Full Session Replay: Now What? Hear How Former V-Teamers Turned a Layoff Into Their Next Chapter

When Verizon announced layoffs impacting more than 13,000 employees, the response from the V Team community was immediate. People didn’t just want sympathy — they wanted clarity, options, and real examples of what comes next.

We've been there before and understand what they're going through.

That’s why we brought together some former V Team leaders who’ve already walked this path — and turned disruption into opportunity.

Watch the full replay or the individual segments below, and explore the different career paths and resources available to you.

Key Takeaways From the Session

This job market requires a different playbook than the one most V Teamers used internally

• Verizon experience is deeply transferable — but only if you position it correctly

  
  

• There is no single “right” path — but five viable ones that V-Teamers can explore

  
  

• Execution speed matters: every week saved = real income

• The Verizon network can be the critical advantage you have in your search

  
  

• You don’t have to do this alone — structure and accountability change outcomes

  
  

Watch the Full Session or Individual Segments Below

Why This Session Mattered

Layoffs create two simultaneous problems:

1. Emotional shock and uncertainty

2. Decision paralysis on the next steps to take

What this session aimed to do differently was normalize the experience and immediately move V-Teamers toward actionable paths forward — led by people who have already made the transition successfully.

As one of our speakers put it:

“You will realize very quickly — you’re better than most of the people you’ll be competing against.”

— Anna Bailey, Fractional Executive & Former Verizon Leader

Five Paths Former V Teamers Have Successfully Taken

Below are the same paths covered in the live session, with short video clips, context, and next-step resources for each.

1. Landing Your Next Full-Time Role — Faster & Smarter

Glen Brogno shared a candid look at what surprised him most after leaving Verizon:

• The process takes longer than expected (often 5–6 months or longer)

• LinkedIn is no longer optional — it’s the front door

• Rejection is common and not personal

• Staying disciplined and leveraging your network is key

“Your job every day is to look for a job. Don’t take days off.”

— Glenn Brogno, Director of Sales, Comploy (HR SaaS Company)

If moving into your next corporate role is your preferred path:

👉 Explore Goalster Job Search Support

• Foundational Resume + LinkedIn positioning

• Clear execution plans and support

• Accountability & momentum tracking

• Live weekly labs and workshops with other job seekers

If we can help you accelerate your job search success by just one week, it'll not only reduce your stress levels, but can be worth thousands of dollars in income brought forward.

2. Contracting & Consulting — Getting Back to Income Faster

Julian Vail shared how he landed a contract role with AT&T:

• Moved significantly faster than traditional hiring

• Leveraged telecom credibility immediately

• Turned into real influence and satisfaction

“Most contracting roles bypass the formal HR process entirely.”

— Julian Vail, Cybersecurity Program Manager

🔗 Accelerate your next opportunity with Job Search Support from Goalster

If speed to income matters:

👉 Learn How to Position for Contract & Consulting Roles

• How to target recruiters & agencies

• How to message hiring leaders directly

• How to turn contracts into long-term options

3. Fractional Leadership — Fewer Clients, More Control

Fractional leadership is not gig work — it’s owning a function inside multiple companies.

Anna Bailey highlighted her path to becoming a Fractional Chief Revenue Officer:

• Small and Mid-market demand for top tier talent is exploding

• Companies may not hire a full time leader, but many look to fractionals

• 2–3 clients can exceed typical corporate compensation

• Verizon leaders are uniquely suited for this career path

“Don’t look down the mountain in desperation. Design your future.”

— Anna Bailey, Fractional Executive

If you want more autonomy and leverage:

👉 Explore the Fractional & Advisor Track

• How to package your expertise

• How to price & position services

• How Goalster supports execution behind the scenes

• The income streams you can create with the skills and experience you've already demonstrated

🔗 Become an official Goalster Advisor and unlock new ways to monetize your experience.

4. Advisory & Consulting — Monetizing What You Know

Anand Sundaram broke down how former V Teamers can leverage their experience and networks to:

• Advise companies selling into Verizon and telecom

• Package institutional knowledge ethically and legally

• Create opportunities by leveraging your network

• Build retainers + success-based compensation

  
  

“That $80–$100B Verizon spends every year? Someone is selling into that.”

— Anand Sundaram, Telecom Advisor & Executive

If you have deep domain expertise in functional areas such as sales, operations, HR, supply chain, IT, or network:

• Learn How to Build an Advisory Offering

• Identify solvable problems

• Create a simple advisory pitch

• Use your network intentionally to uncover opportunities

🔗 Become an official Goalster Advisor and unlock new ways to monetize your experience.

5. Business Ownership — Buying Instead of Starting From Scratch

Justin Stiehr shared how he went in a different direction altogether:

• Used accessible financing to buy an established business

• Applied Verizon disciplines to drive small-business growth

• Found clarity and fulfillment through ownership

“Clarity is the lifeblood of momentum.”

— Justin Stiehr, Business Owner & Former Verizon Leader

If leaving the corporate rat race and moving into business ownership appeals to you:

👉 Explore Business Ownership & Franchising Options

• Over 600,000 'Boomer' owned businesses are ready for sale each year

• Get help with how to identify and evaluate existing businesses

• Understand financing options (including ROBS & owner financing)

• Identifying which Verizon skills transfer immediately

🔗 Attend our upcoming session on business and franchise ownership

How Goalster Fits Into All of This

What will get you hired or into your next role sooner is all about how you execute.

Whether you’re:

• Searching for a job

• Exploring consulting or advisory work

• Building a fractional portfolio

• Evaluating business ownership

…Goalster provides:

• Structured plans and training

• Weekly execution rhythms

• Accountability for executing better

• Community support so you're not alone

• Proven tools that keep you moving forward faster

“Every week you can accelerate your path is worth thousands of dollars in your pocket.”

— Darren Webster

Your Next Step Towards a Better Place

You don’t need to decide everything today.

But you do need momentum.

1. Choose the path that resonates most and explore the resources linked above.

2. Join upcoming sessions and follow-on events.

3. Get support instead of trying to white-knuckle this alone.

We’re still the V Team — and we’re building what comes next together.

“You are the CEO of your career, Head of Sales, and CMO for you as the product and solution. Success in your next step is about clarity, disciplined execution, and becoming more than just a name on a resume.”

Darren Webster, Founder of Goalster & Former Verizon Leader

Darren Webster is the Founder and CEO of Goalster, a technology and services company helping people and organizations achieve their most important goals through better execution, performance enablement, and ongoing development.

A former world championship-level athlete for Australia in sprint canoeing, Darren spent 15 years leading large teams at Verizon, where he developed a deep understanding of organizational high performance, along with the coaching and consulting industry.

Driven by a passion for helping people and teams reach their full potential, Darren built Goalster as a performance enablement platform designed to drive better results through execution, coaching, training, and accountability.