How can understanding the user journey lead to more authentic relationships and business growth? Josh Elledge, the founder of Up My Influence, is a pioneering advocate for building relationships through influence and integrity. With a background as a Navy journalist and as the creator of a successful seven-figure business, Josh underscores the importance of being a valuable resource and leading with generosity. He believes that by serving others and providing value without expecting immediate re...
Apr 28, 2025•36 min
What is the significance of understanding the distinction between operating and strategic finance in hiring a CFO? Oana Labes, a seasoned CPA and MBA originally from Romania, has made significant strides in bridging the gap between controllers and CFOs through her innovative company focused on CFO brain technology. With her entrepreneurial spirit and extensive experience as a senior commercial lender in Ontario, Labes observed the frequent disconnect between company goals and financial reporting...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min
How can tariffs affect employees and what support measures can be taken? On this special episode of The CEO Project podcast, host Jim Schleckser is joined by co-host Sharon McGuire for an in-depth conversation about the ripple effects of tariffs on business strategy and operations. With nearly half of CEOs expecting to raise prices in response to rising input costs, the discussion dives into how leaders are adapting to an unpredictable global trade environment. Topics include the importance of d...
Apr 14, 2025•25 min
What is the difference between product solution fit and product market fit? David Hirschfeld is a seasoned software development expert with over three decades of experience, having held leadership roles at renowned companies like Computer Associates and Intel. He is known for his critical stance on traditional software development methodologies, which he argues often lead to prolonged development cycles and excessive costs. Advocating for his innovative "launch first method," Hirschfeld focuses ...
Apr 07, 2025•34 min
What is hand raiser marketing and how does it impact the path to purchase? Erik Huberman, the visionary founder of Hawk Media, is renowned for his innovative, data-driven marketing strategies that are customized to meet the unique needs of each business. With a track record of success working alongside industry leaders like Red Bull and Verizon, Erik emphasizes the importance of curiosity and deep analytical insights in developing effective marketing campaigns. His approach underscores the neces...
Mar 31, 2025•30 min•Ep. 119
How do core values influence decision-making processes for success? Dr. John DeMartini's journey is an inspiring narrative of resilience and personal transformation, marked by his triumph over early learning disabilities and a tumultuous youth as a street kid and surfer. Following a pivotal near-death experience at 17, he was motivated to conquer his academic struggles and pursue a path of lifelong learning and teaching. Driven by an unwavering commitment and the support of his family, Dr. DeMar...
Mar 24, 2025•33 min
How can unique language and consistent messaging help brands stand out in a competitive market? Barry LaBov, founder of Labov Marketing Communications and Training, is a visionary leader in the realm of business differentiation. His accolades, including being a two-time Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and an Entrepreneur Hall of Fame inductee, reflect his mastery in crafting distinctive strategies that help businesses stand out in competitive markets. LaBov's perspective on differentiat...
Mar 17, 2025•35 min
How does integrating strategy development and implementation as a double loop learning process benefit organizations? Laura Barnard is a distinguished leader in project management, celebrated as a world PMO Influencer of the Year by the PMO Global Alliance. As the founder of PMO Strategies Project Management Office and the developer of the Impact Engine system, Laura has dedicated nearly three decades to advancing the field by empowering organizations to maximize their strategic goals' return on...
Mar 10, 2025•34 min
How should thought leadership content be tailored to stand out and solve real problems? Peter Winick, the founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage, is a seasoned expert in guiding individuals and organizations to expand their influence through well-crafted thought leadership platforms. With over two decades of experience, Winick emphasizes the necessity of tailoring these platforms to various settings, whether it be personalized one-on-one interactions or broader broadcast environments, to...
Mar 03, 2025•30 min
What is the significance of identifying synergies in Mergers & Acquisitions? In this episode, Jim is joined by Sharon McGuire for an insightful discussion on corporate acquisitions. Drawing from their combined experience, they explore how successful mergers require a strategic and structured approach, treating them as integral processes rather than isolated events. The conversation delves into the meticulous aspects of strategy development, target identification, and diligent execution neede...
Feb 24, 2025•36 min
Why should companies focus on their uniqueness and meeting customer needs instead of competing directly with industry giants? Philippe Bouissou, a renowned business strategist and founder of Blue Dots Partners, has dedicated his career to understanding the factors that drive business growth. With extensive experience in entrepreneurship, CEO roles, and venture capitalism, Bouissou has significantly shaped the business landscape through his consulting projects and investments. He believes that al...
Feb 17, 2025•34 min
How do peer groups contribute to continuous improvement and shared experiences over time? Leo Bottary is a distinguished authority on peer advisory groups, especially in the context of enhancing the experiences and performance of CEOs. He stresses the importance of selecting peer group members based on psychographic traits such as curiosity, arrogance, and a sense of humor, along with a diversity of industries and experiences, to promote comprehensive learning and growth. Bottary also underscore...
Feb 10, 2025•32 min
Why should CEOs approach litigation as a strategic tool rather than a reactive burden? In this episode of The CEO Project podcast, host Jim Schleckser sits down with Mo Lovett, founder of Mo Lovett Law and a Chambers-ranked Band 1 trial lawyer. Mo brings her extensive experience handling high-stakes litigation for global corporations. The conversation dives into practical insights for CEOs on navigating legal challenges, managing risk, and leveraging litigation as a business strategy. Mo also di...
Feb 03, 2025•35 min
How do family businesses balance tradition, professionalism, and growth to thrive across generations? In this episode of The CEO Project, host Jim Schleckser is joined by Sharon McGuire, Executive Membership and Marketing Manager at The CEO Project, for a candid discussion on the complexities of running a family business. Together, they examine critical challenges such as balancing family loyalty with professionalism, navigating succession planning, and retaining top talent. Using real-world exa...
Jan 27, 2025•31 min
How can effective talent management secure your organization's future success? In this episode of The CEO Project, host Jim Schleckser is joined by co-host Sharon McGuire, Executive Membership and Marketing Manager at The CEO Project, for an insightful discussion on effective talent management strategies. Together, they explore essential frameworks like the 9-box analysis to evaluate and develop team members, ensuring organizations have the right talent to thrive today and in the future. From id...
Jan 13, 2025•34 min
Why is visual communication essential for leadership and driving business success? In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Olina Glindevi, the Visual Agile Coach and author of The Visual Agile Coach Playbook. Olina shares her unique approach to integrating visual communication techniques into Agile practices to foster better engagement, communication, and value delivery within teams. Drawing on her extensive experience in IT and Agile roles such as Scrum Master and Agile C...
Jan 06, 2025•23 min
Why is strategic HR leadership essential for driving the success and growth of your business? In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Dethra U. Giles, founder and CEO of ExecuPrep, a premier talent and performance management consulting firm. Dethra shares insights from her extensive experience in conflict resolution and organizational development, advocating for intentional career mapping and coaching as essential tools for advancing from managerial to executive roles. Tog...
Dec 23, 2024•32 min
Are you stressed, anxious and burning out at work and ready to put a stop to it? In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Michael D. Levitt, founder and Chief Burnout Officer of the Breakfast Leadership Network and host of the Breakfast Leadership Show podcast. Michael shares his personal experience with burnout and how he now helps, guides, and coaches others to overcome it in their own lives. Together, they explore strategies for overcoming burnout and recognizing its roo...
Dec 16, 2024•31 min
Are you sacrificing your success and happiness by ignoring your core values in the decisions that matter most? In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Dino Cattaneo, a veteran executive coach and branding expert with over 30 years of experience. Dino, the host of the Authentic Leadership for Everyday People Podcast, shares his journey from journalist to C-suite executive, offering deep insights into aligning personal values with professional decisions. Together, they explo...
Dec 09, 2024•35 min
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast , host Jim Schleckser and Sharon Maguire discuss the critical link between strategy development and execution, emphasizing the importance of treating them as an iterative, interconnected process. Using frameworks like Henry Mintzberg's "Two Loops of Learning," they highlight how organizations must adapt strategies dynamically—refining tactical approaches while continuously reevaluating overarching goals to stay aligned with market changes and organizati...
Nov 24, 2024•38 min
In this engaging episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser introduces a compelling discussion on productivity with a special guest, Penny Zenker. Penny, a productivity expert, bestselling author, and former C-suite executive, shares valuable insights on overcoming perfectionism, procrastination, and distractions to achieve hyper-focus and productivity. The episode emphasizes self-awareness, intentionality, and fostering a culture where teams feel empowered and accountable. CEOs can...
Nov 16, 2024•39 min
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser interviews Brent Yeagy, the CEO of Wabash, a publicly traded company specializing in transportation and distribution assets, including trailers and digital solutions. Wabash, founded in 1985, operates across manufacturing, service, and distribution locations, generating billions in revenue. The discussion delves into how Wabash differentiates itself through customer-focused, innovative services, including their subscription-based "t...
Nov 10, 2024•36 min
Welcome to The CEO Project Podcast, where Jim Schleckser, author of Great CEOs Are Lazy , discusses ways top CEOs can optimize their businesses. Jim announces the rebranding of the podcast from "The Lazy CEO" to "The CEO Project Podcast," aligning with the project's broader mission. Today's guest, Bradley Hamner, a business growth coach, shares his journey from struggling in his first business to developing a scalable process architecture that allowed him to work "on" rather than "in" his busine...
Nov 03, 2024•35 min
In this 100th episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser marks the milestone by announcing the show's upcoming name change to The CEO Project Podcast, reflecting its focus. Beginning with episode 101, listeners will find all content under the new name. Jim's guest is Jennifer Frye, the CEO of Appreciated Asset Business Solutions, which specializes in building robust sales pipelines for industry disruptors through a unique prospecting and appointment-setting service. Jennifer emphasizes...
Oct 27, 2024•33 min
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser, founder of The CEO Project, announces the upcoming name change of the podcast from The Lazy CEO Podcast to The CEO Project Podcast. The current episode is number 99, and the switch will happen after the 100th episode, although all past episodes will remain accessible. The guest on this episode is Don Schmincke, a researcher with a background in MIT and Johns Hopkins. He shares insights from his research on the high failure rates of ma...
Oct 20, 2024•34 min
In this episode of The Lazy CEO podcast, Jim Schleckser, host and founder of The CEO Project, introduces Ilias Simpson, the new President of Cart.com. Ilias talks about Cart.com's comprehensive supply chain solutions, emphasizing its omni-channel capabilities and how they manage everything from digital storefronts to order fulfillment. He explains the company's end-to-end approach, handling fulfillment for big brands like PacSun and Toms. Cart.com's ability to offer integrated marketing, order m...
Oct 12, 2024•34 min
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast , Jim Schleckser, founder of The CEO Project, discusses the growing field of customer experience engineering alongside Sharon McGuire. The episode explores how companies can design processes that delight customers, turning their experiences into key marketing tools. The hosts emphasize that understanding customers, including segmenting them based on their unique needs, is critical for crafting a successful customer journey. They touch on methods like surve...
Oct 05, 2024•35 min
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser interviews, Erwin Visser, a business development leader at Microsoft who has not only achieved success in tech but also in extreme sports, having summited Mount Everest. The conversation covers several key topics, starting with hiring top talent, focusing on exceptional personal achievements like mountain climbing. The guest shares insights on cloud migration trends and the role of AI in enhancing productivity and cybersecurity, discus...
Sep 28, 2024•35 min
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast , host Jim Schleckser dives into the world of podcasting as a business tool, exploring how it can drive growth and success. Jim welcomes Seth Greene, an expert in the field and co-host of The SharkPreneur Podcast . Seth shares his unique approach, highlighting that podcasting isn't about getting millions of downloads or sponsorship revenue. Instead, it's about building relationships with guests and leveraging those connections for business success. Seth ex...
Sep 19, 2024•33 min
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast , host Jim Schleckser discusses the importance of a relentless desire to learn, particularly for CEOs and leaders. Schleckser introduces his guest, Damon Lembi, a two-time bestselling author and learning platform host, who has helped over two million people enhance their skills. The conversation centers around the concept of learning as a key competitive advantage for companies and leaders. Lembi shares his personal journey, from his early career in baseba...
Sep 14, 2024•35 min
