Like a lot of us, Sean Spence of Caledon Virtual had a crazy idea. He made a list of the 60 most interesting people in business and decided he was going to meet all of them. Unlike most people, though, Sean has actually been pursuing that goal. Join me as I talk with Sean about his quest, what he's learned from people like E-Myth author Michael Gerber, and why you should think about following your own crazy idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 20, 2013•23 min
Today's guest is Paul Brewerton, the co-founder of Strengths Partnership. Paul discusses what businesses can do to understand and find their employees' "sweet spots"—the intersection of what they do best and what really energizes them about work. Paul and his business partner James Brook have just written a book, Stretch: Leading Beyond Boundaries, which shows entrepreneurs how to push themselves and their teams to the upper ranges of their abilities. Join us as wediscuss ways you can make the m...
Sep 13, 2013•28 min
According to a recent survey by AT&T, almost half of commuters reported texting while driving. Some of them could be your employees ... or even you! Join this week's guests, AT&T Missouri President John Sondag, and HR specialist Belinda Waggoner, as they discuss "It Can Wait," a new public awareness campaign designed to discourage distracted driving—and why it matters to your small business. Belinda will also discuss the steps business owners can take to prevent texting and driving disas...
Sep 06, 2013•25 min
Our guest today, Jeff Fromm, is the co-author of the book "Marketing to Millennials: Reach the Largest & Most Influential Generation of Consumers Ever." Today he shares the keys for how businesses can successfully tap into this powerful segment of the marketplace. Jeff has been actively studying Millennials for several years now. In addition to his book,Jeff is the author of a number of reports on Millennials and frequently speaks about marketing to Millennials to private corporations and or...
Aug 30, 2013•19 min
When a crisis hits a company, the first 72 hours shape public opinion. And a bad response impacts the viability of your brand. Here to talk with us today about how even the smallest businesses can suffer the negative consequences of a PR disaster - and what to do about it before that happens - is David Johnson, an expert in crisis communications who's often called on by the media when a major brand makes the news because of their handling of a crisis. He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, FOX News, NBC ...
Aug 23, 2013•21 min
Imagine where you could take your business if you could do in three months what it takes most people a year to accomplish. This week's guest, Brian Moran, has written a new book, the New York Times best-seller, The 12 Week Year, to help you do just that. In this episode, Brian shares the strategies for shortening your executive cycle from a year to twelve weeks, getting more done, and enjoying the results. Brian is a former manager and executive with PepsiCo, UPS and Northern Automotive, and he'...
Aug 16, 2013•30 min
Our guest Becky Sheetz-Runkle is a business author and writer, speaker, strategic marketer and martial artist. She’s with us to talk about how women can apply the principals of Sun Tzu to achieve success in business. Her book, Sun Tzu for Women: The Art of War for Winning in Business, has been called a “must read” by Today’s Chicago Woman, recommended by Baseline magazine to their C-level readers, mentioned in The Economist, and featured in Today’s Financial Women. Becky is a recognized authorit...
Aug 09, 2013•26 min
Silpada Designs is one of the country’s most inspirational success stories. Silpada, a company built by women, for women, was founded in 1997 by Bonnie Kelly and Teresa Walsh. Both were stay-at-home moms who discovered they could turn their love of jewelry and knack for styling their friends into a successful business. Together they have turned a basement-born business they started with $25 each into a thriving international company with millions of customers. Silpada Designs is the world’s larg...
Aug 02, 2013•27 min
Quicker isn't always better, especially when it comes to communication. New technology lets us talk, tweet, text and more faster than ever—but we can make bigger mistakes, too, and damage relationships in the process. In his new book Stop Talking, Start Communicating, communications expert Geoffrey Tumlin offers practical tips on becoming a more productive communicator and avoiding alienating people. Join us as Geoffrey discusses ways "old school" communication can trump next-generation technolo...
Jul 26, 2013•49 min
We welcome Heather Schuck, CEO and founder of the leading children’s brand Glamajama. Heather is a well respected and admired mom entrepreneur. Despite her lack of fashion or business experience, she was able to turn her failed eBay hobby into a multi-million dollar company with her uncompromising will, eagerness to learn, and endless determination. She's also the author of the Working Mom Manifesto. Heather shares how her children's fashion line has become a favorite of celebrities, how she's b...
Jul 19, 2013•32 min
Our guest Alana Muller provides a practical process for networking your way to business success. Alana is the President of Kauffman FastTrac and the author of the book Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking and a companion blog CoffeeLunchCoffee.com. She is also a frequent lecturer and workshop facilitator on topics such as networking, entrepreneurship, and women in business. She is a contributor to Forbes.com, The Huffington Post, CNBC and other publications. Learn m...
Jul 12, 2013•30 min
We welcome Brian Biro, America’s Breakthrough Coach! Brian is known internationally as a speaker and coach who engages his audiences on Leadership, Possibility Thinking, Thriving on Change, andTeam-Building. He has delivered more than 1,350 presentations around the world during the last 21 years. A major client described Brian best when he said, “Brian Biro has the energy of a ten-year-old, the enthusiasm of a twenty-year-old, and the wisdom of a seventy-five-year-old.” A former vice-president o...
Jun 28, 2013•31 min
Bill Gates calls her “super high bandwidth.” Bill Clinton has thanked her for “fostering American entrepreneurship.” Newsweek says, “By reputation, Christine is the person you want to partner with.” Our guest today Christine Comaford is a global thought leader who helps companies navigate growth and change, an expert in human behavior and applied neuroscience, and the bestselling author of Rules for Renegades. Her latest book, New York Times best seller SmartTribes: How Teams Become Brilliant To...
Jun 21, 2013•31 min
Josh Rowland, Vice Chairman of Lead Bank in Kansas City, and Executive Director of the Lead Business Advisors, talks about the business model that allows his bank to be a growth partner to business owners from concept to sale. We'll also be discussing tips for small businesses seeking a loan, red flags lenders look for after a loan has been extended, and what small businesses owners can be doing to improve their situation as the economy starts to turn. Josh has been with Lead Bank since 2008. Pr...
Jun 07, 2013•34 min
Businesses of all sizes have a story to tell--and it goes beyond branding. The story of every company is ingrained in its corporate culture, be it IBM or Apple or the smallest of companies. Yet many companies fail to define their stories, and many companies suffer with consumers as a result of it. Joining us is Danielle Berg, owner of Telling Media, a company that helps business leaders create business stories that sell. She’ll discuss how the right stories can help a business attract and motiva...
May 10, 2013•28 min
Join me and my guest Cy Wakeman. Cy advocates a revolutionary new approach to leadership: Reality-Based Leadership. Instead of working to perfect the circumstances of employees, she advocates a reality-based mindset in which employees can become bulletproof to anything that might happen, and they succeed and deliver results in spite of their circumstances. Cy’s groundbreaking ideas are featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The New York Post and SHRM.com. Her podcasts and blogs...
Apr 19, 2013•29 min
Thanks to last year's JOBS Act, crowdfunding is creating new opportunities not only for small businesses, but angel investors, venture capitalists and others interested in raising money for new companies. Join Kelly as she talks with Judd Hollas, the founder and chief inventor of EquityNet, a firm that has helped raise more than $200 million through crowdfunding.They'll talk about how crowdfunding could shake up the traditional rules of small business capital. Judd Hollas is a pioneer in the fie...
Apr 17, 2013•29 min
“The Small Biz Lady” Melinda Emerson joins us to talk to us about how she built a national reputation using social media, her book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, and her role in the new CNBC show “Crowd Rules,” debuting on April 30. Melinda is one of America’s leading small business experts. She is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and social media strategist whose mission is to end small business failure. Her blog Succeed As Your Own Boss is syndicated by the Huffington Post. S...
Mar 29, 2013•40 min
In today’s competitive landscape, you don’t want customers. You want fans. You want people who are almost as crazy in love with your company as you are. Consistently delivering a valuable customer experience is important—it drives and sustains business growth. Our guest today, Ruby Newell-Legner shares the elements of service that create a seamless customer experience . . . and will improve customer loyalty and retention for any business. Find out how your business can join the ranks of companie...
Mar 22, 2013•30 min
Most people agree that for businesses to compete globally in the 21st century, we must be innovative. We must be creative. Yet, most of today’s workers continue to be trapped by left brain thinking, or logical thinking, that fails to get the results they want. Our guest is thought leader, strategist and author Bill Donius. Bill’s first book, Thought Revolution: How to Unlock Your Inner Genius, debuted last year by making all the major best-seller lists, including the New York Times, Wall Street ...
Mar 15, 2013•28 min
In 2010 Cheryl Obermiller discovered her company accountant had embezzled nearly a million dollars in a scheme that lasted for almost 8 years. The embezzlement caused serious problems for Obermiller Construction Services, and resulted in a federal penitentiary sentence for her accountant. Since then, Cheryl has become a popular speaker on embezzlement prevention and awareness and has designed a comprehensive program to give business owners control of their accounting systems. Her new book, My Ac...
Mar 08, 2013•33 min
Are you a start-up or small business looking to raise capital? In order to do so, you must have a business plan that investors will love. Cheree Warrick, author of Creating Business Plans that Actually Get Financed, will be our guest. During our interview, she’ll reveal: Shocking statistics about how much money is actually out there 6 parts to an investable business plan Biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when writing business plans Why banks and angel investors say NO to great business ideas H...
Mar 01, 2013•31 min
Over the past decade, the growth in the number of women-owned firms with $10 million or more in revenues has increased by a startling 56.6 percent. My guest Julie Weeks is the researcher who uncovered the never-before-published data and authored a new report, commissioned by American Express Open. Join us as we explore the achievements of million-dollar women-owned firms, the reasons for the rapid growth, and impact of these women-led firms on the way America does business. Julie Weeks is the Pr...
Feb 08, 2013•30 min
Barnett Helzberg, Jr., former chair of Helzberg Diamonds, joins us to talk about his new book, Entrepreneurs+Mentors=Success. From 1962, when Helzberg took the reins of the company his grandfather founded in 1915, he expanded it from 15 stores to the third largest jewelry retailer in the country. He sold Helzberg Diamond's to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway in 1995. After selling the business, Helzberg founded HEMP - the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program, an organization that connec...
Feb 01, 2013•33 min
Shifting your focus from “getting to giving” is not only a nice way to live life…but a very financially profitable way, as well. You cannot control “The” Economy but you can absolutely control “Your” economy. Join us to find out what Bob Burg, coauthor of the international bestseller The Go-Giver, means when he talks about “giving” — and why it makes absolutely practical sense. Bob is a sought-after speaker at corporate conventions and entrepreneurial events. He has addressed audiences ranging i...
Jan 25, 2013•29 min
Rey Ybarra is the author/producer of the multimedia digital book “Conversations With Shark Tank Winners.” The book features interviews with winners/participants from the hit ABC TV show Shark Tank. Rey joins us to discuss how these entrepreneurs landed a spot on the show, what the auditioning process was like, insights into presenting to the Sharks, and how the Shark Tank Effect changed their businesses. Rey is an experienced talk show host and with more than 14 years of experience and a feature...
Jan 18, 2013•30 min
PeterStrople of strategic advisory firm Zero2 is on a first-name basis with some of the country's top business leaders and thinkers -- a network that provides him crucial feedback on big decisions and new ideas. It's all the result of authentic networking, and it's a skill you can use to grow your business. Join Peter and Kelly as they talk about ways you can build a powerful network of your own! Peter has been called “One of the World’s Great Rainmakers,” “The Most Connected Man in America,” an...
Jan 11, 2013•34 min
With the job market and unemployment in the shape they're in today, why should employers be concerned about why employees leave? Best-selling business author Leigh Branham's exhaustive research gets to the bottom of that question, and also reveals the seven hidden reasons employee leave - even during bad economic times. Leigh is the founder and principal of Keeping the People, a talent management consulting firm that helps companies analyze the root causes of turnover and employee disengagement,...
Jan 04, 2013•30 min
Ken Segall, the marketing genius who put the "i" in iMac, iTunes and other Apple products, has worked with some of the world's largest corporations, including BMW, IBM and Intel. Join Ken and Kelly as they talk about how focus and simplicity can bring new power to your brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 28, 2012•29 min
Smart Companies Radio welcomes international speaker, author and marketing guru, John Jantsch. In his latest book, The Commitment Engine, John looks at what sets truly great businesses apart. Those companies, he found, tend to have a hunger for extreme clarity, a culture of shared commitment and a ridiculous passion for community. Join Kelly and John as they talk about ways you can establish lasting commitment in your employees, customers and community. Seth Godin calls the book "insanely brave ...
Dec 21, 2012•39 min
