Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)

If you're not transparent, you're going to lose the trust of your team and employees. Many leaders have a perception that being a leader means you have to be distant and aloof, but that's not true. To be a good leader, you need to be transparent and open with your team. Without trust, you can't lead effectively.Just wait to hear the story from Corporate Executive, Adam Lee, who worked in the FBI for 22 years. He shares a big moment that he was on a job interview with the President of the US and he chose to lead with authenticity and transparency - a hallmark of his throughout this career. He is Dominion Energy’s Vice President and Chief Security Officer. He directs the development and implementation of corporate security policies and procedures designed to protect physical and cyber assets. He is the liaison with all outside government and law enforcement agencies on physical and cyber security matters for Dominion Energy. Lee joined the company in this role in 2018.Dominion Energy is headquartered in Richmond, VA has over 7 million retail energy customers across 13 states. As THE energy supplier to the Pentagon and the Norfolk naval base and shipyard, and many other essential pieces of the U.S. national security enterprise, Dominion Energy is a unique critical national asset.Before joining Dominion Energy, Lee served as Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Richmond Division. In 2018, he retired from the FBI after a 22-year career focused on criminal, counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, and cyber investigations. In addition, he specialized in cases involving corruption of elected and appointed government officials, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and antitrust violations; Lee previously served as the FBI's executive over its national Public Corruption and Civil Rights Programs.He belongs to the FBI’s Domestic Security Alliance Council, the Department of Homeland Security’s Classified Intelligence Forum, and is a member of the national Government/Business Executive Forum. Lee also sits on the Hampden-Sydney College’s Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest advisory board and the University of Richmond’s Continuing Education/Customer Experience advisory board.Lee is a passionate supporter of our nation’s veterans and leads Dominion Energy’s Veterans Resource Group and sits on the board of directors for the Richmond Fisher House. Adam earned his undergraduate degree from California State University in San Francisco and his J.D. from John F. Kennedy University, School of Law.LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/adam-s-lee-55815699 Company Link: https://www.dominionenergy.com/ What You’ll Discover in this Episode:A life lesson from the lead guitarist for the Doobie Brothers, who also happens to be a top security expert.What Adam learned from his interview with the President of the US in the Oval Office.Three things to avoid as a leader.The key leadership strategy he learned during 9/11 that accelerated his career.Do you need to break someone down to build them up a leader?The transformational moment when a top leader recognized his potential.Three important ways for leaders to handle stress.Quotes:“Learn to read your people.” - Advice for leaders in tailoring their leadership style to the individual.“Be transparent.”“Three components of leadership are character, competence, and credibility.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Stop wasting your energy on barking orders and telling people what to do. It’s far more effective and satisfying to lead by example. It’s one of the greatest leadership hacks of all time because people respond better to what they see, not what they're told.I host Eric Liebowitz, CISO of Thales Americas, who shares a key insight that explains why leading by example works and an essential strategy to immediately begin leading more effectively. Thales is a global Aerospace, Transportation, Cybersecurity and Defense organization with a complex IT environment and multiple product lines. They have over 81.000 employees across 5 continents. Eric has over 15 years in the cybersecurity space. He is a strong leader who is experienced in building and maturing Information Security programs for large Financial Services and Technology organizations. Eric started his career on Wall Street where he led a global team of security professionals that implemented a 24/7 Security Operations Center to monitor threats and respond to attacks at Lehman Brothers. Eric then moved on to Freddie Mac where he built and led multiple teams in different security disciplines such as Identity & Access Management, Governance, Risk and Compliance and Security Monitoring & Incident Response.Eric’s attributes include strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to translate technical and risk based solutions to senior management as well as business partners. He also has a demonstrated track record of delivering innovative Security solutions that meet corporate strategic goals while promoting a team-oriented work environment.Eric has partnered with peers in other organizations to start a CISO roundtable with security leaders from the Virginia, Maryland and DC area. He is also a 9 year contributing member of the CISO Executive Network. He holds the CISSP, CISA and CISM certifications and is a member of ISACA National DC chapter and ISC2. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericliebowitz/Company Link: https://www.thalesgroup.com/enWhat You’ll Discover in this EpisodeWhat Eric learned at the biggest defining moment in his career.Vital strategies to strike the balance between working hard and taking care of yourself.What to do when you don’t speak the language in the room.Why leaders must become PROACTIVE when it comes to employee retention.The reality of the staffing shortages in the Cyber Security industry.Why leading by example is so effective.The importance of leading with integrity and how to do it.How to have a one-on-one meeting that builds a personal connection every time.Resources:The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen CoveyThe Speed of Trust, Franklin Covey-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Start using food to help you lead. Food can help you deepen your connection with the team, find common ground with a rival, and even change the world. You may remember a time when you shared a meal with someone, and it shifted your perception of them. Or, perhaps someone introduced you to a new food, and it immediately opened up a new level of conversation.I hosted Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli on the show who shares why "Food" is such a powerful leadership strategy.She joined The Rockefeller Foundation board of trustees in 2019, and she’s an expert on social innovation, African agriculture and nutrition, entrepreneurship, and youth development. She has over 25 years of international development experience and is a recognized serial entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and consultant. Over the past 14 years, Ndidi has focused exclusively on transforming the African agriculture and nutrition landscape. She’s Executive Chair of Sahel Consulting and co-founder of AACE Foods, which produces a range of packaged spices, seasonings, and cereals for local and international markets, Ndidi has propelled the growth of a catalytic business. Ndidi's latest start-up is Changing Narratives Africa committed to changing global mindsets about Africa by showcasing the Continent’s contributions to the global food ecosystem through the pioneering work of her dynamic people, their innovations, and products.She sits on numerous Boards authoring “Social Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact,” and “Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses,” both published by Routledge. She is also the author of “Working for God in the Marketplace.”Ndidi holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndidi-okonkwo-nwuneli-840696a/Company Link: https://changingnarrativesafrica.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The story of her recent Fireside Chat with Al Gore.Three essential strategies to build your international network.The one action she takes within 24 hours of meeting someone to strengthen her network.The surprising science of food in leadership. How Sushi has become the model for growing an international cuisine.How you shift the mindsets of your customers, so they are more likely to buy.An unexpected twist in hair care that lead a BIG opportunity with a customer.Resources:Ndidi’s TED TalksThe future of the food ecosystem -- and the power of your plate: https://www.ted.com/talks/ndidi_okonkwo_nwuneli_the_future_of_the_food_ecosystem_and_the_power_of_your_plate?language=en The role of faith and belief in modern Africa: https://www.ted.com/talks/ndidi_nwuneli_the_role_of_faith_and_belief_in_modern_africa?language=en Ndidi’s BooksSocial Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact: https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Routledge-Studies-African-Development/dp/1138182842 Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses : https://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurs-Africa-Ndidi-Okonkwo-Nwuneli/dp/0367631121 High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America : https://www.netflix.com/title/81034518 World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/ Fonio: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/feb/09/fonio-quinoa-senegal-africa-harlem-restaurant -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Make giving and receiving feedback a leadership habit. Helpful feedback develops talent, improves communication, and increases performance. Yet, most leaders rarely give it or take the time to request it.Leaders often have years of valuable experience and wisdom to share, but it’s NEVER passed on to the rest of the organization. You can unlock this “goldmine” by working with your leaders and their team to make feedback a habit instead of a once per year event (see annual reviews).I host Chris Abbass CEO and Co-founder of Talentful, on the show where he shares a powerful strategy for making feedback a productive habit throughout your organization.His company provides subscription based recruiting solutions to some of the world’s most ambitious tech companies. He’s previously worked with companies like Audible and Shazam.Chris Abbass has more than a decade of expertise in leadership and recruitment for game-changing technology companies. Chris is from the UK, moved to San Francisco in 2020, and now resides in New York City. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabbass/Company Link: https://www.talentful.com/us/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:His 15 word Linkedin viral post that stirred a global debate (over 80,000 likes).A tip for professionals who’d like to expand their thought leadership.How his company is inventing the future of recruiting.How he went from “failed rock star” to store clerk to Co-Founder and CEO of a thriving company.The leadership edge he discovered from music.His list of the top drummers.Why leadership training is CRITICAL for new leaders.The big mistake he sees companies making.The one trait he’d instill in every employee… that’s never been mentioned on the show before!The brutal cost of turnover and a strategy to avoid it.A surprising success strategy for all employees.Quotes:"Have hard conversations quickly.""Consistency wins!""Look at the data."Resources:Drummers: Tony Royster Junior at 12 years old! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8UG22AiHyA Taylor Hawkins https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-hawkins-foo-fighters-tribute-1347073/ David Grohl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5czBl-4qXE Podcasts: The Weeks in Start Ups: https://thisweekinstartups.com All-In Podcast: https://www.allinpodcast.co/ -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Start trusting your gut as a leader. This can seem like something that could easily go wrong and have disastrous consequences, particularly when it goes "against the data". But, making tough decisions is something that ALL leaders have to do at some point or another, and more often than not these decisions are based on instinct. This is especially true when the data is incomplete or bad.I hosted Anush Prabu, US Chief Strategy Officer and Global Chief Strategy Officer, Creative Transformation for MediaCom. He explains how in these moments, it's important to trust your intuition and make the decision that you believe is best for everyone involved. We dive into three key strategies to trust your gut and make better decisions.Anush has been an instrumental part of the transformational growth of Mediacom since 2017, leading it to become the fastest-growing media agency and being awarded Agency of the Year three times during that period. He has also been credited for helping shape several of the agencies’ offerings, including Creative Systems, which provides platform-first creativity that drives relevance and growth for clients such as Dell, Pokémon, and P&G.He has been honored as an Adweek’s Media All-Star, Adweek Young Influential, International Innovator, and Integrated Marketing Influential over the years. He is also an ardent champion of diversity and inclusion, advocating for the cause on industry boards.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anush-prabhu-a11a1b15/Company Link: https://www.mediacom.com/usWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:The valuable leadership lesson he learned from his job going door-to-door. How the art of listening helped them create an award-winning campaign for Pokemon.The big leadership skill in the Metaverse. The biggest mistake he sees leaders making in the Metaverse.3 steps for trusting your gut as a leader. Why trusting your gut can lead to better decisions.A critical step to creating a culture of trust for your team. Why employees must stand up to their boss (and how to do it). The catastrophic cost of turnover and how to avoid it. Two failures that lead to BIG wins down the road. Quotes:“Failure is the best teacher.”“You don’t have to have all the answers before you make a move.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Is Stakeholder Capitalism better than just plain Capitalism? Leaders who prioritize ALL stakeholders more than just shareholders may hold an edge. Selena Cuffe is President of SodexoMagic, a joint venture between NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Sodexo, Inc. It consists of 1,700 U.S. client sites and 6,500 employees, in partnership with Sodexo’s business lines and senior leaders.She shares a key principle to successfully run a company based on profitability and sustainability.She is co-founder of global wine importer, Heritage Link Brands, with her husband, Khary Cuffe. They discovered that only 2 percent of South Africa's $3 billion wine industry was owned by black South Africans. As CEO of Heritage Link Brands, she now runs the largest import business of these wines, bringing them to audiences around the world. Selena also serves on the Audit Committee for the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee for the Harvard Business School Women Student Alumni Board and is a member of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank 12th District Economic Advisory Council. In addition, Selena sits on the Overseas Studies Advisory Council at Stanford University and is Vice President Emerita of the Global Alumni Board of the Harvard Business School. Selena received her BA from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University. —--LinkedIn Profile @selenacuffe @sodexomagic @heritagelinkbrandSelena’s LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenacuffe/ Company Link Sodexho Magin: https://us.sodexo.com/services/sodexo-magic.htmlCompany Link for Heritage Link Estates: https://www.heritagelinkbrands.com/ —----What You’ll Discover in This Episode:Why her journey as an entrepreneur is the “Ultimate Love Story”.What it means to “live radically in the moment”.How her tragic losses early in life propelled her forward. Success strategies for launching a business.Her leadership philosophy.Using “stakeholder capitalism” to measure your success. Why supply chain diversification is VITAL, and how every leader can do it.How to cultivate positive relationships as a leader. How Selena ended up working for Magic Johnson.What happened when she started importing wine from Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter.The history of vineyards in South Africa.Quotes:“Go for what jars you to the point of feeling uncomfortable.”“It always comes down to the people.”“Cultivate, nurture, and manage your relationships.”Resources:Selena’s CBS Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YLl7A74bNUEarvin “Magic” Johnson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Johnson David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell: https://www.amazon.com/David-Goliath-Underdogs-Misfits-Battling/dp/0316204374 Nelson Mandela: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela House of Mandela Wine: https://www.thehouseofmandela.com/wine7 Sisters Vineyard: https://www.sevensisters.co.za/ Brown Estate - 2019 Recluse; Chaos Theory (The only black-owned vineyard in Napa) https://www.brownestate.com/ Searching for Sugarman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL5TffdOQ7g -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

So should you use a digital workforce? It does the tedious work and allows your team to focus on the higher-value "human work". This improves profitability, efficiency and productivity while boosting job satisfaction.However even mentioning the words "digital workforce" can strike fear in the hearts of employees who are concerned about being replaced.I host Jet Theurkauf, Chief Customer Strategy and Transformation Officer of Blue Prism, who shares how every employee can benefit from digital workers right now. If you've never heard of a digital worker (not remote worker), you may be surprised to learn that it's a category of software robot trained to perform a task or process in partnership with a human colleague.Blue Prism is the global leader in intelligent automation which combines the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to deliver digital workers that take away the mundane tasks human workers are overloaded with and empowers them to focus on the profit driving initiatives only people can do.Jet has more than 26 years of experience leading global transformation initiatives that deliver positive results. Before coming to Blue Prism he was Head of Transformation at BNY Mellon. Jet has also served as the Chairman of the Diversity Committee for one of the largest banks in Europe, and he is constantly involved in philanthropic efforts.He has multiple degrees in Psychology and advanced training in business specialties from Harvard, London Business School, and Thunderbird University. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jontheuerkauf/Company Link: https://www.blueprism.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What feeding sharks teaches you about leadership.Why pirates can be leadership role models. What it was like being one of the first quality leaders at GE.How to use digital workers (not remote workers) to boost profitability.Why digital workers aren't a replacement for employees.The urgency and opportunity for leaders to use digital workers. How to accelerate your career with courage and tenacity. Quotes:"We take the robot out of people."-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Should you use artificial intelligence to lead your team? This question may seem straight out of science fiction, but it's actually a burning question that top companies are asking around the globe today.I host IBM's first Global Chief AI Officer, Seth Dobrin, on the show, and he shares three steps that every leader should take to create an AI strategy.In his role, Seth leads IBM's corporate AI strategy and is responsible for connecting the development and governance of AI across IBM's business units with a systemic creation of business value. The commitment to human-centered AI prompted Seth to create a new methodology that helps companies develop AI strategies built on trust, providing business outcomes that are more fair, more accurate, and focused on real humans' needs. This methodology has helped elevate AI from being simply a tool used to make processes more efficient to an overarching catalyst of business transformation. Seth was recognized as AI Innovator of the Year 2021 at the AIconics Awards and named one of Corinium's Top 100 Leaders in Data & Analytics 2022.He has his undergraduate degree in Microbiology and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular biology from Arizona State University.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdobrinCompany Link: https://www.ibm.comWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:The important difference between AI and Machine Learning.If you should be worried about being “AI’ed” out of a job and what to do about it.Three steps to build an AI strategy for your team. Surprising places you’d never expect AI. The science fiction that inspired him as a kid. The one course he requires his kids to take (and why we should all take it ourselves). Why you should consider applying for a job if you’re only 70% qualified. How AI can help leaders declare their vision (and it’s limitations). The guiding principle for how leaders should use AI.Helpful gadgets for leaders.Quotes:“AI won’t replace managers and leaders, but managers and leaders who use AI will.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Why do some teams work well together and others don't? When your team works well together, they are more productive, deliver better results, and have more fun. When your team doesn't, there are often delays, finger pointing, and lots of escalations to HR and upper management.I hosted Kris Malkoski, Newell Brands CEO, on the show, who has been an international business leader for more than 30 years as CEO, COO, President and VP/GM in public and private branded CPG (consumer packaged goods) and hardlines companies. She shared terrific insights on how to make your team work more effectively for the long haul. Then she backed it up with incredible stories for product innovation that you won't want to miss!In 2020, Kris Malkoski joined Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) as CEO, Home Solutions, managing global iconic brands including Rubbermaid, Calphalon, Ball, Food Saver, and Yankee Candle, and driving over 50% revenue and operating income growth, despite COVID headwinds including inflation, labor and supply challenges. As a member of the Newell Executive Team, Kris oversees $2.6 billion in revenues and over 8,500 employees. She’s also served as CEO of the Americas for Arc International and President and COO at World Kitchen, transforming global revenue and profit from a seven-year decline to five years of significant growth!She began her career at Procter & Gamble and previously served on the boards of Fluidmaster; Trustmark Mutual Insurance Company; and Banfi Vineyards. Kris has also participated on not-for-profit boards, serving as President for the Hinsdale Center for the Arts and University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and as a board member for the Cincinnati Ballet (marketing committee chair), University of Nebraska Foundation (governance committee) and CARE Women’s Advisory Committee.Kris graduated from the University of Nebraska. Kris received Six Sigma certification from Villanova. LinkedIn Profile http://linkedin.com/in/kris-malkoski-2346122Company Link: https://www.newellbrands.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What her first paid job at 5 years old taught her about leadership.The one saying that’s driven her professional and personal success.What it's like becoming the fourth female VP/GM at Proctor and Gamble.An amazing story of how curiosity led to two blockbuster products.The one thing she looks for in great business ideas.How to truly become an indispensable leader at work.A strategy for creating a winning culture.Quotes:"Live, Laugh, Love, Let Go."Resources:Playing to Win - AG Lafelyhttps://www.amazon.com/Playing-Win-Strategy-Really-Works/dp/142218739X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Great Resignation? It's vital to take a look at what's really happening for company leaders and the employees who are choosing to leave for greener pastures.I hosted Chief People Officer of Kraft Heinz North American, Monica Novomisle who shares why companies who are willing to create a thoughtful strategy aren't facing the levels of employee turnover that you're hearing about in the WSJ. Research shows that many employees who have resigned are now regretting that decision.In Monica's 20 plus years of experience, she’s worked with leadership teams at Kraft Heinz, Diageo, and Tory Burch, to achieve total business and culture transformations, focusing on changes in performance culture, coaching culture, employee experience, and corporate integrity and compliance. She's lived and worked in six countries and been the head of HR in Canada, United States, Greater China, and APAC. Monica holds multiple degrees from various institutions including Trinity College, University of Leiden in the Netherlands, and the University of Connecticut School of Law. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-lynn-novomisle/Company Link: https://www.kraftheinzcompany.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The big lesson she’s learned working in six different countries.A time that leading with empathy paid off and a time it didn’t.Helpful advice to avoid burnout.What research shows is REALLY going on in the Great Resignation.Why getting stuck in a “short-term mindset” is so dangerous for leaders and their teams.The insight that Monica’s grandmother shared that accelerated her career.A parenting hack to be more present with your family.Quotes:“You can't give what you don’t have.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Remember that the "DNA" of a team is established EARLY. It consists of communication patterns, relationships, and processes. When you ignore these, it can lead to team fragility, disengagement, and a toxic work environment.So don't focus on results so much that you forget to set the DNA for a successful team. I hosted CEO and Co-Founder, Ronni Zehavi at Hibob. Hibob is a cloud-based People Management platform for fast-growing businesses that cover the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding. Hibob's unique employee engagement platform enhances company culture, reduces churn, and provides invaluable insights about your company while reducing the administrative burden of HR.Ronni has over 25 years of experience in multinational, hi-tech companies. Prior to setting up Hibob, he was an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Silicon Valley-based Bessemer Venture Partners. He's also the strategic advisor and co-founder of Team8 Cyber Security, a powerhouse developing disruptive tech in the cyber security space. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnizehavi/Company Link: https://www.hibob.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The story behind naming his company Hibob.Why Josh Bersin has coined them a “darling of the HCM industry”.Why “Bob” their technology platform is like “Instagram in the front and Workday in the back”.3 keys to creating a great team.Why your first 20 hires matter most.The Great Resignation. Why is it happening?Quotes:“Before you think about attrition, think about retention.”“Your first 20 hires set the DNA of your company.”“Your direct reports must have “wide shoulders”.”“Retention is not an HR issue. It’s something every manager must address.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Start sacrificing for your company culture. Your company culture is ultimately created by what you're willing to say no to. Saying "yes" to the wrong things (or too many things) dilutes and weakens your culture.What opportunities are you willing to decline? What new hires and customers will you avoid?I hosted Isaac Mizrahi, CEO of Alma - an advertising agency whose team hails from 31 different nationalities and created work that’s earned them 23 Cannes Lions and 7 Effie Awards. He shares a powerful principle that he uses to guide his company’s culture.Alma has also been named to Ad Age’s prestigious A-List 6 times this decade and has earned “Agency of the Year”.At the agency, Isaac works with several leading brands including PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Molson Coors, Google, and State Farm.Prior to his position with Alma, he worked as a senior leader with Coca-Cola and Sprint Nextel. Focusing on multicultural marketing for the past 15 years, Isaac is excited by the meaningful growth that 60 million Latinos drive for U.S. businesses. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacmizrahi/ Company Link: www.almaad.com What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The interesting thing that happens when he’s mistaken for legendary fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi.Issac’s urgent message for all leaders around multicultural marketing.A powerful question that helps you IMMEDIATELY strengthen your culture.The single principle he uses to guide his company’s culture.How you can use the law of supply and demand to gauge your employee turnover.The one trait he’d instill in every employee… curiosity.A playbook for growing your LinkedIn influence.Quotes:"Leave the door open for new possibilities in your career.""A principle isn't a principle unless it costs you something."-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Start considering how you can become a leader in your industry. When you lead in your industry, you make a bigger impact, become more influential, and set the tone for what's to come. It also creates more opportunity for your company to be on the edge of innovation!Discover an essential strategy in today's interview to get out front and stay out front in your industry!I hosted Gian Carlo Alonso, known as “Mr Manufacturing”, and grew his family business fivefold as President and CEO of Amerikooler. They’ve become the fastest growing walk-in cooler and freezer company operating from a state-of-the-art 200,000 sq-ft facility.He’s passionate about manufacturing, it's impact on the American economy, and building teams and people that are proud to work in their industry, producing quality products made right here in America. He also completed the three-year Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.Gian has won various accolades including South Florida Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine’s Up and Comer Award and their Apogee Award.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/gcalonso/Company Link: http://www.amerikooler.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:How he earned the name “Mr. Manufacturing".Why his family got into the walk-in cooler business.How they are challenging the industry status quo.Effective strategies for leaders to grow their business on social media.The important difference between the social media accounts of Tesla vs Elon Musk.Should leaders use pictures of their families on social media?Why taking more “Ownership” is the trait he’d instill in every employee.A question you can ask any employee that encourages them to take more ownership.How to get your team to think bigger.The hidden cost of turnover and why every leader must understand it.Three success strategies for every employee.Strategies to have a more balanced corporate life.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Do you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur? It's a question that many leaders inside organizations ponder for years. Just because you've led a team and managed a P&L, does that mean you'll be successful starting and growing a business from scratch?In this interview you'll discover three questions you should answer BEFORE becoming an entrepreneur.I hosted, Patrick Bryant, a serial entrepreneur, professional speaker, and co-founder and CEO of Charleston-based software product agency CODE/+/TRUST.After co-founding his first company Go To Team, the largest staff video crew provider in the U.S., and taking it to 20 offices around the US 25 years ago, he then had a steady stream of new businesses in media, rolling papers, and software. As an entrepreneur, he continues to start and invest in new startups including, Teamphoria (human resource engagement software), and Event. Gives (fundraising event software), Crew Mama (crew production directory software) & Shine Rolling Papers. All told, Patrick has successfully launched 6 (& counting) multi-million dollar companies. Bryant feels strongly about making the world a better place through the impact of entrepreneurship.He serves as the co-Director of Startup Grind DC, founded and currently chairs the Harbor Entrepreneur Center, and was previously Chairman of Palmetto Goodwill as well as the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. He’s also recognized as a Liberty Fellow by Wofford College and the Aspen Institute, a Riley Fellow by Furman University, and is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. He is also an Entrepreneur Organization Certified Speaker. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickbryantCode + Trust Website: https://www.codeandtrust.com/Go To Team: https://gototeam.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:How to teach children about entrepreneurship at a young age.What inspired Patrick to start his first company at 17.An essential leadership lesson for entrepreneurs.The one thing any corporate leader starting a business needs to keep in mind.A quick hack to increase success.How to have a winning mindset.How you surround yourself with A players.Why your friends are indicators of what your future will be.The inspiration and amazing story of Shine 24k Rolling Papers.Quotes:"Show me who your friends are, and I’ll show you your future.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

What does it mean to you to lead with your humanity and empathy?We live in a time where it's so easy for leaders to get wrapped up in themselves and the day-to-day grind, but it's vital to maintain focus on the broader mission, employees, and customers. That means listening, understanding, and empathizing which will means others feel valued while equipping them with what they need to be successful.Of course just because it's vital, it doesn't mean that it's easy.So it's important to have good mentors and role models along the way in your career.Enter my interview with Kim Blue, Chief People Officer at OpenExchange. OpenExchange is based in Boston and fills an interesting niche as the global leader in video solutions for financial services and investor communications. Kim addresses the needs of a diverse, global, virtual team that has grown 100-fold in size over the last 24 months. The theme of her career is helping leaders align their passions, talents and values for success. She’s held senior leadership positions at Zoom, Microsoft and ESPN. Kim holds a Bachelor's degree from East Carolina University and a Master's in Organization Development from Queens University of Charlotte.Over her career, she’s earned a reputation as a trusted adviser who is able to motivate leaders to embrace growth and change to improve themselves and their organizations. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlymblueCompany Link: https://www.openexc.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The inspirational moment where Kim helped her team bring their full humanity to work.Why leaders must connect more effectively with their team.Five ways to connect with the team immediately and build trust.A difficult moment that every leader can use a trust-building opportunity.Why “screenshotting your rejections” can fuel your career.How you can communicate the difference between diversity and inclusion to all employees.A powerful, inspirational story for any leader in under-represented groups who’d like to reach the C-Suite.Quotes:"Music is a BIG connection opportunity.""Don’t forget your self-care.""Turnover tells the story of culture.""Failure is the vehicle for redirection."Resources:Hit Refresh, Satya NadellaAtlas of the Heart, Brene BrownThe Memo, Minda HartsConnect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Stop assuming that your team has bought into the company mission. This assumption makes too many leaders overlook the critical step of motivating the team and asking for their commitment to the direction of the company.The company mission is a driving force for the organization, and it's important to get everyone on board. This is particularly vital in times of rapid change and transformation. It can make all the the difference between success and failure.I interviewed, Craig Erlich, President and CEO (and investor) of Friendly’s Restaurants as well as advisor to the board of BRIX Holdings where he previously served as the President and CEO. We discussed an essential strategy for motivating your team and getting their buy in for the company mission.If you're not familiar with Friendly’s, it a restaurant chain founded in 1935 with a long history. Many know it for its burgers and milkshakes. Yum! They have 135 locations. Craig's also held leadership roles with CVS, Jo-Ann’s, and KB Toys. He sits on the board of Easter Seals North Texas and has been affiliated with Easter Seals in one way or another for the past 15 years, including as former chairman of the NY board. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-erlich-0b31117 Company Link: https://www.friendlysrestaurants.com/ What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The success secret he learned from his first job washing dishes.The one thing every leader must start with to retain and engage their team.His own turnaround-strategy playbook.What makes leading the Friendly’s team so special.The advice Craig gives to his leaders to accelerate their results.Why he sometimes takes his family on business trips.A powerful story of when someone was fired, and how it led to a 40% improvement.Why Craig traveled to meet 90% of employees during a Pandemic.The importance of communicating with employees in-person.Resources:Twelve O’Clock High https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_O%27Clock_High The Energy Bus, Jon Gordon https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Bus-Rules-Fuel-Positive/dp/0470100281Quotes:"Think like a rookie.""Make sure that communication flows both up and down.""Be here now."-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Start considering gamers as leaders for your teams. You might not expect it but gamers are perfect for leadership roles. They've often been studying strategy, problem solving, and teamwork which is invaluable when you're trying to run an organization or team.They are also accustomed to coordinating teams in a remote environment to accomplish a unifying mission! Sounds a lot like leadership, right?I hosted Stewart Chisam on the show who is CEO of Hi-Rez Studios, a video game developer and publisher based near Atlanta, Georgia. You'll discover why gamers make such great leaders plus a key leadership from the gaming world that makes you a more effective leader. In case you don't know, Hi-Rez Studios is the company that created the hit games Tribes: Ascend and Smite.They have 450 employees across the globe, and more than 125 million people have played Hi-Rez games on PC, console and mobile phones. It’s now one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast United States. Prior to joining Hi-Rez, Stewart served in senior leadership positions at BlueCube Software, RedPrairie Corporation, and Radiant Systems. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-chisam-7242543/Company Website: https://www.hirezstudios.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Stew’s interesting career path from banking to becoming CEO in the gaming industry.Three things to consider when weighing a big career decision.How a background in economics uniquely prepared him to lead a gaming company.The one trait he’d instill in every employee… an entrepreneurial mindset.Why adding constraints/framework to the creative process can boost creative freedom.Why gamers often make GREAT remote employees.The three skills that gamers pick up, which help them succeed in the workplace.Why the cost of turnover is so high in the creative industry.The best game you should start with… if you’re not a gamer today.Quotes:“Fight through bottlenecks instead of using them as an excuse.”“Don’t be afraid to take charge, even when you’re lower on the org chart.”“Don’t let the last 1% ruin the other 99% of the work you’ve put in.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Is it time to be more thoughtful about finding great mentors in your career? It's not always an easy process, but it makes a big difference in accelerating your career and getting promoted.Having great mentors can also help you deal with complex leadership problems and improve your work-life balance.I hosted CEO of Wunderman Thompson, North America, Audrey Melofchik, on today's show and she shares a powerful strategy to help you find a great mentor.Wunderman Thompson is a New York based marketing agency, 20,000 strong in 90 markets across the world. Audrey has more than two decades of experience building successful brands, She is known for prioritizing creative excellence, fostering strong client relationships, and promoting a strong culture. She’s also served as president of DDB and Velocity and worked with clients like Johnson and Johnson, Kroger, Afllac, Uber, Hewlett Packard, and Merck.As an industry advocate, she is also deeply involved in mentoring and growing the next generation of diverse leaders through her involvement in the All Stars Project and She Runs It, and was even named by She Runs It as 2020 Working Mother of the Year.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-melofchik-bretherick-6527ab/Company Link: https://www.wundermanthompson.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What it’s like winning “Working Mother of the Year” as CEO during a Pandemic.The organization that was founded in 1912 to highlight women leadership in advertising.Why it’s not like MadMen anymore!What to ask yourself first when you’re considering staying in or leaving a job.The secret sauce behind Wonderman Thompson’s success.How to identify great mentors and sponsors.They one trait she’d instill in every employee… GRIT.The most important presentation skill… that most leaders overlook.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training enquiriesSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Stop sacrificing your personal life in the name of achieving more career success. When you're a leader, the weight of responsibility often feels like it's on your shoulders. Many don't understand that leadership can be one of the most stressful jobs in world, and it can be really tough balancing your personal life with your professional one. You'll discover a helpful work-life balance strategy that every leader can use in my interview with Lori Stacy, CEO of Trader Interactive, a Goldman Sachs and Eurazeo portfolio company.She joined Trader Interactive early in her career and quickly rose through the ranks from Sales Manager to National Sales Trainer, General Manager, Director, President, and finally CEO. They are the leading provider of digital marketing & online advertising for the lifestyle vehicles & commercial equipment industry. Collectively, they reach over 7 million monthly unique visitors through their online marketplaces, power thousands of dealer websites, and offer unique tools to assist dealers in more effectively running their businesses and serving their customers. Some of their brands include CycleTrader.com, RVTrader.com, RV Web Services, Commercial Web Services, CommercialTruckTrader.com, and EquipmentTrader.com. Lori has also served as a senior leader for Dominion Enterprises where she successfully transitioned from a print-based business to a fully digital company and is passionate about driving digital growth through new innovative offerings. During Lori's tenure as Trader Interactive's CEO, she has prioritized diversity and inclusion in hiring, as evidenced by the diverse leadership team at Trader Interactive.Lori's LinkedIn Profile Trader Interactive Website What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Advice for leaders who are striving to balance a demanding work schedule with their personal goals.An essential success strategy for under-represented leaders. A vital insight for achieving work-life balance and conquering Mom/Dad guilt.A hack for being more present with your kids after work.The three traits that she’d instill in every employee: Internal drive, curiosity, and work ethic.Using 140% to measure employee turnover cost.The unexpected moment that accelerated Lori’s career.Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter   

Can becoming a more mindful leader help you achieve better results? Most leaders who boost their mindfulness find they are more focused and organized.Yet, its something that many leaders don't understand, so they miss out on this opportunity to become more strategic and reduce stress - for themselves and their teamEnter my interview with CEO, Tim Hanold, of Care Advantage – one of the largest privately-owned home healthcare companies in the Mid Atlantic.  He has a proven track record in leadership and sales management stemming from 10 years in high-ranking roles at Humana at Home and SeniorBridge. Under his tenure as COO, the Humana Wellness division rose to $225MM in revenue, serving over 23 million members.  Prior to the world of home health, Tim built a strong career with Pepsi, Ford Motor Company, and Tyco Healthcare. While leading national sales teams, Tim found his passion for understanding the human experience that led him to healthcare.  Focusing on the consumer experience is Tim’s guiding principle to strategically lead Care Advantage to the forefront of the home healthcare industry. He holds an MS in Management from Columbia University and a BS in Marketing and Business Logistics from Pennsylvania State University.Tim's LinkedIn profileCare Advantage Inc WebsiteWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:What Tim learned about leadership in his first job on a peach farm.How playing chess can prepare you to become CEO.The one trait he’d like to instill in every employee… GRIT.The biggest cost of employee turnover.How to find your passion through affinity, ability, and opportunity.A strategy for becoming a more mindful leader.How to do a “Mindfulness Calendar Review”.Resources:Grit by Angela DuckworthSearching for Bobby FischerQueens’s GambitChess.comThink Fast, Talk Smart PodcastThe Road to Character by David BrooksTeam of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

How can leaders encourage curiosity in their teams? It's an important questions to consider because when your team is naturally more curious they dig deeper into problems and persist through challenges.Teams that are more curious deliver better results.It's the foundation of all learning and innovation, and if you want your team to be more creative and productive, then you need to start fostering a culture of curiosity. In my interview with Cathy Wolfe, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Growth Markets (GGM) at Wolters Kluwer, you'll discover three strategies to do that just that.She leads the team by creating a culture of curiosity and specifically growing their company in China, India, and Brazil… the three most populous countries in the world. Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. They serve customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 18,600 people worldwide. Cathy has held senor leadership positions in the U.S. and the U.K., with a track record of delivering strong results and innovation, working across multiple segments of the company’s global portfolio including Health (learning, research & practice, clinical  software); Tax (practice management, audit solutions); Legal and Finance (practice management,  commercial credit information). She earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a BA degree in English from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.LinkedIn ProfileWolters Kluwer Website What You’ll Discover in this EpisodeA three-step checklist for getting promoted.What you should do if you feel stuck or “pigeonholed” at work.The conversation every employee should have with their boss… and their boss’ boss.What Cathy discovered in her international travels, and how it expanded her leadership skills.Why she’d like to instill more curiosity in every employee.A strategy to foster a culture of curiosity.A helpful key for building your network.A powerful strategy for communicating your idea to the C-Suite.How to accelerate your professional growth.How being open to an unexpected opportunity led to an incredible life experience.Resources:Harvard Business ReviewCHIEF Masterclass -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Ever wonder if your feedback is truly helping the team? Too may leaders invest their time and energy in giving feedback but don't notice a real change in their team. After awhile it can feel like you're wasting your time.Enter my interview with Ed Vlacich, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Lasko Products. He shares a helpful strategy you can use to effectively give feedback to your team and also receive it.Lasko is a leading home comfort products company, providing fans, heaters, air purifiers, humidifiers, home ventilation products, and water damage remediation products. Before Lasko, Ed consulted for private equity firms and was an executive for Henkel– home to well-known brands such as Dial, Right Guard. He’s also held leadership roles at Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, and Proctor and Gamble. Ed earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Rutgers University. He is also a student mentor at the Rutgers Business School. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlacich/Company Link: https://www.lasko.com/What You’ll Discover in this EpisodeA question that helps you get through any stressful situation.How to use self-reflection process to grow every day.Three things you should ask yourself before taking any job.Ed’s first performance review at Proctor and Gamble, and how it’s shaped him as CEO.How to establish a habit of giving feedback in the moment.How to give and receive feedback from your kids.The positive role that mentorship has played in Ed’s career and how to find the right one foryour growth.The surprising twist in his career led to his role as CEO of Lasko.Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Robert Henderson is the Co-founder and CEO for JumpCrew, which partners with B2B companies to accelerate their customer acquisition. In this episosde, we dive into GRIT, and how to instill it in yourself and your team.Robert launched JumpCrew in 2016 after realizing how quickly the world was transitioning from in-person interactions to internet and phone-based communications, and that traditional marketers and outside/outbound sales teams were struggling to understand the nuances around inside/inbound customer acquisition. JumpCrew was founded as a tool that would easily and predictably scale inbound/inside selling. Fast forward five years, and JumpCrew has expanded its full funnel product to integrate digital marketing with sales to accelerate their client's business growth. JumpCrew's solutions combine technology with a human touch with a growing roster of clients in publishing, healthcare, media, and technology to help them build awareness, increase leads, and convert sales. The company is headquartered in Nashville, TN. Robert's LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-henderson-0a7a0b39Company Link: https://jumpcrew.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode: The joyous moment of getting back to the office.What makes working at JumpCrew so special… camaraderie.The impact that JumpCrew is making across the workplace.The big way that Remote Working, Great Resignation and The Great Reshuffle are changing companies.The advice he’d give his younger self…. be patient.How having patience can open opportunities for you.Finding the balance of pursuing your goals and enjoying the journey.The one trait he’d instill in every employee… GRIT!Bruce Lee leadership strategies.A big moment when grit was vital for Robert’s success.Employee turnover and the leadership lesson behind it.How to put people in the position to be themselves at work.How to save money in employee hiring.A colorful story of when someone quit.Resources:Be Like Water, 30 for 30 ESPN, Bruce Lee Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSTy5EMrQA8 Grit, Angela Duckworth https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Passion-Perseverance-Angela-Duckworth/dp/1501111116 Quote:“Water Finds a Way.”

Simon Sikorski is CEO at Craft Worldwide, which is part of McCann Worldwide. They are a global advertising company and a content production agency with a network of over 1,300 producers, designers, photographers, linguists, and technologists.  Simon has over 25 years of experience in marketing communications and has worked with some of the world's biggest brands including Intel, ExxonMobil, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University. LinkedIn Profile: Simon Sikorski https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsikorskiWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:The surprise that Leslie Nielsen (Star of the Naked Gun series) brought to his first meeting with Simon.Advice for leaders who are leading an organization through a BIG change.How he’s making his company and industry more sustainable.How to manage a hybrid workforce.What Simon learned from his first job, and how it still influences his leadership approach today.Why it’s essential that leaders learn to see challenges from multiple perspectives.A success tip if you’re presenting to a room where some of the audience are remote.The one trait he’d instill in every employee… CURIOSITY.What you can learn from your employee turnover.A failure in his career that led to his success down the road.A hi-tech and low-tech gadget that’s contributed to his success. Quotes:When it comes to bringing employees back to the office in the Pandemic… “It’s not a black or white issue. We have to manage through the gray together.” For tackling a big project… “Let’s start by making it better today.” “It’s vital that you learn from your employee turnover.”Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Ever considered writing a book but thought "I'm too busy?  If you're a leader who would like to grow your thought leadership but haven't found the time or focus, then this episode is for you!Here's my interview with Morey J. Haber is Chief Security Officer at BeyondTrust. He has more than 25 years of IT industry experience including previously holding a senior leadership role a eEye Digital Security.He's not only a a major thought leader in the field of digital security, he's also the author of three books.Morey made time to write these while still working as an executive. He was able to make these books a win-win for the company and for his career. Thus, they've supported his book launches along the way.We dive into his writing process, and the top reason your company could support your book project too!If you'd like grow as a thought leader in you field, then make sure to listen.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjhaber/ Morey's books:Privilege Attack Vectors Asset Attack VectorsIdentity Attack VectorsWHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:Morey’s first job and how it impacted his leadership.A surprising strategy to move diamonds around the Diamond District.What’s so special about working for BeyondTrust.The security dangers that arose during the Pandemic.How to know when it's time to let a responsibility go.How Morey wrote three books while still being a global executive.Making your book writing book project a win-win for you and your company.Proven strategy to get your boss and company to support your bookThe advice he’d give his younger self… ”Shut up and listen!”The one trait to instill in every employee… accountability.How to hold someone accountable.Employee turnover and accountability.A twist in his career that led to his professional growth.How to handle it when someone on your team makes a mistake.Three success strategies for every employee.Negotiation strategies!The gadget that’s made the biggest difference in his work day! 5k, 42 inches monitors!-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Elizabeth Paul is Chief Strategy Officer at The Martin Agency.  She was named AdAge's CSO of the year in 2021 and Campaign's US's Strategist of the Year in 2020.She authored the Visibility Brief, an open-source tool to check bias blind spots and illuminate insights in a way that also broadens perspectives as marketers. The tool has been downloaded 24,000 times (from Brazil to Great Britain) — and is being used by competitive agencies, brands, and universities all over the world.Under her leadership, Martin’s work has become more representative of culture for GEICO, Old Navy, OREO, DoorDash, and UPS (to name a few).Elizabeth's LinkedIn Profile What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Her hometown connection with The Notebook.Why she recommended that brands go even harder during the early days of the Pandemic (when others in the industry were “going dark”).Why giving away your thought leadership expands your thought leadership.How you make a BIG comeback after you've taken time off.Why to “compare it to despair”, and how to avoid it!The one trait she’d instill in employees… self-awareness.The hardest meeting of Elizabeth’s career.Tales of being an Enneagram 3 in a corporate environment.Powerful strategies for employee retention.How you become a company that’s a career accelerator for employees...and how this helps retain them.Why it's essential to nurture your company’s alumni network.A work-life balance support system (that every leader can use).Quotes:Fear is the death of creativity.You are not your job.-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

What are you doing to make your business more sustainable and profitable? Many times, these things can seem at conflict. One is taking the long-term approach to business while another is driving immediate cost savings.If you’re facing this challenge, or you’d just like to make your business or team more profitable, then you’re going to enjoy my interview with Chris Kemper, CEO and Founder of Palmetto. He is a mission-oriented leader focused on technology solutions to climate change. Chris’ approach blends capitalism with environmentalism, focusing on re-imagining decentralized energy systems and a decarbonized future.Palmetto is a South Carolina company committed to the creation of a distributed, decentralized energy source called The New Utility, which will replace the fossil-fueled, centralized energy model of The Old Utility. They are working towards this democratization of energy by putting power and control back in the hands of consumers and inspiring them to make environmentally responsible choices. To this end, Palmetto has developed a clean energy marketplace, with proprietary technology designed to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to source their energy from renewables like solar power. They’ve developed products that reduce costs and drive widespread distribution of simple energy management solutions.He’s previously held positions at the United Nations and Tradition Financial Services.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cchristopherkemper/ Palmetto Website: https://palmetto.com/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:How Chris made a fortune starting his first business at 8 years old…. that allowed him to afford real estate later in high school.How he learned the hustle of entrepreneurship.Nature or nurture when it comes to risk taking?How a frustrating moment led to a big AHA moment for his business.Owning the entrepreneurship corner.How the Palmetto Platform helps entrepreneurs.His secret to achieving a Net Promoter Score of 87!How to help your business become more profitable AND sustainable.Where a dose of “humble pie” helped him grow in his career.The number one trait of a CEO.The question Chris uses to select four employees for his company’s leadership program “What would you do differently if you were CEO?”The two levels of leadership that Chris uses to develop his team.How he is using his own leadership curriculum.Why he journals once per day.Three success strategies for every employee.QUOTES:“What we do in a fiscal quarter is more than what the United Nations does in a year to reduce climate change.”“Be long-term oriented in your career. It takes a long time to build something.”“Give yourself a break and keep it light.”RESOURCES:How to Lead and Serve Your Team, Chris’ upcoming book-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Do you want to get ahead in your company and be a respected leader inside your organization? Then this episode is for you.  You’ll discover a fast way to develop your team into an amazing group of leaders who will take charge and help the company evolve in a positive direction even when you’re not there.You'll learn how to hire and develop your team, sell your vision, and leverage the art of “intraprenuership” to get positive results.Take a page from the playbook of this week’s guest, the Chief Marketing Officer of Quad, Josh Golden. Quad is a worldwide marketing solutions partner dedicated to creating a better way for its clients through a data-driven, integrated marketing platform. They provide subject expertise in marketing strategy, creative solutions, media solutions and marketing management services. Quad has approximately 22,500 employees worldwide working from more than 60 facilities throughout North America, South America and Europe.Josh applies his more than two decades of experience in marketing, branding, media, and content to evolve Quad’s go-to-market strategy and deliver on the key benefits of a true through-the-line solution for Quad’s current and future clients.Prior to Quad, Josh was the President and Publisher of Ad Age where he spurred transformative growth for the 90-year trade publication and media brand. He also served in senior leadership roles at organizations such as Xerox, Global Digital Marketing, and NBC Universal.   Josh is also the host of Eureka! A show that explores the best ideas, and how they came to be. https://www.theeurekashow.com/Josh's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajgolden/Quad - https://www.quad.com/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:The sound leaders make when they have a BIG idea!  (Rachel Schekman)The story behind his podcast Eureka!... big ideas of the world and how they came to be.His own BIG Eureka when he interviewed Director and Producer of the movie, Airplane!, David Zucker.Where and when leaders are most creative.How to sell your vision.How to pursue a sponsor for your podcast.What makes being a leader and working at Quad so special.A leadership lesson on "intraprenuership".How to grow and develop your team as a leader.Leader playbook to get your company to evolve.How Josh helped AdAge evolve.The important difference between creating change at your company versus helping it evolve.QUOTES:“Status quo is the most powerful force in the universe.”When it comes to being creative, “Use your quiet time; use a moment of calmness.”When it comes to exploring your interests, “Whatever you would do for free, it is worth doing it.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Karyn Schoenbart is Chief Executive Officer of The NPD Group, a global provider of information and advisory services.  NPD combines unique data assets and solutions with industry expertise, working with the world’s leading brands to support better business decisions. Under Karyn’s leadership, NPD is proud to have been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State.Passionate about coaching others to greater levels of achievement, Karyn is also the best-selling author of Mom.B.A.: Essential Business Advice from One Generation to the Next.  The book is based on the real-life business lessons Karyn amassed during her career.Karyn has over 30 years of experience in market research, and has led NPD’s strategic expansion with the introduction of analytic solutions and new types of data. Karyn currently serves on the board of directors of the Retail Industry Leaders Association. She is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences, women’s events and universities, teaches classes in leadership and developing client relationships and was recently inducted into the Long Island Business Hall of Fame. You can follow Karyn on Twitter @karynschoenbart, Facebook @karynschoenbartauthor and www.karynschoenbart.comKaryn's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karynschoenbart/Company Link: https://www.npd.com/WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:A key insight that helped Karyn go from Account Executive to CEO.One thing that MUST be a fit if you plan to stay at a company for the long haul.Advice for any employee who is dealing with a bad boss.What if you don’t like your boss.What you can do about a bad boss.What you can learn from a bad boss.Can a bad boss be good for you?How she wrote her book, Mom.B.A., even with the demands of being CEO.A FUN way to teach your kids about business.Strategy to overcome Impostor Syndrome.The catastrophic cost of turnover.The secret to high employee engagement.GREAT strategy to retain remote employees.A failure in her career that led to her growth down the road.QUOTES:“While you can change many things about your job, If you don’t feel a fit with a culture of the company that could be a sign to leave.” “Don’t sell after the close.”RESOURCES:The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

What are you doing to increase your team’s resilience so they are in it for the long haul? It’s essential for every leader to answer this question because if your team isn’t prepared to bounce back in tough situations, they may disengage and even quit.It is tempting to focus on building a “positive attitude” but most teams need more than that to be successful.Enter my episode today with the CEO of Foot Solutions, John Prothro who shares an essential strategy to build resilience in your team for the future. Foot Solutions is a global foot wellness retailer that specializes in custom orthotics and advanced footwear.  John is an experienced executive with a background in mergers and acquisitions and multinational business leadership, working in both executive and Board positions in various companies. He has lived and worked in both China and the United States.  John holds degrees from Texas A&M and Vanderbilt University where he was a baseball player.  John's LinkedIn profile: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnprothro/Foot Solutions: https://footsolutions.com/  WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:His first job at Dirt Incorporated and how it impacted his career.What “rocked his world” as a collegiate athlete, and what he learned as a leader.How to instill resilience in yourself and others.The moment his resilience was tested and how he bounced back.How to find the right situation to become CEO.Three questions to ask yourself before stepping in to lead.One question that helps you decide what to do in your career.An important strategy to sustain yourself outside of work.The one trait he’d instill in every employee… Sincerity.A guiding principle for hiring anyone. A hilarious thing he was shipped when he needed to let someone go.Three success strategies for every employee.Russian literature - insights for how the world really works!QUOTES:“Stop equating money with value. Make decisions based upon what you’re going to learn.”“It’s a fail if my calendar is full.”I want to hire someone who, in 5 years, I know I’ll have to fight to keep them.”“You have the ability to make your own path.”RESOURCES:The Bell Curve, Charles Murray https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Curve-Intelligence-Structure-Paperbacks-ebook/dp/B003L77VY2The Elements of Style, https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/020530902X Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/ CEO Session Episode with Carin-Isabel Knoop, Harvard Business School Director of Business Case Studies https://www.benfanning.com/carin-isabel-knoop/ Economics, Thomas Sowell https://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Sowell/e/B00J5BK55K%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understand/dp/0517548232 The Way the World Works, Jude Wanniski   https://www.amazon.com/Way-World-Works-Gateway-Contemporary/dp/0895263440 Crime and Punishment https://www.amazon.com/Crime-Punishment-Fyodor-Dostoyevsky/dp/0486415872 War and Peace https://www.amazon.com/War-Peace-Vintage-Classics-Tolstoy/dp/1400079985 -------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Ever wondered how the music industry business really works? For many artists and those sitting in the audience this remains a mystery. Turns out that leaders can learn a lot about leadership, creativity, and innovation by taking a deeper dive here.That’s where Michael Dorf, City Winery’s Founder and CEO, comes in. He got his start in the entertainment industry by creating New York City’s legendary venue for independent music, the Knitting Factory, in 1986. In 2002, he left his operating responsibilities and sold his equity position to pursue other endeavors, including a Carnegie Hall concert fundraiser series, founding a Hebrew school, winemaking and brainstorming the concept of City Winery.In 2008, Dorf unleashed the flagship location of City Winery in New York City to deliver a unique combined culinary and cultural experience to urban wine enthusiasts. Each City Winery offers intimate concerts, food and wine seminars, private event spaces, upscale dining, and a fully functioning winery. Today, City Winery has physical locations in New York, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Hudson Valley.The first half of this episode, you’ll discover some amazing stories that Michael shares about REM, Lou Reed, David Sanborn, and Vanessa Carlton. Then in the second half we go “behind the curtain” and reveal the secrets of the music business that you can apply to your business and career.Michael's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldorf/Michael's Book: Indulge Your Sense: Scaling Intimacy in a Digital WorldCity Winery - https://citywinery.com/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:Michael’s moment on stage with REM at Carnagie Hall - their last live performance!Michael's amazing non-profit that raised $1.7M. The big super power that Michael brings to the business.The REAL music business.Michael’s moment of realizing his niche in the music business.One of Michael’s most memorable moments having found the legendary music venue, The Knitting Factory.What happened when Lou Reed opened his new music venue.The powerful message behind this new book.How Michael led the live music comeback after the Pandemic.Michael’s reputation at “EDITDorf”.The “Supply Chain” of the music business.How to run a profitable live music business.His secret to addressing employee turnover in the music industry.Vanessa Carlton & shared values.How you create a place that employee will never want to leave.Selfish philanthropy.QUOTES:“The profits are in the popcorn.””We want to make quality wine in an urban setting.”“Have that moment of a great dinner with great friends while keeping your phone in your pocket. Then have the intimacy of hearing a great band up close playing your favorite songs… that’s really magical.”“Live music, going to the gym, yoga, or a meditation session. These are things that cannot be recreated with technology and kept in your phone in your pocket.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How much time and energy do you invest in finding great mentors and sponsors? Most people just consider these as an afterthought, but finding the right mentors and sponsors can be incredibly helpful in getting to the next level in your career and business. Yet, many choose to go it alone.This is a missed opportunity to accelerate your success, so enter my interview today with CHRO of Kyndrl, Maryjo Charbonnier.Kyndryl is a recent spin-off of IBM, and is a company of 90,000 employees around the world, serving 75 of the Fortune 100. They design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems the world depends on every day which includes hosting and network services, infrastructure modernization, and services management.Maryjo came to Kyndryl from Wolters Kluwer, where she served as Chief Human Resources Officer. She also served as Chief Human Resource Officer at Broadridge Financial Solutions, a global Fintech company, for seven years. Earlier, she was an HR executive at PepsiCo in a business unit with $30 billion in revenue and more than 120,000 employees.A native of the Detroit area, Maryjo is a graduate of Catholic University in Washington, DC, and earned her MBA at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She was named "CHRO of the Year" in the Netherlands for 2019.Maryjo's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjocharbonnier/ Kyndryl https://www.kyndryl.com/What You'll Discover in this Episode:What it’s like leading a newly launched 90,000 employee company.The biggest challenge leading in a business spin.The key action required to lead in a big company.How to make sure you communicate clearly as a leader.Why you need to instill “restlessness” in your employees.Handling the pressure to perform.How she became Chief Human Resource of the Year in the Netherlands.What she learned about leadership in her first job, roofing houses in Detroit.The difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why you need them both.BIG strategy for job promotion.How to establish a personal relationship with your team.How to discuss work-life balance with your boss.Two traits to instill in every employee - confidence and clarity.Quotes:“A sponsor is someone who fights for you to get the job.”“Work-life balance is one size fits one solution.”“Seek the heat.”Resources:Seek the Heat, John CotterThe Must Win Battles, Peter Killing-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Do you want to find ways to make money and help society? Try social venture entrepreneurship to make more impact. It’s when people use business as a force for good in the world. The big news is because we live in such an interconnected society these days, social entrepreneurs have access to more resources than ever before. This has made them one of the most economically powerful groups on earth - with billions of dollars invested into their ideas every year! But why should you care? Well, if you're like me, you're interested in making your money work for something bigger.In this episode you’ll discover a powerful strategy to build your business network, along with some incredible examples of how our guest has done this with Tony Robbins, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, and former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi.Enter my interview with social venture entrepreneur and CEO and Co-Founder of Nunbelievable, Bryan Janeczko. Nunbelievable is a better-for-you baked goods company. This is a social impact venture with a give-back model to combat food insecurity that’s backed by Tony Robbins and others. Their mission is to create incredible snacking opportunities while ending hunger in the most delicious way.He makes a big announcement in this episode where they’ve just crossed a HUGE social venture threshold.Bryan is a pioneer in the now $1 billion on-demand meal delivery industry beginning with NuKitchen, the novel prepared meal delivery service that he co-founded and ultimately sold to Nutrisystem, paving the way for the online meal delivery industry.He’s also a  member of the Advisory Board at Sparks & Honey, the cultural intelligence agency; and he works alongside industry luminaries such as Indra Nooyi to help identify what's new and next in culture, particularly as it relates to startup food innovation. Business Insider and Pitchbook named him one of the most influential LGBTQ entrepreneurs for co-founding StartOut, which now is the world’s leading non-profit fostering entrepreneurship in the LGBTQ community.Bryan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjaneczko/ Website: https://nunbelievable.com/WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:The big role that Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick played in his career.Why he left Morgan Stanley to start his own business.The company he founded, NuKitchen, and how it pioneered meal delivery.The importance of discovering your own “super powers” and how he’s learned to leverage his. An essential lesson to learn BEFORE starting your business.How Wayne Dyer inspired him in one of his darkest moments.The role that Tony Robbins played in launching his current company.Becoming the “Bombas of Baked Goods”.A 'great product + a great mission' opens up stores for your business.Donating 1 million meals through their sales!The three people who inspire him most.Social venture entrepreneurship and why you should consider itThe employee retention secret from Bryan and former show guests  Bryan, Seth Goldman (Honest Tea, Eat the Change, Tom Szaky (TerraCycle), and TK Pillan (Veggie Grill).How meditation and manifestation have played in his career.What Tony Robbins taught Bryan about meditation.QUOTES:“I’m driven by relationships.”When it comes to starting your own business… “Get your experience before quitting your day job or hitch your wagon to someone who does.”“I welcome ideas, but what I welcome even more is a practical solution for implementation.”RESOURCES:Kundalini Yoga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini_yoga Traction https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837 Tony Robbins https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Robbins Sarah Jessica Parker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Jessica_Parker Simon Sinek https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Sinek The Stuff You Missed in History Class Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-class/id283605519 NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour Podcast https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510282/pop-culture-happy-hourThe Creative Mind System -  Dr Jefferey Thompson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnsLZHBQZjc -------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Jed Berger is the Global Chief Marketing Officer for the Foot Locker family of brands in North America, which includes brands that span 3,000 retail stores in 27 countries and include Champs, EastBay, SideStep and Kids Foot Locker.He's been at Foot Locker for ten years and the stock price has tripled during that time.He has entrepreneurial roots having co-founded Dime Magazine and built the agency 94x50. Then he moved on to serve as the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Modell’s Sporting Goods.His marketing acumen has been acknowledged regularly throughout his career, including being named to SBG 40 Under 40 in 2011, and Footwear News 40 Under 40 in 2018.  Jed's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-berger-273b734/Company Link: https://www.footlocker.com/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:A GREAT strategy to play the Devil’s Advocate.The biggest mistake leaders make when playing the Devil's Advocate.A big lesson from his first job.What he learned co-founding Dime Magazine, and how this has impacted his leadership.The Hip Hop Nutcracker with Kurtis Blow!Why he believes in prioritizing developing  sponsors in your career over mentors.The key to getting promoted in any organization.An effective approach to managing turnover on your team.When to be happy about turnover.Success strategy to handle employe turnover.Managing turnover is everyone’s responsibility.Work-life balance strategies for leaders.QUOTES:“You must earn the right to play the Devil's Advocate.”“Most of the time, companies don’t move for you. Just because you're ready, it doesn’t mean the company is; but the company certainly expects you to be ready when the opportunity is there.”“There has to be more than your job. You have got to occupy your head and your heart with more than just your work.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How do you build a great culture in the workplace so that your employees will enjoy coming into work and do their best work?If it were easy, every company would have a great culture. In today's era where employee retention rates and engagement levels are often low, creating a great work culture has become a vital ingredient for success. It’s an enabler to attract top talent, boost productivity, and increase morale.Enter Jim Daily Global President and CEO North America of Teads, the Global Media Platform. In 2013 as employee number one in the Americas, he started the business from a coffee shop in Brooklyn and has grown it into a powerhouse in the North American Ad Tech sector. Jim has 15 years of digital advertising experience and is an expert in video, display, branded entertainment, and data. He is very active in the North American advertising community and sits on a number of boards, including the Mobile Marketing Association.  Jim's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-daily-63ab336/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:How to kick start a thriving business from a coffee shop.The importance of betting on people.How to hire the team that drives your organization forward.How the first few hires in a growing company can determine the tone and trajectory.When the CEO is doing 7 interviews per week.How to know if you believe someone in an interview.Jim’s super interview question that cuts right to the chase.Start with transparency.How to create a great work culture... it’s not organic.The 3 P’s of a GREAT culture.The one trait he’d like to instill in every employee... DRIVE.What every listener needs to understand about Teads.Why every leader needs to track turnover costs.The moment that accelerated Jim’s success overnight.Three success strategies for every employee.QUOTES:“Hire for competence first but NOT competence only... consider culture fit, personality, and drive."“Drive is what helps you accomplish your ambitions.”“Sometimes it takes failure to get you on the path to where you want to go.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How different would things at work be if your team members were more tenacious and motivated? It’s no secret that in today's competitive market, every company needs employees with a strong work ethic. Ideally, employees are also taking an idea from conception all the way to completion with the same level of enthusiasm. But how do you create a culture where people are hungry for success? The answer is simple--by making them tenacious.Enter the CEO of Premier Parking, Ryan Hunt, who has a key strategy to increase the tenacity in your team and throughout the company. It’s been a key to his promotion path and he’s leveraged it to drive the success of his company during a Pandemic that threatened this entire industry,Ryan began his career with Premier in 2006 and rose  through the ranks to become CEO in 2019.Ryan’s leadership, innovative management style, and reputation in the industry led him to be selected as one of the National Parking Association’s 40 Under 40 class, recognized as one of the 2020 Most Admired CEOs by the Nashville Business Journal. Ryan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hunt-67811266/WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:The defining moment he had as a fry cook at Cheeseburger Charley’s.When he learned the importance of “doing what you say you’re going to do”.How a degree in Theology uniquely prepared him for the Corner Office.Why it’s never too late to start over.A silver lining of a devastating Pandemic. What gets you through a tough time as a leader.The best way to promote high-performers.How Premier Parking is challenging the industry status quo.The one trait he’d like to instill in every employee... tenacity.How to be the “John Stockton” of your company.The real turnover costs!Best productivity tool?  A Bath!QUOTES:“Leaders must be relatable.”“Sometimes we don’t know what the world has in store for us.”“It’s never too late to start your life over.”“Why ‘how we used to do it’  is dead on arrival.”“I’m all about being risk averse but not to the point where you’re paralyzed by fear.”RESOURCES:Calm AppHeadspace-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Every employee is in Customer Service whether they realize it or not. Your customer could be your boss, your colleagues, project stakeholders, or of course... your company’s customers. Yet, most employees don’t operate this way.When you instill the customer service mindset in your team, you notice a boost in productivity, morale, and results. Customer service is so important because it's one of the things that sets your company apart from competitors and will determine if customers come back or not.Enter my interview with CEO Abby Leibowitz of Call Experts with a strategy for increasing customer service, getting your employees to care about customers, and even a terrific method for calming an irate customer.This episode is for you if you’ve ever wanted an edge on your competition when it comes to providing great customer service.Since joining Call Experts, Abby Leibowitz has transformed the company into an international corporation, serving brands all over the world to guide and implement their customer service offerings in the contact center space. Her other work includes developing solutions for customer experience mapping and focusing on AI and automation.Her most recent tech project, Abridged Tech, specializes in automated and AI driven communication solutions that can easily be implemented for workforce efficiency and business intelligence insights.Under her leadership, Call Experts was recognized seven times in the Inc. Magazine 5000 List of America’s fastest growing companies and has won several other growth and workplace excellence recognitions. At age 26, Leibowitz was named to the list of “40 Under 40” as recognition of outstanding leadership in the Charleston business community by the Charleston Regional Business Journal and as one of the youngest candidates to ever earn this honor. In 2019, Leibowitz was named by Charleston Business Magazine, Greenville Business Magazine, and Columbia Business Magazine as one of the Top Women in Business for South Carolina for 2019. She was also honored as one the Best & Brightest 35 & Under by Charleston Business Magazine.  Abby's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-leibowitz/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:The evolution of the impact of accents and customer service.The REAL difference between clarity of tone and comprehension.Shout out to Matthew McConaughey.How to calm an irate customer.How to get your employees to care about customers.The “Adam Grant” hack to boost customer service.Why actors often make GREAT call center employees.The journey of growing a business.The advice she’d give her younger self.How to prioritize for success.The one trait she would instill in every employee... be light hearted and have a sense of humor.Three leadership success strategies.Tracking the REAL cost of turnover.Employee retention strategies.Colorful stories from the front lines.QUOTES:“Busy isn’t a determination of success.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How can you tell a compelling story that will inspire and engage the hearts and minds of your team, customers, and investors?It’s a vital question as Bill Gates said, "The best leaders are the ones who know how to speak with their heart.  They connect with people on an emotional level, not just intellectually."In my interview with CEO and Co-founder of BigID, Dimitri Sirota, you’ll discover how you can leverage storytelling as a powerful tool that can help you communicate better with others.But it's not something that just happens by chance. It takes time and practice before you will become a masterful storyteller -- which makes sense because it is an art form!  In this interview we take the guesswork out of telling your stories so they have maximum impact on your listeners.BigID is the augmented data management platform for privacy, security, and governance. They  were selected as one of the Forbes 2021 World’s Best Cloud Companies.Dimitri is an established serial entrepreneur, investor, mentor and strategist. He is the Ernst and Young 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and Forbes Tech Council contributor. Dimitri's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitrisirota/WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:How Dimitri’s appreciation of science fiction has influenced his entrepreneurial journey and leadership approach. How being an immigrant has given him drive to succeed.The “Immigrant Mentality” that provides drive.Should business schools require science fiction reading?The “King of All Data”.What makes working with BigID so special.His top strategy for raising capital!Why so much talent is going into startups versus other industries.How to know if an executive team is a great start-up investment.How CEO’s tell a good story.How to up your story telling game as a leader.The “Elon Musk” strategy for telling a compelling story.What happened when Jeff Bezos shared his origin story.Why stories are such a powerful communication tool for leaders.How you can earn credibility.How he established his company's culture based on the performance of ONE employee.QUOTES:For entrepreneurship: “You have to have an imagination.”Key point for raising capital, “Recognize that many investors want to be first,” and “You must learn to tell the story.”“Are they able to communicate a compelling story? What’s their plan to win? Why this team?”RESOURCES:Frank Herbert's DuneIsaac Asimov's FoundationJoseph Campell’s The Hero’s JourneyNancy Duarte's ResonateHomer-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Leaders are often torn between prioritizing their careers and neglecting family life or going all-in on family and not pursuing their career dream. Yes, this does apply to both women men; but only 8% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women, so this is an even bigger obstacle for them. This challenge creates a no-win situation for female executives who want work-life balance and the best of both worlds -- a fulfilling family life and a meaningful career. Today you’ll hear from CEO of Zelis, Amanda Eisel who is a successful executive with some helpful strategies to address the problem of balance between work and home.This one's for all of you who are looking for a little bit of inspiration and guidance when it comes time to take your family and career dreams seriously. Zelis is the leading payments provider in Healthcare. They partner with more than 700 payers, including the top-5 national health plans, Blues plans, regional health plans, TPAs and self-insured employers, 1.5 million providers and millions of members, enabling the healthcare industry to pay for care with care.Amanda has 20 years of experience in strategic consulting and investment management at the intersection of healthcare and technology. In her most recent role as an Operating Partner at Bain Capital, Amanda has played a leadership role in Zelis’ growth, operational, and talent strategies. Prior to joining Bain Capital, she was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she spent nearly a decade advising consumer companies. Amanda's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-eisel-80b6437/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:The BIG Decision to take on the CEO role as a mother of three children.Making the trade-offs as Mom versus CEO.Balancing your personal calendar versus professional calendar.Find the work-life balance."Mindful Mommying“.Getting feedback.How to go from consultant to CEO of a company.The leadership moment her mettle was tested.How to respond when you’re given a project “that will break you”.Why you must get a mentor and how to do it.What to do when you’re the only woman in the room.What makes working at Zelis so special.The two traits she’d instill in every employee--assuming positive intent and asking ”why”?Addressing the painful churn of employee turnover.A twist in her career that led to her success down the road.QUOTES:“You must get comfortable with ambiguity. Learn to embrace and love it.”“If you keep getting after it, you’ll eventually find your path.”“Assume positive intent.”“Ask Why!”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Do you think having a non-linear career path will make it harder for you to advance in your career?Not everyone has a traditional career path to get to the Corner Office. Believe it or not, there are plenty of executives out there who have found success with non-linear careers. And if you're looking for advice on how to get promoted without following a well-trod path then look no further than my interview on The CEO Sessions with SAP COO of Global Strategic Segments, Meaghan Riley.A non-linear career path is not a death sentence. In fact recruiting employees with a broad background is an opportunity for many organizations, teams, and leaders to increase creativity, innovation, and problem solving.Enter Meaghan Riley, who has 20 years’ experience leading sales teams to help C-Level executives define and achieve their digital transformation objectives across a broad range of industries.She previously held several sales leadership roles at SAP in the North American region. Prior to joining SAP, Meaghan held roles in the strategic customer segments at Oracle, PeopleSoft, LivePerson, and Digex; receiving awards of excellence at each company. In addition to her roles in the technology sector, Meaghan served as Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC and co-founded a boutique investment bank in Latin America, providing M&A advisory services to privately held businesses, living in the region for several years.She holds a B.S. in Communications and Business Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and Yorkshire terrier. Meaghan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghanriley/WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:Why you should keep a statue of Wonder Woman on your desk.A time when a power pose paid off!Leadership lesson from working in a wallpaper store.Meaghan’s HDTV 15-minute of fame.A great strategy to help your team understand the bigger picture.The importance of becoming an entrepreneurial executive.What to do when you run into a “Protector of the Status Quo”.The two traits she’d instill in every employee…. passion and drive!A colorful story of when someone quit.A dose of inspiration from her 102 year-old grandmother.Why you don’t need a linear career path to get the C-Suite.Valuing the non-linear career path.Three success strategies for every employee.Where her love of travel came from and how it’s helped her grow personally and professionally.One of Meaghan’s most memorable travel experiences.An executive strategy to unwind.QUOTES:“Give your team the safe space to ask questions.”“Breadth of experience allows you to bring new ideas to the table.”RESOURCES:Amy Cuddy’s TED TalkHBR Idea CastAdam GrantSimon Sinek, Start with WhyTed LassoMiles DavisArt PepperAfrican American Music Museum in NashvilleCountry Music Hall of Fame-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

What can a leader do to change a toxic work culture? When you’re in this position it can feel frustrating and even hopeless. If you can’t make progress, it can lead to higher employee turnover and even threaten your goals. Some leaders either give up entirely on changing the culture or ram through initiatives without garnering support first... neither is a recipe for success.Enter my interview with Jay Smith, CIO of TracFone Wireless. You’ll discover the key to changing a toxic work culture and a positive first step to get others on board with the changes.Jay's led positive change across TracFone Wireless, a company with revenues of $8B and 21M subscribers, plus World Fuel Services, NASCAR, Tyco, and CNA.Jay's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamessmith/WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:Jay’s first job that helped him realize his career path.What inspired him most about his first professional job at Lockheed.The turning point of his career.What he learned running a consulting company and how it helped him become a better corporate executive.How to measure success when running your own company.Why you need to foster the “Entrepreneurial Spirit” in your team, and how to nurture it.Where decisions should be made in the company.How to change a toxic work culture.Why you must start small to build trust.Two traits to instill in every employee... humility and vulnerability.What happens when the senior leader asks for feedback.A blueprint for giving feedback to your boss and team.QUOTES:“Have the courage to take a risk and go for your dream.”“Create small cross-functional empowered teams that are responsible for business outcomes.““Start with small ways to earn credibility and trust.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How often are you using your stories to help lead your team? A great leadership story narrative can inspire others to follow and commit.Rodney Williams, President and CEO of Belvedere Vodka, knows what it takes to tell a great leadership story, and he shares them in his interview on The CEO Sessions. You don't need fancy words -- all you need is a good understanding of the core concepts of storytelling theory and some practical tips on how to develop your own stories. And, with those two things in place, anyone can be an effective leader who inspires people around them.Rodney was named global head of the world’s first super-premium vodka in 2017. He encourages consumers to understand Belvedere's origins, ingredients and craft in order to understand the unique taste and character of Belvedere Vodka. This is the story of Polish rye and purified water, distilled by fire.He was most recently the CMO for Moet Hennessy USA's storied portfolio of iconic luxury champagne, wines and spirits brands. Rodney's tenure at Moet Hennessy began as Senior Vice President for Hennessy, where he led the brand out of decline and into record growth with a groundbreaking new strategic campaign. Prior to that he was in the wine business where, as SVP of Classics Brands, Jackson Family Wines, he launched the most successful new product in the company’s history; and as SVP of Robert Mondavi, Constellation Brands, oversaw the turnaround of Woodbridge.Rodney's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkw1115/Belvedere Vodka WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:Going to Dot Com to Dot Bomb to Robert Mondavi.His surprising story of mistaken identity with Robert Mondavi.The cocktail you can make to impress any business guest.How you can describe vodka like a fine wine.How the spirits industry was challenged most during the pandemic.The BIG pandemic pivot he led Belvedere through, that boosted sales.Increasing cocktails with no bartender?How to use storytelling as a leader.Advice for storytellers who want amp up their game.Belvedere Vodka's Amazing Story.Starting your story with humor.The pros and cons of being a Determined Optimist!Where optimism comes from.Discovering an empathetic perspective.Staying connected as a remote team.Belvedere’s innovative approach to clean energy!The true passion that drives his career... problem-solving.How he led the charge on Batman and OnStar!How they are approaching the cost of employee turnover.How they leverage executive coaching to reduce turnover.A humorous story of his first week at Moet-Hennessy!QUOTES:“The fodder for great stories is already there.”“Storytelling is less about invention and more about excavation.”“The best story telling is authentic and real.”“If you are really passion-led, you will find a path.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Ever wondered how to stand out while working remotely? Working remotely can be a frustrating experience because you’re not getting “face time” with the leaders in your company. This can stunt your promotion potential.Enter Christina Lock, Founder and CEO of Catch Talent, a recruiting and staffing company. Christina Lock has a unique perspective on approaching this problem in a positive way. She’s seen hiring and firing in the remote world from every angle, and she has a terrific strategy for you.   Christina is an entrepreneur and human resources executive with a proven track record of building companies and talent attraction expertise. As CEO of Catch Talent, Christina leads the delivery of technical recruiting services to growing technology, creative, and government contracting companies. Prior to launching Catch Talent, she was a founding member and Vice President of HR and Recruiting at SPARC, where her team hired over 300 team members in less than five years. Christina has also held senior leadership positions at ARAMARK and Aerotek. Christina serves on the boards of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Women in Tech, Charleston Southern University JRS Coding School, and has spoken at SHRM, DIG South, Pecha Kucha, and the College of Charleston. She mentors fellow entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and professionals through the Harbor Entrepreneur Center, Women in Tech, and Women’s Entrepreneur Group of Charleston.  Christina’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinalock/Catch Talent: https://catchtalent.com/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:What, recruiting is a “life skill”?Recruitment as a “higher calling".Employee engagement with Chuck Norris and bacon.How COVID has changed the recruiting landscape.The real cost of working remotely.How company and employee loyalty changed during the Pandemic.How to stand out while working remotely.The one trait she’d instill in every employee… ”Ownership”.Three success traits for every employee.Work-life balance strategies.A recruiter’s take on the cost of employee turnover.Insights for Mompreneurs and women in the workforce. HIGHLIGHTS:What being a recruiter teaches you:How to be instinctual.Picking up cues.Relating to other people.Being an active listener.QUOTES:“We think about recruitment as quality over quantity.”“Be a student of your profession.”“Think outside your job description.”When making a change as a leader “Put the person first.”“Turnover can be healthy for teams.”RESOURCES:Never Eat Alone by Keith FerrazziBlinkist-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Are you tired of being the person who always needs direction, or are you exhausted from giving your team direction?In this episode with Melanie Huet, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), you’ll discover how to become a self-starter at work.Self-starters take action in their work day and their career to improve and grow. Most people are used to getting told what they need to do but that's not the way it has to be. You can learn how to take charge of your own career.Serta Simmons Bedding is the largest manufacturer and distributor of mattresses in North America, and Melanie Huet directs several functions including Sales, Marketing, Innovation, Insights and Trade Marketing.She is leading a full business transformation at SSB catapulting a 150 year old industry leader into a digital powerhouse that continues to lead the market in delivering breakthrough innovation.Prior to joining SSB, Melanie spent over 15 years in consumer-packaged goods leading global businesses like Huggies, Pull-Ups, Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, Hellmann’s, and Lipton Tea at blue chip companies such as Unilever, Kraft Heinz and Kimberly-Clark.Melanie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melhuet/ WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:Melanie’s experience having an executive coach and why she makes that investment in herself.Her first job working in a video rental…. taking take of the small things.How to become the your boss’ favorite employee…. listening.Advice for leaders who feel they aren’t getting promoted quickly enough.Why to get promoted you must “know the game you’re playing”.The key leadership lesson Melanie learned managing Kool Aid at Kraft Heinz.The big thing that makes Serta Simmons so special.The one trait you wish you could instill in every employee... self-starter!Why you can have new ideas even if you’re of the “old school”.Sleep strategies from a sleep company.The unexpected twist that led to her growth.Work-life balance tips.Why Melanie is a believer in self reflection, and how you can do it.Two big strategies for getting promoted.HIGHLIGHTS:Things that might help you when working with difficult bosses:Listening.Trying to understand what they want.Going an extra mile.QUOTES:On having an executive coach “It’s humbling.”“Take pride in your work no matter how small the job is.”“Do work you love and work with people you like.”“Be open to feedback.”“Know the game that you’re playing.”RESOURCES:The Pyramid PrincipleSay it with ChartsToastmastersBusiness Wars-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Ever struggle to delegate? If you're in the corporate world then you probably know that delegation is key. It often seems much easier to do it yourself in the moment, but that’s the path to burnout and not developing your employees.When you execute delegate well, it can save your time and let you begin to spend your effort and focus on higher value tasks. Enter Willis Cantey the CEO of Cantey Tech Consulting, a regional IT solutions and consulting firm located in Charleston, South Carolina, nine-time winner of INC Magazine's 5000 America's Fastest Growing Companies Award, and named as the 2019 5th fastest growing small company in South Carolina by SC Biz News. His company also been recognized as Best Places To Work in SC.He is also the founder of Cantey EDU, a student assessment technology company supporting school districts in 17 states.  A graduate of the University of the South at Sewanee and the Masters of International Business Program at USC, Wills has worked in technology for more than 20 years and founded Cantey Tech Consulting in 2007.  He recently partnered with LNC Partners, a private equity growth team in Virginia. Additionally, Willis is former Chairman of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Historic Charleston Foundation Board of Trustees, and Chair-Elect of SC Independent Colleges and Universities.Willis' LinkedIn profileWHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:The greatest life hack of all time.Why “Tech” is actually a people first industry.Canty Tech’s approach to serving their clients.What Willis learned serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce during the Pandemic.How to delegate to elevate.Why you must start with questions, NOT PowerPoint.How to handle CEO stress.How you build personal connections with a remote workforce.The one trait he’d like to instill in every employee…. focus and organization.Wild tales from offshore banking in the 90’s!Three success strategies for every employee.Koozie - best business tool.HIGHLIGHTS:Advice Willis would give to his younger self:Be patient.Go outside of your comfort zone.QUOTES:“It’s not about our customers understanding us; it’s about us better understanding them.”“Everybody’s busy, but everybody needs to give back.”On building connection with a remote workforce “If you want to talk to one of your teammates, it needs to be on video.”“More horse power doesn’t solve all problems.”“Be patient and get out of your comfort zone.”“Great ideas and good intentions are easy. Execution is hard.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

What’s the first step to make your team more diverse, and why is diversity so important to business in the first place?When you prioritize diversity, research shows that it generates better business results, including increasing employee retention! The best thing about diversity in the workplace? You have more perspectives, which means better ideas and more creativity.In this interview with Pamela Slim, author of The Widest Net: Unlock Untapped Markets and Discover New Customers Right in Front of You, co-founder of a small business learning lab, and small business expert. you’ll discover what diversity means to the business world and how it can impact your profits.She founded her company in 1996 and focused her first decade in business on creating and delivering training programs for large companies such as HP, Charles Schwab, 3Com, Chevron and Cisco Systems.Since 2005, Pam has advised thousands of entrepreneurs as well as companies serving the small business market such as Infusionsoft, Progressive Insurance, Constant Contact and Prezi. Pam partnered with author, Susan Cain to build and launch the Quiet Revolution and the Quiet Leadership Institute.In 2016 Pam co-founded, with her husband Darryl, the K'é Main Street Learning Lab in Mesa, Arizona, a grassroots, community-based think tank for small business economic acceleration. She is frequently quoted as a business expert in press such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Information Week, Money Magazine and Psychology Today.------------------The Widest Net: Unlock Untapped Markets and Discover New Customers Right in Front of You on AmazonPam's LinkedIn profileWHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:The crazy story behind how I met Pam at the World Domination Summit.Pam’s knack for creating environments where people get along.How Pam created The “Pamily”.Why having a diverse group of friends in your life is a gift.Why you should consider bringing your family on business trips.Advice for those in cross culture or cross racial relationships.How Pam is raising her children to be comfortable presenting on stage.Pam’s “Unbook” Tour that led to her book.The moment when Pam decided to open a learning lab on Main Street in Mesa, AZ.Pam’s insightful perspective on in-person versus remote work.The BIG IDEA behind The Widest Net.How to reach your customers. What really retains your employees.How to build a diverse community.Attracting and retaining diverse team members.The first step to increasing diversity.HIGHLIGHTS:What reflective questions should employers ask and have conversations with their employees about during the pandemic:What is really the mission behind what you’re doing as a company?Why are you doing the work?What’s important to you?QUOTES:“There’s a human need for people to be together.”“Having spaces with multiple uses is a very powerful way to create community.”“If every Main Street had a place where people can wander in... it’d be amazing what communities could do.”“Having a business coach right in the middle of Main Street is an amazing way to enable a community.”“The problem is not that leaders in diverse communities don’t exist; it’s that they’re not visible.”“Any company that has a really solid set of products or service offerings knows that they alone can never serve all of the needs that their enterprise customers have.”“If you’re recruiting and you’re wanting to build connections with folks, you need the trust, and that trust is built by you spending time in communities.”RESOURCES:K'éWorld Domination SummitPam’s Fargo TedX TalkThe Widest NetResonate, Nancy DuarteQuiet Revolution, Susan CaineTodd Cooper CEO Session-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Is your office safe? Have you ever had or witnessed an incident at work where safety was compromised? How would this situation have been different if it were safer?I’m not just talking about tripping over a cord or having something thrown at you from someone’s office window. What about getting dysentery while traveling or being caught up in a criminal ambush?There are all things that leaders can prepare themselves. In this episode, you’ll learn how to make your office safer without spending a fortune.Robert Dodge is the CEO of Global Risk Services at Prosegur, one of the top security companies in the world. He’s giving you some of the best tips to keep your workplace safer while still looking professional.He’s served as a senior executive at the world’s largest 3 security firms with tenure at G4S, Pinkerton and oversees the physical and digital security for organizations in 90+ countries. He also served honorably in the U.S. Navy and is a graduate of Northeastern University.Robert's LinkedIn profileProsegur WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:What Robert learned from the “School of Hard Knocks”.Navy work hours on 4 hours of sleep per night.Advice for his younger self.A colorful story from working for the 3 top security companies in the world.The moment you need to take your security to the next level.Where the bad guys are.Common security mistakes.Get an ROI on your security investment.The one trait he’d instill in every employee... passion and energy.His take on how employee turnover impacts security. It’s BIG!Stress management in a stressful business.A twist in Robert’s career that led to his growth and opportunity.Three success strategies for every employee.Business insights from the tennis court.HIGHLIGHTS:Traits Robert would instill into every employee:Passion for what they doEnergyPositive AttitudeQUOTES:“Grow yourself and embrace technology.”“Business is about the people more than the brand or logo.”“The network came to my rescue.”RESOURCES:The Art of War - Sun TzuGood to Great - Jim Collins-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How can you get your employees to take ownership of their workand do more? It’s a question that consistently frustrates leaders. When employees don’t take ownership, leaders spend their time following up and even cleaning up after their team's mistakes. This wastes time and money. However, when employees are truly “bought in”, their productivity and engagement increases. Leaders can then invest their time in higher value, strategic opportunities. With this at stake, employee ownership should really be a priority of every leader.Enter Inna Kuznetsova as CEO of 1010data. In her interview on The CEO Sessions she explains three simple strategies to get your employees to take more ownership and boost their productivity.1010data is a leading provider of cross-enterprise data analytics tools for retail, CPG and financial markets. 1010data helps customers rapidly transform data into knowledge and adjust their businesses to the fast changes in the market.  She also serves on the board of Global Ports Investments Plc (LSE: GLPR). Her previous roles include senior leadership positions at IINTTRA, the largest digital network and analytics provider the ocean shipping industry, CEVA Logistics, and IBM where she spent 19 years in a variety of global roles with a primary focus on technology-driven innovation, fast sale-up and returning business back to growth. Inna completed her MS and Ph.D. study in mathematics at the Moscow State University and MBA in Columbia Business School. She is a frequent speaker on technology-driven innovation and an author of two best-selling career books in Russia. Inna's LinkedIn profile1010dataWHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:How Inna overcame a big challenge growing up in Russia during Perestroika.What it was like growing up in Russia and how it influenced her leadership.How she became the first Russian born Global Vice President of IBM.How she became a turnaround and scale-up specialist.Persistence and toughness has helped her to persevere.Why every CEO should be a thought leader.Why people need to hear your voice.Advice for those who’d like to get to the C-Suite.What is special about working with 1010data.Why you must own your results and health.The “good” turnover.The “wrong kind” of turnover.HIGHLIGHTS:How things will change if we would start taking ownership:We would have things run and executed better. There would be less delays in completing projects.QUOTES:“Academia shapes your thinking.”When it comes to having a setback... “You must learn to shake it off, move on, and learn something from it.”“People leaving an organization is not a tragedy if they leave for the right reasons.”“Our lives are longer than a single job.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

How do you get your employees to buy in? For most leaders it’s a mystery, but it’s an important question to consider.In fact, employees who buy into the company culture and important changes are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and productive.Enter CEO of the Americas Region for DB Schenker - Hessel Verhage, who seems to have cracked the code on building trust and loyalty along with getting big results.He rose from forklift driver to senior executive and established his reputation as a leader who drives positive change. He also served as CEO of STG Holdings, Global Co-President of UTi, and CEO of Global Link Logistics.Hessel's LinkedIn Profile DB SchenkerWHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:How a life-long stutter became a powerful way to connect with customers and employees.The important role that mentorship has played in his career.The funny moment he learned that “life is sales”.How he addresses stuttering from the stage... that always engages the audience.How Hessel got to the C-Suite without the "normal CEO pedigree".The dose of tough love his mother delivered when he left college.How his starting out as a forklift operator influences his leadership today.The importance of taking risks early in your career.The “NBA Coach Theory” on getting promoted.Have the guts.How to turnaround a company that’s in deep trouble.Mentors!The most powerful words in the English Language... "I need your help".How to get your frontline workers to buy in.A family of 12,000 working together.The one trait he’s like to instill in every employee... Straight talk and transparency both ways.How to instill empowerment and accountability.The true cost of employee turnover.HIGHLIGHTS:How companies should treat their front line workers:Treat them with respect.They should buy into the vision of where the company is going.They should feel that they have a career path.QUOTES:When it comes to public speaking and having a stutter, “Own it upfront.”When it comes to taking on a difficult position, “Have the guts to take the job.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1

Mark Whitten is the President & CEO of Spartanburg Steel Products (SSP) in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  They are a Tier 1 and 2 supplier to companies including BMW, Honda, Volvo, John Deere and Kubota. Mark is a results-driven senior business leader with more than 25 years of manufacturing experience, including international assignments in Canada, Mexico and the United States.   Mark's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-whitten-61790119/  WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:What gives Mark his leadership edge.Why working your way up from the bottom prepares you for future leadership.The surprising moment when Mark felt challenged to grow.What you can learn from watching poor leaders.How to earn the respect of every employee.The secret sauce for employee engagement.Spartanburg Steep 2.0.The twist in Mark’s career that led to his professional growth.The traits Mark would instill in every employee...ownership and ambition!HIGHLIGHTS:Traits Mark would instill in every employee:AmbitionLoyaltyIntegrityKindnessQUOTES:“Great leaders are influential, poor leaders use the power button.““Attitude is a HUGE differentiator.”-------------------Apply to be on the show-------------------Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1