Podcasts about changing business

Send us a textAn organizational and leadership development expert, Bjorn Billhardt has designed leadership development programs and collaborated with world-class institutions for two decades. Since 2015, Bjorn has been CEO of Abilitie, a provider of leadership development & mini-MBA programs. Abilitie's programs have educated over 100,000 learners worldwide. Prior to founding Abilitie, Bjorn was Co-founder and CEO of Enspire Learning, Inc. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas & an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In this episode, I chat about... how feminine expression is key to thriving in your life my recent obsession with Ina Garten after reading her memoir how hobbies changed my entire life stories of hobbies that have helped others thrive a challenge for you to try!  Join us inside the membership here.  Subscribe to my free weekly love letters Read this blog post for some feminine hobby ideas

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Discover how sustainable supply chains are transforming businesses worldwide! In this insightful interview, Christophe Girardier dives into the challenges and innovations in supply chain sustainability. From reducing carbon footprints to adopting ethical sourcing practices, learn how companies are making a real impact on the environment and their bottom line. Don't miss this conversation about the future of sustainable business!  

In this episode, we explore how traditional industry life cycles are being upended by disruptive innovations, such as ride-sharing apps transforming the taxi industry. We discuss the shift from competition to collaboration, emphasizing the importance of creating customer value through ecosystems like Apple's. Listeners will gain insights into managing uncertainty, fostering a culture of learning, empowering teams, and leveraging data-driven decision-making. We also delve into purpose-driven leadership and the necessity of connecting employees' work to a larger mission while enhancing customer-centricity. Tune in to learn actionable strategies for thriving in today's dynamic business environment.If you're preparing for qualifications like #CIMA, #CGMA, CPA Australia, #GSL, #ACCA, or other business and finance management courses, this session will be invaluable.Please use my social links below if you would like to know more about CIMA, CPA Australia and ACCA classes.LinkedIninfo@ultimateaccess.net

In this episode of The Flipped Lifestyle Podcast, I sit down with Emily Tanner, a former healthcare executive who turned her personal tragedy into a powerful online coaching community: Brave Widow. After unexpectedly losing her husband, Emily navigated the stages of widowhood and found her purpose helping others rebuild their lives. Emily shares how she created a faith-based program that goes beyond grief recovery. She talks about the importance of offering personalized support, creating new ventures, and building meaningful connections through community. We also dive into the marketing strategies that helped Emily grow Brave Widow, including tips for leveraging social media to attract an authentic and engaged audience. Whether you're looking for inspiration, guidance on launching your own online business, or strategies to scale your impact, this episode has something for you. Don't miss this conversation – it's proof that even in life's hardest moments, there's a way forward, and it might just change someone else's life too.

Today's guest is Ronan Geraghty, Subsidiary COO at Microsoft Ireland. , who are principal sponsors for next week's sixth annual AI Awards. In the episode, Ronan explores the monumental strides in technology and innovation taking place at Microsoft, as he delves into the transformative impact of AI initiatives, the expanding role of Microsoft in Ireland, and what's next for AI and its applications. Topics include: 0:00 Recent announcement of 550 new engineering jobs in Ireland 2:21 His role to drives strategy, AI and cloud innovation 3:33 How their foresight in AI investments drives industry leadership 4:51 How AI's rapid evolution fuels endless possibilities and innovation 6:43 Microsoft's role in showcasing real-world AI applications 9:36 Shifting from experimentation to scalable business transformation 12:02 How AI drives tangible business impact through optimized processes 13:46 Why AI success hinges on clear goals, leadership and adaptability 16:32 Leveraging Copilot as a coachable virtual teammate to optimize tasks 18:48 Enhancing skills, enabling creativity, productivity and personal growth with AI 20:54 Why security is the top priority, ensuring trust and safeguarding data 22:06 How AI is evolving to enhance collaboration and automate tasks

In this episode of the Million Dollar Mastermind podcast, host Larry Weidel is joined by Samantha Kozuch, the Founder of The Maniscripting Journal. They dive into Samantha's journey from an aspiring med student to a successful entrepreneur, launching The Maniscripting Journal. Additionally, Samantha discusses the importance of daily journaling and overcoming her fears to launch her podcast, Money, Mindset and Manicures.

Send us a textIn this episode, we uncover how original research can be a game-changing tool for driving business growth. Drawing from our extensive experience, guest Meghan Lavin and Kerry highlight how research papers not only serve as valuable assets for target audiences but also fuel business success. From building credibility and strengthening client relationships to landing press coverage and keynote opportunities, our proven approach transforms research into an engine for limitless content creation and revenue growth. We also share best practices for conducting effective research, overcoming challenges, and tapping into the endless opportunities research offers for lead generation, customer retention, and business expansion. If you're looking to scale your marketing impact and future-proof your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss!

Have you ever wondered how different regions are adopting AI? Did you know AI is transforming industries in ways we never imagined? What do you think is the most surprising use case of AI so far?How do you see AI impacting your industry in the next few years? Are there any AI tools or solutions you're excited to try?What's one area of your business you think could benefit the most from AI? Are you ready to embrace AI-driven solutions in 2024?Hey there, tech enthusiasts!

Mynxii White, the talented photographer and director, joins Paris Chong for a chat.  Mynxii discusses her transition from makeup artist to photographer, a journey that wasn't always smooth. She faced resentment and discouragement from others who wanted her to "stick to lipstick." However, Mynxii persevered, establishing herself as a respected photographer and director, working with renowned publications like V Magazine and photographing celebrities like Jennifer Aniston. Paris and Mynxii also delve into the challenges of the entertainment industry, particularly in Los Angeles. They discuss the impact of the writers' and actors' strikes, the oversaturated market for creatives, and the pros and cons of social media. Mynxii emphasizes the importance of having an agent and a strong support system, especially for women in a competitive field. Throughout the conversation, Paris and Mynxii share their personal experiences and insights, offering advice for aspiring creatives. They touch on topics like dealing with difficult personalities, maintaining relationships, and staying true to oneself. Show Notes https://www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mynxii-white Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:46) Business Chic (00:02:06) Make-up Artist (00:04:16) Directing (00:06:50) Hate Friends (00:08:14) Hair (00:08:59) Work and New Work (00:11:06) New Agent (00:14:55) Changing Business (00:17:47) Cheers! (00:19:52) Outro

Key Moments: Jeremy KhanThe history of AI: the Turing Test and the Eliza Effect with Jeremy Khan (1:50)Jeremy's view on how we can learn from lessons of the past (9:00)It starts with data and people: leveraging AI to increase productivity (16:00)Sol RashidiSol Rashidi on failing to succeed in AI (31:00)The need for rogue executives (37:00)Sol's view on prioritizing GenAI use cases and measuring ROI (42:50)Bernard MarrBernard Marr on demystifying AI (60:02)Is society ready for AI's impact on augmenting jobs? (66:00)AI's impact on personalization of medicine, treatment and drug discovery (72:00)Key Quotes: Jeremy Khan“We're in a position where we can take action while this technology is still being shaped, to try to set some sensible guardrails. If we do that, we will see a lot of benefit from this technology. If we wait, we're going to be in a situation like with social media. We will have a deskilling of essential human cognitive abilities.”We don't talk enough about how to train people to use AI software. The organizations that think hardest about that are going to be very successful.”Sol Rashidi “Usually I start the conversations of how ROI shouldn't just be a financial measure. There's three ROI's in my opinion. There's a financial ROI, there's a cultural ROI, and there's a relevancy ROI.”“I am adamant that business value is not the number one marker. Everything needs to be scored and graded by criticality and complexity. And your criticality is a measure of ‘what is the impact if we don't do this?'”Bernard Marr“What we are seeing is we will see an augmentation of pretty much every single job. I can't think of many jobs that will not be augmented by GenAI. We need to really expect change as individuals.”“We must create a world where education is seen as something that never stops, that carries on. I believe that we are currently entering a hyper evolution cycle, with artificial intelligence right at the center of it.”Mentions: 'Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future' by Jeremy Khan 'Your AI Survival Guide: Scraped Knees, Bruised Elbows, and Lessons Learned from Real-World AI Deployments' by Sol Rashidi'Generative AI in Practice: 100+ Amazing Ways Generative Artificial Intelligence is Changing Business and Society' by Bernard MarrBios: About Jeremy Khan Jeremy Khan is an award-winning journalist for Fortune magazine, where he covers AI and other emerging technologies. Previously, he wrote about technology, including AI, for Bloomberg. His writing on a range of subjects has also appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek,The Atlantic, Smithsonian magazine, The Boston Globe, The New Republic, and Slate. An Ohio native, he now lives with his family in Oxford, England.About Sol RashidiWith 10 patents granted and winning numerous awards that include: 'Forbes AI Maverick & Visionary of the 21st Century', 'Top 100 People in AI', 'Global 100 Power List', 'Top 75 Innovators', 'CAO of the Year', 'Top 5 CDO's', 'Top 65 Most Influential Women', Sol Rashidi is an seasoned executive, leader, and influencer within the AI, data, and technology space. Sol's experience comes from real-world deployments where she has had to roll up her sleeves and do the work, while keeping the strategic intent in mind. Sol is currently Head of Technology for Startups, North America, at AWS.About Bernard MarrBernard Marr is a multi-award-winning and internationally best-selling author of over 20 books, who writes a regular column for Forbes and advises and works with many of the world's best-known organizations. He has a combined following of 4 million people across his social media channels and newsletters and was ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top 5 business influencers in the world. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit and two-time bestselling author.Damon shares a deeply personal story of how quitting alcohol 8 years ago transformed his leadership style and life. This vulnerable moment sets the tone for an honest discussion about authentic leadership.Mike digs into Damon's journey from high school baseball star to CEO, uncovering valuable insights on:• The importance of transparency in uncertain times• Why courage to fail is crucial for innovation• How to build a culture that embraces risk-taking• A 3-step formula for overcoming imposter syndromeDamon reveals how his athletic background shaped his leadership philosophy, stressing the value of putting your team first and giving them space to try new things.This conversation is packed with practical advice for leaders looking to build trust, foster innovation, and create a learning culture in their organizations.Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode offers fresh perspectives on authentic leadership in the modern workplace.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/189

What's up, folks? It's Brad Lea back again with another explosive episode of Dropping Bombs. Today, I've got Devin Johnson in the studio—back for his third time! Devin's a young, successful entrepreneur who's already an impressive businessman and he's only in his 20's! In this episode, we dive into his latest venture, Sales AI, and how it's going to change the game for many businesses everywhere. This could be a real game changer for you as an entrepreneur! This episode is packed with valuable insights that can make a real difference in your business. Don't wait—start leveraging AI today and keep your business ahead of the curve. Thanks for tuning in, and as always, keep it real. Get more information here: https://www.salesai.com/pricing?RR_WCID=2673F7AA-1998-4872-AAE1-B0551748FC4C&RR_WCID_TTL=396&REFERRALCODE=BRADLEA&utm_campaign=Brad+Lea What You'll Learn: How AI is changing businesses.   Highlights: The Entrepreneurial Hustle What's Sales AI? Why AI is a Game Changer The Future of AI in Business   Resources Mentioned:  https://openai.com/chatgpt/    https://www.salesai.com/ https://lightspeedvt.com/  You can follow today's guest at: https://www.instagram.com/devinallenjohnson/       Watch the full video episode on Brad's Rumble here: https://rumble.com/c/c-2544182 Watch the full video episode on Brad's Youtube here: https://bradlea.tv

How is AI reshaping the business landscape, and are you ready to embrace this transformative technology or risk being left behind?In today's fast-evolving digital world, ignoring the advancements and implications of AI could mean missing out on opportunities to stay competitive, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. Delaying action might not only set your progress back but could also make it harder to catch up as the technological landscape changes rapidly.1. Discover practical strategies for overcoming fear and hesitation towards AI, ensuring you're equipped to leverage its potential in your business.2. Understand the importance of governance and policy frameworks to integrate AI into your organization and avoid common pitfalls safely.3. Learn how AI can enhance productivity and innovation, providing a competitive edge and opening new growth opportunities.Tune into this episode of The MindShift Podcast with Darrell Evans to learn crucial insights and actionable advice on how AI can revolutionize your business.We love feedback. Send us a text message.When you're done listening... 1. Join the community at https://go.darrellevans.net/community (It's free.)2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (Your feedback improves us.)3. Message me on Instagram @mrdarrellevans, and let me know you're listening.

In this captivating episode of "Invest In Yourself: The Digital Entrepreneur Podcast," host Phil Better sits down with Catharine O'Leary, a market research expert and quiz funnel strategist, to explore her inspiring journey from the corporate giants of Pepsi and Apple to becoming the "quiz queen" for small businesses. Discover the invaluable insights Catharine shares on client attraction, the power of quiz funnels in lead generation, and the critical role of mentorship in entrepreneurial success. With anecdotes about working under Steve Jobs and lessons learned from Blackberry's market challenges, this episode delivers a wealth of knowledge for digital entrepreneurs eager to harness small improvements for big results. Tune in to learn how small businesses can leverage agility and innovative strategies to thrive in today's competitive landscape. Don't miss Catharine's tips for connecting with clients and transforming market research into revenue-boosting actions!

In this hotly debated 1-hour episode, James, Tamer, and Bee delve into the revolutionary impact of AI in business, real estate, and beyond! From automating email responses to generating high-quality leads, AI can change the game for entrepreneurs everywhere.

Parker and Landon discuss various topics including taking a summer break, receiving positive reviews, the Mazda MX-5 Cup racing at Martinsville, media rights deals, and Denny Hamlin's comments on the cost of running a car in NASCAR. They explore the implications of the new lifter system for flat tires, the potential inclusion of Marty Smith in NASCAR broadcasts, and the ongoing charter negotiations between teams and NASCAR. The conversation revolves around the impasse between NASCAR teams and NASCAR itself regarding the cost of racing. The teams are requesting more financial support, while NASCAR is hesitant to provide it due to concerns about escalating costs in the future. The discussion also touches on the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for one's actions, both on and off the track. In this final part of the conversation, Parker and Landon discuss tire options for the upcoming Richmond race and reflect on JD Motorsports filing for bankruptcy. They also talk about the Xfinity series and their upcoming races at Indianapolis and Michigan. The conversation then shifts to driver changes in F1, including Kevin Magnussen leaving Haas, and the release of Adrian Newey's Red Bull RB17 road car. The hosts express their excitement about the unique features of the RB17 and discuss the value of driver contracts in IndyCar. Timestamps: 00:00 Summer Break and Positive Reviews 09:18 Mazda MX-5 Cup at Martinsville 13:15 New Media Rights Deals and Marty Smith 18:08 Teams Request NASCAR to Cover Costs 25:09 The Impasse Between NASCAR Teams and NASCAR 28:36 The Cost of Racing and Financial Support 38:09 The Importance of Ownership and Responsibility 54:18 Tire Options and JD Motorsports Bankruptcy 57:14 Upcoming Races in the Xfinity Series 01:03:17 Driver Changes in F1 and the Value of Contracts 01:15:25 The Red Bull RB17 Road Car: F1-Inspired Innovation The Money Lap is the ultimate motorsport podcast with Parker Kligerman and Landon Cassill professional racecar drivers and hilarious hosts taking you through the world of motorsports. Covering NASCAR, F1, Indycar, and more, they'll provide the scoop, gossip, laughs, and stories from the racing biz. With over 1100 unique products currently in stock, Spoiler Diecast boasts one of the largest inventories in the industry. We are NASCAR focused, offering a wide range of diecast and apparel options. But that's not all. We've expanded our catalog to include diecast for dirt/sprint cars, Indycar, and F1. As passionate racing fans ourselves, we're constantly growing our offerings to cater to different forms of racing. Use promo code "moneylap" for free shipping and 5% off all orders. https://www.spoilerdiecast.com/ Sign up today for the Money Lap newsletter: https://themoneylap.com/subscribe Read by industry executives in NASCAR, F1, and Indycar, our newsletter and podcast are essential resources for any motorsports enthusiast. Join our community of passionate fans and industry insiders today. Welcome to the future of motorsports media! Copyright 2024, Pixel Racing, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Pat Lynes has been consistently at the forefront of business evolutions impacting teams and human capital management. Lynes has utilized his experience as a senior figure in the UK recruitment sector to challenge the dominance of large consulting firms and inspire the future of work by founding Sullivan & Stanley (S&S). We spoke with Lynes on his entrepreneurial journey, how managers today should nurture teams differently, and why he believes that senior leaders need to better position themselves for a future where they control their options related to work. Some key takeaways from our conversation: - Executives are encouraged to explore freelance roles, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace opportunities in the freelance world. - This is why he wrote The Disruptive Executive book which offers a practical roadmap for executives to transition to a plural portfolio executive arrangement. - He believes that practicing gratitude can significantly impact one's outlook on life, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life. - He urges business leaders to implement programs focused on health and wellness, as well as strategies to position employees for success citing that this is crucial for team development and collective growth. - Entrepreneurship is a team effort that requires prioritizing employee development and well-being for enhanced engagement and performance. Pat Lynes is an award-winning entrepreneur and Founder of Sullivan & Stanley (S&S), a change consultancy that helps organizations bridge the gap between investment and value realization. Before founding S&S, Pat worked in the IT and change knowledge worker recruitment game for over 15 years, being recognized as Global Interim Recruiter of the Year in 2015. He has delivered over 100 transformation teams for organizations including Three Mobile, Shell Energy, Burberry, and WH Smith. Pat was a pioneer of the executive gig economy well before “The Great Resignation”, and he shares his experience and expertise in the best-selling book, The Interim Revolution which helps anyone wanting to work in a dramatically different way, as a disrupted executive. His latest book, The Disrupted Executive, is a sequel that provides a practical guide for executives who want to take control of their careers and work on their terms. Connect with Pat: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklynes/ Website: https://www.sullivanstanley.com/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's your sweet spot in land? Marketing? Talking to sellers? Chris and his team found their niche in equity funding and dispo – getting into the nitty gritty of the transactional side of land investing – and doubling down on it; helping land investors grow their business by moving to larger and larger deals. Whether you've been in land for years or just a few months, you quickly learn that your money is made on the buy side so your due diligence and underwriting need to be top-notch. That's where Chris and his company, Serious Land Capital, shine, having done *thousands* of deals over the years to hone their craft, they now have 7-figure deals sent their way *weekly*. In this episode, he breaks down the equity funding business he and his partners have built and their process for choosing what to fund. IN THIS EPISODE LISTEN AND LEARN: - The go-to tools Chris uses for diligence - Why 90-95% of the deals they're brought are a *no* - Why investors seek equity funding and their process for assessing each deal Show notes: https://www.seriousland.capital/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/landdailydiligence https://landfunding.partners/ [chris@seriousland.capital](mailto:chris@seriousland.capital)

How far has GenAI come beyond the tech innovation in the last 18 months - we hear a lot about the latest amazing advancements, but with its business application, are we still stuck in a PoC loop?This week Dave and Rob talk to Bernard Marr, Futurist, Tech & Strategy Advisor about his work to date (over 20 books!) and his new book 'Generative AI in practice. 100 amazing ways it is changing our world'.  We touch on evolution of AI, effect on business and society and the risks and challenges as AI scales.TLD01:21:  Optimistic Spam06:25: Cloud conversation with Bernard Marr44:44: The rise of AI assistants52:35:  Keynote in Boston!GuestBernard Marr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardmarr/Book: Generative AI in Practice: 100+ Amazing Ways Generative Artificial Intelligence is Changing Business and Society: https://www.amazon.com/Generative-AI-Practice-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1394245564HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel Van Der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-van-der-burg-99a655/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett:  https://www.linkedin.co

EXPONENTIAL THINKING MODELS 7-9 (THAT A BILLIONAIRE TAUGHT ME)By CHRIS DUNCANAs you navigate entrepreneurship, it's not uncommon that you find yourself getting stuck in developing your business; pressuring yourself to disperse your focus into multiple ventures, and challenged to fit into the successful path of others. Is there any other way to be the best at your passion and grow your business without conforming to expectations?Create a Superconscious Transformation for yourself and others – Magnetic Mind Certification Free TrainingThroughout the episode, I'll be sharing three more of my secretive and transformative thinking models that have changed my businesses. Ranging from growth patterns to learning concepts, adopting these structures will significantly improve your entrepreneurial journey. “Business owners have to keep on investing time and resources and money, without seeing much growth for a long time, and then it's going to take off. ” – Chris DuncanIn This Episode: – The Fibonacci growth pattern– Understanding that a growth pattern is not linear.– Starting not at two, but one business at a time.– Learning to center your focus – The Hedgehog Concept – Figuring out what you're best at, your passion and economic engine– The Star Principle – The creative structure and its three chief points– Neutralising the unconscious wound Resources: You're Not Broken: https://amzn.to/3Uubf6k The Superconscious Path: https://amzn.to/44dK5Un Connect with Chris Duncan:– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismduncan/– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristopherMDuncanTotalFreedomTv– Website: https://consciouseducationcompany.com/

"Changing Business, Transforming Lives - The Book That Helped Define the Field of Professional Coaching"

Most entrepreneurs aim to increase productivity. Yet, we often fall for unsustainable practices that promise quick results but falter in the long run. To help you overcome it, the biohacking expert Tanessa Shears, introduces a game-changing approach. As a productivity coach and health consultant, she's mastered the art of sustainable self-improvement. In this episode, she and A.J. dive deep into the secrets to making small, impactful changes that will help you boost your daily output and significantly enhance your quality of life for the long haul.About Tanessa ShearsTanessa Shears is a visionary in the field of health optimization for increased productivity. With a background in biohacking and health science, she has dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurs and busy professionals fine-tune their health so they can unlock their true potential. Through her “Becoming Limitless” podcast and comprehensive coaching programs, Tanessa demystifies the biohacking process and provides practical, actionable guidance for those looking to elevate their productivity without sacrificing their well-being.Key Insights:Prioritize your health for optimal performance. Your physical and mental health are the foundations of your productivity. Make time for regular exercise, adequate sleep, and nutritional foods to ensure your performance is peak. When you're in good health, you're more focused, energized, and ready to tackle any challenge your business may face. Healthy entrepreneurs foster healthy businesses. (03:51)Create sustainable practices that work for you. Avoid the allure of quick fixes because they're not sustainable; instead, focus on practices you can maintain over the long term. As an entrepreneur, maintaining sustainable practices means you will be better equipped to manage the constant change and challenges that come with running a business, leading to improved personal resilience and long-term business success. (10:49)Find the root cause of your productivity blocks. Identify underlying issues—whether they're emotional, environmental, or related to your health—and tackle them head-on. For instance, this might mean decluttering your workspace or addressing time management problems. This is how you can significantly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness, creating a smoother path toward achieving your goals and supporting sustainable growth. (18:35)Be consistent. Consistency breeds habit. Choose your productivity strategies and stick with them. It's consistency, not intensity, that leads to enduring changes and improvements in your work output and quality. (20:26)Take care of your brain. Invest in activities that sharpen your cognitive abilities because, as an entrepreneur, you rely heavily on your mental acuity for decision-making, problem-solving, and vision-setting. You can do this by taking breaks to avoid burnout or learning new skills to stimulate the brain. (26:54)Learn to recognize your limits. Pushing beyond your limits can lead to burnout because it exhausts your mental and physical stamina, which are critical for maintaining the consistent and high-level performance required in entrepreneurship. Learn to set boundaries for your work and respect your need for rest and recreation. It's crucial to understand that taking a break or saying no can actually increase productivity in the long run. (30:38)Tanessa's best advice for entrepreneurs:“I want to know that when I look back on this entrepreneurial journey, that I felt great the whole time, and I wasn't putting off my life, my energy, and my health for some arbitrary goal that I kept pushing into the future.” (04:28)Connect with Tanessa:LinkedInInstagramFacebookPersonal WebsiteResources Mentioned:Entrepreneur's Playbook: 12 Ways to Biohack Your EnergyFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinXWebsite

Learn More About Attending the Highest Rated and Most Reviewed Business Workshops On the Planet Hosted by Clay Clark In Tulsa, Oklahoma HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/business-conferences/ See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Clay Clark Testimonials | "Clay Clark Has Helped Us to Grow from 2 Locations to Now 6 Locations. Clay Has Done a Great Job Helping Us to Navigate Anything That Has to Do with Running the Business, Building the System, the Workflows, to Buy Property." - Charles Colaw (Learn More Charles Colaw and Colaw Fitness Today HERE: www.ColawFitness.com) Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire See Thousands of Actual Client Success Stories from Real Clay Clark Clients Today HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Clay Clark is a father of five kids, a former U.S. SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the founder of several multi-million dollar companies, and the host of the Thrivetime Show podcast. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. If you want to thrive, move beyond surviving, build that successful company, start that company, grow that company and live a life of abundance. The in-person 2-day Interactive, Thrivetime show business workshops are absolutely game changing. 2. As Michael Gerber said, the difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next. 3. It's important to be recognized.  People do judge us based upon the quality of our website, our print pieces, our photography, our video, our public relations or our podcast. The Ultimate 2-Day Interactive Life-Changing Business Growth Conference will be held on June 27th and 28th at Tulsa, Oklahoma - Learn How to Grow Your Business Sponsors HubSpot With HubSpot's customer platform you can spend less time switching between systems, and more time on growing your business. Visit HubSpot.com to learn how HubSpot's customer platform can help you grow your business Airbnb Have you ever considered hosting on Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think… Find out how much at Airbnb.com/host ThriveTime Show Want to meet me, JLD. Attend Clay Clark's 2-Day Interactive Business Workshop and meet me - JLD - Tim Tebow, and Clay Clark this June! Learn More and Request Your Ticket At ThrivetimeShow.com/EOFire

Clay Clark is a father of five kids, a former U.S. SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the founder of several multi-million dollar companies, and the host of the Thrivetime Show podcast. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. If you want to thrive, move beyond surviving, build that successful company, start that company, grow that company and live a life of abundance. The in-person 2-day Interactive, Thrivetime show business workshops are absolutely game changing. 2. As Michael Gerber said, the difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next. 3. It's important to be recognized.  People do judge us based upon the quality of our website, our print pieces, our photography, our video, our public relations or our podcast. The Ultimate 2-Day Interactive Life-Changing Business Growth Conference will be held on June 27th and 28th at Tulsa, Oklahoma - Learn How to Grow Your Business Sponsors HubSpot With HubSpot's customer platform you can spend less time switching between systems, and more time on growing your business. Visit HubSpot.com to learn how HubSpot's customer platform can help you grow your business Airbnb Have you ever considered hosting on Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think… Find out how much at Airbnb.com/host ThriveTime Show Want to meet me, JLD. Attend Clay Clark's 2-Day Interactive Business Workshop and meet me - JLD - Tim Tebow, and Clay Clark this June! Learn More and Request Your Ticket At ThrivetimeShow.com/EOFire

"How Meditation is Changing Business from the Inside Out"

In today's episode, industry expert John Sicher joins Beverage Digest Editor and Publisher Duane Stanford to explore the evolution of the purified bottled water category. As Coke and Pepsi shift their casepack water strategies away from DSD at Walmart, what lies ahead for the category?

How does a passion for pet care transform into a thriving business? Amy Garrison, owner of Oh My Dog Sitters, shares both her evolution as a business owner and her business. She takes us through the challenges she faced when she started, pivotal moments of growth, and how changes in business tactics propelled her company forward. Amy is actively working on shifting to be forward-thinking as she shares the importance of strategic planning. Main topics: Starting and Scaling Challenges Building and Managing a Team Strategic Business Adaptations Planning for Future Growth Main takeaway: It's not about the numbers. It's about making sure every pet we care for feels loved and every client feels understood. About our guest: I've had pets my whole life. Growing up we had several dogs, cats, rabbits & ducks, and a couple of lambs for a time. My grandparents even had a pair of pet skunks and a woodchuck! I loved horseback riding at the local stable and visiting the calves at the dairy farm. As an adult, being a military family (now retired) we were more limited, but our dogs and cats have always been a part of our family. I have experience with the young and old ones, the well and not-so-well. In our house, we've dealt with allergies, auto-immune disorders, Addison's disease, Cushings, arthritis, hip dysplasia, cancer(s), kidney disease, UTIs, surgeries, physical therapy, alternative therapies, the list goes on. I understand the level of care and gentle handling they require. Links: ohmydogsitters@gmail.com https://ohmydogsitters.com https://www.facebook.com/ohmydogsitters/ Buy PSC Merch Give us a call! (636) 364-8260  Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com Full show notes and transcript   Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months Peaceful Pet Music - Calm Music for Pets

Tim Mohin wrote “Changing Business from the Inside Out: A Tree-Hugger's Guide to Working in Corporations” back in 2012, after three decades in sustainability — first in government, with the US Environmental Protection Agency, and then at companies like Intel, where he served as director of sustainable development. He went on to head the Global Reporting Initiative, which administers the GRI standards for sustainability. He recently helped launmch ESG data provider Persefoni and hosts his own podcast, “Sustainability Decoded with Tim and Caitlin.” We look back on 40 years of sustaiability finance and ahead to the future of Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance (ESG) reporting — its potential for driving real change, its prospects for employment, and its inherent limitations.

Having the right tools can make all the difference as a teacherpreneur! If you're looking to leverage the power of technology in your business, you'll love today's list of my 10 favorite tools.For each tool, I share with you what I love about it and how I use it in my business. Check out the links below to all the tools mentioned in the episode!AdsInstant Forms for Facebook AdsSave my Leads WebsiteWP EngineSocial MediaCapCut Captions Manychat Content CreationCaptivateVimeo Thrivecart ProductivityToggl Let's connect!TPT Store: The Southern TeachWebsite: thesouthernteachdesigns.comInstagram: @thesouthernteach.designsFacebook: The Southern Teach Design and BrandingMentioned in this episode:Spring Fling 2024Spring Fling 2024 will take place from March 22-24, 2024! You can register for free or upgrade to VIP using my special affiliate link! You'll love hearing from a variety of teacher business owners!Register for Spring Fling 2024!Spring Fling 2024Spring Fling 2024 will take place from March 22-24, 2024! You can register for free or upgrade to VIP using my special affiliate link! You'll love hearing from a variety of teacher business owners!Register for Spring Fling 2024!

In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, we're thrilled to have Janae and Kevin Cox, a dynamic couple who have turned their personal health challenges into a powerful mission to help others. Dive into their journey as they share insights on living with celiac disease, embracing a gluten-free lifestyle, and the transformative power of diet on well-being. Janae, an introvert turned influential voice in the food allergy community, alongside Kevin, her supportive husband, discuss the origins of their advocacy, the challenges of dietary restrictions, and their successful approach to creating a supportive community through Clean Monday Meals.

In this episode, "Revitalizing a Business: Strategies for Success," TP Chopra, a seasoned CEO and businessman, shares invaluable insights. Emphasizing the significance of people, TP discusses the pivotal choice when confronted with substantial opportunities—either trusting one's instincts or opting for a different path. The episode unfolds key life lessons, including the reluctance many harbor towards the risks inherent in seizing opportunities and the importance of taking on challenges others might avoid.   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a comment on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox about what you'd like us to talk about that will help you realize that at any moment, any day, you too can decide, it's your turn! Check out the Decide It's Your Turn PodcastTM on YouTube! To schedule a time for a free Clarity Call with me, follow this link and text me the word “CALL” Connect with me!Follow along on InstagramDecide It's Your Turn: The PodcastConfidence CoachingBook Christina For Your Next Speaking Engagement 

Karen Rands brings her unique insights about Artificial Intelligence and how it has and will impact our lives.  With a look back to the predictions in 2018, found in the Fortune Magazine article "25 Ways Artificial Intelligence is Changing Business", she addresses the growing media hoopla over AI and Machine Learning.    Listen to uncover the myriad ways artificial intelligence goes beyond voice prompts on our phones. From ID badges and facial recognition to smart weapons and robotics, AI is reshaping industries and redefining the boundaries of technological possibilities. Learn how these advancements are transforming our reality. What to be concerned about and what we can do to make sure that humans are the continued intelligence that drives artificial intelligence and not the other way around.  With rise in AI in analytics and predictions, this show is positioned as a segway to Karen's interview with Andrew Einhorn and how he is taking the volatility out of predicting stock market movement with Artificial Intelligence analysis of other trigger factors based on historical effects.  That Compassionate Capitalist Show is: Levelfields AI: Andrew Einhorn's Answer to Event-Driven Investing. To get to the documents Karen refers to in the intro teaser and the Fortune article of the predictions from 2018:  Fortune Magazine November 2018 25 Ways Artificial Intelligence is Changing Business https://fortune.com/2018/10/22/artificial-intelligence-ai-changing-business/ CBInsights Sam Altman Investment Report   https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/sam-altman-investments/ CBInsights Chat GPT AI Investment Ecosystem:  https://www.cbinsights.com/research/openai-investment-strategy/ CBInsights Ultimate Guide to AI Disruption https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/generative-ai-bible To take advantage of Karen's early release offer for the intro level of Compassionate Capitalist Wealth Maximizing system, go to http://dothedeal.org and register.  Karen Rands is the leader of the Compassionate Capitalist Movement™ and author of the best selling investment primer: Inside Secrets to Angel Investing: Step-by-Step Strategies to Leverage Private Equity Investment for Passive Wealth Creation.  She is an authority on creating wealth through investing and building successful businesses that can scale and exit rich.  Karen is an enthusiastic speaker on these topics for corporations, economic development groups, angel investor networks, and professional  business networks.   About Karen https://www.karenrands.co/about-karen-rands/ Visit http://Kugarand.com and learn more about the Compassionate Capitalist Wealth Maximizer System™.  Read about the Due Diligence Services, Investor Relations, Capital Strategies, Capital Access, and Capital Readiness Coaching serviced offered by her firm, Kugarand Capital Holdings.  The Compassionate Capitalist Show™ is a Podcast on YouTube.  Please visit and subscribe and share.  It is great to watch Karen and her guests live, in action.  The whole library of podcasts and interviews since 2020 can be found there by category or chronological. https://bit.ly/CCSyoutubepod  Imagine the feeling of investing in a way that had massive impact and a potential pay you back 10x your money. The time is now to find out if Angel Investing / CrowdFunding Investing is the wealth creation strategy for you.  Take action on Karen's offer to learn how to invest with confidence in entrepreneurs and sign up (FREE FOR NOW) the new Compassionate Capitalist Wealth Maximizing System. http://dothedeal.org    

The podcast will be changing come 2024 - and here's what will look different. In this episode, I also share entrepreneurial realizations from my time travelling in Peru along with life updates.Connect with Nicole⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @workwealthandtravel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube @workwealthandtravelWebsiteSign up for 80+ Remote Work Job BoardsGive the Podcast a 5-Star Rating on Apple Podcasts - Thank you!

New Year, new store? If you're like most independent retail store owners, a new year can feel like the perfect time to make a fresh start by reworking your product lines, introducing a new category, revamping your staffing…or even changing business models.  But before making such a drastic change, there are a few key things to consider. Changing business models is not a decision to make lightly, so today, I'm sharing some valid reasons to change (and some NOT change!) your business model.  Listen in to learn when you should change your business model, when you shouldn't, and what can help you make this decision with confidence before the new year arrives. For show notes, including links to anything I've mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode198. Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at Savvy Shopkeeper Follow Kathy on Instagram (@savvyshopkeeper)

In this podcast episode, Nick Lobert and Derek Shewmon, co-founders of the franchise brand Homestretch, discuss their business. Homestretch is a home preparation service company that helps homeowners prepare their homes for sale, focusing on cosmetic improvements. They share their journey from childhood friends to business partners, and how they started Homestretch to fill a gap in the market. They discuss their focus on building relationships with real estate agents and contractors, and how their services benefit realtors. They also talk about the evolution of their services, their franchising model, and what they look for in franchise owners. They emphasize the scalability of the Homestretch franchise and the importance of focusing on business development and building a strong team.   Don't forget to like and subscribe!    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/   7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:    https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising   If you would like to learn more about this particular franchise opportunity, or discuss franchise ownership in general - feel free to use the link to my calendar below to schedule a free, no-obligation introductory meeting.    https://calendly.com/Is-barefoot/introcallwithIs Franchise Website: https://homestretch-franchise.com/ Facebook & Instagram: @homestretchservices   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homestretch-services  

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Audrey Rubin discuss:Why law firms need to operate more like a business. How to know what your clients really want. 3 Tips for outstanding client services. Asking for connections and introductions.  Key Takeaways:There is a lot more to getting clients than just being a really good attorney. Clients care about things like responsiveness, having a point of contact, understanding and predicting their bill, and even more. It's more than about being a great lawyer at a reduced fee.Build relationships with your clients by working on a joint project with them - get to know them, get comfortable, and be willing to ask them questions about more than just their legal work. There is power in having a team serving your clients, not just you alone.  "The best lawyers, who retain and expand their business, issue report cards on themselves to the clients periodically. They ask the client how they are doing, not just on the legal work, but on other things." —  Audrey RubinGet a free copy of Steve's book “Sales-Free Selling” here: www.fretzin.com/sales-free-sellingThank you to our Sponsors!Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Overture: https://overture.law/Get Visible: https://www.getvisible.com/Episode References: Getting Naked by Patrick Lencioni - https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Naked-Business-Shedding-Sabotage/dp/0787976393About Audrey Rubin: Recognized and award-winning leader in profitability, productivity, and people for law firms and corporate law departments. Professor of "Law as a Changing Business" at the University of Illinois College of Law. Former VP and COO of the Global Law Department of Aon. There she was responsible for all budget, talent, strategic planning, process improvement, technology, and talent. Connect with Audrey Rubin:  Website: https://www.rubinsolutions.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreyrubin/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Today With Brandon Roellchen: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. In today's episode, we talk about the importance of modernizing long standing businesses in the window treatment industry, specifically focusing on catering to younger generations and their expectations. We highlight the use of technology, order scrubbing, consistency in customer interactions, and the need for proper training and support in utilizing technology. LuAnn and Brandon Roellchen's Ah-Ha Moments "We no longer have to describe that to a customer. We can use technology to our advantage." "That technology and adopting that technology has put both parties in the best position to go down the path together." More About Brandon Roellchen I am a custom window coverings retail business owner, based in Kansas City. I have a passion for building business and providing exceptional experiences for clients purchasing custom window coverings. With 29 years of experience in the field, I have dominated the Kansas City window coverings market and built an exceptional team of designers. Throughout my career, I have learned from the best in the business and continued to innovate the in-home design experience, which has allowed me to operate and manage a multi-million dollar, multi-store location business with a fantastic culture and healthy bottom line. I am dedicated to personal and business growth, and I continually seek opportunities to innovate, modernize, and compete at the highest level. In addition to my professional pursuits, I enjoy traveling, camping, mountain biking and hanging out with my bulldog, McManus. I believe that necessity is the mother of invention and people always grow more through adversity. I am always open to new ideas and innovations, and I look forward to being a second generation business owner that takes my family's business to the next level. Feel free to connect with me via email or text message or visit my website, onestopdecorating.com to learn more about my organization. Connect with Brandon Roellchen Website Instagram What's new with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn Live 2023 luannuniversity.com http://www.luannnigara.com/cob A Big Thank You to Our Keynote Sponsors: Nancy Ganzekaufer Traci Connell Duke Renders Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn's Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn's Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn's Website LuAnn's Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

WANT THE FULL EPISODE? Search Ep.110 I Chris Mailander I Deciding with Purpose: Business Decisions Aren't One-Size-Fits-All, or download it directly using this link.Sanger and Chris discuss the dynamic nature of business decisions, revealing strategies to progress and preserve your company for generational impact. KEY TOPICS Noticing the helpful and hurtful trends in your business decisions.Making joint decisions effectively.Protecting your business from aging out.Getting out of day-to-day tasks and harnessing vision for your business. CONNECT WITH USwww.decidedlypodcast.com Join us on Instagram: @decidedlypodcast Join us on FacebookShawn's Instagram: @shawn_d_smith Sanger's Instagram: @sangersmith MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?At Decidedly Wealth Management, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. LEARN MOREwww.decidedlywealth.comSUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY DECISION-MAKING TIP EMAIL Join us every Wednesday for more strategies to DEFEAT bad decision-making. CONNECT WITH CHRIS MAILANDERChris' Book, Judgement: The Art of Momentous Decision-MakingChris's Websitechris@chrismailander.com LinkedIn Chris Mailander is a veteran corporate strategist with a 30-year track record of creating billions in financial value for companies across various industries and continents. An accomplished author and featured expert on corporate leadership and decision-making, Chris has been recognized by CNBC, Big Think, Wharton Business Daily, and other prominent platforms. He specializes in advising privately held, multi-generational, family-owned companies in logistics, supply chain management, and construction. Chris brings deep international experience, leading strategy and transactions in over 30 countries. He's also the author of "Judgment: The Art of Momentous Decision-Making" (2023) and "The Craft: Secret Codes and Methods for Unlocking Exponential Financial Value" (2019). Chris resides in Asheville, N.C., and is a sought-after authority on economic, corporate, and geopolitical events.

Washington Post deputy business editor Damian Paletta speaks with Rich Paul, the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, about his new book, “Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds,” his longtime friendship with LeBron James and the changing business of sports. Conversation recorded on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.

If you've been listening to our show for awhile, perhaps you remember past episodes with Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, Clockwork, and more. You might even remember this particularly stellar episode where we got Mike in the hot seat and fired off some popular business Q&A. You as a community loved this episode so much when we first aired it that we wanted to re-release it to give new Lifeonaires a chance to check it out, or give our biggest fans a chance to relisten to it because it's GOLDEN. We discussed a variety of popular topics on all-things business, including: Do you actually need a business plan? Should you and your spouse be business partners, and if so, how can you make it work? What can you measure to determine if you should keep going or pivot? Is “overnight success” real, and if so, how do people achieve it? Why we should approach our business like tacking in sailing And then some. Regardless of your business experience, we can assure you that Mike's ideas are going to surprise you, so if you're a business owner or entrepreneur in the making, grab a pen and paper and get ready to absorb this! Learn more about Mike's endeavors at MikeMichalowicz.com  

  In a world where career paths are often linear and predictable, one man's journey took an unexpected twist. From the rough and tumble world of rugby league to the intricate world of business operations, Brad Eisenthuth's path was anything but conventional. But it was this winding road that led him to discover his true passion: leadership and culture. Now, he uses his unique experiences and broad knowledge to help organizations navigate the complexities of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment. Curious to know how this unexpected twist shaped his perspective and ultimately led him to where he is today? Stay tuned for the surprising revelations ahead. If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the constant changes in the business landscape, and finding it difficult to navigate the complexities of leading in such a rapidly changing environment, then you are not alone! Many business leaders like yourself are struggling to achieve the desired results despite their best efforts. They may be relying on outdated strategies and approaches that no longer work, and as a result, they are unable to effectively lead their teams and drive organizational success in this new era. My special guest is Brad Eisenthuth. Welcoming the dynamic Brad Eisenthuth, a business leader with a rich and varied professional repertoire. Tracing his journey from a professional rugby player to the realm of executive search and now, entrepreneurship, Brad brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. As the Founder and CEO of The Outperformer, he develops and deploys strategies for global organizations and SMEs, optimizing corporate culture and operational effectiveness. Brad's approach to leadership is distinguished by his focus on maintaining resourceful thinking amid constant change – a testament to his ability to navigate and lead in an ever-evolving business environment. Deliberate progress requires creating an environment that fosters engagement, where individuals are motivated to lean into the big questions that drive us forward into the unknown. - Brad Eisenthuth In this episode, you will be able to: Explore leadership dynamics in a constantly evolving business landscape. Identify the signs of leadership challenges that hinder the achievement of efficient progress. Grasp the impacts of unaddressed biases in leadership roles. Discover how to shape a culture centered on innovation and analytical thinking. Gain insight into motivating initiative and problem-solving among team members. Explore Leadership Dynamics Understanding the dynamics of effective leadership is crucial in a rapidly evolving business environment. Leaders have the responsibility to inspire and motivate their teams towards a shared vision. They need to recognize their strengths, biases, and cultural backgrounds to effectively guide their teams, all while adapting their style to match the organization's goals and culture. Discern Leadership Difficulties Navigating the complexities of leadership presents various challenges, regardless of the size of the organization. Leaders consistently face the task of making judgments and decisions, emphasizing the need for constant reflection and adaptability. The successful execution of leadership principles differs based on the size of the team, necessitating unique engagement and communication tactics. Grasp Impacts of Unaddressed Biases Recognizing and addressing personal biases is paramount for effective leadership. Biases, left unexamined, can hinder growth and negatively impact both the leader and their team's performance. Committing to self-awareness, embracing curiosity to overcome blind spots, and fostering open communication can effectively mitigate these biases, leading to improved decision-making and ultimately driving the organization's success. The resources mentioned in this episode are: Visit the website of Vengreso.com to learn more about FlyMSG.io, the free personal writing assistant and text expander application. Check out The Outperformer's website to explore their management consulting services, including corporate culture and business advisory practices. Connect with Brad Eisenthuth on LinkedIn to stay updated on his insights and leadership expertise. Consider reading Brad's book on the development of the CFO to gain insights into the finance function in organizations. Follow The Outperformer on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for valuable leadership and strategy content. Sign up for The Outperformer's newsletter to receive regular updates and resources on leadership, strategy, and culture. Explore the resources section on The Outperformer's website to access valuable tools and templates for effective leadership and management. Schedule a consultation with The Outperformer to discuss how they can support your organization in achieving its goals and improving performance. Subscribe to the Modern Selling Podcast to listen to more episodes featuring sales leaders, practitioners, and influencers sharing insights on growing sales numbers at scale. Timestamped summary of this episode: 00:00:08 - Introduction Mario Martinez Jr. introduces the podcast and the guest, Brad Eisenthuth, founder and CEO of The Outperformer. They discuss leadership, culture, and strategy. 00:01:38 - About The Outperformer Brad explains that The Outperformer is a management consulting business with two arms: one focused on corporate culture and the other on business advisory. They work with organizations to improve performance, strategy, and culture. 00:02:50 - Brad's Background Brad shares his background, including his experience playing rugby league and his transition into executive search and consulting. He emphasizes his passion for helping people and businesses excel. 00:05:45 - Juicy Fact Mario asks Brad to share something juicy that people may not know about him. Brad reveals that he does not post pictures of his food on social media, despite the trend of food posts. 00:08:06 - Effective Leadership in a Changing Environment Brad discusses the challenges of effective leadership in a rapidly changing business environment. He emphasizes the importance of motivation, inspiration, and execution in leading teams through change. 00:12:07 - Symptoms of Struggling Leadership Brad identifies two key symptoms of struggling leadership: lack of results and siloed behavior within departments. He highlights the importance of addressing these issues to promote productivity and collaboration. 00:15:18 - The Importance of Engagement and Environment The discussion focuses on the significance of engagement and creating a positive work environment. Recognizing signs of defeat and dissatisfaction in employees is essential to assess if they are in the right environment or if changes need to be made to support their engagement. 00:17:49 - Understanding Leadership Culture The conversation delves into the understanding of leadership culture and how it is defined within different businesses. Business managers and leaders need to have a clear understanding of their leadership style and its impact on their team. The importance of effective communication and creating a supportive environment is emphasized. 00:18:19 - Creating Your Own Leadership Mantra The discussion explores the possibility of creating a personal leadership mantra within the framework of a defined leadership culture. Each leader's unique background and strengths contribute to their leadership style, and they must use this authenticity to motivate and inspire their team. 00:22:09 - Leadership in Small and Large Organizations The conversation addresses the differences in leadership between small organizations and large organizations. While the principles of leadership remain the same, the practical implementation and methods may differ. Scaling leadership in larger organizations requires different mechanisms to ensure effective communication and alignment. 00:24:33 - Making Effective Judgments as a Leader, The importance of making effective judgments as a leader is discussed. Leaders need to reflect on their decision-making processes and assess if their judgments are deliberate and move the team forward. Constant self-reflection and improvement are key to effective leadership. 00:31:08 - Strengths and Weaknesses It's important to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses as human beings, and sometimes our strengths can also be weaknesses. We all have biases that shape the way we function, and it's crucial to recognize them in order to be effective leaders and create successful businesses. 00:32:24 - The Effectiveness of Bias Our bias not only affects our personal lives but also impacts the effectiveness of our businesses. As leaders, we need to understand that our biases and decisions shape our organizations, and it's important to assess whether our biases are still effective or if they need to be addressed. 00:34:41 - Embracing Blind Spots The blind spots that hold us back are the ones we need to focus on the most. By being curious about our biases and blind spots, we can learn and grow as individuals, which ultimately leads to growth in our teams and businesses. Having a playbook and seeking third-party perspectives can help challenge our blind spots. 00:38:11 - Attracting Different Types of People As a leader, it's important to attract and empower people who have different styles and perspectives. Some may be more docile and action-oriented, while others may push back and provide valuable feedback. Encouraging open communication and ensuring that team members feel heard and have a voice is essential for success. 00:41:30 - Leadership Style and Ownership, A good leader knows when to swoop in and swoop out, providing guidance to their team. 00:45:19 - The Importance of Encouraging Great Ideas Brad discusses the importance of leaders creating an environment where others feel comfortable sharing their ideas and thinking for themselves. He acknowledges that early in his career, he wanted to be the smartest person in the room, but realized that this stifled others' ability to think independently. 00:46:53 - Identifying the Problem Brad explains that if leaders find themselves as the only ones thinking through processes and considering different possibilities, it could be due to hiring the wrong people, having a personality that stifles growth, or other factors. He emphasizes the need to identify and address the underlying issue. 00:47:51 - Facilitating Ownership and Alignment Brad discusses the importance of creating a sense of ownership and alignment within teams. He encourages leaders to facilitate open discussions where people can pressure test ideas and offer their thoughts on the process. This fosters intrinsic ownership and leads to more engaged and motivated employees. 00:48:44 - Moving from Blame to Responsibility Brad highlights the importance of shifting from a blame mindset to one of responsibility and accountability. He emphasizes the need for individuals to take ownership of their work and actively contribute to problem-solving. This mindset, combined with a supportive and empowering leadership style, creates a motivated and inspired team. 00:49:20 - Connecting with Brad Brad shares that the best way to connect with him is through LinkedIn. He encourages listeners to reach out and connect with him if they have any further questions.

In this podcast episode, Lori and Stacey Ruth discuss the importance of leadership skills, personal branding, and strategy in building a successful business brand. They emphasize the need for individuals to identify their personal values, goals, and voice to create a strong personal brand that aligns with their business goals.  Stacey offers insights into the decision-making process for small business owners in terms of branding and marketing, highlighting the importance of finding unique points that differentiate a business from others in a noisy marketing space. Stacey stress the importance of networking and collaboration in the business world and emphasize the value of sharing knowledge and resources to help small businesses succeed.    

Joël has a fascinating discovery! He learned a new nuance around working with dependency graphs. Stephanie just finished playing a 100-hour video game on Nintendo Switch: a Japanese role-playing game called Octopath Traveler II. On the work front, she is struggling with a lot of churn in acceptance criteria and ideas about how features should work. How do these get documented? What happens when they change? What happens when people lose this context over time? Strangler Fig Pattern (https://shopify.engineering/refactoring-legacy-code-strangler-fig-pattern) Octopath Traveler 2 (https://octopathtraveler2.square-enix-games.com/en-us/) Empowering other departments (https://www.bikeshed.fm/388) Transcript: JOËL: You're the one who controls the pacing here. STEPHANIE: Oh, I am. Okay, great. Hello and welcome to another episode of The Bike Shed, a weekly podcast from your friends at thoughtbot about developing great software. I'm Stephanie Minn. JOËL: And I'm Joël Quenneville. And together, we're here to share a bit of what we've learned along the way. STEPHANIE: So, Joël, what's new in your world? JOËL: So long-time Bike Shed listeners will know that I'm a huge fan of dependency graphs for modeling all sorts of problems and particularly when trying to figure out how to work in an iterative fashion where you can do a bunch of small chunks of work that are independent, that can be shipped one at a time without having your software be in a breaking state in all of these intermediate steps. And I recently made a really exciting discovery, or I learned a new nuance around working with dependency graphs. So the idea is that if you have a series of entities that have dependencies on each other, so maybe you're trying to build, let's say, some kind of object model or maybe a series of database tables that will reference each other, that kind of thing, if you draw a dependency graph where each bubble on your graph points to other bubbles that it depends on, that means that it can't be created without those other things already existing. Then, in order to create all of those entities for the first time, let's say they're database tables, you need to work your way from kind of the outside in. You start with any bubbles on your graph that have no arrows going out from them. That means they have no dependencies. They can be safely built on their own, and then you kind of work your way backwards up the arrows. And that's how I've sort of thought about working with dependency graphs for a long time. Recently, I've been doing some work that involves deleting entities in such a graph. So, again, let's say we're talking about database tables. What I came to realize is that deleting works in the opposite order. So, if you have a table that have other tables that depend on it, but it doesn't depend on anything, that's the first one you want to create. But it's also the last one you want to delete. So, when you're deleting, you want to start with the table that maybe has dependencies on other tables, but no other tables depend on it. It is going to be kind of like the root node of your dependency graph. So I guess the short guideline here is when you're creating, work from the bottom up or work from the leaves inward, and when you're deleting, work from the top-down or work from the root outward or roots because a graph can have multiple roots; it's not a tree. STEPHANIE: That is interesting. I'm wondering, did you have a mental model for managing deleting of dependencies prior? JOËL: No. I've always worked with creating new things. And I went into this task thinking that deleting would be just like creating and then was like, wait a minute, that doesn't work. And then, you know, a few cycles later, realized, oh, wait, deleting is the opposite of creating when you're navigating the graph. And, all of a sudden, I feel like I've got a much clearer mental model or just another way of thinking about how to work with something like this. STEPHANIE: Cool. That actually got me thinking about a case where you might have a circular dependency. Is that something you've considered yet? JOËL: Yes. So, when you have a dependency graph, and you've got a circular dependency, that's a big problem because...so, in the creating model, there is no leaf node, if you will, because they both reference each other. So that means that each of these entities cannot be created on its own, the entire cycle. And maybe you've got only two, but maybe your cycle is, you know, ten entities big. The entire cycle is going to be shipped as one massive change. So something that I often try to do is if I draw a dependency graph out and notice, wait a minute, I do have cyclical dependencies, the question then becomes, can I break that cycle to allow myself to work iteratively? Because otherwise, I know that there's a big chunk that can't be done iteratively. It just has to be done all at once. STEPHANIE: Yeah, that's really interesting because I've certainly been in that situation where I don't realize until it's too late, where I've started going down the path thinking that, you know, I could just remove this one thing, or make this one change, and then find myself suddenly, you know, coming to the realization, oh, this other thing is now going to have to change. And then, at that point, there's almost kind of like the sunken cost fallacy [laughs] a little bit where you're like, well, I'm already in it. So, why don't I keep going? But your strategy of trying to find a way to break that cyclica...that is two words combined. [laughs] I meant to say circular dependency [laughs] is the right way to avoid just having to do it all in one go. Have you had to break up a cycle like that before? JOËL: Yes. I do it on a semi-frequent basis. The fancy term here for what I'm looking for when I'm building out a dependency graph is a directed acyclic graph. That's a graph theory or a computer science term that you'll hear thrown around a lot, DAG. I often like to...when building out a series of tasks that might also form a graph because you don't just model entities in your system; you might model a series of tasks as a graph. If there's a cycle in the graph, typically, I can break that using something like the strangler fig pattern, which is a way to kind of have some intermediate steps that are non-breaking that then lead you to the refactor that you want. And I've used the strangler fig pattern for a long time, never realizing until later that, oh, what I'm actually doing is breaking cycles in my task dependency graph. STEPHANIE: Hmm. I'm curious if you have noticed how these cycles come to be because I almost imagine that they get introduced over time, where you maybe did start with a parent and then you, you know, had dependencies. But then, over time, somehow, that circular dependency gets introduced. And I'm wondering if part of figuring out how to break that cycle is determining how things were introduced, like, over time. JOËL: In my experience, this happens in a lot of different ways because I'm using dependency graphs like this to give myself a mental model for a lot of different kinds of things. So maybe I'm thinking in terms of database tables. And so those might get a circular dependency that gets added over time as the system grows. But I'm also using it sometimes to model maybe a series of tasks. So I take a large task, and I break it down into subtasks that are all connected to each other. And that doesn't tend to sort of evolve over time in the same way that a series of database tables do. So I think it's very context-dependent. But there are definitely situations where it will be like you said, something that kind of evolves over time. STEPHANIE: That makes sense. Well, I'm excited for you to get to deleting some potential code or database tables that are no longer in use. That sounds like a developer's dream [laughs] to clean up all that stuff. JOËL: It's interesting because it's...a move operation is effectively what's happening. So I'm recreating tables in another system, pointing the ActiveRecord to this new system, and then deleting the existing ones in the local database. So, in a sense, I'm kind of traveling up this dependency graph from the leaf nodes into the root and then back down from the root to the leaves as I'm creating and then deleting everything or creating in one system, and then going back and deleting in the other system. STEPHANIE: Got it. Okay, so not necessarily a net negative but, like you said, a move or just having to gradually replace to use a new system. JOËL: That's right. And we're trying not to do this as, you know, okay, we're going to take the system down and move 50 tables from one system to another. But instead, saying, like, you know, one at a time, we're going to move these things over. And it's going to be small, incremental change over the course of a couple of weeks. And they're all pretty safe to deploy, and we feel good about them. STEPHANIE: That's good. I'm glad you feel good. [laughs] We should all be able to feel good when we make changes like that. JOËL: It's going to make my Fridays just so much more low-key just, like, yeah, hit that deploy button. It's okay. So, Stephanie, what is new in your world? STEPHANIE: So this is not work-related at all. But I just finished playing a 100-hour video game on my Nintendo Switch. [laughs] I finished a Japanese role-playing game called Octopath Traveler II. And I have never really played a game like this before. I've not, you know, put in many, many hours into something that then had an end, like, a completion. So, at the end of this very long game that had a very, you know, compelling and engaging story and I was invested in all of these characters, and by the time the credits were rolling, I felt a little sad to be leaving this world that I have been in many evenings over the last couple of months. Yeah, I don't know, I'm feeling both a little sad because, you know like I said, I got really invested in this game, but now I'm also kind of glad to have some free time back in [laughs] my life because that has definitely been the primary, like, evening activity that I've been doing to relax. JOËL: It sounds like this game had a very, like, a particularly immersive world that really pulled you in. STEPHANIE: It did. It did. It has these eight, like, different characters that you follow, like, different chapters and all of their stories, and then they all kind of come together as well. And the world was huge in this game. There were so many little towns to explore. And I didn't realize I was a completionist type. But I found myself running around opening every chest, talking to every NPC, and making sure that I, you know, collected all of my items [chuckles] before moving on. I also finished all of the side quests, which is, I think, you know, how I managed to put in over 100 hours into it. But yeah, it was very immersive, and I really enjoyed it. I don't know if this will become a norm for me. I know there are some people who are, you know, JRPG diehards and play a lot of these kinds of games, but they're a real, like, time investment for sure. JOËL: Are there achievements for completing everything? STEPHANIE: Not that I can tell on the Switch. I do know that, like, on other systems, you can see your progress on having done all of the things there are to do. But I think it's actually kind of better for me to just play [laughs] to just, like, think that I've done it all but not really, like, have something that tells me whether or not I've done it because then I would feel a lot more neurotic, I think, about being able to let it go where I am now. [laughs] JOËL: Right. If we've got, like, an explicit checklist of things or a progress bar, then it feels like you got to get to all the things. STEPHANIE: Yeah, exactly. I think there are still, you know, a couple more things that I wrote down on my little checklist of tasks that I would want to do once I feel like I want to come back to the game. But for now, like I said, I watched the credits roll. I teared up a little bit, you know, thinking about and reminiscing on my adventure with these characters, and I'm ready to put it down for a bit. JOËL: Did I hear correctly that you made a checklist for this game of things you wanted to do? STEPHANIE: Yes, [laughs] I did. JOËL: That's amazing. I love that. STEPHANIE: Yeah, you know, there are just so many things almost kind of like work where I had to, like, break down some of my goals. I wanted to, like, hit a certain level. I wanted to, you know, make sure I defeat these bosses that would help me get to those levels. And yeah, I got very into it. It was definitely a big part of my life for a couple of months. I got it originally because I needed a game to play on my flight to Asia back when I went to Japan. And I'm like, oh, like, this looks, you know, fun and engaging, and it will distract me for my, you know, over 10-hour flight. Turns out it distracted me for many, many more hours over several months [laughs] since then. But I had a great time. So yeah, that's what's new for me. Again, it's something I'd never really done before. I will say though I am very behind on my reading goal as a result. [chuckles] JOËL: I feel like this is a classic developer thing to do is, like, use the tools that we're used to in our job and then apply them to other parts of our life. And now it's just like, okay, well, I made a Kanban board to track my progress in this video game. You know, or, in my case, I'm definitely guilty of having drawn a dependency graph for the crafting tree for some video game. So I feel you really strongly there. STEPHANIE: Yes, I'm nodding heavily in agreement. I think it just scratches the same kind of itch of, you know, achieving, like, little things and then achieving one big thing. JOËL: So, speaking of places that are nice to have checklists and, like, well-defined requirements, you and I were talking earlier, and you have recently found some frustration around having user stories be defined well on your current project. STEPHANIE: Yes. So I've been reflecting a little bit about my current project and noticing what I think I might call product smells; I'm not quite sure, just some things I'm seeing in our day-to-day workflow that is getting me thinking. And I'm curious to hear if you've experienced something similar. But I find myself being tasked with a ticket that is quite vague. And maybe this was written by a product owner, or maybe it was written by another developer. And it is not quite actionable yet, so I have to go through the process of figuring out what I'm really needing to do here. I think another thing that has been quite frustrating is, you know, maybe we do find out what we want to do. And, like, I'll go back into the ticket, write down the requirements that I gathered, and do the ticket. I'll ship whatever change was required, and then I'll hear back from someone in a meeting or either as a one-off request in Slack. And it'll be like, "Hey, like, actually, you know, we want this to be different." And maybe you previously said that "Oh, the value for something would be 30. But now we found out more information; it should be 20. And so could you, like, make that change?" And then I'm not really sure what the best way to document a change like that is because it, you know, maybe existed in the previous ticket, but now it has changed. And do I create a new ticket for this, or do I just go ahead and make the code change? Like, who would know this information that we're now carrying about 20 being the value for, let's say, like, days or not meaning something in the code that we're writing? And I guess I've just been really curious about how to make sure that this doesn't become the norm where a lot of these conversations are just happening, and, you know, the people who happen to be in them know that this change happened. But then later on, someone is asking questions about, like, hey, like, when did this change? Or I expected this to be 30. But is this, you know, behaving as expected? So that was [laughs] a bit of a nebulous way of describing just, like, this churn that I feel with being the executor of work. But then, like, a lot of these things changing above me or separate from me and figuring out how to manage that. JOËL: When you were describing this scenario where you've done the work, and then someone's like, "Oh, could we change this value from, like, 30 to 20?" I'm thinking in my mind of the sort of beam that a lot of our designers face where it's like, you know, they have a design. They work on it; they do it. And then show it to a client, and the client is like, "I love this design. But could we just shift this box over, like, one pixel?" Like, they're, like, tiny, tiny, little changes that are kind of requested for change after you've done, like, this big thing. And, oftentimes, those pile-up. It's like, you shift it one pixel. It's like, oh, actually, you know what? Why don't we do it two pixels? And then it's like never-ending cycles, sometimes of, like, minute little changes. STEPHANIE: Yeah. But the minute changes really add up into, I think, really different behavior than what you maybe had decided as a team originally. And in the process of changing and evolving, I don't really know where documentation fits in. I've been working on this project that had a pretty comprehensive product design doc, where they had decided upfront on, you know, how the application is going to behave in many different scenarios. But again, like, that has changed over time. And when I recently had to onboard someone new to this project, you know, we sent over this document, and we're like, yeah, you can, you know, feel free to peruse it. But it's actually quite outdated. And then, similarly, right now, since the features that I'm working on are going through QA, there's been a lot of back and forth about, I'm seeing this, but the doc said that Y is supposed to happen, and I'm not sure if that's a bug or not. And I or someone else has to respond with that context that we were holding in our head about when that change happened. JOËL: That's really interesting. And I think it varies a lot based off the size of the organization. In a smaller organization, you're probably doing a lot of the requirements gathering yourself. You're talking to all the stakeholders. You're probably doing the QA yourself, or you're walking somebody else through QA. Versus a large organization, there might be an entirely separate product team, and a separate QA team, and a separate dev team. And a danger that I've often seen is where all of these teams are just kind of tossing work over the fence. And all you're given is a, you know, a ticket of, like, execute on this. Basically, turn these specs into code. And then you do that, and then you toss it over the fence to the QA team. And they check does the code do these things? And there's so much context that can easily get lost from one step to another. That being said, I think a lot of devs find it frustrating to do some of the requirements gathering work. How do you feel in general about scoping out a ticket or doing follow-up conversations with the product team about, like, "Hey, your idea for the ticket is this. How do you feel about doing these things? Or what if we cut these things?" Are those conversations that you enjoy having? Is that a fun part of the developer role for you? Or do you kind of wish that, like, somebody else did all of that so that you could, like, go heads down just writing code? STEPHANIE: I think it depends. That's a great question. Actually, I have so many thoughts in response. So let me try to figure out where I want to go from here. But I think I used to not like it. I used to be stressed out by it, and sometimes I still am. But when I thought my role was purely executing, to receive a ticket that is a bit vague, you know, I might have been left feeling, like, stuck, like, not knowing where to go from there. But now that has changed a bit because I received some really helpful feedback from an old manager of mine who was kind of invested in my growth. And she really suggested learning to become more comfortable with ambiguity because that just becomes more and more your job, I think, as you progress in your career. And so now I at least know what information I need to go get and have, you know, strategies for doing so. And also knowing that it's my job, like, knowing that no one else might be doing it, and it might just be me so that I can therefore get this ticket done. Because, like you said, that problem of throwing the work over the fence to someone else, at some point, that doesn't work because everyone has too much on their plates. And you have to just decide to be the one to seek the information that you need. JOËL: I think one way that, as developers, we bring a lot of value is that we help to cut through a lot of that ambiguity. I think if we see our role as merely translating a requirements document into code, that's a very simplistic point of view of what a talented developer does. So, like you said, as we grow in our careers, we start dealing with less and less defined things. We often have to start defining the problems that we're given. And we have to have these conversations with other teams to figure out what exactly we want to do. And maybe better understand why is it that we want to do this thing. What is the purpose of it? How are we going to get there? And my favorite: Do we have to do all of these things to hit the minimum value of this goal? Can I split this into multiple tickets? I love breaking down work. If I can make the ticket smaller, I'm all about that. STEPHANIE: Yes. I'm well aware. It's interesting about what you said, though, is that, like, yes, that becomes, in some ways, our superpower. But, for me, where the pain comes in is when that's not part of the expectations, where I am maybe tasked with something that is not clear enough, and yet, the time that I need to find that clarity is not given the respect that it, I think, deserves to build a good product because the expectation is that I should already be making progress on this ticket and that it will be delivered soon. You know, in that situation, I wish I had been in the room earlier. I wish I had been part of the process for developing the product strategy, or even just, like, have come in earlier to be able to ask, you know, why are we building this? And, like, what are some of the limitations on the technical side that we have? Because often, I find that it is a little too...not necessarily too late, but it is quite down the road that we then have to have these conversations, and it doesn't feel good. JOËL: I think that's one of the powerful things that came out of the agile movement was the idea that you have these cross-functional teams, that you don't have a separate product team, a separate dev team, a separate QA team, a separate design team that are all these isolated islands. But instead, you say, okay, we have a cross-functional team that is working on this aspect of the product. And it will be some product people, some dev people, some designers kind of all working together and communicating with each other. I know, shocking concept. And even depending on the context, a big idea is that the client or the customer is a part of that team. So, when we at thoughtbot work with a client, especially when they are maybe a smaller client like a startup founder, we make sure that they feel like they are a part of the team. They are involved in various meetings where we decide things. They have input. You know, they're part of that feedback cycle that we build. But that can also be the case for a larger company where your internal stakeholders are kind of built-in to be sort of part of your team. STEPHANIE: I've seen so many different flavors of trying to do Agile [laughs] that it has lost a little bit of meaning for me these days. And maybe we've incorporated some aspects of it. But then that idea of the tight feedback loops and then a cross-functional team where everyone is communicating that part has gotten a little bit lost, at least on my project. And I imagine that this is common, and our listeners might be finding themselves in a similar situation where things are starting to feel a little more like handing off and a little more like waterfall. [laughs] I'm curious, though, if you found yourself being requested to make a change from what the original decision was, how would you go about documenting that or not documenting it? Where do you think the best place for that information about how this feature now is supposed to work where should that live? JOËL: Are you talking about where do we document that a decision was made to change the original requirements of a task? STEPHANIE: Yes. JOËL: In general, I think that should live on the ticket just because as long as the ticket is live, I think it's good to have all the context on that ticket for whoever's working on it to have access at a glance. Sometimes it's worth it to say, you know what? We don't want to just keep this ticket live for weeks or maybe months on end. Let's ship this ticket, and create a follow-up to make a change later, especially if it's a change that's less important where it's like, you know what? It would be nice to have if...but, again, like, scope creep is a real danger. And so, again, me with the aggressive breaking up of tickets, I love to say, "That's a great idea. It would make a great change, not part of this ticket." So oftentimes, those changes I will push them into another ticket. STEPHANIE: That's interesting. What about documentation beyond the current work? So I'm thinking about once, you know, a feature is delivered, how do people in the organization then know how this feature is supposed to work? Like moving forward as something that is customer-facing. JOËL: That can vary a lot by organization, I think because there's a couple of different aspects to this. You have maybe some internal-facing documentation; maybe some customer support people need to know about the way the interface has changed. And then you also have customer-facing documentation where maybe you want some sort of, you know, you want a blog post talking about the new feature or some kind of release notes or something like that to be shared with your customers. And compiling that might look very different than what you do for your internal service reps. STEPHANIE: Yeah, I like that. It's true that the customer documentation is really helpful. At least for, the product that I'm working on, it has very comprehensive documentation about how to use that for its customers. And that has been really helpful because, hopefully, that should be the truest [laughs] information out there. But sometimes, you know, I find myself in meetings where none of us really know what happens. For example, a question that was asked recently is our product has a free trial capability. But it was unclear what happens to all of the data that the customer is getting access to as a feature. Like, what happens to that data after the free trial ends? Like, if they then have purchased a license, do they still have access to their free trial data? If, you know, there's a lapse between then, does it just get deleted, or will it show up again? And no one really knew the answer to that. And I think that was another area that got my spidey senses tingling a little bit; I think because it reminded me of...there was a definition I read somewhere of legacy code that is basically when the person who has the most context about how a piece of code works and then they leave the company and that institutional knowledge no longer exists, like, that is legacy code. And I almost think that that also applies to product a little bit where a legacy product is something where no one quite knows what is supposed to happen, but it's still being used by users. JOËL: That's a really fun definition there. I think there's sort of two related questions that are slightly different here, which is, one, how does the code behave? So, what happens when someone's trial period expires? And it's quite possible that no one on the team knows what actually happens when that time expires. And then the second question is, what should happen when a trial expires? And it's possible, again, that the product team didn't think through any of the edge cases. They only went for the happy path. And so it's possible if that is also fully undefined and no one knows. STEPHANIE: Yeah, I like that distinction you made a lot because they definitely go hand in hand, where someone realizes that some weird edge case happened, and then suddenly, they're asking those questions. And, you know, we realized, like, oh, like, that just didn't have enough, like, intention or thought behind how it was coded. So, like, it really is; who knows, right? Just whatever seems to happen. And I think that this actually kind of reminds me of a previous episode we did about empowering other departments in the company because, ultimately, a lot of those questions about, like, how does this work? What happens? Ends up going to a developer who has to go and read the code and report back. And while, you know, we do have that power, it can also be a bit of a curse, I think. [laughs] JOËL: I think this is an area where, as developers, we're maybe particularly skilled. Because of the work that we do, our brains are kind of wired to think about all of the edge cases, and sometimes they can be really annoying. But I think there's a lot of value sometimes when maybe the product team comes to us with a maybe somewhat nebulously scoped ticket or a series of tickets for, let's say, a free trial period feature that only goes through the happy path. And then sometimes it's up to us to push back or to follow up and say, "Okay, great. We've got a bunch of tickets for a free trial period. Have you thought about what happens after a trial expires but the person hasn't converted to a paying customer?" And then, oftentimes, the answer is like, "Oh, no, we didn't think about that." And I think oftentimes, as developers, our job is to kind of, like, seek out a lot of those edge cases. And we have a lot of techniques and methodologies that we use to try to find edge cases, things like test-driven development, various modeling tools that we'll try to use to make sure that we don't just crash or do something bad in our code. But what should the actual behavior be? That's a conversation that we need to have. And hopefully, that's one that maybe the product team has already had on their own. But oftentimes, the benefit of having that cross-functional team is the ability to kind of have that back and forth and say, "Hey, what about this edge case? Have we thought about that? How do we want that to behave?" STEPHANIE: Yeah, that actually made me think about the idea of tech debt but almost at a product level, where, hey, it turns out that we have all of these things that we didn't quite think through, and it's now causing problems. But how much do we invest in revisiting it? Because, you know, maybe this feature is several years old, and it was working just okay enough for it to, you know, be valuable. But we're now discovering these things and, you know, like, do we invest in them? Or are we more focused on, you know, coming up with new things and new features for our customers? JOËL: That's a classic prioritization problem. It also kind of reminds me of the idea of an MVP. What are the actual, like, minimum set of features that you need in order to try out something or to ship something to customers? And, you know, maybe we don't need some special behavior if your trial account doesn't convert. Maybe we're okay [laughs] that you log in, and the app just crashes. Probably not, because we would probably want you to convert to a paying customer at some point. But maybe we're okay if you just get a screen that says, "You have no projects," when, in fact, you did have projects. It's just that you're no longer on the free trial. Again, for business reasons, probably we want a call to action there that says, "You have five projects. They are not available to you. Please pay to unlock your projects again." That probably converts better. But, again, now that is a business decision. And that becomes a prioritization question that the team as a whole gets to address. Sometimes it can also be some really fun prioritization things where if you're on a really tight schedule, you might ship some features live knowing that you have a time limit, but you don't have to necessarily ship other things. So let's say you've got a 30-day trial, and maybe you ship that before you've even implemented what the dashboard will look like after your free trial has expired, and that's fine because no one's going to hit that condition for 30 days. So now you've got 30 days to go out and handle that condition. And maybe that's okay because it allowed you to get to market a little bit faster, allowed you to cut scope, break those tickets, yes, and just move that much faster. But it does require discipline because now you're on the clock. You've got 30 days to fix that edge case or potentially face some unhappy customers. STEPHANIE: Yeah, I think that's quite a funny way to handle it. It's really ruthless prioritization [laughs] there. But what you said was very interesting to me because I was thinking about how there is such a focus on new feature development and that being the thing that will attract customers or generate more money. But there is something to be said about investigating some of our old features of our existing system and finding opportunities there. And oftentimes, revisiting them will reduce the amount of pain [chuckles] that, you know, developers feel having to kind of keep track or have an eye on, like, where things are airing out, but then don't have the time to really invest in making it better or making that part of the product better. JOËL: I think that's a great opportunity then to have a conversation with other parts of the team. Typically, I think you have to convert some of those into more of a business case. So the business people in the company or the product people might not care about the sort of raw metrics that you see as a developer. Oh, we got an exception with a stack trace in this part of our app. What does that even mean? But if you say, hey, people who signed up for a free trial and then didn't immediately convert within 30 days who want to come back a month later and convert are unable to do so. And we've seen that that's about 10% of the people who signed up for a free trial. Well, now that's an interesting business question. Are we losing out on potentially 10% of customer acquisition? I'll bet the sales and marketing people care a lot about that. I'll bet the business people care a lot about that. The product people probably care a lot about that. And now we can have a conversation about should we prioritize this thing? Are these metrics that we should improve? Is this a part of our code that's worth investing in? STEPHANIE: Yeah, I like that because, in some ways, asking those questions about how does it work? Like, that is really an opportunity because then you can find out, and then you can make decisions about whether it's currently providing enough value as is or if there is something hiding under there to leverage. JOËL: And I think that's one of the other places where, as developers, we provide value to clients is that we can sort of talk both languages. We can talk product language. We can talk business language. But we can also talk code. And so when we see things like that in code, sort of translate that into, like, what are the business impacts of this code change? Which then allows everyone to make the best possible decisions for the mission of the organization that you're a part of. So we've talked about a variety of sort of patterns and anti-patterns that surround working through some of this churn on a product. I'm curious, Stephanie, for you, what's maybe one concrete thing that you've done recently that you've found has really helped you navigate this and maybe help reduce some of the stress that you feel as you navigate through this? STEPHANIE: Yeah, I think, for me, one of the worst things is when that discussion is had in a meeting or a [inaudible 35:45] and then is not put anywhere. And so, one thing I've been making sure to do is either asking the person who made the request to write it down, either on the ticket or in Slack. Or I will write it down, you know, I will document the outcomes of what we talked about and putting it in a public space so that people are aware. I think that small action has been helpful because we hold so much of this in our heads. And I've been finding that it ends up being hard for people to rotate onto different projects and, you know, get onboarded and up to speed effectively because there's so much knowledge and context transfer happening. But even just putting it in a place where maybe it's not relevant to everyone, but at least they see it. And then the next time that they're asked or maybe, like, do come around to working on this, they, like, have some fragment of a memory that they saw something about this. So that has been really helpful. It actually dovetails really nicely into what we were talking about with opportunities, too, because once it's out there, like, maybe someone else will see it and have an idea about how it could be better or that change not being what they expected, and they can weigh in a little more. So that's what I'm trying to do. And I think it's also nice to see how often that happens, right? If we're constantly seeing things changing because we have a written record of it, that could be helpful in bringing up and investigating further as to, like, why is this happening? Like, why do we experience this churn? And is that something we want to address? JOËL: Yeah, because an element that we haven't talked at all about is any sort of feedback cycle or retrospective, where we can talk about these things and having that written trail and saying, "Oh, we changed this decision five times in the past week, like, really churned there." Now maybe that prioritizes it to be an important thing to talk about and to improve for the next cycle. STEPHANIE: What I feel really strongly about is when, you know, each individual on a team is feeling this pain, but it not being known that it's actually a collective issue. Because maybe these things are happening in one-on-one conversations, and we don't realize that, like, oh, maybe there is something bigger here that we could improve on. And so the more eyes on it there are, the more visible it is, I think, that the easier it is to address. JOËL: I love that, the power of writing things down. On that note, shall we wrap up? STEPHANIE: Let's wrap up. Show notes for this episode can be found at bikeshed.fm. JOËL: This show has been produced and edited by Mandy Moore. STEPHANIE: If you enjoyed listening, one really easy way to support the show is to leave us a quick rating or even a review in iTunes. It really helps other folks find the show. JOËL: If you have any feedback for this or any of our other episodes, you can reach us @_bikeshed, or you can reach me @joelquen on Twitter. STEPHANIE: Or reach both of us at hosts@bikeshed.fm via email. JOËL: Thanks so much for listening to The Bike Shed, and we'll see you next week. ALL: Byeeeeee!!!!!! ANNOUNCER: This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot, your expert strategy, design, development, and product management partner. We bring digital products from idea to success and teach you how because we care. Learn more at thoughtbot.com.

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