Podcasts about decision makers

Our next guest on the Senior Decision Makers series is Luis Laboy, Director of Public Equity at the Hewlett Foundation, where he's spent the last decade running the public equity book alongside CIO Ana Marshall — a mentor and colleague he first met nearly thirty years ago. The foundation's assets stand at roughly $14 billion today. Luis spent fifteen years as a direct emerging markets investor at Everest Capital before crossing to the LP side, and our conversation digs into how he's leveraged that experience as an allocator. We discuss how the cadence and depth of decision-making changed when he went from a high-turnover book at Everest to a handful of high-conviction relationships at Hewlett, how his time split between portfolio construction and manager selection has evolved over, and how his time marketing the fund shaped the way he interviews managers and thinks about turnover. Luis is incredibly insightful about how his early interests and upbringing have shone through across his career. He thinks and speaks in analogies, he's wildly entertaining, and — in short — he's just a genuinely good dude, and that comes through in spades in our conversation. Any leader should see for themselves the benefits of elite coaching. Try ALEX: tryalex.admiredleadership.com. Learn More Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn Subscribe to the mailing list Access Transcript with Premium Membership   Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠)

Visit us at shapedbydog.com What if most dogs never become great decision-makers because decision-making is one of the most overlooked skills in dog training? In this episode, I introduce the philosophy behind my This Or That games and share why the choices dogs rehearse every day become the ones they rely on when it matters most. You'll discover what creates a "decision deficit" and how giving dogs opportunities to make choices builds the confidence, understanding, and reliability we all want in real life. 

Destaney sits down with BTR Media's newest product manager, Lucas Seeley, who started his career bartending at a Penn State hotel and ended up as an intern at Flywheel Digital before he turned 20. They talk about how he taught himself to build AI-powered tools before most people knew what an agent was, what he's already seeing inside Nexus that he wants to fix, and where he thinks AI should never be the one making the call.Connect with Lucas on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-seeley-b92935217/ Connect with Destaney on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destaney-wishon/

In this episode, we break down how B2B marketers can identify and reach the key decision makers that actually influence purchase decisions.We cover how buying committees work, why messaging should be tailored by role, when to use CRM-built audiences versus native platform targeting, and what high-performing companies do to generate quality pipeline from paid media.If you're trying to improve targeting, alignment, and pipeline outcomes, this session gives you a practical framework to start with.00:00 Intro04:29 Buying Roles07:55 SMB's vs Enterprise10:50 Messaging by Role13:58 Audience Targeting & ICP Lists20:39 Pipeline, Alignment, & Takeaways

Ian Selbie is a globally recognized sales expert, author, speaker, and podcast host with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations improve sales performance and sustainable growth.He has trained and coached more than 17,000 sales professionals worldwide and previously worked at Apple, where he was named the company's Top Salesperson in the World in 1990.Ian is the author of If You Were Arrested for Selling, Would There Be Enough Evidence to Convict You? and the host of Confessions of a Sales Pro.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of Selling from the Heart, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy welcome Ian Selbie to discuss selling with curiosity, compassion, and strong fundamentals.Ian shares his framework: “Call high, find the pain, bring the gain, and do it again and again.” He explains why salespeople should begin with decision-makers, uncover real business challenges before presenting solutions, and avoid sending proposals to unqualified opportunities.The conversation also explores several of Ian's “Seven Deadly Sins in Selling,” including calling too low, proposing too early, and expecting CRM technology to fix a broken sales process.KEY TAKEAWAYSSelling from the heart begins with genuine curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to helping customers succeed.Start every opportunity at the highest level possible—decision-makers can say yes, while influencers often cannot."Call high, find the pain, bring the gain" provides a simple framework for creating meaningful customer conversations.Never present a proposal before you've fully qualified the opportunity and uncovered the customer's true business challenges.Technology doesn't fix poor sales fundamentals—a CRM only amplifies the quality of your existing sales process.The strongest path into executive leadership is through earned referrals built on trust and consistent value.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESCall high, find the pain, bring the gain, then do it again and again.Influencers can say no. Decision-makers can say yes.If your sales team were arrested for selling, would there be enough evidence to convict them?A CRM doesn't fix broken sales processes—it magnifies them.Value grows when you increase the benefit, not when you decrease the price.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESExplore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!Listen to Larry Levine's Bestselling Book: Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.  Subscribe to The Selling from the Heart Podcast Youtube Channel! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTubeGet Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:Click Here for Your Daily Dose

In this edition of the CTSNet podcast, The Lifeline, host and nurse educator Jill Ley, Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, Founder of the Essentials of Cardiac Surgical Resuscitation, and former Cardiac Surgery Clinical Nurse Specialist at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA, USA, speaks with expert guest Amy Hackmann, adult cardiac surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Together, they explore extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) vs emergency resternotomy for cardiac surgical arrest. Chapters  00:00 Intro  01:36 Resuscitation Algorithm  02:14 Current State of ECMO  04:25 Speed, Quality Assurance  08:28 ECMO Concerns  12:16 Performance Metrics, Decision-Makers  15:08 Prime Circuits  15:24 Non-Surgical Arrest Training  17:42 MCS Devices  18:41 Instances to Avoid ECMO  20:16 Time Targets  21:58 Avoiding Complications, VIS Score  25:09 Key Points  The discussion covers quality assurance metrics, patient-specific decisions regarding ECMO vs resternotomy, and chest compressions. The experts also review the importance of advanced preparation, common causes of cardiac arrest following cardiac surgery, and small-incision surgeries, including the use of surgical saws. Furthermore, the discussion emphasizes the importance of mock drills and team training, as well as the use of ECMO on patients who have not experienced cardiac arrest. Finally, they explore scenarios where ECMO would not be used, vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), and lactate levels. Every month, The Lifeline features intensive care specialists sharing their expert insights into the rapid and effective management of critically ill cardiac surgical patients. Don't miss next month's episode!   Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.

Learn the seven things you must do when your decision maker is broken so you don't make a bad decision

Our first guest on the Senior Decision Makers mini-series is Nick Csicsko. Nick is a Managing Director at the Trinity Wall Street endowment, where he joined CIO Meredith Jenkins at the founding of the investment office in 2016 and has spent the last decade helping build a young endowment inside a 320-year-old institution. Today the endowment has grown to over $6 billion. Nick's path into investing is a fascinating one. He studied composition and earned his Doctorate of Music at Juilliard. While there, he talked his way into an internship at Juilliard's endowment and never looked back. Our conversation covers the lessons he carried from music into investing, his investment philosophy, and the details of his process. Manager selection sits at the heart of his work, and he articulates what separates the relationships that endure from the ones that don't. Nick is a remarkable storyteller and shares a number of real-life examples of manager relationships — some that worked out well, some that didn't, and others with insights for allocators and managers alike. Learn More Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn Subscribe to the mailing list Access Transcript with Premium Membership   Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠)

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What if your next customer isn't a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf? And what if that agent is evaluating your brand on a purely logical, data-driven basis, completely devoid of the emotional hooks your marketing has always relied on?Agility requires not just adapting to changing customer behaviors, but also redefining who—or what—our customer even is. It demands that we build operational and strategic frameworks that can cater to both human emotional drivers and the cold, hard logic of machines.Today, we are at Forrester CX in New York City, and we're going to talk about a fundamental shift in the customer journey: the rise of the AI agent as an influential, and in some cases, decision-making persona. This isn't just about using AI in our marketing; it's about marketing to AI. We'll explore what it means when our brand's message needs to be optimized not just for human perception, but for machine interpretation and evaluation.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chuck Gahun, Principal Analyst at Forrester. About Chuck Gahun Chuck is a leader in Forrester's Digital Business & Strategy practice serving business and digital executives. His research coverage includes content management systems (CMSes), product information management (PIM) systems, and commerce services and strategy for B2B and B2C companies. Chuck helps executives design strategies that deliver customer and business value by partnering with technology vendors and services providers. Chuck has 20 years of experience in content and commerce. He specializes in digital strategy, experience design, and technology initiatives in CMSes, e-commerce systems, digital asset management (DAM) systems, PIM systems, digital experience platforms (DXPs), and several others. He has led strategy and implementations for brands like Goldman Sachs, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hilti, Marriott, AARP, and the Centers for Disease Control. Prior to joining Forrester, Chuck was a managing director and partner at Shift7 Digital (a Merkle company) and held senior management positions at ZS Medullan and Publicis Sapient. Chuck holds a BA in government and international politics and an MS in technology management from George Mason University. Chuck Gahun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckgahun/ ---------- Resources ---------- Forrester: https://www.forrester.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fThe most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your next customer isn't a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf? And what if that agent is evaluating your brand on a purely logical, data-driven basis, completely devoid of the emotional hooks your marketing has always relied on?Agility requires not just adapting to changing customer behaviors, but also redefining who—or what—our customer even is. It demands that we build operational and strategic frameworks that can cater to both human emotional drivers and the cold, hard logic of machines.Today, we are at Forrester CX in New York City, and we're going to talk about a fundamental shift in the customer journey: the rise of the AI agent as an influential, and in some cases, decision-making persona. This isn't just about using AI in our marketing; it's about marketing to AI. We'll explore what it means when our brand's message needs to be optimized not just for human perception, but for machine interpretation and evaluation.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chuck Gahun, Principal Analyst at Forrester. About Chuck Gahun Chuck is a leader in Forrester's Digital Business & Strategy practice serving business and digital executives. His research coverage includes content management systems (CMSes), product information management (PIM) systems, and commerce services and strategy for B2B and B2C companies. Chuck helps executives design strategies that deliver customer and business value by partnering with technology vendors and services providers. Chuck has 20 years of experience in content and commerce. He specializes in digital strategy, experience design, and technology initiatives in CMSes, e-commerce systems, digital asset management (DAM) systems, PIM systems, digital experience platforms (DXPs), and several others. He has led strategy and implementations for brands like Goldman Sachs, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hilti, Marriott, AARP, and the Centers for Disease Control. Prior to joining Forrester, Chuck was a managing director and partner at Shift7 Digital (a Merkle company) and held senior management positions at ZS Medullan and Publicis Sapient. Chuck holds a BA in government and international politics and an MS in technology management from George Mason University. Chuck Gahun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckgahun/ ---------- Resources ---------- Forrester: https://www.forrester.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fThe most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 3Ds of Sales: Decision Makers, Deliverables, and Deadlines

One of the biggest challenges for indie filmmakers isn't making the movie—it's getting access to the people who can help make it happen.In this clip, I share three practical strategies I've learned for reaching talent, studios, agents, managers, composers, and other decision makers when you're starting from the outside looking in.Topics Include: Why foreign representatives can sometimes be easier to work with How entertainment lawyers can help open doors to companies that don't accept unsolicited submissions Why casting directors are often worth the investment when pursuing talent attachments The role reputation and relationships play in Hollywood outreach How to position your project for studios, investors, and collaboratorsIf you're trying to get your film off the ground and wondering how people actually connect with actors, managers, and industry decision makers, these strategies can help shorten the learning curve.

Take the Collaborative Selling Scorecard: https://collaborativeselling.scoreapp.com Connect with Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredcopestake Watch Fred's FREE YouTube Course: Sales Mastery for Engineers: https://bit.ly/Sales-Mastery-For-Engineers Watch the full mini series playlist here   In this episode of the Sales Today Podcast, Fred Copestake tackles a challenge that many engineering and B2B sales teams face: Why is it so difficult to engage senior stakeholders? The common assumption is that senior decision-makers are simply too busy, too difficult to reach, or unwilling to engage. But what if the real issue isn't access at all? Fred explores why many sales conversations naturally sit at an operational level, while senior leaders are focused on entirely different concerns. The result is a disconnect between what sales teams are talking about and what senior stakeholders are actually thinking about. In this episode: Why access to senior stakeholders is often a relevance problem, not an availability problem How operational conversations limit who engages with them What senior decision-makers are really focused on Why conversations about cost, efficiency, and features rarely gain executive attention How strategic concerns trigger many buying initiatives Why sales teams often become disconnected from where the original thinking started The subtle shift that helps conversations reach higher levels of the organisation Key Insight Senior stakeholders are not avoiding conversations. They are constantly making decisions, evaluating opportunities, assessing risks, and considering the future direction of their organisation. The question is not: "Can we reach them?" The question is: "Are we relevant to them?" Key Takeaway If your team struggles to engage senior decision-makers, don't start by focusing on access. Start by asking: "Are we talking at the right level for the people we want to engage?" Because when conversations align with the priorities, concerns, and outcomes senior leaders care about, access often becomes much less of a barrier. Free Collaborative Selling Scorecard If you would like to assess how your sales approach aligns with today's buying environment, you can take the free Collaborative Selling Scorecard: https://collaborativeselling.scoreapp.com/   Connect with Fred https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredcopestake Subscribe to Sales Today - New episodes every week If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and share it with your network.   Watch this episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/xLx9AmjYU2Y

Send Us Your Questions & Feedback!Three years ago, my wife and I packed up our life in Boston and moved to Florida. No five-year plan. No spreadsheet of pros and cons. Just a gut feeling and a decision to go.This episode is about that move — but it's really about something bigger: the three types of people when it comes to change.The first one plans everything before they act. The second one plans so much they never move at all. The third one jumps in and figures it out on the way down. I'm the third type. Always have been.I get into the goods, the bads, and the ugly of starting over: keeping my 17-year Boston business alive from 1,200 miles away, learning to delegate when I thought nobody could do it better than me, walking into a more competitive market where literally nobody knew my name, and discovering a whole world of window treatments I'd never even heard of (hello, hurricane shutters and retractable awnings).Here's the heart of it: there's no right or wrong way to face change. There's just knowing who you are and acting like it.In this episode:The three mindsets people bring to risk and opportunityWhat it really takes to run a business long-distanceWhy letting go (delegating) was harder than the move itselfBuilding a network and referrals from zero in a brand-new marketThe Brazil deal that taught me "no risk, no upside"The Florida surprises I never planned for#Delegation #RemoteBusiness #FloridaBusiness #PodcastLife #MindsetMatters #RiskAndReward #SmallBusinessDecisions

How do nonprofits effectively engage a Chief of Staff to build deeper relationships with top donors and family offices that ultimately drive revenue growth? There is no better person to discuss this topic than the founder of Next Level Coaching, Emily Sander. A member of the team that created the original Amazon Kindle, Emily has experienced firsthand what it is like to field inquiry after inquiry for something everyone wants to collaborate with. Many times, nonprofits look past the very people who are in the room when donors, philanthropists, and family offices make strategic decisions on giving. Effectively engaging a chief of staff and the personnel around a major donor is equally, if not more critically important than the principal themselves. Emily provides incredible insights on donor and principal engagement, including tips on building strong relationships with a Chief of Staff, how Chief of Staffs are the ultimate dot connectors, engaging a Chief of Staff in the event planning process, the importance of having a backup plan,   and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

Are your sales conversations helping you win more work—or are they costing you deals without you even realizing it?Many trade business owners either rely on rigid sales scripts or simply "wing it" when talking to prospects. The problem is that both approaches can lead to missed opportunities, inconsistent results, and wasted time quoting jobs that never convert.In this episode you'll discover:Why sales frameworks create more consistent results than scripts while allowing you to build genuine connections with customers.How simple frameworks like Deliverables, Decision Makers, and Deadlines can help you uncover critical information and avoid costly sales mistakes.Practical ways to improve your sales process, increase quote conversion rates, and bring more structure to every customer conversation.Listen now to learn how a simple framework-driven sales approach can help you win more jobs, improve your close rates, and make every quote count.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Take our Free Quote Quiz now to Kickstart Your Sales Growthhttps://quiz.typeform.com/to/ByHoaj2bTo see how we've helped business grow their sales:Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management , through refined sales processes, proven trade sales techniques, and strategic sales leadership that strengthens sales process execution, accelerates sales team development, builds stronger sales teams, improves time management for sales, drives resilience and results, increases team results across the construction industry and wider industry sales sectors, and supports sustainable trading growth that continues to drive results through an effective management process in modern trade sales

Finding the government contracting decision maker before an RFP is posted is the difference between a reactive bid and a winning pursuit. In this episode, Randie Ward walks you through the exact research process she uses to identify program managers, contracting officers, and end users at target agencies long before a solicitation ever hits SAM.gov. If you've been waiting for the RFP to drop before you start your outreach, this episode will change how you run your pipeline. How to use Acquisition Gateway to pull names from upcoming opportunities and identify the first person of interest at a target agency or office Why the small business liaison is your first line of defense and exactly how to frame your outreach when they don't respond The SAM.gov search technique that reveals whether a contracting officer regularly awards in your NAICS code, so you know which relationships are worth building How to cross-reference names from SAM.gov against LinkedIn to map the decision-making team at a specific office before any questions are allowed on an RFP Why govcon consultants log contracting officers by contract type across clients, and how that intelligence compounds into a repeatable business development system EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Mindy AI intro and govcongiants.com ad spot 0:30 - Welcome to the Federal Help Center podcast with Eric Coffie 0:57 - Why pre-RFP relationship building wins more contracts 1:59 - How to find decision makers at your target agencies and offices 2:36 - Using Acquisition Gateway to identify names on upcoming opportunities 3:15 - Identifying SDVOSB set-aside contacts at the National Cemetery Administration 3:51 - Why the small business liaison is your first outreach point 4:36 - How to frame outreach when the small business person does not respond 5:05 - Searching LinkedIn to locate program managers and administration specialists 6:28 - Using SAM.gov to find contracting officers by NAICS code 7:03 - How to confirm a contracting officer's contract history and NAICS patterns 7:43 - Why consultants log decision makers across clients for long-term BD leverage 8:05 - Closing and join the Federal Help Center community Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

EksAyn has been seen on Forbes.com, Speaker Magazine, TV, and various business blogs and podcasts. His books, The Key to the Gate: Principles and Techniques to Get Past Gatekeepers to the Decision Maker, and What I Want My Children to Know Before I Die have both sold internationally. But remember, success in the business world doesn't matter if we don't have success at home. Really. Business isn't as important as our families, our marriages, our children and those we love. Luckily, the principles that govern influencing others in business can also be used in our families. EksAyn website: https://xfactoredge.com/ Show notes: https://successgrid.net/sg275/ If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/successgrid Podcasting Secrets: https://successgrid.net/6c7a

In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I continue our Get Your Time Back series by tackling one of the biggest challenges I see MSP owners facing every single day, becoming the default decision-maker in their business.     If your team comes to you for every answer, every approval, every problem, and every decision, there is a good chance you've become the bottleneck without even realising it. The frustrating part is that most MSP owners believe they have a workload problem when in reality they have a leadership pattern that is holding the business back.     Throughout this episode, I explain why being overwhelmed is often less about the amount of work and more about how decisions flow through the business. When every road leads back to you, growth slows down, confidence across the team drops and you end up spending your days firefighting rather than leading.     I share why teams naturally mirror the behaviour of their leaders. If you are constantly stepping in to rescue situations, provide answers and solve problems, your team will quickly learn that the easiest option is to come straight to you. Before long, you find yourself carrying the weight of every decision while capable people around you stop trusting their own judgement.     One of the key concepts I explore is the difference between a parent to child relationship and an adult to adult relationship inside your MSP. When leaders constantly provide solutions, they unintentionally create dependency. When leaders coach instead of rescue, they create ownership, accountability and confidence. That shift is where real growth begins.     We also look at why many people hesitate to step forward and make decisions. In most cases it comes down to fear. Fear of getting something wrong. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of looking silly in front of colleagues or clients. If every challenge is immediately taken away from them, that fear never gets challenged and confidence never grows.     I share a simple but powerful analogy about learned behaviour and how teams can become conditioned to operate below their potential. Over time, people stop looking for solutions because they believe someone else will provide them. If that someone is always you, becoming the default decision-maker becomes a cycle that gets harder and harder to break.     The cost of staying in that position is significant. It limits growth, slows progress and prevents you from spending time on the strategic activities that will move your MSP forward. More importantly, it prevents your team from developing into the confident, capable people you need them to become.     That is why I introduce one of the coaching frameworks we use inside The MSP Growth Hub, the GROW model. This simple approach helps leaders stop rescuing and start coaching. It gives your team the opportunity to think, solve problems and take ownership while allowing you to step back from being the default decision-maker.     We walk through each stage of the framework, from defining the goal and understanding the reality, through to exploring options and agreeing the way forward. When used consistently, this approach can transform the quality of conversations inside your business and help create a culture where people take responsibility rather than waiting for instructions.     I also share practical techniques you can start using immediately, including one simple habit that can dramatically reduce interruptions throughout your day. It starts with resisting the urge to answer every question straight away and instead helping people think through the solution themselves.     If you are serious about getting your time back, building a stronger leadership team and creating a business that works for you rather than you working for it, this episode will give you practical ideas that you can start implementing today.      Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.    If you're serious about growth and want to explore what this could look like for your MSP, you can book a Right Fit Clarity Call with us HERE.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon! 

The AI boom is redefining the traditional technology role to one of organizational strategist and leader, says Dr. Deepti Pandita, CMIO and chief AI officer at UCI Health.

As AI handles more outreach and automation, the recruiters who stand out will be the ones who build stronger human connections. Host Kortney Harmon sits down with leadership consultant Shad Tidler to explore practical strategies for earning trust, adapting communication styles, and creating more meaningful client relationships in today's recruiting landscape.Shad shares actionable insights on interrupting predictable sales patterns, using DISC principles to improve communication, and building trust through consistency, empathy, and transparency—without losing efficiency in an AI-driven world.Discover how relationship-driven recruiters can create stronger client alignment and stand out in the age of AI.______________Follow Shad Tidler on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | ShadFollow Crelate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo hereSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience 

Reps don't get stuck at the gatekeeper because of what they say, they get stuck because of how they sound. In the first five seconds, gatekeepers run an automatic screen, and most sales openers trigger it immediately.Jack Frimston and Zac Thompson built an outsourced sales agency on a phone-first, psychology-led approach, and their whole method is designed to make reps sound nothing like a typical cold caller. They treat the gatekeeper not as an obstacle, but as a puzzle to solve.In this session, they broke down the exact language, tone shifts, and pattern interrupts that flip the gatekeeper dynamic, including what to say when you're asked "what's this about?" and how to turn a "they're not available" into useful org intel.Learn how to navigate past the gatekeeper into the wrong person, and how to use calls, email, and LinkedIn together to eventually reach the right DM.You'll Learn:The psychology behind gatekeeper screening and why standard openers get reps shut down immediatelyPattern interrupt scripts and tone tactics that create space for a real conversationHow to map the org through the gatekeeper call and navigate to the actual decision-makerThe Speakers:Sara Uy, Jack Frimston and Zac ThompsonIf you want to catch The Daily Sales Show live, join hereFollow Sell Better to get the latest actionable tactics from sales pros at the top of their gameExplore our YouTube ChannelThank you to our sponsors: First Orion, Gong, Aligned and Prospeo

What this episode is about If you've been relying on warm referrals and introductions to bring in corporate clients, this episode is your wake-up call. Sales strategist Jess Lorimer breaks down the two distinct types of B2B lead generation that every coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and done-for-you service provider needs to understand - and crucially, which one to prioritise depending on where you are in your business right now. With the summer window for reaching corporate decision makers closing fast, Jess explains why now is the time to audit your lead generation approach and plug the gaps before September. Who this episode is for A coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, or done-for-you service provider selling services to corporate clients Currently relying on warm referrals or introductions to generate B2B sales leads Experiencing the feast-and-famine cycle in your business - busy with delivery, then suddenly with nothing in your pipeline Unsure whether your lead generation is failing, or whether the problem lies elsewhere in your sales process Planning your B2B sales strategy for Q3 and Q4 2026 Questions this episode answers What is B2B lead generation and how is it different from just 'doing outreach'? Why isn't my lead generation converting into sales? What's the difference between active lead generation and passive visibility? When should I use active lead generation vs passive lead generation in my business? How do I stop the feast-and-famine cycle in my B2B sales pipeline? How are corporate decision makers searching for external suppliers in 2026? Key takeaways  1. Lead Generation has one job - and it's not to close sales One of the most common mistakes coaches and consultants make is judging their lead generation by whether it produced a sale. Jess is clear: the job of lead generation is to book qualified sales calls, not to close contracts. When you blend the two, you end up blaming your lead generation for problems that might actually live elsewhere in your sales process - such as your offer, your pricing, or your proposal. 2. Active lead generation: The strategy you control Active lead generation is any lead generation strategy that works while you are implementing it, and stops when you stop. Examples include: Cold email outreach LinkedIn outreach Any proactive, volume-driven outreach to decision makers Active lead generation is entirely within your control. You set the metrics, monitor the results, and can troubleshoot what's working. This makes it the right approach when you are not yet fully booked with corporate clients - because you have the time, energy, and capacity to execute it consistently. The risk: if you become too busy with delivery to keep it running, it stops. Which is exactly when many coaches and consultants find themselves with an empty pipeline.   3. Passive visibility: Lead generation that works without you Passive visibility is Jess's term for lead generation strategies that build brand awareness, visibility, and inbound leads over time - without requiring you to execute them week in, week out. Examples include: Speaking on internal company podcasts Being featured in a curated directory with proactive marketing (such as the Expert Services Directory) Activities that help you rank in AI search tools (GEO - Generative Engine Optimisation) and Google Presenting at awards events or industry panels Passive visibility strategies are compounding: they build over time. They are not designed to produce a sales call every single week, but they ensure that when a corporate decision maker goes looking for an external supplier, you show up. In 2026, decision makers are actively searching for external suppliers online. If you are not visible in those searches, you are invisible to them. The risk: passive visibility alone is not enough if you have no clients yet. You need to understand your messaging and what works before you can hand it off or systematise it.   4. You need both - at different stages of your business Active lead generation and passive visibility are not either/or. They serve different purposes at different stages: Not yet fully booked with clients? Prioritise active lead generation. Use the time and capacity you have now to fill your pipeline before it's too late. About to be fully booked or in a heavy delivery period? Start building your passive visibility now so your brand continues to generate leads while you're delivering. Relying only on warm referrals? You are not in control of your lead generation - and your business is more vulnerable than it looks. 5. The summer window is closing If you are based in the UK, you have roughly until the second week of July before corporate decision makers become significantly harder to reach. For those in Central Europe or the US, that window closes around mid-June. If you do not have a pipeline of qualified leads generating sales calls now, you need to act before that window shuts. Key Quotes "The job of lead generation is to book qualified sales calls, not to make sales." "Decision makers are searching actively for external suppliers. If you're not doing anything on that passive visibility front, you're not going to show up in search." "Active lead generation is completely within your control. And there are times in your business when you have the time and energy to be able to implement it - use them." Resources + Links Mentioned in This Episode Join the B2B Sales Edit: Busyness to Business Weekly newsletter for coaches and consultants; sharing the real B2B sales techniques that have taken over 30,000 sales processes from busy -> balanced and profitable. https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/988ac64b-5875-4924-9d10-50faad2aa4ad?email=%EMAIL% Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: Access The Expert Services Directory here https://bit.ly/ExpertServicesDirectory and use code PODCAST for a special bonus. A curated directory that proactively markets your services to corporate decision makers every month. Standard listings reach 1,000+ decision makers per month; Directory Plus listings reach 2,000+. Only 10 suppliers per category. Standard listing: 1,000+ decision makers per month Directory Plus listing: 2,000+ decision makers per month Application required - not all applications are accepted Cold -> Closed The self-paced B2B sales experience for coaches / consultants/ speakers / trainers and done-for-you service providers who want scalable, sustainable sales from brand new corporate clients in 90 days or less. https://smartleaderssell.thrivecart.com/-cold-to-closed-product/ If you've enjoyed listening to Two types of B2B lead generation that coaches + consultants need to use, check out these episodes. STC173 - B2B Sales Trends for Q2: Which One Are You Actioning? https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/40894390 STC169 - Why 'Normal' Communication Is Stopping You Feeling Confident with Sales Communication https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/40172105 STC167 - Are You Speaking to Decision Makers or Influencers (and Why It Matters) https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/39846375 Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.  

If you are an overthinker or find yourself stuck in confusion or overwhelm when making a decision in your life, this episode is for you.In this replay, I walk you through a simple 3-step process to help you make any decision confidently—whether it's a quick, high-pressure decision or one you've been putting off for a long time.This is about learning how to trust yourself, move forward, and stop staying stuck in indecision.When you become a confident decision maker, you start to feel like you're leading your life instead of it just happening to you.If you felt clarity listening to this, come join us inside The Shift to create continued momentum and CONFIDENCE in every aspect of your life.Click below for info on joining and learning how to apply this work in real time.Join The SHIFT Here

In the final hour of the show, Mac & Bone are joined by Willie P for Willie's World, as he recaps another Charlotte FC defeat, they have a discussion about their trust in both Dan Morgan and Jeff Peterson, they preview the night in sports, they read funny texts, & more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I discuss the importance of parents who are on a bracing journey with their children seeing themselves as decision makers in their child's care. Parents are often discussed and welcomed as partners in their child's care team, but I discuss the difference in approaching as a partner and as decision maker.

Today we're starting off in Singapore to chat with Sirish Kumar, the CFO-turned-founder, CEO, and board member. Sirish leverages his two decades of experience at the intersection of finance, technology, and regulation across multiple geographies. He has held senior finance and commercial roles at Cargill, Motorola, Nokia, Siemens Networks, and PayPal, where he served as CFO for Southeast Asia and India before founding and exiting a profitable B2B payments company. Most recently, he has founded Sirrista and SaaCash, a cash flow and forecasting platform. Sirish has seen international finance centers and regulators evolve in their role in the last 15 years and has interacted with supervisors as a member of the board of commissioners in Indonesia and set up entities in Dubai. Visit the C4C website to gain full access to the transcript, show notes, and guest links. Coaching 4 Companies

Getting Your Music Video Noticed By Vevo's Decision Makers Unlock the secrets of music video success with Vevo's VP of Music & Talent, Jordan Glickson, in this powerhouse episode of the MUBUTV Music Business Insider Podcast! Discover how data and gut instinct combine to launch emerging artists, why visual content is more important than ever, and how you can maximize your reach on platforms like YouTube and Connected TV. Featuring real-world tips and untold stories about breaking artists through flagship series like Discover and Artists to Watch, this is essential listening for artists and industry hopefuls alike.

There are 6 steps we use to connect with decision makers. Be consistent in these steps and fill your pipeline with many leads and track the outcome on the backend. Book a call with us below. https://calendly.com/sales-strategist    

In today's episode, you'll discover: 1.     What is a buying committee, and why is it so important in B2B sales today? 2.     What is an account-based value proposition, in simple terms? 3.     What is the biggest mistake your sales team may be making when selling to large accounts? To support these three takeaways, I chose a quote from Gemma Davies: "When you're trying to create change, you also need to change the mindset of the organizations you work with because they're used to doing things their way." About Brent Keltner, Ph.D: Brent is President of Winalytics LLC and creator of the Journey First Growth methodology. He helps B2B marketing and sales teams align around the buyer journey to accelerate revenue growth across industries, including SaaS, Education, and Healthcare. How to Get in Touch with Brent Keltner: Website: https://winalytics.com/ Email:  partner@winalytics.com Gift: Free Chapter on website- "The Revenue Acceleration Playbook." Stalk me online! Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/conniewhitman Communication Style Assessment (CSA)™:  https://changingthesalesgame.com/communication-style-assessment/   Subscribe to the Changing the Sales Game Podcast on your favorite podcast streaming service or YouTube.  New episodes are posted every week - listen as Connie delves into new sales and business topics or addresses problems you may have in your business.

Stacey Richter interviews neurosurgeon Dr. Ahilan Sivaganesan (Dr. Siva) about replacing vague healthcare "value" claims with quantified outcomes and unit-level costs, introducing his Operative Value Index (OVI). They discuss how hospitals often lack true internal episode costs and how common quality metrics miss patient-reported outcomes and appropriateness across the full care journey.  Using time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) and condition- or procedure-specific patient-reported outcomes, OVI creates a common mathematical language to compare surgeons, practices, or health systems, risk-adjust for confounders, and support steering/tiering and direct contracting for self-funded employers.   Siva describes transparency via bubble charts that spur clinician behavior change without new incentives and argues this infrastructure is essential as bundled payments and risk-based arrangements expand, framing a "Yahoo vs Google" shift from fee-for-service volume to measurable value.  === LINKS ===

Andi Cross of Edges of Earth, a company based in Perth Australia provides strategies for companies to achieve tangible solutions in collaboration for organizations on the front line of the climate crisis.

Andi Cross of Edges of Earth works with individuals and communities to advance nature-based solutions. She brings these perspectives to corporate decision-makers offering actionable strategies that offer tangible changes for organizations on the front line of the climate crisis.

In this episode of Taking the Mikel, John Obi and Chris McHardy delve into Chelsea's recent woes. From defeats on the pitch to key players speaking out on Enzo Maresca's departure. What does it all mean for Liam Rosenior? Mikel doesn't hold back on his assessment. Simply put: it's Champions League or bust. The guys also discuss Roberto de Zerbi's appointment as Tottenham's new boss and why it spells trouble for the club's underperforming stars. Mikel also makes an admission that might not go down too well with his fellow Chelsea fans. The guys also discuss Mohamed Salah's next destination as he gears up to leave Liverpool, plus Mikel launches into an impassioned tirade over the “ludicrous” decision to strip Senegal of their African Cup of Nations title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Risinger reflects on the stress that difficult clients bring to custom home building, sharing early-career assumptions that other builders had it easier before realizing challenging projects are common across the industry. He frames client relationships as central to project success, emphasizing the importance of pre-qualifying prospects, aligning on budget, and identifying decision-makers early. Risinger outlines how clear communication, documented processes, and upfront expectations—especially around contracts and pricing models—help avoid conflict. He also underscores recognizing red flags, from resistance to fees to excessive contract changes, and treating the builder-client relationship as a long-term partnership built on trust, respect, and shared expectations. Thank you to this Build Show episode sponsor – Bosch. http://www.bosch-homecomfort.us/ Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/company/boschhomecomfort-us/https://www.instagram.com/boschhomecomfort_us/https://www.facebook.com/BoschHomeComfortUS/https://www.youtube.com/@BoschHomeComfortUShttps://twitter.com/BoschHC_US   Watch full episodes of Matt on Facebook, Instagram and Build Show Network. https://www.facebook.com/buildshownetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/risingerbuild/https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.

What You'll Learn The one stat that should drive every late-clock ISO decision  How NBA staffs use constraints to build decision-makers, not robots Why most teams fail at communication—and how to fix it Episode SummaryWhat actually decides late-clock possessions? And why do most teams break down when it matters most?Cavs Associate Head Coach Johnnie Bryant joins the show to unpack how elite teams think about decision-making, adaptability, and communication at the highest level.We start with constraint-based coaching and ecological design—how creating the right environments allows players to discover solutions, build instincts, and shape your system in real time.Defensively, Bryant flips the script: great teams don't rely on perfect execution—they prepare for when things go wrong. The edge comes from solving breakdowns, rotations, and chaos better than your opponent.In Start, Sub, or Sit, Bryant identifies off-the-dribble shooting as the most dangerous variable in isolation—because it forces defenses into difficult tradeoffs: stay home, force direction, or commit to a trap.Then, we close on culture—where Bryant explains why vulnerability is the hardest skill to build, and why without it, communication under pressure will always break down.Key Moments2:30 – Why constraints create better players 4:30 – Letting players shape your system 9:30 – Reading spacing vs forcing structure 13:20 – Defending chaos, not perfection 21:45 – Start, Sub, or Sit: ISO decisions 22:00 – The #1 ISO metric 23:30 – When to trap vs stay home 25:00 – The risk behind every double team 29:10 – Why teams struggle to communicate 33:00 – Training communication in practice 36:45 – Coaching personalities that actually stickTo join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countries taking advantage of an SG Plus membership, visit HERE!

In Part 2 of my conversation with Stacy M., we continue pulling back the curtain on Freemasonry and examining the questions most people are told not to ask.If the organization is simply a harmless fraternity, why so much secrecy? Why the elaborate rituals, layered symbolism, and strict oaths? And why have so many influential leaders throughout history been tied to it?In this episode, we dig deeper into the structure of Freemasonry, the meaning behind its rituals and symbols, and the concerns many Christians and researchers have raised about its spiritual and cultural influence. We also discuss why criticism of the organization is often quickly dismissed—and why that reaction alone should make people more curious, not less.This conversation isn't about sensationalism. It's about discernment. When powerful institutions operate largely out of public view yet intersect with leadership, culture, and faith, they deserve thoughtful examination.The goal isn't to tell people what to think, but to encourage them to start asking questions for themselves.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

Today on Uncommon Sense, I'm joined by Stacy M. for a conversation that too many people are afraid (or unwilling) to have.We're discussing Freemasonry: what it is, what it claims to be, and the darker, more sinister elements that often get brushed aside or ignored entirely. From secrecy and symbolism to influence and power, we're asking the questions that rarely get real answers.Why has this secret society maintained such a strong presence for so long? Why does it seem to intersect so frequently with positions of power—including within our own government? And most importantly… why aren't more people talking about it?This episode isn't about blind accusations, it's about awareness. If something holds influence, operates behind closed doors, and shapes culture or leadership in any capacity, it deserves scrutiny.It's time to start paying attention and asking better questions.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

There's one type of cold email that decision makers disregard more than any other type and here's the thing; You've probably been sending it all along! On this week's episode of The Sales Playbook Podcast we're going to talk about it and more importantly; I'm going to show you how you can apply an immediate fix! Click Here for details about our upcoming Cold Email webinar Cold Emails: From Ignored To Replied 

Most speakers use social media the wrong way. They post random content, react to the news cycle, or treat their platforms like a personal diary. Then they wonder why event planners never reach out. In this episode, Sean breaks down how social media actually fits into a professional speaking business. Event planners are researching speakers online before they ever reach out. Your content, tone, positioning, and visibility all influence whether they see you as a professional speaker or someone they should avoid putting on their stage. You will learn how to position your social media profiles to attract event planners, how to search for real speaking opportunities using hashtags and platform tools, and how simple ad strategies can put your speaker reel in front of the right audience. If you want to use social media as a system for getting booked, not just a place to post content, this episode will show you how. Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction 00:42 Why Social Media Matters for Speakers 01:30 What Event Planners Look For on Your Social Media 02:15 Why Divisive Content Can Cost You Bookings 03:05 Separating Personal and Professional Content 03:50 Why LinkedIn Should Be a Speaker's Primary Platform 04:40 Writing LinkedIn Articles to Build Authority 05:25 Using Hashtags to Find Speaking Opportunities 06:10 Searching "Call for Speakers" Posts 07:05 Running Simple Social Media Ads for Your Speaker Reel 08:00 Understanding Ad Impressions and Audience Data 09:05 Retargeting Event Planners with Facebook Pixel 10:10 Creating Simple Speaker Introduction Videos 11:10 Example Script for Reaching Event Planners 12:05 Using Video Emails to Stand Out 13:10 BombBomb Video Messaging Strategy 14:05 Stop Being Another Option and Become the Only Option 15:10 Finding Event Planner Associations 16:10 Researching Executive Directors and Decision Makers 17:05 Building Your Event Planner Lead List 18:00 Using LinkedIn and Facebook Messenger for Outreach 19:00 How to Ask for Referrals to Other Event Planners 20:00 Why This Research Is the Work Most Speakers Avoid 21:00 Social Media as a Lead Generation System 22:00 Preview of the Next Episode Key Takeaways 1. Event planners always check your social media Before they hire a speaker, they research your online presence. Your posts, tone, and professionalism influence whether they see you as credible. 2. Separate personal and professional platforms If you want to share strong personal opinions, consider keeping those on private profiles while directing event planners to professional platforms like LinkedIn. 3. LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for speakers Writing long form posts or articles about your expertise builds authority and positions you as a thought leader in your speaking category. 4. Social media can reveal real speaking opportunities Searching hashtags like call for speakers, keynote speaker, or presenter can help you discover events actively looking for speakers. 5. Small ad budgets can create visibility Running simple ads to your speaker reel can put your content in front of thousands of potential viewers, including event planners. 6. Video outreach helps you stand out Sending short personalized video messages to event planners immediately differentiates you from speakers who only send text emails. 7. Research is where most speaking opportunities are found The speakers who consistently get booked spend time researching event planners, associations, and decision makers. Resources Mentioned BombBomb video email platform LinkedIn Facebook Ads Manager Calendly  Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint Program - www.TheSuccessCorps.com/work-with-us About the Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint The Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint is a system designed to help speakers consistently attract, pitch, and secure paid speaking engagements. Inside the program, speakers learn how to: Position themselves as a category expert Build a pipeline of speaking opportunities Use media and podcasts to increase visibility Pitch event planners effectively Create systems that generate consistent bookings Connect with Sean Website - The Success Corps - www.TheSuccessCorps.com Podcast - Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint - https://www.youtube.com/@TheSuccessCorps LinkedIn - www.LinkedIn.com/SeanDouglasTEDxSpeaker Subscribe and Review If this episode helped you understand how social media fits into a speaking business: Subscribe to the podcast Leave a rating and review Share this episode with a speaker who wants to get booked and paid Your support helps more speakers escape the Invisible Speaker Trap and build a sustainable speaking career.

show notes

Will the Texans be developing a somewhat "CHEAPER" ideology/strategy when it comes to O-Line room in H-Town for the 2026 football season..? PLEASE, GOD-NO!!

-Alpi vs Draymond. Rockets vs Warriors TONIGHT @ Toyota H-Town! -WON BIG on Last Night's Wednesday Wagers Y'all! T-Mil's Thurs BEST BET$! -What Led these Texans to the Trade Acquiring Running Back David Montgomery!

What if the thing you think is a productivity problem in your business is actually a design flaw, and AI can fix it if you see it clearly?AI isn't the shortcut most founders think it is, and it's definitely not a replacement for your judgment. In this episode, Dawn shares how she actually uses AI as a cognitive leverage tool while navigating real-life complexity: caregiving, parenting, debt, leadership, and high-level client work.You'll learn the five specific conditions that determine when to reach for AI and when to lead without it, plus the subtle mistake that causes some female founders to slowly lose confidence instead of scale. If you're still the bottleneck in your business, this episode will shift how you think about AI and leadership.If your business still runs through you instead of running without you, that's not an AI problem, it's a clarity and design problem.Inside CEO Clarity Consulting, we rebuild the architecture of your business so you stop being the single point of failure and start operating at the CEO level.Key TakeawaysWhy using AI as a content machine keeps many founders stuck instead of scalingThe five moments when AI strengthens your leadership — not replaces itHow to use AI to surface blind spots and structure messy thinkingWhy being the “strongest brain in the room” can quietly make you the bottleneckThe difference between productivity hacks and true business designResources & LinksCEO Clarity Consulting Free Guide: 10 Ways AI Will Make You a Better Leader Related Episodes:134 | The Delegation Mistake That's Keeping You Stuck Working 60 Hours a Week – why cognitive labor costs more than time.110 | 3 Custom GPTs That Save Female Founders 16 Hours a Week – building AI that acts like your team.118 | How Female Founders Use AI to Stop Feeling Like Failures – using AI as truth-teller and confidence builder. Send a text AI in Action Conference March 19th and 20th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Get In the Room! https://hellodawn.live/Action2026Want to increase revenue and impact? Listen to “She's That Founder” for insights on business strategy and female leadership to scale your business. Each episode offers advice on effective communication, team building, and management. Learn to master routines and systems to boost productivity and prevent burnout. Our delegation tips and business consulting will advance your executive leadership skills and presence.

Question:  Leo from Sydney asks, "Congrats on six years, Sales Logic is a great show. Wondering here down under what your best strategies are for getting to decision-makers. How do you get more customer facing time?" Book: Influence by Robert Cialdini  Lightning Round: Top 10 BEST Ways to Close Out First Quarter  

Hey Voices from the Bench community! Jessica Love here, sending a shoutout from Utah! If you're passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I'm honored to be part of Ivoclar's development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing. Let's continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time. Elvis actually made it down to the exhibition halls this year — and hyperDENT from FOLLOW-ME! Technology was everywhere. Booth after booth, people were talking milling strategies, templates, and workflows. It felt like a full-on CAM takeover. Their Milling Roadmap scavenger hunt had attendees bouncing between Axsys, Imagine, D.O.F., and Roland collecting stamps like responsible adults… Responsible adults chasing a bright orange folding electric hyperDENT scooter. That's what we love about the FOLLOW-ME! team — world-class CAM engineers talking microns and validation protocols one minute, then ripping around Lab Day the next. Serious about precision. Not too serious about themselves. Big shoutout for bringing the brains — and the electric horsepower. Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows in 2026* Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/ exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026 This week we finally get Jay Collins to stop dodging Elvis long enough to sit down and share one of the wildest journeys in dental lab history. From a family split between union steamfitters and dental technicians in Philadelphia to surviving “The Great Brotherly Lab War,” Jay's story is packed with grit, loyalty, and a whole lot of Irish Catholic chaos. What started with an uncle drafted into dental technology during Vietnam eventually turned into a multi-generation lab legacy—and Jay swearing he'd never get into teeth… only to build a powerhouse anyway. After the 2008 crash wiped out his construction business, Jay bet everything on selling outsourced restorations door-to-door, sleeping in his car, showering at the gym, and cold-calling hundreds of offices a week. What followed was the development of his unapologetically bold, psychologically savvy sales approach—what he calls being “aggressively calm.” From pushing doctors to “no,” to matching their energy toe-to-toe, to walking into offices as “the lab” and walking out with cases in hand, Jay breaks down the mindset shift most lab owners desperately need: sales isn't optional, and it definitely isn't accidental. Now leading multiple lab locations under the brilliantly simple name thedentallab.net, Jay shares hard truths about growth, mergers, firing abusive clients, and why cutting your sales department in tough times is the worst move you can make. If you've ever struggled with prospecting, scaling, or standing your ground with doctors, this episode is packed with practical strategies, hilarious role-playing, and a reminder that confidence—backed by accountability—wins every time. At Canadian Dental Labs, Icortica has become a cornerstone of how we operate—giving us at-a-glance visibility into performance, helping us focus our efforts, spot opportunities early, and solve problems before they grow. It takes the guesswork out of decision-making and shows us what to do next. Plus, the Icortica team is incredibly responsive and feels like a true partner in our success. If you're serious about growing your business and understanding your customers better, Icortica can get you there. Learn more at icortica.com/voices — Icortica, helping dental labs grow. Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting. Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don't miss the Women in Dentistry Lunch, celebrating career growth, wellbeing, and the real stories shaping our profession. And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars. Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.Special Guest: Jay Collins.

Today Jess tackles the surprisingly overlooked issue that's stopping entrepreneurs and sales professionals from landing corporate clients: a communication gap that's causing more trouble than you think. Forget "mindset." It's all about how you communicate. After working with thousands of entrepreneurs and professional salespeople over 18 years, Jess has noticed a universal fear: nobody wants to come across as "salesy, sleazy, or pushy." But here's the breakthrough - this isn't a mindset problem, it's a communication one. If your messaging doesn't make it crystal clear what you do and how you help, decision-makers will tune out. Worse, they might feel "stupid" and avoid engaging altogether. Are you making sales too complicated? From job titles to lead generation to elevator pitches, Jess shares real examples where entrepreneurs are unintentionally alienating potential buyers: Job titles that sound clever but are confusing. Lead generation messages stuffed with buzzwords but lacking clarity. Elevator pitches packed with expertise but out of touch with what buyers actually care about. The simple truth? Clarity wins. You don't have to prove you're the smartest person in the room - just make it easy for decision-makers to understand what you do. Jess's Sparkling Sales Advice: Wear your intellectuality subtly. Make your messaging accessible. Help buyers feel comfortable enough to ask questions and start conversations. If your 5-year-old godson wouldn't get it, it's probably too complex!   Practical Takeaways Simplicity Wins: Whether through your job title, outreach, or elevator pitch, keep your messaging clear. Make It Accessible: The best salespeople can explain complex solutions in ways anyone can understand - and that's what builds trust and opens doors for meaningful dialogue. Invite Conversation, Not Intimidation: When people feel comfortable, they ask questions and engage. If you make them feel stupid, they'll simply opt out. Key Quotes; Are You Making It Harder for Decision Makers to Buy? 00:10:1100:10:23 "Am I actually making it easy and simple for decision makers to buy from me, or am I unwittingly making this so much harder than it needs to be?" Why Confusing Messaging Kills Sales 00:26:4800:27:05 "And that is a big sales problem, because when we put other people into that position where they don't understand something, A, it's impossible for them to buy anything, and B, they feel stupid. And when people feel stupid, they don't buy, right?" The Gift of Simplicity in Sales 00:33:3200:33:51  "The most gifted salespeople are the ones who can take something that is so incredibly complex and make somebody who doesn't have that same level of technical expertise or capability understand, and understand why it's relevant to them, that is a gift." The Power of Simplicity in Networking 00:40:1600:40:45 "It's not that I don't do all the things, it's that there is no point in saying all of the things to people who won't know what they are and won't be interested. And that's the same for you, you know. Think about the difference between all of the things that you can do and the things that actually give people the ability to have a conversation with you, that give them the ability to ask questions without feeling dumb."   Key Resources Mentioned in this Episode:   Cold & Sold Bundle: Secure your spot at Converting Corporates 2026, get a year's inbound leads, plus access to the popular Cold to Closed course (8 sales calls in 4 weeks, anyone?) .https://smartleaderssell.thrivecart.com/cold-and-sold-bundle/ Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: A key resource for coaches / consultants / trainers and done-for-you service providers to generate inbound leads. Access The Expert Services Directory here https://bit.ly/ExpertServicesDirectory and use code PODCAST for a special bonus. If you've enjoyed listening to 4 focus areas to smash your sales goals in the first 90 days of 2026 check out this episode.   Sales planning season is here... what do you need to consider? https://bit.ly/SellingToCorporate139   If you would like to sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay in touch with the latest B2B sales tips and techniques click https://sellingtocorporate.com/newsletter/   Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.