Guest Info (For Editor):

Rob Whalen

CEO & Co-founder, PTO Exchange

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-whalen-1287077/

Episode Title:

Ep # 126: From Dinner Idea to 250,000 Users: Turning Unused PTO into Meaningful Benefits ft. Rob Whalen (CEO & Co-founder, PTO Exchange)

Episode recording link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1etIRPoUROZRNmQYRSaA5GYsegrfd2Txs

Extra Info

Key Takeaways, Summary, Transcript:

Summary:

Join Adil Saleh in this episode of the Hyperengage podcast as he interviews Rob Whalen, the CEO and co-founder of PTO Exchange, a platform that allows employees to exchange their unused PTO.

Rob shares insights into how the idea for the company originated 11 years ago, the challenges faced in the early days, how the platform works to provide value for employees and employers, key data points on PTO usage, plans for future product enhancements, company culture and leadership principles.

Key Takeaways:

How the initial idea for PTO Exchange originated at a dinner conversation (00:02:34)

It took 4 years to build PTO Exchange while researching regulations (00:04:00)

Had to pivot to a transaction-only model to reduce friction (00:12:30)

Built automation tools to connect to various payroll systems (00:17:58)

Assign customer success managers for quarterly data reviews (00:23:10)

Leverage direct sales and channel partners for mid-market and enterprise (00:31:36)

Operating principles focused on transparency and showing up (00:38:57)