Janet Eden-Harris: COventure Forward Mentor
Janet is one of our marketing experts. She is the Chief Revenue Officer of , and former CEO of Umbria, a startup successfully acquired in 2008. On top of all that, she also maintains her consulting practice, the Eden-Harris Group. Her experience aides people with sales and go-to-market strategies. Mentoring through many channels, Janet鈥檚 COventure Forward businesses include and .
Having someone to talk with is invaluable for navigating the difficulties of any relationship. 鈥淚 think it's been a fascinating journey as a female exec over the arc of my career. What it means to lead. How our interpersonal skills are a HUGE factor in the success of our teams. How fun it is to watch teams and the people within them come alive with purpose drive with the right environment. And how to draw on the skills necessary to hone that team when specific individuals aren't really in the right job. How do you navigate that with compassion and respect? Even if they were one of the early founders. It's a huge passion of mine.鈥
Janet鈥檚 advice to entrepreneurs: 鈥淭here's no one 'right way.' Even if there was, circumstances beyond our control often take that 'right way' hostage. We always make decisions based on incomplete or imperfect information. Waiting for The Perfect is more deadly than making a wrong move. The maxim I've developed over the years is: I aim to be 80% right. If I'm 80% right, that gives me the flexibility to go back and fix the 20% I got wrong.鈥
And finally, Janet鈥檚 shout-out goes to her two children, Kate and Alec. 鈥淭hey've become smart, successful executives in their own right--creating and leading in ways that humble me. [鈥 Without a doubt, they are two of my most precious teachers.鈥
Hope you鈥檙e enjoying the winter weather. We鈥檙e glad to be back for the coming year!