Podcasts about business strategy

Leaders Founders behind Ouai, Good Girl Snacks, Heaven Mayhem, Hedley & Bennett, and more share the expensive, embarrassing, and clarifying mistakes that taught them how to build stronger businesses. For more from these leaders click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Have you ever had a single win that completely changed how you looked at yourself? In this episode, Gino Barbaro (co-founder of Jake and Gino and Barbaro 360) breaks down the subconscious psychological traps that sabotage real estate investors and entrepreneurs from building a successful business. Drawing from his early investing days—including a first deal that felt like a home run but was fueled by pure luck—Gino highlights three destructive behaviors we all face and provides a concrete, 4-step framework to fight back against them.

This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Cal Thompson, designer, product advisor, artist and mindfulness teacher with over 15 years of experience in human-centered design. Cal most recently served as VP of Product Design and Research at Headspace, where they led both a design team and a scientific research team through the company's expansion from a meditation app into a full mental health platform. Cal explains how growing up gay in the south impacted how they see design and makes a strong business case for incorporating accessibility into all products and designs. They also explore why the design toolkit is more critical in the AI era than ever before, and why vibe coding without domain expertise risks producing what Cal calls "feature slop." They also dig into the attention economy and how mindfulness is quietly becoming a radical act in a world engineered to capture your focus.Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATALinks: Cal Thompson Headspace Future London Academy Center for Humane TechnologyGreenway Institute Learn more about Launch by NTT DATASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul Falavolito explores why emotional control is one of the most important leadership skills in today's workplace. Learn how leaders can manage emotions, make better decisions under pressure, build trust, and create emotional stability for their teams during challenging situations.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

A CMO Confidential Interview with Drew Pinto, EVP and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer of Marriott International. Drew discusses the concept that architecture and data should be viewed as a means to an end, methods for assessing legacy systems, and why tech is critical to customer experience.Key topics include: - Why he believes in "built to change”- Ways to assess your data- Why marketers shouldn't get "enamored by solutions- The idea of "buying commodities" vs. building everything yourselfTune in to hear a discussion about "data puddles," and why marketers should take their tech partners to dinner.⏱️ Chapters1:12 - Introduction and Guest Welcome2:32 -Defining Data Architecture5:00 - Evaluating Legacy Systems12:51 - Sponsor Message: Typeface ARC Agents13:55 - Built to Change vs. Built to Last17:15 - Tech Sourcing: Build vs. Buy21:11 - Customer Experience and Data Management27:54 - Common Mistakes and Advice for Marketers30:44 - Closing Remarks and Final ThoughtsThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, amid cost inflation, geopolitical conflict, and an ever-changing global business landscape we are staring down a massive shift in corporate sustainability and it's starting to prompt some pretty big questions.  Does navigating the triple threat of media, politics, and boardroom backlash mean we need to change the playbook? In this episode Lou is joined by Mark Lancelot from Better Business Design. Together, they unpack how the traditional role of the Chief Sustainability Officer is changing to survive, and how we might reshape the narrative around sustainability and circular economy goals to land positively in our global boardrooms. Find out more about our work here: www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org Follow us online on these channels: Instagram: http://instagram.com/EllenMacArthurFoundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellen-macarthur-foundation/ Website: http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Most entrepreneurs don't have a revenue problem—they have a delegation problem. In this episode,, entrepreneur and business coach Justin Lund explains why so many founders become prisoners in the businesses they worked so hard to build. The same hustle that helped you get started can become the very thing preventing you from reaching the next level. Justin shares the concept of the "Delegation Priority Pyramid," a practical framework designed to help business owners reclaim their time, build systems, and create a company that doesn't depend entirely on them. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, burned out, unable to take a vacation, or convinced that "nobody can do it as well as I can," this conversation is for you.

In Episode 742, Paul Falavolito explores how seemingly ordinary leadership decisions can become defining moments for an organization. Learn how to recognize high consequence decisions, avoid leadership blind spots, and strengthen your ability to make the calls that shape culture, reputation, and long-term success.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

How much cash is hiding in your business? See if you qualify for a Free Financial Health Check Financial Intelligence Toolkit When Steve walks into a struggling business, people expect him to start with leadership, culture, or strategy. He never does.In this episode he walks through the one thing he fixes first in every struggling business, why everything else is pointless without it, and what it actually looks like when a business finally has real financial visibility versus just a stack of reports nobody fully understands.If you are running your business off gut feel and hoping the numbers work out, this one is going to challenge that._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Leadership performance may be more biological than strategic. Learn practical ways to improve decision making, emotional control, and leadership presence by adjusting the hidden inputs that influence how leaders think and act.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Episode 740 explores how physical office spaces quietly shape leadership behaviors, employee trust, decision making, and culture. Learn practical and unexpected items to remove from your office immediately to create a more intentional, effective, and people-centered leadership environment.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Many investors focus on one thing: getting more units. But what if growing your portfolio is actually creating more problems? In this episode, Gino Barbaro breaks down one of the most important distinctions every real estate investor and entrepreneur needs to understand: the difference between growing and scaling. Growth often means increasing revenue by adding more resources, more expenses, and more complexity. Scaling, on the other hand, is about creating systems, improving efficiency, increasing profitability, and building a business that can expand without demanding more of your time. If you're chasing bigger numbers without knowing your profit margins, occupancy rates, delinquency metrics, or operational KPIs, this conversation is a must-watch. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The difference between growing and scaling a real estate business ✅ Why "Revenue is vanity, profit margin is sanity, and cash is king" ✅ How to measure Profit Per Unit (PPU) ✅ The systems every multifamily investor should implement ✅ Why operations determine long-term success ✅ The importance of SOPs, KPIs, and customer retention ✅ When to pause acquisitions and focus on infrastructure ✅ How Jake & Gino scaled from zero to over 1,900 units Whether you're managing your first rental property or operating a large multifamily portfolio, these principles can help you build a stronger, more profitable business. Key Takeaway: Don't grow faster than your systems can support. Build the foundation first. Strengthen your operations, improve cash flow, create leverage, and then pursue expansion with confidence. You want to know more about Multifamily? Go to https://wheelbarrowprofits.com/ We're here to help create real estate entrepreneurs... About Jake & Gino: Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and owners who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $350M in assets under management. Connect with Jake & Gino here --> https://jakeandgino.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailThe internet has a new way of keeping score: aura. This week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we dive into one of the strangest trends taking over social media—gaining aura, losing aura, and why people seem obsessed with measuring status in ways that don't actually exist. From CEOs and athletes to celebrities and everyday people, we explore why some people walk into a room and command attention while others instantly lose credibility. We break down where the trend came from, why it resonates, and what it reveals about confidence, reputation, authenticity, and human nature. Because aura may be made up—but the way people react to it is very real.From a business strategy and tactical standpoint, "aura" is just the modern evolution of executive presence and brand equity. In this episode, we unpack how entrepreneurs and corporate executives can tactically build authentic authority without falling into the trap of cheap marketing gimmicks. We discuss how iconic brands like Nike, Apple, and Tesla cultivate a corporate aura that commands premium pricing and fierce customer loyalty. Whether you are running a startup or leading a Fortune 500 company, managing your professional reputation and understanding how the public measures your credibility is a critical component of modern leadership, PR strategy, and marketplace positioning.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kn0oUEQ2gJcWe want to hear from you! Send your thoughts, feedback, or favorite beer recommendations to beer@mikeandblaine.comListen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.comIf you enjoy the show, head over to mikeandblaine.com right now to buy us a beer and support the podcast!Learn about: Cash Flow Mike who trains CPAs to provide effective advisory to their clients at cashflowmike.com Dryrun Cash Flow Forecasting for the office of the CFO where they get finance teams out of spreadsheets at dryrun.comThanks to our Beer Sponsors: Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting CPA Larry Weinstein, the Cash Flow Cowboy from Houston Texas Neighbor Pat DevinWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kn0oUEQ2gJc#AuraPoints #Aura #LoseAura #InternetCulture #BusinessStrategy #ExecutivePresence #BrandEquity #LeadershipTactics #Entrepreneurship #Nike #Apple #Tesla #Forbes #HarvardBusinessReview #PublicRelations #MarketingStrategy #CorporateBranding #MikeAndBlaineSupport the showCatch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

Episode 739 of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast explores five unconventional leadership techniques designed for real-world use. Learn how small behavioral shifts can improve trust, communication, team culture, and leadership effectiveness immediately.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Do you think your warehouse full of inventory is the most valuable part of your home staging business?In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast mini-series, How to Sell Your Home Staging Business, Shauna Lynn Simon tackles one of the biggest misconceptions in the staging industry: the belief that inventory determines business value. While furniture, artwork, accessories, and decor are essential tools of the trade, buyers are not focused on what you spent. They are focused on what those assets produce.Shauna Lynn breaks down the difference between selling inventory and selling a business, explains why buyers evaluate earning power over furniture costs, and shares how productive inventory can support value while unproductive inventory can create drag. She also reveals why some home staging businesses sell for far more than the value of their warehouse contents and highlights the often-overlooked intangible assets that make a business truly attractive to buyers.Whether you plan to sell in the next year or simply want to build a stronger, more profitable company today, this episode will help you start viewing your business through a buyer's lens and make smarter decisions about growth, profitability, and long-term value.Timestamps:(00:09) - (04:27) - Why your inventory is not the same thing as your business value(04:28) - (08:50) - How buyers evaluate staging inventory based on revenue potential(08:51) - (13:28) - Why selling inventory alone is different from selling an operating business(13:29) - (17:37) - How inventory is handled in a business sale and what supports value(17:38) - (21:45) - The invisible assets that make your inventory more profitable(21:46) - (24:57) - How to build a more sellable business with stronger systems and assets Resources:Get your "Is Your Home Staging Business Sellable?" ebook free when you use promo code SELL100: https://slsacademy.com/sellreadyLearn more about the Sell Your Staging Business Bootcamp (and claim your spot): https://slsacademy.com/sellyourbiz

In Episode 738 of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul Falavolito explores the hidden culture stress tests that reveal the true health of an organization. Learn how bad news, leadership absence, pressure, promotions, and honest feedback expose whether your workplace culture is built on trust, accountability, and resilience.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Why is being completely yourself the most powerful business strategy? TV icon Davina McCall shares how 30 years in the public eye, a failed chat show, a brain tumor, cancer, and addiction all became the making of her - and why your biggest disasters might be your greatest business asset! Davina McCall is one of Britain's most beloved television presenters, best known for hosting Big Brother, The Million Pound Drop, and Long Lost Family. A bestselling author, fitness pioneer, and now podcaster with Begin Again, she has built a remarkable personal brand rooted in authenticity, resilience, and relentless self-reinvention. They explain: ·      Why a no is just a yes that hasn't happened yet - and how she harassed her way into MTV ·      Why your biggest failures and disasters are more valuable than any qualification ·      Why not knowing your own voice will cost you more than any bad business decision Chapters ·       00:00:00 Intro ·       00:01:30 Davina Walks In & Her Anthem Song ·       00:02:06 Finding Strength Through a Brain Tumor & Cancer ·       00:03:57 What People Misunderstand About Davina ·       00:05:04 Why Authenticity Is Her Biggest Business Message ·       00:06:46 What Davina Is Walking Towards Now ·       00:08:44 What Shaped Davina: The Early Years ·       00:09:14 Why Your Calamity CV Beats Your Academic CV ·       00:10:30 The Mum Who Couldn't Be Proud - And Why That Made Davina Famous ·       00:12:15 Walk Towards the Problem, Not Away From It ·       00:13:32 The Failed Chat Show That Changed Everything ·       00:15:42 Why Not Having A Voice Nearly Ended Her Career ·       00:17:07 What She Learned About Speaking Her Truth ·       00:18:57 How Being Out Of Alignment Kills Your Performance ·       00:20:08 Davina's Rules of Reinvention ·       00:21:06 The Workout DVD Her Agent Told Her Not To Do ·       00:23:02 Why Sharing Your Failures Earns More Respect ·       00:24:06 Trusting Your Inner Voice Over Everyone Else's Opinion ·       00:26:10 Growing Up Between Two Worlds - Stability vs Wild Child ·       00:27:34 Heroin, Cocaine & The Half-Nun Who Saved Her ·       00:31:14 Losing Her Sister & What That Changed ·       00:34:09 Menopause, Books & Loving Life At Nearly 60 ·       00:35:10 The Moment She Decided To Become Famous ·       00:36:06 A No Is A Yes That Hasn't Happened Yet ·       00:37:22 How She Went From Model Agent To MTV Presenter ·       00:41:42 Be As Annoying As A Mosquito - Anita Roddick's Advice ·       00:43:36 Manifesting: Planting The Seed & Walking Towards It ·       00:50:35 Is It Terror Or Just Excitement? Reframing Fear ·       00:52:14 Big Brother: Behind The Scenes Stories ·       00:55:20 Fight Night - The Moment That Changed TV Forever ·       01:01:18 Interviewing Jade Goody & The Hardest Moments ·       01:03:37 Street Mate, God's Gift & Her Favorite Shows ·       01:07:46 Embrace The Downs - They Will Teach You Something Even More Value:   Download your FREE Start, Grow, Scale Roadmap in under 30 seconds: https://bit.ly/3SfvXs2   Hear from Adam and some of the country's biggest entrepreneurs on the models and frameworks that GROW your Business: https://bit.ly/3S7fTIS   Learn how to build a 7 Figure SCALE plan that runs WITHOUT you: https://bit.ly/3Qq2ACO   Follow Adam Stott's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Coaching

We are joined by a guest whose career is a testament to the power of reinvention and the discipline of mastery. Before he was a titan in the manufacturing world, he was a professional guitarist. When a hand injury cut his music career short, he didn't see a setback—he saw a turning point. He took the resilience, pattern recognition, and focus required to master an instrument and applied it to the world of entrepreneurship.  Tom Kubiniec is the Founder and CEO of SecureIt, a U.S.-based manufacturing company that designs and produces innovative secure storage systems for consumers, military, and institutional clients. Before building SecureIt, Tom was a professional guitarist. His music career was cut short due to a hand injury — a turning point that forced him to reinvent himself professionally. Rather than viewing it as a setback, Tom used the experience as a catalyst to transition into manufacturing and entrepreneurship. The discipline of mastering an instrument, performing under pressure, and recovering from adversity shaped the resilience, pattern recognition, and long-term thinking he now brings to business leadership.  Under his direction, SecureIt has become a category leader by challenging conventional industry thinking and focusing relentlessly on product design, operational discipline, and customer responsibility. Over the past year, Tom made several bold operational decisions — including eliminating his internal marketing department — while achieving 66% year-over-year sales growth. He credits this performance not to aggressive promotion, but to disciplined execution, product clarity, and conviction in long-term strategy.  Outside of business, Tom prioritizes time with his family and regularly disconnects outdoors. He believes physical discipline, recovery, and intentional time away from work directly sharpen leadership focus and decision-making. Tom brings a unique blend of creativity, operational rigor, and founder resilience — offering practical insights for entrepreneurs navigating reinvention, growth, and leadership.  CONTACT DETAILS: Business: SecureItWebsite: https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/ Social Media AddressLinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkubiniec/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tomkubiniec Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.  Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. 

Do you know what your numbers are really saying about your home staging business?Many home stagers focus on revenue when measuring success, but buyers look at something very different when evaluating a business. In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast mini-series, How to Sell Your Home Staging Business, Shauna Lynn Simon breaks down the financial story behind business value and explains why revenue alone does not determine what your company is worth.Listeners will learn how buyers interpret financial statements, what profitability really means, and why understanding metrics like gross profit, net income, and Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) can dramatically impact a future sale. Even if numbers aren't your strength, this episode will help you understand the financial story buyers see when evaluating your business without getting lost in accounting jargon or complicated formulas.Whether selling is years away or simply a future possibility, this conversation will help home stagers look at their numbers through a completely different lens. You'll also learn why preparing your financials 2-3 years before a sale can significantly impact both buyer confidence and business value. The insights shared in this episode can lead to stronger decision-making, healthier profits, and a more valuable business long before an exit is ever on the horizon.If you're serious about building a staging business that creates both income and long-term value, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Timestamps:(00:08) - (04:48) - Why revenue is not the same thing as business value(04:49) - (09:31) - How buyers read your financials as a story of risk and profit(09:32) - (14:12) - Why clean books and service profitability matter before selling(14:13) - (20:18) - The difference between gross profit, net income, and real earning power(20:19) - (27:08) - How buyers value a staging business using SDE instead of revenue or inventory(27:09) - (40:00) - Add backs, valuation multiples, and how to increase buyer confidenceResources:Get your "Is Your Home Staging Business Sellable?" ebook free when you use promo code SELL100: https://slsacademy.com/sellreadyLearn more about the Sell Your Staging Business Bootcamp (and claim your spot): https://slsacademy.com/sellyourbiz

If you've ever woken up wanting to create a new client or generate more revenue and found yourself spinning on what you should actually be doing, this episode is for you. I'm going solo and I'm going deep on what I consider to be the number one business strategy for coaches, teachers, experts, and anyone with a human-centered business: personal outreach. It is the fastest path to a client, the foundation of a relationship-driven business, and the strategy that gets the most overlooked and underused by so many business owners - and in this one I'm telling you why.Showing up in our businesses and for our people takes a lot - it takes time, energy, effort and a whole lot of mindset work to boot. And for most people, the mindset is exactly where it all breaks down. In this episode, I'm going deep on the psychology of both sides: what it takes to be the one doing the outreach, and what it means to be on the receiving end. I'm sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly — including real stories of how I use this strategy in my own business and how to build up the resilience and “thick skin” it takes to keep showing up - even when it's vulnerable, frustrating and downright disappointing.Here's what you'll hear in this episode:Why personal outreach is the #1 strategy for creating clients — and why so many coaches, experts, and entrepreneurs are overlooking, underusing, or avoiding it altogetherWho your real warm and hot leads are — and why going to them first is always the right move when you want to create clients nowWhat it actually takes mentally and emotionally to implement this strategy with consistency — and why the mindset piece is where most people get stuckWhy being afraid of coming across as salesy or pushy is keeping you from doing the one thing that would actually workThe good, the bad, and the ugly of personal outreach — including what to do when it doesn't go the way you hopedWhat to make of the full range of responses you're going to get — and why all of it, including the silence, is useful information for your businessWhy being on the receiving end of outreach matters just as much as being the one who sends it — and what that reveals about where you are in your businessIf you keep thinking you need more leads, more visibility, or a better marketing strategy — and you still don't have the clients you want — this episode is going to reframe everything.And if you want more strategy, mindset and clients join me for Summer Business School July 1, 8 + 15!I'm hosting a FREE 3-part workshop series so you can keep your biz momentum going while also enjoying your summer!REGISTER HERE!

Leadership is measured at the edge, where pressure, uncertainty, and difficult decisions reveal a leader's true character. This episode explores how preparation, accountability, and consistent daily leadership habits determine how leaders perform when it matters most.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Well, that escalated quickly! In the span of a few weeks the Trump administration went from AI regulation is dangerous and we will lose to China to an executive order calling for AI model-makers to submit to a “voluntary” review of their most advanced models to… the Friday night massacre of Anthropic's Fable 5, which they declared too dangerous for any non-US citizen to use, which caused Anthropic to withdraw it completely. So where do go from here? It seems like, de facto, all new models will be subject to review and withdrawal. But on what criteria? And who can we trust to do this fairly? That's what Ron J. Williams and I get into on the latest FAFO. Ron thinks a lot about trust. It's core to the products he builds as a partner at Co-Created and as the founder of Scam Hero, an app he launched to keep people safe after his father trusted the wrong person and got scammed out of more than a million dollars. Ron says: "I think it's fair to say that Anthropic didn't bend the knee hard enough and that's kind of why we're here. The problem with that is that that's not good enough. AI is now global infrastructure. It can't just be the throne that says "Not you, but you,” because it's important enough that it really does beg the question, “who gets to decide?”---Future Around & Find Out newsletter & archive: https://www.futurearound.com

This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Carolyn Lee, President of The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. Carolyn grew up in a manufacturing family on Long Island and spent years on Capitol Hill before taking the helm of the MI in 2017. Tammy and Carolyn dig into the widening gap between AI adoption at the executive level and awareness on the shop floor, and why closing it is the defining challenge for American manufacturing right now. They also unpack the fear factor driving resistance to change and Carolyn announces the forthcoming AI for Manufacturing 101 curriculum to help manufacturers who are at risk of falling behind. Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATALinks:Carolyn LeeThe Manufacturing Institute - AI Skills Training Learn more about Launch by NTT DATASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the key to growing your coaching practice wasn't better marketing, a bigger audience, or a new offer… but was simply getting better results for the clients you already have?    This episode makes the business case for impact over volume, and walks through exactly how better client results creates retention, referrals, and more revenue.    Plus: the real objection keeping coaches from prioritizing results, and why it's costing them everything.   Register for the "Confidently get any client with any problem any result- Double your client results with trauma informed coaching" webinar: https://jessicademarchis.myflodesk.com/confidentlygetanyclientwebinar    Learn more about The Art & Skill of Coaching certification: https://www.jessicademarchis.com/the-art-skill-of-coaching    1-1 Trauma-Informed Coaching: www.chatwithjess.com   Stay in Touch: www.jessicademarchis.com IG @jess_demarchis_coaching  

In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Carolee Moore, an expert storyteller who helps corporate leaders and subject matter experts find their voice, get on the right podcasts, and turn their visibility into real business growth. What stood out to me most is how Carolee doesn't just focus on booking interviews—she helps people reconnect with their authentic voice after years of operating inside corporate expectations. We explore how storytelling, when done right, becomes the bridge between deep expertise and real influence. Carolee shares her journey from growing up in Jamaica surrounded by storytelling, to navigating corporate America, to building (and walking away from) a successful marketing agency that no longer aligned with her. We also dive into how podcast guesting can fast-track credibility in B2B spaces, why so many experts struggle with visibility despite their experience, and how finding your voice can literally "change the vote" in the rooms that matter most. If you've ever felt unseen, under-recognized, or stuck playing small—this conversation will show you a new path forward. 00:49 – From Jamaica to the U.S.: The Roots of a Storyteller 02:09 – Corporate Life, Structure, and Suppressed Creativity 03:30 – Building (and Closing) a Multi-Six-Figure Agency 04:24 – The Pivot: From Marketing to Podcast Guesting 05:31 – The Types of Experts She Works With 07:41 – Why Podcasting Works for High-Level Experts 09:00 – Turning Stories Into Credibility and Sales 11:14 – The Hidden Struggles of High-Achieving Experts 12:46 – Watching Less Experienced People Win (and Why It Hurts) 14:08 – The Real Transformation: Finding Your Authentic Voice 16:46 – Integrating Visibility With Sales and Business Strategy 17:23 – The Boardroom Moment That Changed Everything 19:00 – Speaking Up and Changing the Vote 20:58 – Learning to Own Your Voice 21:39 – Underpricing and Positioning Lessons as an Agency Owner 22:46 – A Major Win: Earning a Year's Salary in One Day 23:30 – Learning to Celebrate and Step Away 24:44 – The Story Reflection: From Silence to Impact

Your favorite Blerds are back bringing you all of their thoughts on everything happening in nerd culture. This week, Shannon, Jaja and James are discussing the Xbox showcase and the most recent Nintendo Direct where a very surprising announcement was made. We're also talking about the impact of Streaming on RPG's. Is it hurting the genre? Plus other nerd news. Make sure to subscribe to us on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice.   Chapters 00:00-Celebrating the Knicks Championship Win 02:44- Weekly Nerdy Things  05:27-Showcase Highlights and Anticipated Games 08:16-Nintendo Direct Highlights  11:04-Kingdom Hearts 4 and Its Controversies 23:12-Upcoming Game Releases and DLCs 24:38-Xbox Showcase Highlights  28:51-September Game Releases and Competition 32:37-The Future of RPGs and Streaming Impact 37:02-The Evolution of Story-Driven Games 46:38-Next-Gen Console Release Speculations 49:26-Affordability and Economic Concerns in Gaming 53:03-The Role of Exclusives in Console Sales 56:13-Xbox's Business Strategy and Potential Layoffs 59:09-Warner Bros Sale to Paramount and Industry Implications 01:02:18-Exciting Anime Releases and Nostalgia   Follow Us!  https://linktr.ee/blerdsnerds National Resources List https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK56I-TNUnhKhcWLZxoUTaw Email us: Blerdsnerds@gmail.com Follow Our Social: https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/ https://twitter.com/BlerdsNerds https://www.facebook.com/blerdsnerds https://tiktok.com/blerdsnerds_pod Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans James: https://www.instagram.com/llsuavej  Jaja: https://www.instagram.com/jajasmith3 

What happens to your practice when you're ready to walk away? Most private practice owners have no idea. Lord knows I sure didn't when that day came for me.And this week's guest, Dr. Ruth Mannschreck, believes that's a problem - and she wants you to KNOW what to do. A dentist, practice strategist, and founder of Shoreline Strategies, Ruth helps practice owners create businesses that run more efficiently today while also becoming far more valuable tomorrow.So in this episode, we'll talk about how to prepare your business to sell - information you need. But what surprised me about this conversation was that it's not really about selling your practice at all. It's about building a business that isn't completely dependent on you, one that can survive and thrive even after you're gone.There are many reasons you may want to step away from your practice some day. Retirement is the obvious one, but there are many others. So whether you're thinking about an exit in five years or twenty-five, the lessons in this episode can help you create a healthier practice, a stronger team, a better client experience, and more options for your future.And isn't that a good thing? :) In this episode, you'll hear...The four pillars of a healthy practice that's ready to sell.Why most owners wait far too long to think about their exit strategy (and what to do instead.)How Ruth cut her clinical hours in half while ultimately doubling her revenue. (Wait a minute. Whaaaa?!)Why systems, culture, and team ownership matter WAY more than most owners realize.And really, we'll talk about how creating a practice worth selling means creating a healthier business right now… so that you can build a practice that serves your clients well today without trapping you in it forever.Ruth also created a free resource that walks through the framework we discussed in today's episode. Visit www.PrepItNow.com to grab a checklist to help you begin thinking strategically about your own future.I wish I'd known all of this when I started my practice. Don't wait. ~WendyP.S. There are MANY reasons why you will one day want to walk away from your practice... so this conversation is worth hearing. What you're building today will bring value and choices to your life tomorrow._______________TODAY'S GUEST:  Dr. Ruth Mannschreck  Mannschreck is a dentist, practice management strategist, and founder of Shoreline Strategies. After spending more than 30 years in private practice, she learned firsthand how systems, culture, and leadership can dramatically improve both quality of life and business performance. Following the sale of her own practices (twice!), she became passionate about helping other owners avoid the mistakes she made and prepare their businesses for successful transitions. Today she helps private practice owners reduce their workload, strengthen their teams, and build practices that can thrive long after they're ready to step away.Her website: www.ShorelineStrategies.com  A Free Resource: www.prepitnow.com  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthmannschreck_______________WANT to BE a GUEST on the podcast?We are currently scheduling interviews for the 2nd half of the year. If you have a clear message, an engaging style, and a heart for healers, let's meet!  Submit your application right here.Support the showWendy Pitts Reeves, LCSWHost, Ideal PracticePrivate Practice Coach and Mentorwww.WendyPittsReeves.comWendy@WendyPittsReeves.com

The Red Key After-Action Review explores how leaders can learn more from their critical moments by intentionally reviewing what happened, what worked, what failed, and what should change moving forward. This episode provides a practical framework for turning experience into wisdom and building stronger leadership decisions over time.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

A CMO Confidential Interview with Dr. David Bray, Distinguished Fellow and Chair of the Accelerator with the Alfred Lee Loomis Innovation Council and bipartisan advisor on cyber, space, AI as well as countering terrorism, inauthentic information campaigns, and bioterrorism. David shares thoughts on why geopolitics have become so important so quickly, the universal breakdown in trust, how anxiety fuels anger, which fuels grievance, and how business leaders might adjust to all of this.Key topics include: - Why geopolitical and tech issues should be added to the "risk management committee"- The need for contingency planning and directional decision-making - How anyone is now the equivalent of a 1970's cold war spy- Why "getting better at discernment" is critical. Tune in to hear about "responsible heretics" and how a high school science project resulted in a South American assignment for a 17-year old.⏱️ Chapters1:12: Introducing Dr. David Bray1:39: Why Business Leaders Should Care About Geopolitics2:33: Mapping the Ripple Effects of Technological Revolutions4:47: Historical Context: 1890s Polarization and Yellow Journalism7:01: Societal Anxiety, Governance, and the Path to Anarchy9:10: Impact on Global Supply Chains and Geopolitical Uncertainty12:25: The Complexity of Microprocessors and Hardware Risks14:10: Upgrading the Board: Risk Management for Tech and Geopolitics16:21: Pressures on the C-Suite and Decision-Making with Incomplete Information18:06: Marketing in a Volatile Landscape: Early Signal Networks20:07: The Role of the “Responsible Heretic” in Avoiding Groupthink23:29: Managing Super-Empowered Employees and Information Capabilities25:16: Disinformation Strategy: From Operation Denver to Modern Bots27:56: Balancing Principles, Ethics, and Global Competitiveness29:07: Preparing for the Future: Data Reassessment and the Art of Discernment31:43: Strategic Headspace: Establishing Pivot Options33:11: Predictions for 2026: AI Pushback and Conflict De-escalation34:03: Funniest Story: The South American Science Fair Mosh Pit35:51: Practical Advice: Leadership vs. Management Expectations36:07: Final Takeaways and Closing RemarksThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Overthinking is the hidden trap that's slowing down your online business. In this episode, I'm sharing how to make clearer, faster decisions that actually move your business forward. You'll learn why calm is your secret superpower when making choices, how to shift out of perfectionism mode, and the one mindset question that can break you out of an overthinking spiral.Take Your Next Step:Podcast Startup Academy: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com/academyPodcast Growth Collective: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com/collectiveA free consultation: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com/consultThis episode was produced by me, The Podcast Teacher! Contact me at Hello@ThePodcastTeacher.com.

So many business owners are pouring their energy into creating more content, improving their visibility, tweaking their messaging, and chasing reach. Meanwhile, they've got discovery calls they never followed up on, warm leads sitting in their inbox, referral partners they haven't spoken to in months, and past clients who would happily buy again if they were simply invited. This episode is about shifting your focus from constantly attracting new people to making better use of the opportunities already sitting in front of you. I walk you through what sales maxxing actually means in practice. No sleazy tactics. No awkward scripts. No pressure. Just becoming more proactive about conversations, relationships, follow-up, objections, referrals, and helping people move from interest to commitment. Because sales isn't about convincing people to buy. It's about making it easier for the right people to say yes. You'll also leave with a simple challenge designed to help you uncover sales opportunities you may have been overlooking. If you've been feeling frustrated that your visibility efforts aren't translating into enquiries or revenue, this episode might just help you spot where the real opportunities for growth are hiding. What You'll Learn in This Episode What “sales maxxing” means Why more content isn't always the answer to revenue growth The difference between marketing activity and sales activity Signs you may be overlooking warm opportunities Where to find hidden sales opportunities in your business A simple exercise to help you generate more conversations and enquiries "Sales maxing is simply looking for every possible opportunity to make it easier for people to buy from you." If this episode has made you realise you've been marketing maxxing instead of sales maxxing, I've got something exciting for you. Parade On Tour is my new 90-day sales club designed to help service providers build a consistent sales habit, have more conversations, and make their businesses easier to buy from. Join the guest list now for early access and special pricing before doors open.  Step into my festival world...

AI agents are already shopping, comparing, booking, and contacting support for the customers we've spent decades trying to understand. That means customer experience is no longer judged only by what a person feels in the moment, it's also scored by what an AI can find about your brand across policies, pricing, FAQs, reviews, and the broader web. If that idea makes you a little uneasy, good. It's the wake-up call CX leaders need right now. I break down what “agentic AI” changes in the customer journey and why it creates a world with no fine print. When an agent can surface your warranty terms, return rules, delivery performance, and reputation signals in seconds, the gaps between your brand promise and real experience become impossible to hide. We talk about the trust signals AI is likely to reward, including transparent pricing, clear and consistent policies, accurate product information, reliable delivery, and responsive customer service. Consistency stops being a nice-to-have and becomes the proof your brand can be trusted. And we don't lose the human part. Emotions still drive loyalty because people still make the final decision about who they trust. I share why a clear customer experience mission statement matters more than ever, especially if you're training internal teams and tools around a defined promise of how you want customers to feel. You'll leave with practical next steps: experiment with AI like a customer, audit your digital experience, remove hidden friction, and tighten the public signals that shape recommendations. If an AI agent evaluated your brand today, what would it say about your customer experience? Listen now, then subscribe, share with a CX leader, and leave a review.Resources Mentioned:Order your copy of Experience Is Everything -- http://experienceiseverythingbook.comLearn more about CXI Membership™ and apply -- http://CXIMembership.comExperience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.comEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Leave your review at ratethispodcast.com/xact.Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie Walters, CCXP, CSP on LinkedIn!)

At some point, a full book stops being the goal and starts becoming the ceiling. You built something real. Your clients trust you, your team shows up, your schedule is packed weeks out — and at the end of the month, the number doesn't match the effort. You did everything right. You saw the clients. You marketed, you sold, you delivered. And still the cash in your account doesn't reflect the pace of your business. This is not a hustle problem. It is a pricing and profitability problem — and it is more common than you think. In this episode, Daniela breaks down exactly why being fully booked and being profitable are two different things, what is actually happening inside the numbers of a busy spa that isn't hitting its financial goals, and how the cost of treatment analysis changes the picture completely. In this episode, we discuss: why the industry's primary scoreboard — 'are you booked?' — becomes a ceiling instead of a goal the two-component calculation most spa owners have never run, and why it matters more than total revenue how to identify which services on your menu are building your business and which are just keeping you busy the three-layer AI analysis Addo uses inside Growth Factor® Implementation to move from data to real strategy what actually changes when a spa owner has this analysis in her hands — and why it is not what most people expect   Want to break past $25K–$35K months without adding more treatment hours? Watch The Systems Shift and learn how 600+ spa owners are scaling into their Spa CEO role (without sacrificing family time or sanity). 

In this episode of the 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul breaks down one of the most underrated leadership skills — the ability to see clearly before you act. Experienced leaders aren't reacting to surface-level information. They're reading the energy in the room, identifying where real influence lives on their team, spotting the gap between what people say and what's actually true, recognizing where pressure is wearing their people down, and uncovering potential in the people others have overlooked. Paul explains that these aren't innate gifts — they're learnable skills built through intentional observation and genuine curiosity about the people you lead. Whether you're a new leader or a seasoned executive, this episode will challenge you to slow down, look deeper, and start seeing what you've been walking past.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

What happens when a digital strategist stops fighting reality and starts leading from it.There are conversations that feel like a strategy session and a therapy session at the same time. This one was both. Mary Brodie came into the Power Lounge and did something rare. She made acceptance sound like the most powerful leadership move you can make.If you work in digital, lead a team, or run your own business, you know the pressure to chase the aspirational audience, the perfect product, the frictionless experience. Mary has spent over 20 years helping companies stop chasing and start seeing. And what she has found is that the women in digital who thrive are the ones who learn to work with what is, not just what they wish were true.Mary Brodie is the Founder and Digital Experience Strategist at Gearmark, a consultancy she has built over two decades across apps, websites, content strategy, lead generation, and full digital experience design. She holds a BA and MA from Simmons College, a certificate from MIT, and an Executive Master's in Corporate Communications from IE University in Madrid. She is currently pursuing her doctorate at Case Western Reserve University, where her research explores how B2B buying teams build relationships with supplier salespeople.Key TakeawaysAcceptance is not passive. It is the foundation of every smart business decision, from knowing your real customers to building a team that actually trusts each other.Your digital experience reflects your internal experience. If your employees are disengaged, that bleeds into every customer touchpoint, every chatbot, every support call.Women in digital and female entrepreneurs online often chase aspirational audiences instead of maximizing the ones they already have. The brands that win know exactly who their customer is and own it.AI is a tool, not a replacement. Using it well means knowing what question you are actually trying to answer and what data you are feeding it.The most underrated skill in women leadership and digital marketing for women is listening. Not the performative kind. The kind where you feel something shift in the room.Mary Brodie said, "Accept yourself and make sure that you're happy with what you're doing and what your output is. Not your perfect foot. Your best foot."Mary Brodie said, "Once you accept that we don't all share the same values, the world becomes a very different place. And it's not a scary place. It's just a different place. And a lot of the world becomes a lot clearer."Timestamps00:00 Welcome to the Power Lounge.01:51 Twenty years of entrepreneurship. What keeps Mary going.04:26 Why Mary kept going back to school, MIT, Simmons, Madrid.07:37 Being the only American in the room. What that taught her.09:41 Customer experience and employee experience are the same problem.13:10 How to know if your company actually has a digital experience.16:33 AI and digital strategy. Tool or replacement.21:00 What gets in the way of leaders communicating their vision clearly.26:54 What a broken internal experience is costing your organization right now.31:08 The Art of Acceptance. What it means as a leadership practice.40:04 What Mary looks for before any strategy or deliverable.41:19 One shift for every woman in the audience.42:37 Power Round. Rapid fire with Mary Brodie.Connect with Mary BrodieEmail: mfbrodie@gearmark.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marybrodieWebsite: gearmark.comSupport the show

In this episode of the 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul explores why the dashboards leaders rely on every day can give a dangerously incomplete picture of organizational health. Using a real-world example of gamed metrics, the episode unpacks how measuring what's easy — rather than what's meaningful — can lead leaders to make confident decisions based on a distorted reality. Paul explains the cultural dynamics that cause teams to optimize for the numbers leadership watches rather than the outcomes that actually matter, and why a fear-based environment makes dashboard data even less reliable. The episode closes with three practical actions listeners can take immediately to close the gap between what their data says and what's really happening on the ground. If you're a leader who wants to make better decisions with better information, this episode is essential listening.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

In this episode of the 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul explores the concept of confidence as something that must be intentionally built long before a crisis arrives — not discovered in the middle of one. Using a relatable two-leader scenario, the episode breaks down why some leaders stay steady under pressure while others fall apart, and reveals that the difference isn't talent or experience — it's preparation. Paul outlines three practical, no-fluff strategies for building genuine leadership confidence: getting crystal clear on your personal values, developing the habit of decisive decision-making in everyday situations, and cultivating trusted relationships before you desperately need them. This episode is ideal for leaders at every level who want to show up with calm, grounded authority when it matters most.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Sam Altman and Dario Amodei both published essays this week on the future of AI and what we must do so everyone benefits. One of them is literally titled "Our Plan." The other one has an actual plan.Kwaku and I dig into it all on this week's FAFO Friday. Plus — and this story isn't getting enough attention — according to New Scientist, two years ago Ukraine used fully autonomous “Terminator” drones that killed everything they saw. No human in the loop. Dead Russian soldiers. But rest assured, according to the drone-maker cited, it was just a one-off “test.” But how long until this is standard practice? And do we want that future? So, yeah, maybe we should get planning… ---Support Future Around & Find Out:* Follow Dan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dblums/* Get the free newsletter: https://www.futurearound.com* Become a paid subscriber and help future proof FAFO! https://www.futurearound.com/upgradeMusic by Jonathan Zalben

In this episode of the 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul explores one of the most overlooked challenges in leadership — the fact that stress fundamentally changes how leaders think and make decisions. Under pressure, the brain shifts into survival mode, narrowing focus and pushing leaders toward reactive, familiar choices rather than thoughtful strategy. Paul breaks down what "strategy under stress" actually looks like in practice, including common patterns like choosing the path of least resistance, doubling down on outdated approaches, or avoiding decisions altogether. He then offers three practical habits to protect strategic thinking under pressure: building a pause ritual before major decisions, keeping core strategic anchors visible and accessible, and maintaining a small circle of honest voices who provide perspective when stress isolates us. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that teams watch their leaders most closely during hard times — and that intentional, thoughtful leadership under pressure is what builds lasting trust.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

In this episode of the 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul explores what truly separates high-performing teams from those stuck in a cycle of hesitation. The episode unpacks why "teams that wait" aren't held back by a lack of talent or effort, but by leadership cultures that have unintentionally rewarded passivity. Listeners will discover how psychological safety, consistent clarity, and a leader's willingness to step back are the real drivers behind teams that take initiative and rise to every challenge. Whether you're leading a small department or an entire organization, this episode delivers practical, honest insights on how to stop being the ceiling on your team's potential and start building the kind of team that moves with purpose.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

We are diving into the heart of what it means to scale a business. We often hear about the startup spark or the final exit, but rarely do we talk about the "messy middle”that critical phase where revenue is real, the weight of responsibility is heavy, and leadership can often feel very lonely.  Robyn Goldenberg is a business strategist deeply invested in the success of small businesses navigating the messy middle of growth — where revenue is real, responsibility is heavy, and leadership gets lonely. She is the President and Co-Owner of Strategy Leaders, a 30-year business consulting firm, the founder of Bad B Marketing, and co-founder of Find Staff.  Robyn's work is shaped by lived experience: stepping into leadership of a legacy business while building her own companies, balancing growth with stewardship, and learning firsthand how systems, people, and life events collide inside real organizations. Robyn works closely with $1M–$15M businesses to help owners build durable systems, strengthen decision-making, and grow in ways that protect both the business and the humans behind it.  Contact Info:Email: Robyn@strategyleaders.comWebsite: https://strategyleaders.com/   Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.  Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services.    

How much cash is hiding in your business? See if you qualify for a Free Financial Health Check Financial Intelligence Toolkit Most business owners have sat through a strategy session that felt productive in the room and changed nothing back at the office.In this episode Steve breaks down the three biggest mistakes he sees business leaders make when doing strategy. Not because they are not smart or ambitious, but because nobody ever showed them what strategy actually requires before the vision work even starts.If your team keeps doing strategy but keeps staying stuck, this one is for you._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

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In this episode, Josh interviews Norm Lanier, CEO of a long-running Amazon private label business. Norm discusses his journey from side hustles to full-time e-commerce, the challenges of increased competition and inventory management, and insights gained from Josh's business strategy audit. Key takeaways include focusing on the most profitable products, increasing strategic ad spend, and shifting from “base hit” to “home run” products. The conversation highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making and adapting business strategies to sustain growth and profitability in a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.Chapters:Introduction & Guest Background (00:00:00)Josh introduces Norm Lanier, outlines his Amazon business experience, and sets up the episode's focus on the business audit.Norm's E-commerce Journey (00:00:59)Norm shares how he started in e-commerce, his transition from HP, and his experience across multiple marketplaces.Challenges in E-commerce (00:02:24)Norm discusses recent challenges: increased competition, economic downturn, and feeling out of touch with business metrics.Importance of Data & Inventory Control (00:03:15)Norm explains the need for granular dashboards, product-level profitability, and efforts to clean up catalog and manage inventory.Purpose of the Strategy Audit (00:04:15)Norm describes his motivation for the audit: getting an expert's perspective and actionable insights beyond what accountants provide.Key Audit Takeaways: Advertising & Levers (00:05:28)Norm highlights the realization that increasing advertising spend is a major growth lever, a unique insight from the audit.Profitability & SKU Management (00:06:00)Josh and Norm discuss the struggle with profit margins, managing 7000 SKUs, and the need to focus on high-value activities.Mindset Shift: From Base Hits to Home Runs (00:07:28)Norm reflects on shifting from launching many small products to focusing on bigger opportunities that can significantly grow the business.Action Items & 80/20 Focus (00:10:02)Josh summarizes three action items: prioritizing high-impact levers, simplifying by focusing on top-performing products, and strategic PPC investment.Keyword Strategy for PPC (00:13:19)Norm and Josh discuss the importance of identifying and categorizing keywords before increasing PPC spend for maximum impact.Audit Value & Closing Thoughts (00:14:05)Norm shares the value of the audit, the benefit of an expert's perspective, and appreciation for the insights received.Wrap-up & Future Outlook (00:15:04)Josh and Norm conclude, expressing interest in a follow-up episode to track progress and encouraging listeners to seek similar audits.Links and Mentions:E-commerce Platforms  "Amazon": "00:01:06"  "Shopify": "00:01:06"  "Etsy": "00:01:06"  Business Tools and Evaluation  "Dashboards and Tools for Business Evaluation": "00:03:15"  "Comprehensive Business Strategy Audit": "00:00:00"  Marketing and PPC  "PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Management": "00:10:02"  "Keyword Strategy for PPC": "00:13:19"  Business Strategy and Mindset  "Mindset Shift for Entrepreneurs": "00:09:02"  "Identifying Levers for Business Impact": "00:11:03"  "20/80 Rule (Pareto Principle)": "00:12:16"  "Simplifying Business by Focusing on Top Products": "00:12:16"Transcript:Josh 00:00:00  Today I am speaking with Norm Lanier. He is the CEO of his own Amazon private label business that he's been running for over a decade now, and he has lots of experience. In fact, Norm is one of the lucky winners of my comprehensive business strategy audit sessions. And so today, I'm super excited that we're going to be diving into the conversation, the audit that we just performed on Norm's business, and he's going to be sharing his takeaways, the insights that he's gleaned. he is already doing millions of dollars in business, but he has aspirations to continue to grow his business and to hopefully one day be able to exit that business. And today, that's the conversation that we had and we talked about. So, Norm, with that introduction, I want you to kind of give us a quick intro about yourself, how you got started into the e-comm world and what you've been doing over the last decade.Norm 00:00:59  Yeah. Thanks, Josh. I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you and your listeners also.Norm 00:01:06  I've been doing, First. e-com business. I kind of, came in the back door and started that in 2004. I started building some side hustles while I was an employee at at HP. I got to the point where I was making more of my side hustles than my real job. So for my 50th anniversary, I 50th birthday, I turned in my resignation. And I've been doing Amazon and Shopify, Etsy, a lot of different marketplaces since then full time. And that's kind of where I'm at today.Josh 00:01:44  I love it, and Norm and I dance in the same space. Sometimes we might be considered competitors, but there's such a big marketplace out there that we were able to, you know, really kind of lift up, open the hood today and really dive into each other's businesses. He was able to ask me a lot of questions, and hopefully I was able to share some valuable insights with you, Norm. And that's what we'll talk about. Norm, we first started off by talking about, you know, what is your overall goal in in your business.Josh 00:02:15  Right. And what are the biggest obstacles that you're facing. So why don't you go ahead and kind of reiterate what we started our conversation off with.Norm 00:02:24  Yeah. So, you know, just taking a look, you know, I think I'm fall into the same category as most people are selling in the e-commerce space right now, dealing with more competition. things are constantly moving. you know, the economy is down to a degree. So I think in our space, we're, we're seeing, you know, some pullback on, on spend over the last couple of years. So that's created challenges, right. And you know, as we as we mentioned, I've been doing this for a long time, and I really had gotten to the point where, a couple of years ago and stuff. I really felt like I was out of touch that before. It was pretty easy for me. I really felt like I had it dialed in, and over the past few years, it really felt like I was kind of losing control.Norm 00:03:15  And a lot of that had to do with not having the proper dashboards and tools to be able to evaluate kind of where we're at on a very granular level. Right. Because it's one thing to see your big number and your paychecks and all of those things come in on a monthly basis. But, you know, on a product level, after shipping fees and advertising and all of those refunds and so forth, what is each product actually generating as far as income and what is really driving bottom line growth? And once I got the proper tools in place, really kind of opened my eyes that a lot of products that we had, it's like, why am I even bothering with this when it's all said and done? I'm not making any money. It's certainly not worth the effort on this. So we've really have gone in and cleaned up our catalog and eliminated a lot of stuff. A lot of exce...

In this episode of the 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul explores one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — truths in leadership: that you, as a leader, are the decision. Long before any formal choice is made, your behavior, energy, and presence are already communicating to your team what's safe, what's valued, and what kind of culture they're operating in. Paul breaks down how leaders unknowingly create environments where honesty feels risky, and why team silence or disengagement is often a reflection of the leader rather than the team. The episode challenges listeners to close the gap between who they think they are and who their team actually experiences — not through big programs or announcements, but through small, intentional daily choices. If you want a high-trust, high-performance culture, it starts with recognizing that leadership is less about what you decide and more about who you are when no one thinks anyone's watching.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Learn more and apply for the November 2026 cohort of my Japan Leadership Experience: https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/Joy isn't a perk. It's a business strategy.Have you ever wondered whether work has to feel this hard? Whether the team you've built can actually function without you? Whether there's a way to lead that doesn't burn you — or your people — out?Rich Sheridan built Menlo Innovations around one bold idea: ending human suffering in the workplace. The result is a company where joy isn't a slogan. It's how things actually get done. It's a place built on collaboration, human energy, and pride in what people create together.Joy isn't constant happiness. It's the long arc of meaning and contribution alongside people who care. And it becomes possible the moment you stop being the center of every problem and start creating the conditions for ownership, continuous learning, and yes, joy.You don't have to change the world. You just have to change your world.You'll Learn:The mistake most leaders make about mistakes, and why more mistakes can get you ahead fasterWhy what looks like a questionable decision from below makes sense from aboveThe difference between joy and happiness, and why most leaders are chasing the wrong thingWhy running a small experiment will move you further than creating the perfect planWhat it really takes to build a company designed to last a hundred yearsABOUT MY GUEST:Rich Sheridan is the co-founder, CEO, and Chief Storyteller of Menlo Innovations, a software development and consulting firm known for its people-centered culture and focus on joy in the workplace. He is the author of Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer and was inducted into the Shingo Academy in 2022 for his contributions to organizational excellence.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/77Connect with Rich Sheridan: linkedin.com/in/menloprezFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonSubscribe to my newsletter: kbjanderson.com/newsletterCheck out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comJoin us on the Japan Leadership Experience: KBJAnderson.com/japantripPurchase a copy of Rich's books: Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy OfficerLearn more about Menlo Innovations: menloinnovations.comTugboat Institute: tugboatinstitute.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:02:37 When work no longer feels sustainable05:26 The moment Rich realized the problem wasn't technology07:27 What an 8-year-old noticed about leadership08:23 Why hero-based organizations scale through exhaustion09:39 When caring becomes carrying12:21 The codependency leaders develop with crises14:09 What joy at work actually means17:13 Working with pride and delighting customers19:17 Why human energy is a leadership responsibility21:00 What's the cost of not having joy?23:28 From constant firefighting to two emergencies in 25 years25:24 Joy vs. happiness: What's the difference?27:02 Why joy isn't happiness every day32:17 The phrase that keeps Menlo moving forward 34:15 The leadership lesson Rich learned from flying40:39 Why Menlo isn't chasing exponential growth43:02 The book that changed Rich's career45:18 Why crisis practices work when there isn't a crisis47:28 Why your system keeps producing the same results49:38 The shift from carrying to creating conditions for change leadership51:46 Why stepping in can hold people back Learn more and apply for the November 2026 cohort of my Japan Leadership Experience: https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/

This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Sezin Palmer, AI Solutions Leader at NTT DATA in North America. Sezin traces her impressive and unconventional journey from CIA analyst and Navy submarine warfare programs to building the National Health Mission area at Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Lab from scratch, then leading health AI and data at EY. Tammy and Sezin dig into the democratization of AI and what it means that capabilities once locked behind years of data science training are now accessible to nearly anyone. They also discuss the thorny challenge of how organizations decide what not to build and why the hardest leadership problem right now isn't launching AI, it's knowing when to stop. Sezin also shares her vision for what has her most excited: the convergence of software, robotics, and biology. Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATALinks: Sezin Palmer Learn more about Launch by NTT DATASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great leaders understand that process creates consistency, but leadership creates movement. Episode 729 explores how to recognize high consequence moments, empower judgment, and lead effectively when systems break down.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership® Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership® Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid.Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do.Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. “If you're going to do something fundamentally new,” he says, “how are we supposed to forecast” what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. “If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making “deposits” in a company's culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Eric RiesEric's Book: IncorruptibleEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickEp.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:21) - Lean Startup Fundamentals (04:03) - Business Plans vs. Reality (06:31) - Learning from Failure (08:11) - Why Companies Go Bad (10:49) - The Culture Bank (13:51) - The Final Three Questions (22:05) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

AI is changing how people discover, evaluate, trust, buy, create, hire, and compete. The bigger question is whether your business model is built to survive a future where attention is fragmented, trust is harder to earn, execution is easier to automate, and buyers have more options than ever. Learn how to activate the M.A.S.S. Effect Business Model, a strategic ecosystem built around: • Media to create attention, trust, authority, and discoverability • Assets to create scalability, leverage, and income beyond your direct time • Strategy to create clarity, alignment, interpretation, and better decisions • Systems to reduce friction, support consistency, and keep the business moving Many businesses are addicted to acquisition because they never built retention. In an AI accelerated world, that becomes dangerous because information is easier to access, skills are being compressed, and execution is becoming automated. The real value now shifts toward trust, experience, clarity, influence, systems, and community. The future belongs to adaptive businesses that can evolve with the market, keep customers connected, turn trust into retention, and scale without breaking the founder, team, or customer experience. If your business grew tomorrow, could it actually hold the growth, or would the model collapse under the weight of what you asked for? Beyond The Episode Gems: Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com