This is the last episode of season one of The Break to Build podcast 🙏🏽

In this episode, Kristan and Chae pulls back the curtain on:

• How Pacer's specialized project management platform is reshaping productivity for major players like Marriott and Hyatt

• The importance of deep industry knowledge in building tech that resonates and creating a value ladder in the ecosystem of people that interact with the product experience

• Leveraging AI and user feedback to adapt to the ever-changing needs of hospitality

• Why the guest experience is the ultimate litmus test for any hotel technology application

And so much more.

If you're fascinated by the transformative power of technology in traditional industries, or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes to create those magical hotel stays - this episode is for you.

Featured Expert: Kristan Reading, Director of Sales and Customer Success - Pacer

Join us on LinkedIn or Substack to discuss this episode and share your thoughts on how you tackle value creation and which project management applications have changed the game for you and your team.

In this episode of Break to Build, Chae O'Brien sits down with Jacqueline Furniss, the Senior Director of Product Strategy at Abcam, a leading life sciences company. Jacqueline shares her unique career journey, starting from a passion for genetics and transitioning through the dot-com boom to her current role. The discussion delves into the complexities of aligning product strategy with the diverse needs of researchers, scientists, and drug developers, and explores the impact of AI on product innovation and customer experience.

• Jacqueline's non-linear path from studying genetic engineering to pivoting into the dot-com boom where she worked with major companies like DoubleClick, Excite, and E*TRADE, and finally returning to her roots in the life sciences sector at Abcam.
• The significance of data-driven decision-making in product strategy and modern-day leadership.
• The criticality of rigorous data analysis and financial diligence in driving product innovation.
• The rising costs of research data processing and storage and their implications for academic institutions and businesses.
• Strategies for presenting and managing data effectively to drive value creation and organizational innovation.

Featured Expert: Jacqueline Furniss, Senior Director of Product Strategy - Abcam

Join us on LinkedIn or Substack to discuss this episode and share your thoughts on how you tackle value creation and product innovation in the field of Life Sciences.

In this episode of the Break to Build podcast hosted by Chae O'Brien, Julie Kelley unveils the intricacies of fostering innovation in public relations and substantiates the concept of public-facing impact. This engaging conversation paints a vivid picture of how modern brands must listen and respond to their customer base more attentively than ever before.

Kelley demystifies the traditional boundaries of public relations by highlighting the necessity of brands to engage in an active dialogue with the public, which often leads to heartfelt, impactful stories that resonate with consumers and the media alike. With real-world examples from chocolate manufacturing to energy companies, Kelley advises on the importance of transparency and humanity in business narratives, revealing the imprint these stories leave on a brand's reputation and consumer loyalty.

Key takeaways:

• Public-Facing Impact: Kelley introduces a term outlining how public perception can significantly color every business decision, urging companies to actively shape this perception through transparent practices.
• Listening More than Ever: With the rise of social media and real-time feedback, Kelley emphasizes the importance of businesses listening to their audiences to remain relevant and impactful.
• Telling Stories Mid-Development: Sharing a brand's journey can have a more significant impact than waiting for the final product reveal, as demonstrated by her review of past client stories.
• Informed Tactical Communication: Strategic communication at the onset can prevent confusion and align public perception with the brand's mission, saving both money and reputation as seen with Owlette's example.
• Authentic Brand Relationships: Kelley shares that genuine brand connections transcend beyond business transactions and must reflect a company's ethos in treating people and the planet with respect.

Featured Expert: Julie Kelley, Chief Communications Strategist - Julie Kelley Communications

Join us on LinkedIn or Substack to discuss this episode and share your thoughts on the challenges you've experienced with traditional public relations and your thoughts on embracing PFI as a new way of breaking through those obstacles to growing your brand's awareness.