Blair Benedict’s Post

Many of you know I got laid off back in February… What you don’t know is that while that was an immensely stressful period, there were a few things I’ve learned and wanted to share… 1. Change is sometimes what you need I didn’t realize how much I needed to change things. Everything from my career to where I was living. Joining the team at HighTide has been a great thing for me, giving me the chance I needed to feel revigorated and get back to myself. 2. Things happen for a reason When I initially got laid off, it was stressful. I was worried about how I was going to continue paying the bills, and what my next steps were. But then I reached out to an old connection (actually, it was the same person who got me the job at Gloo), and he had an opportunity that he thought might be a great fit for me. Turns out, it was an amazing fit for us. This lead to not only a new position, but also Carlos Lima and I exiting from our last venture because they were very similar. 3. People are Priceless When we exited from our last venture, both Carlos and I thought it was dead and we weren’t going to go any further with it. Turns out, we just needed a team behind us. This team has killed it and is continuing to do so everyday. We are not only creating a new, innovative platform, but we are helping nonprofits and universities grow their reach, and build their networks. It’s crazy what a team can do Overall, I know how stressful it is getting laid off, and want to share my learnings. But, the experience also gave me insight on how to compassionately lead and how to be the best executive that I can be as I continue through my career

Happy to share that I’ve been promoted to Product Operations Specialist at Delivery Hero! 😊 ⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯ For anyone interested in what it was like for me to switch careers - moving from People & Culture to Product: When I made this change one year ago, I was excited but also scared. I believed in myself, yet there were moments when the amount of newness felt overwhelming and I found myself much farther away from my comfort zone than I ever imagined. I rode the four stages of competence/learning several times like a rollercoaster. At the end of the day, two things really helped me: 1. 💻 Recognizing when to call it a day: When you’re entering a new field, every piece of information takes an enormous amount of energy for your brain to process. Trying to force knowledge into your mind isn’t always going to work. Sometimes what you need is to let it be, allow your brain to simmer and come back to what you’re stuck on another day. 2. ✋🏼 Learning from the experts around you: I could make a long list of people that I’m very grateful to for teaching me what I know now – my own team of course, as well as the kind and talented product managers, engineering managers, software engineers, product analysts, product designers, QA engineers and business teams I get to learn from each day. It's been a fun journey so far and I'm excited to continue. If you're ever considering to embark on your own career-switching rollercoaster, you can always reach out for some words of moral support or advice!

🚀 Moving On from Layoffs: Embracing New Opportunities! 🚀 Hi there, Recent changes in my professional journey led me to a bittersweet realization - an unforeseen layoff from my role as a Growth Marketing Specialist at Delivery Hero. This news wasn't just about my own transition but also acknowledging the impacts on colleagues and friends—a reminder of the unpredictable nature of our paths. Reflecting on this change, it's become clear that now is the time for personal growth and new adventures. My journey in digital marketing began during my university days, where I showcased my potential across multiple departments—SEM, Paid Social, and Data Analysis—during a significant internship. It was this proven track record that caught the attention of Delivery Hero's HR team, leading to an unexpected but incredible opportunity to join them. At just 23, I found myself in Germany, climbing the stairs with determination and passion in an environment where the average age was 30. During my tenure at Delivery Hero, I took on the challenge of managing Paid Social accounts in the MENA region - talabat & HungerStation | هنقرستيشن,-fostering a strong rapport with the Regional team and delivering consistent success over two rewarding years. This accomplishment paved the way for an exciting shift to the Growth Team, focusing on a 360-degree strategic approach. Over the past year, I've thrived in this role, driving impressive performance in managing APAC markets - foodpanda - . Through these experiences, I've honed my skills in Data Analysis, Strategic Planning & Reporting, and Paid Channels, showcasing not just my professional capabilities but also my resilience in navigating unexpected turns. Plus, being part of our Marketing Social Committee was a blast—we organized awesome team events and fostered great team spirit. I'm now on the lookout for new opportunities that align with my passion and potential. If you know of any exciting ventures or would like to connect and explore potential collaborations, let's chat! Cheers #skyisthelimit #layoffs2023 #marketing #digitalamarketing

✨Learn more here! (https://ter.li/solechowski) ✨ Back in May of 21', when I was navigating my next steps away from healthcare where I had been for 4 years, I'd discovered Merit through Doordash and decided that this would be my next step. 😊 I'm so glad that I did, and I'm so thankful that my past self took this step in a more stable direction. If you're in the same position, take a look at what this change could look like for you! #NoDegreeJobs #Upskilling #BreakintoTech #EntryLevelTech #CareerChange

"Embracing a fresh start as we dive into a brand new month! Wishing you all a month filled with growth, success, and exciting opportunities. Let's make it a productive and fulfilling journey together! 🌟 #NewMonth #FreshStart #Opportunities"

Meet Florian Aucomte, Senior Software Engineer at Ocado Group. His story is not just about coding; it's about making an impact, problem-solving, and wearing multiple hats in a small team. Discover how Florian's passion for tech and his top career tips can inspire beginners entering the industry. Watch now to learn how Florian is shaping the future of tech and inspiring the next generation. #warehouseautomation

Had this conversation with Akshay Kanade from UXHack few months ago! Tried to share what i know and i still think my learning curve is on, if it helps you in any way, do let me know and check out UXHack for their exciting series and events for aspiring PMs and Product Designers. They are doing some exceptional job! Thanks Akshay and Team UxHack for this opportunity! 🙌🏻 #myproductjourney #aspiringpms #careerdevelopment

I've been super nervous to share this... I'm currently on the lookout for my next job. Due to my recent move to Australia and some unforeseen circumstances, my time at Coho has come to an end. I'm immensely grateful for the experiences and connections I've gained there. Thank you Mindaugas Petrutis, Hayley W., and all the incredible people I worked with - I learned and grew so much! But back to why I was nervous - I haven't looked for a job in almost 8 years (a real privilege). Thinking/talking about it has been a real source of stress lately. After my 1st job as a CSM in Amsterdam, I was found by a recruiter to join InVision, and from my connections there, I got into Coho. In my last position, I moved away from my long career in Customer Success and took more of a Project/ Program Management role, leading a whole area of the business. I loved it. But now I'm a bit conflicted and lost. Getting started again is daunting. Being in a new market, with not many connections, I have a dilemma: do I pursue/continue in this new PM road or go back to CSM? Can I explore anything else? Is it too risky? Yet, amidst this uncertainty, I see opportunity. I'm taking this time to rediscover where I fit and what path I should pursue next. From exploring new industries to considering different roles, I'm ready to embrace the journey ahead. I'll take steps back (if needed), to take a better one forward. If you know me, have worked with me, or have any insights to share, please, I'd love to hear from you—whether it's a comment, a DM, or a recommendation. Your support means the world to me as I navigate this new chapter! Ps.: In my quest to find my next opportunity, here's what I've done so far: 1) Leveraged AI for career brainstorming and identifying skill gaps 2) Connected with mentors for guidance and suggestions 3) Researched companies that align with my values and aspirations 4) Started applying for roles based on recommendations and referrals 5) Dove into exercises of self-reflection 6) Therapy #NewBeginnings #CareerJourney #NextChapter #APAC

Check this fantastic conversation Akshay had with Shubham Kumar where he shares his experience on how he became a PM. Do check it out. Simple and practical takeaways that you can action upon right away :) https://lnkd.in/dNpeyC2m

Folks, I had a great conversation with Airtribe recently, where I shared insights from my product management experience at Meesho We delved into topics like interview process, preparation strategies, the resources that were instrumental, our hiring criteria, and more! 😀 Eager to learn more? Find the video link in the comments below and take a look! 👇 #productmanagement #productmanager #interviewtips #meesho #careerdevelopment #airtribe