Headline Partner

Phil Young, Area Vice President – Northern Europe, Sitecore

What has been your path to power?

I’ve worked in and around software and technology since graduating from Brunel University in 1994, primarily in sales, and initially with a Dutch ERP software vendor before moving into the CRM space when Salesforce was launching. Without realising at the time, these early years gave me insights and exposure to the value of data across all business disciplines. So, when I changed direction in the early 2000s and founded a facilities management business with my brother, we adopted a data-driven approach and invested in a technology and data foundations that at the time no other providers could match.

Returning to the software vendor world in 2010, I spent a number of years with Alterian and Adobe, before a five-year spell at Tealium. I’m now enjoying leading the Northern European business for Sitecore and was drawn to Sitecore’s ambition and vision, which is to disrupt the market with innovative solutions that turn consumers in to fans. As I reflect on the last 28 years since graduating, it’s easy to see that data, and its application to help solve business problems has been at the heart of all my roles.

What impact has the pandemic had on demand from your clients?

Our demand from our clients is definitely increasing and accelerating. The pandemic meant our customers are working harder than ever before to be relevant to their customers in a bid to create unforgettable digital connections from content to commerce. The pivot to providing a “customer first approach” is now at the heart of how most organisations go to market. Sitecore’s customers are advancing at a furious rate to ensure their technology platform is not only fit for purpose now, but that it will also future proof their business for years to come. Customers are now road mapping innovation that would have taken five years previously, but now needs to happen in the next 18 months.

Do you get a seat at your clients’ strategic discussions? If not, what will it take to get you there?

I am pleased to share that Sitecore is very involved in our clients’ strategic discussions, and that seat often has many different purposes depending on the customer and their industry. Not only do we have an executive leadership team who are super-engaged with our customers, but we have a wealth of resources in our specialist industries and value engineering teams. These Sitecore teams provide thought leadership and advice on how organisations can maximise the value they create from their technology investments. In addition, we have a global partnership network with the world’s most well-respected consultancy firms and technology integrators, all of whom operate at strategic level.

What are your key areas of focus for the business in 2022?

Sitecore is poised for continued, exponential growth after multiple acquisitions in the last 12 months. With digital experience being a part of Sitecore’s DNA, we are now in a consolidation phase as we cement our position as the leading composable digital experience proposition. In terms of my focus, managing the UK and Nordics teams mean I am shifting my focus between these two markets and supporting my management team in achieving our growth targets and goals.

How do you apply your leadership skills a) within your own business and b) on behalf of your clients?

My leadership style is one that I would describe as measured and collaborative with my management teams and sales teams in Northern Europe. When I arrived at Sitecore, I focused on the people within the sales organisation and listened to them. This approach also serves me well when working and negotiating with customers. By being focused on outcomes, and listening first, it enables me to respond and lead with the most relevant suggestions and course of action. Integrity is the most important of my values, with both customers and my employees knowing they can trust me to work towards the best outcomes.

What key skills or attributes do you consider have contributed to your success in this role?

There are any number of skills and attributes that combined are serving me well in this role. Having been in the shoes of the teams that I’m leading has been fundamental to my success. Perhaps the next most important though is listening – both to my own teams and of course to our customers. Then of course there’s patience, multi-tasking, clarity of thought, structure, long hours, flexibility….the list goes on!

How did you develop – and continue to develop – these skills or attributes?

“Two ears and one mouth and using them in proportion” is a saying that my first boss drilled into me years ago so I developed the ability to listen intently very early in my career. I’ve been keen to learn from mistakes too – there’s always a “learning moment” to be had, whether it’s positive or negative. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked for and with a number of amazing people in my career so I’ve learned from those around me and usually adopt a “how can I make this better?” mindset.

How do you ensure that your proposition keeps pace with your clients’ goals and requirements so that you are leading rather than lagging behind their demands?

Sitecore continues to invest and innovate in its products/solutions. We are constantly looking ahead, and more importantly, listening to our customers and finding ways in which we can bring together solutions to take to them and the market to the next level.

Sitecore is the leading provider of end-to-end digital experience software. Unifying data, content, commerce, and experiences, our SaaS-enabled, composable platform empowers brands like L’Oréal, Microsoft, United Airlines, and PUMA to deliver unforgettable interactions across every touchpoint. Our solution provides the cutting-edge tools brands need to build stronger connections with customers, while creating content efficiencies to stand out as transformation and innovation leaders.

Phil Young
has been included in:

100 Enablers 2022 (EMEA)

Enabling data and AI leaders to drive impact

Enabling the success of Data and AI leaders and their teams.

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