Lisa MacKenzie ─ fueling content and services to drive the U.S. IT channel’s success through partners...
May 19, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Lisa MacKenzie
Partner & Semi-Retired
The Channel Company
Are you looking for someone who has built content and services for the U.S. IT channel over the last 25 years to fuel its success? We know the person─Lisa MacKenzie!
Lisa is currently a partner and advisor at The Channel Company, as well as being semi-retired and living in the California central coast. During her years at The Channel Company and previously with CRN, she has used her expertise in marketing, sales, product management and operations to fuel this brand and its services, which are dedicated to the U.S. IT industry. One of her hallmark achievements is the nurturing and growth of a semi-annual Women of the Channel Leadership Summit and its Women of the Channel Leadership Network community.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Lisa Mackenzie!
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?
I am pretty much an open book. There is not much about me that people don’t know, especially my colleagues that I have worked with for many years.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Prior to the pandemic, I was flying 30,000-50,000 miles a year before I retired. I don’t miss it!
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Probably, the most adventurous was caterpillar in Shanghai and that was rough!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
As Publisher of CRN in the early 2000s, when print advertising was on the decline, I learned quickly how to pivot the products and teams toward new digital products and services. That was a great lesson in product lifecycles and the need to always be focusing on innovation.
In 2013 when we took the company private, it really expanded my understanding of the business finances, the budgeting process and how every decision has an impact on profitability. This understanding helped me guide my teams to always be moving in the right direction for the company.
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 have had many great mentors, but our Executive Chairman Bob Faletra was the one who taught me to believe in myself, question everything, have an opinion, to face fear and uncertainty, and to always think bigger.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Stay true to who you are and own it. You must understand your strengths, accept your weaknesses and be comfortable hiring better, smarter people to compliment that.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
Even as I’m semi-retired, I try to always make myself available to mentor, advise or listen. Being in the Women of the Channel Community has kept me connected.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Being an advisor and watching our events team transition from delivering live events to hybrid and virtual events during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Initially cancelling over 10 live events, the team was able to successfully build a new events’ business model from the ashes.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I suppose the skill I’m working on is letting go of the fact that the young people in the company know much more than I do about digital, and that is perfectly fine!
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
My greatest challenge today is how do I live a more purposeful life, and how can I give back in a meaningful way to the company and the people who got me here!
