Motivate Forward with Craig Stargardt

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You are a brand. Learn to develop it and live it. Looking for a promotion or a job. Learn how to build a strong personal brand that will get you noticed. The information that you will hear applies to everyone, no matter your age, gender, ethnicity or career. You will hear tips on topics that you rarely hear talked about, but make a huge difference when building your brand. Join Craig Stargardt as he shares the secrets of a 30+ year career of helping people develop a strong personal brand.

Craig Stargardt


    • Jul 28, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Motivate Forward with Craig Stargardt

    Breaking the Silence: The Importance of Engaging

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 18:47


    Engagement is the secret sauce to obtaining what you want. In the episode, listeners learn how to break the (awkward) silence. This is critical whether you are interviewing, in sales or even on a date. Craig and guest Ralph Winfrey explain the importance of engaging and the benifits that come from doing it right. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    How to Apply Basic Selling Skills to an Interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 13:54


    Many people go into interviews believing that the company has all of the power. This simply isn't true! As much as you want to join their team, they have an equal goal of convincing you to want to join them instead of their competitors.  An interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself (the product) to a company to help reach its goals. In this episode, we change our outlook on interviews from "trying to land the job", to how to use basic selling skills to entice the company to buy your product (YOU and the skills you would bring as an employee). For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    Laid Off. Now What?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2023 45:14


    Saja Al Weshahi joins Craig to discuss her next move after being laid off from her job. Layoffs are inevitable in this economy and this podcast sheds light on the importance of being prepared for an event like this. Join Saja and Craig as they discuss her experiences during this transition.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    College VS Trade School: Which Do I Choose?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2023 12:13


    How do you choose between Trade School and College? Whether you are a high schooler with graduation approaching or someone already working in an industry, you will walk away from this podcast more educated about the differences and benefits of each. Craig brings decades of life experience and success without a college degree to the conversation while Ralph contrasts by being a recent college graduate.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    How to Increase Your Pay by Finding Your Skill Set

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2023 10:31


    What are your skills? If you do not have a concise answer to that question then this episode is for you! Join Craig and Ralph as they discuss Craig's tried and proven ways to determine your personal skill set which can ultimately lead to getting that raise or job that you want.  Pen and paper will be needed to get the most out of this episode. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    Is Your Job Safe?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 3:21


    In this quick episode, Craig scratches the surface on how to make yourself indispensable, thus furthering your job security. In today's market, jobs can come and go. Make sure your job is one that stays by being multi-faceted and always learning.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    Design Thinking with Chris Good

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 41:34


    What is Design Thinking...? - Chris Good describes it as "Solving problems in a very human and iterative way", but that just scratches the surface. Stay tuned and be a fly on the wall as Craig Stargardt and Chris converse about the holistic advantages and uses of design thinking. Craig and Chris spent many hours working together to develop the Masters of Fine Arts in Design Thinking graduate degree program at Radford University. This conversation covers that process and how they implement Design Thinking in their everyday lives.  **To watch this full episode, search "MotivateForward" on Youtube or @Motivate_Forward on Instagram** For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    Professional Courtesy with Craig Stargardt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2022 2:33


    Summer is in full swing. This means shorts, outdoor meetings and vacation time. In this quick episode, I go over a few professional courtesies that will help you maintain your business relationships throughout this busy time.   For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    The Importance of Mentorship with Saja Al-Weshahi

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 21:43


    The importance of a mentor can not be understated, it can literally change your life! In this episode, Craig interviews Saja Al-Weshahi, one of his mentees on the value of having a mentor.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    A Teachable Moment

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 2:22


    The slap heard around the world seems comical to some, but could carry serious consequences for most non-celebrity people. In this episode, Craig zooms out to look at the big picture and the impact that this can and will have on a person's personal brand.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    Who is Craig Stargardt? The Background Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2022 18:04


    Craig is often asked about his background, where he came from, and those dark and cold nights lit by kerosene lanterns. In this episode, Craig and his sound Engineer Ralph discuss the pivotal moments in his life, how he founded Motivate Forward in 2012 and strategies that helped him change his situation that are still relevant today. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    What is GOOD Customer Service?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 14:04


    With over $30 million worth of textiles sold and over 30 years of skin in the game, I know what GOOD customer service is(and also what it isn"t)! In this episode, I explain all of the nuances and strategies that have made me successful over the years.  These strategies can be applied to all industries and markets!   Shoutout to RVisuals, a creative solutions team specializing in small businesses for sponsoring this episode. My listeners will receive a free business analysis by mentioning Motivate Forward in your inquiry. Redeem your free analysis by visiting www.RalphWinfrey.com/contact. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    How to Work the Room & Make Real Connections

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2021 5:36


    In this episode, I cover how to make the most out of conferences, events, and any social gathering. Learn how to talk to everyone and make real connections that will benefit you in the future. The methods I talk about can be applied to every situation, from a busy convention to a corporate holiday party. Remember these tips, and I am sure that networking at your next function will be much easier.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.  

    How to Sell Your Product: Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2021 14:56


    In this episode, Craig explains how to market your product. This is where you begin to sell it. From your business card to your resume, everything needs to be aligned with your brand. Consistency is a simple way to generate confidence and trust which translates into loyal returning clients. Use this 3 part series as a reference and starting point whenever you are inspecting your brand for ways to improve. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com  

    You are the Brand: Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 7:33


    In part 2, Craig discusses how to package your product. You are the brand. And you represent your personal brand even when you are not working. This episode focuses on how to maintain your personal brand through an ever-changing environment and stay ahead of the competition.  Stay tuned for the final episode in the series where Craig ties everything together and explains your marketing. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com

    With Everything Stacked Against Zahnea, She Found a Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 30:09


    Craig had the pleasure of interviewing friend and client, Zahnea John. Her story is really inspiring because of her ability to find a way to succeed, no matter the circumstance. Even while working 3 jobs she still had laser focus on her goals. Her story of overcoming and perseverance without any pity parties is what makes Zahnea special. She doesn't let anything get in her way and during this interview, she details exactly how she did that, her experience with college and what's next for her. The full video interview is also available on Youtube.  For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    You are the Product: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2021 11:53


    To start this series, Craig Stargardt will teach you how to look at yourself as a company, see yourself as a product of that company and ultimately improve your product to grow your business. This includes knowing the language of your industry, critical thinking and how to present yourself in a professional manner. Craig put this series together to help teach what isn't taught in school, a real world, pragmatic commonsense approach to success. Stay tuned for the next episode where Craig will explain "your packaging", the second part of the 3 part series. For more information and the personal evaluation form, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.

    Protect Your Brand During the Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2020 1:46


    Don't let this holiday party cost you your job! In this episode Craig will discuss how to use holiday gatherings to your advantage. Mingle, have fun and protect your brand with these essential tips. REMEMBER, just because you are at a party, you still represent your brand. Don't let years of hard work be tarnished by drunken comments.  For more information and resources visit, my website www.motivateforward.com

    Your Resume Gets You The Interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 18:34


    Today, I interviewed Ralph, a recent Radford University graduate that I helped secure a job by transforming his resume and preparing him for the interview. We go over the importance of how you word your resume from the client's perspective and the impact it had on his job search. Learn the importance of your resume representing your brand and how what you say on your resume will determine if you get the interview.  For more information and resources visit my website www.MotivateForward.com

    Zoom Etiquette with Craig Stargardt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 4:27


    In this episode of Motivate Forward, Craig will guide you through Zoom etiquette. As video conferences and working from home become the new normal, this doesn't mean you can stop being professional. From controlling your background to muting yourself when not speaking, Craig goes over everything you need to know to represent yourself or your company over Zoom. Be sure to check out earlier podcasts and free resources at MotiveForward.com.

    Invest in Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 4:38


    You are your most valuable investment. Are you doing all that you can to stay ahead of the competition? In this episode, I will explain why it is crucial to invest in yourself and I will give you a personal evaluation form to help you determine what you need to work on. Visit www.MotivateForward.com/Resources 

    Don't let Perception Cost You the Sale!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 4:44


    Perception is one of those things you don't think about...until it happens to you. Craig dives into how perception and non-verbal communication can have a serious impact on your business and home life. Leave me feedback on Instagram: Motivate_Forward For private consulting contact me at www.MotivateForward.com

    You are a Brand! How can you brand be better?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2020 3:55


    Did you know that you are a brand? From the coffee you drink to the glasses you wear, everything reflects on your brand. Learn how to represent your brand in a way consistent with your goals. For personal consulting visit MotivateForward.com

    How to give better directions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 2:31


    I'm going to share a tip that you can use when a task doesn't go the way you expected and how to communicate better with your employees, family and friends. 

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