In Process Podcast

John Sheppard's 30-year career has prepared him well for the calamities of 2020. So, when the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa wanted a seasoned executive to talk about managing through a crisis, Sheppard got the call. In the 1990s, Sheppard was about a week into his new job as president of Coca-Cola’s European Division when the company was forced to recall over 15 million bottles of Coke after it was suspected of making over 100 school children sick. The largest product recall in history began to unfold, and he was at the center of it. Every company experiences crises. And whether it’s a worldwide pandemic or a temporary manufacturing glitch, the fundamentals of crisis management are the same. John weathered that early crisis and went on to have a successful career at Cola-Cola spanning nearly two decades. Today, he is the CEO and president of OttLite Technologies, a company that makes LED lights calibrated reduce eyestrain and improve wellness. They’re also preparing to launch a product that uses light to sanitize surfaces.   OttLight has faced multiple crises on several fronts starting in 2018 when it fell victim to a fraud scheme involving its China-based manufacturer. Then its biggest customer cut its inventory by 70%. Then it got hit by Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports. And then came coronavirus.   One might call this a perfect storm of crises. But John’s early experiences prepared him well. Join host Evelyn Ashley for "Managing Through Crisis: 2020"

This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley and Partner John Monahon lead a new podcast series on leading during COVID-19: planning and action. Their first guest was Jane Gentry, CEO of Fusion, an experiential and trade show staffing company. During the course of the podcast, C-level executives and business owners will learn about: How to lead your organization during this unprecedented health pandemic – COVID-19 How Fusion brainstormed pivoting ideas to reinvent their business during COVID-19 to survive Why staying connected to clients and furloughed employees is a good thing Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this podcast episode? Please give a review, this will help our show be found by other people. Do you have any questions about this episode or any other episode that you have listened to? Please email Trusted Counsel at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com. We will respond to you promptly.   About Fusion Fusion is an experiential and trade show staffing company located in Alpharetta, GA. For more information visit their website at https://www.experiencefusion.live/ or call them at 678-762-1113. Learn more about leading during COVID-19 by streaming the conversation in its entirety in the player below or download it to your mobile device via iTunes. Don’t miss a single episode, subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. We are a corporate and intellectual property law firm dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Our focus is to guide and empower you with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. The right counsel makes all the difference. For more information, visit www.trusted-counsel.com or follow Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn or Twitter @TCInProcess.

This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley and Partner John Monahon speak with Alan McKeon, President and CEO of Alexander Babbage. Fifteen years ago McKeon bought a market research company focused on shopping centers. Shortly thereafter, he recognized an opportunity for growth and embarked on the company’s first strategic business transformation. In the following years, he has successfully led Alexander Babbage through two more business transformations and has consistently grown his cash flow funded company. During the course of the podcast, C-level executives will learn about: What external factors led Alexander Babbage, a location-based analytics firm to go through three business transformations Tips to quickly get employees onboard with business transformation Key performance indicators that Alexander Babbage used to measure success for their business transformations How to lead a successful business transformation Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this podcast episode? Please give a review, this will help our show be found by other people. Do you have any questions about this episode or any other episode that you have listened to? Please email Trusted Counsel at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com and mention podcast show. We will respond to you promptly. About Alexander Babbage Alexander Babbage is a location-based analytics firm specializing in physical destinations that uses advanced geo-fencing technology and mobile signals to understand their actual visitors. For example, shoppers at a shopping center or visitors to a museum. This approach supports asset leasing and marketing decisions by providing insights into where customers are coming from, their demographics, frequency, dwell time, retail preferences and behaviors. Studying over 100 million consumers the company measures market penetration for destination clients and their competitors all without installing any equipment or invading consumer privacy. Learn more about leading a business transformation by streaming the conversation in its entirety in the player below or download it to your mobile device via iTunes. Don’t miss a single episode, subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. We are a corporate and intellectual property law firm dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Our focus is to guide and empower you with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. The right counsel makes all the difference. For more information, visit www.trusted-counsel.com or follow Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn or Twitter @TCInProcess.

This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we interview Dan Drechel, Senior Vice President of BIP Capital, a venture capital firm based in Atlanta about his experience as the lead investor overseeing Saas, fintech, and devtools investments and in business transformations as an actual operator. Dan was part of a successful transformation during the dotcom boom era. In 1998, he interviewed for the Chief Operating Officer position at Security First Network Bank, a relatively new bank founded in 1994. Security First Network Bank was actually the first internet bank worldwide. During the interview, he learned the bank was in the process of a transformation and the COO would take the lead. Why did Security First Network Bank leadership make this decision after a mere four years in business? According to Dan, the bank was doing well at attracting deposits but lousy as a lender. With little revenues and stiff competition including large banking institutions such as Citibank and SunTrust, the bank concluded it had to transform from a financial institution to a technology company. In 1998, with the lead by wholly owned subsidiary Security First Technologies, Security First Network Bank was sold to the Royal Bank of Canada. In 1999 Security First Technologies was rebranded to S1. Listen to Dan’s podcast interview to better understand what businesses need to think about to grow to the next level, the best way to deliver the “transformation” message to your team, important metrics to measure and more. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: Leading indicators that a business might have to undergo a business transformation Key areas business transformations often focus on Why a business transformation may not go well Preparing for a capital-enabled business transformation Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this podcast episode? Please give a review, this will help our show be found by other people. Do you have any questions about this episode or any other episode that you have listened to? Please email Trusted Counsel at ldecker@trusted-counsel.com and mention podcast show. We will respond to you promptly. About BIP Capital BIP Capital is recognized as one of the most active and successful venture investors in the Southeast, serving entrepreneurs, investors and operators to grow the emerging company ecosystem. It applies experience and process to make investment decisions and operational recommendations, allowing its portfolio companies to achieve and stay on a glide path of growth. Areas of focus include Enterprise SaaS, Healthcare IT, Digital Media, Dev Tools, Infrastructure, FinTech and MarTech. For more information, visit www.bip-capital.com or follow BIP Capital on LinkedIn or Twitter @BIPCapital. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. We are a corporate and intellectual property law firm dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Our focus is to guide and empower you with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. The right counsel makes all the difference. For more information, visit www.trusted-counsel.com or follow Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn or Twitter @TCInProcess.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue our third annual series of podcast episodes dedicated to the topic of preparing to sell your business. In our final installment of our six-part podcast series, Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley of Trusted Counsel and Partner, John Monahon, speak with Michael Levy, Partner-in-charge of Aprio’s Transaction Advisory Services practice and Yelena Epova, Partner-in-Charge of Aprio’s International Services Practice about financial and tax considerations. Aprio is Georgia’s largest full-service CPA-led advisory firm. For this series of podcast episodes, Trusted Counsel has united with GrowthPoint Technology Partners, Wilmington Trust, Aprio, Xcentric which sold to Right Networks, and OnBoard Security which sold to Qualcomm. Is Your Business Ready to Sell?” For more information, and to download our free e-book, visit our virtual event happening now at www.preppingtheprincess.com. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: The current state of the M&A market The CPA’s role in due diligence Importance of an audit and other financial reports Missed opportunities Pros and cons of earn-outs Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show! Subscribe to our show In Process Podcast on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Ask your questions or share your feedback at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com. Connect with Trusted Counsel on Twitter @InProcess and connect with Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel (Ashley), LLC provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia this corporate and intellectual property law firm is dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Trusted Counsel’s attorneys make a difference. Their focus is to guide and empower clients with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. Trusted Counsel’s Managing Partner Evelyn Ashley and Partner John Monahon co-host “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” a podcast where national guests are interviewed on emerging business trends, ideas and techniques. Visit trusted-counsel.com for more information. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with someone who might benefit from listening and kindly give us a review.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue our third annual series of podcast episodes dedicated to the topic of preparing to sell your business. In this fifth installment of our six-part podcast series, Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley of Trusted Counsel and Partner, John Monahon, speak with Alvina Lo, Chief Wealth Strategist of Wilmington Trust. She oversees the wealth planning, strategic advice, and thought leadership services for Wilmington Trust’s fast-growing wealth advisory division. Wilmington Trust is a premier provider of wealth and institutional services for M&T Bank, one of the most financially sound and successful companies in the U.S. financial services industry. Many entrepreneurs and business leaders tend to put off thinking about selling their business, and what will happen to their assets without them, until it’s too late. The results of not planning ahead of time are often felt by families as well as business partners. From freezing assets to maintaining life insurance policies on key partners, there are many ways to protect a business that needs to be part of the conversation. Listen to this very informative conversation about estate planning and your business. For this series of podcast episodes, Trusted Counsel has united with GrowthPoint Technology Partners, Wilmington Trust, Aprio, Xcentric which sold to Right Networks, and OnBoard Security which sold to Qualcomm. Is Your Business Ready to Sell?” For more information, and to download our free e-book, visit our virtual event happening now at www.preppingtheprincess.com. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: Wilmington Trust Estate planning strategies with respect to recent tax reform Business transition planning Modern trust law Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show! Subscribe to our show In Process Podcast on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Ask your questions or share your feedback at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com. Connect with Trusted Counsel on Twitter @InProcess and connect with Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel (Ashley), LLC provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia this corporate and intellectual property law firm is dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Trusted Counsel’s attorneys make a difference. Their focus is to guide and empower clients with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. Trusted Counsel’s Managing Partner Evelyn Ashley and Partner John Monahon co-host “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” a podcast where national guests are interviewed on emerging business trends, ideas and techniques. Visit trusted-counsel.com for more information. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with someone who might benefit from listening and kindly give us a review.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue our third annual series of podcast episodes dedicated to the topic of preparing to sell your business. In this fourth installment of our six-part podcast series, Partner, John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speaks with firm colleagues Partner, Allen Bradley and Attorney Valerie Barton regarding the legal side of selling a business. Trusted Counsel has led numerous businesses through the exit process and this interview provides very practical advice on what business owners need to do now to prepare legally to get their legal house in order, before an exit. For this series of podcast episodes, Trusted Counsel has united with GrowthPoint Technology Partners, Wilmington Trust, Aprio, Xcentric which sold to Right Networks, and OnBoard Security which sold to Qualcomm. Is Your Business Ready to Sell?” For more information, and to download our free e-book, visit our virtual event happening now at www.preppingtheprincess.com. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: The importance of paying attention to contracts Tax issues to understand when preparing to sell a business The importance of having a team of advisors The letter of intent The difference between a stock versus an asset sale Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show! Subscribe to our show In Process Podcast on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Ask your questions or share your feedback at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com. Connect with Trusted Counsel on Twitter @InProcess and connect with Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel (Ashley), LLC provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia this corporate and intellectual property law firm is dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Trusted Counsel’s attorneys make a difference. Their focus is to guide and empower clients with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. Trusted Counsel’s Managing Partner Evelyn Ashley and Partner John Monahon co-host “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” a podcast where national guests are interviewed on emerging business trends, ideas and techniques. Visit trusted-counsel.com for more information. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share this episode with someone who might benefit from listening and kindly give us a review.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue our third annual series of podcast episodes dedicated to the topic of preparing to sell your business. In this third installment of our six-part podcast series, Partner, John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speaks with Massachusetts Executive, Peter Paglia. Paglia led two businesses through the exit process in the 2000s. He is the former President and CEO of Azimuth Systems that was acquired by Anritsu, a Japanese public company in 2016. He is also the former COO and Chief Revenue Officer of OnBoard Security, Inc., a top cyber security solutions provider for automotive and IoT organizations. He led the sale of OnBoard Security, Inc. to Qualcomm Technologies Inc. (QTI) in 2019. For this series of podcast episodes, Trusted Counsel has united with GrowthPoint Technology Partners, Wilmington Trust, Aprio, Xcentric which sold to Right Networks, and OnBoard Security which sold to Qualcomm. Is Your Business Ready to Sell? For more information, and to download our free e-book, visit our virtual event happening now at www.preppingtheprincess.com. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: Paglia’s early career and background How Paglia rose the ranks to become an executive Key factors that led him to decide to sell two business Preparing the businesses for sale Lessons learned Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show In Process Podcast on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Ask your questions or share your feedback at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com. Connect with Trusted Counsel on Twitter @InProcess and connect with Trusted Counsel on LinkedIn. About Trusted Counsel Trusted Counsel (Ashley), LLC provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia this corporate and intellectual property law firm is dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Trusted Counsel’s attorneys make a difference. Their focus is to guide and empower clients with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. Trusted Counsel’s Managing Partner Evelyn Ashley and Partner John Monahon co-host “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” a podcast where national guests are interviewed on emerging business trends, ideas and techniques. Visit trusted-counsel.com for more information.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue our third annual series of podcast episodes dedicated to the topic of preparing to sell your business. According to a 2019 business trends study, 48% of business owners who want to sell have no exit strategy and many business owners are unprepared to sell. In this second installment of our six-part podcast series, Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speak with Trey James, co-founder and (former) CEO of Atlanta-based Xcentric, a managed network services company, that sold to Right Networks in 2017. Trey is also a technology thought leader to the accounting profession who is recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the industry by Accounting Today. In this in-depth interview, he discusses the founding of Xcentric, the business model, and the industry externalities that eventually led him down the path to sell. Trey says, “what I learned in the end is that selling a business is just as energizing as growing a business because there’s a whole lot that happens after selling that can so much more interesting that what you’re doing in that business.”   Today, the expanded Right Networks continues to offer Xcentric’s complete cloud solution and is accelerating the growth of their customer base while providing exceptional customer service. Overall, the acquisition was positively received by Xcentric employees and the customers. For this series of podcast episodes, Trusted Counsel has united with GrowthPoint Technology Partners, Wilmington Trust, Aprio, Xcentric which sold to Right Networks, and OnBoard Security which sold to Qualcomm to prepare “Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?” For more information, and to download our free e-book, visit our virtual event happening now at www.preppingtheprincess.com. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: The humble beginnings of Xcentric What eventually lead James to decide to sell the business Choosing the right investment banker Lessons learned from selling a business

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we begin our third annual series of podcast episodes dedicated to the topic of preparing to sell your business. According to a 2019 business trends study, 48% of business owners who want to sell have no exit strategy and many business owners are unprepared to sell. In the first installment of our six-part podcast series, Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley and Valerie Barton of Trusted Counsel speak with Vijay Rawat, the Managing Director GrowthPoint Technology Partners for his insight. GrowthPoint Technology Partners is a Silicon Valley based technology investment bank that provides financial and M&A advisory services to technology companies. Trusted Counsel has united with GrowthPoint Technology Partners, Wilmington Trust, Aprio, Xcentric which sold to Right Networks, and OnBoard Security which sold to Qualcomm to prepare “Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?” For more information visit our virtual event at www.preppingtheprincess.com During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about: How companies can ensure deal success Factors that could impact M&A activity in the year ahead The difference between a financial buyer and a strategic buyer Factors that make a business sellable Three categories of buyers along with challenges and opportunities for each

In this episode of In Process Podcast: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, Trusted Counsel’s John Monahon talks with Trusted Counsel colleagues Allen Bradley and Valerie Barton about some of the most common legal mistakes they encounter on a regular basis and their thoughts on how to avoid them. In Monahon’s view, there is a recognition element that entrepreneurs sometimes miss. For example, not putting restrictive covenants on employees of your organization, or not protecting your intellectual property. In this episode, we’ll help you understand the ways in which the law is a tool that can help you capture value and prevent costly problems (such as additional legal fees) down the road. During the podcast CEO's, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: Legal landmines to avoid Ways to avoid paying large tax fees Commonly confused legal terms  

In this episode of In Process Podcast: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, Trusted Counsel’s John Monahon speaks with Marty Schultz, a successful technology entrepreneur with a background in software engineering about an app development company he founded in 2014 called Blindfold Games. “The idea came out of an after-school program I was teaching at my daughters’ school for kids in the app club,” Marty told us. “The kids wanted to build a game, and I said okay, I’m willing to do the programming to build a game and show you how games are designed, but it has to be a game that’s really different than other games because if I’m programming, I want to do something interesting and different.” Today, more than 25,000 visually impaired people of all ages from around the world enjoy the wildly successful games of Blindfold Games.    During the podcast CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: How ideas become technology Marty's process for research and testing for the new app How a "hobby" company, can identify for profit business ideas  Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now of Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with one or two people that would benefit from listening. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

In this episode of In Process Podcast, Trusted Counsel speaks to former CEO/President of Xcentric, Trey James. A little bit about Trey: He is a technology thought leader to the Accounting profession and he has been recognized as one of the "top 100 Most Influential People" in the accounting industry by Accounting today."  In 2017, his Atlanta based company Xcentric was acquired by Right Networks and is now Right Networks. Right Networks is the leading provider of cloud-based accounting and business solutions for CPA firms, accounting professionals and small businesses. Xcentric is a leader in managed IT solutions for accounting firms. Today, the expanded Right Networks continues to offer Xcentric’s complete cloud solution AND is accelerating the growth of their customer base while providing exceptional customer services. Listen to this fascinating interview of how Trey decided he wanted to sell, how he and his team made the business attractive for the sale, surprises he had along the way and more!   

In this episode of In Process Podcast: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak with Michael Jones, Attorney at Trusted Counsel  who has a strong background in business-oriented technology. In this episode, he explains trends in data privacy in the United States. Listen to the conversation and understand what is meant by “intentional data privacy.” A strong point emphasized in the podcast is as a business owner, you should assume your business must comply with the new regulation in California, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). According to Michael, “if you are in the business of data collection – and nearly all businesses today are – or if your business involves California residents, you most likely will need to comply.”   During the course of the podcast CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: The definition of the CCPA Recommendations for best practices for your business on compliance Understand what is mean by “intentional data privacy” Final thoughts from Trusted Counsel on why every business should comply Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on Apple Podcasts and on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with one or two people that would benefit from the episode. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

In this episode of In Process Podcast: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, Trusted Counsel’s John Monahon and Valerie Barton speak to Dan Bradbary, Founder and Managing Partner of PMI Advisors. An accomplished entrepreneur, speaker and author, he has extensive experience with founding and selling various businesses. He founded PMI Advisors in 2017 upon recognizing the under-served needs of mid-market companies regarding post-merger integration. Since its founding, PMI Advisors has since become involved in the other phases of business management and operations ranging from business continuity planning, sale preparation, business process optimization and divestiture and carve out.   During the course of the podcast CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: The PMI Advisors process when assisting business owners looking to sell What is meant by having an emergency operations plan The difference between an advisory board versus a board of directors Post-sale final thoughts Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on Apple Podcasts and on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with one or two people that would benefit from the episode. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Erik Bush, CEO and Founder of Demand Driven Technologies (DD Tech). DD Tech was founded in 2011 and specializes in cloud-based supply chain software solutions. In 2018, the company was selected as a Venture Atlanta Presenting Company, the Southeast’s premier event for connecting technology innovation and investment capital. In 2010, Bush retired from IBM after 31 years with the company, the majority in executive management roles. He told us during the podcast, “when I retired, I thought I might do something entrepreneurial, because I’ve always had the itch to go out and try my luck at that.” A year later, he started DD Tech. This was a fascinating interview as he shared a lot of insight about what it’s like to be a CEO and more! During the course of the podcast CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: What really led Bush to form DD Tech after he retired from IBM DD Techs process for raising venture capital Erik Bush’s sales lessons from his early days that has stuck with him over the years KPI’s he follows closely every month Pithy advice to new CEOs Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on Apple Podcasts and on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with one or two people that would benefit from the episode. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

Bluetooth, the Apple iPhone, Facebook, and 4G (the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications), are undoubtedly some of the most important inventions of the 21st century. Colossal ideas of the future that required some serious innovation processes to reach each of their respective launches. This is where end-to-end process comes in, according to innovation strategist Susan Reed. In other words, to reach launch quickly and effectively, organizations need to place decision and success metrics in front of their innovation processes in order succeed.     In this episode of In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speak with strategist Susan Reed about innovation. Reed is the founder and CEO of EdgeDweller, which for 30 years has transformed organizations and individuals through front-end innovation practices that are powerful, practical and proven. She and the team at EdgeDweller have helped launch more than 150 products and services for 122 brands representing more than 25 industries. EdgeDweller specializes in creating high impact programs for corporations, strategic business units, nonprofits, individuals and small groups. Reed is passionately committed to driving up profitability while sustaining high growth through insightful analytics and intentional creativity. During the Course of the podcast you will learn: Safe disruptive thinking Creative versus innovation Genius thinking patterns Innovation don'ts Good starting points for effective innovation Stream the conversation in the player below to learn more. You can also subscribe to InProcess Podcast on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone.

In this special holiday episode, number 84, Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon spoke to Ryan Kenny, inventor of The Christmas Tree Hugger, a seasonal holiday product that he invented in 2016. In addition, podcast co-host John happens to be the business partner of Ryan Kenny! The Christmas Tree Hugger makes artificial trees look more festive, fun and real. The product comes in several holiday-inspired designs and is simply wrapped around the bottom of any fake tree. This is a very inspiring interview with entrepreneur Ryan Kenny and a must listen to interview for any entrepreneur that is seeking to take their invention on television in front of thousands of viewers. During the course of the podcast, CEOs, business owners, C-level executives and entrepreneurs will learn: Ryan’s strategy for getting retail buyers to talk to him on the phone The insider’s view on the various stages that contestants need to go through in order to get selected to appear on Shark Tank How Ryan prepared for the actual filming of Shark Tank The real reason why Ryan went on Shark Tank   The after-Shark Tank update, where you can find his product now! Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Are you a regular Trusted Counsel podcast listener? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the podcast or call out your favorite episode by leaving us a rating on iTunes. It takes less than five minutes, but can significantly impact future programming. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

In this episode, Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon spoke to Steve Teel, President and CEO of ServiceCentral. ServiceCentral has gone through two acquisitions; the first in 2005, the second in 2017. As a result, their employee base has grown by 30% and the company has increased revenue by 50% (some of which is attributed to the joint venture opportunities their software enabled). Steve said, “we’re getting a lot of traction in the industry that I didn’t think we would’ve had, had we not done the deal.” About ServiceCentral The company was founded in 1991 and is a private company. The company provides web-based reverse logistics, service and repair management software solutions to companies to transform the after-sales service of product into a profit stream.     During the course of the podcast, CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: How ServiceCentral found the businesses it decided to acquire The proactive steps that ServiceCentral took to address cultural differences post-acquisition Questions every founder and or CEO needs to ask prior to considering an acquisition Sage wisdom to listeners considering an acquisition Where Steve sees ServiceCentral going in the next few years Read our blog post and the transcription from this episode by visiting our website www.trusted-counsel.com and clicking on BLOG (episode 83). Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Are you a regular Trusted Counsel podcast listener? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the podcast or call out your favorite episode by leaving us a rating on iTunes. It takes less than five minutes, but can significantly impact future programming. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

In this episode, Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Jack Berlin, CEO of a technology company called Accusoft. Accusoft is a leading document and imaging software company based in Tampa, Florida. It was founded in 1991 as Pegasus Imaging Corporation. It’s a privately held company that has grown to approximately 160 employees. Having gone through several acquisitions, the company now provides a wide array of technology solutions to developers worldwide.   During the course of the podcast, CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: The acquisition challenges that Accusoft faced Lessons learned from three deals that actually never closed Accusoft’s strategy for finding businesses to acquire Accusoft’s communication strategy regarding employee change management Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Are you a regular Trusted Counsel podcast listener? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the podcast or call out your favorite episode by leaving us a rating on iTunes. It takes less than five minutes, but can significantly impact future programming. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information. 

In this episode, Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Senior Counsel, Tom Wardell who joined the firm in early 2018. Additionally, Tom was president and CEO of Versyss from 1988 to 1993. Versyss was a provider of computer systems for small businesses and based in Boston and Los Angeles. It was the largest provider in the United States for the physician practice and credit union industries and one of the top-three providers for the construction and building-supply industry. Tom’s experience with buying and selling Versyss gives him unique insight and practical understanding of our clients’ businesses and the operating problems and issues they face. We’re pleased to share with you our in-depth interview with Tom Wardell. During the course of the podcast, CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: The biggest challenges Tom faced when he bought the business What prompted him to start wearing bow ties (it started when he bought the business!) How he got the business out of the black in 60 days Advice for CEOs or first-time entrepreneurs looking to sell a business Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Are you a regular Trusted Counsel podcast listener? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the podcast or call out your favorite episode by leaving us a rating on iTunes. It takes less than five minutes, but can significantly impact future programming. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Susan Grossman of Rainlight, a boutique product design studio in London and Los Angeles. Rainlight’s talented team of industrial designers create products in all areas of architecture and design that include,; carpeting, lighting, furniture, and very technical curtain wall systems. Despite being a small team of six employees, Susan’s passion for product design and vision, along with her partner’s talent for creativity, has propelled the international practice of Rainlight to have clients in Europe, Asia, and North America. Susan explained to us during the interview, “We’re part lab, part workshop and part studio.”  During the course of the podcast, CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: About Susan and her background (which is not in architecture nor design) Rainlight's approach to working with clients in terms of "the process" for product design Susan's biggest challenge with running a business Rainlight's business priority of the year Susan's words of wisdom for show listeners

Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Liz Harvey, CEO of Island Windjammers. Island Windjammers provides cruises in the Eastern Caribbean to seasoned travelers who’d likely gawk at the idea of booking a trip aboard an overcrowded massive cruise line where the activity of choice is rock climbing on the massive wall on the deck. Instead, guests on any of the three Island Windjammer’s ships; the Diamant, Sagitta, or the Vela, happily spend their recreational dollars for the experience of smaller sailing ships (10 – 26 guests), visits to smaller islands in the Caribbean, exploring quaint villages, and having more typical ship activities such as snorkeling and hikes.  During the course of the podcast, CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: What led Liz Harvey to form Island Windjammers Her best tactic for marketing the business How she’s able to manage her team virtually from the United States Her experience with fundraising and taking advantage of Rule 506(c) How she managed to solidify her business when 2017 hurricanes hit hard and nearly decimated her ships and the business Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now of Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Are you a regular Trusted Counsel podcast listener? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the podcast or call out your favorite episode by leaving us a rating on iTunes. It takes less than five minutes, but can significantly impact future programming. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

If you are a U.S. business providing goods or services to individuals and businesses in the EU, then you shouldn’t delay in undergoing a thorough review of how you access, store and use data. In this podcast episode of In Process: Conversations About Businesses in the 21st Century, Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Michael Jones, Attorney at Trusted Counsel whose practice specializes in privacy, compliance and technology licensing. Michael discusses the latest developments in easy to understand terminology regarding the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and data privacy in the United States. During the course of the podcast CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: The difference between the GDPR and the CCPA What questions businesses should be asking themselves regarding the GDPR Internal steps a business should take right now to become compliant   Expert legal advice for organizations that are reviewing their data privacy policies and procedures and their compliance risks Commentary regarding the future of data privacy in the U.S. Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please give us a review and share this episode with anyone that you know might benefit from this episode.

In this first episode of a new series titled “Pithy Conversations with CEOs,” Trusted Counsel’s Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak to Moira Vetter, CEO and Founder of Modo Modo Agency, an award winning creative marketing firm with deep experience in B2B and complex go-to-market challenges. Moira is a weekly contributor of Forbes and the author of AdVenture, An Outsider’s Inside View of Getting an Entrepreneur to Market. She is a past president of American Marketing Association, a founding member of a social change action tank, and she serves on Zoo Atlanta Leadership Council. During the course of the podcast CEOs, business owners, and C-level executives will learn: What led Moira to form Modo Modo Why Modo Modo's company culture of high performance works What's changing in the CEOs role as she approaches a milestone birthday Her aggressive plans to grow the agency Moira's advice for new CEOs Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now of Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with one or two people that would benefit from the episode. Interested in being a guest on our show? Email our show producers at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com for more information.

This week on In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,(Trusted Counsel’s bi-weekly podcast show) hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel are joined by Jonathan David Lewis, a branding and strategist expert and the author of Brand VS Wild: Building Resilient Brands for Harsh Business Environments. During the course of the podcast business owners, C-level executives and entrepreneurs will learn about: What prompted Lewis to write a book Discussion of “the new economy” Commentary regarding disruption in organizations How to find your focus at work Stream the conversation in its entirety in the player below, or download it to your mobile device via iTunes. Don't miss a single episode, subscribe to our show "In Process Podcast" on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please give us a review and share with one or two people you feel would benefit from this episode. Want to be featured on our show? Email us at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com

This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we interview Judith Glick-Smith, Ph.D. She is the author of Flow-Based Leadership: What the Best Firefighters Could Teach You About Leadership and Making Hard Decisions. She is also the founder and CEO of MentorFactor, Inc. and is the Executive Director of The Center for Flow-based Leadership. She is a recognized expert on flow-based decision making and flow-based leadership. “Flow promotes productivity and people who are able to work in flow are five times more productive,” she says. “Flow is that feeling you get when you’re doing what you love. You kind of lose your sense of time. You’re concentrating on the task at hand, to the exclusion of everything else around you, some people call it being in the zone, it’s the same thing.” During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn: The concept of flow and why it's so important Characteristics of flow The idea of making better leadership decisions when you and your team are in a flow state What you can do right now to maximize your flow state Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Would you like to be a guest on our show? Email us at inprocess@trusted-counsel.com

This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” Managing Partner, Evelyn Ashley moderated a panel discussion (which was audio recorded on site) on learning about the process and benefits about certifying a woman owned business. Trusted Counsel, a corporate and intellectual property law firm is a certified woman owned business. The panelists were; Roz Lewis, President and CEO of the Greater Women’s Business Network®(GWBC®) the Southern Region’s certifying organization for the Women’s Business Enterprise Counsel (WBEC) and Deb Mackins who serves on the GWBC® and is Georgia Power’s representative to GWBC® from their Supplier Diversity and Development Department. Deb provides her insight from the perspective of a company that utilizes certified women owned businesses for services. This panel discussion was open to the public in Atlanta and registration was required. The event was sponsored by Trusted Counsel and Aprio in Atlanta, GA. The event was organized by Launchpad2X, an intensive boot camp and master class program that focuses on what women entrepreneurs need to break through confidence barriers, achieve goals, and manage growth. About Trusted Counsel: Trusted Counsel provides seasoned, practical and confidential legal services for businesses. We are a corporate and intellectual property law firm dedicated to serving the unique needs of companies, investors and legal departments. Our focus is to guide and empower you with exceptional legal counsel, knowledge and tools that lead to practical, informed business decisions. About Aprio: Since 1952, clients throughout the U.S. and across more than 40 countries have trusted Aprio for guidance on how to achieve what’s next. As a premier, CPA-led professional services firm, Aprio delivers advisory, assurance, tax and private client services to build value, drive growth, manage risk and protect wealth. With proven expertise and genuine care, Aprio serves individuals and businesses, from promising startups to market leaders alike. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, women business owners and C-level executive will learn: About the certification process The difference between a woman owned business and a woman owned businesses that is certified Resources and information to help develop a woman owned business or a minority business What to do once your business gets certified To learn more about The Greater Women’s Business Council and their certification process, programs and resources, visit their website at www.gwbc.biz Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone.

We all know that call centers have some of the highest turnover rates for a given industry, 29 percent in fact (according to a 2016 Contact Decision Makers’ Guide). This figure is significantly higher than the 10% benchmark that most businesses and/or industries regularly aim for. Meet entrepreneur Craig Handley, a call center co-founder who is defying the grim industry statistics. With persistence and a lot of dedication, this modern, proud, and very humble entrepreneur has not only grown his call center business from 20 agents to over 1,000 (in both the US and Mexico), but also, he’s managed to significantly reduce turnover rates by implementing a very unconventional approach. This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we interview Craig Handley, co-founder of ListenTrust, an industry leader for English and Spanish Language call center services in the United States and Mexico. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executive will learn: How Craig went from call center agent to building his own world class call center Culture building strategies that work Why Craig trains his employees to quit! How he saved his company from the brink of bankruptcy Advice for failing businesses Want to learn more about ListenTrust and their approach to outsourced call center services? Visit their website at http://www.listentrust.com/ Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes and now on Google Play to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone.  

Is your business in transition? Are your sales lagging? Or perhaps you are trying to determine the best way to motivate your sales team. Don’t go at it alone. Consider working with sales    and business strategist Christie Walters. With proven techniques and results-oriented strategies, she’ll help you drive revenue and kick your sales team into high-performance gear. This week on Trusted Counsel’s podcast show “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we interview Christie Walters, a sales and business strategist who has deep experience with helping small, mid-sized companies and individuals reach their highest level of potential. She is the owner of iCore Strategy in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also the host of a podcast “The Why and the Buy.” During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executive will learn: When it's time to bring in a sales coach to your organization The definition of designed alliance How to obtain a FREE 30-minute consultation with podcast sales coach Christie Walters How to get the most out of a coaching relationship If you would like to learn more about Christie and her services, visit her website www.icorestrategy.com.  Don’t miss a single episode of our podcast show. Subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please forward it to someone who might enjoy it.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we reach the final podcast in our series dedicated to the topic of preparing your business for sale. There's a “new normal” in the marketplace. Too much money, chasing too few deals. We’re also now seeing a fairly dramatic reduction in the number of companies above 100 employees. That shrinkage, if you will, accounts for a lot of the competitiveness. And, the impact on the market? It's driving the capital downstream. In the final installment of our six-part podcast series, show hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak with Doug Tatum, chairman of Newport Board Group, a national partnership of CEOs and senior executives who advise emerging middle-market companies and assist private-equity firms to invest in and grow portfolio companies. Doug is also the author of “No Man’s Land: Where Growing Companies Fail,” a leading text about growth companies that has been translated into several languages and has won four National Best Business book awards.  During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about the: Concept of fractional C-level officers Succession planning process Best practices for selecting a successor Lessons-learned from the sales process Qualities you should look for in a purchaser Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue with the next podcast in our series dedicated to the topic of preparing your business for sale. Business owners often consider themselves immortal and are among the worst offenders when it comes to wealth management and estate planning. They’re just so focusing on growing their businesses, they make the mistake of not setting the necessary time aside to address these very important aspects of their lives. In the fifth installment of our six-part podcast series, show hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak with Wilmington Trust’s Jonathan Fitzgerald, vice president and director of wealth and fiduciary planning in the Southeast, about how busy business owners can take a phased approach to wealth planning. Wilmington Trust is one of the largest personal trust providers in the United States. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about the: Processes and timelines involved with wealth planning Aspects of family succession planning Importance of wills and trusts The role valuations play in wealth planning The impact of insurance on the planning process Different ways to transfer value outside of the estate Tax changes affecting estate planning Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue with the next podcast in our series dedicated to the topic of preparing your business for sale. This series leads up to the physical event we are hosting at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, Apr. 19, 2018, in Atlanta titled, "Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?" In the fourth installment of our six-part podcast series, show hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak with FOCUS Investment Banking’s George Shea, partner and IT team leader, and Manan Shah, managing partner and leader of the Government, Aerospace and Defense Group, about how to find the right buyer for a business in the broad universe of prospects. FOCUS Investment Banking is a national middle-market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture and corporate finance services. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about the: Three categories of buyers along with challenges and opportunities for each Elements that make a business sellable Factors that business owners should focus on to get ready for their exits Key industries that buyers and investors are interested in now Important role both internal and external research plays in attracting buyers Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue with the next podcast in our series dedicated to the topic of preparing your business for sale. This series leads up to the physical event we are hosting at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, Apr. 19, 2018, in Atlanta titled, "Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?" In the third installment of our six-part podcast series, show hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak with Peter Baron, Carabiner Communications founder and principal, about what companies need to consider from a marketing and branding standpoint prior to a potential sale. Carabiner Communications is a top PR firm in Atlanta, specializing in marketing and lead generation. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about the: Concept of brand reputation as part of the sale Considerations for rebranding Elements of a good brand Marketing strategies, tactics and assets involved with a rebrand Right mix of content to satisfy prospects’ and customers’ information needs Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit. Help us grow our audience reach! Would you like to be on the show?

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century,” we continue with the next podcast in our series dedicated to the topic of preparing your business for sale. This series leads up to the physical event we are hosting at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, Apr. 19, 2018, in Atlanta titled, "Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?" In the second installment of our six-part podcast series, show hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon go in-house to speak with two of Trusted Counsel’s law partners, Allen Bradley and Tom Wardell, about the legal side of selling a business―from before a buyer knocks on your door until the final distribution from the sale is made. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about the: Often overlooked legal elements in the preparation process What to expect during the actual negotiations How contracts can be structured The importance of network security and privacy to the sale How and when to communicate customer information Impact of employee incentive packages The concept of escrow Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century” (Trusted Counsel’s bi-weekly podcast show), we begin our series of podcasts dedicated to the topic of preparing your business for sale. This series leads up to the physical event we are hosting at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, Apr. 19, 2018, in Atlanta titled, "Prepping the Princess for the Party: Is Your Business Ready to Sell?" In the first installment of our six-part podcast series, show hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon speak with Aprio’s Michael Levy, partner-in-charge of Transaction Advisory Services, and Yelena Epova, partner-in-charge of International Services, about financial and tax considerations. Aprio is Georgia's largest full-service CPA-led advisory firm. During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs, business owners and C-level executives will learn about the: Current state of the M&A market Tax changes and implications to consider Why due diligence is essential and the types of advisors you need Importance of an audit and other financial reports   Options for structuring a deal Pros and cons of earn-outs Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century” (Trusted Counsel’s bi-weekly podcast show), hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon along with Mike Siavage of Trusted Counsel speak with Brad Feld, an American entrepreneur, author, blogger, and co-founder of the venture capital firm Foundry Group in Boulder, Colo. Brad has been an early-stage investor and entrepreneur for more than 25 years. He began financing technology startups in the early 1990s first as an angel, and later as an institutional investor. He was an early investor in Zynga, MakerBot, and Fitbit. Brad has also directed his knowledge and intent to make entrepreneurs smarter by authoring and coauthoring several books about entrepreneurship, venture capital, and startups. His most recent book is his third edition of “Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist.” This is the final installment in our three-part podcast series called “Angel and Venture Capital Investing.” During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs will learn about the: Importance of the 60-second pitch  Top mistakes business founders make when pitching for capital Benefits of using a professional advisor and legal team well versed in VC deals How to prepare for and what to expect in your first meeting with a VC firm Impact of obsession vs. passion Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on “In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century” (Trusted Counsel’s bi-weekly podcast show), hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speak with Bernice “Bernie” Dixon, former President of the Atlanta Technology Angels and Founder and CEO of Launchpad2x, a non-profit intensive boot camp and master class program that focuses on leading women entrepreneurs in the Atlanta metropolitan area to accelerate their businesses to achieve their goals. This is the second installment in our three-part podcast series called “Angel and Venture Capital Investing.” During the course of the podcast, entrepreneurs and investors will learn about: Bernie’s early influences The benefits of affiliating yourself with angel investor groups The mission of Launchpad2x, program specifics and expansion plans The three things that women should do now to be more successful as entrepreneurs How any business executive can create more opportunities for women in the workplace Trusted Counsel is a proud sponsor of Launchpad2x. Be sure and stream the conversation in its entirety in the player below, or download it to your mobile device via iTunes. Don’t miss a single episode, subscribe to our show “In Process Podcast” on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with anyone you know who would benefit.

This week on In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, (Trusted Counsel’s bi-weekly podcast show) hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speak with Mike Siavage, Of Counsel at Trusted Counsel. Mike joined Trusted Counsel in 2017 when it combined with Siavage Law Firm, a firm he founded in 2004. In this first episode of a three part series of “Angel and Venture Capital Investing,” Mike Siavage reviews the term sheet and other elements for entrepreneurs to consider. During the course of the podcast investors and business owners will learn about: When it’s time for a business to have a term sheet prepared The various stages of investment(s) in a company Finding and picking the right angel investors for your company Terms of convertible debt  Resources for entrepreneurs and investors Stream the conversation in its entirety in the player below, or download it to your mobile device via iTunes. Don’t miss a single episode, subscribe to our podcast show ‘In Process Podcast’ on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy the podcast? Please give us a review and share the episode with a few people.

We recently had the privilege to interview Luke Tilley, Chief Economist of Wilmington Trust for a new episode of our radio show and podcast called In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century. Mr. Tilley follows closely what’s happening in the economy, both in the United States and abroad. He develops forecasts of the U.S. and international economies, as well as researches, emerging issues to support and enhance the firm’s investment strategy. He’s responsible for communicating the economic outlook in investment strategy to clients and the public. We hope you benefit from his expertise as he talks to us about some aspects of the economy in our new podcast episode. During the course of the podcast you will learn about: A recap of 2017 and what turned out to be the shock of the year An economists perspective on Bitcoin Thoughts on consumer debt for 2018 The NEW 2018 Capital Markets Report (FREE Download, compliments of Wilmington Trust) The tax reform Stream the conversation in its entirety in the player below, or download it to your mobile device via iTunes. Don’t miss a single episode, subscribe to our podcast show ‘In Process Podcast’ on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy our podcast episode? Please write us a review! And share this episode to grow our fan base. 

This week on In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, (Trusted Counsel’s bi-weekly podcast show) hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel revisit a previously aired podcast from June, 2016. They were joined by Debbie Stone, an executive coach and keynote speaker. She is the author of the book The Art of Self-Promotion. She is the founder of Novateur Partners, an executive coaching company serving lawyers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and the organizations in which they work. During the course of the Podcast you will learn about: The distinction between self-promotion and selling yourself The keys to self-promotion The definition of “the jargon trap” Habits to start implementing NOW to help you become more of a self-promoter The differences between men versus women in self-promotion Don't miss a single episode, subscribe to our podcast show "In Process Podcast" on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future episodes to your smartphone. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please give a review and share it with one to two people.

According to a recent study published by Oxford University, 47 percent of American jobs could be lost to automation in the next 20 years. Artificial intelligence (AI) is here and when it comes to innovating and disrupting the workforce, robots have become an increasing part of the conversation. But it’s rare to hear experts sound off on AI moving into white-collar professions. This week on In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel revisit a previously aired podcast from June, 2016. They were joined by Dan O’Hara, (former) Senior VP of Digital Workplace at Avanade to have a conversation about AI. O’Hara has been in the software and technology industry for more than 25 years. Dan is a thought leader on the use of AI in business—including the concept of a robo-boss—and has presented on the topic in various venues as well as experienced the phenomenon for himself during a driving stint with Uber. During the course of the podcast you will learn about: The digital workplace and its solutions Artificial intelligence capabilities How data and analytics lead to AI Thoughts about AI for smaller organizations

You know this child. The neighbor’s daughter or son selling lemonade on the corner during a hot summer day. A daughter who charges siblings interest to borrow money or loan them possessions. The budding artist who sells her artwork to friends at school. Meet the next generation of entrepreneurs―who may very well change the world as we know it.   The rate of startup growth has increased quite meaningfully in the last year. Reports indicate entrepreneurship is alive and well across the United States, with regions of start-up innovation emerging across the country at an increasing rate. There are a growing number of success stories that debunk the myths that you have to live in Silicon Valley or have to be…well…“old” to sow your entrepreneurial oats with success. Where there was once a lack of resources to educate and promote entrepreneurship among young people several years ago, a strong passionate community has quickly arisen to embrace, mentor and fund our next-gen entrepreneurs. This week in In Process (Trusted Counsel's bi-weekly podcast show), we speak with Monica Lage, executive director at Break into Business, a non-profit organization dedicated to training entrepreneurs age 9-17; and Professor Richard Linowes, management educator at American University in Washington, D.C. During the course of the podcast “Children Who Mean Business: Developing Next-Gen Entrepreneurs,” parents, investors and business mentors will learn:    The benefits of educating children on real-world business and entrepreneurship How to recognize a child’s propensity for entrepreneurship Resources available to promote entrepreneurship, from grade school to college Characteristics of the successful entrepreneurs Stream the conversation with Monica and Richard in the player below to learn how to best foster entrepreneurship in young people. You can also subscribe to In Process on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone.

The real key to growing more venture opportunities is getting more at bats. A little more than 10 years ago, the majority of the most “solid deals” were generally confined to the West Coast. Think Silicon Valley. However, as that investment marketplace continued to grow more and more competitive with each passing day, venture capitalists started to turn their attention to second-tier innovation cities. But that doesn’t mean they’re second-class citizens. These cities are building world-class companies.                                                      Within the last decade, the Southeast as a whole has seen a maturation within its start-up ecosystem. Investments in seed- and traction-stage companies are flowing, and there appears to be a clear focus on building the necessary infrastructure to support funding to grow global enterprises. For example, in a city like Atlanta, your batting average as an investor is going to be higher, but maybe the magnitude of your wins is not going to be as large. However, if the region’s growth and investment opportunities continue on the same upward trajectory, the home runs will quickly begin to tally. This week in In Process (Trusted Counsel's bi-weekly podcast show), Mark Buffington, CEO at BIP Capital, one of the premier investment firms in the Southeastern United States, discusses: The firm’s inaugural “The State of Startups in the Southeast™” report Why investments are shifting to later stages How the venture asset class is democratizing Best practices for entrepreneurs and investors to work together The qualitative and quantitative assets needed to build a sustainable, market-leading innovation hub Stream the conversation with Mark in the player below to learn about entrepreneurial growth and future investment opportunities not only in Atlanta but also throughout the Southeast. You can also subscribe to In Process on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please give us a review and share with one or two people. We appreciate it!

Is your new work normal disruptive, and noisy? With the advent of instant messaging platforms, text messages, plus the social media channels that pull us in - it’s no wonder we struggle to stay focused at work. So, if this is your new work normal and you are nodding your head, this is the podcast for you to listen to. This week on In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel revisit a previously aired podcast (May,2016). They were joined by Angela Buttimer and Dennis Buttimer, co-founders of the Atlanta Center for Mindfulness and Well-being to discuss adding a mindfulness practice into your daily routine to help your enhance you energy, focus and creativity. The couple works with companies, school programs and even hospitals and treatment centers to implement mindfulness and wellbeing practices through yoga and meditation.  Everyone benefits from mindfulness practice – it’s not just for yogis anymore! During the course of the podcast you will learn about: The difference between meditation and mindfulness The different styles of meditation Why leaders meditate? Why mindfulness meditation benefits the workforce and saves businesses money What research tells us about the effects of mindfulness on the brain and body Stream the conversation in the player below to learn more. You can also subscribe to InProcess Podcast on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please give us a review and share this podcast with a friend or two.

We are operating in a new disruptive world that’s defined by a high-demand for innovation, dynamic work, rapid-fire decision-making and more. In the new book “DECIDE TO PROFIT: 9 Steps to a Better Bottom Line,” author and consultant Dorriah L. Rogers, Ph.D argues that leaders and employees need “a renewed focus on the very reason businesses operate if they want to thrive ahead of the curve. That is, a simple and clear-cut path to a profitable bottom line that anyone can implement.” She outlines 9 clear steps that will give you and your company the tools and roadmap to more effectively reach better profit goals. In this episode of In Process: Conversations about Business in the 21st Century, hosts Evelyn Ashley and John Monahon of Trusted Counsel speak with consultant and author Dorriah L. Rogers, Ph.D about profit. Rogers began her career in engineering and technology. She founded her consultancy firm in 2003. She specializes in identifying and solving issues affecting efficiency, productivity, and profitability. She has worked with Fortune 500 organizations as well as many smaller progressive firms. During the course of the podcast you will learn about:  The nine steps to a better bottom line The authors favorite step The definition of echo-chamber What the nine steps help to develop in an organization Where to go to find out more about the topic  Stream the conversation in the player below to learn more. You can also subscribe to InProcess Podcast on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone.

This is the trailer for our next episode that airs on 10/19/2017. We interview Dorriah Rogers, PHD and author of the new book "Decide to Profit - 9 Steps to a Better Bottom Line." This episode is one that you won't want to miss!

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, even in communities that have been hit hard by financial recessions and divestment. Our innate drive to fight and remain entrepreneurial doesn’t ever go away. But, finding access to community resources and early-stage funding is not always equally or readily available for every entrepreneur with a dream of success. Take a city like Atlanta, as an example, which by all media accounts is thriving economically and is often touted as the next city for economic growth. Its skyline is graced with a number of Fortune-500 companies. However, Atlanta consistently has one of the highest income inequality gaps in the United States. Upward mobility in Atlanta is 4 percent, meaning there’s a 96-percent chance if you're born poor in Atlanta, you’ll die poor in Atlanta. This is a dichotomy that has to change―not only in Atlanta but across the globe. This week in In Process (Trusted Counsel's bi-weekly podcast show), Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation, discusses: Definition of social entrepreneurship The Center for Civic Innovation’s mission, goals and future plans Challenges and opportunities for social entrepreneurship in Atlanta as well as other metropolitan areas How to shift the conversation in terms of distributing capital and investing in true “economic value” that produces social change Real-world social entrepreneur success stories Stream the conversation with Rohit in the player below to learn how you, your company or any association you belong to can invest in Atlanta and/or contribute to social entrepreneurship in your city. You can also subscribe to In Process Podcast on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please give us a review and share this with one to two people.

Even though we’ve made a lot of strides during the last several years, particularly in the last decade, when it comes to creating a more diverse workplace, there’s been huge interest of late in enabling and leveraging diversity and inclusion as key business drivers―whether to spark innovation, improve operating profit or enhance a company’s reputation, for example. There’s a talent tsunami coming our way that includes more women, minorities, multiculturalism, and millennials in the workplace―as well as the retirement of Baby Boomers. Is your company ready? This week in In Process (Trusted Counsel's bi-weekly podcast show), Jeffery Tobias Halter, gender strategist and author of “WHY WOMEN – The Leadership Imperative to Advancing Women and Engaging Men”; and Sharon Orlopp, retired global chief diversity officer and senior vice president of corporate people at Walmart, discuss: Today’s definitions of diversity and inclusion and how they differ The tangible and intangible benefits of diversity and inclusion Current barriers to diversity and inclusion in the workplace Strategies and tactics for implementing diversity and inclusion into business How to create an environment of support Stream the conversation with Jeffery and Sharon in the player below to learn how a workforce built on diversity, inclusion and differences can help your business seize the competitive advantage. You can also subscribe to In Process on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone.

Everyone wants to leave a job on their terms. When that didn’t happen for Darrell Mays, he was able to turn an uncomfortable situation into business success. This week in In Process, we revisit a previous interview with Darrell Mays, who successfully built and sold his first business to a multi-billion-dollar corporation. But his first entrepreneurial foray started with an unexpected beginning: getting fired.  In 2003, Darrell founded nsoro LLC as a turnkey telecommunications infrastructure services company, which he sold to MasTec, a $4.4 billion corporation providing end-to-end solutions designing, building, installing, maintaining and upgrading infrastructure in the telecom, energy and communications industries. He went on to become Senior Vice President at MasTec, Inc., and President of MasTec’s wireless division―and now serves as a Senior Advisor.   Stream the conversation with Darrell in the player below to learn how he convinced his friends and professional connections that it was worth the risk of trusting huge projects to a small, unknown company―and how he was able to turn those risk-takers into heroes and grow and sell a successful business along the way. You can also subscribe to In Process on iTunes to receive this episode as well as future updates from the show on your smartphone. Did you enjoy this episode? Please give us a show review! And or share this episode with one or two people whom you think would benefit.  

The city of Clarkston, Ga is a top destination for refugees and the Mayor, along with business leaders, have seized the opportunity to tap into a pool of workers who are responsible, committed and capable. Clarkston is located  just 10 miles northeast of Atlanta that has earned the nickname “Ellis Island of the South.” In the 1990s, refugee programs in the United States identified Clarkston as a good fit for displaced persons of many different backgrounds based on its housing market and convenient access to public transportation and major highways. This week in In Process, we speak with Clarkston Mayor Edward “Ted” Terry and Chris Chancey, CEO of Amplio Recruiting, a staffing company for the talented refugee workforce, about the innovative and compassionate things this small Georgia town has done to earn its tagline “Where Possibilities Grow.”