Marcello Gortana is the CEO of Tennis. Marcello is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Marcello provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Tennis. Marcello Gortana joins other leading CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Marcello join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Marcello, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to answer our questions about leadership, and entrepreneurship.
1. Marcello, please tell us about Tennis. What is the elevator pitch?
We deliver measurable outcomes and improved brand awareness through digital and web solutions.
2. What is the one thing that makes Tennis great?
Our technical and strategic capabilities. we built this team with a focus of not only being able to identify and really define organizational challenges but then being able to back that up with strategic design and development capabilities.
3. Please tell us what is the key to being a great entrepreneur?
Focus. Understand who you are as an organization. Where do your strengths, vision, and passion intersect? That intersection should be where a lot of your focus is spent strategically and functionally. As an entrepreneur there are constant opportunities and distractions. Focus on the essentials and future vision. A book that I can’t recommend enough is “essentialism” by Greg Mckeown and a quote from that book that I take with my day to day is “remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will”.
4. What is the best advice can you give to a young entrepreneur just starting out with a new venture?
Take on as much rejection as possible in the early stages. Whatever it is that you’re doing as an entrepreneur in the early stages put a strong focus on sales. You will scale faster and learn a lot about what your market positioning is faster. Why are or aren’t consumers buying, what is it about you or your business that makes you unique in the marketplace. Find that fast and start building structure around it.
5. What is the one thing that you, as a person, want to be known for?
Building a successful and impactful business. I want to be known as someone who was successful against the odds.
6. When building a business, what is the one most important thing to keep in mind at all times?
Focus. You only have so much time to be impactful, what are the activities that you will focus that time on that are the most impactful to your business?
7. When hiring employees, what is the one most important thing you look for?
Hiring has been a big learning curve as a startup in its 5th year. One thing I’ve learned is that personally I would hire for cultural fit rather than skill. It’s an important building block of stability within an organization.
8. What is your “Why”? Why do you get up in the morning?
I love being an entrepreneur. I love the challenges and I love pushing towards a big long term vision.
9. What is the one thing that makes a great company?
Vision. Defining a common goal that everyone within the organization has a role and impact in.
10. What is the one thing that makes a great leader?
Self Awareness. Being self aware as a leader and understanding yourself, your strengths, and weaknesses is a skill that will super charge your organization.
Marcello Gortana, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course Designtennis, nothing but the best.
Thanks again!
