Business
**Trill MBA Show – The Career Management Podcast for Black Women**

Being You, A Black Woman, is hard…especially in Corporate America. There are too many hurdles thrown at us as we try to climb the ladder of success. From microaggressions against you and your hair to the lack of advocates and sponsors everyone needs. Someone please just tell us what to do to make corporate America work for us! The Trill MBA Show is here to help you fight these battles by giving you the strategies that work, straight…no chaser. With our host, Felicia aka The Trillest MBA you will ever know, the Trill MBA Show curates the real truth to help you survive and thrive in Corporate America.

Latest Episodes:

To Gain Sponsors, You Must Do This! Feb 16, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 7

To Gain Sponsors, You Must Do This!

In this episode, we continue the sponsorship prep work you started in Episode 5. Now that you know what you are bringing to the table it’s time to put that knowledge into the action steps in the episode.

Corporate Warrior Spotlight: Latriece Watkins, Executive Vice President, Consumables, Walmart U.S. Latriece Watkins leads all merchandising strategies for the company’s baby, beauty, household chemicals, household paper, over-the-counter pharmacy, personal care and pets business. First joining Walmart as an intern in real estate, Latriece has served in a variety of key leadership roles within Sam’s Club, Walmart U.S. merchandising, human resources and U.S. store operations. Latriece earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Listener Letters: If you have a situation that we can all learn from, email us at ask@trillmba.com. We will not use real names. Put Listener Letter in the subject line to let us know we can read your letter on the show.

The Most Important Thing: Sponsors Select You! How do you get them to do this?

Have you received some Trill Lessons from this podcast? If yes, could you help us out by subscribing and leaving a quick review in iTunes? Hitting subscribe and leaving a review makes a HUGE difference and should only take a minute.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-people-who-can-open-more-career-doors-than-you-ever-thought-possible

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-a-sponsor-in-the-workplace-1917656

https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/heres-what-a-career-sponsor-is-and-why-you-might-want-one

https://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2013/jul/08/sponsorship-who-knows-you

https://hbr.org/2013/09/the-right-way-to-find-a-career-sponsor

https://www.fastcompany.com/90307513/7-successful-women-explain-how-they-got-the-sponsor-that-changed-their-careers

https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliekoepsell1/2018/11/25/want-to-advance-your-career-faster-get-a-sponsor/#340eb0e865ed

Image- 10′000 Hours | DigitalVision | Getty Images

Don’t Sleep On Lean In! w/ Raena and Pam from LeanIn.Org Feb 09, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 6

Don’t Sleep On Lean In! w/ Raena and Pam from LeanIn.Org

In this episode, I talk with the good folks at LeanIn.Org. Raena Saddler, VP of People & Managing Director and Pamela Nonga Ngue, Senior Communications Specialist at LeanIn.Org share with me all the resources they have for Corporate Warriors like you! They also explain why we BEEN leaning in the whole time!

Corporate Warrior Spotlight: Ronnie Dickerson Stewart, Publicis Groupe US Chief Diversity Officer

Check out Ronnie’s Podcast The OhHeyCoach Career Clinic Podcast

The Most Important Thing:

Leaning in is not about being by yourself. You don’t have to embark on your career journey alone.
LeanIn is using research and analysis to push companies to focus on workplace solutions to address intersectional diversity.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

Leanin.org

https://www.adweek.com/agencies/publicis-names-ronnie-dickerson-stewart-as-u-s-chief-diversity-officer/

Are You Prepared For Sponsorship? The Career Big Game! Feb 02, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 5

Are You Prepared For Sponsorship? The Career Big Game!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!! And A BIG #F***PETA !!!

In this episode, building from last week’s episode, we focus on getting ready for sponsorship. Before we start targeting potential leaders in the organization, we some work to do on ourselves first. Once we have prepped, we give ourselves a better chance when asking for sponsorship. We talk about building your narrative, understanding your organization, and how NOT to ask for sponsorship.

Corporate Warrior Spotlight: Ursula Burns, the first and (so far) only Black Woman CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. Currently, Ursula is the Chairman and CEO of VEON.

The Most Important Thing:

We get real about why you have to be honest with yourself on this career journey.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

(Forget A Mentor) Find A Sponsor by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

https://www.veon.com/about-us/leadership/#ursula-burns

Remix: Sponsors w/ Michelle Silverthorn Jan 26, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 4

Remix: Sponsors with Michelle Silverthorn

Hey Guys…I’m working on a very tactical show for next week, breaking down how to build your Sponsor Hit List. The show will be a step by step guide on building sponsor relationships.

To prep for next week, we are doing a remix of season 3, episode 9 where Michelle Silverthorn breaks down what a sponsor is and how we should think about sponsor relationships.

S3:Ep 9

How To Get You Some Sponsors with Michelle Silverthorn!

In this episode, Michelle Silverthorn, Founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation, a diversity consulting firm based in Chicago, joins me for a TRILL convo about Sponsors. We break down what are they, why they are critical to your career success, and what you need to think about when working to gain Sponsor relationships in your organization.

You don’t want to miss one minute of this episode. Michelle keeps it all the way TRILL, dropping all the nuggets you need to gain sponsors at work.

Check out Michelle’s TED talk mentioned in the episode:

Learn more about Michelle Silverthorn

Tweet Michelle @SilverthornMs

Visit inclusionnation.org

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sis, You Gotta Raise Yo Hand Jan 19, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 3

Sis, You Gotta Raise Yo Hand

In this episode, we explore why we should raise our hands and tell our organizations that we want to be developed and groomed to become Executive Talent. Many of us are talking ourselves out of being C-Suite executives. Today, we explore why we shouldn’t do this and the things we can control on our C-Suite journey.

Ladies, on this MLK Day, let’s honor the black and brown people that did the work that bust open doors for us to shine today! Let’s Raise Our Hands to all the opportunities!

Corporate Warrior Spotlight: Rosalind Brewer, COO and Group President, Starbucks

This week Kelley wrote in to ask what to do because she thinks that she has outgrown her mentor.

The Most Important Thing:

If you take nothing else away from this episode, please take that you need to raise your hand. Claim what role you want. Believe in yourself and your abilities. No one has the gifts and abilities that you do. You just have to trust yourself. You got this.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/sunday-review/women-ceos-glass-ceiling.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-fam-0217-outgrow-mentor-20150213-story.html

https://addicted2success.com/success-advice/7-signs-its-time-to-break-up-with-your-mentor/

https://www.forbes.com/2008/05/21/leaders-public-advice-lead-manage-cx_sj_0521mentors.html#578eb3ec7470

Networking: Don’t F**K This Up Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 2

Networking: Don’t F**K This Up

In this episode, we focus on the tactics of Networking through a cautionary tale of what NOT to do when reaching out to people.

Corporate Warrior Spotlight: Lisa Perez Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, Apple, Inc.

When Networking:

Tailor your resume format to the role you are pursuing
DO NOT email from your work email.
Email your resume with the context of what you want in the body of the email so that it can be easy to forward for the person you are sending your resume to.
DO NOT get defensive, ask for, appreciate, and gut check all feedback.

This week Tyler came for us and I had to clap back! We will be back to our regularly scheduled program next week. Send us your letters!

The Most Important Thing:

Networking is not a Safe Space! When Networking, start out formal, especially with people you don’t know well. As you build the relationship, your interactions will let you know when you can be less formal. Pay attention to social cues! Safe Spaces must be created!

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

https://www.apple.com/leadership/lisa-jackson/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_P._Jackson

New Year! New Decade! New Season! Jan 05, 2020

Show notes

S4:Ep 1

New Year! New Decade! New Season!

Happy New Year!!! Welcome to Season 4!!!

In this episode, Felicia breaks down what to expect this season. We have a new FOCUS and framework to create content to help you obtain your best possible outcome, Inside and Outside the Workplace.

This season we are FOCUSED on:

Mindset– Creating A Winner’s Mindset
Resources– Finding and Uncovering the Tools of Success Available to US.
Tactics– The How To’s and What To Do’s on Your Career Journey

New This Season:

Corporate Warrior Spotlight (CWS)- Each week we will celebrate a Black Woman climbing the ranks in the corporate world and making her Black Girl Magic Mark on the world. To Nominate a Black Woman, email us at ask@trillmba.com and put Corporate Warrior Spotlight in the subject line.

Our first CWS is Tia Cummings. Tia is one of my friends in real life. Tia joined Walker & Company Brands (makers of Bevel and Form Beauty), a Procter & Gamble company leadership team as Vice President of Marketing this past November. An Effie Award-winning marketer, Cummings is recognized for her strategic approach to global marketing and brand performance. With 15+ years of experience, she has cultivated her expertise across major companies such as L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson, and Kellogg’s. Recently, Tia was recognized as of Brand Innovator’s 40 Under 40 2019 honorees (South Division.)
Tia received her B.S. in chemical engineering at Hampton University and earned her MBA from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University.
Congrats Tia on the world recognizing that you are an all-around badass. I’m very proud to call you my friend.

Listener Letters– If you have a situation that we can all learn from, email us at ask@trillmba.com. We will not use real names. Put Listener Letter in the subject line to let us know we can read your letter on the show.

This week, “Alicia” asks about a bad performance review based on untruths which lead to her being given a termination notice a month out. The weirdest thing I have seen. The Owner is HR, the manager that wrote the review has left the company and, even though it’s a small company, Where’s the PIP?

The Most Important Thing– We will end every episode with the most important thing you should take away from your time with us. This week is all about intention and Career Mindset.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walker–company-brands-appoints-tia-cummings-as-new-vice-president-of-marketing-300963265.html

Holiday Wine Down With My Mentor, Joanna Reddick (Part 2) Dec 29, 2019

Show notes

S3:Ep 52

Holiday Wine Down With My Mentor, Joanna Reddick (Part 2)

In this episode, this is the second part of the conversation I had with one of my very accomplished mentors, Joanna Reddick. Joanna and I were having an impromptu mentoring chat. I had the great idea of pulling out the microphones to catch all the nuggets that Joanna was dropping. This conversation was so good, we had to put it in two parts. This is part 2.

Now listen….I was drinking, I was drinking….don’t judge me.

Despite the wine, Joanna and I talked about:

Having a good manager
The importance of mentors
What mentoring has meant to us
What we learned from dealing with Life Stuff (i.e. illness and death of parents)
What a good supervisor looks like
When to stay and when to leave

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

How to Win Friends and Influence People
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/11/the-global-talent-race/

https://www.fastcompany.com/3055035/you-should-plan-on-switching-jobs-every-three-years-for-the-rest-of-your-

The episode with Anitra K. Brown

https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-costs-of-codeswitching

Holiday Wine Down With My Mentor, Joanna Reddick (Part 1) Dec 22, 2019

Show notes

S3:Ep 51

Holiday Wine Down With My Mentor, Joanna Reddick (Part 1)

In this episode, I have the opportunity to sit down with one of my very accomplished mentors, Joanna Reddick. Joanna and I were having an impromptu mentoring chat. I had the great idea of pulling out the microphones to catch all the nuggets that Joanna was dropping. This conversation was so good, we had to put it in two parts. This is part 1.

Now listen….I was drinking, I was drinking….don’t judge me. Also Note, Joanna is my Mentor….not my mentee. I said that wrong in the episode …blame it on alcohol.

Despite the wine, Joanna shared:

The importance of bringing solutions, not verbal vomit
How Corporate is Like High School
Why You Need to go to Therapy
Her code-switching experiment at work (hint: It worked)
Understanding why code-switching has been survival

And So Much More…… Come back Next Week For Part 2!

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here »

Editing and Sound Design by Chris Mann of Podshaper

Sources:

The episode with Anitra K. Brown

https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-costs-of-codeswitching

Holiday Rewind: Tips From An MBA Rock Star Dec 15, 2019

Show notes

S3:Ep 50

Holiday Rewind: Tips From An MBA Rock Star

Regardless if you have listened to S3: Episode 39 or not, you gotta check out all the nuggets my mentee dropped in this episode. As 2019 is coming to an end, take time out to listen and take notes as you prep for an awesome 2020!

S3:Ep 39

How This MBA Rock Star Connects the Dots of Success

In this episode, I chat with one of my favorite Mentees turned Mentor. In four short years, she has built an amazingly supported career at her current company. Today, she shares how she has connected the dots of corporate success, allowing her to build a great reputation, solid sponsor relationships and gain the label of high performing/high potential talent. Although I would love to tell you who she is and where she works, it’s more important to deliver these career nuggets without pause or hesitation.