January 1, 2015
CEO Tricia Clarke-Stone Talks Russell Simmons, Utilizing Emotion in the Workplace and More
How did you transition from employee to CEO?
Well, I was always a boss. I think that’s just my mentality. When I take something on, I go at it 150 percent or else I don’t want to do it. In my experience at Global Grind, because so much needed to be fixed, it was almost as though I was running the entire company. I think a lot of that job and my job before that really prepared me to take on the responsibility of being a leader, but then also being a doer—being able to step back and have that strategic vision and figuring out how to execute that. And then identifying talent because I’m only as good as my team. That’s another piece I learned from Russell.
Throughout your entire career, which project are you most proud of?
Proably the Samsung project that we’re working on now at Narrative. I think I’m most proud of that because when I went to Russell with the concept about Narrative… I didn’t know how quickly I’d get to exercise the tech and product development piece of it. With Samsung and this All Def Digital 52 platform that we built, it’s a merging artist platform, it powers Russell’s label. So, it’s the A&R engine for Russell’s label. It gives emerging artists the opportunity to upload tracks. We have an algorithm that ranks it based on user engagement, and then Russell will then look at that chart system that gets created and decide who he wants to explore and possibly sign. Samsung was our partner in this… Because Samsung is about the next big thing, we brought them the next big thing in music. …We’re giving them now a seat at the table to say, “We’re identifying who the next big thing is going to be, and we’re telling you who that is.â€
We’re in a day where people are becoming more innovative in using technology to become their own bosses, especially within the younger generations. What career opportunities do you see in the marriage of fashion, technology, and entertainment?
I think it’s utilizing tools that we use every day. People started utilizing YouTube as a form of entertainment, and I think it’s folks who are driven that said, “Wait a minute. These people are on YouTube. I have all this entertainment… How can I capitalize on this?†I think it’s identifying platforms and environments that we’re comfortable in because we know our way around them, and then figuring out where the opportunity is. In the case of YouTube, as long as I have a webcam or camera I can now start building my audience. I also think you have to look at different trends. Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding are really big. I think it’s looking at trends and saying how can you pair this trend with technology, how can you pair this trend with fashion, and then experimenting and seeing what works.
What insight do you have for career women in overcoming any professional challenges?
Anytime I get into a situation, personally or professionally, I always think of how I can impact it. I always put myself in positions where I can be that impact player. That’s why I never had jobs where I’m just a cog in the wheel… I want to be in a place where my output means something. And value proposition. Anything I do I always look back and ask, “Am I adding value?†Return on Investment I think a lot of people just equate that to revenue, but for me it could be an amazing idea, an amazing concept. So if you’re adding value and if you’re delivering ROI for any company or individual, you’re going to win. Also, hard work. When I first started working for Russell, it wasn’t a 9 to 5 job. It was a 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. of when I was physically in the office and then it continued after that. As I continued to innovate more, I would be there until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. I think that was another piece as to why he took the risk and said I’m going to invest. He always said to me, “I saw how hard you worked for my company, so I can imagine how hard you will work for your own.”
What do you think our biggest strength as women overall is and how do we capitalize off of it in the workplace?
I think often times we get a lot of flak for being too emotional or being too passionate, or having too much empathy. But I think we can use that to our advantage. That’s what drives people to do things. If I’m in a meeting and I’m pitching to a potential a client, it’s the passion that will connect us. There are five or six other people who can do the job, but it’s the passion and emotional connection that’s going to really be that X-factor.
Also see what CEO Trica Clarke-Stone has to say about the differences between women and men leaders here. Keep up with @narrative_ and @Tricia002 on Twitter.