Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional

Joe has been a successful start-up CEO and operating executive at high-growth tech companies. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 by Crain's New York Business and was #9 on Business Insider's 2013 "Silicon Alley 100" list. Joe is the Founder & CEO of ExecThread, a VC-backed crowdsourcing platform and premium job-sharing network that enables professionals to access the "hidden job market". ExecThread is the largest global aggregator of unpublished executive-level job opportunities, and this is what he talks about in today's episode. You can learn more about Execthread at www.ExecThread.com. Key points include: 02:15: How ExecThread works 09:18: The ExecThread vetting process 14:49: Advice to people looking for executive roles 20:44: Advice for employers Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Gaurav was a consultant with McKinsey and a leader in their Organization Practice in North America. Before McKinsey, he worked in marketing for Pepsi Cola International and Procter & Gamble in Europe, the Middle East, and India, and he has counselled and coached hundreds of senior leaders as they lead their organizations through transformation, with a special focus on coaching them on personal mastery, difficult conversations, and strategic thinking. Mark is an engineer by training, he began his career as a Navy officer and member of the US Naval Construction Battalion. He is also a McKinsey alum and has worked across multiple industries, including financial services, high tech, biotech manufacturing, IT services, and governmental offices. Read more about their book at https://unfearbook.com/. Key points include: 05:24: Gaurav's work in cultural transformation 08:32: The art and science of achieving standing breakthrough results 13:27: Identifying and moving through fear 26:16: Freeing the angel in the stone Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Kay Formanek is a global speaker on Diversity and Inclusion. Kay has also worked for leading global professional services organizations for over 20 years as Partner and Managing Director. Her proven approach to leading diversity strategically draws on extensive research and advisory work with over 50 organizations; she is now an author, and her book, Beyond DNI: leading diversity with purpose and inclusiveness, is coming out this month. In today's episode, Kay talks about the benefits of diversity and inclusion. For more information, you can visit Kay's website at beyonddiversityandinclusion.com Key points include: 01:14: Kay's background, and the inspiration behind her book 06:24: How she helps CEOs reach their aspired level of diversity 11:25: The dimensions of diversity 15:19: Implementing diversity initiatives Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Adam Anderson is a graduate of Stanford Business School, a McKinsey alum, and he is now a strategy consultant and project manager. He has led and participated in over one hundred projects for clients from startups to multinationals, and in this episode, he shares case studies on driving bottom-line results. Adam can be reached through his LinkedIn profile, or emailed at [email protected]. Key points include: 00:47: A case study on Lotek, chemical manufacturer: 20 production facilities, five countries 09:59: A case study on a small business in healthcare 20:22: Creating a competitive advantage in healthcare 25:38: Health clinics and the customer experience Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

David Edelman spent 30 years as a Chief Marketing Officer (at Aetna/CVS), and consultant to executives on Digital and Marketing Transformation with McKinsey, Digitas, and the Boston Consulting Group. He is now a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and serves as an advisor to top executives in start-up, Private Equity, and larger enterprises. In today's episode, David talks about the use of AI in marketing. You can reach David through his LinkedIn profile or email him at [email protected]. Key points include: 03:44: The different aspects of marketing 08:38: How AI can be used in marketing 15:50: The prerequisites a company needs to employ AI 21:16: Measuring the ROI on AI-driven tools Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Michael Katz is the author of four books, an award-winning humorist, and the founder of Blue Penguin, a company that helps professional service firms and solos talk and write about their work in a clear and compelling way. He has an MBA from Boston University and a BA in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal. In today's episode, Michael talks about how he helps his clients. Learn more about Michael's business at www.bluepenguindevelopment.com. Key points include: 02:15: Business newsletter best practices 13:41: Results that can be achieved through a newsletter 15:27: Building an email list 18:46: Newsletter management software comparison Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Sven Beiker has a PhD. in Mechanical Engineering and Vehicle Dynamics; he is a technology expert in the field of automotive and high-tech topics with a strong interest in consumer products with a holistic view regarding the impact on the environment, society, business, and policy. His special focus is in autonomous, connected, electric, shared vehicles, which is what we explore in this episode. You can learn more about ACES at www.siliconvalleymobility.com, or reach out to Sven on LinkedIn. Key points include: 12:47: The issue of charging electric vehicles 18:33: Electric vehicle charging infrastructure 23:52: Shared mobility 26:54: Micro mobility Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Peter Costa is the founder and leader of Capman LLC, a company that provides Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting. Peter draws on his experience leading public and private international businesses, in addition to extensive study and training in coaching, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. In today's episode, he talks about his business' best practices. You can listen to Peter's Leading Excellence podcast on Spotify or Apple, learn more about his company at www.capmanllc.com, or email him at [email protected]. Key points include: 02:05: Coaching executives and rising talent 06:07: Exercises to change behaviors 12:54: The best leadership development programs 19:12: Building the client list and developing the practice Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Melisa is a former corporate tech executive turned management consultant and coach. She built and led a global professional services organization for a SaaS startup, before establishing her own coaching business where she helps consulting business owners increase their revenue. In today's episode, she talks about identifying potential clients, pursuing leads, and the Independent Consultant's Toolkit. You can learn more about Melisa's services from her website, www.melisaliberman.com, tune in to her podcast at www.melisaliberman/podcast, check out The Independent Consultant's (IC) Toolkit, and connect with her on LinkedIn. Key points include: 05.59: Marketing content headlines 10:22: How Melisa works with her clients 16:48: Aligning business methods 21:32: Ways to stay top of mind Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Michael is a McKinsey alum and executive coach. He is a former Green Beret, where he was a team medic, serving in Afghanistan. In this episode, Michael he talks about his transition from military service to McKinsey, how he healed from trauma, and how that shaped his coaching practice. To learn more about Michael's coaching practice visit www.wsdmcoaching.com or connect through LinkedIn. Key points include: 04:10: His experiences as a Green Beret 07:20: The transition to coaching and managing PTSD 10:38: His experience with psychedelics 18:39: Finding his purpose through the healing 20:31: Michael's clients and how he serves them Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Vijay is a former digital and technology leader at KKR leader and a founding member of McKinsey Digital Labs in South East Asia. He is a highly accomplished expert consultant and Interim Chief Information Officer, and he currently serves Fortune 500 enterprises and companies invested in by the PEI 300. In this episode, he talks about a case example that illustrates the Agile methodology play in real life. Vijay can be reached through LinkedIn or Umbrex. Key points include: 03:08: Case example: a legacy bank in S.E. Asia going digital 08:48: Getting people to participate in hackathons 18:15: The concept of the sprint delivery cycle 22:38: The Agile process from having the business and making it a working product Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

David A. Fields is the co-founder of Ascendant Consulting and is the author of the #1 most recommended book on Amazon.com for consultants interested in building a practice, The Irresistible Consultant's Guide to Winning Clients, and the Executive's Guide to Consultants. David is well-known throughout North America for his expertise in the consulting arena, and in today's episode, he shares valuable insights and advice on planning strategies. Key points include: 02:47: Planning 90 minutes each week for eight weeks 08:08: Focusing on data and lessons learned 11:32: Revisiting your mission, vision, and values 31:27: Budgets and resources To learn more about the 8-week planning process, visit 8 Weeks to Get Juiced. To learn more about the focus wheel, visit Use This Unique Tool to Focus Your Consulting Firm, and to subscribe to David's weekly articles where you will find a plethora of valuable insights, visit www.davidafields.com/blog. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Pankaj is an entrepreneur, SaaS Executive, investor, and the creator of Bord, a collaborative workspace, designed by a management consultant for management consultants, where teams can brainstorm, problem-solve, and storyboard. He began his career writing code for consumer electronics, before moving on to work at Herman Miller and McKinsey where he developed capabilities in design thinking and analytical problem-solving. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering, a Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance. In this episode, he walks viewers through the capabilities of Bord. Access the free version at www.bord.com, and you can reach out to [email protected]. Key points include: 01:41: Collaborating on Bord 04:36: The different capabilities of Bord compared to similar products 07:31: How to use the free model 08:15: A user demonstration of Bord Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Tony is the co-founder and managing director at InsurTechNY, an organization that helps startups, carriers/brokers, investors, and enablers in the New York region and beyond through hosting InsurTechNY community events, startup competitions, and accelerator. He is a BCG Alum, and his background includes product leadership at Alibaba, Gartner & NBC, an MBA from NYU Stern MBA, and a Bachelor of Sciences from Carnegie Mellon. In this episode, Tony talks about his business model. Learn more about the organization at www.insurtechny.com. Key points include: 00:53: What InsurTechNY is and who it serves 13:57: Embedded insurance plays 17:14: Blockchain in InsurTechNY 26:04: Setting up the first InsurTechNY event Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Maureen is the founder and managing partner at Acacia Growth & Impact Consulting. She brings 15 years of product management, marketing, and growth experience across the private, non-profit, and public sectors. Data, customer-centricity, and a focus on impact are at the core of the business. Today, she talks about the full range of services her company offers. If you'd like to learn more about Acacia Growth and Impact Consulting you can reach out to Maureen on LinkedIn and watch out for the launch of her website, www.acaciaimpact.com, or get on the email list at https://sunny-v2.netlify.app/. To learn more about topics discussed in today's episode, visit https://nexleaf.org/ and/or Key points include: 03:01: Case studies on product development and product management 06:29: The role of the product manager 15:39: How to gain user insights 23:00: Helping to build a design or product design organization. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

James Richardson is the founder of Premium Growth Solutions, a strategic planning consultancy for early-stage consumer packaged goods brands. As a professionally trained cultural anthropologist turned business strategist, he has helped nearly 100 CPG brands with their strategic planning, including brands owned by Coca-Cola Venturing and emerging brands, The Hershey Company, General Mills, and Frito-Lay, Once Upon a Farm, Dr. Squatch Soap, and more. James is the author of Ramping Your Brand: How to Ride the Killer CPG Growth Curve, a #1 Best-seller in business consulting on Amazon. He also hosts his podcast—Startup Confidential. In this episode, he talks about his transition from anthropology to marketing and how they connect. Learn more about his services at www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com. Key points include: 01:56: The connection between anthropology and marketing 08:58: How anthropological research tactics are applied to marketing 18:08: New symbols and how a marginal product is processed to be accepted by social groups 25:20: The difference between growth pace and the pace to scale Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Jay Altizer has worked at Bain and Company, PepsiCo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Deloitte Consulting. His extensive experience includes driving transformations and high-stakes change in a variety of industries such as CPG/FMCG, manufacturing, distribution, airlines, technology, and B2B products/services, but in this episode, he shares his knowledge and experience of the food industry. To learn more about Jay's firm visit https://www.fallingbranchadvisorsllc.com/, and he can be reached at [email protected]. Key points include: 01:49: The multiple roles in the value chain 10:40: The different types of companies in mid-market food space 13:00: Issues facing food companies in the $20-500 million range 18:39: Trade spending and discounting in the food industry Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Craig Beal grew up in the safari planning business. His parents were the owners/operators of Travel Beyond, a company that planned luxury safaris in Africa. After attending the US Naval Academy and serving as a US Navy Submarine Officer, Craig and his wife Kay purchased Travel Beyond in 2005. In this episode, he talks about getting into the travel business. To learn more about Craig's business, visit travelbeyond.com. Key points include: 05:12: What the upscale Safari tour operator offers 09:36: His business and marketing approach 24:25: The $50,000 clients 25:50: What people do on a nine-day safari Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Rob Ristagno is a Harvard and McKinsey alum, he has shared expertise on digital media and e-commerce with CBS, Forbes, Adweek, and Fox. He is now the CEO of Sterling Woods where Rob and his team developed a data-enabled service, Scout X, that has created over $500 million in Enterprise Value for middle-market clients. Learn more about Rob's company at sterlingwoods.com. 00:43: Five common flaws in customer segmentation 12:39: The process of B2B segementation 15:53: The three main categories of customer behavior 29:04: Developing the survey 36:13: Building the segments Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Paul spent ~9 years with McKinsey & Company, where he was a Partner based in Washington D.C. Within the firm's Global Public and Social Sector Practice, Paul led the Go to Market (GTM) team, which spanned 23 countries. Prior to McKinsey, Paul held roles General Dynamics Information Technology, Johnson & Johnson, Ariba (now part of SAP) and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), and is a former U.S. Army officer. Paul has particular expertise in Public Sector Go to Market strategy and operating models, as both an advisor and practitioner. You can visit Paul's company website at pathfinderconsultingllc.com, and he can be reached at [email protected] Key points include: 03:18: Doing business development in the public sector 09:41: How the decision process works 14:04: RFPs and the procurement process 21:17: Work from the federal government for independent professionals 28:20: Paul's work as an advisor on procuring government contracts Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Sharath Jeevan is a leading global motivation expert helping organisations and individuals reignite inner-drive. Sharath has addressed large global audiences at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Lego Ideas Festival in Denmark, WISE Summit in Qatar, Draper Richards Kaplan Convening in San Francisco, Varkey GEMS Conference in Dubai, and the Lemann Conference in Sao Paulo. He is also the author of Intrinsic: a manifesto to reignite our inner drive. In this episode, he talks about his book and some common misconceptions he has encountered in the business world. You can learn more about Sharath and his book at https://www.intrinsic-labs.com/. Key points include: 03:56: Purpose, autonomy, and mastery 11:27: A framework for purpose 18:47: Motivation tips for parents 23:57: Intrinsic relationships Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

John has 25 years of consulting experience consulting in Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Sourcing, plant and business unit transformation, revenue enhancement, growth strategies and turnarounds. He has launched many multi-year corporate transformations which have delivered over $1.5 billion in annual value. He has advised senior executives and business unit leaders in a broad range of industries including oil and gas, chemicals, basic materials, industrials, automotive, engineered products and aerospace. John's company website is Lionstutz.com and he can be reached at [email protected]. 01:50: Terminology of the oil and gas industry 07:30: Drill holes and piping 10:14: How they keep the oil and gas moving 13:17: The ecosystem of the industry 20:15: Labor in the industry Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Andrew has over 15 years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and other healthcare sectors. His team specializes in growth strategy projects pertaining to cutting-edge medical technologies. Since 2012, his team has conducted over 100 projects for executives in the C suite, commercial franchises, corporate development, and R&D, and spanning nearly every therapeutic area undergoing innovation. In this episode, he gives an in-depth view of the biotech industry. Andrew can be reached through LinkedIn or you can email him at [email protected]. And you can listen to more from Andrew on Episode 355. Key points include: 01:09: A quick explanation of biotech, agricultural biotech, and industrial biotech 08:09: The difference between pharma and biotech 12:28: Drugs that fall into the biotech category 18:45: Differences in delivery methodologies between small molecule and more complex molecules 24:31: The different roles and functions at biotech and pharma companies Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

On her podcast, Fearless Growth, Amanda Setili interviews Mitali Chopra, UK Coach of the Year for best client results. They talk about her business and also about the karma equation for World abundance and why giving is such an important part of living. She talks about the nonprofit that she founded to help kids learn entrepreneurship by playing games. Amanda's podcast can be found here http://bitly.bz/G5cKA. Key points include: 06:58: Overcoming fear 15:51: How company culture can hold a company back 23:32: Transitioning to other cultures 26:58: The importance of continuous growth Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Sam Saperstein has an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from Wharton, she is a McKinsey alum, and is now a managing director at JPMorgan Chase. In this episode, Sam talks about the Women on the Move program and how it helps women thrive professionally and start businesses. You can learn more about the program on the podcast, Women on the Move. Key points include: 09:07: Resources for women who want to start a business 11:56: Gaps in financial health and financial education for women. 17:55: Encouraging the careers of women at JPMorgan Chase 22:27: Negotiation skills for women Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Belden Menkus was a senior engagement manager at McKinsey for six years and is the managing director at Menkus and Associates where they specialise in high-impact senior-level interventions that create new strategic value and growth opportunities using proven new approaches that engage head, heart and hands. In today's episode, we talk about how he approaches developing and deploying a strategy with purpose and positive outcomes. Belden Menkus can be reached through his website at menkus.com. Key points include: 05:11: Working with the Port of London Authority 07:46: Working with organisations to reach clarity of purpose 12:35: Pursuing the ideal 17:53: The impact clarity of purpose can have on an organisation. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Belden Menkus is the managing director at Menkus and Associates. He is also the host of the podcast the Purposeful Strategist, a podcast that shifts the conversation from what organisations should do to what they are doing to embrace their broader purpose and translate it into tangible action. On today's episode, we listen to one of Belden's podcasts where he interviews Robin Mortimer, the chief executive of organization in the London Port of Authority Key points include: 06:52: What the Port Authority is and what they do 09:32: How the vision of the Thames and organisation is structured and functions 12:42: Where the Thames Vision is going 15:32: The strategy to manage the vision 21:16: How the hydrogen economy affects the Thames Vision Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

David A. Fields spent nine years in marketing for GlaxoSmithKline before jumping into consulting with a boutique firm, where he became partner. He then co-founded Ascendant Consulting and focused the practice on helping large corporations enter new markets. He is the author of two books on consulting, and on this episode, he shares expert tips for solo consultants, boutique firms, and small to medium businesses. David can be reached through LinkedIn or his website, https://www.davidafields.com. Key points include: 06:24: Structuring the discovery discussion 15:14: Partners for consultants 18:35: Big challenges for solo consultants 31:43: The challenge of growth Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Tim Streeter spent 25 years working in consulting and human resources including global leadership roles in Talent Acquisition at Accenture and Whirlpool. As the former chief operating officer of talent acquisition at Accenture, where he was responsible for managing a recruiter headcount of 2500 people and delivering 100,000 new hires every year. He's also the author of the Contentment Commitment, which we will chat about in this episode. Tim can be reached through his website, https://www.contentmentcommitment.com/, where you can also learn more about the book. Key points include: 00:52: The personal history behind the book 03:19: The six dimensions of contentment 08:32: The commitments Tim made 20:10: Tim's work with organisations Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Max Friberg is a McKinsey alum with an MSc in CEMS International Management who has founded the SaaS tool company Inex One with the goal to improve the exchange of expertise around the globe. Inex One is now used by leading investors and analysts. You can learn more about Inex One at inex.one. Key points include: 07:13: How Inex One improves the expert network process and experience 15:54: How the idea of Inex One was born 18:39: How the expert network is evolving 26:00: Who's using Inex One Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Chad Oakley is the president and CEO of Charles Eris, which is one of the top executive search firms in the United States focused on recruiting management consultants. In this Q & A episode, he shares insights and answers questions that consultants have always wanted to ask about the job market. Key points include: 09:37: The current state of the market for consultants 15:18: Areas that are in demand now and will increase in demand 21:49: Applying for a salaried position after working as an independent consultant 33:34: The best way to interact with retain search firms Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at: www.umbrex.com

Sarah Locher is a Senior at Independence High School. She currently works as a Hollister Brand Agent and was chosen as one of forty employees from a national pool of 2,880 applicants. As a high school student, she conducted an impressive project on the future of Change Management. She talks about why she started the project and how she did it. To learn more about Sarah's project, connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-locher-a4579b1a6/, and to download her change management research results go to https://bit.ly/3yQLMaf. Key points include: 00:46: The future change management consulting project 07:42: Recruiting participants for the project 12:43: Key takeaways from the research Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at: www.umbrex.com

Kathryn Valentine is a McKinsey alum, author, speaker and founder of Worthmore Negotiations, a company that focuses on creating effective, research-based negotiation strategies for women, training women to use these strategies, and supporting them during the big negotiations of their career. Learn more about Worthmore Negotiations at www.worthmorenegotiations.com or reach out to Kathryn on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/kval. Key points include: 02:27: Why it benefits a company to teach women to negotiate 09:51: Communal negotiation and collaborative negotiation 18:38: The gold standard in negotiations 19:28: How Worth More developed 23:09: Key negotiation tips for women Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at: www.umbrex.com

Bill Fotsch has a 20-year track record of improving company sales and profits in an array of industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar. He has co-authored several published articles and serves on the board of several companies that practice Open-Book Management. You can learn more about his company at https://openbookcoaching.com, or email Bill at [email protected] or reach out on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/billfotsch. Key points include: 05:07: Where to start with open-book management 08:57: Examples of companies switching to open-book management 17:04: Big changes in operations 28:03: How Bill launched his writing career Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at: www.umbrex.com

Ben Legg helps entrepreneurs reinvent themselves and society for the better. His career has included relieving the siege of Sarajevo in 1995, McKinsey strategy consultant, turning around Coca-Cola India and the COO of Google Europe. In this episode, he discusses his latest venture The Portfolio Collective. You can learn more at https://portfolio-collective.com Key points include: 01:00: Who can become a portfolio professional 04:48: How the Portfolio Creative developed 10:03: The benefits of joining the Portfolio Collective 20:32: Branding diverse skill sets and services cohesively 22:25: Entry requirements Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at: www.umbrex.com

Mary Cummins has an MBA from the Wharton School and an MA with Honors in Electrical Engineering from Cambridge University. Her consulting career includes equity partnership at The Boston Consulting Group, and at Deloitte Consulting. Mary's experience spans across traditionally siloed healthcare sectors and includes serving on the Board of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (the largest non-profit home health agency in the US). On this episode, she talks about value-based care and the shift from volume to value in the healthcare system. Key points include: 10:38: Transitioning to new models after the Affordable Care Act 16:00: How a hospital adapts to a value-based care system 21:09: Examples of how hospitals operate differently 23:44: How the pay structure affects the model 31:44: Current experiments in value-based care Learn more about Mary's company at www.certusadv.com and connect on www.linkedin.com/in/maryecummins Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Dr. Anders Corr is an alum of both Harvard and Yale. He led the Social Science Research and Analysis (SSRA) group in Afghanistan, which oversaw 600 Afghan contract employees on 44 survey projects, before founding Corr Analytics and the Journal of Political Risk in 2013. He is an author and a political risk consultant on national risk assessment focused on China. On this episode, he talks about his work as a political risk consultant. Key points include: 03:39: An example of clients and projects undertaken 10:32: Initial information offered to corporate clients 16:12: Key factors that contribute to a negative view of China 21:51: Deliverables generated for clients 24:28: The Wisdom of Crowds approach to forecasting Learn more about Anders' firm at http://www.canalyt.com. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Robert Hardy has recently started an online coaching platform to help creatively inclined individuals promote their work. On today's episode, he explains how his program works, why quality trumps quantity, and how to find your niche. Key points include: 01:38: Why most marketing advice is wrong 06:27: The fragmentation of the Internet and niches 11:12: How the Ungated program helps people find their niche 13:54: Coffee and keyword roulette 24:41: Tactical niche marketing steps Learn more about Ungated at https://ungated.media/, his filmmaking site at www.filmmakerfreedom.com, and check out his thoughts on what it means to be a citizen at www.citizenwithin.com. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Alex P. Bartholomaus is President and CEO of People Stretch Solutions, a Washington DC based management consulting firm specializing in revenue growth consulting and scaling organizations. He is a published author and professional speaker on the topic of OKRs, Sales Effectiveness, Elite Business Performance and Emotional Intelligence. On this episode, Alex talks about his company with a focus on growing sales. Key points include: 08:43: The wine industry taxes and distribution chain 15:12: The business focus of objective and key results 18:00: Examples of OKRs and how they differ from goals 29:12: Different aspects of the management system To learn more about Alex's firm visit https://www.peoplestretch.com/ or message Alex on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/alexbartholomaus. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Jonas Altman is a speaker, writer, and entrepreneur who creates transformational learning experiences to elevate and grow leaders around the world. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and he has recently published the book, Shapers: Reinvent the way you work and change the future. On this episode, Jonas talks about his book, his work, the power of harnessing creative energy, and how it helps motivate his clients. Key points include: 03:35: How the future of work may evolve 13:16: The need to expand the learning mindset 23:16: Coaching style and client types 27:10: Two case studies on achieving aspirational targets You can learn more about Jonas at Jonas Altman.com, you can learn more about the work he does at social fabric.com, and find the book at shapers.life. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Susan Meier is a brand strategist and a Harvard-trained artist. She applies a creative mindset to the craft of strategy to develop a brand strategy and has worked with the world's most beloved brands, from Pepsi to Lipton, M&Ms to Doritos. Her art is in private collections of Saatchi & Saatchi, the New York Stock Exchange, and Pfizer and has been exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History. In this episode, she talks about her latest side-hustle, www.workspace-studio.com. Key points include: 02:13: How workspace was developed 05:28 The important elements that make a great workspace 12:41: How the space is a portrait of the person 17:56: The creative strategy of no-destination travel Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Tineke Keesmaat has over 15 years of consulting experience with McKinsey & Company, Accenture, and as the founder and CEO of TILTCO Inc. She has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University with a subspecialty in Entrepreneurship and a B.A with Honours in Psychology from Queen's University. In this episode, she talks about the hybrid business playbook her company has published. Key points include: 01:11: The process of developing the playbook 11:49: Developing a podcast series 17:30: The impact of the podcast 26:27: How companies can build a hybrid business You can find out more about the playbook and Tineke's business at www.tiltco.ca. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Amanda Wright has a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology. She is an experienced management consultant who provides business advisory services to her clients. Today, she talks about her program to help women from professional services firms make the leap to independent consulting. Key points include: 02:07: The structure of the Take the Leap program 09:43: The importance of the company name 13:31: Building the right mindset for a successful business 17:59: Managing your money 25:00: Marketing the coaching program You can learn more about the Take the Leap program at https://www.thewrightcompany.ca/taketheleap and sign up for Amanda's weekly newsletter. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Nadine Sinclair has a doctorate in molecular biology, she was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey, and is now an independent consultant and advises companies on how to improve conditions for mental health for their employees. Today she talks about mental health in the workplace. Key points include: 03:39: The cost of poor mental health to business 07:10: How poor mental health impacts performance 16:44: How companies can help build resilience in employees 21:13: Tackling negativity bias 28:33: Resilience training 38:45: How exercise in the morning helps performance Learn more about Nadine's company and take the test on your emotional health at mindmatters.pro Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

David A.Fields is a consulting firm expert and author. He has helped hundreds of boutique and solo consulting firms grow, increase margins, and create lucrative, lifestyle-friendly businesses. This episode is taken from a session that David A. Fields led for the Umbrex and Veritux communities on how to craft your fishing line. Key points include: 06:06: The two-by-two grid 08:32: Solving precise problems 10:17: Mistakes in fishing lines 11:07: Generic problems, generic targets, conjunctions and comets Sign up for David's newsletter or order his book on www.DavidAFields.com. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Amanda Setili is president of the strategy consulting firm Setili & Associates, author of two books of strategy and growth, she is a McKinsey alum and an Umbrex member. On this episode, she shares expert tips on running a successful virtual event. Key points include: 06:50: First steps in connecting 13:28: Pre-event preparation 27:22: Cold call panels 29:28: Breakout group exercise on a future event Amanda can be reached through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandasetili/ or her website https://setili.com.

Nina Froriep is a video producer and visual storyteller. Her company enables business coaches to grow their business with consistent and easy-to-implement video marketing, and today she shares her expertise on video content marketing. Key points include: 15:32: Finding a professional video editor 17:28: Tips of doing a video series 22:28: The impact of video posts 25:20: What converts 27:36: Equipment 31:56: Posting frequency Nina can be contacted through LinkedIn at, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-froriep/, or followed on Twitter @NinaFroriep.

Amol Sarva is a backer, advisor, and mentor at 50+ companies; he has co-founded several startups, including Virgin Mobile USA, Peek, Halo Neuroscience, Knotable, Knotel, and he has developed and taught the course "Venturing to Change the World" at Columbia University. In this episode, he talks about content creation and communication with his network of around 5060 people and shares a few of his experiences in business. Key points include: 05:43: The Knotel startup roller-coaster ride 10:36: Lessons learned building a business valued at $1.5 billion 22:39: How to get started in the entrepreneurial world 27:28: Advice on finding companies to get involved with 29:43: What's going on in Amol's lab Amol can be contacted by email, which can be found on his websites. To access his address visit http://amolsarva.com or http://amol.sarva.co/. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

The Idea Suite is a boutique agency that unlocks the creative potential of people and businesses through innovation, and on this episode of Unleashed, Shelli Baltman and Fiona Stevenson discuss how their innovation agency helps big companies deal with the challenge of pandemic burnout. Key points include: 03:51: What we mean by burnout 08:49: Managing motivation and energy 18:02: Monitoring and assessing team energy 29:27: Gratitude specificity 33:29: Dealing with self-improvement overwhelm To banish burnout, visit www.energyforgrowth.com, you can also learn more about their business at https://theideasuite.com/ or connect with Shelli and Fiona through https://www.linkedin.com/company/theideasuite/. Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Professor Zachary Schrag is a historian of the twentieth-century United States and a professor of history at George Mason University. His specialities are: history of technology, policy history, transportation history, urban history, and oral history. In this episode, we discuss what history means and his book, the Princeton guide to historical research. Key points include: 01:40: History as the study of people 07:23: Internal contradictions 19:48: How a historian organises information 30:04: Recommendations for history students 37:26: History's influence on politics Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.