Raving Fans Start Within
Where do raving fans really come from? At Velosio, we believe it starts with the people behind the work. This podcast introduces you to the team members bringing projects to life—sharing their stories, passions, and what it’s really like to be part of Velosio. In each short episode, you’ll get a candid look behind the scenes, whether you're part of the team, thinking about joining, or just curious who's on the other side of the screen.
All Episodes
10: Melissa Herbst on Finding Joy in Client Wins and What’s Ahead with AI
In this episode of Velosio's Raving Fans Start Within podcast, Chad talks to long-time Velosio Account Executive Melissa, who shares her analytical, client-focused approach to selling technology solutions and coordinating across Velosio's teams. The conversation highlights the value of team collaboration, celebrating client 'light bulb' moments, and Melissa's excitement for how AI will transform ERP from "out-of-the-box" to truly personalized business solutions in the horticulture and cannabis industries. Key Episode Takeaways: - The client-partner relationship must focus on solving real business problems. Successful partnerships in the modern industry require an analytical, problem-solving focus that goes beyond mere relationship-building to address the client's unique challenges and goals. - The future of business solutions is personalized digitization, not heavy customization. AI and agents are expected to move the industry from standardized, "out-of-the-box" software toward personalized digital solutions—a "custom suit" that fits the organization without the debt of traditional, heavy customization. - Effective client engagement is achieved through "light bulb" moments in tailored demos. The most exciting and rewarding part of the sales cycle occurs post-demo when a client has a moment of realization that the proposed solution can solve their business problem. - Deep industry-specific knowledge is a key differentiator, especially for niche markets. Velosio's success in specialized industries like horticulture and cannabis is driven by deep domain expertise, a specific product IP direction, and the ability to conduct accounting demos that truly excite finance leaders. - Cultural champions who unblock issues are vital for driving client outcomes. Recognizing and leveraging "cultural champions," like those in operations, who maintain calm under pressure and unstick complex issues, is crucial for timely service delivery and client satisfaction. 1:41 Personal Interests and Ohio State Connection 3:11 Melissa's Motivation and Approach to Client Relationships 5:36 The Reality of Melissa's Role at Velosio 7:18 Memorable Moments and Team Recognition 11:49 Celebrating Wins and Industry Trends Connect with Melissa Herbst: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbstmelissa/ Connect with Chad Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-woods-a99479/ Learn More About Velosio: https://velosio.com Work at Velosio: https://velosio.com/careers9: Wendy Rodgers on Humanizing HR and Building Meaningful Connections
In this episode of our Raving Fans Start Within podcast, you’ll meet Wendy Rodgers, Velosio's Senior Talent Management Specialist, as she shares her diverse career path, love for progressive HR, and hidden talent for writing limericks. Learn why Wendy likens Velosio to a "Cheers Meets MASH" sitcom and how winning an Impact Award in her first year solidified her sense of belonging at the company. Key episode takeaways: - Empathy and Trust are Critical Business Skills: The combination of managing business needs with empathy and trust is highlighted as the core takeaway from diverse professional experiences, vital for creating lasting relationships and excellent experiences. - HR Must Shift to a Progressive, Human-Centered Model: The traditional stigma of HR as "compliance and rules and police" is being actively replaced by a progressive approach that focuses on humanizing the role, having a sense of humor, and not taking oneself too seriously. - Employee Experience is the Foundation of a "Raving Fan" Culture: The company's internal success is directly tied to the employee's journey, emphasizing that it all starts with employee experience at the heart of the organization. - Career Journeys are Multi-Industry and Non-Linear: A path to a senior role can weave through five different industries and roles—from hospitality to healthcare to financial services—demonstrating that varied experiences build versatile skills. - Small Daily Impacts Define Career Fulfillment: Making a difference in a small way, such as helping someone find something or making their life easier, is a passion that drives retention and a sense of belonging. - Feedback and Empathy from HR Greatly Influence Company Direction: The feedback gathered and the empathy shown by the Talent Management Specialist in both the new hire and exit process make a huge impact and change the direction of the company. 1:14 Wendy's Hobbies and Time at Velosio 2:18 Wendy's Career Path Before Velosio 4:02 Wendy's Hidden Talent 6:02 Velosio as a TV Show 7:14 Wendy's Defining Moment at Velosio 9:38 Influential Book for Wendy's Work 11:06 Velosio's Theme Song and Visual Representation Connect with Wendy Rodgers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-rodgers-shrm-cp-2528117a/ Connect with Robbie Morrison: https://www.velosio.com/team-member/robbie-morrison/ Learn More About Velosio: https://velosio.com Work at Velosio: https://velosio.com/careers8: Joe DeLozier on the Power of Showing Up and Seeing Things Through
In this episode of Raving Fans Start Within podcast, see how a competitive nature and a collaborative team drive success at Velosio through the story of long-time employee, Joe DeLozier, a former affiliate partner who has been with the company since its first day of operation in January 2018. Joe shares how a focus on client success and the career-long perspective that “challenges always work out”, are key to staying motivated and embracing the unique Velosio experience. Key Episode Takeaways: - Technology is shifting toward specialized data solutions, making "Data Fabric" presentations and proof-of-concept environments a critical area of focus for client wins. - A collaborative, "family-like" team culture is crucial for technical problem-solving and for supporting teammates through challenges and new experiences. - Consistent positive client feedback on implemented solutions drives motivation and helps sales/service teams overcome the inevitable "doom and gloom" of difficult projects. - The client-centric focus of an organization is a key factor in collective success, validating the power of all personnel coming together to solve problems on a client's behalf. - Developing strong personal connections with clients is a strategic asset, which involves being a "people person" and actively searching for common interests with clients and co-workers. 00:37 Joe's Personal Life and Family 2:16 Hobbies and Personal Interests 4:00 Joe's Professional Background at Velosio 4:47 Competitive Nature and Team Dynamics 7:43 The "Velocian" Experience 10:19 Staying Motivated Through Challenges Connect with Joe DeLozier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedelozier/ Connect with Chad Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-woods-a99479/ Learn More About Velosio: https://velosio.com Work at Velosio: https://velosio.com/careers7: Sreepathy Nagarajan on Protecting Teams and Growing Through Challenges
In this episode of the Raving Fans Start Within Podcast, Robbie Morrison speaks with Sreepathy Nagarajan, to discuss his 20-year career, his passion for protecting and ensuring his team's success, and his strategy for leveraging and balancing onshore and offshore teams. Sreenath also shares personal insights into his love for food as a way to celebrate wins, his daily routine of calling his offshore lead, and his belief that work should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint. Key Episode Takeaways: - Embrace the Hybrid Onshore/Offshore Model for Resource Optimization: Strategic leveraging of offshore resources is crucial for financial contribution and growth, particularly when maintaining a balanced 1:1 ratio with onshore staff. - Redefine Onshore Roles to Client Success: Utilizing offshore teams for technical execution allows the onshore team to concentrate more on client relationship management and strategic oversight, leading to greater client success. - Adopt a "Marathon Mindset" for Long-Term Project Resilience: - Approaching complex projects as a marathon, not a sprint, encourages continuous learning, problem-solving, and building strength from past challenges. - Implement Daily, Proactive Global Coordination: Consistent, scheduled communication with offshore leadership late in the local day is critical to ensure continuity, address urgent matters, and prepare for the next day's workflow across time zones. - Utilize Non-Work Engagement for Team Building and Morale: Celebrating wins with an activity that fosters conversation and contentment, such as food and shared meals, is an effective, personal way to build relationships and break down communication barriers. 1:56 Sreepathy’s Career Before Velosio 4:06 Sreepathy’s Global Operations Role 5:46 Fun Questions: Job Swap and Favorite App 7:58 Sreepathy’s Connection to Velosio 9:19 Leveraging Offshore Teams 11:39 Celebrating Wins and Best Advice 15:13 Daily Routine and Closing Thoughts Connect with Sreepathy Nagarajan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreepathy-nagarajan-8051995/ Connect with Robbie Morrison: https://www.velosio.com/team-member/robbie-morrison/ Learn More About Velosio: https://velosio.com Work at Velosio: https://velosio.com/careers