Helana Zhang

AMA: Atlassian Head of Global ABM & Regional Demand Generation, Helana Zhang on Demand Generation Career Path

October 30 @ 10:00AM PT
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Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
There is no better way to get promoted than by showing that you are doing the job, or parts of the job already. When you're operating at the next level, it makes it more ...
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568 Views
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What would you consider in-scope vs. firmly out-of-scope for the role of a Campaign Manager?
This role often has poorly defined boundaries which can result in boiling the ocean to the point of ineffectiveness
Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
This is a good question but I'm going to give a nuanced answer. The reason being the 'Campaign Manager' role may be defined differently at different companies. Here at At...
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743 Views
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How do you transition from sales to a demand generation role?
As someone with a wealth of experience in marketing and sales, from strategic to operational, what advice would you have for someone looking to transition from a sales role to demand generation? I love being involved in this pillar of the company and no longer in a front-facing sales position. What steps do you recommend I take to make this move successfully
Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
Great question! I have some former Sales team members on my ABM and Demand Gen team today, and at former companies as well. The immediate traits I would work to exhibit a...
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619 Views
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Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
Do I view AI as a rival to DG? No. Do I view AI as a teammate and accelerator to DG? Yes. In my world today, I am building regional demand gen teams to serve our internat...
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460 Views
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Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
As a leader, I consider roadshowing my team as one of my biggest roles and responsibilities. I am constantly thinking about highlighting my team members' wins across and ...
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415 Views
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Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
First and foremost, do your existing demand gen or demand gen-adjacent role exceptionally well. Bring innovation, novelty, strategic thinking, and measurable impact to th...
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418 Views
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Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
Always move forward - What I mean by this is don't think that what you're doing today will necessarily get you to where you want to go. Stay on top of what competitors ar...
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432 Views
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What is your favorite demand generation interview question and the best answer you've heard?
This could be tech stack related questions, but also more general demand gen questions.
Helana Zhang
Vercel Head of Field & Partner Marketing | Formerly Zuora, Optimizely, Cisco Meraki5mo
Below is a question I commonly ask in leadership interviews: If I were to speak with your manager today, what would he/she/they say are your strengths and biggest opportu...
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489 Views
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