On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow!

Guest: Kyle Karnes, a coach at CEO Coaching International.   Quick Background: If you're skipping over Gen Z workers because you "don't want to deal with them," you're letting stereotypes and social media memes cloud your judgment. Gen Z is mission-driven and tech-savvy, and they crave strong leadership that can teach them how to channel their passions into Making BIG Happen.  On today's show, Kyle Karnes explains why Gen Z may be the most misunderstood and undervalued generation in the workforce and shares best practices for hiring and developing your company's next wave of talent.

Guest: Brett Jackson, a coach at CEO Coaching International.  Brett is a seven-time CEO, and two-time COO with 35 years of experience leading software and SaaS companies through scale-ups, pivots, and turnarounds. Before he became a CEO, Brett built deep go-to-market expertise as a VP in product sales and marketing. Quick Background: You can't always blame sales and marketing when your sales are trending in the wrong direction. And sales and marketing can't always blame each other. Great leaders push their teams to look below the surface and also take in the BIG picture to repair deeper misalignments that are stalling progress. On today's show, Brett Jackson discusses how optimizing the go-to-market value chain can drive sustainable revenue growth and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Matt Dunie, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Matt  has founded or co-founded four companies and served as CEO or President five times across the information services and SaaS sectors. He's led businesses ranging from startups to enterprises approaching $400 million in revenue, and he's executed more than 20 acquisitions and exits. Quick Background: Successful startups and small businesses eventually reach a place where complexity starts to stall growth. It's at this early turning point that the CEO has to take their leadership up a notch and make the tough decisions that will Make BIG Happen. On today's show, Matt Dunie discusses how to navigate the challenges of the "messy middle," including dealing with change, decentralizing decision-making, and finding the courage to lead with transparency and empathy.

Guest: Joanne Starkman, the co-founder of Innersense Organic Beauty, a clean hair care brand that she launched with her husband Greg. Overview: All successful CEOs pour their hearts into their businesses. But a company that truly lives and breathes your mission can be as BIG as it is rewarding and impactful.  On today's show, Joanne Starkman discusses how her deeply personal mission to create non-toxic, high-performing hair care products has grown into a category-defining brand that's beloved by salons, stylists, and customers across the country.

Guest: Rick Stern,  the CEO and founder of Stern Recruiting. Rick is also the former founder and CEO of Nitel, which is a telecom company that he bootstrapped from zero to $180 million in revenue over two decades before he exited through a private equity transaction. Overview: Now what? That's the question high-performing CEOs ask themselves after they've reached any major milestone. But after selling your business or retiring, you can't just walk back into the c-suite and raise the bar a little higher. And even if you set your sights on a new endeavor, leaving behind a company that you've led and grown is an extremely emotional experience that will have a profound effect on your journey to a new BIG. On today's show, Rick Stern gets candid about letting go of his life's work, the unexpected challenges of retirement, and the itch that ultimately pulled him back into entrepreneurship. Rick also explains how he used sabbatical time to reset and how learnings from his first company are shaping his new leadership mindset.

Guest: Dr. Joel Myers,  the Founder and Executive Chairman of AccuWeather. Dr. Myers is considered the father of modern commercial meteorology. Overview: CEOs often feel like they're making "life and death" business decisions. But, as we saw during the pandemic, when the safety of your customers and employees is at stake, CEOs need reliable data that will help them adapt to the facts on the ground quickly and lead decisively.  On today's show, Dr. Joel Myers  explains how technology, including AI and predictive analytics, is shaping the future of weather forecasting and how businesses can prepare to mitigate risks, protect their people, maintain efficiency, and keep Making BIG Happen.

Guest: Don Yaeger,  a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, a business leadership coach, and a 12-time New York Times best-selling author. Don is the host of the highly rated Corporate Competitor Podcast and National Geographic's Storyteller in Residence. He's also a longtime associate editor for Sports Illustrated and one of America's premier thought leaders on storytelling, leadership, and greatness. Overview: Your company's tech stack needs AI integration. But stories are like software for the brain.  Once you've uploaded them, they can be recalled and replayed to inspire action in your audience again and again. On today's show, Don Yaeger discusses the art and impact of storytelling. We explore how mastering this skill can transform your business, your leadership, and your personal life. We also talk about why storytelling is one of the most powerful leadership tools available to you and how it can help drive meaningful action and Make BIG Happen. To get a jump start on improving your own storytelling skills, download Don's 45 Questions to Help You Develop Your Story Bank.

Guest: Chris Braun a coach at CEO Coaching International. Chris is a YPO member who has served as a CEO for 24 years across a diverse range of industries, including franchising, medical devices, power generation, SAS, and specialty plastics. He's also led multiple companies through successful exits and private equity transactions. Quick Background: Consistent, transparent communication is a hallmark of great leadership. But a CEO is never communicating to just one audience. Employees, customers, shareholders, board members, regulators, franchisees, and the press are rarely all tuned to the same frequency. If you want to be heard and understood 100% of the time, it's essential to learn how and when to adjust your messaging. On today's show, Chris Braun discusses  how to communicate effectively to multiple stakeholders to drive alignment, maximize value, and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Smith Holland, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Smith served as President & CEO of three businesses, including Crayola, Hallmark Global, and Hallmark Canada, with revenues ranging from $125 million to $2 billion. Quick Background: No "good" company makes the leap to "great" without exceptional leadership. Where good CEOs just keep the gears turning, great CEOs actually create value by managing a culture that inspires peak performance and drives consistent growth.  On today's show, Smith Holland discusses how leadership drives value creation, how the CEO multiplier effect amplifies the CEO's impact across the organization, and how he coaches CEOs to unlock their potential and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Brian Mergelas, a coach at CEO Coaching International.  Brian is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience in driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence for global technology companies and startups. Quick Background: As AI usage becomes more and more mainstream, companies that didn't have the foresight to include an AI road map in their last few annual planning sessions are scrambling onto the bandwagon. But if your company is in catch-up mode, you'll never gain ground in this rapidly evolving space without a plan for analyzing your options, building up your infrastructure, and streamlining integration. On today's show, Brian Mergelas  explains how leaders can use AI to unlock value in their businesses. Brian shares his insights on developing an AI strategy, navigating its challenges, and its potential to revolutionize industries, including yours. We also explore practical examples of leveraging AI for process improvements, innovation, and decision-making to Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Jeff Tennyson, a Coach and Partner at CEO Coaching International and the former CEO of Lima One Capital, one of the country's leading lenders to real estate investors. Jeff is also a former coaching client of CEO Coaching International. Quick Background: Every entrepreneur dreams of a BIG exit. But having a dream isn't the same as having a plan. To attract an ideal buyer, owners and CEOs need to scale smart, assemble the right team, and adopt a strategic mindset that will turn their dream into a reality.  On today's show, Jeff Tennyson shares his blueprint for preparing yourself and your company for a BIG exit.

Are you ready to achieve the unimaginable this year? Then register now for the 2025 Make BIG Happen Summit, April 24-27 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel. This year, in addition to our usual lineup of world-class speakers and social events, we're excited to unveil our exclusive “MBH” program—a full MBA experience distilled into one intensive day. You'll gain strategies and insights directly from renowned experts like Good To Great author Jim Collins, and Harvard Business School professors Deepak Malhotra and Boris Groysberg.  For a preview of the kind of inspiring, motivating, and actionable presentations you can expect at the Make BIG Happen Summit, listen to 2019 speaker John DiJulius deliver a masterclass on exceptional customer service.  Guest: John DiJulius, Chief Revolution Officer and President of the DiJulius Group. Quick Background: Most companies get customer service all wrong. They make a big show of designing shiny apps, building amazing showrooms, and rolling out cutting-edge products. But they forget to put laser focus on who actually pays for all that—the customer! When you deepen your customer relationships and focus on creating a memorable experience, you can charge a premium price and retain clients for life. “Technology is only 10% of the experience,” says customer service expert John DiJulius, while your person who delivers the service is the other 90%. “Technology can never build a rapport, show empathy, or make a brilliant comeback when we drop the ball, but you can,” John says. Many businesses are trying to de-emphasize the importance of the employee and replace them with chatbots and AI. But that technology will never outperform a well-trained human who steps in when your customer needs personalized help. In this presentation, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching International Summit, John DiJulius explains how you can train your team to own every problem, make meaningful connections with every customer, and create a world-class customer experience that will drive BIG business.

Guest: Chris Stakich, Chief Community Officer at CEO Coaching International. Chris oversees our business forums, in-person events, and communication hubs. Prior to joining the team, Chris was the Chief Experience Officer at YPO where he oversaw 500+ global events, 6,500+ forums, all strategic partnerships, and the member learning strategy. Quick Background: Learning and leadership growth should always be at the top of a CEO's list of New Year's goals. One of the most impactful ways to accelerate that learning is by connecting with other leaders. Business forums can  provide a structured and supportive environment to share your experiences, reflect on your challenges, and learn from your peers so that you can elevate your business skills and accelerate your success. On today's show, Chris Stakich discusses how CEO Coaching International's new business forums complement the coaching experience and will help CEOS Make BIG Happen in 2025.

Guest: Dina Coker, the founder and CEO of Akcel Partners, a groundbreaking company that specializes in providing outsourced sales talent that is tailored to meet the specific challenges of its clients. Overview: Making BIG Happen requires a sales strategy that's innovative, adaptable, and capable of sustaining scale. But sales isn't a core competency at all firms -- especially start-ups and companies that are laser-focused on product development. Outsourcing can give CEOs quick access to a world-class sales team while their company keeps doing what it does best.  On today's show, Dina Coker explains how she deploys outsourced sales teams that complement or replace traditional in-house structures. She also discusses the critical moments when CEOs should consider leveraging outsourced sales talent and the key strategies for turning sales into a BIG advantage.

Guest: Erin Cigich, CEO of Perform[cb], a leading outcome-based marketing firm that helps brands acquire customers on a performance-based model where companies pay only for real results. Overview: Every BIG starts small. In order to achieve their vision and sustain growth, the CEO has to establish precise, actionable steps that build towards measurable results. Keep the right numbers trending in the right direction every day, month, quarter, and year, and you'll keep Making BIG Happen.  On today's show, Erin Cigich explains how thinking about sales as a "math problem" and working with a CEO coach have been instrumental in helping the company beat its sales target by more than 200%. We also talk about leveraging AI for customer acquisition, clarifying your ideal customer profile, and building a performance-based culture.

Guest: Matt Plitt, President & Chief Executive Officer of Valent U.S.A. LLC, which is part of Sumitomo Chemicals Global Agricultural Operations. Matt is responsible for driving growth across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Overview: Every BIG is even BIGGER at a truly global business. Subsidiaries and their holding companies need to synchronize culture and processes to achieve a wide array of goals that impact a huge number of stakeholders. But leaders also have to be able to identify the specific action items that belong at the top of their to-do lists so that their company finds that sweet spot between operational rigor and optimal performance.  On today's show, Matt Plitt explains how he led Valent by building a culture that balances entrepreneurial spirit with discipline. He also explains how working with CEO Coaching International helped him implement a framework for high performance, cultural alignment, and accountability.

Guest: Spencer Shaffer, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Spencer is a four-time CEO and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience across engineering services, energy, technology, and software as a service business models. He's also been a YPO member since 2006. Over the past 26 years, Spencer has led numerous business transformations through M&A, scaling operations, leadership development, and change management. He is passionate about building people, teams, and cultures. Quick Background: The very best companies make the hard work of daily execution and consistent progress look easy. But to lead a company to that place where every cog is in sync and every flywheel is spinning, the CEO has to master three essential elements that keep people and processes heading in the same direction.  On today's show, Spencer Shaffer dives into how these three essential elements combined with his top tactics for driving powerful execution will Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Greg Martin, an entrepreneur, CEO, private equity investor, and a coach at CEO Coaching International. Greg led four separate companies onto the Inc. 5000 list while achieving growth rates of over 6,000%. Combined, his businesses have generated more than $3 billion in revenue, created over 2,500 jobs, and resulted in two high-eight-figure exits. Quick Background: A great company is always BIGGER than the sum of its parts. The very highest performers align everything they do around key elements that ground the company's purpose and guide its daily operations towards achieving BIG goals.  On today's show, Greg Martin explains the five business elements all CEOs need to align to Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Anthony Venus, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Anthony is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO who led his latest venture-backed SaaS firm YayPay from its inception to a successful exit. Quick Background: Why are some founders and CEOs able to repeat BIG success? Because they understand that winning a market, consistent growth, and nine-figure exits aren't a matter of luck. Once you've learned how to install specific, measurable, and actionable systems, you can repeat those processes at new companies, and even in new industries. And the best of the best, like the team at CEO Coaching International, can teach other CEOs how to do the same and Make BIG Happen. On today's show, Anthony Venus discusses how his leadership and strategic vision fueled YayPay's growth and ultimate success, the importance of developing a strong company culture, and what his recent travels have taught him about the need for CEOs to lead with passion and purpose.

Guest: Mary Naylor, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Mary is a repeat founder, CEO, and board member working in diverse sectors including customer loyalty, consumer services, concierge and lifestyle services, hospitality, travel, financial services, call center customer service, and technology platforms. She has 30 years of expertise in enterprise business development, go-to-market strategies, sales optimization, channel partnerships, team building, and fundraising. Quick Background: What's the BIGGEST mistake CEOs make about their go-to-market strategy? Acting like it's finished.  Consistently studying and refining your value proposition, customer profile, and messaging is the only way to keep your company competing, growing, and Making BIG Happen.  On today's show, Mary Naylor walks us through the five steps she uses to ensure that a CEO's go-to-market strategy stays relevant and dynamic in a constantly evolving marketplace.

Guest: Lisa Tanzer, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Lisa is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience, including 10 years in CEO and president's roles and 10 years leading marketing teams as the CMO. She's worked with Fortune 1000 companies like Gillette, Staples, and Hasbro, as well as privately held and venture-backed companies across a range of industries. Quick Background: Nothing can move the needle on your company's ceiling quicker than talent. That's why great companies hire the best people, period. But how do you know if your teams are coalescing around the company's BIG goals and cultural values? On today's show, Lisa Tanzer details the five traits of high-performing teams and her proven approach to building and managing the talent CEOs need to Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Chris Justice, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Chris is a former CEO with a proven track record of managing business units from $25 million to $700 million across diverse industries, including retail, lodging, automotive, e-commerce, and casino gaming. Quick Background: Running a business has always been hard. And considering that today's CEOs need to manage complex generational divides, global competition, rapid technological advances, and a constantly evolving economic landscape, leading isn't going to get any easier. But if your company has a clear vision, top talent, and dependable systems, there are very few BIG goals or problems that a CEO can't break down into smaller, more manageable parts.  On today's show, Chris Justice shares his practical, five-step framework for turning around companies and dealing with complicated business situations.

Guest: Sarah Dusek, the founder of Under Canvas, the leading upscale outdoor hospitality brand that she grew to a value of over $100 million. Today, Sarah is a venture capitalist, a cofounder of a new hospitality company, and the author of the new book, Thinking Bigger: A Pitch-Deck Formula for Women Who Want to Change the World. Overview: In 2012, Sarah Dusek's "glamping" company was starting its first season at Yellowstone National Park. One fateful afternoon, a huge thunderstorm rolled in and flattened the campsite, and, seemingly, Sarah's dream.  But Sarah, her husband, her employees, and even her customers rallied. She rebuilt her business model with an eye towards repeatability and scale. And as the company began to get to BIG, Sarah began "thinking bigger" as well.  On today's show, Sarah Dusek describes her incredible journey from the brink of collapse to building a $100-million industry leader. She also shares lessons from her new career in VC about what makes a business investible.

Guest: Sally Hurley, CEO of VIPdesk, a global leader in remote customer service. Sally is also a client of CEO Coaching International. Overview: Much of the focus on the AI revolution has been on how businesses can streamline operations and execute certain key tasks around the clock. But any AI implementation that isn't improving the efficiency and quality of your customer experience is going to be a downgrade, no matter how fancy your tech stack is. On today's show, Sally Hurley explains how to zero in on the unique balance between AI automation and human connection that will Make BIG Happen for your company.

Guest: Jen L'Estrange, Founder & CEO of Red Clover, which offers large-scale, strategic and operational Human Resources support that's accessible to small businesses. Overview: When it comes to comp, money is rarely enough -- especially for top talent. The best workers need to feel like their efforts are not just rewarded but recognized as integral contributions towards Making BIG Happen. Your compensation package has to tie all of these motivations together in a way that's clear, equitable, and integral to the company's top goals. On today's show, Jen L'Estrange shares five key insights on upgrading your compensation package: 1. Increase focus on variable compensation.  2. Communicate clearly about how compensation is structured. 3. Incentivize both short-term performance and long-term strategic objectives. 4. Provide non-monetary motivation for team members.  5. Benchmark salaries against market data rather than relying solely on cost of living adjustments.

Guest: Dr. Madan Kandula, a surgeon, entrepreneur, and the founder/CEO of ADVENT, a leading healthcare company providing solutions for people who have had life-long breathing and sleeping challenges. Dr. Kandula is also a client of CEO Coaching International. Overview: Whether you're running a Silicon Valley tech firm or a nonprofit in your hometown, getting BIG is never just a matter of driving up profits. Money is the fuel that powers the greater mission, which lifts up employees and shareholders as well as customers and community. CEOs have to use that higher purpose as a guide for how to achieve meaningful scale that will also deliver a meaningful impact.  On today's show, Dr. Madan Kandula discusses how he built ADVENT from a small practice to a thriving organization with over 300 employees and 25 locations across the Midwest. He also shares valuable insights on balancing profit with mission and how to effectively partner with private equity firms without compromising your vision for serving clients and Making BIG Happen.

Guest: Randy Dewey, the President and COO of CEO Coaching International. Randy has over 30 years of experience delivering rapid growth and expansion across various industries and countries. Quick Background: In order to Make BIG Happen, private equity firms need the companies they invest in to get BIG too. And, in most cases, the sooner the better. On today's show, Randy discusses how the team at CEO Coaching International works with private equity firms and their portco (portfolio company) CEOs to accelerate growth, improve execution, and maximize returns. Randy shares some insights on the importance of early intervention in newly acquired companies, bridging the gap between private equity expectations and portfolio company execution, and how coaching can help CEOs navigate the increased pressure that often comes with private equity ownership.

Guest: Shelley Van Etten, the president and CEO of WLT Software, a family-owned company that develops software for adjudicating and processing health and medical claims. Overview: Generational CEOs aren't just inheriting a BIG responsibility when they take over the family business. They're also taking on the skepticism, stubbornness, and, yes, jealousy of other employees who couldn't be part of the family succession plan. The new CEO has to keep that essential talent aligned with the business' core values while also leading in a personal and authentic way. On today's show, Shelley Van Etten discusses how she navigated the challenges of leading a second-generation family business, preserving company culture while evolving with the times, and preparing the next generation to keep Making BIG Happen.

Guest: Jon Hyman, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jon is a four-time entrepreneur, a seven-time CEO, and an accomplished business leader with over 30 years of experience across various industries, including consumer products, construction materials, sports and entertainment, investment banking, and manufacturing. Quick Background: So you've built, grown, and sold your first company. Ready for your next entrepreneurial adventure? Many aren't. To get back to the top of the mountain, entrepreneurs have to be willing to learn from their failures as well as their successes, and stay focused on the leadership principles that helped them Make BIG Happen in the first place. On today's show, Jon Hyman explains how he was able to lead an eclectic group of companies towards the same goal: a BIG exit.

Guest: Scott Belsky, Adobe's Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design & Emerging Products. Scott cofounded the online creative community Behance, which was acquired by Adobe in 2012. He's also an author whose works include the Implications newsletter and the book The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture. Overview: The difference between a BIG idea fizzling out or becoming reality is execution. The CEO has to support innovation at every level of the company while also keeping that innovation organized around driving progress towards annual goals. Following creative ambitions without vision and focus could lead your business astray, or open the door for disruption from a nimble competitor. On today's show, Scott Belsky discusses how leaders can find the right balance of talent, tech, and innovation to make ideas -- and BIG -- happen.

Guest: Wendy Mather, CEO of RDP Creative. Wendy and her team "bring creative ideas and stories to life through bespoke merchandise that people want to keep for years." Overview: When you're sitting in the CEO's chair, there's only one step up left in an organization. But opportunities to grab an ownership stake are rare. CEOs who want a BIG piece of the pie have to be personally, professionally, and financially prepared to seize that moment. On today's show, Wendy Mather explains how she purchased RDP Creative -- with a little help from some very supportive friends. She also discusses how she uses empathetic leadership and the power of positivity to shape a winning culture and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Curt Gooden, CEO Coaching International's Chief AI Officer. Curt helps CEOs define and realize their AI vision and meaningfully integrate AI into their business strategy and operations by leading CEO AI Roadmap workshops.  Quick Background: Mastering AI is not the CEO's job. But learning about the fundamentals and identifying potential implementations is a responsibility that no CEO can afford to shrug off any longer. As Peter Diamandis said at our recent Make BIG Happen Summit, "Everyone's moving towards AI companies. It is happening now, and it is the most important happening that has ever existed.” You simply can't let challenging ideas and an alphabet soup of acronyms prevent your company from catching this wave. On today's show, Curt Gooden explains important AI concepts and discusses how CEOs can drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage that will Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Greg Coticchia, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Greg is a six-time CEO, award-winning entrepreneur, business leader, professor, and author with over 30 years' experience in tech products and services. Quick Background: Innovation is the lifeblood of a growing company. If you're not continuously improving your products and services and exploring new marketplaces, you're putting a cap on your business' potential, and creating an opening that younger, nimbler, and braver competitors will march right through. On today's show, we explore Greg Coticchia's process for mastering new product development and building a culture of innovation that will Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Jonathan Seliger, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jonathan is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer, Senior Advisor, and Investor with over 30 years of experience.Having lived and worked in Asia for the last 30years,Jonathan brings a global perspective to the challenges of scaling a business to BIG. Quick Background: Even if your company is global, business is always local. Your strategies for attracting and retaining customers have to be customized for each individual market. What unites your plan of attack from town to town, state to state, and country to country is the consistency of your company's values, the strength of its brand, and its ability to execute, no matter what. On today's show, Jonathan Seliger shares his strategies for expanding a brand's reach, effectively managing growth challenges, and ensuring that scaling efforts align with long-term profitability and sustainability goals that will Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Keith Corrigan, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Keith has deep expertise in implementing Lean business practices. As a coach he draws on a proven track record of driving growth, managing through crises, and achieving operational excellence in various industries. Quick Background: Lean management is a systematic approach to running an organization that focuses on continuous improvement and seeks to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. Essentially, it involves using fewer resources to create more value for customers. The primary goals of lean management are to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity and quality by streamlining processes and eliminating any steps in a process that do not create value for the end customer.  Some companies have faced the threats of high inflation and interest rates by scaling back, well, everything: costs, office space, marketing, people, new products, and perhaps worst of all, ambition. CEOs have to understand that there's a BIG difference between a streamlined, lean company that's ready for anything and a declining company that's cutting too many corners. On today's show, Keith Corrigan breaks down the true essence of Lean management, including the management system he has implemented to minimize waste and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Edward Hughes, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Edward is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with two decades of experience as a CEO and three decades in senior leadership across Technology, Consumer Products, and Sporting Goods companies. He's also an Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Irvine, teaching General Management and Entrepreneurship in MBA and Executive MBA programs.  Quick Background: There's no one way to be an effective business leader. But the CEO's unique alchemy of personality, strategy, and vision has to inspire trust from employees at every level of the organization. If your employees don't believe in you, they won't be willing to follow you through the inevitable ups and downs on the way to Making BIG Happen.  On today's show Edward Hughes discusses his comprehensive leadership philosophy, which emphasizes building trust to drive success and foster a high-growth culture.

Guest: Saari Gardner, the Chief Experience Officer at CEO Coaching International. Saari is responsible for setting the client experience strategy, managing the client journey, and championing client impact.  Quick Background: While the title "Chief Experience Officer" is relatively new, the executive-level responsibilities that will fall on the CXO's desk are not. Before considering a costly new c-suite hire, your company needs to have a holistic understanding of how touchpoints with customers and employees fulfill needs and exceed expectations. Guided by the CEO's vision, a CXO can raise those standards, maintain consistency across every department, and build a powerful culture that will Make BIG Happen. On today's show, Saari Gardner discusses the CXO's multifaceted responsibilities, from being a changemaker and a voice for the customer at the executive table to reducing internal friction that impacts customer satisfaction. Saari also highlights the link between employee experience and customer service excellence and how fostering a positive work environment translates into superior customer interactions. We also explore the strategic considerations for integrating a CXO into your company, including when to recognize the need for this role and how to measure its impact on your business's bottom line.

Guest: Randy Koch, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Randy drew on his 11 years of AI and Data experience to build CEO Coaching International's CEO AI Roadmap Product (AI Strategy for CEOs). He also leads AI Strategy Workshops with our clients and coaches.  Quick Background: The hype around AI is so BIG that many CEOs struggle to zero in on two-to-three specific, practical, and actionable applications. That's where our CEO AI Roadmap comes in. The combination of our proven best practices and cutting-edge analysis of the latest AI trends will help CEOs develop a comprehensive AI strategy that delivers BIG results. On today's show, Randy Koch gives an overview of the process CEOs can use to build their own CEO AI Roadmaps, leverage AI to its full potential, and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Mark Moses, CEO and Founding Partner of CEO Coaching International.  Overview: The 2024 Make BIG Happen Summit in Miami Beach, Florida is almost here! On April 26th and 27th, 400 of the BIGGEST and best business leaders from around the world will gather at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel to learn, to connect, and to get inspired to Make BIG Happen in their lives and businesses. And, for the first time in the Summit's 10-year history, we're opening up registration for this one-of-a-kind event to CEOs, entrepreneurs, and executives outside of our coaching community.  On this special episode, Mark Moses discusses the Four Groundbreaking Event Themes that will define the 2024 Make BIG Happen Summit, our extraordinary lineup of speakers, and what he hopes attendees will take away from their time in Miami Beach.

Guest: Robert Glazer, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of global partner marketing agency Acceleration Partners. Robert is also a serial entrepreneur, an award-winning executive, a bestselling author, a keynote speaker, and the host of The Elevate Podcast. Overview: Effective marketing is a constantly moving target. Today's hot engagement strategy will be copycatted by all of your competition tomorrow. "Old-fashioned" media like print and radio get rediscovered on the cheap ... until everyone else rediscovers them and drives up the cost of ad buys. In order to maintain a competitive marketing advantage, CEOs need to start looking for synergies and partnerships that can boost your brand's awareness, strengthen your appeal to niche customers, and Make BIG Happen.  On today's show, Robert Glazer discusses how partnership marketing works, action steps that CEOs can take to augment their current marketing strategies, and some of Robert's key learnings from building a fast-growing company.

Guest: Harold Brand, Chairman of the Board and CEO of CYBRA, a leader in the barcode and RFID technology space. Harold is a client of CEO Coaching International. Overview: A good CEO understands his company's core competencies. A great CEO also understands his company's weaknesses. And the absolute best CEOs have the humility and long-term vision to get help shoring up those weaknesses so that they can Make BIG Happen.  On today's show, Harold Brand discusses how working with CEO Coaching International's Jim Weaver helped his technology firm grow into a sales and marketing juggernaut with over 2,700 customers worldwide.

Guest: Bruce Clay, founder and president of Bruce Clay Inc. (BCI), a leading search marketing company providing search engine optimization (SEO) services and consulting, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising management, content development, and social media marketing services. Overview: Is your digital marketing plan stuck in "The Before Times?"  Post-pandemic, CEOs need to understand how to get maximum effort, creativity, and service from their marketing teams.  And as we head into the next iteration of the AI era, CEOs need to understand that tech is never a solution -- it's a tool that needs to be placed in the right hands, in service of clear objectives. On today's show, Bruce Clay discusses how COVID and AI have accelerated digital marketing's evolution and how to tweak your marketing attack to keep Making BIG Happen. 

Guest: K. Scott Crawford, Partner, New Business Development, Client Prioritization at Preferred CFO, a company that provides outsourced CFO and comptroller services to companies seeking to elevate financial strategy, overcome challenges, maximize profits, and accelerate growth. Overview: Leveraging your company's financial data isn't just a numbers game. Without top talent and clearly defined roles for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting financial data, CEOs won't have the insight they need to track, measure, and manage KPIs to BIG. On today's show, Scott Crawford discusses the CEO's role in the financial side of the business, the key players to assemble on your financial team, and the six essential financial tools every company needs. 

Guest: Daniel Kim, VP of Product Development and Content at CEO Coaching International, where he oversees the creation of Making BIG Happen tools, methodologies, and skills. Dan also serves as a resource to coaches and clients for challenges related to finance, banking, M&A, PE/VC/IPO, industry benchmarks, and reporting issues. Previously, Dan was VP of Corporate Development at several firms and a head of research and technology analyst in the investment banking industry for 25 years.  Quick Background: Entrepreneurs and CEOs rarely love managing their business' finances as much as they love running their businesses. But leaders need to have comprehensive data at their fingertips and a team that can use that data to enhance the company's strategic planning and execution. On today's show, Daniel Kim discusses the critical role of accurate financial data in Making BIG Happen, including real-world examples of how money management can either drive growth or unravel your company's culture.

Guest: Mike Morris, a Principal at Kettle Hole Partners, a company that helps you optimize your marketing results based on detailed tracking of the numbers. Previously, Mike headed up Customer Acquisition and Retention at Grasshopper, The Entrepreneur's Phone System, where he tripled the customer acquisition rate and doubled revenue in 3 years.  Overview: When a company falls short of its goals, sales and marketing teams tend to point fingers at each other. Sales complains that marketing isn't delivering enough qualified leads. Marketing complains that sales isn't closing enough leads. And perceptive CEOs see a significant misalignment that threatens to drag down profits. On today's show, Mike Morris discusses structural and analytical strategies CEOs can use to keep sales and marketing focused on reaching your target customers and Making BIG Happen. Mike also uses his time at Grasshopper as a case study in identifying a sales niche and firing test bullets to identify new opportunities for growth.

Guest: Chris Dyer, a company culture and remote work expert. He's also a former CEO who has managed thousands of people, and his companies were consistently named a "best place to work." Chris' new book is The Power of Company Culture: How Any Business Can Build a Culture That Improves Productivity, Performance and Profits. Overview: Recently, the tech and entertainment sectors have given us some high-profile examples of what happens when a company's culture degrades from a strength into a liability. CEOs have to be intentional and specific about building a culture that will generate value for all stakeholders, keep the company moving toward its targets, and, ultimately, Make BIG Happen.  On today's show, Chris Dyer discusses what culture is, how leaders cultivate it, and how culture can drive or destroy growth.

Guest: Jeffrey Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, where he has taught since 1979. Prof. Pfeffer is the author or co-author of 16 books, including his latest, 7 Rules of Power: Surprising--but True--Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career. Overview: The tools that allow business leaders to gain, increase, and retain their power are neutral. It's how you use those tools that determines how far others will be willing to follow you and how BIG your company will get.  On today's show, Jeffrey Pfeffer discusses his 7 Rules of Power, how power is and isn't distributed through successful organizations and societies, and the choices we all have to make as we strive to Make BIG Happen. 

Guest: Mark Miller, the CEO of Connective, a community-based social services nonprofit operating in British Columbia and the Yukon to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Overview: A nonprofit may not have the exact same goals as a for-profit business. But the principles of success are no different for a nonprofit CEO: have a vision that benefits all stakeholders, track, measure, and manage progress towards milestones every day, and assemble a team of people who care about your mission and will work hard to Make BIG Happen.  On today's show, Mark Miller explains how he professionalized his nonprofit and grew the organization by more than 700% in seven years.

Guest: Christian Stang, Vice President Of Business Development at GINCOR Werx, a leading company in the custom manufacturing of vocational vehicles. Overview: It's common for the top salesperson to get promoted to lead the sales team. But there's a big difference between being a top salesperson and being a great leader. How do the best sales people cross the chasm into leadership and lead their team to BIG results? On today's show, Christian Stang discusses how his experience as a top-performing salesperson informs how he builds and manages collaborative sales teams. 

Guest: Fred Joye, Co-founder of Arcanys, a premier Swiss software development outsourcing firm based in the Philippines. Fred's firm specializes in building and maturing highly skilled, dedicated teams of developers for startups and established businesses. Arcanys is also a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International.  Overview: The best companies hire the best people, period. That means even if your tech firm isn't directly competing with Facebook and Google, you're still competing with Facebook and Google for top talent. To win that battle, growing companies need to get creative about how they build, compensate, and motivate their teams. On today's show, Fred Joye discusses how companies can use outsourcing to scale their development teams with top software engineers and compete against BIG tech companies that have more resources. 

Guest: Siddhartha Agarwal, the founder of Bhoruka Park Pvt. Ltd, one of the leading commercial real estate developers in Bangalore, India.  Overview: Thinking BIG is a mindset that, with practice, coaching, and follow-through, can become a powerful habit. Apply the same systems and processes to your business that you apply to sports, hobbies, personal challenges, and relationships, and there's no limit to what you can accomplish.  On today's show, Siddhartha Agarwal discusses why he set a goal of swimming across the English Channel, how he worked with a coach and a partner on a year-long plan to achieve that goal, and what the whole process taught him about Making BIG Happen in both business and life.