Judy P.’s Post

My wonderful co-workers took the time to celebrate my 25th birthday today!! Wait. What… it’s not my birthday!?! Oh, it’s my 25th work anniversary!! That’s right. On November 16th 1998, I began my career journey at Spectrum! Well, technically it’s Charter Communications under the Spectrum brand. But, I started at America Online. Then, moved over to AOL Time Warner Corporate. Then, moved over to Time Warner Cable. Then, the Charter acquisition occured. Now, I run Talent at Spectrum!! It’s been an amazing ride through 4 different companies, 8 different jobs, and 10 different bosses. I have seen the landscape of the dotcom boom (and bust), media/content companies thrive (and stumble) and the cable industry evolve and morph (and, at times, struggle). In reflecting on my career journey recently, I dusted off an old Confucius quote we used at Drexel University where I taught freshman students about writing resumes, interviewing, and how the co-op process worked… “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life!” I have thoroughly enjoyed my job and our dynamic industry. But, the one constant… I really loved the people I have been able to work with over the years! Time has flown by. It’s unusual in this day and age to work at a company for 25 years. But, I still think it’s possible! Even for this younger generation in the working world. Here is the formula… Find an industry that keeps reinventing itself, has amazing people to work with, and offers several different career paths and opportunities for people – it can be a reality for anyone. I am still energized and excited about the future for this industry, the company, our HR organization, and my Talent team. Looking forward to another 25 years! Well, that might be a stretch. 😀 Love to all of my former and current work colleagues and all of people I have interacted with over the years!

This post might not hit the 10+ million impressions like last time, but hey, I've got news! I've joined T-Mobile as a Mid-Market Account Executive. Before moving forward, I want to express my gratitude for a few folks: LinkedIn Connections- To the myriad of professionals, some known and some strangers, who generously offered insights, guidance, and perspective. Your outreach, guidance and kindness will be something I will never forget. McAllister Vaughan, Christina DiTraglia, Nick D'Ambrosio,Megan Smith Steele, Dan Goodman and many others. Co-Workers- Working together was one thing, but seeing the type of people you really are, even after our paths took different turns, has been eye-opening. These people truly understood what starting from empathy and working in harmony meant. It's clear that the real measure of someone isn't just in meetings and emails, but in the way they carry themselves consistently. Veronica You,Ismael M.,Mike Karamas,Anna Bridges,Nicolas Grenié,Mark Smith,Jeremy N. Souza, Randy Peterson, Jason Taylor,🤿 Steven Broudy and many others. As I begin my time at T-Mobile, a company known for pushing boundaries in telecommunications, I will continue to push the boundaries, stand up for what is right and learn from past experiences. #careers #grateful #magenta

PIVOT! The last real job I had was at Comcast in 2017. I got fired. On my 50th birthday. RIP Seeso. This brought me to the dramatic realization that my life as an executive in corporate Media was over. First, bc it was very clear that my reputation as a disruptor was only attractive to Media conglomerates via window shopping. Second, it was obvious that while I loved the trappings of executivehood, I hated its culture. Last, I realized the time for middle-aged white dudes to be running literally everything needed to end. So I pivoted. I tried a bunch of stuff. Some worked. Most didn't. Then I experimented. I have always considered myself a writer. So, I wrote. Every day. On LinkedIn. Regardless of how I felt, I made it my daily job to add value to the community. On #LinkedIn, every day. The algorithm perked up. Traffic built. Folks asked to meet up. Then I posted my Media Map. And things blew up. Still, I wrote on LinkedIn every day. I elbowed my way on stage at conferences, for free, to help expand my footprint, covering expenses out of pocket. Then I failed to sell a book. So turned it into a newsletter. After an enormous amount of personal investment, things took off. I picked up bigger consulting clients. I got paid to speak. All for the first time post 50 and post pivot. The difference now versus then: Most opportunity is inbound. It’s a return on the value I ship daily. I still write every day. I still wake up thinking about how I can add value to the community. It’s what I do for a living. Many things I did to pivot from executive to Cartographer can’t be duplicated. They are form-fitted for Evan. BUT many are steps anyone can take to pivot from where they are stuck to where they can move ahead. When I say here people must look beyond the edges of their own experiences for different opportunities where they can thrive, I DO NOT mean it is easy. Reinvention is a day-to-day mother-fucking slog. BUT it always starts with one step. Then steps two through ten thousand. IF you do take that first step AND you have the persistence to KEEP AT IT, even when you fail, then you can pivot successfully. I've talked to thousands of people who face these challenges - young, not so young, and old like me. The common factors for not making the first move are attachment to what's past and fear of what might happen if you take the wrong step. The secret to starting a successful pivot is letting both go. I've written at some length about it. It’s all here: https://lnkd.in/gdJQDFGW If you face this challenge now, you are so NOT alone. There are many of us here to listen and share. Let go. Take a risk on yourself. If not you, then who else will?

After wrapping up my time at Belong (a division of Telstra ) today, I found myself feeling a bit emotional as I said goodbye to the incredibly talented family I've had the privilege of working with for the past two years. Belong has been home to a wealth of amazing talent from whom I've gleaned invaluable knowledge. Fortunately, I received an offer for Vanguard client today and will be joining their team in a few weeks. Wanting to bring my best to this new chapter, I took some time to reflect on the past two years and crafted an action plan. Among the myriad lessons learned and areas of focus for my next endeavor: 1) Maintain a continuous dedication to learning new trends and technologies. 2) Embrace and evolve with AI, as advised by Sathish Babu Boopathy . 3) Always have at least one improvement task or self-project to pursue. 4) Define and pursue a clear career path (e.g., Solution Designer). 5) Cultivate my habit of asking questions (Be stupid to ask questions). 6) Prioritize communication with stakeholders. 7) Sustain energy and positivity. 8) Seek help when needed. Now, to turn the question to you: What's one thing you strive to bring to work every day?

This month I am happy to celebrate my 5 year anniversary with Convergint and I wanted to share 5 things I've learned or experienced in my time here: 1. Initiative is easily one of the most important values we can have when looking to grow within a company. (Challenge yourself to find the answers before you rely on someone else to provide them for you.) 2. Work smart, not hard- be innovative. Create more efficient processes that will allow bandwidth for you to challenge yourself with new, valuable tasks. THIS is what sets you apart. (search: Albert Einstein's definition of insanity) 3. Always train your replacement. Don't gatekeep information! If you want to grow, you always want to have someone that can seamlessly step into your role after. 4. A great *leader* is invaluable, so, don't forget to be one! 5. Learn something new everyday. Leaders aren't the only ones with valuable insight - don't forget to learn from everyone you work with. Convergint is a place that practices what they preach when it comes to culture, inclusion, diversity, and growth opportunities. I'm so lucky to work here and I'm looking forward to many more years with this awesome team! By the way: Yes! We're #hiring (globally)!

𝐈’𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. After 33 years in the entertainment business, including a 25-year stint at Warner Bros. as the Head of Global Category Management, I’m on the search for a new role. The big WB layoff wave hit many of us hard last year, and it’s been a rollercoaster since then—hundreds of applications and many interviews. I’m not one to ask for help often, but I know the power of this community. If you’ve got leads on roles in category management or business insights or know someone who does (it can be in entertainment, retail or CPG) I’d be super thankful for a recommendation. Here’s how you can lend a hand: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 on LinkedIn if we’re not already friends. 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 with job leads or intros. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 or send it to a friend to get more visibility. Big thanks for your support. Let’s make something happen! #OpenToWork #EntertainmentIndustry #Retail #CPG #Insights

Hello LinkedIn fam, I wanted to share a personal update with you all. My chapter at Dish TV / Sling as a UX Researcher has closed as I was impacted by the recent round of layoffs. While change is never easy, I'm choosing to reflect on my recent growth and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. 💡 What I'm Proud Of: 1️⃣ Passion Amidst Differences: Despite any personal sentiments towards the company, I chose to pour myself into creating the best user experience. This gives me the confidence to excel in my role of advocating for users at any company. 2️⃣ People First: My time at Dish TV wasn't just about UX research; it was a journey of discovery across various roles within the company. I built valuable relationships and prioritized people over all else. My passion for the community of folks with disabilities grew as I served on the board for the Dish Disability Advocates Network. 3️⃣ Resilience and Flexibility: In an environment where priorities and teams were in a constant state of flux, I learned to adapt with resilience and flexibility. Every challenge was an opportunity for growth, and I faced them head-on (after flailing for a hot minute – we’re all human!) 4️⃣ Continuous Learning: I added to my pool of skillsets as I continued my education via LinkedIn Learning courses, conferences, and DISH-provided training. Most notably, I completed DISH's Explore class for management and identified a personal development plan to position me as a leader in my field. As one door closes, another opens. I'm eager to explore new possibilities, learn, and contribute to innovative projects. If you know of any exciting opportunities or if you just want to connect and share experiences, please reach out! Thank you to everyone at Dish TV who made this journey memorable, and to my network for your continued support. And for those of you who have also been impacted by the recent DISH layoffs, I'm here to support you however I can. Here's to the next chapter! 🚀✨ #NewBeginnings #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #UXResearcher #OpportunityAwaits

I’m celebrating my 10-year anniversary with BB Imaging this week, and as I’ve reflected on my journey so far, I noticed some lessons I’ve learned that are worth sharing:  Lesson #1: Leave toxic workplaces asap. I left a negative environment early in my career, realizing that if I got involved in interpersonal conflict, I would burn bridges, close off networks, and potentially end my career. Remember, your environment matters!  Lesson #2: Work in a way that invites opportunity. Our CEO, Blanca Lesmes, personally convinced me to take a chance on a part-time role with professional development opportunities. I only got that call because I’d already built a solid reputation. How? I took several registries right out of school, even though they weren't required for my job. I scanned every patient as if they were a beloved relative. And I always listened to feedback. That earned the respect of peers, doctors, administrators—and landed me my next role.   Lesson #3: Build your professionalism early. I did take the leap, scanning on a part-time basis and netting new clients during my lunch break. Before I knew it, I hadn’t only transitioned to full-time, but was hiring my replacements. And I wasn’t only looking for scanning skills. I was looking for people who could communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service.  Lesson #4: Watch for your strengths. I’ll be honest, managing people was difficult for me, and I came to realize I was better at growing our customer base. By identifying that strength, I could see the value in pivoting to a career path that was more satisfying. So, I went back to school for a master’s degree in healthcare administration, which ultimately set me up for the role I hold now as our VP of Business Development.  I’m excited to continue my journey with BB Imaging because I still have room to grow. (P.S. BB Imaging is always growing, and there’s room for you.) So, here’s to staying humble, continuing to learn, and confidently taking the next step. 

🌟 Update Time! 🌟 Back in May, many of you heard about my unexpected layoff after 20 years with my previous employer. It hit hard—I won't lie. Thoughts of supporting my family and navigating the job hunt left me anxious. But then, my teenage son reminded me of something I often say: "the universe works in mysterious ways." And I knew he was spot on. Stuck at a professional crossroads, the universe stepped in to redirect me… It was time for my journey to take a different path. Over the past three months, I took some much-needed time for self-care and reflection. I tackled long-postponed home projects, spent quality time with friends and family, and most importantly, prioritized my physical and mental well-being. Meanwhile, I scoured for a role that valued my skills and expertise, while offering personal and professional growth. Amidst the interviews and "not the right fits," I'm thrilled to finally share the news—tomorrow, I'm stepping into a new chapter as a Demand Planner at Stanley Black & Decker. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your unwavering support throughout this transformative journey. Change may be daunting, but it's also a remarkable catalyst for personal and professional evolution. Here's to embracing change, cherishing downtime, and forging ahead into exciting new beginnings! #NewBeginnings #CareerJourney #Resilience #Gratitude

In one week, Phoenix Staff will turn 21 years old. Here are just a couple of musings that come to mind after 21 years in business - more to come: 🔹 I sincerely wish that I'd kept a better record of all the people who gave me advice - good or bad - along the way. 🔹 I don't know that I am easy to work for today, but I know for a fact that I was NOT easy to work for 21 years ago. 🔹 I should have had more fun early on. It was hard work, things weren't ever easy, but I should have enjoyed the ride much earlier in the company's history. 🔹 Being grateful will never describe the overwhelming feeling I have for those who currently work here. But I am also grateful for those who have previously worked here. It is because of these people that we are still here. Thankfully, I am not someone who lives with regret. I will suggest to anyone looking to start a business though or anyone who is in early days of one: ◽ Keep track of everyone who is offering you advice. Whether you decide to take it or not, they will challenge your thinking and that is a gift that keeps on giving when you own a business. ◽ Don't be a jerk. Ever. ◽ Have fun. When you are feeling the weight, and you will, find a way to blow off steam and get your rhythm back. Don't lose sight of the fact that you didn't start your company so that you would be miserable. Unless, of course, that is why you started the business, if so, then carry on! ◽ You will hire people who don't work out well. It happens. Each and every person you ever hire will make you better at hiring. Be grateful for the different experiences, the different personalities and the fact that you were a stop along the way in someone's career. Always thank those who showed up to try and help you even if only for a minute along the way. #LookingToBeBetter #21Years