Welcome to another episode of the Small Town Entrepreneur Podcast, where we dive into the world of entrepreneurship and employment. I'm thrilled to have Ashley Mayhew from LinkedIn as our guest. We explore the dynamic landscape of career development and how it intersects with entrepreneurship.

Ashley shares her insights on LinkedIn's growth, its role in empowering its 1 billion members with professional development opportunities, and the platform's changing demographics with a surge in younger users. We delve into the importance of aligning personal values with work, the necessity of continuous learning, and the power of leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for growth and opportunities.

Ashley narrates her career journey, emphasizing the power of taking calculated risks, the significance of employer branding, and how companies can foster a culture of happiness and productivity. We highlight how generational shifts, particularly with Gen Z entering the workforce, are influencing talent acquisition and corporate culture toward skill-based hiring and job satisfaction. We also discussed the impact of AI on automating tasks and enhancing job satisfaction, underscoring the theme of navigating changes and grabbing opportunities for professional and personal development.

00:00 The Evolution of LinkedIn: A Billion-Member Milestone

01:07 Introducing the Small Town Entrepreneur Podcast

01:26 The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Beyond Founders

01:46 Meet Ashley Mayhew: LinkedIn's Relationship Manager

02:55 Ashley's Entrepreneurial Journey: Family Influence and Curiosity

05:59 The Drive for Continuous Learning and Education

12:53 Leveraging LinkedIn for Growth and Learning

14:03 The Power of Community and Shared Learning

18:20 LinkedIn's Rapid Growth and the Impact of COVID-19

22:31 Storytelling and Employer Branding in the Digital Age

29:01 Understanding Branding Beyond Logos

30:59 Unlocking the Power of Personal and Employer Branding

31:38 The Secret to Organizational Success: Happy People

32:25 Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture

34:31 The Future of Work: Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Sales

36:43 Leading Through Change and Building Effective Teams

48:04 Embracing Non-Linear Career Paths and the Role of AI

55:33 The Importance of Mentorship and Networking

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more about entrepreneurship, don't forget to check out my [tools](https://www.clairebouvier.com/tools) that can help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on the Small Town Entrepreneur Podcast!

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