Member Spotlight: An Interview with Linda Taddonio, Chief eCommerce Officer for Insite Software.

Meet Linda Taddonio - Chief eCommerce Strategy Officer for Insite Software

When I first heard about an organization dedicated solely to women in manufacturing, I was thrilled - especially with the recent news that according to a new report, “Manufacturing Jobs for the Future,” released by the Joint Economic Committee in December 2013, , women are still underrepresented in manufacturing with employment ratios of 27%, the lowest since 1971. With the release of this recent report, I think now more than ever is the ideal time to rely on the expertise, advice, and experience from other women within the manufacturing field to increase job opportunities and leadership roles Here is some background information on my story, as I hope to connect with many of you within the field moving forward: 

Title, company, and how long you’ve been involved with Insite Software

My current title is Chief eCommerce Strategy Officer for Insite Software.  Insite Software is one of three businesses that I have co-founded since 1999; Insite Group, Insite Software, and IQdecisions.  We spun Insite Software off from Insite Group in 2004 to focus on the development of our first product, Insite Ship.  In 2007, we added Insite Commerce as our second product.  We are very excited that Insite Commerce was recently rated a “Strong Performer” in the first ever B2B eCommerce wave by Forrester Research.  Additionally, 2014 makes the 10 year anniversary of Insite! 

College/degree – first job out of college?

I have two degrees that are totally unrelated! I hold a Bachelor of Music degree with a percussion performance major from the University of Iowa, and a Masters in Accounting, also from the University of Iowa.  I thoroughly enjoyed performing in semi-professional orchestras and small jazz groups throughout my college career.  When I finished my masters, with an emphasis in cost accounting, my first job was in public accounting with McGladrey and Pullen in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

What led you to your current role?

During my public accounting career, I had the opportunity to see many different organizations from the inside out. With my cost accounting background, I really enjoyed working with manufacturers and distributors the most.  Within four years of graduating, I took my first position as controller for a small manufacturing company in a suburb of Minneapolis.  While I was there, I implemented my first ERP system and quickly decided that I enjoyed working with software more than the accounting part of my job. Shortly after that implementation, I had a rare opportunity to become an independent consultant where, for the next 10 years, I helped manufacturers and distributors select, implement, and customize ERP software as well as assisted them in optimizing their business processes.  It was during this time where I gained all of the operational and systems background that is very valuable at Insite Software today, as we work to “weave” eCommerce into the overall business model of a manufacturer or distributor. 

So, I became an entrepreneur and consultant early on in my career.  One of my favorite endeavors is to work alongside a manufacturer or distributor and to help them maximize the use of software in their organizations.  What is especially exciting with eCommerce is that there is both a top line and bottom line impact to the business transformation that is underway in this new digital world.   

Any advice for those seeking a similar leadership role?

There is no substitute for passion and it is a definite driving force for me.  I’ve been blessed in my career with a lot of passion for what I do.  Establishing relationships with the people who run the companies we serve and seeing those businesses get real results is extraordinarily gratifying.  I also love starting businesses and wish there were more hours in the day as I already have a few new ideas that I would like to act on!  I also enjoy mentoring some young entrepreneurs who are pursuing their passions.  So, my advice would be to follow your passion.  I subscribe to the saying that, “if you pursue what you are passionate about, success will follow.”

One or two woman that you look up to and why?

Kelly Portmann was the VP of Operations at The Thymes here in Minneapolis, where we implemented both Insite Ship and Insite Commerce.  I watched Kelly quietly transform The Thymes to a highly efficient online model back in 2002.  There were no role models for what she accomplished back then and I have reflected on her leadership many times since then.

Monica Nassif was a college friend of mine and ironically we both ended up in Minneapolis and both worked at Dayton Hudson for a period of time.  Monica is a brilliant entrepreneur and marketer.  I had a fun opportunity to work with Monica when she started Caldrea.  We worked with her on various technology projects while she rapidly grew the business, which was sold to SC Johnson a couple of years ago.

I look forward to contributing regularly to the blog, and thank you to Women in Manufacturing for giving me the chance to share my story.