Ep. 10: Adam Tank - From Corporate to Startup. Twice.
Sometimes it's awkward when someone you admire becomes a friend. It's even more awkward when you find out that somehow they're younger than you. Adam Tank is one of the clearest thinking, hardest working, and humblest guys in water. From the early leadership program at GE, to founding and exiting a robotics company, to leading the commercial operations of Transcend, a breakout AI company, his career has been a fascinating trajectory through the water sector. He's also a phenomenal communicator, and his podcast with Jim Lauria, Water We Talking About? (get it?) is one of the most accessible and thoughtful out there. What a pleasure to have him on the other side of the microphone.
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Full show notes and links to mentioned content below.
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Adam Tank's trajectory, from early leadership roles at GE to his entrepreneurial endeavors, offers a wealth of profound insights into the critical trilogy of water, technology, and entrepreneurship at the heart of this podcast. His experiences navigating the dynamic landscape of the water industry, as shared here today, offer valuable perspectives on the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal decisions that have shaped his extraordinary career. Together, he and Tom explore the importance of understanding customer needs, building trust, and effective communication in driving success in the water sector. They also review the strategic decisions, intellectual architecture, and relentless innovation which have propelled Transcend to its current role as an industry leader guided by the inspiring leadership of Adam and his talented team.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 Start
0:49 Introduction
1:45 Adam’s work history
6:58 Key stage gates in his career
14:20 Working with utilities and consulting firms
22:49 Transcend and the value it provides
27:47 Adam’s role at Transcend
28:52 His thoughts on marketing
31:29 Speaking the customer’s language
33:52 Company building as a ‘spin-off’
35:18 Starting with the ‘why’
37:52 The power of foster parenting
41:20 Adam’s most important advice for emergent water sector founders
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