Podcasts about achievenext

Listen to the Associated Equipment Distributor's annual summit coverage. In this episode, Adam Torres and Ed Wallace, Managing Director at AchieveNEXT, explore AchieveNEXT and the Associated Equipment Distributor's annual summit thanks to the support of our sponsor, Vanguard Captive Management. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia

Listen to the Associated Equipment Distributor's annual summit coverage. In this episode, Adam Torres and Ed Wallace, Managing Director at AchieveNEXT, explore AchieveNEXT and the Associated Equipment Distributor's annual summit thanks to the support of our sponsor, Vanguard Captive Management. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Herrenkohl is Managing Director at AchieveNEXT, a Philadelphia based company that provides a wide spectrum of executive and professional services to help leaders and their enterprises achieve success and corporate excellence. Prior to joining AchieveNEXT, Eric operated his own consulting firm and helped individual executives and executive teams maximize their leadership impact and operational effectiveness.  In addition to being a published author, Eric has made appearances on Business Week, Fox News, and NBC News, and his articles have also appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Inc.com, Careerbuilder.com, MSNBC.com, and Monster.com.

Roy Schindele is an award winning hospitality and brand ambassador focused on training and coaching in hotels and private clubs. After a storied career, he is launching RDS Hospitality & Brand Advisors. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast presented by Mindful "U", Roy gives us an overview of RDS Hospitality, talks about his time at Disney, and details his 15 years at Bay Hill working alongside the King. He also introduces AchieveNext, mentions his work with Distinguished Golf Destinations and reminisces about his years working alongside Arnie. This was an unforgettable conversation and an honor having Roy on this show. Let's tee off.

In March 2020, brothers Kaleb and Kolby Rush lost their internships with the onset of the pandemic. They decided to put their skills and knowledge to good use. Alongside their dad, they spent months perfecting their five-ingredient, human-grade, meat-based dog treat recipes. With a passion for entrepreneurship, a love for dogs, and their unique knowledge of dog treat craftsmanship, Kaleb and Kolby got down to business and co-founded Saint Rocco's Treats. They're focused on opening 15 Saint Rocco's kitchens by 2030. Kaleb Rush is also the Production Manager at Prime Packaging Partners LLC. Kaleb graduated from the Fox School of Business at Temple University with a major in supply chain management and a minor in entrepreneurship, selling skills, and sales operations. He is also the Recruitment Chairman for Delta Chi, where he developed a recruitment strategy and successfully onboarded 20 new members to help grow its colony and build Delta Chi's brand on campus. Kolby Rush sharpened his practical understanding of the business world as an Associate Consultant for Chess Consulting LLC, an Intern at Primerica, and by working for his dad at American Butcher Brand. Kolby received a bachelor's degree from Penn State University with a major in finance and a minor in economics. He also studied abroad in Germany at Pforzheim University, learning business and economics. In this episode… Your four-legged friend has always been there with a gentle nose and a warm heart, so how can you make sure you're catering to your pet's dietary needs? What steps can you take to ensure an authentic consumer experience across various touch points? When Kaleb and Kobly Rush began their dog treat brand, they were certain about one thing — dogs deserve better. By bootstrapping their brand, they control the ingredients that go into each treat, so man's best friend will only get top ingredients. Kaleb and Kolby enhanced their marketing recipe by using a genuine approach to reach their target audience and make a positive impact in their community by donating $1 to local dog rescues for every pound of treats sold. Bring tail wags to your home with this episode.  In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Kaleb and Kolby Rush, Founders of Saint Rocco's Treats, to discuss the commitment and passion behind creating a pet food brand. Together, they talk about launching a human-grade dog food brand, why authenticity has a greater impact on consumers, and why remaining committed to your values is essential.

May Thao-Schuck, EdD, is the Vice President of Career and Professional Development at St. Catherine University. With a strong background in leading and advancing teams and organizations, May successfully propels growth through innovative strategic organization and business design. She was previously the Divisional Director of Workforce Development Employment and Training Programs at the Minnesota Department of Employment and the Director of Organizational Development for Training and Development at ActivStyle. She earned her doctorate in organization development and change from the University of St. Thomas, an MBA from Argosy University, and her bachelor's in therapeutic recreation and recreational therapy from the University of Minnesota. May is an active board member at the Minnesota State High School League and CommonBond Communities. In this episode… Making difficult decisions and recognizing when it's time to pivot can be challenging for leaders. How can you embrace a diverse talent pool to create a stronger team and work environment? When statistics show that within the first 18 months, 40% of internal promotions and 55% of outside hires leave, how can you equip your organization with the right systems and processes to assemble lasting leadership? For May Thao-Schuck, EdD, the answer may be surprising: holistic positioning. Positioning leaders based on foundational career competencies and adaptability can set up organizations for success. If you want your organization to become successful, begin with your leadership. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with May Thao-Schuck, EdD, Vice President of Career and Professional Development at St. Catherine University, to discuss cultivating a workplace with equity and opportunity. May talks about the impact employees make on the workforce environment, challenges organizations face while handling human capital, and how to empower leaders for generations to come.

Reyn Holden is the Head of Finance and Accounting at Truebill, a finance company that manages subscriptions, improves credit scores, tracks spending, and builds budgets for consumers. He is a Global Advisory Board Member at AchieveNEXT and the Owner of Quintessence Properties I. Reyn led a team of internal and external staff supporting the technology acquired by Rocket Companies and helped Truebill become a member of the Rocket team. He is experienced in the finance sector and was previously the Lead Data Financial Analyst for the Virginia Regional Transit, a Consultant at LMI, Head of FP&A for Great Minds, and a Consultant for Clarendon Partners, LLC. In this episode… How can you communicate financial information that satisfies the appetite? What can you do to align objectives with financial goals for a product-driven company? Reyn Holden says the simplest way is not to overwhelm your clients with too much information. Effective communication requires tailoring and altering your message to a given audience. If your audience doesn't have the same level of understanding, you must express your message by directing it to the information that they want and need to know. Not everyone is a financial expert, so you must voice what's necessary to validate the next steps a business wants to take. Strategic business initiatives are built on the backs of financial information and assessing the risks and rewards of those decisions. Reyn helps translate the company's financial needs and the desires of its product and brand-building goals, so the two form a cohesive strategy and set the company up to become an enduring enterprise.  On this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Reyn Holden, Head of Finance and Accounting at Truebill, to discuss authenticating and improving your business results. Reyn talks about examining the long-term success of your product, how to communicate financial needs effectively, and the steps you can take to balance a company's financial and operational needs.

Misty Law Flurry is an accomplished human resources leader who brings over 20 years of experience to her position as Director of Talent Solutions at AchieveNEXT, a company that helps businesses achieve performance goals and outcomes through its peer communities, data, insights, and talent solutions. Misty's years of experience enabled her to garner specialization in cultural transformation, organizational and executive development, and inclusive leadership. To put it simply, Misty is a champion for the people. Additionally, Misty has held senior HR roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Mellon, and Xerox. Milton Corsey brings over 20 years of experience to his role as Director of Human Capital Solutions at AchieveNEXT. In his role, Milton leads the leadership and management development practice. His experience and life lessons have led him to pen articles for acclaimed publications such as Harvard Business Review and Middle Market Growth. Milton is revered as a skilled facilitator who can break down complex concepts to help the diverse audiences he serves. In this episode… Have you overcome struggles and challenges to become the person you are today? Having the courage to sift through the trials and tribulations of life shapes you at your core. And you can use your triumphs and failures as tools to help others. You don't have to have a colorful life to offer the world your talents or the lessons you've learned. Milton Corsey and Misty Law Flurry have unique backgrounds and have used their life lessons to become better leaders and serve their clients at a high level. Through their experiences, they've learned how to ask questions and listen to arrive at meaningful solutions using the empathy they've discovered inside themselves. They've learned to draw on the inspiration of the people they admire, pivot and change course when needed, live life with intention, and put in the work. Milton and Misty have applied their talents to their careers and have evolved and grown as people and leaders regardless of what curves life has thrown in their paths because they aren't afraid of change and hold true to their values. In an ever-changing world that throws continuous obstacles at us, it is evident that we must become comfortable with the one constant in life — change. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Misty Law Flurry, Director of Talent Solutions, and Milton Corsey, Director of Human Capital Solutions at AchieveNEXT, to examine the ingredients that go into helping their clients. How do they do it? From sharing their own journeys, Misty and Milton talk about life lessons, what inspires them, and how they drew from tough experiences that helped shape their lives.

Thomas A. Stewart is a thought leader on intellectual capital and customer experience who has become renowned worldwide for his expertise. Over the last 50 years, he has led the Harvard Business Review, served as CMO of Booz & Company, and published several best-selling business books. He recently was chief knowledge officer for AchieveNEXT, leading research and benchmarking for emerging and mid-market enterprises. Before AchieveNEXT, Tom was executive director for the National Center for the Middle Market. When Robert Buday worked at CSC Index (1987-1997), he pitched a story on a concept unknown to Tom at the time: business re-engineering. Tom joins Robert today, 31 years later, to discuss his illustrious career.

Matt Aaron is the President and CEO of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of sports to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Over the course of 13 years working for this statewide nonprofit, Matt has more than tripled annual revenues by fostering a strategic vision to expand and regionalize the organization. Matt has positioned the Special Olympics Pennsylvania as an innovator and a next-level performer. Prior to joining Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Matt established a career in the US Navy, gained valuable marketing experience within the Strategic Planning Division of Procter and Gamble, and honed his business skills through management consultancy work with Booz Allen Hamilton. He completed his MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management from Yale School of Management. In this episode… As a sports organization, how do you allow athletes to engage in a meaningful way during the pandemic? When the dust settles, is it possible to build for the future to better engage and serve athletes across the globe? While the pandemic brought many challenges for businesses, it provided Matt Aaron the opportunity for innovation and reinvention. He and his team took action to effectively serve their athletes in the Special Olympics by implementing virtual events, challenges, and races. And after emerging from the lockdown, Matt knew that to boost the impact his organization brings to the community, he needed to create a new formula to rebuild. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Matt Aaron, President and CEO of Special Olympic Pennsylvania, to discuss how to better serve the community and athletes with higher-quality programs. Matt talks about grappling with the challenges of the pandemic, strategies for embracing organizational change, and innovative ways to connect athletes across the globe.

Cùng lắng nghe những lời khuyên tâm đắc về cách triển khai chương trình đào tạo lãnh đạo phù hợp đối với doanh nghiệp vừa mà chúng tôi tham khảo từ Milton Corsey — giám đốc giải pháp nguồn nhân lực tại AchieveNEXT.

RJ Juliano is the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer at Parkway Corporation. He helps companies create environments where people want to work and customers enjoy doing business. In 2016, he began his career with Parkway as the Chief Information Officer, and in 2020 he was promoted to the dual role of Chief Marketing Officer. In 2021, he was also handed the Senior Vice President role.  Working in real estate, higher education, and investments, RJ has over 25 years of business leadership and consulting experience specializing in technology strategy, media and marketing, operations, team development, and business processes. RJ earned both his master's and bachelor's degrees in business administration from The University of Delaware. In this episode… How can you ensure your message is delivered and embraced by employees across all career lattices? When you're communicating internally and externally, how can you portray the value and culture of your brand? For RJ Juliano, showing integrity and vulnerability should be your foundation. By establishing trust and authenticity, you're creating the substance and form of the information you're communicating across all levels of your company. RJ recommends being vulnerable and asking questions, no matter your leadership status, to connect with your community and employees. An outstanding leader is always willing to learn and teach strategies and goals for the benefit of the company — and RJ is here to share his expert strategies for finding value and contributing to your company's success. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with RJ Juliano, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer at Parkway Corporation, to discuss optimizing and balancing your relationships and experiences across all levels of business. RJ talks about the importance of clearly communicating information, how to avoid counter productivity, and developing a corporate culture that reflects your core values.

Regina Black Lennox is the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at Satell Institute, a company well-known for a strong, supportive culture of accountability and dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Ed Satell founded and fully-endowed the groundbreaking Satell Institute, a “Think and Do Tank for Corporate Social Responsibility.” The Institute is focused on championing the interdependence of successful business organizations, the well-being of the communities they operate in, and the need they have for each other, recognizing an inescapable priority for business leaders — to make the communities they operate in better by partnering for-profits with quality nonprofits, for the greater good. As a consultant, speaker, and presenter, Regina has also worked with faith educational institutions and nonprofit organizations to provide global resources to help companies understand and maximize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, training retreats, and motivational seminars. Her best-known presentations include: The Language of Leadership, Ways to Incite & Excite; Stay Proactive—Not Reactive; Communicate to Create;Called, Challenged and Gifted; and Implementing Change Powerfully and Successfully.Regina serves on several boards and advisory councils and has received The Distinguished Advocate Award issued by The Support Center for Child Advocates. In this episode… As a business leader, how can you take action and make a positive change in your community? Where can you turn to find workable strategies and resources to nourish people in need and your community? Regina Black Lennox knows that leaders need access to tools and resources to take actionable steps to impact workforce development to sustain the community and the people who live there. She has been at the forefront of actively engaging and encouraging leaders to create immediate — and lasting — change in their communities through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Regina advocates for people to remain authentic and connect to others with a deeper meaning and to hold true to Founder Ed Satell's belief, model, and teaching of “Think we, not just me.” In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Regina Black Lennox, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at Satell Institute, to discuss the importance of research and a commitment for doing good within the community. Regina talks about the sequence of connecting through research and education, ways to develop positive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and creating a sustainable future through the next generation. Stay tuned!

Gretchen Goffe is the Founder and CEO of DTLiveLAB, which helps companies drive revenue and improve the customer experience using a human-centered approach to innovation. DTLiveLAB works with clients spanning all industries and sizes, from small agencies to Fortune 100 giants such as Nationwide, Ohio State University, Smithfield, and more.  As the CEO, Goffe bridges the gap between executives and employees, helping them innovate and develop a customer experience roadmap. She personally manages client relationships and is continuously developing new frameworks and teaching methods. DTLiveLAB offers a “learn-by-doing” approach that includes engagement rewards, live interviews, real-world examples, and coached sprints that always keep the customer top-of-mind. In this episode: When it comes to innovation, there are two ways most companies look at it: like a machine and like a garden. With an innovation machine, companies are responsible for the design, construction, and management. With a garden, companies sow the seeds and let the magic happen. But, according to design thinking strategist Gretchen Goffe, there's one major component that both approaches need: a human-centered approach.  Goffe has helped notable organizations like Nationwide, The Ohio State University, and Smithfield cultivate innovation opportunities through a customer-centric lens. By adopting the customer's perspective throughout the entire buying journey, an innovator can look for opportunities not just in the product or service itself, but at many other places where there are pain points, unmet needs, or simply ways to do things better.  How can you inspire your team to generate these innovative ideas? One of the most powerful tools to understand the customer journey is empathy — walking in the customer's shoes. But according to Goffe, 90% of employees never get to talk to a customer. In order to foster more empathy in the workplace, Goffe ensures that each member of her team engages with a customer down their internal supply chain. The results? An innovative team with a customer mindset. Goffe talks about this and more as she joins Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart is joined by Gretchen Goffe, Founder and CEO of DTLiveLAB, to talk about cultivating innovation through a human-centric lens. Goffe explains the steps a company should take to fill growth gaps, where to find opportunities for innovation, and how to empower employees to understand the customer perspective.

Kendall Qualls is a Republican Candidate for the Governor of Minnesota. Before this, he was the Founder and President of TakeCharge Minnesota, an organization created to inspire and educate black and minority communities. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, working as the Chief Commercial Officer and EVP for PotentiaMetrics and the Global Marketing Vice President for Covidien/Medtronic, as well as other roles for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. Kendall also served on the board of trustees at Nyack Hospital in New York City and the board of directors at Colorado UpLift. Prior to his career in politics and the healthcare industry, Kendall served as an officer in the US Army, Field Artillery. He earned his MBA from the University of Michigan and his master's degree in communications and economics from the University of Oklahoma. In this episode… The most accomplished leaders are focused on building relationships, cultivating success, and developing a valuable culture for generations to come. For Kendall Qualls, these values helped him achieve success when the odds were against him. So, how did he do it, and what steps can you take to grow professionally and personally? Before becoming a candidate for the Governor of Minnesota, Kendall built a nonprofit helping minority communities achieve prosperity. He learned through his career and life the importance of fair and equitable opportunities for people from all walks of life. Now, he is here to share his story of becoming a pillar of courage within his community, creating a culture that moves past differences, and recreating the future for the next generation of leaders.  In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Kendall Qualls, Republican Candidate for the Governor of Minnesota, to talk about advocating for a better future for generations to come. Kendall shares the motivation and lessons he learned from childhood, how to prioritize prosperity in minority communities, and the important traits a leader should have. Stay tuned!

 Patricia O'Connell interviews Tom Stewart, Chief Knowledge Officer at AchieveNEXT® about the 2022 CFO-CHRO Sentiment Study. They discuss the top concerns of middle-market companies.   Listen in to learn more about middle-market company plans for 2022. Key Takeaways: [:36] AchieveNEXT® specializes in helping businesses grow by sharpening their focus on human capital. [:58] Patricia O'Connell introduces Tom Stewart, Chief Knowledge Officer at AchieveNEXT®. [1:18] Tom describes AchieveNEXT®'s CFO-CHRO Sentiment Study. AchieveNEXT® surveys CFOs and CHROs at the beginning and end of each year. As 2022 began, CFOs and CHROs looked back on 2021; 40% said their performance was very much better than the year before. Looking forward, 46% expected 2022 to be even better. [1:41] A total of 77% of CFOS and CHROs surveyed said that they expected 2022 to be much better or better than 2021. Of course, businesses fell off a cliff in the Spring of 2020 from pandemic issues. Many of them rebounded in late 2020. Businesses entered 2021 with confidence in a good year; 2021 turned out to be better than expected. [3:16] At the beginning of the year, AchieveNEXT® asked CFOs and CHROs what their biggest challenges and concerns were. The number one risk was talent and the number one obstacle was talent. They were looking at the Great Resignation and wondering where the people would come from to execute the companies' growth plans. [3:47] AchieveNEXT® has just completed 10 roundtable meetings of CFOs and CHROs from New York to Orange County. Talent remains the number one issue, with two nuances: Can they get the talent, and how much will it cost to get the talent? [4:30] Some of the CFOs are worried more about the cost of talent. Others are worried about how to get critical technical employees that are hard to find. The power in the labor market has shifted to the employee. Tom addresses the reason employers think employees leave vs. the reason employees leave. [7:49] Companies are starting to think about succession planning, and leadership development to improve retention. They are also working on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues to build a sense of belonging. [8:32] The question of diversity that came up a few years ago has expanded into a larger question of does the employee have a feeling of belonging and a voice and is the company listening to that voice? Do employees have a sense they can learn and grow, and that there is a career path for them? [10:09] Money matters, but it's not the deciding factor in recruitment and retention. A sense of belonging matters more. Before the pandemic, employers were competing with each other for talent. Now they are also competing with life choices such as flexible hours, working from home, or part-time work. [11:27] Tom shares some of the thoughts he hears from mid-market companies at the roundtable meetings. There is concern about competing with large corporations and their pay packages but that is balanced by a better quality of life and personal attention. They don't have to be rigid and bureaucratic. [12:48] Tom discusses supply chains and supply chain disruptions. A lot of the middle-market companies are tier-one and tier-two suppliers to large companies. Going with supply chain disruptions are concerns about costs of talent, fuel, materials, and components. CFOs have to change their budgets dramatically. [15:00] As the pandemic sent everyone home, officers couldn't walk down the hall to talk to everyone. Suddenly, processes were needed to catch up with people. Processes and structure are now needed at mid-sized companies to recruit and retain talent. [15:56] Tom talks about the training offered by AchieveNEXT® in sales, sales and relationship building, customer experience, and the alignment of the employee experience and the customer experience. Tom says that fast-growing companies are 25% more likely to say that they had a formal customer experience process. [17:35] People are still expecting a strong 2022, but are looking to the second half of the year and thinking maybe it's going to be a bit tougher, especially the cost issues. Tom is hearing from CFOs that they have a Plan B budget for “tougher sledding.” Most of them are on plan or ahead of plan but see headwinds coming up. [18:49] Tom Stewart gives the link to find more about the survey. [19:10] Patricia thanks Tom for being on This is Capitalism, the podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Tom StewartAchieveNEXT AchieveNEXT 2022 CFO-CHRO Sentiment Study McKinsey & Company

Justin Spizman is an award-winning and best-selling author, ghostwriter, editor, and proposal writer. Since beginning his writing career in law school, Spizman has worked on numerous nonfiction books and successful book proposals. He now works with people from all different backgrounds, upbringings, and expertise (including celebrities, athletes, and entertainers) to author and consult on their books. Working closely with some of the most successful people in their respective industries, Spizman has gained strong insight and understanding into the most efficient and effective ways to create a marketable story. He collaborates with clients to not only write books, but also strengthen brands, build legacies, and create enormous opportunities. In this episode: Pat Summitt, the former Head Coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, once said, “Most people get excited about the games, but I get excited about practice because that's my classroom.” This wisdom doesn't only apply to athletic coaches. Whether on the court or in an office, leaders have to be students of the game. This is just one takeaway from award-winning author Justin Spizman's study of the chemistry and capability of coaching, which he describes in his book, Coach: The Greatest Teachers in Sports and Their Lessons for Us All. In his book, Spizman interviews 168 renowned leaders in sports, including famous coaches like Pat Summitt, Bill Belichick, and Aimee Boorman, and also dozens of unknowns who lead high school teams or stand at the side of individuals and teams in minor sports, to discover their strategies for developing top-performing players and teams. Although every coach has a unique approach, Spizman breaks down their action plans into four main coaching styles: the strategists, the team builders, the technicians, and the closers. When you understand your coaching style, you can better play to your strengths, hire for your weaknesses, build an impressive team, and help individual players reach their full potential. However, these four categories aren't the only keys to success. No matter if you're in business or sports, all coaches need fortitude, dedication, and an insatiable desire to learn and improve. Spizman talks about this and more as he joins Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart talks with best-selling author and consultant, Justin Spizman, about lessons on leadership from some of the best coaches in the sports industry. Spizman shares how this wisdom applies to the business world, guides listeners through the four coaching styles, and explains why it's crucial for leaders to be a student of their craft.

Emma Pollard is the Director of Global Talent Development at Teleflex, a global provider of medical technologies with more than 14,000 employees worldwide. With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition, Emma helps companies develop and engage their employees and customers at every part of the enterprise. She enjoys exploring international environments, organizations, and cultures. Additionally, Emma has a background in psychology that assists with her communication, analytic skills, and interactions. In this episode… How can you set your employees up for success? What can you do to improve your company culture while enriching your employees' experiences? For Emma Pollard, it's all about cultivating skillful communication in the workplace. As a talent development expert, Emma has helped teams improve the performance and experiences of their people. She believes there is strength in understanding another person beyond what they can contribute to the workplace. It takes authentic and personal connections to create a positive experience. So, what does this mean for your organization? In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Emma Pollard, the Director of Global Talent Development at Teleflex, to discuss cultivating and aligning core values between employers and employees. Emma talks about generating authentic relationships in a remote team, the importance of a foundation rooted in communication, and how to set employees up for success in the workplace.

Dan Rhoton is the Executive Director at Hopeworks, a nonprofit founded in 2000 to help Camden, New Jersey young adults return to school and create pathways for gainful employment. Dan is an experienced education and nonprofit leader with two decades of experience helping youth and adults achieve their dreams. With a focus on education, technology, and entrepreneurship, Dan and his team at Hopeworks provide a positive, healing atmosphere that propels young people to build strong futures and break the cycle of violence and poverty. In this episode… Everybody deserves a second chance, and you never know what an opportunity can lead to. As a leader, how can you help someone that's struggling achieve their goals? And where can you find the right people to help you? As Dan Rhoton says, all you need to do is show someone the right path and opportunities for growth to build a stronger future workforce. It takes people that are bold and brave to seek out help from others so that they can bring their authentic selves to what they are doing. You don't have to shoot for perfection — instead shoot for better and lead with purpose. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Dan Rhoton, the Executive Director at Hopeworks, to discuss how you can strengthen your business and community by helping other people achieve their goals. Dan shares his proudest moment at Hopeworks, how to create competence and confidence in the young workforce, and the three elements to look for when hiring.

Nick Araco is the Founder and CEO of AchieveNEXT, a peer-led advisory network organization that empowers market leaders and their teams to meet ambitious growth goals. Over the last 20 years, Nick has helped facilitate a community of forward-thinking, entrepreneurial-minded, and financially educated C-Suite executives across industries. He serves as the voice of the CFO community, representing over 10,000 leaders and members of The CFO Alliance and The CHRO Alliance. Prior to founding AchieveNEXT, Nick served in growth strategy and business development leadership roles for companies including Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and RSM US. He is currently a renowned public speaker, a recognized global business leader, and the host of the Level Up podcast. In this episode… Creating and managing a business can be a daunting task. Where can you find industry experts to help you build your team and achieve next-level performance? For Nick Araco, interviewing today's top leaders has given him an inside look at the biggest challenges affecting executives and their teams — and the tools to overcome them. This week, Nick shares key insights into cultivating a workplace environment that is inclusive, making your team feel valued, and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to create a more diverse and connected world. There's something for everyone in this episode. In this episode of Level Up, Rise25 Co-founder Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with host Nick Araco to talk about some of the major lessons and insights from Nick's past podcast episodes. Nick shares how consistency and sincerity produce growth, the importance of cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment, and the key qualities that make a great leader.

Paul Leinwand is the Global Managing Director of Strategy&, PwC's strategy consulting group, where he advises clients on the topics of strategy, growth, and capability building. Leinwand is also an Adjunct Professor of Management and Strategy at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He has co-authored three books as well as several articles in the Harvard Business Review and strategy+business. Mahadeva Matt Mani is a Partner at PwC's Strategy&. As a global leader of their transformation platform, he works with companies and leaders across industries to achieve improvements in business performance and organization cost and effectiveness. Mani has over 25 years of industry and consulting experience, and he's co-authored one book and many articles published in the Harvard Business Review and strategy+business. In this episode: Digital transformation isn't just about the latest and greatest technology — it's also about leadership. But how is digital changing the work and role of a leader? What do leaders need to succeed in the digital age? Paul Leinwand and Mahadeva Matt Mani talk about this and more as they join Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. With the rise of digital, many leaders are worried about keeping up with the newest tool or strategy. But, Leinwand and Mani say there's a more important question that leaders need to address: how are you going to lead your organization through these changes? These two strategy experts have thoroughly researched the effects of digital transformation on leaders in a multi-year, in-depth study of leadership, digitization, and transformation at a dozen companies, ranging from Honeywell to Adobe, Microsoft to Komatsu. In their book, Beyond Digital: How Great Leaders Transform Their Organizations and Shape the Future, they detail how these and other enterprises have navigated this shift and the key steps leaders should follow to find success digitally. Instead of focusing on processes and tools, Leinwand and Mani say that companies must begin by reimagining their place in the world, starting from there to rethink strategy, talent, and the products and services they sell. As the digital world evolves, so do the expectations of a leader. How do you uniquely contribute to customers and stakeholders? What value can you bring to your ecosystem of networks to create a win-win for everyone? The foundations of success in the digital age are laid in a values-based circle of trust between you, your team, and your customers. Focusing on this will help you and your organization stay relevant — regardless of the digital disruption around you. In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart sits down with Paul Leinwand and Mahadeva Matt Mani, Global Managing Director and Partner of Strategy&, respectively. Together, they discuss how leadership is changing in this new digital age. Leinwand and Mani lay out the steps leaders should take to navigate current changes, the skillsets leaders need to succeed digitally, and how to gain privileged insights from a value-based customer relationship.

Roy Schindele is the President of RDS Advisers Corp and the Executive Director of Sales and Marketing at Mission Inn Resort & Club. He grew up in an entrepreneurial household and has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. Roy's customer-oriented focus and strategic planning experience have played a key role in his successful career. Previously, he was the Founder of a fashion design company, a Consultant at Walt Disney World, and the Resort Director at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge. In this episode… In the hospitality industry, the manner in which you treat your guests and employees can make or break your success. This same lesson can apply to almost every other field or sector. So, how can you uphold a standard of excellence within your business? And, as a leader, how can you inspire your team to deliver an outstanding performance? Roy Schindele delivers one-of-a-kind experiences to his clients and team through integrity, personalization, and an exceptional culture. As a leader in the hospitality industry, Roy knows that this experience is what can scale or crush a brand — which is why he specializes in helping people make unforgettable memories, not mediocre experiences. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Roy Schindele, the President of RDS Advisers Corp and the Executive Director of Sales and Marketing at Mission Inn Resort & Club, to talk about cultivating innovative and unique experiences to expand your brand. Roy discusses the importance of the client experience, strategies for creating impactful growth, and what exceptional leadership actually looks like.

Myles Anderson is the Founder and CEO of BrightLocal. BrightLocal is a marketing technology business that provides solutions to local marketing challenges. Their tools and services have helped over 80,000 local marketers develop success for their brands and clients. The BrightLocal team has grown to more than 200 employees working in four countries. Before launching his business, Myles was the Product Manager and Marketing Manager for VideoJug and the Director of Business Development for eHarmony. In this episode… It's one thing to manage two employees. It's a different challenge when you're leading a team of 50. But, it's a whole new ballgame to manage over 200 people in multiple different countries. Myles Anderson understands this firsthand. As he says, a growing company needs growing leadership — not just in numbers of people with fancy titles, but with people who are actively learning to become better leaders. What kinds of skills does a good leader need? Where can you learn them? How will it impact your company? In this episode of the Level Up podcast, host Nick Araco is joined by Myles Anderson, Founder and CEO of BrightLocal, to discuss how he grew as a leader while his company expanded. Myles talks about why learning great leadership skills was a priority, the culture he developed at BrightLocal, and how his team's eight core beliefs power every business decision.

Julian Birkinshaw is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School. He has been on the faculty for 23 years, where he is also the Academic Director of the Insitute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital. Birkinshaw is a Fellow of the British Academy, the Academy of Social Sciences, and the Academy of International Business. Birkinshaw is a recognized expert in innovation, entrepreneurship, and renewal in large corporations. He has written 15 books, including Fast/Forward and Becoming a Better Boss. He's also published over 90 articles in journals such as the Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Strategic Management Journal. In this episode: As the demand for digital intensifies, companies are feeling pressure to quickly digitize every facet of their strategy. This begs the question: is the “transform or die” mentality the key to success? When it comes to digital transformation, how do you separate strategic need from hype and salesmanship? Professor Julian Birkinshaw, an expert in innovation, strategy, and entrepreneurship, is looking beyond the headlines and using data to drive insight and answer the question: “How digital do you really need to be?”  Although digital disruption is a phenomenon that everyone is talking about, Birkinshaw says that much of the change is concentrated in the technology, media, telecom, and retail industries. Analyzing data from Fortune 500 companies between the mid-90s, when the Internet first started to become a business phenomenon, and present day, Birkinshaw found that only 17 out of 500 companies are less than 25 years old. The other 483 have been in existence since 1995 — or much earlier. What exactly does that mean for your company in the era of digital?  Although the transformative mindset is top-of-mind with a focus on digital revolutionaries such as Amazon, Google, and Apple, there aren't as many fully digital companies as you'd think. Your company doesn't have to completely transform itself in the digital world, but you should learn to adapt to the demand.  Birkinshaw suggests that incumbents take a look at their industry and decide which strategy is best to adapt — whether that's waiting out the disruption, fighting back, consolidating, or reinventing yourself. Above all, Birkinshaw advises the following: “We must not lose sight of our identity and our core [values], and we should not allow ourselves to be taken away from what it is that's always made us successful.” Birkinshaw talks about this and more as he joins Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart is joined by Julian Birkinshaw, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School, to talk about the truths of digitization. Birkinshaw breaks down the hype around digital disruption, shares stories of success and failure within digital transformation initiatives, and discusses the strategies established brands can use to become more agile in this fast-changing world.

Stu Benton is the President and CEO at Bradford Soap Works, an international manufacturer of personal care products focused on sustainability. He has been with Bradford Soap Works for over ten years, serving as their CFO before expanding to his current position. Stu has held several executive manufacturing, distribution, and financial roles for companies including Northeast Security Inc., New Energy Alliance, Plymouth Rubber Europa S/A, and more. Stu holds a bachelor's degree in accountancy from Bentley University and an Executive MBA from Suffolk University. He is the Past President of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and previously served on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). In this episode… How do you run a successful, sustainable business? For Stu Benton, it's about understanding the vision behind the company. As he says, building a long-lasting business begins with gathering like-minded individuals that are passionate about the company's core values and mission. Stu is the leader of a manufacturer of personal care products that has dominated the market for more than 140 years. To grow in the industry, Stu knows that communication across all levels of a business is critical to cultivating an environment of passion and innovation. So, how can you mirror these core values in your brand? In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Stu Benton, President and CEO at Bradford Soap Works, to discuss the framework of a successful brand. Stu talks about his transition from finance to leadership, why supportive leaders are crucial for brand success, and how he builds on his company's fundamental value of innovation. Stay tuned!

Jade Huang is the Co-founder and CEO of StyleSage, an AI-powered data analytics platform designed for the fashion, beauty, and home industries. An ex-fashion designer-turned-technologist, Huang has over 10 years of award-winning experience in digital strategy, design, and technology.  Huang is a frequent industry speaker, having presented in more than six countries over the span of her career. She studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design and holds a bachelor's degree in international trade from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Huang also has an MPA in international economics from Columbia University and an MBA from INSEAD, where she was awarded the L'Oreal Scholarship for Creativity and Entrepreneurship Spirit. In this episode: In the era of digital transformation, information is power. And with increasing online accessibility, consumers now have more information at their fingertips than ever before — often more than retailers themselves. So how do brands keep up with this ultra-savvy, digitally native generation of customers? Award-winning technologist and former fashion designer Jade Huang talks about this and more as she joins Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. Huang has worked with world-class retailers including ASOS, Zalando, and Neiman Marcus, empowering them with real-time data so they can make more informed, market-driven, and profitable decisions. Her company, StyleSage, has been recognized by CNBC, Vogue, and more for its AI-powered, fast-track solutions for retailer success. Using image recognition and machine learning tools, StyleSage's platform helps brands analyze the complex details behind a product, understand consumer purchase drivers, and stay up to date on the shifting trends of the fashion industry–even learning when and in what locations competitors put specific items on sale, for example.  With an extensive background in technology, Huang understands that digital is here to stay. When e-commerce first emerged, it was a very small part of retail, taking up between 1% and 5% of sales. Now, that number has jumped between 15% and 20% for hybrid businesses (and often much higher for digitally native brands). E-commerce initiatives and up-to-date market research are a must if you want to compete with the big-name brands. With StyleSage, companies that don't have the scale and reach of larger retailers can still analyze local and global consumer trends to revolutionize their digital strategies–and big companies can track the behavior of rivals that might otherwise have flown beneath their radar.  In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart sits down with Jade Huang, Co-founder and CEO of StyleSage, to talk about transforming the retail industry through AI-powered data analytics. Huang shares how her company is helping retailers make data-driven decisions, the lessons she learned on self-care and building out processes, and why technology enablement is vital to the success of current retail brands.

Jeff Terhune is the Director of Federal Affairs at JBS Communications, LLC, a bipartisan government relations firm. In his role, Jeff is a trusted advisor to private sector leaders, community agents, and public policymakers — providing strategy guidance that is informed by his experience with federal and state government officials. He serves small and medium-sized enterprises, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits with a primary focus on improving livelihoods in rural America. In this episode… Are you struggling to come up with solutions that best fit your problems as a leader? What if there was a simpler way to solve your challenges? Jeff Terhune has a proven record of finding unique answers for any given problem. Through his experience as a government relations advisor, he has gathered the required ingredients for becoming a successful leader. As he says, great leadership is not complicated — you only need to adopt the right mindset. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Jeff Terhune, the Director of Federal Affairs at JBS Communications, LLC, to talk about problem-solving and servant leadership. They discuss the mindset a leader should have, tips for executing on diversity and belonging, and how to maintain valuable relationships for the success of your business.

Mike Krupit founded Trajectify, a business and leadership coaching company, in 2013 to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. He has been at the helm of eight diverse startups — including Real Food Works, Novotorium, and CDNOW — and is familiar with the highs and lows of running a business. He began his career as an engineer before discovering his passion for leadership and coaching. During his 30 years of experience, Mike helped a 15-year-old telecommunications company double its revenues to $25 million and spent a decade in Silicon Valley working with two innovative businesses: Verity and KnowledgSet. He moved back to the Northeast and was a pioneer for Infonautics and Knite Inc., a spin-out from Princeton University. He has also helped cultivate communities like the Philly New Tech Meetup and Bootstrappers Breakfast. In this episode… What are the ingredients of a great leader? As a founder of a business, how can you elevate your leadership and take your team to great heights? Great leaders are not sculpted overnight — they must be given the opportunity and tools to rise to the next level. Mike Krupit has the perfect recipe for crafting an effective leadership approach and evolving your business for growth. Are you ready to build your confidence and turn your organization into something exceptional? In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Mike Krupit, the Founder of Trajectify, to talk about growing as a business leader. Mike discusses the importance of communicating effectively with your team, why you should be cognizant of the stages of development within your organization, and how to make confident and timely leadership decisions. Stay tuned.

Rob Cross is the Founder and Chief Research Scientist at Connected Commons, a consortium of over 100 leading organizations accelerating network research and practice. Cross is also the Edward A. Madden Professor of Global Leadership at Babson College and Co-author of the November-December cover story of the Harvard Business Review, titled “How to Succeed Quickly in a New Role.” As a networking expert, Cross has worked with over 300 organizations, reaching thousands of leaders from the front line to the C-suite. He has identified ways to cultivate vibrant, effective networks at all levels of an organization and any career stage. Through writing, speaking, consulting, and course creation, Cross' network strategies are transforming the way people lead, work, and live in a hyper-connected world. In this episode: Succeeding in a new role today does not look the same as it did 10 or 20 years ago. Conventional wisdom says that transitioning to a new position is about making a big difference fast. But studies of the most successful transitions show that the key to long-term accomplishment is to focus on developing your network, especially the internal network of peers, superiors, and subordinates — the team that gets work done in today's cross-functional, interconnected, collaborative workplaces. So what steps can you take to flourish in the current professional climate? Networking expert Rob Cross talks about this and more as he joins Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises.  Whether you've been promoted, transferred to a new department or division, or been brought in from outside, the network is the key. Cross has practical strategies to help you reach success. For more than 20 years, Cross has studied the underlying networks of effective organizations and the collaborative practices of high performers. He's found that the value of your network is critical if you want to thrive in a new role. As the digital world develops, Cross says that “...the way we work is more interdependent in these networks.” The rise of remote work has made networking even more important, as leaders and other key employees spend more time on calls, in Zoom meetings, and using digital communication tools such as Slack. It's less important to be an individual star, and more important to be part of a constellation. So what does this mean for you? When you're starting a new position, don't try to sell or prove yourself. Instead, build relationships and trust within the organization for long-term success. The value of your network extends beyond your career transitions. Even with the right skills and experience, neglecting to nurture your existing network can lead to underperformance, a high churn rate, and slowed productivity down the road. In a recent article he co-authored for the Harvard Business Review, Cross references a Gartner statistic indicating that “49% of people promoted within their own companies are underperforming up to 18 months after those moves.” To combat this underperformance, you have to shift and adapt your network strategies. When moving up the ranks at your current company, it's still important to create mutual wins among your network, be proactive in shaping your role, and engage with your team at all levels. After all, it's the people in your network that will help you grow, scale, and prosper.  In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart sits down with Rob Cross, Founder and Chief Research Scientist at Connected Commons, to discuss current strategies for success in a new role. Cross talks about the steps you should take within the first 90 days of a new position, tips for navigating the pressure of a new role, and the principles that will maximize your network's value.

Tom Stewart was a journalist for Forbes magazine leading to his breakthrough book Intellectual Capital in 1997. He went on to become editor of Harvard Business Review for six years, and chief marketing officer of Booz & Company. He is now the Chief Knowledge Officer of AchieveNEXT. His most recent book is Woo, Wow, Win: Service Design, Strategy, and the Art of Customer Delight.

Richard Polak is a global business consultant and renowned thought leader with over 40 years of experience. He has designed world-class and HR benefit programs for multinational firms, including leading hotel chains, Fortune 100 companies, and global technology brands. Currently, Richard serves as a senior global advisor for an advocacy group that advises Congress on benefit issues, as well as other prominent associations and consulting firms. Richard has helped hundreds of companies in more than 90 countries increase productivity, improve HR Forensics, and take their businesses to the next level. Previously, he worked as the Executive Vice President/Area President for Gallagher Multinational Benefits and HR Consulting, the President and CEO of IBIS Advisors, and the Senior Vice President for Johnson & Higgins/Mercer. In this episode… How can you take the leap and revolutionize your workplace to increase revenue? What if there was a way to create and sustain an environment of positivity and productivity in the workplace? Richard Polak knows the value and efficacy of empowering employees. He advises companies all over the globe on the importance of working smarter, not harder. As he says, people need to feel valued, and a relationship of trust between employers and employees can positively increase productivity — and promote balance and well-being. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco talks with Global Business Advisor Richard Polak about employee-building and developing a more sustainable and productive future. Richard talks about the benefits of empowering employees, how the pandemic presented an opportunity for leadership to evolve, and why you should surround yourself with people whose strengths complement your weaknesses.

Nick Araco is the Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of AchieveNEXT, a provider of talent development performance solutions and peer learning networks. Nick is an expert at making connections that count, and he's used this skill over the past two decades to empower leaders and grow their organizations.  Nick is also the host of the Level Up podcast, where he has conversations with business and industry trailblazers on how to take growth, diversity, and leadership to the next level. Before founding AchieveNEXT, Nick served in senior leadership roles at leading global law, accounting, and business advisory firms. In this episode… What's the secret sauce for a successful company? How can organizations improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives? What's the number one driver of shareholder value and performance? According to Nick Araco, the answers lie within your people. Whether it's your employees, clients, or peers, it's always helpful to gain feedback and create a dialogue around the things that impact your business. That's why Nick's company offers executive coaching and access to peer advisory networks —  because it's difficult to tackle the big questions and challenges alone. What other advice does Nick have for achieving next-level growth? In this episode of the Talent Wins Podcast, Chris Mursau sits down with Nick Araco, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of AchieveNEXT. Together, they discuss how Nick's company helps others drive performance through talent acquisition, the importance of reaching out to peers and partners, and how companies can take action towards better diversity, equity, and inclusion structures. Stay tuned! Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Nick Araco on LinkedIn AchieveNEXT Level Up podcast Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want From Your Business by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters

Mark Roberts has over 35 years of experience helping organizations drive profitable sales growth. He is the CEO and Founder of OTB Sales Solutions, where he uses a “no smoke and mirrors” approach to improve sales teams and boost profits. Mark has held senior roles in sales and marketing for SPARXiQ, The Timken Company, Gardner Denver, VMI, and Frito-Lay, among others. He is the author of Branding Backwards, the creator of the No Smoke and Mirrors blog, and a popular keynote speaker, trainer, and thought leader on LinkedIn. Mark has been awarded The Business Excellence Award from the National Association of Sales & Marketing for his contributions to the industry. When he's not boosting sales and marketing for clients, he can be found volunteering for various community organizations. In this episode… What are some of the most common mistakes that lose a sale? Many potential clients feel disconnected from a sales pitch and choose to walk away. So, how can you drive, nurture, and motivate your sales team to expand its potential? What is the key to instilling a sense of value into your employees that translates across all parts of your company? Mark Roberts is an expert at helping organizations tap into their power and develop more effective sales teams. He has trained C-suite executives and sales teams to balance their roles and cultivate a culture of value — for both the company and their customers. Through his data-driven sales process, organizations have increased their revenue by as much as 10% to 15%. In this episode of the Level Up podcast, Nick Araco sits down with Mark Roberts, CEO and Founder of OTB Sales Solutions, to talk about establishing a formal sales process to boost profits and achieve exponential growth. Mark explains how to bridge the gap between your sales team and the consumer to increase revenue, the insightful interview questions that can help you develop a stronger team, and the benefits of valuing the high-performing sellers in your organization.

There are times when goals—even the most well-planned and well-intentioned ones—slip into more of an antagonist role and instead of inspiring us, they start to make us feel like failures and want to give up.  Is this because the goal was a bad goal? Or is it because our expectations of that goal and its timeline were a bit aggressive? On this episode, Christin Cardone McClave, the Chief Growth Officer of AchieveNEXT, a human capital advisory firm serving middle market companies in various stages of growth, chats about what goals have meant to her, personally and professionally. 

Robert (Bob) Blumenthal is an Independent Human Capital Consultant who consults for companies and investor funds on everything related to people and talent acquisition. He has over two decades of experience in leading C-suite talent acquisition and human capital strategy, and has recruited senior executives and board members for major corporations and private equity and venture-funded companies within the industrial, consumer, retail, healthcare, and technology industries. Before this, Bob began his career in sales and marketing at IBM Corporation where he was a platform speaker and motivational marketer. As a branch manager, Bob ran the number one branch in the United States for AT&T Data Systems Division. He then became the president of New Jersey's premier consulting firm where he coached senior executives on career strategy. Later on, he assumed partner and leadership roles at two of the world's premier executive search firms. Bob has 8+ years of experience leading human capital for control investors, including a private equity fund, and a large family office. In this episode… There are so many things to consider when you're on the market for the perfect candidate, and not everyone knows how to filter through the list of individuals who are submitting their application. So what exactly should companies be on the lookout for when choosing the right candidate? And what value can the right talent acquisition strategy bring to their company? Bob Blumenthal has a wealth of experience in recruiting C-suite talent and has coached and led senior executives into understanding their company's needs as far as their human capital and career strategies go. He has helped organizations find the right person for the chair by using strategies to match candidates with the roles that needed to be filled. And he is the person that you want to be talking to if you want to find the right people for your company. In this episode of the Level Up podcast, Nick Araco sits down with talent acquisition and human capital strategist, Robert (Bob) Blumenthal, to discuss key metrics of the recruiting process and why companies need to have these nailed down. Bob talks about the best psychometric tools for acquisition and matching, why candidates should be able to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and how these align with company needs, and his best practices for hiring and interviewing candidates.

Terence Craig is an startup investor and advisor with expertise in AI, SaaS, Big Data, and more. He works with organizations like Astia, The Capital Network, the Investors of Color Network, and Toyota Ventures to support diversity and boost growth. His specialty is investing in and creating opportunities for diverse teams and companies. Terence graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in information systems. He started his career as a pioneer in the technology space before taking on the role of advisor for startup entrepreneurs. In this episode… How can you change the framework around how entrepreneurs raise capital in order to be more inclusive and equitable? Developing a career as a minority entrepreneur typically comes with its fair share of roadblocks and discrimination. So, how can you continue to support the growth of minority-owned startups? Terence Craig is shattering the barriers of racism and bias that exist in the entrepreneurial world. He is an experienced business leader, investor, and advisor who is on a mission to empower minority entrepreneurs and companies. Today, he's here to share his advice for navigating the startup ecosystem as a woman or person of color and explain what investors can do to make the corporate world more diverse. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco talks with Terence Craig, an experienced advisor and startup investor, about creating a diversity-friendly space for entrepreneurs to succeed. Terence shares the lessons he learned while navigating his early career, the value of shifting to revenue-based financing, and how you can support minority-owned startups today. Stay tuned.

JJ Laforet is the Senior Director of Operations at Good Eggs, an industry-leading grocery brand that delivers sustainable and fresh products to your door. His first job out of business school was with Carpedia International, an implementation consulting firm, where he learned the skills and techniques to make businesses and company cultures better. JJ earned his BS in operations and political science from Stony Brook University and his MBA from Marymount University. He is also a former Division I lacrosse player and Division III coach, which taught him the importance of leadership, teamwork, and performance. In this episode… Are you looking for strategies to optimize your current workforce and build a solution-driven team? Perhaps you're searching for a better way to connect departments in order to effectively execute your company's goals. If so, JJ Laforet is here to share his methods for successfully building foundational relationships to drive your company forward. In his role at Good Eggs, JJ is revolutionizing the food system by understanding the relationships that make it tick. His unparalleled passion for delivering quality and authentic food products has helped him develop strong teams across departments and constructively grow the business. So, how can you start connecting and building relationship-driven teams to achieve long-term success at your organization? In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco talks with JJ Laforet, the Senior Director of Operations at Good Eggs, about optimizing the connection between people and operations — and breaking down the barriers that prevent teamwork. JJ discusses his strategies for improving company culture, the value of investing in people and relationships, and the importance of adopting a learning mindset. Stay tuned.

Dr. Yung Lie is the President and CEO of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, an organization that supports the next generation of leaders in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. She is an experienced scientist, an advocate for cancer research, and an executive board member for The Chemical Probes Portal and Health Research Alliance.  Dr. Lie began her professional journey with a degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of California, Berkeley. After earning her PhD in biological sciences from Stanford University, her passion and the thrill of discovery led her to pursue postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University and the University of California, San Francisco. In this episode… How can you give younger generations the opportunity to succeed in their careers? When there are numerous variables for professional success, what are the tools and resources necessary for unlimited progress? Dr. Yung Lie is passionate about providing the next generation with the opportunities they need to grow and succeed — and she accomplishes this by bringing together great minds in her field. Her cancer research foundation instills a sense of camaraderie and mentorship in the medical community. Through her leadership, Dr. Lie promotes great relationships in order to help scientists grow professionally and provide future generations with the tools for success.  In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Dr. Yung Lie, the President and CEO of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Together, they talk about creating an information-driven workplace for future generations, how to make a more significant impact in your field, and the value of surrounding yourself with a team that is dedicated to a common goal. Dr. Lie also talks about the importance of collaboration in order to achieve breakthrough ideas.

Eric Herrenkohl is the Managing Director of Executive Coaching and Executive Career Services for AchieveNEXT, a management consulting firm for emerging and mid-market enterprises. He is also the best-selling author of the book, How To Hire A-Players, the creator of the A-Player Executive and Leadership Leverage coaching systems, and works with executives to improve financial results. Milton Corsey is the Director of Human Capital Solutions at AchieveNEXT. Throughout his career, he's also been a Professor Emeritus at Rowan College of South Jersey. Corsey has worked to transform the growth of some of the most recognizable Fortune 500 companies.  In this episode: What makes some leaders so much more effective than others? How can changes in leaders/ behavior release more power and energy from their teams? Eric Herrenkohl and Milton Corsey talk about this and more as they join Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises.  Understanding leverage is the key to success for leaders, say Herrenkohl and Corsey, experts in leadership and growth development. When leaders don't give their teams room to operate and act, both become less effective. Think about a lever, Herrenkohl and Corsey say: If the lever's too short--if you stand too close to the fulcrum--its power to work diminishes.  Making leverage possible isn't easy and, for many detail- and performance-oriented people, standing back doesn't come naturally. It requires training and continual support. Herrenkohl's work focuses on coaching senior executives, and Corsey's, is about building leadership competencies throughout an organization: They both find that understanding the principles of leadership leverage is the necessary first step toward strengthening individuals, teams, and ultimately enterprises. A great leader builds a program and utilizes practices that transform the likelihood of success. By acquiring a pattern of continual improvement and growth, the enterprise and its employees will benefit.  In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart is joined by Eric Herrenkohl, Managing Director of Executive Coaching and Executive Career Services at AchieveNEXT, and Milton Corsey, Director of Human Capital Solutions for AchieveNEXT, to discuss the importance of leverage in leadership. Together, they discuss cultivating a growth mindset, intentionally building leadership architecture, and key elements that strengthen a leader. Stay tuned.

Episode 24 - Ed Wallace | Human Capital, AchieveNEXT In this episode, Brian is asked by Managing Director of Human Capital, AchieveNEXT, Ed Wallace - “What made you guys successful?” As a best selling author of 4 books, Ed consults with and speaks for corporations and associations across the globe, and explains to Brian that “people don't love to be sold but they love to buy stuff.” As a matter of fact, Ed talks about how he landed a Fortune 500 company (DOW Chemicals), as a client by not selling. Ed also walks Brian through “Ask, Ask, Ask, Tell” - a process created to help you learn someone's GPS to build or strengthen relationships - after all relationships are everything, Listen to hear the most common mistakes Fortune 500 company professionals make in attempting to build relationships. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Pills Mafia by Thin Man Brewery - Brian gave it a 3.5 out of 5 https://thinmanbrewery.com/ Learn more about Ed at : https://www.achievenext.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: https://riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7

After a year of upheaval and uncertainty, a robust majority of CFOs and CHROs across industries are gearing up for growth—both for their bottom lines and their headcount. In a recent podcast, we spoke with Tom Stewart, chief knowledge officer, AchieveNEXT, about some of the insights from the annual sentiment survey. https://blog.workday.com/en-us/2021/workday-podcast-cfos-and-chros-expect-growth-through-adversity.html

 Patricia O'Connell interviews Nick Araco, CEO of AchieveNEXT, and Tom Stewart, Chief Knowledge Officer, about AchieveNEXT and recent data they have collected from middle-market CHROs and CFOs regarding where they see business heading for the rest of the year.   Listen in to learn more about AchieveNEXT and projected upcoming mid-market growth. Key Takeaways: [:28] Patricia O'Connell introduces Nick Araco, CEO of AchieveNEXT, and Tom Stewart, Chief Knowledge Officer. [1:09] AchieveNEXT helps emerging and middle-market CFOs and CHROs to gather and assemble data, to benchmark, and to share best practices, and do it all better, faster, and smarter. [1:54] Most of the middle-market companies are private. There is not a lot of benchmarking data on which to rely. AchieveNEXT combines a peer network, data from research with CFO and CHRO alliances, and a suite of human capital and performance solutions that will help CFOs and CHROs improve the performance of their companies. [2:50] Nick talks about capturing data from CFOs and CHROs of 200 private companies about what they are committing to, how they are doing, and what they project for the next six months. The data shows that optimism abounds for recovery. Top-line and bottom-line performance is up in these mid-market enterprises in 2021. [4:34] Nick and Tom have spent decades working with mid-market enterprises. For most of that time, CFOs and CHROs made conservative projections of nominal, single-digit growth. Their current projections are for more than 10% growth, which is very different from their past projections. [5:20] Some hospitality and other businesses are constrained by the impacts of the pandemic; they project negative growth. This group is relatively small compared to the mid-market enterprises that project high growth. The bell curve has shifted to the right. People have more confidence. [6:22] During Q3 and Q4 of 2020, the mid-market was concerned that even if they were up and running, their customers and vendors would not be financially fit. Now, they are worried about retaining talent and finding new talent to sustain and drive their growth. [7:35] With the expectation of revenue growth, there is an expectation of employment growth. The data gathered by AchieveNEXT shows that 57% of mid-market enterprises say attracting and retaining top talent is one of their top three challenges. It's the #1 challenge. [8:42] One of AchieveNEXT's secrets is that the relationship between the finance leader, the HR leader, and the CEO is the trifecta. That relationship and the functions behind finance and people drive the success of the business. Companies that thrive have brought the numbers and acumen of finance together with the people side. [9:32] At their highest levels, the CFO and the CHRO are responsible for the development of financial and human capital. That's what makes the enterprise a combination of financial and human resources. [10:47] Most of the enterprises surveyed said they are not shifting their strategy. They are focused on doing what they do well, and it seems to be meeting the market's needs and demands. So they are looking for talent like the talent they already have. It's a battle for talent. [11:46] Most enterprises are reporting that the supply of talent they are seeking is either not out there, or hard to find, or is not moving. There is not enough talent. They will either have to create or develop new pools of talent, or pay more and steal them from somebody else, or win them with something that doesn't involve money, like culture. [12:42] Enterprises were surveyed about actions they are taking for all their priorities for the remainder of 2021. The most important was increasing efficiency. Right under that was addressing talent issues. Workplace flexibility was highly regarded among women CFOs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are also high priorities for expanding talent pools. [14:08] Mid-market enterprises are investing and doubling down on technology to fill functions that can be automated. Instead of eliminating people, they are working to upskill people to work on higher-value functions that cannot be automated. [15:05] “Technology is my friend,” is the message that middle-market CFOs and CHROs have been telling AchieveNEXT. 78% say that technology is providing a positive benefit. They are not buying new tools and equipment, but focusing on getting the most out of what they have and getting the stacks they have to communicate better. [16:32] Nick and Tom are hearing almost daily stories of CFOs announcing a deal was done. The Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA) says there is about $1.6 trillion available for M&A. Capital is not particularly hard to find. About 21% of mid-market companies are looking for an acquisition. [18:39] The private equity timelines are compressed. What was once a five-to-seven-year threshold of buying, developing, and selling a platform has come down to 2.5 years from buying to selling. There's an attitude of bullishness and excitement. Tom sees cyclical and structural issues creating this increasing M&A. [20:36] Most private companies expect to stay private. When would a company want to go public? [21:35] Nick mentions some concerns that exist in the mid-market regarding projected top-line revenue performance: capabilities, cost, and COVID-19. These three dark clouds do not cover up the confidence the mid-market has in their companies, industries, cities, and the U.S. economy. [24:01] Nick shares helpful links and a peek at their upcoming study on mid-market talent acquisition, compensation, and culture. [25:26] Patricia thanks Nick and Tom for joining CEO Stories on This is Capitalism.   Mentioned in This Episode: Nick AracoTom Stewart AchieveNEXT AchieveNEXT on LinkedIn AchieveNEXT on Twitter Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors

In this episode, Chris McCoy talks with Ed Wallace and Tom Stewart from Achievenext, about the existing struggle that exists between Sales Executives and Financial Executives.  As well as their research and experiences managing these relationships while influencing them to mutually agreeable and profitable solutions.   Join the NASP community today by becoming a Free Member: https://bit.ly/2zWeMmI

Jeff Sonnenfeld is the Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies at the Yale School of Management, where he also serves as the Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management. Sonnenfeld is also the Founder of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute (CELI), a nonprofit educational and research institute focused on corporate governance and executive leadership. In addition to this, Sonnenfeld is the author of eight books on leadership — most notably, The Hero's Farewell: What Happens When CEOs Retire. His research has been published in 100 scholarly articles and he frequently contributes to CNBC and Fortune. In this episode: What can CEOs do to avoid corporate atrophy? Why is it so vital for today's leaders to participate in critical discussions? Jeff Sonnenfeld talks about this and more as he joins Tom on The Leading Edge — a place where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. According to Sonnenfeld, corporate leadership works best when a network of executives is working toward greater social impact and business development. With decades of experience with corporate governance and CEO leadership, Sonnenfeld knows the challenges leaders face when pushing the limits in their businesses. As he says, the best CEOs succeed by seeking feedback from their peers and adopting a forward-thinking mindset. In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart is joined by Jeff Sonnenfeld, the Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies at the Yale School of Management, to discuss leadership in the corporate ecosystem. Together they talk about the engine of innovation for executives, the generational gap in governance, and the importance of placing value in people and communities for a sustainable future.

On today's episode, Ami Kassar interviews Steve Dobbins, Founder and CEO of The Dobbins Group, on how marketing has changed and evolved throughout the pandemic. Steve is a seasoned marketing and communications pro, with a passion for compelling content, brand building, audience engagement, purpose-driven business, and growing dream teams. For more than 20 years, Steve has worked side-by-side with CEOs, helping them grow their brands and blow through their goals. His areas of expertise include content strategy, digital media, social media, event marketing, visual branding, experience design, media relations, product development, and global marketing. Clients have included IBM, SWIMS, Casco Contractors and Design Studio, AchieveNEXT, YPO, Alliance Resource Group, the CREATiON Companies, Prime Power, the Tarsadia Foundation, and many more. Steve is a passionate leader, lifetime learner, and eternal optimist who believes in the power of business to transform lives and create a better world for us all. His leadership journey has taken him around the world, wearing many hats, from small business owner and entrepreneur to chief marketing officer and SVP of strategic new initiatives. In April 2016, Steve co-founded a new socially-driven fitness brand, evolve, where every purchase includes a giveback to a nonprofit fighting for social justice. In August 2016, he launched The Dobbins Group, a consultancy focused on providing strategic marketing and communications support to diverse clients around the world. Always up for a new challenge, Steve competed in his first Half IRONMAN in December 2018 and ran his first full marathon in San Francisco in July 2019. Recorded 08/06/2021.

Russell Klein is the CEO of the American Marketing Association, the force and voice of marketing. He is a master of digital marketing campaigns, and his pioneering thinking has changed the very definition of what a brand is and what marketing does. Over the years, Klein has led teams for Dr. Pepper, Gatorade, 7-Eleven, Burger King, and Arby's. The teams he has led have won innumerable awards for their work, and more than four dozen people he trained have gone on to become CMOs in their own right.  In this episode... Is it possible to create a seamless omnichannel brand presence? What are the best strategies for building a brand and ushering in the next era of digital marketing? According to Russell Klein, there can be harmony between physical and digital channels — and this unity can produce the perfect orchestration for a brand and--more than that--a customer experience. Great brands do not emerge overnight; Russ Klein's experience has taught him that building a brand takes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and intention. What's more, a brand is more than a logo, more than marketing  — more, even, than positioning: a brand is an environment meant to immerse the customer in a unique experience. When done well, this complex — but essential — process of brand building starts with trust and results in brand loyalty and explosive growth. Klein talks about this and more as he joins Thomas A. Stewart on The Leading Edge — a place where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders look to find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises.  In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart sits down with Russell Klein, the CEO of the American Marketing Association and a legendary marketer in his own right, to talk about the perfect equation for brand building. Together, they discuss the continual evolution of content marketing, how storytelling crafts a customer's experience, and the power behind consumer rituals and brand loyalty. Stay tuned to learn all of this and more — and subscribe to never miss another episode.

Jame Cofran is the CEO of THRUUE, an expert management consultancy that works at the intersection of culture and strategy. Prior to his time at THRUUE, he served as the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Business Development at CGI and was the Vice President of Financial Services Products at American Management Systems.  Jame has more than thirty years of experience promoting the connection between strategy and culture. He specializes in helping organizations and people recognize and wield the power they need to achieve their potential to perform and grow. He is also a zealous competitive sailor and has competed in races in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Aegean Sea.  In this episode... Company culture: everyone knows it's important; everyone knows that a strong culture helps create strong performance and that a passive or toxic culture is enervating or destructive. But when it comes to changing culture — well, as someone said, that can be like trying to nail Jell-o to a wall. How can you identify and change the areas of cultural weakness in your company? In what ways can you measure your organization's gap between culture and strategy? Jame Cofran knows. He is the CEO of THRUUE, a company that helps clients connect strategic planning to culture change from the start, rather than trying to do “the culture piece” separately. Jame says THRUUE's clients have on average increased their growth rate by 9.47% after engaging with them to set strategy and shift culture — drawing a straight line that connects strategy to employee experience and front-line work to corner-office priorities.  In this episode of The Leading Edge, Tom and Jame discuss practical ways to marry culture and strategy, so that culture is something you do, not just something you feel — and so that strategy is an outgrowth of who you are, not just a set of PowerPoint bullets. This is The Leading Edge — a podcast where new ideas are cultivated and leaders find their edge to succeed. Subscribe to never miss another episode! 

Robert “Bob” Nicholas is the Director of Sales for Amerisure Insurance, where he has faithfully worked for more than 18 years. In this role, Bob leads the Field Marketing & Underwriting sales processes for Amerisure, creates new business top line goals, executes agency business planning, and much more. He started at the company as a Service Carrier Operations Supervisor in 2002, and has since worked up to his current role as Director of Sales.  Some of Bob's past positions include Youth Minister for the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Lay Director for the Cursillo Movement of the Diocese of Memphis.  In this episode… Do you want to become a more empathetic leader? Are you ready to model a different kind of leadership — one that selflessly enables employees to succeed?  When it comes to empowerment, more people talk a good game than play one — but not Bob Nicholas. Bob goes far beyond lip service and embodies real service: the kind that disrupts the status quo and inspires employees. "My personal passion,” he explains, “is to help people go home in better shape than when they came to work that day.” According to Bob, this profound process of employee empowerment all starts by asking “How can I help?” and treating your employees with the dignity they deserve. So, what is it really like to empower a team day-to-day, and how can you become a more employee-focused leader? Step out onto the leading edge to find out.  In this episode of The Leading Edge, Thomas A. Stewart interviews Bob Nicholas, the Director of Sales at Amerisure Insurance, to discuss how radical — and practical — empowerment can be, and what it takes to be an empowering boss. Listen in as Bob reveals how Amerisure chooses its agents, how it translates passion into customer value, and how it empowers and improves the lives of its employees. This is The Leading Edge — a podcast where new ideas are cultivated and leaders find their edge to succeed. Subscribe to never miss another episode!

Lance Hollander is the Co-founder and Partner of The Agency Shop, a company that provides due diligence and assessment of digital strategies, ROI, agency competence, media effectiveness, and technology selections. In addition to this, Lance is a board member at From the Future, an advisor at CourtAvenue, and the Principal of Lance Hollander Consulting. Lance has over 20 years of experience in digital strategy, customer experience, marketing technology, and media. He has owned, led, and sold three digital agencies, including Delphic Digital, which was purchased for its award-winning customer experience work and Fortune 500 clients. In this episode… Is your company successfully engaging with your desired clients? Are you highlighting your business' best features in your marketing content? When it comes to digital media, one of the most effective ways to move the needle is to personalize the experience for each client. So, how exactly do you determine a consumer's preferred method of communication? According to Lance Hollander, a vital aspect of your marketing strategy is understanding and leveraging consumer data. As he says, data can tell you what types of communication your audience prefers, the content they enjoy most, and how often they want to hear from you. When you recognize what your clients want, you can provide them with a top-of-the-line consumer experience that leads to more conversions and customer loyalty. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco chats with Lance Hollander, the Co-founder and Partner of The Agency Shop, about the best ways to communicate with your clients online. Lance discusses the future of digital marketing, how to leverage data in your marketing strategy, and his tips for reaching your desired audience — and turning them into loyal customers. Stay tuned.

Laura Remaker is a diversity champion, a leader in human resources, and the Head of People Operations at gettacar, an online platform that helps users buy, trade, sell, and finance used cars. Laura has managed HR, talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership and succession planning for seven fast-growing companies. Before joining gettacar, Laura served as the Advisor and Chief People Officer at Spring EQ and the Vice President of Human Resources at Greenphire. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, she is redefining the role and value of human resources. In this episode… Laura Remaker is redefining the role of human resources; she is thinking in a business mindset, celebrating mistakes, and breaking outdated rules. By taking this innovative approach, she has become a catalyst for company success, and now she's here to share all of her expert tips with you. As an action-oriented people leader, Laura has learned how to manage — and develop — a cohesive team. As she says, building a strong foundation for your business requires transparency, authenticity, and diversity. That's why Laura always aims to be a true business partner and seek out the best in both the companies and the people she works with. Listen to this episode of Level Up as Nick Araco talks with Laura Remaker, the Head of People Operations at gettacar, about the transformations taking place in human resources. Laura discusses her career development in the HR industry, her tips for creating a sense of connection between employees and leaders, and the vital importance of sharing ideas in the workplace. Stay tuned!

Thomas A. Stewart is the host of The Leading Edge, where he speaks with business leaders and thinkers about what it means to live and work on the leading edge — where new ideas emerge and are sharpened, and where leaders find the edge that brings success for themselves, their teams, and their enterprises. In this first episode, Dr. Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 talks to Tom about ideas and actions that have shaped his career, his work in the fields of intellectual capital and customer experience, and his management philosophy. Tom is the Chief Knowledge Officer at AchieveNEXT, a learning and development ecosystem that combines peer learning networks with talent performance solutions. He formerly served as the Editor in Chief of Harvard Business Review, a member of the Board of Editors of Fortune, and the Executive Director of the National Center for the Middle Market. He is the author of Intellectual Capital and The Wealth of Knowledge, and (co-authored with Patricia O'Connell) Woo, Wow, and Win. In this episode… Are you looking for a tried-and-true business philosophy? Do you want concrete strategies that will help you be a better entrepreneur, manager, or employee?  Thomas A. Stewart, a successful business writer and managing director, has a unique perspective on business: When broken down to its basic components, business is simply the combination of theory and practice. Theory without practice leads to ineffective sales and useless daydreaming. Practice without theory results in stagnant business with no advancement. However, when merged together, theory and practice lead companies into the future with new and exciting ideas that actually work. This perspective has carried Tom through decades of success — and today, he's here to share his hard-won wisdom with listeners everywhere. In this introductory episode, Tom sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Co-founder of Rise25, to talk about what it means to work on the leading edge — a place where new ideas are cultivated and sharpened, and where leaders find their edge to succeed. Listen in as Tom recalls working at Fortune and Harvard Business Review, identifies the impacts he's made on the world of business, and analyzes how his distinct style of management has grown over the years. Stay tuned!

Jim Caruso is a financial executive and the Chief Financial Officer of J. Knipper and Company (Knipper), a leading healthcare solutions company that serves the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Jim is a former CPA/consulting firm partner with 30 years of experience in financial management, mergers and acquisitions, business process outsourcing, information technology, and operations. Prior to joining Knipper, Jim served as the CFO of a home healthcare provider, where he built a scalable infrastructure and helped grow the company significantly. As a dynamic, purpose-driven leader, he has a reputation for developing high-performing teams and driving organizational change. In this episode… Both leaders and team members want to work — and grow — within a company that has great culture, collaboration, and opportunity for development. So, how can you be proactive in your personal and professional growth? And, what can you do to cultivate a positive work environment for your team? Jim Caruso is a purpose-driven leader who believes in lifelong learning. As a financial expert and CFO, he continues to develop his team and personal career through creativity and curiosity. By exploring different perspectives and communication styles, Jim is able to effectively translate financial concepts to his team and create a productive work environment where all members can grow and thrive. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Jim Caruso, the Chief Financial Officer of Knipper, to talk about the key components of professional growth and leadership. Jim shares the importance of creativity and curiosity in the workplace, what to look for when hiring new team members, and how to become an inspiring leader who empowers people and cultivates a great company culture. Stay tuned for more.

Omar Abdullah is the Vice President of Marketing & Outreach at Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education. In this role, he helps raise awareness about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy through marketing, branding, communication, sales, and advocacy. Prior to joining Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, Omar was an interdisciplinary scholar and communication consultant. He taught courses at the University of California, Davis, and Texas A&M University and has spoken at conferences and facilitated workshops at Trinity University and SXSW. In addition to this, Omar is a former stand-up and sketch comedian who has performed in venues across the San Francisco Bay Area. In this episode… According to Omar Abdullah, collaboration and discovery are key elements to a great work environment. As he says, leaders should surround themselves with talented people, uplift their team, and reflect on their “why.” So, what steps can you take to start implementing these ideas into your leadership approach? With a background in both comedy and philosophy, Omar specializes in helping leaders in the corporate world activate their intellectual curiosity and effectively grow with their team. As an individual, this means embracing your “why” and building a career based on your passion. On a team level, Omar suggests you focus on showcasing your ensemble and building a non-hierarchical, collaborative environment that will take your company to the next level. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Omar Abdullah, the Vice President of Marketing & Outreach at Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education. Omar discusses his journey from comedy to philosophy, how he boosted morale during the pandemic, and his strategies for implementing improvisation into the corporate world. He also shares the steps you can take to create a collaborative, growth-centered work environment. Stay tuned for more!

Ed joined AchieveNEXT as the Managing Director of Human Capital. Critically acclaimed as the leading expert on the power of business relationships, Ed speaks for companies and organizations around the world with a client list that is a Who's Who of Fortune 500 companies. He is the #1 bestselling author of The Relationship Engine and has written three other books on the power of relationship capital - Business Relationships That Last, Creating Relational Capital, and Fares to Friends.

Todd White is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at AchieveNEXT. He is a high-impact senior financial executive, strategist, and business developer with over 20 years of experience in private equity and venture capital transactions. In his role at AchieveNEXT, Todd has led merger and acquisition activities, financial and business planning and analysis, and reporting. He has also directed the preparations, solicitations, due diligence, and closings for private debt and equity growth finances. Todd has a long track record of successful accomplishments with companies ranging from startups to established growth businesses. Prior to working at AchieveNEXT, Todd was the Chief Financial Officer for both Lionheart Industrial Group LLC and Paralube, Inc. In this episode… What does it take to succeed in the finance industry? How can you continue to redefine and develop your role as a leader and influencer? After being thrown into the corporate world straight out of college, finance expert Todd White quickly developed the skills necessary for proactive growth. For Todd, one of the most important aspects of personal and professional development is the ability to go beyond numbers and network with other professionals in the finance industry. In doing so, he has built relationships and credibility that have helped him excel as a CFO and industry leader. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Todd White, the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer of AchieveNEXT, to talk about leadership and growth in the finance industry. Todd shares his advice on how to pivot in your career, develop ideas when you're short on capital, and maximize your business plan using outside resources. Stay tuned for more!

Watch and uncover how making meaningful connections can help in your career development! About Our Guest: Nick is the co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of AchieveNEXT, a provider of specialized Human Capital Performance Solutions and developer of the Alliance Peer Advisory Networks, including The CFO Alliance and The CHRO Alliance — the professional Peer Networks responsible for introducing disruptive knowledge-sharing to Finance & HR Leaders throughout North America. Over the past 2 decades, Nick has been able to bring his unique ability of "Making Connections that Count” to Empower Growth of Finance, HR, Sales, and other C-Suite executives and business leaders across North America. He serves as 'the voice of the Middle Market,'​ representing the more than 15,000 Finance and HR Leaders who are Members of The CFO Alliance and The CHRO Alliance, Peer Advisory Networks that empower Modern Finance and HR Leaders to make complex decisions on People, Strategy, Technology & Risk. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hope you enjoyed this episode of Talent Talks! Tune in biweekly as we sit down with executives to hear how they acquire talent for their companies. Check out the links below to get additional information: Nick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-arac... AchieveNext Website: https://www.achievenext.com GTS Scientific Website: https://gtscareers.com/ Connect with Robb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-hoylegts/

Nick Araco is the Founder and CEO of AchieveNEXT, a peer-led advisory network organization that empowers financial and HR leaders to meet ambitious growth goals. Over the last 20 years, Nick has helped facilitate a community of forward-thinking, entrepreneurial-minded, and financially educated C-Suite executives across industries. He serves as the voice of the CFO community, representing over 10,000 leaders and members of The CFO Alliance and The CHRO Alliance. Prior to founding AchieveNEXT, Nick served in growth strategy and business development leadership roles for companies including Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and RSM US. He is currently a renowned public speaker, a recognized global business leader, and the host of the Level Up podcast. In this episode… Financial and HR leaders are "the secret sauce" to any company's success. Their innovative approach to tracking growth and developing leaders in the workforce has changed how we do business. Now, companies can track the impact of relationships, inclusion, and technology more than ever before. So, how can we use these insights to improve the workplaces of tomorrow?  Nick Araco is at the center of this growing movement of assessing the development of a company's internal system. He is the CEO of AchieveNEXT, a network led by peer-to-peer discussions and focus groups on financial and HR leadership topics. The members of his peer advisory groups are at the forefront of their industries, and together they are paving the way for future leaders.  In this episode of the Level Up podcast, Nick Araco sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz, the Co-founder of Rise25, to discuss three companies that are making a difference in the C-Suite financial and HR communities. Nick addresses the greatest source of ROI backed by financially educated experts and shares the personal and professional benefits of joining the AchieveNEXT networks. Stay tuned!

Now more than six months into the pandemic, NCMM welcomes AchieveNext CEO, Nick Araco, to share what he's seeing from CEOs and CHROs and how they're planning to lead their companies forward into 3Q 2020 and beyond, plus what those with a strong "immune system" in managing through the pandemic have in common.