Pivoting has become a common theme for the working class since the health crisis hit last March.

Many professionals found themselves tapping into their unique skills to make career changes, and arguably every leadership team quickly pivoted business models to continue serving customers. But pivoting can be two-fold. Some pivot because they see an opportunity for change, while others may be forced to — depending on the industry they work in.

Either way, product management guru Kimberley Holloway embraces the art of pivoting, and she gathered some strategies. And, if you’re looking to make career changes the right way, she will expand on this topic during AfroTech 2021.

Secure a ticket to the conference today.

Holloway’s resume spans a decade of experience. She’s worked in product management at big-name companies, including The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Samsung and NortonLifeLock.

“Pivoting is not easy, but someone’s got to do it. And as I like to say, you have to find your angle to pivot successfully,” Holloway told AfroTech. “One person that I think that comes to mind for me as the queen of pivoting is Rihanna.”

She is absolutely right. Rihanna signed with Def Jam at the age of 16, and 12 years later, she disrupted the beauty industry with the launch of Fenty Beauty in 2017. As AfroTech previously reported, Rihanna gained billionaire status this year, and her road to success has been everything but smooth. 

While Rihanna’s career has been successful outside of the recording studio, fans (including me) are still holding out hope for an album drop in the near future.

If you’re looking to maximize your skills, as Rihanna has, Holloway suggests starting with a SWOT analysis of yourself. SWOT is a strategic planning technique that includes assessing a person or company’s “strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.” Holloway says you should replace opportunities and threats with attitudes and gaps in your “superpowers.”

Interested in what comes next in the pivot process? Hear more from Holloway during the “Product Management Pimpin – Pivoting Between Industries” panel at AfroTech 2021.