corporate cpr

Corporate CPR Episode 110: How Not To Be Scooped Up Unwillingly In An Acquisition

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how not to be scooped up unwillingly in an acquisition with Jason Radisson.

Jason Radisson is a seasoned unicorn breeder with 20+ years of expertise in strategy, operations, and growth. As the CEO and Founder of Movo, an HCM platform, he’s revolutionizing frontline workforce management globally, boasting 700,000+ users across various industries. Formerly with McKinsey & Company and Uber, Jason’s track record includes scaling businesses, notably 99-Taxis, which he grew 10x before its $1B acquisition. Passionate about empowering the frontline workforce, he champions digital solutions to uplift communities. Jason, a Holy Cross alum and multilingual Fulbright Scholar, balances his professional achievements with family and outdoor pursuits, embodying a holistic approach to success.

Episode Highlights:

  • Importance of Differentiation: Industries consolidate where there’s economies of scale. Having a unique differentiator that the market values is crucial for success.
  • Role of Capital Markets: The movement of capital plays a significant role in determining winners, especially in later funding rounds where large sums of money are involved. Convincing capital markets of your company’s potential is key.
  • Diagnosing Corporate Health: Assessing threats to the organization involves analyzing both strategy and execution. Poor execution can undermine even a solid strategy.
  • Avoiding Irrelevance: Staying relevant amidst industry consolidation requires a focus on differentiation and addressing unmet needs in the market.
  • Building a Following: Building a loyal following can be achieved through various means, including product innovation, marketing, and targeting underserved markets.
  • Operational Efficiency: Maintaining capital efficiency and operational leanness is crucial for sustainable growth, especially in the face of competition and potential acquisitions. Top of Form

Jason’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Find your unique differentiator.
  2. Capital efficiency and frugality contributes significantly to overall sustainability. Even if other aspects like differentiation or strategy are not fully developed, being lean and frugal ensures longevity and reduces vulnerability to hostile takeovers or industry consolidation efforts.
  3. Maintaining a global perspective fosters invaluable cross-industry insights, allowing for the adaptation of successful practices from international corporations to local contexts.

How to Connect with Jason:

Website: https://movo.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-radisson/

Corporate CPR Episode 108: How Your Lack of Consciousness May Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how your lack of consciousness may be killing your company.

Tom Willis believes we are all born with unlimited potential. As a former classroom teacher, he also believes in the power of lifelong learning. These beliefs have shaped his primary goal in life: helping others move beyond their self-limiting beliefs so they can reach their true potential.  
 
Prior to co-founding Phoenix Partners, he had the great honor of serving as the CEO for Cornerstone, a school system in Detroit.  He was fortunate to earn an engineering degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.  

Episode Highlights:

  1. Clarity of Purpose: Helping individuals and teams get clear about their fundamental purpose in life and how it aligns with the purpose of the organization is crucial for fostering meaningful engagement and alignment.
  2. Focus on Impact: It’s essential to shift the focus from simply creating cool technology or products to understanding the real impact and societal benefits of the work being done, such as providing access to transportation services for those in need.
  3. Motivation through Contribution: Human beings are universally motivated by making a difference and being helpful. Understanding and connecting with employees’ personal motivations and values can drive engagement and commitment to shared goals.
  4. Leadership, Management, Coaching: Effective leadership involves a balance of leadership, management, and coaching. Each aspect plays a role in creating a culture of growth and accountability, with leadership and coaching being emphasized more than traditional management.
  5. Conscious Time Management: Being conscious about how time is spent, prioritizing activities that contribute to personal and team growth, and focusing less on mundane tasks or “chores” can lead to significant improvements in organizational effectiveness and results.
  6. Leadership Modeling: Leaders must embody the desired culture through their actions and behaviors, setting the tone for the entire organization.
  7. Feedback Loops: Establish regular feedback mechanisms to gather input on the current culture and identify areas for improvement from employees at all levels.
  8. Training and Development: Invest in training programs that support the development of key cultural competencies, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a positive work environment.

Tom’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. If you are a CEO or Superintendent, check out our group called The Interchange made up of leaders from across the country who get together about once a month.
  2. Read our book The Great Engagement. Whether you’re a CEO of a large team or CEO of your life this book can help.   
  3. Start asking people around you to help you become more conscious. Ask them questions like “how can I improve as a husband, a teammate, a father? etc.

For Resources Related to This Episode Visit:

https://www.phoenixperform.com/corporatecpr

Corporate CPR Episode 105: How Success Might Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how success might be killing your company. 

Alex Atwood, a purpose-driven entrepreneur, has built a career marked by success in founding and leading four impactful companies. Over two decades, Alex has served over 8,000 satisfied customers in staffing, hospitality, and facilities management. Beyond entrepreneurship, Alex is an angel investor supporting ventures for a better world and a philanthropist, particularly dedicated to family businesses. Engaging in personal growth, Alex participates in Landmark Worldwide coaching and adheres to Nonviolent Communication principles. A diverse range of interests includes meditation, self-exploration modalities, drumming, and a newfound passion for skateboarding. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex’s latest venture focuses on providing non-toxic disinfection services, promoting regulatory compliance, and reemploying displaced hospitality workers in the D.C. and Baltimore metro area.

Episode Highlights:

• Warning Against Complacency: The danger of complacency, especially after achieving success, is highlighted. Complacency can lead to stagnation and negatively impact both individual and organizational progress.

• Impact of Complacency on Industries: The concept extends to how complacency can cause a “mortality event” for companies and even entire industries. Examples, such as the transformation of the taxi industry with the rise of ride-sharing, emphasize the need for continuous adaptation.

• Transformational Mindset: A transformative mindset is described as being continuously curious about possibilities and embracing evolution. The importance of thinking outside the current framework, fostering creativity, and maintaining an open thought process is emphasized.

• Empowering Culture: Transformative leadership involves empowering employees by creating a culture where curiosity, creativity, and diverse ideas are encouraged. The role of leadership in establishing an authentic, empowering culture within an organization is underscored.

• Strategic Innovation and Continuous Transformation: Companies need to prioritize strategic innovation and continuously transform, not just in products or services but also in the way they manage their organizations. The key lies in staying ahead of the curve, being receptive to change, and having a genuine commitment to transformation.

• Psychedelic Therapeutics and Business Transformation: Business leaders increasingly turn to psychedelic experiences, such as ayahuasca retreats, to break through self-limiting behaviors and enhance their effectiveness, reflecting a broader trend of exploring unconventional practices for personal and professional growth.

• Integration of Psychedelic Experiences: The psychedelic journey involves intentional preparation, group interactions, and post-experience discussions, emphasizing the importance of integrating insights gained into daily life for sustained personal growth.

• Transformation in Business Analogous to Personal Growth: Examining companies like McDonald’s underscores the imperative for businesses to continuously transform and adapt in messaging, branding, and offerings to remain relevant in a dynamic and evolving market.

Alex’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Be curious in everything you do.
  2. Empower others. 
  3. Have fun. Be more creative and enjoy the work you do because it doesn’t need to be a grind. If you’re not having fun, you’re probably doing it wrong. 

How to Connect with Alex:

Website: https://alexatwood.co/         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexatwood/

Corporate CPR Episode 104: How To Help Your Employees Become More Resilient

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how to help your employees become more resilient. 

Michele Phillips is a seasoned corporate trainer and transformational personal coach. As President of Key Performance and award-winning author of ‘Happiness is a Habit,’ Michele has shaped a fulfilling 23-year entrepreneurial career. Her impact extends globally, guiding Fortune 500 companies like TAG Heuer and Pfizer. Michele excels in one-on-one coaching, seamlessly integrating neuroscience, habit formation, and positive psychology to elevate happiness and performance. With a Master’s in Organizational Development from Fordham University, Michele’s expertise is honed by certifications and mentorship. A sought-after writer and speaker, her book ranked among Amazon’s top self-help books in 2017.

Episode Highlights:

  • Empowerment and Recognizing Inner Power: The speaker underscores the importance of empowering individuals to recognize and utilize their inner power, asserting that everyone possesses more power than they realize.
  • Three-Pronged Approach in Corporate Training: The speaker employs a three-pronged approach in corporate training, including training workshops, individual coaching, and result evaluation to ensure employees make a positive impact.
  • Continuous Improvement in Project Management: Emphasizing the dynamic nature of project management, the content stresses the importance of continuous improvement, adaptability, and regular reflection, encouraging a commitment to learning from both successes and failures.
  • Results-Focused Agile Leadership: The speaker advocates for a results-focused approach in leadership, emphasizing regular assessment of project phases, adoption of agile methodologies, and investment in professional development for project teams.
  • Resilient Leadership and Preparedness: Leaders who value development and provide ongoing support, including training, coaching, and resources, contribute to building resilience in teams. Additionally, preparing employees for economic uncertainty involves keeping skills updated and fostering an adaptable mindset.

Michele’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Ask yourself, if you want your business to grow 30%, what are you doing to grow your people 30%?
  2. As a leader, make sure you have the propensity to develop other people.
  3. Invest in training and coaching. 

How to Connect with Michele:

Website: www.key2unlock.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michele-phillips-9409707/

Corporate CPR Episode 102: How Lack Of Alignment Within Your Organization Might Be Stunting Your Growth

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how lack of alignment within your organization might be stunting your growth. 

Jim Stevenson, Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group, an International Growth Consultants firm, specializes in Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. Committed to making growth the focus of strategy, he excels in creating customer-centric plans, go-to-market strategies, and aligning capabilities for revenue growth. As the visionary behind Tech Startup Machine, Jim collaborates with global brands and startups, providing digital services, from e-commerce to brand protection. Noteworthy clients include Guardian News, Bacardi, and Hilton Hotels. A Thought Leader and Speaker on Digital Strategies, Marketing, and Business, Jim’s specialties encompass Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. His versatile roles include Interim/Fractional Chair, CEO, Leader, Consultant, or Coach.

Episode Highlights:

Cultural Foundation: A strong, shared culture is foundational for a growing company’s success. Maintaining this culture becomes challenging as organizations expand, but it is crucial to prevent the formation of silos that hinder overall alignment and productivity.

Vision and Leadership Alignment: Continuous emphasis on the North Star or overarching vision is vital for a growing organization. Lack of alignment at the leadership level, including the board, CEO, and C-suite, can lead to divergent objectives and hinder overall progress.

OKRs for Strategic Alignment: Implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) is a powerful strategy for aligning teams with overarching company goals. Focusing on challenging OKRs, cascaded from the top down, ensures a balance between aspiration and achievability.

Testing and Learning: Embracing a mindset of continuous testing and learning is crucial, especially for smaller entrepreneurial companies. Setting a clear time horizon for metrics and accepting the possibility of mistakes are key to the learning process.

Start Small for Big Impact: Initiating change through smaller, impactful projects can have a significant effect when steering a large organization. Proving success on a small scale generates enthusiasm and paves the way for broader and more significant transformations.

Jim’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Culture is a big thing.
  2. Alignment at all levels of the organization is critical.
  3. Focus on executive sponsorship. 

How to Connect with Jim:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstevenson/

Corporate CPR Episode 101: Why You Might Be Killing Innovation Within Your Organization

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about why you might be killing innovation within your organization. 

Robyn Bolton, Founder of MileZero, collaborates with medium to large businesses, guiding them through uncertainty to drive revenue growth. With a focus on innovation, she transforms deep customer insights into viable businesses, having worked with notable companies such as Medtronic and Teachers Pay Teachers. Formerly a Partner at Innosight, she served Global 1000 firms, including Nike and Nestle, shaping new markets and business models. Robyn, an MBA graduate from Harvard Business School, began her career at Procter & Gamble, leading the North American launch of Swiffer. A respected thought leader, her articles on innovation appear in major publications, and she frequently speaks on topics like Intrapreneurship and Design Thinking. 

Episode Highlights:

Strategic Innovation for Growth: Innovation is pivotal for organizational growth, addressing the “growth gap” and maintaining competitiveness in dynamic markets.

Adapting to Rapid Change: Established companies face the challenge of adapting to accelerated technological change, necessitating quicker innovation cycles for sustained relevance.

Clear Definition Drives Alignment: A shared and clear definition of innovation is essential to align diverse perceptions within organizations, ensuring cohesive efforts.

Diversified Portfolio Approach: Success in innovation requires a balanced portfolio encompassing incremental, adjacent, and transformative approaches, each demanding specific structures for optimal execution.

Leadership’s Dual Mandate: Leaders play a pivotal role in maintaining operational efficiency while fostering the adaptability essential for driving and sustaining innovation initiatives.

Robyn’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Leaders, the tension you feel between operating and innovating is real. You goal now is to figure out how to live with that tension and both operate and innovate in the best way for your organization. 
  2. Innovation isn’t an event. It can start with one, but make sure you have a plan for how to keep the momentum going. 
  3. Get really good at incremental innovation and set up a separate team and structure to focus on adjacent innovation.

How to Connect with Robyn:

Website: https://www.milezero.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton/

Corporate CPR Episode 100: How Communication Might Be Killing Your Organization

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how communication might be killing your organization.

Pam Hurley, PhD, is the founder and president of Hurley Write, Inc., a certified women-owned small business. Pam’s teaching style has been described as “energetic” and “straightforward.” Indeed, many clients credit Pam with giving them the strategies they needed to start thinking critically about their own writing. 

Episode Highlights:

Impact of Effective Writing: Effective writing plays a critical role in shaping an organization’s reputation, customer relationships, and financial success. Poor writing can lead to confusion, questions, and damage to the company’s image.

Undervaluation of Writing Skills: Many organizations undervalue the importance of writing skills, expressing a need for quality documents while neglecting to invest in the development of their employees’ writing proficiency. There is an assumption that a college education ensures adequate writing skills.

Time and Cost Consequences: Poor writing has not only communication quality implications but also significant time and cost repercussions due to repeated document iterations and reviews. This is especially noticeable when employees, such as project managers, are burdened with excessive reviewing responsibilities that detract from their primary roles.

Equal Rigor for Internal Communication: Internal communication, encompassing emails and other documents, deserves the same level of scrutiny as client-facing communication. Miscommunication internally can lead to problems, impacting relationships and rapport within the organization.

Audience-Centric Writing: Deep understanding of the audience is crucial in effective writing. Knowing the attributes, relationships, and context of the reader aids in tailoring the tone, voice, and content appropriately. This prevents misunderstandings and enhances the overall effectiveness of communication, both internally and externally.

Pam’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Think of the organization in terms of the communication. Is there an organizational problem? Do you have a communication standard in place?
  2. Writing should be part of your overall strategic plan for the company. 
  3. Always think about the planning of your documents. 

How to Connect with Pam:

Website: https://www.hurleywrite.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hurleywrite/

Corporate CPR Episode 99: Making Finance-Driven Decisions

/ Jana

On today’s episode, we are talking about making finance-driven decisions.

Paul Barnhurst, known as The FP&A Guy, is a seasoned Finance Professional with over 12 years of experience in finance and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). He holds a bachelor’s degree from BYU, an MBA specializing in finance, and a Master of Information Management from Arizona State University. Paul’s diverse career spans various industries, including government, travel services, finance, automotive, Cyber Security, and Ecommerce. His expertise lies in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, modeling, report building, and business partnership. Paul recently launched The FP&A Guy, offering FP&A consulting for small and mid-sized companies, FP&A training, and content creation. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, he’s an active thought leader on LinkedIn in the FP&A field.

Episode Highlights:

  • Financial Modeling for Informed Decisions: Financial modeling is a critical tool for making informed decisions. It involves creating dynamic models with inputs and outputs to estimate the financial implications of various scenarios, such as business expansion. Good financial modeling helps in projecting likely outcomes.
  • Aligning Strategy with Finance: Financial modeling in the corporate context plays a key role in aligning strategic plans with financial considerations. It engages different departments in the budgeting and forecasting process, ensuring that business decisions are financially sound and in line with the company’s overall strategy.
  • M&A as an Art and Science: Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) strategies should combine both financial analysis and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Successful M&A deals require discipline to avoid overpaying or making unrealistic assumptions. It’s both an art and a science.
  • Building Robust M&A Models: In M&A, success hinges on having a robust financial model, conducting effective due diligence, understanding the strategic fit between companies, and structuring deals intelligently. Consideration of market conditions and future exit strategies is essential.
  • Key Considerations for Informed M&A: When considering M&A, focus on key factors such as financial aspects, the technology state of the target company, cultural fit, legal risks, and understanding industry growth or decline. These considerations are fundamental for making well-informed decisions during mergers and acquisitions.

Paul’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Modeling is only one decision-making tool. It should be used to help guide your decisions, not dictate them.
  2. Most M&As do not result in a return to the buyer so make sure you bring discipline to your process and try to remove emotion.
  3. Make sure you’re asking Finance for help. Finance can bring a lot of value, especially if they are willing to learn & partner with the business.  

How to Connect with Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/   

Email: Pbarnhurst@thefpandaguy.com

Website: www.thefpandaguy.com

Corporate CPR Episode 96: Whether You Should Be Considering Return To Work

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about whether you should be considering return to work.

Doug Camplejohn, a seasoned tech executive and entrepreneur, is the Founder and CEO of Airspeed, a platform for enhancing employee connections and recognition. With leadership experience at LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Salesforce, Doug is also an investor and advisor to startups. He’s a frequent speaker at industry events and is passionate about leveraging technology for innovation and improvement. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University.

Episode Highlights:

  1. Return to Work Dynamics: The discussion on returning to work highlights diverse perspectives, including those in favor, against, and undecided on the matter.
  2. Motivations for Returning to Work: The motivations behind companies pushing for a return to the office are explored, including factors like real estate concerns, habit, and potential mistrust.
  3. Flexibility and Hybrid Work: The importance of workplace flexibility is emphasized, exemplified by Apple’s approach of making remote work an earned privilege based on performance.
  4. Fostering Connection: Strategies for fostering connection in remote and hybrid work environments are discussed, including techniques like Ice Breakers, which help team members get to know each other on a personal level beyond work-related discussions.
  5. Building Relationships and Mentorship: Building relationships in a remote work setting can be challenging, but it’s essential for mentorship and personal growth. The conversation suggests that employees should proactively seek out mentors and engage with colleagues through tools like virtual meetings and apps designed for connecting people.
  6. Remote Work Offers a Global Talent Pool:  The ability to hire talent from around the world is a major benefit of remote work. This global talent pool allows companies to find and employ individuals with the skills they need without being restricted to a specific geographic location.
  7. Work-Life Harmony: Companies should emphasize “work-life harmony” rather than “work-life balance.” Remote work allows employees to have more flexibility in managing their work schedules to accommodate personal commitments, ultimately leading to happier and more balanced lives.

Doug’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. You can’t leave culture to chance; you have to be deliberate. 
  2. Culture isn’t about words on a plaque. People are everything. 
  3. The role of startup CEOs, and even managers in larger corporations, is MVP (Money, Vision, People). 

For More Info About Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

https://b.link/corporatecpr

How to connect with Doug:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camplejohn/

Email: d@getairspeed.com

Corporate CPR Episode 95: Why You May Not Be Hearing Your Employees

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about why you may not be hearing your employees.

Marsha Acker is known internationally as a facilitator of meaningful conversations, a host of dialogue, and a passionate agilest. Through her keynotes, books, workshops, and leadership coaching, she empowers leaders around the world to show up authentically in their lives and work — and to grow their leadership range so they can create sustainable, intentional, and positive impact. Drawing on systems thinking, structural dynamics, agility, and over 25 years’ experience in the field helping leaders and teams collaborate and align, she developed Build Your Model for Leading Change to support those stepping into new leadership roles and responsibilities.

Episode Highlights:

Front Page Crisis in Leadership: The concept of a “front page crisis,” is where leaders must deal with high-stakes situations and receive feedback from employees that becomes public news. This emphasizes the importance of effective leadership during critical moments.

Communication Styles Matter: “Structural dynamics” can be a framework for understanding communication styles, including power, affect, and meaning. Leaders need to recognize and adapt to these communication domains to improve their effectiveness in various situations.

Childhood Stories Impact Leadership: Childhood experiences often shape how leaders respond in professional settings. Exploring and understanding these early stories can help leaders navigate their communication patterns and behaviors more effectively in the workplace.

Three Operating Systems:

  1. Open System: Encourages open dialogue and participation from all.
  2. Closed System: Involves hierarchical decision-making with limited autonomy.
  3. Random System: Emphasizes autonomy and fosters innovation.

Four Conversation Actions:

  1. Move: Sets direction and proposes new ideas.
  2. Follow: Supports existing ideas.
  3. Oppose: Provides a different perspective or correction.
  4. Bystand: Offers neutral observations.

Identifying Communication Issues:

  1. Repetitive Conversations: Repeated discussions without resolution signal communication problems.
  2. Resistance to Opposition: If opposing viewpoints aren’t welcomed, diversity in discussions is lacking.
  3. Subtle Signs of Concern: Unvoiced concerns may manifest as topic shifts or silence in meetings.

Marsha’s Top 2 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Separate the What from the How in meetings and conversations. What is the topic and how are people engaging?
  2. Catch yourself when you start to defend your point of view. Instead, try to bring inquiry into the conversation.

How to connect with Marsha:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marsha-acker-3486a72

Website: www.buildyourmodel.com