Value Creators

How do you build a retail business around passion—and scale it successfully? What does it mean to think in systems, not just solve problems?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with serial entrepreneur Joe Zentmyer, founder of Snaggletooth Goby and builder of thriving passion communities—from indoor climbing gyms to tropical fish hobbyists and service ventures. Joe shares how he applies systems thinking, relationship-building, and detail-obsessive iteration to create businesses that endure and expand.Key insights include:Why systems—not checklists—create scalability and resilience.How community, location, and hospitality converge to generate value.The importance of building teams that thrive in uncertainty and complexity.This is a hands-on masterclass in entrepreneurial systems design, filled with hard-earned lessons for anyone seeking to grow a values-driven, experience-based business.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseConnect with Joe Zentmyer on LinkedInLearn more about Snaggletooth GobyConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInSubscribe to The Value Creators on Substack

How we lead is who we are.In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with Becky Schmooke—entrepreneur, leadership coach, and author of Choose the Handle That Holds. Becky shares how the system of philosophy we label as Stoic generates practical tools for leadership, self-awareness, and resilience. Rather than hierarchical leadership vested with titles and administrative control, Becky proposes a more human vision of leadership: grounded in personal values, emotional clarity, and active participation.Key themes include:Why authority and leadership are not the same—and how leadership is a lifestyle, not a position.How Stoicism reframes control, responsibility, and purpose in business and life.What it means to “choose the handle that holds”—and how to build emotional intelligence through action, not theory.This conversation is a guide for anyone who wants to lead with clarity, build resilient organizations, and live aligned with their deepest values.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseBuy Becky's book: Choose The Handle That HoldsVisit Becky's Webiste: beckyschmooke.com Connect with Becky Schmooke on LinkedInConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInSubscribe to The Value Creators on Substack

The term alternative investments refers to investment opportunities that the financial regulators want to preserve for financial elites and protect from the average “retail investor” like you and me. They're investments like venture capital, private equity, and hedge funds. They're too sophisticated for individuals who are not “accredited”. These potentially high-yielding investments must be fenced off from broad accessibility. Too risky for the plebes.But, despite the regulators, financial markets are evolving to make alternative investments more accessible, liquid, and tailored to individual investors. How do you design products that combine institutional sophistication with retail access—without compromising on structure, performance, or trust? Through customer-centric design: knowing customers well and giving them access to products that meet their needs and give them new choices.In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings talks with Kim Flynn, President of XA Investments, a pioneer in private market innovation and product design. Kim shares how her firm is breaking down barriers in the investment landscape, from new fund structures to investor education and cutting-edge indexes. Key insights include:• Why the term “alternatives” is evolving into a broader concept of private markets.• How products like interval funds and tender offer funds balance liquidity and long-term investing.• The importance of demand-focused product design and timing innovation to market needs.• How educational tools like the XAI Interval Fund Index create transparency and drive adoption.• Why creativity, empathy, and structured iteration are critical in financial product innovation.Whether you're an investor looking to access private equity or a product builder seeking to serve new markets, this episode provides a playbook for innovation at the intersection of finance, entrepreneurship, and education.Learn how venture-mode creativity is coming to financial markets—and how the next generation of investment products will empower everyone.

How does entrepreneurship truly drive economic growth, and why is it often ignored in mainstream economic models? What role does imagination play in creating market-changing value?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings is joined by Per Bylund, professor, author, and one of the leading voices in Austrian economics. Per introduces a radically dynamic model of entrepreneurship based on his new book, Entrepreneurship and Evolutionary Economics.Key insights include:Why modern economics has pushed entrepreneurship to the margins—and why that's a mistake.The difference between creating knowledge and creating value.Why entrepreneurial success depends on imagination, empathy, and experimentation.How the infeasibility zone traps safe innovators—and how to leap past it.Bylund's three models of entrepreneurship, culminating in Model 3, where entrepreneurs reshape markets.The importance of institutional support—and the dangers of policy overreach.This episode redefines entrepreneurship not as a function of business plans or investment capital, but as an imaginative, value-creating force that reshapes the economy from within. If you want to understand how real economic growth happens, this conversation is essential.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseRead this episode's Knowledge Capulse at thevaluecreators.comCheck out Per Bylund's Latest Book: Entrepreneurship In Evolutionary EconomicsRead Per Bylund's Book: How To Think About The EconomyRead Per Bylund Book on The Economic Damage Caused by Regulation: The Seen, The Unseen And The UnrealizedFollow with Per Bylund on X: @PerBylundConnect with Per Byklund on LinkedInConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on Substack

Can companies operate effectively without bosses, titles, or hierarchies? How can organizations empower employees to take full ownership of their roles while maintaining accountability and productivity?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with Doug Kirkpatrick, author of The No Limits Enterprise and a pioneer of self-management. Doug shares his experience implementing self-management at The Morning Star Company, a firm that scaled successfully without traditional managers or management.Key insights include:The two core principles that enable a self-managed organization: no coercion and keeping commitments.How the Colleague Letter of Understanding (CLOU) replaces job descriptions and performance reviews.Why bureaucratic hierarchies are outdated and how eliminating them enhances agility and innovation.The evolving role of leadership as facilitators rather than controllers.The connection between self-management, trust, and high business performance.How AI and digital transformation are making self-management more relevant than ever.For business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to rethink traditional management, this episode offers a compelling look at the future of work. Discover how to transition from a control-based hierarchy to a high-trust, self-managed enterprise.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseConnect with Doug on LinkedInRead Doug's Blog on “The Future of Work”Get Doug's Book The No-Limits EnterpriseRead Morning Star's Success StoryConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on Substack

What if the traditional view of leadership—an individual who is assertively bold, visionary, and all-powerful—was actually harmful? What if leadership is not about commanding authority but interpersonal relationships, collaboration, self-awareness, and authenticity?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with Josefine Campbell, international business coach and author of 12 Tools for Managing a Selfish Leader: Unlocking Authenticity for Resilience. Josefine shares how toxic leadership dynamics can damage organizations and individuals—and how employees and leaders alike can protect themselves and build resilience.Key insights include:Why the traditional leadership myth is outdated and how a more human-centered approach is needed.How selfish leaders manipulate employees and erode company culture.The role of energy management in maintaining resilience against toxic leadership.Why self-awareness and authenticity are essential for outstanding leadership.The importance of corporate culture in preventing toxic leadership behaviors.Practical tools like the Awareness Matrix and Values Lighthouse to help individuals navigate difficult leadership situations.Whether you're a leader striving to improve or an employee dealing with a challenging manager, this episode offers valuable tools to foster authenticity, resilience, and ethical leadership. Learn how to protect yourself from toxic leadership and embrace a leadership model that works for the 21st century.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseVisit josefinecampbell.comConnect with Josefine on LinkedInSign Up To Josefine's NewsletterCheck Out Josefine's books:12 Tools for Managing a Selfish LeaderPower Barometer: How To Manage Personal Energy For Business SuccessConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on Substack

How can businesses shift from rigid, hierarchical structures to agile, fast-moving organizations that adapt to change effortlessly? What if businesses could remove bottlenecks, eliminate bureaucracy, and enable knowledge to flow freely—boosting innovation and engagement?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with Mark Beliczky, co-creator of the Kinetic Flow State Organization (KFSO) model. Mark explains why traditional business structures are failing in today's dynamic market and how KFSOs enable companies to replace control with continuous motion and adaptability.Mark served as President and CEO of ProHome Holdings, LLC, and in Executive Management roles at The Carlyle Group. He was the Founder, President & CEO of Salus Sciences, LLC, and held senior executive positions with PepsiCo, UBS, Citigroup, Sunrise Senior Living and other companies. He has been engaged in numerous business start-ups, turnarounds, transformations, and acquisitions/ mergers. Mark is a Fellow at the Strategic Management Forum, and a member of the American Academy of Management and the International Leadership Association. He holds an MBA from Loyola University, is a graduate of Heidelberg University, and has a faculty appointment at Georgetown University. He has authored over 120 articles on leadership, management, culture and performance excellence, and has led numerous leadership seminars and been a speaker at global leadership forums.Key Episode insights include:Why legacy business models—designed for stability—fail in today's high-speed market.How a KFSO enables real-time knowledge flow, decision-making, and adaptability.The two key components of a KFSO: kinetics (momentum) and flow (barrier elimination).How psychological safety and real-time feedback drive innovation and employee engagement.The shift from top-down leadership to dynamic, expertise-driven leadership.The step-by-step process for transitioning from a legacy model to a KFSO.For business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone rethinking organizational design, this episode offers a blueprint for creating a company that moves fast, innovates freely, and thrives in an era of continuous change. Discover how to enable a Kinetic Flow State Organization designed for the future.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseConnect with Mark Beliczky on LinkedInConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on SubstackRead Mark's Articles:The New Organizational Model That Is Needed For The 21st CenturyReimagining Organizational Structures for the 21st Century: The Agility AdvantageAdapting for Success: The Organizational Shift Every 21st Century Business NeedsThe Evolution of Agile and the Rise of Enterprise Flow Organizations

Real estate is more than buying and selling properties—it's about creating value for tenants, investors, and communities. How do you scale a real estate business from a single duplex to managing thousands of units? How do you navigate economic cycles while ensuring consistent returns for stakeholders?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with Ivan Barratt, founder of BAM Capital, about his entrepreneurial journey and the principles that have driven his success in the real estate industry.Key insights include:How Ivan scaled his business from a duplex to managing nearly 9,000 units.The importance of creating a positive workplace culture for property management success.The concept of forced appreciation and its role in increasing property value.Strategies for navigating economic cycles and balancing cash flow with long-term growth.The potential of AI in enhancing property management while preserving human connection.Whether you're an aspiring real estate entrepreneur or looking to invest in multifamily housing, this episode offers valuable lessons on leveraging innovation, culture, and strategy to create lasting value. Learn how to approach real estate as a value-driven business and scale sustainably.Resources:➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseVisit BAM CapitalConnect with Ivan Barratt on LinkedInConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on Substack

How can businesses successfully navigate the relentless pace of change without alienating employees? Why do so many change initiatives fail, and what role does communication play in driving successful transformations?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings speaks with Nellie Wartoft, founder and CEO of TigerHall, about a revolutionary approach to organizational change—change activation. Nellie explains how businesses can move beyond outdated, top-down "change management" processes to foster bottom-up, action-driven change that engages employees and aligns with company culture.Key insights include:Why employees resist change when they lack a voice and feel excluded from the process.How TigerHall uses data, personalization, and modern content formats (videos, podcasts, live streams) to activate change effectively.The importance of two-way feedback loops, real-time insights, and ongoing execution to drive agile, impactful transformations.Why culture is defined by who you hire and how behaviors are rewarded and recognized.For leaders seeking to address change fatigue, retain top talent, and create agile organizations, this episode provides a roadmap to activate meaningful and lasting transformation.Resources: Discover how TigerHall helps businesses navigate change in a human, engaging, and data-driven way.The Executive Council For Leading ChangeConnect with Nellie Wartoft on LinkedIn➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on SubstackShow Notes:0:00 | Intro2:02 |  Change is the Only Constant: The Concept of Change Management in Corporate America and Its Challenges4:57 | Increasing Frequency of Changes Employees Face and its Impact on Engagement  5:35 | Subjective Value8:39 | Change Activation and its Importance Over Traditional Change Management. 13:04 | Change with the Organization14:42 |  Overview of TigerHall's Platform and its Features for Driving Change Activation.   18:12 | TigelHall's Content Creation Process  20:42 | Dynamic Audience Group: Targeting messages             22:09 | Value Creators Online Course23:22 | AI-driven targeted messaging24:16 | Self Selection 25:26 | Success Story and the Role of Culture in Change Management and its Challenges29:19 | Giving Individuals a Voice31:37 | Culture 34:49 | The Flow Concept: Future of Change Management and the Need for Adaptable Professionals37:52 | Training People with Special Skills and Experience40:40 | Wrap-Up

What if you could leverage billions of dollars in pre-built infrastructure to grow a thriving e-commerce business without the burden of warehouses, logistics, or massive overhead? How can small innovations—rather than big inventions—solve customer problems and create scalable brands?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings sits down with Neil Twa, CEO and Co-Founder of Voltage Holdings, to explore the concept of "almost automated income." With over 17 years of experience building businesses both online and offline, Neil shares his expertise in scaling multi-million dollar brands through Amazon FBA and other e-commerce channels. Since 2012, he's launched 5+ personal brands, generated tens of millions in revenue as an 8-figure seller, and helped over 1000 entrepreneurs grow their businesses through consulting, coaching, and mentoring.Neil walks through key principles, including:Focusing not on products but on customer value creating solutions that deliver real value by meeting real needs.Choosing profitable offerings with high margins through a data-driven "Greenlight Process."Balancing demand creation (social media, influencers) with supply chain mastery.Scaling efficiently with small teams, automation, and AI systems.Listeners will learn how to identify winning products, test market potential, and build exit-ready brands that can sell for 3-15x their earnings. More than just a business model, Neil highlights how entrepreneurship can create purpose, freedom, and a fulfilling lifestyle.For entrepreneurs looking to tap into today's generative platforms, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to achieve success in the new economy.Resources:➡

Big Tech for Small Businesses: Unleashing the Power of Geofencing with Barbara Wardell and Ernesto CullariHow can small businesses best use cutting-edge technologies? Geo-fencing is a great example, providing location-based advertising to drive traffic, revenue, and ROI for local businesses. What does the future hold for small businesses as they integrate advanced tech to personalize customer experiences?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings explores these questions with Barbara Wardell and Ernesto Cullari of Cullari and Wardell, a pioneering service provider in geofencing and location-based marketing solutions. Barbara and Ernesto share their expertise in helping small and medium-sized businesses harness advanced technologies to attract customers, increase conversions, and create sustainable growth.They emphasize a customer-centric approach, leveraging tools like GPS tracking and demographic data to tailor highly targeted ads that resonate with local audiences. By combining technology with a deep understanding of small business challenges, they demonstrate how geofencing can deliver measurable results, from attracting new customers to optimizing location choices based on foot traffic studies.Barbara and Ernesto also discuss the importance of hyper-specialization, ROI measurement, and the evolving future of advertising, where AI and privacy-sensitive data play a pivotal role. For small business owners, this episode offers actionable insights into leveraging big tech to compete effectively while maintaining the personal touch that defines their success.This conversation is a masterclass on how to think and act as value creators, showcasing how innovation, technology, and customer focus can unlock new opportunities for small businesses.Resources:➡  Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseBarbara Wardell & Ernesto Cullari's AgencyConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn:The Value Creators on Substack

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This episode is a repost from The B2B Growth Blueprint podcast with Mark Osborne.There is a shift away from traditional management toward self-managed, digitally-enabled companies. We are entering the Post Managerial Era of Capitalism. In this new way of thinking about business and organization, top-down structures are giving way to self-management, where employees make decisions informed by real-time data and customer insights.Mark Osborne from the B2B Growth Blueprint podcast provided a platform to discuss the implications of this shift.Mark highlights the role of empathy, emotional engagement, and agile customer feedback in building responsive, customer-centric businesses, and emphasizes the importance of leveraging digital tools to create interactive environments where customers can actively participate and provide invaluable insights. This approach allows businesses to strengthen product development and build loyalty by making customers feel directly involved.Mark Osborne emphasizes the relevance of these strategies for early-stage companies, emphasizing iterative design and customer engagement, even with limited resources. By integrating these principles, businesses can not only strengthen their product development but also create a loyal customer base that feels directly involved in the process.Resources: Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School (The Value Creators Course)Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Mark Osborne on LinkedInThe B2B Growth Blueprint Podcast on Apple PodcastThe B2B Growth Blueprint Podcast on YouTubethevaluecreators.comTVC Substack: hunterhastings.substack.com

We are about to enter the era of AI agents, and learning about them and deploying them is relevant to every business. What are they? How can a business develop one? How can a business successfully deploy one? How can a business develop a team of AI agents to work together to automate processes? How will these AI agents create value for customers?In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings gets answers to these questions from  Michael Walker of SmythOS. Michael is the right expert to learn from because he prioritizes customer-centricity in AI solutions. Michael believes that businesses should put customer needs and benefits first, before technology features. That's the Value Creators mindset, and it helps businesses to avoid the common pitfall in tech-first startups where excessive focus on features can obscure the value for end-users. According to Michael, this focus on customer problems is foundational, and AI deployment should primarily aid in addressing customer needs rather than showcasing technological capabilities.SmythOS advocates for a future where AI and humans work in synergy to optimize value creation effectiveness.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Michael Walker on LinkedInFollow Michael Walker on SubstackThe Value Creators Online CourseShow Notes:0:00 | Intro0:30 | Focus on Customer's 2:17 | Can AI be Emphatatic?3:59 | Mainstream Market for AI: Is it Here Yet?6:47 | SmithOS: Vision and Mission9:04 | OS: Coordinated AI11:57 | Solving the Problem of Generating Innovation Idea15:37 | Can AI Improve the Quality of Technological Investments?18:01 | AI Boosts Productivity by Optimizing Resource Allocation19:27 | Michael's Views on AI: Enabling Smaller, Tech-Driven, Specialized Firms21:47 | AI May Replace OR Transform SaaS Companies23:39 | Smith OS: Relationship Between the Owner of the Problem and the Designer of the Solution25:36 | AI Integration May Eliminate Traditional Company Departmental Silos28:01 | AI Agents as Team Members29:30 | AI CEO31:30 | Hunter's Contradictory Approach: AI Can Help Us with Vision and Mission33:41 | Can AI Generate Bold, Unconventional Ideas?34:34 | Entrepreneurial Intent36:00 |  Changing Interaction Modes will Transform Technology Perception39:15 | Potential AI Risks and Concerns40:54 | Wrap - Up

Has the pace and volume of change increased in the modern age? Is dealing with change more of a problem for businesses today than in the past? What is the recommended way to manage change? Erik Schön is a student of ancient philosophy, and he reminds us that the challenges raised by change are ancient, not modern. And the ancients had good ways to deal with them. In this episode of the Value Creators podcast, Erik Schön discusses the genesis of his book, The Art Of Change, the latest of a trilogy of works that include The Art of Strategy and The Art of Leadership. Erik distills highly relevant ancient wisdom, particularly from texts like The I Ching and Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. He builds a modern business application from these classic ideas based on his extensive experience in leadership and strategy.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInThe Value Creators on SubstackConnect with Erik Schön on LinkedInGet Schön's book on Amazon: THE ART OF CHANGE: Patterns for Success. Yokoso Press

Brian Hollins is founder and managing partner at Collide Capital and Founder and CEO of Takeoff Institute, as well as Founding Board Member at BLCKVC. He's devoted his career to addressing and solving the challenges entrepreneurs face in accessing capital when they're not plugged in to elite VC networks and funding sources. Brian shares insights from his venture, Collide Capital, which provides investment, coaching, and support to entrepreneurs lacking access to traditional networks.The conversation highlights the importance of community, mentoring and education in empowering these entrepreneurs. Brian also discusses his involvement with the Takeoff Institute, which aims to develop future leaders. The episode underscores the critical role for entrepreneurship in value creation. Entrepreneurs develop better products and services and contribute to meaningful experiences for customers. Institutional support, such as venture capital, is essential. Yet, only some have access to these resources, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not be plugged into the institutional environment of university incubators and venture capital pools.Key Challenges Disucussed:Lack of access to networks: Many aspiring entrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds may feel disconnected from the networks facilitating access to funding and mentorship.Intimidation by networking: Networking can be intimidating, but it is not an insurmountable barrier. With the right coaching and support, disadvantaged entrepreneurs can find their way into these networks.Brian's journey serves as an inspiring example of how one can create value not only through business success but also by uplifting others and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Brian Hollins on LinkedIncollidecap.comShow Notes:0:00 | Intro1:05 | Differential Access4:53 |  Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs: How do they Get Started?7:14 | Is Networking a Baseless Fear? 10:01 | Unique Business Models from Lived Experience 12:10 | Less Algorithmic, More Empathetic Approach13:49 | Fund Zero: Collide Capital's Stoy15:28 | What is a Scout Check?18:01| Collide Capital Investment's Success Stories21:45 | Better Entrepreneurial Culture: Raising the Community 24:40 | Education's Role in Entrepreneurship28:21 | Fellowship Language28:58 | Future Access to Investment32:00 | Technology's Role in Entrepreneurship: Can Finance Become Less Institutionalized through Apps?34:55 | AI as an Entrepreneur's Operating System 38:00 | One-Person Billion-Dollar Company: Building Bigger Businesses with Fewer Resources39:30 | Wrap-Up: Building Leaders through the Takeoff Institute

John Willenborg's business, Owl Vans, specializes in adventure vans designed for outdoor enthusiasts who seek to connect with nature. These vans provide essential comforts and accessories while encouraging maximum high-value outdoor time. The market for adventure vans has expanded rapidly, with Owl Vans leading in aftermarket accessories. John highlights the importance of scalability and being a generalist to succeed in entrepreneurship.John's approach emphasizes the importance of strategic marketing, careful expansion, strong partner relationships, and diligent financial management in building and scaling a successful business.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn Connect with John Willenborg on LinkedInShow Notes:0:00 | Intro00:09 |  Adventure Category for Customers03:40 | Process of Kitting Out Vans05:20 | Popularity and Usability of Sprinter Vans15:24 | Design Process19:00 | Mark Packard: Be the Customer20:21 | Knowledge and Empathy22:21 | Knowing when to stay focused25:43 | Brand Name is Critical28:00 | Service Provided at Owl Vans: Maintenance and Adventure Ideas?31:09 | Scaling Business through Strategic Partnerships33:20 | Managing Partnership Relations35:37 | Cash flow of a Business: Finance and Accounting42:46 | Owl Vans: Maintaining team spirit and unity?46:41 | Wrap - Up

Digital enablement and AI are revolutionizing how companies operate and reshaping the economy. At the core of this transformation remains a fundamental principle: the customer is the boss. In this new era, empathy becomes crucial as businesses strive to meet subjective values and deliver hyper-personalized experiences. Consumers demand instant access, precise responses, seamless order fulfillment, and transparency, while resisting intrusive tracking and data monetization.David Kramer, Founder & Chief Product Officer at Cooperative Computing, joins Hunter Hastings to highlight how AI can enhance creativity while balancing automation and human touch. In this discussion, Kramer shares insights on the digital enablement movement, emphasizing that AI should complement human creativity rather than replace it. He underscores the need for maintaining a brand's unique voice amidst the risk of generic content. As AI advances, businesses must adapt, using it to innovate while preserving the essential human element that resonates deeply with audiences. This approach aligns with the shift towards hyper-personalization, where understanding and delivering what each individual wants becomes the new standard, as exemplified by companies like Nike, which serves diverse customer needs with tailored, transparent experiences.Resources:Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInCooperative ComputingConnect with David Kramer on LinkedInDigital Enablement by Cooperative Computing PDFShow Notes:0:00 | Intro: Vision of the Digitally Enabled Firm01:57 | 5 Key Business Functions: Branding and Marketing03:15 | Second Key: Sales and Commerce03:56 | Digitally Enabled Organization: Third and Fourth Key04:48 | Fifth Key for a Digitally Enabled Organization: Service Delivery Management07:13 | Human Role: Coding OR Evolving Decisions?13:13 | Are We Still Customer-Centric?20:33 | Transition Away From Control25:01 | Customer in this New Digital Environment29:39 | Demand for Transparency and Responsiveness35:34 | Managing Accelerating Digital Change Speed: The Art of Possible40:47 | Stephen Hawking: Cosmology Depends on the Questions You Ask45:38 | Is Competition Still Relevant, and Can Large Firms Adapt?53:52 | Wrap-Up

This episode is a repost from The Working On Purpose PodcastCapitalism comes in for criticism, despite the fact that this economic system has resulted in substantially increasing global per capita income over the centuries, spurring economic growth and progress. Critics often criticize a kind of Aberrant Capitalism, one that is dominated in their minds by corporations, whose behavior is not always meritorious. But from the earliest times, it was Customer Capitalism, not corporate capitalism, that was the driver of individual prosperity and thriving. Companies such as Wedgwood & Bentley of Wedgwood China fame (founded 1759) set the original precedents by prioritizing customer needs and innovation, laying the foundation for contemporary business practices. The advent of these corporations facilitated large-scale entrepreneurship, promoting innovation and efficient responses to customer demands.Entropy has set into the capitalist system since the founding days, and there is some corporate behavior that needs reform. Dr. Alise Cortez is attentive to these concerns. We discussed the prospects for a revival of customer capitalismResources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Alise Cortez on LinkedInThe Value Creators WebsiteHunter Hasting's Blog Dr. Alise Cortez's websites:  Gusto-Now.com and AliseCortez.comShow Notes: 0:00 | Intro3:25 | Capitalism: Bad Rap and the Purpose 08:07 | Standard Oil's Impact on Civilization09:52 | World War: Capitalism in the Next Era14:20 | The Post-War Capitalism: Command and Control19:50 | Period of Financialization 21:05 | Maximising Shareholder Value 22:14 | Government as the Customer 25:35 | The Promise of Customer Capitalism 28:30 | Current Landscape of Customer Capitalism 33:03 | Management Practices of Forward-Thinking Companies: Extremely Flat Organization35:33 | Cross-Functional Teams 37:45 | Short-Term Problem Solving vs. Long-Term Planning 39:50 | Long-Term Stock Exchanges: Role and Contribution40:30 | AI and Middle Management42:24 | Principles Over Rules 43:40 | Customer-Centric Business Models 45:13 | Idea of Subjective Value and Empathy48:37 | Wrap - Up

In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, Hunter Hastings, an economist and corporate marketing professional, is interviewed by Natalie Born, host of the Innovation Meets Leadership Podcast. Imagine a future where your organization works backward from a detailed vision of how customers will interact with your products and services. This is a concept Hunter Hastings passionately discussed on the podcast. He advocates for a mental shift in organizations to focus on the flow of information from the customer, leading to effective marketplace tests and implementations. Hastings reflects on the historical shift from customer-centric entrepreneurship to bureaucracy and financialization, emphasizing the need for organizational innovation to remove barriers. The conversation explores the importance of empathy, understanding customer needs, and the potential for flatter organizational structures to accelerate innovation. Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Natalie Born on LinkedInValuecreators.comHunter Hasting's blogInnovation Meets Leadership PodcastShow Notes:0:00 | Intro02:03 | Hunter Hastings Professional Background04:50 | Procter and Gamble's Customer-Centric Approach08:58 | Removing Barriers to Innovation: Mental Model11:47 | Fundaments of Innovation: Self-Management15:20 | Morning Star's Self-Management Model18:01 | Imagining the Future for Implementation20:39 | Vision and Customer-Centric Innovation22:45 | Example: The Blackberry and Customer Frustration24:57 | Tension Between Customer Knowledge and Innovation26:44 | Empathy and Interaction in Entrepreneurship28:52 | Wrap-Up 

This episode is a repost from The Learn-It-All Podcast The decline of customer capitalism and the shift in support for capitalism among young people highlights the need for a cultural transformation in business and economics. By prioritizing customer value, fostering empathy, and empowering employees, businesses can build stronger relationships with customers and drive long-term sustainable growth. The future of customer capitalism lies in understanding and meeting customer needs, leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience, and reforming business education to prioritize customer value creation.In this episode of the Learn It All podcast, guest Hunter Hastings, an economist, venture capitalist, and author of "Aberrant Capitalism: The Decline of Customer Capitalism," discusses the decline of customer capitalism and the shift in support for capitalism among young people. Hastings emphasizes the importance of customer-centric business practices, the impact of financialization, and the need for empathy in business. He advocates for a reform in business education to prioritize customer value creation and introduces an online course aimed at teaching these principles. The conversation also touches on the potential of AI in enhancing customer experiences and the importance of capitalism in improving well-being.Hunter Hastings' insights provide a valuable roadmap for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to navigate the evolving landscape of capitalism and create meaningful value for customers. By embracing the principles of customer capitalism, businesses can not only thrive but also contribute to a more empathetic and customer-centric society.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInTo download the book: Aberrant Capitalism: The Decline of Customer CapitalismThe Online Value Creators Course: Valuecreators.comConnect with Damon Lembi on LinkedInConnect with Darren Bridgett on LinkedIn

Yasmin Davidds, president & CEO of Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute and Multicultural Women's Executive Leadership Institute advocates for a leadership approach called "graciously assertive," which blends self-advocacy with empathy for others. Dr. Yasmin outlines eight pillars crucial for effective leadership, emphasizing practical methods like gratitude lists and self-awareness exercises to foster personal growth. Central to her philosophy is "graciously assertive" communication, combining assertiveness with grace to achieve collaborative outcomes. Yasmin discusses how this approach can transform workplace dynamics, emphasizing empathy and mutual understanding in both professional and personal relationships. She also addresses challenges faced by women, particularly women of color, advocating for gratitude and empathy to navigate biases effectively. Yasmin promotes moral leadership aligned with personal values, stressing genuine inclusion and the importance of mindsets like gratitude and growth for continuous personal and professional development.Resources:Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn Connect Yasmin Davidds on LinkedInYasmin Davidds Website: dryasmininstitute.comTo download the book: Graciously AssertiveShow Notes:0:00 | Intro00:46 | Yasmin's Point of View: Being a Better Human Being02:37 | Graciously Assertive: Eight Pillars04:13 | First Pillar: Self-Awareness06:50 | Second Pillar: Social Awareness08:23 | Third Pillar: Empathy09:52 | Fourth Pillar: Self-Regulation 11:45 | Fifth Pillar: Self-Compassion12:17 | Zero Tolerance for Judgement13:37 | Most Empowering: Pillar of Gratitude16:37 | Eight Pillar: Healthy Boundaries 18:20 | Assertive or Graciously Assertive Communication23:45 | Empowering Women in Diverse Challenges26:42 | Moral Leadership30:50 | Find the Barriers and Remove Them32:49 | Mindset35:13 | Inclusion38:13 | How does Yasmin teach?40:19 | Wrap-Up

Teams are the new focal point of organizational design and organizational function. Motivation - quantified as “energy” by Proijal Ghatak and Onloop - is the key to team performance. Technology is advancing to the point where motivation can be monitored using AI, and self-reported feedback and other nuanced approaches to understanding and improving motivation levels are delivering real progress. Purpose portfolios can align individual motivations with organizational goals, capturing the role of purpose in driving productivity and engagement.Projjal mentioned companies experimenting with holocracy and distributed flat organizations, although scaling such structures was noted as challenging due to inherent human tendencies to seek direction and guidance. The conversation also explored frameworks like RAPID (Bain's Responsible, Accountable, Perform, Informed, Decide model) and spans of control, highlighting strategies for optimizing organizational effectiveness and managerial efficiency.Projjal emphasized the importance of respect and trust in leadership dynamics, noting that effective leaders inspire motivation and engagement through their actions and guidance. The role of AI in augmenting managerial capabilities and increasing spans of control was also discussed, highlighting the potential for technology to enhance organizational structures and improve managerial effectiveness.Resources: The Post-Managerial Era (Blog Post) Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn Connect with Projjal Ghatak on LinkedInonloop.comShow Notes:0:00 | Intro0:57 | Problem to Solve3:02 | Collaborative Software Tools Shift Mindsets9:31 | Great Breakthrough: Products Addressing Management Problems16:44 | HR's Original Design: Suppressing Dissent, Keeping Control17:44 | Teams as Core Units: Hybrid, Remote and Onsite21:41 | Entrepreneurial Intent Without Clear Goals25:11 | Feedback Loop26:19 | New Performance Management Project 31:25 | How Do Projjal Detect Motivation?35:29 | Experimenting with 'Things That Matter'38:15 | Service Orientation41:04 | Organization and Firm Structure50:40 | Right Hemisphere Dominant VS Left Hemisphere Dominant 53:19 | Wrap-Up

Kimberlee Josephson is an associate professor of business at Lebanon Valley College, and an insightful and energetic promoter of entrepreneurship and free markets at The American Institute For Economic Research. Resources: Connect with Kimberlee Josephson on LinkedIn Read Kimberlee Josephson's articles at AIERConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInLearn Entrepreneurial Value Creation with our Value Creators Online Course  Show Notes:0:00 | Intro2:02 | Kimberlee Josephson's Background3:53 | Big Picture of Capitalism8:16 | What was the Problem?11:34 | How Kimberlee Teaches Power Structure and Other Programs17:19 | Companies Prioritizing Morals Over Profi.19:55 | Maximizing Shareholder Value: Research Perspective23:04 | Antitrust: Government's Role in Business Scrutiny28:15 | Monopoly as a Business Goal: Darker Motives33:15 | Critics of Capitalism: Distorted View of Competition37:21 | Focus on Positive Business Dynamics, Not the Destruction Part39:44 | Value Creators Online Course40:57 | Business Education 44:23 | Redefining Entrepreneurship 46:44 | Academia Being Non-Dynamic: Where to Get Business Education? 51:38 | Wrap-Up

Leadership is not what the business schools and the coaching industry tell you it is."A Leader's Destiny" challenges conventional notions of leadership, offering a thought-provoking exploration into the complex interplay of psychology, culture, and society. Written by Elias Aboujaoude, the book delves deep into the modern leadership landscape, dissecting prevalent trends and highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in how we perceive and cultivate leaders.It highlights how leadership has been oversimplified into formulaic steps and mnemonic devices, creating an illusion of quick mastery. This reductionist approach fails to capture the complexity of human behavior and context, lacking empirical support. Instead, Dr Aboujaoude proposes a shift towards viewing leadership as a state of mind, emphasizing psychology over pseudoscience and recognizing individual uniqueness. This reframing calls for a departure from the business school model of leadership, advocating for a more personalized and nuanced understanding rooted in psychology and character.Dr. Aboujaoude's  Value Creators podcast discussion with Hunter Hastings delves into the often-overlooked role of followership, critiquing the prevalent focus on grooming leaders at the expense of valuing followers. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging followers as essential components of effective leadership and calls for a more balanced perspective that appreciates their contribution. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the significance of empathy and humility in leadership, advocating for emotionally intelligent and empathic leaders who understand the role of luck and serendipity in their success. Overall, the discourse prompts a critical reflection on current leadership culture, urging a reevaluation of conventional wisdom and a renewed focus on psychology, individuality, and genuine concern for both leaders and followers alike.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Elias Aboujaoude on LinkedInTo Read, Sample, and Buy the Book on Amazon: A Leader's Destiny: Why Psychology, Personality, and Character Make All the DifferenceShow Notes:0:00 | Intro0:18 | Leadership Industrial Complex.2:56 | Supply Demand Analysis: How Did Leadership Manufacturing Start4:44 | Crisis: Leadership Demand Mismatch7:10 | Attention Economy: Impact on Leadership10:06 | Redefining Leadership: Psychology Perspective17:52 | Leadership: Moving Beyond Formulaic Approaches20:30 | Leadership Challenges: Left Hemisphere Dominance22:42 | Individual Uniqueness vs. Formulaic Approach27:26 | Charisma 29:02 | Fostering Effective Followership31:26 | Distributed Leadership33:48 | Leadership-Free Concept: Network Structure34:42 | Culture 40:52 | Cultural Reflection: Emphasizing Empathy42:45 | Luck and Serendipity45:40 | Whether Elias is Optimistic OR Not?48:05 | Wrap-Up

Entrepreneurship can be learned via philosophy and principles: cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, fostering adaptability, and problem-solving skills, and embracing dynamic market processes.Mark Packard, Professor Of Business And Entrepreneurship at Florida Atlantic University and Director of the Madden Center for Value Creation, contrasts entrepreneurial business education with traditional business paradigms. An entrepreneurial curriculum focuses on dynamic market processes and the pivotal role of the entrepreneur in the capitalist market system. Mark proposes experiential learning, where students engage with real-world challenges, fostering adaptability and problem-solving abilities crucial in today's rapidly changing business landscape.Mark emphasizes the broader impact of entrepreneurial thinking, spanning industries such as healthcare, where innovative models like direct primary care challenge established norms. By integrating philosophical insights and subjectivism, entrepreneurial education can cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and value creation. Mark underscores the importance of introspection and experimentation in breaking free from conventional thinking patterns. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the transformative potential of entrepreneurial education in fostering innovation, adaptability, and societal change across all sectors.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn: Connect with Mark Packard on LinkedIn: Check out The Value Creators Online Course by clicking here. FREE PDF: 26 Ways To Think Better about Business.Mark Packard: Entrepreneurial Valuation: An Entrepreneur's Guide To Getting Into the Mind of CustomersShow Notes: 0:00 | Intro0:18 | The Next Management: Reinventing Management for the Digital Age6:33 | Subjectivist Thinking: Shifting Mindset for Business Innovation7:46 | Prioritize Customer Experiences over Finances9:59 | Reverse Engineering 12:01 | Systems Thinking Approach: Business Role in the Customer's Lives 15:14 | Applying Austrian Economics in Business Education18:47 | Austrian Theory was Always Focused on Complexity20:21 | Marsha's Degree in Business22:19 | Learning Experience24:14 Can AI Simulations Foster Dynamic Entrepreneurship?26:25 | Transforming Company Culture Through Entrepreneurial Hires31:32 | Core Principles: Understanding Value, Empathy, Creativity34:14 | Full Use Cycle35:53 | Empowering Diverse Skill Sets for Business Impact35:54 | History/Philosophy Grads Excel with a Value Creation Mindset40:05 | Revolutionizing Healthcare Through Value-Driven Practices41:37 | Wrap-Up

Disciplined entrepreneurship refers to an approach to starting and growing a business that emphasizes rigorous application, methodical processes, and practical tools to achieve success. This concept, discussed by Bill Aulet in his book "Disciplined Entrepreneurship", involves systematically identifying needs, customers, and markets, validating ideas and experiments, and executing plans with discipline and focus. It includes understanding customer needs deeply, developing innovative solutions, and creating value in a structured manner. By following disciplined entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of building sustainable businesses and navigating the challenges of the rapidly changing market landscape.Bill Aulet and Hunter Hastings discuss various aspects of entrepreneurship, focusing on proven methodologies (Bill has multiple successful launches from the MIT incubator as case studies) and practical approaches to building successful businesses. They emphasize the importance of understanding customer value, rigorous market research, and adopting innovative business models tailored to customer needs.Bill emphasizes the significance of a beachhead market strategy over traditional total addressable market calculations and he emphasizes that there the primary challenge to entrepreneurs to identify customers' top priorities, fears, and motivations, aligning their value proposition accordingly.The dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship in the digital era is characterized by the emergence of innovative pricing strategies, such as dynamic pricing and subscription-based models, which present novel opportunities for value realization.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInConnect with Bill Aulet on LinkedInMIT: entrepreneurship.mit.eduTo Read, Sample, and Buy the Book on Amazon: 1st Edition: Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup, 1st Edition2nd Edition: Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup, Expanded & UpdatedShow Notes:0:00 | Intro2:43 | The Big Picture Principles: What is a Mindset?6:44 | Entrepreneurship as a Craft and Not a Science9:06 | Learning Entrepreneurship: Can Entrepreneurship be Taught in Corporations?10:54 | Can you Teach Google Enterprenerurship?16:13 | Innovation in Business Education: Inside or Outside Academia?18:21 | Breaking Down the Structure of Book: Disciplined Entrepreneurship22:57 | Case Studies 24:13 | Know the Customer27:02 | Beachhead Market: Find your Beachead28:37 | Concept of a "Full Cycle Use Case”31:20 | Academia: How Customers Determine Value?35:00 | Business Models37:09 | Pricing39:43 | Is America Still an Entrepreneurial Society?43:50 | Wrap-Up

Capitalism fosters widespread prosperity. But we must acknowledge a set of emerging hazards associated with corporate management practices, and take proactive measures to mitigate such risks.The hazards that have transformed capitalism over time are vividly described in Aberrant Capitalism: The Decline and Revival of Customer Capitalism, authored by Hunter Hastings and Steve Denning and published by Cambridge University Press. In this episode of The Value Creators podcast, Hunter shares capitalism's journey from an external orientation, where customers and their needs were the focus of business activity, to a more internalized orientation, where management processes, methods and measures became the focus. The customer-centric approach of the first great corporations of the nineteenth century reflected the vision and purposes of owner-entrepreneurs using their own capital. But over time, these entrepreneurs left, and a debt and equity finance model took over in the twentieth century. Success became synonymous not with happy and satisfied customers but with stock market performance and shareholder value. This shift represents an undermining of the original animating spirit of capitalism. However, Hunter expresses guarded optimism about the emergence of new business models in the twenty-first century, embodied by companies like Apple and Amazon, which prioritize direct customer engagement and long-term growth over short-term financial gains. Despite this optimism, the conversation acknowledges the challenges and risks associated with contemporary capitalism, including dehumanization of labor, data privacy concerns, social media's impact on mental health, and the rise of monopoly power. Hunter emphasizes the importance of preserving the positive aspects of capitalism while addressing these issues, calling for a reassertion of the values that underpin the system. Hunter concludes with a call to action for readers to engage with the ideas presented in the book and work towards a capitalism that prioritizes customer value, innovation, and societal well-being while remaining vigilant against its potential pitfalls.Resources: Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn.Check out the book Aberrant Capitalism.Buy the Book on Amazon: Aberrant Capitalism (Elements in Reinventing Capitalism)Aberrant Capitalism on the Cambridge University Press

Sustainability in the food supply chain has become a vital consideration for the resolution of food chain risk. It's also become a mission for some food producers and distributors and for some food brands, it's become a marketing mandate. Maisie Ganzler has been orchestrating the critical alignment required for the pursuit of sustainability in the food supply chain and articulating the crucial alignment between marketing and operations. Maisie perfected the concept of organizational support for sustainability, highlighting the creation of specialized roles like the "forager" to facilitate local sourcing initiatives and overcome procurement obstacles. She introduced metrics and tools to track sustainability goals using tools. Passion supplies energy but it's ineffective without leverage, pointing to procurement decisions and organizational culture as key leverage points. Flexibility and adaptability - versus ideology - are essential traits in responding to evolving challenges and opportunities in sustainability efforts. Maisie Ganzler delves into the relationship between personal health and sustainable dietary choices, highlighting the alignment between whole foods consumption and planetary health goals.By integrating marketing, operations, and organizational support, businesses can navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and drive meaningful change toward a more sustainable future.Resources: To connect with Maisie: Maisie GanzlerFind out more about Maisie Ganzler: maisieganzler.comTo Read/Buy the book: You Can't Market Manure at LunchtimeTo buy the book on Amazon: You Can't Market Manure at LunchtimeShow Notes:0:00 | Intro01:57 | You Can't Market Manure at Lunchtime: Maisie Ganzler Defines Sustainability04:38 | Consumer-First: Flavor as Key Benefit05:26 | Mission is Actionable Steps07:02 | What Purpose is About?08:27 | Bon Appétit Management Company: Business Side10:31 | Who is Your Customer?12:25 | Subjective Values14:54 | Tradeoffs: Most Challenging17:29 | Pick One Narrative 19:34 | How Do We Get Our Stories Straight?21:29 | Marketing is Communication23:08 | The Forager: Deeper Relationship25:33 | Scaling Corporation27:26 | Measurement in General 31:18 | Passion 32:34 | You Can Make a Difference: Empowering Through Collaboration35:47 | Adaptability: Don't Be Rigid38:07 | Safety: Eat Lancet Report 39:41 | Wrap-Up: When Will the Book Be Published?

David Kong discusses his transition from Finance to Entrepreneurship and the process of building a supply chain for a product with exclusive features, such as thin, and handcrafted glasses. He explains how he searched for manufacturers, tested samples, and addressed production issues. Despite challenges with finding warehouses and improving packaging, Kong emphasizes the importance of creating value for customers. He shares insights on the emotional value of Glasvin stemware, its impact on the drinking experience, and the evolution of consumer preferences in the wine industry. Additionally, Kong discusses his direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, marketing strategies, and the significance of inbound sales for Glasvin.Throughout the conversation, Kong underscores the value of efficient operations, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric approaches in building and scaling a successful business like Glasvin.Resources: Database and Analytics company: SOMM.AIGlasvin (Manufacturing company)David Kong on LinkedInShownotes:0:00 | Intro: Origin Story and Entrepreneurial Mindset02:12 | Origin Story and Entrepreneurial Mindset05:05 | Idea of Somm.AI Came From Experience06:19 | How Did Personal Interest Evolve into a Business?09:18 | Value Proposition for B2B Users: Benefits and Analytics10:47 | Big Claim: Largest Updated or Updating Database of its Kind12:49 | Attracting High-Price Point Luxury Wines13:43 | Global Database14:28 | Glasvin: Origin Story19:07 | Building a Supply Chain23:03 | What's The Emotional Value of Glasvin?25:36 | Evolution of Desired Experiences is Fascinating27:26 | How Did Packaging Evolve29:25 | Direct-To-Consumer Model30:44 | B2B Business: Selling to Business Customers34:45 | Conferences: Getting in Touch with Restaurants37:53 | Wrap-Up

How do the value creation principles of subjective value, entrepreneurship and creativity apply in a highly technical rules-based environment like SOC Compliance audits. These are objective validations of data security measures based on customer-defined criteria similar to traditional financial audits but more specific and subjective. The answer lies in the understanding of customer needs. Mike DeKock, CEO of MJD Advisors, an SOC auditing firm, has the insight: the customer seeks confidence - a feeling that they can approach their own clients with the assurance of providing the data security that they demand. Trust, reliability and commitment are the underlying values - emerging from technological rigor, at a much higher level of human need.Mike discusses the evolution of compliance services and the changing landscape within the industry, and explains the importance of continuous compliance and how his company aims to provide ongoing support and guidance to clients throughout the year, for continuing reinforcement of the client's feeling of confidence.He recognizes the value of building relationships with clients, helping them navigate compliance challenges, and fostering organizational improvement. He sees value in creativity, curiosity and collaboration, and the need for continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry. At MJD Advisors, there is a passion for helping clients find simple solutions to complex problems, emphasizing the satisfaction derived from making a meaningful difference in their businesses.Resources: MJD Advisors: mjd.cpaMike DeKock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-dekock-7325a654/Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:13 | SOC Compliance: Mike Shares His Business Field Growth Journey03:21 | Regulatory Audit Requirement is Optional05:09 | Client's Confidence is Subjective Essence07:51 | Value Proposition10:08 | Confidence Area: Empathy-Driven Insight into Client Needs12:09 | Confidence Meter: How to Measure it? 13:49 | Trust Measurement15:16 | Data Security18:05 | Business Model: Client-Centric Excellence 20:01 | Trust and Confidence: Some Companies View Audits as Mere Costs22:08 | MJD Advisors: Exceeding Client's Expectations 23:07 | Hiring: Interesting People VS Hard Stats25:27 | Helping Clients Find Simple Solutions to Complex Problems27:32 | Future Unpredictability Adds Complexity29:20 | Entrepreneurial Ethic30:40 | Wrap-Up

Jeff Amerine and Hunter Hastings, discuss the detailed process of building startup ecosystems and fostering entrepreneurship. Jeff Amerine, emphasizes the role of entrepreneurs in spearheading ecosystem development, suggesting that successful ecosystems are entrepreneur-led initiatives. Leveraging available tools and resources, including AI and cloud computing services, has democratized entrepreneurship, making it more accessible and efficient than ever before. Jeff highlights the significance of engaging universities in the ecosystem, tapping into the talent pool of students, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset from an early stage.Despite the challenges of scalability and trust-building, Jeff discusses the expansion of his organization's footprint beyond Arkansas, aiming to bridge international venture ecosystems. The long-term commitment required for ecosystem development, emphasizes the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and societal change.Resources: Startup Junkies Consulting Website: startupjunkie.orgStartup Junkies Book: creatingstartupjunkies.comShow Notes:0:00 | Intro02:31 | How Jeff Defines Enterpreneurship?03:55 | Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: 4 Pillars06:53 | Entrepreneurship Not Only a Mindset But Also a Talent 08:34 | Cultural Perspective: Assessing Startup Ecosystem Readiness13:40 | Capital is Hard to Break into for Startup Ecosystems: Capital Pillar15:58 | Early Capitalism: Self-Funded Growth16:32 | Community Engagement: Local Bank Support for Startups18:58 | Startup Junkies Could Be Economic Developers20:40 | Access to AI Tools Simplifies Startup Initiation22:12 | Universities Play a Vital Role in Startup Ecosystems24:33 | Operational Side of Entrepreneurial Support Organization27:18 | Funding Process and Events30:19 | Networking Defined 32:45 | Time: Sow Seeds, Be Patient36:05 | Systemize OR Stay Entrepreneurial?38:00 | Wrap Up

In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, dive deep into the classic battle between market-driven innovation and centrally planned industrial policy with our esteemed guest, Christian Sandstrom, a leading voice for individualism and free-market solutions and author and professor at Jönköping International Business School and the Ratio Institute in Sweden.In this conversation, we unpack the government's grand “moonshots” and “missions” which claim to solve societal challenges but always miss the mark due to bureaucratic inefficiency and a central planning approach that negates the potential of market dynamics.Learn why centralized missions such as the cancer moonshot or the war on homelessness can become drains on public funds while failing to deliver meaningful progress, and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial society where markets create value and select the best solutions organically, rather than imposing 'one-size-fits-all' government-led directives.This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the interplay between innovation, the economy, policy, and technological advancement! Christian Sandstrom's Books:Moonshots and the New Industrial PolicyQuestioning the Entrepreneurial StateEpisodes Mentioned: Christian Sandström: Why Governments Can't Act Entrepreneurially

Hunter Hastings and Kartik Gada discuss the transformative dynamics of the digital economy and its profound implications for society, economics, and governance. Kartik Gada provides a compelling analysis of how the exponential growth of the high-tech sector is reshaping traditional notions of supply, demand, and pricing, highlighting the unique characteristics of digital goods that defy conventional economic modelsThrough a deep dive into the future of taxation, entrepreneurship, and individual specialization, they explore the disruptive potential of AI and automation in revolutionizing the way we work, create value, and interact with the economy. Kartik emphasizes the significance of cybersecurity and ethical considerations in the digital age, and the use of technology to ensure fairness and safety for all participants. Resources:Book: ATOM: It is time to upgrade the economyATOM on YouTubeKartik Gada on LinkedIn

Professor Raushan Gross, who teaches Business Management And Leadership at Pfeiffer University, has focused his most recent research on the impact and influence of A.I. on entrepreneurship. He published some of this research in a series of articles at mises.org. One of them links A.I. to The Wealth Of Nations, and, of course, the wealth of nations is driven by entrepreneurship. From this vantage point, Professor Gross identifies the multifaceted impact of AI on society, economics, and business strategies, advocating for a paradigm shift in management thinking to adapt to technological advancements.Show Notes:0:00 | Intro2:27 | Exploring AI's Impact on Entrepreneurship7:18 | Can AI Surpass Human Entrepreneurship?8:48 | Exploring AI as a Service and AI Stacking12:08 | AI as a Team Member in Entrepreneurship15:10 | Small and Medium Businesses Can Embrace AI for Strategic Advantage17:13 | Transition to Autonomous Decision-Making with AI21:13 | Concerns on AI Centralization and Oligopoly25:15 | Adam Smith: Global Scale AI is the Wealth of Nations26:40 | Elon Musk on Value Creation: the Value Meter29:14 | Does AI Redefine Management by Value Metrics?32:14 | Wrap-Up: Rethinking Management in the Digital Age

Chet Richards discusses the intersection of military strategy and business leadership, offering valuable insights for navigating complex environments. Emphasizing the importance of agility and adaptability, Chet explores Colonel John Boyd's OODA Loop concept, highlighting the need for continuous observation, orientation, decision-making, and action. He underscores the role of leadership in shaping organizational culture, driving innovation, and maintaining an external focus for sustained success. The idea of being "certain to win" is derived from Sun Tzu's teachings, emphasizing the importance of constant self-evaluation and continuous self-improvement, conducted from an external perspective.Resources: Chet Richards on LinkedInCertain To Win: The Strategy of John Boyd Applied To BusinessZen Mind: Beginner's Mind: 50th Anniversary EditionShow Notes:0:00 | Intro3:00 | Chet's Perspective of Strategy: Strategy is about people09:22 | Vision: Attraction and Uplifting Spirit17:08 | Centrality of Time in General25:14 | Helping Companies with Reorientation: Many-Sided Implicit Cross-Referencing29:15 | Old and New Experiments and Allocating Resources for Success33:34 | Ambi Dexterousness: Chaos Theory, It's Called Explore and Exploit41:52 | Culture as Opposed to Organization42:24 | Wrap-Up: Culture as Developing External Focus and Acting on It

Adaptive entrepreneurship refers to a dynamic approach to business leadership and business practice that embraces continuous learning, rapid adaptation, and the creation of novel ideas. Mark McGrath and Hunter Hastings discuss the critical aspects of adaptiveness in dynamic environments. They explore the aftermath of failure to adapt to nonlinear external change. The conversation emphasizes the importance of the shift from traditional management to adaptive leadership, as defined by a fusion of entrepreneurial economics and John Boyd's unique approach to “the whirl of reorientation”, and focusing on the importance of influencing and inspiring collaboration, as contrasted with managerial control.Mark McGrath highlights the role of appreciation leadership, recognizing the worth of ideas, and fostering human interaction. He advocates for continuous reinvention and the active creation of mismatches to outpace competitors. Entrepreneurs need to embrace adaptive systems, prioritize human-centric leadership, and leverage novel ideas for sustained success in ever-changing business landscapes.Resources: AGLX - Consulting & Coaching Group: aglx.comMark McGrath on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjmcgrath1/Show notes:0:00 | Intro01:50 | Rethinking Management Amid Uncertainty04:23 | Entrepreneurship: Navigating Uncertainty for Value Creation06:38 | Entrepreneurship as a Continuous, Never-Ending Process08:50 | Massive Mismatch: Preserving vs. Exploring New Futures14:16 | Disruptive Innovation15:19 | Entrepreneurial Method as Continuous Ongoing Loop of Value Creation20:21 | Idea of Entrepreneurial Intent22:42 | Positive and Negative Feedback: Feedback Loop25:12 | Organizational Structure and Empowerment in Business and the Military34:56 | Quantification VS Qualitative Analysis38:02 | Rethinking Management VS Embracing Adaptive Systems39:20 | Wrap-Up: Mark McGrath's Concept of Leadership 

Mental models are defined as fundamental assumptions that shape the way individuals perceive and interact with the world. When our mental models are wrong, we can't see the world as it really is. New mental models introduce a new and better understanding. This episode of the Value Creators podcast introduces eleven fundamental mental models, ranging from understanding value as a subjective creation within the minds of customers, to the strategic accumulation of knowledge within a firm, to the pivotal role of empathy and the transformative nature of marketing as behavior. Each mental model contributes to a new holistic paradigm designed to guide entrepreneurs in creating sustained value.Mental models contribute to the necessary shift in business mindsets towards a dynamic approach that emphasizes the continuous flow of experimentation and the ongoing refinement of knowledge through error correction. Resources: Hunterhastings.comShownotes:0:00 | Intro: Choosing Right Mental Model for Success02:43 | Mental model Number 1: Value is Created by the Customer04:07 | Mental Model Number 2: Knowledge05:13 | Mental Model Number 3: Empathy 06:23 | Mental Model Number 4: Marketing07:26 | Mental Model Number 5: Design08:15 | Mental Model Number 6: Innovation09:30 | Mental Model Number 7: Entrepreneurship11:08 | Mental Model Number 8: Finance and Accounting12:13 | Mental Model Number 9: Organization13:08 | Mental Model Number 10: Business is a Flow14:05 | Mental Model Number 11: Knowledge Accumulation15:20 | Wrap-Up: Value Creation For Customers

Visual design is an important element in value creation, especially in telling a brand's or a business's story in a way that engages with customers and communicates shared values. Visual designers are multi-talented artists and storytellers with an acute understanding of customers and their emotional responses to visual cues. Our guest this week is Jacqueline Porter, an accomplished professional in her field and a very successful business owner in her own right.We explored the business of design and creativity from the challenges within design education, and the drawbacks of rigid design frameworks and the value of subjective, creative approaches. A notable reference to a transitional figure in design Steve Jobs shows how simplicity and creativity - rules and no-rules - can work together.The conversation moves to the realm of implementation in branding, exploring the delicate and shifting balance between fixed and flexible elements. Jacqueline advocates for constant evolution, telling a story with a dynamic interplay between exploration and exploitation for sustained success. Consistency is achieved with creativity, empathy, and adaptability.Resources: https://www.jacquelineportercreative.com/Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:28 | Jacqueline's Defines Visual Design: Inclusions, Exclusions and Importance03:54 | Nike Example: What Represents a Good Design?05:32 | Jacqueline on Branding: Advertising's Impact06:54 | Professional Approach: Visual and Wood Synergy in Business09:28 | Clients Don't Know What They Want: Process VS magic11:02 | Lum Spirits Story15:51 | Color Palette: First Step for Visual Representation of Lum Brand20:09 | Visual Design Mastery: Empathy, Psychology and Branding21:23 | History of Rules VS No Rules22:54 | Newtonian Economic Thinking and Bauhaus Analogies24:42 | Steve Jobs Simplicity is a Transitional Example26:27 | Designer Examples: Getting Outside of the Box29:05 | Crack is Wack32:22 | Implementation of Design34:50 | Wrap Up: Fixed and Flexible Idea

In our ongoing series investigating leadership in business - coming from the skeptical perspective of “Is there such a thing?” - we meet Amanda Goodall, a professor of leadership at Bayes Business School, City University of London, specializing in the influence of leaders and managers on performance, shares insights from her book "Credible: The Power of Expert Leaders." She has a new perspective on business leadership. It's not a general management function that can be taught in an MBA course. It can't be learned from leadership courses. It can't be implemented by management consulting firms. Leaders must first be experts in their field and the core business of the firm.Amanda shares the importance of experts in providing a clearer sense of purpose and fostering a longer-term organizational perspective. The dialogue concludes with a call to establish expert-friendly environments, and emphasizes the removal of impediments to harness expertise for organizational success.Resources: https://amandagoodall.com/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63251919-crediblehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Credible-Expert-Leaders-Amanda-Goodall-ebook/dp/B0BS3FS9XHShownotes:0:00 | Intro02:41 | Leadership Studies: Academic Overview06:26 | Defining Leadership's Impact on History09:07 | Patterns of Expert Leadership13:35 | Success of Expert Leaders: Key Principles17:25 | Expert Leadership at All Levels18:05 | Reed Hastings' Leadership Style and Bureaucracy in Organizations21:32 | Openness and Autonomy: Keys in Tech Companies22:38 | Challenges in Defining Core Functions25:15 | Rethinking Leadership: Business School Approach to Leadership30:48 | Metrics Obsessed Defined33:28 | Expert Leadership: How They Craft a Clear Essence of Purpose35:22 | How Expert Leaders Create More Productive Workplaces?38:43 | Expert Leaders Exhibit Greater Emotional Intelligence 41:34 | What is an Expert-Friendly Company?45:40 | Removing Barriers to Get an Expert-Friendly Organization47:27 | Wrap Up: Revolutionary Approach of Amanda Goodall 

Moshik Temkin is a historian who offers an alternative perspective on leadership. He asks, do leaders make history or does history make leaders? Those two forces can't be separated. While leaders contribute to shaping history, they are also molded by powerful historical forces. This nuanced perspective is evident in analyses of historical figures like FDR, Margaret Thatcher, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, emphasizing the role of circumstances in leadership's response to complex historical challenges, ultimately leading to significant changes in their respective nations. The conversation explores moral leadership in the civil rights movement, comparing the approaches of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Despite their distinct styles, both leaders shared a commitment to collective progress and justice, challenging the prevailing emphasis on individual success. Temkin addresses the ethical dilemmas leaders encounter during crises, prompting reflection on the justifiability of extreme measures for the sake of victory.How does this discussion contribute to the question of leadership in business? Leadership is subjective. We look to those who we feel can guide us, whether in politics or business. There are principles that cross both fields.Resources: https://www.moshiktemkin.com/warriors-rebels-saints https://www.moshiktemkin.com/Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:03 | Leadership and Its Impact On History07:04 | Leadership in Japanese Decision-Making During WWII11:34 | Leadership Decisions During World War II17:39 | Atomic Bomb Decision-Making During WWII20:45 | Core Assumptions in Decision-Making 23:23 | Machine Making Decisions VS Individual Making Decisions26:04 | Abysmal Leadership and The Cuban Missile Crisis30:14 | Individual Leadership Defined With Examples 45:08 | Wrap up: Conclusion 

We live in a video age, which opens up a vast array of entrepreneurial pathways. Video is a field for open-ended free creative expression, as well as for tightly managed business tools built for ROI. It's the ideal field for creative entrepreneurial small business innovators. Cynthia Kay of CK and CO is both a business founder and CEO of a video production business and a consultant and advisor to small businesses. She shared some of her insights and a preview of her 2024 book Small Business Big Success.  Resources: CK's business resources site: https://cynthiakaybiz.com/Books you can buy now: https://cynthiakaybiz.com/books/Cynthia Kay's upcoming 2024 Book - Small Business, Big Success:https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CFWFZQTS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1700618573&sr=8-3Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:37 | CK's Business Backstory: Inception to Present04:41 | Started with Cold Calls and Big Capital Investment06:39 | Tech Evolution Every Two Months07:14 | Business Growth: Gradual OR Leaps09:00 | Understanding the Big Business Perspective11:58 | Education's Video Evolution: A Rapidly Changing Business Tool.16:47 | Clients' Perception of Video Costs18:30 | Functional knowledge: Educating Clients on Video Value and ROI19:56 | Defining 'Best' in Video Production22:39 | CK's Advice: Solving Common Small Business Problems25:08 | Excel as a Small Business Owner, Embrace Big-Thinking Strategies.27:27 | From Expensive Equipment to iPhone Editing29:17 | Small Customers Can Evolve into Major Assets32:29 | Key Areas for Small Business Growth through Strategic Partnerships35:58 | Can Small Businesses Outshine Big Corporations?38:11 |  Automating Operations: Essential or Optional?40:55 |  Wrap Up: Cynthia's Upcoming Books Overview

LaSean Smith outlines a business investment partnership built on permanent capital, emphasizing long-term commitment and trust-building between an investor/source of capital and a business. The discussion covers disciplined methodologies, leadership transitions, and a unique compensation approach using Phantom Stock Shares. LaSean predicts a rise in smaller, values-based companies, and underscores the significance of audience and automation in acquiring and revitalizing brands. There can be a shift towards stable, smaller businesses connected to communities, challenging the trend ofdominance by larger and parger corporations.Resources: https://cagr.com/

The nature of work has changed, so how we manage it must change, too.As businesses barrel along into the fast-changing digital age, we find that the very nature of work has changed. The new name for the office or the factory is the hybrid workplace. Not only where we do work, but how we do work has changed, and how we synchronize work with each other has changed the most. For the firm, productivity is at risk. And all the standard approaches to business that we've been taught are outdated. Take management as an example. How do you manage a hybrid workplace and workforce. Our point of view at The Value Creators  is that management is an old-fashioned concept we have to discard. We need something new. The Value Creators podcast hosted two of the best experts to address the challenges of the hybrid workplace, Julie Kantor and Felice Ekelman. They are co-authors of the book that will provide the background to our discussion today: Thrive With A Hybrid Workplace: Step-by-Step Guidance from the Experts.Shownotes:0:00 | Intro03:06 | Old System VS New System: Work-life Balance & Remote Work During the Pandemic09:55 | Hybrid Work and Leadership in a Post-Pandemic World14:02 | Hybrid Model: Nine to Five Model is Gone16:42 | Hybrid Workplace: Seven Seas Framework22:53 | Hybrid Policy: How Are We Managing Change?24:50 | Culture of change: Importance of Face-to-Face Connection28:07 | Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership in a Hybrid Work Environment34:46 | Coaching as a Fundamental Part of the Hybrid37:27 | Smart Goals: Well-Being in the Workplace38:48 | Productivity in the Hybrid Workspace41:34 | Hybrid Workspace: Compliance Load46:12| Wrap up: Where are we heading? 

Trini Amador is the Value Creators' go-to guru for all things marketing. He has a long career as CEO of a global branding consultancy, BHC Consulting, and he is also the founder and proprietor of Gracianna, an estate winery that has established a portfolio of greatly acclaimed, gold medal winning prestige wines from its home in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, on the banks of the Russian River.Trini joined the Value Creators podcast to discuss his latest thinking distilled from his extensive brand-building experience: his theory of talkability.Shownotes:0:00 | Intro03:17 | Understanding Talk Ability Theory: Basics, Floaters and Swimmers07:20 | Three Areas of Talk Ability Theory09:06 | Is Managing Expectations and Feelings a Brand's Duty?11:11 | How digital marketing is typically described and the Traditional Funnel Approach16:45 | Modern Marketing Innovation: Returns Policies and Proactive Issue Resolution20:54 | Roger Martin's habit-driven brand strategy is outdated22:39 | Concept Trini of Expectations24:41 | Fundamental Elements of the Brand Blueprint and Speed Change27:56 | Optimizing Social Media for Brand Talkability28:50 | Heineken Double Zero Strategy31:24 | Importance of Valuable Feedback in Business 33:18 | Trini's Business Insights and Lessons Learned 38:46| Wrap up: Find Trini Amador and His Team at Gracianna.com

We all suffer from negativity. That's a business risk for entrepreneurs, since we are in the business of running lots of experiments, some of which will work and some of which won't. If we process the learning negatively (“I should never have tried that” versus “One more useful piece of knowledge”) we open ourselves up to unproductive disappointment instead of the energizing excitement of discovery.Anthony Iannarino knows the problem, and knows the solution: take a negativity fast. Just like cutting bad food choices from your diet to improve your metabolic health, you can cut negative thinking to improve your emotional health. He discussed his book, titled The Negativity Fast, and shared his insights with The Value Creators podcast.Resources: The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques To Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear And Boost Success.Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:30 | Dangers of Negativity in Entrepreneurship and Evolutionary Biology 07:06 | Major Triggers: Stress and Optimism Bias10:44 | Exploring Internal Dialogue in Anthony Iannarino's 'Negativity Fast' 14:09 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy16:28 | Empathy as a Key Exit from Negativity 19:35 | Detailed Insights on Empathy by Anthony Iannarino23:44 | Idea of Radical Acceptance27:04 | Value of Feedback and Solutions in Entrepreneurship30:47 | Practice Gratitude in detail by Anthony34:25 | Emotional and Metabolic Health: Keys to Overcoming Negativity37:38 Positivity and Negativity: A Matter of Choice39:26 | Does Positive and Optimistic Approach Link to Better Performance?41:36| Wrap up: Practical Advice and Mind Hack by Anthony Lannarino 

Jeremy Vesta is a Value Creator in a field where value creation is intensely focused on the experiences of individual consumers: health care. He's CFO of Curally, an innovative services company designed to help individuals in a highly distinctive and intensely focused manner: helping every individual to be healthier today than they were yesterday. Curally is bringing a fresh new kind of innovation to an industry with a traditionally closed structure.Resourceshttps://curally.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-vesta-b967505/Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:14 | A Conversation with Jeremy Vashta: How He Surveyed the Healthcare Field06:00 | Discussing Healthcare Economics in Detail10:22 | Defining Nurse Coaching12:31 | Initiating Relationships with High-Risk Individuals14:35 | Training Nurses as Coaches16:24 | The Key Variable in Engagement18:08 | Jeremy's Unique Corporate Value Proposition: Promoting Wellness and Building a Cohesive Culture21:57 | Discussing Measurable ROI in Detail23:53 | Sedentary Lifestyles and Obesity: Discussing the Biggest Healthcare Problem26:40 | Embracing Long-Term Health and Behavior Modification31:34 | Creating a Hospitable Environment Can Prevent Diseases36:12 | Coaching Definition Beyond the Medical Field By Jeremy39:01 | Can AI Help With Coaching in the Future?41:30 | Wrap Up: Reach out to Jeremy at curally.com

A breakthrough technique for Small Business: Don't manage, build systems. Many small business owners experience frustration in trying to manage their businesses. So many things can get in the way of organized and profitable implementation. Management is hard, especially when it involves managing other people. Beverlee Rasmussen has interviewed and coached thousands of small business owners all over the world, and spent 10,000 hours developing her small business system of systems. Systems are how things get done. If you build systems, you don't have to manage people. Beverlee offers systems for every facet of small business: Leadership Systems, Operations Systems, Financial Systems, Team Systems, and Marketing Systems. Those titles might seem like something for big businesses only. But they're not. Every business owner can design and implement their own systems - and doing so will bring back all the joy and freedom and success that you expected from becoming an entrepreneur.Don't manage, build systems.Resources:Beverlee's latest book: Small Business, Big Opportunity: Systematize Your Business.Small Business Coach TrainingSmall Business Field Guide: Organized and ProfitableThe Small Business Coach Gameboard

Damon Lembi is the CEO of LearnIt, a service company dedicated to helping all firms become learning organizations. He is the go-to expert on learning, change, and people development. He shared some of his 25+ years of experience with The Value Creators podcast.

In this episode, Josefine Campbell shares how being agile is the most important and impactful management innovation of the 21st century. How we need to strip away all bureaucratic and processual obstacles to create a fast delivery of superior customer experiences, how its principles can apply at the individual level as well as the organizational level, and how being agile comes down to self-awareness and self-management. 

It is evident that in today's economy, AI & software are extremely powerful tools in business, creative pursuits, and innovation.  In this episode, Ben Johnson, co-founder of Particle41 and other successful software companies, joins to discuss the integration of AI from enhancing customer support to aiding software development, the ethical considerations of AI usage, and its simulation of empathy.For the full show notes visit: thevaluecreators.com