What stood out to you the most about Xerocon:
Well, first of all, the culture just slaps you in the face—in a good way, of course! The food, the people, and the culture are like no other city in the world. It has been an amazing experience to connect with all the partners here. The mutual respect is so great that every opportunity we meet in-person simply elevates the relationship. Coming together has been energizing so much more value being added by sharing best practices.”
Obviously, food is a highlight of every visit to NOLA. So, what would you rather? Crawfish or Shrimp, Grits or Jambalaya. Gumbo or..?
Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to enjoy Gumbo yet, but certainly ,the crawfish was a revelation ,and the grits are definitely world-class here. You can taste the attention to detail in the food. The meals have been tremendous, but the collective global decision to choose New Orleans as the host city for Xerocon is also embedded in our company’s culture to support cities that are still on the rebound. Xero is innovative at its core, and this city reflects the same resilient spirit.”
I’ve heard a lot about the Xero culture, but being here, you can actually tell the staff sincerely enjoy being a part of the growth and growing pains. But your Xero origin story, more so the timing of your coming onboard, epitomizes the culture:
“Yes, when I began the interview process, I was about 4 ½ months pregnant, and by the time we sealed the deal, I was ready to give birth.” I was upfront about it, and they just felt that when you hire the right people, you do right by them. They understand real life, and now I take that same approach in the way I hope to contribute to and shape the organization. You tend to win more when you align your mission with your purpose. Our mission really is our Northstar, and our people are at the core of it.”
Okay, let’s rewind from there a bit. You graduated from Queen’s University and, as a student, built a coffee shop on campus that is still up and running:
“Yeah, that was a great experience, and you learn so much on a smaller scale, of course, but it gives you an appreciation of what it takes to build a business.” I had the pleasure of getting that project off the ground with other students who also went on to become household names in the Canadian business landscape. But I pursued this role at Xero because their five core values really aligned with mine; Human, Ownership, Challenge, Beautiful, and Team.”
Let’s talk a little more about the Human component then:
As you are aware, Xero recently launched our Xero Small Business Insights report, and staffing shortages are an area that we need to pay attention to. Technology is a core component of our success, but more so, the application of technology is vital to all businesses. But technology is nothing without the people driving it. The SBI report is based on more than sentiment, and it’s also not just a survey. We actually look at the numbers and data in real time from tens of thousands of users across Canada. The aggregated anonymized data is definitely worth exploring. Now we are being responsible with our commentary because, as we know, the simple fear of a recession can actually drive a recession. But there is a real sense of anxiety. There has been a YoY increase, but inflationary pressures are suggesting that Canada is dampening the overall growth. (The full report can be found here. First Xero Small Business Insights report for Canada reveals inflation impact on small businesses | Xero US.)
We hear a lot about a rising unemployment rate, but how do we balance that against a staffing shortage?
“That is a significant takeaway from this report.” As a leader, first of all, I find it my key responsibility to hire well, grow our talent, and set them up for success. So for a while, the unemployment rate was historically lower. The numbers suggest that maybe people are in between roles, taking a break from what they have always done, and are intentionally now seeking more fulfilling roles. This is why organizations need to keep their finger on their pulse and continue to invest in their teams.”
People see this strong female presence leading the organization. Nationally, so how do you balance out the demands of this role:
I swim in kiddie pools and play in sandboxes with my two little kids! The family keeps this job worthwhile. But I sincerely enjoy it and am passionate about the role I deliver here at Xero, so it keeps me going. When you are a part of a team that cares, with a product that makes a real difference, you just want to give it your best.
