Podcasts about Competitive advantage

Russ Fradin sold his first company for $300M. He's back in the arena with Larridin, helping companies measure just how successful their AI actually is.In this episode, Russ sits down with a16z General Partner Alex Rampell to reveal why the measurement infrastructure that unlocked internet advertising's trillion-dollar boom is exactly what's missing from AI, why your most productive employees are hiding their AI usage from management, and the uncomfortable truth that companies desperately buying AI tools have no idea whether anyone's actually using them. The same playbook that built comScore into a billion-dollar measurement empire now determines which AI companies survive the coming shakeout.Timecodes: 0:00 — Introduction 2:15 — Early Career, Ad Tech, and Web 1.03:09 — Attribution Problems in Ad Tech & AI4:30 — Building Measurement Infrastructure6:49 — Software Eating Labor: Productivity Shifts8:51 — The Challenge of Measuring AI ROI14:54 — The Productivity Baseline Problem18:46 — Defining and Measuring Productivity21:27 — Goodhart's Law & the Pitfalls of Metrics22:41 — The Harvey Example: Usage vs. Value25:18 — Surveys vs. Behavioral Data28:38 — Interdepartmental Responsiveness & Real-World Metrics31:00 — Enterprise AI Adoption: What the Data Shows33:59 — Employee Anxiety & Training Gaps38:31 — The Nexus Product & Safe AI Usage42:08 — The Future of Work: Job Loss or Job Creation?44:40 — The Competitive Advantage of AI53:45 — The Product Marketing Problem in AI55:00 — The Importance of Specific Use CasesResources:Follow Russ Fradin on X: https://x.com/rfradinFollow Alex Rampell on X: https://x.com/arampell Stay Updated:If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Podcast on SpotifyListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt Bergmann, Owner & CEO of Laketown Electric Corporation, a $50M+ merit-shop contractor known for complex commercial and industrial projects and a people-first culture with … Read more The post Culture as a Competitive Advantage: How a Merit-Shop Contractor Built a $50M+ Powerhouse with 98% Retention appeared first on Top Entrepreneurs Podcast | Enterprise Podcast Network.

The Enduring Power of Direct Mail: Expert Insights from Zairmail's Wilson ZehrIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge welcomes Wilson Zehr, Founder and CEO of Zairmail, for a deep exploration into why direct mail is still one of the most effective marketing channels in today's digital-first world. Wilson draws from decades of experience—plus a surprising connection to competitive swimming—to illustrate how businesses can blend digital convenience with physical mail for unmatched engagement and ROI. This episode offers a practical, insightful guide for any leader looking to leverage direct mail to scale their business.Direct Mail as a Competitive Advantage in a Digital EraWilson opens the conversation by comparing the discipline of competitive swimming to the discipline required to launch successful marketing campaigns. New swimmers must warm up, refine their technique, and focus on continuous improvement—principles that apply seamlessly to businesses exploring direct mail for the first time. He emphasizes the importance of starting with small, targeted campaigns and refining strategy over time.The discussion then highlights how Zairmail's platform blends the ease of digital workflows with the impact of physical mail. Businesses can upload documents, preview their mail in real time, and send campaigns with a single click. With next-day processing and a nationwide production network, Zairmail ensures speed, scalability, and reliability across every campaign.Wilson also breaks down why direct mail continues to outperform expectations in 2024. From owning the “mail moment” to delivering strong ROI and enabling precise demographic targeting, physical mail creates a level of attention and trust that digital ads struggle to achieve. Whether using postcards, letters, snap packs, or self-mailers, choosing the right format can dramatically improve response rates and engagement.About Wilson ZehrWilson Zehr is the Founder and CEO of Zairmail and a seasoned marketing expert with 26+ years of experience helping organizations execute high-impact direct mail campaigns. Wilson's background in both technology and traditional media uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between digital tools and physical marketing performance.Connect with Wilson on LinkedIn.About ZairmailZairmail is a leading direct mail platform that makes sending physical mail as simple as sending an email. With next-day processing, nationwide facilities, real-time previews, and data-driven targeting tools, Zairmail empowers businesses of all sizes to launch fast, reliable, and high-ROI direct mail campaigns.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeZairmail WebsiteWilson Zehr LinkedIn ProfileKey Episode Highlights:How swimming principles translate into better marketing executionWhy direct mail continues to deliver high ROI in 2024The four main direct mail formats and when to use eachHow Zairmail blends digital workflows with physical mail for unmatched efficiencyExpert tips on targeting, creative, testing, and integrating digital channelsConclusionWilson Zehr reinforces that direct mail isn't outdated—it's a powerful, underutilized differentiator. By integrating digital...

Constant remote work requests signal a disconnect. Listening to employee needs through surveys and conversations is key to building trust, boosting morale, and shaping a policy that truly works for everyone. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which talks about the cure for constant remote work requests.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/the-cure-for-constant-remote-work-requests/

What happens when you combine unapologetic ambition with a big, soft heart? In today's episode of the It's Your Offer Podcast with Dr. JJ Peterson (StoryBrand's former Head of Story, now Professor-in-Residence and host of Badass Softie), we reframe modern leadership: why joy belongs in the work, how authenticity drives performance, and how to make your unique point of view your unfair advantage—especially in an AI-saturated world.   If you're ready to do leadership differently, with joy, authenticity and a point of view that is uniquely yours and powerful, this episode is for you! Enjoy!   Mentioned in this episode Dr. JJ Peterson's Main Website Badass Softie Main Website Dr. JJ Peterson on Instagram Subscribe to Email List Leave a Podcast Review   Work/Connect with me: Offer Optimization Scorecard Book a Call   Tune in to start taking your business and life to the next level today and don't forget to subscribe or follow the podcast to make sure you don't miss any future episodes. Visit https://jessicamillercoaching.com/ to learn more. You can also follow me on Instagram (@jessicadioguardimiller) and Facebook.

In this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, Dr. Gleb Tsipursky speaks to David Lewallen, CEO of Verbatim Digital, about winning the AI chatbot marketing competition. You can learn about Verbatim Digital at https://verbatimdigital.com/

This is the audio version of the article which is featured on Group Dentistry Now's website. Andrea is President of Breaking Glass Inc., an HR Consulting Firm, a seasoned HR executive with over 30 years in various industries driving culture and engagements strategies. Andrea is the former Chief People Officer for Guardian Dentistry Partners (GDP) where she built the HR strategy and infrastructure during their rapid growth.

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci update their weekend of College Football describing their gameday experiences as Joe attended the Lehigh/Lafayette game and Tom saw Nebraska/Penn State. Back to baseball, Tom notes the moves by the Rockies by retaining Warren Schaeffer while hiring Paul DePodesta as the new President of Baseball Ops. We focus on the Mets trading Brandon Nimmo and Hal Steinbrenner saying it would be 'ideal' for the Yankees to lower their payroll. Baseball is about a year away from negotiating a new CBA, how will it affect the game? The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio. #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1882: Christine Comaford emphasizes how embracing neurodiversity unlocks untapped talent, strengthens team performance, and fosters innovation through unique cognitive strengths. She offers practical strategies to attract, onboard, and retain neurodivergent individuals, like those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, ultimately showing how inclusion drives true competitive advantage. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smarttribesinstitute.com/competitive-advantage-power-embracing-neurodiversity/ Quotes to ponder: "When we understand neurodiversity, we open up a world of new possibilities for our organization." "An individual who falls in the neurodiversity spectrum often finds getting in the front door a challenge." "When we can value and accept our own brain, we will more easily accept and value the unique brains of our team."  

Join us as we explore how courageous leadership helps us integrate technology with purpose instead of pressure. We look at leaders who chose clarity over complexity and used vision to guide innovation. Their success came from reconnecting to why the work matters, asking better questions, and shaping tools around real human needs. When we lead this way, we create space for confidence, trust, and momentum. We also show how cultures shift when leaders speak openly, encourage small tests, and celebrate learning. Bold, people-centered goals create energy and push teams to think in new ways. We share a simple framework built on clarity, communication, connection, and commitment that keeps us steady when change feels messy. When we act with courage, our teams feel it, and they follow with more creativity and readiness. Key Takeaways: Lead with Purpose - Learn how to anchor any new technology or change in a clear why that brings people with you. Build Confidence Through Clarity - Expect tools to land better when you speak openly about what you know, what you don't, and what matters most. Create a Culture That Learns - Why small experiments, curiosity, and honest reflection spark stronger engagement than perfect plans. Set Human-Centered Goals - How bold goals tied to human outcomes help people think differently and fuel innovation. Use the Four C's to Stay Grounded – A simple framework you can use the next time change feels heavy. Resources Mentioned Get your FREE Copy of Chapter 11 from Amy's book, Courage of a Leader, by emailing rachelle@courageofaleader.com – Put “Visionary Chapter” in the Subject Line Want a Complimentary Leadership Conversation? Email rachelle@courageofaleader.com – Put “Courage Conversation” in the Subject Line The Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment) - In less than 10 minutes, find out where you're empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done. Get it here: https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ You don't need to have all the answers to lead well. Get your copy of the Clarity Kit for just $17 to learn the five practices to bring more clarity, confidence and courage into your leadership - https://courageofaleader.com/the-clarity-kit/ About the Host: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays. As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results. Amy's most popular keynote speeches are: The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership Legacy The Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System Collaboration The Courage of a Leader:...

In this episode of Construction Disruption, Todd Miller sits down with Micah Boak from Metallion Industries. With over a decade of experience in the metal roofing industry, Micah shares valuable insights on sales, the benefits of metal roofing, and how faith and gratitude play a crucial role in his career.Micah's unique approach to maintaining a positive attitude and embracing challenges provides a refreshing perspective on both personal and professional growth. Tune in to hear powerful stories and practical advice on how to adopt a mindset of gratitude and faith in both life and business.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Construction Disruption00:21 Meet Micah Boak: A Journey in Metal Roofing01:55 The Appeal of Metal Roofing05:06 Faith and Career: Micah's Personal Journey08:21 The Power of Gratitude and Positive Attitude09:46 Daily Routines and Mindset18:34 Challenges and Lessons Learned25:46 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing ThoughtsConnect with Micah OnlineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-boak-7b47a5337/Website: https://metallionindustries.comEmail: micah@metallionindustries.comPhone: (503) 630-7513For more Construction Disruption, listen on Apple Podcasts or YouTubeConnect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedInThis episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.Construction Disruption was recently featured in this 15 Best Podcasts for Contractors list!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci update their weekend of College Football describing their gameday experiences as Joe attended the Lehigh/Lafayette game and Tom saw Nebraska/Penn State. Back to baseball, Tom notes the moves by the Rockies by retaining Warren Schaeffer while hiring Paul DePodesta as the new President of Baseball Ops. We focus on the Mets trading Brandon Nimmo and Hal Steinbrenner saying it would be 'ideal' for the Yankees to lower their payroll. Baseball is about a year away from negotiating a new CBA, how will it affect the game? The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio. #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlike some other academic fields, the study of business has always had the challenging task of striking a balance between theory and practice. How can theoretical concepts aid business practitioners in real-world situations? And how can business academics expand their understanding of theory through that real-world application?  Jay Barney is a professor of strategic management at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business. His work, including numerous books, journal articles, and textbooks, has shaped the field of strategy and entrepreneurship for decades. His most recent book is The Secret of Culture Change: How to Build Authentic Stories That Transform Your Organization.Jay and Greg discuss the evolving role of academia in the business world, the historical and current perceptions of business education, and the various theories that underpin strategic management. Barney delves into resource-based theory, the importance of organizational culture, and the intersection of strategy and practical business applications. *unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:What really makes a strategy hard to imitate44:56: You're going to have a strategy that's likely to be a source of sustained advantage; you have to figure out how that leverages resources, or capabilities that are socially complex. Why? Because that's harder to imitate, stuff that's developed over long periods of time. That's path dependent. Why? Because that's hard to imitate, or stuff that's costly and ambiguous. Well, you don't know how to develop those capabilities because that makes it hard to imitate. And I can make some empirical predictions that socially complex resources and capabilities should last longer. As long as their value is retained, they should last longer than non–socially complex.Why entrepreneurship is so hard to theorize39:22: Entrepreneurship, one reason that it's under-theorized as a field is because the theory is really hard, because many of the assumptions and attributes that make it possible to theorize in non-entrepreneurial settings do not apply in entrepreneurial settings. And so then we're stuck with this Knightian uncertainty and difficulties associated with that.How strategy escapes the tautology problem46:25: I think that we can avoid the tautology problem by identifying the characteristics that resources and capabilities need to have in order to be sources of sustained advantage. And then, then empirical predictions come out of that. But they do not come out of the tautology, but by definition.Show Links:Recommended Resources:Jay Barney “The Lessons They Didn't Teach You in Business School” | unSILOed Modigliani-Miller TheoremHawthorne EffectNicholas BloomMichael PorterDavid TeeceWilliam H. MecklingMichael C. JensenJensen and Meckling article 76 JFEGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at University of UtahProfessional Profile on LinkedInWebsiteGuest Work:The Secret of Culture Change: How to Build Authentic Stories That Transform Your OrganizationWhat I Didn't Learn in Business School: How Strategy Works in the Real WorldOrganizational Economics: Toward a New Paradigm for Understanding and Studying OrganizationsGaining and Sustaining Competitive AdvantageStrategic Management and Competitive Advantage, Concepts: Concepts and CasesJay Barney | Google Scholar Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 378 revisits Dr. Shane Creado's science-driven advice on sleep, strategic napping, and why sleep is foundational for health, hormones, immunity, and performance. Learn practical nap protocols (10–20 minutes or 90-minute recovery naps), timing, environment tips, and how to protect your morning from cortisol-spiking habits like checking phones. The episode also shows how combining a short nap with the Silva Method — setting an intention and entering alpha — can boost creativity, insight, and problem-solving. It concludes with actionable routines to improve sleep consistency, support shift workers, and make sleep a strategy for better productivity and well-being. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren't taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I'm Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That's why I've made it my mission to bring you the world's top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We'll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. This week, in our review of EP 72 with Shane Creado, MD and his book Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes and will learn:  How strategic napping, morning brain habits, and even the Silva Method all work together to reset your brain, boost performance, and transform your health from the inside out. Clip 1: The Science of Strategic Napping In Clip 1, Dr. Shane Creado explains why every cell in the body follows its own circadian rhythm—and why humans were historically wired for polymodal sleep, with natural dips in alertness that make afternoon naps biologically appropriate. You'll learn: Why the “post-lunch crash” is actually a melatonin rise, not just fatigue Why old advice to “avoid naps” is outdated How short, intentional naps can boost alertness, learning, mood, and performance The simple rules behind strategic napping: length, timing, and environment This clip lays the groundwork for using naps as a tool—not a crutch—for better brain function. Clip 2: Your Morning Cortisol Curve & Hidden Sleep Dangers Clip 2 shifts the focus to the first moments of your day. Dr. Creado warns that checking your phone the moment you wake up spikes cortisol and sends your brain into danger mode, increasing anxiety and disrupting emotional regulation for the entire day. You'll also learn: Why shift work fragments DNA Why the WHO classifies shift work as a possible carcinogen How sleep protects your hormones, immune system, gut health, and long-term aging This clip reinforces that sleep is foundational biology, not optional or replaceable. How This All Connects to The Silva Method We close the episode by tying these insights back to our most-listened-to series—the Silva Method. Both Dr. Creado's strategies and Silva's techniques point to the same powerful truth: When we intentionally shift the brain into restorative states—through sleep, strategic napping, or Alpha/Theta training—we unlock higher performance, creativity, intuition, and emotional stability. You'll see how: Strategic naps naturally guide the brain into Alpha and Theta brainwave patterns Morning routines that protect your cortisol curve mimic Silva's “mental housecleaning” Sleep resets the brain in the same way Silva exercises reset focus, clarity, and intuition Both methods teach us to work with the brain, not against it Together, the science of sleep and the mental training of Silva give you a complete framework for building peak performance from the inside out. Episode 378: Featuring Dr. Shane Creado (Integrating the Silva Method[i] for Increased Creativity-Nap Integration) For today's Episode 378, we continue with our review of past episodes as we make connections to prior learning with whatever it is that we are currently working on this year. I'll create a roadmap at the end of this season so this pathway will make sense to us (I hope!) as we piece together important parts of our success puzzle and begin to bring them to life. As we review these episodes, you'll notice that around the time of the pandemic, around 2020, our interviews took a turn towards health and wellness, and to stay on track, I created a framework of our Top 5 Health Staples on Episode 87[ii], which eventually evolved into our Top 6 Health Staples when we added stress reduction to help us to boost our physical and mental health. This week, we're going back to one of my favorite interviews with the inspiring Dr. Shane Creado, who we first met on EP 72[iii] in July 2020 on the topic of “Sleep Strategies that Will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage.” Dr. Creado is a double board-certified sleep medicine doctor and psychiatrist who practices functional sleep medicine, integrative psychiatry, and sports psychiatry. He brings all of these specialties together to uncover the underlying factors that sabotage our sleep and then treats them comprehensively, helping people to achieve their health and performance goals with sleep at the forefront. To quickly review his background: Dr. Creado completed an undergraduate degree in physical therapy, went on to earn his MD, and then completed a fellowship in Sleep Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, recognizing the huge overlap between sleep and psychiatric issues. He believes in optimization, not normalization, and devotes his work to optimizing brain health in professional athletes, executives, and anyone interested in peak performance. We did a deep dive into his book Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes: The Cutting-Edge Sleep Science That Will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage on EP 71[iv] so that, when he came on EP 72, we could maximize our time together, by asking the most practical questions to help all of us move the needle with our sleep. How did I come across Dr. Creado? I first heard him on Dr. Daniel Amen's Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, since he worked closely with Dr. Amen at that time. At that point I was just beginning to learn how to track and improve my own sleep. This conversation with him actually happened about a year before our interview with Dr. Kristin Holmes,[v] VP of Performance Science at WHOOP, and before I began officially measuring my sleep data with a wearable device. A few months after this interview, Dr. Creado reviewed my brain scan results from Dr. Amen's Clinics and told me that my brain showed the same pattern as someone who was sleep deprived (which we shared on EP 84[vi]). That feedback sent me searching for what else I could do to improve this crucial health staple: sleep. This episode opened the door for me to meet many other leaders in health and wellness and ultimately led to our deep dive into the six health staples that are scientifically proven to improve our mental and physical well-being. This was all years before our popular series on The Silva Method[vii] (still our most-listened-to series on this podcast), where we covered how to improve our creativity and innovation with sleep, and also before our review of The Fisher Wallace Brain Stimulator[viii] that held the top spot for years (with the topic of improving sleep). But it all really began with conversations like this one—with Dr. Shane Creado—on achieving peak performance with our sleep. So let's go back to March 2020 and revisit what Dr. Creado had to say about sleep.   VIDEO 1 – Click Here to Watch Dr. Creado reminds us that every cell in our body has its own circadian rhythm. When we understand this, it becomes clear what we need to do to support healthy sleep. He explains that historically, human sleep has been polymodal—people would sleep a few hours early in the night, wake for a bit, then sleep again in the early morning, and often nap in the afternoon. This pattern lines up with how melatonin behaves in the body: it rises at night, dips, and then shows a slight rise again in the afternoon. So when you feel sleepy after lunch, it's not just the food—it's your melatonin rising and your brain asking for a recharge. Key Takeaways from Dr. Shane Creado Dr. Creado challenges older sleep-hygiene advice that says to avoid naps altogether. In his words, that's “pretty much wrong.” Naps can be incredibly helpful—as long as you're strategic about them: Know how long you're going to nap Be deliberate about when and where you do it These are the keys to strategic napping, which we'll explore more as we revisit this powerful conversation. But first, let's put strategic napping into action. Put These Tips into Action 1. Keep Your Nap Between 10–20 Minutes (Power Nap) Short naps prevent you from dropping into deep sleep. This helps you wake up refreshed—not groggy—and boosts alertness, memory, and mood. 2. Use the 90-Minute Cycle Only When Needed A full 90-minute nap allows you to complete an entire sleep cycle. Use this only if you're: recovering from sleep debt jet-lagged coming off a night of fragmented sleep Avoid these longer naps late in the day. 3. Nap Before 3:00 PM Align your nap with the natural melatonin rise that occurs in the early afternoon. This prevents nighttime sleep disruption and supports your circadian rhythm. 4. Create a Consistent Nap Environment Set up conditions that your brain recognizes as “rest time”: dark or dim lighting comfortable temperature (lower temperatures are recommended) quiet or white noise reclining or lying down if possible Consistency trains the brain to drop into restorative rest efficiently. 5. Use a Caffeine Nap (If It Works for You) Drink a small amount of caffeine (like green tea or half a cup of coffee) immediately before a 10–20 minute nap. The caffeine kicks in right as you wake, giving you a double boost. 6. Set an Alarm Helps you avoid drifting into deep sleep and waking up groggy. This trains your brain to trust short naps and prevents oversleeping. 7. Observe Your Afternoon Melatonin Dip If you feel naturally sleepy between 1:00–3:00 PM, this is your biological nap window. Don't fight it—leverage it (if you can). 8. Don't Nap to Escape Stress Use napping as a performance tool, not an emotional coping mechanism. If you're lying down to escape anxiety, use breathwork or a 5-minute mindfulness break instead. 9. Track Your Sleep Response Everyone's nap sensitivity is unique. Track how naps affect your: nighttime sleep alertness mood work performance training or athletic performance If you want to dive deep, measure it: WHOOP, Oura, or any wearable can help determine your best nap duration and timing. 10. Combine Naps With Movement A short walk before or after a nap enhances the circadian benefit and clears residual grogginess. PUTTING THESE TIPS INTO ACTION: By now, we've all heard that napping is not a sign of laziness—it's a strategic tool for combating the sleep epidemic we're facing. Sleep deprivation can impair the brain as much as being under the influence, which is why even short, well-timed naps can play a powerful role in restoring our cognitive performance, mood, and overall health. I had to look to see what Matthew Walker[ix] (also known as the Sleep Diplomat) had to say about napping, compared to Dr. Creado's view, since I was studying both at the same time. If you look at this chart I've added in the show notes, you can see that Dr. Creado's philosophy helps you to nap for performance; (which makes sense to me since Dr. Creado advises athletes) and Matthew Walker helps you to nap without harming your nighttime sleep. His advice also made sense to me as he advises the general population, and the statistics don't lie. Most of us are sleep deprived. Both sleep experts believe in the power of taking naps, and they both lean towards napping for less than 20 minutes for power napping that avoids grogginess. While not all work environments are built to support this research, that surrounds napping before 3pm, there are companies that are embracing this research, you can Nap on the Job at These 10 Companies[x] Google PricewaterhouseCoopers Ben & Jerry's Cisco Potato Zappos Nike Uber White & Case Thrive Global If you like this option, you're in good company. Many organizations are already embracing future-focused workspaces with this research in mind. Arianna Huffington, now the founder of Thrive Global, has been one of the loudest voices calling attention to the sleep-deprivation crisis. She wrote the best-selling book The Sleep Revolution[xi] to highlight the science behind sleep and why our culture must change. Huffington points to research showing that naps boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, increase learning capacity, improve memory, and enhance our ability to perform complex tasks (Yahoo Finance). Companies adopting nap rooms and rest pods aren't being trendy—they're aligning their workplaces with well-established neuroscience and physiology. And this brings us full circle, because Dr. Shane Creado was emphasizing these same science-backed principles long before workplace culture caught up, showing us exactly how sleep—and even strategic napping—can become a powerful tool for peak performance. And here's where today's episode takes a powerful turn. We are going back to our MOST downloaded Series, The Silva Method, to now implement this method into Dr. Creado's tip for napping, to increase our creativity, innovation and productivity. The Silva Method & The 20-Minute Nap Where Creativity, Insight & Neuroscience Meet** Now that we know what to do from Dr. Creado's research—use short, strategic naps to support performance—the next step is to take this deeper and connect it to the most transformative tool that we've covered in our 7 years of hosting this podcast: The Silva Method. This is where the magic happens, as theory meets practice. What José Silva taught decades ago about guiding the brain into the Alpha state (a mental state of calm wakefulness, that is distinct from the high-frequency beta waves of a busy, alert mind) aligns perfectly with what neuroscience shows happens in a 20-minute nap. And it also explains why so many innovators—Einstein, Edison, Dalí, Tesla, Da Vinci—used structured micro-naps or “drifting states” to solve complex problems. They weren't just resting. They were deliberately entering the insight zone. Edison used metal balls to wake himself the moment he crossed into Theta (the brain state of deep relaxation that's a gateway to creativity, inspiration and new ideas). Dalí held a key over a plate for the same purpose. Einstein was known for multiple micro-naps throughout the day. Da Vinci mapped polyphasic sleep schedules to stay in that creative borderland between wake and sleep. They had discovered what both neuroscience and the Silva Method confirm: The moments between wakefulness and sleep—Alpha and early Theta—are the brain's most fertile ground for new ideas. **If you have not yet listened to the 4 PART SERIES on The Silva Method[xii], I highly encourage it as we do go into detail on HOW to start this practice, and learn how to train your brain to accomplish outstanding results that truly will shock you. How This Works? The Silva Method adds conscious intention. Before entering the Alpha, State you plant a question, problem, or intention—something that you want to solve, or learn more about. Then during the nap-like drift, the brain naturally reorganizes information, makes connections, and surfaces insights. When you return to Beta (full wakefulness), those insights often rise effortlessly. I've been doing this practice for 26+ years now, and I can tell you that it takes practice. In the beginning, I didn't have control of what was showing up on the screen of my mind during these short naps, and I had a difficult time understanding what certain things (or insight that were flashing on the screen of my mind) really meant. This will take practice, but it's well worth the time spent. A 20-minute nap and The Silva Method are using the same brain states—one intentionally, one biologically. Combined, they become a powerful creativity tool. Why This Works (Neuroscience + Silva) ✔ The brain enters Alpha/Theta — insight frequencies ✔ Cortisol drops — freeing cognitive resources ✔ The Default Mode Network activates — your “creative network” ✔ The nap resets your mental clarity ✔ The Silva Method gives the mind a specific task (whatever it is you are looking to solve). Together, they create a simple, natural protocol for breakthrough thinking. How To Use The Silva Method with a 20-Minute Nap to Improve Creativity? Here's a simple protocol that we can all use: Set an intention “Show me a solution for ___.” “Give me a creative idea for ___.” Enter Alpha (Silva Method) Use the 3–2–1 countdown or your preferred Silva relaxation method. Drift for 15–20 minutes You don't need full sleep—just hover between wake and sleep. Wake & Write Capture any images, ideas, feelings, or impressions immediately. This is truly one of the fastest ways to reset the brain, boost creativity, and spark intuition—because it aligns neuroscience with intention. The insights that you discover here are life-changing. Start writing down the ideas you “see” and “feel” and you will begin to find solutions to problems or ways forward in your daily life. VIDEO 2 Click Here to Watch Which brings us to our 2nd clip from Dr. Creado who reminds us about an important habit (that I have yet to master). Dr. Creado explains the deeper biological consequences of poor sleep with a powerful reminder: “If you immediately go to social media or your work emails as soon as you wake up, your cortisol levels are boosted even more. You go straight into danger mode and anxiety mode, and that's how you start your day.” He goes on to give an example many people don't realize the seriousness of: “Shift work actually causes fragmentation and breaks in your DNA. It sets people up for an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The World Health Organization has even designated shift work as a possible carcinogen—a cancer-causing behavior.” Most people think a few hours of lost sleep just makes them groggy or irritable, but as Dr. Creado explains, the consequences go much deeper: “This goes down to your very DNA. Sleep is your anchor. It can stave off aging. It can prevent obesity and inflammation. It can boost your immune system. It can delay menopause. It can upregulate testosterone and growth hormone levels, suppress stress hormones, and even regulate your gut flora.” This section reinforces the core theme of your episode: sleep is foundational biology—not a luxury—and optimizing it has ripple effects across every major system of the body. Key Takeaways from Dr. Shane Creado's 2nd Clip Avoid social media and emails immediately upon waking. They spike cortisol and activate “danger mode,” increasing anxiety from the moment your day begins. Shift work is biologically damaging. It fragments DNA, increases risk of heart attacks and strokes, and is recognized by the WHO as a possible carcinogen. Sleep is not optional—it's your biological anchor. It stabilizes your entire internal system, including mood, hormones, metabolism, and immunity. Poor sleep accelerates aging. Adequate sleep can slow (and even reverse) biological wear, protecting long-term health. Sleep regulates critical hormones. It boosts testosterone and growth hormone while reducing stress hormones like cortisol. Your gut depends on your sleep. Quality sleep helps maintain healthy gut flora, which influences everything from mood to inflammation to immunity. Put These Tips Into Action Here are simple, science-backed steps you can start today to optimize your sleep: 1. Protect the First 30 Minutes of Your Morning No social media No emails No news Use this time for grounding: hydration, sunlight, breathwork, or light movement. Dr. Creado is far from the only expert emphasizing this point—best-selling author Brendon Burchard includes it as one of his core High Performance Habits, reminding us that how we start our morning sets the tone for our entire day. 2. If You're a Shift Worker, Control What You Can Keep a consistent sleep–wake schedule when possible Use blackout curtains and cool temperatures Nap strategically to offset circadian disruption Prioritize sleep hygiene even more than daytime workers (This population is often overlooked. It came up with Dr. Creado, as well as with our interview with Kelly Roman how many people with shift work should be given extra support). 3. Build a Nighttime Routine That Signals “Safety” to the Brain Dim lights 60–90 minutes before bed Reduce screens Use calming cues: stretching, reading, warm shower, or meditation Keep a consistent bedtime 4. Use Strategic Napping to Lower Stress Hormones 10–20 minutes in the early afternoon Set an alarm to avoid deep-sleep grogginess A “caffeine nap” can boost alertness if well-tolerated 5. Strengthen Your Hormone Health Through Sleep Consistency Aim for 5–8.5 hours per night Regular sleep schedules support testosterone, growth hormone, and metabolic stability 6. Support Your Gut Through Rest Quality sleep = more balanced gut flora Try to eat your final meal 2–3 hours before bed Avoid heavy meals late at night 7. View Sleep as the Foundation for Everything Else Instead of seeing sleep as something to “fit in,” shift your mindset: Sleep is the strategy that makes all your other strategies work better. REVIEW AND CONCLUSION — Episode 378 PART 1 of our REVIEW with Dr. Shane Creado Key Insights From Video 1: Your Biology Wants You to Nap Dr. Creado reminded us that every cell in the body runs on its own circadian rhythm, and historically, humans slept in multiple phases—including early afternoon naps aligned with our melatonin's natural rise. He challenged outdated sleep-hygiene rules that discouraged napping and instead showed us how strategic naps—short, intentional, and well-timed—can restore energy and boost performance. We covered practical strategies for making napping work in real life, from 10–20 minute power naps to full 90-minute cycles when recovery is needed, emphasizing timing, environment, and consistency. Napping for Performance vs. Protecting Nighttime Sleep To deepen this topic, we compared Dr. Creado's approach with Matthew Walker's. Both agree that short naps (under 20 minutes) offer the best everyday benefits, though their philosophies differ: Creado teaches you to nap for performance, especially for athletes and high performers. Matthew Walker teaches you to nap without disrupting nighttime sleep, focusing on the general population. And while not all workplaces support napping, many leading companies now do—Google, Cisco, Zappos, Nike, Uber, PwC, and more—reflecting research championed by leaders like Arianna Huffington, who has long warned that sleep deprivation is a cultural crisis. Naps, she notes, improve immunity, blood pressure, learning, memory, and performance. Organizations adopting nap rooms aren't following a trend—they're following neuroscience. Key Insights From Video 2: Protect Your Morning Brain In our second clip, Dr. Creado warns about a habit many of us (including myself) struggle with: checking the phone immediately upon waking. This single behavior spikes cortisol and sends the brain into “danger mode,” setting the tone for an anxious, reactive day. He also described the biological risks of shift work—including DNA fragmentation and increased risk of heart attack and stroke—conditions serious enough that the WHO classifies shift work as a possible carcinogen. His message was clear: Sleep is your anchor. It affects aging, inflammation, immunity, hormone balance, and even gut health. Dr. Creado reminded us that sleep isn't a luxury—it's foundational biology. When we optimize sleep, we improve every system in the body: our hormones, immunity, focus, mood, and even our longevity. And when we take what he taught and combine it with the intentional practice of The Silva Method, we unlock something even more powerful. A simple 20-minute nap becomes more than rest—it becomes a doorway into the Alpha state where creativity, insight, and intuition live. This is why so many innovators throughout history used micro-naps to solve problems. The Silva Method simply adds conscious intention. And when we pair intention with the brain's natural rhythms, we create one of the most reliable pathways for breakthroughs. And watch how your best most innovative and creative ideas begin to rise to the surface.   With that thought, we will close out this episode, and we will see you next week, with PART 2 of our interview review with Dr. Creado. We have only scratched the surface of our review of this important health staple of sleep. See you next week.   REFERENCES: [i] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #261 PART 1 of Apply the Silva Method for Improved Intuition, Creativity and Focus. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/a-deep-dive-with-andrea-samadi-into-applying-the-silva-method-for-improved-intuition-creativity-and-focus-part-1/   [ii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #87 with Andrea Samadi on “The Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Strategies” https://www.achieveit360.com/the-top-5-brain-health-and-alzheimers-prevention-strategies-with-andrea-samadi/   [iii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #72 with Dr. Shane Creado on “Sleep Strategies that will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage.”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/dr-shane-creado-on-sleep-strategies-that-will-guarantee-a-competitive-advantage/   [iv] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #71 with Dr. Shane Creado on “A Deep Dive into Dr. Creado's Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/self-regulation-and-sleep-with-a-deep-dive-into-dr-shane-creados-peak-sleep-performance-for-athletes/   [v] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 134 with Dr. Kristin Holmes, VP of Performance Science from Whoop.com https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/   [vi] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 84 “Andrea's SPECT Image Brain Scan Results”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/how-a-spect-scan-can-change-your-life-part-3-with-andrea-samadi/   [vii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #261 PART 1 of Apply the Silva Method for Improved Intuition, Creativity and Focus. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/a-deep-dive-with-andrea-samadi-into-applying-the-silva-method-for-improved-intuition-creativity-and-focus-part-1/   [viii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 120 “Andrea's Personal Review of The Fisher Wallace Wearable Medical Device for Anxiety, Depression and Sleep/Stress Management” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/personal-review-of-the-fisher-wallace-wearable-medical-device-for-anxiety-depression-and-sleepstress-management/   [ix] https://www.sleepdiplomat.com/   [x] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nap-job-10-companies-100300632.html   [xi] https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Revolution-Transforming-Your-Night/dp/110190402X The Sleep Revolution, Published by Arianna Huffington April 4, 2017 [xii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #261 PART 1 of Apply the Silva Method for Improved Intuition, Creativity and Focus. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/a-deep-dive-with-andrea-samadi-into-applying-the-silva-method-for-improved-intuition-creativity-and-focus-part-1/  

Michelle sits down with fine art photographer, former symphony musician, and lifelong creative Lawrence D'Attilio! He reinvented himself as a visual artist whose abstract work blends photography, deconstruction, and emotion. His one-of-a-kind art is available for purchase (link below!)Larry and Michelle dive into the nature of creativity: where it comes from, how curiosity keeps the brain alive, and why artistic thinking gives entrepreneurs a competitive edge. They discuss the discomfort and magic of abstraction, the importance of self-awareness, and how curiosity can shape an entire life path. Love Social Soup? Share and subscribe! Check out Lawrence D'Attilio's fine art photography: lawrencedattilio.com Contact Lawrence's representative Bill Nerenberg to learn more about Lawrence's art and make inquiries: nerenbergbill@gmail.com Connect with Lawrence on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lawrencedattilioConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/michelledattilio⁠  Learn more about sōsh! Visit our website and reach out at: ⁠getsosh.com  ⁠  

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    I'm excited to welcome Richard Fain to the show this week. He served as Royal Caribbean Group CEO for over three decades, leading its transformation from a small Norwegian company with three ships that held just over 700 passengers each into one of the world's largest and most profitable cruise lines with over 60 ships, including Icon of the Seas, the world's largest that carries 7,600 passengers and costs $2 billion to build. He is here to talk about his amazing book, Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone leading teams or organizations who wants to understand how culture drives lasting success.    TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…culture isn't about slogans on the wall, it's about the daily choices that shape how people feel about their work. In this episode, Richard Fain shares how he built a company culture that transformed cruising into an unforgettable experience for both guests and employees. From connecting employee bonuses to engagement metrics to turning feedback into a continuous improvement engine, Richard's insights show how culture can truly become your greatest competitive advantage.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: You don't inherit a great culture; you create it by reinforcing the right behaviors every day. When people care about their work, they perform better—and that passion becomes contagious. Real-time insights from customers and employees turn good companies into great ones.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Richard's reminder that culture is self-sustaining when people genuinely care. You can't mandate engagement. It grows naturally when individuals see their impact, feel heard, and take pride in creating "wow" moments for others.   Running Time: 31:30   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Richard Online: LinkedIn   Richard's Book: Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success

Workslop exposes the dark side of rushed AI adoption—polished but empty output that drains productivity and trust. The cure isn't better tech, but empowering people to co-create AI tools with purpose, ownership, and real-world impact. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which talks about how “AI workslop” is draining modern enterprises.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/how-ai-workslop-is-draining-modern-enterprises/

Amy Waninger is the Founder & CEO of Lead at Any Level, where she helps organizations transform their STEM professionals from reclusive nerds into inclusive leaders. Amy offers assessments, advisory services, and training on essential skills for inclusive leaders. She is the author of eight books, including Network Beyond Bias: Making Diversity a Competitive Advantage for Your Career. Amy spent twelve years working in the insurance industry, where she achieved the CPCU designation in 2016 and the Certified Insurance Data Manager (CIDM) designation in 2018. She also holds associate designations in Management, Claims, Insurance Data Analytics, Information Technology, and General Insurance. On this episode of In The Know, Chris Hampshire and Amy discuss building a business, learning how to sell yourself, and strategies that can help anyone overcome external and internal barriers.   Key Takeaways Amy's journey from small-town Indiana to CEO. Getting to the jumping point and then making the jump. Amy's decision to leave her job and build a business. Learning how to sell yourself is a continual process. How to get started on the process of writing a book. Panic can be reframed as fuel. Strategies for facing internal and external barriers. Amy's far-reaching advice to her early career self.   In the Know podcast theme music written and performed by James Jones, CPCU, and Kole Shuda of the band If-Then.   To learn more about the CPCU Society, its membership, and educational offerings, tools, and programs, please visit CPCUSociety.org.   Follow the CPCU Society on social media: X (Twitter): @CPCUSociety Facebook: @CPCUSociety LinkedIn: @The Institutes CPCU Society Instagram: @the_cpcu_society   Quotes "We spend a lot of time in the industry talking about barriers to inclusion. What if we spend some time talking about solutions?" "Enjoying the process, in addition to the results, is key." "If you want to do something so badly that you are willing to be bad at it, and get better, then you know you're doing the right thing." "I am still surprised by the depth and breadth of the impact that I've had. I had no idea global impact was even possible."  

If your daughter dreams of playing in college but you're overwhelmed by where to start, this episode breaks the process down into something clear and doable. Coach Bre talks with David Hitz, COO of Athlete Narrative, about what recruiting really looks like today and how your athlete can get noticed without expensive platforms or endless research.

In this engaging episode of MSP Business School, host Brian Doyle welcomes Beau Butaud from Render Compliance. Beau shares his insights on navigating the complex world of SOC 2 compliance, emphasizing the importance of aligning SOC 2 audits with customer requirements and industry standards. With the rising demand for security and compliance in the MSP community, this episode is a deep dive into the nuances of governance, risk, and compliance that are critical for businesses handling sensitive data. The conversation begins with Beau's professional journey, highlighting his decision to establish Render Compliance to improve audit processes. The discussion transitions into practical insights on preparing for SOC 2 audits, where Beau advises on the significance of understanding scoping requirements and differentiating between Type 1 and Type 2 examinations. The episode further explores the pivotal role of policies and the evolving tech landscape's impact on data governance, offering listeners valuable perspectives on building effective controls and managing compliance challenges. Brian and Beau's dialogue underscores the strategic importance of SOC 2 readiness and operational excellence in safeguarding client data and reinforcing trust. Key Takeaways: Understanding SOC 2 Importance: Businesses should pursue SOC 2 compliance to meet client demands and protect sensitive data, with a clear understanding of the requirements and benefits. Audit Scoping: Defining a precise scope is crucial to ensure an effective SOC 2 audit process, and may involve a mix of system scopes and control definitions tailored to business operations. Policy Evolution: Regular policy reviews are essential to align with technological changes and ensure that data management practices remain relevant and effective. Collaborative Auditing: A good auditor provides guidance on expectations and gaps, enabling businesses to implement necessary changes and achieve compliance. Boutique Audit Advantages: Working with smaller firms like Render Compliance offers personalized service focused on quality and efficiency, helping first-time SOC 2 participants navigate the process smoothly. Guest Name: Beau Butaud LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaubutaud/ Company: Render Compliance Website: https://rendercompliance.com/ Show Website: https://mspbusinessschool.com/ Host Brian Doyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandoylevciotoolbox/ Sponsor vCIOToolbox: https://vciotoolbox.com

View This Week's Show NotesStart Your 7-Day Trial to Mobility CoachJoin Our Free Weekly Newsletter: The AmbushBehind every great movement is a trained visual system. Your eyes aren't just for seeing — they're tools for balance, reaction, and control. When they're not working in sync with your brain and body, everything from focus to performance suffers.In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Dr. Bryce Appelbaum — a neuro-optometrist specializing in functional vision — joins Juliet and Kelly Starrett to break down how your visual system drives everything from reaction time to recovery. He explains how training the eyes and brain together can improve coordination, balance, and focus under pressure. Whether you're coming back from a concussion or looking to level up your athletic edge, this episode will open your eyes to the hidden system behind performance.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhat functional vision training is (and how it differs from standard eye exams)Why vision is a skill — not just a senseHow concussions and screen time can disrupt your visual systemThe surprising ways vision affects posture, balance, and coordinationPractical tools to improve visual endurance and reaction timeHow athletes can train their eyes like any other muscleWhy vision issues are often misdiagnosed as ADHDKey Highlights: (00:00) - Intro(01:48) - Vision Misunderstandings(05:14) - Training Eyesight Without Glasses(10:27) - Identifying Children's Vision Problems(15:44) - Causes of Reading Fatigue(18:54) - Increasing Vision Changes Trends(23:33) - Healthy Vision Training Routine(27:35) - Sponsor: Momentous(30:29) - Sponsor: LMNT(32:45) - Duration for Effective Vision Training(38:02) - Secrets to Regular Bowel Movements(44:06) - Understanding Concussions(50:30) - Getting Help for Concussions(53:20) - Functional Vision as a Competitive Advantage(56:20) - Finding Dr. BryceSponsorsThis episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT and Momentous.

True success in Gen AI initiatives comes not from competition but from collaboration: breaking down silos, sharing insights, and working together to unlock innovation, agility, and lasting organizational value. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which talks about why collaboration beats competition in Gen AI initiatives.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/why-collaboration-beats-competition-in-gen-ai-initiatives/

In this episode of The Executive Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Tim Elmore, founder and CEO of Growing Leaders and author of The Future Begins with Z, to explore one of the most pressing challenges — and greatest opportunities — facing today's executives: leading Generation Z.As the age of authority declines and the age of maturity rises, leaders are navigating a new reality. Gen Z employees bring intuition, innovation, and digital fluency — yet often enter the workforce still developing key soft skills and emotional intelligence. With millions of seasoned workers retiring and a smaller generation stepping in to fill the gap, getting this right isn't optional — it's essential.Dr. Elmore shares nine practical strategies for engaging, developing, and retaining Gen Z talent, including how to:Interview and onboard younger employees for long-term successDeliver firm feedback while protecting fragile confidenceMotivate, mentor, and manage across generationsEquip emerging leaders whose EQ matches their IQIf you're ready to move from frustration to fascination — and turn generational differences into a competitive advantage — this conversation is for you.The future of leadership begins now… and it begins with Z.About Tim ElmoreDr. Tim Elmore is founder of Growing Leaders (GrowingLeaders.com), an Atlanta‐based non‐profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell. Elmore has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, USA Today, Psychology Today, and he's been featured on CNN's Headline News, Fox Business, Newsmax TV and Fox and Friends to talk about leading multiple generations in the marketplace. He has written over 35 books, including Habitudes: Images That Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, and A New Kind of Diversity: Making the Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage. His latest book, The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z As They Upset the Workplace, is out now. You can find his work at: TimElmore.com.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by Participate Learning.The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.Research shows that 65% of children entering elementary school today will work in jobs that don't yet exist. Schools are responding by rethinking how they prepare students for success after graduation. Some are creating bilingual learning pathways, while others are embedding career-focused experiences into everyday instruction to help students develop the real-world skills they'll need to thrive, whether they stay in their local communities or pursue opportunities beyond them.In this edWeb podcast, district and school leaders share their strategies for giving students a competitive advantage through innovative program design. The panelists discuss different approaches to fostering bilingualism and building career readiness while strengthening student outcomes.This edWeb podcast is of interest to PreK-12 school and district leaders.Participate LearningWe help students build bilingual fluency, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

David Lapin is a C-Suite Advisor, Executive Coach and Founder of Lapin International. David helps leaders align who they are with how they lead. Along the way we discuss – A Family of Rabbis (1:00), Leonard Bernstein's Eyebrows (4:00), Value Drivers (7:45), Deterministic vs. Humanist (11:15), Ethical Governance, South Africa (13:30), Character as a Competitive Advantage (19:30), Trust as a Strategic Lever (22:30), Humility (25:30), Managing out of Fear (29:30), and Reflection on Small Quantities of Profound Content (33:35).   Strengthen your business from within @ Lapin International. Order a copy of David's book @ Lead by Greatness: How Character Can Power Your Success. This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

My guest this week is Steve Phillips, CEO of Zappi and chair of the Mayor's Sustainability Council.He has been at the forefront of transforming the insights industry. Under his leadership, Zappi has pioneered AI-driven tools that help creators worldwide test, validate, and scale ideas—long before AI became mainstream. That doesn't mean he's old, by the way. Today, he's doubling down on new models that unlock deeper value from research data.He's also the coauthor of The Consumer Insights Revolution: Transforming Market Research for Competitive Advantage, written with Ryan Barry, former president of Zappi, and PepsiCo leaders Stefan Gans and Kate Sharp. The book provides organizations with a blueprint for becoming truly customer-centric by anticipating shifts in behavior before they happen.Beyond innovation, Steve is passionate about building a sustainable future for the insights industry—ensuring it grows in ways that serve both businesses and the planet. What a novel idea.His global perspective, shaped by working across four continents, combined with his award-winning work in behavioral economics, has earned him recognition from the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research, the Market Research Society, the Advertising Research Foundation, and many more.Simply put, Steve is an innovator, author, and sustainability champion who is redefining what insights can—and should—be.

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 413 TITLE: Is SEO over? SEO vs GEO (age of AI) HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this conversation, Peter Boulden and Craig discuss the rapid evolution of technology, particularly AI, and its implications for the dental industry. They explore the transition from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), emphasizing the importance of adapting to new digital marketing strategies. The discussion highlights the significance of Google My Business, patient reviews, and the role of AI in enhancing business operations. They also touch on the challenges of consolidation in the dental field and the necessity for practitioners to embrace change to thrive in a competitive landscape. TAKEAWAYS AI is transforming how businesses operate and market themselves. The shift from SEO to GEO is crucial for future success. Maximizing your Google My Business profile is essential. Patient reviews significantly impact online visibility and reputation. AI can assist in creating tailored marketing strategies. FAQs on websites can enhance user experience and SEO. Understanding the digital footprint is vital for businesses. Consolidation in the dental industry is a growing trend. Adapting to technological changes is necessary for survival. Happiness and fulfillment in business are paramount. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to AI and Its Impact 03:12 The Shift from SEO to GEO 06:03 Understanding Generative Engine Optimization 09:12 Maximizing Google My Business for Success 12:13 The Importance of Reviews and Reputation 14:59 Leveraging AI for Business Growth 17:53 The Future of Marketing in a Meritocracy 20:55 Navigating the Changing Landscape of SEO 24:13 Conclusion and Future Outlook 35:46 The Evolution of AI in Customer Interaction 39:45 The Paradox of Choice in Consumer Behavior 43:24 The Future of AI and Business Integration 51:11 Consolidation and Competitive Advantage in Dentistry 55:05 Finding Options and Happiness in Dentistry REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind  

Embracing failure is essential to a successful AI strategy. It's not a setback but a catalyst for learning, innovation, and resilience that drives continuous improvement and real business impact in the evolving world of generative AI. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which talks about why failure is the secret sauce in Gen AI strategy.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/failure-the-secret-sauce-in-gen-ai-strategy/

Ben Kanner, co-founder and COO of 3V Infrastructure, a capital provider that collaborates with apartment operators to own and operate Level 2 EV chargers, discusses the amenity in terms of establishing a competitive advantage over rival properties. (11/2025)

Ben Kanner, co-founder and COO of 3V Infrastructure, a capital provider that collaborates with apartment operators to own and operate Level 2 EV chargers, discusses the amenity in terms of establishing a competitive advantage over rival properties. (11/2025)

Ben Kanner, co-founder and COO of 3V Infrastructure, a capital provider that collaborates with apartment operators to own and operate Level 2 EV chargers, discusses the amenity in terms of establishing a competitive advantage over rival properties. (11/2025)

We've got a serious problem...The "higher" you climb on the career ladder, the further removed you get from the actual discipline of design.Unfortunately, it's a story I hear surprisingly often. A design professionals finally gets that hard-earned seat at the table, and almost immediately, the pressure to conform kicks in.They start to feel like they have to trade their unique perspective for a corporate persona, leaving their design identity, the very thing that got them there in the first place, at the door.Our guest this week, Jose Coronado, shares a personal story that actually goes right to the heart of this issue.When he first moved to the U.S. he consciously separated his professional life from his Hispanic background in an effort to belong and be seen.The shift only came years later, after he organized a panel for Hispanic Heritage Month. The feedback he received hit him hard. People told him, "Jose, thank you for doing this. I have never seen myself reflected in my future as a potential leader in the design field". That experience was the moment he realized the power of bringing our "whole self" to work, and the danger of hiding parts of our identity.So in this episode, we explore this identity crisis. How do you evolve into a business leader without abandoning your design soul? And I can already share that it's not about renouncing your craft, but rather enriching it with new layers.It's about learning to navigate the politics and negotiations of an organization while still proudly carrying the flag for design.If you feel trapped between the design professional you are and the leader you're expected to be, this one will surely resonate.What I loved about this conversation is the nuance it brings. I'm sure you've heard that "designers need to speak business" but what's often missing is the crucial second half of that advice, we must do it with our design expertise, identity, and skills. Business speak should enrich design, not replace it.Enjoy the conversation and keep making a positive impact!~ Marc--- [ 1. GUIDE ] --- 00:00 Welcome to Episode 24004:00 The great shift06:00 The catalyst08:00 Design Leadership and Why We Have to Talk About It09:30 Design's Growing Pains12:00 3 Levels of Leadership 13:00 Craftsmanship, Stagemanship, and Statesmanship16:00 Mastering Stagemanship: 17:45 What we're doing wrong20:00 Developing Business Fluency22:00 Understanding the context26:30 Low-Effort Ways to Gain Business Knowledge33:00 The Challenge of Invisibility35:00 Patience vs. Incompetence37:45 Building Trust39:00 The Design Measurement Problem41:00 Tangibility of Impact44:00 Navigating conversations like that46:45 Finance Conversations48:00 Connecting Process, Service Improvement, and Design51:45 Internal Struggle and Mindset Evolution55:00 Embracing out identity57:30 Maintaining Connection to the Craft59:00 Deliver in commitment1:01:00 Question to ponder --- [ 2. LINKS ] --- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josecoronado/ --- [ 3. CIRCLE ] --- Join our private community for in-house service design professionals. ⁠https://servicedesignshow.com/circle[4. FIND THE SHOW ON]Youtube ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-youtubeSpotify ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-spotifyApple ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-appleSnipd ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-snipd

In a time when leaders everywhere are navigating uncertainty, Christopher Williams reminds us that courage isn't about fearlessness — it's about choosing action despite fear. Christopher has spent his career leading transformation at some of the world's most iconic brands — Nike, adidas, Gap, VF Corp — and now helps boards and executive teams at high-growth companies drive sustainable impact through his firm, Custament Partners. In our conversation, we explored: What courageous leadership really looks like in turbulent times How to balance commercial success with meaningful impact The “7 Choices” from his upcoming book Courage: Living a Life Without Regret Proving yourself to yourself  Playing The Sport of Leadership with the mindset of a Leadership Athlete And so much more!  My favorite takeaway? “Meaningful transformation happens at the intersection of curiosity, strategic thinking, human connection, and courage.”

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we uncover why speed beats everything—talent, money, and even experience. Paul shares how urgency—not funding or credentials—helped him transition from law enforcement to entrepreneurship. While others planned for months, he took messy action and learned by doing. Because in business, hesitation is expensive—and done will always beat perfect.

This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down Robinhood. My guest is Arthur Olson, founding partner at Ravenswood Partners. We get into how Robinhood grew from a mobile-native brokerage idea that faced many challenges along the way into the third-largest broker in the USA.  Arthur educates on how the business model has evolved and diversified away from a pure pay-for-order market. We discuss how product velocity is the foundation behind everything in Robinhood's continued penetration and how new talent has made a material difference. Please enjoy this Breakdown of Robinhood For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ —- This episode is brought to you by⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at⁠ ⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠ — Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:01:51) Founding Story of Robinhood (00:04:29) The Rise of Mobile Trading (00:11:37) Payment for Order Flow Explained (00:15:39) Robinhood's Competitive Edge (00:22:28) Adapting to Market Changes (00:24:52) Product Evolution and Customer Retention (00:29:32) Analyzing Robinhood's Growth and Investor Behavior (00:30:16) Historical Parallels: Robinhood vs. Charles Schwab (00:31:19) Crypto and Regulatory Challenges (00:32:41) The Role of Prediction Markets and Sports Betting (00:34:41) Revenue Streams and Future Prospects (00:36:54) Banking and Financial Services Expansion (00:41:32) Cost Structure and Competitive Advantages (00:44:30) Account Growth and International Opportunities (00:50:10) Regulatory Relationships and Risks (00:55:15) Lessons from Robinhood

As many as 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent, with brains that process information, communicate, and work differently. Many have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other conditions they've hidden throughout their careers, masking to fit workplace norms. But creating environments where these individuals thrive isn't about expensive accommodations or special treatment. Instead, it's about designing work that helps everyone perform better. So how do you move beyond awareness training to actually embedding inclusion in daily operations, and how can this benefit everyone in the workforce? My guest this week is Pamela Kavanagh, Chief People Officer at Exogen. In our conversation, she shares practical strategies for creating workplaces where everyone can do their best work. In the interview, we discuss: What neurodivergence actually means at work Performance enhancers instead of reasonable accommodations Creating psychological safety for disclosure Small things that make big differences and help everyone. Embedding inclusion in everyday operations Making recruiting better for everyone  Why eye contact shouldn't determine capability Making the business case to leaders AI and the future Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

Sustained AI innovation thrives when businesses invest time, tools, and support to empower experimentation—transforming curiosity into scalable impact and positioning organizations to lead in an evolving, Gen AI–driven future. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which describes how resources ignite Gen AI innovation.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/resources-ignite-gen-ai-innovation/

Lindsay Maurer is Pricing Intervention Manager at BP. With 14 years of experience in product management and pricing, she reveals how she achieved a 13% profit gain despite a 16% revenue drop, and why she believes “the dumbest guy in the market sets the price.” In this episode, Lindsay and Mark Stiving discuss regional pricing strategies, ethical competitive intelligence, and the power of price signals in the market. They explore what defines a pricing leader versus a follower, why clean data matters more than fancy tools, and why AI can't fix bad pricing fundamentals. Whether you work in pricing, lead a team, or simply want to understand how pricing shapes business strategy, this episode offers practical, real-world insights you can use right away.   Why You Have to Check Out Today's Podcast: Learn how to build regional pricing strategies that adapt to local competition and customer behavior. Discover smart, ethical ways to track competitors using tools like Circana data and web scraping. Understand why clean data and efficient processes matter more than any pricing technology.   "It doesn't matter how much technology you throw at bad data — it's not going to fix your pricing strategy." – Lindsay Maurer   Topics Covered: 02:50 - Getting into Pricing: How Lindsay's career began and what got her hooked on pricing strategy. 06:10 - Inside the Role: What a Pricing Intervention Manager does - from fixing revenue leaks to supporting teams across the Americas. 12:15 - Market Dynamics: Why “the dumbest guy in the market sets the price” and how smart companies protect their margins. 15:08 - Retail Pricing: How retailers test price floors and ceilings, monitor competitors, and manage customer perceptions. 17:31 - Price Leadership: What makes a company a price leader versus a follower, and how market factors like tariffs shape decisions. 20:17 - Competitor Insights: How often to track prices in different industries and how to ethically gather market data. 25:01 - Strengthening Pricing Teams: Why efficient tools, clean data, and solid processes matter more than fancy systems. 28:25 - AI in Pricing: Where AI fits today, what it can and can't do, and how to use it for smarter market insights. 29:57 - Pricing Community: Lindsay's call for collaboration - connecting with other pricing professionals and sharing tools.   Key Takeaways: "The dumbest guy in the market sets the price. If you have someone that has products that they can go and sell for half the price of yours, well, you're also taking out half the price of everyone's margin, but also your own." - Lindsay Maurer "Make sure you've got great information coming in. Make sure that you're doing anything you can do with it as efficiently as possible so that when you do get those quotes and you do get those quick turnaround requests for sales that you can price quickly and you don't lose business due to inefficiency." - Lindsay Maurer   People / Resources Mentioned: Al Beck: Al Beck: Pricing Director at Standard Motor Products https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderkbeck/  Circana (formerly NPD): https://www.circana.com Ficstar: https://www.ficstar.com/  Import.io: https://www.import.io/  SVP Recruiting: Organizer of Pricing Week conference https://svpricing.com/pricing-week    Connect with Lindsay Maurer: Website: https://www.bp.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaymaurer/    Connect with Mark Stiving: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/ Email: mark@impactpricing.com  

Are you ready for the AI disruption that's changing not just how you market—but how you show up as a leader? AI disruption isn't just shaking up industries—it's redefining how executives connect with customers, present themselves, and make smarter business decisions. In this episode, you'll learn how embracing AI-driven innovation can help you stand out, streamline your work, and future-proof your brand in a rapidly evolving digital world. You'll discover: How to turn your company's unique data into a lasting competitive edge in the era of AI disruption. The power of blending personal style with technology to project confidence and save time. Real-world examples of how AI is transforming marketing, customer feedback, and even product design. Tune in now to hear how forward-thinking CEOs are navigating AI disruption with confidence—and how you can use these insights to stay sharp, efficient, and ahead of the curve. Check out: [08:15] — The Real Source of Competitive Advantage in the AI Era Anya breaks down why unique data—not algorithms—is what gives companies an edge in the age of AI disruption. She shares examples from industries like dentistry and fashion to show how data becomes the real differentiator. [24:40] — Reinventing the Clothing Industry Through Circular, AI-Driven Design The discussion shifts to how Taelor's rental model leverages AI and feedback loops to reduce waste, personalize experiences, and help brands rethink "ownership." It's a great example of circular economy principles meeting digital innovation. [45:10] — How to Win at AI Search and Content Strategy Anya reveals how her team beat GQ and other big names to the top of AI search rankings by combining human creativity with AI-generated content—a must-listen for marketers navigating the changing landscape of SEO and ChatGPT-driven discovery. About Anya Cheng Anya Cheng is the Founder and CEO of Taelor, a leading men's clothing subscription service that provides personal styling and curated rentals, powered by expert stylists and AI. A Girls in Tech 40 Under 40 honoree, she previously led eCommerce and digital innovation teams at Meta, eBay, Target, and McDonald's.

Not sure what your numbers are telling you? Get a free review: coltivar.com/financial-review Every business has a strategy, even if it's not written down.The real question is whether yours is working. In this episode, Steve explains what strategy actually is, why every company needs one, and how to identify the strategic problem that's holding your business back. He shares a simple framework for making better decisions, keeping your customer at the center, and connecting strategy to financial results so your growth actually pays off. If you've ever wondered whether you need a strategy, this episode will give you the answer._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Flexible work will thrive through empowerment, not office layouts. DIY AI—where employees build their own tools—turns flexibility into performance, boosting productivity, balance, and innovation across distributed teams. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which talks about how DIY AI unlocks productivity and flexibility.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/how-diy-ai-unlocks-productivity-and-flexibility/

Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage (Cambridge UP, 2025) offers a step-by-step guide on how to utilize the law as a source of value in organizations. Robert C. Bird demonstrates how legal knowledge can be a valuable asset for firms, providing them with a sustainable competitive advantage that is difficult for rivals to imitate. Bird presents a five-part framework that outlines how firms can use legal knowledge in competitive markets and how they can avoid misusing it. Chapters also highlight how firms can cultivate legal knowledge and apply novel risk tools to overcome unexpected legal threats. The book emphasizes the importance of ethical values in business decisions and shows how managers and lawyers can build an ethical practice of legal knowledge that benefits both business and society. With the help of numerous visuals, this book makes it easy for readers to leverage legal knowledge and apply it to specific business contexts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage (Cambridge UP, 2025) offers a step-by-step guide on how to utilize the law as a source of value in organizations. Robert C. Bird demonstrates how legal knowledge can be a valuable asset for firms, providing them with a sustainable competitive advantage that is difficult for rivals to imitate. Bird presents a five-part framework that outlines how firms can use legal knowledge in competitive markets and how they can avoid misusing it. Chapters also highlight how firms can cultivate legal knowledge and apply novel risk tools to overcome unexpected legal threats. The book emphasizes the importance of ethical values in business decisions and shows how managers and lawyers can build an ethical practice of legal knowledge that benefits both business and society. With the help of numerous visuals, this book makes it easy for readers to leverage legal knowledge and apply it to specific business contexts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law

Discovering Insights at the Edges In this episode, Rich Horwath sits down with Dr. Rita McGrath, Columbia Business School professor and one of the world's foremost experts on strategy and innovation. Known for her books including, Discovery-Driven Growth, The End of Competitive Advantage and Seeing Around Corners, Dr. McGrath reveals how leaders can identify the early signals of change and shape organizations that thrive through disruption. From checkpoint-based planning to the power of systematic disengagement, Rita explains how today's most successful leaders move beyond rigid planning and instead experiment, learn, and adapt. She explores the value of leading indicators, resource reconfiguration, and discovering opportunity in emerging “arenas” rather than static industries. Together, Rich and Rita discuss why true strategic clarity demands courage—the willingness to stop doing what no longer serves and the foresight to invest in what could be.

I'm thrilled to share some incredible insights from our latest podcast episode featuring Steve Blair, Chief People Officer at Fulcrum Collective. With nearly three decades of experience at iconic companies like Procter & Gamble, Ghirardelli, and Harvest Group, Steve has a wealth of knowledge on building purpose-driven cultures. Here are some key takeaways that you won't want to miss:Key Lessons and Ideas:  • Culture as the Foundation: Steve emphasizes that culture isn't a side function but the very bedrock of any successful company. It's the compass guiding every decision, from hiring to client selection.  • Authentic Core Values: Clear, authentic, aspirational, and unique values are crucial. They should genuinely reflect the company's identity and serve as a guiding lens for all business decisions.  • Scaling Culture: Steve shares his experience scaling Harvest Group from 25 to nearly 300 employees across multiple locations. He highlights the importance of adapting culture to different geographies while maintaining core values.  • Data-Driven Culture: Using HR metrics to measure culture and engagement can prove that a healthy culture scales effectively and positively impacts employees, clients, and customers.  • Leadership and Culture: Immediate managers play a pivotal role in reinforcing culture daily. Their authenticity and alignment with company values are crucial for a cohesive work environment.Curiosities and Insights:  • Unique Values: At Harvest Group, values like “journey” emphasized growth and joy in personal and professional development, making their culture stand out.  • Cultural Adaptation: Opening an office in Tunisia required thoughtful integration of local cultural dynamics, proving that culture doesn't simply “lift and drop.”  • WALLA Approach: Steve's leadership tool—Wonder, Ask, Listen, and Act—creates a reliable rhythm of engagement and responsiveness, leading to continuous improvement in employee satisfaction.Practical Tips:  • Storytelling: Regularly sharing stories about living the company's values helps new employees quickly absorb the culture.  • People Leader Lab: A monthly program to invest in and equip immediate managers, ensuring they embody the company's values and foster a strong culture.  • Simplified Goal Setting: Steve's approach to goal setting includes four clear types: Deliver, Accelerate, Innovate, and Grow, making it accessible and effective.Personal Reflections:  • Defining Success: For Steve, success is about helping people find meaningful, fulfilling work that aligns with their values. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of intentional leadership and culture.I hope these highlights spark your curiosity and inspire you to listen to the full episode. Steve's insights are not just theoretical—they're practical, actionable, and deeply rooted in real-world experience.Stay tuned for more episodes where we dive into the heart of what makes great companies thrive. And as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on building and sustaining a strong organizational culture.P.S. Don't forget to check out the full episode for more in-depth discussions and actionable strategies!Send us a textConnect with Kip on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kipknippel/Watch Bite-Sized Clips on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@capitalistculture/shorts

In this episode of the Fit4Privacy Podcast, host Punit Bhatia explores the EU AI Act— why it matters, what it requires, and how it impacts your business, even outside the EU.You will also hear about the Act's risk-based approach, the four categories of AI systems (unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal risk), and the penalties for non-compliance, which can be as high as 7% of global turnover or €35 million.Just like GDPR, the EU AI Act has global reach—so if your company offers AI-based products or services to EU citizens, it applies to you. Listen in to understand the requirements and discover how to turn AI compliance into an opportunity for building trust, demonstrating responsibility, and staying ahead of the competition.KEY CONVERSION 00:00:00 Introduction to the EU AI Act 00:01:22 Why the EU AI Act Matters to Your Business 00:03:40 Risk Categories Under the EU AI Act 00:04:52 Key Timelines and Provisions 00:06:07 Compliance Requirements 00:07:09 Leveraging the EU AI Act for Competitive Advantage 00:08:38 Conclusion and Contact Information  ABOUT HOST Punit Bhatia is one of the leading privacy experts who works independently and has worked with professionals in over 30 countries. Punit works with business and privacy leaders to create an organization culture with high privacy awareness and compliance as a business priority. Selectively, Punit is open to mentor and coach professionals.  Punit is the author of books “Be Ready for GDPR' which was rated as the best GDPR Book, “AI & Privacy – How to Find Balance”, “Intro To GDPR”, and “Be an Effective DPO”. Punit is a global speaker who has spoken at over 30 global events. Punit is the creator and host of the FIT4PRIVACY Podcast. This podcast has been featured amongst top GDPR and privacy podcasts.  As a person, Punit is an avid thinker and believes in thinking, believing, and acting in line with one's value to have joy in life. He has developed the philosophy named ‘ABC for joy of life' which he passionately shares. Punit is based out of Belgium, the heart of Europe.  RESOURCES Websites www.fit4privacy.com,www.punitbhatia.com Podcast https://www.fit4privacy.com/podcast Blog https://www.fit4privacy.com/blog YouTube http://youtube.com/fit4privacy 

In this Company episode of The Synopsis we talk about APi Global, a high quality B2B service provider that specializes in fire safety and other important business service verticals. The company has been undergoing a transition by eschewing one-off construction projects and moving to more recurring and higher margin service revenue. In this episode we draw from our 61-page research report on APi Global to cover everything from their involvement with legendary investor Martin Franklin and the business transformation to the many types of services they offer and the large competition set they face. We hope you enjoy!  **Learn more about our 61-page report here** For full access to all of our in-depth research reports, become a Speedwell Member here.  If you need help getting Speedwell Research to become an approved research vendor, so you can expense your subscription, please email info@speedwellresearch.com  *~*~*~* -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes ~Section 1: Business History~ (0:00)  — Intro (6:22)  — Martin Franklin and The History of APi Group (13:12)  — Leading With Inspections (24:16)  — Smaller Project Focus and M&A (28:18)  — Chubb Acquisition and Improving Service Mix ~Section 2: Business Background~ (34:40)  — Revenue Segment Breakdown (42:15)  — The Shift to Recurring Revenues (45:50)  — Profitability ~Section 3: Industry and Competition~ (48:00)  — Industry and T.A.M (50:31)  — Competition and Competitive Advantages (1:05:00)  — APi Group Model and Industry Dynamics ~Section 4: Capital Allocation, Risk, and Valuation~ (1:26:05)  — Capital Allocation, FCF Conversion, and ROIC (1:34:35)  — Preferred Shares and Insider Ownership (1:36:06)  — Reverse DCF Valuation  (1:38:20)  — Risks (1:41:50)  — Outro -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Become a Speedwell Member here to gain access to *all* of our in-depth research reports and more!   Sign up for Speedwell's free newsletter and weekly memos here *-*-*- Follow Us: Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Contributors to the podcast may own securities discussed. Furthermore, accounts contributors advise on may also have positions in companies discussed. At the time of recording contributors had a position in APG. Furthermore, accounts contributors advise on also may have  a position in APG. This may change without notice. Please see our full disclaimers here:  https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

AI fails when goals are unclear—success comes from aligning Gen AI with business priorities, setting measurable outcomes, and balancing structure with flexibility to turn innovation into impact. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which discusses why Gen AI fails without focus—and how to fix it.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/why-gen-ai-fails-without-focus-and-how-to-fix-it/

What if the biggest risk in leadership wasn't failure — but success that blinds us to change? In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I had the great pleasure of welcoming Rita McGrath, one of the world's most influential voices on strategy and innovation. A professor at Columbia Business School and author of The End of Competitive Advantage, Discovery-Driven Growth, and Seeing Around Corners, Rita has transformed how leaders think about disruption, renewal, and adaptability. Together, we explore how to spot inflection points before they upend your business, why discovery-driven learning is the antidote to overconfidence, and how purpose and curiosity can keep teams resilient in uncertain times. Rita also shares a warning for today's executives: when companies rush to go fast and big in complex environments — without room to test and learn — it's almost always a recipe for disaster. From AI and education to human adaptability and leadership humility, this conversation will change the way you think about strategy in a world where advantage is always transient. 

What if your best work came from finding your flow, rather than simply grinding harder? In the age of constant distraction, many founders mistake busyness for progress, chasing notifications, meetings, and multitasking without realizing that true innovation happens when the mind is deeply focused.Today, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Steven Puri, former DreamWorks executive and founder of The Sukha, to unpack the science of flow state and why mastering it may be the ultimate founder advantage. From Hollywood film production to startup leadership, Steven shares how high performers sustain creativity and energy by designing their environments, schedules, and team cultures around deep work.They explore how to use neuroscience, rhythm, and intentional structure to unlock focus, eliminate context switching, and help your team reach peak performance without burnout.In this episode, you will:Understand flow state, and how it fuels both productivity and creativityIdentify common barriers preventing founders from achieving deep focusLearn how to structure your day around your natural chronotype for maximum energyImplement practical tools and mental environments that enable sustained concentrationExplore how to build company cultures that protect “maker time” and empower deep work across teamsAdopt sustainable rhythms that increase output while avoiding founder burnoutFind Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puriLearn more about Sukha: https://www.thesukha.co The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/