Psychology. 

He dedicated his career to understanding what makes humans ‘tick’ and how it affects how they think, feel and act.

Paul specializes in implementing the mental tools required to elevate the performance of leaders and teams from organizations across the world, especially in financial services, technology, and the professional services industry. He has recently worked with PWC,  Aviva, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, NatWest, Microsoft, Cisco and many more.

He is also an established broadcaster on TV and radio and is a published author.

Here is what we talked about:

-       Growing up in Northern Ireland in the 70s and 80s

-       Starting with football and what it taught him apart from physical strength and endurance

-       The decision to study Psychology

-       His book “The Stupid Footballer is Dead.”

-       How he developed his business 

-       Becoming  a keynote speaker

-       Experiences from his transition from football to his current business

-       His key takeaways for a successful career pivot

 

Tune in to hear this fascinating personal story.

You can connect with Paul at https://paulmcveigh.com/

Listen to his podcast: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-psychology-of-success/id1561741449

My guest today is Sonia Wedrychowicz . She came from a family of lawyers but didn’t want to become one herself – she wanted to travel. She found out that in the Warsaw School of Economics, there was a program called International trade, and she knew that if she studied trade, she would sign international contracts on behalf of Poland with foreign countries. That was close enough to her dream to travel, and that was Sonia’s decision-making process to study economics. And this is how she started a successful career that took her all over the world. Sonia is a Partner with McKinsey & Company’s Global Banking Practice, based in Dubai. She advises corporate and consumer banks in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia on topics including growth and digital transformation. Before joining McKinsey, Sonia had a successful banking career in Citibank, corporate and consumer banking, for 18 years. After that, she was a key driver of digital banking transformation at DBS in Singapore, where she was responsible for building digital banks in India and Indonesia. She then led an agile transformation of Chase at JPMorgan Chase in the US. Outside work, Sonia loves to read, cook, travel, and spend time with her family. In addition, she is an accomplished black belt kickboxer. We had a fun and engaging discussion on many topics: working for one organization for 18 years, becoming a tech lead without a tech background, being a consultant, and many more. For those planning job change, Sonia has the following advice: 1.       Understand your internal motives for the change. This will make the next move  easier and more relevant. 2.       Make profound due diligence of the team and culture of your new employer. The interviews for a new job are like the teaser for a new movie, and then the movie can be very very different from what you expected. 3.       Consider your new job not only from a promotion and money point of view but also how it is positioned in the fast-changing world. 

Episode 15 of the “Change is possible podcast” is out! My guest is Rana Nawas. She is a 22-year corporate veteran who built her successful career around problem-solving, driving growth and building relationships. After graduating from Oxford with an Engineering degree, she worked in  McKinsey & Company’s London Office, the Dubai Government, and GE Capital in a variety of strategy and sales roles. Then she left the corporate world to found her hugely successful podcast "When women win", and become a keynote speaker, advisor, and board chair. Recently, she made another career change and joined Oliver Wyman in Dubai as a partner focusing on the transportation sector. Apart from all the professional success, Rana is a mother of two boys; she is a quad-lingual global citizen, a retired yogini, a cross-fitter, and a cancer survivor. It was such an interesting discussion about life, work, and change Some of Rana’s thoughts that stayed with me: The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships You cannot expect everything in life to come out of only one relationship. Sometimes you have to do a job, and you get meaning and purpose from other things And that is OK There are very few dead ends in life. What you want changes over time and that’s OK! You recalibrate and figure out what is next Here are Rana’s  three key takeaways to have in mind when you plan a career change: - Make sure you are financially secured - Put a lot of thought into what it is that you want to do - When you start with something new – give it a chance; have a grit Tune in, and I promise you – the discussion was so thought-provoking that you will want to spend some alone time thinking about things!

My guest today is Eugene Liang

I  met Eugene more than six months ago to advise him on a product he was working on. I thought his career journey into banking was not  traditional.

He  is someone who has spent ten years working for some of the top Asia  Unicorns, such as Lazada/Alibaba - LazGames, Grab, and OFO, to name a  few. He enjoys the zero-to-one process in established companies or startups, from ideation to go-to-market. His experience span gaming/gamification, e-commerce, bike-sharing, and ride-hailing-related industries.

Today he is using all his previous tech experience in a very different industry - banking. Outside banking, his interest is in NFTs, web3, cryptocurrency, and blockchains.

We had an engaging discussion on what it is to work for a Unicorn, what qualities he needed to start in such a company, what he learned, and,  of course, how he moved to banking.

He shared that "folks who work or join startups/tech unicorns are: i)  self-starters; ii) obsessed with execution and iii) thrive in a  fast-paced change environment". And the top skills that one could learn  there are "the ability to do more with less" and "efficiency and  delivering with swift turnaround time."

On  the question "why moving to banking" Eugene said - "I  spent quite a  bit of time in environments where growth rates are prized over  profitability. I thought it would be useful to learn what it means to be  financially prudent and build a profitable business."

On my traditional question about key takeaways, he shared these:

1. Keep an open mind - your skill set could benefit other departments in your company or other industries.
2. Always be networking - opportunities come through people.
3. Bring tangible and intangible value to the new employer - be it skills, network, or domain knowledge not easily replicated.

Please tune in to hear more about his journey!

Happy listening!

My guest in this episode is Myladie Stoumbou.

She  is the Regional Director for Partner Business Development in Microsoft  Corp. Myladie leads an innovative and fast-growing partner ecosystem  across 33 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. She works on new  business practices, services, and solutions that reimagine the way of  doing business.

When  you tune into the podcast, you will discover that apart from everything  else, Myladie is a fabulous storyteller. This is how she described her  upbringing:

"I  was raised in a very small provincial town in Western Greece. I was  raised with lots of love, with the wisdom of the ancient philosophers,  the drama plots of the ancient tragedians, and the theorems of the  ancient mathematicians. "

She  is also someone who likes to follow non-traditional paths. She studied  Computer engineering when this was not a "thing"; and when it was far  less of a  women's profession than now. And then she became a sales  guru, not in any company but Microsoft!

When  I asked for her three key takeaways, she told me, "Well, I will give  you five at the size of one"! This is a salesperson through and through.

Miladye said that she walks her path with GRACE and these five pillars are her compass through the years:

- Generosity – be a giver, not only a taker

- Resilience – make mistakes and learn from them

- Authenticity – be true to who you are

- Courage – don't be afraid to make decisions to break the status quo

- Empathy – stay human; try to connect from the heart and try to understand others

Happy listening!!

My guest in this episode is Morgan McKenney.

She is the CEO of Provenance Blockchain Foundation, a public blockchain built specifically for financial services and used by over 50 financial institutions today. In this role, she is focused on helping financial services participants leverage the value of digital money, digital assets, and blockchain to transform financial services and deliver material business and customer value.  

Before Provenance Blockchain, she was a special advisor to Centre, focused on the trusted use of stablecoins starting with USDC. She spent nearly 18 years at Citi in various senior operating roles worldwide.  

I met Morgan in Hong Kong – we used to work together for 4 years. Then she went back to the US, where she became the COO of Citi's Global Consumer Banking business, reporting to Jane Fraser, the current CEO of Citibank. 

In our conversation, we spoke about her fascinating career journey, the skills that helped her career grow, the importance of international assignments, her career after leaving a large financial institution, and much more!

I asked her to share three key takeaways to help with career change. She added a bonus one, so here are her FOUR essential pieces of advice: 

1.     Take the stretch role; take leaps in your career to maximize your potential.
2.     Be in tune with what motivates you:  like your boss and like your content.
3.     Embrace change as an opportunity to learn.
4.     Collaborate and extend a helping hand, and nurture your network. 

My guest in this episode is Eric Sim.

A key opinion leader on LinkedIn, Eric Sim, CFA, is the author of the book Small Actions: Leading Your Career to Big Success. Previously, when based in Hong Kong, Sim served as a managing director at UBS Investment Bank and an adjunct associate professor of finance at HKUST. He founded the Institute of Life with a mission to train young professionals to be successful at work and in life.

I met Eric Sim one year ago when I left my corporate career and needed a coach to help me navigate my social media presence.

I saw a clubhouse event he was organizing. I checked his Linked profile and could not believe that he had more than 2 million followers. I registered, and he invited me to ask my questions on the stage during the event. This is how we connected.

In the following months, Eric helped me crystalize my strategy and fine-tune my goals. I established many valuable connections with his help. And he gave me the confidence to start writing on LinkedIn.

I have never met Eric in person, but I always wanted to share his story – from his humble beginnings to the powerhouse he is today. He made the portfolio career “a thing.”

When we were recording, I asked him to walk me through the stages of preparation and execution when he was leaving banking. The answer was not what I expected! Eric said the first thing he did was design his new company’s logo and print the business cards. He knew he was ready to leave the banking job when he confidently handed out these new cards, accepting his new future.

His three key takeaways for success in any career pivot are three “S”:

- Build your Social capital well before you need it

- Build your Social media presence

- Build your Social network

Please tune in to hear his fascinating journey.

Happy listening!

In this episode, I will meet you with Hannah Genton -  a Berkeley school of law graduate and a former start-up attorney turned entrepreneur. After years of practice in one of Silicon Valley's leading law firms, she realized it was never quite enough, regardless of how much she accomplished. Additionally, the extra workload she was required to take on left her sacrificing family time, especially after the birth of her first child. This fueled the belief that there must be a better way to honor her professional and personal life.

This is why she co-founded a very different law firm - CGL was born with the idea of giving its attorneys an unprecedented level of freedom and autonomy. This meant choosing where they worked and committing to a set number of hours each week. It was a success, and now, CGL offers on-demand legal services for companies and law firms alike.

Hannah said that the first thing she did when starting her company was to google " How to start a law firm" - she had no business experience in how to set things up.
"In the law, you often know the answer; there is a rule and a way things are done. As an entrepreneur - it is kind of blank slate, and you figure it out."

This is what she said about her experience leading her legal firm: " I never expected how much I would love my job and that it was even possible to feel that way."

Here are Hannah's  key takeaways for anyone who is leaving their corporate career to become an entrepreneur:

- Having a sound financial plan will give you creative freedom and time to pause intentionally so that you can plan the future.
- Don't be afraid to fail; every failure is a learning opportunity.
- Take the plunge, despite the fact it is scary.

Please tune in to hear more about her journey after quitting her corporate job to create her own company and life.

In this episode you will hear from Frank Koo - Head of Asia in LinkedIn

Frank started his career with IBM in Singapore after graduating from university with a business degree. He then spent 11 years in Oracle, where he headed up various business functions, including managing director for Singapore and South Asia growth economies.

In 2010, Frank pivoted into the education sector, initially with Pearson Education, where he led its Learning Solutions business based in China. He later joined an education start-up in Shanghai as their Chief Operating Officer.

In 2016,  Frank returned to Singapore to join LinkedIn.

Frank shared that his life purpose is to help people and teams achieve positive transformation with joy. He is passionate about assisting people in leveraging the LinkedIn platform to inspire others and navigate their career transformation through the Great Resignation.

Frank's three key takeaways for anyone planning a career pivot are:

1. Always see yourself as a "work in progress."

2. Be ready to take intelligent risks

3. Build a network

Please tune in to hear more about what helped him in his career pivots across industries, critical trends in the talent market today, essential skills needed in the future, and more.

In this Episode #6, I will meet you with Lubomila Jordanova, one of the young leaders of the climate tech industry and a prominent climate activist. She is the co-founder and CEO of Plan A, the German software company that builds science-based, AI-driven tools for carbon accounting, decarbonization, ESG management, and reporting. She is also co-founder of the Greentech Alliance, a community of more than 1,000 startups connected to more than 350 advisors from VC, media, and business.

Lubomila was an official speaker at COP26 and serves as an Obama Foundation Europe Leader 2022. She has been recognized as a Marshall Fund Fellow 2021, Top 50 Women in Tech in Germany 2021 (Handelsblatt), and 30 under 30 (Forbes). Very recently she was selected as one of the 35 MIT Technology Review Innovators under 35 for 2022 worldwide.

She was focused on building a finance career but everything changed in 2016 when she arrived in Marocco for a surfing trip. On the first day, she found herself on this beautiful beach covered in plastic, and instead of surfing, she spent the week cleaning beaches.

Lubomila says, “after that, I was not able to stop thinking about it, and I felt that I have a level of responsibility that I needed to claim.” This is how her journey in the climate industry started.

For her, being an entrepreneur is to “see yourself as an individual unit of impact, to see how your thoughts can influence the way people think and by perseverance, being stubborn, and pushing forward how much you can change.”

Tune in to hear her journey and learn how university graduates, mid-career professionals, and executives can transition to the climate industry, which is growing and needs all levels and types of expertise to accelerate.