Ebru Yıldırım Gul

I live by the rule 'Get stuff done!' It really works for me. When I finish my tasks, important people notice. Barack Obama talks about how important it is to actually do things, not just talk about them. In a world full of ideas, what I actually do makes the difference. This way, I show what I'm capable of and earn trust, which leads to more chances to succeed.

Starbucks leverages data analytics and business intelligence by utilizing its loyalty program and mobile app data to understand customer preferences and tailor marketing efforts, ensuring personalized customer experiences. They apply spatial analytics to choose strategic locations for new outlets, optimizing foot traffic and market reach. Additionally, Starbucks analyzes sales and inventory data to manage supply chain and inventory efficiently, ensuring popular items are always in stock, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and driving sales growth.

We currently utilize Aha! for our product roadmap planning. However, I'm also a fan of Notion for its flexibility in structuring content. Additionally, Airtable and Monday.com are promising tools that could potentially serve well for product roadmap development due to their versatile features.

The real transformation occurs during the coaching that follows this feedback. One of my advisory board members pointed out that during investor meetings, I tended to not answer questions directly, appearing evasive. This surprised me, as I had always considered myself to be precise and direct. However, he clarified that it’s not just about being direct but also about effectively addressing the concerns. After a few more meetings and his coaching, he noted a significant improvement in my responses, acknowledging that I now addressed what the investors were curious about. This experience taught me that feedback is not just about receiving it, but also about understanding and implementing it effectively.

A year ago, I attended the Select USA Summit in Washington D.C., held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. In need of printing and signing a company document, I hurried to the business center. Despite its outdated setup, it was bustling with people. To my surprise, I discovered a partnership between Canva and the business center. Not only had Canva been integrated into the computers, but the announcement of this partnership was also prominently displayed in print. This experience was an eye-opener for me about how partnerships can be effectively utilized and showcased.

Client education begins with the onboarding process. Initially, I believed that onboarding was a one-time event, but I’ve since learned that it should be an ongoing relationship. Maintaining a transparent and honest relationship with customers is crucial for fostering a sustainable connection. A good example was Slack. When Slack was growing its user base, they didn’t just focus on the initial onboarding process. Instead, they continuously educated their users about new features and best practices for using the platform. This was done through various channels like: 1. Regular updates 2. Interactive tutorials 3. Webinars and workshops 4. Community Management 5. Help center and documentation