Tara Larson Process Street’s VP of Revenue Operations (RevOps) isn’t your average executive.
Her background is a fascinating blend of academic rigor – she studied sociology and neurobiology at Harvard – and extensive international experience in business academia and education.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Tara’s a certified ski instructor a retired Division 1 rower and an avid adventurer who’s tackled everything from trekking in Nepal to backcountry skiing the Haute Route.
This unique blend of experiences has shaped her leadership style and her approach to RevOps making her an incredibly insightful and effective leader.
From Harvard Halls to High-Altitude Adventures: Tara’s Journey
Tara’s path to becoming VP of RevOps wasn’t a straight line.
Her academic pursuits at Harvard focusing on sociology and neurobiology instilled in her a deep understanding of human behavior and a keen interest in how individuals and teams function.
This fascination with people and their motivations is a recurring theme throughout her career influencing how she builds teams and approaches challenges.
Her time working internationally solidified this people-centric approach.
Experiencing diverse cultures and working in vastly different environments – from the bustling academic world to the dynamic business landscape – gave Tara invaluable perspective on teamwork communication and leadership.
She learned to navigate cultural nuances adapt to changing situations and find common ground despite differences in background or approach.
This adaptability is crucial in the fast-paced world of technology and it shows in her leadership at Process Street.
Her passion for outdoor adventure specifically skiing and mountaineering further highlights her resilience and determination.
The challenges of backcountry skiing the Haute Route navigating whiteout conditions and glacial crevasses aren’t just thrilling anecdotes; they showcase a capacity for problem-solving risk assessment and unwavering perseverance under pressure – qualities that translate seamlessly to the demanding world of RevOps.
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These experiences aren’t just personal pursuits; they’re a testament to her ability to conquer difficult challenges a skill that’s essential for leading a high-performing team.
The month-long trekking trip in Nepal underscores another key trait – her capacity for deep human connection and empathy.
Even without the crutch of readily available technology she found ways to build relationships and understand people from vastly different walks of life underscoring her strong interpersonal abilities which are critical for successfully unifying diverse teams within a company and building relationships with customers.
The Unexpected Lessons of a Ski Instructor
Even Tara’s seemingly unrelated experience as a certified ski instructor provides valuable lessons applicable to her current role.
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Teaching children and later high-level executives revealed the importance of building trust understanding diverse needs and managing expectations.
This experience underscores her ability to adapt her communication style to different audiences building rapport and conveying complex information clearly.
Her time as a ski instructor juggling diverse groups with varying skill levels taught her the critical importance of clear communication adaptability and tailoring her approach to specific individuals.
This crucial lesson is directly applicable to her RevOps role where she collaborates with diverse teams each with its unique perspective priorities and challenges.
The ability to connect understand and motivate individuals with different backgrounds experiences and goals is a cornerstone of successful leadership.
Whether it’s teaching a four-year-old to ski or explaining a complex RevOps strategy to a senior executive Tara’s ability to connect with people understand their needs and explain complicated ideas in clear concise ways sets her apart.
The common thread across all these experiences – international work rigorous academics and outdoor adventures – is a deep-seated empathy and a focus on human connection.
RevOps at Process Street: Driving Growth Through Alignment
Tara’s role as VP of RevOps at Process Street is pivotal in the company’s growth strategy.
RevOps or Revenue Operations isn’t just about maximizing revenue; it’s about aligning all aspects of the business to achieve that goal.
It’s a holistic approach that brings together sales marketing and customer success to create a unified efficient and highly effective engine for growth.
Tara’s team focuses on increasing alignment between different departments streamlining operations and improving accountability.
This means breaking down silos between teams – a common challenge in many growing companies – and ensuring everyone is working towards the same objectives.
This includes unifying internal teams optimizing data systems and enhancing the overall customer experience.
A key part of Tara’s success here lies in her inherent ability to build strong relationships and foster a collaborative environment.
Her team thrives not only because of their individual expertise but because of a shared commitment to mutual support and collaboration – a testament to her leadership style.
She emphasizes transparency which fosters trust and empowers the team to take ownership of their work.
It’s not just about individual performance; it’s about collective success.
Data-Driven Decision Making: A Cornerstone of Tara’s Approach
Data plays a central role in Tara’s approach to RevOps.
She believes in using data to inform strategic decisions enhancing transparency and building confidence within the team and across the organization.
By leveraging data effectively Tara ensures that the RevOps team is focused on initiatives that will have the greatest impact on revenue and customer satisfaction.
This isn’t simply about crunching numbers; it’s about using data to tell a compelling story to highlight successes and to identify areas for improvement.
A strong emphasis on data-driven decision making helps ensure that initiatives are not just effective but also directly impact revenue and customer satisfaction.
One of Tara’s key accomplishments was building an in-house data team.
Recognizing the power of data to drive insights and inform strategy she made a strategic investment in building internal expertise.
This investment didn’t just improve the team’s ability to analyze data; it also created a culture of data-driven decision-making fostering transparency and collaboration across departments.
The results were not just better strategic decisions but increased transparency team confidence and ultimately stronger results across the board.
This approach underlines a forward-thinking perspective that emphasizes long-term investment in building capacity and expertise.
Another significant project involved a use case classification which provided invaluable insights into how customers use the Process Street platform.
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By understanding customer behavior and identifying areas of value Tara and her team were able to refine their strategy focusing on key areas and optimizing the customer experience.
This underscores the importance of understanding customer needs and adapting to the market.
Her ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies highlights her operational excellence and contributes significantly to Process Street’s success.
The project speaks volumes about the proactive approach that Tara fosters within her team – always seeking new knowledge and constantly innovating.
This focus on continuous improvement and adaptation is critical in the ever-evolving landscape of SaaS.
Leadership Principles: Ownership Empathy and Belief in Yourself
Tara’s leadership philosophy is built on three core principles: ownership empathy and a firm belief in oneself.
She empowers her team to take ownership of their work encouraging creativity and innovation.
This approach fosters a sense of responsibility and investment in the outcomes leading to increased engagement and job satisfaction.
Her emphasis on empathy underscores her people-centric approach to management.
She prioritizes building strong relationships with her team members fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
This approach is particularly vital given the current global context where understanding and supporting team members’ well-being is essential.
The understanding that a team’s well-being directly correlates with their productivity is a hallmark of Tara’s approach.
She consistently seeks out ways to empower her team thereby strengthening their individual potential and creating a positive feedback loop that benefits the whole organization.
Finally Tara stresses the importance of self-belief particularly for women in leadership positions.
She draws inspiration from strong female leaders mentors and role models emphasizing the need for confidence persistence and a refusal to accept limitations.
This is not merely about personal empowerment; it’s about creating a culture where women feel supported encouraged and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Tara’s leadership isn’t simply about achieving business goals; it’s about creating a positive inclusive environment where individuals feel respected supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
Inspiration and Mentorship: Paying it Forward
Tara’s own journey has been shaped by strong female leaders who believed in her and encouraged her ambition.
Now she strives to pay it forward inspiring and mentoring others.
She highlights the importance of having female role models in positions of power emphasizing the impact this has on younger generations.
By actively seeking out and supporting women in leadership positions she strengthens both personal and professional development and promotes a more diverse and inclusive workplace environment.
Tara’s commitment to mentoring is more than just a corporate initiative; it reflects a personal philosophy of paying it forward.
She actively seeks out opportunities to support and encourage other women recognizing the value of having a diverse range of voices at the table.
She views mentoring not only as a way to support future leaders but also as a means to enhance her own skills perspective and understanding.
This reciprocal relationship underscores the depth of her commitment to creating opportunities for growth whether that’s for herself or others.
Her leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the understanding that investment in people is paramount not just for the betterment of the individual but for the greater good of the team and the company as a whole.
This commitment ensures a cycle of positive impact strengthening the organization and fostering an environment of growth and collaboration.
Her admiration for leaders like Arianna Huffington and Bozoma Saint John highlights her own drive and ambition.
These women unafraid to challenge the status quo serve as inspiration for Tara’s own leadership style.
She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and the courage to pursue it despite setbacks or resistance.
It’s a powerful message especially for women who are often told to be quieter or less assertive.
Tara’s leadership style however embodies confidence clarity and a willingness to push boundaries.
Her experiences in diverse fields and her ability to adapt have allowed her to develop an approach that’s both unique and effective.
This combination of empathy strategy and determination is what makes Tara Larson a truly exceptional leader in the world of RevOps.