343: Being a Data-Driven Agile Leader with Stacey Pool, CMO at Noodles & Co.
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As a world traveler who loves to learn, Stacey Pool embodies the “growth mindset”. With over twenty years of experience in consumer marketing, she has held a variety of leadership roles across multiple industries and has a strong track record of utilizing guest insights to deliver strong business results.  

In this episode, Alan and Stacey discuss the brand refresh she is leading at Noodles & Co. with digital initiatives and data components. Stacy knows it is people that fuel it all and has learned that being a balanced leader requires you to be able to adjust quickly to changing needs.

 In this episode, you'll learn: 

• The importance of broadening your skill set and being an agile leader
• The way digital and physical engagement intersect 
• How Noodles & Co. is using data to improve both the guest experience and profit margins

 Key Highlights 

• [03:45] Dow did Stacy end up as CMO at Noodles & Co.
• [07:00] How lateral moves helped Stacy in her current executive roles
• [09:00] The importance of agility and cross-training in leadership 
• [10:45] What Stacy learned from her transition to the food industry
• [13:20] Noodles & Co. overview and differentiators 
• [15:20] The new brand positioning Stacy brought to the company
• [18:25] The 100-day action plan and how it had to be adjusted
• [21:00] How Noodles & Co. is approaching the digital transformation 
• [24:00] The data world Noodles is trying to build 
• [26:50] How data storage and usage have evolved
• [28:25] How Stacy approaches the people side of the business
• [32:10] The two experiences that shaped who Stacy is as a person
• [33:50] Why people should give themselves more grace 
• [35:15] The importance of CDP’s for marketers 
• [37:22] The work Stacy is doing with Community First and other brands to watch 
• [40:15] The threat of the unknown and the need to pivot quickly

Resources Mentioned: 

• Stacey Pool) 
• Noodles & Co.) 
• Brand Refresh and positioning – Uncommon Goodness) 
• Digital efforts) 
• CDP – customer data platform) 
• Community First Foundation in Colorado) where Stacey is on the board 
• Brands mentioned: Wingstop), Raising Cane’s), Shake Shack), Cava), Kiwi Crate subscription service), Athleta) 

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