The Conference Room with Simon Lader

Simon Lader

Master the strategies you need to develop a high performing business. Hear from the most successful business leaders in conversation with Simon Lader, Co-Founder of global Executive Search firm Salisi Human Capital, and podcast consulting firm Viva Podcasts. Hear from business growth experts in sales, marketing, investment, hiring, HR, product design and much much more. I'm Simon Lader. Welcome to The Conference Room. read less
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Episodes

Ep. 149 - Summer Special ! Looking back to one of the best advices in Sales, Marketing & Leadership from The Conference Room
Aug 26 2024
Ep. 149 - Summer Special ! Looking back to one of the best advices in Sales, Marketing & Leadership from The Conference Room
Join your host Simon Lader Looking back to one of the best advices in Sales, Marketing & Leadership from The Conference Room Podcast  Whitney Alexandra  Discusses the steps to move from being Anonymously to a Business Leader (Ep.136) Rick Olesek  Describes the key things he looks for to determine if an organization is investor ready (Ep.138) Nicole Zeno   Explain how an organization should reverse engineer their marketing activity based on their end goal.(Ep 139) Justin Somaini  Describes what did he anticipate being the main problems that are likely to come moving forward. (Ep.143) Patty Rogers  Explain the tasks should one automate and what should one delegate                                                                               (Ep.38) Daphna Horowitz   Discuss a good decision maker look like. (Ep.132) Brandon Conley  Explain the  key metrics and components should a salesperson have if they want to be successful. (Ep.116) Scott Hartley  Describes the kind of pain points that might suggest an organization's email deliverability is not quite working out. (Ep.88) Mariam Tsaturyan Explain the reasonable budget should be if somebody wants to register a trademark. (Ep.59) SAKET JAIN   Explain why is his why so important.(Ep.140) To learn more about any of my guests, listen to their episode, or click on their names to be taken to their LinkedIn profiles. YOUR HOST - ⁠⁠SIMON LADER⁠⁠ Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm ⁠⁠Salisi Human Capital⁠⁠, and lead generation consultancy⁠⁠ Flow and Scale⁠⁠. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: ⁠⁠https://simonlader.com⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/simonlader⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/⁠⁠ The Conference Room is available on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠ ⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠ And everywhere else you listen to podcasts!
Ep. 148 - Garage Band or Symphony: How HR Can Help Your Company Culture
Aug 19 2024
Ep. 148 - Garage Band or Symphony: How HR Can Help Your Company Culture
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Lisa Novak, founder of LMNHR, a fractional HR leadership and advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in HR and operations, Lisa shares her journey from a military family background to becoming a key player in HR for high-growth tech companies. She dives into the evolving role of HR, the challenges it faces, and the critical impact of company culture on organizational success.      00:00 Introduction to Lisa Novak LMN&HR  01:56 Lisa's unexpected path into HR leadership  05:11 Breakdown of HR responsibilities and their multifaceted nature  08:01 Discussion on the evolving perception of HR in organizations  12:20 The impact of COVID-19 on HR practices and workforce dynamics  15:26 Parallels between HR and marketing during economic shifts  18:16 The role of HR in shaping and maintaining company culture  26:13 The transition from a, informal setup to a more structured and professional   27:37 How organizations shift from casual to inclusive activities as they expand.  28:56 The need for structure and proper management as startups grow.  31:22 Can a company retain its original vibe while scaling up  37:08 Supporting employees while ensuring the company's long-term success.  41:49 The importance of HR in navigating employee relations and coaching.  43:29 Focus on strengths, understand the business, and find where you fit best.      To learn more about Lisa Novak please visit his Linkedin Profile  To learn more about LMNHR please visit their website            YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 147 - Selling and Scaling through Storytellling
Aug 12 2024
Ep. 147 - Selling and Scaling through Storytellling
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Marc Holden, an expert in customer relationship management, direct sales, sales leadership, and market development. Marc shares his journey from being a commercial fisherman in Alaska to becoming the VP of Sales for North America at Cyber SixGill. He discusses the valuable lessons learned from his diverse experiences, the importance of mentorship, and the differences between working in large and small companies.      00:00 Simon introduces the podcast and this week's guest, Marc Holden  01:51 Marc recounts his unique path to sales, starting as a commercial fisherman in Alaska.  04:04 Insights fishing experience influenced his sales career, including risk-taking   07:03 Transition from fishing to sales and the importance of storytelling   08:59 How Marc incorporates mentorship in his leadership   12:21 Differences between working in large corporations and startups  18:07 The qualities that drive success in both large and small organizations.  19:02 Marc shares a success story of a transition from a large company to a startup,   21:02 The importance of believing in potential and providing opportunities for growth.  21:50 Overcoming career hurdles and seizing opportunities to prove oneself.  22:29 Transforming challenges into opportunities and sparking creativity in new hires.  23:23 Building a successful sales territory by understanding your market   24:49 Leveraging industry knowledge and networking to enhance sales strategies.  27:13 The power of storytelling in sales and its impact on building relationships.  30:59 Traits Marc looks for when hiring sales team members, including passion  33:01 The innovative approaches of Cyber Cisco in the threat intelligence space.  36:00 Utilizing AI and machine learning to revolutionize threat intelligence data analysis.  37:29 knowing your product, understanding the market, and leveraging technology.          To learn more about Marc Holden please visit his Linkedin Profile  To learn more about Cybersixgill please visit their website                  YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 146 - Sober in Cyber - Scaling a Mission Based Non Profit
Aug 5 2024
Ep. 146 - Sober in Cyber - Scaling a Mission Based Non Profit
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with  Jennifer VanAntwerp, founder of Sober in Cyber. With 20 years of experience in marketing and leadership, Jennifer VanAntwerp shares her journey from her accidental start in the automotive industry to creating a nonprofit that offers sobriety-focused resources and networking opportunities in cybersecurity. 00:00 Simon welcomes Jennifer VanAntwerp and introduces her impressive background. 01:01 Jennifer discusses her 20 years of experience in marketing and leadership. 02:34 Jennifer shares her personal journey Sober in Cyber. 04:18 Jennifer explains the gap Sober in Cyber fills in the professional world. 06:10 Discussion on the challenges faced by sober at professional networking  07:50 Tips for conference organizers on making their events more inclusive  14:00 Simon shares his own experiences with dietary restrictions and planning. 18:59 Jennifer talks about how choosing non-alcoholic options can influence others. 21:05 Jennifer provides advice for navigating events without alcohol-free options. 26:23 Introduction to the nonprofit idea and initial reactions 27:09 Realizing the broader potential for alcohol-free events 27:46 Overcoming challenges in starting a nonprofit 28:07 Discovering the concept of fiscal sponsorship 29:13 Rapid growth and acceptance of the nonprofit 30:12 Benefits of fiscal sponsorship and early successes 31:05 Utilizing marketing skills to build the nonprofit's brand 32:02 Expanding from self-funding to corporate sponsorships 33:13 The importance of corporate partnerships 34:33 Top three tips for a more sober lifestyle To learn more about Jennifer VanAntwerp please visit his Linkedin Profile To learn more about Sober in Cyber please visit their website YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER         Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.            Get to know more about Simon at:         Website: https://simonlader.com/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/         The Conference Room is available on Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 145 - Startup to Seed: The Story of an Early Stage Founder
Jul 29 2024
Ep. 145 - Startup to Seed: The Story of an Early Stage Founder
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Daniel Shechter, Co-founder and CEO of Miggo Security, to share his journey from serving in the Israeli Defense Forces to becoming a cybersecurity entrepreneur. Daniel delves into his experiences in the IDF's intelligence units, his time at McKinsey, and the inception of Miggo Security, discussing the challenges and triumphs along the way.      00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest, Daniel Shechter  01:28 Transition from the IDF to McKinsey and eventually co-founding Migo Security.  03:08 Collaboration with co-founder Tzahi and their project at Unit 8200.  05:19 Daniel's entrepreneurial journey and passion for building innovative solutions.  07:32 Miggo Security to protect organizations from application layer attacks.  11:13 Turning the concept into reality and gaining initial seed funding.  13:22 Building the initial team and partnership with YL Ventures.  16:35 The primary challenges of entrepreneurship and the value of customer   19:11 The significance of building trust and resilience in the cybersecurity industry.  21:48 Reflections on the unexpected ease of certain aspects of the journey  23:16 Daniel discusses the initial challenges of managing marketing   26:03 Daniel explains the challenge of staying focused on solving the core problems 29:24 The importance of building trusted relationships with early adopters  31:02 Daniel explores why Israel has a high success rate in creating startups  34:10 Daniel shares his top three tips for aspiring tech entrepreneurs  37:39 Daniel talks about Miggo's mission to stop application attacks and breaches  39:23 Daniel discusses the importance of partnerships and invites listeners  40:34 Daniel Shechter emphasizes the importance of thinking about inclusivity         To learn more about Daniel Shechter please visit his Linkedin Profile  To learn more about Miggo Security please visit their website                YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 144 - How Gamification Can Help Your Employees Protect Your Business
Jul 22 2024
Ep. 144 - How Gamification Can Help Your Employees Protect Your Business
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Scott Wright, a global leader in security awareness and gamification. Scott Wright shares his journey from software development to cybersecurity, and how he pioneered innovative security awareness initiatives like the Honey Stick Project. Learn how gamification can transform security training and discover practical tips to reduce human vulnerabilities in your organization.      00:00   Introduction to the episode and this week’s guest, Scott Wright.  00:52   Scott’s career journey and his transition into cybersecurity awareness.  02:30   Scott discusses his initial roles in software development and management.  04:20   The importance of addressing human vulnerabilities in cybersecurity.  06:10   Scott explains his research on human behavior using smartphones.  10:00   Introduction to gamification and how it enhances security training.  12:50   How gamification is used to engage employees in security protocols.  20:40   Insights from the Honey Stick Project’s collaboration with Symantec.  24:10   Effective gamification techniques for improving security awareness  26:07   Importance of addressing risks beyond compliance.  27:42   The unique challenges of managing human risk.  28:37   The need for better foundational training.  29:02   Addressing organizational risk through improved security programs.  29:25   The balance of people, processes, and technology for CISOs.  30:02   Strategic views and practical examples from industry professionals.  35:02   Importance of training for non-technical staff managing critical systems.  39:39   Setting up human risk management programs and addressing variable data.  41:16   Importance of foundational training and skepticism of single data sources.        To learn more about Scott Wright please visit his Linkedin Profile  To learn more about Click Armor  please visit their website              YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 143 - The Role of Venture Capital in the Cybersecurity Sector
Jul 15 2024
Ep. 143 - The Role of Venture Capital in the Cybersecurity Sector
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Justin Somaini, a veteran in the cybersecurity industry and a partner at Wild Ventures. Justin  Somaini shares his journey from military bases in Germany to becoming a career CSO and advisor to early-stage cyber vendors. He delves into the intricacies of cybersecurity, the evolving landscape, and the challenges that remain constant over the decades. Join us as we explore his experiences, insights, and the fascinating world of cybersecurity.      03:46 - Defining the role and responsibilities of a CSO.  05:18 - Importance of understanding material problems in cybersecurity.  07:18 - Nature of cybersecurity and the constant arms race between attackers and defenders.  10:10 - Challenges in vulnerability management and the impact of procedural issues on security.  16:16 - The significance of social engineering and the importance of employee education in preventing breaches.  21:20 - The lag in security implementation for new technologies and the role of startups in filling these gaps.  22:53 - Security challenges and the emergence of new security vendors   23:22 - Justin discusses the complexities of portfolio construction and the high-risk nature of VC investments.  25:06 - The unpredictability of market trends and the importance of solving material problems.  26:44 - The role of founders in navigating challenges and pivoting when necessary.  28:11 - Emerging issues in cybersecurity, including the need to secure new technologies   34:01 - The complexities of using open-source code and continuous development.  37:03 - Practical tips for individuals to add value to their security teams and the importance of automation.  42:18 - Justin Somaini shares his excitement about the future of the VC ecosystem         To learn more about Justin Somaini please visit his Linkedin Profile   To learn more about YL Ventures please visit their website                 YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 141 - Scale to Exit - A Story from the Other Side of Success
Jul 1 2024
Ep. 141 - Scale to Exit - A Story from the Other Side of Success
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Alon Arvatz, former co-founder of Insights, a cybersecurity vendor acquired by Rapid7 for $350 million. Alon shares his journey from childhood inspiration through his father's tech career to becoming a successful entrepreneur and investor in Israeli cybersecurity startups. He discusses the factors driving Israel's dominance in the cybersecurity industry, the challenges of starting and scaling a tech company, and the story behind the acquisition of Insights.      02:30 - Alon’s initial experiences with tech through his father's work.  03:50 - Transition from nonprofit to for-profit ventures in cybersecurity.  07:44 - Alon explains Israel’s defense-driven tech advancements.  11:36 - Factors contributing to Israel’s tech success and entrepreneurial culture.  13:20 - The need for diversification beyond cybersecurity in Israel's tech sector.  17:36 - Alon's journey with Insights, from clueless beginnings to rapid growth.  19:00 - Challenges and strategies in achieving product-market fit.  21:42 - Insights' go-to-market strategy and organizational alignment.  21:43 - The acquisition of Insights by Rapid7 and how it came about.  26:58 - Where to find Eleanor's book on Amazon.  27:19 - Three key tips for tech entrepreneurs.  27:48 - The importance of understanding technology for tech entrepreneurs.  29:16 - Taking small steps towards big goals in tech entrepreneurship.  30:03 - Introduction to Point Five and its mission to manage lab cost efficiency for engineers.      To learn more about Alon Arvatz please visit his Linkedin Profile   To learn more about PointFive please visit their website               YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 140 - Mission Simple: Make a Difference!
Jun 24 2024
Ep. 140 - Mission Simple: Make a Difference!
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Saket Jain, the founder and CEO of Impact Wealth Builders, an alternative real estate investment firm. Saket shares his incredible journey from growing up in India, to building a successful real estate firm in the U.S., to finding his true purpose through philanthropy. The episode covers his profound experiences, the importance of finding one's "why," and the unique challenges and strengths of the immigrant experience in business.        02:22 – Saket's origin story: Growing up in India and his early ventures into real estate.  03:54 – Saket's decision to sell everything, leave his job, and move to a monastery in India.  05:14 – The genesis of combining investing and philanthropy.  07:24 – Discussing the importance of understanding one's "why."  11:21 – Saket's journey of quitting smoking and the influence of meditation.  17:20 – The decision to focus on education and health as their cause.  20:12 – Saket's wife's role in his journey and the significance of a supportive partner.  25:37 – The sacrifices made by the first generation and their impact on the second and third generations.  27:06 – Challenging circumstances create strong individuals and how this cycle influences wealth and drive.  28:09 – The migration mindset and its importance in personal and financial growth.  31:12 – Knowing your lifestyle preferences to make money effectively.  32:28 – Saket's personal experiences with change and adaptation.  33:10 – Protecting money from inflation, taxes, and legal threats.  34:49 – Making money work for you and the importance of growing your financial resources.  35:12 – Passing on wealth and values to future generations.  36:18 – Understanding your "why" and allowing it to evolve.            To learn more about Saket Jain please visit his Linkedin Profile   To learn more about Impact Wealth Builders, please visit their website       Get to know more about Saket Jain:  https://www.migrate2wealth.com/  https://impactwealthbuilders.com/  https://www.facebook.com/TheSaketJain  https://www.facebook.com/Migrate2Wealth       YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 139 - How to Create a Repeatable Process to Market Your Business
Jun 17 2024
Ep. 139 - How to Create a Repeatable Process to Market Your Business
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Nicole Zeno, an award-winning marketing expert, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Nicole shares her journey from directing music videos to founding Clever Cow Media, along with the insights she has gained over her 15-year career. The discussion delves into the critical aspects of marketing strategy, the importance of understanding your end goals, and practical advice for small businesses to transition from a reactive to a proactive state.     02:15 – Nicole's inspiring journey from video production to marketing.  06:20 – Insight into the unique challenges faced by different types of businesses.  11:10 – The importance of aligning marketing strategies with business goals.  15:00 – The transition from reactive to proactive marketing.  18:20 – How to effectively break down and manage KPIs  27:02 – Importance of defining success metrics before starting a podcast.  29:19 – Nicole shares her three key tips for successfully marketing a business.  29:45 – Emphasis on strategic planning in marketing.  31:15 – The significance of data in measuring marketing success.  32:30 – The value of having hobbies outside of business to improve skill sets and avoid burnout.  34:06 – The importance of breaking down big tasks into manageable steps.  35:26 – Her current projects and future plans for Clever Cow Media.    To learn more about Nicole Zeno please visit his Linkedin Profile   To learn more about Clever Cow Media, please visit their website               YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 138 - How To Raise Money and Work with Venture Capitalists
Jun 10 2024
Ep. 138 - How To Raise Money and Work with Venture Capitalists
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Rick Olesek, A cybersecurity expert and current head of portfolio go-to-market at Gula Tech Adventures. Rick shares his journey from a network security analyst at the NSA to his current role, offering listeners a deep dive into his strategies for building successful go-to-market strategies for early-stage cyber vendors. This episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and secure venture capital.    01:07 - Rick’s career overview and current role.  03:31 - Transition to Tenable and key contributions.  06:27 - Moving from Tenable to other ventures  08:04 - Rick’s role at Gula Tech Adventures   09:28 - Initial deal flow and evaluation process.  11:51 - Importance of Having a clear go-to-market strategy.  14:13 - Red flags in assessing a company’s investment readiness.  16:37 - The realistic portrayal of VC engagement on shows like Shark Tank.  18:27 - Importance of targeted value propositions in fundraising.  20:22 - Knowing your audience and the importance of tailored pitches.  23:02 - Determining the level of engagement with portfolio companies.  25:13 - The necessity of company evolution and strategic pivots.  26:38 - Importance of Simplifying Messaging.  28:04 - Challenges and Reassessments  29:30 - Importance of Under-promising and Over-delivering  31:30 - Learning from Investment Outcomes  34:03 - Essential Tips for Entrepreneurs  36:15 - Handling NDAs with VCs  38:20 - Transparency and Feedback from VCs  40:00 - Matching VCs to Business Needs  41:22 - Advantages of Complementary Portfolios           To learn more about Rick Olesek please visit his Linkedin Profile   To learn more about Gula Tech, please visit their website You can also access amazing startup content on the Gulatech Adventures YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GulaTechAdventures         YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 137 - Wealth, Work and Legacy - the Entreprenuer Trifecta
Jun 3 2024
Ep. 137 - Wealth, Work and Legacy - the Entreprenuer Trifecta
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Tabatha Thorell, a dynamic entrepreneur, real estate investor, bestselling author, and life coach from rural Nebraska. Tabatha shares her inspiring journey from being a fitness coach to becoming a multifaceted businesswoman. She dives into her passion for helping others achieve financial freedom and the importance of teaching wealth principles to families for lasting legacy. Tabatha also discusses her strategies for real estate investing, creative financing, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life.    01:45 - 03:04 - Tabatha's early influences and motivation for helping others.  03:05 - 00:04 - Tabatha's career trajectory from counseling to entrepreneurship.  05:17 - 06:02 - Leadership and personal development.  11:09 - 12:44 - The mission to help families flourish financially and relationally.  12:45 - 13:29 - Advice on starting a real estate portfolio.  13:30 - 14:17 - Key tips for choosing properties.   14:18 - 16:13 - Creative financing strategies   18:10 - 20:02 - Importance of cash flow and potential for scaling real estate 25:02 - 25:24 - Tabatha discusses the excitement of family experiences   26:31 - 26:54 - Sharing the family's approach to teaching financial principles   28:08 - 28:30 - Importance of family and relationships over material success.  28:30 - 29:11 - Top three tips for her younger self  32:41 - 33:06 - The significance of joy and playfulness in business and family life  33:31 - 33:47 - Make business and investment fun, fostering a positive learning environment.  35:20 - 35:45 - Entrepreneurial families and fostering collective growth.  35:45 - 36:38 - Role of a tax strategist in optimizing financial success for entrepreneurs.       To learn more about Tabatha Thorell please visit his Linkedin Profile                YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/            The Conference Room is available on    Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 136 - Propel Your Business by being Fabulous!
May 27 2024
Ep. 136 - Propel Your Business by being Fabulous!
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Whitney Alexandra, a renowned performance coach, to delve into the challenges and solutions for entrepreneurs and business leaders. Whitney shares her insights on overcoming public speaking fears, reigniting passion in business, avoiding burnout, and positioning oneself as a thought leader.    01:09 - 02:01 – Whitney's Background  03:03 - 04:34 – Key Problems Faced by Leaders  05:25 - 07:25 – Customizing Strategies for Entrepreneurs  07:26 - 08:50 – Discovering Your Zone of Genius  10:18 - 12:51 – Delegating and Outsourcing  13:33 - 14:50 – Experimenting with Time Management  17:12 - 18:52 – Getting Heard Above the Noise  18:53 - 21:22 – Fabulous Fridays  24:45 - 25:13 – The Power of Gratitude  25:13 - 26:34 – Confidence in Business   26:34 - 28:49 – Subconscious Recordings for Confidence  28:49 - 31:15 – The Reptilian Brain  31:15 - 32:10 – Passion and Thought Leadership      To learn more about Whitney Alexandra please visit his Linkedin Profile        To learn more about her Coaching, please visit their website            YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER            Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.                Get to know more about Simon at:            Website: https://simonlader.com/    Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/        The Conference Room is available on      Spotify  Apple podcasts  Amazon Music  IHeartRadio
Ep. 135 - Exponential Growth Through a Customer First Philosophy
May 20 2024
Ep. 135 - Exponential Growth Through a Customer First Philosophy
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Colby DeRodeff, cybersecurity leader, investor, and entrepreneur. Colby shares his journey from the dot-com era to co-founding Abstract Security and discusses the challenges and lessons learned in the cybersecurity industry.     00:30 - 02:11 - Colby DeRodeff Background  02:11 - 00:05 - Early Days at Excite  05:48 - 10:47 - Category Creation and Market Positioning  10:47 - 18:11 - Fundraising in Emerging Markets  18:11 - 25:46 - Lessons Learned and Customer Success  26:19 - 26:53 - Adding Value in Stages  26:53 - 27:51 - Freemium Strategies in Product Led Growth  31:16 - 35:26 - Challenges in Next Gen SIM Solutions  41:39 - 44:26 - Three Tips for Success in Cybersecurity Space   To learn more about Colby DeRodeff please visit his Linkedin Profile      To learn more about Abstract Security, please visit their website         YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER         Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.            Get to know more about Simon at:         Website: https://simonlader.com/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/         The Conference Room is available on      Spotify  Apple podcasts  Amazon Music  IHeartRadio
Ep. 134 - Conquering the AI Frontier
May 13 2024
Ep. 134 - Conquering the AI Frontier
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Pascal Weinberger, co-founder and CEO of Bardeen.ai, discusses the journey of founding a startup in the AI space and emphasizes the importance of trust, innovation, and critical thinking in building a successful team. Key topics include hiring strategies, prioritizing speed and experimentation, and applying first principles in AI deployment.    KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE   01:06 - 02:51 - Pascal's Journey into AI  03:43 - 05:56 - Automating Repetitive Manual Workflows   06:26 - 14:06 - Impact of AI on the Modern Workforce  14:06 - 21:14 - Building a Startup Team in a Cutting-Edge Field  21:14 - 21:40 - Building Trust Through Connections  21:40 - 22:27 - Critical Role of Early Hires   22:27 - 23:23 - Balancing Experience and Innovation  23:23 - 24:18 - Cultural Alignment and Vision   24:18 - 25:36 - Prioritizing Speed and Experimentation  25:36 - 26:45 - Three Tips for Success  26:45 - 28:30 - Applying First Principles  28:30 - 30:01 - Critical Thinking in Innovation    Pascal Weinberger is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bardeen.ai, a leading AI company focusing on  automating repetitive and manual workflows across web apps. Previously, Pascal built and scaled other ventures leveraging AI and machine learning for  industrial applications and the AI team at Telefonica Alpha, Europe's first moonshot factory.  Pascal is also an active angel investor in AI and deep-tech companies globally.     To learn more about Pascal Weinberger please visit his Linkedin Profile      To learn more about Bardeen.ai, please visit their website           YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER         Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.            Get to know more about Simon at:         Website: https://simonlader.com/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/         The Conference Room is available on      Spotify  Apple podcasts  Amazon Music  IHeartRadio
Ep. 133 - Three Little Words: Cashflow, Cashflow, Cashflow
May 6 2024
Ep. 133 - Three Little Words: Cashflow, Cashflow, Cashflow
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with George Csahiouni, President of Swoop Business Solutions, to delve into his extensive experience in the fintech industry and his journey from a high-level executive to starting his own successful ventures.    KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE    01:46 - 06:04 - Starting Out in Fintech   06:30 - 11:34 - Challenges and Innovations in Fintech  16:02 - 19:08 - Transitioning from a VP role to a CEO  19:08 - 21:43 - Exiting Trans Merritt   21:43 - 24:26 - Founding Swoop Business Solutions   25:20- 25:47 - Business in a Box  25:47 - 26:17 - Access to Capital  26:17 - 26:41- Expanded Portfolio  26:41 - 27:03 - One-Stop Shop  27:03 - 27:26 -Tips for Business Success    George Csahiouni (Sa-yoo-ni) is the President of Swoop Business Solutions, he has over 23 years of experience selling to the fintech industry, with a specialized focus in payment processing. As a sales expert and chief revenue lead, he has been instrumental in driving sales and revenue growth for resellers, ISOs and various businesses. Based in Chicago, George's core skill set combines deep business acumen with the expertise to coach and build highly effective leadership teams that consistently exceed quota.  To learn more about George Csahiouni please visit his Linkedin Profile      To learn more about leadership, please visit their website           YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER         Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation.            Get to know more about Simon at:         Website: https://simonlader.com/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/         The Conference Room is available on      Spotify  Apple podcasts  Amazon Music  IHeartRadio
Ep. 132 - "Coaching Your Way to Business and Personal Growth" with Daphna Horowitz
Apr 29 2024
Ep. 132 - "Coaching Your Way to Business and Personal Growth" with Daphna Horowitz
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Daphna Horowitz, International Coaching Federation certified Master Certified Coach and trusted advisor, to delve into the journey from being a top performer to becoming an extraordinary leader. Daphna shares insights from her own career trajectory, highlighting the crucial shift in mindset and skills required for leadership roles. From her experiences at Alexander Forbes to her exploration of coaching and academia, Daphna offers valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE 00:46 - 00:06 - Daphna's Career Journey: 06:29 - 10:09 - Key Pain Points in Leadership: 10:09 - 16:15 - The Role of Communication in Leadership: 16:15 - 18:32 - Effective Decision-Making in Leadership. 18:33 - 19:50 - The Importance of Decision-Making 20:17 - 22:40 - Addressing High-Stakes Decisions: 23:10 - 25:21 - Self-Awareness and Delegation 26:22 - 00:29 - Cultivating a Culture of Feedback 30:04 - 00:34 - Shifts in Leadership and Business Impact: THIS WEEK'S GUEST DAPHNA HOROWITZ Daphna Horowitz is a sought-after CEO Coach, International Coaching Federation certified Master Certified Coach, and trusted advisor, working with clients around the globe, to create extraordinary businesses and build future leaders. While she was a Director at Alexander Forbes, one of South Africa's leading actuary firms, she learned the importance of developing a leadership mindset that is necessary to take you from being a top-performer to an extraordinary leader. She is the author of two best-selling books, Courage to Lead (2014), & Weekly Habits for Extraordinary Leaders (2020), and is the host of her own five star rated podcast, Leadership Live, and a frequent contributor to various publications including Forbes. To learn more about Daphna Horowitz please visit his Linkedin Profile To learn more about leadership, please visit their website YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available on Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 131 - Scaling a Startup That's Not a Startup! with Peter Prizio
Apr 22 2024
Ep. 131 - Scaling a Startup That's Not a Startup! with Peter Prizio
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Peter Prizio, CEO of SnapAttack, a cybersecurity vendor, to explore the journey of building a startup in the cybersecurity industry and the importance of proactive security measures.   KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE   Peter Prizio Background (01:22 - 02:17)  Peter shares his journey to becoming CEO of SnapAttack, highlighting his diverse background in electrical engineering, consulting, and cybersecurity.    SnapAttack Development Story (02:17 - 03:39):   Discussion on the unique story of SnapAttack  development, originating from a product within Booz Allen Hamilton's Dark Labs and later spun out as a standalone product.   Challenges Faced by SnapAttack (03:39 - 05:07):   Peter elaborates on the challenges and opportunities SnapAttack faced as a startup, including securing venture capital funding and establishing a brand in the market.   Differentiation Strategy (13:23 - 15:37):   The conversation explores SnapAttack strategy for differentiation in a competitive cybersecurity market, focusing on proactive security and efficiency.   Peter's Product Management Background (22:17 - 29:27):  Peter discusses how his product management background prepared him for the CEO role, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with a capable team and fostering open communication.    Establishing a Company (30:19 - 36:16):   Peter discusses the importance of having a mentor network and provides top three tips for establishing a company.   AI Innovation and Threat Detection (36:16 - 42:18):   Peter talks about recent developments at SnapAttack, including leveraging AI innovation for threat detection and prevention.   SnapAttack's Journey and Challenges (42:14 - 03:53:53):   Peter shares SnapAttack's origin story and the challenges faced in establishing product-market fit and brand credibility.    Messaging Strategies and Market Differentiation (03:55:21 - 04:03:18):   Discussion on evolving messaging strategies, proactive security approach, and product differentiation in the cybersecurity market .  CEO Role and Leadership Challenges (04:03:18 - 04:14:31):  Peter reflects on his transition from VP of Product to CEO, managing diverse functions, and provides insights into effective leadership.    THIS WEEK'S GUEST - PETER PRIZIO  Peter Prizio, CEO of SnapAttack, pioneers enterprise security solutions. With a focus on consolidating intel, emulation, engineering, hunting, and purple teaming into an intuitive, no-code platform, SnapAttack revolutionizes security operations. Peter’s background spans defense engineering and public services, with a dedication to fostering collaboration for proactive security. Holding an MBA from George Washington University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut, he drives innovation to address cybersecurity challenges.  To learn more about Peter Prizio please visit his Linkedin Profile  To learn more about  SnapAttack, please visit their website       YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER  Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and founder of the Cybersecurity Business Growth Think Tank. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams and is one of the leading voices in the cybersecurity and search industries.    Get to know more about Simon at:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/    The Conference Room is available on   Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
Ep. 130 - The Best of The Conference Room 2023
Jan 15 2024
Ep. 130 - The Best of The Conference Room 2023
Join your host Simon Lader as he looks back on some of the highlights of 2023: Tom Reilly discusses what makes a great CEO with Colin Powell (Ep. 107) Matthew Andriani explains how and why he transformed his services company into a software vendor (Ep. 126) Kev Eley highlights the differences between building a business in the US and in Europe (Ep. 122) Ian L. Paterson discusses how a CEO can successfully manage a team of people whose jobs (s)he has never done before Melissa Mitchell reveals why your online followers won't necessarily turn into paying customers (Ep. 124) Carsten Willems describes how he turned a solution to a problem into a scaling technology vendor (Ep. 118) Austin Armstrong explains how he exploded his social media presence in 2022 (Ep. 113) Laura Bell Main discusses how startups can successfully hire their first team members (Ep. 106) Brooke Young explains the difference between PR and Marketing (Ep. 105) Robert Freeman talking through his strategy to building a region from scratch (Ep. 110) Chen Burshan discusses why there are so many successful tech startups coming out of Israel (Ep. 129) Baber Amin explains the role of a Chief Product Officer and the function of a Product Team (Ep. 121) and finally Bob Ackerman explores what makes a great VC firm (Ep. 101) To learn more about any of my guests, listen to their episode, or click on their names to be taken to their LinkedIn profiles. YOUR HOST - ⁠SIMON LADER⁠ Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm ⁠Salisi Human Capital⁠, and lead generation consultancy⁠ Flow and Scale⁠. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: ⁠https://simonlader.com⁠Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/simonlader⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/⁠ The Conference Room is available on ⁠Spotify⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠ And everywhere else you listen to podcasts!
Ep. 129 - "Product Market Fit, Trust and Transparency: The Building Blocks of a Successful Startup" - with Chen Burshan
Nov 13 2023
Ep. 129 - "Product Market Fit, Trust and Transparency: The Building Blocks of a Successful Startup" - with Chen Burshan
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, we welcome Skyhawk Security's CEO, Chen Burshan, as we explore the intricate dynamics of product market fit, transparency and relationship-building in the early stages of a company's life. Trust is not just a cornerstone for startups in gaining support and navigating challenges, but also a critical factor in the realm of cloud security. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE Trust as the Foundation of Startup Success: Essential for earning investor and customer trust.Vital for internal team trust.Supports vision support, network building, and overcoming challenges.Observability in Cloud Security: Key to managing evolving cyber threats. Focus on real-time detection and response.Addresses customer challenges with misconfigurations and vulnerabilities.Highlights the necessity of proactive security measures. Skyhawk's Role in Cloud Security: Specializes in cloud-native threat detection and response.Utilizes generative AI for prevention.Aims to detect and respond to threats early. Trust in Response Automation: Trust as a central theme in automated threat response.Enables swift, confident threat handling.Fosters reliance on advanced technologies for secure cloud environments. Future Trends in Cloud Security: Growing demand for cloud-native threat detection and response.Increasing complexity of cyber threats.Providing essential tools for cloud infrastructure protection. THIS WEEK'S GUEST - Chen Burshan Chen Burshan is the CEO of cybersecurity vendor Skyhawk Security. He began his career in technical positions at companies such as IBM, then spent five years with Cisco then transitioned into product roles. He founded companies such as Saasafe, vSapphire and had leadership positions with Dome9 and Checkpoint, before being appointed CEO of Skyhawk. He is a graduate of the Open University of Israel and holds 24 US patents. To learn more about Chen, please visit his LinkedIn profile To learn more about Skyhawk, please visit their website. YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/simonladerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available on SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon MusiciHeartRadio And everywhere else you listen to podcasts!