Teri Dahlbeck Teri Dahlbeck
Co-Founder
GotMarketing.com

Teri Dahlbeck is ready to take on the world and win! As GotMarketing.com's co-founder, she has kick-boxed her way through every obstacle. Dahlbeck's knockout career includes founding and working as president of Dahlbeck Partners, a global management, marketing and IT consulting firm focusing on the high-tech industry. Her clients included organizations from startups to $50 million dollar companies as well as premiere Silicon Valley venture capitalists such as Foundation Capital and IVP.

Her prior position was president and chief executive officer of Component Integration Laboratories. With 3,000 member developers in 55 countries, she led the industry developing and licensing the first validation software product for internet component technologies.

With more than 15 years management and technical experience including three divisional start-up organizations, Teri has held diverse positions in marketing, business development, sales, developer relations and engineering at companies including Apple Computer and CISCORP.


1. What was your first job in technology?
My first position was as a business/programmer analyst at Apple Computer. I performed user and functional requirements documents, and C Programming.

2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
The list is long, but at the top would be Phil Dixon, (currently CEO of Colliers International), who was my first manager at Apple Computer. He hired me straight from grad school, and always reinforced how much he 'believed in me.' He still does today, always checking in, offering counsel, but most importantly, being a great listener.

3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies did you use to overcome obstacles?
My greatest challenge was overcoming the constant reorganizations and management changes while at Apple Computer. I was confused between total loyalty to a company and doing what was best for my own career (and sanity).

It was difficult to encourage partnerships with my own personal reputation knowing that in a few months a new management team would be in place redefining company and division objectives, reorganizing teams, and effecting more layoffs. The strategies I used included getting involved with management to help create my destiny, as well as maintaining a positive attitude for as long as feasible. I departed the company in 1996.

4. Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
Easy. My son has been the most influential, as he has taught me lessons that apply to the true meaning and value of life, and how short and fragile it is.

5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to women beginning their careers in technology?
Can we have some fun here? Ok for a twist?

Teri's Top Ten Lessons Learned (set to music)

    10. Go Your Own Way (FleetWood Mac)
    I took time to write down what I wanted to be in 5 years ... everything from work, family, hobbies. Then I began to work backwards and make plans.

    9. Before You Accuse Me, Take A Look Yourself (Eric Clapton)
    Always assume the other side is right before making an accusation. Get the facts, then react professionally. Keep the emotions for the ball games.

    8. Riders On The Storm (Doors)
    Storms come in all shapes and sizes; from company reorganizations to complete job changes. I had to hang tough and trust that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

    7. Free Fallin' (Tom Petty & The HeartBreakers)
    Although scary, it felt good to "let go" and "go with it" every once in a while.

    6. You're Only Human (Billy Joel)
    Self explanatory ... I had to give myself a break during this crazy little thing called career.

    5. Don't Be Cruel (Elvis Presley)
    No matter how viciously competitive I've been, I've always maintained my ethical, humanistic principles.

    4. Life In The Fast Lane (Eagles)
    Beep Beep! Outta my way! I want to take a risk ... the reward is worth it! And I know my friends will still like me when I fail (because failure is part of success) ... or they weren't friends in the first place.

    3. Fanmail (TLC)
    I make it a priority to take the time to tell others when I appreciate what they've done. We have to deal enough with incompetence in life (don't get me started) that it feels great from both sides when I take the time to compliment or appreciate. Relationships are the basis of everything in business.

    2. The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob Dylan)
    Flexibility is the key to stress relief. The only constant is change. Let the universe (anyone you come in contact with) know when you need something during this time; you'll be surprised where it will respond from.

    1. Respect (Aretha Franklin)
    For anyone and everyone that I come in contact with, from security guard to CEO. Everyone deserves it, and I require it.

6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
The new technology will be a multitude of individual devices that offer better communication and information. Why do I have to sit and wait at a stoplight at 10 p.m. when there's no traffic going through the green light in the other direction? Why can't I verbally speak into a device the size of my watch to record a list of what I need to pick up the next time I'm physically at the grocery store? Why can't I verbally request more information about a song on the car radio, and then choose to buy it at that point? And the list goes on ... Negative impact will be from charismatic leaders that use technology to promote their own power to the detriment of others.

On a lighter note:

1. If you could have dinner with any 2 people (living or not), who would they be?

Julius Caesar and William Shakespeare.

2. What was the last book you read? What books do you love to recommend?
I just read "Who Moved My Cheese." I'd recommend most anything by Shakespeare; "Brand Leadership: Building Assets in the Information Society" by David A. Aaker, Erich Joachimsthaler; "Thoughts from the Seat of the Soul: Meditations for Souls in Process" by Gary Zukav; and "Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding.

3. If you couldn't do what you are doing now, what profession would you choose?
I wouldn't choose a different profession. Happy as a clam right here.

4. What is your definition of success?
Internal peace with who I am and what I do.

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