Marketing Smarts

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com In this installment of The Power of Your Personal Brand Series, we're talking about how to overcome triggers. We all have them, and they often evoke certain Appearances & Behaviors + Actions that are not favorable for our Personal Brands. Triggers can be detrimental to our Personal Brands because they tend to drive knee-jerk reactions and feelings that are intense.  When we act on them, our Personal Brand starts looking inconsistent. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear a strategy for dealing with triggers to help you maintain authenticity with your Personal Brand. Hear 3 more strategies in the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com It seems like everyone is talking about the role AI should play in just about everything. You guessed it! Strategic action planning is no exception. You can prompt your favorite large language model aka LLM - ours is ChatGPT - to do some incredibly helpful things for your strategic action planning. Things like asking it to run a competitive analysis for your business, asking it to run industry trends, and asking it to give an ideal customer profile aka ICP. As with anything, there are some watchouts. Enjoy this special look at Anne's Tint World franchise in Cincinnati-Newtown on Round Bottom Rd. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com We thought it would be appropriate to do a series that contextualizes the content in the book. Welcome to The Power of Your Personal Brand Series! Today, we're talking about the difference between a persona and a Personal Brand - and why it is so critical in framing the way you lead. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear us break down whether you're trying to create your Personal Brand from scratch. Ponder all 4 questions in the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com It is often said that one of the biggest indicators of success is mindset. Attributes like resilience, focus, and managing negative thoughts have long been heralded as the mental skills needed to achieve Big Things. Just like any skill, they can be acquired through practice. We wanted you to learn from an expert who knows all things mental fitness, so we welcomed on Joshua Lifrak. He's the Author of WIN TODAY, and the Director of Performance & Coaching at Limitless Minds. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

In this Quick Hit, we tackle 2 aspects of our business - Organizational Development + Coaching - and explore why they are most powerful when organizations leverage them TOGETHER. Getting the right structure to serve the business paired with the right people in each of the seats - and then, ongoing attention and coaching for each person - is the key to a highly functioning team. Dive deeper in the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com In the latest installment of The Power of Your Personal Brand Series, we're doing a deep dive into 1 of the 3 Personal Brand framework components: Appearance. We define your Appearance as your visual & verbal presence. Visual presence is the impact of how you look with your clothes, facial expression, and posture. Your verbal presence is the impact of how you sound via your tone, intonation, vocabulary, articulation, and style. In this episode, you'll learn how to convey the image you actually want. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Let's face it: every high performer has an area where they struggle. And, it is almost always a soft skill. What can we do about this? Use your soft-skill struggle as a superpower. You're in for a real treat in this Quick Hit, as we get VULNERABLE about the struggles & triggers we've been called out for in our careers. Catch the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com In the latest installment of The Power of Your Personal Brand Series, we're doing something a bit risky…we're turning over the hosting to multi-time guest Scott Mautz, esteemed Author and the writer of our foreword. We told him he could interview us about the book, and he promised to be gentle with us. We'll let you be the judge. We hope you enjoy us getting EVEN MORE vulnerable about all things book + Personal Brand. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

The mood of your team members is essential. Not just for business - for their personal well-being, too. It's truly amazing what can happen to your productivity, culture, and sales when you're feeling good. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Dr. Mary Donohue, CEO of The Digital Wellness Center. They help teams experience the transformative power of Mood Elevation Technology. Check out the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com In the latest installment of The Power of Your Personal Brand Series, we're talking about how to figure out your Big Thing. We define your Big Thing as being a goal, ambition, or whatever will help you feel fulfilled. A Big Thing can be difficult to contemplate, because we tend to confuse what we want for ourselves with what we want on behalf of others. Today, you'll hear 5 big questions to ask yourself to help you figure out your Big Thing. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Today, we are going to do something a bit different. We're doing an exposé of an intriguing new business that is for sure going to flip the creative & advertising world. What if instead of using ChatGPT for creative campaign ideas, you could source an AI resource full of marketing, advertising, and creative experts? It's called Ad Legends, and it's the world's first fully-functional AI-powered advertising agency. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Founders Dave Metcalf, Steve Metcalf, and Founding Ambassador (and returning guest) Jimmy Smith. Explore the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com We've all been there. You're trying to achieve your Big Thing. It takes a TON of hard work & passion. Can you do it without teetering on the edge of burnout? This is a very real struggle for high performers. We tend to wear burnout as a badge of honor, but it is anything but. It causes physical, mental, and emotional issues that can be hard to recover from. Which is why it's so crucial to achieve your Big Thing the right way. We wanted you to hear from an expert with a ton of experience in this area, so we welcomed on Dr. Rebecca Hubbard. She's a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Kemetic Yoga Instructor, and Burnout Prevention Strategist and Speaker. Make sure to take her quiz, What's your productivity pattern? For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Historically, many PE-backed firms don't take marketing & branding seriously. They think building a brand is irrelevant and takes too long, especially for the aggressive timelines often found in private equity. What if we told you building a brand and then marketing that brand can actually work as a shortcut to the results you want AND increase your valuation? In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Marc Rust. He's the Managing Director of Consequently Creative (CQC), who helps private equity increase portfolio company valuations & navigate change with brand momentum. Listen to the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com In the latest installment of The Power of Your Personal Brand Series, we're talking about how to overcome triggers. We all have them, and they often evoke certain Appearances & Behaviors + Actions that are not favorable for our Personal Brands. Triggers can be detrimental to our Personal Brands because they tend to drive knee-jerk reactions and feelings that are intense.  When we act on them, our Personal Brand starts looking inconsistent. Today, you'll hear 4 strategies for dealing with triggers to help you maintain authenticity with your Personal Brand. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Are you making the most of LinkedIn? We're all on it, but the vast majority of us are missing out on its true potential to qualify leads, build pipelines, and connect social data directly to revenue. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Gabe Lullo. He's the CEO of Alleyoop, a global leader in business development as a service. You'll also love his Do Hard Things podcast. Tune into the full episode here

We just launched our new book! You can grab The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things on Amazon or at ForthRight-People.com We thought it would be appropriate to do a series that contextualizes the content in the book. Welcome to The Power of Your Personal Brand Series! Today, we're talking about the difference between a persona and a personal brand - and why it is so critical in framing the way you lead. You'll hear 4 probing questions to help you become more self-aware and determine if you are leading with a persona or a personal brand. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

We're always talking about how to create strategic plans and then execute them with intention for immediate action and measurement. Today, we're focusing on the OKR framework aka Objectives & Key Results. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Philipp Schett. He's the Founder of Wave Nine, the #1 OKR consulting firm. You'll also love their free OKR Crash Course. Catch the full episode here

Every time we turn around lately, we're having discussions about accountability - with our clients, in our coaching sessions, and now on this podcast! A lack of accountability can be one of the biggest downfalls of an organization - it erodes trust and culture, causes even top performers to suffer, and leads to an overall lack of focus and delivery of business goals. In this episode, we'll reveal how to build (and rebuild) accountability in the workplace, including doing a company-wide reset, detailing the behavior that needs to change, and keeping the focus on why you're having these discussions. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Is it possible for marketing & sales to work together? If they're doing so, are they able to actually stay consistent with the brand? In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Steve Caton. He's the Founder & CEO of Altezza, who are experienced sales professionals delivering affordable results. You'll also get a kick from their podcast, Whiskey Is for Closers. Take a sip of our full episode with Steve here

In this episode, we tackle 2 aspects of our business - Organizational Development + Coaching - and explore why they are most powerful when organizations leverage them TOGETHER. Getting the right structure to serve the business paired with the right people in each of the seats - and then, ongoing attention and coaching for each person - is the key to a highly functioning team. You'll hear everything from the things most organizations get wrong to real client examples from our work. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

You're very familiar with leadership. Do you have a high degree of awareness when it comes to your impact on others as a leader? When teams are in a dysfunctional state, this is always a good place to look first. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Grift Krehnbrink. He's a Partner and the CEO of Thoughtium, a human-centered experience design firm that helps organizations bring strategy, leadership, and learning to life through immersive experiences. Check out the full episode here

Let's face it: every high performer has an area where they struggle. And, it is almost always a soft skill. What can we do about this? Use your soft-skill struggle as a superpower by naming it & owning it, modulating your Appearance & Behaviors + Actions accordingly, being intentional & consistent with your Appearance & Behaviors + Actions, and letting your Big Thing be your compass. You're in for a real treat in this one, as we get VULNERABLE about the struggles & triggers we've been called out for in our careers. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Have you ever considered EOS - the Entrepreneurial Operating System? It was first introduced by Gino Wickman in his book Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business. Since then, it has become a tool many small and medium businesses leverage to drive operational excellence. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from returning guest Sue Frech, an EOS Implementer who has achieved a ton of success in the business world with EOS. She's the Visionary & Investor at Summit Shore Partners. Tune into the full episode here

The best leaders are mentally strong. How do they get that way? Our guest, Scott Mautz, believes there are 6 mental muscles that equate to mental strength. And we have to keep working out those muscles - just like we do physical muscles at the gym. Scott is a Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, and passionate expert on mental strength, peak performance, change, employee engagement, and leadership. His latest book, The Mentally Strong Leader, explores why mental strength is THE leadership superpower of our times. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

The complex world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has now taken a hard right with the introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence). It's no longer enough to be one of the top options when someone Google searches a keyword you have attribution to. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Dave Burnett, Founder of AOK Marketing. He helps you acquire more loyal customers. Catch the full episode here

One of the most frequent topics we cover with our Executive Coaching clients is how to negotiate for a promotion. It's a tricky topic that can either propel your career forward or set you back. When negotiating for a promotion, you should draft the job description as YOU see it, get clear on ALL of your asks, enter the conversation with you in the driver's seat, and be ready for there to be some back and forth. Hear our insights in this jam-packed episode, complete with examples of how the conversation might go with your boss. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Many of us are not CFOs or finance gurus. But, understanding the financial metrics that drive the business is critical - no matter how intimidating a P&L or balance sheet can be. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Michael Barbarita, Founder of Next Step CFO. He helps small business owners create more time freedom and more consistent profits by helping you implement financial and business strategies your competition is not using. Listen to the full episode here

Problem solving is a skill we need in all aspects of business and life. The better we get at it, the quicker and more efficient we become - leading to the results we want. Become a better problem solver by investigating possible solutions with a time limit, analyzing the options against the goals, enlisting the help of the RIGHT others, and testing-and-learning to optimize the solution. Let's solve some problems. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

You're very familiar with Amazon. Have you ever thought about selling on Amazon…B2B? Amazon can be an incredibly powerful platform for B2B sales, as well. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Carolyn Lowe, CEO & Founder of ROI Swift. They help brands scale smarter & faster on Amazon. Check out the full episode here

The mood of your team members is essential. Not just for business - for their personal well-being, too. It's truly amazing what can happen to your productivity, culture, and sales when you're feeling good. So, what's the best way to do that? We wanted you to learn from someone with a ton of experience helping leaders & their teams with all of this, so we welcomed on Dr. Mary Donohue, CEO of The Digital Wellness Center. They help teams experience the transformative power of Mood Elevation Technology. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Whether your teams have fully returned to the office or you have settled into a remote, hybrid, or decentralized work environment, cultivating culture continues to be a hot topic. Many leaders opt for in-person events to bring people together, but this may not be feasible. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Nancy Koziol, Founder & Wine Educator at couch + cork. She leads a team of internationally certified wine experts to deliver seamless, stress-free virtual wine tastings for corporate clients. Taste the full episode here

There are many things that can distract even the very best leaders. Those include the lack of prioritization, leaning too far into empathy, the inability to give timely & direct feedback, and the desire to be liked over being respected. In these scenarios, it's essential to maintain focus and strong strategic oversight. In this episode, we take our 40+ years of combined experience paired with the many leaders we have coached and contextualize what happens, why, and what to do about it. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Just when you think you're settling into the new normal, something else changes on a macro scale. That's the reality we're living in. When you're faced with so much uncertainty, leadership becomes even more important than usual. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Gwen Hammes, Co-CEO of Cro Metrics. They're the #1 experiment-led growth marketing agency. Listen to the full episode here

Today, we are going to do something a bit different. We're doing an exposé of an intriguing new business that is for sure going to flip the creative & advertising world. What if instead of using ChatGPT for creative campaign ideas, you could source an AI resource full of marketing, advertising, and creative experts? It's called Ad Legends, and today we have Founders Dave Metcalf, Steve Metcalf, and Founding Ambassador (and returning guest) Jimmy Smith on the show. Ad Legends is the world's first fully-functional AI-powered advertising agency. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Bots are everywhere. Yes, there are reasons to be worried. Fortunately, there are some good agents out there cracking down on the bad guys - and bringing back our confidence in media spending. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Rich Kahn, Co-Founder & CEO of Anura. They eliminate invalid traffic in real time - stopping bots, malware, and human fraud before they drain your budget. Catch to the full episode here

Historically, many PE-backed firms don't take marketing & branding seriously. They think building a brand is irrelevant and takes too long, especially for the aggressive timelines often found in private equity. What if we told you building a brand and then marketing that brand can actually work as a shortcut to the results you want AND increase your valuation? We wanted you to learn from an expert with a ton of experience here, so we welcomed on Marc Rust. He's the Managing Director of Consequently Creative (CQC), who helps private equity increase portfolio company valuations & navigate change with brand momentum. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Sure, it's nice to be the category leader. But, there can only be one leader - making many of us underdogs. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Paul Mellor, Founder & Managing Director of Mellor&Smith. They're an advertising agency specializing in getting Underdog brands NOTICED. Make sure to check out their 13½ Ways to Grow Your Underdog Brand. And listen to the full episode here

Are you making the most of LinkedIn? We're all on it, but the vast majority of us are missing out on its true potential to qualify leads, build pipelines, and connect social data directly to revenue. Cold outreach on LinkedIn has many pitfalls, but if you're smart about it, it can be an unbelievable way to grow your business. We wanted you to learn from the master of cold calling on LinkedIn, so we welcomed on Gabe Lullo. He's the CEO of Alleyoop, a global leader in business development as a service. You'll also love his Do Hard Things podcast. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Differences between generations aren't anything new. But, this generation entering the workforce - mainly Gen Zers - seems to be throwing all of us for a loop. We've heard a lot about struggles with communication, motivation, and accountability. What's going on here?! In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from an expert on all things generational differences, Mark Beal. He's the Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Communication at the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, a Keynote Speaker, and the Author of several books on Gen Z. Check out the full episode here

We're always talking about how to create strategic plans and then execute them with intention for immediate action and measurement. As we like to do on this show, we bring forth many different approaches and ways of thinking, because we know not every tool is a one-size-fits-all. Today, that focus is on the OKR framework aka Objectives & Key Results. We wanted you to learn from an expert who knows OKRs better than anyone, so we welcomed on Philipp Schett. He's the Founder of Wave Nine, the #1 OKR consulting firm. You'll also love their free OKR Crash Course. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

It's a unique time for company culture. From dilemmas about flexible work schedules to generational gaps, leaders are throwing up their hands trying to figure out how to motivate without micromanaging. It might just take an unconventional culture to thrive. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from a thought leader who's built just that, Gui Costin, the Founder & CEO of Dakota and Author of The Dakota Way and Millennials Are Not Aliens. Listen to the full episode here

Our book on personal branding is launching in early 2026! Stay updated on the launch at ForthRight-Business.com & ForthRight-People.com New Year, New You! We all know the flood of trends, and usually tricks, to overhaul our lives that come with a new year. Resolutions tend to fail because people look for a quick fix and try unsustainable methods to make big changes in a short amount of time. The way to make sure your resolutions translate to true, lasting life impact is by addressing them in context of your Personal Brand. We discuss 4 questions for doing just that. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Every time we turn around lately, we're having discussions about accountability - with our clients, in our coaching sessions, and now on this podcast! A lack of accountability can be one of the biggest downfalls of an organization - it erodes trust and culture, causes even top performers to suffer, and leads to an overall lack of focus and delivery of business goals. In this Quick Hit, we'll reveal how to build (and rebuild) accountability in the workplace. Catch the full episode here

The fundamentals of leadership remain the same, no matter your level. Lead at any level by believing you're a leader, having a POV, having followers, and testing-and-learning your leadership practice. There are also some characteristics that can sometimes get in the way of us being the leaders we were meant to be. Find out what they are, and what to do about them. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Are Google Ads dead? The answer may surprise you. Digital ads - along with other performance marketing vehicles - can feel like a black box. Even for the most skilled at managing these campaigns, it can be difficult to predict the behavior of the algorithms. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear Anthony Chiaravallo, the Founder & CEO of Vallo Media. Listen to the full episode here

Our book on personal branding is launching in early 2026! Stay updated on the launch at ForthRight-Business.com & ForthRight-People.com Most successes and failures in business can be tied back to a leader's ability to be aware of and manage their personal brand. Characteristics like empathy, ingenuity, and thoughtfulness are critical to bond people. If you have these as a leader, you are probably doing better than most. Now more than ever, it is critical to be more intentional in your pursuits, which means inherently recognizing who you are at your core and understanding how this will impact your behaviors and actions, which will ultimately define your business. In this episode, we outline the 4 Personal Brand Truths Every Leader Should Know. We highlight a founder we appreciate for embodying these truths, Kevin Systrom of Instagram. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Traditionally, being a spokesperson meant you were the person fronted for interviews with media. This is still the case, but the definition has broadened as the media channels have broadened. How do you become a credible voice for your business when communicating across channels? In this Quick Hit, you'll hear Peter Murphy Lewis, the Founder & CEO of Strategic Pete. Catch the full episode here

You want to be a leader. How do you take that into your own hands? Get very clear on your personal brand and clean out what is not serving you, develop your vision and declare it out loud on repeat, surround yourself with supporters and hire a coach, and build your reputation and skills beyond your current role. Take these to heart and you'll be on the right path to keep rising in your career. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

There are many things that can distract even the very best leaders. Those include the lack of prioritization, leaning too far into empathy, the inability to give timely & direct feedback, and the desire to be liked over being respected. In this Quick Hit, we take our 40+ years of combined experience paired with the many leaders we have coached and contextualize what happens, why, and what to do about it. Listen to the full episode here

Our book on personal branding is launching in early 2026! Stay updated on the launch at ForthRight-Business.com & ForthRight-People.com Personal branding in business has always been important, but is arguably more so now than ever as we live out our lives and attempt to stand out on screens. In this episode, we discuss 4 reasons now is the time to work on your personal brand. We also talk through challenges of doing so across all aspects of life in an authentic way while discussing real-world examples for context. And, we end with an example of former professional basketball star turned master personal brander, Shaquille O'Neal. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Humor in marketing is great in theory. But, it's not great for every brand. If you're using humor in your marketing, it needs to be strategically on-brand for who you are (brand story) and how you communicate (brand character). In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Emily McGregor, the Founder & CEO of PenguinCat Creative and Scrappy Ads. They're a creative agency of marketing geniuses who craft copy so charming it'll make you dance your pants off. Catch the full episode here