Talking with Lauren Valenti, Senior Mgr. of Customer Advocacy & Mainframe Education at Broadcom Mainframe Division

In today’s episode of Conversations with Dez, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Valenti, Senior Manager for customer advocacy and mainframe education at Broadcom. Lauren shared insights into the innovative programs being implemented to address the skills gap in the mainframe industry and the success stories that have emerged from these initiatives.

Meet Lauren Valenti

Lauren is a native New Yorker with a background in business administration and marketing. Her journey into the IT space began with an internship at Computer Associates, now known as CA Technologies. Over the past 20 years, Lauren has held various positions within the company, gaining valuable experience in marketing, development, and customer support. Her passion for education and nurturing talent has led her to spearhead customer advocacy and mainframe education programs at Broadcom.

Building Deeper Relationships

Lauren and her team are focused on building deeper relationships with customers by sharing knowledge, gathering input, and providing value throughout their journey with Broadcom. The implementation of events such as innovation world tours and mainframe technical exchanges has allowed customers to engage directly with subject matter experts and provide input into product roadmaps.

Addressing the Skills Gap

The mainframe industry is experiencing a skills gap, posing challenges for organizations to manage human resources and keep up with evolving technologies. Lauren and her team at Broadcom have taken proactive steps to address this gap through various programs:

• Mainframe Academy: A blended learning program that provides core programming skills to manage mainframe environments. This program includes instructor-led training, web-based learning, and self-paced modules.
• Associate Software Engineer Program: A seven-week intensive course that brings mainframe software engineers together for in-person training on everything mainframe, including technical topics and soft skills.
• Vitality Residency Program: A comprehensive training program that prepares customer talent to become certified DBAs or experts in Broadcom products such as CA Endeavor, Security, ACF2, and Datacom, IDMS.

Success Stories and Customer Feedback

The success of these programs is evident in the positive feedback from customers who have participated. Customers appreciate the value and support provided by these initiatives, and the results speak for themselves. The programs have not only addressed the skills gap but also fostered a sense of community and support for participants.

Looking to the Future

As the mainframe industry continues to evolve, these initiatives will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the industry. Lauren and her team are committed to nurturing talent and fostering strong relationships with customers, paving the way for a more skilled and empowered workforce.

In conclusion, the efforts of Lauren Valenti and her team at Broadcom are driving positive change in the mainframe industry. The commitment to addressing the skills gap and building deeper relationships with customers is a testament to the dedication of the organization. As the industry continues to transform, these initiatives are poised to make a significant impact.

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