Rich Yarbrough is ready to leave behind corporate giants and take a walk on the wild side of startups. As a consultant, Yarbrough has a knack for breaking down barriers (better than the Kool-Aid man himself) and setting plans into motion. When he’s not caught in the work shuffle, you can find Yarbrough swimming, biking, or running in preparation for his next triathlon. This guy is moving fast, so catch him while you can.
What’s your current role?
I’m doing some freelance technology consulting for an Atlanta-based clothing retailer. In this role, I provide strategic and tactical advice and assistance within their technology organization.
What startup/tech projects have you worked on?
Having worked extensively in the consulting industry for Accenture, Daugherty Business Solutions, and Pariveda Solutions, I’ve literally worked on dozens of technology projects. Most recently I worked on a multi-year program with a financial services company to re-platform their consumer facing website – my role was to help bridge the communication gap between technology and business stakeholders, and to facilitate the creation of improved application requirements and more predictable delivery timelines.
What tech/tools are essential to you?
I’d say my iPhone is my first essential tool, since it allows me to keep in touch without having to be pinned down to a desk all day. Any collaboration tool (Trello, JIRA, Rally, Basecamp, etc.) that can keep my inbox from exploding has a soft place in my heart as well.
In addition, I love my new single-speed bike – what better way to get to the coffee shop to get some work done? And I rely heavily on Sirius XM, Pandora, Spotify, and podcasts for concentration, inspiration, and learning.
How do you stay informed and on top of emerging trends?
Being an extrovert in just about every sense of the word, my favorite way to learn and to stay informed is to talk to people. I also have several newsletters, podcasts, and magazines that I enjoy, and Twitter is my favorite tool to use as a professional newsfeed to stay on top of companies and people that I’m interested in.
What are your best technical or creative skills?
I’m naturally an activator – my creativity lies more in combining aspects of different ideas and activating them, than in creating from scratch, and I’m a rock-star when it comes to putting ideas into motion. I also excel at defining where we need to go as a team, getting everyone moving together in the right direction, and then knocking down whatever barriers stand in the way. Oh, and I also bring a ton of energy and enthusiasm to everything I do!
What’s next on your list to learn?
I want to learn more about growing a business from the revenue generation side of the equation. I’d love a role where I can woo customers and become an evangelist for my company’s products and services.
Why the interest in startups and the technology field?
I’ve spent plenty of time inside the halls of corporate giants; I want a fast-paced, upbeat environment where I can bring more of my energy and passion to work with me every day. I am confident my organizational and communication skills will be a big asset to a fast-growing startup or mid-sized company.
Interested in working for a startup, mid-sized company, or a corporate giant?
I’m excited to find an opportunity within a startup or a mid-sized company.
