Podcasts about strategic growth

  • 549PODCASTS
  • 713EPISODES
  • 34mAVG DURATION
  • 5WEEKLY NEW EPISODES
  • May 7, 2025LATEST

POPULARITY

20172018201920202021202220232024


Best podcasts about strategic growth

Latest podcast episodes about strategic growth

The Advocate Podcast
The Million Dollar Question: Sign Now or Go to College?

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 60:08


What does it really take to go from high school standout to pro baseball? In this episode of the Most Valuable Agent Podcast, former MLB player and Align Sports advisor Dylan Manwaring joins us to share the raw truths of navigating the path from youth baseball to the big leagues. Dylan opens up about growing up with a major leaguer father (Matt Manwaring), standing out in a small town, and how showcases like Area Code Games and East Coast Pro shaped his journey to becoming an MLB draft pick. Whether you're a parent, coach, or player trying to understand the pros and cons of going pro vs. going to college—this episode delivers rare insight and real talk from someone who's been there. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What MLB scouts actually look for at top showcases How Dylan got recruited out of a small town The role of Prospect Link and digital scouting today What families should consider when weighing college vs. draft How to parent (and coach) through pressure without control The mental grind of proving yourself in pro ball If you're a parent, player, or coach looking to better understand how to navigate the path to college or pro baseball, this is the episode for you. Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/ ___ RESOURCES + LINKS ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact. From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field. Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE. FOLLOW Dylan Manwaring: @d_manwaring  Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Marketing Operators
E058: Marketing in a Recession - Cuts, Bets, and What You Can't Afford to Lose

Marketing Operators

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 86:49


With rising costs, tariff uncertainty, and declining consumer confidence, brands are being forced to do more with less - and in today's episode, we break down what that actually looks like in practice, and how we're adapting our marketing strategies in today's tough economic environment.We cover what we're cutting, what we're keeping, and where we're doubling down. From headcount and forecasting to channel prioritization, vendor negotiations, and creative strategy, we share the shifts we're making to stay lean without stalling growth.We also get into how our thinking is evolving around incrementality, media efficiency, and value messaging—and why now might be the time to rethink how you define “essential” in your marketing stack. This is a real-time look at how we're navigating the pressure, adjusting to change, and planning for what's next.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv600:00 Introduction03:21 AI in Marketing and Economic Pressures05:46 Market Trends and Consumer Behavior09:13 Adjusting Strategies in a Recession14:51 Vendor Relationships and Cost Management18:12 Maintaining Growth Amidst Cuts23:52 Customer Support Innovations44:16 Navigating Incrementality in Media Spend47:35 The Importance of Testing and Revalidating Assumptions50:34 Adapting Marketing Strategies in a Changing Economy56:51 Understanding Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior01:00:07 Positioning Premium Brands in a Downturn01:04:56 Leveraging Retail Opportunities for Long-Term Gains01:10:19 The Impact of Tariffs on Marketing Messaging01:20:55 Strategic Growth in a Competitive LandscapeOperators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw Powered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsNorthbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Revenue Boost: A Marketing Podcast
The CEO's Strategic Growth Edge: A Go-To-Market System That Scales

Revenue Boost: A Marketing Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 36:02


The CEO's Strategic Growth Edge: A Go-To-Market System That Scales“You don't need more leads—you need clarity. Clarity on where your business can grow the most, the fastest, and at the highest margin. That's what a real go-to-market system delivers. It's not about volume anymore—it's about alignment, focus, and making sure every team—marketing, sales, and customer success—is executing toward the same outcome. That's how CEOs scale with confidence.” That's a quote from Sangram Vajre, and a sneak peek at today's episode.Welcome to Revenue Boost: A Marketing Podcast. I'm your host, Kerry Curran—revenue growth expert, industry analyst, and relentless advocate for turning marketing into a revenue engine. Each episode, we bring you the strategies, insights, and conversations that help drive your revenue growth. So search for Revenue Boost in your favorite podcast directory and hit subscribe to stay ahead of the game.In The CEO's Strategic Growth Edge: A Go-to-Market System That Scales, I'm joined by bestselling author and GTM expert Sangram Vajre to discuss why go-to-market isn't a marketing tactic—it's a CEO-level growth system. In this episode, you'll learn the three phases every business must navigate to scale, why alignment beats activity in every growth stage, how CEOs can drive clarity, trust, and margin-focused decisions across teams, and why AI is only a threat if you're still riding the demand-gen horse.If you're a growth-minded CEO or exec, this episode gives you the roadmap and the mindset to scale faster, smarter, and stronger. Be sure to listen through to the end, where Sangram shares three key tips—his ultimate advice for any leader ready to level up their go-to-market strategy. Let's go!Kerry Curran, RBMA (00:00.77)So welcome, Sangram. Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background and expertise.Sangram Vajre (00:06.992)Well, at the highest level, I feel like I've had the opportunity to be in the B2B space for the last two decades and have had a front-row seat to categories that have shaped how we think about go-to-market. I ran marketing at Pardot. We were acquired by ExactTarget and then Salesforce—that was a $2.7 billion acquisition. It was a huge shift in mindset, going from a $10 million company to a $10 billion one, and I learned a lot.I became a student of go-to-market, if you will. That was in the marketing automation space. Then I launched a company called Terminus, which has been acquired twice now. Along the way, I've written three books. The one we're going to talk a lot about is MOVE, which became a Wall Street Journal bestseller. That book has created a lot of opportunities and work for us.I walked into writing this book, Kerry, thinking I knew go-to-market because I had two $100M+ exits. But I walked out of the process a student of go-to-market because I learned so much. Writing it forced me to talk to folks like Brian Halligan, the CEO of HubSpot, and partners at VC firms who have seen 200 exits—not just the three I've experienced.It really expanded my vision. Now I lead a company called Go-To-Market Partners. We're a research and advisory firm focused on helping companies understand who owns go-to-market and how to run it at a transformational level. Our clients are primarily CEOs and executive teams. That's our focus.Kerry Curran, RBMA (01:46.094)Excellent. Well, I'm very excited to dive in. I first saw you speak at Inbound last fall, and what really resonated with me was the shift from just an ABM program to a company-wide GTM program—one that includes everything from problem-market fit all the way to customer success, loyalty, and retention. Really making GTM the core of revenue growth.So I'd love for you to dive in and share that framework and background.Sangram Vajre (02:23.224)Yeah. And by the way, for people who've never attended Inbound—you should. I've spoken there for eight years straight and always try to bring new ideas. Each year, they keep giving me more opportunities—from main stage to workshops. I think you attended the 90-minute workshop, right? Hopefully it wasn't boring!Kerry Curran, RBMA (02:48.61)Yeah, it was excellent. I love this stuff, so I was taking lots of notes.Sangram Vajre (02:52.814)That was fun. The whole idea was: how can you build your entire go-to-market strategy on a single slide? Now, people might think, “There's no way—you need way more detail.” But it's not about making it complete; it's about making it clear.So everyone can be aligned. For example, in the operating system we've developed, we write research about it every Monday in a newsletter called GTM Monday, read by 175,000 people. The eight pillars are based on the most important questions. And Kerry, I don't know if you'll agree, but I think I've done a disservice for two decades by asking the wrong question.Like, I used to ask, “Where can we grow?”—which sounds smart but is actually foolish. The better question is, “Where can we grow the most, the fastest, the best, at the highest margin?” That's the true business perspective. So the operating system is built around these eight essential questions.If every executive team can align on these—not with certainty, but with clarity—then they can gain a clear understanding of what they're doing, where they're going, who their ICP is, what bets they're making, and which motions to pursue. I've done this over a thousand times with executive teams, helping them build their entire go-to-market strategy on a single slide. And it's like a lightbulb moment for them: “Okay, now I know what bets we're making and how my team is aligned.” It's a beautiful thing.Kerry Curran, RBMA (04:50.988)Yeah, because that's one of the hardest challenges across business strategy and growth: where to invest, where to lean in. So bring us through the questions and framework.Sangram Vajre (05:01.688)Yeah. So the first one is “Where can you grow the most?” The second one is really about what we call the Market Investment Map. I'll give you maybe three or four so people can get an idea. The Market Investment Map is especially useful for companies with more than one product or more than one segment. This is the least used but most valuable framework companies should be using.You might remember from the Inbound talk—I used HubSpot as an example since I was speaking at Inbound. It's interesting because at my last company, Terminus, we acquired five companies in eight years. So we had to learn this process. The Market Investment Map is about matching your best segments to the best products to create the highest-margin offering.If your entire business focuses only on pipeline and revenue—which sounds right—you're actually focused on the wrong things. You may have seen people post on LinkedIn saying, “I generated $10 million in pipeline,” and then a month later, they're laid off. Why? Because that pipeline didn't matter. It might have been general pipeline, but if you looked at pipeline within your ICP—the customers your company really needs to close, retain, and expand—it might have only been half a million. That's not enough to sustain growth or justify your role.So, understanding the business is critical. It's not just about understanding marketing skills like demand gen, content, or design. Those are table stakes. You need to understand the business of marketing—how the financials work, how to drive revenue, and how to say, “Yeah, we generated $10 million in pipeline, but only half a million was within ICP, so it won't convert or drive the margin we need.” That level of EQ and IQ is what leaders need today.Our go-to-market operating system goes deep into areas like this.Kerry Curran, RBMA (07:31.022)And I love the alignment with the ICP. I'm sure you'll get deeper into that. I also know you talk about getting rid of MQLs because the real focus should be on getting closer to the ICP—on who's actually going to drive revenue.Sangram Vajre (07:45.892)Yeah. John Miller, a good friend who co-founded Marketo, has been writing about this too. I was the CMO of Pardot. Then we both built ABM companies—I built Terminus; he built Engagio, which is now part of Demandbase. We've been evangelizing the idea of efficient marketing machines for the last two decades.We're coming full circle now. That approach made sense in the “growth at all costs” era. But in this “efficient growth” era, everything can be measured. The dark funnel is real. AI can now accelerate your team's output and throughput. So we have to go back to first principles—what do your customers really want?I was in a discussion yesterday with executives and middle managers, and the topic of AI came up. Some were worried it would take their jobs. And I said, “Yes, it absolutely will—and it should.” I gave the example I wrote about recently: imagine you were the best horseman, with saddles, barns, and a generational business built around horses. Then Henry Ford comes along with four wheels. You just lost your job—not because you were bad, but because you got infatuated with the horse, not with your customer's need to get from point A to point B.Horses did that—it was better than walking. But then came cars, trains, airplanes. Business evolves. If you focus on your customers' needs—better, faster, cheaper—you'll always be excited about innovation rather than afraid of it. So yes, AI will replace anyone who stays on their horse. If you're riding the demand gen horse or relying only on content creation, a lot is going to change. Get off the horse, refocus on customer needs, and figure out how to move your business forward.Kerry Curran, RBMA (10:21.708)Yeah. So talk a bit about honing in on the ICP. I know in one of the sessions you asked, “Who's your target audience?” And of course, there was one guy in the front row who said, “Everyone,” and we all laughed. But I still hear that all the time. Talk about how important it is, to your point, to know your customer and get obsessed with what they need.Sangram Vajre (10:45.56)Yeah. So the first pillar of the go-to-market operating system is called TRM, or Total Relevant Market. We introduced that in the book MOVE for the first time. It's a departure from TAM—Total Addressable Market—which is what that guy in the front row was referring to during that session. It was epic, and I think he was a sales leader, so it was even funnier in a room full of marketers.But it's true—and real. He was being honest, and I appreciated that. The reality is, we've all been conditioned to focus on more and more—bigger and bigger markets. That makes sense if you have unlimited funds and can raise money. It makes sense if the market is huge and you're just trying to get in and have more people doing outbound.As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago, we did a session where someone said something profound that I'll never forget. He said, “The whole SDR function is a feature bug in the VC model.” That was fascinating—because the whole SDR model was built to get as many leads as possible, assign 22-year-olds to make cold calls, and push them to AEs.We built this because it worked on a spreadsheet. If we generate 1,000 leads, we need 50 callers to convert them. It's math. But nobody really tried to improve it because we had the money. Now we're in a different world. We have clients doing $10–15 million in revenue with five-person teams automating so much.People don't read as many automated emails. My phone filters out robocalls, so I never pick up unless it's someone I know. Non-personalized emails go into a folder I never open. Yet people keep sending thousands of them, thinking it works.For example, I send our GTM Monday newsletter via Substack. It's free for readers, and it's free for me to send—even to 175,000 people. Meanwhile, marketers spend thousands every time they email their list using legacy tools. Why? Because these people haven't opted in to be part of the journey the way Substack subscribers have.The market has changed. Buying big marketing automation tools for $100,000 is going to change drastically. Fractional leaders and agencies will thrive because what CEOs really need is people like you—and frameworks like a go-to-market operating system—to guide them. You and I have the gray hair and battle scars to prove it. What matters now is using a modern framework, implementing it, and measuring outcomes differently.Kerry Curran, RBMA (14:08.11)Yeah, you bring up such a valid point. In so many of my conversations, I see the same thing. It's been a sales-led growth strategy for years. Investments went to sales—more BDRs, more cold emails, more tech stack partners.Even as I was starting my consultancy, I'd talk to partners or prospects who'd say, “Well, we just hired more salespeople. We want to see how that goes.” But to your point, without the foundational framework—without targeting the right audience—you're just spinning your wheels on volume.Sangram Vajre (15:06.318)Exactly. One area we emphasize in our go-to-market operating system is differentiation. Everyone's doing the same thing. Let me give you an example. Last week, I looked at a startup's email tool that reads your emails and drafts responses automatically. Super interesting. I use Superhuman for email.Two days later, Superhuman sent an email saying they'd launched the exact same feature. So this startup spent time and money building a feature, and Superhuman—already with a huge user base—replicated and launched it instantly. That startup is out of business.With AI, product development is lightning fast. So product is no longer your differentiator. Your differentiation now is how you tell your story, how quickly you grab attention, how well you build and maintain a community. That becomes your moat. Those first principles matter more than ever. Product is just table stakes now.Kerry Curran, RBMA (16:33.878)Right. And connecting that to your marketing strategy, your communication, your messaging—it also sets up your sales team to close faster. By the time a prospect talks to a rep, your marketing has already educated them on your differentiation. So talk more about the stages and what companies need to keep in mind when applying your go-to-market framework.Sangram Vajre (17:07.482)One of the things we mention in the book—and go really deep into in our operating system—is this 3P format: Problem-Market Fit, Product-Market Fit, and Platform-Market Fit. We believe these are the three core stages of a business. I experienced them firsthand at Pardot, Salesforce, and Terminus through multiple acquisitions.If you remember, I always talk about the “squiggly line,” because no company grows up and to the right in a straight line. If you look at daily, weekly, or monthly insights, there are dips—just like a stock market chart. So the squiggly line shows you can go from Problem to Product, but you'll experience a dip. That's normal and natural. Same thing when you go from Product to Platform—you hit a dip. Those dips are what we call the “valleys of death.”Some companies overcome those valleys and cross the chasm, and others don't. Why? Because at those points, they discover they can market and sell, but they can't deliver. Or maybe they can deliver, but they can't renew. Or maybe they can renew but not expand. Each gap becomes a value to fix in the system.And it's hard. I've gone from $5 million to $10 million to $15 million, all the way to $100 million in revenue—and every 5 to 10 million increment brings a new set of challenges. You think you've got it figured out, and then you don't—because everything else has to change with scale.I'll never forget one company I was on the board of—unfortunately, it didn't make it. The CEO was upset because they were doing $20 million in revenue but didn't get the valuation they wanted. Meanwhile, a competitor doing only $5 million in revenue in the same space got a $500 million valuation. Why? Because the $20M company was doing tons of customization—still stuck in Problem-Market Fit. The $5M company had reached Product-Market Fit and was far more efficient. Their operational costs were lower, and their NRR was over 120%.If you've read some of my research, you know I'm all in on NRR—Net Revenue Retention—as the #1 metric. If you get NRR above 120%, you'll double your revenue in 3.8 years without adding a single new customer. That's what executives should focus on.That's why we say the CEO owns go-to-market. All our research shows that if the CEO doesn't own it, you'll have a really hard time scaling.Kerry Curran, RBMA (20:23.992)That makes so much sense, because everything you're talking about—while it includes marketing functions—is really business strategy. It needs to be driven top-down. It has to be the North Star the whole company is paddling toward.I've been in organizations where that's not the case. And as you said, leadership has to have the knowledge and strategic awareness to navigate those pivots—those valleys of death. So talk about how hard it is to bring new frameworks into an organization and the change management that comes with that. As you evangelize the idea that the CEO owns GTM, what's resonating most with them?Sangram Vajre (21:26.456)Great question. First of all, CEOs who get it—they love it. The people who struggle most are actually CMOs and CROs because they feel like they should be the ones owning go-to-market. And while their input is critical, they can't own it entirely.In all our advisory work, Kerry, we mandate two things:The CEO must be in the room. We won't do an engagement without that. The executive team must be involved. We don't do one-on-one coaching—because transformation happens in teams.People often get it wrong. They think, “We need better ICP targeting, so that's marketing's job.” Or, “We need pipeline acceleration—let sales figure that out.” Or, “We have a retention issue—fire the CS team.” No. The problem isn't a department issue—it's a process and team issue.The CEO is the most incentivized person to bring clarity, alignment, and trust—the three pillars of our GTM operating system. They're the ones sitting in all the one-on-one meetings, burning out from the lack of alignment. The challenge is most CEOs don't know what it means to own GTM. It feels overwhelming.So we help them reframe that. Owning doesn't mean running GTM. It means orchestrating clarity, alignment, and trust. Every meeting they lead should advance one of those. That's the job. When the ICP is agreed upon, marketing should be excited to generate leads for it. Sales should be eager to follow up. CS should be relieved they're not getting misaligned customers. That's leadership. And there's no one more suited—or incentivized—to lead that than the CEO.Kerry Curran, RBMA (24:08.11)Absolutely. And the CFO plays a key role too—holding the purse strings, understanding where the investments should go.Sangram Vajre (24:20.622)Yes. In fact, in the book and in our research, we emphasize the importance of RevOps—especially once a company reaches Product-Market Fit and moves toward Platform-Market Fit.If you're operating across multiple products, segments, geographies, or using multiple GTM motions, the RevOps leader—who often reports to the CFO or CEO—becomes critical. I'd say they're the second most important person in the company from a strategy standpoint.Why? Because they're the only ones who can look at the whole picture and say, “We don't need to spend more on marketing; we need to fix the sales process.” A marketing leader won't say that. A sales leader won't say that. You need someone who can objectively assess where the real bottleneck is.Kerry Curran, RBMA (25:17.836)Yeah, that definitely makes so much sense. Are there other areas—maybe below the executive team—that help educate the company from a change management perspective to gain buy-in? Or is it really a company-wide change?Sangram Vajre (25:33.742)Yeah, you mentioned ABM earlier. Having written a few books on ABM and building Terminus, we've seen thousands of companies go through transformation. We now have over 70,000 students who've gone through our courses. I love getting feedback.What's interesting is that ABM has been great for aligning sales and marketing—but it hasn't transformed the company. Go-to-market is not a marketing or sales strategy. It's a business strategy. It has to bring in CS, product, finance—everyone.Where companies often fail is by looking at go-to-market too narrowly—like it's just a product launch or a sales campaign. That's way too myopic. Those companies burn a lot of cash.At the layer below the executive team, it gets harder because GTM is fundamentally a leadership-driven initiative. An SDR, AE, or director of marketing typically doesn't have the incentive—or business context—to drive GTM change. But they should get familiar with it.That's why we created the GTM Operating System certification. Hundreds of professionals have gone through it—including you! And now people are bringing those frameworks into leadership meetings.They'll say, “Hey, let's pull up the 15 GTM problems and see where we're stuck.” Or, “Let's revisit the 3 Ps—where are we today?” Or use one of the assessments. It's pretty cool to see it in action.Kerry Curran, RBMA (27:35.758)Yeah, and it's extremely valuable. I love that it's a tool that helps drive company-wide buy-in and educates the people responsible for the actions. So you've shared so many great frameworks and recommendations. For those listening, what's the first step to get started? What would you recommend to someone who's thinking, “Okay, I love all of this—I need to start shifting my organization”?Sangram Vajre (28:09.082)First, you have to really understand the definition of go-to-market. It's a transformational process—not a one-and-done. It's not something you define at an offsite and then forget. It's not owned by pirates. It's iterative. It happens every day.Second, the CEO has to be fully bought in. If they don't own it, GTM will run them. If you're a CEO and you feel overwhelmed, that's usually why—you're running go-to-market, not owning it.Third, business transformation happens in teams. If you try to build a GTM strategy in a silo—as a marketer, for example—it will fail. The best strategies never see the light of day because the team isn't behind them. In GTM, alignment matters more than being right.Kerry Curran, RBMA (29:27.982)Excellent. I love this so much. Thank you! How can people find you and learn more about the GTM Partners certification and your book?Sangram Vajre (29:37.476)You can go to gtmpartners.com to get the certification. Thousands of people are going through it, and we're constantly adding new content. We're about to launch Go-To-Market University to add even more courses.We also created the MOVE Book Companion, because we're actually selling more books now than when it first came out three years ago—which is crazy!Then there's GTM Monday, our research newsletter that 175,000 people read every week. Our goal is to keep building new frameworks and sharing what's possible. Things are changing so fast—AI, GTM tech, everything. But first principles still apply. That's why frameworks matter more than ever.You can't just ask ChatGPT to “give me a go-to-market strategy” and expect it to work. It might give you something beautifully written, but it won't help you make money. You need frameworks, team alignment, and process discipline.And I post about this every day on LinkedIn—so follow me there too!Kerry Curran, RBMA (30:54.988)Excellent. Well, thank you so much. This has been a great conversation, and I highly recommend the book and the certification to everyone. We'll include all the links in the show notes.Thank you, Sangram, for joining us today!Sangram Vajre (31:09.284)Kerry, you're a fantastic host. Thank you for having me.Kerry Curran, RBMA (31:11.854)Thank you very much.Thanks for tuning in to Revenue Boost: A Marketing Podcast. I hope today's conversation sparked some new ideas and challenged the way you think about how your organization approaches go-to-market and revenue growth strategy. If you're serious about turning marketing into a true revenue driver, this is just the beginning. We've got more insightful conversations, expert guests, and actionable strategies coming your way—so search for us in your favorite podcast directory and hit subscribe.And hey, if this episode brought you value, please share it with a colleague or leave a quick review. It helps more revenue-minded leaders like you find our show. Until next time, I'm Kerry Curran—helping you connect marketing to growth, one episode at a time. See you soon.

The CUInsight Network
Banking with Purpose - Spiral

The CUInsight Network

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 19:50


“We exist (to help your credit union get to where you want to go) and we will deliver real results with a real heart.” – Shawn MelamedThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today's show is Shawn Melamed, CEO and co-founder of Spiral. Shawn tells us about his journey from a game-obsessed kid to a serial entrepreneur, managing director at Morgan Stanley, and now CEO of Spiral.In our conversation, we talk about how Spiral is helping credit unions compete in a crowded market and build meaningful relationships with their members. It isn't only about financial wellness—it's about creating a system that rewards people for being intentional with their money and gives them tools to do good without making it overly complicated.As we wrap up the episode, Shawn talks about a former boss who led with empathy and confidence, his family's love of traveling, the books he thinks everyone should read, and the importance of being disciplined when it comes to work-life balance. Enjoy my conversation with Shawn Melamed! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Shawn:Shawn Melamed, CEO and co-founder of Spiralspiral.usShawn: LinkedInSpiral: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | XBook mentioned: The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe BryantBook mentioned: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Insurance Leadership Podcast
From News Desk to Distribution

Insurance Leadership Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 17:53


Welcome back to the Insurance Leadership Podcast! Alisha Pequeno, Head of Distribution and Broker Partnerships at Zurich North America, joins co-host Ben Markland to share leadership lessons from the carrier side. She discusses building strong partnerships, leading with authenticity, and creating a culture that drives growth. Tune in for practical insights to help you lead, adapt, and build lasting success.

The Advocate Podcast
Travel Team Spotlight: Inside 5 Star National with Andy Burress

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 52:49


In this premiere Travel Team Spotlight episode of The Most Valuable Agent podcast, we sit down with Andy Burress—former Reds draft pick and founder of Five Star National, one of the most successful and expansive travel baseball programs in the country. From his playing days to building a 50+ location organization (spanning the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia), Andy opens up about the realities of youth baseball—the wins, the mistakes, and the deeper mission behind it all. You'll hear how his son Drew Burress (a Georgia Tech standout) developed as a player, and why Five Star's model focuses on accountability, structure, and long-term growth—not just exposure or trophies. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Five Star National became a standout in the world of travel baseball The biggest misconceptions about “development vs. showcasing” What really helps players succeed in college recruiting Why failure, structure, and accountability matter more than early wins How Andy approached his own son's development—and what you can learn from it Key advice for parents navigating the travel ball journey   ⚾️ Know a baseball parent or coach who needs to hear this?

Ideas That Make An Impact: Expert and Author Interviews to transform your life and business
#444 The Fractional COO Advantage: Strategic Growth Without Breaking the Bank | La Tonya Roberts

Ideas That Make An Impact: Expert and Author Interviews to transform your life and business

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 11:08


3 big ideas discussed in this episode: BIG IDEA #1: The fractional leadership model provides small businesses access to executive-level expertise at a fraction of the cost. BIG IDEA #2: Leverage AI to streamline operations, compliment your human team members, and give you back more time to build your business. BIG IDEA #3: How I use my signature Operations GOLDMINE framework to help CEOs build simplified, sustainable, and scalable business. Get the show notes for this episode here: https://AskJeremyJones.com/podcast

Alt vi kan
From Spreadsheets to Strategic Growth: How Modern CRM is Transforming Business with HubSpot

Alt vi kan

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 27:33


The Advocate Podcast
Getting the Most from Your Agent at Every Stage of Your Career

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 58:53


Welcome back to The Most Valuable Agent podcast! In this power-packed episode, Matt and Brian Hannaford unpack one of the most critical—but often misunderstood—aspects of a player's career: how to actually maximize your relationship with your agent. Whether you're navigating college recruiting, exploring NIL deals, entering the MLB Draft, or managing life in pro ball—having an agent isn't enough. You need to know how to be a strategic partner in your own success. From walking on at Arizona State to negotiating multimillion-dollar contracts, Matt and Brian share lessons learned on both sides of the player-agent relationship—along with hard truths every athlete and family should hear. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why college baseball is now a business—and how to approach it like one How NIL and the transfer portal have changed the game forever The “freedom point” every player should define to stay grounded How your honesty, interest, and communication affect your agent's ability to advocate for you The #1 mistake players make when choosing an agent What a great agent-client relationship really looks like (spoiler: it's not hand-holding) A behind-the-scenes look at the Austin Riley extension and what it reveals about long-term planning The 7 essential questions every player should ask before signing with any agent This episode isn't just about representation—it's a masterclass in agency, alignment, and personal ownership. If you're a player, parent, or coach looking to navigate the complex world of college recruiting, NIL, and pro baseball with clarity and confidence—this one's for you.

The CUInsight Network
Innovative Investing - InvestiFi

The CUInsight Network

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 19:54


“Credit unions are unsung heroes in our community. The lives they touch are better off for the work they do every single day.” - Sarah LambertThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today's show is Sarah Lambert, Vice President of Marketing at InvestiFi. Sarah shares how her unconventional journey through marketing agencies, HR tech, and major players such as Oracle led her to a role that blends creativity, communication, and a drive to build.In our conversation, Sarah shares how InvestiFi is helping credit unions compete with big-investing apps without losing the personal trust that makes local institutions stand out. From offering members access to guided investing and fractional shares directly through their existing banking platform, to providing credible financial education within the app itself, InvestiFi is truly reshaping what digital investing can look like for everyday people.As we wrap up the episode, Sarah talks about her amazing boss, her love for traveling in the US and abroad, and the two books she thinks everyone should read. Enjoy my conversation with Sarah Lambert!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Sarah:Sarah Lambert, Vice President of Marketing at InvestiFiinvestifi.coSarah: LinkedInInvestiFi: LinkedInShow notes from this episode:Book mentioned: The Let Them Theory by Mel RobbinsBook mentioned: Words That Work by Dr. Frank Luntz

The Advocate Podcast
Tony Clark on Player Power, Purpose, and the Future

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 48:35


What role does the MLB Players Association really play—and why should even high school athletes and their families care? In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, Matt Hannaford sits down with Tony Clark, former All-Star and current Executive Director of the MLBPA, for an unfiltered conversation about the past, present, and future of baseball. From being a first-round draft pick to now representing thousands of professional athletes, Tony shares a rare, insider look at how labor rights, player empowerment, and education off the field are just as crucial as what happens between the lines. Together, they explore: ⚾️ The formation and purpose of the MLBPA ⚾️ The legacy of Curt Flood, Marvin Miller, and the '94 strike ⚾️ The union's role in youth baseball, NIL, and mental health support ⚾️ Why young players must understand the business of the game ⚾️ How to become the CEO of your own career This episode is a must-listen for prospects, parents, coaches, and fans who care about the soul of the sport—and the people in it.

Flattening the Curb
Jen VanSkiver, Chief Officer of Strategic Growth Special Olympics Michigan

Flattening the Curb

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 52:14


We're back with more incredible stories and inspiring voices in the world of disability inclusion.

Inside the Strategy Room
247. Transforming for growth

Inside the Strategy Room

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 45:19


Companies often aim for growth or transformation, but it's less common for them to pursue transformation as a means of achieving growth. This week, three McKinsey experts share their research into how the one in four companies that outperform use transformation to achieve growth beyond that of their peers. Sandra Sancier-Sultan is a senior partner based in Paris and a leader in McKinsey’s Transformation, Sustainability, and Financial Services practices. Rebecca Doherty is a partner in our San Francisco Bay Area office and co-leader of our global Strategic Growth and Innovation Practice, and Louisa Greco is a partner in our Toronto office and a leader in our Transformation Practice. Related insights Breaking the mold: Five behaviors of leading growth transformers Choosing to grow: The leader’s blueprint Courageous growth: Six strategies for continuous growth outperformance Eight lessons on how to get the growth you planned McKinsey Insights on Transformation McKinsey Transformation on LinkedInSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

The Advocate Podcast
Pitch Smarter, Not Harder: MLB Lessons with Tyler Zombro

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 67:06


What does it really take to go from overlooked to overachiever in professional baseball? In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, Matt Hannaford sits down with Tyler Zombro—a former undrafted pitcher who battled his way to Triple-A and now serves as Special Assistant of Pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Tyler's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless improvement. From setbacks and injuries to shaping how MLB teams develop arms today, his journey is packed with lessons for players, coaches, and anyone navigating the evolving world of baseball. Whether you're chasing a roster spot, building a development system, or guiding a young athlete, this episode dives deep into the data, biomechanics, and mindset reshaping pitching at every level. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Tyler's journey from undrafted free agent to AAA pitcher and front office exec unfolded ✅ Why command, pitch design, and self-awareness often trump velocity ✅ The real role of data in modern pitching development and talent evaluation ✅ How to build a plan for adding velo, refining pitch shapes, and avoiding injury ✅ What makes Tread Athletics different—and how it helped top arms like Cole Ragans ✅ Why transparent communication is the missing ingredient in many MLB organizations ✅ What amateur and pro players should consider when choosing a team, coach, or plan ✅ The importance of player development systems, biomechanics, and long-term strategy ✅ How teams like the Cubs and Dodgers build winning culture by maximizing undervalued arms ✅ Why mental models, adaptability, and understanding your identity matter more than ever

Old Capital Real Estate Investing Podcast with Michael Becker & Paul Peebles
EPS 326 - "From Pittsburgh to Texas: Ryan Heddleston's Strategic Growth in Multifamily Real Estate and His Battle Against Rising Property Taxes"

Old Capital Real Estate Investing Podcast with Michael Becker & Paul Peebles

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 46:08


Ryan Heddleston's journey from small-scale real estate investments in Pittsburgh to managing large-scale multifamily properties in Texas is a great example of how strategic partnerships and expertise can lead to substantial growth. His decision to partner with experienced operators allowed him to scale quickly, which paid off—he acquired over 6,000 units across 34 properties, worth more than $500 million in total capitalization. However, even seasoned investors like Ryan can encounter challenges, and one key issue he identified was the high property tax rates in Texas, which can significantly impact profitability. To address this, Ryan and Clayton Sievers co-founded Valorum Tax Advisors. By combining their deep understanding of the local tax landscape with their expertise in multifamily properties, Valorum specializes in helping operators reduce property tax burdens. Their services focus on fighting unfair property tax assessments and providing accurate tax estimates, crucial for both current property owners and those looking to make acquisitions. To contact Ryan and Clayton: valoremtx.com Are you ready to unlock the potential of Multifamily Syndications? Discover how Michael Becker's proven real estate syndication business can open doors to financial growth and your long-term success. Visit SPIADVISORY.COM today and start your journey toward smarter investing!

Anthony Vaughan
Scaling the Right Way: Strategic Growth Without Losing Your People

Anthony Vaughan

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 16:56


In this episode, Anthony Vaughan breaks down a powerful truth: you can't scale revenue if you lose trust, clarity, and culture along the way. Drawing from over 800 conversations on The E1B2 Collective Podcast, he unpacks the hard realities and human-centered strategies behind sustainable growth, effective change management, and real leadership alignment.You'll learn:Why fast growth often hides deeper internal problemsHow to build a culture where change is understood, not fearedWhat it takes for leadership teams to stay aligned in high-pressure momentsWhy your sales strategy is only as strong as the people culture behind itTactical tools like Change Briefs, Listening Labs, Sales Culture Reviews, and Leadership Narrative SyncsWhether you're a founder, CRO, CHRO, or team lead — this episode will help you rethink how you scale, and why your people are the key to making it last.

The Advocate Podcast
How Kurt Suzuki Beat the Odds: College Baseball, Mental Toughness & the Big Leagues

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 51:11


In the second part, of this episode of the Most Valuable Agent Podcast, former MLB catcher and World Series champion Kurt Suzuki joins host Matt Hannaford to share his journey from overlooked Hawaii high school athlete to 16-year Major League veteran. Kurt dives into the ups and downs of walking on at Cal State Fullerton, grinding through the minors, and eventually becoming one of the most respected catchers in the game—with an All-Star nod and a World Series ring to show for it. Whether you're a baseball parent, aspiring player, or travel ball coach, this episode delivers real talk, mindset shifts, and hard-earned wisdom you won't hear in typical recruiting conversations. What You'll Learn from This Episode: ✅ Growing up in Hawaii: Challenges and cultural uniqueness in pursuing baseball ✅ Choosing a walk-on opportunity over a full scholarship ✅ The mental edge: How Kurt built confidence and caught the eye of scouts ✅What college baseball really teaches you ✅ The game-changing mindset shift that transformed Kurt's career ✅ Fullerton's legendary run to the College World Series ✅ The truth about travel ball, exposure, and scholarships for young athletes ✅ The problem with ego in youth baseball and how to develop winning players ✅ The role of parents: What every sports parent should (and shouldn't) do ✅The value of choosing the right agent and building long-term trust Whether you're navigating youth baseball politics, making a college decision, or working your way through the minors, Kurt offers grounded wisdom, real stories, and actionable insight. Subscribe for weekly interviews with athletes, coaches, and pros sharing lessons you won't learn on the field.

The Remarkable CEO for Chiropractors
300 - Business Intelligence: Part 1

The Remarkable CEO for Chiropractors

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 44:18


In this episode, you'll discover:How to use business intelligence (data) to compress time and accelerate successRemarkable Standards (for KPI's) create context for your Team for what a Win! looks likeUnlock the 5 P's: Identify key constraints and correct them for maximum impactTransformation is an ongoing process—it requires adaptability and continuous learningThe 2 most critical questions that will refine your delegation process and optimize operationsEpisode Highlights00:46 – Learn how business intelligence starts with reducing drama by organizing, systematizing, and optimizing operations.03:28 – Discover why aligning your business with personal joy and energy is essential for sustainable growth and leadership.06:15 – Understand the role of the CEO as a Chief Energy Officer and how your energy determines your team and business performance.08:09 – Explore the sequence of operationalize, professionalize, and optimize—and why each phase must be approached strategically.10:14 – Learn why increased productivity and durability don't always mean profitability until the business is fully optimized.13:46 – Hear how upgrading systems and rebuilding teams is part of scaling and necessary for long-term success.16:21 – Discover why casting vision and seeing the bigger picture is the CEO's most important role during growth and transition.17:26 – Understand how measuring performance through KPIs and scorecards is foundational for optimization and accountability.20:02 – Learn how the accountability grid identifies which business domains are underperforming and who is responsible.22:58 – Get insight into the five-question fix framework: person, process, proficiency, priority, or project.26:40 – Explore how to improve outcomes by deciding whether to do more, do better, or do something different with key processes.28:04 - Dr. Eric DiMartino and Justin Maxwell from Success Partner, Big Life Financial discuss transforming high income into generational wealth. Uncover  how Big Life Financial supports chiropractors in optimizing their finances through strategic systems. They introduce the concept of ROE (return on emotion) alongside ROI, focusing on the peace of mind for business owners. Tune in to enhance your financial health and business success. Resources MentionedDownload your copy of the Accountability Grid and Remarkable Standards here: www.theremarkablepractice.com/podcast-ep300-acctgridTo learn more about the REM CEO Program, please visit:  http://www.theremarkablepractice.com/rem-ceoFor more information about Big Life Financial please visit: https://biglifefinancial.com/Schedule a Brainstorming call with Dr. PeteFollow Dr Stephen on Instagram: https://qr.me-qr.com/l/riDHVjqt  Follow Dr Pete on Instagram: https://qr.me-qr.com/I1nC7Hgg  Prefer to watch? Catch the podcast on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRemarkablePractice1To listen to more episodes visit https://theremarkablepractice.com/podcast/ or follow on your favorite podcast app.

Engineer Your Success
From Grit to Growth: Keys to Building a Thriving Business with Johnathan Meade | EP 187

Engineer Your Success

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 45:07


In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, host Dr. James Bryant welcomes Johnathan Meade, the CEO of Meade Engineering. Johnathan shares his intriguing journey from working as an electrical drafter in his family business, to venturing into the financial world with Charles Schwab, and eventually returning to helm Meade Engineering. He discusses key decisions in his career, the motivation behind those decisions, and the challenges of navigating growth within the engineering space. Jonathan candidly opens up about the responsibility and accountability that come with leadership roles and shares a valuable lesson learned from a major mistake. He also emphasizes the importance of strategic foresight and empowering teams to manage challenges effectively. For those interested in how personal growth, family legacy, and business strategies intertwine in the engineering industry, this episode is a must-listen!   00:00 Introduction to Engineer Your Success 01:14 Early Career and Education 04:05 Journey at Charles Schwab 11:58 Return to Meade Engineering 15:51 Strategic Growth and Leadership 19:04 Navigating Challenges and Future Planning 24:29 Lessons from Mistakes 27:16 Preparing for the Next Level 31:06 Vision for the Future 38:19 Personal Journey and Motivation 43:14 Insights on Success ABOUT THE GUEST: Arizona native Johnathan Meade, MBA, CEO of Phoenix-based Meade Engineering, carries extensive corporate finance, strategy development, digital product management and early set, hands-on industry experience under his father, Meade Engineering's original owner. Initially drawn to economics at Arizona State University, he redirected his educational path to business and finance. Johnathan then achieved his MBA at Pepperdine and began his journey through the corporate realm. Johnathan honed his financial expertise during a tenure at Charles Schwab, where he played a pivotal role in an internal team of consultants advising on Charles Schwab's strategic initiatives. His leadership and strategic prowess earned him recognition as an innovator within the company. In 2022, Johnathan Meade decided to return to his roots at Meade Engineering. Since then, he has assembled a team of highly-experienced professionals dedicated to crafting cutting-edge designs for electrical infrastructure. These innovations provide critical electricity solutions to mission-critical facilities nationwide, solidifying Johnathan's position as a leader in the field. Guest Links: john@meadeengineering.com Website: www.meadeengineering.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathanmeade/   Engineer Your Success  Let's connect! Find Dr. James Bryant on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. Grab Your Copy of the Engineer's Blueprint for Success Here: https://www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/engineers-blueprint/  You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website, www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com, and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.  

Schools Of Excellence Podcast
229. The Strategic Growth Gear

Schools Of Excellence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 27:48


The sixth and final episode in the 5 Gears series, today's episode focuses on the Strategic Growth Gear. This episode looks a little different from others in the series because strategic growth is not just about building other systems or how to optimize other systems — it's about really understanding when and how to expand your impact.You'll learn the four distinct paths of growth:Internal – Strengthening what you already have. This can look like creating leadership pipelines or enhancing your current programs. External – Your traditional market expansion. It includes opening up new locations, expanding to new neighborhoods, and creating pop-up programs.Vertical – Increasing your depth of impact. This is about adding advanced programs and extending your services.Horizontal – Broadening your impact through new revenue streams. It could be creating new training programs, developing new educational materials, or taking things that you've done and actually writing curriculum books.

Disruptors Network
The Disruptors Network With Black Impact Leader Mosi Gatling

Disruptors Network

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 22:46


Welcome to the Disruptors Network Podcast on Spotify. In this episode, hosts Taryn, Keyla, and Monique sit down with with Mosi Gatling , Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Expansion, New American Funding.A seasoned speaker and housing advocate renowned for her work in empowering diverse homebuyers. With a proven track record of leading initiatives that drive $20 billion in commitments to underrepresented communities, Mosi blends data-driven insights with a deep passion for equity. As a 2024 Women of Influence award recipient, she has originated over 1,000 loans and built a six-figure business, solidifying her status as a thought leader in real estate and mortgage education. Mosi emphasizes the importance of intentional marketing efforts that authentically represent diverse communities. She believes that inclusive messaging and deliberate outreach can significantly bridge gaps in homeownership opportunities.

401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast
Creating the 'Next-Gen 401(k) Report' with KWP Growth Partners' Will Prest and Lisa Kottler

401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 16:56


The inaugural "Next-Gen 401(k) Report" from KWP Growth Partners is being released on April 8, unveiling a dozen transformative trends that are shaping the future of retirement plans, putting the spotlight on 60 leading digital-forward companies that are driving innovation in the workplace retirement plan space.Will Prest, Managing Partner for KWP Growth Partners and Lisa Kottler, KWP's Partner of Strategic Growth and Innovation, join this episode of the 401(k) Specialist Podcast to discuss the new report and what makes it a valuable new resource for firms throughout the workplace retirement plan ecosystem.Key InsightsNext Gen 401(k) Report Launches with 12 Key TrendsKWP Growth Partners released the inaugural Next Gen 401(k) Report spotlighting 60 innovative companies and 12 transformative trends shaping the retirement industry. Designed for advisors, recordkeepers, asset managers, and fintechs, the report helps stakeholders identify emerging opportunities and collaborate for better retirement outcomes​.Collaboration Over Competition in RetireTechA major takeaway is the growing collaboration between legacy firms and challenger retiretech brands. Instead of competing, firms are forming strategic partnerships—like John Hancock with Swell—to broaden market access, accelerate innovation, and close the retirement coverage gap​.Top Trends: AI, Embedded Solutions & Human-Centered DesignAmong the top trends are AI-driven personalization, embedded solutions like guideline and Gusto's payroll integration, and user-friendly, jargon-free design. These trends are enhancing engagement, efficiency, and inclusivity across retirement platforms​.See Also:‘RetireTech Map 1.0' Highlights Retirement Plan Industry Innovators

The CUInsight Network
Collaboration, Not Competition - CUInsight

The CUInsight Network

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 19:37


“Sales and marketing should be talking every day, because everything you're doing should be marching in the same direction.” - Whitney BedardThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today's show is Whitney Bedard, Vice President of Marketing and Digital at CUInsight. Whitney describes herself as a curious marketer with a passion for making connections and building meaningful partnerships. She walks us through the unexpected turns of her career, from working the teller line at the nation's first credit union to leading marketing teams, and spending time in real estate and retail. We discussed the value of wearing many hats, why every marketer should experience working in sales, and the lessons she carried from managing a Target store to shaping credit union strategies.In our conversation, we talk about the vital role which CUInsight plays in the credit union world and how we act as a trusted partner for industry professionals looking to stay informed, connected, and ahead of the curve. Whitney also shares insights into what makes the credit union industry unique, what excites her most about CUInsight's growing impact, and why she believes that collaboration rather than competition is the key to moving the industry forward.As we wrap up the episode, Whitney talks about a precious leadership lesson she learned from her Yiayia, a first-generation Greek immigrant who led with quiet strength, resilience, and a whole lot of heart. She also talks about her love of traveling, books, and gardening supplies. Enjoy my conversation with Whitney Bedard!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Whitney:Whitney Bedard, Vice President of Marketing and Digital at CUInsightcuinsight.comWhitney: LinkedIn | Email: wbedard@cuinsight.com CUInsight: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

The Advocate Podcast
How Kurt Suzuki Went from Walk-On to World Series Champion

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 36:47


Think making it to the MLB is all about raw talent? Think again.  Kurt Suzuki's journey from an overlooked Hawaiian athlete to a 16-year MLB career proves that mindset, adaptability, and persistence matter more than anything else. In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, World Series champion Kurt Suzuki sits down with host Matt to share his unfiltered story—from walking on at Cal State Fullerton to winning a College World Series and ultimately thriving in the big leagues. Whether you're a youth baseball player, parent navigating travel ball politics, or just a fan of underdog success stories, this episode is packed with must-know lessons on perseverance, mental toughness, and making the most of every opportunity. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ⚾️ The challenges of being a baseball prospect from Hawaii ⚾️ Why exposure and opportunity outweigh raw talent in recruiting ⚾️ How Kurt turned down a full-ride to walk on at Fullerton… and why ⚾️ The mindset shift that changed everything, thanks to Ken Ravizza ⚾️ The story behind becoming a national champion and Johnny Bench Award winner ⚾️ How humility, adaptability, and being a “winning player” matter more than stats ⚾️ Advice for parents navigating youth baseball and travel ball politics

The Admissions Directors Lunchcast
Wrangling Your Admissions Tech

The Admissions Directors Lunchcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 44:09


This week's episode sponsored by Geneologie, where you'll get 10% off your first order if you mention The Admissions Directors Lunchcast.⁠https://www.geneologie.com/promo-box/ ⁠CRMs, texting platforms, predictive analytics, chatbots—oh my! The world of admissions technology keeps evolving, and if you're not careful, your tech stack can start running you instead of the other way around.This week, we're talking to two experts who have mastered the digital frontier: Abe Gruber, Vice President of Strategic Growth & Operations at Softdocs, shares the biggest mistakes colleges make with tech implementation and where AI is taking us next. Bridgett Thompson, Director of Admissions Operations at Knox College, discusses how to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and avoid tech burnout in admissions.We cover: How to get the most out of your CRM and recruitment tools The key to successful tech implementation (hint: it's NOT the go-live date) The role AI is already playing in admissions—and where it's headed Why student portals are becoming a critical recruitment tool The one thing most admissions offices would change about their techWhether you're wrangling a brand-new CRM or just trying to tame your current tech, this episode is packed with practical advice.

Business Breakdowns
EssilorLuxottica: Sight To Behold - [Business Breakdowns, EP.210]

Business Breakdowns

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 44:25


Today we are breaking down EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the eyewear industry, formed by the merger of Essilor and Luxottica in 2018. Today the business sports a nearly $130 billion market cap. EssilorLuxottica represents a vertically integrated business, encompassing design, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations across both vision care and eyewear fashion segments. To break down EssilorLuxottica, I am joined by Swetha Ramachandran who manages the Artemis ‘leading consumer brand' strategy and is co-manager of the ‘global select' and ‘global focus' strategies.  Swetha analyzes the strategic rationale behind the merger, assessing how it shaped the company's competitive advantages.  We discuss the economics of prescription lenses, high-fashion sunglasses, and iconic brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. We also explore the impact of emerging technologies like Smart Glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and evolving consumer preferences on the eyewear market, as well as the competitive impact of upstarts like Warby Parker. Please enjoy this breakdown of EssilorLuxottica. Subscribe to Colossus Review For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here. ----- Octus, formerly Reorg, is the essential credit intelligence and data provider for nearly 40,000 professionals across the world's leading buy side firms, investment banks, law firms and advisory firms. By surrounding unparalleled human expertise with embedded AI technology, data and workflow tools, Octus unlocks powerful truths that fuel decisive action in financial markets. Visit octus.com to learn how rigorously verified intelligence is delivered at speed to create a complete picture across the entire credit lifecycle.  —- 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 (00:04:24) Essilor Luxottica: A Unique Business Model (00:05:08) Market Leadership and Revenue Breakdown (00:08:13) The Merger: Essilor and Luxottica (00:10:18) Financial Performance and Strategic Investments (00:12:22) Challenges and Competitive Landscape (00:18:37) Global Operations and Market Strategy (00:21:04) Innovations and Future Prospects (00:22:36) Financial Analysis and Capital Allocation (00:26:11) Competitive Pressures and Market Position (00:28:47) Geographic Footprint and Strategic Growth (00:30:44) Acquisitions and Strategic Endeavors (00:32:38) Partnerships and Technological Integration (00:35:13) Summary and Key Takeaways (00:41:36) Lessons from EssilorLuxottica

The Advocate Podcast
He Coached His Son to the MLB Draft—Craig Holman on What Really Matters

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 73:40


What if everything you thought about youth baseball, travel ball, and scholarships was upside down? In this emotional and eye-opening episode of Most Valuable Agent, host Matt sits down with former pro pitcher, travel ball coach, and baseball dad Craig Holman—father of LSU standout and MLB Draft pick Luke Holman. This isn't just about rankings, exposure, or getting a D1 scholarship. This is about what really matters—the relationship between parent and child, the power of presence, and how chasing the wrong things can rob families of the joy that sports are supposed to bring. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ “Be a Dad First” – Why your relationship matters more than your kid's batting average ✅ Development > Exposure – The dangerous lie most travel baseball families believe ✅ The College Decision – What every parent should know before their child commits ✅ Coaching Without Regret – How to pour into your kids without expecting a return ✅ Visualizing Success – The mental strategies Craig used as a pro and taught his kids ✅ Lessons from the Draft Process – What Craig learned representing his own son ✅ The Wolf at the Door – Why staying uncomfortable can be the greatest gift ✅ The Most Important Investment – Why time spent with your child is the ultimate ROI Whether you're a baseball parent, aspiring athlete, or coach, this episode is a masterclass in humility, leadership, and legacy.

The Small Business Mindset
122 - Top 5 Tips to Boost Profits and Save Time

The Small Business Mindset

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 18:52


In this episode, Kirsten Flory shares five essential tips for small business owners to boost profits and save time.  She emphasizes the importance of working on the business rather than in it, identifying profit-generating activities, and the value of delegation and outsourcing.  Kirsten also discusses leveraging virtual assistance to enhance efficiency and productivity, ultimately encouraging business owners to focus on their strengths and maximize their time for greater profitability. Key Takeaways: Identify whether you are working on or in your business List all activities you do for your business Circle only the activities that generate profit Use the 80/20 rule to focus on key activities Delegate tasks that do not require your direct involvement Consider hiring virtual assistants for efficiency Trust others to handle tasks better than you can Ask questions and seek advice from others Streamline processes to save time and effort Kirsten Flory is the President & CEO of Foundations Commercial Real Estate and host of The Small Business Mindset. www.kirstenflory.com Connect with Kirsten Here

The Steve Harvey Morning Show
Uplift: Testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and the power of business relationships.

The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 29:41 Transcription Available


Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ken Taunton. Founder and president of The Royster Group, an executive staffing agency established in 2001. Ken shares the challenges he faced while building his business, from early struggles to scaling for success. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in entrepreneurship and how guidance from experienced leaders can make all the difference. Ken also offers valuable insights on navigating the competitive world of executive staffing. His journey is a testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and the power of strong professional relationships. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strawberry Letter
Uplift: Testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and the power of business relationships.

Strawberry Letter

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 29:41 Transcription Available


Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ken Taunton. Founder and president of The Royster Group, an executive staffing agency established in 2001. Ken shares the challenges he faced while building his business, from early struggles to scaling for success. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in entrepreneurship and how guidance from experienced leaders can make all the difference. Ken also offers valuable insights on navigating the competitive world of executive staffing. His journey is a testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and the power of strong professional relationships. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show
Uplift: Testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and the power of business relationships.

Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 29:41 Transcription Available


Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ken Taunton. Founder and president of The Royster Group, an executive staffing agency established in 2001. Ken shares the challenges he faced while building his business, from early struggles to scaling for success. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in entrepreneurship and how guidance from experienced leaders can make all the difference. Ken also offers valuable insights on navigating the competitive world of executive staffing. His journey is a testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and the power of strong professional relationships. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Brand Amplified©
Mindset Shifts for Agency Owners: Colby Wegter on Overcoming Fear and Prioritizing Strategic Growth

Your Brand Amplified©

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 54:11


Colby Wegter's journey from burnout to business success offers invaluable insights for agency owners looking to create a more balanced life while achieving growth. After facing intense challenges in his teaching career, Colby transitioned to digital marketing, only to encounter burnout once again while managing a large client base. Through strategic shifts like setting boundaries and implementing the "two-hour rule," Colby reduced his work hours from 70 to just 8 hours a week, ultimately doubling his company's revenue. A key lesson from Colby's story is the importance of focusing on one core service rather than spreading resources too thin. By mastering a specific niche and referring out work to specialists, agencies can establish credibility and deliver exceptional results. Colby emphasizes the need for mindset shifts that encourage working smarter, not harder, and prioritizing strategic thinking to foster long-term growth without sacrificing personal well-being. If you're ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, Colby Wegter's expertise can help guide you on this journey. His personalized approach through the Autonomy Agency helps business owners achieve seven-figure success while working fewer hours. To learn more about Colby's methods and receive valuable insights directly to your inbox, sign up for his newsletter. We're happy you're here! Like the pod? Visit our website! Start your trial on Simplified. Schedule a consult, get on the mailing list, and learn more about my favorite tools and programs via https://www.yourbrandamplified.com

The CUInsight Network
Clarity, Consistency, Constancy - On the Mark Strategies

The CUInsight Network

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 20:57


“Member experience is everybody's responsibility because every employee has an impact on member experience.” - Laura LoyThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today's show is Laura Loy, Chief Experience Officer at On the Mark Strategies. Laura helps credit unions sharpen their strategies and marketing in order to build stronger, more resilient organizations. She takes us inside On the Mark's approach to creating consistency in the member journey.In our conversation, Laura explains how On the Mark Strategies helps credit unions create consistency in every member interaction and breaks down what she calls the “four success markers”. We also talk about staying ahead of industry shifts, what's changing for credit unions right now, and how CUs can adapt in advance rather than play catch-up later on.As we wrap up the episode, Laura talks about her great boss, her love of the book “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins, and talks about the importance of manifesting work/life balance. Enjoy my conversation with Laura Loy!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Laura:Laura Loy, Chief Experience Officer at On the Mark Strategiesmarkarnold.comLaura: LinkedInOn the Mark Strategies:: LinkedIn | YouTubeWant to learn more about On the Mark Strategies? Click here.

No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman
Scaling Smart: How Naples Hotel Group Leverages Tech & Strategy to Grow Rapidly

No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 4:35


I'm with Ryan Rivett, CEO of My Place Hotels of America, at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference! We discuss how My Place is carving out a unique space by focusing on smaller markets and building strong relationships with franchisees and communities.

The Advocate Podcast
MLB Draft or College? – Auburn Coach Karl Nonemaker on Choosing the Right Path

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 53:59


Want to play college baseball or go pro? This episode is a must-hear! Auburn University assistant head coach Karl Nonemaker joins the podcast to discuss the college baseball recruiting process, the impact of the transfer portal, and how players can make the best decision between playing at the collegiate level and going pro. Karl shares valuable insights from his experience as both a player and a D1 coach, offering real-world advice for high school athletes, parents, and aspiring college baseball players. If you're wondering how to stand out in the recruiting process, what SEC baseball is really like, or how to navigate the draft vs. college decision, this episode has the answers. The decisions you make NOW will shape your future. Don't get left behind - learn what it takes to play at the next level. Key Takeaways from This Episode: ✅ The reality of SEC baseball – Why it's one of the most competitive conferences in the country. ✅ Should you go pro or play in college? – Breaking down the factors that influence this critical decision. ✅ How to stand out in recruiting – What coaches actually look for in players. ✅ The impact of the transfer portal & NIL – How college baseball has evolved in the last few years. ✅ Social media & recruiting – How players can use video and social platforms to get noticed. ✅ Roster size changes & player development – What it means for incoming freshmen and two-way players. If you're serious about baseball and want to learn from a top-level coach, hit play now! Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/ ___ RESOURCES + LINKS ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact. From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field. Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE. FOLLOW Karl Nonemaker: @knonemak Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Dad to Dad  Podcast
SFN Dad To Dad 369 - Kirby Rabalais of Glenview, IL Founder of 4TITUDE.com & Father Of Two Including One With Pitt Hopkins Syndrome

Dad to Dad Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 37:57


Our guest this week is Kirby Rabalais of Glenview, IL the Director of Strategic Growth at Truce Software, father of two including one with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome and more recently the founder of 4TITUDE an online community created to support dads raising children with special healthcare needs.    Kirby and his wife, Chelsea, have been married for 8 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Porter (4) and Harley (6), who has Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental, intellectual and physical changes in children.Informed by the experience of being a special needs dad and empowered by the benefits he's experienced from others, Kirby has created 4TITUDE, a community whose motto is: "Finding Strength in Every Challenge."  They understand the emotional journey and unique challenges that come with raising a child with disabilities. The 4TITUDE mission is: "to provide empathetic support, guidance, and resources to help fathers navigate this path with strength and resilience."Kirby is also a member of the Chicago SFN Mastermind Group that meets on Thursdays at 10:30am CT.This is a story about faith, family and commitment to service, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show LinksPhone – (312) 718-4098Email – hello@got4titude.comLinkedIn –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirby-rabalais/Website - https://pitthopkins.org/Website - https://www.got4titude.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/got4titudeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565609293661Napa Center Austin https://napacenter.org/about-austin/Book a FREE discovery coaching call to receive a 50% discount on the Foundation or Momentum 4titude coaching packages. Use code DAD2DAD upon checkout of packages.Book your FREE DISCOVERY CALL NOWRegister for the 6th Annual SFN Dads Virthual Conference on May 10, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TLkN_ViJTTqnaK-M8pHPNA After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.Special Fathers Network -SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated.  There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/  

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman
Ep 586. Strategic Growth Without the Overhead

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 61:46


Optimizing efficiency, cutting waste, and scaling a landscaping business strategically—Jesse Weidner of Weidner Landscape Solutions shares insights on equipment selection, budgeting software, refined design presentations, and the launch of his new outdoor lighting company.

BE THAT LAWYER
Blake Strautins: How Lawyers Can Improve Time Management Delegation and Strategic Growth

BE THAT LAWYER

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 32:04


In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Blake Strautins discuss:The importance of business development for lawyersHow accountability and culture shape a law firm's successTime management and delegation for legal professionalsPersonal and professional growth in legal leadership Key Takeaways:Building connections early with strategic partners, attorneys, and clients creates long-term opportunities, referrals, and career growth.A workplace culture that holds team members accountable improves productivity, reduces inefficiencies, and strengthens collaboration.Leaders who delegate effectively gain more time for key decisions, enhance firm efficiency, and empower their teams.Keeping an inbox organized by addressing, delegating, or categorizing emails prevents overwhelm, streamlines tasks, and ensures nothing important is missed. "You can learn the law, you can write great briefs, you can research out of something, but running a business is completely different; managing people is completely different. Being a good manager, a good leader—those are skills that, sadly, [law schools] just don't teach you." —  Blake Strautins Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at steve@fretzin.com with your toughest question, and I'll answer it live on the show—anonymously, just using your first name! Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/ Episode References: Multipliers by Liz Wiseman: https://www.amazon.com/Multipliers-Best-Leaders-Everyone-Smarter/dp/0061964395 About Blake Strautins: Blake A. Strautins is a co-owner and managing partner of Kluever Law Group, LLC, where he heads the firm's litigation department. Blake has been practicing in the field of complex litigation his entire legal career, beginning with class action litigation in 2007 and transitioning to commercial and real estate litigation in 2014, where he continues to hone his legal skills to this day. Beyond helping clients solve problems through creative solutions, both before and during formal litigation, Blake is also an accomplished appellate lawyer with numerous published decisions under his belt. Blake takes great pride in charting the firm's path forward into continued growth and success in partnership with its diverse client base. Connect with Blake Strautins:  Website: http://www.klueverlawgroup.com/Email: bstrautins@klueverlawgroup.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-a-strautins/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Fish Food
Beyond Busy: How to Know When It's Time to Expand

Fish Food

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 12:38


Too many entrepreneurs mistake chaos for a growth signal, when really, it's a sign to pause and reassess. In this episode, we're breaking down how to tell if hiring or expanding your services is the right move—or just a reaction to overwhelm.(00:00) - Introduction and Recap (00:59) - The Myth of Being Busy (01:59) - Identifying the Need to Expand (02:18) - Capacity Limits and Missed Opportunities (05:07) - Avoiding Expansion Traps (07:39) - Intentional and Sustainable Growth (10:09) - Key Takeaways for Strategic Growth (12:04) - Conclusion Connect with Keila!LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/keilahilltrawickWebsite - www.krht.coTwitter - x.com/littlefishcpaMore About Little Fish AccountingLearn more about Little Fish's suite of services at www.littlefishaccounting.com.Follow Little Fish Accounting at instagram.com/littlefishaccounting

The Advocate Podcast
The Mental Trick That Made Sean Casey an MLB All-Star

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 51:27


What separates good athletes from elite performers? It's not just talent—it's mental discipline. In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, Sean Casey, former MLB All-Star and performance coach, breaks down the mental game of baseball and how mastering your mindset can transform your performance on and off the field. Sean shares how Harvey Dorfman's book, The Mental Game of Baseball, completely changed his approach to the game, giving him a sixth tool—the ability to stay calm, focused, and confident under pressure. He reveals how mental toughness helped him go from being overlooked in high school to becoming one of the best hitters in the country. ___  What You'll Learn from This Episode: ✔️ Why 80-90% of baseball is mental—but few players train their mindset ✔️ How Sean Casey used visualization & breathing techniques to stay locked in at the plate ✔️ Lessons from Ken Griffey Sr. & the legends of the game that shaped his career ✔️ Why players fail at showcases—and how to dominate at game time ✔️ The power of self-belief & outworking the competition Unlock the Mental Edge to Dominate in Baseball & Life! Sean Casey isn't just talking theory—he lived it. If you're an athlete, coach, or competitor looking for an edge, this is the episode to watch.

Masters of MAX: The Mobile App Experience Podcast
Rinse's Co-Founder & CEO on Elevating Customer Experience by Focusing on Strategic Growth

Masters of MAX: The Mobile App Experience Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 37:13


In this episode of Tame the Mobile Beast, host Tom Butta sits down with Ajay Prakash, Co-Founder and CEO of Rinse, the #1 delivery app for laundry and dry cleaning services. Founded in 2013, Rinse has been taming the laundry beast through innovative technology working hand in hand with operational excellence. Ajay shares why he set out to plant his flag in this space with his friend and Co-Founder James Joun, including how Rinse solves every pain point in the laundering process and how the type of culture they have created has led to their success. A simple concept, Rinse creates a seamless pickup and delivery service catering to busy professionals. You'll hear Ajay credit some of the company's success to its sophisticated technology infrastructure, which helps manage the “death by 1,000 cuts” of the traditional laundry experience. Additionally, the Rinse team has consistently removed friction from their customer experience through the combination of an advanced SMS system, a clean web experience and a powerfully simple mobile app. On the culture side of things, Ajay points out a few of the pillars the team strives to embody. His sophisticated understanding of the founder of experience offers great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including their decision to  scale slowly to ensure they could healthily sustain long-term operations and elevate customer experiences.—Guest Quote"As opposed to worrying about the number of customers that come through the door, worry about when they come through the door, how do you make sure they have an amazing experience?" – Ajay Prakash—Time Stamps00:28 Meet Ajay Prakash01:15 Rinse's Origin Story04:21 Creating a Seamless Customer Experience07:01 The Role of Technology in Rinse's Success10:45 Building a Strong Company Culture13:00 Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence17:11 Scaling the Business Nationwide20:02 Scaling and Supporting Cleaners with Rinse22:40 Investing in the Face of the Brand24:57 Advanced Technology28:06 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs31:44 Rapid Fire Questions—LinksConnect with Ajay Prakash on LinkedInCheck out RinseConnect with Tom Butta on LinkedInCheck out the Airship Website

The Association 100 Podcast
How Leaders Build Influence & Drive Change

The Association 100 Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 35:45


In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we continue our March Leadership Series with Anne Reinke, President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). With a dynamic career spanning government affairs, corporate leadership, and association management, Anne shares her approach to raising industry visibility, building advocacy efforts, and leading through change.Key Highlights:The Leadership Transition – Why Anne took the helm at IANA and her vision for its future.Building Advocacy from the Ground Up – How IANA is strengthening its voice in Washington.Strategic Growth & Industry Challenges – From freight market shifts to cargo theft, how the intermodal industry is evolving.Lessons from Corporate & Government Leadership – How Anne's experiences at CSX Corporation and the Department of Transportation shape her approach to running an association.The Power of Team Empowerment – Why transparency, trust, and collaboration are the foundation of strong leadership.

Small Biz FL
Ep. 308 | Strategic Growth & Infrastructure in Rural Florida with MWB's Erica Sittler

Small Biz FL

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 12:29


In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred broadcasts from the 2024 Florida Rural Economic Development Summit at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. He is joined by Erica Sittler, Account Director at MWB, a full-service marketing firm specializing in tourism, economic development, and healthcare. Erica shares her journey in the marketing industry and her passion for supporting economic development in Florida's rural communities. The discussion explores the opportunities and challenges these areas face, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, infrastructure development, and long-term vision. Erica also highlights the growing appeal of small-town living—what she calls a "rural renaissance"—and how marketing plays a crucial role in attracting both talent and businesses to these communities. This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Rural Economic Development Summit hosted at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guest: Learn more about MWB

Contractor Success Forum
Unlocking Contractor Success with Mastermind Groups Featuring Karyn Greenstreet

Contractor Success Forum

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 33:39 Transcription Available


Send us a textFeeling isolated as a contractor? Discover how mastermind groups can transform your business. Join Wade and expert Karyn Greenstreet as they dive deep into the benefits, structure, and success stories of mastermind groups on the latest episode of Contractor Success Forum. Learn how these peer advisory boards can help you tackle challenges, innovate, and stay accountable. Find out what makes an effective group, the typical meeting structure, and how to choose the right group for you. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice. Subscribe to get notified as soon as new episodes go live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarpenterCPAs?sub_confirmation=1Topics we cover in this episode include:00:27 Meet the Expert: Karyn Greenstreet 01:54 Understanding Mastermind Groups 05:44 Different Types of Mastermind Groups 09:25 Benefits of Joining a Mastermind Group 16:12 How to Structure a Mastermind Group Meeting 24:54 Finding the Right Mastermind Group for You LINKSVisit the episode page at https://carpentercpas.com/mastermind for more details and a transcript of the show.Take the FREE Construction Company Health Evaluation: https://profitfirstconstruction.com/free-resource-evaluate-your-accounting-system/Join the Profit First for Construction community!Find all episodes and related links at ContractorSuccessForum.com.Join the conversation on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CarpenterCPAs FIND US ONLINEWade Carpenter, CPA, CGMA | CarpenterCPAs.comStephen Brown, Bonding Expert | SuretyAnswers.com

The CUInsight Network
Innovative Student Lending - CU Student Choice

The CUInsight Network

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 37:53


“When done responsibly, student loans can be one of the most important and empowering investments someone can make in themselves.” - Scott PattersonThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today's show is Scott Patterson, President and CEO of CU Student Choice. He joins me to discuss a wide range of topics from his eighth-grade adventures in China to pioneering the early virtual presence of credit unions via Callahan & Associates, as well as the innovation that he has cultivated via his current position at Student Choice.During our conversation, Scott discusses the origins of CU Student Choice, we explore the increasing importance of gap financing, and we talk about potential policy changes under the current administration and how CU Student Choice is positioning itself to support CUs through whatever comes next. Scott also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at OPAL, their newly launched $8 million loan origination platform that's changing the game for student lending.As we wrap up the episode, Scott gives us an inside look at his love for pinball machines, San Antonio, and a certain sci-fi novel from the '90s. Enjoy my conversation with Scott Patterson!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Scott:Scott Patterson, President & CEO of CU Student Choicestudentchoice.orgScott: LinkedInCU Student Choice:: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | XWant to learn more about CU Student Choice? Click here.

Risk Management: Brick by Brick
How IoT is Transforming Construction Risk Management with Alex Fuentes

Risk Management: Brick by Brick

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 23:32


In this new, limited series of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, Jason Reichl sits down with Alex Fuentes, EVP of Strategic Growth at BrickEye, for Episode 3 of ‘The Power of AI in Risk.' Alex shares how IoT technology is reshaping risk management in construction. With over 20 years of experience, Alex brings invaluable insights into the role of AI, automation, and real-time data in preventing costly incidents and improving efficiency.

The Advocate Podcast
Johan Martinez-Khalilian's Life-Changing Advice to Conquer Fear & Unlock Your True Purpose

The Advocate Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 102:17


What if fear wasn't a barrier but an invitation to step into something greater? In this powerful episode of the Most Valuable Agent Podcast, Matt welcomes Johan Martinez-Khalilian—an award-winning speaker, mentor, and life coach to professional athletes—to dive deep into personal growth, resilience, and redefining success. Johan shares his profound insights on breaking free from limiting beliefs, stepping outside your comfort zone, and embracing transformation—whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply someone striving to create a meaningful impact. This episode will challenge the way you think about fear, leadership, and success, offering actionable strategies to push past self-doubt and level up in your life and career. ___  What You'll Learn from This Episode: ✅ Why redefining success is crucial for long-term fulfillment ✅ How fear can actually guide you toward your true calling ✅ The power of adaptability in personal and professional growth ✅ Why transactional relationships hold people back  ✅ What it means to be irreplaceable in your field and in life Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/ ___ RESOURCES + LINKS ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact. From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field. Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE. FOLLOW Johan Martinez-Khalilian: @johanspeaks Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford    

The Edge Of Excellence Podcast
144 - Grayson Bierling: Embracing Tradition: The Path to Strategic Growth

The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 52:10


In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Grayson Bierling, a former member of the College Works program.During the conversation, Grayson shares his journey of returning to a familiar industry with a fresh perspective, embracing the challenges of learning the trade from the ground up. Rather than taking shortcuts, he immerses himself in the intricacies of operations, regulations, and problem-solving, recognizing that true leadership comes from firsthand experience.You'll hear how he's developed a sharp eye for identifying inefficiencies, drawing from past roles where quick thinking and strategic execution made all the difference. Grayson explores the importance of analyzing a business's long-term viability, asking the hard questions about sustainability and evolution.This conversation will leave you with a thought-provoking perspective on what it truly means to build something lasting—whether in business, leadership, or personal development.Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!What You Will Learn In This Show:The importance of high intention and the choices Grayson has made to set himself up for success. His initial struggles with sales in the College Works program and how he persevered and improved with help.Grayson's return to the family business after completing the College Works program, as well as the value of innovation in finding ways to grow the business.The importance of knowing the business inside and out to make informed decisions and drive growth.And so much more...

CEO School
344. 6 Things Holding You Back from Success—And What to Let Go of Now

CEO School

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 41:34


Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're spinning your wheels? The secret to growth isn't just about adding more to your plate—it's about letting go of what's holding you back. In this solo episode, host Suneera Madhani shares 6 things you must quit to create space for success, wealth, and true fulfillment. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or ambitious woman ready to level up, this episode will challenge you to break free from bad habits, reframe your mindset, and step fully into your power. In this episode, you'll learn: