Leading Ladies Kathryn Baker

Summary

In this episode of the Leading Ladies podcast, host interviews Dr. Katherine Baker, President of Oxom, an IT managed services company. With over a decade of experience, Oxom specializes in co-managing IT services for businesses with existing IT teams. Dr. Baker, an alumna of Walsh College with an MBA and Doctorate in Management, discusses her journey from entrepreneurship to leading a tech company without a background in IT. She emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, a growth mindset, and the ability to adapt to new challenges. The conversation highlights leadership lessons, the value of positive self-talk, and the impact of a strong work ethic on personal and professional success.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Katherine Baker is a double alum of Walsh College with both an MBA and a Doctorate of Management.
• 💼 Dr. Baker is the President of Oxom, an IT managed services company that provides technology support and co-manages IT teams for other organizations.
• 🔧 Oxom focuses on augmenting existing IT teams, which has been a strategic sweet spot for the company, especially in the area of cybersecurity.
• 🚀 Dr. Baker transitioned to the tech industry from a non-IT background, demonstrating adaptability and a lifelong learning approach.
• 🌟 She emphasizes the importance of mindset, positive attitude, and self-talk in personal and professional development.
• 🛠️ Dr. Baker's career includes a mix of corporate experience, entrepreneurship, and consulting, which she leverages in her current role.
• 🏆 Her leadership style involves being deeply involved in client relationships, viewing them as partnerships and focusing on exceeding expectations.
• 📈 Dr. Baker believes in the value of hard work, showing up, and going the extra mile, attributing success more to actions and decisions than to luck.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 She credits her parents, who were entrepreneurs, as her primary influence, instilling in her a positive attitude and the belief that she could achieve anything.
• 🔗 Dr. Baker discusses the importance of feedback, self-awareness, and the ability to change behavior as key to growth and leadership.

Q & A

What is Oxom's primary business focus?

Oxom is an IT company that provides managed services, primarily offering IT support and technology management for organizations. They specialize in co-managing IT services alongside a company's existing IT team, augmenting their capabilities in areas such as infrastructure, technology roadmaps, and end-user support.

How did Dr. Katherine Baker become the president of Oxom?

Dr. Katherine Baker initially started advising and coaching at Oxom about four or five years ago. Over time, she fell in love with the company's culture and people. After running her own business for about 13 years, she decided to join Oxom full-time, transitioning into the role of president.

What is Dr. Baker's educational background?

Dr. Baker is a double alum of Walsh College, holding both an MBA and a Doctorate of Management from the institution.

How does Oxom approach working with companies that have their own IT teams?

Oxom focuses on co-management, where they work alongside a company's existing IT team to enhance their services. This approach allows Oxom to fill in the gaps and provide support in areas such as security and technology advancements that the internal team might struggle to keep up with.

What is Dr. Baker's perspective on mindset and its role in her success?

Dr. Baker believes that having a positive attitude, especially during challenging times, is key to success. She emphasizes the importance of self-talk and the need to replace any negative voice in one's head with positive reinforcement. This mindset, along with a growth mindset and lifelong learning approach, has been instrumental in her career.

How does Dr. Baker define 'grace under pressure' in the context of her leadership?

Dr. Baker defines 'grace under pressure' as maintaining a positive attitude and not letting challenges or demotivating events get one down. She believes in focusing on the positive aspects and not letting negativity or naysayers impact her drive and determination.

What advice does Dr. Baker have for individuals looking to transition into a new industry or role?

Dr. Baker advises individuals to be open to new challenges and not be afraid to jump into new areas. She suggests having a 'revenue lens' and focusing on sales and growth, as well as leveraging one's strengths and learning from others.

How does Oxom differentiate itself in the managed IT services market?

Oxom differentiates itself by focusing on co-management and building strong partnerships with its clients. They aim to understand their clients' needs deeply and provide tailored IT support that complements the clients' existing IT infrastructure and team.

What is Dr. Baker's approach to dealing with feedback, especially critical feedback?

Dr. Baker believes in taking the useful parts of feedback and letting go of the negative aspects. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding how one's actions impact others, using this understanding to improve and grow both personally and professionally.

How does Dr. Baker's educational journey at Walsh College reflect her approach to lifelong learning?

Dr. Baker's pursuit of both an MBA and a Doctorate of Management at Walsh College exemplifies her commitment to lifelong learning. She believes in continuous education and applying the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations, which has been a driving force in her professional development.

What role does Oxom play in the community and in the tech industry?

Oxom is actively involved in the community through its owner Matt Lautia's networking and relationship-building efforts. They aim to build a legacy business that provides not only excellent service to clients but also a supportive and growth-oriented environment for their employees.