Julie Hens ─ a revenue leader energizing sales and engineering teams to stay ahead of changing customer and partner requirements...
December 8, 2020 • 3 Minute Read
Julie Hens
VP, Global Virtual Sales & Engineering
Cisco Systems
Finding a revenue leader who knows how to energize a remote sales and engineering team and stay ahead of changing customer and partner requirements is the secret sauce every company needs. We know the person who fits the bill — Julie Hens.
Julie is a global sales leader at Cisco Systems focused on driving growth, transforming businesses, and delivering customer value through Cisco’s Virtual Sales and Engineering team. Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Julie Hens!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
As part of my flight training, I did my solo flight in a Cessna 152 when I was 18. It was one of the most nerve-wracking but exhilarating moments of my life.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Close to 300K – Certainly a big change in 2020!
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Guinea pig or ‘cuy’ in Peru! Traditionally, the animal was reserved for ceremonial meals and is a delicacy of the indigenous people in the Andean highlands but, since the 1960s, it has become a tradition for everyone to sample. And yes, it tastes a lot like chicken.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Earlier in my career, I was tasked to turnaround a failing branch in a company. It was ranked last out of 60 branch offices. In one year, we went from the worst branch to the number 1 branch and we held this position for two consecutive years. This turnaround was a significant contributor to my leadership DNA. What I took from this was the importance of building out the right teams and culture, changing strategies that are not working, and when things are hard, don’t give up!
The second was leading a sales team through the dot.com bust. When you can’t deliver the numbers due to factors outside your control, you need to learn to maneuver through tough environments and pivot fast. Through failure, you develop a set of skills and adaptive strategies that stay with you and ultimately make you a better leader.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I was lucky enough to work closely with John Chambers over the years. One piece of advice he gave me was that “Sometimes you need to change the rules when trying to stay ahead in today’s climate”. It instilled in me that a true leader can’t shy away from disrupting the ‘norm’ and, to truly drive innovation, you’ve got to be courageous and challenge the status quo.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
I think I’d give myself permission to enjoy the moment and be more present. Also, try not to be too hard on yourself when you fail. What happens when you hit adversity is what will give you your greatest strength.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I lead an organization that has a program for our early in career employees and I am the executive sponsor for our Emerging Leaders Network at Cisco. I feel strongly that mentorship is a two-way street and early in career teams can help us to look at things differently.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I lead virtual sales and engineering at Cisco, which is becoming more relevant in our current climate. We are learning how we can leverage virtual sales in our Go-to-Market and with our digitally savvy and informed customers and partners.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
As I lead a virtual engineering team, I enjoy learning more about our technologies and the new innovative programs that our engineering team is working on. This role gives me early insights into evolving expectations of our customers and partners and the possibilities of what’s coming next.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Right now, many leaders are being asked to do so much more than achieve the remit of what their roles require. With everyone working at home, the onus is on leaders to constantly find new ways to keep in touch and stay connected. It’s so important to bring fresh ideas to the table and continue to safeguard a strong culture within each organization.
