Don't suffer a corporate mortality event! On this show we discuss topics that are vital to corporate success. From technology to culture we have you covered. We want to help resuscitate your organization and prevent fatality.
The Corporate CPR podcast, hosted by the wonderful Jana Axline, is an absolute delight to listen to. With her ability to create an engaging and informative atmosphere, Axline truly knows how to keep listeners captivated. The podcast is a must-have on any playlist for professionals looking to gain valuable insights and strategies for success in the corporate world.
One of the best aspects of The Corporate CPR podcast is the diverse range of topics covered. Whether it's discussing effective leadership strategies, navigating workplace challenges, or maximizing productivity, there is something for everyone. The guests featured on the show are experts in their respective fields and provide valuable insights that can be applied to various industries. Additionally, Axline's interviewing skills are top-notch, allowing guests to share their experiences and advice in a concise and relatable manner.
Another great aspect of this podcast is the emphasis on practicality. The discussions are not just theoretical concepts; they provide actionable steps that listeners can implement in their own professional lives. From tips on hiring practices to insights on managing teams effectively, each episode offers tangible advice that can lead to positive change in the workplace.
While it's difficult to find any major flaws with The Corporate CPR podcast, one minor aspect that could be improved upon is the frequency of episodes. As a listener hungry for more valuable content, waiting for new episodes can sometimes feel like a long wait. However, this minor inconvenience can be overlooked considering the high quality of each episode.
In conclusion, The Corporate CPR podcast is a gem in the world of professional development podcasts. With its engaging host and insightful guests, listeners are guaranteed to gain invaluable knowledge and guidance to excel in their careers. From practical tips on hiring processes to strategies for effective leadership, this podcast covers it all. Without a doubt, The Corporate CPR deserves a spot on your playlist if you're looking for growth and success in the corporate world.
On today's episode, we discuss how a lack of closing across your entire organization could be detrimental to your company's success.Bob King is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and sales expert, renowned for his exceptional achievements in the industry, including multiple "Sales Star of the Year" honors. With a proven track record across retail, in-home, and B2B sales, Bob consults with sales professionals to infuse One-Call Magic into pitches, revive slumping teams, and transform total strangers into loyal customers—often within the first meeting. Key Discussion Points:Closing is a Universal Skill: The concept of closing extends beyond sales teams to encompass all aspects of life and business. Whether it's getting your kids to clean their room or influencing organizational change, everyone needs to master the art of closing. This involves building trust, being persuasive, and understanding that closing is about facilitating a decision that benefits all parties involved.Trust and Genuine Connection are Foundational: To be effective in closing, it's essential to build trust and establish a genuine connection with the people you're dealing with. This requires a sincere interest in their needs, challenges, and experiences. Belief in Your Product or Proposal is Crucial: To successfully close a deal or persuade others, you must have unwavering belief in what you're selling or proposing. This belief should be authentic and rooted in the conviction that what you're offering is truly the best solution for the other party. Address Objections with Empathy: Rather than ignoring objections or the reluctance to make a decision, engage with them sincerely. Addressing their concerns builds intimacy and trust, which can lead to a successful close. Effective Communication Requires Silence: One of the most crucial moments to be silent is after presenting a price or asking for a deal. Silence allows the other party to process information and respond, which can often result in a positive outcome.Leaders Need to Inspire and Empower: Leaders, like CEOs, often have a strong belief in their company and its value, which makes them effective closers. To extend this ability to their teams, leaders must share their passion and experience in a relatable way, allowing team members to adopt these beliefs as their own. Top Takeaways for the Audience:A successful organization relies on its sales team's ability to close deals, not just generate interest, as skilled closers are essential for converting leads into customers.Effective leadership involves guiding others to adopt your agenda willingly, similar to closing a sale, by understanding and addressing their needs.Developing your sales team through training and resources is crucial for improving their ability to close deals, leading to happier customers and business success.How to Connect with Bob:Website: https://www.joyofclosing.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-king-7a37951/
On today's episode we are talking about how not growing your organizations EQ might be killing your company.Martijn Lemmens is an experienced manager and coach with thirty years of experience at the intersection of IT and Marketing. He began his career equipped with tactical and technical skills and realized that over the years, his focus shifted to people leadership skills such as mentoring, coaching, building high-performing teams, and leading change processes. For his own development and growth, Martijn has been using PSYCH-K® since 2015, a tool that allows him to change his behavior and automatic programs at a subconscious level. As a PSYCH-K® facilitator and coach, he runs the coaching practice at de Werff to support individuals and organizations with their personal development and growth.Key Discussion Points:Leading by Example is Crucial: The passage highlights the importance of leaders setting a positive example. If leaders work excessively during weekends and after hours, employees feel compelled to do the same, despite being told otherwise. This inconsistency can lead to stress and burnout among employees.Focus on the Present and Transform Limiting Beliefs: The author emphasizes working in the "here and now" and transforming limiting subconscious beliefs through the method called Psyche. By focusing on what individuals want instead of what they don't want, they can transform negative feelings and stress into positive, productive outcomes. This approach helps individuals to manage their fears and stresses effectively, leading to better performance and well-being.Personal Responsibility and Growth: The passage discusses the concept of personal responsibility, stressing that individuals are responsible for their own happiness and success. It suggests that acknowledging and owning one's circumstances is essential for personal growth and developing emotional intelligence (EQ). By taking responsibility for their actions and beliefs, individuals can transform their lives, both personally and professionally.Top Takeaways for the Audience:Emotional intelligence is essential for leaders to be effective and successful. It enhances relationships, performance, stress management, and resilience. Leaders should prioritize developing their emotional intelligence to lead better lives and teams.Our actions and behaviors are ultimately the result of our underlying beliefs. To bring about meaningful change, it is crucial to address and transform these subconscious beliefs. Understanding and working on these beliefs can lead to significant personal and professional growth. Psyche is a powerful modality for communicating with and reprogramming the subconscious mind. Unlike traditional affirmations or self-talk, Psyche provides a structured process for creating lasting change in beliefs and behaviors. Leaders should consider utilizing this process to facilitate their personal transformation and enhance their leadership effectiveness.How to Connect with Martijn:Website: https://www.dewerff.net/en/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martijnlemmens/
On today's episode we are talking about how leaders neglecting strategic skills might be killing your company.Rich Horwath, founder and CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute, helps executive teams enhance their strategic capabilities. He is the bestselling author of eight books, including "STRATEGIC: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence." Rich has assisted over a quarter million leaders in developing strategic thinking skills, with his work featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. He has appeared on major TV networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Key Discussion Points:A consistent definition of strategy is crucial. Without a shared understanding, organizations waste time and resources. Strategy is the intelligent allocation of limited resources through a unique system of activities to achieve goals.Establish clear planning horizons: short-term (quarterly), mid-term (annual), and long-term (three years). Ensure everyone in the organization understands and aligns their efforts with these time frames. Include specific milestones to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.Engage in ongoing strategic thinking to gather insights and adapt plans. Use frameworks like business model innovation to foster creative thinking. Regularly revisit and adjust strategies through quarterly tune-ups. Maintain strong communication and collaboration across all organizational levels to ensure alignment and agility. As Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, emphasizes, the key to effective time management is carving out time to think strategically rather than constantly reacting. This practice should be non-negotiable, with leaders dedicating at least 90 minutes weekly to high-level business thinking and 60 minutes with their teams to focus on strategic issues, not operational or tactical matters.Strategic thinking sessions must have structure. Leaders should consider three main areas: the external environment (market, customers, competitors), the internal environment (culture, strategy, processes, systems, people), and innovation (emerging customer needs and future value). This structured approach ensures comprehensive analysis and forward-looking strategies that prevent obsolescence.Team meetings should avoid monologues and status updates. Instead, focus on discussing key business challenges and making decisions. Prior to meetings, teams should share two-page action plans and come prepared with critical questions and issues to address. This approach maximizes the productivity and strategic value of team gatherings.Top Takeaways for the Audience:Acumen: Always seek insights and learnings from every interaction, whether it's a meeting, email, or casual conversation. Consistently ask, "What's the insight here?" and make it a habit to record these learnings. This continuous accumulation of knowledge enhances strategic acumen.Allocation: Effective strategy involves deciding what not to do as much as what to do. Regularly evaluate and cut off activities that do not contribute to strategic goals. This disciplined approach ensures resources and attention are focused on high-impact areas.Action: Develop and maintain a concise, actionable plan (one to two pages) that guides strategic initiatives. Engage in ongoing, interactive conversations with your team throughout the year to refine and execute this plan, rather than relying solely on annual planning sessions. This fosters agility and responsiveness to changing conditions.These three A's—acumen, allocation, and action—provide a practical framework for sustained strategic thinking and effective execution.How to Connect with Rich: Website: https://www.strategyskills.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richhorwath/
On today's episode we are talking about how not adjusting your leadership style for today's people might be killing your company.Graham Wilson specializes in helping top business leaders reach their full potential through advanced leadership techniques, simplifying complex concepts with his proven toolkit. His expertise spans leadership, strategy, innovation, change management, and elite team development. Having developed over 85,000 leaders, he is trusted by global organizations for his practical guidance and team-building abilities. With a background in the British Army and commercial experience at Dupont, Graham founded Successfactory over 26 years ago, witnessing firsthand how effective leadership drives extraordinary results. Key Discussion Points:· Leaders must adapt to a rapidly changing world where traditional management can't provide all the answers.· Effective leadership requires balancing clear direction, autonomy, and continuous performance conversations rather than outdated practices like annual appraisals.· Building a leadership culture involves setting clear organizational values, aligning behaviors with those values, and fostering trust by avoiding self-interest and inconsistency.· Leaders need to transition from traditional practices like annual appraisals and rigid KPIs to more agile and collaborative approaches that reflect the current business environment. Emphasizing cross-functional teams and breaking down silos can enhance organizational effectiveness.· It's crucial to educate and mentor new graduates and employees not just on the immediate job skills but on the broader context of the business environment. Encouraging a mindset of giving before receiving, fostering empathy, and developing a thinking and problem-solving approach can prepare them for leadership roles.· Understanding that people are motivated by different factors, including purpose, autonomy, and mastery, is essential. Organizations should focus on creating an employee value proposition that attracts and retains talent by ensuring fair compensation and promoting a purpose-driven culture that aligns with employees' values.Top Takeaways for the Audience: 1. Speed Up by Slowing Down: Take the time to think and reflect before acting. Being efficient and effective requires thoughtful consideration to ensure you're doing the right things, not just doing things right.2. Self-Awareness and Authentic Leadership: To lead others effectively, you must first understand and lead yourself. Delve into your values, beliefs, and strengths. This self-awareness forms the foundation of authentic leadership. 3. Play to Your Strengths: Focus on environments and roles where your strengths can shine. You can compensate for weaknesses with support from others, but leveraging your strengths leads to greater satisfaction and success. Remember to align your work with what gives you a fulfilling life, continually reassessing and adapting as your circumstances evolve. How to Connect with Graham: Website: https://www.grahamwilson.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipwizard/
On today's episode we are talking about how not scaling your ARR might be killing your company. Angeley Mullins is a seasoned Commercial Executive (CCO/ CRO) & Operations Executive (COO) with leadership roles across the US, EMEA, UK, & APAC including Amazon, Intuit, GoDaddy, and her most recent role as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Resourcify, a digital platform that helps companies reduce their waste, increase their recycling, and promote a circular economy. Her experience focuses on commercial & operations growth: revenue, marketing, brand, sales, product, and international expansion in both technology scale-ups & larger corporations. In 2023 Crunchbase recognized her, along with other prominent technology leaders, as one of the most influential women in sales. She has a special interest for advancing the conversation around women in leadership and diversity at the executive level.Key Discussion Points:Importance of ARR in SaaS Businesses: Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is considered the lifeblood of SaaS businesses. It measures how much revenue is recurring and helps gauge the company's growth and scalability. Understanding and accurately measuring ARR is crucial for evaluating business performance, especially during economic downturns.Value of Knowing Your Customer: Successful ARR strategies hinge on a deep understanding of the customer. Businesses should regularly engage with their clients, ask for feedback, and use this information to enhance their product offerings. This approach ensures that the product or service meets customer needs and maintains high value perception.Strategic Pricing and Value Communication: The perceived value of a product or service is more important than its price. Companies should focus on conveying the value they provide rather than competing on price alone. Properly understanding customer pain points and aligning the product's value proposition with those needs can lead to more effective pricing strategies and higher customer satisfaction.Importance of KPIs in Today's Economy: Strong KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) significantly influence investors and company valuations. The focus has shifted from hypergrowth to conservative, stable, and predictable revenue streams, driven by a more cautious economic environment. Key Metrics for Company Health: Revenue per employee has become a crucial metric, reflecting the efficiency of human capital utilization. Other important metrics include customer retention, time to value, net revenue retention, and product stickiness, which help gauge a company's ability to acquire and retain customers. Strategies for Sustainable ARR Growth: Building excellent product experiences and ensuring quick time to value for customers are essential for retaining clients and driving growth. Companies should aim to scale the number of units sold per salesperson rather than simply increasing the sales force to maintain efficiency and control overhead costs. Top Takeaways for the Audience:Understanding your client's needs and preferences is crucial for sustained growth and retention.Focus on your holistic ARR and revenue situation, not just the top-line numbers, to get a complete picture of your business health.Assess your current stage of growth honestly to ensure stable and predictable revenue. Adjust your strategies accordingly.How to Connect with Angeley:https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeleymullins/
On today's episode we are talking about how perfectionism might be killing your company.Jessica Osborn is passionately committed to building and developing global teams that deliver exceptional business outcomes with a human-first, growth mindset. She has successfully coached over 27 team members into leadership and cross-functional roles aligned with their career goals. Recognized for her contributions to company culture leadership, Jessica has received awards for exceeding net and gross retention with multi-million-dollar SaaS account portfolios across various verticals. An expert in improving customer journeys, lifecycle management processes, and product development through customer feedback and data, Jessica is also a thought leader in Customer Success. She has shared her insights at numerous industry events, including Success Fest Austin (2023) and Success Fest Vegas (2022). Key Discussion Points: Impact of Perfectionist Leadership: A perfectionist leader can set high standards that may lead to an environment of fear and isolation if mistakes are not tolerated. This can result in anxiety and paralysis within the team, hindering productivity and collaboration.Difference Between Quality and Perfectionism: Quality involves setting and communicating clear standards and expectations. In contrast, perfectionism demands flawlessness, often leading to excessive time spent on tasks and potentially never completing them due to fear of imperfection.Encouraging a Healthy Culture: Successful organizations foster an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a catastrophe. This involves clear objectives, open communication, reflection on failures, and flexibility to pivot when necessary, creating a more agile and innovative team dynamic.Embrace Vulnerability: Leaders who admit their mistakes foster trust and learning. For instance, GoCardless CEO Heroki's openness about his failures garnered a positive response from employees.Promote a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset encourages viewing failures as learning opportunities, fostering resilience and creativity. In contrast, a fixed mindset leads to blame and stagnation.Balance Ambition with Empathy: Drive teams towards goals while understanding their challenges. Supportive environments prevent burnout and maintain morale through team-building and celebrating both wins and learning moments.Top Takeaways for the Audience:Evaluate whether you and your team have a growth or fixed mindset. Identify one action to foster a growth mindset.Set a tone where it's okay to fail. Introduce a "wins and oops" segment in meetings to normalize and learn from mistakes.Share something personal with your team to build trust. Challenge yourself to be open and honest about your own experiences. How to Connect with Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicareserosborn/
On today's episode we are talking about how not understanding AI might be killing your company. Ajay Malik, former Head of Architecture/Engineering for Worldwide Corporate Network at Google, is a technologist, business futurist, and prolific inventor with over 100 patents in AI, Wi-Fi networking, quantum computing, and real-time location. He has founded and sold multiple startups, led a public company exit, and served as a Section 16 officer. Ajay authored several books, including "RTLS for Dummies," "Augmented Reality for Dummies," "Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Networking," and "First God, Then Man, Now AI - Shapes within Time Space." Currently, he is the CEO of SECO MIND USA LLC, which develops StudioX, a leading enterprise AI platform. Ajay has also held executive roles at Meru Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Motorola, and holds a B.E. in Computer Science & Technology from IIT Roorkee, India. Key Discussion Points:The primary benefit of AI for organizations is the significant improvement in productivity and efficiency. This is particularly important in the current economic climate where maximizing efficiency is crucial.AI plays a vital role in knowledge management, especially as organizations face workforce turnover. AI can help capture and disseminate knowledge efficiently, aiding in training new employees and preserving institutional knowledge.While AI tools like ChatGPT offer significant benefits, they also pose security risks. Organizations need to be cautious about data privacy and implement strong policies and encryption measures to protect sensitive information when using AI tools.AI is expected to automate many job functions, leading to a significant shift in the job market. Jobs that can be performed remotely and those involving repetitive tasks are at high risk of automation. However, people-oriented jobs and roles requiring complex human interactions are less likely to be replaced by AI in the near future.The future will see a model where AI performs the bulk of the work, with humans providing essential oversight and decision-making. Individuals who can effectively use AI to enhance their productivity will thrive, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the AI-driven workplace.Top Takeaways for the Audience:1. Embrace AI for Growth: If you are not thinking about AI or using AI for your personal or business growth, it's time to start. People or businesses won't be replaced by AI itself but by those who leverage AI effectively.2. Implement and Normalize AI Usage: Make AI usage a policy or initiative within your organization. Use AI with proper controls in place. Adopt a balanced approach where the first 15% of work is done manually, the next 70% with AI assistance, and the final 15% manually again. This method enhances productivity while maintaining critical thinking skills.3. Learn from Others and Experiment: Don't hesitate to ask others about their AI practices and learn from them. Conduct small proof-of-concept projects to explore AI's potential in your organization or personal life. This experimentation can lead to improved velocity and quality with minimal investment.How to Connect with Ajay: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artofai/Website: https://studiox.secomind.ai/
On today's episode we are talking about how ignoring the work-from-home trends might be killing your company.Denis O'Shea is the founder and chairman of Mobile Mentor, a global leader in the endpoint ecosystem. Founded in New Zealand in 2004, the company empowers people to achieve more with their devices. In 2017, O'Shea moved to Nashville to focus on securing the mobile workforce in the US. He has partnered with industry leaders like Nokia, Citrix, and Microsoft, earning the Global Partner of the Year Award for Endpoint Management. A former global executive with Nokia, O'Shea has extensive international business experience. He is passionate about international business, fly-fishing, and playing guitar.Key Discussion Points:Stagnant Hybrid Work Configuration but Shifting Attitudes: Despite the pandemic subsiding, the configuration of hybrid work has remained unchanged over the last two years. However, employees' attitudes have significantly shifted, with increased focus on personal well-being, productivity, and privacy, while company culture has become less important. Challenges with Remote Work Onboarding and Security: Remote onboarding continues to be problematic, with employees struggling to set up devices and get necessary support. Younger employees are using unsecured personal devices and practicing lax password management, leading to potential security breaches.Discrepancies in Productivity and Preferences Across Generations: Gen Z employees, who began their careers during the pandemic, prefer office environments for better productivity and support. They exhibit more casual attitudes towards data security, unlike older generations who prioritize company and personal data security more highly. Generational Differences in Data Sharing Attitudes: Younger generations, particularly Millennials, are more willing to share personal data in exchange for convenience and insights. This contrasts with older generations, who tend to be more cautious about data privacy and security. Effective Communication About Data Privacy in Companies: Companies should reframe security messages with a focus on personal privacy to better engage employees. Emphasizing the protection of personal data resonates more with employees than using terms like compliance and risk.Top Takeaways for the Audience:Hybrid work is here to stay. Research shows that hybrid work is now a permanent fixture in the workplace. Companies need to invest more in making hybrid work environments secure, productive, and cohesive.There is still much to do in enabling and empowering hybrid workers with the right technology. It's an ongoing journey for everyone involved, including organizations like Mobile Mentor, to figure out and optimize hybrid work setups.The process of improving hybrid work is both challenging and enjoyable. With increasing numbers of clients and partners working in hybrid configurations across various geographies and time zones, it's crucial to remain passionate and engaged in making hybrid work successful.How to Connect with Denis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisosheamobilementor/Website: https://www.mobile-mentor.com/
On today's episode we are talking about how cybersecurity could kill your company with Richard Hollis.Richard Hollis is the Chief Executive Officer for Risk Crew Limited a unique London-based information security governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) management consulting firm specializing in providing creative, cost-effective, independent cyber risk management and security awareness training solutions. Richard possesses over 25 years of “hands on” skills and experience in designing, implementing, managing, testing, and auditing enterprise level information security programs. Over the course of his career, Richard has served as Director of Security for Phillips, in Paris, France and Deputy Director of Security for the US Embassy Moscow Reconstruction Project as well as a variety of sensitive security positions within the US government and military. In addition to his work with Risk Crew, Richard serves on several security technology company boards and security industry advisory councils.Key Discussion Points:Understanding Risk and Breach Capacity: It's crucial for executives to understand their organization's risk appetite and breach capacity. This involves knowing the extent of damage the company can handle in the event of a data breach, identifying and prioritizing threats through thorough risk assessments, and planning accordingly to manage potential cybersecurity threats effectively.People-Centric Cybersecurity: Recognizing that employees can be the weakest link due to vulnerabilities like social engineering and phishing attacks is essential. Making data protection personal for employees by relating it to their own personal data can enhance their understanding of the importance of cybersecurity. Additionally, investing in education and awareness alongside robust security protocols can strengthen the human aspect of cybersecurity.Proactive and Holistic Security Measures: Adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity by thinking like a hacker, regularly assessing risks, and implementing strong security measures is vital. Companies should balance investments in people, processes, and technology to create an effective defense. A holistic approach that includes ongoing vigilance and readiness can help mitigate risks and address potential breaches before they become catastrophic.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience: Cybersecurity is an oxymoron. There's no such thing as a secure computer, so you need to understand your appetite for breach. Quantify that by conducting a risk assessment and cure what you can cure and take on what you can take on day to day like fire, life, safety.There's no silver bullet for cybersecurity. The industry doesn't tell us that because the industry wants to sell us a cybersecurity product, but technically running a business today, you need to understand the impact of a cybersecurity breach on your systems, quantify that and document it so it is a real and talked about issue at the board level.Please, always remember, cybersecurity is not about protecting ones and zeros. This is data that we need to protect because it's data about people's lives. If a customer gives you their data, the implied transaction is you'll protect it according to their understanding of privacy, not yours. We owe it to each other as a society to protect each other's data. How to Connect with Richard:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riskexpertrichardhollis/Website: https://www.riskcrew.com/
On today's episode we are talking about how missing the mark on human-centric selling might be killing your company. Kayvon Kay is a speaker, sales expert, CEO of The Sales Connection, and the creator of the Human-Centric Selling methodology that helps sales reps and individuals transform their sales success for a lifetime of growth. Kayvon's sales journey began early, thrust into a world of competitive, outcome-driven tactics. While others focused on transactions, Kayvon saw the value in genuine human connections. By prioritizing relationships over sales, he quickly became the #1 pharmaceutical sales rep. Unfulfilled in the corporate world, Kayvon faced existential questions, using adversity as a steppingstone to self-awareness and mastery. His philosophy shifted to emphasize authenticity and self-belief.Episode Highlights:Changing the Narrative of Sales: The perception of sales needs to shift from being sleazy and transactional to focusing on genuine human connections and problem-solving. This change is essential because sales are fundamental to business success, despite being one of the most disliked professions.Human-Centric Selling: A three-step methodology for human-centric selling includes aligning the salesperson's mindset and energy, building deep, authentic relationships with clients, and being intrinsically motivated and passionate about their work. These steps make sales about the client rather than the salesperson, leading to better performance and resilience.Effective Sales Training and Assessment: Traditional sales training methods are often ineffective without ongoing support and the right approach. Focusing on the individual salesperson's internal state and commitment to the product, along with using assessments and metrics, ensures that salespeople are in the right roles and have the necessary skills and conviction.Business Owners as the Sales Team: If you are a business owner without a dedicated sales team, you must assume the role of the sales team yourself. Everything you desire in life involves making a sale, and everything you achieve is like earning a commission, making sales a critical skill for success.Effective Follow-Up Strategy: Effective follow-up requires a balance between persistence and tact, utilizing various methods such as texting, calling, emailing, and social media interactions. The key is to maintain a personalized and timely connection, rather than relying solely on automated systems, to build meaningful relationships and increase sales success.Top Takeaway for the Audience:“Stop selling from your head and start selling from your heart.”How to Connect with Kayvon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayvonhighticketsalesWebsite: http://thesalesconnection.com
On today's episode we are talking about how not managing conflict within your organization might be killing your company.Carol Bowser, J.D is a workplace conflict expert. After practicing Employment Law for several years, Carol founded Conflict Management Strategies when she realized a lawsuit can't deliver the level of resolution and satisfaction that is gained when people are actively involved in creating solutions to their workplace conflict.Carol's clients come with a wide range of employers because conflict is universal across all industries and types of organizations. Where there are people, there is conflict. The key is to help people recognize and address conflict before it damages working relationships and creates organizational drag. In her over 20 years of experience, she has discovered some universal themes about workplace conflict and loves to share how people at all levels can strengthen their conflict resolution muscles.Episode Highlights: Nuanced nature of conflict: Conflict within an organization is nuanced, neither inherently good nor bad. Its impact depends on factors such as power dynamics, organizational culture, and individual perspectives.Variety in healthy conflict: Healthy conflict varies among individuals, ranging from calm, data-driven discussions to quicker, more direct approaches. Understanding and respecting these differences in communication styles is essential for fostering productive conflict resolution.Cultivating a culture of healthy conflict: Building a culture where conflict is seen as an opportunity for growth requires continuous effort. This includes role modeling, providing training, and encouraging open communication, while also addressing power imbalances and equipping individuals with skills to prepare for constructive conflict resolution.Effective Communication Techniques: Strategies like mirroring and using "I" messages enhance communication by demonstrating active listening and expressing thoughts without accusation.Managing Conflict Dynamics: Understanding power dynamics is crucial; the dominant communication style often sets the tone. Balancing power involves controlling pace, facilitating equal participation, and encouraging diverse perspectives.Long-Term Relationship Building: Conflict resolution isn't just about negotiation tactics; it's about fostering trust and respect for ongoing working relationships. Prioritizing open communication and maintaining respect, even during disagreements, builds positive long-term connections.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Just like financial literacy, conflict resolution skills are essential in professional settings. Despite its importance, formal training is often lacking, so investing in personal development and seeking mentorship can be invaluable.Even top executives grapple with high-stakes decisions and spend considerable time preparing for challenging conversations. Acknowledging discomfort and seeking support or guidance is essential for effective conflict resolution.Consistency between organizational values and operational practices is key to reducing frustration and preventing burnout. Addressing any disconnects can mitigate conflicts and foster a healthier work environment.How to Connect with Carol: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-bowser-2a65691/Website: www.conflictmanagementstrategies.com
On today's episode we are talking about how to take your performance to another level to avoid killing your company. Evan Marks experience, formerly Senior Consultant at The ReThink Group, brings resilience and strategic insight. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a Division 1 Lacrosse background, Evan coaches diverse clients, including NASCAR pit crews and executives. He champions the belief that "pressure is a privilege." As a Senior Performance Coach, Evan utilizes cutting-edge techniques rooted in modern psychoanalysis and neuroscience to guide clients to peak performance. Passionate about empowering clients to unlock their potential, he specializes in coaching for elite performers, extending expertise to leadership development beyond finance.Episode Highlights: You can pick your actions, even if you can't always pick your emotions. Being aware of this distinction allows you to navigate situations more effectively.Take control of your behavior by understanding your emotional triggers and consciously choosing how to respond. This empowers you to manage situations rather than being controlled by them.Journaling and self-reflection are powerful tools for identifying and understanding your emotions. By verbalizing and acknowledging your feelings, you can build a deeper understanding of yourself and better navigate your emotional landscape.By slowing down and being intentional about how we respond to situations, we can create a different experience and outcome. Whether it's managing anger or improving work-life balance, intentionality allows us to navigate life's challenges more effectively.Journaling and verbalizing our emotions are powerful tools for building self-awareness. By acknowledging and expressing how we feel, we can better understand ourselves and our reactions. This self-awareness lays the foundation for personal growth and development.The mantra "you need to slow down before you speed up" encapsulates the idea that intentional effort and habit formation take time. By investing the effort to build new habits and neural pathways, we can ultimately accelerate our progress and achieve greater success in the long run.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Positively impact the lives of those around us, whether it's our loved ones or colleagues.While kindness and forgiveness are crucial, they require action to be effective. Simply acknowledging them isn't enough; we must actively demonstrate kindness and forgiveness in our actions towards ourselves and others.Our beliefs shape our reality, and setting boundaries and assumptions can unlock our limitless potential. Embracing the idea that growth is constant and non-linear allows us to continuously evolve and expand our capabilities.How to Connect with Evan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-marks-9ab189133/Website: https://m1performancegroup.com
On today's episode we are talking about how a lack of resilience might be killing your company. Russell Harvey, a Resilience Coach, Facilitator, and Public Speaker, is on a mission to positively impact 100,000 lives by 2025, already reaching 44,212 individuals. With over 20 years of experience in Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development, Russell's approach is grounded in positive psychology and a Strengths-Based methodology. He balances pragmatism with creativity and playfulness, offering support, challenge, and progress to his clients. Beyond his professional endeavors, Russell serves as Chair of Governors at a local primary school and volunteers with Leeds Young Authors. His extensive qualifications include over 4000 hours of coaching, certification in performance development coaching, and expertise in facilitation.Episode Highlights:Encourage open discussions about individual strengths and preferences to optimize performance and engagement.Aligning roles with employees' strengths leads to greater productivity, fulfillment, and organizational success.Address potential challenges upfront to prevent larger issues, ultimately saving time and resources in the long run.Tailoring communication and engagement strategies to individuals' natural strengths can facilitate easier and more productive conversations.Building a resilient organization involves aligning roles with employees' strengths, which leads to higher performance, enthusiasm, and engagement.Fostering proactive resilience through self-reflection, role-playing, and leadership development strategies can help scale resilience initiatives across the organization.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience: Spring Forward with Learning: Emphasize the importance of continuous learning and growth, encouraging individuals to embrace new experiences and insights to propel themselves forward.Strengths-Based Approach: Recognize and leverage individual strengths to drive motivation, engagement, and effectiveness in both personal and professional pursuitsDelegate to Strengths: As a line manager, prioritize delegating tasks according to employees' strengths, fostering a culture of empowerment and maximizing team performance. How to Connect with Russell: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/russelltheresiliencecoach/Website: https://www.theresiliencecoach.co.uk
On today's episode we are talking about how your meetings might be killing your company.Stefanie Krievins, President of The Change Architects since 2014, thrives on dynamic change. Rejecting stagnant plans, she champions continuous learning and organizational strategies, fostering workplace innovation and joy. Her brainchild, The Change Architecture Framework, guides companies through transformation, emerging stronger. Stefanie, an Indiana University alumna, holds a Master's and undergrad degree. Certified as a solution-focused coach by Erickson International and a member of the International Coach Federation, she's renowned for her disruptive approach. A self-proclaimed Pro Troublemaker, Stefanie challenges leaders to embrace discomfort and drive impactful change. As host of the "Hot Mess Hotline" podcast, she offers a platform for ambitious leaders seeking genuine transformation. Episode Highlights:Schedule virtual coffee breaks or informal chat sessions for team members to engage in casual conversation and foster rapport.Utilize collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate spontaneous communication and open channels for discussion.Emphasize the need for meetings to deliver substantial value, measured against the collective cost of attendees, and encouraging self-reflection on meeting participation and leadership behaviors.Encourage transparency and knowledge sharing by documenting work and sharing updates regularly using shared documents, wikis, or project management tools.Recognize the importance of physical gatherings for building relationships and facilitating informal learning and idea exchange.Promote cross-team communication by creating opportunities for serendipitous interactions and idea exchange, even in a remote work environment.Start meetings with informal icebreakers or personal check-ins to foster rapport and create a sense of community among team members.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Say no to more meetings: Challenge the status quo by being selective about attending or scheduling meetings, prioritizing those where you can contribute value.Commit to active participation and leadership: Take ownership of meetings by actively engaging, sharing ideas, and fostering an environment of open communication and honesty.Focus on building trust and psychological safety: Recognize the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions, ultimately contributing to organizational success.How to Connect with Stefanie & The Change Architects: www.thechangearchitects.com
On today's episode we are talking about how not having a strong business continuity plan might be killing your company.Patrick Hardy helps individuals and organizations prevent disruptions from ever becoming a disaster. Drawing on his world-class expertise in disaster preparedness & response, he distills memorable lessons audiences can use to break the Crisis Creation Chain and transform every disruption into an opportunity for learning.Episode Highlights:Importance of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Emphasizes the critical nature of disaster recovery and business continuity planning, highlighting the risk of business closure without a solid plan, as demonstrated by the study following the 1993 World Trade Center bombings.Employee Empowerment and Communication: Effective disaster recovery plans involve empowering employees and maintaining clear communication channels. Employees need to understand their roles and responsibilities in times of crisis to ensure a smooth recovery process.Adaptation and Engagement: It's not just about having a plan on paper; it's about understanding the needs and dynamics of the people who will execute it, whether they're oyster fishermen in Alabama or tech workers in Silicon Valley.Insurance Company Ambiguity: Insurance companies may officially claim to be agnostic regarding whether businesses should resume operations or accept payouts after a disaster. However, there might be internal considerations where companies prefer not to insure certain high-risk areas, especially prone to natural disasters like flooding, hurricanes, or wildfires.Understanding Insurance Policies: Business owners need to thoroughly understand their insurance policies, including coverage limitations and exceptions. Misunderstandings often arise when policies are not carefully reviewed, leading to denied claims, particularly in cases like pandemics or cyber attacks where specific provisions may be required for coverage.Empowerment and Decision-Making: In disaster scenarios, clear lines of authority are crucial. Businesses must empower employees at all levels to make informed judgment calls during emergencies, especially when management or key decision-makers are unavailable. Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Disaster preparedness can be empowering and strengthen you in the long run, rather than just doom and gloom.When creating a disaster plan, focus on empowering those around you, whether it's for your family, pets, or business.Dependency on other institutions can exacerbate disasters. Always have backup plans and diversify your resources to ensure true resilience and emerge stronger after the crisis.How to Connect with Patrick:Website: https://disasterpatrick.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/
On today's episode we are talking about how executive loneliness might be killing your company.Nick Jonsson's remarkable journey embodies resilience, redemption, and holistic well-being. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and an elite Ironman athlete, Nick's influence transcends accolades. As co-founder of Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia, he supports over 900 executives, drawing from personal struggles with executive loneliness and mental health challenges. Nick's seminal book, "Executive Loneliness," and his podcast, "EGN Leadership Conversations," reflect his commitment to empowering others. From despair, Nick emerged as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of vulnerability and determination. Today, he inspires audiences worldwide with his story of triumph and possibility.Episode Highlights:Recognize the importance of safe spaces: Executive loneliness is a significant issue, especially when individuals feel they have no safe spaces to discuss their challenges internally within their company. Finding external safe spaces through coaches, mentors, or peer groups can be crucial.Proactivity is key: Rather than waiting for internal solutions that may not exist, individuals should take ownership of their situation and actively seek out external support networks. Waiting too long can lead to increased anxiety and even depression.Embrace vulnerability: Leaders should practice vulnerability and empathy, creating a culture where it's safe to share challenges. By being open about personal experiences and struggles, leaders can foster stronger connections within their teams and break down barriers that contribute to isolation.Resilience and perseverance: Building resilience is essential for both individuals and organizations. Leaders should demonstrate resilience through their actions, showing that they can navigate challenges effectively and bounce back from setbacks.Reflect on purpose and hobbies: Encouraging individuals to reflect on their purpose in life and revisit past hobbies can help them find fulfillment outside of work. Engaging in activities that bring joy and connection can contribute to overall well-being and combat feelings of loneliness.Seek help when needed: If feelings of hopelessness, burnout, or depression become overwhelming, it's crucial to seek help and support. There are numerous resources available, including support groups, hotlines, therapy, and counseling, to assist individuals in navigating difficult times and fostering personal growth.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Treat vulnerability like a muscle and actively practice it in your safe spaces. Share your challenges and experiences with trusted individuals to foster connection and growth.Take the initiative to find both professional and personal safe spaces where you can freely discuss work-related and personal matters with like-minded individuals. This can include peer groups, mentors, coaches, or support networks.Use journaling as a tool for reflection and problem-solving. Write down your thoughts and feelings, both positive and painful, and take action by reaching out for help or discussing them with someone you trust. Regularly review your journal to address any unresolved issues and ensure peace of mind before bedtime.How to Connect with James:Website: https://www.nickjonsson.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-jonsson
On today's episode we are talking about how not focusing on great teams might be killing your company. James Scouller, an executive coach, thought leader, and author, has dedicated 45 years to leadership. His four books reflect his profound focus on the psychological challenges confronting leaders and teams. The Three Levels of Leadership, his debut, revolutionized leadership literature with groundbreaking models and tools. Despite minimal promotion, it garnered global acclaim, inspiring countless CEOs. His latest trilogy, How To Build Winning Teams Again And Again, released in January 2024, serves as a companion to his first work. With a rich background in international leadership and coaching, Scouller continues to empower leaders and teams, embodying expertise in psychology and martial arts.Episode Highlights:Commitment is Key: Teams need to address the psychological aspect of commitment before diving into trust and psychological safety. Without a shared commitment to the team's goals, dynamics can quickly unravel.Balanced Team Composition: Building effective teams requires more than just assembling individuals based on job titles or regional expertise. Teams must ensure they have a diverse mix of behavioral roles to cover problem-solving, planning, conflict resolution, and other essential functions.Clarity in Decision-Making: Successful teams establish clear processes for decision-making to avoid ambiguity and ensure alignment. Whether through discussion-based consensus or democratic voting, defining decision-making mechanisms helps teams stay focused and accountable to their goals.Conflict is Necessary for Growth: While conflict within teams is often seen as negative, it's essential for healthy team dynamics. Task conflict, where ideas are debated constructively, is a sign of a good team. However, many teams struggle with conflict avoidance, which can lead to passive aggression and hinder creativity.Understanding Individual Dynamics: Teams are comprised of individuals with unique motivations, fears, and life experiences. Effective leaders need to understand what makes each team member tick and foster an environment where individuals feel valued and understood. This personal connection is crucial for building strong teams.Seven Action Principles for Team Success: James shared seven action principles for achieving team success. These principles provide a roadmap for addressing key psychological issues within teams and improving overall effectiveness.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Whether you're struggling with team building or simply want to improve, it's important to recognize that the art of building and regenerating teams is learnable. With effort and practice, anyone can develop the skills necessary to build effective teams.While improving team dynamics requires dedication and practice, the effort invested in developing these skills will ultimately pay off. Not only will you enjoy your work more, but your teammates will also benefit, and your company will see better results because of improved team dynamics.To support your journey in mastering team building, there are resources available, such as books and tools, that can provide guidance and insights. By leveraging these resources, you can gain valuable knowledge and techniques to enhance your team leadership abilities.For More Information Related to This Episode:https://leadershipmasterysuite.com/cc/
On today's episode we are talking about how your handling of customer service might be killing your company. Ali Cudby, Founder and CEO of Alignmint Growth Strategies, drives business transformation through intentional customer experiences. With over 20 years of expertise, she aligns strategy and implementation for unparalleled growth. As the bestselling author of "Keep Your Customers," Ali offers insights from real-world stories and CEO-led case studies. Her MINT Method, outlined in the book, fosters transformational customer loyalty. Previously at The New York Times Company, Golf Digest Magazine Group, and Animal Planet TV Network, Ali founded Alignmint in 2014. She also teaches Entrepreneurship at Purdue University and shares her expertise on podcasts, emphasizing the integral role of customer experience in business success.Episode Highlights:Customer Strategy Alignment: Aligning customer-facing departments with the customer strategy ensures consistent messaging and a unified approach across the organization. How can companies ensure all teams are playing from the same playbook to enhance the customer experience?Building a Customer Playbook: Creating a playbook involves identifying key moments in the customer lifecycle and assigning clear roles to each team involved. How can organizations effectively develop and implement playbooks to guide interactions with customers and improve overall satisfaction?Diagnosing Breakdowns in Customer Experience: High churn rates often signal breakdowns in the customer experience. How can companies diagnose and address these breakdowns to reduce churn and enhance customer loyalty?Overcoming Sales and Onboarding Challenges: Sales teams overpromising, inadequate onboarding processes, and product challenges can all lead to customer dissatisfaction. How can organizations bridge the gap between sales promises and product delivery to ensure a seamless customer experience?Effective Feedback Mechanisms: Prioritizing customer feedback and organizing it meaningfully can help organizations identify areas for improvement and enhance customer satisfaction. How can companies establish feedback mechanisms that make customers feel valued and heard?Cultivating Customer Loyalty: Understanding different tiers of customer loyalty and tailoring strategies to upgrade customers to more lucrative tiers can drive long-term growth. How can companies foster customer loyalty and build strong, lasting relationships with their customers?Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Prioritize understanding and meeting customer needs, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued to drive growth.Implement clear and consistent processes within the company to guide customer-facing teams in handling interactions confidently, fostering stronger relationships and sustained growth.Shift the perspective on customer-facing teams from a cost center to a revenue driver, emphasizing their role in retention, cross-selling, and upselling to fuel long-term revenue growth.How to Connect with Ali:Website: https://alignmintforgrowth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicudby/
On today's episode we are talking about how imposter syndrome can hurt teams and and threaten your company.Tiffany Houser is a passionate advocate for personal transformation and leadership development. With a focus on coaching senior leaders and high-achieving founders, she empowers them to experience profound breakthroughs in their authentic leadership style, vision, and purpose. Through her coaching, she helps leaders cultivate self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset, enabling them to define their vision, overcome obstacles, and foster a culture of contribution and resilience. As the founder of EVOLVE, Tiffany and her team provide transformative experiences and coaching services to organizations seeking to embrace change and cultivate self-worth. Learn more about Tiffany and EVOLVE at evolveeq.com, and explore her innovative approach to leadership development at selfworthadvantage.com.Episode Highlights:Imposter syndrome manifests in two main ways. Common imposter feelings involve doubting oneself and feeling inadequate, while toxic imposter feelings involve projecting those feelings onto others, resulting in behaviors like micromanaging or aggression. Leaders experiencing imposter syndrome, especially when new to an organization, may struggle to enroll their team in new ideas or strategies, leading to resistance to change and breakdowns in communication. Toxic imposter feelings in leaders can lead to negative behaviors that harm team dynamics and creativity.Poor internal communication within organizations can exacerbate imposter syndrome by creating uncertainty and mistrust among employees. Leaders need to foster an environment of open communication and transparency to mitigate the negative effects of imposter syndrome on their teams.It is important to identify and acknowledge when you're experiencing challenges or issues, particularly related to insecurity and self-doubt. Many leaders may suppress these feelings, which prevents them from addressing and overcoming them effectively. Indecisiveness and a lack of trust in oneself are highlighted as significant consequences of feeling like an imposter. This can manifest in reluctance to make decisions or seek validation from others excessively, ultimately leading to a loss of confidence and effectiveness in leadership roles.Addressing Behavioral Patterns: Certain unhealthy behavioral patterns, such as perfectionism, overworking, busyness, comparison, and people-pleasing can hinder personal growth and contribute to a toxic work environment if left unaddressed. Instead, it's crucial to foster a culture of communication, curiosity, and understanding to create a supportive and productive work environment.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Understand that feelings of insecurity and impostor syndrome are common and not inherently negative. Recognize and accept these feelings can be the first step towards growth and self-improvement.Everyone, regardless of their position or status, experiences moments of self-doubt and insecurity. Knowing that even successful individuals face these challenges can provide reassurance and perspective.Encouraging a mindset of curiosity and openness to possibilities can lead to more effective leadership and problem-solving. Instead of judgment or blame, approaching situations with curiosity allows for exploration and growth. How to Connect with Tiffany:Website: https://evolveeq.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyhouser
Loreta Tarozaite is an experienced strategist and advocate for brand and executive presence, unlocking visibility, authority, and impact for companies and leaders. With a background spanning broadcast journalism, founding her own company, and collaborating with Fortune 500 corporations, Loreta is a strategic partner in navigating the complex world of authoritative presence. She excels in strategic marketing architecture, elevating presence, on-camera coaching, and embracing tech innovations. Loreta's unique approach, the Real Relating Lens™, distills complexity, fosters authenticity, and drives transformative change. Thriving in chaos, Loreta sees it as an opportunity for lasting transformation and impact through improved presence.Episode Highlights:Importance of Communication: Executive presence is crucial because leaders are the face of the company and need to communicate clearly and effectively to represent the organization well.Authenticity Matters: Being authentic and true to oneself is key to building executive presence. Leaders should express their values, motivations, and drive in their communication to connect with others genuinely.Tailoring Approach to Individual Strengths: Executive presence isn't one-size-fits-all. It involves identifying each leader's strengths, whether it's storytelling, humor, or other communication styles, and leveraging those strengths effectively.Understanding Perception: Leaders should actively seek feedback to understand how they are perceived by others. This feedback helps identify areas for improvement in communication and leadership style.Balancing Professionalism and Relatability: While the level of formality in executive presence may vary based on organizational culture and individual preferences, leaders should aim to strike a balance between professionalism and relatability. This includes considerations such as attire, communication style, and demeanor.Social Media Strategy: Approach social media with caution, understanding the permanence of posts and the importance of authenticity, seeking professional support when necessary, especially during crises.Top 3 Takeaways for the AudienceStart Small, Experiment, and Learn. Begin by taking small steps outside of your comfort zone, such as writing a LinkedIn post, to gain experience and confidence.Overcome Self-Doubt and Fear of Judgment. Recognize and overcome the fear of judgment or sounding inadequate, understanding that growth requires vulnerability and risk-taking.Seek Feedback and Continuous Improvement. Embrace feedback and self-awareness, acknowledging flaws and actively seeking opportunities for improvement to enhance leadership presence and authority.How to Connect with Loreta:Website: https://www.loretatv.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretatarozaite/
On today's episode we are talking about how using AI in marketing might be killing your company. Ferdinand Mehlinger, an esteemed SEO expert and keynote speaker, played a pivotal role in Google's inception, granting him unparalleled insights into driving organic traffic and conversions. With a diverse portfolio spanning E-waste, biotech, fitness, and social media sectors, Ferdinand's expertise is unmatched. With over two decades of experience, including contributing to Google's algorithm in its infancy, Ferdinand offers unparalleled expertise in SEO and Google insider strategies. He's available as a keynote speaker for events, conferences, and podcasts, offering valuable insights and free resources on his website. Ferdinand's company, Bluoo Digital, specializes in branding and online marketing solutions, driving success for businesses since 2005.Episode Highlights:AI Revolution: AI is poised to revolutionize our lives, offering unprecedented convenience and accessibility to information, similar to the impact of search engines.Potential of AI: AI has the potential to enhance productivity across various domains, from writing and coding to email management, streamlining tasks and providing valuable assistance.Ethical Considerations: Despite its benefits, ethical concerns surround AI's use, especially regarding misinformation, manipulation, and privacy.Regulation and Oversight: The rapid advancement of AI necessitates regulation and oversight to ensure responsible and ethical use, preventing misuse and abuse.Impact on SEO: AI influences SEO practices, with search engines like Google emphasizing quality and relevance to combat spammy content generated by AI.Realistic Content Focus: Businesses should prioritize quality over quantity in content production, acknowledging limitations and aiming for manageable output.Peer-to-Peer Interaction: User preference for human interaction over AI-generated content drives a shift towards peer-to-peer question-and-answer interactions online.Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:Jump into AI without hesitation, as it's becoming increasingly essential for businesses to leverage its capabilities.Recognize and understand your own value, whether as a business owner or professional, and assert it confidently.Focus on becoming an expert in your field, as expertise opens doors and allows you to provide valuable insights and solutions to others.How to Connect with Ferdinand: www.ferdinandmehlinger.com
On today's episode we are talking about how not maintaining high quality teams might be killing your company. Randy Clark, currently Director of Global Operations at IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork), is an executive and strategic thinker with over 20 years of experience in building and managing high-functioning teams and organizations. His expertise spans from creating entities from scratch to revitalizing existing ones, consistently achieving remarkable success. Embracing change and prioritizing alignment over agreement, Randy fosters diverse, empowered teams, believing in uplifting every individual he encounters. With a mantra of supporting people to their fullest potential and infusing fun into every endeavor, Randy finds profound fulfillment in watching teams flourish and triumph together. Eager for the next challenge, he looks forward to continuing his journey of growth and success.Episode Highlights:Team Building from the Ground Up: The speaker emphasizes the importance of personally building teams from scratch to ensure they are founded on a proven record of success. However, they acknowledge that circumstances may sometimes require adapting to existing teams.The Significance of Hiring: Hiring the right people is paramount for team success. The speaker underscores the importance of assessing individuals' capabilities, desires, and skills to ensure they align with the team's goals and culture.Focus on Team Dynamics: Team dynamics are crucial for success, and the speaker highlights the importance of aligning everyone towards the same goal while fostering healthy agreement on how to achieve it.Motivation, Focus, and Advocacy: The speaker outlines three key factors for keeping teams cohesive: motivation, focus, and advocacy. Understanding individual motivations, defining clear focuses, and being an advocate for team members are essential for achieving collective success.Fit and Adaptation: Recognizing when someone is not the right fit for a role and being willing to have difficult conversations or make adjustments is crucial for both individual and team success. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding roles that align with employees' strengths and aspirations.Recognizing and Addressing Misalignment: It's crucial to identify when individuals are struggling to meet personal goals within a role, as this can have a detrimental impact on both them and the team. Encouraging individuals to pursue roles that align with their strengths and passions is essential for fostering personal fulfillment and driving team success.Dealing with Toxic Team Members: Toxic team members can significantly diminish team morale and productivity. Taking action, even if it means making tough decisions like removing individuals who don't align with the team's goals and culture, is essential for the overall betterment of the team and the company.Randy'sTop 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Having the right individuals in appropriate roles, highlighting attitude, aptitude, and work ethic are key criteria for success. 2. Bring passion and enjoyment to work. Encourage fostering a fun and engaging work environment to inspire team members to be passionate and committed to their roles.3. Lead by example. Managers should lead with care, dedication, energy. By demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm for the job you will set a positive tone for the team and foster mutual respect and success.How to Connect with Randy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-clark-a30717/Website: https://www.investorbrandnetwork.com/
On today's episode we are talking about how not to be scooped up unwillingly in an acquisition with Jason Radisson.Jason Radisson is a seasoned unicorn breeder with 20+ years of expertise in strategy, operations, and growth. As the CEO and Founder of Movo, an HCM platform, he's revolutionizing frontline workforce management globally, boasting 700,000+ users across various industries. Formerly with McKinsey & Company and Uber, Jason's track record includes scaling businesses, notably 99-Taxis, which he grew 10x before its $1B acquisition. Passionate about empowering the frontline workforce, he champions digital solutions to uplift communities. Jason, a Holy Cross alum and multilingual Fulbright Scholar, balances his professional achievements with family and outdoor pursuits, embodying a holistic approach to success.Episode Highlights:Importance of Differentiation: Industries consolidate where there's economies of scale. Having a unique differentiator that the market values is crucial for success. Role of Capital Markets: The movement of capital plays a significant role in determining winners, especially in later funding rounds where large sums of money are involved. Convincing capital markets of your company's potential is key.Diagnosing Corporate Health: Assessing threats to the organization involves analyzing both strategy and execution. Poor execution can undermine even a solid strategy.Avoiding Irrelevance: Staying relevant amidst industry consolidation requires a focus on differentiation and addressing unmet needs in the market.Building a Following: Building a loyal following can be achieved through various means, including product innovation, marketing, and targeting underserved markets. Operational Efficiency: Maintaining capital efficiency and operational leanness is crucial for sustainable growth, especially in the face of competition and potential acquisitions.Jason's Top Takeaways for the Audience: Find your unique differentiator.Capital efficiency and frugality contributes significantly to overall sustainability. Even if other aspects like differentiation or strategy are not fully developed, being lean and frugal ensures longevity and reduces vulnerability to hostile takeovers or industry consolidation efforts.Maintaining a global perspective fosters invaluable cross-industry insights, allowing for the adaptation of successful practices from international corporations to local contexts.How to Connect with Jason:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-radisson/
On today's episode we are talking about how your negotiation skills could make or break your company with Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey. Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey are two accomplished professionals with diverse backgrounds and a shared mission. Adele, recognized as a prominent figure in the PR world, brings over 20 years of expertise, serving as a spokesperson for Fortune 100 companies and teaching at prestigious universities. Chip, a former FBI Special Agent, offers a wealth of experience in high-stakes criminal cases and negotiation techniques. Together, as co-founders of The Convincing Company, they bridge the worlds of PR and Crisis Negotiation, providing global consulting and training services to a wide range of clients, from tech startups to Fortune 500 giants. Episode Highlights: Forensic Listening: Utilize forensic listening techniques to uncover the unstated narratives and true beliefs of others. By understanding what people truly think and value, you can tailor your approach to effectively communicate and persuade.The Convincing Continuum: Move individuals down the convincing continuum by starting with points of agreement, addressing fears and uncertainties, and providing just enough information to prompt further research and validation. Avoid overwhelming them with excessive facts and arguments.Active Listening and Empathy: Practice active listening to de-escalate heightened emotions and understand the underlying concerns of others. Demonstrating empathy and valuing their opinions can build trust and facilitate productive dialogue.Personalized Approach: Tailor your communication style and approach based on individual personalities and preferences. Recognize that different people may respond differently to persuasion tactics and adjust your strategy accordingly to achieve the desired outcome.Focus on Collaboration: Emphasize collaboration and mutual benefit in negotiations and decision-making processes. Highlight how working together can lead to positive outcomes for all parties involved, fostering a sense of cooperation and alignment.Timing is Key: Being aware of the timing and context of our interactions, including when someone is mentally prepared and receptive, can significantly impact the effectiveness of our communication.Top Takeaways for the Audience:1. Remember who you're trying to convince. Are they emotional? Are they more of a fact-based person?2. Listen intently so the person you are talking to feels you are connected to them and truly understand who they are. 3. Try new things. Don't get stuck in what you've always done as there are great opportunities in trying something new. 4. Nobody will care what you have to say or what you believe until they feel you care about them. Then, you can cross chasms with the person because they feel you have their back. For Resources Related to this Episode Visit:https://convincingcompany.com/corporate/
On today's episode we are talking about how your lack of consciousness may be killing your company.Tom Willis believes we are all born with unlimited potential. As a former classroom teacher, he also believes in the power of lifelong learning. These beliefs have shaped his primary goal in life: helping others move beyond their self-limiting beliefs so they can reach their true potential. Prior to co-founding Phoenix Partners, he had the great honor of serving as the CEO for Cornerstone, a school system in Detroit. He was fortunate to earn an engineering degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Episode Highlights:Clarity of Purpose: Helping individuals and teams get clear about their fundamental purpose in life and how it aligns with the purpose of the organization is crucial for fostering meaningful engagement and alignment.Focus on Impact: It's essential to shift the focus from simply creating cool technology or products to understanding the real impact and societal benefits of the work being done, such as providing access to transportation services for those in need.Motivation through Contribution: Human beings are universally motivated by making a difference and being helpful. Understanding and connecting with employees' personal motivations and values can drive engagement and commitment to shared goals.Leadership, Management, Coaching: Effective leadership involves a balance of leadership, management, and coaching. Each aspect plays a role in creating a culture of growth and accountability, with leadership and coaching being emphasized more than traditional management.Conscious Time Management: Being conscious about how time is spent, prioritizing activities that contribute to personal and team growth, and focusing less on mundane tasks or "chores" can lead to significant improvements in organizational effectiveness and results.Feedback Loops: Establish regular feedback mechanisms to gather input on the current culture and identify areas for improvement from employees at all levels.Training and Development: Invest in training programs that support the development of key cultural competencies, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a positive work environment.Tom's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:If you are a CEO or Superintendent, check out our group called The Interchange made up of leaders from across the country who get together about once a month.Read our book The Great Engagement. Whether you're a CEO of a large team or CEO of your life this book can help. Start asking people around you to help you become more conscious. Ask them questions like “how can I improve as a teammate, a father, a friend? etc. For Additional Resources Related to This Episode Visit:https://www.phoenixperform.com/corporatecpr
On today's episode we are talking about how not adopting the latest trends in workforce flexibility might be killing your company. Jones Loflin, an educator turned internationally recognized speaker and author, is known for his impactful books like "Always Growing" and "Juggling Elephants," available in the US and 14+ countries. His work, including "Getting The Blue Ribbon" and "Getting to It," offers practical strategies for personal and professional growth. Founder of Jones U, he provides online courses and coaching for self-paced learning. Previously the "Trainer of Trainers" for "Who Moved My Cheese?" Jones holds degrees from North Carolina State University and is a member of the National Speaker's Association. Episode Highlights: · Shift from Work-Life Balance to Work-Life Success: There has been a shift from the concept of work-life balance to work-life success. That balance implies a static state, whereas success entails being present in the moment and investing time where it is needed most. · Accountability and Communication: Accountability is crucial in ensuring that work gets done efficiently, especially in environments with flexible policies like unlimited leave. Regular check-ins and effective listening by leaders foster a supportive and productive work culture. · Adapting Leadership Styles: Leaders must adapt their management approach based on whether team members are working in-person or remotely. Effective leaders prioritize consistent communication, active listening, and understanding the needs of their team members. · Flexibility in Work Arrangements: The trend towards flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, continues to grow. Successful organizations prioritize autonomy for their teams while also establishing clear guidelines and expectations for productivity and collaboration. · Business Case for In-Office Time: Organizations should establish a clear business case for requiring employees to be in the office certain days of the week. By identifying specific times when in-person collaboration is necessary, companies can justify their policies and gain employee buy-in. · Data-Driven Approach to Change: When considering changes to work policies, such as remote work options or leave policies, it's essential to gather data through employee engagement surveys or assessments. Knee-jerk reactions can lead to unintended consequences, so it's crucial to make informed decisions based on feedback from employees. · Leadership Role in Addressing Burnout: By creating psychologically safe environments where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges, leaders can help prevent burnout. Additionally, leading by example, demonstrating vulnerability, and acknowledging personal work preferences can foster understanding and support within the team.Jones' Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:People go about getting work done differently. As much as possible, we need to respect that individual cadence instead of trying to put everyone into a box.Organizations must make the business case for whatever flexible work policies they are going to put in place. People should be consistently intentional about what they need from work so when they are done with work, we are doing the things we really want to be doing. How to Connect with Jones:Website: https://jonesloflin.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesloflin/
On today's episode we are talking about how taking care of your employees' emotions during an M&A process can be a lifesaver your company. Jonathan Bennett, C.Dir., is a highly sought-after leadership coach and strategic advisor, offering his expertise to CEOs, executive teams, politicians, and boards of directors throughout Canada. With a background spanning urban, rural, remote, and First Nations communities, Jonathan excels in social purpose business strategy, governance, branding, change management, and communications. Before venturing into coaching, he founded Laridae, a management consulting and training firm that has served over 200 clients. As Laridae's inaugural CEO, he transformed the startup into a leading B Corp. Jonathan, also a Special Graduate Faculty at Trent University, contributes his extensive experience as a director to boards like Accerta and CashCo financial. Additionally, Jonathan has held leadership roles in notable organizations, including Chair of the Board of Directors of Ontario Telemedicine Network and the Kawartha Haliburton CAS. An accomplished writer, Jonathan has authored seven books and resides with his family on a lake near Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Episode Highlights:· Anticipate Employee Reactions: Leaders implementing major organizational changes, like mergers, should anticipate varied employee reactions, from excitement to fear. Understanding and addressing these emotions is crucial for successful change management.· Effective Communication is Key: Clear communication is essential. Leaders must not only communicate what will change but also emphasize what will remain unchanged. Using diverse communication channels accommodates different learning styles and calms employee concerns.· Ongoing Dialogue for Support: Change is a process that requires time. Leaders should initiate ongoing dialogues to address employee questions and concerns, emphasizing that the initial announcement is just the beginning of continuous information sharing and support.· Acknowledge Emotional Impact: Leaders often underestimate the emotional impact of changes on employees who were not part of the decision-making process. Acknowledging and understanding this impact is vital for fostering a positive organizational culture during transitions.· Active Leadership Engagement: Senior leaders must actively participate in decision-making during significant changes. Avoiding abdication of decision-making responsibilities ensures alignment of vision and fosters an environment conducive to successful change.Jonathan's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. You can't communicate too often. Decide to overcommunicate and schedule it. 2. Change is hard. Give people the time they need. 3. Be self-aware about how you've dealt with change. You aren't doing it right or wrong and the folks around you aren't doing it right or wrong. You're just doing it your way. Give yourself and others grace and space. How to Connect with Jonathan: Website: https://clearlythen.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennettjonathan/
On today's episode we are talking about how success might be killing your company. Alex Atwood, a purpose-driven entrepreneur, has built a career marked by success in founding and leading four impactful companies. Over two decades, Alex has served over 8,000 satisfied customers in staffing, hospitality, and facilities management. Beyond entrepreneurship, Alex is an angel investor supporting ventures for a better world and a philanthropist, particularly dedicated to family businesses. Engaging in personal growth, Alex participates in Landmark Worldwide coaching and adheres to Nonviolent Communication principles. A diverse range of interests includes meditation, self-exploration modalities, drumming, and a newfound passion for skateboarding. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex's latest venture focuses on providing non-toxic disinfection services, promoting regulatory compliance, and reemploying displaced hospitality workers in the D.C. and Baltimore metro area.Episode Highlights: · Warning Against Complacency: Complacency can lead to stagnation and negatively impact both individual and organizational progress. It can cause a "mortality event" for companies and even entire industries. Examples, such as the transformation of the taxi industry with the rise of ride-sharing, emphasize the need for continuous adaptation.· Transformational Mindset: A transformative mindset involves being continuously curious about possibilities and embracing evolution. It is important to think outside the current framework, fostering creativity, and maintaining an open thought process.· Empowering Culture: Transformative leadership involves empowering employees by creating a culture where curiosity, creativity, and diverse ideas are encouraged. This type of leadership is critical to establishing an authentic, empowering culture within an organization.· Strategic Innovation and Continuous Transformation: Companies need to prioritize strategic innovation and continuously transform, not just in products or services but also in the way they manage their organizations. The key lies in staying ahead of the curve, being receptive to change, and having a genuine commitment to transformation.· Psychedelic Therapeutics and Business Transformation: Business leaders increasingly turn to psychedelic experiences, such as ayahuasca retreats, to break through self-limiting behaviors and enhance their effectiveness, reflecting a broader trend of exploring unconventional practices for personal and professional growth.· Integration of Psychedelic Experiences: The psychedelic journey involves intentional preparation, group interactions, and post-experience discussions, emphasizing the importance of integrating insights gained into daily life for sustained personal growth.· Transformation in Business Analogous to Personal Growth: Examining companies like McDonald's underscores the imperative for businesses to continuously transform and adapt in messaging, branding, and offerings to remain relevant in a dynamic and evolving market.Alex's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Be curious in everything you do.2. Empower others. 3. Have fun. Be more creative and enjoy the work you do because it doesn't need to be a grind. If you're not having fun, you're probably doing it wrong. How to Connect with Alex:Website: https://alexatwood.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexatwood/
On today's episode we are talking about how to help your employees become more resilient. Michele Phillips is a seasoned corporate trainer and transformational personal coach. As President of Key Performance and award-winning author of 'Happiness is a Habit,' Michele has shaped a fulfilling 23-year entrepreneurial career. Her impact extends globally, guiding Fortune 500 companies like TAG Heuer and Pfizer. Michele excels in one-on-one coaching, seamlessly integrating neuroscience, habit formation, and positive psychology to elevate happiness and performance. With a Master's in Organizational Development from Fordham University, Michele's expertise is honed by certifications and mentorship. A sought-after writer and speaker, her book ranked among Amazon's top self-help books in 2017.Episode Highlights: · Empowerment and Recognizing Inner Power: The speaker underscores the importance of empowering individuals to recognize and utilize their inner power, asserting that everyone possesses more power than they realize.· Three-Pronged Approach in Corporate Training: The speaker employs a three-pronged approach in corporate training, including training workshops, individual coaching, and result evaluation to ensure employees make a positive impact.· Continuous Improvement in Project Management: Emphasizing the dynamic nature of project management, the content stresses the importance of continuous improvement, adaptability, and regular reflection, encouraging a commitment to learning from both successes and failures.· Results-Focused Agile Leadership: The speaker advocates for a results-focused approach in leadership, emphasizing regular assessment of project phases, adoption of agile methodologies, and investment in professional development for project teams.· Resilient Leadership and Preparedness: Leaders who value development and provide ongoing support, including training, coaching, and resources, contribute to building resilience in teams. Additionally, preparing employees for economic uncertainty involves keeping skills updated and fostering an adaptable mindset.Michele's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Ask yourself, if you want your business to grow 30%, what are you doing to grow your people 30%?2. As a leader, make sure you have the propensity to develop other people.3. Invest in training and coaching. How to Connect with Michele: Website: www.key2unlock.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michele-phillips-9409707/
On today's episode we are talking about how playing it safe might be killing your company. John Miller is the Founder of Scribewise, a dynamic content marketing agency dedicated to aiding B2B firms and healthcare providers in achieving growth through thought leadership and demand generation. His team of writers, designers, and strategists excels in humanizing complex business conversations by crafting and disseminating compelling, audience-focused content. With a firm belief in courageous marketing, John advocates for breaking free from the mundane and injecting excitement into the business world. His passion extends to his book, a manifesto at PlayingItSafeSucks.com, aimed at inspiring marketers and companies to adopt a bold and impactful mindset.Episode Highlights:Courageous Marketing Manifesto: The book, "Playing It Safe Sucks, A Courageous Marketing Manifesto," challenges the prevailing mindset of playing it safe, emphasizing the importance of making companies stand out, build credibility, and trust. Assessing Risk and Timing: Delving into the concept of risk in marketing, the discussion highlights the importance of assessing the right time for bold marketing moves and the need for internal champions to push innovative ideas.B2B Marketing Focus: The conversation underscores the distinctive aspects of B2B marketing, emphasizing the longer consideration cycle and the need to build trust at scale rather than merely focusing on website traffic or SEO.Effective Communication within Organizations: Addressing the challenges of communicating courageous marketing ideas within organizations, the emphasis is on starting small with experiments, proving concepts, and gradually expanding initiatives. Internal champions and alignment with company culture are vital.Navigating Uncertain Times: The discussion challenges the "Playing It Safe" mentality during uncertain times, urging marketers not to give in to the temptation of playing small. It encourages finding ways to bring innovative ideas to market, even in the face of internal politics and red tape.John's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Be courageous in your marketing.2. For B2B companies, let go of your obsession with website traffic and SEO.3. Don't follow trends or follow the masses. Focus on figuring out your message and audience instead. How to Connect with John: Website: https://scribewise.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmillerscribewise/
On today's episode we are talking about how lack of alignment within your organization might be stunting your growth. Jim Stevenson, Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group, an International Growth Consultants firm, specializes in Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. Committed to making growth the focus of strategy, he excels in creating customer-centric plans, go-to-market strategies, and aligning capabilities for revenue growth. As the visionary behind Tech Startup Machine, Jim collaborates with global brands and startups, providing digital services, from e-commerce to brand protection. Noteworthy clients include Guardian News, Bacardi, and Hilton Hotels. A Thought Leader and Speaker on Digital Strategies, Marketing, and Business, Jim's specialties encompass Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. His versatile roles include Interim/Fractional Chair, CEO, Leader, Consultant, or Coach.Episode Highlights:Cultural Foundation: A strong, shared culture is foundational for a growing company's success. Maintaining this culture becomes challenging as organizations expand, but it is crucial to prevent the formation of silos that hinder overall alignment and productivity.Vision and Leadership Alignment: Continuous emphasis on the North Star or overarching vision is vital for a growing organization. Lack of alignment at the leadership level, including the board, CEO, and C-suite, can lead to divergent objectives and hinder overall progress.OKRs for Strategic Alignment: Implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) is a powerful strategy for aligning teams with overarching company goals. Focusing on challenging OKRs, cascaded from the top down, ensures a balance between aspiration and achievability.Testing and Learning: Embracing a mindset of continuous testing and learning is crucial, especially for smaller entrepreneurial companies. Setting a clear time horizon for metrics and accepting the possibility of mistakes are key to the learning process.Start Small for Big Impact: Initiating change through smaller, impactful projects can have a significant effect when steering a large organization. Proving success on a small scale generates enthusiasm and paves the way for broader and more significant transformations.Jim's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Culture is a big thing.2. Alignment at all levels of the organization is critical.3. Focus on executive sponsorship. How to Connect with Jim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstevenson/
On today's episode we are talking about why you might be killing innovation within your organization. Robyn Bolton, Founder of MileZero, collaborates with medium to large businesses, guiding them through uncertainty to drive revenue growth. With a focus on innovation, she transforms deep customer insights into viable businesses, having worked with notable companies such as Medtronic and Teachers Pay Teachers. Formerly a Partner at Innosight, she served Global 1000 firms, including Nike and Nestle, shaping new markets and business models. Robyn, an MBA graduate from Harvard Business School, began her career at Procter & Gamble, leading the North American launch of Swiffer. A respected thought leader, her articles on innovation appear in major publications, and she frequently speaks on topics like Intrapreneurship and Design Thinking. Episode Highlights:Strategic Innovation for Growth: Innovation is pivotal for organizational growth, addressing the "growth gap" and maintaining competitiveness in dynamic markets.Adapting to Rapid Change: Established companies face the challenge of adapting to accelerated technological change, necessitating quicker innovation cycles for sustained relevance.Clear Definition Drives Alignment: A shared and clear definition of innovation is essential to align diverse perceptions within organizations, ensuring cohesive efforts.Diversified Portfolio Approach: Success in innovation requires a balanced portfolio encompassing incremental, adjacent, and transformative approaches, each demanding specific structures for optimal execution.Leadership's Dual Mandate: Leaders play a pivotal role in maintaining operational efficiency while fostering the adaptability essential for driving and sustaining innovation initiatives.Robyn's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience: 1. Leaders, the tension you feel between operating and innovating is real. You goal now is to figure out how to live with that tension and both operate and innovate in the best way for your organization. 2. Innovation isn't an event. It can start with one, but make sure you have a plan for how to keep the momentum going.3. Get really good at incremental innovation and set up a separate team and structure to focus on adjacent innovation. How to Connect with Robyn:Website: https://www.milezero.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton/
On today's episode we are talking about how communication might be killing your organization.Pam Hurley, PhD, is the founder and president of Hurley Write, Inc., a certified women-owned small business. Pam's teaching style has been described as “energetic” and “straightforward.” Indeed, many clients credit Pam with giving them the strategies they needed to start thinking critically about their own writing. Episode Highlights:Impact of Effective Writing: Effective writing plays a critical role in shaping an organization's reputation, customer relationships, and financial success. Poor writing can lead to confusion, questions, and damage to the company's image.Undervaluation of Writing Skills: Many organizations undervalue the importance of writing skills, expressing a need for quality documents while neglecting to invest in the development of their employees' writing proficiency. There is an assumption that a college education ensures adequate writing skills.Time and Cost Consequences: Poor writing has not only communication quality implications but also significant time and cost repercussions due to repeated document iterations and reviews. This is especially noticeable when employees, such as project managers, are burdened with excessive reviewing responsibilities that detract from their primary roles.Equal Rigor for Internal Communication: Internal communication, encompassing emails and other documents, deserves the same level of scrutiny as client-facing communication. Miscommunication internally can lead to problems, impacting relationships and rapport within the organization.Audience-Centric Writing: Deep understanding of the audience is crucial in effective writing. Knowing the attributes, relationships, and context of the reader aids in tailoring the tone, voice, and content appropriately. This prevents misunderstandings and enhances the overall effectiveness of communication, both internally and externally.Pam's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Think of the organization in terms of the communication. Is there an organizational problem? Do you have a communication standard in place?2. Writing should be part of your overall strategic plan for the company. 3. Always think about the planning of your documents. How to Connect with Pam:Website: https://www.hurleywrite.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hurleywrite/
On today's episode, we are talking about making finance-driven decisions.Paul Barnhurst, known as The FP&A Guy, is a seasoned Finance Professional with over 12 years of experience in finance and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). He holds a bachelor's degree from BYU, an MBA specializing in finance, and a Master of Information Management from Arizona State University. Paul's diverse career spans various industries, including government, travel services, finance, automotive, Cyber Security, and Ecommerce. His expertise lies in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, modeling, report building, and business partnership. Paul recently launched The FP&A Guy, offering FP&A consulting for small and mid-sized companies, FP&A training, and content creation. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, he's an active thought leader on LinkedIn in the FP&A field. Episode Highlights:Financial Modeling for Informed Decisions: Financial modeling is a critical tool for making informed decisions. It involves creating dynamic models with inputs and outputs to estimate the financial implications of various scenarios, such as business expansion. Good financial modeling helps in projecting likely outcomes.Aligning Strategy with Finance: Financial modeling in the corporate context plays a key role in aligning strategic plans with financial considerations. It engages different departments in the budgeting and forecasting process, ensuring that business decisions are financially sound and in line with the company's overall strategy.M&A as an Art and Science: Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) strategies should combine both financial analysis and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Successful M&A deals require discipline to avoid overpaying or making unrealistic assumptions. It's both an art and a science.Building Robust M&A Models: In M&A, success hinges on having a robust financial model, conducting effective due diligence, understanding the strategic fit between companies, and structuring deals intelligently. Consideration of market conditions and future exit strategies is essential.Key Considerations for Informed M&A: When considering M&A, focus on key factors such as financial aspects, the technology state of the target company, cultural fit, legal risks, and understanding industry growth or decline. These considerations are fundamental for making well-informed decisions during mergers and acquisitions. Paul's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Modeling is only one decision-making tool. It should be used to help guide your decisions, not dictate them. 2. Most M&As do not result in a return to the buyer so make sure you bring discipline to your process and try to remove emotion.3. Make sure you're asking your Finance for help. Finance can bring a lot of value, especially if they are willing to learn & partner with the business. How to Connect with Paul:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/ Email: Pbarnhurst@thefpandaguy.comWebsite: www.thefpandaguy.com
On today's episode we are talking about whether you're telling the right story about your brand.Kitty Hart boasts 25 years in branding and marketing. As VP of Client Brand Experience at Heroic Productions, she leads a team of professionals in designing and producing events that convey brand stories, values, and vision. Kitty firmly believes that every brand-customer interaction, be it at corporate events, retail spaces, conference rooms, or websites, is a chance to inspire and engage. She leverages experiential marketing and design thinking to address complex business challenges, providing innovative solutions.Episode Highlights:· Importance of Designing Every Interaction: Effective companies recognize the significance of designing every moment of interaction with their audience, as it directly impacts the perception of their brand.· Control and Consistency: To maintain a positive brand perception, companies need to control and be consistent in how their brand shows up in various instances, ensuring there is no misunderstanding about their brand.· Integration of Design Thinking: Successful companies have integrated design thinking into their business strategies, which is crucial for creating memorable brand experiences.· Listening and Adapting: Monitoring social media and conducting surveys can help companies gauge how well their brand is perceived. If people aren't talking about the brand or are expressing negative sentiments, it may indicate the need for improvements.· Crafting a Clear Brand Story: Companies should craft a clear and compelling brand story, understanding their "why." It's essential to involve a cross-section of the organization to create and maintain a consistent brand message.· Shift in Perspective: To make your brand stand out, shift your focus from products and services to the results and impact on customers. Challenge the status quo and emphasize why you do what you do.· Design and Visuals Matter: High-quality visuals, staging, and technology are crucial for creating engaging and enjoyable corporate events. A well-designed environment enhances the learning experience.· Balancing Content and Engagement: Achieving a balance between informative content and enjoyable elements like entertainment and networking is essential for successful events. Keep attendees engaged and looking forward to future events.Kitty's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Be consistent with your brand no matter what size company you are. 2. Think about the delivery of your product or service. Observe how the delivery is designed from beginning to end (words, visuals, behaviors, etc.)3. Every single brand can use experiential marketing effectively. Look outside of your industry to see what brands are doing, take note of what you find interesting, and see how you can apply it to your business. How to Connect with Kitty:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kittyhart/Email: khart@heroic-productions.comWebsite: www.heroic-productions.com
On today's episode we are talking about how employees' expectations of their companies have shifted, and how companies' mindsets might have to change to stay relevant.Joining us today is Chuck Hogan, Managing Partner at Your Best Life, an organization helping people to elevate finance, family, fitness and faith to maximize their Best Life through mentor strategizing, community and exclusive once in a lifetime experiences. His unique background of sales, business and relationship building gives him a rare perspective that enables him to successfully guide entrepreneurs, CEOS, and other top executives to new heights.Episode Highlights: Embrace Change and Possibility: The importance of embracing change and seeking possibilities, even when it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Staying in a confined space or routine can make one feel claustrophobic, especially for individuals who are free spirits or artists.Recognizing and Leveraging Skills: New-age leader managers are skilled at recognizing and leveraging their employees' unique talents, even if those talents aren't aligned with their passion. They encourage employees to mentor others and share their expertise.Patience and Job Satisfaction: The changing job landscape, where people switch jobs more frequently, may be due to a desire for continuous growth and a focus on self-expression.Balancing Scripted Experiences and Personality: The balance between scripted experiences in customer service and allowing employees to showcase their personalities. It emphasizes that effective communication goes beyond scripted words and involves factors like tone, energy, and intent.Rapid Technological Advancement: Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, causing information to become outdated quickly and changing the expectations of individuals entering the workforce.Shift in Aspirational Figures: Historical business figures like the Carnegies and Vanderbilts no longer serve as the primary role models for aspiring professionals due to the changing nature of work.Infinite Mindset and Just Causes: Younger generations are motivated by an infinite mindset, seeking just causes and movements that align with their values and being willing to make sacrifices for these causes.Impact on Company Culture and Communication: The shift towards more independent or contract-based work can impact company culture. Effective communication and understanding of individual personalities are essential for meeting employees' needs and expectations.Chuck's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Look in the mirror today and give appreciation to yourself. 2. You don't need a better life; you just need different options. You don't “need” to shift, get to “choose” to shift. 3. Get into the habit for time blocking. Set time aside for self-care. Your family and friends need the best of you, not what's left of you. How to Connect with Chuck:Your Best Life Website: www.YBLNow.comEmail: Chuck@YBLNow.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-hogan-b8610148/
On today's episode we are talking about whether you should be considering return to work.Doug Camplejohn, a seasoned tech executive and entrepreneur, is the Founder and CEO of Airspeed, a platform for enhancing employee connections and recognition. With leadership experience at LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Salesforce, Doug is also an investor and advisor to startups. He's a frequent speaker at industry events and is passionate about leveraging technology for innovation and improvement. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University.Episode Highlights: Return to Work Dynamics: The discussion on returning to work highlights diverse perspectives, including those in favor, against, and undecided on the matter.Motivations for Returning to Work: The motivations behind companies pushing for a return to the office are explored, including factors like real estate concerns, habit, and potential mistrust.Flexibility and Hybrid Work: The importance of workplace flexibility is exemplified by Apple's approach of making remote work an earned privilege based on performance.Fostering Connection: Strategies for fostering connection in remote and hybrid work environments are discussed, including techniques like Ice Breakers, which help team members get to know each other on a personal level beyond work-related discussions.Building Relationships and Mentorship: Building relationships in a remote work setting can be challenging, but it's essential for mentorship and personal growth. The conversation suggests that employees should proactively seek out mentors and engage with colleagues through tools like virtual meetings and apps designed for connecting people.Remote Work Offers a Global Talent Pool: The ability to hire talent from around the world is a major benefit of remote work. This global talent pool allows companies to find and employ individuals with the skills they need without being restricted to a specific geographic location.Work-Life Harmony: Companies should emphasize "work-life harmony" rather than "work-life balance." Remote work allows employees to have more flexibility in managing their work schedules to accommodate personal commitments, ultimately leading to happier and more balanced lives.Doug's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. You can't leave culture to chance; you have to be deliberate. 2. Culture isn't about words on a plaque. People are everything. 3. The role of startup CEOs, and even managers in larger corporations, is MVP (Money, Vision, People). For Resources Mentioned in this Episode: https://b.link/corporatecprHow to connect with Doug:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camplejohn/Email: d@getairspeed.com
On today's episode we are talking about why you may not be hearing your employees.Marsha Acker is known internationally as a facilitator of meaningful conversations, a host of dialogue, and a passionate agilest. Through her keynotes, books, workshops, and leadership coaching, she empowers leaders around the world to show up authentically in their lives and work — and to grow their leadership range so they can create sustainable, intentional, and positive impact. Drawing on systems thinking, structural dynamics, agility, and over 25 years' experience in the field helping leaders and teams collaborate and align, she developed Build Your Model for Leading Change to support those stepping into new leadership roles and responsibilities.Episode Highlights:Front Page Crisis in Leadership: The concept of a "front page crisis," is where leaders must deal with high-stakes situations and receive feedback from employees that becomes public news. This emphasizes the importance of effective leadership during critical moments.Communication Styles Matter: "Structural dynamics" can be a framework for understanding communication styles, including power, affect, and meaning. Leaders need to recognize and adapt to these communication domains to improve their effectiveness in various situations.Childhood Stories Impact Leadership: Childhood experiences often shape how leaders respond in professional settings. Exploring and understanding these early stories can help leaders navigate their communication patterns and behaviors more effectively in the workplace.Three Operating Systems:Open System: Encourages open dialogue and participation from all.Closed System: Involves hierarchical decision-making with limited autonomy.Random System: Emphasizes autonomy and fosters innovation Four Conversation Actions:Move: Sets direction and proposes new ideas.Follow: Supports existing ideas.Oppose: Provides a different perspective or correction.Bystand: Offers neutral observations.Identifying Communication Issues:Repetitive Conversations: Repeated discussions without resolution signal communication problems.Resistance to Opposition: If opposing viewpoints aren't welcomed, diversity in discussions is lacking.Subtle Signs of Concern: Unvoiced concerns may manifest as topic shifts or silence in meetings.Marsha's Top 2 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Separate the What from the How in meetings and conversations. What is the topic and how are people engaging?2. Catch yourself when you start to defend your point of view. Instead, try to bring inquiry into the conversation.How to connect with Marsha:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marsha-acker-3486a72Website: www.buildyourmodel.com
On today's episode we are talking about the introverted leader and how they can drive a successful organization.Jodi Lasky is a seasoned entrepreneur, coach, and author with extensive knowledge in neuropsychology, accountability, productivity, and introversion. Drawing on her background in Communication, Culture, and Technology, as well as law, Jodi has dedicated her career to understanding leadership and personal tendencies. Her coaching program, 'The Introvert Founder', leverages her understanding to help introverted entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business success, encouraging them to work in harmony with their natural tendencies rather than battling against them.Episode Highlights: Introverts Process Internally: Introverted leaders often think deeply and make decisions internally before speaking, which can result in thoughtful and well-considered responses.Value of Silence in Meetings: Recognizing the importance of silence in meetings allows for more thoughtful discussions and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to contribute effectively.Effective Opening Questions: Introverted leaders can foster meaningful connections by using opening questions that encourage substantial conversations, bypassing small talk.Respect Non-Working Time: Introverts value their non-working time for recharging, and leaders should be mindful not to expect constant communication outside regular working hours.Empathy and Awareness: Introverts often possess heightened awareness, making them skilled at reading body language and understanding subtle cues, which can enhance empathy and understanding in leadership roles.Jodi's Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:1. Introversion is not shyness. Don't look at a shy person and assume they are introverted and don't look at a person who is speaking and assume they are an extrovert. 2. Use the people around you to remember the things you need to follow up on. Remember to interact with your people. 3. Meet people where they are. Leaders need to adjust their style, not expect others to adjust to theirs. How to connect with Jodi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodilasky/Website: https://introvertfounder.com/
On today's episode we are talking about how you can understand your digital health and why it's important. Sharon Park is a visionary leader and a seasoned marketer with over 15 years of experience in the digital marketing industry. She has a proven track record of building profitable and scalable marketing programs for B2C and SaaS companies, leveraging her deep expertise in Google Ads, AI, and ML. She is also a passionate entrepreneur and a recognized influencer in the MarTech space, with a mission to empower medium and enterprise businesses with cutting-edge marketing technology.As the CEO of Sage Digi, Sharon leads an elite team of marketing consultants specializing in performance advertising campaigns and analytics infrastructure. She applies her pattern recognition of Google's algorithms and her innovative approach to storytelling to create growth engines that catapult lead generation and retention performance. Key Takeaways:Understanding Digital Health: Digital health encompasses various aspects, but in this context, it primarily refers to website health and digital marketing performance, including organic and paid traffic.Assessing Website Health: To determine if your website is healthy, start by checking your domain authority score using tools like SEMrush. This score indicates how Google views your website's importance.Balancing Organic and Paid Traffic: For businesses, achieving a balance between organic (unpaid) and paid traffic is crucial. A 50-50 ratio between the two is a good benchmark for companies with substantial revenue.Connecting Strategy to Revenue Growth: Align your website and paid advertising strategy with your company's revenue goals. Monitor metrics like Google Ads impression share to ensure you're winning auctions and reaching potential customers effectively.Focusing on the Funnel: Implement a full-funnel marketing approach, starting with building brand awareness at the top of the funnel, followed by nurturing leads in the middle, and closing sales at the bottom.Resilience Through Brand Building: Investing in top-of-funnel marketing builds resilience during economic downturns by establishing trust and recognition among your target audience.Avoiding Corporate Mortality: Protecting your performance budget and consistently investing in mid to upper funnel marketing can help your business weather tough times and maintain a competitive edge.Avoiding Common Mistakes: Avoid relying on multiple sources of revenue data, getting stuck in analysis paralysis, or failing to ask tough questions about website health and performance.The Timeline for SEO: Understand that SEO is a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort and patience. Results may take months or even years to materialize, but the investment is worth it.Choosing Advertising Platforms: When starting with advertising, prioritize platforms like Google Ads for immediate returns. As you generate profits, expand into awareness-building channels like LinkedIn or display advertising.Top 3 Takeaways:The time to get started on your digital health is now.Don't do it by yourself. Bring on an agency you trust and who pledges transparency to you.Create content (a newsletter, a blog, a webinar). It pays dividends in the future. How to connect with Sharon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/presidentsharon/ Website: https://sagedigi.com/
On today's episode we are talking about how you have control over your organizations predictability and how that's a measure of success. Luis Scott prides himself in growth. Whether it's in his personal life or professional life, he is always looking to find the slight edge that will put him ahead of the competition. An avid reader, he reads over 50 books per year on personal development. Luis believes this habit over the last 10 years has positioned him in multiple organizations to double and even triple their revenues. As the managing attorney of the firm, he manages over 150 employees and contractors around the state and has led the firm to be recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the fastest growing businesses in the State of Georgia.Key Takeaways:Predictability is the Ultimate Peace of Mind: Creating predictability in business operations, especially in finances and outcomes, leads to peace of mind for both individuals and organizations. It ensures that tomorrow is not a guessing game and that essential needs can be met.Grit and Consistency: Achieving long-term predictability requires consistency and perseverance. Dr. Angela Duckworth's concept of "grit" emphasizes the ability to perform monotonous tasks consistently over an extended period without losing enthusiasm.Routine and Intentionality: Establishing a daily routine and adhering to it intentionally can contribute to personal and professional predictability. This routine can include habits like waking up early, regular exercise, and structured workdays.Operational Predictability: Businesses should focus on creating efficient systems, policies, and procedures to maintain operational predictability. Standardization of processes and employee training are essential components.Leadership's Role: Effective leadership is crucial in translating the company's vision and mission throughout all levels of the organization. Leaders should ensure that employees at every level understand and align with the organization's goals to create a cohesive and predictable workforce.Leadership and Intention Matter: Effective leadership and a clear intention are crucial for a company's success. Leadership should prioritize the customer experience and be committed to building great people within the organization.Details Matter: Paying attention to the details can make a significant difference in the success of a business. Neglecting details can lead to negative impacts on the company's reputation and customer experience.Maintain Identity and Differentiation: Companies should maintain their identity and focus on what makes them unique. Trying to compete on multiple fronts without a clear differentiator can lead to confusion and loss of market share.Tribe-Like Culture: Building a strong company culture where employees feel connected and aligned with the company's mission is essential. This sense of belonging and shared purpose can drive the company forward.Long-Term Perspective: Both employees and employers should adopt a long-term perspective. Employees should aim to build expertise and meaning in their careers, and employers should invest in their employees for the long haul, as this can lead to more significant success and growth in the future.Top 3 Takeaways:Leadership is important. And everyone can be a leader. It's just a matter of loving what you do and loving the people you serve. Look for meaning, not just happiness. Companies grow when they dedicate themselves to growing people not just building profits. How to connect with Luis: Website: https://luisscottjr.com/
On today's episode we are talking about how every leader can influence a company's employee engagement. Paul ter Wal is a seasoned consultant, speaker, and author and founder of ANDARE (now Ter Wal Beheer BV). His journey has evolved from sick leave reduction to transforming company culture, amplition, and engagement. Pioneering "Value-to-Profit," he aligns core values with employees' essentials for heightened profitability. Backed by scientific roots, his model fosters vibrant cultures, engagement, and profitability. His approach empowers organizations to implement innovative engagement, vitality, and sick leave strategies, guided by the 7 keys of Talent Management Engagement as ROI.Paul is a guest lecturer at Maastricht University, Masters Work, Health and Career and is registered as a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) with the organisation Professional Speakers Australia and a Fellow (FPSA) with the Professional Speaking Association in Great Britain and Ireland.Key Takeaways: Global Engagement: Workforce engagement levels vary globally. About 15% of employees worldwide are fully engaged, with differences in engagement seen across regions like Europe, South Asia, the US, and Canada.Generational Impact: Generational differences influence work attitudes. Older generations valued duty, while younger ones prioritize personal fulfillment. Leaders must adapt to these shifts when motivating and engaging their teams.Evolving Leadership: Leaders now facilitate and support teams rather than simply excelling individually. Many leaders promoted for skills lack vital leadership abilities needed for effective team engagement.ABC of Engagement: Autonomy, Belonging, and Competencies drive engagement. Leaders should offer decision-making autonomy, create belongingness, and foster skill development.Non-Negotiable Values: Organizations need core values that guide purpose. Hiring should align with these values, promoting belongingness and engagement.Leaders' Vital Role: Effective leadership involves understanding each team member's strengths, nurturing development, aligning personal and organizational purposes, and ensuring open communication.Personalized Conversations: Engaging conversations with both high and underperforming employees offer insights for better team dynamics and performance. Informal settings encourage candid exchanges.Effective Communication: Open and active communication builds trust. Relaxed settings like walking meetings enable honest discussions.Recognition and Feedback: Recognizing achievements and offering feedback drive engagement. Positive feedback sessions focusing on strengths encourage growth ownership.Top 3 Takeaways: Stop talking about human resources. Nowadays we talk about human beings. Change negative issues into a positive approach.Take your position as a leader seriously because you're there to support and facilitate employees. How to connect with Paul:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaulterWalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulterwal/
Peter Voss is a Serial Entrepreneur, Engineer, Inventor, and AI Pioneer who famously coined the term ‘AGI' (Artificial General Intelligence) alongside fellow luminaries. Beginning with electronics engineering, he transitioned to software, achieving a significant feat by leading a comprehensive ERP company from zero to a 400-person IPO within seven years. Motivated by software's delicacy, Peter embarked on a journey over 15 years ago, delving into intelligence's essence, its human development, and AI's contemporary landscape. This endeavor culminated in the birth of a natural language intelligence engine, capable of thinking, learning, reasoning, adapting, and growing alongside users.Currently, he is focused on advancing the second iteration of AGI-driven 'Conversational AI' technology, now presented as 'Aigo' (pronounced: I-go).Key Takeaways:Advances in Conversational AI: Newer chatbots with contextual understanding, memory, and reasoning are revolutionizing interactions, overcoming limitations of traditional flowchart-based bots.Language Nuances and Effectiveness: Detecting emotions and tone enhances chatbot responses, but the core challenge is making them genuinely helpful.AI's Spectrum and Practicality: AI spans diverse technologies, demanding careful implementation amidst the hype. Complexities in business contexts often overshadow AI's potential.Implementation Challenges: Large language models like ChatGPT have limitations, generating incorrect info. Vital industries require human oversight due to accuracy concerns.Balancing Adoption and Caution: Businesses must balance AI adoption with suitability, focusing on value addition while acknowledging risks and limitations.Realistic AI Expectations: Hype around AI, like ChatGPT, will decline as understanding grows. Swift replacement of professionals by AI is unrealistic.Human Expertise Vital: AI assists but lacks complex comprehension. Human experts remain crucial for intricate decision-making and nuanced scenarios.AI for Idea Generation: ChatGPT aids idea generation, content creation, but human review is essential for error correction.AI's Industry Impact: AI reshapes industries via automation. Valuable in content creation, AI won't fully replace human creativity.Balancing Automation and Humanity: AI streamlines, yet human touch remains crucial in interactions. Seamless transitions between AI and human involvement are the goal.Top 3 Takeaways:There is a lot to be excited about with the future of AI, especially AGI.AGI will become more capable of human-like thinking, learning, and reasoning.Peter envisions a future where there are highly personalized AI assistants, referred to as a "personal personal personal assistant." The assistant will tailor interactions based on individual relationships and share information selectively. This comprehensive assistant aims to enhance user experiences and simplify engagement with technology and services. How to connect with Peter:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vosspeter/Website: https://aigo.ai
On today's episode we are talking about how to drive growth in your organization. Bocar Dia resides at the crossroads of investing and hands-on guidance for portfolio founders during the initial stages of development, encompassing go-to-market strategies, founder-driven sales, and fundraising. As a founding member of Hootsuite's Enterprise product team, he was instrumental in propelling the business to surpass $150M+ in revenue and establish a workforce of 2,000+ within a swift seven years.Episode Highlights:Gradual Market Penetration: Hootsuite's growth journey from unique verticals to broader markets. Started by targeting sectors with social media needs, like media, building a core foundation.Core Vertical Strategy: Develop a focused playbook for growth. Predictably build pipeline, convert prospects, ensure customer success. Clear ICP, persona, value prop for consistent growth.Scaling New Verticals: Meticulous approach to new markets. Form "target team" to validate pain points, build solutions. Focus solely on understanding challenges.Market Validation: Validate demand before scaling. Refine product for vertical needs. Expand after $1M in sales, integrate into core sales.Iterative Customer Development: Understand new markets through customer development. Validate pain points, gather feedback, partner with lighthouse accounts for solution refinement. Ask for feedback, not sell.Partnership Approach: Form early partnerships with potential clients. Engage lighthouse accounts for product development, validation. Build early customer relationships.Balancing Launch: Controlled launch post refining. Avoid wide launch until sales optimized, predictable process established. Use waitlists for sales strategy tuning.Metrics and Unit Economics: Product viability via unit economics. LTV to CAC ratio for venture-scale. Analyze feedback, demand, economics for pivot, refine, or scale decisions.Strategic Differentiation: Unique entry in saturated markets. Technical or distribution edge. Clear, tangible advantage, backed by data.Quantifiable Value Proposition: Stand out with quantifiable value. Show clear ROI (2X, 3X, 10X) in crowded markets. Compelling ROI sought by executives before product commitment. Top 3 Takeaways:Check out the book series from Winning by Design. Lots of good topics related to different roles. If you're building a company, look at the work of Mark Roberge who teaches at the Harvard Business School. His book, The Sales Acceleration Formula is a good place to start. If you're leading an organization that is more self-serve motion on the customer side, check out the guides from OpenView Ventures.How to get in touch with Bocar:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bocardia/ To find out more about Forum Ventures: https://www.forumvc.com
On today's episode we are talking about how to get your leadership team from good to great.Over the past thirty-five years, Aneace Haddad has launched and built technology companies in the US, Europe, and Asia and has hired, mentored, or coached hundreds of senior executives and their teams. He is a former tech chairman and CEO who reinvented himself over a decade ago, after discovering a love for coaching and facilitation. Today, he helps leaders learn to inspire and motivate a diverse workforce, influence ever-changing internal and external stakeholders, and adapt to fast-changing markets and conditions. He believes change, transition, and reinvention give executives a priceless opportunity to grow, transform, and expand the definition of who they are.Having lived in six countries across four continents, Aneace now resides in Singapore with his wife and two stepchildren. Episode Highlights:Going from Good to Great: Exploring the shift from being good to achieving greatness, especially post-COVID. Crucible moments prompt individuals and teams to reevaluate their commitment and purpose.Power of Crucible Moments: Moments of pressure and change push teams towards transformative shifts in perspective, values, and priorities.Team Alignment: Building trust, vulnerability, and authenticity within teams is key for transformation. Aligning on shared goals and must-win battles reveals differing perspectives.Enterprise Mindset: Shifting from individual focus to an enterprise-wide mindset fosters high-performance by recognizing collective ownership.Vulnerability Drives Growth: Encouraging vulnerability and authenticity accelerates change by connecting team members on a human level.Conflict and Collaboration: Comfort with healthy conflict enhances decision-making, fostering better teamwork and problem-solving.Time Management and Rigor: Punctuality and efficient time use reflect organizational rigor and a commitment to continuous improvement.COVID Challenges and Alignment: Aligning teams during challenging times enhances cohesion and performance beyond mere survival.Transformational Leadership: Personal growth parallels organizational transformation. Leaders embracing change, learning, and vulnerability lead teams to success.Human-Centric Excellence: True greatness involves empathy and care, moving beyond metrics to connect on a deeper human level.Top Takeaway:Self-reflection is powerful. There is a huge amount of proven benefit by watching your own emotions and taking beginning to look at it as feedback so that it's telling you what's going on underneath and then you can start to separate from them. I don't know how the brain can function in a very complex world if we're busy, busy, busy all the time.How to get in touch with Aneace:Website: www.aneace.comBuy his book: Buy his book: The Eagle That Drank Hummingbird Nectar: A Novel About Personal Transformation in Business Leaders
Carla Fowler, MD PhD is the Founder and Managing Director of THAXA, an executive coaching firm that helps people achieve big goals through performance science. Carla graduated from Brown University magna cum laude, earned her MD and PhD at the University of Washington, and completed her internship in general surgery at Stanford University.She founded THAXA to share her passion for performance science, where the fields of strategy, productivity, and psychology intersect.Outside of THAXA, Carla is an angel investor specializing in medtech and biotech with a portfolio of over a dozen investments. She is also an active member of Social Venture Partners, Rotary, Washington Women's Foundation, Alliance of Angels, and Keiretsu.Key Takeaways:Performance Science Definition: Performance science is a multidisciplinary field that explores how human beings achieve their best results in various domains, including athletics, business, and the military.Impact of Clarity: Lack of clarity inhibits success. Creating explicit goals and recognizing achievements motivates teams and helps them understand their roles in the bigger picture.Importance of Taking Time to Think: Setting aside time for reflection and strategic thinking is vital for clarifying objectives and making informed decisions.Creating Space for Clarity: Engaging in activities like journaling, meditation, or walks provides space for creative insights and clarity.Uninterrupted Thinking Time: Allocating quiet and uninterrupted time for thinking allows for focused reflection and strategic planning.Using Prompts for Productive Thinking: Thought-provoking prompts guide the thinking process and prevent stagnation.Embracing Uncertainty: Leaders foster an attitude of embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for growth and learning, enhancing adaptability.Running Good Experiments: Approaching uncertainty with experiments helps teams learn from outcomes and make better decisions.Balanced Problem-Solving Approach: Listing potential solutions, evaluating against criteria, and conducting small tests before committing fully helps in effective decision-making.Impact of Sleep and Nutrition: Adequate sleep and proper nutrition are essential for mental and emotional performance, leading to better decision-making and reduced stress.Top Three Takeaways: Clarity: Ensure clear objectives, focused priorities, and effective communication both upward and downward in the chain of command.Embrace Uncertainty: Foster a culture that embraces uncertainty and trains teams to be comfortable with it. Encourage running good experiments to learn from outcomes and make better decisions.Combat Disengagement: Provide growth opportunities and visibility for both teams and leaders to prevent boredom and stagnation, enhancing overall engagement and performance.For resources discussed in this episode: https://www.thaxa.com/p/corporate-cprHow to Connect with Carla:Website: https://www.thaxa.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fowler/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarlaFowler
On today's episode we are talking about how organizations need to get a stronger change discipline. Jennifer Ayres, founder, and CEO of Senscient, is a culture and change expert. She and her senior-level team design and deliver deliberate, calibrated engagements that optimize meaning at work for every individual and ignites peak performance throughout the organization. Jennifer has over 20 years global management consulting experience, much of it focused helping leaders in organizations unlock the magic in their organization. She is results oriented with a proven track record for partnering with leaders to define vision and align cultural behaviors to business outcomes. Jennifer is often engaged to lead complex, challenging organizational transformations in unstructured and emerging situations. She specializes in leadership alignment, executive coaching, organizational development, and change management.Key Takeaways:1. Case studies are essential for understanding the reasons behind failed change initiatives and improving change management practices.2. Unsuccessful change initiatives often result from inadequate planning, unclear business outcomes, and poor stakeholder engagement.3. Pressure from leaders and urgent business needs can lead to rushed planning and exclusion of key stakeholders.4. Properly explaining the "why" of the change during project kickoffs is crucial to avoid confusion, apathy, and disengagement among employees.5. To overcome resistance and improve projects, organizations should provide training and awareness for technology-focused teams and promote an IT business partner mindset.6. Re-engaging stakeholders and thorough planning can lead to successful change implementations and improved project outcomes.7. Transparency and acknowledging challenges are vital for successful engagements.8. When facing difficulties, leaders should pause and gather more perspectives from stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the project.9. Managing naysayers, especially influential individuals, requires empathy, curiosity, and psychological safety to foster trust and open communication.10. The psychological impact of change on employees must be considered and nurtured throughout the project to build a positive culture.Additionally, the conversation provided the following insights on effective communication and the role of change teams and champions:1. Effective communication requires considering different channels and subcultures within the organization to reach all stakeholders.2. Holistic change management goes beyond just training and communications, involving intentional communities like engagement networks and change agent groups.3. Ensure that change teams and champions understand their remit and have visible support from senior leaders to increase their effectiveness.Top 3 Takeaways:1. If you are a leader responsible for change at your organization, make sure you really focus on the "why."2. There is a cost to addressing change, but a bigger cost to not implemented change. 3. Assume positive intent for people going into these programs. There is a reason they are resisting change. How to get in touch with Jennifer:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercahillayres/Website: https://senscientglobal.com/Email: hello@sencientglobal.com
On today's episode, we discuss how organizations need to adapt or die.Angela Johnson is a “professional people geek” with over 25+ years of experience working with teams and leaders in both project management and Agile environments. As a Scrum Master, she found her passion in helping teams and leaders work together more effectively. In 2010, she founded Collaborative Leadership Team, offering Agile education and coaching services to start-ups, Fortune 100 and 500 companies. Angela's expertise extends beyond Scrum to include Kanban, eXtreme Programming, Facilitation, and Organizational Change. She is a Certified Scrum Trainer® and Certified LeSS Practitioner with a background in Communication and Management. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Angela is a proud mom, wife, and teammate. Key Takeaways:Agile and Scrum methodologies were developed to address challenges in delivering value faster and reducing rework. They have become popular in the technology world for their ability to adapt to changing needs.Agile frameworks like Scrum promote transparency, making work visible and breaking down silos. This enhances communication, avoids misunderstandings, and minimizes wasted time and rework.Agile emphasizes breaking work into smaller, manageable chunks, allowing for faster feedback loops and early issue identification. This enables quicker value delivery and eliminates the need for lengthy development cycles.Agile and Scrum enable organizations to adapt quickly to market changes. By pivoting based on real-time feedback, organizations reduce the risk of delivering products or services that no longer meet market demands.Agile and Scrum value effective communication and collaboration, while still emphasizing the importance of documenting shared understanding and agreements.Agile is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's important to assess whether Agile methodologies align with the specific business problem and context. Instead of blindly following Agile methods, organizations should identify their actual problem and goals, ensuring the chosen approach serves their purpose.Agile principles, such as transparency, iteration, and daily check-ins, can benefit various organizational contexts beyond software development, improving communication and efficiency.Limiting work in progress and prioritizing tasks effectively enhances productivity and value delivery, avoiding the scenario where everything is a priority, but nothing gets done effectively.Empowering teams and fostering shared knowledge leads to higher engagement and productivity. Cross-training and trust reduce dependency on individual expertise and prevent bottlenecks.Transparency and adaptability are crucial in times of change and challenge. By being transparent, exploring options, and adapting together, organizations can successfully navigate obstacles and ensure their survival and successTop 3 Takeaways:1. If everything is “priority”, nothing is. Pick one thing that's going to get you focused and you're going to see more productivity.2. Schedule more frequent check-ins. Be more transparent. 3. Team = we, not me. If you deem yourself an expert in something you should be able to teach. How to connect with Angela:Website: https://thescrummasterfiles.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelajohnsonscrumtrainer/
On today's show we talk about how to drive hypergrowth within organizations. Kurt Uhlir is a globally recognized marketer, operator, and speaker. With extensive speaking experience, he has delivered dynamic speeches across the US and Europe, including notable events like PPAI, GDC, and the White House. Kurt advises leaders, from startup founders to CEOs and even the US President. He is a popular commentator, having appeared on national TV shows and in publications such as Wired, TechCrunch, and USA Today. Kurt's accomplishments include building multimillion-dollar businesses, leading IPOs, and engaging in acquisitions. He is known for his ability to develop early-stage initiatives into successful enterprises through the power of B2B storytelling. Outside of work, Kurt is dedicated to mentoring and coaching individuals and groups, aiming to create supportive environments for personal growth.Hypergrowth: Hypergrowth refers to a significant increase in revenue within a short period, such as 10x or even 50x or 100x growth. It involves scaling a business rapidly and requires careful planning and preparation.Assessing scalability: Companies need to assess whether they have the potential to scale their operations. This assessment involves identifying potential bottlenecks or areas that would break if there was a massive inflow of customers or revenue. Customer success as a starting point: When preparing for hypergrowth, it is important to prioritize customer success. Evaluating and improving customer success processes, such as account management and training, can lay the foundation for scaling the business effectively. Infrastructure and support: Scaling a business requires a solid infrastructure to support the increased demand. This includes considerations such as supply chain, customer support, banking relationships, and automation. Employee retention and development: Hypergrowth can lead to attrition and employee burnout if not managed properly. Investing in employee growth and development, including training and leadership programs, is crucial to retain and support the existing team.Undervaluing products/services: Don't undervalue what you offer, especially for small companies. The idea of continuously raising prices until people no longer buy can be a strategy to test the perceived value of your product.Cultivating diverse perspectives: Having peers or team members with different backgrounds and experiences can provide valuable insights and help identify blind spots in your business. By sharing knowledge and learning from others, you can gain a fresh perspective and improve your operations.Adapting culture for growth: Larger organizations may face challenges in achieving hypergrowth if they have a culture of micromanagement and lack a permission structure for trying new things. To unlock hypergrowth, such companies may need to undergo a significant culture change, which often requires a change in leadership.Vision alignment and individual meaning: To ensure everyone is aligned and committed to achieving hypergrowth, leaders must communicate the company's vision and help individuals identify their personal reasons for being part of the organization. Balancing structure and agility: Having structured processes and systems is important for scaling and managing rapid growth. However, maintaining agility and responsiveness is also crucial. Balancing the two requires hiring individuals with complementary skills.Top 3 Takeaways:Adopt a high achieving servant leadership approach. Start net weaving over networking.Do for one what you wish you could do for many. Connect with Kurt:Website: www.kurtuhlir.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kurtuhlir
On today's show we talk about how to have staying power. Steven Gaffney is the founder, president, and CEO of the Steven Gaffney Company, a leading specialist in internal communication tactics that help manage and maintain change. He works with top executives and leaders in industry and government, helping organizations like NASA and Citigroup increase morale and productivity to collaborate and succeed in their goals. Steven is the author of six books, including Be a Change Champion: 10 Factors for Sustaining the Boom and Avoiding the Bust of Change. Key Takeaways:Unspoken Communication: Addressing the unsaid is crucial for improving communication and organizational dynamics. By encouraging open dialogue and addressing underlying issues, organizations can foster better understanding and collaboration among team members.Conditionally Powerful vs. Unconditionally Powerful: Being unconditionally powerful means focusing on what can be done to overcome challenges, regardless of existing conditions. It involves taking proactive actions and not letting external factors limit one's capabilities and potential for success.Awareness and Responsibility: Making individuals aware of their conditional mindset empowers them to take 100% responsibility for their actions and reactions. By recognizing the influence, they have over their own lives, individuals can proactively make changes and take control of their outcomes.Controlling the Self: The only thing individuals can truly control is themselves. By focusing on their own behavior and reactions, individuals can positively influence the dynamics around them and contribute to a more positive and productive environment.Quitting vs. Persevering: The decision to quit or persevere is personal, but claiming to have tried everything can limit potential growth. It is important to remain open to new possibilities, solutions, and experiences, even when faced with challenges, in order to continue progressing and achieving goals.Learning from experiences: Analyzing past successes and failures helps identify what works and what doesn't. By drawing lessons from experiences, individuals and organizations can improve their strategies and approaches in the future.Expanding the frame: Considering the bigger picture and ultimate goals when facing challenges allows for the exploration of new possibilities and alternative approaches. By broadening the perspective, individuals can find innovative solutions and make better decisions.Taking action and iterating: High-performing teams prioritize taking action and iterating quickly. They value progress over endless discussions, enabling them to test different approaches, gather feedback, and make adjustments for continuous improvement.Motivation through speed: Taking action and making progress, even if imperfect, creates momentum and a sense of achievement. Speed can inspire and energize individuals and teams, leading to improved quality and market responsiveness through faster feedback loops.Bias for action: Having a bias for action involves prioritizing tangible steps forward over excessive planning or indecision. It encourages a mindset of agility, adaptability, and continuous improvement.Top Three Takeaways:1. Be unconditionally powerful – make the unaware aware. 2. Focus on honest communication. Get that unsaid said. 3. Create high achieving teams versus high performing teams. How to get in touch with Steven:Email: info@stevengaffney.comWebsite: https://www.stevengaffney.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevengaffneycompany
Sean Campbell is a well-regarded consultant, speaker, author, trainer, mentor, educator, founder and CEO of Cascade Insights. He's delivered talks for Fortune 50 companies and top tier conferences around the world and has written extensively on technology and business topics.He's been a professional services firm owner for more than 20 years. He specializes in helping organizations find success and opportunity in the B2B tech sector via market research insights, smart strategy, and powerful messaging.Top Takeaways:Effective writing skills are crucial in remote sales as there is less face-to-face contact with potential clients. Many sellers lack the ability to write persuasively and concisely in their emails, which hinders their success.Remote sales require sellers to rely more on written communication to convince prospects, schedule meetings, and convey their value proposition. The ability to write cogent and compelling emails becomes essential in establishing meaningful connections.The shift to remote sales revealed a lack of writing proficiency among some sales professionals. The absence of in-person interactions exposed the limited writing skills of colleagues who relied on face-to-face communication to get their message across.Specialization and narrow focus are key to standing out among the overwhelming volume of emails prospects receive. Instead of attempting to sell multiple offerings in a single email, sellers should identify the one thing they do exceptionally well and align it with the prospects' pain points or objectives.Understanding the reader is crucial in writing effective sales emails. Sellers should prioritize researching and studying their prospects to create personalized messages that address their specific needs, challenges, and interests. The value of an email is determined by the reader's perception, and tailoring the message to resonate with their priorities is paramount.The ability to sell virtually is becoming a crucial skill that salespeople will need to have permanently. Virtual selling provides opportunities for efficiency and effectiveness, even if face-to-face meetings are possible.Building relationships and connections can still be done virtually, but there is value in in-person interactions, especially for brainstorming sessions or complicated projects. Being in proximity with one another allows for organic conversations and relationship building that is harder to replicate digitally.Virtual communication requires different management skills. Managers need to learn how to effectively manage teams remotely and create an environment where employees feel comfortable admitting when they don't know something. This encourages open communication and problem-solving.The productivity challenges during remote work may not be solely attributed to employees' time management but can also be a result of the loss of in-person interactions and relationships. Companies need to find ways to bridge this gap and foster collaboration and connection in a virtual environment.The return to the office debate should consider both the advantages of in-person interactions and the skills that can be developed and leveraged in a virtual setting. There are valid arguments for both remote work and office-based work, and finding a balance that suits the needs of the organization and its employees is essential.Top 3 Takeaways:1. Read and watch things you disagree with. 2. Learn how to write better. 3. If you're remote, pick up the phone. Connect with Sean:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancampbell/Website: https://www.cascadeinsights.comEmail: sean@cascadeinsights.com&l
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