Empowering Women
in Manufacturing And Business

Successful women sharing their experiences and life stories that contribute to the greater good of all, improving products, making things better and safer, and fulfilling lives.

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#68 Riveting Exchanges: Navigating Intrepreneurship Through Company Culture

Two attractive young business women in the office working, one of them holding a smart phone, making a phone call.

On this edition of “Riveting Exchanges” on The WAM Podcast, hosts, Andrea Olson and Desiree Grace, dive into the concept of intrepreneurship. Like entrepreneurship, it’s all about innovation and innovating new ideas, but with the key difference that it takes place within an organization.

The ladies discuss the role of company culture in cultivating an atmosphere of innovation, the importance of knowing what the particular company’s risk tolerance is, and what their expectations are. They also talk about the factors to consider before initiating change, the importance of being empathetic toward different perspectives, and why it is necessary to validate your plan of action. Tune in for some actionable tips for setting off positive change in your organization!

“It’s not as simple as identifying a problem, but it’s really about understanding the cause behind why it hasn’t changed, why it hasn’t been addressed.” —Andrea Olson @pragmadik

MEET YOUR HOST

Desiree Grace

Desiree Grace is Director of Channel Accounts & Programs for Panduit Corporation in Tinley Park, Illinois.  Desiree and her team develop and deploy channel partner strategy and programs in North America.

She previously managed the Utility channel for Eaton North America, as their Vice President, Channel Development and Operations. Prior to this role, she served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Anamet Electrical, District Manager, at Panduit Corporation, and Branch Manager at WESCO.

Grace has over 27 years of experience in electrical manufacturing and distribution and has been an active member of NAED for over 10 years. She was the 2017 Trailblazer for NAED’s Women in Industry organization. Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Political Science from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, and an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and Operations from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Grace serves on the Church Council for First Congregational Church and is a volunteer with Dress for Success and Habitat for Humanity.

Connect with Desiree Grace on LinkedIn.

Andrea Olson

Andrea Olson, the author of No Disruptions: The New Future For Mid-Market Manufacturing and The Customer Missionis inspiring and educating industrial business leaders on how to transform their approach to marketing, technology, and communications to operate more efficiently and increase profitability. 

Andrea’s 19-year, field-tested background provides unique, applicable approaches to creating leaner, more effective, technology-driven, customer-facing operations. A 4-time ADDY® award-winner, she began her career at a tech startup and led the strategic marketing efforts at two global industrial manufacturers.

Andrea is the CEO of Pragmadik, an Operational Strategy Consultancy, and also a board member of the Midwest Manufacturing Business Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of mid-market manufacturing in the US.

Andrea’s most recent book, No Disruptions, provides manufacturing leaders an easy, educational read on how to increase revenue generation through marketing, branding, and effective technology implementation. 

In addition to writing, consulting and coaching, Andrea speaks to leaders and industry organizations around the world on operational strategies to discover new sources of revenues and savings. Contact Andrea to access information on her book, workshops, keynote speeches or consulting. 

For more information on Olson’s book, workshops, keynote speeches, or consulting, please visit www.pragmadik.com and www.nodisruptions.com. Follow Andrea Olson on Twitter @pragmadik

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