Marianne Calder ─ new generation of transformation sales leader!
October 28, 2020 • 2 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Marianne Calder
VP, EMEA Partner Sales
Genesys
(Previously—Global Head of Inside Sales
BT Global)
What separates the best from the rest, closes more deals, drives more growth, and delivers greater market share? Answer—the new generation of transformation sales leaders. And we know one of the best — Marianne Calder!
Marianne is currently the head of global inside sales for BT Global. She is responsible for transforming and leading her sales teams across the globe to drive profitable growth through digital selling, while building a diverse talent engine. Prior to BT, she has held leadership roles at Puppet and Cisco Systems. Marianne is a Trustee at Disability Initiative, UK, and actively involved in Women in Tech with multiple years as a judge in “Future Tech Stars”. Originally from Denmark, she has lived in France, California, and now the UK with her husband and three children. Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Marianne Calder!
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 calm at work, however get me on a tennis court and I become intensely competitive, mostly with myself!
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
50K.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
“Soup of the Day” with fish eyes in Hong Kong and some undiscernible bits…I love exploring new cultures and food!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Building Cisco’s Global Accounts program from scratch at a very early part of my career was a key achievement. It gave me the courage to step into new things and the ability to collaborate and bridge people together. A failure for me was to later push too hard, “lean in” too much, and take responsibility when I knew deep down I was stretching too far at a very intense time of my life. I learned as a female leader, we can have everything, just not always at the same time!
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 always had multiple mentors and many role models throughout my career. One key lesson learned: it doesn’t matter what role you have: everyone is a leader!
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Always take the most difficult path; go towards where there is “fire”.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I have launched a sales stream for graduates both in my current and previous roles to ensure my teams are Early-in-Career talent engine for the rest of the organizations. I aim to have an open-door culture with many opportunities to interact from larger roundtables to individual mentoring and reverse mentoring.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I loved being part of establishing an Inside Sales Hub in Saudi Arabia a few years ago, opening up to young females to be the first sales reps in our company and I believe in Saudi. Truly rewarding on all levels!
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
Conscious Leadership, Agile and AI.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Our biggest challenge today is the situation with the pandemic where everyone is stuck at home. Keeping up our ability to learn, being creative and driving together as one team is a huge focus for me.
