Critical Mass Business Talk Show | Orange County’s Longest-Running Business Talk Show

As a follow up to an earlier show with Michael Stratford on "Provoke, Evoke and Go Home" Doug talks about the role of the coach in making the client uncomfortable. How far and hard do you push or lead the client is a question for all coaches.

Richard Jaffe, Senior Corporate Partner of Richard Jaffe joins host Ric Franzi to discuss his law firm.

Fred Gaston, Author and Attorney joins host Ric Franzi to discuss his latest book "The Naked Contract". Jules Christensen, Founder Jules Ford Maternity shares the lesson she has learned in building a differentiated business and being a new mother and entrepreneur.

Michael Stratford, Master Coach joins host Doug Gfeller and shares a bit of what he knows about coaching, coach training and development. Michael has earned a reputation for helping others achieve a level of excellence in communication, leadership, and team performance.

Steve Lopez, Owner Clean Air Cab shares his views on creating a sustainable business. Shane Broussard, President Ped-Ads.com discusses finding niche markets and developing business that will fill those needs.

Steve Averill and Michelle Patterson join host Ric Franzi to discuss the TED-X Irvine event. The event titled Change Agents will be an evening designed to bring together thinkers and doers from Irvine and surrounding Orange County.

Courtney Parker, Founder of LCJ Media joins host Ric Franzi to share her insights into how social media and mobile media can positively impact small and mid-market firms.

John Snyder, Vice President Commercial Finance, Culver Capital Group joins guest host Paul Roberts to share his insights on where mid-market CEOs and business owners can secure alternative financing in today's tight credit market.

Jeff Jaime, CEO of The Taurean Corporation joins Guest Host Paul Roberts and discusses the firm he started based on the principles of The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly. This is measured by how you retain talent and Jeff talks about the impact it has had on his business.

Roger Cohen, CEO and Founder of Vericomply and discusses the firm he created out of the pain and frustrations encountered while managing complex transactions as a corporate attorney

Paul Mosenson, Founder and President of NuSpark Marketing joins the show and explains how firms can combine content marketing with lead generation tactics to drive revenue and sales growth. Tom Krekel, CEO of Full Sail Strategies explains the powerful growth concepts contained within the "Stages of Growth" way of understanding a firm's evolution. Listen and learn how to determine what stage your firm is in and what you need to do to move it on to the next level.

Jeffrey Scott, Founder and Business Architect C-Level Management joins host Ric Franzi's as his featured guest. Jeffrey explores the business model at the heart of his firm. C-Level takes the concept of "giving back to the community" to new heights.

Ron Stein, Vice President of Business Development PTS Staffing is host Ric Franzi's first guest. PTS is focused on providing engineering and professional staffing solutions and is at the forefront of the specialized staffing industry. David Gosselin, CPA at DBB McKennon brings his "Top Financial Issues CEOs Should be Worried About" to the show.

Naomi Grange, Founder of TXTourRegistry joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her technology business. TXTourRegistry is a revolutionary and sophisticated TXT based way of giving and receiving the green gift everyone wants more of. Learn from Naomi as she shares experiences and lessons learned about building a new business. Dan Meder, Vice President Experian returns to the show to update us on the importance of active credit management for small and mid-sized business owners and CEOs. Ric asks Dan to talk about how CEOs can mitigate risk and potentially improve profitability through the use of business-to-business credit services

Chris Williams, Partner Williams, Crow, Mask, LLP joins host Ric Franzi to discuss transitioning a firm to the next generation and the importance of succession planning.

Guest Host Paul Roberts interviews Bruer Kershner, President and CEO of Kershner Office Furniture. Bruer shares a difficult problem he had in 2009 venturing into an offshoot business. Also he talks about some positive aspects recently in expanding his office furniture team.

This week Doug talks about Conscious Choice and Balance. Two sides of the same coin that seem to always present a challenge to most of our coaching clients.

Jackie Bird, President of Epic International is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Jackie shares the philanthropic business model at the heart of the business she and her husband started. Following a trip to Haiti to help with earthquake relief they realized the urgent need for clean drinking water in Haiti was immense. They have started and structured Epic Timepieces' business model to provide drinking water filtration systems through the sale of high quality watches.

Marcia Reynolds, MCC and past ICF Global President joins host Doug Gfeller to review and discuss what went on at the Annual International ICF conference in Las Vegas last month.

Andre Filip, CEO of ELA Advertising is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Andre explains how he has built several successful firms as a young serial entrepreneur in Orange County CA. Listen to learn more about his approach to building businesses based on what he is passionate about in life.

Fred Koury, President of Smart Business Network is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Fred discusses his media firm's history and evolution into a multi-media company with 20+ years of history. Smart Business Network has grown over the years into two strong divisions that meet different needs. Smart Business Magazine and Events focuses in on C-Level executives to put out informational journals in local markets across the county. Smart Business Content Marketing Division develops custom content plans to help companies drive the marketing goals of their partners. Smart Business has full digital and social media capabilities across both divisions.

Host Doug Gfeller's guest is Grace Horoupian, a partner with Fisher & Phillips, a law firm. Grace provides preventive counseling and frequently presents seminars and workshops on employment issues to executives, supervisors, managers and human resources professionals. Her practice is focused on representing employers in a variety of employment cases, including claims for civil rights violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, ADA and ADEA violations, unfair business practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, and class action disputes. Grace represents employers in both state and federal court as well as before state and federal agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

Doug Carlberg, President and CEO of M1 Global Technologies is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Doug talks about the rebirth of manufacturing in North America and the need to continually re-invent yourself and your company.

Wayne Breitbarth, Author, Speaker and Owner of Powerformula joins host Ric Franzi to explain his book "The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success". This book is aimed at the experienced professional who is either skeptical about LinkedIn or is looking for better ways to use this technology tool this book explains how to use the full power of LinkedIn. Julie Vandermost, President of Vandermost Consulting Services, Inc. talks about her firm which is a full service regulatory, biological and environmental services firm. VCS has over 14 years of experience successfully completing projects for clients who are both public agencies and private firms.

Beth Haney, Doctor of Nursing and Owner of Luxe Aesthetic Center is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Beth discussed her practice and business experiences building and growing it. Ric has asked Beth to explain the profession of nurse practitioner during the show.

Vic Bullara who is a Certified Professional Coach, an ICF Credentialed Executive Coach and a Certified Master Trainer joins host Doug Gfeller. Vic has helped more than 300 organizations and 500 senior leaders achieve breakthrough results. His background includes 20 years as an HR Practice Leader for Ernst & Young and Development Dimensions International. Before starting his own executive coaching and HR consulting business, he was Chief Human Resources Officer/Director for three high growth companies including one that grew from 7 employees to over 400 in four years. His areas of expertise include competency based HR, executive assessment, leadership development, behavioral interviewing and employee engagement. He is the developer of "Leadership Excellence Through Energy Management"TM.

Michael Silverman, Director and Principal for Integra Realty Resources with over 650 skilled professionals, focused on commercial real estate valuation, appraisal and counseling services. Integra Realty Resources is an industry leader in providing services across all property types including office, retail, industrial, and multi-family and areas of specialty expertise.

Norman Wolfe, President and CEO of Quantum Leaders is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. The interview explores Norman's new book "The Living Organization" . The model is a balanced, holistic approach to guiding your success. It identifies those elements that impede execution, many of which are often overlooked by other methods.

Paul Steck, President of Saladworks is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Paul discusses his role in leading the national expansion of Saladworks. In March 2011 Saladworks announced an agreement with a multi-unit developer for three locations in Orange County, CA which is the beginning of their west coast expansion.

Joseph Beach, Managing Director of Asher and Company is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. The interview examines Joseph's career and the rich history of Asher and Company. Since 1938 Asher and Company, Ltd. has helped thousands of businesses plan for financial success.

Tricia Sanchez, CFO and Co-Owner is host Ric Franzi's first guest. The interview explores how she and her husband are building a new independent supplier of office printing equipment having over 17 years experience in the industry as business owners. Mitchell Sodikoff, EVP Business Development joins the show and Ric focuses the conversation on uncovering how business owners and CEOs can save significant money on their wireless expenses. Wireless phones have become standard equipment in most industries and the costs for operation are a major expense for small and mid-sized businesses.

Mina Watkins of Results Coach joins host Doug Gfeller. Mina is a certified ontological coach, the president-elect of the ICF Orange County chapter, a highly respected local coach and a good friend of Doug. Listen to this interview to find out more about the role of the Orange County Chapter of the International Coach Federation.

Gary Arnold, President of Integrated Peak Solutions is host Ric Franzi's first guest. Gary shares his ideas on getting the most out of your people and achieving people and process excellence. Geoffrey Kent, CEO of CognisIT addresses how managed IT services and cloud computing can help mid-market CEOs improve their firm's performance and control IT costs.

Shannon Higuera, Artistic Director and Co-Owner of Starlite Dance Studio joins host Ric Franzi as his featured guest. Shannon brings to life how she has been able to create a business from a way of life. Shannon has been dancing for 20 years and has taught numerous students in Orange County and San Diego areas. Together with her mother Lynn, Shannon has built the premier dance studio in Ladera Ranch, CA with plans to open a second studio.

Ed Hart, Director of The Family Business Council is host RIc Franzi featured guest. Ed shares the latest information regarding the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics Family Business Council as well as discusses the Family Business Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with The Orange County Business Journal.

Mickey Troxell, Founder and CEO of Centaur University joins host Ric Franzi as his first guest. Mickey, a serial entrepreneur, explains the business model of her latest venture Centaur University. Centaur University offers world class, fast-track education certification and counselor degree programs. Wade Slome, Founder Sidoxia Capital Management, LLC returns to the program to shed light on how the federal debt issues are impacting the US business climate and provides context for the financial market issues making recent headlines.

Scott Nelson, President Security and Risk Management Group is host Ric Franzi's first guest. Scott explains the security threats mid-market CEOs need to know about in order to protect their physical and cyber assets. Karen Allard, CEO & Founder SBR Sports returns to the program to share more about how she is growing her firm through various marketing initiatives.

Tim Musgrave, President and CEO of Pressure Systems International talks about his firm that created an industry and how, through the use of Corporate Corner Stone Coins, he built a culture that enabled them to survive the daunting challenges of starting a firm. Edward Torres, Owner of City Tours discusses with host Ric Franzi his belief that "The most important thing is to remember: I have to act like a customer and not as the owner of the business" for his tour-based business to succeed.

Betsy Thagard, Founder of B.Toffee is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Betsy and Ric explore her entrepreneurial journey of creating a business around her handmade, delectable toffee confections. Betsy explains her focus on building a distribution channel through specialty food stores, exclusive corporate gifts, and gift basket proprietors.

Ken Willette, Founder and CEO of SideOrder.com is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Ken discusses his newest venture. SideOrder.com is Orange County's largest resource for local restaurant menus; for quick and convenient food ordering for pickup and delivery. Listen to learn how this serial entrepreneur is bringing to life his latest technology venture.

Manish Gorawala, President of Tri-Force Consulting Services, speaks about the company he started in 2000. Tri-Fource Consulting is a specialized consutling services firm focusing exclusively on providing emerging mobile development and diverse open source technologies.

Dan Markson, SVP of Development for The NRP Group LLC is host Ric Franzi's first guest. NRP Group is the 2nd largest builder of affordable housing. Dan discusses the need for PEOPLE FIRST-RETAIL SECOND and why housing issues are critical for business to maintain vibrancy in the retail sector. Sherrie Skeans, Vice President for Grubb & Ellis is the second guest. Sherrie discussing the emerging real estate trends including LEED certification. Jack Nelson, CEO Propel Financial Services is the final guest on the show. Jack talks about how his business can help homeowners with their tax liens and cash flow. Ric and Jack also discusses the opportunity for Propel Financial to take their business model nationally.

Van Muse, Director for the MBA Progam, Mihaylo College of Business and Economics is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Van explains the three (3) MBA programs and the focus for each program. Van also goes into detail about the newest of the three MBA programs, the Full-Time MBA program. The Full-Time MBA offers a unique focus on the "interpersonal and soft skills" through the Mihaylo Leadership Academy. As Van says "There are plenty of choices for a full-time MBA in the marketplace, so we chose to develop ours differently." Listen to learn more details about the benefits and features of the Mihaylo MBA programs.

Lisa Steadman, Founder and CEO of Woohoo, Inc. is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Ric explores with Lisa how, as an entrepreneur, she manages her multi-faceted business. Lisa is an author, speaker, coach and consultant to a wide variety of businesses both nationally and internationally. Listen to this fast paced interview to uncover some of the secrets to building your own powerful personal brand.

Host Doug Gfeller's guest is Liz Lewis. Liz is a Certified Human Resources Professional, and Entrepreneur, Mentor and Certified International Life Coach/Speaker. Liz offers over 20 years of leadership experience both in the private and corporate sectors. She provides expertise to entrepreneurial and Fortune 500 companies who are in need of human resources and workers' compensation management services, producing significant results in reducing overhead liability and maintaining low cost commercial business premiums.

Mike Lieberman, President of Square 2 Marketing is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Mike shares with Ric how his firm creates Marketing MachinesTM to drive brand awareness and increase traffic to the firm's website as well as maximizing the effectiveness of social networking campaigns.

Lisa Marie Platske, CEO and President is host Ric Franzi's featured guest and they explore a wide range of topics including her philosophy that connection is the new currency in today's business world.

Christine De La Torre, Founder and Owner of Christine's BookKeeping discusses the most common bookkeeping mistakes made by business owners and entrepreneurs with host Ric Franzi. Kathy Dahl Crifasi, Founder of Hipzbag shares experience building a business-to-consumer firm after successfully creating a business-to-business information technology firm.

Daniel Bistany, Partner at breezeIT joins host Ric Franzi and discusses the IT firm he and his partners started and the challenges and opportunities facing a startup in their industry. Listen to learn how "cloud computing" and other exciting new technologies are helping mid-market firms lower IT costs and reach new customers. Jim Downes, Senior Director with BBK returns to the show and shares additional insights into what companies must do to survive when they are in a turnaround situation. Jim and Ric also explore the role suppliers and supply-chain management play in the success or failure of manufacturing companies.

Linda Pinson, Founder of Out of Your Mind and into the Marketplace talks with host Ric Franzi about her business which produces books and information to help entrepreneurs develop business plans. Linda is a published author of numerous books and seminars on the subject. Alison Sansone, Creator of Be There Bedtime Stories shares her experiences in building her unique technology-based company inspired by her desire to remain close to her nieces who do not live close to her. Listen to learn how this entrepreneur is creating not only a business but a brand around her service offering.