Podcasts about Strategic planning

You held the boundary. You protected the walk, the appointment, or the time you needed. Someone may have been disappointed—and now you still feel guilty. When changing the boundary is no longer the route to relief, your brain may offer another familiar option: food.In this episode, Dr. Stacy Heimburger explains why emotional eating can be less about hunger and more about wanting to change an uncomfortable internal state. She connects guilt, anxiety, resentment, and restlessness to the urge to feel different, then offers one non-restrictive question that can help you understand what is happening before you automatically act.You will learn why food makes sense as a fast source of relief, why “just use more willpower” misses the larger behavioral story, and why a real feeling does not always require an immediate behavior.Free Training:How to Stay Out of the Pantry at Night: www.sugarfreemd.com/pantryFree 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

I'm really excited about the potential for Personal AI Agents. While GrokBot and Muse and Microsoft Autopilot (Scout) are very young (and not at all mature yet), we can now clearly see how personal AI is going to transform and disrupt our business lives. In this podcast I explain the architecture of HR 2030, our reference blueprint for Agentic HR. You can see how personal agents, action agents, rules agents, monitoring agents, data agents, and Superagents all work together. And it's important to think this through so you can plan your vendor selection, tech architecture, security architecture, and AI staffing and “management” plan. Some important concepts: HR “agents” do more than HR – they enable dynamic growth, productivity, and cost savings – so take a problem-oriented view Clearly defined agents won't misbehave, as you'll see in our architecture Companies will implement Superagents based on business priority, not just for ideation SaaS incumbents are likely to deliver many of these agents, so SaaS Apocalypse may be over Agent training, context, and maintenance is critical – and this gives you scale and growth – so new jobs are needed Frontier labs may or may not survive this enterprise model Personal AI agents will be massive and likely disrupt many HR tech vendors. Lots to learn about here, read more on HR 2030 and call us or get Galileo to learn more. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing HR 2030 Architecture(00:01:02) - Three Tiers: Super Agents, Agents, Personal Agents(00:02:20) - Building the Agent Database and Use Cases(00:03:23) - Strategic Planning vs Buying Point Tools(00:04:13) - The SaaS Apocalypse Myth(00:04:47) - Rise of Personal Agents (Muse, Grokbot, Scout)(00:05:43) - What a Personal Assistant Could Do For You(00:06:24) - Why Personal Agents Beat Vendor Platforms(00:07:28) - How Personal Agents Know Everything About You(00:08:06) - Positive Uses and Privacy Considerations(00:09:34) - The Digital Twin in Practice Today(00:10:14) - Personal Agents Helping Employees Grow(00:11:01) - This Is Coming - Being Realistic(00:11:25) - How Agents Will Interact With Employees(00:12:09) - Impact on HR Software Vendors and Coaching Tools(00:13:42) - How to Access and Engage With HR 2030(00:14:17) - Galileo's Role and Ongoing Development(00:15:48) - Falling AI Costs and Open Source Models(00:16:21) - Copilot and Running Open Source Models Cheaply(00:16:50) - Business 2030: Dynamic Enablement for Growth(00:17:12) - Not About Headcount Reduction(00:17:36) - Upcoming Conferences and Closing

You finally say no, protect the time you set aside for yourself, or try to honor a boundary—and then the discomfort hits. In this episode, Dr. Stacy explains why changing that “no” to a “yes” can create immediate relief, why that relief can trick us into thinking we made the right decision, and how the discomfort we avoid now may simply return later as disappointment in ourselves or resentment.The goal isn't to become someone who always says no or perfectly follows her calendar. It's to learn the difference between changing your decision because you genuinely want to and changing your decision because you're trying to change an uncomfortable feeling.Free 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Most advisory firm leaders think the cost of isolation is paid in loneliness. It's not. It's paid in months of problem-solving you'd solve in nine minutes with one peer conversation. The most expensive sentence in business is "I'll figure it out myself"—it sounds like strength but costs like a mortgage. While you're quietly working through a decision, someone else already solved it, already paid the tuition, and would have handed you the answer if you'd asked. Ray Sclafani reveals why peer networks and community aren't nice-to-have luxuries for advisory leaders—they're the fastest ROI you can get on your time and attention.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODEWhy the "lone founder in a garage" narrative is misleading and what actually builds remarkable advisory businessesHow to build real community as a practice (not a membership) with one honest conversation at a timeWhy strategic planning must start with gathering, not deciding, and how to gather the three things that matter mostTHE COMMUNITY PRACTICE FRAMEWORKStart with one honest conversation. Not a conference, not a mastermind application. One conversation with someone who's done the thing—a former colleague, a supplier who serves firms like yours, a non-competing peer two markets over. The community builders Ray admires didn't find their room; they started it usually with two people and a standing phone call.Ask real questions, not polished ones. The mistake is protecting your image. Instead, ask the slightly embarrassing question: "How do you actually handle that? What did it cost you? What would you do differently?" Then do the harder part—be the one who shares your real number, your failed launch, your wrong hire. Vulnerability builds permission for everyone else to be honest.Tap the scar tissue you cannot buy. Five years of somebody else's hard-earned experience cannot be purchased. It can only be given to you by someone willing to share. Every successful leader Ray has studied had someone three steps ahead willing to tell them the uncomfortable true thing over lunch and save them two years of hard knocks.Gather before you decide. Most bad decisions aren't bad thinking—they're good thinking on bad inputs. Before your next planning cycle, collect three things: your actual numbers (not the ones you feel), the exact words your clients use to describe their problems (sitting in your inbox right now, free), and what someone slightly ahead of you did when they were standing exactly where you are. Two of these three you can start in the next hour alone.REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAMWho in your network is three steps ahead of you and willing to share? If that list is short, what's one honest conversation you could start this week?What decision are you currently "figuring out yourself" that a peer could solve in nine minutes?Where is your team protecting image instead of asking real questions? What permission do you need to give them to be vulnerable?When you plan next year, will you gather actual data from your network and clients, or will you invent the future from a blank document?If building a peer advisory circle became a business practice (not a nice-to-have), how would that change your firm's decision-making speed and confidence?Building the Billion Dollar Business is hosted by Ray Sclafani, Founder and CEO of ClientWise, the financial services industry's leading executive coaching and team development firm for elite advisors and wealth management teams. Ray Sclafani is also a Wealthies CEO of the Year Finalist (2026) and Luminaries Thought Leader of the Year Finalist (2026).Find Ray and the ClientWise Team on the ClientWise website or LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

What if the growth you are chasing is not hiding in a new marketing strategy, but already sitting inside your business?In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon challenges the common belief that more revenue always requires more marketing. For many “Accidental CEOs,” the instinct is to add more content, platforms, ads, visibility, and outreach when revenue feels unpredictable. But more is not always the answer, especially when the foundation underneath the business is already overloaded.Shauna Lynn shares a client example of a 15-year-old business generating strong monthly revenue with very little marketing spend, revealing that the real opportunity was not in adding new tactics, but in clarifying what was already working. She breaks down how referrals, loyal clients, repeat relationships, client experience, and backend processes can quietly hold the key to growth.Listeners will walk away with three powerful questions to evaluate where revenue is really coming from, whether existing relationships are being fully used, and whether the client experience is strong enough to support organic growth.Timestamps:(01:50) - (04:08) - Why more marketing is not always the answer for revenue growth(04:09) - (08:51) - The client example that revealed a clarity problem, not a marketing problem(08:52) - (11:10) - How to lean into referrals, existing relationships, and what is already working(11:11) - (15:40) - Three questions to identify where your revenue is really coming from(15:41) - (20:22) - Why client experience, referrals, and existing relationships can drive better growth(20:23) - (26:10) - The Accidental CEO trap and why clarity is faster than hustleResources:Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachmeLearn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast

South Carolina has seen overdose deaths decline for two consecutive years.  Brannon Traxler, acting director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health and an ASTHO board member, discusses how coordination across public health, law enforcement, emergency medical services, treatment providers, and community partners is helping drive those gains. Traxler explains how the state has worked to saturate communities with naloxone and normalize its use, while a rapid-response team reviews overdose and drug seizure data each week to identify emerging hotspots and target resources where they're needed most. She also discusses how the emergence of drugs such as xylazine, medetomidine, and nitazenes is changing the overdose response and why public health messaging must continue to evolve with the illicit drug supply.Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and EvaluationStrengthening Policies to Prevent Older Adult Falls | ASTHOPHRME - Building Strong Community Connections for Healthy AgingPrioritizing Community-Clinical Linkages to Prevent Falls in Older Adults | ASTHOTelehealth | ASTHO

Know your numbers, fix your cash flow, and build a business that works for you. Schedule a free call with us. Most businesses are so busy chasing work that they never stop to ask whether they are competing in the right market in the first place.In this episode Steve digs into one of the four boxes in his strategy framework: market focus and position. He breaks down the three things you need to nail to get it right, your offer, your ideal customer, and your playing field, and why getting the analytics behind each of them matters just as much as the gut feeling you have been going off of.It is one of the most important strategic decisions a business can make and most owners have never done it deliberately._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Have you ever finally made time for yourself—only to hear your brain immediately list everything else you should be doing?Sometimes what feels like an obligation is actually an internal rule you have repeated so often that it now sounds like fact. “I should help.” “I shouldn't disappoint her.” “A good mom would…” “I should be able to handle this.”In this episode of Weight Loss Made Simple, Dr. Stacy Heimburger moves one step upstream from guilt and looks at the thoughts underneath it. You will learn why a “should” is not automatically a fact, a value, a responsibility, or an obligation—and why being capable of doing something does not mean you are required to do it.You will also hear a practical example of how invisible rules can make your own health commitments feel optional while someone else's request feels mandatory.Your tiny action this week: catch one “should” and ask two questions:Who says?Do I actually agree with this?You do not have to rebel against every responsibility or make a dramatic boundary. The goal is simply to recognize that a thought can feel mandatory without actually being an obligation—and to put yourself back in the position of choosing intentionally.Ready to practice consistency without perfection? Join the Drop a Pumpkin Challenge this October. We are building simple, realistic habits one day at a time—without extreme rules or another start-over cycle. Register here: www.sugarfreemd.com/pumpkinFree 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Design It Before You Build It: The Power of Strategic Planning Hi everyone, Carl Gould here with your #70secondCEO. Just a little over a one-minute investment every day for a lifetime of results. Stage one, the strategic planning stage. Whether you are a new business, a startup business, or an existing business that is seeking to launch a new product, a new division, or bring in a new brand to your product offerings, you need to either visit or revisit the strategic planning stage. This is an opportunity for you to formulate and create your vision and design your success because as we said before, at this stage, a dream is born, you are designing here, you're going to set the direction for your business or your product or your service then you are going to sell it and then create it later. We talked about the personal seat licenses where stadiums pre-sell their seats before the stadium has ever been built. Apple Computer pre-sold the iPhone very successfully. Ray Kroc and now franchisors around the world sell business concepts and business systems prior to them even being built. Like and follow this podcast so you can learn more. My name is Carl Gould, and this has been your #70secondCEO.  

WSJM Afternoon News for 09-15-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WSJM Afternoon News for 09-15-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailNonprofit success planning may be a better fit for today's volatile operating environment than the traditional three-year strategic plan. Jeffrey Wilcox, President and Chief Learning Curator at Third Sector Company, challenges nonprofit leaders and boards to stop treating planning as an event and start treating it as an ongoing organizational process.“Strategic planning is an antiquated term. What we really are talking about now is success planning,” Jeffrey says. That distinction changes a lot!  Instead of organizing a plan around departments, fundraising, programs, governance, and other organizational functions, Jeffrey encourages nonprofits to identify the forces that will either lead them toward (or away from) success.That means defining the achievements the organization actually wants to create, understanding its role within the community ecosystem, listening to stakeholders, examining financing rather than simply fundraising, and being willing to confront uncomfortable organizational truths.Leadership transition becomes part of that strategy.Jeffrey explains why transitional leaders should not be viewed as nonprofit “substitute teachers” keeping operations moving until the next CEO arrives. Their job can be much larger: build organizational capacity, reduce future executive attrition, establish shared truth, challenge assumptions, build stakeholder buy-in, and prepare the runway for the organization's next leader.  “You are the runway. You are not the jet”, he adds. Third Sector Company typically views this intentional transition as roughly a 9-to-14-month process and not a quick executive search. Jeffrey also shares that its Interim Executives Academy has trained 850 nonprofit professionals across 47 states.The larger business lesson is provocative: planning should not end when the strategic plan is finished. Nonprofits operating amid changing funding, public policy, workforce expectations, community needs, and leadership turnover need a management process capable of learning and adjusting as conditions change.Key Takeaways:Shift organizational planning from functions and activities toward the forces that drive success.Define success before hiring the leader expected to deliver it.Treat planning as an ongoing management process—not a completed project.Establish “shared truth” using data, organizational reality, and stakeholder perspectives before choosing direction.Use transitional leadership to build capacity and create a stronger runway for the permanent successor.Expect meaningful leadership transition to require sustained work; Jeffrey describes a roughly 9-to-14-month process.00:00:00 Rethinking Nonprofit Strategic Planning 00:02:26 The Leadership Succession Problem 00:04:26 Why Traditional Strategic Planning Falls Short 00:07:18 Strategic Planning vs. Success Planning 00:10:35 Better Questions Create Better Strategy 00:13:37 Rethinking Interim Leadership 00:19:08 Building the Transition Team 00:23:55 Leadership Transition as Capacity Building Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

You finally did it.You made time for yourself. You protected the walk. You went to bed instead of finishing one more thing. You kept the appointment on your calendar. You said no when someone asked for the time you'd already set aside.So why don't you feel empowered?Why do you feel guilty instead?In this episode of Weight Loss Made Simple, Dr. Stacy explores the difference between feeling guilty and actually being guilty of doing something wrong.When you're accustomed to responding to everyone else's needs first, taking care of yourself can feel unfamiliar—even when what you're doing is completely reasonable. Your brain may interpret that discomfort as evidence that you should go back to the old pattern.But discomfort isn't automatically a sign that you've made the wrong decision.You'll hear how this can show up around walking, sleep, appointments, family responsibilities, unfinished tasks, and the everyday moments when someone else's preference competes with the time you've protected for yourself.Most importantly, you'll learn why following through despite some discomfort can become an important part of rebuilding self-trust.This week, don't aim to make taking care of yourself feel perfect.Practice doing one thing you decided mattered for your health—and notice what happens when you follow through anyway.If today's conversation resonated with you, we'd love to have you join us inside the SugarFreeMD Membership, where we're continuing the conversation by helping women intentionally protect the space their health deserves. www.sugarfreemd.com/LSMFree 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Summary:New technology won't automatically fix broken processes. Aaron and Terryn talk about knowing when it's actually time to upgrade your systems, when you should maximize what you already have, and why fixing the underlying workflow should come before investing in something new. Book a free finance systems check before you spend a dollar on new software. Minute-by-Minute: 00:13 Introduction and Chilly Mornings 01:51 The Myth of New Solutions 05:53 Understanding Change Management 09:39 Evaluating Technology Needs 13:35 The Importance of Third-Party Audits 17:05 Strategic Planning for Technology Changes

This is a live recording from Localist Lab, the in-person version of The Localist, where specialists come in to talk to small business owners about the work everyone's trying to figure out. This month Carrie Rollwagen was the speaker, talking about the thing that finally made AI click for her: using AI well isn't a tech skill, it's a management skill. Anyone who has trained an intern, written an SOP, or told somebody how to cover their desk while they were out already has most of what they need. The session walks through how to build an AI skill start to finish, first using Infomedia's new hire Emery as the comparison and then using the podcast as the working example. It covers the 70-30 rule for deciding what to hand off, why a skill is really just a standard operating procedure written in plain English, why the context window works like a meeting whiteboard, and the eight things a good set of instructions has to include. Carrie also shows the skills she actually uses to make The Localist: a researcher, an interview writer, a title writer, a social media writer, and a strategic advisor skill that the others pull from. There's also a story about an espresso machine named Richard that will convince you to read your AI's research before you sit down at a microphone. Then the audience asks questions on whether skills are just fancy form letters, whether you need to pay for an AI account, and what actually happens to your data once you put it into a chatbot.  If AI still feels overwhelming, or if you've built a skill and it keeps handing you mediocre work, this session gives you a real process for fixing it. Watch the Full Episode on YouTube   _______________________________________   Mentioned in This Episode Infomedia Uptick Marketing Tempo Websites Caravan (AI training) Infomedia AI training and upcoming events 1Password LastPass Trattoria ZaZa "The AI Daily Brief" podcast "The Localist" book by Carrie Rollwagen Laine White on local influencer marketing (next Localist Lab speaker) Saturn in Avondale   About the Speaker Carrie Rollwagen is Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning at Infomedia and the host of The Localist. She is a former bookstore owner, a career writer, and the author of "The Localist: Think Independent, Buy Local, and Reclaim the American Dream." carrierollwagen.com Carrie on Instagram Carrie on LinkedIn   Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia. They are a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company. They help small businesses grow online. Contact Infomedia   Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is a free event series for small business owners. It meets on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Free tacos and coffee too. See upcoming events and register   Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Want more small business tips from Carrie? Sign up for her newsletter. Sign up here  

Have you ever reached the end of the day wondering where all your time went?Maybe it isn't because you're bad at time management.Maybe it's because you've become incredibly good at saying yes.In this episode, Dr. Stacy explores how years of "good girl" conditioning teach many women to become the dependable one—the volunteer, the organizer, the helper, the person everyone can count on. While those qualities are admirable, they often come with an unseen cost.Every automatic yes creates an invisible no.No to your walk.No to meal prep.No to enough sleep.No to your own health.This episode will help you recognize the pattern, understand why it happens, and begin creating the space your healthy habits have needed all along.In this episode:Why time management isn't the real problemHow "good girl" conditioning shapes adult behaviorWhy helping isn't the issue—automatic helping isThe hidden cost of every automatic yesSimple pause phrases that create space before committingWhy protecting your health isn't selfishIf today's conversation resonated with you, we'd love to have you join us inside the SugarFreeMD Membership, where we're continuing the conversation by helping women intentionally protect the space their health deserves. www.sugarfreemd.com/LSMFree 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Board members say it all the time. "We're just not ready to make that decision." It sounds thoughtful. Responsible. Even wise. After all, no one wants to rush an important decision. But after facilitating hundreds of strategic planning retreats across the country, I've come to believe this is often the biggest lie in strategic planning. Not because board members are dishonest. They're not. Most are intelligent, dedicated people who genuinely want what's best for the organization. The problem is that "we're not ready" is often a more comfortable way of saying, "We know what we need to do—we just don't want to do it." Tune in to hear more!

I've seen some beautiful strategic plans over the years. Thick paper. Gorgeous photography. Inspirational quotes. Color-coded priorities. One organization even handed me a plan that looked expensive enough to have its own insurance policy. There was just one problem: Nobody was using it. That's more common than nonprofit leaders like to admit. Organizations spend months creating strategic plans, celebrate when the board approves them, distribute a few polished copies, and then quietly place them on shelves. Six months later, somebody pulls one out during the next strategic planning update session and says, "Huh. I forgot we said we'd do that." A strategic plan isn't supposed to document what you decided. It's supposed to help you make the decisions that come next. Tune in to learn more!

Retailers spend fortunes perfecting the store, then hand the whole experience over to 30 seconds at the counter. In our latest episode, Senior Retail Analyst Lavina Suthenthiran sits down with Jessie Cole, Director of Strategic Planning at Effy Jewelry, and Sandra Ishak, Head of Marketing, Americas at Ingenico, to break down why the physical checkout moment carries as much weight as the first impression, and what it takes to get it right. INSIDE THE EPISODE: - Why the last touchpoint matters as much as the first, illustrated by Effy's cruise ship business, where community-driven checkout experiences bring customers back to the counter even when they're not buying. - How the "peak-end rule" explains why one frustrating moment, like a rebooting terminal or a clunky interface, can erase 45 minutes of great in-store browsing. - Why retailers are now asking Ingenico for operational simplicity and mobile flexibility over raw speed, from managing devices remotely across hundreds of stores to checking customers out anywhere with an NFC phone. - How fixing checkout takes more than new hardware, from Effy's approach of listening to sales associates to Ingenico's emphasis on testing the full workflow before rollout. Listen above to learn how to turn checkout from your store's last afterthought into its strongest loyalty driver.

My podcast guest this week is David Jedynak, Vice President of Strategic Planning at Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. David and I chat about the complexities of "New Defense" innovation and what founders must understand about translating tech to the tactical environment. We also examine the similarities and differences between the defense sector and the tech industry at large and what investors need to think about when they are navigating the notorious "Valley of Death”. 

What story does your calendar tell?Not the story you hope it tells.Not the story you wish it told.The story it tells today.In this episode, Dr. Stacy Heimburger explores why so many women unintentionally schedule themselves last. She explains why health often loses to urgent responsibilities, how decision fatigue makes healthy choices more difficult, and why waiting for life to slow down rarely works.Inside this episode you'll learn:Why August often feels overwhelmingWhy health doesn't feel urgent until it suddenly isHow decision fatigue affects healthy choicesThe difference between leftover space and protected spaceWhy fantasy schedules often lead to frustrationOne simple challenge to help you begin protecting your health this weekThis episode continues our August series on creating space—helping you build healthy habits that work in real life instead of waiting for the "perfect" schedule.If you're ready to go beyond the podcast, inside the SugarFreeMD Membership we're working together on building realistic calendars, protecting what matters most, and creating sustainable habits that fit real life—not fantasy life.Inside Lifestyle Support Monthly, we help women build realistic systems that make healthy decisions easier—even during busy seasons like summer. Join at: www.sugarfreemd.com/LSM.Free 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

It seems like AI is everywhere these days. But if you look at actual usage, only 50% of Americans use AI once a week. That's roughly the same share of Americans who used the internet back in 2001.If AI brands want to grow, there's a hesitancy gap they'll need to address. According to our new study with the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®, audio is the perfect place to foster a brand campaign.For details of our survey, as well as tips from our AI brand playbook, check out this week's episode of The Media Roundtable.First-time host Tucker Peleuses (Chief of Staff to the CEO, Oxford Road) welcomes Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategic Planning, Oxford Road) and Pierre Bouvard (Chief Insights Officer, Cumulus Media | Westwood One) to talk about AI's split perceptions, audio wins, and why it's important to remember that you're not the customer. Let's dive in.“ If you're an AI brand and you think most Americans are aware of you, you've got a lot of work to do.” - Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategy & Planning, Oxford Road)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inclusive nonprofit strategic planning is not simply about inviting more people to the table—it is about intentionally engaging the right stakeholders at the right stages of the process to create stronger decisions, deeper commitment, and more sustainable implementation. In this episode, Host Carol Hamilton explains: ·      why traditional, top-down planning models often fall short for nonprofits and  ·      outlines an inclusive approach that reflects the collaborative nature of mission-driven organizations.  ·      the roles of boards, staff, volunteers, program participants, community members, funders, partners, and consultants throughout the planning process, emphasizing that while not everyone participates in every phase, everyone has an important contribution to make. The episode reinforces that successful nonprofit strategic planning builds shared understanding, shared vision, shared priorities, and ultimately shared action through thoughtful engagement and skilled facilitation. 00:00 – Shared Action Begins with Shared Participation 03:00 – Why Traditional Strategic Planning Falls Short 04:00 – Inclusive Planning Expands Both Buy-In and Insight 05:00 – The Strategic Planning Committee Stewards the Process, Not the Plan 08:00 – Internal Stakeholders Bring Essential Operational Perspective 10:00 – Those Served Should Help Shape the Future 12:00 – External Stakeholders Broaden Strategic Perspective 13:00 – The Consultant's Value Is Process Expertise and Fresh Perspective 14:00 – Listening Comes First, Then Synthesis 15:00 – Planning Sessions Focus on Shared Meaning and Priorities 16:00 – Strategic Planning Requires Choosing What Matters Most 17:00 – Strategic Plans Should Create Space for Deliberate Action 18:00 – Inclusive Planning Builds Stronger Organizations About your podcast host: Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission. Her Shared Action Strategic Planning Framework moves groups from shared language to shared understanding, shared vision, shared priorities to shared action. When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them

You finally made time for the walk.But did you actually take the walk—or did you spend thirty minutes answering calls, replaying yesterday, planning tomorrow, and solving everybody else's problems?This month we've been talking about creating space for ourselves and our health. In this episode, Dr. Stacy takes that idea one step deeper: making the time is only half of it.Because you can be physically present and mentally somewhere else entirely.We're talking about the endless “browser tabs” running in our brains, decision fatigue, why healthy habits can still feel exhausting even when they're technically happening, and what changes when you allow your brain to actually be present during the time you've protected.Dr. Stacy also shares where she's working on this herself—especially her tendency to build schedules with absolutely no margin for “life to life”—and some of the simple ways she creates moments of presence through coffee outside, watering plants, walking without headphones, and putting the phone away.This isn't another thing to add to your to-do list.It's an invitation to actually experience some of the time you've worked so hard to create.And if this month's conversations about space have resonated with you, we're doing the deeper work around these ideas inside the SugarFreeMD membership. www.sugarfreemd.com/LSMFree 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Last fall, a client told me she would have paid $10,000 for an experience I had only ever offered inside my year-long mastermind. I could not stop thinking about that comment. It led to a decision I'm announcing in this episode. For the past several weeks, I have been quietly inviting current clients, former clients, and a few select consultants to something I have never done before. The room is almost full. Five seats remain, and today I'm opening them to you. Compass Live is a two-day, in-person strategic planning experience for nonprofit consultants, happening September 24-25, 2026  in Nashville, Tennessee. Over two days, I'll share more of my intellectual property than I ever have in a single container: my frameworks for scalable offers, scalable operations, scalable team, and scalable mindset. We will review your entire business, surface the gaps holding you back, and you will leave with a one-page strategic plan for 2027. Real decisions made: what to sell, what to charge, and what to stop carrying. All of it finished in September, before the craziness of Q4, so you start January already knowing exactly where you're going. Your seat includes a kickoff call on Zoom before the event, two full days of facilitated planning and masterminding with me and a hand-selected room, catered lunches from The Café at Thistle Farms, and a post-event accountability call to keep your year-end sprint on track. This room is specifically for nonprofit consultants with $200K to $1M in revenue who have a consulting firm, or the desire to build one, and who want a 2027 fueled with growth. Everyone in the room is already selling, already serving multiple clients, and brings 10 to 20 years of career experience to the table. In this episode, I also share my insider secret about why attending the FIRST time someone hosts an event is one of the smartest moves you can make, two real decisions that came out of our mastermind planning retreat last fall, and why my team's decade of hosting live events (15 retreats and a multi-day conference we grew year after year) is a skill our friend AI cannot replicate.

With the back half of the year underway, now is one of the most valuable times to step back from the day-to-day and do the kind of big picture planning that actually shapes what next year looks like. Whether that is a weekend away, a day at a local cafe, or even a couple of focused hours in a different room — the version that works for you is the right one.In this episode, I cover:Why stepping away from the studio unlocks a different kind of thinkingWhy Term 3 / Term 4 is the strategic window for this workHow to approach it in different seasons of life — from a full planning retreat to a two-hour cafe sessionA step-by-step framework: pre-work, choosing your focus areas, building a time plan, making space for rest, and what to do when you come backIf you have been planning on the run and wondering why the big decisions never seem to get made — this episode is for you.

Looking to strengthen your organization's strategic planning efforts? Join the ASHP Foundation for a timely discussion on the challenges and opportunities shaping health-system pharmacy today. Learn from experienced leaders as they share how the Pharmacy Strategy Checklist on the new ASHP resource center can translate strategic goals into measurable results. The information presented during the podcast reflects solely the opinions of the presenter. The information and materials are not, and are not intended as, a comprehensive source of drug information on this topic. The contents of the podcast have not been reviewed by ASHP, and should neither be interpreted as the official policies of ASHP, nor an endorsement of any product(s), nor should they be considered as a substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist or physician.

Layci recently had the privilege of being a guest of Kirk Davis, Executive Director of CAMPS, to explore a challenge manufacturers know all too well: why does growth stall when the "people side" of the business can't keep pace with technology?  Layci traces her path from workforce development to founding Transcend — built on a simple but powerful premise: leadership training should deliver measurable, practical ROI, not just feel-good moments. At the heart of her approach is the HHART-First Leadership framework — a system grounded in honest communication, healthy conflict, and cultures built on acceptance, respect, and trust, backed by 48 concrete, teachable skills. The conversation gets into the real results clients experience: problems surfacing earlier, sharper quality standards, cleaner shift handoffs, and a dramatic reduction in "silent failures." Layci also tackles the turnover crisis head-on — calling out the supervisory behaviors and dehumanizing workplace dynamics that quietly drive good people out the door. She rounds out the discussion with a compelling example of how making promotion criteria transparent through a weighted skills matrix can eliminate perceived favoritism and rebuild trust on the shop floor. Keywords:Leadership, Manufacturing, HHART First, Communication, Organizational Culture, Performance Systems, Employee Engagement, Strategic Planning, Workforce Development Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Background02:08 Layci's Journey into Workforce Development04:28 Founding Transcend Leadership Collective06:44 Heart First Leadership Philosophy09:56 The Science and Skills of Heart First Leadership11:41 Real-World Impact of Heart First Systems14:45 Diagnosing Organizational Challenges21:00 Performance Accelerator Framework24:40 Client Success Stories and Outcomes28:24 How to Connect with Layci Nelson Learn more about CAMPS:https://www.camps-us.com/

Hello, Voices of the Bench community. This is Casey Baldwin with Ivoclar. If you've been curious about fast-firing zirconia to improve efficiency but aren't convinced it can deliver predictable, high-quality results, I'd encourage you to connect with us. Our new IPS emax Zirconia, offers multiple fast-fire protocols designed to help you save valuable production time while maintaining consistent outcomes. Time is money in every lab. Don't wait. Reach out today and discover how IPS emax Zirconia can help streamline your workflow. As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one. Join us at the Race For the Future 12 to raise money for the Foundation For Dental Laborary Technology. September 27th in Valley View, Texas! https://dentallabfoundation.org/news-events/race-for-the-future/ Shawn Nowak from Nowak Dental Supplies joins Elvis and Barb to talk all things NOLA LabFest October 15-17th, including the welcome addition to the speaker lineup: martial arts instructor and business coach Jude Grayson. After Jude's keynote at last year's LabFest, the response was strong enough to bring him back for another keynote and a breakout session. The conversation starts with the obvious question: what the heck does a karate instructor know about the dental laboratory industry? As Jude explains, quite a bit. Having practiced martial arts since he was five years old and built a career around teaching, competition, entrepreneurship, and business coaching, Jude draws a surprising number of parallels between martial arts and business. He talks about discipline, competition, confidence, risk, and his “five-year-old board break moment”—the idea that sometimes the ability to succeed is already inside us, and the right coach simply helps unlock it. He also explains how those lessons translate into working with business owners and helping them recognize opportunities they may not see themselves. The conversation then turns toward one of the biggest challenges facing dental laboratories today: knowing when it's time to pivot. With technology, AI, 3D printing, changing doctor workflows, and the evolving DSO landscape continuing to reshape the industry, Jude's NOLA LabFest keynote will focus on how business owners can recognize when change is necessary, decide when to act, and understand the risks that come with being an early adopter. He also shares some great perspective on failure, competition, and why making a bad business decision doesn't necessarily mean you've lost—the real loss comes when you stop competing altogether. Shawn also gives us a look at what else is happening at NOLA LabFest, including education on AI, social media marketing, employee culture, DSOs, and other topics affecting dental laboratories right now. And, of course, there's plenty of the NOLA LabFest fun mixed in, from the masquerade party and distillery tour to the return of Family Feud. It's a conversation about business, leadership, taking risks, and finding ways to keep dental laboratories moving forward—and it all starts with a karate instructor walking into a dental show.Special Guests: Jude Grayson and Shawn Nowak.

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth, Allyson, and Tami speak with Dr. Nichole Lemmon, Executive Director of Virtual Learning and Strategic Planning at Springfield Public Schools and founder of Launch Virtual Learning — about what it takes to run the only statewide K-12 virtual school in the country inside a public school district. Launch serves more than 400 Missouri districts and 23,000 students annually, with 85% of those students enrolled in just one or two courses at a time, a structure Nichole has maintained deliberately for fifteen years.Together, Seth, Allyson, Tami, and Nichole explore how Missouri's public education funding flows through virtual providers and why roughly $60 million of it is going to out-of-state for-profit companies. They get into the three reasons Launch outperforms the field on state assessments: Missouri-specific curriculum, class sizes that mirror what the state mandates for seated schools, and in-state testing. They talk about what drove the decision to add synchronous instruction after years of building async-first, and what it looked like when Nichole told the governor of Missouri she could put the entire state on her platform in 2020 - and then had to deliver on it. The conversation also covers how Launch now runs direct-to-consumer ad campaigns on Hulu targeting millennial women on Sunday evenings, and why a public school program decided it had to compete on marketing terms with the companies it's trying to outperform.Key TopicsPublic vs. for-profit virtual school funding in MissouriCourse-access model and why 85% of Launch students take one or two classesClass size standards and how Launch mirrors seated school requirementsWhy Launch added synchronous instruction — and what wasn't working without itCOVID-era overextension: saying yes to the governor and the two-year recoveryVirtual special education and medically fragile learnersDirect-to-consumer marketing for a public school programLinks & ResourcesLaunch Virtual Learning: https://launchvirtuallearning.comVirtual Learning Leadership Alliance (VLLA): https://virtuallearningalliance.orgVLLA Accred accreditation program: https://accredved.org/Digital Learning Collaborative (DLAC): https://www.digitallearningcollaborative.comKSMU: Launch Virtual Learning Serves Thousands (May 2025): https://www.ksmu.org/news/2025-05-21/launch-virtual-learning-serves-thousands-from-its-office-in-springfieldPulitzer Center — Cash and Consequences: For-Profit Online Education in Missouri (2021): https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/cash-and-consequences-profit-online-education-missouriPew Charitable Trusts — Virtual Classrooms, Real-World Disparities (Nov 2025): https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2025/11/virtual-classrooms-real-world-disparitiesGuest Bio: Dr. Nichole LemmonDr. Nichole Lemmon is the Executive Director of Virtual Learning and Strategic Planning at Springfield Public Schools in Missouri, where she founded SPS Online in 2011 - now known as Launch Virtual Learning - and grew it into the only statewide K-12 virtual school in the country operating inside a public school district, serving more than 400 districts annually. She serves on the Executive Board of the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance and as the Missouri State Affiliate for the Digital Learning Collaborative. Dr. Lemmon holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Lindenwood University.About the HostsSeth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and a host of Why Distance Learning, a podcast for education leaders and practitioners making real decisions about how virtual learning gets designed, adopted, and sustained. Through Banyan, he designs live virtual programs that connect K-12 classrooms to global peers and expert facilitators. See https://www.banyangloballearning.com/programs/global-cohortsAllyson Mitchell and Tami Moehring are co-hosts of Why Distance Learning and members of the team at CILC, the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, which connects students to real experts through live virtual field trips and experiences. See https://cilc.org

Know your numbers, fix your cash flow, and build a business that works for you. Start free with myColtivar. Most businesses have a strategy. They have done the offsite, built the plan, and know where they want to go.Then you look at the financials and the strategy is nowhere in the numbers.In this episode Steve breaks down exactly what is happening in that gap, why strategy without a financial connection is just a list of good intentions, and what it actually takes to build a strategy that shows up in your margins, your cash flow, and your return on invested capital._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Does every August feel like a fresh start...until life gets busy again?You're not alone.Back-to-school season often brings the promise of new routines, fresh habits, and a chance to finally "get it together." But before long, practices, meetings, work, errands, and family responsibilities begin filling every available space—and your health quietly slips to the bottom of the list.In this episode, Dr. Stacy Heimburger shares why creating healthy habits isn't just about finding more time. It's about creating more space.You'll learn:Why August feels like a second New Year'sHow fantasy schedules sabotage consistencyThe hidden cost of constant multitaskingWhy your nervous system needs moments of true presenceSimple ways to protect your health before your calendar fills itselfThis episode is part of the August "Finding Space" series, where we're exploring how to create room for your health without needing a completely different life.If today's conversation resonated with you and you're ready to go deeper, we'd love to have you inside the SugarFreeMD Membership, where we're helping women build realistic routines that last long after motivation fades.Inside Lifestyle Support Monthly, we help women build realistic systems that make healthy decisions easier—even during busy seasons like summer. Join at: www.sugarfreemd.com/LSM.Free 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Send us Fan MailA plan built by a few people at the top and handed down is just paperwork. Dr. Renee Rubin Ross argues real ownership comes from who's in the room while the goals get decided, not just who signs off on them.Dr. Ross is the founder of The Ross Collective and author of Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits. In this episode, she and Britt break down her five-step spiral planning process, including step zero: how to know your organization is actually ready to plan. They also talk about what happens when planning uncovers real dysfunction, and how to tell whether it's a planning problem or a leadership one.Grab Renee's free Strategic Planning Template, the Five-Step Spiral breakdown, and sample strategic plans in the links below.Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits (book) can be purchased here The Five-Step Spiral, explained here Get Your Free Strategic Planning Template here And, Sample nonprofit strategic plans here Chapters:00:00 - Why Traditional Strategic Planning Fails02:10 - Why Write Another Book on Strategic Planning?04:47 - The 5-Step Spiral Planning Framework07:26 - Balancing Visioning with Concrete Execution09:29 - Why 3-Year Strategic Plans Work Best10:50 - Step 0: Assessing Organizational Readiness12:51 - Navigating Internal Tension & Staff Culture15:45 - The 3 Circles of Participation (Deciders, Builders, Sharers)18:46 - Translating Your Plan into Action (Using RACI)22:13 - What You Lose by Excluding Frontline Staff23:35 - Where to Find Dr. Ross About Donorbox: Donorbox is a trusted fundraising platform used by more than 100,000 organizations to raise over $4 billion worldwide. Learn more at donorbox.org.Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your organization.Support the show

Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah on the one question that separates thriving dental practices from stuck ones: if your practice was as good as it could be, what would that look like? Three real coaching case studies — Invisalign starts from 3 to 29, solo to two-doctor, PPO-heavy to fully out of network by June 30th. The 68% statistic. The office manager hallway story. Why PPO plans are 30 times more expensive than SEO. Naren on turning every Google review into a multi-channel marketing asset.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:In this episode, Patrick Adams is joined by Rebecca Moyers, Director of Operational Excellence for the State of Missouri, for a preview of her session at the Lean Solutions Summit, The Feedback Advantage. Rebecca shares how the State of Missouri is using employee and customer feedback to guide process improvement, strengthen experiences, and focus limited resources on the improvements that matter most.The conversation explores how Missouri built an operational excellence community across 17 executive agencies, uses feedback to support both employee and customer experience, and applies omni-channel listening to better understand the entire customer journey. Rebecca also explains why organizations need to look beyond internal silos and consider whether every part of an experience connects seamlessly from the customer's perspective.Rebecca shares practical examples of collecting feedback through website interactions, surveys, call centers, and operational data, and emphasizes that organizations shouldn't ask for feedback unless they're prepared to act on it. Most importantly, she explains that these principles aren't limited to government or large organizations; teams in virtually any industry can use intentional feedback to improve processes, culture, and the experiences they create.Key Takeaways:Feedback helps organizations focus improvement efforts on what matters mostGreat customer experiences require looking at the entire journey—not individual silosEmployee and customer feedback become more powerful when paired with operational dataDon't ask for feedback unless you're prepared to act on itLinks:https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/https://www.findleansolutions.com/

In this episode of C.U. On The Show's AI in the Boardroom series, host Doug English speaks with Lamont Black, founder of Wide Open Ventures and an associate professor of finance at DePaul University, about how credit union boards can begin using approved AI tools for interactive board-packet review and strategic planning. Their conversation also looks ahead toAI-supported financial modeling, more accessible organizational data, and the possibility of AI agents contributing additional perspectives to board discussions.Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/BCScOYM4duIRead the episode summary here: How Credit Union Boards Can Use AI to Ask Better Questions and Strengthen Strategic Planning | ACT AdvisorsEmail doug@act-advisors.com with any inquiries.The guests on today's show are not affiliated with or endorsed by ACT Advisors, LLC and their opinions are their own. ACT Advisors did not provide cash or non-cash compensation for their participation. ACT Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not investment, legal, or tax advice.

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews RIMS SERMC Member Eric Lobser about his career path at Spire Inc. They discuss his start in Budget Analysis at Laclede Gas, which eventually became Spire Inc. He moved into Operations, Treasury, and then Strategic Planning, including Acquisitions. He continued his career as VP of Enterprise Risk Management. Eric shares how he grew into that position, using knowledge he had gained from all the departments he had worked with. He tells about his early presentations to the Board. Eric explains what ERM means to him, and how ERM helps companies manage risks, including reputation, engage in opportunities, and make the resource allocation decisions that lead to success and mitigate failures.   Listen for Eric's idea to improve the ERM acronym.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:16] About this episode of RIMScast. Our guest is Eric Lobser. He was a practitioner in the natural gas sector for 35 years. We're going to get his ERM philosophies today. But first… [:42] RIMS-CRMP Workshop. We are delighted to announce that on August 27th and 28th, RIMS President Manny Padilla will be leading the two-day in-person workshop at St. John's University at 101 Astor Place in New York City. A link to the registration is in this episode's show notes. [1:02] RIMS-CRMP Virtual Workshops. RIMS will partner with PARIMA for the RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep on September 1st and 2nd. Registration links are in this episode's show notes. [1:13] Also on the webinars page, you will see a two-part series hosted by the RIMS Membership Department. The "Classroom to Career" webinar series highlights how RIMS equips students with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive in risk management careers. [1:28] Participants will gain insights into industry trends, career pathways, and practical tools that help them confidently step into the evolving world of risk management after graduation. These sessions will be hosted on September 1st and 9th. [1:41] These sessions are member exclusives and are complimentary for RIMS members, of course. So, if you are interested in becoming a member, this would be the time. Visit RIMS.org/membership. [1:51] RIMS is back on YouTube. Our handle is @RIMSOfficialChannel. We've got plenty of videos there, including RIMScast, RIMScast Canada video podcasts, and other informative and entertaining content from RIMS. Subscribe to the channel today! [2:10] On with the Show! We will take a deep dive into Enterprise Risk Management with Eric Lobser. Eric recently retired from a 35-year career in the natural gas sector. He remained with one company that eventually became Spire Energy. [2:26] Eric is also a member of the RIMS Strategic and Enterprise Risk Management Council. [2:32] We will discuss his career journey, how one role led to the next before settling on Enterprise Risk Management, and his philosophies on what makes ERM truly valuable and why the acronym could use an upgrade. Let's get to it! [2:52] Interview! Eric Lobser, Welcome to RIMScast! [3:17] Justin and Eric met last year during a webinar. Eric has a fascinating career. His entire career was at Spire. Originally, it was Laclede Gas Company. Then it became The Laclede Group, and then Spire. Eric's career was 35 years and some months long. [3:53] Justin says that shows our audience that you can have a risk career at one company. You don't need to jump around. If you're doing well, if you're comfortable, if the company's treating you right, and you're doing a good job. [4:10] Eric says the risk career came later in his life. It was the culmination of a lot of other things he did. He had a varied set of positions at Spire. Over time, it was multiple types of companies. As you go through CEOs, things change. [4:31] Eric says he was there for about five CEOs and got to see many different sides of how business operates. [4:49] Eric says he graduated from Boston College in 1990. It was a tough job market. He wanted a job on the East Coast, but it was an expensive place not to have a job. He went back home. [5:08] His stepfather had a contact at the Laclede Gas Company. He interviewed, and they offered him a position, which he took. Within two weeks, he thought he would be crazy to stay at that company more than a couple of years. He thought it was odd they had a few computers. [5:29] Eric came from a school with a library full of computers. You had to sign up to use them. It taught him to use his mind, and it instilled patience. Those elements have been valuable to Eric's career. [6:06] Eric started as a budget analyst and did that for about a year and a half, in the corporate office in downtown St. Louis. [6:33] Then he was fortunate to move to Operations to do the same sort of work with all the department heads to help them with their budgeting, to translate things from Operations into financial terms and get better relationships with the people who ran the business. [6:53] Eric says he got to understand the business better from the view of the boots on the street. [7:04] Justin asks if risk management and ERM came onto Eric's radar in August 2001, when he became the Managing Director for Strategic Planning and Corporate Development. [7:18] Eric says that he had also worked with property insurance in Treasury. There's a big commodity risk at a natural gas company. There are also market risks and credit risks. [7:33] Eric says Strategic Planning was new to The Laclede Group, taking the budget period and extending it out three years, rolling in strategy and planning. [7:49] Eric helped them to develop software for business planning, custom-made from Access, to help support the Balance Scorecard they rolled out. It included something for Initiatives for making improvements, which were tied to Metrics.  [8:11] There were Action Items. There was a section where you laid out your different risks and what you were doing to mitigate them. The Action Items often required support from other areas. The software would put that into their business plan so they could see it and collaborate. [8:33] Eric says risk management and collaboration are hand-in-hand. [9:09] Eric speaks of a change in leadership, where they went from mostly looking at operational excellence and continual improvement to a more external look at other businesses, at ways to diversify within the gas industry: storage, pipeline, E&P, and more. [9:40] That was the beginning of the thought processes Eric would go through, looking at different businesses; what can go right with them, and what can go wrong. [9:57] Part of modeling acquisitions is taking a look at those scenarios and looking for the probability of a downside, what that downside looks like, and what will drive it. What has to go right to have the best case? What does the base case look like? What are those probabilities? [10:20] Eric says that was the beginning of understanding how risk and business go hand-in-hand. They can't have opportunity without risk. There's no reward without risk. Understanding that was an element of that job. [10:39] Eric was fortunate to have a tremendous boss during that time who helped him gain critical thinking about how things operate. [10:58] Eric says when they were looking at how other companies operate, they were companies within the gas industry, to stay within their knowledge base, and simplify their business, within the natural gas value chain, from wellhead to burner tip. [11:30] They were looking at exploration & production, gathering & processing, pipelines, underground storage, down to uses for it, including compressed natural gas for vehicles and local distribution utilities.  [11:58] Justin suggests that the 13-year period when Eric was in Strategic Planning and Corporate Development, holding several positions, was a key time in his career. Eric says yes, and it was his favorite period. He had gone to school for investment banking and acquisitions. [12:42] Eric says, at the same time, it was a tremendous amount of work. He thought maybe it wasn't the best place to spend his lifetime because of the level of work and stress involved. [13:04] Eric was married and raising a family, and that had to come into play, as well. He says while his wife was extremely patient with him during all those times, sometimes working around the clock, he felt it wasn't the right long-term opportunity for him. [13:20] Eric says one of the things he learned when he was doing acquisitions was developing models for how utilities make money. Eric worked with people who did rate cases at the company, to understand what drove cash flow. [13:47] In doing that, Eric learned how regulations work and how tariffs work. That led to asking himself, if this isn't the right career for me, taking a look at something next to it, which was regulatory and government affairs. [14:27] Eric had already started to learn about it. Once he was in charge, he based it on Missouri regulations. The first acquisition was a company in Kansas City, Missouri. [15:05] The second acquisition was Alagasco in Alabama, and that was a completely different type of ratemaking approach that was annual. They had a formal department. Eric was asked to develop something more formal for the entire company. [15:21] Eric says then they acquired Energy South, which brought them into Mobile and also Mississippi, a third rate jurisdiction. There was a mountain of information to climb. His drive and thirst for knowledge helped him up the curve pretty quickly. [15:53] Eric says relationships and the stuff between the lines are just as important as what you can read about and study. [16:12] Eric says, pulling from his enterprise risk career, one of the impacts is not just financial, but reputation. Reputation is a huge element of rate setting. Your reputation precedes you to the commission that oversees rate case litigation and the parties to the case. [16:47] The parties that are involved include industrials, AARP, low-income groups, an energy efficiency group, and other parties. [17:01] Understanding where they're coming from, and what they're trying to achieve, and working towards something that gives all parties some of what they want, is a key element. [17:18] If you were a bad operator; if you had a significant incident that showed you weren't a safe operator, or you weren't treating your customers well, then going into the rate case, people had their minds set that they wanted to give you not a rate increase but a rate reduction. [17:40] The value of the relationships and the reputation, the stuff that is gray and in between the lines, is not just about what the numbers are but who you are as a business. [17:56] A Quick Break! Many fantastic RIMS events are coming up in 2026. The 11th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum will return to the Old Post Office on Thursday, September 24th, 2026. Visit ChicagolandRiskForum.org for more information. [18:12] The RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held from October 4th through the 7th in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is live, and registration is open. Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and the link in this episode's show notes for more information. [18:29] Save the dates: October 18th through the 21st. We will be in Quebec City to celebrate the 50th Live RIMS Canada Conference. Booth sales are open, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Advance registration is open now. [18:45] Visit RIMSCanadaConference.ca for more information. Also, remember to check out RIMS.org/Canada for our spinoff show, RIMScast Canada, hosted by National Conference Committee Chair, Aaron Lukoni. [19:00] The RIMS ERM Conference 2026 will be held on November 19th and 20th in Columbus, Ohio. Registration is now open. [19:10] Through August 21st, you can nominate a program for the RIMS ERM Global Award of Distinction. If you know of an ERM Program that is award-worthy, we want to hear about it. A link to the nomination form is in this episode's show notes. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2026. [19:29] We're already looking to RISKWORLD 2027, which will be held over four days in New Orleans, Louisiana, from April 18th through the 21st! The call for session proposals is now live and will stay active through August 21st. [19:44] RIMS members can exclusively register by September 4th for the best rate. And get first access to the hotel block. Hotel reservations open on October 28th, ahead of public registration. Sitting this out is the real risk! The link to registration is in this episode's show notes. [20:04] Let's Return to Our Interview with Eric Lobser! [20:31] Justin asks about compliance at a natural gas company. Eric says his career at a critical infrastructure utility delivering a relatively volatile product to people's homes was very safety-oriented with a lot of rules, regulations, and areas of compliance. [21:04] The whole industry faced a need to replace some of its aging infrastructure. That started when Eric was in Treasury and trying to think about how they would afford all the replacements they were going through. [21:22] It came again when Eric was in Regulatory, trying to understand the balance between safety and rates and what's best for the business and what's best for the customer. [21:53] Compliance is not something you can decide to do a little bit or a lot. You have to meet at least the minimum standards. Spire was always at that point but also found the benefit of going beyond that, to deal with it a little bit more strategically. [22:14] Spire was generally a group that looked at opportunities to do replacement in a way that overall was more cost-effective, exceeding requirements on their compliance. Compliance was an enterprise risk. [22:34] Eric says it was not just making sure they were in compliance, but also what the cost of compliance is and what if people change their minds and all of a sudden want us to do this or that? [22:53] Being a regulated utility, your rates are dependent on somebody deciding you deserve to have this. [23:02] Compliance was more often not physical replacement but putting in another pipe beside the old pipe and terminating the old cast iron pipe that had degraded and become a safety issue. [23:26] Spire always paid attention to where they were getting leaks or water potentially getting into the system and areas of geography that had similar types of risk. [23:39] Spire took a strategic approach to look at the information they were getting and figure out where to go and do wholesale changes rather than responding to risks as they popped up. [23:54] Eric says that was the approach where they took compliance and said if we do more, it probably can be better for us and better for the customer to take a better strategic approach. [24:19] Eric says it's inconvenient and sometimes problematic for people when there are workers in the street. Part of Eric's career was dealing with claims and issues that can happen with construction. The construction was necessary to make sure the system was safe. [24:53] Eric says the most prevalent claims were when they were doing excavation and hit something unmapped, like an underground dog fence or sprinkler system. To be cost-effective, they used reliable outside partners to replace these. [26:44] Eric says that every year, when he was in Strategic Planning, he would help put on a two-day conference for the Board to review company strategy and present new ideas. [27:01] Any time they found an acquisition opportunity that met the muster of the executives, they presented that to the Board. [27:!3] Eric says the Board is extremely interested in rate cases, which are the heart and soul of a utility's business. [27:28] Something Eric found helpful later in his career, doing regulatory work, was to pull together parties without overlapping interests, such as the Board and the Public Service Commission, to help them find agreement on why something was beneficial for the customers. [28:58] Eric says, for the first time or two, presenting to the Board was frightening. He was fortunate enough not to be leading the presentations. He reported to officers who helped develop the business planning and strategy. They helped Eric work his way into bigger roles. [29:32] Eric says when he became more involved in doing the modeling, one time he was called by the CEO to speak to the Board while he was on a family vacation. His wife reminds him of this. The Board was very interested in the upside case and downside case of a model scenario. [30:31] Eric says in that phone call he had to give the Board a rigorous view of why they should spend $1.1 billion on this acquisition. While exciting, Eric says presenting to the Board was a very stressful part of the job. They're relying on things that he's saying to them. [31:12] Eric says acquisitions have their own timeline and they develop however they want to. It's not like going to the grocery store to pick up something. When something pops, it pops, and it's all hands on deck. You don't stop until the job is done. [31:35] One more Quick Break! RIMS, The Foundation for Risk ManagementTM, is dedicated to shaping the future of the profession. By making a contribution, you are strengthening the global risk management community and investing in the future of the industry. [31:55] The Foundation also supports the Spencer Educational Foundation but has a different mission. The Foundation focuses on providing opportunities for those professionals who have already decided to enter risk management and are just getting started. [32:09] You can learn more about the Foundation by visiting www.RIMS.org/FRM.  While you're there, be sure to check out information about the Susan Meltzer Scholarship Fund, which was established to honor Ms. Meltzer, who was RIMS President in 1999 and 2000. [32:28] Susan Meltzer was a cherished RIMS President and contributed so much to RIMS and the greater risk community. Learn more at RIMS.org/FRM.  [32:36] Let's Return to Our Interview with Eric Lobser! [32:52] Eric says that it seems to him that if people viewed Enterprise Risk Management more as Enterprise Value Management, they would better understand that it's more about what you need to do to improve the value of your company. [33:19] In Eric's Strategic Planning days in Corporate Acquisitions, he learned that Expected Value is about changing probabilities, not just the impact of those probabilities. [33:32] Eric says Enterprise Risk Management does a great job of addressing both the likelihood and the impact of things going wrong and things going right. What you're building with ERM is value. You're adding to the value of the company. [33:46] Eric thinks more people would engage. It would resonate with a lot of the corporate cultures to look at ERM as a way to build value for the company. [34:08] Justin says that for almost eight years, Eric was the Spire VP of ERM. Justin asks if Eric was able to hit the ground running, going from Regulatory and Government Affairs into ERM. [34:32] Eric says the position started with Insurance, and then Commodity Risk Management, other elements of the business that helped him up the learning curve. From Acquisitions, Regulatory, Operations, and Customer Service, Eric understood a lot about the business. [34:55] Eric says having a couple of years when he was in charge of Spire's Insurance program, including Captive Management, where you retain risk instead of transferring it, was a great transition to eventually getting Enterprise Risk. [35:31] Eric says he read every book he could get his hands on in the time he had. He noticed some of the things they were doing were based on ISO 31000. Eric read through ISO and COSO. COSO felt very intricate and detailed. [36:10] Eric asked himself what the potential was that we were going to adopt something. The culture of the business manages the risk. ERM oversees how the business manages risk. Eric wanted to pick a framework that fit more with Spire's corporate culture. [36:39] Eric says ISO 31000 is adjustable. He felt like it was a good fit. It was more about strategy and enterprise than Spire's focus had been. It was not just about what could go wrong and what they should be concerned about happening, but what must go right. [37:22] Eric says that looped in what he learned in Strategy, what they have to do to be successful, and what could derail them from that. Spire transitioned a little bit less away from risks and more to strategic imperatives and what they had to do to achieve their strategic vision. [38:02] Justin asks about ERM conferences and what makes a great ERM session. Eric says it's a practitioner who has lived through it with real-world experience on what works, what doesn't work, and why it didn't work. [38:18] Eric says everything's specific to the company, so what works for one may not work for another. An experienced practitioner brings a level of credibility that is important. Eric wants a presenter who focuses on what helps a company be more successful in executing its strategy. [38:41] Eric says a lot of presentations go into risk registers and software, but in the end, risk management is change management, with very complex systems. The presenter should speak to engaging the business, getting different areas to collaborate, and making better decisions. [39:31] Eric says those decisions are about how you allocate resources. Resources are limited. You can't do everything, so you prioritize. [39:41] ERM helps you to prioritize better, using a process of identification and assessment, to help you understand how important a risk is in relation to other risks, how soon it needs to be dealt with, and what level of mitigation and controls you already have in place. [40:13] Eric says, ERM helps you determine if this risk is extremely well-managed and there are resources you can take away from it to put toward a risk that's less well-mitigated. [40:22] Eric says a good ERM session presenter talks about how ERM helps a corporation make better decisions and effectuate those resource allocations that then help that company to be more successful. That's what ERM is about, and when somebody talks about that, it resonates. [41:02] Eric says when he hears a concept that really resonates with him, he tries to pull those concepts together. He has used principles from the Enterprise Risk Oversight Committee. [41:44] Justin says the Global ERM Award of Distinction call for submissions is open. You can send in those nominations now. RIMS Global ERM Award of Distinction nominations are open through Aug. 21! [41:57] Justin asks Eric what makes an Enterprise Risk Management program award-worthy. Eric says some of it is going to be based on the eye of the beholder. Enterprise Risk should be customized to the culture. People are going to view what makes a great program differently. [42:28] Eric says that the SERMC is looking for, with the diverse perspectives of the members, a program that is well-integrated into Strategic Planning, helps the business make decisions, and most importantly, helps it be more successful, with fewer downturns, than their competitors. [43:09] Eric says the business manages risk. ERM can help oversee what they're looking at and turn its attention to important things, and help determine the best ways to mitigate or treat risk, or support what they are doing, so the strategy prevents threats from derailing the company. [43:33] Eric says, in the end, a company that is consistently successful is probably the mark of a good Enterprise Risk Management program. [43:51] Justin says, we're going to see you again on November 19th and 20th in Columbus, Ohio at the RIMS ERM Conference. You can get your nominations in now for the RIMS Global ERM Award of Distinction. We'll have a special awards ceremony, like we do every year. [44:07] Eric, it has been such a pleasure to have you on RIMScast! I look forward to seeing you in Columbus. [44:19] Special thanks again to Eric Lobser for joining us here on RIMScast. We appreciate him and all the great work he does for the RIMS SERMC. The call for nominations for the RIMS Global ERM Award of Distinction is open; a link is in this episode's show notes. [44:36] There are specific attributes that will make a nomination truly award-worthy. Submit your nominations today! [44:42] Plug Time! Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [45:00] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [45:16] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [45:29] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [45:41] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continued support!   Links: RIMS ERM Conference 2026 | November 19‒20 in Columbus, Ohio | Registration Now Open! | www.rims.org/ERM2026 | RIMS ERM Global Award of Distinction nominations open through Aug. 21! RIMS Certification Week: Sept. 21‒24 | Complimentary For All Spencer Educational Foundation's 2026 Funding Their Future Gala | Sept. 17, 2026 RISKWORLD 2027 Registration | RIMS members can lock in 2026 rates now through Sept. 4 | Education Content Submission Through Aug. 21. ChicagoLand Risk Forum | Sept. 24, 2026 RIMS Western Regional Conference — Oct. 4‒7, 2026 | Seattle, WA | Register Today. RIMS Canada Conference — Oct. 18‒21, 2026 | Quebec City | www.rimscanadaconference.ca | Advance Registration Open | Sponsorship Opportunities Available The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS, the Foundation for Risk Management Spencer Educational Foundation — Scholarships and Grants | Open Calls and Timelines. RIMS Now RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) | Insights Video Series Featuring Joe Milan! RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RIMS-CRMP Stories RIMScast Canada — Episodes Now Live RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMScast on YouTube! RIMS Risk Management Magazine | Contribute | Q2 2026 Issue Now Available Sponsor RIMScast — Sales@RIMS.org Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Workshop — Live In NY — Aug 27‒28! RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep with PARIMA | Sept 1‒2 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops Upcoming RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars "RIMS Student Series: Classroom to Career Part 1" | Sept 1 "RIMS Student Series: Classroom to Career Part 2" | Sept 9 RIMS Certification Week: Sept. 22‒24 | Complimentary For All   Related RIMScast Episodes: "Board Reporting and ERM in 2026 with Trisha Sqrow and Suzanne Christensen" "The Future of Strategic Risk Management" with John Button "Mid-Year Risk Roundup 2026 with Morgan O'Rourke and Hilary Tuttle" "Emerging Risks and AMRAE's RMIS Panorama 2026 with François Beaume" "Strategy and Change with Ward Ching and Aaron Olson"   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: "48 Hours From a Storm: What to Do Before A Hurricane Strikes" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company (New!) "AI-Scale, Risk Ready: Engineering Controls for the New Data Center Boom" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Facing Into Risk: Navigating the New Risk Landscape" (New!) | Sponsored by AXA XL "Secondary Perils, Major Risks: The New Face of Weather-Related Challenges" | Sponsored by AXA XL "The ART of Risk: Rethinking Risk Through Insight, Design, and Innovation" | Sponsored by Alliant "Mastering ERM: Leveraging Internal and External Risk Factors" | Sponsored by Diligent "Cyberrisk: Preparing Beyond 2025" | Sponsored by Alliant "The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience" | Sponsored by AXA XL "Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs" | Sponsored by Zurich "Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding" | Sponsored by Zurich "What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping" | Sponsored by Medcor "How Insurance Builds Resilience Against an Active Assailant Attack" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips" | Sponsored by Alliant   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Manny Padilla!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: Eric Lobser, SERMC Member   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.

What did this summer teach you?Before you jump into another routine, another goal, or another "fresh start" this fall, take a moment to pause.In this episode, Dr. Stacy reflects on the unexpected lessons from a full, busy summer of family, travel, work, and everyday life. She shares why the biggest lessons weren't about weight loss or perfect habits—they were about participation, protecting what matters, building habits that survive real life, and learning to stay present in the moments that become our memories.You'll learn why waiting for life to slow down isn't the answer, how tiny habits create lasting consistency, and why protecting your time, energy, and attention may be one of the healthiest things you can do.In this episode you'll learn:Why life doesn't really slow down—and what to do insteadHow to measure success by participation, not perfectionWhy tiny habits survive when life gets busyThe surprising difference between managing your life and truly living itReflection questions to help you move into fall with greater clarity and intentionBefore you rush into the next season, ask yourself one simple question: What did this summer teach me?Want help putting these ideas into practice?Inside Lifestyle Support Monthly, we help women build realistic systems that make healthy decisions easier—even during busy seasons like summer. Join at: www.sugarfreemd.com/LSM.Free 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Summary:  Adam Battersby, the founder of ProBatter Sports, shares his journey of starting and growing a company in the pitching machine industry. The company invented a video pitching machine for baseball, softball, and cricket. Adam discusses the challenges they faced in developing the machine, including the high cost and the need for extensive research and development. He also talks about their sales process, targeting commercial batting cages and training centers, as well as Major League Baseball and colleges. Adam reflects on the mistakes they made and the lessons they learned along the way. Adam Battersby, co-owner of ProBatter Sports, shares his experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of running a business, including dealing with machine malfunctions and managing employees. Battersby emphasizes the importance of having a good staff and being a strong leader. He also talks about the strategic planning process, including improving the current product and exploring new opportunities. Battersby highlights the success of their pitching simulator and their plans to target high schools and sports facilities. He advises entrepreneurs to persevere and stay committed to their business. Keywords:  pitching machine, baseball, softball, cricket, business development, sales, challenges, research and development, commercial batting cages, Major League Baseball, colleges, small business, entrepreneur, challenges, machine malfunctions, employees, leadership, strategic planning, product development, pitching simulator, high schools, sports facilities Takeaways ProBatter Sports invented a video pitching machine for baseball, softball, and cricket. The development process involved extensive research, development, and testing, as well as hiring multiple engineers. The initial cost of the machine was high, but they were able to lower it over time through technology advancements and better manufacturing processes. Their target market includes commercial batting cages, training centers, Major League Baseball, and colleges. They faced challenges in sales and marketing, but the unique features and benefits of their machine helped generate interest and positive feedback. Adam advises that persistence and creativity are key to overcoming obstacles and growing a successful business. Running a small business comes with constant challenges, such as machine malfunctions and managing employees. Having a good staff and being a strong leader are crucial for success. Strategic planning involves improving the current product and exploring new opportunities. ProBatter Sports has developed a pitching simulator and plans to target high schools and sports facilities. Perseverance and commitment are key qualities for entrepreneurs. Titles Targeting Commercial Batting Cages, MLB, and Colleges The Importance of Persistence and Creativity in Business Expanding into High Schools and Sports Facilities The Importance of a Good Staff and Strong Leadership Sound Bites "We had to get creative in our sales pitch and how to market and get our name out." "The machine, it's an awesome machine. Everyone loved the machine." "A lot of the golf simulator companies are now getting into baseball, and they're doing ball tracking." "You're better off just partnering or something like that." "Cheap help is very expensive." "You have to be a good leader if you want a good crew." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:06 Developing the ProBatter Machine 12:57 Financing and Manufacturing Challenges 23:02 Lessons Learned and Future Plans 25:59 Challenges of Running a Business 28:19 Leadership and Motivation 31:20 Strategic Planning and Business Growth 32:24 Expanding into Different Markets 34:22 Modifications and Updates to the Machines 36:18 Outsourcing and Sales Representatives 37:27 In-House Engineers and Manufacturing 38:48 Quality Control and Installation 40:42 Sales Team and Internal Operations 42:04 Outsourcing and Cost Management 43:38 Sales Performance and Accountability 45:00 Factors Contributing to Longevity 48:51 Future Developments and Expansion 51:35 Pitching Simulator and Advertising Opportunities 52:17 Advice for Small Business Owners 52:52 Contact Information  

What You'll Learn in This Episode:In this episode, Patrick Adams is joined by Paul Doyle and Shawna Hondorp for a preview of their sessions at the Lean Solutions Summit. Together, they explore two critical topics shaping today's organizations: developing leaders through intentional systems and using AI to strengthen talent acquisition without losing the human connection.The conversation dives into why leadership development should be treated as a business process rather than a training program, how specific leadership behaviors can be standardized and developed across every level of an organization, and why AI works best when paired with a thoughtful strategy. Shawna also shares practical insights into using AI responsibly in recruiting, emphasizing transparency, compliance, and the importance of maintaining authentic human relationships throughout the hiring process.Whether you're leading a team, developing future leaders, building an AI strategy, or improving your hiring process, this episode provides practical insights for creating stronger leaders, smarter systems, and more intentional organizations.Key Takeaways:Leadership development is a business process—not just a training programStrong leadership is built through intentional behaviors and systemsAI should enhance human connection, not replace itA successful AI strategy requires intentionality, transparency, and trustLinks: https://www.findleansolutions.com/https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/

Have you ever looked around in the middle of summer and wondered why everything suddenly feels like so much?Between vacations, camps, family schedules, work projects, and trying to take care of yourself, summer can become overwhelming before you even realize it. Many women respond by pushing harder, getting more organized, or looking for another productivity hack.But what if the problem isn't productivity?What if it's capacity?In this episode, Dr. Stacy explores why high-achieving women often confuse being capable with being unlimited, how summer exposes overloaded systems rather than personal failure, and why asking for support is one of the strongest things you can do.You'll also learn a simple brain dump exercise to help you see what you're really carrying—and where you can create more space.In this episode, you'll learn:Why summer often feels overwhelmingThe difference between capability and capacityWhy productivity isn't always the answerHow to identify overload before burnoutA simple exercise to reduce mental clutterWhy asking for support is a sign of strength—not weaknessIf you're tired of feeling like you should be able to do it all, this episode is for you.Want help putting these ideas into practice?Inside Lifestyle Support Monthly, we help women build realistic systems that make healthy decisions easier—even during busy seasons like summer. Join at: www.sugarfreemd.com/LSM.Free 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Virtually all banks engage in strategic planning, but how do they ensure the strategic plan actually drives performance and doesn't just get left in a binder on the shelf? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Q2 Software — Exchange Bank's Kevin Bender discusses tactics for making strategic planning a process that engages employees and board members in the future of the bank, drives prioritization of scarce resources and identifies each bank's biggest opportunities. Bender will join Joseph Cady to discuss six components for every bank's strategic plan at the ABA Annual Convention, Oct. 25-27 in Salt Lake City. Early-bird registration ends on July 31.

What separates property management companies that grow intentionally from those that simply react? In this episode, Marc Cunningham sits down with Andrew Smallwood, Chief Strategy Officer at Second Nature, for a deep dive into strategic thinking. Rather than discussing theory, Andrew walks Marc through a real strategic planning session, exploring how property managers can make better long-term decisions, identify the right customers, and build businesses around intentional choices instead of constant opportunities. Together, they discuss defining your ideal customer, knowing where not to compete, balancing focus with growth, avoiding common strategic planning mistakes, and creating a business that's known for something truly unique. They also explore why collaboration isn't the same as consensus and how leaders can confidently make strategic decisions while still involving their teams. Whether you're managing 30 doors or 3,000, this conversation will challenge how you think about building your business for the long term.   Connect with Andrew Smallwood:  andrew@secondnature.com https://www.secondnature.com/request-demo?utm_source=website&utm_medium=backlink&utm_campaign=pm_build   Property Manager Websites - the highest performing property management website in the industry Vendoroo- An always-on AI teammate to handle all aspects of maintenance Enterprise Bank & Trust - Property Management banking specialists   Rentvine - the property management software you can trust   Lending One - real estate loans for investors   Reconcile Daily - corporate & trust accounting experts   PMbuild - Marc's education for property managers   Denver Property Management - Grace Property Management website   This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.  

Some retreat lessons never go out of style. In this Throwback Thursday episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail revisits one of her favorite conversations with Chelle Swierz, founder of Topia Boutique Retreat Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico. While marketing trends, AI, and visibility strategies continue to evolve, the core principles of creating exceptional retreat experiences remain the same. In this conversation, Chelle shares the common mistakes she sees retreat leaders make—and many of them are still happening today. From poor guest preparation and choosing the wrong retreat dates to relying too heavily on social media instead of building genuine relationships, this episode is packed with timeless wisdom for retreat leaders. Shannon and Chelle also discuss: The importance of over-communicating with retreat guests Why trust is built long before a retreat begins How venue partnerships can elevate the guest experience Common planning mistakes that impact retreat success The power of personal connection over social media marketing Creating memorable and transformational retreat experiences If you're planning a retreat, struggling to fill one, or simply want to improve the experience you create for your guests, this episode is as relevant today as it was when it first aired. What You'll Learn in This Episode Common retreat hosting mistakes Why guest preparation matters How to choose better retreat dates The importance of clear communication Why relationships still outperform algorithms How retreat venues can support retreat leaders Creating an exceptional retreat guest experience Key Takeaways Retreat Success Starts Before Guests Arrive The guest experience begins long before check-in. Communication, preparation, and expectation-setting matter. Social Media Isn't Enough People may discover you online. But trust is built through relationships and conversations. Over-Communication Is a Good Thing Guests appreciate clarity. The more prepared they feel, the better their experience. Venue Partnerships Matter The right venue partner can dramatically improve the retreat experience for both leaders and guests. Authenticity Always Wins Clear, honest communication about what guests can expect leads to better experiences and stronger reviews. About Chelle Swierz Chelle Swierz is a longtime yoga instructor and founder of Topia Boutique Retreat Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Topia was created to support retreat leaders through every stage of the retreat process, helping them create meaningful experiences while building strong community connections. Learn more at: https://www.topiaretreat.com/   The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Join our Mastermind in Austin! Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Get your legal docs for retreats Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show Grab the AI + SEO Mini Course Grab the Pitch to Profit Mini Course   Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let's create a vibrant retreat community together!   Subscribe:  Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify -------- TIMESTAMPS Welcome to the Retreat Leaders Podcast (00:01:25) The host, Shannon, welcomes listeners and introduces the guest, Shelly, a fellow retreat venue owner from Baja, Mexico. About Topia Boutique Retreat Center (00:02:22) Shelly describes her full-service retreat center, Topia, which she co-owns with her husband, and its mission to support leaders. Different Levels of Venue Service (00:03:19) Shannon and Shelly discuss the spectrum of venue services, from 100% self-service to fully supported, all-inclusive models like Topia. Biggest Mistake: Not Knowing Your Community (00:05:20) Shelly explains the most common mistake is not knowing if you have a community that is willing and able to travel. Social Media Following vs. Real Community (00:08:16) A large social media following doesn't guarantee retreat sign-ups; genuine, personal relationships and trust are what fill retreats. The Importance of Strategic Planning (00:12:23) Discussion on giving yourself enough time to market, building community, and the benefits of partnering with another leader. Mistake #2: Choosing Dates Unwisely (00:14:35) Shelly warns against scheduling local retreats before international ones, as it can cannibalize sign-ups for the bigger trip. Considering Demographics, Weather, and Holidays (00:17:54) The importance of considering your audience's schedule, holidays, and the location's weather when selecting retreat dates is discussed. Best Practice: Over-Communicate with Guests (00:20:50) Shelly highlights the importance of preparing guests thoroughly through emails, Zoom calls, and clear itineraries to ensure a smooth experience. The Power of One-on-One Calls (00:23:40) Shannon emphasizes having quick one-on-one calls with each guest to review details and answer personal questions before the retreat. More About Topia Retreat Center (00:26:30) Shelly describes Topia's beautiful location in Baja California Sur and its focus on caring for and supporting retreat leaders.

Summer is full of decisions.Pool parties. Vacations. Restaurants. Camp drop-offs. Road trips. Late nights.Most of us make those decisions based on how we feel in the moment—but what if there was a simpler way?In this episode, Dr. Stacy introduces the concept of Present You versus Future You and shares how one small question can completely change the way you approach food, vacations, social events, and emotional moments.You'll learn:Why summer makes decision-making feel harderThe difference between Present You and Future YouWhy Future You isn't perfect—she's simply preparedHow to stop making tomorrow harder than it needs to beOne practical question to ask before your next decisionIf you've ever finished a vacation wondering why you abandoned all your healthy habits—or found yourself saying, "I'll start again Monday," this episode is for you.Want help putting these ideas into practice?Inside Lifestyle Support Monthly, we help women build realistic systems that make healthy decisions easier—even during busy seasons like summer. Join at: www.sugarfreemd.com/LSM.Free 2-Pound Plan Call!Want to jump start your weight loss? Schedule a free call where Dr. Stacy Heimburger will work with you to create a personalized plan to lose 2 pounds in one week, factoring in your unique circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. Schedule now! www.sugarfreemd.com/2poundThis episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Business growth should not depend on luck, assumptions, or the latest trend. In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Hugo van den Biggelaar, CEO of The Bitsing Company USA, to explore a proven methodology for making clearer, more intentional growth decisions. Hugo spent more than eight years at Nike, working across finance, insights, loyalty, digital marketing, and brand strategy before moving into entrepreneurship. Today, he is helping bring the Bitsing methodology from Europe to the United States.  Bitsing is a business growth framework developed over more than 30 years and used by more than 1,000 organizations. It brings finance, strategy, positioning, marketing, and sales together in one structured plan designed to help leaders focus on the actions most likely to produce measurable growth.  In this conversation, Hugo explains why business owners should stop relying solely on gut feeling, how to identify where growth is already proven, and why the strongest brands give people an emotional reason to choose them. Adrienne and Hugo also discuss the challenges that businesses face at every size, from small entrepreneurial teams to global organizations, and how leaders can turn scattered ideas into a practical roadmap. In This Episode -Hugo's journey from Nike to entrepreneurship  -How the Bitsing methodology was developed  -Why every business needs a clear growth roadmap  -The difference between a financial goal and a strategy  -How to use revenue data to decide where to invest  -Why businesses often overlook what is already working  -How to balance current revenue with new growth opportunities  -Preparing a business to scale, sell, or exit  -Why rational selling points are easy for competitors to copy  -How emotional positioning creates brand preference  -Three practical steps toward more intentional growth  Key Takeaways -Set financial goals first. Brand awareness, website traffic, and sales conversions can support growth, but they are strategies rather than the final business goal. -Follow the evidence. Your existing revenue data can help show which services, products, audiences, and markets deserve more of your time and budget. -Create preference, not just a reason to buy. Price, speed, and features can all be copied. A strong brand gives people an emotional and distinctive reason to choose you. Chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:36 Hugo's Journey from Amsterdam to Nike and New York 02:48 Leaving Nike and Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship 05:59 Bringing the Bitsing Methodology to the United States 06:54 How the Bitsing Growth Method Was Developed 09:34 The Seven Principles Behind the Framework 10:19 Building a Business Growth Roadmap 11:47 Why There Is No Secret Shortcut to Growth 12:36 Knowing When to Hire, Expand, or Stay Focused 15:18 Replacing Gut Feeling with Business Data 15:47 The Pencil Methodology Explained 16:46 Deciding Where to Invest Time and Marketing Budget 18:14 Growth Strategies for Scaling, Turnarounds, and Exits 19:48 Why Businesses of Every Size Face Similar Problems 22:32 Three Steps Toward Intentional Growth 23:06 Set Financial Goals Before Choosing Strategies 24:37 Let the Data Guide Your Decisions 25:03 The Three Brand Challenges Businesses Must Solve 26:24 Why Creating Preference Matters Most 26:51 Finding an Emotional Advantage Competitors Cannot Copy 28:03 Why B2B Marketing Is Still Human 28:51 How to Connect with Hugo 30:06 Closing  Connect with Hugo van den Biggelaar:Bitsing Website https://bitsing.com Email hugo@bitsing.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugovandenbiggelaar/  Learn More About Bitsing The Bitsing Company https://bitsing.com About the Bitsing method https://bitsing.com/about Books https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Laws-Guaranteed-Growth-Management/dp/906369413X  

Is your church full of attendees but short on disciples? In episode 350 of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. dig into one of the most common and quietly damaging patterns in church life: the consumerism cycle. They walk through three concrete red flags that signal your congregation may be consuming church rather than contributing to it, and then offer a practical framework for shifting the culture toward ownership and discipleship. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are the co-hosts of the Church Revitalization Podcast, produced by the Malphurs Group, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to helping churches across North America thrive. Scott and A.J. bring a mix of pastoral insight and practical strategy to each episode, making the show a go-to resource for pastors and church leaders navigating real challenges in ministry today. [4:04] Red Flag 1: Preference-driven complaints as a sign of a consumer mindset [7:02] Red Flag 2: Low volunteerism and the gap between attendance and participation [9:36] Red Flag 3: Giving culture and what it reveals about congregational ownership [15:43] Culture shift framework: Reframing belonging, language, and what your church asks of people [19:20] Leveraging low-bar entry points to build high commitment over time Free 7-Day Trial of the Healthy Churches Toolkit: https://healthychurchestoolkit.com Episode Article (Ep. 350): https://malphursgroup.com/350 Facebook: https://facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: https://instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup X: https://x.com/malphursgroup

Strategic planning can feel overwhelming when you try to do it all on your own. In this episode, Melissa explains why law firm owners often get stuck and how having the right partner or support can help you clarify priorities, make better decisions, and maintain momentum throughout the planning process.         Melissa walks through common pitfalls owners face when attempting to facilitate their own strategic plan and shows how structured support can help you stay focused, evaluate opportunities, and plan effectively without feeling overwhelmed. You'll hear practical insights on balancing ownership, leadership, and accountability while making strategic decisions that move your firm forward.      This episode will help you see why you don't have to do strategic planning alone, how to leverage support effectively, and how to approach your firm's priorities with clarity and direction. By integrating these practices, you can make intentional progress, maintain focus, and set your law firm up for sustainable growth.                            Let's talk! If you are a law firm owner looking to talk with us about partnering on your personal and professional growth, book a short, free, no-pressure call with Melissa here: https://velocitywork.com/calendar         Calculate your producer multiple with our free Producer Calculator here: https://vwrk.cc/pm          Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/371                    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@velocitywork