Ripple Effect: Recent Episodes
Chris Byers
What difference has your work made today? Problem solvers all over the world often struggle with this question. Conquering our biggest workplace challenges isn’t proven by ROI and data alone. It takes impact on people to truly move the needle forward.
Your work has value. Sometimes, it just takes a different perspective to see how you make a difference. On this productivity podcast, Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack, digs into how seemingly small choices we make can create lasting change. As Chris connects with professionals from all over the country, he reveals how making simple, yet smart business decisions can cause a ripple effect.
After listening to our podcast, you may think differently about who you’ve impacted.
In this special bonus episode, Ryan and Lindsay are sharing some clips from the cutting room floor of Season 6. Tune in for advice on effectively automating your work and planning quarterly innovation days. Plus, get a little dose of paper hating to hold you over in between seasons.
We'll be back with more Practically Genius soon!
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Welcome to Practically Speaking, the monthly show where hosts Ryan and Lindsay talk about the topics that changemakers, digital leaders, and innovators like you care about most.On the docket for this month’s episode:
- [00:13] Automation trends
- [03:59] Poll: How many organizations are focused on automation in ‘23?
- [09:02] #PaperHaters: stats that will blow your mind
- [12:49] One SMALL ask (with a big payoff)
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK! Take our 2-minute post-season listener feedback survey so we can keep making Practically Genius content that resonates with you.
Resources:
- Digital Maturity Assessment
- 2022 State of Digital Maturity Report
- Stop Big Paper blog resources
Become a Practically Genius Insider! Sign up for the newsletter: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Can automation remove the tedious tasks we all hate from our workdays? Daniel Zrůst, Solutions Architect at Make, believes it is possible—without needing any code or technical experience. In this episode, he explains the many benefits of integrating tools and automating workflows, such as improving speed to lead and removing human errors. Daniel also provides great suggestions on how to identify where to start your automation journey, as well as an easy blueprint for building your first “scenario.”
Identify a few candidates. Start your automation journey by focusing on the most painful yet crucial business processes.
Use no-code to fill gaps. You can rely less on developers and IT by providing employees no-code tools.
Avoid point solutions. Don’t create a “spaghetti of dependencies”—invest in software that has broad functionality and multiple uses.
Want to learn more about Make? Sign up for free and build your first automation yourself: https://bit.ly/3iqSYH1
You can also explore Make’s e-learning courses:
https://bit.ly/3IOdBHA
For regular Make users
https://bit.ly/3XkZf5z
for aspiring Make Service Partners
If you’re not concerned about cybersecurity at your organization, you’re putting your job at risk. A single successful cyberattack can negatively impact an organization’s revenue, reputation, and data for years. So what can you do to help protect your organization from data breaches, cyberattacks, and hacking incidents? Forrest Senti, Vice President of Programs and Operations at the National Cybersecurity Center, has some great tips to share. In this episode, he explains how organizations can improve their cybersecurity by using creative training methods, building better data policies, and adequately vetting the security of new tools.
Rely on automation Shift manual and paper-based processes to digital systems to minimize errors and risk.
Create thorough processes Ensure all employees know how to properly handle data by instilling clear procedures.
Invest in security training Find creative ways to engage employees in security training that keep it interesting and top of mind.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Legacy technology can feel like the boogeyman sometimes. You know it’s lurking somewhere, just waiting for the right moment to jump out and scare you. Yet tackling a monster like legacy tech takes quite a bit of time, effort, and collaboration. Luckily, there are digital transformation executives like Mia Jordan to help guide us through these hefty projects. Her work at Salesforce focuses on leading government agencies through large-scale digital transformation efforts. In this episode, she shares some unexpected ways to modernize legacy systems and encourage people to embrace change.
Unite business and IT The goals and objectives of IT and general business units should be tightly aligned and support both areas of the business.
Show off progress Use demos and presentations as a way to clearly communicate progress on projects and encourage naysayers to embrace change.
Highlight opportunities Identify how automation and modernization can create more time and opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and thrive.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Welcome to Practically Speaking, the monthly show where hosts Ryan and Lindsay talk about the topics that changemakers, digital leaders, and innovators like you care about most. On the docket for this month’s episode:
- [00:13] Making resolutions realistic
- [08:10] Wait…what does digital maturity actually mean?
- [14:30] How can we achieve team alignment in ‘23?
- [21:36] #PaperHaters: Let’s go back to the beginning
RESOURCES:
- Digital Maturity Assessment
- Geraldine Gray’s Episode of Practically Genius
- 2022 State of Digital Maturity Report
- Stop Big Paper campaign
- Stop Big Paper on YouTube
Become a Practically Genius Insider! Sign up for the newsletter:
https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Working smarter, not harder is a major benefit of technology and digitization. But getting to this promised land can be difficult. Many challenges can derail digital transformation efforts, from a lack of buy-in to deadline issues and scope creep. How can you simplify the journey to digitization and optimization? Geraldine Gray, CEO of Salesforce consulting agency Endiem, has the answers. In this conversation, Geraldine shares digitization tips she’s gathered from 10 years as a business owner, project leader, and process innovator.
Start small Identify the tools and processes you already have in place that can be incrementally improved and maximized.
Find the pain Pitching software to colleagues is easier when you understand their most painful processes and identify how they could be improved.
Prioritize based on data Make prioritization of projects easier by relying on data such as ROI, past performance, and customer feedback.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Welcome to Practically Speaking, the monthly show where hosts Ryan and Lindsay talk about the topics that changemakers, digital leaders, and innovators like you care about most .On the docket for this month’s episode:
- [00:13] Documentation: why it’s your team’s efficiency superpower
- [07:50] How familiar are you with no-code tools?
- [10:30] How to avoid data silos
- [15:13] #PaperHaters: A BIG DISCLAIMER from Lindsay and Ryan
RESOURCES:
- Rose Anne Martinuzzi’s episode of Practically Genius
- 2022 State of Digital Maturity Report
COMING UP ON PRACTICALLY GENIUS:
12/15 Geraldine Gray - CEO of Endiem on avoiding data silos
1/3 Practically Speaking January
Become a Practically Genius Insider! Sign up for the newsletter:
https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Healthcare workers are burnt out—there’s no denying that. From back-office staff and IT teams to physicians and techs, healthcare professionals have been overburdened for far too long. Paperwork, outdated systems, and manual processes continue to eat up their time and max out their capacity. What can be done to solve this problem? Nurse Informaticist Specialist Kody Johnston has discovered a solution. Listen now to learn how no-code, low-code, and citizen development can free up healthcare workers from tedious, manual tasks so they can focus on what matters most: their patients.
Focus on practical innovation Look for opportunities to solve internal problems that have a large impact across your org.
Lean into automation Integrate tools and automate processes to improve communication, data integrity, and capacity.
Enhance patient journeys Use no-code and low-code tools to provide patients a better experience and boost overall engagement.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Data silos, duplicate data, and shadow IT, oh my! These common data issues plague organizations across the globe, causing inefficiencies to run wild. This results in poor experiences and frustration internally for employees, but also externally for customers. What can be done to solve these company-wide data problems? Rose Anne Martinuzzi has the answers. In this episode, she shares the strategies she’s seen work across her 15-year career in higher education IT management.
Use focus groups Begin building trust with colleagues by bringing together end users to discuss their technology needs, wants, and gaps.
Build a data governance committee Many common data and technology issues can be avoided entirely with strong tech governance in place.
Invest time in relationships Creating widespread change is easier when people feel heard, seen, and understood from the very beginning.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Are you sick of having to move slowly when you have a brilliant idea? Philip Lakin has a genius solution to your problem: Start using no-code tools. The co-founder and CEO of NoCodeOps and Switchboard has used no-code tech to solve a variety of problems throughout his career, propelling him into bigger and better roles every time. On this episode, he explains how no-code can get you from inspiration to impact faster, as well as how easy it can be to get buy-in for these tools from colleagues and leadership.
Partner with IT When considering no-code tools, understand what the “must-haves” are from IT before exploring new tech.
Use demos instead of presentations Show off the value of your solution through a demo instead of creating a one-dimensional slide deck.
Join a community Consider joining a no-code group to learn tips and tricks from other users and to discover new tools.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Are you sick of having to move slowly when you have a brilliant idea? Philip Lakin has a genius solution to your problem: Start using no-code tools. The co-founder and CEO of NoCodeOps and Switchboard has used no-code tech to solve a variety of problems throughout his career, propelling him into bigger and better roles every time. On this episode, he explains how no-code can get you from inspiration to impact faster, as well as how easy it can be to get buy-in for these tools from colleagues and leadership.
Partner with IT When considering no-code tools, understand what the “must-haves” are from IT before exploring new tech.
Use demos instead of presentations Show off the value of your solution through a demo instead of creating a one-dimensional slide deck.
Join a community Consider joining a no-code group to learn tips and tricks from other users and to discover new tools.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Welcome to Practically Speaking, the monthly show where hosts Ryan and Lindsay talk about the topics that changemakers, digital leaders, and innovators like you care about most.
On the docket for this month’s episode:
- [00:13] Lindsay and Ryan’s process priorities for Q4
- [04:41] Who’s ready for 2023? (Apparently a lot of you!)
- [09:01] No-code and where the most optimized organizations stand
- [14:23] #PaperHaters: The financial cost of paper forms (spoiler alert: it’s BILLIONS)
RESOURCES:
- US chamber of commerce report
- 2022 State of Digital Maturity Report
COMING UP ON PRACTICALLY GENIUS:
11/2 Phil Lakin - Founder of No Code Ops talks about No-Code
11/16 Rose Anne Martinuzzi - Senior IT Project Manager of IT Procurement and Software Acquisitions at Campbell University talks about tech governance
Become a Practically Genius Insider! Sign up for the newsletter: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Welcome to Practically Speaking, the monthly show where hosts Ryan and Lindsay talk about the topics that changemakers, digital leaders, and innovators like you care about most.
On the docket for this month’s episode:
- [00:13] Lindsay and Ryan’s process priorities for Q4
- [04:41] Who’s ready for 2023? (Apparently a lot of you!)
- [09:01] No-code and where the most optimized organizations stand
- [14:23] #PaperHaters: The financial cost of paper forms (spoiler alert: it’s BILLIONS)
RESOURCES:
- US chamber of commerce report
- 2022 State of Digital Maturity Report
COMING UP ON PRACTICALLY GENIUS:
11/2 Phil Lakin - Founder of No Code Ops talks about No-Code
11/16 Rose Anne Martinuzzi - Senior IT Project Manager of IT Procurement and Software Acquisitions at Campbell University talks about tech governance
Become a Practically Genius Insider! Sign up for the newsletter: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Practically Genius, a podcast for innovators championing digitization across their organization, is back!
We're exploring how to do more with less and sharing ideas for maximizing the people, processes, and technology within your organization.
In this trailer episode, Lindsay McGuire and Ryan Greives discuss why it’s crucial to double down on making your workplace more efficient and productive.
Innovators, builders, and change agents—it’s your time to shine. There’s so much opportunity right now to make impactful changes to your world of work. Will you take initiative and lead your workplace through its next digital transformation?
Make sure you subscribe to never miss an episode.
Practically Genius, a podcast for innovators championing digitization across their organization, is back!
We're exploring how to do more with less and sharing ideas for maximizing the people, processes, and technology within your organization.
In this trailer episode, Lindsay McGuire and Ryan Greives discuss why it’s crucial to double down on making your workplace more efficient and productive.
Innovators, builders, and change agents—it’s your time to shine. There’s so much opportunity right now to make impactful changes to your world of work. Will you take initiative and lead your workplace through its next digital transformation?
Make sure you subscribe to never miss an episode.
Every month, Formstack releases a newsletter that helps operational, IT, and digital leaders create change and move their organizations toward optimal digital maturity. You'll get genius ideas, actionable tips, and smart solutions to help you drive efficient changes within your organization, all in your inbox.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Every month, Formstack releases a newsletter that helps operational, IT, and digital leaders create change and move their organizations toward optimal digital maturity. You'll get genius ideas, actionable tips, and smart solutions to help you drive efficient changes within your organization, all in your inbox.
Become an insider today: https://www.formstack.com/practically-genius-insider
Welcome to Practically Speaking, a show dedicated to highlighting practically genius ideas in less than 15 minutes. Hear Lindsay, Ryan, and special guest Chris Byers discuss takeaways from Sahil Khosla’s Genius Spotlight episode on no-code, like how all departments can benefit from this software. Lindsay and Ryan then dig into data from Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity report. This week, they cover how the most optimized organizations empower employees with no-code tools. Use the data to help convince your organization that now is the time to invest in this technology.
Sign up for the Practically Genius Insider newsletter
Modern businesses run on software, yet there are not enough software engineers to go around. So what are businesses supposed to do? Sahil Khosla has the answer: Invest in no-code tools that allow anyone in your organization to develop software. As a no-code expert and software engineer, Sahil understands why no-code should be in the tech stack of all businesses. Listen now to get a better understanding of no-code, low-code, and citizen developers. Plus, discover why this type of tech may be the key to setting your teams up for rapid growth and widespread success.
Welcome to Practically Speaking, a show dedicated to highlighting practically genius ideas in less than 15 minutes. Hear Lindsay, Ryan, and special guest Zak Pines discuss takeaways from Amanda Wodzenski's Genius Spotlight episode on project management, like how to best align teams at the start of a project. Lindsay and Ryan then dig into data from Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity report. This week, they cover how the most optimized organizations overcome technical roadblocks. Use this data to help your org learn how to empower employees, avoid long IT queues, and overcome common technical challenges that stall important projects.
Have you ever felt stuck during a project? Whether you’re about to start or are already in the trenches, lots of challenges can completely stall progress, like a lack of collaboration or getting distracted by one-off requests. But there are things you can do to avoid these issues from the get-go. Amanda Wodzenski, Principal at innovation consultancy HIKE2, joins us on this episode to discuss how alignment, governance, and vision can keep teams working efficiently towards accomplishing big goals. Discover ways to power your team through those stuck moments, no matter how difficult the project.
Welcome to Practically Speaking, a show dedicated to highlighting practically genius ideas in less than 15 minutes. Get takeaways from Denise Davis’s Genius Spotlight episode on how Emory Healthcare eliminated paper processes across 250 locations. Lindsay and Ryan then dig into data from Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity report. This week, they cover how the most optimized organizations have replaced paper with modern, digital systems. Use this data to help your organization learn how to finally break free from the grasp of Big Paper.
If you haven’t eliminated paper from your processes yet, it’s time to evaluate why. Is the status quo delaying you from making digital progress? Are you struggling to get leadership to see the problems with paper? In this episode, Denise Davis of Emory Healthcare shares how paper erodes efficiency, negatively impacts workers, and fails to deliver on customer expectations. As someone who has helped an organization of 28,000 employees and 250 locations eliminates paper, she’s seen the impact of going paperless. Spoiler: it’s well worth the effort.
Paper is problematic. Basing a process in paper limits its data accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
More data isn’t better. When shifting from paper or PDF forms to digital, consider what questions you really need to ask.
You can start small. You don’t have to go all-in with a massive process overhaul; try identifying the biggest short-term wins and start there.
Welcome to Practically Speaking, a show dedicated to highlighting practically genius ideas in less than 15 minutes. Get takeaways from Annette Franz’s Genius Spotlight episode on customer experience, like how the employee experience drives the customer experience. Lindsay and Ryan then dig into data from Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity report. This week, they cover how the most optimized organizations focus on improving the customer experience. Discover why these organizations find it easy to deliver on customer expectations.
What does the employee experience have to do with the customer experience? Everything. In this episode, Annette Franz reveals how focusing on the employee experience is one of the most effective ways to improve the customer experience. The founder and CEO of CX Journey Inc. has spent the last 30 years helping organizations build customer-centric cultures based around people. She explains how to ensure employees have the resources they need to best serve customers, as well as why CX measurements like NPS are not the most reliable way to gauge success.
Welcome to Practically Speaking, a show dedicated to highlighting practically genius ideas in less than 15 minutes. Get takeaways from Prabhjot Singh’s Genius Spotlight episode on automation, like why process is the key to automating well. Lindsay and Ryan then dig into data from Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity report. This week, they cover how the most optimized organizations use automation to improve the employee experience. Learn how automation can help make employees feel happier, less stressed, and more fulfilled.
Is automation the answer to our most frustrating workplace issues? For those dealing with repetitive tasks and manual processes, it may seem like a great solution. But there’s one big catch Prabhjot Singh wants people to understand before going all-in on automation. The President and CEO of Pyze knows a thing or two about the power, pitfalls, and impact automation can have. Learn from his experiences and don’t make this common automation mistake.
Put process before tools It’s important to develop a holistic view of systems and workflows before adding new tools into the mix.
Remove useless data If you’re asking a customer for a data point that will never get used, consider eliminating it from the process.
Analyze data in real-time. Make better and immediate business decisions by selecting tools that provide data quickly.
Check out the State of Digital Maturity Report from Formstack here.
Welcome to Practically Speaking, a show dedicated to highlighting practically genius ideas in less than 15 minutes. Get takeaways from John Kuforiji’s Genius Spotlight episode on change management, like why post-launch processes are just as important as pre-launch planning. Lindsay and Ryan then dig into data from Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity report. This week, they cover how the most optimized organizations build cultures that embrace change. Use this data to help your organization learn to thrive through innovation, iteration, and disruption.
Read Formstack’s State of Digital Maturity Report: https://resources.formstack.com/reports/state-of-digital-maturity
If change is the only constant in life, why do so many organizations still find it so daunting? What barriers keep us from embracing change and breaking free from the status quo? John Kuforiji, an IT project manager, joins us to discuss the change management best practices that can transform the culture at your workplace. If you want to drive innovation and make change easier within your organization, don’t skip this episode.
Focus on people Infuse empathy into every step of a change to make people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Speak to end-users first Successful change management hinges on including end-users from the very beginning.
Identify change champions Make implementing change easier by building a diverse team to answer questions, provide training, and address concerns.
Millions of practically genius ideas get implemented in organizations each year.
This show celebrates the changemakers who take those ideas and turn them into reality.
The Ripple Effect podcast is now Practically Genius—a show for innovators, disrupters, and everyday geniuses who make their world of work better with each brilliant idea.
In this trailer episode, you’ll meet the hosts of Practically Genius, Lindsay McGuire and Ryan Greives, and hear about what they’re excited for this season, what type of content you can expect, and when you’ll hear them next.
Subscribe to never miss an episode, and visit formstack.com/practically-genius for more content that will inspire change in your organization.
What’s the difference between innovation, iteration, and disruption? We brought digital futurist Brian Solis on to this episode to explain. The author and Salesforce Global Innovation Evangelist provides insights into how these topics are distinctly different yet interconnected. Brian breaks down how any organization—regardless of size, industry, or notoriety—can harness innovation through a simple shift in mindset. In less than 30 minutes, he shares ways to not only unlock genius at the workplace, but within yourself as well.
What do some of the most successful businesses in the world—like Ikea, Amazon, and Chewy—all have in common? They never stop innovating around the customer experience. On this episode, Jeannie Walters, CEO of Experience Investigators, explains why prioritizing the customer experience is key to building a lasting business. Jeannie has spent the last 20 years investigating which CX strategies work to deliver higher ROI, improve employee retention, and minimize customer churn. Listen now to hear her expert advice, including how to surprise and delight customers in the digital age and the best ways to use customer feedback.
Implementing new technology can take a lot of time, money, and effort—which leaves plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong. If you’ve suffered through a failed software implementation, you probably want to avoid experiencing that trauma again. Drew Weiss, VP of Global Business Technology Operations at VICE Media, joins us on this episode to help you do just that. Listen now to hear his advice on how to successfully introduce new technology to your organization, from gathering buy-in all the way through optimization.
What makes the world’s most creative people and companies tick? Stephanie Mehta knows, thanks to her experience as editor-in-chief of Fast Company.
While overseeing stories shared by business leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, she gained great insider knowledge of what makes cutting-edge companies work. Listen now to hear her practical lessons on innovating—from product to process to culture.
What does it take to prepare for the future of work?
It’s not about preparation. Because how can you prepare for what comes next, when you don’t even know what comes next? And it’s not about adapting–because if you’re adapting to the change, you’re already behind.
It’s about creating the Future of Work.
In this 3 part podcast series from Formstack, host Lindsay McGuire is equipping you with everything you need to create your own Future of Work, with insights and interviews on important topics like digital maturity, unleashing your workforce, changing expectations of customers, and company innovation.
Join us on the journey of changing your expectations, empowering your people, innovating your processes, and embracing your Future of Work, whatever that looks like.
As we end the year, we wanted to take a minute to pause and reflect on the year we had and the year ahead. Listen as host Chris Byers reflects on key moments and takeaways from Season 4 and shares what he is looking forward to in 2022.
We appreciate you joining us on our journey, and we’re excited for the future of the show. So hit that follow button because we’ll be back in 2022 to help you navigate the new world of work.
Are resumes irrelevant? How can we remove bias from recruitment processes? Can hiring be made easier yet still result in the best outcomes? These are questions Wes Winham Winler mulls over often. He believes many hidden gems get overlooked by outdated processes and assumptions. In this episode, the Founder and CEO of Woven discusses how his company is changing the way people get hired. As a neurodiverse individual with Autism, he understands how hiring can be biased. From the necessity of projects to the issues with resumes, he covers a wide array of hiring problems he’s working hard to solve.
Ryan Patel believes businesses can grow exponentially if they just do one simple thing: focus on their people. As a global leader in business who has grown companies like Pinkberry, Panda Express, and Mastercard, Ryan knows what it takes to fuel growth. Although many may think profits should be put first, Ryan shares a different spin that focuses on elevating people and creating social good. In this episode, he shares his insights, strategies, and secrets to building better businesses and scaling people.
Dave Gerhardt is one of the most prominent B2B marketing voices in SaaS. He’s practically created his own B2B marketing school through his DGMG community. In this episode, he reveals some of the most crucial steps B2B marketers can take to become better at their jobs. Through his insights on building community, understanding your audience, facing failure, and setting goals, Dave delivers on his promise to teach B2B marketing in a way that resonates with marketers at any level.
What does it take to build a great business? Tim and Sara Hale, co-founders and managing partners of Coastal Cloud, believe it’s breaking away from the norm. From recruiting consultants with incredibly diverse and nontraditional backgrounds to building a workplace focused on providing a better work-life balance, Tim and Sara share the ways they’ve strategically shifted away from “business as normal” to produce something better for employees, partners, and customers.
When Amna Sohail looks around the room during venture capital events, she’s usually shocked by the lack of women and diversity in the room. In this episode, she shares how we can all play a role in bringing more diversity into tech and the VC world. From addressing your own personal biases to the myth that pipeline is the cause of diversity issues, Amna shares insightful ideas on how we can all help build more diverse workplaces.
How are employees similar to athletes? They need time to recover in order to hit their peak performance. In this episode, Bryan Smith, co-founder of LEON, digs into the science behind employee health and happiness. Learn about the complex systems that impact employee well-being, from stress and burnout to recovery and building resiliency. This episode will help any employee, especially managers, better understand how they can create a work environment that makes employees happy, healthy, and engaged.
Ripple Effect is back for Season 4, focusing on the impact leaders create due to their decisions–no matter how big or small.
We're still asking questions like What choices had the most significant results? What circumstances led to making those decisions? And most importantly, who was most impacted?
Expert guests join host Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack, bringing unique perspectives. As the season unfolds, you'll hear remarkable stories highlighting the ripple effects their decisions created.
- A wellness professional and pro sports performance coach illustrates how wellbeing and performance align.
- A world-renowned authority on scaling businesses shares the importance of a people-first mentality.
- A senior investment analyst at a venture capital firm talks about the impact mentorship had on their career.
- A tech CEO and Founder explains why you can't count on resumes to bring you the best talent.
You’ve heard it a hundred times: Life will never go back to how it was before the pandemic. We’re in a “new normal,” from the way we work to how we get our groceries. On this special Future of Work episode, Phil Simon digs into how remote communication and collaboration are evolving thanks to technology and changing work environments. The author of the new book, “Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work,” shares more on how we can all learn to communicate and collaborate better in a mostly digital world.
What does it take to run a business on your own that pulls in over $2 million in revenue per year? A lot of focus, time management, and grit. Jeremy Clarke shares his story of entrepreneurship that started in 8th grade and led him to launch multiple successful businesses. Get the backstory on Formstack Documents, originally called WebMerge, plus insights into how to run a business, why entrepreneurship can be so fulfilling, and how to build the life you want through strategic choices.
A customer-first approach is tried and true, but sometimes we narrow in on customers so closely that we miss opportunities to innovate.
Chris Byers, joins Better Product on their latest series: The Future of Work. In the conversation they discuss the topic while previewing featured products and discussing ways of innovating efficiently.
They dive into lessons Chris has learned about remote work, inviting designers to cast a vision for your product, and balancing the future with the present.
To learn more about Better Product find there show here: https://betterproduct.community/podcasts/
As companies begin reopening their doors and reassessing how work gets done, there are a lot of work models to consider. Will your organization return to in-office, go remote, or instate a hybrid model? Drift decided to forge a different way forward: digital-first. Drift’s Chief People Officer Dena Upton explains why they made this strategic shift and how it helps remove inequities in the workplace, build relationships, and provide employees a better way to work.
We talk a lot about the national economy, but what about your local economy? In this episode, Lenderfit co-founder David Taliaferro explains how we can all make a great impact in our communities by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurship. We’ve all known someone with a dream to start a business, and David gives insights on how we can better support our friends, family, and coworkers who want to achieve this goal. Learn more about equitable capital, the barriers holding small businesses back, and ways you can help your local economy thrive.
Fear can control you or motivate you. Tiffany Sauder has used fear to fuel her successful career as CEO of Element Three for more than 15 years. She’s also navigated the sometimes difficult path of being a working mother while raising four daughters. How has she powered through doubt, fear, and indecision? What’s kept her levelheaded and strong through struggles, high stress, and disasters? Her powerful story will inspire you to rethink the role fear plays in your life and how honesty, transparency, and courage can help you overcome challenging times.
You should always follow best practices, right? Not necessarily, according to Jay Acunzo. As a marketer, Jay has dedicated his life to creating content that matters instead of maintaining the status quo or following generalized measurements of success. Whether you’re a marketer, salesperson, or product manager, his tips will help you better understand how to resonate with an audience, build a community, and create love and trust for your brand.
When you become a leading Salesforce expert at the age of 18, what challenge do you tackle next? For Seamus, it was launching his own Salesforce consulting business, while also chairing the nonprofit Michael’s Way. How does he manage such a large load? It comes down to his can-do attitude and ability to build strong relationships. Listen now as he shares his tips for success, from the importance of mentorship to how to not take no for an answer.
What’s the key to becoming a better leader? Dave Gilbertson, Chief Custom Officer at UKG, believes it’s all about building trust. From going on tour with comedian Louie Anderson to helping manage one of the largest SaaS mergers in history, Dave has many incredible experiences to draw on for leadership inspiration. Listen now to learn how he uses vulnerability and humor to bring more empathy, understanding, and trust to the workplace. His unique story and insights may make you rethink what it takes to be a great leader.
Leaving a successful career to launch a nonprofit would scare most people, but not Kalvin Jones. When he realized the lack of opportunity in tech for people of color, he knew he had to do something. So he founded the nonprofit Code Black Indy, which focuses on bringing diversity to the tech industry by preparing the next generation for technical jobs. Listen now to learn how he is connecting and engaging with black and brown students through a learning culture focused on technology.
Have you ever heard the phrase, change happens slowly then all of a sudden? It’s the understanding that transformation often occurs as a result of small decisions that compound over time.
I’m Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack and host of Ripple Effect. This season, we’re shedding light on the impact people create as a result of those small, often overlooked decisions that ultimately lead to big discoveries. Every decision has an impact, and the story is: what was the ripple effect?
Growing a business relies on constantly innovating and progressing. But with so many possibilities, how do you decide what to pursue? Gene Farrell knows the answer to this daunting question: Listen to your customers, first and foremost. In this special Future of Work episode, Gene shares powerful insights from his 20+ years of leading teams at Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Smartsheet. Listen now to learn a few simple strategies that can help you become a better innovator and leader.
Think you’ve been working remotely the past year due to COVID-19? Think again. In this special Future of Work episode, international remote work expert Laurel Farrer explains that many of us are not actually working remotely, but simply following a rough contingency plan to keep us all afloat. Discover remote work tips and best practices that can help you, your team, and your organization transition to a truly remote work environment.
We all have the ability to create better systems and processes within our organizations. Sometimes it just takes tapping into a new mindset or discovering new tools. On this special Future of Work episode, Ben Tossell, founder of Makerpad, discusses how no-code and low-code tools can empower anyone to become creators. Learn how to approach and solve problems in new ways and how no-code tools make it easier and more accessible to act on your ideas.
When you’re building a conscientious business, every decision relies on the impact made. This is how Jeremy Parker, CEO and co-founder of multi-million dollar company Swag.com, runs not only his organization, but his life. Every step he’s taken to build this modern swag distribution company has been done with purpose, intention, and focus. This trailblazer is not only revolutionizing the swag industry, but helping others discover what it means to align business success with impact.
As 2020 comes to a close, many of us are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel after a tumultuous year. In this bonus episode, we’ve compiled the best advice from this season’s guests to help you head into 2021 on a positive note. From tips on keeping company culture thriving during a pandemic to using no-code tools to be more productive, this episode covers a lot. Listen now and be ready to start 2021 with more energy, focus, and ideas.
When there’s no conference room to collaborate in, what do you do? Mike Barnes, Director of Salesforce.com Administration at GOLFNOW, digs into the innovative solutions he’s using to overcome some of the biggest roadblocks of 2020. From working remotely to adapting to contactless service, he covers a lot of changes his team navigated this year. Throw in some tech talk and Salesforce, and you’ve got yourself a jam-packed episode.
How do you reimagine an in-person conference with a 15-year history into a completely online experience? In this episode, Megan Miller and Andrew Meyers of eduWeb Digital Summit discuss the challenges and successes of pivoting an international conference with hundreds of attendees into a virtual format. Discover helpful tips on virtual event planning, managing projects, improving focus, and staying productive while working virtually.
As the world continues to rapidly change around us, it can be hard to keep up. But there’s a new kind of technology that allows any employee to be agile and go digital. Tech expert Nile Frater explains how no-code and low-code software empowers anyone to rethink processes, launch ideas, and solve problems. Listen now to learn how agile technology can help you reimagine your world of work.
When in-person work is no longer an option, you have to overhaul your processes and completely rethink how you get work done. Dr. Mark Walcott, Executive Director Advancement Systems at University of Houston, provides expert advice on how to simplify business processes in the digital age. But don’t think simplicity limits innovation; it actually enables it. Listen now to learn how to break down complexity, improve communication, and spark new ideas that can help you reimagine work.
There’s a no-code revolution happening that is empowering employees with creative tools that take zero technical knowledge or coding skills to use. What should you know about these tools, and how can they help you? Tara Reed, CEO and founder of Apps Without Code, is here to explain. Tara shares her story of getting into the no-code app space and how this technology enables anyone to reach their goals.
This year has been full of unexpected changes and challenges. Business models and processes that have worked for years have crumbled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In season 2, we connect with experts and leaders from around the world who are reimagining work in creative and innovative ways. Hear how they’ve quickly adapted to a rapidly changing world with technology, digital agility, and more.
Have you been forced to quickly pivot plans and rethink processes this year? In this episode, Kathryn Loheide, SVP of Marketing at Formstack, digs into ways to find stability and focus during a time of worldwide upset. From ruthless prioritization to becoming a digitally agile workforce, Kathryn shares her insights on how to be more efficient, adaptable, and fulfilled at work.
Have you had to re-imagine the way you work since the pandemic hit? You’re not alone. Kyle Tuominen of Coastal Cloud joins us on this bonus episode to dig into how organizations can adjust to the rapid workplace changes and challenges of 2020. His experience helping companies through digital transformations has made one thing clear: digital agility is the key to success. Listen now to learn more.
Ade Olonoh, the founder of Formstack, Formspring, and Jell, shares his unique perspective on current times as a Black tech founder and investor in America. From the causes of systematic racism to the disparities holding the Black community back, Ade sheds light on these struggles and why they still exist. Join us for a conversation about race, diversity in tech, and why now is the time for tough conversations.
After Listening:
- Visit: adeolonoh.com
Bill Halverson and Erin Maestas are using technology to transform the future of work at Central New Mexico Community College through the CNM Ingenuity program. Thanks to the Research Park Act, Bill and Erin can respond to the immediate employment needs of the community and create educational and technological solutions to meet those needs.
In this episode, you’ll hear Bill and Erin’s stories about the vast opportunities they saw in the technology and information systems world. You’ll also learn about their vision for impacting the globe with the programs they’re implementing at CNM Ingenuity.
Plus, you’ll hear how Bill and Erin believe the fourth industrial revolution is upon us and learn what impact they see it having on workforces of the not-too-distant future.
Links:
- Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billhalverson/
- Connect with Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-maestas/
- Learn more about CNM Ingenuity and the Research Park Act: https://cnmingenuity.org/
- Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchrisbyers/
- Learn more about Formstack: https://www.formstack.com/
Nick Smarrelli is the CEO of GaddellNet, an IT support company that has been named a six-time Inc. 5000 fastest growing company and a four-time Best Place to Work in IT solutions.
In this episode, you’ll hear why Nick believes in the power of bringing your whole self to work and learn about the humility required to make that possible.
So how does a non-IT expert become CEO of a highly-praised IT solutions firm? And how does he embody the culture of humility he hopes to establish? Listen to this episode of Ripple Effect to find out.
Links:
- Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli
- Learn More about GadellNet: https://gadellnet.com
- Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchrisbyers
- Learn more about Formstack: https://www.formstack.com
The world has changed dramatically over the past few weeks, and many of us are adjusting to a new reality of working from home. Most people are under high stress and feeling uneasy as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues. If you’re navigating through the challenges of becoming a remote worker, we’re here to help.
Listen now for tips on how to make the adjustment to working from home, from those who have worked remotely for years.
Stevan Simich is the Founder and CEO at Mogli Technologies, the company behind an intelligent text messaging app called Mogli SMS.
In this episode, you’ll hear Stevan’s story about his work with Nuru International, a nonprofit organization committed to ending extreme poverty in remote, rural areas around the world.
What problem is Mogli solving today? And how are Stevan and the team at Mogli using technology to impact lives around the globe? The answers may surprise you.
Plus, listen in as Stevan hears from people who have been positively impacted by the work his team has done.
Links:
- Connect with Stevan
- Learn more about Mogli Technologies
- Connect with Chris
- Learn more about Formstack
Kow Samman is the Productivity Solutions Product Manager at Azusa Pacific University.
The team Kow joined at Azusa Pacific was originally Document Solutions, which received its namesake due to the need to simplify the overwhelming documentation processes that come with any university. But in the spirit of being a difference-maker, Kow and his team found that they could do far more than provide document solutions—they could inspire and enable productivity for everyone involved.
In this episode, you’ll hear why Kow is driven to make a difference by empowering a new generation of difference makers.
So, how exactly does one pull this off? And how do you gain the kind of buy-in that has everyone down the line taking part in a new process? How can you make work easier and more productive for your team? Listen to this episode of Ripple Effect to find out.
Links:
- Connect with Kow
- Learn More about Azusa Pacific University
- Connect with Chris
- Learn more about Formstack
Providing value to customers is what drives Tal Frankfurt, founder and CEO of Cloud for Good, a certified B Corporation specializing in Salesforce. He’s laser-focused on producing results while ensuring his organization creates impact throughout the world. He’s a champion of transformational value, but what does that actually mean?
Listen now to learn how his team brings together technology, ingenuity, and inspiration to help clients achieve great things.
Links:
- Connect with Tal
- Learn More about Cloud for Good
- Connect with Chris
- Learn more about Formstack
When your work revolves around basketball, you learn a bit about teamwork. On this episode, we chat with Celeste Ballou, director of digital marketing at Pacers Sports and Entertainment, about how she's made her team more efficient so they can focus on the fans. With hundreds of diverse events and 20,000 seats to fill, how does Celeste handle it all?
Links:
- Connect with Celeste
- Learn More about the Indiana Pacers
- Connect with Chris
- Learn more about Formstack
What difference has your work made today? Problem solvers all over the world often struggle with this question. Conquering our biggest workplace challenges isn’t proven by ROI and data alone. It takes impact on people to truly move the needle forward.
Your work has value. Sometimes, it just takes a different perspective to see how you make a difference. On this productivity podcast, Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack, digs into how seemingly small choices we make can create lasting change. As Chris connects with professionals from all over the country, he reveals how making simple, yet smart business decisions can cause a ripple effect.
After listening to our podcast, you may think differently about who you’ve impacted.
Resources and Links:
- Learn more about Formstack: https://www.formstack.com/
- Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchrisbyers/