You, Me, and Your Top Three: Recent Episodes
Gregg Garrett
You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation.
It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured.
Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves.
It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.
Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Erik Wille, CTO of Cabinetworks Group, about the journey of Technology Leaders in the AI era. Erik shares his "Top 3": Jennifer, his wife, who keeps him balanced in leadership; Seth VanderVlucht, who helps him balance faith and his profession; his father, who taught him how to always give it his all; and his MBA "Crew"–Andrew, Michael, Geoff, and Drew–who act as his personal advisory board. And you have to hear what he says about disconnecting.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:02) The changing role of Technology Leaders
(7:58) Meet Erik Wille
The "Top Three":
(10:30) Erik's wife, Jennifer: Keeps him balanced in leadership
(14:43) Seth VanderVlucht: Helps Erik balance faith and his profession
(20:25) Erik's father, Larry: Taught him how to always give it his all
(24:35) Erik's MBA "Crew": Act as his personal advisory board
Other Points of Interest:
(33:11) Erik's transition from CISO to CTO
(38:57) The evolution of CIO roles and the path forward
(48:33) Friction leads to change
You Have to Hear This:
(54:52) Force yourself to disconnect
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Erik Wille: LinkedIn
Cabinetworks Group: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Bob McClure, a founder and leader at McClure's Pickles, about bravery, learning from failure, and Bob's own non-traditional path to leadership. Bob shares his "Top 3": Joe, his business partner and brother, who helps him diversify his thoughts and actions; his parents, whose entrepreneurial spirits encouraged him to take risks and adventure; his wife, Natalie, who reminds him that the most precious resource is time; and his informal CEO group, who act as an advisory board. And you have to hear what Bob says about listening more than you talk.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:10) Pivoting after failure
(8:30) Meet Bob McClure
The "Top Three":
(10:22) Brother and business partner, Joe: Helps him diversify his thoughts and actions
(15:35) Parents: Encouraged him to take risks and adventure through their entrepreneurial spirits
(22:10) Wife, Natalie: Reminds him that the most precious resource is time
(30:20) Informal CEO group: Act as an advisory board
Other Points of Interest:
(36:38) About McClure's Pickles
(42:22) Market changes and necessary pivots
(50:44) Automation in McClure's and the industry
You Have to Hear This:
(58:17) Listen more than you talk, and celebrate others
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Bob McClure: Email | LinkedIn
McClure's Pickles: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett speaks with guest Jeff Greenfield, an expert in Full Funnel Marketing Analytics and Founder/CEO of Provalytics, about the consumerization of AI and how to ensure your marketing dollars drive ROI. Jeff shares his "Top 3": his wife, Cheryl, who has taught him that the hardest part is showing up; Bill Harvey, who is driving more and more value, almost seeing around corners with his career-long perspective; and Houdini, who taught him that 90% of success is in managing the setup, not the trick itself. And you have to hear what Jeff says about analyzing your dreams.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(01:09) The consumerization of AI
(4:44) Meet Jeff Greenfield
The "Top Three":
(7:34) Jeff's wife, Cheryl: Taught him that the hardest part is showing up
(12:37) Bill Harvey: Driving more and more value, almost seeing around corners with his career-long perspective
(19:43) Houdini: Taught him that 90% of success is in managing the setup, not the trick itself
Other Points of Interest:
(22:23) The importance of the message
(28:22) Marketing in the era of AI
You Have to Hear This:
(53:05) Analyzing your dreams
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Jeff Greenfield: Website | LinkedIn
Provalytics: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett and guest Jordi Lombarte, EVP & Senior Technical Advisor at AUTOLIV, together discuss how leaders must envision disruptive potential. Jordi shares his "Top 3": Jose, who took a chance on Jordi and taught him how to remove emotion from big decisions; Maria, his first hire and an expert in stakeholder management; and Chris, who is able to share brutal facts and face things head-on. And you have to hear what Jordi says about adding value reflection.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:13) The First Mile of Transformation
(5:34) Meet Jordi Lombarte
The "Top Three":
(11:05) Jose Company: Took a chance on Jordi and taught him how to remove emotion from big decisions
(14:28) Maria Malagrida: Jordi's first hire and an expert in stakeholder management
(19:19) Chris Koprowicz: Possesses an ability to share brutal facts and face things head-on
Other Points of Interest:
(26:29) AUTOLIV and road traffic safety
(34:30) AI in partnership with human intelligence
You Have to Hear This:
(43:25) Adding value reflection
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Jordi Lombarte: LinkedIn
AUTOLIV: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett and guest Todd Loiselle, CIO of National Food Group, sit down to discuss blurring the bridge between technology and market value. Todd shares his “Top 3”: Mary McLive, his first grade teacher who taught him to be empathetic and how to activate his super power; Tony Williams, his former colleague at PwC, who taught him how to be a man with a life and career; former CIO of Mastronardi and Colony Hardware, Michael Pellegrino, who taught him that fear mongering was not necessary to be a CIO and that he needed to network; and Executive Strategic Coach Rick Collison, who taught him to shift his perspective. And you have to hear what Todd says about vision boarding.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(2:04) Building bridges between unlikely islands
(8:18) Meet Todd Loiselle
The “Top Three”:
(11:46) Mary McLive: Taught him to be empathetic and how to activate his superpower
(28:47) Tony Williams: Taught him how to be a man with a life and career
(35:56) Michael Pellegrino: Taught him that fear mongering was not necessary to be a CIO and that he needed to network
Other Points of Interest:
(40:31) Networking as a career multiplier
(44:00) Surrounding yourself with CEOs
(50:31) Top Three addition, Rick Collison: Taught him to shift his perspective
You Have to Hear This:
(53:48) Vision boarding
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Todd Loiselle: LinkedIn
National Food Group: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett and guest Gina Thorsen, CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products and the Stormy Kromer brand, sit down to discuss the power of reflection. Gina shares her “Top 3”: her father and former Stormy Kromer CEO, Bob Jacquart, who taught her how to be plucky; Lane Clark, who helped her learn to asynchronously reflect; and Karen May, a fellow small business owner and peer with whom she can reflect and mutually relate. And you have to hear what she says about closing the book on your week.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:01) Seeing the forest through the trees
(4:28) Meet Gina Thorsen
The “Top Three”:
(7:25) Gina’s father and former Stormy Kromer CEO, Bob Jacquart: Taught her how to be plucky
(15:44) Lane Clark: Helped her learn to asynchronously reflect
(20:30) Karen May: Fellow small business owner and peer with whom she can reflect and mutually relate
Other Points of Interest:
(23:47) The Ironwood experience
(30:14) Textile industry landscape
(37:49) Iconic Stormy Kromer caps
You Have to Hear This:
(43:55) Closing the book on your week
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Gina Thorsen: LinkedIn
Stormy Kromer: Website | LinkedIn
Jacquart Fabric Products: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Jared Rosenthal, an entrepreneurial leader who has journeyed through both the not-for-profit and for-profit worlds. Together, they discuss a formula for driving team performance and how the rise of AI might change this strategy. Jared also shares his “Top 3”: MT, who taught him to give people a chance; Anthony Petecca, who helps him skip-level and “talk to the people”; and his family, who taught him to own his business to own his life. And you have to hear what he says about being yourself to drive authentic leadership.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(2:55) The importance of high performers
(3:35) Mixed AI-HI teams
(4:46) Meet Jared Rosenthal
The “Top Three”:
(6:50) MT, COO of Jared's former organization: Taught him to give people a chance
(18:05) Anthony Petecca, Jared’s VP of IT & Security: Helps him to skip-level and “talk to the people”
(22:35) Jared’s girlfriend and family: Taught Jared to own his business to own his life
Other Points of Interest:
(24:52) Understanding your team
(26:56) Discussing AI and other disruptors
(38:14) Embracing technology and understanding intelligence
You Have to Hear This:
(44:07) Be yourself to drive authentic leadership
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Jared Rosenthal: LinkedIn
Health Street: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Judy Asher, President of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT) and Corporate “Rule Bender”, about the relationship between disruption and innovation, and the common thread of shifting rules. Judy also shares her “Top 3”: Alan Mulally and Lesley Ma, who embody authenticity; Martin Wolfertz and Mark Johnson, who demonstrate resilience; Vijay Sankaran and Roger Court, who inspire her. And you have to hear her suggestion about centering yourself.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:03) Disruption and the shifting gameboard
(3:35) Aggressive transformation
(4:47) Meet Judy Asher
The “Top Three”:
(11:36) Alan Mulally and Lesley Ma: Embody authenticity
(25:01) Martin Wolfertz and Mark Johnson: Demonstrate resilience
(30:45) Vijay Sankaran and Roger Court: Inspire her
Other Points of Interest:
(35:12) Making a difference in IT leadership
(39:43) MCWT’s mission
(47:29) Get involved
You Have to Hear This:
(51:24) Centering yourself
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Judy Asher: LinkedIn
MCWT: LinkedIn | Website
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Want to unlock innovation? Start by rediscovering your inner child! In this solocast, host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, urges you to embrace curiosity, imagination, and experimentation in the workplace. He explores the power of asking "why," the magic of hands-on creation, and the freedom found in breaking the routine.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:55) Acting like a child
(3:26) Child-like wonder in the workplace
(7:30) Practical application
(10:35) Inner child challenge
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Competing in the Connecting World: About
Host Gregg Garrett speaks to Jacob Zuppke, President and CEO of Whisker, about how product-in-use data can become a meaningful voice for a product’s user – human or non-human – as well as Jacob’s career ascent as a Specialist Generalist. Jacob also shares his “Top 3”: Whisker founder Brad Baxter, who has bravely allowed him to lead; Josh Chandler, who problem-solves with him while burning the midnight oil; and his entire Whisker leadership team, who leads with humility and leans on one another. And you have to hear what he says about “going deep”.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:11) Product-in-use data
(7:23) Meet Jacob Zuppke
The “Top Three”:
(10:39) Brad Baxter: Has bravely allowed Jacob to lead
(23:41) Josh Chandler: Problem-solves with Jacob while burning the midnight oil
(32:17) Jacob’s Whisker leadership team: Leads with humility and leans on one another
Other Points of Interest:
(41:51) Whisker’s home base
(45:15) The Connected World’s impact on pets
You Have to Hear This:
(53:30) “Going deep”
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Jacob Zuppke: LinkedIn
Whisker: LinkedIn | Website | Jobs
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, for a solocast where he explores the topic of working without jobs. Gregg discusses managing AI agents, motivating a team to rely on AI-enabled tools, and contemplating the possibility of being led by an “AI Overlord”. Tune in to discover how organizations can adapt and thrive in this new world of work.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(0:50) Work metamorphosis and leadership adaptation
(2:43) Managing an AI workforce
(7:12) Leading AI-reliant humans
(9:44) AI leadership
(12:46) Shaping the future of work
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Competing in the Connecting World: About
Host Gregg Garrett sits down with David Raminick, CEO and Co-Founder of Proficy Digital, to discuss disruption in the automotive marketing space. David also shares his “Top 3”: His wife, who encourages his entrepreneurial spirit; Kevin Burke, who encourages him to “speak it into existence”; Hal Widlansky, who sheds light on how to raise funds; Steve Pitsillos, who can see new models emerging; and Jordan Walters, who helps smooth the highs and lows. And you have to hear what he says about forcing “alone time”.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:09) View AI from two lenses
(3:29) Meet David and Proficy Digital
The “Top Three”:
(6:33) David’s wife: Knows him well enough to encourage his entrepreneurial spirit
(11:59) Kevin Burke: Ecourages him to “speak it into existence”
(15:36) Hal Widlansky: Sheds light on how to raise funds
(17:27) Steve Pitsillos: Can see new models emerging
(20:33) Jordan Walters: Helps smooth the highs and lows
Other Points of Interest:
(23:14) Proficy Digital and the automotive space
(29:30) Differentiators, AI and Creatives
(34:36) Channels and changes
You Have to Hear This:
(38:37) Forcing “alone time”
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
David Raminick: LinkedIn
Proficy Digital: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Michael Roberts to discuss how Michael made the AI Agent interviewed in Episode 164, how he tuned it to be a great podcast guest, and where AI might be going in the future. Michael also shares his “Top 3”: Mark Rorvig, a fellow NASA teammate who was with him in his early days of software development and AI exploration; Sydney Lamb, who helped him explore language and the patterns that emerge; and Ken Stanley, who is part of Generative AI’s origin story. And you have to hear what he says about the power of habit.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:38) Meet Michael
(8:33) What is AI?
The “Top Three”:
(14:11) Mark Rorvig: Fellow NASA teammate who was with Mike in his early days of software development and AI exploration
(18:13) Sydney Lamb: Helped him explore language and the patterns that emerge
(23:35) Ken Stanley: Part of Generative AI’s origin story
Other Points of Interest:
(26:55) Creating the “Competing in the Connecting World” RAG model
(37:49) The tuning process
(44:21) Applying AI to long-form documents
(47:33) The future of AI
You Have to Hear This:
(57:39) The power of habit
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Michael Roberts: LinkedIn | Email
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett welcomes his friend and colleague Dr. Warren Ritchie, co-author of Competing in the Connecting World, the book that inspired the AI Agent interviewed in Episode 164. Together, they explore their impressions of the AI and muse on the disruption potential this type of AI application might have across their industries. And you have to hear what Dr. Ritchie says about AI designing human systems.
This episode is part two of a special three-part series featuring insights from the AI Agent inspired by the book Competing in the Connecting World. Catch up on Episode 164 for the first installment, and stay tuned for the final episode in the series.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(0:43) Three-part AI series
(3:46) Meet Warren
Points of Interest:
(8:30) Competing in the Connecting World AI interview reflection
(20:00) Imagining AI application
(25:08) Disruptive potential in familiar industries
You Have to Hear This:
(40:31) AI designing human systems
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Dr. Warren Ritchie: Competing in the Connecting World
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett is joined by a Strategic Transformation Expert AI based on the bestselling book “Competing in the Connecting World”. The AI Agent shares its own “Top 3”: John Horn, who taught it to reflect on being the easiest to do business with; Dr. Oliver Riedel, who helped it recognize how to be brave; and Dr. Warren Ritchie and other former colleagues, who taught it many, many things. And you have to hear what it says about taking action.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(0:54) Generative AI and the premise of this episode
(6:16) Meet our guest
The “Top Three”:
(7:13) John Horn: Taught it to reflect on being the easiest to do business with
(9:42) Oliver Riedel: Helped it recognize how to be brave
(11:36) Dr. Warren Ritchie and other former colleagues: Taught it many, many things
Other Points of Interest:
(13:18) Transformation framework and continued relevancy
(16:50) AI’s advice to firms
(20:02) How “ecosystem commanders” could limit innovation
You Have to Hear This:
(23:21) Taking action
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
AI Agent: Competing in the Connecting World
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Gregg Garrett is joined by James McFarlane, a parallel leader who is a global CIO by day and a two-sport coach by night. Together they discuss parallels in life. James also shares his “Top 3”: David Behen, who has impressed on him to “autograph your work with excellence”; Saby Sen, who has introduced methods to stay calm in the heat of business; and his late father, who instilled in him a deep work ethic to earn where he goes in life. And you have to hear what he says about “knowing a little about a lot” and improving communication.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(0:00) Introduction
(0:55) Overlap in life
(4:42) Meet James
The “Top Three”:
(7:21) David Behen: Impressed on him to “autograph your work with excellence”
(12:59) Saby Sen: Introduced methods to stay calm in the heat of business
(19:53) James’ late father: Instilled in him a deep work ethic to earn where he goes in life
Other Points of Interest:
(25:44) Data in the world of health and wellness solutions
(31:02) Current ERP project
(35:40) Parallels and borrowing techniques
You Have to Hear This:
(38:56) “Knowing a little about a lot” and improving communication
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
James McFarlane: LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Jake Sigal, a serial entrepreneur and tech business investor, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss managing the barrage of advice – often unsolicited – that can come from all directions. Jake also shares his “Top 3”: Brad Hoos, who is artful in being brutally honest; Trevor Pawl, an adamant community builder; and Dave Fry, who has been there, and done that. And you have to hear what he says about the Say/Do Ratio.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(1:02) “Do for” vs. “do with”
(3:45) Managing advice well
(6:49) Meet Jake
The “Top Three”:
(9:40) Brad Hoos: Is artful in being brutally honest
(17:16) Trevor Pawl: An adamant community builder
(23:51) Dave Fry: Someone who has been there, and done that
Other Points of Interest:
(34:04) Recent work and organization exits
(37:33) Midwest grit
(40:41) Automotive mobility disruption pay-off
You Have to Hear This:
(47:00) The Say/Do Ratio
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Jake Sigal: LinkedIn | FM Capital
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Host Greggory Garrett is joined by Teri Takai, a leader who found her voice while growing up in the automotive industry before shifting to public service at the State and Federal levels. Teri learned to make her voice heard in powerful rooms not by the count of her words, but by the power and precision of how and what she says. Teri shares her “Top 3”: Colleagues, Dick and Ray, at Ford Motor Company who taught her to have a voice; former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm who gave her a seat at the table and demonstrated what real collaboration looked like; and Former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates who shaped her powerful leadership style. And you have to hear what he says about questioning herself.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(1:07) Social media and the importance of listening
(05:40) Meet Teri
The “Top Three”:
(8:05) Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm: Gave her a seat at the table and demonstrated what real collaboration looked like
(11:40) Colleagues, Dick and Ray, at Ford Motor Company: Taught her to have a voice
(13:30) Former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates: Shaped her powerful leadership style
Other Points of Interest:
(17:13) Bravery and women in leadership
(28:30) Public service versus private sector roles
(35:27) Technology trends in government and the influence of CIOs
You Have to Hear This:
(45:27) Question yourself
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Teri Takai: LinkedIn | Email | e.Republic
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Suzy Siegle, Ed.D., J.D., President of Walsh College, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss numerous leadership lessons and the Law of Entrainment. Suzy shares her “Top 3” which include God, her husband David, her entire leadership team at Walsh, and a couple of external leaders who help to stretch her thinking. And you have to hear what she says about discipline equaling freedom.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:25) What humans can learn from AI
(05:00) Meet Suzy
The “Top Three”:
(06:40) God: The foundation of Suzy’s guidance, bravery, and leadership
(09:10) Suzy’s husband, David Siegle: Betters Suzy in her day-to-day
(14:02) Walsh Leadership Team – Dave, Tom, Shannon, Jaclyn, Jen, Erik, Mike, and Dan: Support a Prism of Leadership approach
(19:10) Dan Sullivan’s Strategic Coach program: helps Suzy recognize blindspots and enhance her leadership
(20:23) Ed Mylett and Brendon Burchard: share their own success path with listeners
Other Points of Interest:
(23:55) About Walsh College
(26:27) The Law of Entrainment
(30:45) Placing bets around AI and increasing accessibility for learners
(37:03) Walsh Leadership Academy
You Have to Hear This:
(39:00) Discipline equals freedom
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Suzy Siegle: LinkedIn | Authored Books (100% of proceeds go to Walsh College) | Locus Mindset Leadership Training
Walsh College: Website | Walsh Leadership Academy
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Anthony LaVerde, CEO of Emagine Entertainment, joins host Gregg Garrett to explore the concept of cross-industrial careers. Anthony shares his “Top 3”: Emagine Entertainment CFO Dirk Kjolhede and Chairman Paul Glantz, who, together with Anthony, make up a three-member strategic investment approval committee; and a former boss who taught Anthony that he must not be afraid to surround himself with people who are better than him. And you have to hear what he says about “supporting the team”.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:04) Considering non-traditional connections between industries
(05:15) Meet Anthony
The “Top Three”:
(08:14) Dirk Kjolhede, CFO of Emagine Entertainment, and Paul Glantz, Chairman of Emagine Entertainment: Two-thirds of a three-member strategic investment approval committee
(23:13) Former boss: Taught Anthony that he must not be afraid to surround himself with people who are better than him
(29:19) Anthony’s family: Offers immense patience and showcases resilience
Other Points of Interest:
(33:04) Emagine’s industry and “the communal experience”
(42:22) The role data plays
You Have to Hear This:
(50:37) Supporting the team
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Anthony LaVerde: LinkedIn
Emagine Entertainment: Website
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn
Chase Kushak, President of Blake’s Hard Cider Co. and Partner in Gypsy Spirits, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss Chase’s niche in helping visionary entrepreneurs scale their enterprises and the overall importance of integrators. Chase shares his “Top 3”: Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers at Founders Brewing Co.; Michael Kazanowski and Adam Kazanowski at Gypsy Spirits; and Andrew Blake at Blake’s Hard Cider Co. And you have to hear what he says about competing on pace.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:12) The importance of integrators
(06:47) Meet Chase
The “Top Three”:
(12:22) Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers at Founders Brewing Co.
(14:30) Michael Kazanowski and Adam Kazanowski at Gypsy Spirits
(15:00) Andrew Blake at Blake’s Hard Cider Co.
Other Points of Interest:
(16:30) The switch to craft beer and Chase’s role as an integrator
(22:34) Blake’s and the new fourth category of alcoholic beverages
(34:07) Alcoholic beverages and the connecting world
(38:26) The future of Blake’s
You Have to Hear This:
(44:00) Competing on pace
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Chase Kushak: LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
Pierre Boutin – President & CEO of Volkswagen Group Ireland and former President & CEO of Volkswagen Group Canada – joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the difference between building ecosystems and building organizations. Pierre shares his “Top 3”: Ted Charlton, who is equal parts boat-builder and sailor; Cyril Chatelet, a journey mate in the auto-to-mobility path; and Pierre’s wife, Elena, who reminds him to stop and cherish transformational moments. And you have to hear what he says about demonstrating empathy.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) Connecting ecosystems
(05:20) Meet Pierre
The “Top Three”:
(09:56) Ted Charlton: an early colleague who is equal parts boat-builder and sailor
(14:35) Cyril Chatelet: a journey mate in the auto-to-mobility path
(19:54) Elena: Pierre’s wife, who reminds him to stop and cherish transformational moments
Other Points of Interest:
(24:17) Growth at Volkswagen Group Canada
(31:19) Sustainable transformation of mobility
(40:43) European market movement and finding balance
You Have to Hear This:
(46:39) Importance of demonstrating empathy
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Pierre Boutin: LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
Christian Oswald, CEO of Rainf4ll, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the importance of words, listening, and communication during times of transformation. Christian shares his “Top 3”: Mark Wales, who taught him leadership lessons; his children, who allowed him to understand better how early life digital experiences shape usage patterns; and Jen Bailin, who is an expert in crafting “mongrel teams”. And you have to hear what he says about being voluntold.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:15) Consistency and controlling the minutes
(05:37) Meet Christian
The “Top Three”:
(12:37) Mark Wales: taught Christian leadership lessons
(28:35) Christian’s children: allowed Christian to understand better how early life digital experiences shape usage patterns
(45:30) Jen Bailin: an expert in crafting “mongrel teams”
Other Points of Interest:
(51:55) Current Rainf4ll Projects
You Have to Hear This:
(57:15) On being voluntold
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LINKS AND RESOURCES
Christian Oswald: LinkedIn
Rainf4ll: Website | LinkedIn
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
Bruce Smith, majority shareholder, Chairman, and CEO of Detroit Manufacturing Systems, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how the connected world rewards speed and flexibility. Bruce shares his “Top 3”: Ben Meachem, who blends an understanding of people and clarity of problems to lead; Kristy McDonald, who understands the dynamics between leaders; Scott Cieslak, who can receive feedback and truly become better from it, and his wife, Michelle, who specializes in pulling thorns. And you have to hear about how he draws big circles to include others and how he suggests leaders must balance the 4P Accounts.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:24) Importance of speed and seamlessness
(07:09) Meet Bruce
The “Top Three”:
(10:51) Ben Meachem: blends an understanding of people and clarity of problems to lead
(18:33) Kristy McDonald: understands the dynamics between leaders
(31:56) Scott Cieslak: can receive feedback and truly become better from it
(40:37) Bruce’s wife, Michelle: specializes in pulling thorns
Other Points of Interest:
(42:54) What does DMS do?
(50:13) An agile approach
You Have to Hear This:
(53:58) Draw big circles to include others, and the 4P Accounts
.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Bruce Smith: LinkedIn | Email
Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS): DMS Website | DMS LinkedIn | DMS Facebook | DMS Instagram
Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
April Clobes, CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the need for top leaders of firms to better understand the basics of technology in order to properly define strategies and transform companies. April shares her Top 3: Pat McPharlin, who demonstrated a relentless drive and employee focus; Mark Zook, who exemplifies credit union collaboration; and April’s MSUFCU Team, who bring courage and new understanding. And you have to hear about how she treats every day like a job interview.
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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:08) Is every company a technology company?
(05:32) Meet April
The “Top Three”:
(12:05) Patrick McPharlin: demonstrated a relentless drive and employee focus
(19:13) Mark Zook: exemplifies credit union collaboration
(26:59) April’s MSUFCU Team: bring courage and new understanding
Other Points of Interest:
(33:58) Data and AI in the industry
(40:24) MSUFCU fast facts
You Have to Hear This:
(42:32) Treat every day as a job interview
.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Contact April Clobes: LinkedIn | MSUFCU Website | Reseda Group Website
Contact Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About
Contact CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
DRIVING UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS | Andrew Stuart, President and CEO of TD Auto Finance, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the need to get uncomfortable in order to have breakthrough moments. Of course, Andrew shares his Top 3 (well, 4): Sandra Moncrief, his wife, who helps him learn to interpret emotions; Marc Womack, who taught him the power of uncomfortable conversations; Peter Cummings, a worldly leader who has shown him the power of outside perspectives; and Allan Ferguson, a collegiate friend who helps him celebrate practicality. And you have to hear what he has to say about creating an environment to drive intellectual curiosity.
About Andrew Stuart
Andrew Stuart is the President & CEO of TD Auto Finance. In this role, he is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic direction of the indirect retail and commercial auto finance business in the U.S.
Andrew joined TD in 2014 and spent six years serving as President and CEO of TD Auto Finance before accepting a role in Corporate Transformation and Operations with TD Bank Group, where he served as Head of Corporate Operations. He was responsible for operational excellence and transformational change across Corporate Operations and focused on driving efficiencies across the Corporate functions.
During his previous tenure with TD Auto Finance, Stuart led the development and execution of the indirect auto financing strategy. He grew the portfolio from $16 billion to $24 billion while reimagining the way the business operated and navigating numerous transformation and strategic initiatives.
Prior to joining TD, Andrew spent 22 years with the Volkswagen Group in the U.S. and Canada. Most recently as President and CEO of VW Credit Inc., responsible for a US$25B portfolio of retail, lease and commercial loan assets in the US and Canada. He has a broad automotive sales and lending background, having held a variety of senior roles, including EVP and CFO VW Credit, Inc., and President, Bentley MotorsUS.
Andrew is currently serving as a member of the Management Committee, TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank® and U.S. Diversity Leadership Chair for TD Bank. Andrew has been an active member of the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), serving as past Chair of the Vehicle Finance Board and the AFSA Board.
A Canadian citizen born in Moncton, New Brunswick and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Andrew graduated from Saint Mary's University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1992. He moved to the U.S. in 1994 and held a number of roles of increasing responsibility while also completing an MBA at the University of Oregon in 1998. He graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2021. Andrew became a U.S. citizen in 2013 and currently resides in Vienna, Virginia with his wife and three children.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Be Brave [1:03]
Introduction to Andrew [2:56]
The “Top Three”
Sandra Moncrief: helped Andrew learn to interpret emotions [6:20]
Marc Womack: taught Andrew the power of uncomfortable conversations [11:58]
Peter Cummings: showed Andrew the power of outside perspective [22:23]
Allan Ferguson: taught Andrew to celebrate practicality [35:23]
Other Points of Interest:
Headlines coming from TD [39:12]
Transformation(s) happening in the financial industry [46:50]
You have to hear this…
Create an environment to drive intellectual curiosity [51:00]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Andrew Stuart:
- Andrew’s LinkedIn
- Andrew’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
PEOPLE MAKE INNOVATION MATTER | Roopesh Das, Senior VP of Digital Acceleration and Innovation at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the importance of putting the human in the center of your innovation strategy. Of course, Roopesh shares his Top 3: Ritesh Patel, who helped him to learn to connect; Akiko Marusawa, who helped him recognize the importance of people; and Shireen Das, who is his rock and helps him set a montessori approach to his digital innovation program. And you have to hear what he has to say about being passionate but not emotional.
About Roopesh Das
Experienced Digital executive with a track record of organizational transformation by applying cutting
edge technology to launch innovative products which address new business models and create value,
while leading and inspiring technology teams globally across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Through his career spanning more than 20 years, Roopesh has launched technology products and
solutions globally across logistics, manufacturing, finance, and telecom
A visionary leader, specializing in strategizing tech and business models, by looking at trends and market a few years out, setting goals for that future and framing strategy to execute in the present.
Most recently he has been, founder of an open Innovation platform in Wallenius Wilhelmsen, partnering
with a global ecosystem of 100+ startups, tech & ventures to solve challenges in supply chain & logistics, leading to benefits such as:
• 60% increase in productivity with Computer Vision, Robotics and Mixed Reality
• 30% improvement in asset utilization with IoT & AI
• De-carbonizing supply chain with Data, AI and electric fleets
He oversees strategic vision, product development, partnership creation and venture advisory.
Roopesh holds an engineering degree in Computer Science from Mumbai University, India. He is based
in New Jersey, USA
He has lived internationally, likes to travel, meet people, and experience local cuisines and culture. He is
always game for sharing, learning, and exchanging thoughts, around tech, society and impactful digital
transformation.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Looking to innovate? Here are two questions to start with answering [0:50]
Introduction to Roopesh [4:50]
The “Top Three”
Ritesh Patel: Helped him learn to connect [8:31]
Akiko Marusawa: Helped him recognize the importance of people [13:51]
Shireen Das: His rock who helps him set a Montessori approach to his digital innovation program [19:33]
One more to mention: Rune Gisvold [27:30]
Other Points of Interest:
Leading innovation for a 150-year-old company [30:06]
Lessons learned from empowering humans [32:54]
You have to hear this…
Be passionate but not emotional [40:42]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Roopesh Das:
● Roopesh’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
● Gregg’s LinkedIn
● Gregg’s Twitter
● Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
● Website
MAKING ALUMNI| Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses how to establish an alumni network from your organization; not always an easy thing to do considering some of your best and brightest employees you never want to leave your firm. But, on the flip side, in order to get the best, brightest, and most driven you often need to get talent who want to spread their wings and sometimes it is at a different speed than the pace of your organization. Make an alumnus and you’re probably going to make some incredible employees and friends for life.
ABOUT GREGG GARRETT
Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing common sense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Losing the future of your organization [0:59]
Bravery and the stages of spreading your wings [2:05]
Do you drive a culture of alumni? [4:39]
The secret to building great alum [6:52]
Advice for letting your best and brightest leave [8:20]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Gregg Garrett:
● Gregg’s LinkedIn
● Gregg’s Twitter
● Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
● Website
BUILDING ECOSYTEMS| Chris Lambert, CEO of Life Remodeled, a Detroit non-profit that remodels and revitalizes neighborhoods in an equitable and sustainable way, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how to create and nurture meaningful innovation ecosystems inside of Detroit communities. Of course, Chris speaks about his Top 3: Jesus, who he speaks with and listens to everyday, his friend Dominic Morelli who taught him the value of relationships, Diallo Smith, who can execute on a vision, his wife, who is a lover of all people, and to Dwan Dandridge who is a true visionary. And you have to hear what he has to say about bold humility.
PICKING UP THE PACE|Jay Rogers, founder and CEO of haddy- a 3D -printed furniture company, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the lessons he learned by 3D printing autonomous vehicles and how the team is now looking to disrupt the complete supply chain of a less regulated industry with a similar product set. Of course, Jay speaks about his Top 3: God, who is part of his life everyday, his boys who help him to learn and reverse mentor him, and 3-star General Mike Dana who specializes in servant leadership. And you have to hear what he has to say about reading by candlelight.
ABOUT JAY ROGERS
John “Jay” Rogers is CEO and Co-Founder of haddy inc. – a pioneering digital manufacturing company
serving the furniture industry and built on revolutionary technology and IP. Haddy is changing the way
furniture is designed, built, delivered, and recycled. It is the world’s first micro-manufacturer of furniture
produced through a proprietary method of direct digital manufacturing (“DDM”). Through DDM, haddy
enables more rapid technology and material adoption and a superior resilient supply chain.
Jay grew up a lover of woodworking, machines, and a student of industry; his grandfather owned the
legendary Indian Motorcycle Company, founded concrete and steel giant Texas Industries, and was the first
Cummins Engine Distributor in the United States. Jay’s grandfather is also credited with saving the Public
Broadcasting System during the Nixon Administration and founding the Children’s Television Workshop,
which is best known for Sesame Street. In combining his family legacy of manufacturing, his military
leadership, entrepreneurship, and education, Jay has hand selected a team of co-founders and set forth on a
most ambitious plan: Creating, heroic, beautiful, durable furniture for retailers, to their design, built locally
in the most resilient and sustainable manner.
He graduated from Princeton University and went to a startup in China and then to Ewing & Partners where
he became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). After that, he went on to the US Marine Corps where he
served for 9 years in the infantry in the western Pacific and Iraq, to Harvard Business School and to
become a consultant for McKinsey & Co. Most recently, he founded and led Local Motors, a next
generation vehicle OEM. It was there that Jay discovered the basic technology of DDM, and in 2021 he
handed over the reins of Local Motors to a new investor group and left to start haddy full-time.
The story of how communities of customers and suppliers can effectively participate in the innovation and
creation of leading technology products is a journey Jay shares widely. He has spoken at BIF, PopTech,
TedX, Picnic in Amsterdam, Do Conference in Wales, St Gallen Symposium, the White House conference
on making, CES, CeBIT, IMTS, Singularity University, and many more conclaves. Additionally, the story
of American innovation, co-creation and digital manufacturing has been shared on Discovery, PBS, Fox,
CNBC, and Speed Channel. You can find Jay’s impact first in long form narrative as part of many books,
starting with MacroWikinomics written by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams and more recently in
America’s Moment: Creating Opportunity in the Connected Age by Rework America and Zoe Baird. His
work has also been featured in Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Wired, Top Gear, AutoWeek, Inc.,
Details, Forbes, and others.
In 2020, he was awarded the honor of leading Local Motors to one of the top 10 global innovative
transportation companies by Popular Science. Jay is a director of the RBR Foundation, which gives
annually to the cause of childhood education and development. He is the father of 4 boys who are growing
up in a connected age and whom, he hopes, will take advantage of the incredible opportunity that the
internet has given the world.
Visit Jay, haddy and the future of American Manufacturing Innovation in Tampa, FL where the first haddy
microfactory is being built, and where he calls headquarters and home.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
What a Time to Be in the Workforce [1:09]
Introduction to Jay [3:53]
The “Top Three”
God who is part of his life everyday [6:26]
General Mike Dana who taught him servant leadership [8:57]
His boys who help him learn and reverse teach him [17:00]
Other Talking Points:
What is haddy? [19:25]
Revolutionizing Manufacturing through Micro-Manufacturing [24:00]
Dismantling Supply Chain [30:18]
Where do you find these people? [33:30]]
Bravery and Courage [38:40]
What does Jay fear? [43:00]
You have to hear this…
Reading by Candlelight [44:30]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Jay Rogers:
- Jay’s LinkedIn
- Jay’s email: jay@haddy.life
- Haddy.life (website to go live soon!)
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
JAHON HOBBEHEYDAR | Jahon Hobbeheydar, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at NSF International, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the linkage of strategy and innovation. As someone who lives in the center of these two functions, Jahon leads NSF to the future. Of course, Jahon speaks about his Top 3: his former boss, Thad, who helped him bring out his intellectual best, a persona of colleagues like Sharon, Tom, and Jen who help remove cultural inertia, and his daughter, Sarah, who makes him remember the underlying “why”. And you have to hear what Jahon has to say about shifting from making points to understanding them.
JAHON HOBBEHEYDAR | Jahon Hobbeheydar, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at NSF International, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the linkage of strategy and innovation. As someone who lives in the center of these two functions, Jahon leads NSF to the future. Of course, Jahon speaks about his Top 3: his former boss, Thad, who helped him bring out his intellectual best, a persona of colleagues like Sharon, Tom, and Jen who help remove cultural inertia, and his daughter, Sarah, who makes him remember the underlying “why”. And you have to hear what Jahon has to say about shifting from making points to understanding them.
TAKING RISKS | Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the consumer electronics industry, CTA and the Consumer Electronics Show, and broader societal change. Of course, Gary speaks about his Top 3: his wife, industry advisors and advocates like Robert Ford who help him reflect on how to drive the industry forward, and his entire CTA management team as well as members of the Board. And you have to hear what he has to say about keeping balance in life.
ABOUT GARY SHAPIRO
Gary Shapiro is an acclaimed author, lobbyist, and president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® which represents over 1,500 consumer technology companies and owns and produces the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)® — The Global Stage for Innovation.
A Georgetown Law graduate, Shapiro began his career as an associate at the Squire Sanders law firm. After an extended tenure in law, he began working on Capitol Hill as an assistant to a prominent member of the U.S. Congress. Later in his life, Gary would use this combined law and legal experience to be named one of The Hill’s top lobbyists numerous times throughout his career (2015-2021). As his experience in law and politics progressed, he became more aligned with the world of technology, which eventually brought him into the fold of the Consumer Technology Association in 1982.
Taking the role of President and CEO, Shapiro evolved the idea of the workplace over his 40-year long tenure leading the organization. Directing a staff of 150 employees alongside thousands of industry volunteers, he built a forward-thinking successful business focused on the further development and integration of technology in all industries of the world. Under his leadership CTA has won numerous awards for its healthy workplace, family friendly employment practices, and environmentally friendly exhibition practices. In 2019, CTA earned its sixth consecutive selection as a Washington Post Top Workplace.
Shapiro has written New York Times bestsellers including “Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses” (HarperCollins, 2013) and “The Comeback: How Innovation will Restore the American Dream” (Beaufort, 2011). He also wrote USA Today bestseller “Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation” (William Morrow, 2018) Through these books, numerous television appearances, and as a columnist whose more than 1,200 opinion pieces have appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post, Shapiro has helped direct policymakers and business leaders on the importance of innovation and technology in the U.S. economy.
Shapiro consistently stays active in policy, thought leadership, government, and community development alongside his position at CTA. He currently serves as a member of the CTA Executive Board, NAM Board of Directors of the Council of Manufacturing Associations, the Board of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and the Trade Show Executive Editorial Board. A subject of regular praise, Shapiro was once called a “mastermind” for his initiative in helping to create the Industry Cooperative for Ozone Layer Protection. His mind for an evolving workplace and consumer while staying environmentally conscious has paved a roadmap for bipartisan law and policy makers to follow in making a more innovative world.
Gary Shapiro is happily married and lives in Michigan.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
How the World is Connecting through Consumer Touch [1:05]
Introduction to Gary Shapiro [9:27]
The “Top Three”
Gary’s Wife [13:52]
Industry advisors and advocates like Robert Ford who help him reflect on how to drive the industry forward [14:39]
His entire CTA management team as well as members of the Board [15:24]
The Consumer Technology Industry
Learning from a Failure [18:55]
Keep Things Simple [21:56]
Disruptors to the Industry [23:00]
AI Changing the Business Model [26:41]
Advice to Business Leaders [31:58]
What to Expect from CES in 2023? – World Academy of Arts & Science (WAAS) Partnerships, Awards, and More [36:45]
You have to hear this…
Balance in Life Hack [43:12]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Gary Shapiro:
- Consumer Technology Association
- CES Website
- Gary’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s email
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Paul Arnegard, VP of Creative Services at Tweddle, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how his firm has transformed as the mobility industry continues to be disrupted. Of course, Paul speaks about his Top 3, including Dan Owens who helped him pivot to the creative side of the firm, his father who helped him get Earthy Wisdom, and Grandmaster Kim who helped him bring discipline and calmness to his hectic life, and current and former colleagues like Brian Suszek (former podcast guest, episode 113), Alex Awn (former podcast guest, episode 139), and Amy Simonelli who influenced him to build trust, see the good, slow down, and ask diverse questions. And you have to hear what he has to say about taking the time to meditate every day.
About Paul Arnegard Paul is the Vice President of Creative Services at Tweddle Group, a pillar company of the CJK Group portfolio. CJK is a global information provider for multiple industries, and Tweddle’s role is to supply one-stop support for OEMs through content development & management, creative services, digital print & distribution, and diagnostic tools. Paul manages several shared services within the organization, including video production, graphic design, UX/UI, CGI, project management, quality, and marketing.
Prior to arriving at Tweddle twenty-two years ago, this University of Michigan alum spent time in several disparate fields, each of which contributed to his business perspective and leadership style. From spraying orange groves to working as a martial arts instructor. From repairing billboards high above the ground to sitting behind a desk to write. From engaging students as an English teacher to engaging opponents as a kickboxer. Each step along the way provided experience and insight that he continues to apply for growth and problem solving in the workplace, though punching and kicking are no longer a part of his solution toolbox.
During this episode: Introduction [0:00]
Industry Lines are Blurring/Experience Design [1:10]
Introduction to Paul [3:23]
The “Top Three”
Dan Owens, former boss who helped him pivot to the creative side of the firm [6:15]
His father who had no formal education but earthly wisdom [9:45]
Grandmaster Kim who helped him bring discipline and calmness to his hectic life [15:40]
Brian Suszek, former boss who played the biggest role in Paul rising through the ranks [24:55]
Alex Awn, creative support and helps make Paul a better leader [29:40]
Amy Simenelli, creative video director who tells Paul to slow down [32:17]
You have to hear this…
Tweddle Background [41:03]
Blurred Industries [46:55]
Additional Information
Contact Paul Arnegard:
- Paul’s LinkedIn
- Tweddle Group Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Paul Arnegard, VP of Creative Services at Tweddle, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how his firm has transformed as the mobility industry continues to be disrupted. Of course, Paul speaks about his Top 3, including Dan Owens who helped him pivot to the creative side of the firm, his father who helped him get Earthy Wisdom, and Grandmaster Kim who helped him bring discipline and calmness to his hectic life, and current and former colleagues like Brian Suszek (former podcast guest, episode 113), Alex Awn (former podcast guest, episode 139), and Amy Simonelli who influenced him to build trust, see the good, slow down, and ask diverse questions. And you have to hear what he has to say about taking the time to meditate every day.
About Paul Arnegard Paul is the Vice President of Creative Services at Tweddle Group, a pillar company of the CJK Group portfolio. CJK is a global information provider for multiple industries, and Tweddle’s role is to supply one-stop support for OEMs through content development & management, creative services, digital print & distribution, and diagnostic tools. Paul manages several shared services within the organization, including video production, graphic design, UX/UI, CGI, project management, quality, and marketing.
Prior to arriving at Tweddle twenty-two years ago, this University of Michigan alum spent time in several disparate fields, each of which contributed to his business perspective and leadership style. From spraying orange groves to working as a martial arts instructor. From repairing billboards high above the ground to sitting behind a desk to write. From engaging students as an English teacher to engaging opponents as a kickboxer. Each step along the way provided experience and insight that he continues to apply for growth and problem solving in the workplace, though punching and kicking are no longer a part of his solution toolbox.
During this episode: Introduction [0:00]
Industry Lines are Blurring/Experience Design [1:10]
Introduction to Paul [3:23]
The “Top Three”
Dan Owens, former boss who helped him pivot to the creative side of the firm [6:15]
His father who had no formal education but earthly wisdom [9:45]
Grandmaster Kim who helped him bring discipline and calmness to his hectic life [15:40]
Brian Suszek, former boss who played the biggest role in Paul rising through the ranks [24:55]
Alex Awn, creative support and helps make Paul a better leader [29:40]
Amy Simenelli, creative video director who tells Paul to slow down [32:17]
You have to hear this…
Tweddle Background [41:03]
Blurred Industries [46:55]
Additional Information
Contact Paul Arnegard:
- Paul’s LinkedIn
- Tweddle Group Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Erik Walenza, CEO of IoT One and host of The Industrial IoT Spotlight podcast, joins host Gregg Garrett in this special dual podcast to discuss how global and multi-national firms are competing in the Chinese market. Of course, Erik speaks about his Top 3: his wife, his business partners: Chun Liew and Michael Maeder, who taught him how to build relationships and processes, and his community. And you have to hear what he has to say about local for local strategy.
About Erik Walenza
Erik Walenza has worked in China for 11 years and he is an active member of the Chinese innovation ecosystem. He is passionate about exploring the impact of digitalization in businesses, and through his position as Chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee in China he plays an active role in the exchange of best practices for innovation strategy and tech trends evolution in Asia, but also worldwide. Erik has interviewed over 100 CEOs and venture capitalists while building one of Shanghai’s largest entrepreneur networks.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Importance of Connecting People [0:55]
Introduction to Erik and the dual podcast [3:18]
Gregg’s background and the creation of CGS [4:06]
Erik’s background and current work [5:20]
The similarities and differences of CGS and IoT One [10:30]
The “Top Three”
His wife [12:30]
His work colleagues [15:25]
His communities [17:52]
You have to hear this…
Local for local strategy [20:06]
CGS’s IoT Collaboration [26:10]
Getting the Right People around the Table [33:40]
Operating Leaders [38:50]
Put Believers with Believers [43:00]
Participating in the I4.0 Orchestration Collaborative [49:00]
Additional Information
Contact Erik Walenza:
- Erik’s email
- Erik’s LinkedIn
- IoT One website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s email
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
80% OF THE DAY | Craig Vanderburg, COO of Trion Solutions, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the success his firm has had in outsourcing HR for small and mid-sized firms. Of course, Craig speaks about how he spends 80% of his day with his Top 3, including Pathik Mody, Craig Sherman, Don Turowski, and Trion’s operations team. And you have to hear what he has to say about the importance of a routine.
ABOUT CRAIG VANDERBURG
Craig Vanderburg is among the nation’s most-experienced professionals in the HR-administration industry and is used frequently by local and national media as an expert resource on issues such as workplace policies, compliance issues, health and workers’ compensation insurance, and challenges faced by small to mid-size businesses. He is a former member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) board of directors and a former Chairman of its Accounting Practices Committee. He was a former President and CEO of two HR-administration companies and was formerly a Managing Partner of Affinity Group LL, an M&A and investment-banking firm that was assisting service and growth companies on issues including private equity, senior and sub-debt, and mezzanine and hedge-fund financing. He earned his Bachelor of Finance degree from Wayne State University in Detroit and was an active member of the Young Presidents Organization. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. He is a popular public speaker and resource to news media on a variety of business issues.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Do you have your Dream Team? [1:10]
Introduction of Craig [4:30]
Outsourcing Space [6:20]
The “Top Three”
Pathik Mody, CTO at Trion [4:12]
Craig Sherman, VP of Client Onboarding and Implementation [20:52]
Don Turowski, friend turned business partner [32:20]
Key Ops Team [38:15]
You have to hear this…
Routine [50:00]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Craig Vanderburg:
- Craig’s LinkedIn
- Craig’s email
- Trion Solutions Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
BEING AN INNOVATOR | Thierry Klein, President of Bell Labs Solution Research at Nokia Bell Labs, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the DNA of being an innovator. Of course, Thierry speaks about his Top 3, including his parents who helped him eliminate his fear of failure, his PhD advisor at MIT who taught him the business of innovation, and the aura of previous Bell Lab Presidents who helped set the bar for what leadership in innovation looks like. And you have to hear what he has to say about trusting your instincts. About thierry klein
Thierry Klein is President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia Bell Labs. His distinguished global multi-disciplinary team conducts fundamental and applied research focused on new value chains, business opportunities and ecosystems beyond Nokia’s current product and solutions portfolio. His team pursues research and innovation into advanced sensing technologies, AI-based knowledge systems and fundamental algorithms, autonomous software and data systems, novel architectures and integrated solutions and experiences.
Thierry served as the Founding Vice-Chair of the Board of the 5G Automotive Association, a cross-industry association bringing together the telecommunications and automotive industries, and he served as the Chairman of the Technical Committee of GreenTouch, a global consortium dedicated to improve energy efficiency in networks by a factor 1000x compared to 2010 levels. He was the Founder and CTO of an internal start-up focused on wireless communications for emergency response and disaster recovery situations.
Thierry earned an MS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Electrical Engineering from the Université de Nantes and the Ecole Centrale de Nantes in Nantes, France. He received a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He is an author on over 35 peer-reviewed conference and journal publications and an inventor on 36 patent applications. In 2010, he was voted “Technologist of the Year” at the Total Telecom World Vendor Awards and received the 2016 Industrial Innovation award from the IEEE Communications Society.
Thierry has dual US and Luxembourg citizenship and speaks four languages. He lives in Fanwood, New Jersey with his wife and son.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
DNA of an Innovator - Bravery [1:00]
Thierry’s Introduction [7:36]
His Definition of Innovation [10:00]
The “Top Three”
His parents [11:38]
His PhD advisor [19:36]
Previous Bell Lab Presidents [32:39]
You have to hear this…
Internal Venture at Nokia Bell Labs [43:20]
What He’s Currently Working On [46:45]
Be Accessible and Trust Your Instincts [55:42]
Additional Information
Contact Thierry Klein:
- Thierry's LinkedIn
- Nokia Corporation
- Nokia Bell Labs - Nokia Bell Labs (bell-labs.com)
- Bell Labs Institute - Nokia Bell Labs (bell-labs.com)
- Networking on the Moon Project
- Put Women Back in the History Book of Computing
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Cascading Leadership | Lindsay Irrer, co-owner of The Barre Code – Metro Detroit, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss leading a franchise from the franchisee’s perspective. Of course, Lindsay speaks about her Top 3, including her entrepreneurial husband, her parents who balance grit and compassion, and her business partner who entices courage from her. And you have to hear what she has to say about body positivity.
About LINDSAY IRRER
Lindsay Irrer grew up in Bay City, Michigan, where her many years growing up in a dance studio led to her love of movement and the connections made with people around her while doing so. A Michigan State University alumna, Lindsay earned her degree in Communication and Public Relations while also traveling the country supporting Spartan Athletics as a four-year member of the Michigan State Dance Team. Lindsay left the corporate world in 2013 to follow her dream of owning a business and has since opened The Barre Code studios in Birmingham, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Northville. A full-service women's fitness studio that celebrates a lifestyle in relentless pursuit of personal potential and a one-stop-shop of cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and restoration - The Barre Code goes beyond the ballet barre to provide an innovative, all-encompassing program that empowers you to push your limits and uncover your strength. Lindsay spends her days as the studio co-owner alongside her partner, Janelle, focused on building studio community through the client experience, online presence, and planning special events and partnerships outside of the studio.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Cascading Leadership [0:00]
Introduction to Lindsay and The Barre Code [4:15]
Franchisee Perspective [7:10]
The “Top Three”
Her husband [9:10]
Her parents [13:00]
Loyalty within the Community [18:10]
Her co-owner, Janelle [20:46]
You have to hear this…
The differentiator – body positivity [26:30]
Social Media Presence [30:47]
Brand Value [36:50]
Dancing [38:50]
Upcoming Events [42:00]
Additional Information
Contact Lindsay:
- Lindsay's Personal LinkedIn
- Lindsay's Personal Instagram
- The Barre Code's Studio Website
- The Barre Code - Metro Detroit Instagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
WHAT A PUNK | Alex Awn, Head of UX for Bosch North America, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how curiosity and DIY attitudes are what you need to drive innovation as well as how he brings his punk roots to shape corporate culture. Of course, Alex speaks about his Top 3, including his ex-boss, Paul Amegard, who showed him how to extend trust; Wayne Kauffman, a General Counsel who provided him with personal career advice; Oliver Stening, a boss and “gut” checker; and his creative motivators: his wife and members of his band, Temple of Void. And you have to hear what he has to say about responsibility.
About ALEX AWN
Alex Awn took the road less traveled on his way to becoming a corporate leader and executive. With a background and immersion in punk and heavy metal, Alex initially channeled his creativity into a Bachelor of Fine Art, with a concentration in graphic design. This was a great jumping-off point for his career, and after many years of honing his craft he attained a Creative Director position at a tier one automotive supplier. However, his journey to that position took him down many alleys of curiosity. It was this curious nature that resulted in Alex’s T-shape approach to professional growth. Alex explored Kaizen, eastern philosophy, and doubled down on improving his innate leadership qualities. At a certain point, Alex decided he was too comfortable and maybe even complacent in his position at this company, so he took a risk and joined a marketing firm that focused on customer-centricity. Since Alex’s interest in Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design, and User Experience were really maturing, this made for a golden opportunity. A couple of years into his growth at this firm and he was ready to springboard to tackle a new challenge. This time a multinational organization was calling. This would prove to be his biggest and most intrinsically rewarding challenge to date. Alex took all that prior team-building experience and used it to great effect in his current role as Director of UX for Bosch, North America.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Creativity is the Heart of Innovation [0:56]
Introduction of Alex – Punk Roots [4:36]
The “Top Three”
Paul Amegard, ex-boss [21:00]
Wayne Kaufmann, General Counsel [28:19]
Olive Stening, boss and gut checker [33:51]
Wife and members of band [39:09]
You have to hear this…
Who Is Alex and how is he leaning into disruption? [44:00]
Life Hack: Responsibility is the ability to respond [49:36]
Additional Information
Contact Alex:
- Temple of Void Band Camp
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
KEVIN SCHNIEDERS | Kevin Schnieders, CEO of EDSI, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss success and why your attitude towards success may be the differentiator. Kevin also admits he has been accidentally successful in his career. Of course, Kevin speaks about his Top 3, including his father, who provided the platform for his success; his wife, Wendy, who reminds him of why he wants to be successful; his colleague, Arlene Jones, with who he has grown with; and two important coaches in his life who taught him to surround himself with people who are ahead of you on the journey. And you have to hear what he has to say about coloring your calendar.
About kevin schnieders
Kevin Schnieders is the CEO and President of EDSI. Striving to be the solution for companies and people in transition, EDSI is a workforce development, customized training and consulting company. The company focuses on providing innovative solutions to close workforce skills gaps around the country. Kevin started with EDSI as a Training Consultant in 1994. He gained additional responsibilities as the firm’s HR Manager and Director of Operations, before serving six years as the Chief Operating Officer. In 2007, he assumed the role of CEO, or as he refers to it, the “Chief Servant Leader,” and the company has quadrupled in revenue and number of locations, added 600 new employees and increased profitability since Kevin made this transition. This success can be attributed to putting others first, listening closely to their insights and needs, and helping them understand their unique strengths. Kevin says, “I had the humility to understand that I had purchased a great company, a tremendous respect for the legacy left by our Founder, and an unwavering desire to help people.”
Outside of EDSI, Kevin mentors a high school student for Building Bridges, a charity that inspires children to believe in themselves by connecting them with caring adults. He serves as Vice President for the Rainbow Connection, an organization that helps dreams come true for Michigan children with life-threatening illnesses and provides support to their families. Kevin is also the President of the Berkley (MI) Education Foundation.
He has a Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University and an undergraduate degree in English and Secondary Education from Albion College.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Introduction [0:00]
Mindset + Context [1:10]
Introduction of Kevin – Accidentally Showing Up [4:46]
The “Top Three”
His wife, Wendy [7:10]
Arlene Jones [11:44]
His father [18:00]
Larry Short, his personal coach [25:40]
Mike Turner, college golf coach [31:10]
You have to hear this…
Modernizing the Training Business [39:40]
Color Your Calendar [49:00]
Additional Information
Contact Kevin:
- Website: EDSI
- EDSI Facebook
- EDSI YouTube
- EDSI Twitter
- Kevin's LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
DR. LARA RAMDIN, Chief Innovation Officer at Dole, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the paths to careers in innovation. As a seasoned innovator in multiple industries, Lara also highlights how she has found a passion for tackling innovative solutions to battle food deserts. Of course, Lara speaks about her Top 3, including her former colleagues and bosses who saw things in her that she didn’t recognize herself, a college roommate turned educator that helped her recognize bravery, and a ride-or-die group of women who each instill a different and needed innovation trait. Namely, these women help Lara in Taking Action, Being Pragmatic, and Kicking Glass Ceilings out of the way. And you have to hear what Lara has to say about the relationship between science and innovation.
About LARA RAMDIN
Dr. Lara Ramdin, Chief Innovation Officer at Dole Sunshine Company, has an extensive global track record in R&D, product development and innovation. Ramdin is a fierce advocate for young women in STEM which she exercises through her mentor roles in both The Girls' Network and 1MMentors organizations and as Sponsorship Director and board member for the not-for-profit organization Irish Film London.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Teaser [0:00-0:58]
What Makes a Great Innovation Member [1:01-4:50]
Look at the Edge for Innovators [4:50-6:57]
Introduction of Dr. Lara Ramdin [6:57-9:40]
The “Top Three”
First Mentor, Jueren Kellhosts and His Teaching of Storytelling with Science [10:00-16:55]
Former Boss, Kia [17:10-21:10]
College Roommate (Mary) & Ride-or-Women (Laurie, Amy, and Sara) [21:10-29:08]
Lara, the Chief Innovation Officer [29:08-31:11]
Last Boss [31:11-32:00]
What they See in Lara: Creativity and Science [32:00-33:15]
You have to hear this…
Motivational Leadership [33:57-35:17]
Link Between Science and Innovation [35:18-40:17]
The DOLE Promise [40:17- 43:15]
Innovating Against Food Deserts & Tim Specter’s Spoon-Fed [43:24-47:30]
The Future of Food: BlockChain, 3D Printing Food, and Personalized Food [47:36-52:30]
How to Make innovation work regardless of industry [52:38-54:30]
Lara’s Hack to being a Brave Leader [56:20-57:57]
Additional Information
Contact Lara:
- Sunshine for All Cities Program
- Dole Sunshine for All
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT | Steve Pockross, CEO of Verblio, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how the multiplier effect has allowed him to scale marketplace businesses. Steve also highlights the intersection between the future of marketing and the future of work. Of course, Steve speaks about his Top 3, including his executive coaches, Mark and Jodi, who help him multiply his efforts, his suite colleagues, Greg and Paul, who model honesty, and his wife, Jen, who helps him through the last 5%. And you have to hear how he hires on traits versus skills. About Steve Pockross
Steve Pockross is the CEO of Verblio, a content creation platform that powers modern content marketers and SEO agencies. He brings more than 25 years of startup, Fortune 5000, and nonprofit experience to his role at Verblio. He has a passion for bringing humans and technology together. Steve was part of the early management team at crowdsourcing pioneer, LiveOps, and previously led five SaaS and marketing businesses. Based in Colorado, Steve enjoys ultimate frisbee, telemark skiing, hosting jazz concerts, and spending time with his two boys. Steve hosts Verblio’s own podcast, Yes, and Marketing.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
The Multiplier Effect [1:10]
Steve’s Introduction [4:43]
The “Top Three”
His executive coach, Mark [7:08]
His executive coach, Jodi [15:30]
His suite partners, Greg and Paul [19:00]
His wife, Jen [26:30]
You have to hear this…
The Future of Marketing and the Future of Work [31:15]
The Verblio Way [44:05]
Hire based on Energy [49:48]
Additional Information
Contact Steve:
- Steve’s LinkedIn
- Steve’s Twitter (hasn’t posted since 2019)
- Steve’s Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
WHY FEAR FAILURE? | Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he challenges listeners to question how they view failure and discusses how remaining in the fear of failure can prevent you and your business from innovating. Gregg also highlights how breaking free from fear and being a true leader is at the heart of innovation and transformation. About Gregg Garrett
Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights
Failure is Learning [0:36]
The Status Quo is even Scarier [3:58]
Story Arching [5:17]
Your Vision: The Autonomous Car Example [9:10]
Don’t Let Fear of Failure Hold You Back [11:39]
Additional Information
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
PLACING BETS | Chris Ball, a multi-time CEO and serial entrepreneur, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss how bravery is often enabled by having the right perspective. Of course, Chris speaks about his Top 3, including his competitor turned business partner who helped him to scale, his father who set a platform from a young age, and his COO and life partner who supports and pushes him. And you have to hear what he has to say about comparing his time as a professional poker player to being a business leader.
About Chris Ball A Michigan State University graduate, Chris is an eCommerce Retail Aficionado, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor, and Gambler. Chris has spent the last decade chasing his dreams, taking chances, and seeking life lessons to make himself a better business leader, and more importantly, a better person. Chris is the owner of Ball Equipment, which has been family-owned and operated since 1944. Currently, Chris' main focus is BW Retail Solutions, of which he is the Co-Founder and CEO. As a full-service data management, marketing, and logistics provider, BW Retail has quickly become a leader in the Outdoor Power and Powersports Equipment eCommerce industry. BW specializes in on Omni-Channel solutions for both external and internal brands, while also managing the sale and fulfillment of over 1 Million consumer transactions annually.
Show Highlights
During this episode:
Culture of the Business [1:31]
Business Models in the Insurance Industry Example [3:13]
Introduction of Guest and Portfolio of Investments [5:00]
Chris’s Explanation of His Business Journey [7:45]
The “Top Three”
His competitor turned business partner [9:26]
His COO [22:40]
His life partner [29:00]
His father [33:50]
You have to hear this…
Poker Lessons Translated to Business [39:00]
Managing the Supply Chain [48:05]
NFTs vs. the Physical Product Business [51:40]
Additional Information
Contact Chris:
- Chris’s LinkedIn
- Chris’s Twitter
- www.bwretail.com
- www.fixmytoys.com
- www.8tenparts.com
- www.nicheparts.com
- www.ballequip.com
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
A Floral Disruptor| Kalin Sheick, owner of Sweetwater Floral, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the $57B floral industry and how she breaks all the rules of the industry. Kalin highlights how she brings her knowledge from the media and entertainment industry to florals. Of course, Kalin speaks about her Top 3, including her husband, Matt, who has taught her about the long game of transformation, her father, Rick, who has instilled the entrepreneurial spirit in her, and her kids, George and May, who keep her humble as her business continues to expand. And you have to hear what she has to say about the future of the flower industry as part of the gig economy and how brides will one day create their own floral arrangements.
About KALIN Sheick Kalin Sheick is a former television reporter turned flower entrepreneur. Owner of Sweetwater Floral, the Michigan based event studio has three locations and flowers for nearly 100 weddings annually. On top of a blooming event side, Kalin focuses a major part of her time in getting people to experience flowers however they are able to. Sweetwater ships DIY flower design kits across the country, hosts in person and virtual workshops & once a year turns into a Wreath Machine, teaching thousands of people how to make holiday wreaths with a variety of offerings. When she's not designing flowers or cooking soup Kalin can be found spending time with her business partner and husband Matt, their kids, dogs & working on building her dream flower studio.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The emergence of digital type technologies [0:58]
The importance of data facilities and machine learning [2:40]
Welcoming, Kalin Sheick (link) [7:22]
Starting in the Floral Industry [9:45]
Transitioning due to Covid-19 Pandemic [12:01]
Transforming Business into Pillars [13:24]
The “Top Three”
Her husband, Matthew, who is a high school athletic director [15:09]
Her father, Rick, who taught her about relationship building in entrepreneurship [19:22]
Her kids, George and May [24:44]
The Long Game [28:55]
The Secret Sauce [31:06]
Natural Skills [33:45]
Documenting Our Life [35:40]
The Disruptor [37:00]
My Team [38:05]
You have to hear this…
The floral industry boom [39:15]
The gig economy [44:10]
Done is better than perfect [50:15]
Stay in touch with Kalin on Instagram
Additional Information Contact Kalin and Sweetwater Floral:
- Sweetwater Floral Instagram
- Sweetwater Floral website
- Sweetwater Floral Facebook page
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Guided Journeys | Scott Schoeneberger, Managing Partner of Bluewater Technologies Group, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss his guided journey through his multi-faceted events and technology integration business. Of course, Scott speaks about his Top 3, including his parents and uncle who encouraged different world views, perspectives, and a sense of innovative thinking, his first mentor, Sandy Corrigan, who took him on a journey of learning and self-discovery, his wife Chanel Schoeneberger who is an ultimate sounding board, and his friend Josh Linkner who helps him reflect on his industry and the firm’s role in it. And you have to hear what he has to say about putting yourself out of business. About Scott Schoeneberger Scott Schoeneberger is the Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Bluewater, an agency that operates four industry-leading business units to support sensory storytelling across digital & physical canvases. He is the founder of the immersive night walk experience, Glenlore Trails. A spark-plug of positivity, Scott lives to Make People Smile. He seeks to bring out the best in those around him, encouraging others to tackle big challenges in creative ways, and to have some fun along the way. He frequently shares his thoughts around this, and other industry topics in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and CEOWorld.
Scott is also an active board member at the Detroit Sessions, a non-profit which serves to connect a new generation with the classical arts by infusing art, space, & technology to create inspiring performances that resonate with the culture of today.
Scott is a Samoyed fanatic, a father of two, and when not cooking plants, can be found near the water.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Linear paths vs free roam journeys [1:10]
Welcoming, Scott Schoeneberger [4:37]
Bluewater Technologies Group – sensory story telling across physical and digital canvases [7:37]
The “Top Three”
Scott’s Parents & Uncle – offering different world views, perspectives, and a sense of innovative thinking [11:03]
Sandy Corrigan – a journey of learning and self-discovery [12:59]
Chanel Schoeneberger – the ultimate sounding board [23:33]
Pivoting the business during COVID – (The Tale of Glenlore Trails – Bluewater’s Immersive Entertainment Experience [28:54]
An R&D profit center [36:00]
Having a case study for creativity / sales [39:30]
Josh Linkner – reflecting on industry and the firm’s role in it [41:51]
You have to hear this…
Technology to keep an eye on [46:48]
Eventually, someone is going to come and push you out of business – so it may as well be you. [53:59]
Stay in touch with Scott! [57:07]
Additional Information Contact Scott Schoeneberger:
- Scott’s LinkedIn
- Scott’s Email Address
- Bluewater Technologies Group Website
Contact Biggby Coffee:
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Understanding Yourself | Michael McFall, Co-CEO of Biggby Coffee, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the importance of knowing thyself and understanding your purpose in order to leave a legacy. Of course, Mike speaks about his Top 3, which range from Bob Fish, his business partner, who holds him accountable, to his mother, who created a solid foundation in his life, to his YPO forum members and his very successful friend. And you have to hear what he has to say about protecting time to remain productive.
About Michael McFall Michael McFall’s journey within BIGGBY® COFFEE began in 1997 when he and his business partner, Bob Fish went on the now-infamous walk around Michigan State University’s campus. They were meant to discuss opening a second store with Mike as the manager. A couple of hours later, the walk ended with a handshake on the agreement of becoming equal partners to grow the brand, BIGGBY® COFFEE.
Mike’s story within the company originally kicked off in 1996, at the very first store, when he took a minimum wage job as a barista. He has since held nearly every position in the company, completing an astonishing journey from barista to Co-CEO. Mike’s cowboy-squirrel-like mentality and full array of BIGGBY® experience is what allows him to create authentic relationships with employees and Franchise Owners that are built on genuine understanding, credibility, and respect. Two decades into this remarkable voyage, Mike brings a unique personal experience to the company, having led BIGGBY® COFFEE through survival mode, stability, and aggressive growth.
In August 2019, Mike published the book, Grind, with the single purpose of helping entrepreneurs establish a positive cash-flow business. This book is built on his personal experience with the ups and downs of building a business, and Mike’s “no-bullshit” and conversational approach to entrepreneurialism teaches people how to effectively improve their business. What better example of entrepreneurship could BIGGBY® COFFEE ask for than from one of the leaders who helped build the successful system up to where it is today.
Mike graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1993 where he earned four varsity letters as a member of the golf team and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He also studied for six months at Fourah Bay College at the University of Sierra Leone where he wrote the life story of Johnny Smythe. Mike participated in the West Island College Class Afloat program in 1988 and sailed halfway around the world on a square-rigged tall ship, visiting 13 countries.
Currently, Mike serves as both a member and Forbes Contributor of Forbes Business Council. He also teaches on the subject of entrepreneurialism in his class ‘Finding Your Venture’ at The University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship and is a hockey enthusiast with a Moonshot to one day own the Detroit Red Wings. When Mike is not spearheading BIGGBY® COFFEE’s newest business venture or writing his latest book, he can be found in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, Elizaveta, and their four children.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Dissecting the phrase “Know thyself” [1:28]
Welcoming, Michael McFall [6:36]
The history and future of the Franchise Model [8:25]
The “Top Three”
Bob Fish, his business partner who holds him accountable [10:12]
Mike’s mother, who set a solid foundation for his decision making [17:30]
YPO members, which serves as a support group for CEO’s [21:49]
A college friend, and brilliant friend with an incredible career, Michael Soenen [27:30]
The history & purpose of Biggby Coffee [31:59]
You have to hear this…
The role of digital in the stated vision [38:40]
Blocking time for productivity [47:35]
Additional Information Contact Mike McFall:
- Mike’s LinkedIn
Contact Biggby Coffee:
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Finding the Potential in Your Network | Lisa Katz, Senior Program Officer for Economic Vitality & Entrepreneurship at the William Davidson Foundation, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss her storied career in public policy across many communities. Lisa speaks about her Top 3, including Mary Lynn Noah, who hired Lisa for her first job as a legislative assistant, Mike Gilroy, who taught her the social network theory, and Dr. Yugal Sharma, a dear friend, and biochemist, who shared in Lisa’s struggle in understanding impact. And you have to hear what she has to say about understanding your impact on the world.
About Lisa Katz Lisa Baragar Katz is the senior program officer for Economic Vitality and Entrepreneurship at the William Davidson Foundation. Her efforts help guide the Foundation’s philanthropic investments to stimulate new business creation and job growth in Southeast Michigan and Israel.
Prior to joining William Davidson, Lisa founded and served for six years as the executive director of the Workforce Intelligence Network — WIN — a Southeast Michigan collaborative of community colleges and MichiganWorks! agencies aimed at understanding the changing economy and responding to talent needs in the region. A social entrepreneur at heart, Lisa, while at WIN, launched several initiatives, securing partners and investment to move ideas forward.
Over the course of her career, Lisa has worked with communities looking to innovate and transform their economies through a heavy focus on talent and entrepreneurship. On these topics, Lisa is a passionate speaker, writer, and strategist who relishes finding actionable solutions to tough challenges.
In 2012, Lisa was named among Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 for her accomplishments. She has held prior roles with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, Detroit Regional Chamber, Research Data Analysis, Public Sector Consultants and the Michigan Department of Management and Budget.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Seeing the world in systems [2:22]
The two lenses: wide angle & telephoto lens [3:45]
Welcoming today’s guest, Lisa Katz [6:22]
The “Top Three”
The Public Policy space & how to help communities react to change [7:15]
Mary Lynn Noah, a Michigan State University James Madison alumnus, who hired Lisa as a legislative assistant [14:55]
Mike Gilroy, who taught her the social network theory [24:20]
Dr. Yugal Sharma, a beloved friend from high school with a PhD in biophysics [37:47]
You have to hear this…
The struggle of understanding your impact on the world [44:08]
There are people at the end of the macro [46:52]
The need for humans vs. the need for automation [52:13]
Stay in touch with Lisa on LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Lisa Katz:
- Lisa’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Clearing the Whiteboard | Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses and celebrates ten years of CGS, the traditions that got him there, and the challenge to get started on your own. Gregg explores a yearly process to “clear the whiteboard”; a process focused on wrapping up the previous year’s thoughts and ideas and creating space for new ones.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights The future of work: the essence of what work is and how humans will take part in work [1:55]
Utilizing the Holiday down time to clear a whiteboard full of ideas [3:09]
Using those few days to prioritize the important over the urgent [3:32]
Whitespace gives me the permission to explore new, fresh, unconstrained ideas [4:55]
How will you clear your physical or virtual whiteboard? [6:05]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Hitting the Reset Button | Luis Cabrera, CEO of Budget Travel, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss his storied career in digital across many industries. Luis highlights how he applies digital skills across senior roles, companies, and continents. Of course, Luis speaks about his Top 3, including Scott Galloway, a storied NYU professor, who helps him take a no-nonsense tone as he considers new opportunities, to Rich Lesser, the former CEO of BCG, who acts as his moral compass, to his wife who drives clarity in his life. And you have to hear what he has to say about having a cool head and hot feet.
About Luis Cabrera Luis is an investor, operator, and consultant. He is currently CEO of Budget Travel and previously CEO of Lonely Planet, which he sold to Red Ventures in late 2020. His experience includes being a Partner at BCGDV, the Digital Ventures division at Boston Consulting Group, a co-founder of an enterprise mobility startup, and a Managing Director at WPP and other digital marketing companies. Luis was born and raised in Mexico City and has lived as south as Argentina and Australia; and has also lived in Miami, LA, San Francisco, NYC, Washington DC, and Nashville.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The emergence of digital transformation programs [1:10]
The importance of understanding digital/connected in two ways [4:45]
Welcoming, Luis Cabrera [7:30]
Developing an enterprise mobility [11:15]
Turning around Lonely Planet [13:11]
The launch of Budget Travel [17:30]
The “Top Three”
His wife, who grounds him and drives clarity in his life [20:00)
Scott Galloway, who helps Luis take a no-nonsense approach as he considers new opportunities [26:15]
Rich Lesser, who is his virtual moral compass [35:55]
Refreshening up a legacy organization [39:30]
Where travel is going in the next 12 months. [42:33]
How autonomous vehicle will impact the travel industry [48:40]
The impact of AR/VR on travel [49:16]
You have to hear this…
Growing Budget Travel & some other exciting hobbies [53:36]
Mental Framework: You need to have a cool head and hot feet [57:39]
Stay in touch with Luis on LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Luis Cabrera:
- Luis’s LinkedIn
Contact Budget Travel:
- Budget Travel Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Finding the Fit | Kevin Browett, CEO of the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss his career journey from being a pharmacist, to controlling over an $18 billion business at the largest retailer in the world, to a multi-time entrepreneur and scale-up leader, to CEO. Of course, Kevin speaks about his top three from the former CEO of CVS who helped him focus on the future, to the owner of the largest Dale Carnegie franchise who taught him to be brave, to a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur who taught him to take the leap on new opportunities, to his grandfather who taught him the value of listening. And you have to hear what he has to say about the role of failure and what that means in driving to the next level.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Transferring skills in the connecting world [1:20]
Welcoming, Kevin Browett [5:14]
The “Top Three”
Larry Merlo, who helped him stay focused on the future [11:52]
Systemic problem solving [17:05]
Kevin’s Grandfather Joseph, who showcased how to listen to be a great leader [21:23]
Ralph Nichols, who taught him how to be brave [27:50]
Being mindful as a mentor [33:12]
Zaydoon Jawadi, who taught him to take risks on good people [38:26]
Michigan Institute of Neurological Disorders (MIND) [43:23]
Having a growth mindset for MIND [48:09]
You have to hear this…
The metaverse and impact of technology [52:45]
Join the MIND team! [55:45]
Failure drives big learnings [57:33]
Stay in touch with Kevin! [58:45]
Additional Information Contact Kevin Browett:
- Kevin’s LinkedIn
Contact MIND:
- MIND LinkedIn
- MIND Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
About Kevin Browett Kevin Browett is the Chief Executive Officer of The Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders.
Browett has extensive operations and business development experience with a wide range of industry knowledge. He has led startups, Fortune 500s, and has been a change agent when it comes to the healthcare model.
In his role as CEO, Browett is responsible for multiple locations, 25+ providers, MIND’s extensive neurology-based service lines including MRI, Infusion, Pain Management, Diagnostic testing, as well as numerous specialty centers dedicated to specific conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders, and Migraine and Facial Pain conditions to name a few.
MIND is a leading neurology practice dedicated to providing the most comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive services to adult patients and their families affected with neurological conditions. In an effort to improve outcomes and quality of life, MIND is one of the few comprehensive private neurological facilities in the country focused on the betterment of our patients through the use of onsite, cutting-edge neuro-diagnostic technology, neuro-imaging, infusion services and medical education and research.
Browett sits on the Cranbrook Board of Trustees and serves as a board member for Duquesne University Business School and Oakland University.
Sample Career Achievements:
- Strategic Vision: Evolved 77-year-old newspaper company into media group, restructuring product mix and transforming direction and profitability. Won Newspaper of Year award in 4 of 5 years.
- Pioneering Startup: Founded successful pharmaceutical distribution company, pioneering enterprise-wide process automation, merchandise mix, staffing, and store layout later adopted by CVS/Aetna.
- Business Development: Grew pharmacy startup from nothing to 17 stores, 300 staff, and $30M in sales within 24 months. Built entire Peoples Drugs pharmacy operation, setting foundation for acquisition by CVS.
- Successful Turnarounds: Turned struggling Peoples home health care division into top ROI producer. Transformed Kmart pharmacy operations, growing sales from $700M to $1.6B in 18 months.
- Innovative Product Development: Developed key strategic sourcing partnerships for Nutra Novus to create innovative, new products, driving sales from $17M to $32M.
- M&A - Divestitures: Handled multiple mergers for CVS Pharmacy and Peoples Drugs, including acquisitions or divestitures of Rite Aid, and IMASCO.
The Future of Work | Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses the future of work. Gregg explores three basic pieces: thinking of how automated work might be for you in the future, deciding if you’re going to have a freelance or W2 automated workforce, and just how satisfied will your workers and non-workers be in this future era.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights The future of work: the essence of what work is and how humans will take part in work [0:43]
The tension between labor markets and the availability and adoption of technologies [3:09]
What will workforces look like over the next decade? [6:06]
What will robotics/autonomation be the freelancer or the employee? [11:43]
What will satisfaction of employees look like? [14:22]
Additional Information I4.0 & Labor Market Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RX3VFZ3
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Turning Hardship Into Differentiation | John Katona, Industrial Engineer at General Motors and CEO JKNK Studios, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss his unique journey in life that includes a paralyzing car accident that re-rerouted, and in some ways accelerated, his journey. Of course, John speaks about his top three ranging from his father who taught him a unique business model, to his pastor who introduce him to making music with others, to an advisor who fostered a passion for engineering. And you have to hear what he says about the intimate nature of creating music with a team.
About John Katona John Katona is a human factors engineer at GM, with a bachelors and masters degree in industrial and systems engineering from Oakland University. He is also a record producer, runs JK (Not Kidding) Studios, and founded Bird Fight Records. His other passion besides engineering and music is accessibility, both for the future of mobility and in his studio, which is completely wheelchair accessible.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Learning to be resilient [1:20]
Starting is the hardest part of a transformation [3:30]
John Katona – an emerging leader [5:24]
Welcoming, John Katona [7:54]
The “Top Three”
Joe Katona, John’s Dad, who taught him how to build a life around a passion [10:46]
Robert Van Til, who fostered a passion for engineering [16:05]
Pastor Kevin Cook, who introduced John to making music with others [20:54]
Many colleagues and bosses [25:45]
The importance of inclusivity [27:30]
The broad topic of mobility [33:45]
Fight for what you deserve [34:15]
Launching a music business [39:37]
You have to hear this…
The importance of valuing people [44:40]
Stay in touch with John! [46:30]
Additional Information Contact John Katona:
- John’s LinkedIn
- John’s Website
- John’s Instagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
State of Risk and Trust | Steve Fleischmann, Preempt Risk, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on managing risk in complex ecosystems in support of profitable growth. Of course, Steve shares his Top Three who include an academic mentor who recruited him to study why civil wars occur, especially in the light of global terrorism, a direct report who is an expert diplomat who understands scale and the power of controlling the narrative, and the former CFO of a major U.S.-based energy company who understands the linkages of risk and trust. And you have to hear what he has to say about truly being brave.
About Steve Fleischmann Dr. Steven Fleischmann - Strategic Advisor: International Security; Risk and Development
Dr. Fleischmann has over twenty years of experience as a global expert in risk across a broad range of areas including: global energy markets, national and international intelligence and security strategy and diplomacy, and strategic technologies.
Dr. Fleischmann has been a principal in several global ventures in the technology and financial sectors, led a business intelligence team at a global Fortune 500 energy company, and advised investors and companies on issues related to direct investment, sovereign risk, infrastructure development and investment, and risk mitigation.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Innovation at the fringe is built on trust [1:13]
Innovation is now a “team sport” [3:20]
Welcoming our guest, Steve Fleischmann [7:51]
Protecting against risk [10:30]
Working at the core of the world’s infrastructure – energy [13:35]
Defining risk management [16:08]
Managing currency risk [19:16]
The “Top Three”
Phillip Rief: identifying how authority works [20:45]
Destruction of trust: Is the next civil war upon us? [26:48]
Allen Lock: if something is framed correctly, it can change history [31:12]
Scale building in the digital age [35:13]
Al Right: the linkage of risk and trust [42:40]
In a time of transition or change, you must grab on to trust [47:56]
You have to hear this…
The barriers to entry are lowering for core services [51:31]
Working in the investment industries – building capacity that will stay [57:48]
Acknowledge that none of us are brave [1:04:51]
Stay in touch with Steve [1:06:07]
Finding Your Passion | Dane Mathews, Vice President of Precision Marketing at Conagra Brands, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on transforming organizations and brands. Of course, Dane shares his Top Three who include his wife and children who have been core to establishing a professional shift in his approach, a former Amazon executive who taught him how to work backward, a former boss who helped him change his perspective to accomplish goals, and a former podcast guest who helped him humanize leadership. And you have to hear what he has to say about the democratization of leadership.
About Dane Mathews Dane Mathews is Vice President of Precision Marketing at Conagra Brands. He leads Conagra’s marketing transformation leveraging enterprise agility, personalization, technological enablement, and advanced analytics. With a focus on the digital consumer experience, Dane is responsible for enterprise consumer marketing efforts including brand design, media & advertising, eCommerce, CRM, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy.
Dane has 15 years of marketing experience and has led the development and scale of transformative consumer experiences at some of the most well-known brands including, Caesars Entertainment, Target, and McDonald’s. Dane received his BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and his MBA from The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Dane resides in Oak Park, IL with his wife Marlene, their 3 sons, Dane, Miles, and Jaden, and their Goldendoodle Frida.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The only thing constant is change. [1:06]
Operationalizing transformation [2:53]
Welcoming our guest, Dane Matthews [5:20]
Discovering passion – simplifying the complex and making it relatable [12:24]
The “Top Three”
Marlene Aponte-Mathews and their children: make change management fun and remember that development is best done in public [17:17]
Developing in public and bringing others in [23:23]
Atif Rafiq: start with the end and work backward [29:56]
Lisa Roath: getting help – “who can help me do this?” [36:20]
DeLu Jackson: humanizing leadership and change management [42:25]
“Nudging the positives” [46:50]
You have to hear this…
Democratization of leadership [51:10]
Stay in touch with Dane via LinkedIn [54:27]
Additional Information Contact Dane Mathews:
- Dane’s LinkedIn
- Conagra Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Finding Your Passion | Dane Mathews, Vice President of Precision Marketing at Conagra Brands, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on transforming organizations and brands. Of course, Dane shares his Top Three who include his wife and children who have been core to establishing a professional shift in his approach, a former Amazon executive who taught him how to work backward, a former boss who helped him change his perspective to accomplish goals, and a former podcast guest who helped him humanize leadership. And you have to hear what he has to say about the democratization of leadership.
About Dane Mathews Dane Mathews is Vice President of Precision Marketing at Conagra Brands. He leads Conagra’s marketing transformation leveraging enterprise agility, personalization, technological enablement, and advanced analytics. With a focus on the digital consumer experience, Dane is responsible for enterprise consumer marketing efforts including brand design, media & advertising, eCommerce, CRM, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy.
Dane has 15 years of marketing experience and has led the development and scale of transformative consumer experiences at some of the most well-known brands including, Caesars Entertainment, Target, and McDonald’s. Dane received his BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and his MBA from The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Dane resides in Oak Park, IL with his wife Marlene, their 3 sons, Dane, Miles, and Jaden, and their Goldendoodle Frida.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The only thing constant is change. [1:06]
Operationalizing transformation [2:53]
Welcoming our guest, Dane Matthews [5:20]
Discovering passion – simplifying the complex and making it relatable [12:24]
The “Top Three”
Marlene Aponte-Mathews and their children: make change management fun and remember that development is best done in public [17:17]
Developing in public and bringing others in [23:23]
Atif Rafiq: start with the end and work backward [29:56]
Lisa Roath: getting help – “who can help me do this?” [36:20]
DeLu Jackson: humanizing leadership and change management [42:25]
“Nudging the positives” [46:50]
You have to hear this…
Democratization of leadership [51:10]
Stay in touch with Dane via LinkedIn [54:27]
Additional Information Contact Dane Mathews:
- Dane’s LinkedIn
- Conagra Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Building the Backstop of Innovation | Emmett Romine, VP, Customer Solutions & Innovation at Xcel Energy, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on customer and channel innovation in the energy industry. Of course, Emmett shares his Top Three who include an executive who pushed him to create and be true to his personal brand, to a marketing industry executive who helped him to respect and grow the brand promise, to the vice chairman of a publicly traded company who made space for him to succeed in innovation. And you have to hear what Emmett has to say about coupling persistence with patience to be a better, braver leader
About Emmett Romine Emmett Romine is the Vice President of Customer Solutions & Innovation at Xcel Energy. In his role Emmet leads corporate economic development, energy efficiency and the creation of innovative solutions that exceed the unique needs of residential and commercial customers.
Before joining Xcel Energy in 2019 Emmett previously held a leadership role at Powerley, a technology company that provides utilities with solutions aimed at bridging the smart grid to the smart home. He has 20 years of utility industry experience with 13 years at DTE Energy working in areas including distribution operations, continuous improvement, finance and energy efficiency.
Emmett holds a master’s degree in Finance from the Olin Business School at Washington University, St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University. He also attended the Executive Education Program with a focus on organic growth and innovation from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Fighting the antibodies that sunt innovation success [1:05]
A key to innovation success: the sponsor of innovation role [3:05]
Welcoming our guest, Emmett Romine [4:15]
The “Top Three”
Ron May: create and be true to your personal brand [10:34]
Emmett’s brand: creating new thing and value propositions in the energy space [13:11]
Terry Oprea: respect and grow the brand promise [17:20]
The importance of trust to a brand [20:18]
Dave Meador: created a backstop for innovation [23:17]
Testing the resiliency of the backstop [26:43]
Transformation & Disruption
The convergence of the automotive and energy industries [30:11]
The multi-directional flow of energy [34:59]
Customer-centric, channel innovation [36:43]
Building a channel to the customer [43:12]
The future of work at Xcel Energy [45:22]
You have to hear this…
Stay in touch with Emmett via email Emmett.R.Romine@xcelenergy.com [47: 49]
Persistence coupled with patience is a key to success [48:20]
Additional Information Contact Emmett Romine:
- Emmett’s LinkedIn
- Xcel Energy Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Letting a Tiger Out of Her Cage: Renée Rouleau, CEO and President of Renee Rouleau Skin Care, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on successfully pivoting and scaling a company from a brick-and-mortar service model to a direct-to-consumer product delivery model. Of course, she speaks about her top three including her late husband who she learned business and life lessons from before and after his passing, a daredevil who challenges her to enjoy the fruits of her labor, her EO buddy who helps her reflect on decision making, and her COO who helps her solve complex problems. And you have to hear what she has to say about scrutinizing every opportunity and her “3am test”.
About Renée Rouleau Beauty entrepreneur, Renée Rouleau established her namesake brand 25 years ago as an extension to her lifelong passion for skin care. From her early days starting as a celebrity esthetician, up to today where she leads the Austin-based, 100% Founder-owned Renée Rouleau Skin Care brand, Renée has always had an exceptional way of connecting with her clients.
As the creative force behind Renée Rouleau Skin Care, Renée is quoted throughout top national media outlets, has created several award-winning skin care formulas based on her philosophy of "nine different skin types" and is a favorite brand of beauty editors and celebrities. Her popular blog offers tips on every skin care topic and is the go-to for skincare enthusiasts seeking healthy, beautiful skin. Renée has prioritized responsible business practices throughout her career and is a well-respected leader for how to run a thriving organization. Today, she is extremely proud of her brand’s recent acknowledgment as “A Best Place to Work” by Austin Business Journal in 2020.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Finding your path to the end customer [0:56]
Welcome guest, Renée Rouleau [3:20]
The “Top Three”
Her Late Husband: Brought business and life lessons from a different perspective [5:52]
The importance of trust [11:47]
Who will answer your call at 3am? Those are the key people [12:24]
Her friend, Nik Zoylinos: The daredevil who pushes her to continue to be brave [13:58]
The art of being a bravery catalyst – letting the tiger out of her cage [17:59]
Amy Power: Practicality in decision-making [24:21]
The shift from brick-and-mortar to direct-to-consumer [27:49]
Curtis Schuttinger: Keeping her focused on the important items [35:29]
Transformation & Disruption
Tying personality to successful roles [41:32]
The differentiator of Renée Rouleau – the importance of personalization [47:39]
Celebrating recent successes (Inc Magazine article) [52:26]
You have to hear this…
Scrutinize every opportunity before saying yes [53:23]
Follow Renée’s blog, Instagram, and the company’s Instagram [56:08]
Additional Information Contact Renée Rouleau:
- Renée’s Instagram
- Renée’s LinkedIn
- Renée Rouleau Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Genuinely Curious: Tammy Hahn, Chief Product Officer at Groundswell, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on how to approach product management as well as how her new firm is looking to disrupt the non-profit industry. Of course, Tammy shares her Top Three who include her father who shows her how to drive rediscovery, her coworker turned spouse who is the yin to her yang and pushes her to be brave, and her product management teams that give her the 360-degree view of leadership she needs. And you have to hear what she has to say about using scheduling reminders to make you a better leader.
About Tammy Hahn Tammy Hahn is known as many things: Mother, Wife, Product leader, Technologist, First-generation Chinese American. She is a vision-led, experimentation-driven Product leader & strategist that's passionate about building delightful products that solve real-world problems for customers and users. Tammy is currently Chief Product Officer and Founding Team Member at Groundswell, a new start-up sitting at the intersection of Fintech and Philanthropy aiming to revolutionize the way individuals and corporations approach social impact to solve for the most pressing issues of our time. She previously led Product for Cornerstone OnDemand, a leading human capital and talent management SaaS provider, where she took the company from $40M ARR through IPO to over $850M ARR and built a Product organization from a team of six to over 100 globally organically and through acquisitions.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Fanning the flames of discovery [1:01]
Real creativity is seeing things in a different way than others do – creative connectivity [4:40]
Challenge: build creativity into your daily routine [7:35]
Welcome guest, Tammy Hahn [8:12]
The best time in life – deeply exploring what would make her happy [11:30]
The “Top Three”
Her Father: Find something fulfilling and go after it [13:26]
Andrew Hahn: Being a rock, providing guidance and being an enabler of success. [19:40]
Product Management Colleagues: The most important feedback is the feedback you receive from your team members / direct reports [24:40]
Great product managers fall in love with the problem they are solving, not the solution [28:00]
Transformation & Disruption
Groundswell: changing the face of philanthropy [34:50]
Groundswell Co-founders: Joe Marchese, Adam Miller & Jake Wood [36:12]
The purpose-driven mission [39:10]
There needs to be a disruption in how people perceive non-profits [43:58]
Groundswell is hiring! [48:44]
You have to hear this…
Be a calendar reminder freak [49:30]
Stay in touch with Tammy via LinkedIn! [51:16]
Additional Information Contact Tammy Hahn:
- Tammy’s LinkedIn
- Get involved with Groundswell
- Axios write-up on Groundswell
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses the importance of building a mesh network of relationships to help hold up your career, and personal goals. He shares how cross-industry collaboratives may be necessary to build these meshes as the world continues to connect. Gregg also highlights how CGS Advisors has launched two networks in the recent past; one bringing together enterprise innovators and another building unlikely bridges between manufacturers and supply chain leaders to orchestrate I4.0.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights The importance of observation and reflection [1:07]
Creating a mesh network [2:48]
The value of the human ‘mesh network’ [4:15]
Creating your mesh network [6:40]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Becoming the First: Sunayna Tuteja, Chief Innovation Officer for the Federal Reserve System joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the importance of passion when you are making your own journey. Sunayna speaks about coordinating decentralized innovation inside and beyond the Federal Reserve, a 100+ year old entity. And of course, she shares her Top Three who include her parents who taught her that regret is a wasted emotion, a former boss who helped her bridge the passion of avionics to that of corporate finance, a group of classmates who help her to see the horizon even when her flight plan is changing, and a virtual community that educates her whenever she is ready to listen. And you have to hear what she has to say about creating the routine on-ramp each and every day.
About Sunayna Tuteja Sunayna Tuteja joined as the Chief Innovation Officer for the Federal Reserve System in 2021. She brings 10+ years of global experience leading change and innovation at the nexus of finance, technology and policy. Most recently, Sunayna was the Global Head of Emerging Tech & Strategic Partnerships at TD Ameritrade. This practice was inclusive of commercializing frontier tech, building and investing in the next generation of products and experiences in collaboration with partners in big tech, fintech, start-up and the VC ecosystem in North America and Asia. When she’s not nerding out on all things innovation, you can find Sunayna adventuring the skies in her Cessna.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The purpose of passion [1:18]
Pairing passion and curiosity [2:00]
Welcome guest, Sunayna Tuteja [6:02]
The “Top Three”
How to harness frontier technologies with a sense of purpose [8:22]
Her Parents: Grateful for everything, entitled to nothing [11:00]
Regret is a wasted emotion [14:34]
Dan who helped her channel obsessions and hard work into new endeavors [20:35]
Board of Advisors relationships are most impactful when they are symbiotic [28:02]
Fellow students from flight school: stress test the assumption of the problem [36:10]
Digital communities, social networks are creating access to data and thoughts and relationships in real life [45:22]
Transformation & Disruption
The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States [51:08]
Sunayna’s three goals of taking on a new role in a new organization [53:30]
Innovation at the Federal Reserve – why now? [56:01]
The relationship between technology and innovation [1:02:25]
You have to hear this…
Get up early: “Creates the routine on ramp and off ramp to my day” [1:05:45]
Additional Information Contact Sunayna Tuteja:
- Sunayna’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Industries blurring in the talent war: Gil Gur Arie, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Ford Motor Company, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on his career journey including his life before Ford as a commanding officer in the Israeli Intelligence Agency. He highlights how the mission of an organization (no matter if it is public or private) is at the heart of motivating employees, and how communication and trust is the absolute lynchpin of success. All the while he comments on the future of data as the underpinning capability for the information revolution. And of course, he shares his Top Three who include a fellow ex-Colonel in the Israeli armed forces who was his communication refinement partner, his deputy who could “complete his sentences”, and his humble mentor who helped him shape his own empathetic bravery. And you have to hear what Gil says about double clicking deep into the language your team uses to guarantee proper interpretation and building the “virtual and living glossary.”
About Gil Gur Arie Gil Gur Arie is Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Ford Motor Company. In this position he leads the Ford team through the digital revolution by developing Ford’s big-data, connected vehicle data and AI strategies in the coming years.
Gur Arie will capitalize on the enterprise’s data sources and advance analytics talent to enhance operational fitness, develop connected vehicle business opportunities and steer better decision making throughout the company. Global Data Insight & Analytics (GDI&A) has grown into a team of 1,000+ data scientists globally that focus on key company priorities, including helping speed development of the mobility, electrification, connectivity and autonomous driving innovations that will improve people’s lives.
A native of Israel, Gur Arie is a retired colonel in the Israeli Military Intelligence Corps, unit 8200 (Israeli Siginit National Unit). He is a technological leader with more than two decades of experience in data science, research and development, cyber and intelligent technologies management. While serving in the Corps, he established a Tech unit with more than 1,000 employees, delivering hundreds of innovative products and solutions for the Corps and the intelligence community at large. He also was appointed as Data Science representative, establishing the profession of Data Engineer within the IDF.
In addition, he served as a strategic consultant to a variety of large companies in Israel, where he assisted in Big Data strategy, artificial intelligence and cyber security design.
Gur Arie received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology and his Master of Business Administration from Tel Aviv University. He received the Israel Defense Award in 2018; the award is given annually by the President of the state of Israel to people and organizations for technological breakthroughs that have made a significant contribution to the defense of the nation.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The blurring of industry lines: Impacting the war on talent [1:26]
Blurring of the industry executive [4:07]
Welcome guest, Gil Gur Arie [7:08]
The “Top Three”
Some of Gil’s insight: Ford, data, and analytics [12:07]
Ariel Parnes: Gil’s fellow ex-colonel in the Israeli armed forces who was his communication refinement partner [16:17]
Tzahi Daveti: Gil’s deputy who could “complete his sentences” [28:04]
Dr. Eli Plotnik: his humble mentor who helped him shape his own empathetic bravery [37:19]
Transformation & Disruption
Ford+: The role of data in the strategy [49:14]
“Selling Data”: Changes and challenges [54:19]
Blurring of Industries: Additional information to pay attention to [58:05]
You have to hear this…
“Double clicking deep into the language your team uses to guarantee proper interpretation, and the building of a ‘virtual and living glossary’.” [1:01.32]
Additional Information Contact Gil Gur Arie:
- Gil’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Power of Disruption: Gail Davis, a leader in the international keynote speaker industry, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the changes occurring in her industry as well as how she’s driven her firm to emerge as a stable leader post-COVID. She of course shares her Top Three who include individuals that help her not sweat the small stuff, remind her that clear is kind, how to manage the tension between work and other facets of life, and those who help to fill a capability void. And you have to hear what she has to say about keeping focused on the future as “it only gets better.”
About Gail Davis Davis’ decades of corporate marketing and events management were the launch pad for GDA in 1999. Before founding the company, she spent two decades with the global technology conglomerate Electronic Data Systems (EDS, which became part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and now operates as MicroFocus and DXC Technology) in Dallas. While at EDS, she discovered Nando Parrado, a heroic survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash that took the lives of many rugby players. Parrado was the keynote speaker for the company’s marquee event.
Based on the success of those early corporate events, Parrado signed an exclusive agreement with Davis, as it was her efforts that convinced him to share his story after so many years. It was the partnership with Parrado that eventually anchored the creation of GDA.
Today, Davis continues to discover new talent and take the professional speaking industry by storm. She is credited with bringing Parrado’s harrowing experience to life in the New York Times best-selling book, Miracle in the Andes. It is written as a first-person account of the Andes plane crash. Most recently, at her encouragement, Parrado lent his personal account to the acclaimed new documentary, “I am Alive,” featured on The History Channel.
Under her passionate leadership, GDA Speakers has vetted and curated a number of highly qualified speakers who they trust and deliver with confidence. In the first 17 years, they assembled a database of over 5,000 speakers. Then in order to add more value to their clients they cut the list in half. Only featuring and working with the top speakers in each of the many categories sought by their clients.
Her successful business approach and passion have also impacted the industry. Davis was the 2011-2012 President of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB). Previously, she served as an IASB Governor where she developed new education programs for members worldwide and drew increased investment in the industry.
Davis is a member of the Entrepreneur Organization. She is also a supporter of numerous community organizations. She was named to the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College Board of Visitors in 2014. She was the co-chair of the 2014 Soup’s On! Luncheon, which is the major fundraising force of The Stewpot Alliance benefiting the programs of The Stewpot in Dallas. The 2014 Luncheon was the most successful luncheon to date. In 2011, the Dallas Business Journal honored her as one of Dallas’ Top 25 Women in Business.
Davis recently hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim as a part of a fundraiser for Project Athena. She is a graduate of the Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma where she was honored as a Distinguished Alumni in 2018. A native of Oklahoma, Davis resides in Dallas.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Defining Disruption: Sentiment is in the eye of the beholder [1:09]
Gregg’s challenge to you, the listener [3:00]
Welcome guest, Gail Davis [3:28]
The “Top Three”
Nando Parrado: Helps Gail to not sweat the small stuff [9:11]
Brené Brown: Reminds Gail that “Clear is Kind” [14:40]
Alicia Marie: Coached Gail to manage the tension between work and other fascist of life [18:36]
Julie Lancaster: Helped Gail to fill a capability void [23:54]
Groups that Support Gail: professional organizations (EO Dallas, IASB), family, friends, etc. [24:30]
Transformation & Disruption
Lessons Learned: Advice for entrepreneurs [26:40]
Navigating disruption in the speaking industry [31:44]
Where the speaking industry is headed [42:23]
You have to hear this…
Focus on the Future: “it only gets better.” [53:44]
Additional Information Contact Gail Davis:
- Gail’s LinkedIn
- Gail’s Twitter
- Gail’s Website
- Gail’s Blog
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
The 40-year trajectory for your career: Punit Dhillon, executive, investor, and new author, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on being an effective corporate athlete and catapulting your career. He of course shares his Top Three who include his wife who acts as the yin to his yang, a mentor who Punit has followed through his 20-year career, a business partner who backstops him every step of the way, and an executive coach who helped him to re-realize the importance of the coaching relationship in achieving excellence. And you have to hear what he says about making a routine around the first hour of your day.
About Punit Dhillon Punit Dhillon is the Chair and CEO of Skye Bioscience Inc., a public pharmaceutical company. He is the Co-founder, former President, and CEO of OncoSec, a biotechnology company pioneering new technologies to fight cancer, and the Co-founder of the registered charity, YELL Canada.
Punit has been recognized as one of PharmaVOICE 100’s top CEOs and as a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year ™. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Nina, and their two daughters.
About “Catapult: How to think like a corporate athlete to strengthen your resilience”
Punit Dhillon was nine when he almost drowned in a swimming pool. Twenty years later, her became a competitive swimmer and completed his first of several Ironman Triathlons. Punit lives by the philosophy of using adversity as fuel to exceed all expectations.
At thirty, Punit was one of the youngest biotech CEOs in the life sciences industry, and just five years later, he became a NASDAQ CEO for a publicly traded biotech company. Punit’s pioneering tenacity is shared by other extreme athletes and high-achieving corporate professionals who understand that we never truly know what we can accomplish until we push our limits.
In Catapult, Punit gives you an insider’s look at the lessons we learn by turning obstacles into opportunities. Taking you through his twenty years of global business experience, Punit shares ten principles for a purpose-driven life and career, linking together the athletic strengths that will help you succeed in the business world.
With the right training and mindset, adversity becomes your motivation. This book will show you how to challenge the status quo, leave your legacy, and truly change the world.
Show Highlights During this episode:
14,600 days or 480 months or 40 years: The standard career trajectory [1:05]
Honest current headlines [4:00]
Welcome guest, Punit Dhillon [5:44]
The “Top Three”
Nina Dhillon: Punit’s wife who is the ying to his yang [15:23]
Avtar Dhillon: Punit’s uncle and mentor he has followed throughout his career [23:12]
Tu Diep: Punit’s business partner who backstops him every step of the way [37:12]
Judy Brooks: Punit’s executive coach who highlights the importance of the coach relationship in achieving excellence [45:04]
Transformation & Disruption
Punit’s Book: Catapult: How to think like a corporate athlete to strengthen your resilience [51:52]
You have to hear this…
Punit’s Tip: Make a routine around the first hour of your day [1:00:58]
Additional Information Contact Punit Dhillon:
- Punit’s LinkedIn
- Punit’s Website
- Punit’s Twitter
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Leading Leaders: Brian Suszek, CGS Fellow and former President and CEO of Tweddle Group, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on leading the transformation of the private company from a paper publishing corporation to an information juggernaut in the mobility industry. He of course shares his Top Three who include his wife of over 30 years who drives tremendous candor, a turnaround specialist who amplifies Brian’s effect, a get-stuff-done team member, and a corporate strategist that drove a scaling effect in the business. And you have to hear what he says about trusting yourself to connect the dots.
About Brian Suszek Brian Suszek is a business leader with more than 25 years of experience. Brian has always been a change agent that has led the successful turnaround of nearly every type of functional area within a business. Brian is passionate about the ability of excellent leadership to solve complex problems with creative and pragmatic solutions.
From entry level, as a cost estimator, Brian grew his responsibilities at Tweddle Group throughout his career to ultimately become the CEO. He has found that thriving organizations have consistent qualities. They have solid processes, are filled with great people and the people are aligned and held accountable through a culture based upon solid purpose, mission, vision and values. He has been able to consistently develop successful organizations based on that structure.
Brian believes business is mostly about getting the right people into your organization. Therefore, he has always put more focus on this aspect of business. That includes recruiting, hiring, personnel development, personnel improvement and team development. Great people are enabled by a high trust culture where creativity and accountability thrive through psychological safety. The organizations that he has been responsible for – organizations where no one said “That is not your job” or “That is not my job” – have generated consistent excellence because of that structure.
Brian has always invested heavily in coaching and mentoring his employees, colleagues, and other business leaders. Their achievement has been a source of great pride for him.
Brian holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Printing Management from Western Michigan University. He is a prolific reader and lifelong learner on a wide array of topics. He is also an enthusiastic traveler and huge foodie via his wife’s diverse cooking, exhaustively sampling the great cuisine of Metro Detroit and sampling cuisines throughout his travels.
Show Highlights During this episode:
The title of “Leader”: What are you leading? [1:03]
“Leading leaders is messy” [3:32]
Welcome guest, Brian Suszek [4:55]
The “Top Three”
Brian’s career journey: Moving from a cost estimator to CEO at Tweddle Group [7:50]
Tracy Suszek: Brian’s wife who drives tremendous candor [17:14]
Joe Bennett: A turnaround specialist who amplifies Brian’s effect [23:18]
Eric Taylor: Brian’s get-stuff-done team member [34:36]
Chad Ehnis: Brian’s corporate strategist who drove a scaling effect [43:04]
Transformation & Disruption
Insight into the corporate strategy shift(s) within Tweddle Group [50:04]
Successful industry disruption: Why CGS? [56:14]
You have to hear this…
Brian’s Hack: Trust yourself to connect the dots [59:53]
Additional Information Contact Brian Suszek:
- Brian’s LinkedIn
- Brian’s Email
- Brian’s Blog
- Brian’s Twitter
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Launching an Enterprise Innovation Capability: Arthur Orduña, an enterprise innovator, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on his experiences leading innovation initiatives at Avis and ADT. Arthur of course shares his Top Three who include his wife, an advisor to the board at Google, a screen writer, a former Fortune 500 CEO, and an entrepreneur. And you must hear what he says about the intersection of curiosity and creativity.
About Arthur OrduÑa Arthur Orduña is an accomplished senior leader with a unique track record of launching innovative new products and technologies across diverse industries and developing and launching disruptive new businesses and partnerships for entities ranging from early-stage start-ups to Fortune 500 public companies. He has successfully led high-profile initiatives across the embedded real-time software, satellite television and cable broadband, broadcast and digital advertising, smart home security and automation, and global automotive and transportation mobility industries.
Since December 2020, he has become:
- A network advisor to EQT, a leading Swedish private equity firm with €67 billion Euros of assets under management, supporting their services sector.
- A senior advisor to Newlab, an award-winning disruptive technology accelerator in Brooklyn, NY, where he is helping with the creation and launch of new corporate innovation partnerships beginning with Ford Motor Company’s mobility studio focusing on EV and next-generation commercial fleets.
- A founding member of LG Electronics’ Global Innovation Council, chaired by LG’s President and CTO, and advising LG’s product initiatives in mobility and transportation aimed at digital innovations for vehicle and driver safety.
- The newest member of the Board of Trustees for Atlantic Health System, one of the largest health providers in the Northeast, with nearly $3B in revenue and more than 20,000 employees and affiliated physicians serving 5 million New Jersey residents across 11 counties.
- A senior advisor to two early-stage mobility technology companies, one currently launched in four U.S. markets (Kyte) and the other still in stealth and pre-launch.
Prior to his advisory roles, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Avis Budget Group, a Fortune 500 global provider of mobility solutions, from 2016 until the end of 2020. In this role, he was responsible for leading global innovation, product, and technology for ABG’s consumer and commercial fleets of more than 700,000 vehicles. He also led digital transformation for business and leisure customer cloud and mobile platforms across all of the Company’s brands and regions. He also negotiated and managed new technology partnerships and investments to position ABG as a leader in new connected mobility and transportation.
Before joining Avid Budget Group, he served as Chief Innovation Officer for The ADT Corporation from 2012 until 2016, where he was responsible for architecting and building the strategic roadmap, delivery platform and products for residential and commercial customer solutions, leading digital business and customer transformation, and positioning ADT as a partner of choice for key technology companies. Prior to joining ADT, he was a founder of Canoe Ventures, LLC, a joint venture focused on interactive television and targeted advertising owned by the top six U.S. cable companies, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and then Chief Product Officer. Previous to Canoe, he was the SVP of Product & Technology for Bright House Networks, at the time the 6th largest MSO in the U.S. He was also VP of Product and Marketing for Canal+ Technologies U.S. as a part of Vivendi-Universal, and also held senior product management roles in the embedded software industry at Wind River Systems, ISI and Microwave Systems.
Prior to technology and media, he began his career as the Managing Editor of Cityview, the weekly alternative newspaper in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Orduña has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University. He also attended the MFA Graduate Program for Dramatic Writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Chief Innovation Officer: The coolest job at a company [0:56]
Welcome guest, Arthur Orduña [5:07]
Breaking down the role of a Chief Innovation Officer [8:55]
The “Top Three”
Hilary Brown: Arthur’s wife who is insightful, direct and a rock for him [16:12]
Marwan Fawaz: Arthur’s friend and mentor who taught him how to ask any question [20:30]
Frank Pugliese: Arthur’s oldest friend who brings wonderful perspective and the creative lens [27:07]
Larry De Shon & Naren Gursahaney: Arthur’s former bosses who he’s proud to have worked for and have as a mentors and friends [36:50]
Transformation & Disruption
Newlab: A disruptive and pioneering technology accelerator [46:68]
Visit newlab.com in learn about openings and apply for the mobility studio [52:40]
A focus for Newlab on electrification and the challenges of it [53:20]
You have to hear this…
Arthur’s tip: Identify the hardest thing for the next day and do it first [57:26]
Additional Information Contact Arthur Orduña:
- Arthur’s LinkedIn
- Arthur’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Looking backward to lead forward: DeLu Jackson, vice president of precision marketing for Conagra Brands, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on precision marketing being the new frontier at Conagra. He of course shares his Top Three who include a childhood role models who gave him his model for mentorship, his wife who reminds him to lead with empathy and humility, a former boss who helped him understand what he would be great at, and a friendly sounding board for big decisions. And you must hear what he says about the daily standup!
About DeLu Jackson DeLu Jackson currently serves as Conagra Brands Vice President of Precision Marketing. In this role, DeLu leads the company’s marketing transformation and demand acceleration through increased data intelligence, agility, always-on content and dynamic measurement. He is responsible for various facets of integrated marketing for the organization, including design, advertising, media, e-commerce, agile content and consumer data.
DeLu has over 20 years of marketing experience with well-known consumer brands. Prior to joining Conagra Brands, he was vice president of digital acceleration for Kellogg Company and previously served as corporate vice president of global marketing at McDonald’s Corporation where he led marketing, social media and customer engagement. DeLu has alos served in leadership roles in marketing for Nissan, Audi, Subaru and Ford.
He grew up in Dallas and has lived in Princeton, NJ, St. Louis, Kansas City, New York City, Detroit, Philadelphia, Tokyo and now Chicago. He has been married to Anna for 15 years and has two daughters, Mia (13) and Harper (10), and one son, Nikko (6).
DeLu earned his bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and an MBA in marketing from New York University – Stern School of Business.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Looking backward to move forward: Not wanting to close any doors to opportunities or people [0:59]
The importance of staying connected [4:01]
Welcome guest, DeLu Jackson [7:07]
The “Top Three”
Pat and Paul: DeLu’s childhood role models who gave him his model for mentorship [11:58]
Anna Wodlinger Jackson: DeLu’s wife who reminds him to lead with empathy and humility [21:34]
Kevin Mayer: DeLu’s former boss who helped him understand what he would be good at [30:35]
Chris D’Alessandro: DeLu’s friendly sounding board for big decisions [42:54]
Transformation & Disruption
What is “precision marketing”? [44:30]
Data: One type that makes DeLu giddy [47:50]
Looking into the future with data [51:33]
Some final thoughts from DeLu [57:08]
You have to hear this…
The daily standup [58:30]
Additional Information Contact DeLu Jackson:
- DeLu’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Exploring Frictionless Experiences: Anita Klopfenstein CIO at Little Caesars, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on innovation in the fast-turn restaurant industry and what is on the horizon for the entertainment industry as COVID restrictions are lifted. She of course shares her Top Three ranging from her aunts and uncles who helped her get on the right path to her high school teacher who helped her find her voice and learn management skills to a former boss who awoke a desire to transform organizations to her husband who helps ground her as they raise 12 children. And don’t miss what she has to say about gathering exactly five pieces of information before you act.
About Anita Klopfenstein Anita Klopfenstein is the Chief Information Officer of Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., where she is responsible for the overall strategic direction, development, deployment, and maintenance of technology across the organization.
Prior to Little Caesars, Klopfenstein was vice president, eCommerce and consumer systems at Panera Bread, where she oversaw consumer systems product development and commerce and marketing systems integration. With more than 25 years of successful experience managing profitable information technology departments in highly competitive markets, Klopfenstein is known for her track record of developing software products and leadership in internet, enterprise and manufacturing operations. She holds a B.S. in computer science and radio, TV, and film from Indiana State University and an MBA from Liberty University. In 2017, Klopfenstein was recognized as Top Innovator at the Women in Foodservice Technology Awards. In 2020, she was named a Top CTO by Industry Era.
Outside of work, Klopfenstein and her husband Lynn live with their 12 children. For more than 30 years, the couple has provided foster care, and they have been named foster parents of the year several times in Illinois. Klopfenstein plays the clarinet, enjoys martial arts, and has run more than 30 marathons.
Show Highlights During this episode:
New Experience Modes: Reshaped consumer experiences from COVID [1:13]
Frictionless Experiences: Welcome to the Connecting World [2:05]
Welcome guest, Anita Klopfenstein [5:15]
The “Top Three”
Aunts and Uncles: Anita’s family allowed her to get on the right path [13:51]
John Meister: Anita’s former boss who awoke a desire to transform organizations [19:57]
Mr. Siefert: Anita’s high school speech teacher who helped her find her voice and learn management skills [29:09]
Lynn Klopfenstein: Anita’s husband who helps ground her as they raise 12 kids [34:49]
Transformation & Disruption
The Ilitch Companies: Supporting various types of business in diverse industries [41:33]
Safe Measures and Technology: Getting ready to re-open post-pandemic [43:33]
Partnership with Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business [46:00]
Pizza is innovative [48:00]
You have to hear this…
Anita’s Hack: Before you act, gather 5 pieces of information [54:25]
Additional Information Contact Anita Klopfenstein:
- Anita’s LinkedIn
- Anita’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Realities of Top Leadership: Elise Neel, VP, Verizon New Business Incubation, joined host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the realities of top leadership and how to succeed once you reach that point. Elise also shares her leadership journey and philosophies, and how important it is to create a team of like-minded professionals to lean on at work. She of course speaks about her top three ranging from her faith to her partner who has had her back to allow her career to take off to a truth teller who keeps her in her place to a boss who gives her advice she doesn’t always want, but needs. And don’t miss what she says about the one-minute pause.
About Elise Neel Elise Neel, VP, Verizon New Business Incubation, is harnessing her fiercely curious builder mindset to scale new software automation businesses fueled by the orchestration power of the 5G future.
Elise’s team houses industry experts across strategy, product, technology, sales, marketing and R&D in the areas of location technology, aerial and terrestrial robotics, industrial IoT, and other emergent technologies. Bringing to bear her experience in new business development, big data platforms, geospatial intelligence, analytics, and IoT, the transformative work she’s leading is directly fueling industry 4.0.
In addition to leading NBI, Elise is the Global Co-Lead of the Women’s Association of Verizon Employees (WAVE) employee resource group. With more than 13,000 members in 32 countries, WAVE is a pivotal advocate for women at Verizon, arming members with real-life skills, training, and leadership development opportunities.
Show Highlights During this episode:
“It’s lonely at the top” [1:07]
Components of the loneliness [2:38]
Welcome guest, Elise Neel [9:00]
The “Top Three”
Faith: Elise’s relationship with her God has served as a strong anchor to guide her [15:43]
Rich: Elise’s husband who has had her back to allow her career to take off [25:10]
Nicole: A truth teller who keeps Elise in her place [32:52]
Rima Qureshi: Elise’s boss who gives her advice she doesn’t always want, but needs [41:33]
Transformation & Disruption
A game of poker, not roulette: Elise’s lessons learned and process for breaking through boundaries [46:00]
What do five years from now look like for a boundary-bender? [52:30]
You have to hear this…
The “one-minute pause” app [54:58]
Additional Information Contact Elise Neel:
- Elise’s LinkedIn
- Elise’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
To Master Understanding: Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses the skill of mastering understanding of the problem and environment before you jump to solutioning. Gregg addresses the need to empathically understand the problem to build the trust necessary to truly have an effective solution. He also speaks about one of his many “Top Three” advisory members and more!
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights Celebrating 10 years of operating CGS Advisors and “what’s next” led to a reflection [0:52]
Mastering Understanding: What works well [2:26]
Gregg speaks about one of his Top Three: JJ Sendelbach [7:04]
Hack of the day from Gregg [10:48]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Are you thinking big enough to find the right solution? Pratibha Vuppuluri, Managing Director, Portfolio Management at Unreasonable, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on how Private Equity may need to shift to support all the firm transformations taking place due to digitalization. Pratibha shares how driving diversity in gender and race will likely demand greater returns for investors and faster transformation for companies and society. She highlights her Top Three who include a group of gritty and resilient leaders, an empathetic group that helps build empires and her North stars. And you must hear what she says about finding her ambition to explore.
About Pratibha Vuppuluri Pratibha Vuppuluri
Show Highlights During this episode:
Are you thinking big enough? [1:08]
Understanding Private Equity, the challenges, and why diversity may matter [4:40]
Welcome guest, Pratibha Vuppuluri [13:09]
The “Top Three”
Grit & Resilience: A value embodied by Pratibha’s family [15:40]
Empathy & Gratitude: A value Pratibha is continuing to embody through the Unreasonable Group [26:21]
A pulse on what the Unreasonable Group is doing to diversity the landscape [31:58]
Have a North star: A value lived through Pratibha’s child [50:59]
Transformation & Disruption
Wealth Transfer: Is it entrepreneurial footprint and/ or inheritance driven? [54:10]
You have to hear this…
The power and beauty of journaling [58:23]
Additional Information Contact Pratibha:
- Pratibha’s LinkedIn
- Unreasonable Group
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Readying the environment for transformation: Johan de Nysschen, COO of Volkswagen North America, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the importance of readying the environment for transformation; as well as sharing his observations of the automotive industry and the lessons he’s learned through decades of executive leadership. Johan of course shares his Top Three and you have to hear what he says about the importance of professional informal interactions.
About Johan De Nysschen Johan de Nysschen is a member of the boards of Volkswagen North America Region and Volkswagen of America, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board, Volkswagen de Mexico.
As COO, he oversees engineering, quality, purchasing, value engineering, production and vehicle logistics for compact, midsize and electric vehicles.
He brings extensive automotive experience from Audi, General Motors and Nissan, with domestic and global success in brand development, product portfolio planning, and overall business operations. He joined Audi of America as president in 2004, after many successful international assignments with the brand, including president of Audi Japan. de Nysschen departed from the VW Group in 2012, returning in October 2019 following his appointment as COO.
de Nysschen has an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Pretoria and a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. A performance car enthusiast and classic car collector, he lives in New York with his wife, Anna.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Building block for readying the environment [1:01]
Are you doing enough “greasing the skids” for your transformation? [4:28]
Welcome guest, Johan de Nysschen [5:17]
The “Top Three”
Brand Pretorius: “Take care of the customers and that will take care of the business” [11:24]
Peter Schwarzenbauer: A great ally and shared similar philosophy on many things [12:17]
Tangible lessons learned from Johan’s relationships: Talent, culture and more [13:31]
Transformation & Disruption
Industry Observations: Is the automotive industry under disruption? [32:40]
Celebrating Johan: A public reflection on a career mistake [44:05]
You have to hear this…
Collaboration and teamwork are vital [47:00]
Additional Information Contact Johan de Nysschen:
- Johan’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Readying the environment for transformation: Johan de Nysschen, COO of Volkswagen North America, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the importance of readying the environment for transformation; as well as sharing his observations of the automotive industry and the lessons he’s learned through decades of executive leadership. Johan of course shares his Top Three and you have to hear what he says about the importance of professional informal interactions.
About Johan De Nysschen Johan de Nysschen is a member of the boards of Volkswagen North America Region and Volkswagen of America, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board, Volkswagen de Mexico.
As COO, he oversees engineering, quality, purchasing, value engineering, production and vehicle logistics for compact, midsize and electric vehicles.
He brings extensive automotive experience from Audi, General Motors and Nissan, with domestic and global success in brand development, product portfolio planning, and overall business operations. He joined Audi of America as president in 2004, after many successful international assignments with the brand, including president of Audi Japan. de Nysschen departed from the VW Group in 2012, returning in October 2019 following his appointment as COO.
de Nysschen has an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Pretoria and a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. A performance car enthusiast and classic car collector, he lives in New York with his wife, Anna.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Building block for readying the environment [1:01]
Are you doing enough “greasing the skids” for your transformation? [4:28]
Welcome guest, Johan de Nysschen [5:17]
The “Top Three”
Brand Pretorius: “Take care of the customers and that will take care of the business” [11:24]
Peter Schwarzenbauer: A great ally and shared similar philosophy on many things [12:17]
Tangible lessons learned from Johan’s relationships: Talent, culture and more [13:31]
Transformation & Disruption
Industry Observations: Is the automotive industry under disruption? [32:40]
Celebrating Johan: A public reflection on a career mistake [44:05]
You have to hear this…
Collaboration and teamwork are vital [47:00]
Additional Information Contact Johan de Nysschen:
- Johan’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Readying the environment for transformation: Johan de Nysschen, COO of Volkswagen North America, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the importance of readying the environment for transformation; as well as sharing his observations of the automotive industry and the lessons he’s learned through decades of executive leadership. Johan of course shares his Top Three and you have to hear what he says about the importance of professional informal interactions.
About Johan De Nysschen Johan de Nysschen is a member of the boards of Volkswagen North America Region and Volkswagen of America, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board, Volkswagen de Mexico.
As COO, he oversees engineering, quality, purchasing, value engineering, production and vehicle logistics for compact, midsize and electric vehicles.
He brings extensive automotive experience from Audi, General Motors and Nissan, with domestic and global success in brand development, product portfolio planning, and overall business operations. He joined Audi of America as president in 2004, after many successful international assignments with the brand, including president of Audi Japan. de Nysschen departed from the VW Group in 2012, returning in October 2019 following his appointment as COO.
de Nysschen has an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Pretoria and a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. A performance car enthusiast and classic car collector, he lives in New York with his wife, Anna.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Building block for readying the environment [1:01]
Are you doing enough “greasing the skids” for your transformation? [4:28]
Welcome guest, Johan de Nysschen [5:17]
The “Top Three”
Brand Pretorius: “Take care of the customers and that will take care of the business” [11:24]
Peter Schwarzenbauer: A great ally and shared similar philosophy on many things [12:17]
Tangible lessons learned from Johan’s relationships: Talent, culture and more [13:31]
Transformation & Disruption
Industry Observations: Is the automotive industry under disruption? [32:40]
Celebrating Johan: A public reflection on a career mistake [44:05]
You have to hear this…
Collaboration and teamwork are vital [47:00]
Additional Information Contact Johan de Nysschen:
- Johan’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Readying the environment for transformation: Johan de Nysschen, COO of Volkswagen North America, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on the importance of readying the environment for transformation; as well as sharing his observations of the automotive industry and the lessons he’s learned through decades of executive leadership. Johan of course shares his Top Three and you have to hear what he says about the importance of professional informal interactions.
About Johan De Nysschen Johan de Nysschen is a member of the boards of Volkswagen North America Region and Volkswagen of America, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board, Volkswagen de Mexico.
As COO, he oversees engineering, quality, purchasing, value engineering, production and vehicle logistics for compact, midsize and electric vehicles.
He brings extensive automotive experience from Audi, General Motors and Nissan, with domestic and global success in brand development, product portfolio planning, and overall business operations. He joined Audi of America as president in 2004, after many successful international assignments with the brand, including president of Audi Japan. de Nysschen departed from the VW Group in 2012, returning in October 2019 following his appointment as COO.
de Nysschen has an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Pretoria and a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. A performance car enthusiast and classic car collector, he lives in New York with his wife, Anna.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Building block for readying the environment [1:01]
Are you doing enough “greasing the skids” for your transformation? [4:28]
Welcome guest, Johan de Nysschen [5:17]
The “Top Three”
Brand Pretorius: “Take care of the customers and that will take care of the business” [11:24]
Peter Schwarzenbauer: A great ally and shared similar philosophy on many things [12:17]
Tangible lessons learned from Johan’s relationships: Talent, culture and more [13:31]
Transformation & Disruption
Industry Observations: Is the automotive industry under disruption? [32:40]
Celebrating Johan: A public reflection on a career mistake [44:05]
You have to hear this…
Collaboration and teamwork are vital [47:00]
Additional Information Contact Johan de Nysschen:
- Johan’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Information is the Great Blurring Agent: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Nils Wollny, co-founder and CEO of Holoride, for a discussion on how his firm is bringing together diverse industries to create new experiences. Nils of course shares his Top Three ranging from a dynamic duo of creative explorers to a career long friendship forged in the trenches of early career escapades to a soulmate who pushes him beyond typical boundaries. And you have to hear what he says about seeking euphoric problem solving.
About Nils Wollny Nils Wollny brings extensive experience in strategy, digital business, and innovation to his current role as CEO of holoride, a spin-out from Audi focusing on the next generation of in-car entertainment. Nils’ passion for mobility and media led him to co-found holoride in 2018, and since then, holoride has been named the “Best of CES 2019” and acknowledged by TIME Magazine as one of the “The 100 Best Inventions of 2019.”
Additionally, Nils was recently named a “Rising Star” for 2020 by Automotive News Europe. In 2018, German Automobilwoche acknowledged him as a “40 under 40” high-potential manager. Prior to co-founding holoride, Nils led one of Europe’s leading digital agencies as Managing Director before joining Audio as Head of Digital Business. In this role, he was responsible for digital services and platforms.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Data: A great industry blurring agent [1:05]
Identify where additional value is for your industry with the data you have [5:35]
Welcome guest, Nils Wollny [6:38]
The “Top Three”
Holoride: How they’re using data to create a unique experience in mobility [12:50]
Philipp Kafkoulas and Stefan Förster: The dynamic duo of creative explorers [20:40]
Marcus Foag: A friendship forged in the trenches of early career escapades [30:38]
Catharina Wollny: His soulmate who pushes him beyond typical boundaries [43:33]
Transformation & Disruption
Stepping out of a corporate role into the startup role [49:57]
Screens to be replaced by special computing [54:10]
You have to hear this…
“Happiness comes from solving problems” [57:52]
Additional Information Contact Nils Wollny:
- Nils’ LinkedIn
- Nils’ Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
A machine on your advisory board? Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Cheri Alexander, a professor at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, for a discussion on machines joining virtual boards, lessons learned through Cheri’s 30+ years of leading a Fortune 50 company as well as over a decade of educating one of the world’s top business schools. Cheri also shares her Top Three ranging from her husband who taught her to challenge herself to colleagues who reinforced surrounding yourself with people who know more than you to an aspirational mentor turned colleague who taught her about positive leadership. And you have to hear what she says about the 11 C’s of Leadership.
About Cheri Alexander Cheri Alexander teaches Leadership and Managing Human Capital in the Bachelors and Masters Programs at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. In addition, she teaches assorted leadership and HR topics for Ross Execution Education. Prior to January 2021, she was the Chief Innovation Officer-Corporate Learning in the Ross Executive Education Department. Before her time at Ross, she was with General Motors (GM), where prior to retirement, she was the President of the General Motors University and Executive Director Global HR. In that position, she was the Chief Learning Officer of the company overseeing Global Learning & Performance. Alexander was also part of the company’s Global Integration Team that oversaw Global HR Implementation, focusing on the emerging markets.
Alexander had thirty-three years with GM which included successful International Human Resource Management and Labor Relations experiences. She has HR expertise in Mergers and Acquisitions, JV formation and execution, talent management, succession planning, leadership development, corporate universities, security, crisis management, safety, industrial health engineering, and business process outsourcing. She was nominated several times and twice received the prestigious Chairman’s Award for her work. Since joining the University of Michigan in 2008, she has continued her positive leadership practices.
In addition to working in the Human Capital space, Alexander had assignments in Plant Management, Quality, and Engineering. She lived and worked in 4 countries on 3 continents and was responsible for all HR outside of North America, as the Vice President of HR for International Operations, overseeing and visiting operations in 51 countries.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Alexander received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, as well as her first Masters in Industrial Health Engineering. She was selected as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and completed her Masters of Science in Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is also a Certified Executive Leadership Coach.
Alexander has published word on Noise Induced Hearing Loss and completed her thesis on the Relocation of Dislocated Automobile Workers. Her work is cited in three books, United We Stand, by Wilbur and Weakley, Successful Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Alliances by Gancel, Rodgers, and Raynaud, and Road to Power, by Colby. Along with Professors Sytch and DeRue, she teaches Managing Talent in the highly successful Coursera MOOC, Leading People and Teams.
In addition to her work, Alexander is on the Boards of Inforum Center for Leadership and debunk-it, LTD, a European consultancy. She is dedicated to global education and often speaks on her favorite topics, “Being International” and “Global Superficial Homogenization – White it Means to be Global.”
Show Highlights During this episode:
Building your virtual board: When will a machine be added? [0:59]
Thought: AI holds the first spot of your advisory board; is this the right answer? [6:18]
Welcome human-centric guest, Cheri Alexander [7:02]
The “Top Three”
Dr. Richard Redding: Cheri’s husband who teaches her to challenge herself [13:38]
Cheri’s 11 C’s of Leadership [16:12]
Holger Kimmes: Colleague who reinforced surrounding yourself with others who know more than you [27:37]
Dr. Robert Quinn: An aspirational mentor turned colleague who taught her about positive leadership [41:50]
A bonus Top Three member: Cheri’s daughter, Dr. Alexis Redding [46:32]
Transformation & Disruption
Innovation in education [48:00]
Machines vs Humans: How competition moves forward [51:27]
You have to hear this…
Write down three things you’re grateful for everyday [54:27]
Additional Information Contact Cheri Alexander:
- Cheri’s LinkedIn
- Cheri’s Twitter
- Leadership Training Course: “Leading People and Teams”
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Giving passionate side hustles the main stage: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Paul A. Glantz, Co-Founder and Chairman of Emagine Entertainment, for a discussion on turning his side hustle into a full-time chairman role; as well as the shifting entertainment industry, lessons learned from previous disruptions and of course, his Top Three. And you have to hear what Paul says about needing to be a person of character as you audition everyday!
About Paul A. Glantz Paul A. Glantz is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Troy, Michigan-based theatre chain Emagine Entertainment, Inc.
Glantz has raised over $150 million in capital to develop 12 world-class entertainment venues and in doing so has brought his concept of an exemplary entertainment experience to reality. Glantz is regarded as an expert in the cinematic exhibition industry. He has been at the forefront of technological change in the theatre industry by leading the transition to high-definition digital presentation, being among the first to deploy “4K” digital projectors, opening Michigan’s first all-laser projection theatre, by introducing Dolby’s revolutionary Atmos™ sound systems to the Michigan marketplace, and by building some of the nation’s largest premium large format movie screens: Emagine’s Super EMAX auditoriums.
Glantz holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with high distinction from Wayne State University and a Master of Science degree in taxation from Walsh College. He has been recognized by Wayne State’s Business School which awarded him its Distinguished Alumnus Award, by Wayne State’s Irvin D. Reid Honors College which named him its first ever “Pillar Award” recipient, by Ernst & Young as a Michigan and Northwest Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year, and by Walsh College with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Article celebrates the importance of finding happiness, passion in your career [1:07]
The why behind Gregg’s “Be Brave” [2:40]
No exact science to success but passion can play a large part [4:45]
Celebrating Paul Glantz who never gave up on his ‘side hustle’ [8:55]
The “Top Three”
Jim Hahn & Dale Hole: Original angel capital investors, served as cornerstone of Emagine [14:58]
Brian Brizard: A colleague turned investor [19:16]
Hank and Sharron Crawford: Bring not only capital, but sage wisdom to the table [24:09]
Paul’s Advice: Turning a side-hustle into a full-time gig [25:00]
Additional advisors to celebrate: Brian Ford, Dirk Kjolhede, and Anthony Laverde [31:33]
Transformation & Disruption
State of the Entertainment Industry [33:52]
Moving forward in a post-COVID world: Importance of a theatrical release [36:02]
Looking forward: Niche markets and personalization [37:28]
You have to hear this…
“Auditioning Everyday”: The importance of empathy [43:33]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
The Importance of Trust in Leadership: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Vijay Sankaran, technology executive who was most recently CIO at TD Ameritrade, who discusses the importance of trust in leadership and the role it played in shaping his career. Vijay shares his Top Three who range from a colleague who used trust to be his daily 360 check in to a former boss-turned-friend who taught him how to use trust to build world class organizations. And you have to hear what he says about focusing on your daily top three!
About Vijay Sankaran Vijay Sankaran is a forward-thinking software engineering leader and technology executive who was most recently Chief Information Officer at TD Ameritrade. He led a team of 2,000 employees with responsibility for digital strategy, software engineering, technology operations, cybersecurity, data and innovation.
Prior to joining TD Ameritrade, Vijay held several senior leadership roles at Ford including: Direction, Application Development where he was responsible for software development, and delivery of major programs and projects with a global organization of 4,500 people; Director, Infrastructure Operations where his responsibilities included operational support for infrastructure and Ford’s largest data centers in North America.
Prior to joining Ford, Vijay was a consultant with both Ernst & Young (EY) and Headstrong where he focused heavily on analytical systems. Vijay holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Concept of Trust: Wise words from Warren Buffet, Abraham Lincoln and more [1:04]
Trust is critical at macro and micro level [6:20]
Welcome guest, Vijay Sankaran, with a storied career [6:56]
The “Top Three”
Terri Ann Beckford: The partner who became his daily 360 check in [12:05]
Michael Emerson: His financial advisor who he views more as the COO of his family [21:28]
Marcy Klevorn: A former boss-turned-friend who taught him how to build world class organizations [30:30]
Transformation & Disruption
An insight into Vijay’s perspective on trust [39:54]
Moving from a product industry to financial services industry [45:43]
Digital Transformation: It’s not just change management, it’s a transformative movement [49:10]
Celebrating Vijay’s bravery [57:28]
You have to hear this…
“Focus on your daily top 3”: Be deliberate on where you spend your energy [1:04:50]
Additional Information Contact Vijay Sankaran:
- Vijay’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he celebrates the 101st episode of You, Me, and Your Top Three! Gregg discusses the six different types of advisory board members you can have, the four typical styles of mentoring they may bring, and provides tips on how you can start building your own virtual advisory board today.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights Celebrating passing the century mark! [0:50]
Being known by the company you keep [3:25]
Understanding the ‘Network Effect’ [7:30]
Reflecting on patterns in who successful leaders surround themselves with [11:35]
Building your own virtual advisory board [23:25]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Recognizing Opportunity in Threats: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by a panel of CGS Advisors Fellows who are experts in technology and leadership, for a discussion on how the pandemic removed artificial barriers and how flexibility may be the key strategic capability needed to survive. Ty Beltramo, John Horn, and Angie Tuglus share their observations after one-year of leading through the disruption caused by COVID-19 and provide hints on when you can’t predict, how leaders need to prepare.
About the CGS Fellows Ty Beltramo is a critical member of the CGS Fellows Network. Ty is a hands-on technical leader with proven expertise in connected solutions and large enterprise integration projects. He has over 20 years of experience as the senior technology leader of large firms, including Fortune 50 companies, overseeing the design and development of complex enterprise systems. He deeply understands the solutions with many years of intense development experience, building connected applications and managing deployments. Under his leadership, companies have seen dramatic turnarounds, transformations, and growth.
Ty has served in senior leadership capacities as the Chief Innovation Officer, CTO, and Chief Architect. He has turned around failing product and technology teams, scaled technology from PoC to operations, and established R&D and Product Development departments from scratch. His teams have been responsible for defining product roadmaps, constructing all digital products, integrating them to existing systems, and everything in-between.
As the CTO of MapQuest, he was the head of a team of 60 and successfully completed a 3-year turnaround plan to modernize all aspects of infrastructure, core data, and products. As a partner and iOS application developer at Portable Hole Productions, he was the sole developer for General Motors OnStar MyLink application, which won the Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award. And as Chief Architect at General Motors OnStar, Ty led the evolution of OnStar’s enterprise architecture to grow from 1 to 4 lines of business and support over 3-million subscribers, one-hundred-fold the amount of subscribers since he started.
Ty earned his BA in Humanities from William Tyndale College in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
John Hornis a proven leader with nearly 30 years of experience in the telecom and wireless industries. He has developed a reputation as someone that builds successful teams and organizations that create game changing solutions specific to the IoT ecosystem. He has been recognized as an “Industry Pioneer”, and “IoT Thought Leader”, and most recently by INC. Magazine as s “Top 10 Speaker Who Will Wow Your Crowd.”
John’s broad-based executive leadership experience and subject-matter expertise make him one of the leading IoT advisors in North America. He has a keen ability to create strong brands and define clear messaging that resonates with consumers and shareholders alike. John understands how IoT technologies are disrupting established industries and has a proven track record of transforming businesses to compete in the Connecting World. He is an expert in building IoT-based platforms that create value and enable new business models.
Prior to joining the CGS Fellows Network, John served in many senior leadership positions including CEO, President, VP of Strategy, Vice President, and National Director in these roles, he has touched every aspect of growing and managing a business. As Founder and National Director of T-Mobile’s M2M/IoT group, he led the team to over 100% year-over-year revenue growth for six straight years. As President of RACO Wireless, John built a diverse team of wireless and IoT experts responsible to design and build an industry leading IoT platform, resulting in the rapid growth of new and existing customers as well as RACO Wireless being recognized both nationally and globally as an IoT platform leader.
John earned his BA in Political Science from the University of California at Davis.
Angie Tuglusjoins the CGS Fellows Network as an expert at successfully delivering large, cross-functional change initiatives, from concept creation through to delivery.
She loves collaborating to find ways to transform businesses, to innovate, to change culture, and to deliver sustainable results. As both a business strategist and tech nerd, she also enjoys diving into technological and social changes that are at the point of real applicability to business, and discussing how to build great leaders in an increasingly virtual, rapidly changing world.
She began her career in technology startups, building new businesses, and then later applied her passion for transformation in large corporations undergoing major change. At Ford Motor Company, she was hired into the IT Leadership Program, and delivered a variety of projects across global IT management, IT security and new product research.
At GMAC, which transformed into Ally Financial, Angie became CIO of International Insurance and led a global cross-functional team to replace multiple legacy systems across 25 countries with a single new platform: a new core transactional system, financial system, data warehouse, and the complementary organizational changes to jobs and processes.
She then became EVP of Product & Project Delivery, and led the creation and launch of the flagship Ally Premier Protection product and customer experience, the division’s largest product line.
Following that success, she became COO of Ally Insurance, leading all core operational functions such as Contract Administration, Claims, Payments, Loss Control, and Collections. Upon inheriting a legacy culture that had not changed in decades, she drove a cultural transformation across the company, making innovation the new normal and establishing new businesses such as Fixed Operations Consulting and Direct to Consumer.
Working with cutting edge digital companies, she keeps close to her entrepreneurial roots by advising startups such as TRED, a Seattle-based digital auto disrupter, and AQN Strategies, a boutique financial services consultancy with strong data expertise. She holds a BS in Materials Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Duke University.
Show Highlights During this episode:
100th Episode! [0:58]
COVID-19: One-year after the disruption began to hit North America [1:12]
A time to celebrate: Removal of artificial barriers [3:02]
The CGS Fellows Panel
Meet the Panel of Fortune 500 Executives: Ty Beltramo, John Horn, & Angie Tuglus [6:30]
What are your biggest surprises? [8:25]
Who are leaders leaning on? [14:40]
What are the lasting effects from the past year? [21:05]
You have to hear this…
Prepare, don’t predict: What advice would you give to leaders? [27:45]
Daily hack’s proven to be helpful over the last year [34:35]
Additional Information Contact the Fellows:
- Ty Beltramo’s LinkedIn
- Ty Beltramo’s Twitter
- John Horn’s LinkedIn
- Angie Tuglus’ LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Create an Environment to Encourage Innovation: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Leah JM Dean, author and Founder and CEO of Conduit International Ltd., who discusses how to assemble the tribe. Leah’s Top Three include a former early career boss, a colleague, and a leader who helped her recognize imperfect perfection may be the key. And you have to hear what she says about how to build tribes of women that support one another and can unlock the value in companies. About Leah JM Dean Leah JM Dean is the author of the best-selling book, Assemble the Tribe, and an expert on leading with a “tribe mindset”. She is a former Chief Human Resources Executive and Board member who, for more than 20 years, successfully led multiple billion-dollar people integrations and developed leading HR strategies. As the Founder and CEO of Conduit International Ltd., Leah has worked with organizations and executives across numerous industries, including insurance, reinsurance, education, not-for-profit, and business consulting.
On a mission to create a more connected world, Leah uses science and her proprietary group research with over 1200 women to help her audiences confidently navigate life and leadership with authenticity, courage, and heart.
She has been featured in Entrepreneur and Authority Magazine along with many other local and international media outlets and podcasts.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Bermuda: Why discuss the small island nation? [1:05]
Protecting their strategic advantage [5:08]
Welcome guest, Leah JM Dean [7:57]
The “Top Three”
Tony: An early career coach who taught her about leadership [14:15]
Fiona: The leader who taught her to always assume good intent [19:40]
Celia: A colleague who Instilled the importance of “two calls and a cup of coffee” [24:22]
Additional advisors: A college friend and a leader who valued being perfectly imperfect [31:36]
Transformation & Disruption
Leah’s definition of a tribe [37:24]
The importance of diversity in a tribe [40:47]
Is building a tribe different for women? [43:18]
Get “Assemble the Tribe” on Amazon [49:08]
You have to hear this…
“Everyday, we have the opportunity to choose how we show up” [50:18]
Additional Information Contact Leah JM Dean:
- Leah’s Website
- Leah’s Instagram
- Leah’s Facebook
- Leah’s Facebook Group
- Leah’s LinkedIn
- Leah’s Twitter
- Leah’s YouTube
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
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Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he explores innovating on the fringe of your organization and industry. Gregg also discusses a third dimension of innovation, sensing beyond the edges of your organization to be effective in setting your strategy.
About Gregg Garrett Gregg R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1,500 people in public and private/ corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping and transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy and marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself on recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Innovating on the fringe of the industry and organization [0:47]
The fringe: the interaction of industry ecosystems [1:55]
You have to hear this…
The third dimension of external sensing – moving beyond the linear [4:53]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he explores how to help leaders and the organizations in which they lead be more successful in transformation and driving big innovation. And you have to hear why Gregg says tapping into the reptilian brain is at the center of it all.
About Gregg Garrett Gregg R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1,500 people in public and private/ corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping and transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy and marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself on recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Reflection on transformation [0:49]
Building block to make strategic transformation successful [2:34]
You have to hear this…
Tapping into your reptilian brain [5:00]
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
The Impact of Constant Transformation: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by McKeel Hagerty, CEO Hagerty Group and former Chairman Young Presidents Organization (YPO), who shares his incredible, ongoing journey. McKeel’s Top Three include his spouse, a former professor turned mentor, and his YPO tribe. And you have to hear his spin on the concept of work-life balance.
About McKeel Hagerty McKeel Hagerty is the Chief Executive Officer and driving force behind Hagerty, the world’s largest automotive lifestyle brand. Under his leadership, Hagerty has grown from a local insurance agency operating from his parents’ basement in Traverse City, to a global market leader with more than $500 million in annual revenues and an average year-over-year growth rate of 22 percent the past nine years. Hagerty is the leading provider of specialty insurance and partners with 22 of the top 25 U.S. auto insurance companies to protect nearly 2 million vintage, classic and enthusiast vehicles. Based in Traverse City, the company has 1,400 employees in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Germany.
In 2017, McKeel refocused the company’s mission to saving driving and expanding the car community for future generations. In support of the mission, the company has made a series of strategic partnerships, acquisitions and expansions including the Hagerty Drivers Club (620,000 members), Hagerty Drivers Club magazine (600,000 circulation), Hagerty YouTube (1.3 million subscribers), DriveShare (peer to peer rentals), MotorsportReg.com (motorsports registration), the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Hagerty Garage + Social (premium automotive storage and experiences) and the industry gold standard for vehicle values, the Hagerty Valuation Tool.
In addition to Hagerty, McKeel was elected by his CEO peers in 2016-17 to serve as the international board chair for YPO, the global leadership organization with 28,000 chief executives in more than 130 countries. During his term, he traveled the globe speaking to leaders and thinkers like U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, philosopher Yuval Harari, and countless business titans. These experiences deeply affected his views on the possibilities of leadership in a rapidly changing world: “There is a new generation of evolved leaders emerging
in the world. They take a balanced stakeholder approach. They show us that by being forward-looking, growth mindset-oriented and ideologically pragmatic, a more flourishing world is possible. These people have inspired me to think bigger than building profitable companies and taking on single global issues.” McKeel continues to work with YPO as an ambassador, speaker, moderator and strategic consultant.
McKeel is also a general partner of Grand Ventures, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based venture capital firm focused on providing emerging companies with early-stage capital and strategic support. He is also a board member of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and serves on numerous boards and advisory groups. McKeel has served as a judge for the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for 21 years.
In Traverse City, he is known as a passionate community supporter and an advocate for government, business and local organizations working together to create a more sustainable economy based on scalable businesses. Hagerty is the largest private employer in Traverse City with more than 900 local employees. Since 2008, Hagerty employees have donated nearly 100,000 volunteer hours to more than 600 local charities.
McKeel earned his undergraduate degree in English and Philosophy from Pepperdine University and his master’s in Theology from Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary. He lives with his wife Soon Hagerty near Traverse City. They have three wonderful daughters, Olivia, Sophia and Ava. The older two daughters learned to drive cars with manual transmissions. Ava will soon follow.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Have you ever noticed how friction can grind into the ‘gears’ of new projects? [0:59]
Knowing the types of roles leaders need to play [2:15]
Recognizing the internal struggles/signals is an important skill [4:12]
Welcome guest, McKeel Hagerty (Hagerty Insurance) [6:30]
The “Top Three”
Gary Hart: Extraordinary teacher and guide who had a belief in his abilities [14:35]
The Young Presidents Organization Tribe including Mark Lancaster: Living the total life [20:36]
Soon Hagerty: The value of a constructive partner [38:29]
Transformation & Disruption
A corporate strategy change to a lifestyle brand [47:04]
You have to hear this…
You get one life – you’re either getting paid for your time or you pay for your time [54:48]
Additional Information Contact McKeel Hagerty:
- McKeel’s LinkedIn
- McKeel’s Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Getting uncomfortable can lead to breakthrough growth: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Dwayne Hicks, NCAA division one coach who shares his non-traditional coaching journey and tackles one of today’s most relevant leadership topics: race. His Top Three include his spouse, an Air Force Colonel, and a handful of coaches who share his passion on and off the field. And you have to hear what he has to say about how the secret to fitting in, might just be to work hard enough to stand out.
About Dwayne Hicks Dwayne Hicks was named as the head coach of the Detroit Mercy Titans women’s lacrosse team in May 2020. Prior to this, Hicks spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach on the men’s lacrosse staff. He joined the men’s lacrosse program in the fall of 2017 and in both of his full campaigns with the team, he helped coach back-to-back winning campaigns with a school-record nine wins in 2018 and a trip to the MAAC Championship game and another eight wins in 2019 and another bid to the postseason.
Hicks has more than 45 years of lacrosse in his background as a player and coach and has been one of the most instrumental individuals in helping spread the game in the state of Michigan. He has spent the last 15 years as the Director of Lacrosse at the Total Sports Complex in Wixom, Michigan. He was also the head coach and director of the Total Lacrosse’s Train and Play program and Team total Lacrosse travel team. Hicks coached the Oakland University women’s lacrosse program in four seasons, as the team qualified for four national championships, placing as high as third and winning three regional championships.
Hicks oversaw the Detroit Mercy men’s lacrosse faceoff unit, which had been one of the best in the MAAC in the last two-plus years. Hicks has coached at both the high school and college level with teams at Freeport High School (NY), St. Joseph’s High School (IN), and Seaholm (MI) as well as his alma mater Notre Dame, Oakland (men’s and women’s teams), Eastern Michigan and Michigan State.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Hicks was a standout lacrosse player and wrestler at Freeport High School. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Industrial Design with a concentration in automotive and product design. After his collegiate playing career at Notre Dame, Hicks played/ coached professional in the English Lacrosse Union in Manchester England. After two years, Hicks moved back to the United States where he worked as a creative writer for more than 20 years at many of the largest advertising agencies in Detroit before retiring to pursue his dream of being a Division I coach.
The above is an excerpt from the University of Detroit Mercy website. You can read more, including quotes from Dwayne Hicks, on the site.
Show Highlights During this episode:
Have you ever been in a situation where you just don’t feel like you fit in? [0:56]
Getting uncomfortable to give yourself a chance to grow as a coach [2:20]
Welcome guest, Dwayne Hicks [9:05]
The “Top Three”
Sharon Hicks: His rock and foundation [23:42]
Chris Cooper: A confidant and sounding board [30:15]
Kyle Hicks: His brother who is a retired Air Force Colonel and natural leader [39:03]
Towbey Kassa, Jeremy Napier, Chuck Lennon: Coaches who share his passion [46:18]
Transformation & Disruption
Advice for leaders on the topic of race [49:50]
You have to hear this…
The importance of following your passion [1:13:21]
Additional Information Contact Dwayne Hicks:
- Dwayne’s email
- Dwayne’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Understanding your personal purpose: Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Jawad Ahsan, CFO at Axon and recent author of What They Didn’t Tell Me. His Top Three include leaders who instilled confidence, how to find the fun and purpose in a job; how to find the silver lining even when he has to be intense; the importance of integrity; and, a partner who helps him understand and drive intellectual curiosity. And you have to hear what Jawad says about finding your North star.
About Jawad Ahsan Jawad Ahsan joined Axon in 2017 and is responsible for leading the company’s global finance, corporate strategy, legal, and IT organizations. He also serves as the executive sponsor and owner of Axon’s consumer-facing business.
Prior to Axon, Jawad was CFO for Market Track, a private-equity backed SaaS marketing intelligence company that he helped guide to an exit to Vista Equity. He also spent 13 years in various roles at GE, most notably serving as CFO for GE Healthcare’s electronic health record and enterprise software businesses. Jawad gained substantial international experience while at GE, working across more than 20 countries in several industries including healthcare, aviation, financial services, and film & entertainment. Jawad is a graduate of GE’s Corporate Audit Staff and Financial Management leadership development programs.
Jawad earned his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a BA in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross.
Show Highlights During this episode:
What is YOUR purpose? [1:10]
Why answering this question is important [2:30]
Welcome guest, Jawad Ahsan [5:36]
The “Top Three”
Earl Jones: An early mentor who helped Jawad find his confidence [9:22]
Rick Smith: A leader who helps find the fun and purpose in a job [13:45]
Randy Moser: A partner who helps find the silver lining when things have to be intense [25:02]
Matt Marsh: The leader who highlights the importance of integrity [30:29]
Kishan Shah: Someone who helps Jawad understand and drive intellectual curiosity [35:31]
Transformation & Disruption
Inside Jawad’s new book, What They Didn’t Tell Me [37:56]
The four uncoachable traits [40:41]
The purpose of writing the book [45:09]
You have to hear this…
The importance of defining your North star [53:52]
Additional Information Contact Jawad Ahsan:
- Jawad’s website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, discusses the magic of customer-centricity. Gregg speaks with Lee Cockerell who threaded magic in all customer experiences in the Magic Kingdom, Disney, and who managed some of Disney’s largest resorts and is a student of hospitality. Of course, Lee speaks about his top three from a boss who taught him how to be confident, to a mentor who showed him all the ways of being hospitable, to his grandmother who started him on the journey, and his wife of 52 plus years who kept him on it, and to the former president of Disney who helped him to learn, listen and manage experts. And you have to hear what he has to say about making the schedule of life’s priorities part of your daily routine, all this and more!
About Lee Cockerell Lee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World® Resort. “As the Senior Operating Executive for ten years, Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping and entertainment village, and the ESPN sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world.”
One of Lee’s major and lasting legacies was the creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies which was used to train and develop the 7,000 leaders at Walt Disney World. Lee has held various executive positions in the hospitality and entertainment business with Hilton Hotels for 8 years and the Marriott Corporation for 17 years before joining Disney in 1990 to open the Disneyland Paris project.
Lee has served as Chairman of the Board of Heart of Florida United Way, the Board of Trustees for The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the board of the Production and Operations Management Society, and the board of Reptilia a Canadian attractions and entertainment company. In 2005 Governor Bush appointed Lee to the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Public Service for the state of Florida where he served as Chairman of the Board.
He is now dedicating his time to public speaking, authoring a book on leadership, management, and service excellence titled, Creating Magic… 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney, which is now available in 13 languages, and his latest book, The Customer Rules… The 39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service. Lee also performs leadership and service excellence workshops and consulting for organizations around the world as well as for the Disney Institute. Lee has received the following awards:
- Golden Chain Award for Outstanding leadership and business performance from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operations Association (MUFSO).
- Silver Plate Award for Outstanding Operator in the foodservice industry from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA).
- Excellence in Production Operations Management and Leadership (POMS) from the Productions and Operations.
- Grandfather of the year from his three grandchildren, Jullian, Margot, and Tristan.
Lee and his wife Priscilla live in Orlando, Florida.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:01 What do customer touchpoints, customer journey, customer experience, customer-centricity mean?
2:07 “The full view of the customer is so easy yet, so complex… what it comes down to is empathy”
3:07 Put the customer in the middle
4:09 Welcome an expert in empathetic thinking: Lee Cockerell
5:43 Lee Cockerell: A boy whose story begins on a farm in Oklahoma
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
11:27 Lee’s Top Three begins with his grandmother and a General Manager, Bud Davis, who helped him refocus his attitude
13:46 Diffusing defensiveness by building trust
15:35 Lee’s Top Three continues with Eugene Scanlan from Waldorf Astoria who taught him a lot – “the service itself is what shines, not the individual providing the service”
19:59 Lee’s Top Three expands with his wife of 53 years, who keeps him most in order
22:37 Expanding beyond food and beverage into full park management
23:42 “I didn’t try to be the expert in everything; my philosophy is to hire the experts and let them do their job.”
25:25 Letting go of always being in control and a successful career to thank for it
28:24 “Most people leave leaders, they don’t leave the company.”
29:04 Lee’s Top Three concludes with Judson Green who gave him his shot in Orlando
29:54 “He asked a lot of questions… he knew if you knew what you were talking about or not.”
31:25 “I want to be remembered as a teacher, not a boss because nobody likes a boss, a teacher teaches people.”
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
32:33 Lessons from Lee: Time Management, Customer Skills and Creating a better culture
37:28 Disney’s take on the customer experience
38:45 “Treat every customer as an individual”
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
41:34 One additional lesson from Lee: “Schedule the priorities in your life”
44:24 How to get in touch with Lee
Additional Information Contact Lee Cockerell:
- Lee’s Email
- Lee’s Twitter
- Lee’s LinkedIn
- Lee’s Facebook
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks with Daniel Epstein, CEO of the Unreasonable Group. Daniel discusses his Top 3 with Gregg, which range from his Grandpa, to a college advisor Paul Jerdy, to George Campbell, to his fiancé. And you have to hear what Daniel has to say about stepping back and taking a deep breath. All this and more!
About Daniel Epstein Recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, Daniel’s life has been shaped by a fundamental belief that entrepreneurship is the answer to nearly all the issues we face today. By the time he received his undergraduate degree in philosophy, he’d already started three companies. In addition to being on FORTUNE's "the World's 50 Greatest Leaders" list alongside the likes of Bill Gates & Tim Cook, Daniel was awarded Inc. Magazine's “30 under 30 entrepreneur” (when he was under the age of 30 =), and Forbes identified him as one of the “top 30 most impactful entrepreneurs.” He also received the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the World” award along with Richard Branson & the President of Liberia at the Global Entrepreneurship Forum.
Daniel’s unfettered belief in entrepreneurs led to him founding and being the CEO of Unreasonable ( www.unreasonablegroup.com ). Unreasonable is dedicated to supporting growth-equity entrepreneurs positioned to bend history in the right direction. Part investment firm, part media house, and most importantly a global community, Unreasonable partners with multinational institutions and revered brands to align them with impactful growth-stage entrepreneurs. Today Unreasonable actively supports over 200 entrepreneurs who have raised more than $4.7B in financing, generated over $3.7B in revenue, and are impacting the lives of more than 540M individuals across 180+ countries.
Daniel speaks frequently on topics ranging from how multinationals and governments can better work with disruptive technologies, to working with public companies on how to create a worldclass and entrepreneurial culture across their employees, to the future of capitalism and our ability to profitably solve the most pressing challenges of this century. Daniel has given keynotes across more than 30 countries, has spoken at the White House, the UN General Assembly, in front of audiences larger than ten thousand, as part of annual corporate events and in closed door sessions with Fortune 50 executives and their boards of directors. He personally advises CEO's of multinationals on how to become more entrepreneurial and works with multi-billion dollar family offices on creating a new type of financial legacy with their investments — producing above market rate returns while combatting societal & environmental challenges.
On a personal level, Daniel believes in militant transparency in his everyday life and in all of the projects he is part of. He also has an overt love for his hometown of Boulder Colorado and for his dog, Kaya.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
00:55 Understanding the environment to enrich your customers’ lives
01:43 Daniel Epstein – Fortune Magazine’s top 50 leaders
04:24 Gregg’s clues to the podcast – what to listen for in order to maximize your experience
05:39 Daniel’s background/story
07:53 How Philosophy has taught Daniel to think differently
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
09:56 Daniel’s ‘Top Three’ begins with his Grandpa (Zaide) whose witty personality and love for everyone taught Daniel empathy
12:16 Learning from osmosis – Daniel’s company has given him a good base to learn and adapt
17:15 Daniel’s ‘Top Three’ continues with Paul Jerdy, who helped pull him out of a tough situation with his first business and taught him the lesson of documenting all the work you do
18:38 Tuition comes in many forms; learning how to pay your dues and learn the important lessons
20:19 Pivoting to what works: moving resources to ideas that scale
22:58 Connecting disciplines: how Daniel’s love of philosophy connected to the contract law he had to learn
24:21 Launching the Unreasonable institute with ambitious goals
25:56 Taking a semester at sea and learning from some of the brightest minds
27:09 Daniel wraps up his ‘Top Three’ with George Campbell, who taught Daniel key mindsets he uses today to help put his best foot forward
30:19 Learning how to lead as a group
33:47 Managing energy is more important than managing time
35:44 Daniel adds his Fiancé to his ‘Top Three’ list for her drive and work ethic which pushes him to do more
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
40:44 Expanding on his work with the Unreasonable Group and what other initiatives Daniel is working on
42:28 Creating the Unreasonable Collective: giving access to investments to a wider range of people
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
45:49 How to get involved with the Unreasonable Collective
47:59 Closing thoughts: we’re not doing enough to breathe as a culture. We need to focus more on taking a step back at times
49:26 Keep up with Daniel at unreasonablegroup.com and via email daniel@reasonablegroup.com
Additional Information Contact Daniel Epstein:
- Daniel Epstein’s LinkedIn
- Unreasonable Group’s website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg Garrett speaks with, Wendy Lea, CEO of Energize Colorado. Wendy discusses her work building out entrepreneurial communities across the Midwest and Colorado. Additionally, she shares her Top 3, which includes a former boss, a mentor, and the former CEO of P&G. Finally, Wendy shares her secret to approaching each new challenge with the same energy and drive as the first one. All this and more!
About Wendy Lea Wendy Lea is a leading expert in digital innovation strategy and ecosystem development. As an experienced CEO, board director, and strategist, she advises government, public/private partnerships, and global enterprises on growth through innovation.
Recognized for work across industries and regions, Wendy is a maximalist who is equally well-versed in helping large enterprises systematize innovation as she is in creating vibrant startup innovation ecosystems that grow city, regional, and state economies. An active mentor and advisor for tech accelerators, Wendy leverages a global network of entrepreneurs to catalyze economic resilience.
As CEO of Energize Colorado, Wendy mobilizes resources and relief for small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals recovering from the economic impact of COVID-19. She leads a team of inspired innovators from Colorado’s private, public, nonprofit, and academic communities to revive and invigorate Colorado’s economy.
Wendy also serves on the Danaher Water Innovation and Technology Board, the P&G Ventures Advisory Board, and select venture-backed startup boards. In the State of Kentucky, she advises the Department of Community Economic Development, the public-private partnership LEAP (an initiative aligned with LHHC), and serves on the board of regional innovation hub Amplify, based in Louisville. Wendy provides corporate innovation subject matter expertise to Techstars’ ecosystem development partnership with the Country of Taiwan. She also serves university innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including Miami University’s John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship and the University of Colorado Boulder’s Engineering and Applied Science Advisory Board.
Wendy was named a “Woman of Influence” in Silicon Valley and San Francisco. Recently she was honored with the Signal Excellence Award in 2018 by Procter & Gamble and the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business Distinguished Service Award.
Wendy is a graduate of the University of Mississippi in Business Administration and has lived and worked around the world. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
00:46 Big game hunting in the connected world – looking for the biggest challenges to tackle
03:15 Bringing the entrepreneurial spirit to Southeast Michigan; creating the Connected Detroit Innovates incubator
05:06 Looking back on our previous guests – a collection of individuals trying to hunt for the big problems
06:49 Introducing Wendy Lea
06:27 Having the grit to win – Elon Musk
09:27 Wendy’s background
11:50 How Wendy got involved in community entrepreneurial activities
12:46 Balancing community impact with less independence in actions and decisions
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
14:18 Wendy’s ‘Top Three’ begins with Randall Murphy, a small business owner who took a chance with Wendy at a young age
17:05 Using the “student of the game” mindset to evolve and grow quickly in the entrepreneurial space
19:22 Having a teaching mindset to help you navigate the tech sales space
20:22 Wendy’s ‘Top Three’ continues with Brad Feld, who got her into the VC space and was instrumental in helping her direct her career to its present path
23:21 Making opportunity moves – making the trek from Texas to Colorado
26:01 Getting comfortable taking risks and making VC investments
27:32 Angel investing
28:24 Moving out to Silicon Valley and being a unique individual in a male dominated industry
30:52 Falling in love with a startup and becoming it’s CEO
35:44 Wendy wraps up her ‘Top Three’ with the former CEO of P&G Bob Macdonald, who taught Wendy to be a student again
37:05 Valuing social impact more than making money in the for-profit sector
39:37 Leveraging your experiences: why Wendy’s Silicon Valley experience was key
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
43:11 Using fear as a motivator for success and being a good student
46:34 Wendy’s work in Colorado: what she’s doing there
47:46 Using her skills to help Colorado weather the pandemic
48:40 Energize Colorado
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
52:14 Check out Wendy’s organization – how can we collaborate?
53:09 Closing thoughts: embed three thoughtful rest periods into your day in order to approach every challenge with the same energy
56:28 Keep up with Wendy at Wendylea.com and checkout Energize Colorado’s website
Additional Information Contact Wendy Lea
- Wendy Lea’sLinkedIn
- Energize Colorado’s Company website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this solocast, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, explores the difference between bravery and leadership and how they tie together. Gregg then reflects on 2020 and the importance of continuing to look forward and identifying what fears you will conquer next as a leader. Finally, Gregg shares his hack for success – focusing on making yourself uncomfortable.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights 0:47 Bravery versus Leadership
1:50 What is bravery?
4:52 2020 was an amazing year for brave leadership
6:45 Taking a look forward – what fear will you face to continue your journey of bravery?
9:05 A ‘hack’ for leaders: ‘try to find ways on a regular basis to make yourself uncomfortable’
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks about passion, and then welcomes a guest who is filled with plenty of it. Jason Bressler is the CTO of United Wholesale Mortgage where he has scaled a team of passionate technology professionals that has raised his firm to the #1 position in its segment. Jason speaks about the current trends impacting the mortgage industry and how UWM has found so much success. He also shares his Top 3, which includes two of his colleagues – Mat Ishbia (CEO UWM) and Melinda Wilner (COO UWM), a former boss, and a friend. Finally, Jason shares the secret to pushing himself beyond his boundaries and comfort zone. All this and more!
About JASON BRESSLER Jason Bressler is Chief Technology Officer at United Wholesale Mortgage. With more than 24 years of IT experience in the mortgage banking industry, Bressler excels in application development and enterprise implementation, specifically at mortgage companies that have started smaller and truly taken the leap into the stratosphere of the industry utilizing technology and practices that Jason brings to the table. He is constantly developing intuitive technology platforms that help independent mortgage brokers grow their businesses. Under Bressler’s leadership, UWM has set the tone for the entire mortgage industry by reacting to clients quickly, efficiently, and with scale. Jason currently leads a team of more than 850 I.T members focused on delivering stellar client service through cutting-edge proprietary tools
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
00:47 Growing a firm in the aftermath of the pandemic: what to look for
01:49 Introducing Jason Bressler, CTO United Wholesale Mortgage
02:48 Building a culture for success at UWM
04:53 Putting passion at the center in order to have a successful endeavor
06:27 Having the grit to win – Elon Musk
09:25 Jason’s Background/story
10:21 How Jason got into the IT space
13:40 Using consumer centric practices to accelerate growth
15:46 Using UWM to help mortgage firms outsource their overhead for when times are bad
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
10:47 Jason’s ‘Top Three’ begins with a friend who got him into the mortgage industry at a young age and pushed him to be successful
18:50 The power of projecting the right message
19:52 Getting a wake-up call that jumpstarted Jason’s career
21:13 Learning how to see the lessons in every event
22:53 Jason’s ‘Top Three’ continues with his former boss at another mortgage company whose aggressive leadership style pushed him to become a better leader
23:38 Using shared comradery to push through adverse conditions - or bosses
24:21 Knowing how to sell in the mortgage industry is key for all roles
26:22 Trusting the process: hiring people smarter than yourself in order to better your own skills
30:46 Manage up to the leaders above us in order to build the dream you envision
35:44 Jason wraps up his ‘Top Three’ with Mat Ishbia CEO of UWM and Melinda Wilner, UWM’s COO whose collective passion pushes Jason to be at his best
37:38 How to hold people accountable when they love you and the work you do
40:34 Why culture is so important when hiring people
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
42:27 Hiring for skills vs. hiring for culture: which is more important in a market disruptor?
43:09 Building the customer’s business with them creates loyalty
44:07 How going public will change UWM
48:32 Using technology to capture record refinance demand
50:57 UWM is hiring! Come check out the firm
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
53:09 Closing thoughts: be purposeful and intentional in all of your efforts
54:35 Keep up with Jason at jbressler@uwm.com and checkout UWM’s website
Additional Information Contact Jason Bressler
- Jason Bressler’sLinkedIn
- UWM’s Company website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks with Paul Tedesco, Managing Director CRM & Digital at TrackDDB, a digital marketing agency in Canada. Paul discusses how he got to where he is in the industry and his predictions of where marketing will go over the next 5 years. Of course, Paul shares his Top 3 which includes lifelong friends and people who help him ‘gut check’. And you have to hear what he has to say about winning trust with a normally counterintuitive business model. All this and more!
About Paul Tedesco A 25-year marketing industry veteran, Paul has spent his career focusing on using data, technology and analytics to deliver the right message to the right customer at the right time. This journey has led from mass advertising to promotions, shopper marketing and 1:1 CRM. Paul currently heads up the North American operations of Track DDB, a leading data, technology and analytics agency focusing on data driven marketing.
Paul Tedesco (MBA, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University) has been an instructor in Marketing at the MBA level for over 15 years. Paul’s area of focus is in Customer Value Creation specifically in the Data, Technology and Analytics area and he has been and instructor in Brand Management, Customer Value Creation and Data and Analytics.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
00:50 The blending of Information Technology into everything we touch and see
01:58 Knowing the tension between many senior leaders in a firm as they try to transform companies
02:48 Paul Tedesco introduction
04:45 Paul’s background
06:05 About Paul’s company, TrackDDB
07:48 Marketing in the food industry: B2B & B2C
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
10:47 Paul’s ‘Top Three’ begins with Barb Williams who has given Paul a conscience to help him navigate the competitive landscape of Marketing & Advertising
11:35 The power of projecting the right message
13:56 Filling your Top 3 with people that have unique perspectives
16:19 Paul’s ‘Top Three’ continues with Bill Hints who showed Paul how to be an entrepreneur; being your own boss
19:34 Living a life of variability or stability
20:25 Paul wraps up his ‘Top Three’ with Mark St. Angelo, a friend and high school classmate that is Paul’s cheerleader and who helps him succeed at his endeavors
23:51 Putting deliberate, precise trust in your peers and colleagues can be a key to success
25:36 Teaching your students how to invest properly in professional relationships
29:08 When thinking about professional relationships, remember what’s in it for each person involved
32:45 Paul’s plan to disrupt the company’s media spend
33:54 Disrupting spaces often requires you to play the long game
34:29 Paul adds one more to his ‘Top Three’ with Bill Roberts, who’s consistency and stability in Paul’s life made him a safety net
38:51 Bill’s guidance helps Paul with his leadership decisions
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
40:00 Paul’s customer experience work with McDonalds
43:00 What is FOFO?
47:37 Helping firms divvy up their marketing budget
51:01 Transforming the diversity of the Canadian Advertising industry via increasing recruitment of youth
53:41 The latin word for sponsor and the meaning of taking ownership
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
55:56 Closing thoughts: the most important thing in marketing over the next few years is privacy
57:19 Keep up with Paul on LinkedIn and checkout his firm’s website
Additional Information Contact Paul Tedesco:
- Paul Tedesco’sLinkedIn
- Paul’s Company website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks with JeVon McCormick, CEO of Scribe Media – an innovative book publisher. JeVon takes Gregg on the story-filled journey of his fractured childhood and shares what his tips are to be successful. Along the way, JeVon speakers about his Top 3, ranging from the industrialist Andrew Carnegie to Oil Tycoon turned philanthropist John D. Rockefeller. And you have to hear what JeVon learned from his father who was a pimp. All this and more!
About JeVon Mccormick JeVon McCormick was born the son of a black pimp father and a white orphan mother. Today, he’s the CEO of Scribe Media, a multi-million dollar publishing company that was recently ranked the #1 Top Company Culture in America by Entrepreneur Magazine.
He’s made millions in the stock market (even though he didn’t go to college), he was the President of a software company (even though he can’t code) and he’s currently the CEO of a publishing company (even though he can’t spell).
JeVon is the President and CEO of Scribe Media, a publishing company that helps individuals from a variety of backgrounds write, publish, and market their books. Scribe Media has worked with more than 1700 authors, including members of The Nobel Peace Prize Committee, Nassim Taleb and David Goggins, whose blockbuster book Can’t Hurt Me has sold over 2 million copies.
In addition to his role at Scribe, JT is an author and highly sought after keynote speaker, delivering the message that “Everyone Has A Story” to enthusiastic audiences across the country. His book, I Got There: How a Mixed-Race Kid Overcame Racism, Poverty, and Abuseto Achieve the American Dream, tells the harrowing story of his struggle to succeed despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him.
JeVon is passionate about conscious entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for at-risk youth. He has mentored young men and women in the juvenile justice system, as well as those in lower economic communities.
JeVon currently serves as a board member for Conscious Capitalism and the StartEdUp Foundation. His story and work have been featured on CNBC, and in Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Inc. magazines. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Megan, and their four children Ava, Jaxon, Elle and Jace.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
00:51 Trying to listen in an age of unprecedented change
01:48 To listen & learn: the main reason this podcast series exists and why you should be listening too
02:31 JeVon McCormick introduction
04:22 The power of listening to the ‘why’ or purpose behind one’s actions
06:18 Overcoming the systemic racism that comes from initial perceptions of a name
10:20 JeVon’s background and growing up with a fractured home life
13:34 Getting a GED and working his way up in the world of Payday loans
15:02 JeVon’s introduction to compound interest and later success in the software industry
16:55 Writing his book to remind his kids where he came from
18:04 Becoming the CEO of Scribe Media
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
19:38 JeVon’s ‘Top Three’ begins with John D. Rockefeller who showed JeVon that people who come from a fractured background can still grow up and achieve greatness.
21:19 Rockefeller’s desire to make a name for himself really resonated with JeVon
23:40 JeVon’s frsutration at how society has demonized capitalism while it gave someone like him everything he has
24:33 JeVon’s ‘Top Three’ continues with Andrew Carnegie who showed JeVon the importance of giving back no matter how big or small
24:33 JeVon’s ‘Top Three’ concludes with George Westinghouse who emphasized what JeVon learned from Carnegie: how important it is to be philanthropic
27:19 Learning how to treat employees right
32:51 Learning from other’s mistakes: how not to raise someone
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
35:53 Scribe Media: disrupting the publication space
37:32 Self-publication: disrupting the publication industry
40:24 Using 21st Century distribution channels like Amazon to redefine the publication space
43:31 The power of showing vs. telling people what to do. Why actions go further than words
45:57 Keep an eye out for Scribe’s latest publications
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
48:40 Lesson from JeVon: eliminate the words hope, wish and luck from your vocabulary
52:18 Follow JeVon on LinkedIn
Additional Information Contact JeVon McCormick:
- JeVon McCormick’s LinkedIn
- Scribe Media
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg shares his thoughts about SEO – from trying to get to the top of ‘that’ list, to getting more eyeballs from your customers, to positioning your content ahead of your competition. He then speaks to an expert in the SEO space, Deepak Shukla, the founder and CEO of Pearl Lemon, an agency that's growing out of the UK to help companies do this globally. Deepak speaks about his unique journey of getting to the space. Of course, he speaks about his top three – from his father, to his partner, to his group of friends. And you have to hear what he has to say about how the secret to success may actually be mind-numbing consistency. All this and more!
About deepak shukla Deepak Shukla is the Founder and CEO of Pearl Lemon, a multi-award-winning SEO agency in London. He's featured in Forbes, TEDx, SEMrush, BBC, Chelsea FC, Appsumo, Bright Talks & more. When he's not running his agency, you'll find him running marathons (33 so far), completing Ironmen (2 so far), getting inked (40% body coverage) or playing with his cat Jenny.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions
1:05 Looking at SEOs from the perspective of an election
5:22 Introducing Deepak
7:00 Deepak’s background
9:34 Getting started in the SEO space
9:23 Pushing through personal tragedy
Segment 2: The Top Three
10:29 Deepak’s ‘Top Three’ starts with his Dad
13:40 Mind numbing consistency a key to success
16:44 Application of Pearl Lemon lessons to life
19:40 Deepak continues his ‘Top Three’ with his partner, Daniela Colognesi
21:19 Knowing your ‘why’
25:39 Meeting Daniella
27:33 Deepak wraps up his ‘Top Three” with Robin Luc Oppenheim
Segment 3: Learning about the business: what is SEO?
33:33 Going in depth: what is SEO?
37:17 Finding success in SEO
42:09 Convincing people of the craft: how do you get someone to invest in SEO?
43:02 Getting creative: how to get customers to pay for your work
47:44 Impact of AI in the SEO market
Section 4: Wrapping Up
52:11 Stay in touch with Deepak on LinkedIn and his company’s website!
53:31: Parting lesson: give good feedback
Additional Information Contact:
Deepak’s LinkedIn
Pearl Lemon Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks with Jerry Cox, a 95-year-old entrepreneur who has lived at least three careers over his lifetime. From serving in world war II, to attending MIT, and then moving into the medical device industry, the digital networking industry, and now the cybersecurity industry, Jerry has taken the world by storm. Of course Gregg and Jerry explore his ‘top three’ from Hallowell Davis, who changed the world for kids that were born deaf, to Wesley Clark, who invented the personal computer, to Bill Danforth who reshaped Washington University and become a national research juggernaut. Jerry also speaks about some of the companies he's been starting during the Twilight of his career, which are reshaping industry after industry. And you have to hear what he has to say about how you can have breakthrough moments. All this and more!
About Jerry Cox Jerry Cox is the Founder and President of Q-Net Security, a Quantum networking hardware-based cybersecurity company. He is also the founder and former chair of Washington University’s computer science department. Prior to founding Q-Net, Jerry worked on various startups including venture backed Growth Networks which was sold to Cisco. Jerry lives in St. Louis and has a PHD in Electrical Engineering from MIT.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions
2:05 Learning from Elders
3:03 Lessons of living through turmoil: sticking to your principles
6:46 Introducing Jerry Cox
7:36 Don’t be afraid of adventure
9:23 Pushing through personal tragedy
10:55 Involvement in WW2
15:59 Moving to the CID (Central Institute of the Deaf)
Segment 2: The Top Three
15:59 Jerry’s ‘Top Three’ starts with Hallowell Davis
19:43 Working with the Navy in Guantanamo Bay
23:36 Learning how to measure hearing in infants
28:34 Work Hard, Be Kind: Jerry’s License Plate
30:52 Jerry Continues his ‘Top Three’ with Wesley Clark
32:31 Getting the LINC to come to St. Louis
36:29 Wes Clark: the man that made the computer personal
39:01 Working with Mike Phelps to help create the PET scan
42:31 Jerry wraps up his ‘Top Three” with Bill Danforth
44:14 Cheerleading: A look into Bill’s leadership style
45:56 Retiring from Washington University
Segment 3: Life after Academia
50:28 Starting Growth Networks
52:55 After Growth Networks: learning from failures
56:47 Hard-sec and trends in the cybersecurity space
1:00:20: Standing for what you think is the right decision
Section 4: Wrapping Up
1:03:13: Parting lesson: Work Hard, Be Kind
1:06:42: Stay in touch with Jerry at jcox@blendics.com
Additional Information Contact:
Jerry’s LinkedIn
QNETS Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this week's episode, Gregg speaks about the power of building a diverse table in order to have new conversations and drive a vision forward. He then speaks to Pam Lewis, the director of the New Economy Initiative in Detroit, Michigan. She speaks about her process and how her team brings diverse groups together to build a new economy. And of course, she speaks about her top three ranging from a personal coach that has become a friend, to a former boss who's partnered with her on bringing visions to reality, to many of the people that lean on NEI and get funded, but in return drive passion for Pam. And you have to hear what she has to say about how the power of moving things forward is simply to write things down. All this and more!
About Pam Lewis Pam Lewis is the director of the New Economy Initiative (NEI), one of the country’s largest regional economic development initiatives led by philanthropy. Funded by 13 national and regional foundations, NEI makes grants to support and convene organizations that serve metro Detroit entrepreneurs and small businesses, from neighborhood-based businesses to high tech and high growth enterprises. Prior to joining NEI, she worked at companies like Next Energy and was a Director at DTE Energy. Pam has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA from Spring Arbor University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions
1:13 The importance of integration in a connected world
2:05 Building your virtual table
2:52 Introducing Pam Lewis
5:31 Pam’s Background
9:12 Three parallel tracks: private, public and philanthropic sectors
Segment 2: The Top Three
12:52 Pam’s ‘Top Three’ begins with a 20-year confidant
16:09 Leaders need to celebrate their teams
20:42 Pam’s ‘Top Three’ continues by expanding to an old boss, Dave Egner.
24:49 “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”
29:36 Pam Concludes her ‘Top Three’ with entrepreneurs she’s helped like Clement Brown and Nailah Ellis-Brown
31:46 Watching local businesses grow
Segment 3: Your Virtual Table-Building for Diversity and Resiliency
36:57 Surround yourself with the right people to create a pattern of success
40:32 Creating incentives to secure businesses and employees
43:01 Helping underserved businesses
45:33 Developing business relationships in a hands-on environment
49:08 The power of non-traditional business relationships in the age of COVID-19
52:13 Building your virtual table vs. joining one
Section 4: Wrapping Up
55:42 Closing thoughts: the power of writing down thoughts
59:50 Stay in touch with Pam via LinkedIn and Twitter!
In this episode, host Gregg Garrett discusses thinking big and how this skill enables leaders to compete in this ever-changing environment. He then speaks to Tom Chi, the founder of One Ventures. Tom is the former head of experience at Google X where he was responsible for creating the first Google car and Google glass. Tom speaks about zooming your perspective out as far as you can before making any decisions. Of course, you have to hear about his top three, which even includes people he doesn't get along with, and you have to hear what he has to say about understanding the world through verbs over nouns.
About TOm CHi Tom Chi has worked in a wide range of roles from astrophysical researcher to Fortune 500 consultant to corporate executive developing new hardware/software products and services. He's play's a significant role in established projects with global reach (Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Search), and scaled new projects from conception to significance (Yahoo Answers from 0 to 90 million users).
Tom has pioneered and practiced a unique approach to rapid prototyping, visioning, and leadership that can jumpstart innovative new ideas as well as move large organizations at unprecedented speeds. These approaches have benefitted over a dozen industry-leading companies. He most recently served as head of product experience at Google X developing technology such as Google Glass and Google's self-driving cars.
His current focus is working with social and environmental entrepreneurs around the globe, rebooting the fundamental frameworks of entrepreneurship itself, and coaching/teaching a limited number of values-aligned organizations & leaders.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions
00:59 Seeing perspectives: the power of using systems
3:00 Taking a step back: always look for the bigger picture
4:00 Introducing Tom Chi
5:08 Tom’s Background
Segment 2: The Top Three
09:54 Tom’s ‘Top Three’ begins with Buckminster Fuller
11:24 Looking at the bigger picture in Architecture
12:04 Tom’s ‘Top Three’ continues by expanding to anyone that inspires him
16:07 Studying the context is just as important as studying the topic
18:58 Modern thought process and the struggles to peel that away
21:22 Tom Concludes his ‘Top Three’ with anyone he disagrees with.
Segment 3: Teaching Verbs not Nouns
23:34 Creating a world that fosters healthy relationships
24:33 People are obsessed with nouns and states. This needs to be the opposite.
25:31 Using verbs to compress key info on something
28:07 Survival of the fittest and how this embodies the usage of verbs vs nouns
30:21 Understanding the why and not the what
32:59 Static leaders vs active, involved ones
36:59 Using verbs instead of nouns to develop action statements
40:45 Leadership cannot be a bottleneck for decisions
42:40 Using the free market as an agent for change
44:23 Getting financial incentives aligned with environmental goals
Section 4: Wrapping Up
48:05 Closing thoughts: change a system by pushing its current state to obsoletion
52:13 Stay in touch with Tom via LinkedIn and his website!
Additional Information Contact:
Tom’s LinkedIn
Tom Chi’s Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, host Gregg Garrett discusses how digitalization is both the greatest equalizer and creator of incredible divide. He then speaks with Richard Hicks who leads a not-for-profit that looks to close the digital divide by bringing together senior IT leaders, investors, and the community. Of course Richard speaks about his top three – from his current leadership team, to his experienced industry board. And he even speaks about disconnecting to connect with his donkey named Fiona. And you have to hear what he has to say about recruiting for mission over skills. All this and more!
About Richard Hicks Richard Hicks is the CEO & President of Inspiredu, as well as a transformational nonprofit leader and speaker committed to improving opportunities for children and helping families improve their socioeconomic status. In his 11+ years with Inspiredu, and in his previous roles, Richard has led teams, managed high-dollar projects, and developed growth and fundraising strategies. He has been instrumental in creating relationships and alliances with Fortune 500 companies and with the tech community. Richard has a BA in Information Systems and Communications from Georgia College & State University and serves on the Executive Advisory Board for ATP (Atlanta Technology Professionals) and Advisory Board for Lincoln Tech. In addition to his career at Inspiredu, Richard also enjoys volunteering with and supporting other service organizations like the Agape Family and Youth Center. He sees the focus on families and communities as pivotal in our ever-changing world.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions
00:53 The power of digitalization
1:53 The great divide: how digitalization will empower some and divide others
4:56 Introducing Richard Hicks
6:51 Richard’s Background
7:46 Richard’s push to shrink the digital divide
09:54 Equitable access to technology training
Segment 2: The Top Three
11:47 Richard’s ‘Top Three’ begins with his Leadership Team – Oneisha Freeman, Eddie Matano and Carmen Saladin who bring a strategic mission.
12:51 Connecting your teammates and telling your individual story
17:55 Recruiting for your dream team
21:10 The power of reverse mentorships
22:12 Your team makes you who you are
25:52 Richard’s ‘Top Three’ continues with his board, and specifically, Patrick Hiller.
29:05 Transversal skills in the Digital Age
33:21 Learning from Leaders in the non-profit space
37:29 Richard’s ‘Top Three’ concludes with the committee chairs and underserved members of the community that push him to do his best
Segment 3: Closing the Digital Divide
38:30 Closing the digital divide in Atlanta
42:58 The problem is wealth based
43:25 Digital Divide: the Literacy Gap of the 21st century
44:51 Serving the needs of the community at the intersection of wealth management, education and community development
47:57 Evolving an organization in a time of crisis
Section 4: Wrapping Up
51:00 Fiona the Donkey and escaping the daily commotion
53:05 Closing thoughts: reflect on the mistakes you made yesterday, but realize today is a new day
54:55 Stay in touch with Richard via LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact:
- Richard’s LinkedIn
- Inspire Edu’s Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg touches on the importance of being able to play the long game. He then has one of his most insightful conversations yet, this time with a power couple. He speaks with Jane Finette and Pascal Finette. They speak about their storied careers that have led them through eBay, Mozilla, Google, and Singularity University, along with advising board executives to shape society. And of course, they each highlight their top three, which starts with one another and extends to professional friends and team members. And you have to hear their hints for having breakthrough moments and how women may be the secret to accelerating change. All this and more!
About Jane and Pascal Finette Jane Finette, CEO & Co-Founder at be radical. Jane is obsessed with accelerating change at scale through conscious leadership. Her passion, expertise and two decades of experience are anchored at the intersection of technology and human potential. Jane’s past work includes leadership roles at eBay, Sotheby’s and Mozilla. She has founded and run large international teams, expanded organizations globally, built products, ran marketing departments and grown large scale open source communities. She was part of the founding team of jungle.com, the UK’s first large-scale Internet company. Jane is also the President and Founder of The Coaching Fellowship, a 501c3 non-profit which nurtures and brings together some of the world’s most extraordinary emerging young women leaders in social change.
Pascal is Co-Founder at be radical, EY’s wavespace Advisory Board Chair, SingularityU’s Chair for Entrepreneurship & Open Innovation, VC at BOLD Capital Partners. Previously he held leadership positions at Google.org, Mozilla, and eBay, built technology startups, launched a Venture Capital firm. He is the posse leader at TheHeretic.org, and is a general upstart when it comes to creating meaningful change.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions
1:00 Staying focused on the long term; eliminating white noise
2:49 Speed: one of the biggest elements that determines a transformation’s success
4:52 Introducing Pascal and Jane Finette
7:08 Jane Finette Introduction
8:56 Pascal Finette Introduction
11:20 Getting lucky in the dot com bubble
Segment 2: The “Top Six”
16:48 Pascal’s ‘Top Three’ begins with his spouse, Jane Finette
17:50 Jane’s take: managing business and personal
20:41 Jane’s ‘Top Three’ beings with her spouse, Pascal Finette
22:35 Pascal’s ‘Top Three’ continues with Christian Müller
28:04 Jane’s ‘Top Three’ continues with Athena Katsaros
31:22 The power of coaching
33:33 Pascal’s ‘Top Three’ concludes with Daniel Epstein and Samantha Snabes
37:50 The value of inspiration in achieving your goals
39:31 Jane’s ‘Top Three’ concludes with her team at The Coaching Fellowship
42:52 Sharing your network with your partner
Segment 3: Aligning Your Network with Your Values
45:31 Making your professional network more than just transactional
47:34 Helping women achieve more leadership positions
50:28 Leveraging their network to disrupt the executive education space
Section 4: Wrapping Up
52:59 Teaching for good, not profit
55:43 Closing thoughts: Be curious in all aspects of life, even what doesn’t apply to you
58:54 Stay in touch with Jane and Pascal via LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact:
Jane Finette’s LinkedIn
Pascal Finette’s LinkedIn
The Coaching Fellowship Website
Pascal Finette’s Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks with Jeb Hurley, Co-Founder & CEO, Xmetryx. They discuss the importance of attempting to live life with no regrets and about the importance of teams in making transformations a reality. And of course he speaks about his top three from his spouse and cofounder to two of his favorite mentors. And you have to hear what he has learned from the Israeli military and seal teams that has driven a lot of the theory of his transformation leadership. All this and more!
About Jeb Hurley Dr. Jeb S. Hurley is the co-founder and CEO of Xmetryx, a behavioral science-based team relationship management platform. He is insatiably curious about why people, and especially leaders, do what they do, and passionate about using behavioral science to help organizations develop more conscious leaders. Jeb’s career journey began in sales and product management. Over the past 25 years he has held GM, VP and CEO roles at companies ranging from Fortune 100 to startups. He is the author of Team Relationship Management (2019) and The One Habit (2017), along with over 70 articles on the crafting exceptional teams.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
00:46 Live with no regrets.
3:06 Introducing Jeb Hurley- Living life with action and no regrets
5:18 Jeb’s Background
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
9:10 Jeb’s “Top Three” begins with his spouse, Elena Newton who is his muse, co-founder, and confidant.
10:54 Starting a company with your wife
14:08 Using software to help close the gaps in trust in Corporate Teams.
16:52 Separating personal and business relationships.
21:23 Jeb’s “Top Three” continues with Ryan Kuder and Kendra Dixon who were sounding boards and mentors during the startup process.
24:47 Characteristics of a good mentor.
27:59 Jeb’s “Top Three” continues with David Mandell who turns the concept into a narrative and a story that is impactful.
29:19 Helping CEOs and Founders through the early days.
Segment 3: Transforming the Individual or the Organization
30:09 Transforming your message to get funding.
31:56 Developing your customer story.
35:40 Transforming your leadership style-common attributes of exceptional leaders.
37:22 Creating a transformational team.
41:57 New team structures-Hybrid teams.
43:05 Working with multi-time zoned teams: Eliminating communication friction.
48:18 Making sure unconscious biases don’t get in the way of your leadership.
Section 4: Wrapping Up
49:29 Closing thoughts: making the work environment inclusive.
50:57 Stay in touch with Jeb via LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Jeb Hurley:
- Xmetryx
- Blog
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
In this episode, Gregg speaks with Sangy Vatsa, a highly regarded transformation leader with significant experience in being a chief technology officer and chief information officer for fortune-level companies. Sangy, the EVP, Chief Technology & Digital Officer at FIS, discusses how he establishes a pattern of rapidly learning the specifics of business models and the disruptive forces taking place in industry, and then applies them to build deep relationships with the heads of business units to earn a seat at their table. And of course, he speaks about his top three, that range from business unit partners to direct report teams to future leaders who reverse mentor him to broad group of peers that he's had a hand in formalizing into an industry board. And you have to hear what he has to say about co-creating bold visions. All this and more!
About sangy vatsa Mr. Sangy Vatsa is the EVP, Chief Technology and Digital Officer of FIS Global. As a seasoned Chief Information, Technology and Digital Officer with a track record of accelerating growth and maximizing value, Vatsa has delivered such value in progressive leadership roles at Fortune companies like American Express, Ford Motor Company and Comerica Bank. He is currently responsible for digital transformation at FIS Global.
Prior to joining FIS Global, Vatsa served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Comerica Bank. He joined the Bank in 2016 and was responsible for all of digital technology, technology operations, cybersecurity, enterprise data office, business continuity and technology risk management at the Bank.
Prior to joining Comerica Bank, Vatsa served as the Chief Information Officer for global customer service, credit, collections and payments issuance at The American Express Company. Since joining American Express in 2006, he served in leadership roles for IT strategy, architecture and innovation, enterprise shared services, global business travel and corporate payments digital capabilities. Prior to American Express, he spent 13 years at Ford Motor Company (and Ford Financial Services) in various progressive leadership, architecture and technology delivery roles.
Vatsa earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He also holds a Master of Computer and Information Systems degree and a Bachelor of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering degree. Vatsa is actively engaged in the industry, both with technology companies and with non-profit companies.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:09 Midwestern grit
3:58 Introducing Sangy Vatsa
6:37 Sangy’s Background
9:37 Tri-model Digital Leadership
12:09 Being an effective leader in all environments
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
13:52 Lots of leaders have impacted Sangy. It’s hard to pick the top 3 so he lists 3 of many that have impacted him.
16:30 Sangy’s “Top Three”: Jim Bush - really think big and deliver big.
17:32 Sangy’s “Top Three”: Marcy Klevorn - just simply believed in you.
20:14 Sangy’s “Top Three”: Ash Gupta – making time to mentor not only Sangy but his children.
Segment 3: Product Co-Creation Model
22:47 Introducing the product Co-Creation model.
26:24 Using the methodology to bring decisiveness to your product development journey.
28:47 Ian Hogan- Working Sangy to help Comerica develop digitalized customer experience .
Segment 4: Who is an Advisor?
29:58 Millennial Roundtables.
31:37 Expanding the definition- who can be an advisor?
32:35 Reaching out- creating programs to educate young professionals.
33:32 Looking for other ways to connect with new groups of people .
36:08 Helping Detroit become a digital hub; expanding on the Silicon Lakes philosophy.
Section 5: Wrapping Up
40:08 What to focus on for your business in the Pandemic.
42:31 Continuing to push Digital a focus.
44:13 One thing you can do tomorrow to be a better leader.
46:16 Stay in touch with Sangy via LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Sangy Vatsa:
- Sangy’s LinkedIn
- FIS
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Gregg Garrett, explores the power of borrowing startup concepts and applying them to established enterprise innovation programs. He then speaks with Fred Soller, a leader who crossed over from a successful enterprise executive to scaling a startup, Data Oceans, through leadership. Fred shares how this switch has allowed him to make a more significant impact on the world. And of course, he speaks about his top three from the higher power above to the founders of the firm to community members who let him recharge his batteries and adjust his bearings. All this and more!
About Fred Soller Fred Soller has over 25 years of Sales, and Sales Management experience in High Technology. He has been a catalyst for successful Marketing and Business Development initiatives, including building and reorganizing organizations for sustained growth.
He currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer for DataOceans, a leader in the Customer Communications Management (CCM) industry, where he is responsible for overseeing all revenue generating functions. He has been instrumental in shaping the go-to-market planning and execution, and leading a rebrand marketing strategy.
Previous to joining DataOceans, Fred held several global Sales and Leadership positions within Enterprise Technology providers including Intradiem, Oracle, and most recently at SAP, where he served as the Head of the Customer Experience Line of Business in the Mid-Market, overseeing multiple years of triple digit growth year over year. Additionally, he was instrumental in delivering new highs in Leadership Trust, Employee Engagement, and Business Health Culture Index to the business, which led to the organization being recognized as a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For recipient.
Fred earned an Accounting degree from Clemson University, and currently lives in Roswell, Georgia with his wife Kimberly, and daughters, Ashlynd and Austin. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Kyle Pease Foundation, and is actively involved in the community as a youth sports coach and volunteer work with Camp Sunshine, High Tech Ministries and his church. An avid sports fan, he travels often to see the Clemson Tigers play football and has completed over 19 Half and Full Ironman Distance events
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:47 The power of exchanging ideas & having a good team.
6:22 Communication is key between innovation units and other parts of the firm.
7:59 Fred Soller introduction.
10:02 Turing down the University of Michigan; an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
14:12 Recognizing a tipping point in your business.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
16:48 Fred’s “Top Three” starts with his faith in God. He discusses his mission to live his “life walking with God.”
17:33 Fred then lists his wife as the second “Top 3.” Fred’s wife pushes him to be the best person he can be; she helps him evolve to be the best version of himself.
19:10 Your wife as your gut check; Fred’s wife is supportive but challenges him to make the best decisions.
20:00 Fred’s rounds out his “Top Three” with his dad. While he wasn’t super close to him growing up, his charisma and guidance gave Fred the direction to be the best person he can be.
23:06 Expanding beyond the Top Three: Ed Littleton.
Segment 3: Avoiding Judge-mentation
26:26 Controlling your narrative; avoiding social media for your own health. Not judging others on what their social media says about them.
27:17 The power of having “safe zones” away from the judgement of modern society.
29:33 Taking time to meet people face to face.
Segment 4: Life-long work
30:17 Building a company is like running a marathon.
34:39 What does Data Ocean do?
38:02 Getting involved philanthropically.
40:39 Dangers of holding on too tight.
45:42 Surrounding with good people for the long haul.
52:30 Looking for ways to continually improve yourself.
57:06 Being resilient in the face of a pandemic.
Section 5: Wrapping Up
58:52 Having a plan A, B, and C
1:00:34 Stay in touch via LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Sean Killian:
- Fred’s LinkedIn
- Data Oceans
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Gregg Garrett, discusses how transforming an organization is a lot like baking a cake. Gregg then speaks with Sean Killian, President North America, Atos Medical. Sean shares insights he has gained as a global citizen and observations he has made as he pivoted his career from industry to industry. Of course, he speaks about his top three who include mentors who taught him to bring structure to unstructured situations, inspirational leaders in the world of sports, and day-to-day confidants who help him scale. And you have to hear what he has to say about what it’s like to become the president of a company in the midst of a pandemic.
About Sean Killian Sean serves as President of North America for Atos Medical, a PAI-portfolio healthcare company that serves customers in the laryngectomy space. Prior to joining Atos earlier this year, he was on the executive team of Performance Health, a portfolio company of Chicago-based Madison Dearborn Partners, where he was VP of Global Strategy and GM of Specialty Products. Previously, Sean was Global Head of M&A Strategy at Mondelez International and, prior to that, a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group in its Chicago office.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:07 Why do over 70% of transformations fail?
3:01 Transformation is like baking a cake.
6:52 Sean Killian: His journey began with journalism and consulting that led him around the world and back to his current role in the medica. industry.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
14:06 Sean’s “Top Three” beings with mentors who give perspective on the tools you need, connecting it to where you are today as an individual on a development curve, and playing a role model
16:39 Weighing mentor quality vs boss quality.
18:02 Hints for leaders: Be structured. Get into the 80/20 – what really matters. Have a plan and execute that plan.
20:47 Sean’s “Top Three” expands with a speakers, personalities, and leaders in the world of sports, such as Jim Valvano & Brian Kelly from whom he can gain life advice.
23:05 There aren’t lines between the workplace and personal life; it just is.
26:12 Modeling for your team that it is okay to make a mistake is really important.
28:28 Sean’s “Top Three” concludes with day-to-day confidants who help him scale including Mauricio Atry.
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
33:57 Accepting the President role during the pandemic.
40:00 The realities of what ‘after’ the pandemic looks like.
45:15 Blurring the lines: what is the role of a business in providing a social output for people?
49:09 “What matters is how you are trying to evolve the organization.”
53:06 Atos Medical: Passionate to make life easier for people who breathe through a stoma.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
58:39 Use an extensive filing system for emails.
1:00:34 Stay in touch via LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Sean Killian:
- Sean’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Ted Serbinski, managing director at Techstars, about the power of pivoting and how it is needed for startups as well as enterprises trying to innovate. He discusses a wide array of topics from becoming a mobility industry luminary to investing in nearly 100 companies to being a xennial and the importance of being a sponge. Ted of course shares his Top Three who include member of the Foundry Group to fellow alumnus who help him stretch his thesis to all the founders in whom he has invested to make mentoring a two-way street. And you have to hear what he has to say about how mobility may be more about what is not moving, rather than what is, especially in a post-COVID world.
About Ted Serbinski Ted Serbinski is a venture capitalist and managing director of TechStars with 70 global startup investments across mobility, automotive, logistics, manufacturing, fintech and AI/ML. He focuses on helping entrepreneurs succeed through mentorship and investment and seeks to establish lifelong relationships with the founders he backs.
Ted holds a degree in computer engineering from Cornell University and is a dad to four energetic kids.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:10 “Pivot! Pivot!”: The criticality of change and importance of being brave to achieve it
4:18 Ted Serbinski: His journey began as a coder and has led him across the country to becoming an investor
5:30 Ted’s Mission: “Changing people’s perception of what’s possible”
9:24 Being Brave: A cold email to Dan Gilbert brought him to Michigan and began his venture career
11:53 Success breeding success: “Spreadsheets don’t create, they measure.”
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
15:10 Be a sponge: Soak up everything you hear and see around you
16:46 Ted’s “Top Three” starts with Jason Mendelson who challenged his perception of what’s possible being a VC
18:33 A pattern develops: Sending the cold email, making the cold call
22:57 Ted’s “Top Three” expands with Gretchen Knoell, a fellow Cornell alum, who has great experience and provides great wisdom
24:43 Investment Thesis Challenge: “It’s all about make and move” … and what else?
27:12 Ted’s “Top Three” concludes with the group of founders he has invested in due to the depth of knowledge they provide
30:03 Relationship Lens: “Investing in founders is a lifetime commitment”
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
37:34 Disruption: It’s all about timing and people’s ability to change
40:04 Are innovators seeing the silver lining in this post-COVID market?
41:50 “Building a startup is a lot like a game of chess”
44:48 Pivoting: Where are auto and mobility going?
46:58 “What is mobility?” Ted’s blog on Detroit becoming the Mobility City
51:00 Futurists look at the consumption market and far outside the industry
52:48 Mobility Spectrum: “Not moving is moving too.”
55:54 Drawing Parallels: Being a Xennial and Mobility
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
58:55 Ted’s Journey: “Being open to [almost] anything”
1:01:02 Copious Note Taker: What’s the process?
1:04:01 Meditate: “It is a way to defrag your brain”
1:06:36 How to stay in contact with Ted
Additional Information Contact Ted Serbinski:
- Ted’s Email
- Ted’s LinkedIn
- Ted’s Twitter
- Ted’s Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Sean Kramer, CIO at SiteOne Landscape Supply about recognizing opportunity while it is still happening. He discusses his career journey that has taken him from a mid-level IT leader to CIO through 25+ acquisitions and a move from private company to IPO. Of course he speaks about his Top Three who have helped him along this journey including his spouse, private equity advisor who helped him grow from industry to industry, and CEO and business unit leads who have taught him how to lead beyond his function. And you have to hear what he has to say about getting out of technology to drive communication in leadership.
About Sean Kramer Sean Kramer is a senior executive who leads digital transformation through innovative technologies and data analytics and is personally invested in translating business demands into supportable and strategic IT solutions.
In his current role as Chief Information Officer at SiteOne Landscape Supply, he has the opportunity to define the IT vision and strategy as well as to lead large, multi-functional teams through implementation. What he enjoys most is leveraging versatile knowledge and experience across Information Technology, Finance, Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, HR and Operations to transform and deliver business results.
He is also deeply involved in the industry and earned Georgia’s CIO of the Year ORBIE Award in 2018 as well as the ATP Leadership Award in 2017. Additionally, he serves on several industry boards as well as the Advisory Board for Inspiredu of Atlanta, a national education nonprofit that strengthens the triangle of learning relationships between students, teachers, and families to ensure every child excels.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:03 The Story Arch: purpose to drive or effect change
2:35 “Another thing that has an arch or narrative to it is a career journey”
4:16 Sean Kramer: cool, calm, calculated and the guy who is always looking ahead
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
5:50 Sean’s story began in automotive and landed in green industry
9:00 A story arch that included a shift from stabilization to a digital strategy roadmap
13:25 Sean’s “Top Three” begins with his wife, Brandy Kramer, who helped him be brave, courageous and bold in the decision making process of moving industries
16:49 Sean’s “Top Three” continues with his ‘influencer’, John Seral, who sold the role and set expectations as well as served as catalyst to building relationships
25:07 Sean’s “Top Three” also includes his boss, Doug Black, who emphasizes keeping the mission in the forefront and following Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
36:35 Sean reflects on needing to pause energy on various technologies to focus on stability
40:32 Sean’s “Top Three” rounds out with, Matt Hart who’s an excellent leader of people and encourages him to “be bold”
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
45:22 Technology: How is it impacting the green industry?
48:33 A focus on e-commerce enhanced due to current events
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
49:58 Communication: Key to being a better, braver leader
51:55 How to connect with Sean
Additional Information Contact Sean Kramer:
- Sean’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how creating connected products may blur the boundaries of manufacturing and aftermarket service. He then speaks with Jerry Foster, CTO at Plex Systems. Jerry, an expert in Industry 4.0, shares how he bravely launched an information technology company from the gritty floor of a foundry. He then discusses how the manufacturing sector is dealing with COVID-19 and gives hints on how manufacturers are redefining their supply chains in real time. Jerry shares his Top Three ranging from his wife to his cofounder to the CFO of his current team. And you have to hear what he has to say about building confidence by surrounding yourself with people smarter than you.
About Jerry Foster Jerry Foster is CTO and leads Plex System’s technology strategy, along with research and design initiatives focused on next-generation cloud solutions for the manufacturing enterprise. A founding member of the Plex team, Jerry has been instrumental in the entire evolution of Plex, overseeing the technical transitions in each phase of our growth. Jerry earned his degree in computer science at Liberty University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:09 Industry 4.0 – the movement toward the digitalization of manufacturing (the Fourth Industrial Revolution).
4:34 Industry 4.0 isn’t just within four walls – it extends to supply chains, retail and beyond.
5:25 Ask yourself: “What is manufacturing in the future?”
7:03 Jerry Foster: An Industry 4.0 expert and a history in the manufacturing space.
10:55 Plex System: Connect with the future of smart manufacturing (ERP solutions)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
14:44 Jerry’s “Top Three” beings with his wife, Angie, who is empathetic, compassionate, sacrificial and brave.
17:42 Keeping the focus on empathy.
23: 44 Jerry’s “Top Three” continues with Rob Beatty who was a true leader with intelligence, leadership, wisdom and fairness.
25:33 Best leadership advice: “Lead with your heart, lead with honor and don’t fear the lawyers.”
30:26 Rarely argue. Instead, ask: What do we need to do to get this fixed?
36:19 Jerry’s “Top Three” continues with Don Clarke who teaches the balance between customer-centricity and representing the value you are providing.
40:42 Jerry’s “Top Three” concludes with Drew Flint who is a best friend.
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
41:41 Real-time monitoring of the impact of COVID-19.
46:40 The early payoffs of Industry 4.0 and being in the cloud.
51:00 Disruption is occurring globally and across all industries.
52:29 Advice for transformations: “You have to solve real problems. There has to be a business driver involved.”
54:08 Why people push back on transformation.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
56:24 Advice for leaders: “Surround yourself with, and hire people who are, smarter than you.”
59:47 Check out Plex and the recent ‘5th Annual State of Manufacturing Technology Report’.
Additional Information Contact Jerry Foster:
- Jerry’s Email
- Jerry’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Paul Chambers, a multi-time founder who has launched the Subscription Trade Association, about the rising growth in the subscription economy and accompanying business models. He discusses how the Subscription Trade Association has brought together subscription based business leaders from across many industries. He also shares his Top Three ranging from his multi-time co-founder who helps bring his ideas to reality to an amusement park line-jumping friend who has helped him better understand the events industry to his business coach. And you have to hear what he has to say about taking the time to truly disconnect, in order to connect.
About Paul Chambers An entrepreneur since fifth grade, Paul Chambers is the President and Co-Founder of the Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA) and CEO and Founder of Core3 Solutions, a parent company to Element5 Digital, Gentleman’s Box, Rocket Effect, Moka Boka, and Unity Management System. Paul has extensive expertise in the subscription economy and digital marketing, dating back more than two decades, and he has been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a 20 in Their 20’s. In his spare time, Paul is a firefighter in the City of Troy and loves to spent time with the world’s most amazing wife, twin daughters, and two sons.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:04 “Trying to become frictionless is really the key”
3:36 Reshaping the value chain: Differentiators in the subscription industry
7:14 Paul Chambers: An entrepreneur from an early age who became a subscription expert
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
11:45 “Surround yourself with people smarter than you.”
12:35 Paul’s “Top Three” begins with his business partner, Christopher George, who is his yin to the yang
17:57 As the visionary: “My greatness weakness is underestimating the amount of effort it takes.”
20:00 The birth of the Subscription Trade Association
23:17 Paul’s “Top Three” grows with Ben Jones who makes a living by jumping lines at Cedar Point but events background has become extremely helpful
29:55 Transforming business models: An exciting time to be in the subscription industry
32:09 Paul’s “Top Three” continues with Dr. Fradi Baradihi, who is a great mentor and supporter
34:28 A lesson never forgotten from a business coach
37:31 Paul’s “Top Three” concludes with a few honorable mentions including his brother, Chris Chambers, who is never afraid to tell him like it is
41:53 “Pick a channel”: Keeping boundaries around home life and work life
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
43:14 Gentleman’s Box response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Bowties at home?
47:55 Connected World: Is it impacting trends in the subscription industry?
52:39 Upcoming Virtual Events: “We have to find ways to bring the community together to help people”
55:50 Sharing data across the subscription industry?
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
59:08 Stay in touch with Paul
59:52 A hack for managing multiple outlets and to be a better, braver leader
Additional Information Contact Paul Chambers:
- Paul’s Email
- Paul’s LinkedIn
- Paul’s Twitter
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks first about the unique nature of building connections during the COVID-19 quarantine. He then interviews middle-school teacher turned CEO Chanel Hampton, founder and president of Strategic Community Partners, who has a fantastic message about following your passion. She shares her Top Three ranging from the founder of Build-a-Bear to an ambassador of Belize to an executive coach who holds her accountable. And you have to hear what she has to say about dealing with that pit in your stomach.
About Chanel Hampton Chanel Hampton serves as the Founder and President of Strategic Community Partners (SCP), a Detroit-based firm focused on working with local and national organizations rooted in education, equity, and justice. In 2015, Chanel launched SCP with a vision of partnering with mission-driven organizations to build capacity and positively serve Black and marginalized communities. SCP works with a robust array of partners, including Detroit Public Schools Community District, The Skillman Foundation, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Washington, D.C.’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education, WEPOWER St. Louis, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, The Obama Foundation and numerous other community-based organizations and leaders. SCP also operates a community center and the first co-working space in Detroit’s legacy-rich Fitzgerald neighborhood.
Prior to founding SCP, Chanel began her career as a middle school teacher, where her passion for larger systemic change in the education system grew. Particularly moved by the need for diverse teacher talent and organizations with the right motivations and mindsets working in communities, Chanel began her work with administration and later joined Teach for America’s National Recruitment Team. Founding and leading national diversity initiatives, Chanel served as a national recruitment team leaders and also worked with the organization’s 52 regions as a strategic advisor and partner – resulting in unprecedented community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and progress with communities across the country. Chanel also led several additional organization-wide initiatives and partnerships, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.
During her career, Chanel has also served as a central office executive in public school systems, including Detroit Public Schools; and worked with the Michigan Department of Education to ensure equitable practices for all districts across the state.
Chanel holds a bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies, Psychology, and Sociocultural Anthropology. She also has two master’s degrees in Secondary Education and Education Administration. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership.
Chanel’s lifelong passions for Detroit, justice, education, and equity drive her personally and professionally and motivate her to continue, as well as expand.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:03 The importance of your “Quarantine Crew”: focus on your present and be OK with it
3:27 Chanel Hampton: A lifelong educator who began as a middle school teacher and is now a CEO
4:42 Strategic Community Partners (SCP): Cultivated from a quick-growing passion for teacher diversity and realizing a need for strategy and community to work hand-in-hand
10:38 Drawing Parallels: Taking a corporate/ operations lens to the work of SCP
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
13:08 Chanel’s “Top Three” begins with Maxine Clark who became her first mentor in St. Louis and believed in Chanel when she didn’t believe in herself
20:17 Simple but important lesson: Send the follow-up message
21:38 Chanel’s “Top Three” grows with Ambassador Shabazz whose brilliance and ability to coach without noticing you’re being coached has pushed her through tough love
28:42 “Coming home is hard”: The key is making shifts and realizations in life to make it a positive transition
31:50 Chanel’s “Top Three” continues with Priscilla Archangel whose coaching helped bridge gaps and make tough decisions to take SCP to the next level
37:30 Coach vs. Mentor: A big difference in being held accountable
38:24 Chanel’s “Top Three” concludes with individuals in her “Quarantine Club” (Dr. Robert Simmons, Laura Khalil, Adam Layne, Anthony Smith, Charli Cooksey, Michelle Moss, Mel Mills, Mike Walters, Racheal Allen, Janet Dickerson, and Richard Grundy) whom she is grateful for during these unprecedented times
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
43:00 Opportunity from Challenges: Two specific examples outlined by Chanel
45:30 The future of Education: “Are we bringing the right community together?”
48:23 Hints/ Areas of Focus for Community Leaders: Making sure we don’t forget
51:00 SCP Incubator: What is it and how do you learn more?
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
54:53 Upcoming SCP Event: Culture for Change
56:00 How to stay in contact with Chanel
56:30 How to be a better leader? “Deal with that one thing”
Additional Information Contact Chanel Hampton:
- Chanel’s LinkedIn
- Chanel’s Instagram
- Chanel’s Twitter
- Chanel’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks about finding your drive. He speaks with Jack Lintol, a multi-time CEO who is currently with Detroit Trading Company. Jack shares the importance of how leadership differs during disruption and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can be part of your system. And, of course, he speaks about his ‘Top 3’ – from his wife, to fellow CEOs, to trusted colleagues who have run the plays with him in the past, and ultimately to his faith and the father figures who speak with him from afar. And you have to hear what he has to say about knowing when it is right to look in the mirror or when to look through the window.
About Jack Lintol Jack Lintol possesses more than 25 years of senior leadership experience. His success in growing, optimizing and turning around companies is attributable to his ability to develop, articulate and execute a clear strategy, build an effective team and engage / motivate all constituents necessary to achieve the objectives. Jack's leadership is characterized by his compelling and inclusive interpersonal skills, inspiring values and a strong talent orientation.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:01 Motivation is key – starting with the why.
3:00 Transformations often fail because of motivational ambiguity.
5:12 Jack Lintol – a successful history and the importance of giving people everything you can.
12:37 Detroit Trading Company: We Bring Car Shoppers and Dealers Together.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
16:00 Jack’s “Top Three” begins with faith – God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit – that guides through the most complex and difficult decisions.
18:30 The growth and evolution of spirituality.
22:24 Believing in something greater than yourself is so critical.
25:01 Jack’s “Top Three” continues with his wife who is his moral compass.
26:46 Jack’s “Top Three” grows with a group of people who can provide him with subject matter views, including: Mark Green, John Hern, Dan Minkus.
30:32 The Foundational Operating Process.
36:47 Jack’s “Top Three” concludes with a Tom Dutch who was a father figure and guide.
39:20 Leaders grow during adversity.
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
43:15 The silver lining to the pandemic – get through and get strong.
49:04 “Consumers have been trained...so they want a different experience.”
53:03 How connected and technology are impacting the industry.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
57:23 “When things are going wrong, look in the mirror. When things are going right, look through the window.”
58:22 “It takes a conscious effort to go positive.”
59:13 Stay in touch: jack@detroittrading.com
Additional Information Contact Jack Lintol
- Jack’s LinkedIn
- Jack’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Samantha Snabes, co-founder and catalyst at re:3D about resiliency through disruption. She shares firsthand experience of driving resiliency through major disruptions like COVID-19 as well as several natural disasters. She also discusses how she motivates her team to shape the future of manufacturing through 3D printing and using it to change the landscape across the world. Additionally, she notes her Top Three who include her amazing NASA based co-founder and two moon-shot advisors: one who is the chair of Singularity University and one who founded GoogleX. And you must hear what she has to say about helping the world make new stuff from trash.
About Samantha Snabes Samantha Snabes is an officer in the Air National Guard and the CEO for re:3D where she facilitates connections between others printing at the human-scale and/or using recycled materials to access locally driven manufacturing in 53 countries. As a serial entrepreneur, she currently volunteers as the Global Chair of the IEEE Entrepreneurship Steering Committee. Previously, she served as the Social Entrepreneur in Residence for the NASA HQ and Deputy Strategist supporting the NASA Johnson Space Center’s Space Life Sciences Directorate after selling a start-up for a DARPA-funded, co-patented tissue culture device. Samantha holds a BS in Biology, BA degrees in International Relations & Hispanic Studies, a MBA with concentrations in Supply Chain Management & International Relations, and certifications as a firefighter & EMT-B.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:04 Is it really about “resiliency” or rather building capabilities and finding bravery to move forward into the unknown?
2:07 Samantha Snabes’ ability to standout, command attention, and disrupt her industry
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
4:48 Samantha understands disruptions in supply chains and is a leader in manufacturing and 3D printing
8:02 Samantha’s “Top Three” starts with Matthew Fiedler whose influence and genius helped shape her view, and ability to positively impact the world
11:43 “What we love about 3D printing… it appears to be gender agnostic… and more about what they make”
14:30 “We had to think about our role…it was a real test as things were extremely tight, we were making tough calls… to still try to do R&D and trying to keep offices viable.”
16:35 Hints for finding and selecting the right co-founder for you
21:40 Innovation from disruption: The silver lining from disasters
28:40 Samantha’s “Top Three” also includes her re:3D advisors, Pascal Finette and Tom Chi
31:27 Realizing the need for advisors to hold the team accountable, serve as sounding board
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
37:22 Manufacturing: Is there starting to be a macro shift in the industry?
41:07 Working through another disruption: COVID-19s impact on the 3D printing industry
44:17 A glimmer of hope and what the future will look like
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
46:06 A partnership with Impact Hub and Impact Hub Houston to donate PPE to frontline and essential community members
49:05 Never be afraid to ask too many questions, even the dumb ones, to be a better leader
Additional Information Contact Samantha:
- Samantha Snabes’ LinkedIn
- Samantha Snabes’ Twitter
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Kevin Withane, senior legal and ethics director at TI Fluid Systems. As a global citizen, he discusses some of the difficult realities of ethics, diversity, and the current social unrest tied to race. Kevin also shares his Top Three that includes his wife who helped him find his professional purpose to his father who taught him to never give up to his colleague who let him into the system. And you have to hear what he is trying to do to change the world for his daughter.
About Kevin Withane Kevin Withane is a purpose led senior in-house lawyer and ethics and compliance professional. He was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in the United Kingdom in 2002 and later dual-qualified as a solicitor. For the last 10 years, Kevin’s work has had an increasing focus towards ethics and compliance.
Kevin’s career has spanned a charity, a quasi-governmental organisation, a regulator, private practice, SMEs and now a FTSE 250 multinational company. From the UK, he has worked and lived in Europe, China, Hong Kong, Russia and now, Michigan, USA.
Kevin’s purpose is to use his skills and knowledge to help others make a positive impact on the world. He is passionate about helping build positive work cultures with strong climates of integrity, and supporting companies to become truly diverse and inclusive.
Kevin will launch his first podcast, “Cocktail Leadership” in July 2020. The podcast will be a platform for Kevin and his guests to share ideas around human leadership and purpose, as well as talk cocktails, with the hope to inform and inspire current and future leaders on the changing environment of leadership.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
0:58 A conversation Gregg is scared to have
4:37 Kevin Withane is “not just talking… he is trying to motivate and do”
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
5:51 Kevin’s path to becoming a global citizen
9:03 Focusing on diversity and inclusion to make the world better, especially for his daughter
11:58 Kevin’s “Top Three” begins with his wife, Claire, who keeps him grounded & helped him realize why he wanted to become a lawyer in the first place
14:20 “My purpose is to help other people make positive impact on the world”
17:24 Kevin’s “Top Three” continues with his father who provides him wisdom and serves as a sounding board
20:04 “Has the meaning of we don’t give up changed over time?”
23:04 Human Leadership: Hints for leaders on managing a team’s home life within the workplace
26:29 Does diversity impact how people interrupt a phrase like ‘we don’t give up’?
34:20 Kevin’s “Top Three” concludes with David Ludlow who “let him in”
37:41 “Let’s make sure I’ve given you some doors to open, it’s up to you to go through them”
Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption
42:44 Kevin is offering pro-bono work to help organizations build/ develop and revamp diversity and inclusion programs
44:21 “This isn’t about making money… I want things in the world to be better”
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
45:52 How to contact Kevin to continue this honest conversation
Additional Information Contact Kevin Withane:
- Kevin’s Email
- Kevin’s LinkedIn
- Kevin’s Twitter
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jennifer Charters, executive vice president and CIO at Flagstar Bank. She discusses how leaders can use the power of storytelling to drive clarity of purpose and consistency of transformation. Jennifer also shares how she has honed this superpower as a chief-of-staff to a global executive before embracing this same method to take on her own corporate officer role. She shares her Top Three including her spouse who creates a safe-zone to question the right way of doing things to bosses who help mold her perspective to current colleagues who give her the space to truly move her organization from good to great and to her fellow Women in Technology who, with her, continue to shape the landscape for women in the IT profession. Lastly, you must hear what she has to say about building intentional habits.
About Jennifer Charters Jennifer Charters joined Flagstar Bank in June 2018 as executive vice president and chief information officer. In her new position, she is responsible for providing overall executive leadership and strategic direction for the IT organization, including the successful delivery of technology initiatives and management of IT operations.
Previously, she was chief information officer, Corporate Technology, at Ally Financial. She is an experienced professional with 24 years of experience in IT financial services and telecommunications.
She serves as vice president of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:18 Influential leadership vs. control leadership
8:18 Jennifer Charters’ career and the positive impact of successful storytelling
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
9:20 Charters reflects on the impact being able to play and explore from an early age played on her career
15:54 “What do I want to do for the next 12 years?”
16:49 “Not wanting to close too many doors too quickly”
19:38 Charters’ “Top Three” starters with her husband Jim Charters who serves as an understanding, sounding board for problem solving
22:43 Charters’ “Top Three” builds with the former leaders she has worked for including Cheryl Railey who highlighted the importance of relationships and managing up
27:40 Charters’ “Top Three” continues with Michael Baresich who emphasized the impact successful storytelling can have on strategy and purpose
34:40 Charters’ “Top Three” expands with current leaders she works with including Alessandro DiNello who challenged her to see technology as an enabler to the business model
39:37 Charters’ “Top Three” also includes Lee Smith who gives her freedom and has established trust for her to do what she needs to successfully execute the technology
45:02 Charters’ “Top Three” conclude with Jane Sydlowski and John Bonapace who brought her into the Michigan Council of Women in Technology
Segment 3: Impact of Technology and Lessons Learned from the Financial Services Industry
49:28 “What advice do you give to leaders to get closer to the mindset of industry service with technology serving as an enabler?”
51:02 “If you don’t feel like you’re continuing to learn… grow and like the organization is not continuing to invest in you, you might want to think about if you’re in the right place.”
52:10 Today’s increase in technology acceleration
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
53:34 Building the right habits to be a better, braver leader
55:56 How to stay in contact with Jennifer
Additional Information Contact Jennifer Charters:
- Jennifer’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
What have you been carrying around that once had meaning but is now devoid of purpose? Let go of dead weight.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jamie-crockett/message
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Roy Sexton, director of marketing at Clark Hill. He discusses the changing landscape of the legal industry and provides hints on how to deploy effective digital marketing efforts as well as how to breakdown barriers through social media. Additionally, he shares his Top Three including an author he learned to call “mom” who taught him all about empathy, his ‘fairy God sisters’ who took him under their wings and broke down a scary new industry, and his Braveheart-like Irish boss who balances understanding what makes him tick with pushing him to learn how to manage and lead. And you must hear what he has to say about looking for the naturally worn paths before pouring the concrete for sidewalks in your organization.
About Roy SExton Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill’s marketing, branding, and communications efforts, collaborating with the firm’s exceptional team of marketing and business development professionals.
Roy has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, business development, and strategic planning, having worked at Deloitte Consulting, Oakwood Healthcare (now Beaumont), Trott Law (formerly Trott & Trott), St. Joseph Mercy Health System, and Kerr Russell, PLC. He has been heavily involved regionally and nationally in the Legal Marketing Association as a board member, content expert, and presenter. He is treasurer-elect currently for the Legal Marketing Association’s Midwest Regional Board of Directors. Roy was named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Unsung Legal Hero” in 2018.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Wabash College, and holds two masters degrees: an MA in theatre from The Ohio State University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and Leadership A2Y, was a governor-appointed member of the Michigan Council of Labor and Economic Growth, and was appointed to the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association Board of Governors in 2012.
He served as an at-large member of LMA’s Midwest Regional Board, served on the advisory committee for Strategic Magazine, and was a member of the Social Media SIG steering group. He has been involved on the following nonprofit boards and committees: First Step, Michigan Quality Control, National MS Society, ASPCA, Wabash College Southeast Michigan Alumni Association, Penny Seats Theatre Company and the Spotlight Players. He currently sits on the boards of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, Royal Starr Film Festival, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and encoremichigan.com. He is a published author with two books Reel Roy Reviews, Volumes 1 and 2.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:22 “Be a true leader by seeking the common bonds that bring people together first, then celebrate the differences to make that even better.”
2:16 Roy Sexton has a real unique view on the world of marketing
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
3:02 Sexton celebrates the path and experiences that lead to his current role at Clark Hill
6:28 “I didn’t set out to be a marketer”
7:54 Sexton’s “Top Three” begins with his mother (Susie Duncan Sexton) who taught him to lead with empathy, thoughtfulness, honesty and candor
10:41 Sexton’s “Top Three” continues with Nancy Myrland and a whole group of ‘fairy God sisters’ who positively impacted his legal marketing journey
14:30 Meeting people first through social media can help breakdown barriers to establish rapport and ease face-to-face interactions
17:05 Sexton’s “Top Three” concludes with Susan Ahern sees who he is and finds ways to celebrate who he is
Segment 3: Impact of Disruption & Technology on the Legal Industry
21:50 Drawing similarities from various industries to prepare for the future
23:32 Legal needs to remember it’s not in the brick and mortar business, but rather the law firm business
26:24 Two types of strategic change to come for the legal industry
30:04 The current law firm model does not incentivize collaboration, cross pollination or industry solution
31:05 The transformation strategy that will work for the legal industry
33:07 The role of dominant logic inertia to impact change and willingness to change
37:30 “Enrich your life with other people and you’ll be surprised by what you learn”
37:44 “Maybe the variance is actually where your business is going”
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
38:53 A simple hack on social media for being a better leader
40:42 How to stay in contact with Roy
Additional Information Contact Roy Sexton:
- Roy’s LinkedIn
- Roy’s Twitter
- Roy’s Facebook
- Roy’s email
- Roy’s blog
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Andre Arbelaez about the connective power of race and ethnicity. We learn how some ethnic groups support one another with lessons that will help any group of people perform better. Andre is the founder of HITEC and HC3 – a Hispanic, technology executive group. Andre speaks about the significant leaders who have helped him to become the humble cheerleader he is today. From executives at Facebook, Cisco, and HP to mobility experts with whom he grew up with, Andre documents lessons through the stories that help bring them alive. And you have to hear what he has to say about the responsibilities that leaders have to both push up and pull up other leaders.
About Andre Arbelaez Andre Arbelaez is a Global Technology Executive and a Leader in the Hispanic community nationally as the President & CEO of the Hispanic C-Suite Corporate Council (HC3). He is a frequently sought speaker on Technology, Diversity & Inclusion and Smart Cities topics and has spoken at events from the White House to the United Nations Headquarters.
Professionally, Andre has had global technology executive roles with Globant, Argentina’s largest technology firm & Softtek USA, Mexico’s largest private nearshore firm as their SVP and Chief Strategy Officer. He also has served Leadership roles in Global Business Development with T-Systems and Covisint LLC, the automotive global portal owned by General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, PSA and Renault.
Andre leads HC3, a non-profit organization, to increase the number of successful Hispanic executives in public and private companies by adding value to their development, leadership, and philanthropic endeavors thereby strengthening their companies, organizations, and communities. HC3 is focused on the promotion, advocacy, connectivity and development of the Hispanic Executive.
Andre also helped develop HITEC during its inception in 2007 and became HITEC’s President in 2011. He has cultivated a premier group of relationships including CEO’s, CIO’s, CTO’s and both VP’s of IT and Diversity and Inclusion leaders from Fortune 1000 global companies and was named by Latino Leaders magazine as the “Technology Diversity Guru”.
He also serves as Oakland University’s (Rochester, Michigan) Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Information and Decision Sciences Department. He also serves on the Board of Directors of iWorker Innovations, a Michigan company driving equality and designing benefits tailored to America’s fast-growing independent workforce and on the Board of Advisors for the Miss America Organization.
Andre received the 2018 Maestro Award in Leadership in August of 2018 and was also named one of the “101 Most Influential Latino Leaders in 2017” by Latino Leaders Magazine. He received the 2016 Alumni of the Year award from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:08 Seeking the familiar.
3:57 How bonds are shaping mechanisms of societies.
5:33 Andre Arbelaez: A leader in the Hispanic community (HITEC; HC3).
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
9:07 Andre’s “Top Three” Guillermo Diaz – reciprocate the greatness that one receives from others.
9:44 Push up and pull up – the responsibility of knowing you have to help others go to the next level.
11:39 Hispanic IT Executive Council – Founders: Francisco DeArmas. David Olivencia, David Segura. Key Individuals: Thaddeus Arroyo. Tim Campos. Ramon Baez. Javier Polit.
16:10 “Show me friends and I’ll show you your future.”
21:29 Andre’s “Top Three” Thaddeus Arroyo – intentionality and preparedness.
24:40 Hints to maintain relationships that matter – always focus on maintaining loyalty and trust and care to see people succeed.
28:30 Balancing Corporate America and the Christian Hispanic culture.
33:30 Our duality of heritage should be considered a plus.
37:30 Andre’s “Top Three” Rahul Misra – keeping you centered and humbled.
41:47 Andre’s “Top Three” Marty Martinez – the importance of digital marketing in all we do.
Segment 3: Impact of Disruption & Technology on Manufacturing and Home Furnishing Industries
44:53 The importance of the connected world.
46:27 Companies that have strong digital presence succeed. Those who don’t fail.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
48:01 A piece of advice: “Spend five minutes every day and look outside your window.” See what is happening in the world.
49:39 Connect with Andre on LinkedIn!
Additional Information Contact Andre Arbelaez:
- Andre’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with David Behen, Chief Information Officer of the iconic company and brand, La-Z-Boy. He discusses the power of being brave enough to ask and how being brave can make all the difference in a mentorship relationship. Behen highlights his closest virtual advisors from his life partner to day-to-day business partners to experienced IT and investment advisors to the former governor of Michigan. Additionally, he shares must-hear advise on keeping things uncomfortably fun.
About David Behen David Behen has served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at La-Z-Boy, Inc. since June 2017. In this role, he leads the information technology (IT) function across the enterprise, aligning technology with the La-Z-Boy business objectives. Behen works to ensure optimal technology performance and cybersecurity for the company in support of La-Z-Boy’s future growth and success across manufacturing and retail operations. His responsibilities include IT strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, enterprise resource planning (ERP) deployment, network optimization and procuring new technologies.
Prior to joining La-Z-Boy, Behen spent over six years as a Cabinet Member for Governor Rick Snyder as the Director of Department of Technology, Management and Budget and Chief Information Officer for the State of Michigan. There, he led a department that employed 2,800 associates with an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion. Under Behen’s direction, Michigan established itself as a national leader in the IT arena, delivering a portfolio of high-impact and innovative initiatives aimed at improving government through technology.
Earlier, Behen founded a software company, InfoReady, and served as a vice president and CIO of its parent company. He also worked as CIO and Deputy County Administrator of Washtenaw County, Mich. Behen holds a number of board and committee positions in professional and technology organizations. He is currently a member of the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees. In addition, he is a co- chair of the governing body for the Detroit CIO Executive Summit and is a member of the National Retail Federation CIO Executive Council, as well as the Cybersecurity Council.
Behen frequently serves as a keynote speaker, expert panelist, and moderator for national and international audiences providing expertise on information technology, cybersecurity, data management and leadership.
Behen earned his Master of Public Administration degree and Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:06 Building meaningful relationships starts with being brave enough to ask
3:38 David Behen’s willingness to just ask created a first of its kind Kitchen Cabinet of Advisors
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
6:12 A career full of leadership roles with help from mentorships and coaching
7:50 Behen’s “Top Three” starts with his wife, life partner who keeps him humble
12:00 Behen’s “Top Three” continues with a provider of great practical advice, Doug Wiescinski
14:57 How to operationalize your network
17:05 Behen’s “Top Three” builds with a mentor/ mentee relationship with James McFarlane who challenges him
21:10 How to make yourself vulnerable to learn something from the people who report to you
23:06 Similarities between a sports team and a team in the workplace
27:34 Behen’s “Top Three” grows with Chris Rizik who is an outstanding soundboard
33:40 Behen’s “Top Three” concludes with former Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder
38:47 Be brave enough to ask for the mentorship
42:03 “Great leaders make things simple, don’t they?”
Segment 3: Impact of Disruption & Technology on Manufacturing and Home Furnishing Industries
42:41 “What are the big things people in technology should be paying attention to for these industries?”
44:57 The impact of technology in retail
46:00 “The evolution of people buying furniture online will still continue but there will still be a need of a presence of a store.”
46:35 The need to talk about the continuation of automation in every business
47:00 Long-term impacts on buying and shopping habits from COVID-19
48:45 “How are you going to digitalize your business to be pandemic proof moving forward?”
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
51:21 Tips for being a better, braver leader
52:24 How to follow up with David on his great advise
Additional Information Contact David Behen:
- David’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, does a solo-cast to explore how the country and business leaders deal with the highest unemployment rate of all time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, Gregg discusses how to bring employees back, how it ties to innovation and how to capture the entrepreneurial spirit in order to open up the economy and work to make your business stronger than it was prior to the pandemic.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights 1:31 COVID-19s impact on business disruption and therefore the effects of that business disruption on transformation of employment
2:58 Don’t bring employees back to unleash the potential silver lining of major disruption
4:10 How were innovation and entrepreneurship impacted during last few major disruptions?
5:54 Clear Vision + Available Resources = how to make innovation work post-war, post-disruption
8:34 “People are amazing. We’re a resilient creature”
9:02 “57% of FORTUNE500 companies were started in a recession or in major down years”
9:33 Should people really ever come back from furlough?
10:40 A two-phase “Return to Work Plan”
12:03 Turning on the “Corporate Innovation Function”
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how a company’s culture, combined with where you work early in your career, can have a huge impact on the trajectory of your career. Gregg then speaks with Raman Sehgal, the founder of 20 Nickels, a serial entrepreneur, and a P&G alumnus. Raman discusses P&G’s corporate culture, his podcast experience, and lessons learned along the way. Of course, he speaks about his ‘Top Three’ from a past colleague at P&G, to a former colleague and mentor at a startup, to a former employee. And, you have to hear what Raman’s mentor said about controlling the narrative.
About Raman Sehgal Raman Sehgal is a recovering marketer and emerging podcaster. Having worked on big brands (P&G, Dannon), built startups (Ahalogy, TVision), and been around the world, Raman's brings his unique perspective to life across his 3 podcasts: "the P&G Alumni Podcast," "Model Minorities," and "Quarantined Comics." These shows share candid conversations that aspire to provide mentorship, solve racism, and debate Superman's management style, respectively. Raman's from Alabama, lives on the NY border, and has been on all 7 continents.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:57 The importance of your first job – how the culture of your first workplace affects your entire career.
5:10 Gregg’s Advice: Where should you work first?
6:37 Introducing Raman Sehgal.
8:19 Adjusting a career path and the lessons learned.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
12:08 Raman’s ‘Top Three’: Bob Gilbreath – leadership and learning how to get your foot in the door.
14:02 Sharing the P&G culture.
16:57 Starting Ahalogy with Bob.
18:00 Seeing “the matrix” and controlling the narrative.
19:04 Raman’s ‘Top Three’: Bob Arnold – fighting in the trenches; learning how to conquer the corporate jungle.
20:58 Climbing the corporate ladder and making relationships
24:10 Raman’s ‘Top Three’: Jonathan Kriner- Making connections with P&G’s network
Segment 3: Career lessons, observations, and others who helped along the way
28:28 Being a servant leader.
30:48 Doing the harder “right” thing vs. the easy “wrong” thing.
31:17 Lessons from two other significant people in Raman’s life.
35:10 Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast (PGalums.com/podcast).
36:15 The strength of the P&G network.
40:38 The importance of ‘people who care’.
Segment 4: The Future of Raising Leaders
43:45 The future of mentorship.
46:07 Doing it right: having diversity discussions.
48:05 Learning from other perspectives.
50:05 Seeking to understand others, not to necessarily agree.
Segment 5: Closing Thoughts
51:00 Advice to young leaders: talk and listen – especially with someone you don’t understand.
53:30 Stay safe and re-center.
Additional Information Contact Raman Sehgal:
- Raman’s LinkedIn
- Raman’s Website
- Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast
- Mode Minorities Podcast
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Deborah Parizek, Executive Director of the Henry Ford Learning Institute, regarding the future of education. She addresses how the COVID-19 pandemic has shortened the cycle for change in new education models as well as for disruptive corporate learning and development models. She also shares tips for parents to balance their role as a leader at work, at home and now as an ad hoc educator.
About Deborah Parizek A non-profit leader and educator with 25 years of experience in dynamic learning environments, Deborah Parizek drives HFLI’s efforts to provide workshops, programs and site coaching that pair effective education and human-centered design approaches, empowering learners to lead transformational change in, with and for their community. She is known for cultivating the conversations, empathy, and capacity critical to addressing complex challenges. Deborah was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2018 Notable Women in Nonprofits report, and by Corp! Magazine as a 2019 Most Valuable Professional.
Prior to joining HFLI in 2005, Deborah designed and directed extensive teacher leadership development programs for multiple school systems and earned the distinction of Master Teacher from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She served as one of the founding teachers of Henry Ford Academy in Dearborn, Michigan, helping shape its vision and write curriculum for many of its core components, including the Senior Mastery Process. Deborah earned an M.A. Educational Studies, an M.A. in Chinese Languages and Literature and a B.A. in Chinese and Russian Studies, all from the University of Michigan.
A thoughtful champion of Design Thinking’s role in changing how we learn and lead, Deborah is a frequent presenter at national and local events, consistently sharing actionable information with real-life applications.
Show Highlights 1:23 A focus on education as parents look to balance their role(s) at work, at home and now as an ad hoc educator
2:25 Deborah Parizek, Executive Director of the Henry Ford Learning Institute
3:40 Education in times of disruption and ambiguity: What should leaders focus on?
5:38 Resiliency or adaptability: How is education changing?
9:09 Disruption to the education system: Will it force other systems to adjust their norms?
13:45 Leader at work, at home and as an ad hoc educator: How do parents balance this new lifestyle?
18:45 Hints at how to educate and prepare people for success as new ways of working emerge
Additional Information Contact Deborah Parizek:
- Parizek’s email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Dr. Ethan Becker, president of Boston-based communications firm The Speech Improvement Company. He speaks about communication in times of crisis and disruption; specifically, the long-term effects of this pandemic on general communication and best practices for communicating online and through various digital platforms. Dr. Becker also addresses the importance of listening to effectively communicate.
About Dr. Ethan Becker Dr. Ethan F. Becker is a second-generation Executive Speech Coach and Trainer with the 56 year old global business, The Speech Improvement, Inc.
He is co-author of the international best-selling book Mastering Communication at Work: How to lead, manage, and influence, which is published worldwide by McGraw-Hill. The book is also an Amazon #1 best seller in 13 categories. Ethan has developed and delivered powerful customized motivational speeches on various topics related to communication worldwide. In addition to group work, Ethan serves as trusted advisor and executive communication coach to many.
In addition to helping business partners in nearly all of the United States, Dr. Becker has unique international experience. He has lived in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia where he immersed himself in the Asian culture conducting research, training, and coaching with the ICLIF leadership and governance center. In addition, he has coached and presented in countries such as China, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Germany, England, Thailand, and many more. This provides him with valuable international and cultural perspectives, which he brings to his clients. Ethan has taught at and helped such organizations such as Harvard University, John’s Hopkins University, Boston Scientific, Petronas, Apple, Tenaga Nasional, Bank Negara, The New York Giants, Bain Capital, Canon USA, Biogen IDEC, Telekom Malaysia, Maybank, Kenanga, AmBank, RAZAK School of Government, FBI, Biogen Idec, Shire, Magenta, Atlas Ventures, Translate Bio, Cadent Therapeutics, Surface Oncology, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Northeast Human Resources Association, Kronos, SuriaKLCC, and IBM, as well as countless individual executives, managers, politicians, celebrities and other clients from around the world.
Dr. Becker holds 2 doctorates. His latest is a PhD focused on industry and organizational psychology from the Harold Able School of social behavior and sciences at Capella University. A second doctorate in human letters from Fitchburg State University, an MBA from the school of business and technology at Capella University, with a dual focus on International Business Communication and Leadership, and a BS in mass communication.
Show Highlights 1:00 The importance of communication to build relationships in a social distanced, self-isolated way.
2:04 Dr. Ethan Becker – president of The Speech Improvement Company.
5:00 Short-and long-term effects of social distancing and isolation on communication.
9:08 A focus on tools for communicating virtually; how effective are they?
12:30 “How important is listening to make speaking relevant?”
15:40 Quick communication tips for active listening and speaking through digital platforms.
Additional Information Contact Dr. Ethan Becker:
- Becker’s LinkedIn
- Becker’s email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Campbell Macdonald, the Founder and CEO of Proxxi. He speaks about rapidly pivoting his company to remain relevant during this pandemic, the process he underwent, and how he moved fast. Campbell also shares his thoughts on how to recognize capabilities that will let you excel versus those that will hold you back.
About Campbell Macdonald Campbell is an entrepreneur and the CEO Proxxi, a smart sensor that senses and interprets electricity with software. Their first product, Proxxi Band, is targeted at electrical workers. It notifies the user by vibration when they get too close to an electric current. Currently, there are no connected, always-on devices to detect electricity for the 20 million US workers covered by an electrical safety plan
Before Proxxi, Campbell co-founded Pathful , an artificial intelligence solution for enterprise marketing. After going through Techstars and raising VC from Foundry Group & Angel List, Pathful was acquired by Mobify in 2015.
Previously he co-founded Parking Mobility in 2009, an early mobile-first, social enterprise targeted at disability community. Before setting out his own, he held senior management roles at BuildDirect, Home Depot and Canadian Pacific Railway.
Campbell has an MA from Queen’s in game theory and economics.
Show Highlights 0:41 No one has been here before – facing the global pandemic together.
1:44 Campbell Macdonald – Founder and CEO of Proxxi
4:30 Transitioning nascent capabilities to a secondary product/service.
7:52 The compressed process of pivoting during COVID-19.
12:22 “Who knows how many mistakes I’m actively making right now.”
14:06 Stay in touch with Proxxi!
Additional Information Contact Campbell Macdonald:
- Campbell’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how the world and the working world may be changed forever and how working from home, or anywhere, is the new model. Gregg then speak with Amanda Lewan, CEO and Co-Founder of Bamboo Detroit who is an expert in the working from home space. Amanda discusses the impact COVID and the COVID-driven disruption is having on this shared work model. Of course, she speaks about her ‘Top Three’ from her founder husband, to her co-founder partner, to her customers, to her mentors and formal advisors. And you have to hear about how this disruption is giving her an opportunity to pull ahead the digitization of her business.
About Amanda Lewan Amanda Lewan is a writer, entrepreneur, and community builder. Her life mission is to unite others and move our world forward.
Amanda worked at a variety of startups in marketing & operations, before launching Bamboo. One of the first co-working spaces in Detroit, Bamboo specializes in building collaborative work spaces and community. Her leadership has been honored locally and nationally.
Amanda’s writing is inspired our changing times. After winning a national essay competition by The Nation in college, she went on to study fiction writing in graduate school. She writes essays and fiction in a lyric style. Her work been published and honored by The Rumpus, Glimmer Train, Rust Belt Magazine, Belt Publishing, The Journal of Americana, Lumina Magazine, and nominated for Pushcart Prizes & Best of Net. She’s currently at work on upmarket literary fiction books.
She lives in Detroit with her husband Marc and their three dogs. When she’s not writing or planning community events, she’s often cooking, hosting friends, reading, and exploring. Amanda holds a BA in Professional Writing from Michigan State and an MA in English from Wayne State. She sits on the board for Venture Catalysts, and Co-leads the Detroit Writers Collective writers group.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
0:56 The importance of rowing relationships – especially during quarantine (in the trenches).
3:26 Amanda Lewan – CEO and Co-Founder of Bamboo Detroit (building community and co-working spaces).
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
4:50 Amanda’s ‘Top Three’: Marc Hudson – founder and leader perspective.
5:40 Amanda’s ‘Top Three’: Mike Ferlito – bring alternate perspectives.
6:48 Keeping balance while also having focus.
9:19 Amanda’s ‘Top Three’: Customers and community – customer feedback to keep the focus.
13:04 Learning from the dissatisfied.
15:05 Amanda’s ‘Top Three’: The Market – if you can’t make a sale yet, the market will push you in the right direction.
16:33 Amanda’s ‘Top Three’: Formal Mentors and Advisors (Gretchen Knoell) – experts in parts of the field (ex. real estate).
19:35 “A good mentor pushes you to ask the right questions or think about something in a different way.”
25:08 Bamboo Detroit – co-working and turn-key offices designed for startups and small businesses growth.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
28:11 The COVID disruption – expediting the work from home trends.
33:12 What one or two big culture shifts be post-COVID that affect your company or industry? (Coping with COVID)
36:30 Culture comes from the founder first.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
38:39 Hint for leaders: Learn a better habit while working from home.
41:34 Stay in touch with Amanda!
Additional Information Contact Amanda Lewan:
- Amanda’s Email
- Amanda’s Twitter
- Amanda’s LinkedIn
- Bamboo’s Website
- Bamboo’s Events
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, provides a quick overview of the CGS report ‘Recognizing the Patterns in the Pandemic-Driven Crisis’. He touches on the broad market effect, the basic stages of response, the human and emotional responses from leaders, and the silver lining challenge of it all.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness. .
Show Highlights 0:41 Recognizing the Patterns in the Pandemic Driven Criss (Report).
2:23 Macro level changes are occurring in the environment driving discontinuity and the need for transformation.
4:40 THE CGS Transformation Framework – reacting to major disruptions.
5:42 In the short run, transformation will look a lot like a reaction and normalization process.
6:45 The Grief Curve - the human side.
8:14 Moving forward rapidly may require a shift in mindset
8:55 More coming soon! Reach out to CGS Advisors if you would like to discuss this report further.
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, reflects on how we should all consider the journey we are on and how we may find some useful patterns in it. He then welcome Walt Brown, a Certified EOS® Implementer and Founder of Walt Brown Co. Walt speaks about how organizations are getting much more complex and how major change is needed now more than ever. And, of course, he speaks about his ‘Top 3’ ranging from business partners, to his father, to a coach, to visionaries. And you have to hear what he has to say about the power of asking questions and then just listening.
About Walt Brown “Seasoned multi-company entrepreneur” is one label that has been used to describe Walt over the years. Many folks refer to Walt as an entrepreneur, but he insists this is much too generous: “I don’t consider myself an entrepreneur. I consider myself someone who is good at seeing existing patterns and pulling them together in logical ways that people are willing to pay for, then I build teams to serve the pattern.” Walt is seven for seven when it comes to launching and growing new companies. During the last decade, he has helped transform the culture of more than one hundred fifty organizations across the country as an Implementer of an OOS known as the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. It is his greatest pleasure to work with his clients as they think, plan, execute, observe, adjust, and reflect as they master the skills necessary to permanently enjoy the fruits of a Patient Organization.
So you can get a sense of his experience, combined, Walt’s 50 largest business clients have 8,711 employees, with average sales per employee of $245,786, their average size is $45.5 Million in revenue per year and combined they are doing over $2.2 Billion in sales. Since working together, their employee engagement has consistently risen, employee tenure has increased, and they have doubled their bottom lines and doubled their net free cash flow. Plus they are enjoying life with more freedom. He is typically working with 30 clients across 150 days in a year.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
0:47 Have we paused to document the world around us?
3:54 Activity: Make two lists and then consider them: What is different in your business? Who are you as a leader?
7:22 Walt Brown – Certified EOS® Implementer - Large and Small Companies
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
10:27 “You know you’re leading when you see others aligning part of their future to your future.”
11:38 Walt’s ‘Top Three’: Ron Schuler; Walt’s father – early career and life guidance.
13:30 Walt’s ‘Top Three’: Alan Cobb – wisdom and leadership; the integrator.
16:30 Walt’s ‘Top Three’: Greg Walker – the coach; strategic thinking.
19:03 Current org. charts don’t capture the complexity of today’s organizations.
22:18 What drives the complexity? Culture.
24:28 The uniqueness of millennials – asking the right questions.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
28:51 “All evil is buried in an organization structure.”
31:06 What capabilities are needed in organizations?
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
35:04 Advice for leaders: “Stop thinking out loud.”
37:22 Advice for leaders: Stop talking and start listening.
38:27 Check out Death to the Org Chart. Stay in touch: walt@7q7p.com
Additional Information Contact Walt Brown:
- Walt’s LinkedIn
- Walt’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with CGS Fellow, Tim McCabe. Tim has led through several major market disruptions and helped to manage the largest industrial bankruptcy on the planet. He speaks about lessons he learned from that crisis, discusses the impacts of the current crisis tied to COVID-19 and makes suggestions to today’s leaders. And you have to hear what he has to say about using the disruption as a test drive for your future.
About Tim McCabe Tim began his career at General Motors (GM) and GMAC where he assisted with the spin-off of EDS and the creation of GM’s new information technology group. During this time, Tim was part of a small team responsible for a 10-year technology outsourcing deal to support GM’s North American business, which at the time was the largest IT outsourcing deal in the world. Ten years later, McCabe led the termination of the GM/EDS agreement as well as the creation and subsequent contracting of approximately $5B of services to help GM begin its digital transformation.
Following his time at GM, Tim transitioned to Delphi, which had been created as a $30B parts supplier spin out from GM. At the launch of his time with Delphi, Tim and a team of leaders planned and executed the largest industrial reorganization on record. In his role as CIO, McCabe designed and delivered a total global transformation of all underlying technologies across more than 300 sites in 27 countries, separating out for either sale or winddown of almost $20B of revenue and the eventual IPO of the new Delphi.
In his most recent role, Tim was a Managing Director in the KPMG Advisory Practice where he acted as a thought leader for the Chief Information Officer advisory group. During his almost five years with KPMG, McCabe had the opportunity to advise and counsel many C-Suite leaders as they looked for ways to improve their business outcomes by better leveraging technology, designing and executing digital transformations, restructuring their IT operating model, and reducing their legacy technology debt. Assisting organizations to transform, achieve greater shareholder value, and defend against competitive disruptions were the cornerstone of McCabe’s practice.
McCabe keeps close to his passion for guiding technology entrepreneurs by advising early stage startups. McCabe holds a BA in Philosophy from Oakland University, an MSM from Walsh College, and an Information Management degree from GM University.
Show Highlights 0:47 No one has been here before – facing the global pandemic together.
1:50 Tim McCabe – CGS Fellow (General Motors. Delphi. KPMG.)
4:11 Lessons from disruptions: 1) You must make sure there is clarity of purpose, 2) have a tight focus on just a few things, and 3) you must have purpose for yourself.
6:40 “If you’re not uncomfortable over the time of the disruption, then you aren’t doing the right things.”
8:19 The future is here now – you can’t go back to your pre-COVID world. (Tim’s blog posts)
11:40 Tips for leaders: Be observant for how people are behaving and reacting and thinking through what that will amount to in the coming months.
13:10 Tips for leaders: What we are experience now (rules and regulations) likely won’t change much.
14:39 Contact Tim at CGS Advisors (Tim.McCabe@cgsadvisors.com) for a virtual coffee or on LinkedIn.
Additional Information Contact Tim McCabe:
- Tim’s LinkedIn
- Tim's email: Tim.Mccabe@cgsadvisors.com
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks about how the disruption being caused by COVID is giving us a chance to look a bit into the future. He then speaks with Marc Hudson, the Co-founder and CEO of RocketFiber. Marc speaks about the journey of building a company that literally connects an iconic, American city and what it is like to vision and grow a company and the critical moment of deciding to sell it. And of course, Marc speaks about his ‘Top Three’ – from his co-founders who went down the journey with him, to successful tech leaders who walked in his shoes before he did, to like-minded business leaders who he meets with regularly, to his wife who pushes him and demonstrates bravery often. And you have to hear what he has to say about what it is like to move from an intrapreneur to an entrepreneur.
About Marc Hudson Marc Hudson is Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Fiber, a Rock Family Company, providing hyper-fast Internet and connectivity services for residential and business clients throughout Southeast Michigan and beyond. During his time at Rocket Fiber, Marc has served on the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee and the State of Michigan’s Consortium of Advanced Networks working group where he has advised government on critical broadband infrastructure policy initiatives.
Prior to Rocket Fiber, Marc was a User Interface Engineer with Quicken Loans where he designed and built software that managed complex data sets used by the Capital Markets team. During his time at Quicken Loans, along with partners Edi Demaj and Randy Foster, he co-founded Rocket Fiber within the Quicken Loans innovation program known as Bullet Time.
Before joining the Quicken Loans and the Rock Ventures Family of Companies in August 2012, Marc was the Co-founder of several tech startups including LandscapingScene.com, Hudson Digital, and CareChat. He is also a member of the startup community and co-working space Bamboo Detroit.
Marc earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Media and Communication Technology and a Certificate in Landscape Design and Construction, both from Michigan State University. He currently lives in Detroit’s Boston Edison neighborhood.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:11 Ensuring we get some good out of this crisis (CGS Report).
5:39 Seeing the silver lining and planning toward it.
7:00 Marc Hudson – Rocket Fiber
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
10:22 Marc’s ‘Top Three’: Edi Demaj and Randy Foster – a great partnership.
11:19 Marc’s ‘Top Three’: Dug Song – always giving, teaching, and invested in entrepreneurs.
16:03 Intentionally learning from working from home.
17:36 “You do have to take a chance. You have to be brave. And realize everyone is a human being.”
20:54 Marc’s ‘Top Three’: Amanda Lewan (Marc’s wife) – a CEO sounding board. (Bamboo Detroit. Mike Ferlito.)
26:22 Marc’s ‘Top Three’: ‘The Table’ (Pat Casey. John Coleman. Steven Berger. Ken Cauley. Ivan Katz. Rob Amico.) – a resource for the hardest problems.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
34:45 Connectivity is everything in today’s economy.
40:34 The process of growing and exiting a business.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
48:28 Hint to leaders: “As a leader, it is all about how quickly you can learn and how fast you can help your team learn.”
49:59 Stay in touch with Marc (marc@bamboodetroit.com) and Rocket Fiber.
Additional Information Contact Marc Hudson:
- Marc’s LinkedIn
- Marc’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Lesley Ma, CIO and Continuous Improvement Officer of NSF, who is actively leading during this time of disruption at a global, public health and safety organization. She speaks about the role of the CIO during these times and what leaders should be thinking about when it comes to technology; where digital innovation is taking a front-seat to surviving and thriving in the future. Lesley gives hints that other leaders may be able to borrow that can make a difference in these challenge times. And you have to hear what she has to say about turning on your fog lamps.
About Lesley Ma Lesley Ma is the VP, Chief Information and Continuous Improvement Officer; Global Managing Director - TraQtion at NSF International. In her role, Ma leads NSF’s information technology and continuous improvement efforts globally, including the systems and processes that power NSF’s public health services in more than 175 countries.
Prior to joining NSF, Ma served as Global Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Cadillac. During her career, Ma has held leadership positions at Ford Motor Co. and General Motors – driving significant IT innovation and transformational change while leading global business initiatives and large-scale system implementations. In addition to her global roles, she gained international experience while working overseas in Shanghai, where she was CIO for GM in South East Asia.
Ma is known for fostering inclusiveness, employee engagement, continuous learning and coaching for excellence and inspiration. She holds degrees in engineering and business administration from the University of Toronto and completed the Advanced Leadership Program at Stanford Business School.
Show Highlights 1:00 No one has been here before – facing the global pandemic together.
1:55 Lesley Ma –NSF International
2:29 Living through disruptions – the GM Bankruptcy and scaling companies up and down.
3:59 In a cyclical industry, you never stop transforming.
4:55 Themes: How do you focus people on the purpose? How do you deal with the people side of things? How do you build the muscle and increase the company’s resiliency?
5:45 “Turn on your fog lamps.”
Additional Information Contact Lesley Ma:
- Lesley’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, discusses beginning to see the good that can come out of a crisis; the silver lining if you will. He then speaks with Sarah Craft, Director of Detroit Venture for America. Sarah discusses the power of a network and how VFA uniquely positions young, top talent around the United States to help spur economic-type growth. Of course, Sarah shares her ‘Top Three’ – from members of the community that help her stay connected to her past and the bigger picture, to a team who keeps her connected to today’s ecosystem, to close friends who are experts in the commercial venture space and who challenge her to stretch for tomorrow. And you have to hear what Sarah has to say about connecting ‘grassroot’ efforts with ‘grasstop’ efforts.
About Sarah Craft Sarah Craft was born and raised in Southeast Michigan and has lived in Detroit for the last 10 years. Sarah started her career as a community organizer working with Detroit students and families on issues related to education and youth violence prevention. She has also worked at Detroit SOUP, the Michigan Municipal League and the Detroit Regional Chamber where she specialized in equitable economic development, community building, and talent development, retention and attraction. Sarah now serves as the Director of Detroit for Venture for America, a nonprofit dedicated to building the next generation of entrepreneurs and equitably growing local economies.
Sarah serves on the Board of Directors of nonprofit Center for Community Based Enterprise and the Millennial Board of First Independence Bank, the only black-owned bank headquartered in Michigan. She has a master’s degree in public administration from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 Pause and believe in the future.
3:06 There are silver linings in all of this.
4:58 What are you going to do after this crisis is over?
6:37 Sarah Craft – Venture for America.
7:50 The importance of community.
10:30 The impact of the pandemic on the graduates of 2020.
12:54 Venture For America – Building the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
17:00 Sarah’s ‘Top Three’: Jessica Lienhardt – Looking at things from different perspective and pointing them out.
22:01 Looking beyond the 1st connection and into their network (Heather Van Poucker).
23:30 Sarah’s ‘Top Three’: Darren Riley – the system we have is broken; build your own system (Bryan Lewis).
30:47 Sarah’s ‘Top Three’: Molly Sweeney, Jamila Martin, Susan Hooks-Brown – staying centered and focused; living in the uncomfortable.
33:58 Grasstop vs. Grassroots community organizing.
37:05 Sarah’s ‘Top Three’: Dug Song, Patti Glaza, Edi Demaj, Chanell Scott Contrerars, Hassan Bazzi, Lisa McLaughlin, Kelly Sexton, Asha Garro, , Dan Ngoyi, Medvis Jackson, Melanie D'Evelyn, Kelly Golden, Maggie Craft, Cara McLogan, Laura Grannemann, Lisa Katz, and Steven Mazur.
– having perspective and a sounding board.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
42:00 The biggest divides and opportunities: equity.
45:57 The future of education – focus on teaching the skill of learning.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
49:00 How to develop an empathetic leader.
51:51 Hint to leaders: “Bring others to the table.”
53:32 Reach out to VFA for high caliber individuals and contact Sarah on LinkedIn.
Additional Information Contact Sarah Crafr:
- Sarah’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Ben Bratt, a global expert in developing organizations and teams. He speaks about how Maslow’s Hierarchy may be updated during this pandemic. He also speaks about how we may need to consider the waves of this pandemic washing through our teams, our organization, and society in general. Finally, he speaks about how we all have to understand the grief curve to lead effectively in these times.
Show Highlights 0:46 No one has been here before – facing the global pandemic together.
1:49 Ben Brett – The Team Effectiveness Project
4:15 Technology enabling community – How bandwidth may end up near the bottom of Maslow’s Hierarchy.
10:06 The impact of COVID-19 ‘waves’ on the global supply chain.
15:23 COVID-19 and the grief curve – being empathetic leaders. (Elisabeth Kübler-Ross)
23:21 Hope is as contagious as the virus.
Additional Information Contact Ben Bratt:
- Ben’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Sheryl Connelly, Head of Global Trends and Futuring at Ford Motor Company. She discusses what it’s like to consider situations much like the COVID-19 pandemic way before it even occurs and how leaders should consider scenario planning as a must-have capability in the future. Of course, Sheryl speaks about her ‘Top Three’ - from her family who helps her bring empathy, to remarkable professionals from all over the world, to her breakfast club that helps her stay true to and take care of herself. And you have to hear what she has to say about simply listening to be able to think about tomorrow.
About Sheryl Connelly Sheryl Connelly has served as Ford Motor Company’s futurist for more than a decade. She is responsible for identifying global trends, exploring potential implications and cascading these insights on futuring to organizations throughout the company, including design, product development and corporate strategy. She is a member of the Global Advisory Council on transportation for the World Economic Forum. Fast Company magazine named her one of the Most Creative People in Business in 2013 and 2015. Connelly has been a featured speaker at TED Global, appeared on CBS This Morning , CNBC’s Fast Money and NPR’s All Things Considered with Robert Siegel. Before working for Ford, she practiced law. In addition to a juris doctorate, Connelly holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in business administration. When her schedule permits, she teaches design research at Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
0:55 The ‘new normal’.
2:49 Collaboration and innovation during the pandemic. (Article Link)
6:16 Sheryl Connelly – Chief Futurist at Ford Motor Company.
8:15 The path to becoming a futurist.
13:56 The role of the futurist – no one can predict the future; consider what can happen if assumptions are incorrect.
18:30 The rise of hope in times of uncertainty.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
21:25 Sheryl’s ‘Top Three’: Her Husband, Children, and Siblings – Having a diverse spectrum of perspectives to see your blind spots and biases.
25:36 Empathy is the skill most needed for effective leadership.
26:37 Sheryl’s ‘Top Three’: Network of Remarkable Provocative Thinkers – Specialist individuals who know nothing about cars. (Bill Ford TED Talk. Sheryl Connelly TED Talk.)
29:22 Examples of Remarkable Provocative Thinkers (Jaron Lanier).
36:29 Bringing unlikely connections together – the polite contrarian.
42:00 Sheryl’s ‘Top Three’: The Harlan Mom Breakfast Club – sharing life and challenges.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
45:00 Think through the long-term consequences of your actions.
47:26 “Things will be different, but that usually means they’ll be better.”
50:50 “The status quo exists because it works for somebody.”
52:10 Courage as a capability.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
54:05 “When we listen to people, we tend to listen with the notion of what are we going to say next. But what if we shifted to listening with the intent to understand.”
56: 38 “You can’t have empathy without listening.”
57:08 Stay safe. Be healthy. Take care of your loved ones.
57:42 Visit FordTrends.com
Additional Information Contact Sheryl Connelly:
- Sheryl’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with CGS Fellow Angie Tuglus about leading in times of sudden disruption. They speak about Angie’s experience during disruptions in 2006 when she was part of the restructuring of one of the largest companies in the world. She also talks about leading at a financial lending company during the 2008 mortgage crisis. She speaks about the differences between those times and this time of a pandemic and she gives a couple quick takeaways that might be useful to you.
Show Highlights 0:51 No one has been here before – facing the global pandemic together.
1:53 Assessing patterns from the mortgage crisis of 2008.
4:55 Leading people in the midst of crisis. 5:13 – 5:31
6:43 Hints for leaders to survive: Make it relative to people. Be candid but have a specific ‘and’ after that.
8:14 “Don’t be afraid to talk to other leaders who have led through crisis.”
Additional Information Contact Angie Tuglus:
- Angie’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, discusses how CEOs may be able to take a lesson from government during this pandemic. He then welcomes Brenda Meller, Chief Engagement Officer at Meller Marketing. Brenda is a social media marketing expert who shares how to unlock the power of LinkedIn to grow your network. Of course, Brenda speaks about her ‘Top Three’ ranging from her closest family members who keep her true to herself and cheer her along the way, to vendors who go beyond being just vendors, to a services company she leans on to help her find efficiencies to scale. And you have to hear what she has to say about being brave and putting yourself out there to succeed in social media.
About BRENDA MELLER Once upon a time, I hated speaking in front of people. Then, I realized I needed to figure out how to get comfortable with it to move up in my career. In 2006, I joined LinkedIn and developed a knack for helping others unlock the power of this amazing professional networking site. Fast forward to 2020 and now as an independent marketing consultant, I've trained thousands of individuals, corporate teams, conference attendees, executives, sales people, and marketers how to unlock the power of LinkedIn. PLUS: I also give away a pie to one lucky attendee every time I present. 2020 has already been an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G year at Meller Marketing. And if you're looking to ROCK on LinkedIn, I'd love to help YOU. www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
0:54 Learning from the government: the importance of changing policies.
5:10 Brenda Meller – helping business and individuals unlock the power of LinkedIn. (Meller Marketing)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
7:40 Brenda’s ‘Top Three’: Chris Meller – supporting the career pivots.
10:45 Becoming an entrepreneur.
13:15 Brenda’s ‘Top Three’: Susan Schmidt – providing guidance in growing a business.
16:27 Brenda’s ‘Top Three’: LegalShield Attorneys – having peace of mind in the evolution of business.
18:20 Brenda’s ‘Top Three’: Tina Marie Wohlfield, Lee Meadows, Sandy Harvey, Cathy Mott, Laura Rolands – providing expertise.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
22:43 The right approach is to always think about the ‘what ifs’.
25:35 The importance of marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
28:07 Disruption to the digital marketing space.
31:22 The importance of ‘the face’ in connecting,.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
34:52 “This is going to be a time period that defines leaders.”
37:46 “We need to be authentic and genuine as leaders. True leaders are willing to bear their soul a little bit.”
41:47 Hint: How leaders can let their guard down.
45:25 Hint to leaders: Go to LinkedIn and show you’re human (and tag Brenda in your post!).
48:10 Reach out to Brenda to increase your LinkedIn presence and join Brenda’s weekly webinar!
50:30 Keep in touch and “Stay positive – this too shall pass.”
Additional Information Contact Brenda Meller:
- Brenda’s LinkedIn
- Meller Marketing
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this mini episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with CGS Fellow Dr. Warren Ritchie about leading in times of sudden disruption. They explore three questions: 1) Why do some companies fail? 2) What might our industries look like after this global pandemic? and 3) How do you prepare?
Show Highlights 0:40 No one has been here before – facing the global pandemic together.
2:17 Failure vs survival: Dealing with environmental shift and environmental shock.
4:35 What helps you survive – capabilities or resources?
6:26 Preparing for the new normal.
11:00 Focus on your restart plan to reestablish customer relationships.
14:40 Is managing a pandemic going to be a new capability?
20:12 Gaining perspective on some catalysts. (Spillover)
Additional Information Contact Warren Ritchie:
- Warren’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Randy Urban, Global CIO at Martin Brower. Randy is responsible for keeping quick service restaurants stocked and operating during this time of disruption. He speaks about trends in the global QSR industry and transformations that are taking place in his firm. And, of course, he speaks about his top three – from his first boss who instilled customer centricity into his system, to a systems thinker who taught him to not accept mediocracy, to a modern-day transformation artist. And you have to hear what Randy has to say about the need to find your catalyst.
About Randy Urban Randy Urban is a transformation leader that incorporates innovative leadership techniques to drive high performing teams and engaged team members. Randy is the Global CIO for Martin Brower. In his role, Randy leads the progressive adoption of information and digital technology to lead the rapid expansion of the QSR business capabilities and revenue growth. Prior to his role with Martin Brower, Randy spent time with Adient / Johnson Controls as a Vice President in the Digital Office. He has also worked at Delphi Automotive, Solutions Consulting Group, and the Dow Chemical Company.
Randy is a graduate of Central Michigan University and Kettering University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:02 That pattern of resiliency that is emerging from COVID-19.
3:27 Can we return to the original? And should we?
5:18 Never waste a good crisis.
7:02 Leading a global Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) provider.
8:58 Randy Urban – a life of stability mixed with great opportunities.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
13:08 Randy’s ‘Top Three’: Ron (Rocky) Brock – acute attention to detail & relentless focus on the customer.
17:44 Randy’s ‘Top Three’: Doug Quada – don’t accept mediocrity. Always consider the broader organizational requirements.
22:37 Randy’s ‘Top Three’: Peter Diamandis – there is a wealth of information that can influence your thinking and behavior if you seek them out. (Singularity University)
29:36 Hints on leveraging the one-way relationship: Go out and talk to other people – industry conferences, other professionals, etc.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
31:52 “You have to still run your current business.”
34:52 The requirements of digital transformation.
40:04 The Quick Service Restaurant industry.
43:58 The effects of ‘Fresh’ on QSR – shortening the window of delivery.
46:52 The impact of Autonomous and AI on the QSR industry.
50:10 Hint for managing through transformation.
52:38 The impact of the trend of personalization.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
54:30 “The essence of leadership in influence.”
55:46 Thinking in terms of abundance versus scarcity.
59:48 “I think to think of gratitude in leadership – being thankful to the people around you and giving people compliments.”
1:01:45 Keep in touch with Randy Urban, Martin Brower.
Additional Information Contact Randy Urban:
- Randy’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with CGS Fellow and Former COO of Ally Financial, Angie Tuglus. Gregg begins the episode by speaking about the realities of dealing with the global health pandemic and financial meltdown that is disrupting our world. He then turns to Angie to discuss innovating, leading and transforming cultures. Angie shares her experience leading a portion of the transformation from GMAC to Ally and speaks about what it is like to move from the IT department to operations of a digital services firm. And, of course, Angie shares her top three – from an early career leader, to a senior leader who helped her build her approach for transformation, to another great woman leader who, no matter what executive seat she is sitting in, does it her own way. And you have to hear what she has to say about ‘finding the value’.
About Angie Tuglus Angie Tuglus began her career in technology startups, building new businesses, and then later applied her passion for transformation in large corporations undergoing major change. At Ford Motor Company, she was hired into the IT Leadership Program, and delivered a variety of projects across global IT management, IT security and new product research. At GMAC, which transformed into Ally Financial, Tuglus became CIO of International Insurance and led a global cross-functional team to replace multiple legacy systems across 25 countries with a single new platform: a new core transactional system, financial system, data warehouse, and the complementary organizational changes to jobs and processes. She then became EVP of Product & Project Delivery and led the creation and launch of the flagship Ally Premier Protection product and customer experience, the division’s largest product line.
Following that success, she became COO for Ally Insurance, leading all core operational functions such as Contract Administration, Claims, Payments, Loss Control, and Collections. Upon inheriting a legacy culture that had not changed in decades, she drove a cultural transformation across the company, making Innovation the new normal and establishing new businesses such as Fixed Operations Consulting and Direct to Consumer.
Angie joined the CGS Fellows Network as an expert at successfully delivering large, cross-functional change initiatives, from concept creation through to delivery. She loves collaborating to find ways to transform businesses, to innovate, to change culture, and to deliver sustainable results. As both a business strategist and tech nerd, she also enjoys diving into technological and social changes that are at the point of real applicability to businesses and discussing how to build great leaders in an increasingly virtual, rapidly changing world.
Working with cutting edge digital companies, she keeps close to her entrepreneurial roots by advising startups such as TRED, a Seattle-based digital auto disrupter, and AQN Strategies, a boutique financial services consultancy with strong data expertise. She holds a BS in Materials Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Duke University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:15 The past week – unlike anything else.
3:05 The leaders of the past don’t exist – we must lean on each other for support.
4:52 The role of women during past pandemics – The Spanish Flu of 1918.
8:37 There is opportunity in every disruption.
9:48 Angie Tuglus: CGS Fellow – From tech startups to Fortune 500 IT & Transformative Operations.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
16:00 Angie’s ‘Top Three’: Executive Mentor at Ford – Build your empire...or don’t?
17:54 “There is always a way you can make something happen.”
20:14 Angie’s ‘Top Three’: John Boris – have a jovial attitude and being ‘in it’ together.
23:25 Angie’s ‘Top Three’: Adriana Karaboutis – the importance of being who you are.
25:00 Fighting the corporate push to become someone different than who you are.
Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation
28:00 “Let’s start with the fact. Companies have to change.”
30:22 Customer Centricity – analyze where you’re actually making the money and if that is going to change.
35:25 “Are you brave enough to pull people together to look at the core of what you offer?”
38:05 A transformation is all about the ‘people systems’.
41:38 Own the Transformation: own what you are doing and own the future.
44:17 Learning from a failed transformation.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
47:10 Don’t fear ‘making the move’.
51:07 It shouldn’t be about box checking at all – it should be about what you want to achieve next.
52:40 What is leadership? “Guiding people toward a common vision.”
53:44 “Even if you can drive more value out of the technology, you will still treat it the same way.”
59:14 Hint for leaders: Be open to the possible.
1:00:00 Stay in touch with Angie via LinkedIn and her blog.
Additional Information Contact Angie Tuglus:
- Angie’s LinkedIn
- Angie’s Blog
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with LeeAnn Mallorie, Founder and CEO of Leading In Motion and Program Founder and Author of Guts & Grace. Through her work, LeeAnn helps leaders align their body, their mind, and their soul. She explains that her approach can apply to all leaders, but why she specifically finds it so critical for women to lean into the process. Of course, LeeAnn speaks about her top three – ranging from business coaches who have been there before, to spiritual leaders who align the soul, to here and now peers that help her be brave and break through all the normal patterns. And you have to hear what she says about dismantling the patriarchy or any system that holds you back.
About LeeAnn Mallorie LeeAnn Mallorie, CEO of Leading in Motion, is a transformational leadership coach and facilitator over fifteen years of experience helping leaders and organizations achieve great results by truly walking their talk. Her background includes working with CEOs, VPs, directors and managers in diverse organizations from start-ups and non-profits to large publicly traded organizations. LeeAnn specializes in leadership embodiment and executive presence, supporting her clients to lead mission-critical new initiatives and steward organizational change. LeeAnn is also uniquely skilled at reducing burnout and cultivating emotional resilience –especially with female leaders. Her clients appreciate her keen ability to see right to the heart of the matter, help them clearly articulate visionary goals, and mirror their behavior –both liabilities and strengths –in real time. LeeAnn’s new book Guts and Grace: A Woman’s Guide to Full Bodied Leadership was published by Conscious Capitalism Press in January of 2020.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:03 Leading through disruption – the coronavirus impact on global markets, industries and our future leaders.
5:39 Women’s History Month – celebrating women leaders in healthcare (Dr. Patricia Bath. Rachel Schneerson. Dr. Mary Guinan.)
8:17 LeeAnn Mallorie – specializes in working with female leaders who innovate.
10:29 The transformation of psychological change.
15:48 Bringing the body-based side together with the brain-based side. (Leading in Motion. Guts and Grace.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
19:15 LeeAnn’s ‘Top Three’: Business Advisors – Phil Dyer – translating what a business leader really wants. (Angelique Rewers)
24:29 LeeAnn’s ‘Top Three’: Spiritual Advisors – Nilima Bhat – leaning into your spiritual roots. (Shakti Leadership.)
27:59 The emergence of the spiritual aspect of business.
33:34 LeeAnn’s ‘Top Three’: Entrepreneurial Advisors – Lise Melvin and Catherine Cassidy – the ups and downs of entrepreneurship (Better Cotton Initiative.)
Segment 3: Leadership
38:15 “Not a precedent for innovators today.”
41:05 The truth about doubt.
45:24 Guts & Grace – bringing a woman’s full self to leadership.
50:35 Do men need to lose in order for women to win in leadership?
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
54:30 A hint for leaders: a mindfulness practice of observing the practice of listening and doing or leading and following.
57:38 Connect with LeeAnn on LinkedIn. Guts & Grace. Leading in Motion.
Additional Information Contact LeeAnn Mallorie:
- LeeAnn’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Kripa Krishnan, Director, Cloud Product Operations at Google, Inc. Kripa speaks about her journey that took her from India and the Middle East to Silicon Valley. She reflects on her unique career that spans art, music, medicine, finance, and now technology. And, of course, she speaks about her ‘Top Three’ – from path-nudgers who helped her try new things even when she didn’t see them, to reverse mentors who helped her recognize new patters, to friends who just listen. And, you have to hear what she has to say about having empathy as a leader.
About Kripa Krishnan Kripa Krishnan was born in Chennai, India. Attending a university in India with the idea she would someday be a doctor, Krishnan changed course midstream and decided to follow her real passion — playing in a rock band. She moved on to theater and the performing arts, until she accidentally took a Computer Science course at the University of Massachusetts -- which took her on a path to working in tech. She worked as a systems administrator for a while, and was a college lecturer. She built the foundations for a telemedicine network in Kosovo. Eventually, this path led her to Alphabet Inc.'s Google, where she has made her mark as senior director, technical program management, Google Cloud Platform. Krishnan is the first woman director in the SRE organization at Google, which is something she is very proud of. Something she’s even more proud of is being a character in a children’s book promoting STEM education. And for the record, she’s the "Prolific Problem Solver" in the book "Ara the Star Engineer." Her community involvement has included the Board of Advisors, Department of Management Information Systems at the University of Arizona.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:02 Women making history in technology – Grace Hopper. Radia Perlman. Katherine Johnson.
5:04 Kripa Krishnan – Director, Cloud Product Operations at Google, Inc.
6:55 From medicine to art to finance to technology.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
9:34 Kripa’s ‘Top Three’: A Friend, a Professor, and Dr. Mohan Tanniru – A nudge to a path.
13:44 Komal Singh’s “Ara the Star Engineer” – featuring Kripa Krishnan
17:32 “Everyone should have a lot of people they can go to.”
18:16 Kripa’s ‘Top Three’: Reverse mentors – You can also learn from those with less experience than you.
22:00 Kripa’s ‘Top Three’: Friends – don’t change just to change – “do anything stupid.”
24:49 Kripa’s ‘Top Three’: Great Managers – mentors, teachers, and holding the mirror to your face.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
25:39 Adapting what you learn to your leadership style.
28:19 What leaders should pay attention to in the technology space.
30:36 “The definition of technology itself is becoming harder to articulate.”
32:24 The impact of technology at the industrial level.
35:55 Does society understand the critical role information is playing?
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
40:25 Leaders: “are able to rally people to move toward an environment that is different from the one they started with.”
41:51 The differences for women in technology leadership.
44:53 Advice: “It is really important to push past friction point. That is what will propel you.”
46:34 Hack for leaders: Try to see something from another person’s perspective and lead with empathy.
Additional Information Contact Kripa Krishnan:
- Kripa’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Char Hu, CEO for The Helper Bees. Char and Gregg talk about The Helper Bee’s focus of tacking inefficiencies in the home healthcare market. Char speaks about how this problem is both very personal to him due to an elderly family member and how the United States’ aging population is forcing new approaches to support the ‘aging in place’ concept. Char speaks about his ‘Top Three’ – from his hard-working, immigrant parents, to his cofounding team of experts, to the Austin-based company that helps push him even further. And, you have to hear what he has to say about always tackling problems as a learner.
About Char Hu Char received his Doctorate in molecular biophysics from Baylor College of Medicine where he researched the underlying mechanisms for diseases like Alzheimer’s. He went on to co-found Georgetown Living, a certified Alzheimer's and dementia facility known for its evidence-based design building and pet therapy ranch animals. Following this, he founded a Medicare-accredited home health agency who uses skilled services to keep older adults independent at home. Dr. Hu also founded and is CEO of The Helper Bees, an insure-tech company that uses data and technology to improve home care delivery. In 2018 he was awarded the SXSW Global Community Service Award and was appointed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to the Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:05 The aging journey and aging in place.
4:22 Helper Bees – one-stop shop for aging well in place.
5:44 Char Hu – a ‘recovering scientists’: from science research to entrepreneurship.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
8:19 Char’s ‘Top Three’: His Parents – humbleness and grit.
15:56 Char’s ‘Top Three’: Danny Lynch & Eric Corum – the safe space in the entrepreneurial journey.
21:27 Char’s ‘Top Three’: Amos Schwartzfarb and Monica Landers – The battle of being a CEO.
24:45 Finding an energy giver.
27:14 Char’s ‘Top Three’: Many more people – from his wife to colleagues, and beyond.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
28:33 The most significant demographic shift the world has ever seen.
30:04 Who is really afraid of the problem created by the demographic shift?
32:38 The experience of guiding the company through pivots.
38:26 The importance of finding early customers to act as advisors.
49:56 The importance of learning in the sales process.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
49:23 Are you a professional leader or are you something else?
50:28 “When is the last time that you talked to your key players?”
52:18 Helper Bees continues to grow!
53:11 Stay in touch with Char via LinkedIn or email: Char@TheHelperBees.com
Additional Information Contact Char Hu:
- Char’s LinkedIn
Contact The Helper Bees:
- Website: https://www.thehelperbees.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehelperbees
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Brandon Curry, Vice President of Human Resources for DRiV Incorporated. Brandon and Gregg talk about transformation techniques and discuss the major disruptions taking over the HR and mobility industries. Brandon’s ‘Top Three’ gives us a glimpse into the origins of his “do something” attitude – from his dad who instilled his inner drive, to his church community who helped him keep grounded in the ‘why’, to his c-level coworkers who let him fill the whitespace that he desperately needed. And you have to hear what Brandon has to say about how you have to learn to lean into relationships to drive forward and to lead.
About Brandon Curry Brandon Curry is Vice President of Human Resources for DRiV Incorporated, a $6 billion division of Tenneco, expected to spin-off. Currently, he leads global HR for the DRiV Motorparts segment which sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products in the global vehicle aftermarkets including the brands -Monroe®, Walker®, Champion®, Fel-Pro®, MOOG®, Wagner®, Öhlins®, Rancho®, Thrush®, National®, and Sealed Power®. Brandon is passionate about helping individuals and organizations perform and function by purpose and design rather than default, building more engaged and effective organizations and talent. He has consulted internally and externally with organizations of diverse size, industry, sector, and scope. He’s led global HR teams, departments, organizational processes and technology for talent acquisition, learning, organization development and talent management.
Brandon has served as a guest speaker at Talent Development and Talent Management conferences, panels and blogs. He has served on workforce development, start-up and product advisory committees in the talent management space and as a part-time faculty member in Oakland University‘s Department of Human Resource Development in Southeastern Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. Curry earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in training and development from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:07 The importance of the question: should innovation be a centralized or decentralized capability?
4:06 Brandon Curry: being progressive in the HR industry.
6:14 DRiV: Driving advancements that help people get the most out of every vehicle, every ride, every race, every journey.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
7:55 Brandon’s ‘Top Three’ – family & specifically his dad – the importance of not living in fear and, instead, to live with confidence and take risks.
11:49 Brandon’s ‘Top Three’ – church community – understanding what success looks like for you and what you are trying to achieve and understanding what kind of citizen to be and how to interact with neighbors.
16:16 Brandon’s ‘Top Three’ – colleagues and mentors – individuals that have embraced his curiosity (Scott Pepin. Brad Norton.)
20:07 Bravery in ‘packs’.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
27:04 How consolidation and various shortages are disrupting industries.
31:25 The consumerization of employment.
35:10 Critical capabilities: what does it take to run a company like DRiV today?
41:15 “Engage”: Creating value within in your organization.
43:32 “Fear is the kryptonite for an organization.”
45:55 How to drive a cultural shift within the organization.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
50:25 “Leadership is an influence process…what can somebody do to non-coercively bring a group of people to produce outcomes.”
52:33 Hint for leaders: It is important how you handle the things that don’t work out. Lean into those unexpected relationships and take a chance. Tell people they are doing great things. (Bob Walters.)
57:45 “Parts matters.” Check out the DRiV website for information and job opportunities.
Additional Information Contact Brandon Curry:
- Brandon’s LinkedIn
- Brandon’s Blog
Contact DRiV:
- Website: com
- Career Opportunities: tenneco.com
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Threatened by the downstairs neighbor. These are our version of events (part II).
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jamie-crockett/message
Thoughts on overcoming fear.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jamie-crockett/message
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Chris Uhl, Executive Director of the Eastern Region at IFF – a nonprofit mission driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Chris and Gregg spend time discussing the importance of becoming a multiplier within the industry. Chris shares his ‘Top Three’ – from those he was inspired by to give back to the community, to likeminded individuals, to those who helped him understand the value of both sustainability and the triple bottom line. And, you have to hear what Chris has to say about the Appraisal Bias.
About Chris uhl Chris Uhl joined IFF as the Executive Director – Eastern Region in 2017. Located in IFF’s Detroit office, Uhl oversees IFF’s full-range of services in Michigan and Ohio, including lending, real estate consulting, and community strategies program operations.
Prior to joining IFF, Uhl served in leadership roles at Rock Venutres LLC, The Skillman Foundation, and Detroit Children’s Fund, as well as working several years as a banker at major financial institutions. As Vice President of Social Innovation at The Skillman Foundation, Mr. Uhl helped the foundation move beyond grants to program-related investments in the form of low-interest loans and loan guarantees. He most recently led community investment efforts at Rock Ventures, a Detroit firm that serves and connects a portfolio of more than 100 companies owned by Dan Gilbert – the founder of Quicken Loans and majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Mr. Uhl is a Michigan native with a M.B.A. from Wayne State University and a B.S. in business administration from Central Michigan University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 Being a multiplier.
3:05 Introduction: Chris Uhl and IFF. (Skillman Foundation.)
5:50 Finding who you are and setting your path.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
8:45 Chris’s ‘Top Three’ – Michael J. Brennan – Supporting ‘finding your calling’.
11:03 The journey to ‘finding your calling’ – dialing in on who you are.
14:40 Chris’s ‘Top Three’ – Existing Leaders – Surrounding yourself with the right people.
16:50 The values of the “kitchen cabinet” around you.
18:10 Chris’s ‘Top Three’ – Tom Brennan – The Green Garage – Creating sustainability & triple bottom line.
19:45 Chris’s ‘Top Three’ – Bob Weins – Driving socially impactful businesses.
22:40 Chris’s ‘Top Three’ – Matt Uhl – Having a sound board.
24:10 Chris’s ‘Top Three’ – Tricia Uhl – Prioritize your time and reign in your ego.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
29:20 IFF: CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution)
33:40 The structure of working with firms that are for-profit.
38:00 Technology disruptions have not impacted the CDFI space, yet.
40:10 The appraisal bias.
42:32 The impact investing space – “doing well by doing good”.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
45:30 Becoming a Multiplier.
51:00 Learn more about IFF. (IFF.org)
54:00 Brave leadership: “The biggest thing for me is continue to stay in touch with your team.”
Additional Information Contact Chris Uhl:
- Chris’s LinkedIn
- Chris’s Email
Contact IFF:
- IFF Link Website
- IFF Link Twitter
- IFF Link LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Seun Phillips former Managing Director of PlanetM & Founder of STEMNETICS. Seun and Gregg talk about mobility and how the roles of safety, accessibility, and electric and autonomous vehicles are playing a major role within the automotive industry. Seun’s ‘Top Three’ gives us a broader look into who he leans on for inspiration – from those who give him the drive to have an entrepreneurial spirit, to business groups who gave him first-hand experience that allowed him to excel today’s world. Seun shares his thoughts on the challenges facing the automotive industry and shares hints on what makes a good leader and how leaders can not only preach inclusivity, but also live it. Finally, Seun highlights the My Dream Big Club which focuses on bringing like-minded individuals together to discuss transformative topics, motivate each other and support big dreams.
About Seun Phillips Seun Phillips is the co-founder of My Dream BIG Club, which started in 2018 with the mission to inspire and motivate others to dream BIG. In 2015 also founded STEMNETICS and is currently serving as the Executive Director to deliver projects catered for ages 4 – 10 at home and in the classroom to strengthen 21stcentury skillsets.
Phillips started his professional career as a Senior Electrical Engineer at Motorola Mobile Devices, where he focused on audio circuitry and accessory compatibility. Phillips went on to co-found the Chicago-based non-profit, Project SYNCERE, with the mission to increase the number of underrepresented and disadvantaged K-12th grade students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Phillips recently served as the Managing Director of PlanetM, an initiative of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). As the Managing Director, he was responsible for growing operations, partnerships and technology development within Michigan’s connected autonomous vehicle industry.
Prior to joining MEDC, Phillips served as the Vice President of Education and Engagement at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit, MI. Phillips was responsible for programming and developing partnerships between corporations, schools, foundations and community organizations.
Phillips graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a minor in mathematics. Phillips received the Five Under Ten from his alma mater to recognize his professional achievements and contributions to the community-at-large. He also received the Conversations Awards, which highlighted Chicago’s most dynamic movers and shakers within Entrepreneurship, Medicine and Non-Profit businesses. Phillips serves on the Board of Directors for Project SYNCERE and the Folu Phillips Foundation.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:15 Ven Diagrams – The history behind them and their importance in the connecting world.
3:15 Leadership – clearing the path to success.
6:23 Work Life Balance – creating the ‘integration’
9:20 Seun Phillips: From consumer electronics, to education, to mobility.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
12:50 Seun ‘Top Three’ – Omonye Phillips – Surround yourself with people who drive you and have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
14:40 Seun ‘Top Three’ – ‘The Corporate World’ – How different experience allow you to excel.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
17:20 Mobility – How increased safety, accessibility, data, and emerging vehicle types are driving change.
19:30 Concerns about the industry – “There is no true one standard for us to follow”
22:10 The opportunities California presents.
24:45 My Dream Big Club – To bring like-minded individuals together to discuss transformative topics, motivate each other and support big dreams.
29:40 Trends as the enablers of dreams.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
32:50 “Leadership is empathy, truly and genuinely caring about the people that are around you.”
35:50 Advice for leaders: As a leader you need to be able to include everyone in the conversation. Make the workplace as inclusive as possible.
41:00 Is the diversity ‘why’ starting to be believed?
44:20 Listen to the (new!) My Dream Big Club Podcast.
45:36 Keep in contact with Seun via LinkedIn and email.
Additional Information Contact Seun Phillips:
- Seun’s email: seun@mydreambig.com
- Seun’s LinkedIn
Contact My Dream Big Club:
- My Dream Big Club Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Michael Healander, Co-Founder, President and CEO, Airspace Link – a company that is building highways for the autonomous drone industry. Michael and Gregg spend time discussing the importance of ingenuity and the patterns of disrupting an industry. Michael shares his ‘Top Three’ – from coaches that helped him recognize that you don’t need to be cut from the same cloth to succeed, to those that taught him that intentionally applying oneself increases the chances for success and greatness, to those who believed him before he even did, to the teammates who made the team stronger than the individual. And, you have to hear what Michael has to say about the magical power of passion.
About Michael Healander As President & CEO of Airspace Link, Inc. Michael Healander is responsible for running all facets of the business. Michael has a proven executive management track record and 15 years of experience driving sales growth in the technology industry. Prior to joining Airspace Link, Michael was Vice President of Business Development at Acuity Brands and he was responsible for all software sales across four brands. Previously, he was the co-founder and CRO of Geometri where he built an indoor mapping, analytics and navigation business that was successfully acquired by Acuity Brands. Michael also served on GISinc. management team for six years and was recognized as a leader in location technology. GISinc grew from 25 to 170 employees over this period. Michael has 20 years of experience in spatial technology, 12 years in state & local government, 7 years in the commercial and retail industry, 2 years in Federal (DoD) and currently holds an FAA commercial drone pilot license.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 The importance of reflecting on the industrial revolutions of the past.
6:50 Doubling back into the industrial era – where digital and industrial economics will start to collide.
8:19 Michael Healander – a geospatial engineer turned entrepreneur (Airspace Link.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
13:15 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Dave Gomez – Understanding what motivates people.
14:40 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Jim Silver – “If you apply yourself, you can be great.”
20:52 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Carl Ojala, Dr. Yichun Xie – Finding the passion for geospatial engineering.
21: 58 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Sally Price – The ability to feel like I can do anything.
22:58 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Lee Lichlyter – a GIS and business mentor. How to scale. (Sean Savage. Patrick Lencioni.)
32:17 Stepping back and handing your success to the next person.
33:40 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Danny Bradshaw – a partner with extreme trust.
35:45 Michael’s ‘Top Three’ – Alex Iskold – here at any moment. (Voxer.)
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
39:46 Airspace Link: A geospatial asset management system.
45:30 Being the ‘Vanderbilt’ or ‘Eisenhower’ of drone travel.
47:32 How big is this industry? Global.
49:11 The Airspace Link growth path.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
53:17 Advice for youth: “Geospatial capabilities is a niche and people want that.”
56:58 Advice for leaders: ‘Hack’ passion and build your passion for whatever you are doing.
59:29 Check out Airspace Link’s newest launches and contact Michael on LinkedIn.
Additional Information Contact Michael Healander:
- Michael’s LinkedIn
- Michael’s Twitter
Contact Airspace Link:
- Airspace Link Website
- Airspace Link Twitter
- Airspace Link LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Alisyn Malek, COO and Co-Founder, May Mobility. Alisyn talks about how her company is helping to define a totally new transportation system and what it is like transitioning from being an engineer to corporate innovator to founder and industry disruptor. Alisyn and Gregg discuss large macro systems and the delicate balance between simplicity and complexity. Of course, Alisyn speaks about her Top 3, a group of strong women who helped her find empathy, bravery, and to reflect on her own future career path. And, you have to hear what she says about “badass women” who support one another.
About Alisyn Malek Alisyn Malek is the COO and Co-Founder of May Mobility, Inc.
May Mobility’s vision is to transform cities through autonomous technology, creating a safer, greener, more accessible world. They have made it their mission to reimagine transportation by developing and deploying autonomous shuttles that get people to their destinations safely and easily. Service has launched in Detroit, Columbus, Ohio, Providence, Road Island as well as Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Alisyn was formerly the head of the innovation pipeline at General Motors. Prior to that role she was an investment manager at GM Ventures. During her tenure there, she led investment in the autonomous space, including the early negotiations with Cruise Automation, helping to cement GM’s autonomous strategy. As an automotive engineer, she led a global team to develop SAE Level 3 charging technology for GM’s Spark and Bolt EV Products. As well as supporting release of electrical components for the first generation Chevy Volt.
Alisyn holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering and German Language. Malek was recognized as a top ten female innovator to watch by the Smithsonian in 2018, named a top automotive professional under 35 to watch by LinkedIn in 2015 for her work in cutting-edge product development and corporate venture, and identified as a Crain's Detroit 20 in their 20’s awardee for her work in engineering and deployment of advanced charging systems..
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 Thinking through macros systems – societal/industrial systems, organization systems, and the leadership system.
3:18 Over the next decade – there will be less and less independent systems (with examples).
10:16 Alisyn Malek – May Mobility. Corktown Studios. And more. (General Motors)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
12:23 Alisyn’s ‘Top Three’ – Alyssa Jernigan – A clear dialogue. Seeing the blind spots.
14:44 Alisyn’s ‘Top Three’ – Vanessa Miller – Surround yourself with people who have different skills than you. Creating empathy.
18:20 Alisyn’s ‘Top Three’ – Elaina Farnsworth – A source of experience and guidance.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
22:58 May Mobility – founded to solve a unique challenge facing the world today; an imbalance in access to mobility within the backdrop of increasingly congested cities and towns.
23:50 Look at global mobility marketplace and how they use ACES (autonomous, connected, electric, shared) vehicles.
28:04 Expanding May Mobility to the global market. (Toyota Motor Company.)
30:43 “The last mile is hard. That is a lot of what we are doing today.”
34:27 Being a leader in a growing organization: you have to be thoughtful to keep everyone growing in the same direction.
39:38 Creating a startup in Southeast Michigan and growing it for sustainability.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
44:14 How do you accomplish everything at the same time? “Learning to forgive myself.”
47:59 “People don’t actually like women who are direct.” – being a woman leader in the automotive space.
49:11 Special advice for women: For any perceived minority...”Don’t take no as the first answer. And sometimes you just have to brush it off.”
51:32 Detroit Badass Ladies – There are a lot of bad ass ladies in this city and we need more excuses to get together and elevate ourselves to new levels of bad assery.
56:01 Advice for leaders: Actively listen. Depersonalize things.
58:54 Follow Alisyn Malek on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Additional Information Contact Alisyn Malek:
- Alisyn’s LinkedIn
- Alisyn’s Twitter
Contact May Mobility:
- May Mobility Website
- May Mobility Twitter
- May Mobility LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Marcus Heitmann, General Manager and Vice President Digitalization & Connected Car, SAIC Volkswagen. Marcus is a global expert in connected automotive and mobility and is one of the few people who have spent time on both the ‘internet’ and ‘things’ sides of the IoT business. Marcus is a global IT expert and speaks to the similarities and differences of connected industries across the globe. And, of course, he speaks about his Top 3 – ranging from outside of industry experts who have helped him to think different, to seasoned company executives who teach him how to navigate strategies to increase transformation success, to close family members who keep his feet planted while his brain may be up in the sky. And you have to hear what Marcus has to say about competing in the Chinese market.
About Marcus Heitmann Dr. Marcus Heitmann is General Manager for Digitalization and Connected Car at SAIC Volkswagen in China, responsible for the brands Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen. Previously he was responsible for VW’s connected car program worldwide since 2012, supporting in various management positions the digitalization and transformation of the company enabling it to become an excellent service provider. Prior to that he was Director Innovation and Business Development at Deutsche Telekom Laboratories in Berlin and the Silicon Valley for the topics Automotive, Machine-to-Machine Communication (M2M) and Smart Grid. He has been an entrepreneur and founder of an IT security company and received his PhD in economics on the topic of IT security. Marcus combines digitalization, new business models, telematics, IT and IT security through +20 years of professional experience and has a strong record of combining engineering and business expertise with customer and product orientation.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:09 IoT is at the heart of the Connecting World. (Learn more by read Competing in the Connecting World)
3:13 Leaders of the future will have a foot in each camp of IoT.
6:02 Marcus Heitmann: From social sciences and marketing to the leading edge of Connected Vehicle. (Deutsche Telekom. SAIC Volkswagen.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
11:00 Marcus’ “Top Three”: Oliver Diener – providing insights on general management and the connect car.
13:38 Defining the mindset people need for an agile organization.
18:12 Marcus’ “Top Three”: Axel Rüb – the importance of analytics, understanding intentions, and navigating the Volkswagen cosmos.
23:06 People management should not be seen as a distraction – it is worth the investment of time.
24:37 Marcus’ “Top Three”: Klaus Heitmann and Ulrike Schneider – the outside-industry perspective and people management.
27:22 A trend: Leaders surround themselves with fantastic people, but also with people who will ground them.
29:27 “If you’re not close with a parent or a spouse [who will be direct and honest], give someone else the license to play that role for you.”
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
31:05 To understand the future of the Mobility industry, it is important to look outside the industry.
35:30 CES will give you hints for the future, but are not the future. The people there are more important than the technologies.
36:47 The Chinese Market: Understanding and designing to differences.
39:27 Technology usage in the Chinese market – payment, facial-recognition, and more.
41:40 Is the Chinese market the example of how other markets will adopt technology?
44:40 Transformation of the automotive industry.
47:38 Hint to leaders: “Take half of a day off every month and sit at home with large pieces of paper/whiteboard and think about all the things you have done and what you will do in the next few months.”
50:57 Hint to leaders: “If you’re in digital transformation, always think about what is the reason for this transformation. If you’re answer is profit, you are doing something wrong.”
52:28 The impact of automotive on the future of other industries.
57:04 The integration of mobility and insurance/healthcare.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
59:57 What makes a great leader? “Stepping down from the old, top-down leadership approach.”
1:01:50 Stay in touch with Marcus via LinkedIn.
Additional Information Contact Marcus Heitmann:
- Marcus’ LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, takes a short pause from interviewing guests to reflect on 2019 and the evolution of IoT. Gregg speaks about three main topics: 1) observations from working in IoT and the ever-connecting world, 2) how this year has been a tipping point for the connecting world and the mindset many leaders have as they drive their companies through this disruptive potential, and 3) doubling down on integration and how 2020 will really require some different types of development skills.
Show Highlights Segment 1: IoT Overview
1:04 The evolving IoT industry. (Kevin Ashton.)
3:32 The past: IoT was mostly driven by technology integrators.
5:04 “I started to see the difficulty of the connected product....it wasn’t only a promise, it was now a cost.”
5:43 The present: Can anything not be ‘connected’?
Segment 2: The Evolving World
10:00 “We’ve reached this tipping point.”
11:21 It is no longer about the connected product; it is now about the connected enabled experience.
12:48 “I believe the number one most importance capability to compete in this ever-connecting world for companies....is the ability to develop connections.”
14:00 A challenge: Build meaningful, business-oriented relationships over points on the journey.
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host and CEO, CGS Advisors, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jane Sydlowski, President and CEO AMI Strategies. Jane, a self-made entrepreneur, discusses the process of leaving the stable situation of working for an established company and entering the unknown of her own venture. She speaks about the decades of ups and downs she has experienced during market corrections and the realities of being a female founder in a tech-centered industry. As the recent president of one of the country’s largest professional organizations for women in technology (MCWT), Jane shares the two-way nature of board work and hints for women in the technology industry. And, of course, Jane speaks about her top three – from her mother who always pushed her to be comfortable to put herself out there, to her spiritual copilot who steered her through the loneliness of being an entrepreneur, to her colleagues who help her stretch into new adventures. And, you have to hear what Jane says about the power of ‘friendtors’ who support her in taking the road less traveled.
About Jane Sydlowski As the CEO of AMI Strategies, Jane Sydlowski is responsible for directing and growing a dynamic, experienced AMI team. She is accountable for all business aspects of AMI Strategies and has created strategic vision for AMI that includes exceeding client expectation, profitable growth, and employee empowerment. Jane has embraced a Human Centered Design approach that contributes to both the culture and hockey stick growth.
AMI has recently (2019) received two awards from its Industry Association; Innovation of the Year for their Invoice AI product and the Giving Back award for their strong commitment to helping the community.
During AMI Strategies twenty-eight-year history and under Jane’s leadership, she has been recognized by; Michigan State University as a “distinguished alumni”, Lawrence Tech as a “Leaders and Innovator”, and Rhonda Walker as a “Powerful Woman of Purpose.” Jane also received the “Top Notable Women in Tech” from Crain’s Detroit Business.
Board Membership:
As the 2019 President of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT), Jane is accountable for directing a dynamic nonprofit organization that includes over 60 Board and Advisory Board members, and a 1000+ members. The MCWT hosts 60+ events per year that encourage advancement for girls and women in Tech. Janes responsibilities include creating the strategic plan, messaging for the organization and speaking to the various stakeholder groups; be it Middle or High School girls or Early to Mid to Late Career women.
Jane serves on two additional boards; Board Member of the Midwest Technology Leaders and Chairman of the Board for Greenpath.
Jane has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA from Wayne State University.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:12 The role of a catalyst.
3:55 The superpower of being a catalyst – Jane Sydlowski (AMI Strategies. GreenPath Financial Wellness. MCWT.)
5:37 AMI Strategies – an integrator in Technology Expense Management.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
7:40 Bravery by choice – taking the entrepreneurial road less traveled.
10:50 Jane’s “Top Three”: her mother – come out of your shell and literally sing ‘ta da – I’m here’
14:12 How being different impacted success.
16:28 Bravery – Managing the ups and downs of business.
24:94 Jane’s “Top Three”: her spiritual co-pilot – “thank you, Lord, for traveling with me today”
26:46 How adversity strengthens a team. SOUND BITE
28:20 How AMI Strategies is disrupting itself.
30:38 Jane’s “Top Three: Dean Keeler – true thought leadership, insight, and forward thinking positioning.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
34:59 Cannibalizing your own business.
39:21 AMI Strategies: 2019 Innovation of the Year Award Recipients from the Enterprise Technology Management Association.
41:30 The human-centered design revolution. (Kristen Holt)
50:38 The Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT) – building the pipeline of girls and women in technology.
53:33 Bravery for women in technology.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
56:24 “Make yourself get involved.”
58:38 Creating your own golf course – ‘friendtors’ (Mamatha Chamarthi. Rod Davenport. Jill Maiorano. Tracy-Ann Palmer. Teri Takai.)
1:05:53 New MCWT President – Melanie Kalmer
1:07:22 Stay in touch with Jane via email: jsydlowski@amistrategies.com or via LinkedIn
1:08:05 Hint to leaders: “Make sure that you’ve considered the road less traveled as possible.”
Additional Information Contact Jane Sydlowski:
- Jane’s LinkedIn
- Jane’s Email
Contact AMI Strategies:
- AMI Strategies’ Twitter
- AMI Strategies’ LinkedIn
- AMI Strategies’ Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host and CEO, CGS Advisors, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Shiva Bhardwaj, CEO Pitstop – a cloud-based Prognostic Maintenance Platform that enables enterprises to leverage the wealth of information available from their vehicle fleets. Shiva hails from Toronto and is making a name for himself in the mobility and AI industries. He discusses how his company was born from bridging being raised by a mechanic in an automotive garage with his experiences working in Silicon valley-based tech giants. He explores what it is like being early to market and how he needs to shape the minds of customers. And he shares how he successfully cracked the code on attracting some of the most sought after secret weapons in competing in today’s businesses – data scientists. And, of course, Shiva speaks about his ‘top three’ ranging from his father who gave him space to create and experiment at a very young age to a thought partner in the data science space who pushes him to be intentional about how to monetize that data to a board member who encourages him to take risks to grow. And you have to hear what Shiva has to say about how to really assess someone’s net worth.
About Shiva Bhardwaj Shiva Bhardwaj is the Founder and CEO at Pitstop. While earning a Degree in Electrical and Electrical Engineering, Shiva spent time working at NVIDIA and Blackberry QNX. Shiva started his entrepreneurship journey by inventing ShockLock (https://www.shocklock.ca) which brought a safe, simple and cost-effective hardware solution to the automotive world. The second innovation has been Pitstop (https://pitstopconnect.com). which was an inaugural participant in the Techstars Mobility Accelerator program securing investments from Verizon, Ripple, BDC to name a few(https://betakit.com/autotech-startup-pitstop-raises-1-5-million-partners-with-continental/). Shiva has been recognized as the Vaughan Entrepreneur of the Year, SEMA 35 Under 35 and the winner of the Sci-Innovation Competition in China from a field of 1,450 international contestants.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:17 What makes entrepreneurs different?
3:40 Shiva’s Background: From Toronto to Silicon Valley.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
6: 43 Shiva’s “Top Three”: Paul Bhardwaj (his father) – hard work, controlling your own destiny, and allowing the space to learn.
13:24 Shiva’s “Top Three”: Christopher Mah – how to evaluate a problem and identify a solution and the power of data.
17:14 Shiva’s “Top Three”: Michael Garb – taking bold risks on spending capital.
18:56 A ‘being brave’ story – making the investment in people.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
21:40 Pitstop – predicting vehicle failures before they happen.
22:35 The future is based on information and data.
25:15 Having the change before the industry is ready for the change.
30:00 How auto markets around the world differ – focuses on electric, autonomous, and what comes next.
32:41 “Using your resources in a way that will get you to some step that helps you move forward, progress and prove yourself out. And then proving yourself on a larger scale.”
35:27 “That new pivot might not be meant for everyone you’re working with. And that’s probably the hardest part.”
37:41 Pitstop’s recent successes – Grants. Awards. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Investment.
39:58 Paying it forward through mentorship/networking.
42:43 Hint to be at the cutting edge of technology: High-tech people are motivated by the problems they are solving.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
45:20 “Leadership is all about your network and your network being your net worth.”
47:10 Hints to leaders: “Think about those three people around you and are those people helping align you with the biggest problem that you have on your to do list. If not, how do you bring additional people into your fold.”
48:19 Exciting Pitstop activities are in process!
49:21 Stay in touch: Email Shiva (shiva@pitstopconnect.com) and check out Pitstop’s website.
Additional Information Contact Shiva Bhardwaj:
- Shiva’s LinkedIn
- Shiva’s Email
Contact Pitstop:
- Pitstop’s Twitter
- Pitstop’s LinkedIn
- Pitstop’s Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Larry Freed, CEO Give and Take, Inc.. Larry is a multi-time CEO who utilizes the concepts from Adam Grant’s best-selling book Give and Take to scale businesses. He speaks about SaaS businesses and partnering with academic institutions and their PhDs to create unique and valuable business opportunities. Larry dives deep into the knowledge collaboration capability and the art of encouraging people to invest in one another by giving and seeking help; deepening relationship trust. And, of course, Larry shares his top three – ranging from his spouse and three sons, to leadership teams who built trust and support to win together, to ultra-smart experts that define industry segments via the seeds that grow into businesses. Finally, Larry shares the secret to deep relationships – being brave enough to ask for help.
About Larry Freed Larry is the CEO of Give and Take Inc., a company that was co-founded by Adam Grant (Wharton), Wayne Baker (Univ. of Michigan) and Cheryl Baker. Give and Take provides solutions that help organizations improve knowledge collaboration, foster a culture of generosity and improve engagement. The Reciprocity Ring is a dynamic, face-to-face exercise where groups learn to bring the “pay-it-forward” concept into action and practice. Givitas is a purpose-built, knowledge collaboration platform that can scale across an organization that makes it easy to ask for and give help every day, while fostering a giving culture and providing equal access to community knowledge and experiences.
Larry’s background includes being the co-founder and CEO of ForeSee, the leader in customer experience analytics. He led the company from inception (2001) to successful exit in 2013, returning over 22 times the capital invested in the business. After the exit at ForeSee, Larry advised, mentored and consulted with early stage and growth stage technology companies. He also served on the board of directors of various tech companies. Earlier in his career, Larry also had executive leadership roles at Compuware (Vice President) and Bank One (CTO).
Larry has authored two books, Managing Forward and Innovating Analytics.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:14 The three types of relationships: Takers, Matchmakers and Givers (Adam Grant Give and Take – Book)
3:19 Larry Freed – CEO. Investor. Mentor. (Give and Take, Inc. ForeSee. 2nd Stage Partners. Wolverine Venture Fund. Compuware.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
5:39 Larry’s “Top Three”: Former and Current Colleagues – people you rely on to “help you go”. (Cia McCaffrey. Don Morrison. Mitchell Cohen. Dave Jansen.)
7:02 “If tech doesn’t work, the company doesn’t work.”
9:20 The importance of the ‘people person’.
11:30 “Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear because that is a waste of our time. Tell me what I don’t know. Tell me what you think I don’t want to know.”
14:31 Larry’s “Top Three”: Co-founders, Board Members and Investors – Know what you know; know what you don’t. Knowledge, expertise, and brilliance. (Claes Fornell. Wayne Baker. Cheryl Baker. Adam Grant.)
16:44 How to create a Board of Advisors. (Pete Karmanos. Scott Johnson.)
19:43 What drives satisfaction in sales? Accentuating the positive but not embellishing.
23:12 The pattern of tech transfer, etc.: “The key is to always understand what [the professors] role will be.”
28:29 Larry’s “Top Three”: Family – wife, three sons and the extended family –the support to work the enormous amount of hours.
30:58 Engaging children in the world of business.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
34:48 The core focus of Give and Take, Inc – boosting performance and building culture.
40:37 “I would have thought that getting people to give help would have been harder than getting people to ask for help. It’s the complete opposite.”
43:10 The request must be SMART 1) Smart. 2) Meaningful. 3) Actionable. 4) Real .and 5) Time Boxed.
44:54 Not trying to recreate other solutions – complimentary to other solutions.
48:51 Purposeful Networking – “Build a relationships because I’ve asked for something and you’re going to help me with it.”
50:00 Micro-mentoring: “Don’t ask them to be your mentor, ask them for help.” – Adam Grant
53:47 Hint: “Start asking for help...most people want to give if it is easy to give.”
57:22 AI and the knowledge collaboration industry.
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
1:01:12 “Leadership is setting a vision and leading by example.”
1:01:47 Piece of advice to leaders: Ask for help.
1:02:32 Stay in touch with Larry via LinkedIn or email (larry.freed@giveandtakeinc.com). Visit Givitas.com or GiveandTake.com for more information on Give and Take, Inc.
Additional Information Contact Larry Freed:
- Larry’s LinkedIn
- Larry’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Michael Farber, Managing Partner of Ratio Companies and former EVP, Booz Allen Hamilton. Michael speaks to his 30+ year career in driving large transformation in both federal government agencies as well as market-leading companies and shares how innovators need to not just disrupt to disrupt, but rather define the purpose of being different. Michael explains how making safe spaces and encouraging people to explore and embrace differences is key to being a true leader in today’s rapidly changing world and notes how this digital transformation needs to be met at the cross-section of capabilities. And, of course, Michael shares his top three – from the woman who makes him brave, to the teachers that made being different purposeful, to the colleagues who solidify structure innovation, and finally to the client executive who is acting as a window to a thirty year career. You have to hear what Michael has to say about how the key to transformation is really an art of orchestrating trust.
About Michael Farber Michael is the Managing Partner of Ratio Companies and a former Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton. He helps clients and business partners invest in and accelerate the identification, creation, adoption, and enablement of advanced, edge, emerging, disruptive and transformational technologies.
As often as he can, Michael looks to leverage technology for positive public change and the societal good.
Michael holds a MPA from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a BA from the School of Architecture and Planning at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also continued his education through post-graduate doctoral studies in public policy and administration at New York University.
Michael lives in Laguna Beach with his wife Donna and dog Finn -- he and Donna have two children who they followed out to the West Coast. They plan to stay a while...
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:24 Where does innovation occur?
4:15 Michael Farber: Assisting the United States’ federal agencies to transform. (Booz Allen Hamilton.)
5:49 Michael’s Background: From baseball and architecture to public policy and planning consulting. (Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Weston Solutions.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
9:47 Michael’s “Top Three”: Michael’s wife, Donna – being brave, having the courage to try things, and having a benchmark for the past.
12:01 Michael’s “Top Three”: Michael’s Educators: Mrs. VanOrt, Professor Gary Scott Danford, PhD , and Professor Steve Cohen , PhD – engage, ask questions, and do the research. (University of Buffalo.)
14:03 Michael’s “Top Three”: Susan Penfield – celebrating the ability to think about things in a different way.
16:36 Encouraging exploration and discovery in parenting – creating the environment safe space to try things and explore.
19:24 The role of innovation at Booz Allen Hamilton – innovation was there, but how do we create the innovation environment?
21:17 Michael’s “Top Three”: John Bear – transforming leadership and culture in addition to the business and having the courage to take time and be patient. (MISO.)
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
25:40 What topic motivates Michael to get up in the morning? “The enormity and complexity of what has to come together for transformation.”
28:42 What styles of innovation are working today?
34:39 “You could start with outcomes and objectives, but new capabilities are allowing you or others to see things that you would have never thought to ask for.”
35:41 Breaking down artificial boundaries for innovation.
39:09 “Focus more on what you’re trying to accomplish or solve or address than prescribing potential solutions or defining the requirements set so narrowly where you’re just constraining any innovation at all.”
43:43 The government as a major R&D player.
48:10 “The mistake I made several times was to not recognize the need to change workflow / capability / competency / etc, while trying to introduce disruptive technology and having a mismatch with culture.”
51:05 Hint to overcoming: 1) insulate a new capability internally, and 2) create it outside of the organization.
52:51 An important part of disruptive change: “How much trust is there within the organization?”
Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up
56:50 “Leadership is vision.”
59:07 “The leaders were best evidenced by their followership.”
1:00:38 Hint for tomorrow’s leader: “ [The key] is your network, your trust in other folks. Trust is key; absolutely essential.”
1:02:32 Build your net.
1:03:24 Stay in touch with Michael via email: farbermf@ratioim.com
Additional Information Contact Michael Farber:
- Michael’s LinkedIn
- Michael’s Email
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jeff Cripe, Founder and CEO of Cargo – a fast moving company on a rocketship-style path to success. Jeff is a 30 under 30 award recipient from Forbes and, in just a few years’ time, he has founded a company, created a new category, raised over $40 million of capital, and successfully partnered with almost every name brand consumables company worldwide. During the discussion, Jeff shares the secrets of growing a business by recognizing and solving problems for emerging industries before the leaders of those industries even know they exist. Jeff also shares his top three – from seasoned deal makers who helped him learn that the art of deal making may be his super power, to venture psychologists, to day-to-day experts who help guide operations and new segment creation. Finally, you have to hear what Jeff has to say about how leaders need to know how to fill their gaps.
About Jeff Cripe After graduating from Yale, Jeff became an early team member at Birchbox, then a founding Ecommerce team member at Christie's where he helped build the world’s leading online art platform. In 2015, Jeff joined Loehmann's Advisory Board to relaunch the discount fashion icon as an online-only retailer after it was purchased out of bankruptcy by a hedge fund. In 2016, Jeff founded Cargo, the leading provider of in-car services to the rideshare economy. Based in NYC, Cargo is venture-backed by $40MM from leading VCs and strategic partners including Founders Fund, Coatue, Techstars Ventures, and Kellogg's eighteen94 capital. Jeff was selected for Forbes 30 Under 30 and Ad Age 40 Under 40 for his work on Cargo. Outside of work, he is on the Executive Board of Project Art and is an amateur paleontologist credited with the discovery of new species of tyrannosaur.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:28 Balancing fundraising with operating in the startup landscape.
5:04 Jeff Cripe: An expert at deal making. (Yale. Birchbox. Christie’s Auction House. Cargo.)
6:24 The rise of Cargo: $40 million in venture capital. (Founders Fund. Detroit Venture Partners. Fontinalis Partners.)
8:20 Cargo: an overall fleet monetization platform for rideshare that helps drive better profitability for rideshare partners. (Uber.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
12:11 “Nobody is good at everything. The best sign of a good leader, and the highest indicator of success, is someone who knows what their strengths are. But also knowing what your gaps are.”
15:10 Jeff’s “Top Three”: Emil Michael – Thinking of the business at the 30,000 ft level (executive strategist). (Uber. DiDi. Yandex. Softbank)
18:30 “It’s about liking and having alignment with the person on the other side of the table.”
22:33 “You’ve gotta load the board with chess pieces early on because you’re going to have to sacrifice some of those pieces.”
26:04 “My biggest regret is not trying to start a business sooner.”
28:46 Jeff’s “Top Three”: Dmitry Shevelenko – day-to-day operational counselor.
34:24 Jeff’s “Top Three”: Greg Arrese – deal psychologist and founder therapist.
35:30 “A no is a no. But it isn’t a no forever, it is a no for now.”
38:39 You have to ask – what will get an investor to a yes.
46:14 Jeff’s “Top Three”: Dave Yang – steering the ship. (Facebook. Snapchat. Reddit.)
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
51:03 Cargo’s businesses – retail and product placement.
52:48 “[Rideshare companies] need to monetize their fleet more effectively.”
55:18 The impact of autonomous vehicle on Cargo.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
58:34 Hints to leaders: “You’re always going to have fires burning. As CEO you need to figure out what to put out and what to keep burning.” (Master of Scale Podcast.)
1:00:03 Hint to leaders: Hire an executive coach (when you can afford it).
1:01:52 Stay in touch with Jeff Cripe and Cargo!
Additional Information Contact Jeff Cripe:
- Jeff’s LinkedIn
- Jeff’s Twitter
Contact Cargo:
- CargoWebsite
- CargoLinkedIn
- CargoTwitter
- CargoInstagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Florida and Ed Dudley founded Shining Light in Darkness as a response to domestic violence in our communities. They are dedicated to spread compassion and hope to survivors and thrivers and empower them to live their best lives. You can connect with them at https://www.shininglightindarkness.org/ Also, this episode briefly mentions molestation, domestic violence and sexual assault. If you or someone you know has experienced this, please reach out for help. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center recommends reaching out to RAINN’s hotline at 1-800-656-4673. You can also utilize their chat service. A comprehensive list of related resources can also be found at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website. You are not alone.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jamie-crockett/message
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Steve Tack, SVP, Product Management at Dynatrace – a technology giant that is part of the backbone of many of the most well-known brands in this digital world. Steve shares the journey that took the company from a small division of a large technology organization to a spin-out and PE-backed growth firm to a publicly-traded technology firm. Steve also gives hints on how to grow a successful global product team and how to stay ahead of the market by focusing exclusively on hiring ex-founders to lead different product segments. And, of course, Steve speaks about his top three – from his executive peers to his global product group to his former athletic coaches. Finally, you have to hear about how the most critical moment of Steve’s success wasn’t ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, but a milestone that took place years ago when the executive team decided to bravely cannibalize their own business and innovate the entire product offering.
About Steve Tack As SVP of Product Management, Steve is responsible for product vision and go-to-market strategy at Dynatrace. Steve has a passion for delivering innovative solutions that help customers digitally transform and, with 20 years of software experience, he uses his market development expertise to bring a relentless customer focus to the company’s products. Prior to this role, Steve held management positions in technical sales and engineering. Outside of Dynatrace, Steve is an active volunteer and enjoys time cycling, coaching and spending time with his wife and two kids. Steve has a B.A. in Economics from Kalamazoo College.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:25 Competing the connecting world – The Transformation First Mile.
3:45 Having the bravery to change.
5:43 Steve Tack – From technology in the dot com era to leading product strategy for an enterprise software company. (Dynatrace. Compuware.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
8:30 Steve’s “Top Three”: John Van Siclen – Managing a business while maintaining a customer first mindset.
12:16 Steve’s “Top Three”: Bernd Greifeneder – Always think about the next step of disruption.
14:17 Steve’s “Top Three”: The Dynatrace Executive Team – Bravery.
15:08 Steve’s “Top Three”: Dynatrace Product Leaders – The importance of an entrepreneurial mindset.
18:48 “We don’t want people who are going to delegate decisions up.”
20:29 Steve’s “Top Three”: Steve’s high school swim coach – You really can’t control anything around you, but you can control what you do.
22:50 Steve’s “Top Three”: Steve’s collegiate football coach – “There are people who want the play coming their way, and then there are people who hope it goes in the other direction.” (Kalamazoo College.)
28:00 Steve’s “Top Three”: Steve’s wife and his father – The reasons Steve can put his focus on work.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
28:55 Dynatrace – Software Intelligence for the Enterprise Cloud.
32:19 Buzzwords and clichés only matter when you understand how enterprises are adopting technologies and personalizing them to their business.
35:15 “Go out there and find out what the market is going to look like in 2020.”
38:25 The steps required after going public – the company inside the company.
44:31 How customers are taking an interest in the Dynatrace reinvention and transformation story.
46:46 Hint for leaders: Establish the vision and have mantras that are clear, tangible, and actionable.
48:14 Hint for leaders: “Putting the candidates into a spot where you really feel like you are working with that person.”
51:33 The surreal experience of going public.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
54:06 How to make speed real: Set the cadence for the business.
56:02 Know when it is your own energy trying to push something forward versus the market.
57:50 Hint for leaders: “You have to invest and think in different time horizons.”
59:31 Follow Dynatrace and Steve on LinkedIn.
Additional Information Contact Steve Tack:
- Steve’s LinkedIn
- Steve’s Twitter
Contact Dynatrace:
- DynatraceWebsite
- DynatraceLinkedIn
- DynatraceTwitter
- DynatraceInstagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Ryan Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Gridwise - The #1 companion app for rideshare drivers. Ryan shares his history as a Naval Officer turned entrepreneurial CEO who is actively shaping the ride-share market in the US. He discusses how fragmented the mobility market is and how companies that fill the white space and provide integration will be the long-term winners. Ryan speaks to the importance of keeping the ends in mind and how being focused on realistic means is key to driving out a two-sided business model. Of course, Ryan speaks about his top three including his first entrepreneurial business partner, his tech-minded business partner of today, and a formal investor and advisor who reminds him to always “keep his saw sharp”. Finally, Ryan shares his thoughts about the difference between management and leadership and shares advice with leaders about how to surround yourself with positive energy to maintain the bravery to innovate and disrupt.
About Ryan Green Ryan started his first company while attending the Naval Academy, providing online financial education & coaching services in the realm of Foreign Exchange Trading. He grew the team to 7 members and partnered with one of the largest FX currency brokerages in the US. After serving as an active-duty Naval Officer, he transitioned into working on an FX trading desk at PNC, where he worked with clients to execute multi-million dollar currency trades. He later left PNC to start Gridwise. As the CEO of Gridwise, Ryan plays a pivotal role as the visionary for the company focusing the majority of his efforts on platform strategy & execution, customer acquisition strategy & execution, business development, sales, fundraising, and hiring.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:22 Capitalizing on the edges of the mobility industry. (Uber. Lyft.)
4:16 About Ryan Green – Co-Founder and CEO of Gridwise – The #1 companion app for rideshare drivers.
6:11 The non-traditional route: From middle school Entrepreneurship to the Naval Academy and Collegiate Football to the Mobility space. (United States Naval Academy.)
8:46 About Gridwise – solving the inaccessibility and fragmentation of data problems for mobility providers.
11:50 Entrepreneurship from a young age.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
13:22 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Ty Nielson – The highs and lows of life. (CircusTrix.)
17:34 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Brian Finamore – Key part to the success of Gridwise. (Cornell University. Carnegie Melon University.)
24:43 “The strongest relationships are built when people who go through adverse challenges and overcome together.” (Techstars.)
26:50 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Ted Serbinski – The support system for the company. (Techstars Detroit.)
29:38 Accelerator Classes – building and maintaining strong relationships.
31:48 “If you’re going to cut down a forest of trees, you can’t do that unless you sharpen the saw.” – Ted Serbinski
35:32 The importance of the family support system.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
37:13 The experience of being in the midst of disruption.
39:10 Trends: On-demand modes of transportation. The fragmentation of services in the industry.
42:51 Building a two-sided business model and creating a smarter mobility grid.
47:09 Gridwise’s Growth: 4 to 32 cities in one year. 90,000 ride share drivers on the platform. Growing 20% month over month.
49:30 Keeping the faith through the ups and downs of building a company.
52:30 Hints for entrepreneurs: “You have to just figure out what those core tasks/projects/initiatives are that you can keep moving while, in parallel, fundraising.”
54:44 What’s going on with autonomy? “We will see quite the hybrid market until 2030 – 2035.”
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
57:45 “Leadership comes down to your ability to empower people to achieve their full potential.”
1:01:26 The importance of team on the leadership position.
1:03:10 Advice to leaders: “A lot of the successful has come from surrounding yourself with likeminded people who share your ambitions.”
1:05:50 Visit Gridwise.io or the app store!
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Andrew McCuiston, President of Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC – one of the country’s fastest growing franchise brands. Andrew discusses how franchising allows brands to scale through partnerships with like-minded business owners and shares why he and his business partners believe that their company is an Amazon-proof business. Andrew discusses the unique leadership culture he and his business partners have developed and how it is likely due to the fact that all three of them are Division 1 NCAA athletes and captains of their respective teams. Andrew speaks about his top three including his brother, his former boss, spiritual and business service leaders, and advisory board members. Finally, Andrew shares advice about envisioning a lifestyle, building it for yourself, and scaling it for others to live along with you.
About Andrew McCuiston Since 2008, Andrew McCuiston has served as the President and Integrator for Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC. Opening the first franchise location in 2009, the Goldfish system has grown to over 90 locations across the US and Canada with more than120 schools in development. System-wide, there are over 4,500 staff and 135,000 students in the water week after week.
As the Integrator, Andrew manages the leadership team who provide comprehensive services and support to the franchisees in areas of development, construction, finance, operational support, technology, curriculum development and marketing. He is also responsible for the business plan for current development and future growth and spend a significant amount of time building relationships with franchisees.
Andrew and his family live in Birmingham, Michigan and he spends his free time with his children, enjoying food, skiing and traveling.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:20 The battle at the top.
4:22 Goldfish Swim School: 100 locations, 51 staff that train, coach, and support franchisees, and 130,000 students enrolled across 26 states in two countries.
5:59 Andrew’s path to Goldfish (Niagara Bottling, LLC. University of Denver.)
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
12:45 Andrew’s “Top Three”: Chris McCuiston – Athletics. Character. Morals. Values.
XXX ROBERT WOLF
16:13 “Surround yourself with people who will give you free advice.” (Albion College. Bill Payne - Amway.)
18:30 Andrew’s “Top Three”: Ashley Dorna – Operational excellence. Structuring a leadership team.
21:03 “Live your values to live the life you want.”
25:06 Andrew’s “Top Three”: Clint Dupin – Speaks life into Andrew. The importance of reciprocal relationships. (Kensington Church. Eastown Church.)
28:30 Andrew’s “Top Three”: Mark Burzych – Examining every angle when looking at something.
31:51 Andrew’s “Top Three”: Gino Wickman – Business Coach. Talk about the uncomfortable. (EOS Process.)
35:26 How athletics drives leadership: Discipline. Perspective. Compassion.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
38:18 “We’re in the business to teach water safety to children and teach them how to be safer in and around the water.”
41:26 The Industry is growing.
42:59 “There are certainly ways to use technology in the future to edge ourselves in front of competition.”
44:14 Franchising – the decision and the process.
49:26 The skill of partnering.
52:25 Goldfish Swim School: Leading the swim school category.
54:28 “Everything comes from the parent influence on children.”
57:26 The Amazon-proof business.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
1:00:51 Advice for leaders: Read Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
1:01:50 Contact Goldfish Swim School and Andrew. (Franchise Details. Website.)
Additional Information Contact Andrew McCuiston:
- Andrew’s LinkedIn
- Andrew’s Email: andrew@goldfishfranchise.com
Contact Goldfish Swim School Franchising:
- Goldfish Swim School Franchising Website
- Goldfish Swim School Franchising LinkedIn
- Goldfish Swim School Franchising Twitter
- Goldfish Swim School Franchising Instagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Ryan Sullivan, CEO of Xenith – an athlete-centric lifestyle brand that is an emerging challenger in the very competitive football market. Ryan speaks about how it is no longer good enough for CEOs to be incredible operators, but how they must now be transformation specialists. Ryan also opens up about what it’s like to hold the CEO position and the challenges of being at the top. Ryan shares his top three including his wife who is his foundational rock, journey-mates on the CEO path, and time-tested industry professionals. And, of course, Ryan shares advice for leaders and, specifically, how some of the best journeys start with being forced to ‘jump without a parachute’.
About ryan sullivan Ryan Sullivan has led the Xenith team as CEO since 2016. Every day, Ryan instills in himself and his team members three foundational qualities – passion, purpose and pride. These qualities drive Ryan and Xenith to pursue the mission of designing for the athlete. Ryan challenges his team of forward-thinkers to continuously create and innovate the best protective gear in sport. Ryan has grown the team to twice its size while leading Xenith’s major milestones including the company’s rebrand and its biggest selling season yet in 2019.
Prior to joining Xenith, Ryan was VP of Business Development with Detroit-based Rock Ventures. In this role, Ryan was focused primarily on the evaluation, execution and financing of gaming and real estate activities within Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of companies. Ryan started his career on Wall Street as a financial analyst with Bank of America and an associate with private equity firm Vestar Capital Partners.
A third generation Spartan, Ryan graduated with high honor from the Eli Broad College of Business and Honors College at Michigan State University, where he received his BA in Finance. He is a proud resident of the City of Detroit, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and three sons.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:06 The journey to being brave and intentionally building relationships.
5:20 Ryan’s Story: “Jumped out of the airplane without a parachute - so to speak.” (Michigan State University.)
8:18 Becoming the CEO of Xenith – a leading designer, manufacturer and athletic brand. (Dan Gilbert. Rock Ventures.)
9:11 Ryan’s Personal Passions: Family. Athletics. Running.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
10:47 Ryan’s “Top Three”: His wife – His foundational rock who motivates and inspires him.
14:30 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Mike Vichich – An advisor and collaborator who is walking a similar path. (Wisely.)
17:30 Where it all started: Student Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations. (SCNO)
20:40 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Matt Cullen – True mentorship and a ‘never quit’ attitude. (Bedrock. JACK Entertainment. General Motors.)
25:03 Patterns of relationships: Intentionality and pre-investment.
26:45 The difference between networking and building relationships.
30:54 A lesson for leaders: Going through the tough times really brings groups of people together.
33:16 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Roger Holstein – Being challenged to drive success. (WebMD. Vestar Capital Partners.)
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
37:42 Xenith: “Designing outstanding products for the football athlete from head to ankle.”
39:54 How flag football and 7 on 7 are disrupting the football industry.
43:07 Esport’s impact on the physical game.
45:45 How to manage change and growth concurrently – ensure everyone knows the key goals, those things that are important, and roles and responsibilities to accomplish goals. (OKR Framework.)
48:55 Xenith: A Challenger Brand.
50:13 The CEO role – all about Transformation.
52:22 The challenges of being the CEO – Until you are there, it is hard to really understand the sense of responsibility.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
56:12 Advice to leaders: “Honor your relationships, invest in them.”
57:22 Advice to leaders: “Nothing in life is wasted.”
58:46 Connect with Ryan and Xenith!
Additional Information Contact Ryan Sullivan:
- Ryan’s LinkedIn
- Ryan’s Twitter
Contact Xenith:
- Xenith Website
- Xenith LinkedIn
- Xenith Twitter
- Xenith Instagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Mat Ishbia, CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage and United Shore – industry leading mortgage companies. Mat talks about growing the firm from a mere twelve people to north of 4,400 employees and shares the lessons that he learned along the way. Mat reflects on how he doesn’t use technology to replace humans but to make them better and enable them to excel at customer service. Mat shares his top three including his father, his collegiate basketball coach and one of the top coaches in the world, Tom Izzo, and his colleagues who push him every day to be better. And, of course, Mat shares advice with leaders on how to be intentional in order to be a champion.
About Mat Ishbia Mat Ishbia is the President and CEO of United Shore, home to United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) – the No. 1 wholesale mortgage lender in the nation. Under Ishbia’s leadership, UWM has soared to new heights, becoming one of the most innovative lenders in the industry. Mat has taken UWM from a two-man broker shop to a 4,400+ person team. His management style and dedication to a team-focused business approach stem from his time playing and coaching with Tom Izzo on MSU’s men’s basketball team. Mat’s leadership has enabled UWM to gain market share and rapidly grow into an industry-leading operation.
Ishbia is known as the most prominent advocate for mortgage brokers nationwide while promoting the wholesale channel on national platforms such as CNBC, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV. He has been named one of the “Most Influential Mortgage Professionals Under 40” and one of the “25 Most Connected Mortgage Professionals” by National Mortgage Professional magazine. Additional accolades include being named a “Rising Star” and Vanguard Award winner by HousingWire.
Rapid growth at UWM, both in team members and production, has helped them earn recognition as an Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Company for the past three years and one of the largest privately owned mortgage lenders in America.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:02 Transforming Motor City into Mortgage City.
6:11 Mat’s Journey: “Success breeds success “– From a collegiate basketball National Championship to building a championship team and industry-leading business.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
9:09 Mat’s “Top Three”: Father (Jeff Ishbia), Mother, and Brother – Support. Competition. Reputation. “Do right by others and expect no return.”
13:59 Mat’s “Top Three”: Michigan State University Men’s Basketball Coach, Tom Izzo – Be a champion. Grind all day.
15:08 Mat’s “Top Three”: Basketball Teammates (including Mateen Cleaves) – Leadership by example.
16:38 Learnings from Tom Izzo: Everything counts. You must be intentional, focused, and detailed. If you take a play off, you will lose.
18:32 Mat’s “Top Three”: UWM/United Shore Team Members (including Melinda Wilner, Alex Elezaj, Sarah DeCiantis, Laura Lawson, Kristina Bennett, and Sabrina Saracino) – Continuously challenging the status quo.
22:02 Staying engaged with mentors is important and valuable.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
24:02 Always focus on the client experience and make it easier, faster, and cheaper.
26:46 The counter-cultural AI movement – focus on the human.
29:00 How did United Wholesale Mortgage and United Shore become #1 in wholesale mortgage and #2 in all mortgages? “We focused on disrupting it [the industry] through what really matters.”
30:19 “We’ve gotta be great every day.” Using data to measure and improve.
31:53 “If you want to be something big – define who you are and where you want to go.”
34:57 Mat’s learning from basketball: No matter if its sports, school, or business –When you make a mistake, you get back up, make changes, and you go right back at it again.
37:06 Advice to leaders: “If you aren’t positive, you aren’t going to win.”
39:04 Mat’s favorite saying: “The team with the best players wins as long as they have the right vision and leadership.”
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
41:03 Preorder Mat’s book, Running the Corporate Offense.
42:10 Additional advice for leaders: “We all get 24 hours – you have to prioritize what matters. You can’t be great at everything. You have to decide.”
44:12 Follow Mat, United Wholesale Mortgage, and United Shore on social media!
Additional Information Contact Mat Ishbia:
- Mat’s LinkedIn
- Mat’s Twitter
- Mat’s Instagram
Contact United Wholesale Mortgage and United Shore:
- United Wholesale Mortgage Website
- United Wholesale Mortgage LinkedIn
- United Wholesale Mortgage Twitter
- United Shore Website
- United Shore LinkedIn
- United Shore Twitter
- United Shore Instagram
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
content warning: some details shared regarding an account of intimate partner violence, murder, suicide (time stamp 7:52-15:31) Kyerra Johnson, native of East St. Louis, IL and founder of the We Speak Foundation, gives us insight into her world and version of events dating back to her childhood.
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Host Jamie Crockett explains the origin of the podcast’s title.
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During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Tracy-Ann Palmer, Vice President Global GTM, Strategy and Transformation at Rackspace and global technology executive who hails from South Africa. Tracy-Ann has worked with iconic tech brands that are known around the world. She is a humble leader who appreciates being pushed and encouraged to reach far beyond where she thinks she can reach. Tracy-Ann used her passion to found Midwest Technology Leaders and the non-profit We Build Character. Of course, Tracy-Ann talks about the importance of mentoring stemming from her “Top Three,” ranging from a caravan leader in Africa, to CEOs of tech companies, to the top tech executives in the federal government – all of whom helped her to never accept the status quo.
About Tracy-Ann Palmer Tracy-Ann Palmer has over 25 years of experience in high-growth, global, technology driven businesses. She has been consistently recognized for her strong leadership and ability to help accelerate growth for companies.
Tracy-Ann is currently Vice President Global GTM, Strategy and Transformation at Rackspace. Rackspace is a leading provider of expertise and managed services across all major public and private cloud technologies.
Prior to joining Rackspace, Tracy-Ann held a variety of leadership roles in sales, channel and business operations at Cisco, Salesforce and in the start-up world including founding her own experiential marketing company that received numerous business awards.
Since 2005 she has been a very active contributor to the community through numerous philanthropic efforts including serving on a variety of boards. She has a strong passion for developing leaders and founded a non-profit “We Build Character” focused on building future leaders through executive mentoring programs. In 2004, Tracy-Ann founded Midwest Technology Leaders, an annual executive IT event bringing together top IT leaders together focused on collaboration, innovation and excellence.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
2:03 Tracy-Ann Palmer – a global tech executive whose worked with iconic brands. (Cisco. Salesforce. Rackspace.)
3:17 A journey across continents and across industries.
Segment 2: The “Top Three”
5:18 Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Her Father – Work ethic. Discipline. Warrior.
6:16 Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Mark Moritz – Believed in Tracy-Ann more than she believed in herself.
8:31 Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Jane Sydlowski – Creative. Absolutely resilient. (Michigan Council of Women in Technology. AMI Strategies.)
11:16 The history of Midwest Technology Leaders (MTL).
14:08 Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Teri Takai – Be deliberate about your career. Direct. Honest. Pragmatic.
15:22 “Surround yourself with people who aren’t necessarily like you.”
16:12 Honest and directness are key. “Are you open to coaching today” – David Behen.
19:46 Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Phil Bertolini – Incorporating the business into IT. Career coaching.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
22:18 We Build Character – providing structured, community-based leadership mentor programs to high-potential professionals.
25:29 The “absolutely invaluable” role of reverse mentorship.
28:10 “I cannot tell you what an impact this has had in my life” – a We Build Character Mentee.
34:01 Rackspace – a managed cloud computing company focused on mid-market organizations. (AWS. VMWare. Microsoft. SB.)
36:33 The fascinating facts about a cloud model: 1. There is always a lot of disruption. 2. The business model is very different.
39:05 In response to transformation – “I believe in looking externally for your answers – not in your industry.”
40:19 Disruption: “We’re the problem, or the opportunity – It’s all about consumerization.”
43:56 Learnings from transformation of the past – “As a transformation leader, you’re at risk.” (Billhighway.)
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
49:36 Advice to leaders – “Don’t accept the status quo.”
51:15 Advice to leaders – “Break our own patterns.”
52:04 Rackspace is transforming – watch the news!
52:38 Connect with Tracy-Ann, Rackspace, and We Build Character.
Additional Information Contact Tracy-Ann Palmer:
- Tracy-Ann’s LinkedIn
- Tracy-Ann’s Twitter
- Tracy-Ann’s Instagram
Contact Rackspace and We Build Character:
- Racksapce Website
- Rackspace LinkedIn
- Rackspace Twitter
- Rackspace Instagram
- We Build Character Website
- We Build Character LinkedIn
- We Build Character Twitter
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jordan Darragh, an expert in sustainability who is the founder and CEO of PrintReleaf, Inc. Jordan discusses his deep understanding of the print services industry's effect on the environment and how he used it to find his passion in founding a successful business. He also shares how sustainability of the environment can relate to sustainability of your business. Of course, Jordan talks about the importance of the mentorship stemming from his “Top Three,” ranging from a power lifting champion to a shoeless colleague.
About Jordan Darragh Jordan is the founder and CEO of PrintReleaf, Inc. At PrintReleaf, Jordan and his founding team have worked closely with industry experts in print and forestry to develop standards for measuring, offsetting, and verifying the successful reforestation of paper consumption. They have developed a standard, methodology, and technology platform that makes it simple for customers to certifiably reforest their paper consumption.
He is a successful multi-time entrepreneur. Prior to PrintReleaf, Jordan founded EverWorx which is one of the fastest growing ‘Managed Print Services’ companies in the industry. Prior to his entrepreneurial endevours, Jordan kicked off his professional career as a sales executive at LaserCycleUSA.
Jordan lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two sons.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:08 Disruption and brave leadership in the Connecting World = transformation. Environment and sustainability are different reasons for transformations.
3:20 Jordan Darragh: An expert in sustainability for businesses and the environment. PrintReleaf is at the epicenter of technology, print services industry, and environment. He bridges value chain of printing - from forestry to use and reforests the amount of paper being used.
Segment 2: Mentors Pushing Potential & the “Top Three”
5:14 Jordan grew up in metro Detroit, moved to Boulder, and got involved in the print industry.
7:22 Jordan’s “Top Three”: Don’t pick a job. Pick a boss. Sales opportunity as first job (Scott Zwaanstra at LaserCycleUSA).
13:34 “Your quota is your potential.” There was more to give and to achieve.
16:54 Jordan’s “Top Three”: Dad (Kent Darragh) and Father-in-Law (David Carney) – different paths to success in business serve as mentors
20:58 Trying to find passion outside of school – eventually found it in building and leading in business
22:06 Building a company from scratch – importance of mentorship to an entrepreneur
24:34 Dream big
25:10 Jordan’s “Top Three”: Current right hand guy Casey O’Hara – fresh perspective on business and life for decision making
30:01 Give people a chance
30:38 Importance of foundation/support system/community for entrepreneur and company to be successful
Segment 3: Opportunities generated from print industry
32:24 Two companies born from the print industry – EverWorks (Xerox reseller) and PrintReleaf (software measuring paper consumption equates to forest impact and makes actionable via planting trees on equivalent basis)
33:58 Working at both ends of the print ecosystem
34:40 Measuring success in trees
35:27 What drives the business?
Segment 4: Disruptions to print industry and phases of development
38:32 Digitization movement – blessing or a curse?
41:46 Starting PrintReleaf – spent time in energy industry along the way, leading to interest in carbon credits and saw a void to be filled
45:10 Socialization phase – Discussed APIs with Kimbal Musk
46:54 PrintReleaf is first reforestation API
48:15 Bravery and loneliness while creating reforestation industry standards
Segment 5: Wrapping Up
51:23 Advice to leaders – be humble and confident
53:06 One thing people can do to be a brave leader – take the first step and talk about it
54:35 How to connect with Jordan and PrintReleaf
Additional Information Contact Jordan Darrah:
- Jordan’s LinkedIn
Contact PrintReleaf:
- Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Amos Schwartzfarb an expert in scaling sales who is a six-time entrepreneur, is currently the Managing Director of Techstars Austin and is a very recent author of Sell More Faster: Ultimate sales playbook for startups. As an avid climber and biker who truly lives life as an adventure, Amos credits his success to having learned how to not be afraid to fail. Additionally, Amos discusses how to sell more, faster and how the principles can apply to startups and enterprises with some nuances for each. Of course he talks about his “Top Three” and how advice from his current business and investment mentors mesh with earlier “in the trenches” experiences with startup colleagues. He even shares advice his mother and high school wrestling coach gave him which changed his trajectory on the mat, and maybe in life.
About Amos Schwartzfarb Amos is the Managing Director of Techstars in Austin. He has more than 15 years of sales leadership and strategy experience in software, digital, advertising and entertainment. Before joining Techstars, Amos served as co-founder and Head of Customer Development at Joust. Prior to Joust, Amos served as Vice President of Customer Development for BlackLocus, which was acquired by The Home Depot in 2012. Amos was also Co-Founder and served as COO of mySpoonful, which was acquired in 2011. Prior to mySpoonful, Amos served on the Executive team of Business.com, as Vice President of Sales and Client Services, which was acquired by RH Donnelly in 2007. Prior to Business.com, Amos spent 5 years at HotJobs.com during which time went through both an IPO and acquisition by Yahoo!.
Amost has lived in Austin since 2008 with his wife and two daughters. When you can’t find him at home or work, you can usually find him on one of his 5 bikes.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 Market Facing Functions: Among the necessary capabilities to compete in the Connecting World
4:10 Amos Schwartzfarb: An expert in sales and business development who understands products, service value
Segment 2: Identifying Mentors through Life Experiences & the “Top Three”
5:50 A kid from Jersey fell into interesting situations, sought adventure and eventually landed at Techstars
6:53 Amos’ “Top Three”: When your mom asks, “are you afraid to win?”
10:40 Amos’ “Top Three”: Bridging hobbies and interests into working relationships and confidants (Rob Taylor - BlackLocus)
13:22 “Ability to be my most authentic self”
13:33 Vulnerability: Understanding the “why” to various mentors
14:19 Amos’ “Top Three”: A teacher, a cousin and influencer named Neil
16:23 “Are you reapplying lessons learned outwardly back?”
17:22 What is Techstars?
19:22 Amos’ “Top Three”: “At light speed, Mark has become one of the most special and important people in my life.” (Mark Solon - Tech Stars)
22:02: Amos’ “Top Three”: His bike a.k.a. him
23:27 Do your mentors know they are your mentor?
Segment 3: The birth of a book: Sell More Faster
25:28 Becoming the author of “Sell More Faster: Ultimate sales playbook for startups”
28:53 “Serendipity is an interesting thing”
31:07 “Everyone told me I was crazy.”
31:50 The W3 Model: Who is the customer, what are they buying and why are they buying it?
Segment 4: Don’t hire a sales person too soon
33:00 “Is sales, sales?”
35:27 Hire Customer Development people to bridge the gap between product marketing and sales
36:42 “How do we act like a startup?”
38:24 It’s all about who you surround yourself with
40:30 Can a head of sales also be an operator?
Segment 5: Wrapping Up
42:38 Disruption in industries to pay attention to
45:43 Firm Transformation: “Pivot worn as a badge of honor in startups”
48:46 The importance of starting small to figure out if you’re right: “Have big vision but be humble in the process”
49:23 Rapid Fire Questions
50:58 Monday Morning Hack
51:24 How to get the book and how to connect with Amos
Additional Information Contact Amos Schwartzfarb:
- Amos’ LinkedIn
- Amos’ Twitter
- Amos’ email
Contact Techstars:
- Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Roy Verstraete, a founding member of the Private Directors Association; a group helping to build advisory boards for private companies and owners. Roy discusses the importance of an independent advisory network and the critical role of mentors and advisors in today’s day and age. Specifically, Roy talks about his career leading manufacturing and product companies in Europe, North America, and South America. Additionally, he speaks about what it was like to work with iconic brands like Velcro and the excitement of working with founders and owners in these spaces. Finally, Roy shares his “Top Three” and talks about how when he was growing up in management, having mentors was actually a sign of weakness and how he turned to virtual mentors to help guide his career.
About Roy Verstraete Roy is a corporate director, advisor, senior executive and internationalist with 30+ years of leadership experience. He is currently a Director for 4 Private manufacturing companies in the US, Canada, the UK and Germany. Roy has served on Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards for public, private and start-up companies as well as not-for-profit organizations. Also he is Past Chair of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association and the Private Directors Association.
Roy holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University and earned an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. In addition, Roy completed “Making Corporate Boards More Effective”- a Certificate program, from the Harvard Business School.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 What is the role of a board in a successful career; both personally and professionally?
4:33 Roy Verstraete: A global citizen in manufacturing whose career also became his hobby.
Segment 2: Evolution of Mentorships & the “Top Three”
6:00 What made Roy, Roy? Learning to evolve from management to leadership in various cultures.(Velcro Corporation.)
9:33 Roy’s “Top Three”: A hunger for information & learning fed through attending conferences with key thinkers and leaders - Peter Drucker, Management Theory.
10:50 Roy’s “Top Three”: Evolution from management to leadership – Jim Collins (Good to Great), Clayton Christensen (The Innovator’s Dilemma), Michael Porter
12:55 “Those were foundational pieces that came together to make something.”
13:30 The importance of being vulnerable.
14:44 Attending conferences: what’s the relationship makeup?
Segment 3: Becoming an Advisor, Mentor & Board Member
16:40 The journey of becoming an advisor, mentor and board member.
18:42 The Private Directors Association: Filling the whitespace of private companies.
22:54 The four pillars of PDA – private owners, private equity owners, ESOPs, and startups.
25:00 The evolution of the board in startups.
26:35 75% of the clients that he had would not have lost their business if they would have had an external advisor of two. - Bruce Goldstein.
27:44 Hints to management and board members.
Segment 4: Industries & Disruption
34:38 The greatest impact on industries: The geopolitical state and cyber security.
37:20 Current trends: consolidation and divestitures.
39:43 Evolutionary changes in manufacturing.
42:23 “All of our training, all of our education, was how to grow, how to push....nowhere was the training of how to handle a true, serious, heavy recession.”
43:43 What to do now to prepare for a recession? “Preemptively look at what you don’t need.”
Segment 5: Wrapping Up
48:33 Best piece of advice he has received: “Being curious and remaining curious leads to continuous learning....but decide what direction you want to go and share that”
50:45 How to get started? “Rather than the morning, tonight write down what you want to do tomorrow. And tomorrow you start on it.”
52:11 The Private Directors Association – 80 Detroit members. 4 major chapters. And growing.
55:11 For owners: the only environment where owners can come to a meeting and ‘window shop’.
56:46 Contact Roy via LinkedIn or Email (Roy@RoyVerstraete.com!
Additional Information Contact Roy Verstraete:
- Roy’s LinkedIn
Jacques Panis, the accomplished global brand builder, joins Gregg Garrett in this week’s episode of You, Me, and Your Top Three. Jacques transformed the Shinola brand from a defunct shoe polish brand brand into a globally recognized leader in the fashion and accessories industry. Jacques talks about the ups and downs of becoming an overnight success and specifically about the impact that can have on your closest relationships. Jacques gives insight into his current leadership adventure - leading the lab-grown diamond business New World Diamonds - and shares how he believes the industry is being completely disrupted by technology. Finally, Jacques shares his “Top Three” and talks about how everyone should look for pattern-disrupting opportunities during their career journeys.
About Jacques panis Jacques is an international brand builder and CEO of New World Diamonds. Prior to joining New World Diamonds in 2018, Jacques was the President of Shinola for six years during which time he led the company’s product development and strategic brand direction. Jacques also prides himself on his entrepreneurial spirit which he showcased when he founded Webosaurus.com in 2007. Jacques has also been active in the communities in which he lived, servicing on the boards of the Detroit Institute of Art, Detroit Children’s Fund, and the Empowerment Plan.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview
1:00 Is the importance of ‘the brand’ going to be diminished moving forward?
4:29 Jacques Background: From small-town Virginia boy to CEO of New World Diamonds.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
6:12 Jacques’ “Top Three”: “The guys who gave me a shot”
7:19 Jacques’ “Top Three”: Robert Fiveash and Danny Rosin – the importance of the human. (Brand Fuel.)
8:07 Focus on the human aspect when interviewing individuals for a job.
9:12 Jacques’ “Top Three”: Steve O’Brien (Reel FX Animation.)
10:34 “It is about the person, not the ‘metrics’ on paper.”
13:38 The importance of scrappiness.
17:53 Jacques’ “Top Three”: Holly Jonnson Panis – being brave and how to ‘be human’.
Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
20:12 “When you’re on an epic adventure, you sometimes lose sight of what is important.”
23:36 Industry disruption via lab-grown diamonds.
27:58 New World Diamonds: A smarter diamond for a smarter consumer in a smarter world.
34:40 “Look for something that is pattern disruptive.”
37:23 The startup atmosphere: enabled to do what we need to do – just in 30 day sprints.
Segment 4: Wrapping Up
41:35 Advice #1: Whether a corporate or a startup – force the bootstrap.
44:54 Advice #2: “You’re going to be told no a thousand times over in different ways. And I believe there is always a way to overcome the ‘no’.”
45:40 Advice #3: “Don’t be discouraged by failure.”
45:59 Advice #4: “Care for your people – go with an open heart, open ear, and open eyes and a willingness to trust in your people.”
49:11 “Don’t buy an earth-mind diamond. It’s the craziest damn thing you’ve ever bought.”
50:11 Follow Jacques on LinkedIn and New World Diamonds on social media platforms.
Additional Information Contact Jacques Panis:
- Jacques’ LinkedIn
Contact New World Diamonds:
- Website
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, takes a short pause from interviewing guests to reflect on what we’ve heard over the first twenty weeks of the podcast. He breaks down the growth of the podcast in over 30 countries, discusses the patterns that have been observed around six types of advisors, discusses virtual versus real life mentors, and talks about the power of mentor to mentor networking.
Show Highlights
Segment 1: Overview
0:58 19 leaders. 20 episodes. Countless learnings.
2:14 My thesis: Great leaders surround themselves with great leaders, diverse ones!
3:25 Upcoming episodes: continuing on with more diversity.
4:30 My request to listeners: recommend podcast guests! (Gregg’s email)
Segment 2: Discussing the types of leaders from our leaders
5:15 Leader Type 1: The top leader in an industry or a function. (Been there, done that – Learn How).
- Example: EP 2 – Pat Falle speaks of Warren Buffett.
- Example: EP 17 – John Rossman speaks of Jeff Bezos
7:19 Leader Type 2: The formal coach. (Pushes you and draws the best from you.)
- Example: EP 14 – John Sung speaking about leading strong women.
- Example: EP 9 – Graeme Harper speaking about leading top tier students.
8:44 Leader Type 3: Executive leaders and investors. (Control the resources and help you to look “out” vs. “in”).
- Example: Ep 11 – Max Feber discusses leaning on his investor Mark Cuban
10:29 Leader Type 4: Centering Individuals. (Help you to remember “Why” you lead).
- Example: EP 6 – Stephan Tarnutzer discusses how he leans on his wife to keep him grounded.
13:06 Leader Type 5: Battle-mates. (Building you a base for success today, as you drive for tomorrow.)
- Example: EP 18 – Ed Rybicki praises how his co-workers center him as he drives a style of service leadership
14:12 Leader Type 6: Reality-checkers. (People that ground your dreams onto a platform that helps them get traction)
- Example: EP 5 – Elie Finelgold talks about his former CO), Pat Pott, who kept him grounded to begin to live the dream.
- Example: EP 12 – John Paul speaks about coaching the boss, and the tension in dreaming while trying to win today.
Segment 3: Some other early findings
15:41 The importance of reverse mentorship.
17:18 The role of the virtual mentor.
19:45 How the mentor-to-mentor relationship is continuing to be built.
Additional Information Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we speak with Ryan Schram, a leader in digital and influencer marketing and the Chief Operating Officer at IZEA Worldwide. Ryan speaks about the unique journey he and his colleagues took to disrupt an industry, form a new category and rise to the top. We discuss the celebrity influencers of today, the emerging role of the nano-influencer, as well as potential influencers of the future like artificial intelligence. Ryan highlights his ‘Top Three’ advisors and speaks about what it was like to grow up in a house that is filled with marketing and media juggernauts, what it’s like to work for, and partner with an industry visionary, and shares how spousal choice is critical for leaders beyond balancing work and home. And throughout the episode, Ryan shares several pieces of advice with the audience, including some of his most fundamental advice that was passed along at an early age from a Mad Men-esque character – Always Be Fabulous.
About Ryan Schram As Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Schram provides day-to-day leadership and managerial oversight for IZEA – championing the needs of its team members, clients, partners, and creators around the world.
Placing company culture and creativity at the center of his approach, Mr. Schram is responsible for the IZEA’s overall operational environment, including the Company’s client development, business development, marketing communications, human capital, and creator ecosystem organizations. He also leads the Company’s corporate business development growth strategy domestically and abroad. Schram was appointed to IZEA’s Board of Directors in November 2012.
Nearing two decades of experience in the consumer marketing and technology space, Ryan has an established track record of driving growth, efficiency and profitability for leading- edge companies. In addition to his responsibilities at IZEA, Schram has been actively involved as a board member, advisor, and mentor in leading marketing technology companies, including TechStars Mobility, StageLeap, ProfitStreams, and Stratos.
Prior to joining IZEA in September 2011 as the Company’s first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, Ryan served as Group Vice President at ePrize (now HelloWorld), the prominent digital engagement agency that was acquired by private equity firm Catteron Partners in August 2012. Previous to ePrize, Ryan held a variety of leadership positions at CBS/Westwood One and Clear Channel Media + Entertainment (now iHeartMedia). His work has been regularly featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, AdAge, and ADWEEK.
A proud Spartan, Ryan is a graduate of the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University (B.A., Management).
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction
1:25 The Connecting World – a story built on data in a world built on humans.
3:59 The journey of a “self-aware nerd” through integrated marketing, sales enablement, and executive leadership. (iHeartRadio. HelloWorld. IZEA (NASDAQ: IZEA).)
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
6:46 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Bill Burton – The professional product mover. Always “Be fabulous.” (Don Draper – Mad Men.)
16:14 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Ted Murphy – “The most dangerous man in the room” – a leader in the creator economy.
23:04 Challenging each other is central to any professional dynamic.
25:30 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Steve Schram – Hold yourself accountable for maximizing the gifts that you have.
32:51 Ryan’s “Top Three”: Jamie Schram – Being a business pair.
37:18 Hiring in the ‘shoulders up’ economy.
Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
41:11 “Always about the content, not the clutter.”
43:00 The roles of the macro influencers (celebrities & athletes) and the micro/nano influencers.
49:20 Bots and artificial intelligence as influencers.
Part 5: Wrapping up
51:26 IZEA’s journey to going public.
54:30 Advice on going public (and beyond): “Be curious, be brave enough to realize that it’s like getting a graduate degree every 1-2 quarters in something totally different.”
59:02 “Don’t confuse your title for your importance and the value you can bring to the team members you serve.” (Servant Leadership).
1:00:51 “Failure is one of life’s great gifts.” – Ted Murphy
1:02:06 Follow IZEA and Ryan! (IZEAx 3.0. Influencer Insights.)
Additional Information Contact Ryan:
- Ryan’s LinkedIn
- Ryan’s Twitter
Contact IZEA
- IZEA’s Twitter
- IZEA’s Instagram
- IZEA’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we speak with Ed Rybicki, Chief Information Officer at Vyaire Medical. Throughout the discussion, Ed highlights how throughout his journey to his global CIO role he never forgot to keep people at the center of pretty much everything he does – something he learned from his background in organizational behavior. Ed elaborated on how data has become one of the world’s most valuable assets and noted how it needs to find its way on to the balance sheets of many companies. He also discussed how he surrounded himself with non-traditional mentors throughout his career – ranging from his colleagues inside the companies he has worked for who helped him build a platform for success to those outside who helped him transform from role to role and that pushed him to be brave.
About Ed Rybicki Ed is a highly accomplished and forward-thinking Senior Technology Executive with 20+ years of achievement setting and executing technology strategies for private-equity, private, and public global corporations. Ed has a proven record of success as part of executive leadership teams to align top-level business and technology strategies— fostering sustainable revenue growth and delivering top levels of efficiency and internal/external customer service through sustainable innovation. Ed has broad-based expertise in the planning and execution of strategic turnarounds, culture change initiatives, technical project portfolios, systems operations, and diverse service delivery efforts.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction
2:48 Ed’s history: An IT practitioner with a background in organizational behavior. (EDS. Vyaire Medical. University of Michigan.)
6:27 A differentiator for companies: Having the ability to value and incubate people as an asset.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
8:36 Non-traditional mentorship: picking pieces of advice based on need or intersection at a specific time.
10:10 Ed’s “Top Three”: Gerald “Gerry” Schunder – A guide through the foundation part of Ed’s career. (Volkswagen Group of America. Ernst & Young.)
13:15 “If I have a personal connection with someone, I’m just inherently going to be more successful in what I do.”
16:14 Ed’s “Top Three”: George Albert – Giving the outside perspective. (Brightwing. Southwest Airlines.)
20:18 Ed’s “Top Three”: Carol Moher – A friendship and emotional support that transcends reporting structure.
25:32 Ed’s “Top Three”: Gregg Garrett – Challenge with new thought and innovation of thoughts.
29:55 “You don’t have to have high commonality in everything to actually have great colleagues....there is huge power in diversity of thought.”
32:15 Ed’s “Top Three”: Dave Eckley – Shared approach and value on how to work with teams.
Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
36:12 Common thread of disruption: Data and information – how to capture, use, and monetize it. (Radio Shack Data.)
42:05 Pros and cons: working in a company’s “home country” vs working as part of a global network.
48:03 “I’m working for my team and my job is to enable them to be the best they can be.” (Servant Leadership.)
53:20 Building a team: enabling people to take ownership and reacting appropriately when things fail.
Part 5: Wrapping up
56:33 Keep in touch with Ed via LinkedIn.
56:53 Follow Vyaire Medical as they enter an exciting time of transformation as a global leader in respiratory, diagnostic care. (Website. LinkedIn.)
Additional Information Contact Ed Rybicki:
- Ed’s LinkedIn
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we speak with John Rossman, a former executive at Amazon, who was responsible for building one of its largest and most successful business units – Amazon Marketplace. John discusses the mindset that leaders at Amazon have that allows them to constantly innovate and transform as they disrupt markets. He gives specific hints from his most recent book, Think Like Amazon, which helps leaders consider how to take advantage of the digital world that is forming all around them. And, of course, he discusses three of his mentors that have helped him stay customer focused, focus on measuring metrics that matter, and be brave enough to share his voice through the power of the pen. If you have ever been in awe of what Amazon has accomplished, you have to hear what John shared with us.
About John Rossman John Rossman is an expert at digital business models, operations and organizing programs. He has led engagements on developing innovation processes, Internet of Things strategies, marketplace and API driven platform business models. He is a sought after speaker on creating a culture of operational excellence and innovation. John has worked with clients across various industries, including retail, insurance, education, healthcare, consumer products, industrial products and transportation.
John’s notable assignments include The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Nordstrom and several of the world’s leading retail and insurance organizations.
Prior to his current role at Rossman Partners, John was a Managing Director at Alvarez and Marsal, a performance improvement consulting firm. Prior to A&M, John was an executive at Amazon.com where he launched the Marketplace business and third party selling platform, and ran the merchant services business.
John is the author of three books:
- Think Like Amazon: 50 1/2 Ideas to Become a Digital Leader
- The Amazon Way: 14 Leadership Principles of the World’s Most Disruptive Company
- The Amazon Way on IoT: 10 Principles for Every Leader from the World's Leading Internet of Things Strategies.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction
3:44 John’s problem-solver history: From Amazon to Rossman Partners.
5:15 Creating a sense of urgency in a growing business. (Amazon Marketplace. Gates Foundation.)
7:25 Think Like Amazon: Sharing the mechanisms to build a habit or communicate a strategy.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
9:16 John’s “Top Three”: Greg Shaw – Writing partner and thoughtful challenger. (Book. Clyde Hill Publishing.)
10:38 John’s “Top Three”: Wes Arens – Keeping the focus on delivering customer value. (Alvarez and Marsal.)
11:28 John’s “Top Three”: Clifford Cancelosi – Focusing on metrics and measures that matter.
Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
15:11 Two factors driving disruption: Technology (cost and operational suitability) and Investment Dollars.
17:38 “Assume the worst” when harnessing powerful capabilities but needing to catch up on policy.
21:04 “Reset your clock” when making investments.
23:45 “You have to be willing to not be trapped by your past positions.” (Whole Foods Market. Amazon Go Store.)
28:03 The role of confirmation bias and social cohesion in leadership and transformation. (Rude Q&A.)
35:13 Moving forward with IoT – focus on the customer, think big but bet small, and reduce friction.
Part 5: Wrapping up
39:44 “Every leader does need to become a digital leader – and you can.”
42:15 A tip to get started: Ask yourself the question – did my customer have a good day today?
43:00 “It is in those crack of friction where innovation lies.”
56:09 Contact John. (LinkedIn. Website. Blog. Books.)
Additional Information Contact John Rossman:
- John’s LinkedIn
- John’s Twitter: @JohnERossman
- John’s Website: the-amazon-way.com/rossmanpartners/
- John’s Email: john@rossmanpartners.com
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we speak with a digital transformation expert who operates on a global stage. Falk Bothe carries responsibility for driving transformations and developing the top forty leaders for the Volkswagen Group - one of the largest companies in the world. In his role, Falk helps top executives cut through the inertia of a successful past to envision and take advantage of the future. Throughout the conversation, Falk advises transformation leaders and shares his views on the disruption occurring in the automotive industry. Falk discusses his “top three”, which includes peers and family as well as someone who is his direct report and highlights how learnings from rock acrobatics (yes, you read that right!) carries over to his work.
AbouT falk bothe Falk Bothe (48), since January 1st 2017 Director Digital Transformation Office at Volkswagen AG is responsible for the Digitalization Program Management, Committees and overall Change Management for Digital Transformation within the Volkswagen Group. He reports to Jürgen Rittersberger, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer of Volkswagen AG.
Before that, he was Executive Assistant to the CDO from January 2016 on, responsible for the organizational buildup, Recruiting, Event Management, and organizational set up of Volkswagen Group Future Centers California and Asia. From 2010 to 2015 he worked at Volkswagen Consulting as Organizational Development Consultant, responsible for multiple Change Management Projects, such as Vision, Mission, Strategy and Leadership Development, Transformation and Business Reengineering, designing and facilitating major events for multinational Customers within the Volkswagen Group on all hierarchy levels. He was responsible for the Product Development of Business Reengineering Interventions, Communication and Corporate design of Volkswagen Change Management. Since 2014 he is guest lecturer for Organizational Change at TU Braunschweig and Hochschule Osnabrück, University of applied science.
Falk Bothe was born on 18th April 1971, in Braunschweig, Germany. He holds a Business Administration Degree, Dipl.-Kaufmann (FH) from Hochschule Harz, Wernigerode. He is a certified Business Coach, specialized in Provocative Style (DIP Munich), coaching both Top Managers and Organizations. He also holds a Harvard Kennedy School Executive Certificate in Public Leadership. He was semi-professional competitive Dancer in Rock Acrobatic for 25 years, multiple Winner of National Competitions, World Masters Finalist and Member of the German Rock Acrobatic National Team from 2006 – 2008 and as Main Class instructor coaches couples on international level.
Falk Bothe is married and has two Children.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction
1:48 Battling Structural Inertia: Being a change agent and transformation leader at a global scale.
4:48 Falk’s background: From banking to digital to transforming an automotive giant.
10:01 The Volkswagen Group: 12 brands. 153 countries. 122 product facilities. 656,000 worldwide employees.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
15:03 Falk’s “Top Three”: Daniel Mulhern & Jennifer Granholm – Living leadership. (Books. LinkedIn.)
15:33 Falk’s “Top Three”: Ulrika Bothe – Understanding both the personal and business context.
17:06 Falk’s “Top Three”: Michael Köhler – Development through ‘drafting’ and the value of adaptive leadership. (Harvard Kennedy School.)
19:30 Adaptive Leadership: Technical Challenges vs. Adaptive Challenges. (Ronald Heifetz.)
22:36 Falk’s “Top Three”: Martin Akar – Pushing for improvement on a daily basis. (MHP Consulting.)
24:55 Falk’s “Top Three”: Diana Lingg – Having a ‘gut feel’ for what will work.
26:56 Falk’s “Top Three”: Iris Bothe – How to leverage the intrinsic part of leadership.
Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
31:30 “Companies have a big responsibility for the society they serve and also the community they are in.” (Dr. Herbert Diess, VW CEO. Paris Climate Agreement.)
35:45 Automotive disruption has three key parts. (Tesla. Uber. Lyft. DiDi. M-Pesa.).
39:40 “It isn’t just building cars anymore. It is providing the means of transportation from A to B for people, goods, and waste all over the world”.
46:51 “Look not only for a way to use the official channels ,but also look for ways to hack the system”.
51:25 “To go outside and lead, even if you have the authority, is dangerous business.” (Rock Acrobatics. Tim O’Brien.)
57:00 “Leadership is an action, not a role.”
Part 5: Wrapping up
1:00:20 “Wish List” introductions: Barack Obama & Joe Biden – how they motivated themselves when they reached ‘the top’.
1:02:00 How to change now? Choose what mood you bring to the office.
56:09 Contact Falk via social media.
Additional Information Contact Falk Bothe:
- Falk’s LinkedIn
- Falk’s Twitter: @FalkBothe
- Falk’s Website: com
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we discuss how data stemming from products is at the heart of industry disruption. Our special guest, Chris Pesola, is a Chief Information Officer for a cloud-based software company that is helping transform the manufacturing industry. In his role, Chris is enabling manufacturing companies to compete in the next industrial revolution which is often referred to as Industry 4.0. He speaks about how Chief Information Officers differ from Chief Technology Officers and how the two roles should work together in technology companies. He shares his thoughts of how work is shifting and how the role of the CIO may be to help get the most out of the workforce - no matter if it is a human workforce or an environment which is taking advantage of AI or bot-oriented team members.
AbouT Chris Pesola Chris is the VP & Chief Information Officer for Plex Systems, Inc. where he is a cross-functional leader focused on driving strategic business value. He has successfully moved the organization to cloud-based technology that has resulted in substantial efficiencies and cost-savings, increased speed to value, and happier employees and customers. Prior to his current role Chris has spent time leading technology-oriented functions focused on customer care and advancing employee capabilities in the education, finance, and technology sectors. He started his 20+ year career at Ernst & Young as a IT consultant and holds a degree from Central Michigan University in secondary education with a focus in mathematics and computer science.
Chris volunteers as a career coach to rising leaders in Detroit, MI through We Build Character, and is an avid youth hockey coach and fan.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction & Building a Program
1:20 Creating a new paradigm – today’s technological discontinuity.
4:54 Sensors and product-in-use data: 1) 360 degree view of the customer and 2) product-centric (IIoT)
5:40 From the classroom to the boardroom – a purposeful approach to being well-rounded.
9:03 “I’ve always been passionate about the next thing that will impact the user.”
9:56 Overview of Plex: An all-cloud, all-the-time, ERP solution for manufacturing companies.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
12:25 Chris’s “Top Three”: Jim Costanzo – Do the right thing and approach it the right way.
14:10 Chris’s “Top Three”: Don Clarke – Break the standard “train of thought”.
“Sometimes you have to ask a difficult question or make a really crazy request because it breaks their train of thought.”
“You don’t want to make the wrong decision just because you have the ability to be agile, flexible, fast and change. You can still really negatively impact your employee base or customer base.”
18:06 Chris’s “Top Three”: His wife, Crystal – A non-technical voice of reason.
“When it comes to being brave, every now and then you still have to check yourself or have someone around you that can check you and say – yeah that’s a real brave move but not a real smart one.”
19:40 Chris’s “Top Three” (Digital Mentor): Satya Nadella – Leading without (or through the) fear. (Microsoft)
24:20 Why none of Chris’s mentors are CIOs: the role and its transformation.
26:27 The key difference between a CIO and a CTO.
29:05 Chris’s Progressive Goal: “How can I get all of our employees to never have to worry about whether they can do their job because of where they are or what device they happen to have with them?”.
31:59 CIO to CEO? “As CIOs become business partners, and technologies tie the entire business together, it is probably important for the top leader to understand it.”.
Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation
36:34 How data is changing the manufacturing industry.
39:05 Manufacturers are beginning to use customer data as a feedback mechanism. (Tesla)
43:44 Keys to transforming. 1) Having an environment to try and 2) Creating an innovation department. (Google Glass. Azure.)
48:33 What will impact the future of work? Technology and the gig economy. (Oculus Rift)
52:47 AI will change roles within organizations.
Part 5: Wrapping up
55:02 “You have all the technology at home and you’re waiting for work to catch up.”
56:09 Follow Chris and Plex on social media.
Additional Information Contact Chris Pesola:
- Chris’s LinkedIn
- Chris’s Twitter: @CRPesola
Contact Plex:
- Website
- Twitter: @PlexSystems
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we welcome a specialist in leading high-performance women to the top of their game. John Sung, Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Virginia Tech, is a minority in both ethnicity and gender for his industry and is considered one of the top 25 collegiate lacrosse coaches in the world. John shares with our listeners his secrets of how to motivate Gen-Zers and explains that understanding purpose is critical in tapping the talent in his up and coming leadership class. He sheds light on the differences between building an organization from scratch and working to transform a storied one and highlights how three types of leaders supported him on his non-linear path to success. If you have a daughter, you can’t miss the advice he shares with you for them – both for athletics and beyond.
About John Sung In just three seasons in Blacksburg, John Sung has guided the Virginia Tech lacrosse program to new heights, including its first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2018 as the Hokies advanced into the Second Round.
Sung’s Hokies have reset records for wins in a season, ACC wins, goals against average, point scored and goals scored in a single season and Sung, a former goalie, helped Meagh Graham set the program record for lowest goals against average in a season at 9.64 during the 2017 campaign.
In his first season in Blacksburg, Sung engineered the best turnaround in program history winning six more games than the previous season. In 2017, the Hokies won 11 games, equaling the tally of the 1999 squad and reaching double figure wins for the first time since 2012. The team set program records in several categories including ACC wins in a season, goals scored, and points scored.
Hired on May 27, 2016, Sung joined Virginia Tech after building the Winthrop University program from scratch beginning in May of 2011. He oversaw the program’s rapid ascent as a regional powerhouse after beginning competition in 2013. In the program’s third season, Sung led Winthrop to a 17-4 record, as the Eagles qualified for the NCAA Tournament after winning both the Big South regular-season and tournament titles. In 2016, Winthrop went 20-3, winning the Big South Tournament championship and advancing to another NCAA Tournament. The 2016 season marked the team’s second consecutive Big South regular-season and tournament titles.
In 2018, a record four Hokies were named to the first team All-ACC, and in 2019 Paige Petty repeated the feat becoming the first Virginia Tech player to do so twice.
The 2015 and 2016 Big South Coach of the Year, Sung formerly was the chair of the NCAA Division I Lacrosse Committee and also serves on the U.S. Lacrosse Convention Education Committee. His 2015 squad set Big South single-season records for points, goals (314), free-position goals (67), shots (633), shots on goal (459), ground balls (384), draw controls (312), and caused turnovers (213). In 2016, Winthrop scored 301 goals, including 58 free-position goals. The Eagles set Big South single-season marks for shots (662), ground balls (434), and caused turnovers (266).
In addition to compiling a 54-26 overall record at Winthrop, Sung led the Haudenosaunee Nation to the quarterfinals of the 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup held in Canada. The team finished in seventh place out of a total of 19 teams. He also coached the team in the 2009 Federation of International Lacrosse in the Czech Republic.
Sung’s ascent as an NCAA coach began at Division III Adrian College in Michigan, where he started the program from the ground up and compiled a 46-19 overall record. His 2011 squad started the season 1-4 before registering 15 consecutive victories to earn a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. After posting a 6-7 overall record in its first season in 2008, the program went 10-4 in 2009, 14-3 in 2010 and 16-5 in 2011.
Before beginning the program at Adrian College, Sung spent five years as the assistant women’s club lacrosse coach at the University of Michigan, setting the groundwork for that program to eventually become a varsity sport in the Big Ten. The Wolverines accumulated a 93-22 record during this tenure.
A longtime trainer of goalies, Sung has held various coaching positions with Birmingham Seaholm High School and the Detroit Lacrosse Club. He has been the assistant director of the Great Lakes Women’s Lacrosse Camp since 1997. In addition to his work at various levels in the lacrosse community, Sung has a wealth of sales and management experience in the private sector.
Sung was the starting goalkeeper of the Oakland University lacrosse team in 1997 and 1998 and was also a two-year captain. He was also member of two International Cup U16 championship teams in 1993 and 1994. He completed his degree in Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Oakland in 2007.
Sung, who resides in Blacksburg with his wife Tina, has three stepsons; Darek, Devin and Zachary, and a daughter, Abby.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction & Building a Program
1:52 John’s background: From high school to the ACC. (Oakland University. Adrian College. Winthrop University. Virginia Tech.)
2:56 Transforming to a Top 25 program.
4:24 John’s calling card: A startup and transformation specialist.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
7:12 Three types of leaders supported John’s success.
8:12 John’s “Top Three”: Jon Gordon – Staying grounded and creating a sustainable organization. (Book: Energy Bus.
9:44 John’s “Top Three”: His wife – Looking at the broader arena.
11:05 John’s “Top Three”: Fellow coaches & administrators (Mike Brizendine. Amy Bokker) – Using history to become a remodel expert and striving for success.
17:35 Being a minority in your position: Learning from other’s and not just doing it your own way.
19:05 Hint for leaders: Communicate purpose.
Part 3: Transformation
21:32 Advancing the program and continuing our growth – “change is the most important thing”.
24:27 Managing the day to day while keeping a focus on development and growth of a successful program. (Whit Babcock. Chris Helms.)
28:11 “Sacrificing culture or making decisions based on the now is probably not the best way to operate.”
30:22 To transform, you must first dig a deep foundation (John Zachman)
Part 4: Industry Disruption
35:20 College athletics is in a resource war.
39:06 Technology and data are changing the game. “Information is the key. What you do with it is what will make you different.”
43:51 Balancing investing in ‘stuff’ versus investing in people.
46:56 Success is based on the people we bring in and the connections they make.
52:48 The future role of gender in lacrosse. (Devon Wills. Long Island Lizards.)
54:51 Advice to players and parents: “Trust the process” and “Don’t be afraid to make the mistakes”.
Part 5: Wrapping up
58:20 Follow John and Virginia Tech Hokies Lacrosse on social media.
Additional Information Contact John Sung:
- John’s LinkedIn
- John’s Twitter: @VTLaxCoach
Contact Virginia Tech Hokies Lacrosse:
- Website
- Twitter: @HokiesLax
- Instagram: @HokiesLax
Contact Gregg Garrett:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we discuss one of the most important and impactful leadership roles that exists – the father/child relationship. This week’s guest, Justin Batt, is an expert in the father/child relationship and has spent more than 13,000 hours researching and living the role. He is the author of the bestselling book Daddy Saturday and he speaks about the critical epidemic of fatherlessness – both in the physical and emotional sense due to work or digital distractions. Justin shares his easy hacks to get your time back and blend leadership inside and outside the home. This is not dad-shaming. This is about bringing the discipline of business into all aspects of your life. And no matter if you are a dad, a child, a spouse to a father, or yet to be a parent, you have to hear what Justin has to say.
AbouT Justin Batt Justin Batt is one of the fortunate people who found the collision of their calling and passion in life. He is passionate about disrupting fatherhood by encouraging and equipping fathers to be intentional parents who raise good kids that become great adults. Justin is a healthcare innovator and works in the B2B sector with the largest biopharmaceutical and life science companies in the world. Justin is a prolific entrepreneur with several startups across technology, retail and real estate. He is an author, international and TEDx speaker, host of multiple podcasts and OCR athlete.
Justin Batt aims to disrupt fatherhood with intentionality, by creating intentional fathers who raise good kids who become great adults. He founded Daddy Saturday in his own backyard with his four children, and it’s grown into a national movement engaging fathers across multiple channels, including YouTube, social media, the Daddy Saturday book, an Alexa skill, a podcast, merchandise, live events, and a 501(c)(3) foundation, through which Justin plans to impact 10 million fathers in the next 10 years.
In addition, Justin is a highly sought after healthcare consultant and a successful serial entrepreneur, as well as a TEDx and international public speaker, a multi-published author, and a regular guest on multiple podcasts. When not at work, Justin can be found helping his wife, Heather, run her bridal enterprise, and spending time with his four children and the family’s Bernedoodle, Weekend.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction & Forming of a Brand
2:19 Justin’s diverse background: from c-level positions to published author.
4:05 “I was trying to eliminate the tension between work and home and quickly realized I couldn’t eliminate it so I had to manage it.” (YouTube)
6:02 Creating the business of Daddy Saturday. (Daddy Saturday Website. Daddy Saturday Book. Malcolm Gladwell.)
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
9:48 Justin’s “Top Three” Digital Mentor: Dave Ramsey – How to become financially independent.
10:25 Justin’s “Top Three” Digital Mentor: Andy Stanley – Provided a life guide.
11:04 Justin’s “Top Three” Digital Mentor: Andy Andrews – How to approach life and parenting.
11:35 Justin’s “Top Three” Direct Mentor: Dr. Clay Lowder – Physical and emotional presence.
16:50 The two-pronged epidemic of fatherlessness: physical fatherlessness and emotional fatherlessness.
21:21 Two ‘simple’ ideas to create change: 1) Pause and release the tension, and 2) Have one calendar.
Part 3: Industry Disruption
28:09 Society is being lulled into passivity of fatherhood via the misnomer that the only calling for fathers is work.
31:50 The three stages of parenthood and the importance of tailoring the approach to each child.
39:50 How technology can be used to enhance the father/child relationship. (Alexa Skill. Weekend the Bernedoodle. BitsBox.)
Part 4: The Impact of the Business World
44:21 Disrupting the epidemic of fatherlessness won’t just come from changes to corporate policies. It requires a culture shift.
47:58 We need to do more of what we do at work at home – and vice versa.
53:17 The importance of becoming comfortable being uncomfortable.
Part 6: Wrapping up
54:14 Engage with Justin and Daddy Saturday! (Website. Foundation. Book.)
Additional Information Contact Justin Batt:
- Justin’s LinkedIn
- Justin’s Twitter: @JustinBatt
- Daddy Saturday’s Instagram: @DaddySaturday
- Daddy Saturday’s Twitter: @DaddySaturdays
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we dive deep inside the business of sports and discuss innovative approaches to leadership through the lens of a top-tier professional sports coach. John Paul (JP), coach of the Atlas Lacrosse Club of the PLL and one of the top coaches in the game, is a transformation and startup specialist who shares his non-traditional road to coaching and how he has led the rise of the University of Michigan team to NCAA Division 1 status and is now is coaching Paul Rabil, the co-founder of the new Premier Lacrosse League and innovative professional league poised to transform the sport. John Paul discusses who he leaned on throughout his career and the perspective he gained from each of his mentors. He shares his advice for parents, players, business leaders, and fellow coaches alike and says the secret to all his success may just be keeping the team focused on one simple thing: joy.
About John Paul John Paul is the current coach of the Atlas Lacrosse Club – one of six teams in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Prior to his time with the PLL, John Paul was the head lacrosse coach at the University of Michigan. During his time with the Wolverines, John Paul oversaw the program’s elevation from club to Division 1 status, helping build the program from the ground up. From 2002 to 2009, Paul was the President of the MCLA, helping secure venues and television contracts for the league. John Paul also has seven years of experience in development in the University of Michigan athletic department and then with the UM College of Literature, Science and the Arts. John Paul is an Ann Arbor, Michigan native and attended college at both Albion College and The University of Michigan.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction & Background
1:45 How JP’s lacrosse career started. (Albion College. University of Michigan. Atlas Lacrosse Club. Premier Lacrosse League.)
6:05 JP’s time as a professional lacrosse player. (Detroit Turbos. National Lacrosse League (NLL). Paul Gait. Gary Gait. Robert ‘Bob’ DiGiovanni.)
7:34 How JP launched his coaching career.
8:42 How JP’s essence as a transformation and startup specialist grew lacrosse at the collegiate level.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three” from the past
10:52 JP’s “Top Three”: Robert ‘Bob’ DiGiovanni – passion for the sport and how it should be played.
12:00 JP’s “Top Three”: Ron Hebert – the practice of coaching.
14:44 Coopetition has played a large role in the sport of lacrosse.
15:57 Indirect Mentor- Coach Jack Clark, University of California Rugby – The expanded role of club coaches: Coach & CEO.
18:14 Some caution for aspiring coaches “it’s great…but you lose so much of what you love about coaching…”.
18:57 JP’s “Top Three”: Dave Brandon – how to approach the business side of sports.
20:05 Share with your mentors what an influence they were/are.
Segment 3: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three” from the present
22:26 Disrupting lacrosse and athletics: The launch of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) (Paul Rabil. Mike Rabil.)
25:15 Disrupting the business of lacrosse – “language used in this league is same as is used in the tech world”.
27:52 JP’s “Top Three”: Other PLL Coaches – coopetition to ensure the league survives.
29:15 JP’s “Top Three”: Paul Rabil – the art of balance (Kyle Hartzell. Tucker Durkin). (Twitter. LinkedIn.)
Part 4: Industry Disruption
38:52 The biggest disruption is the way that TV is covering us – it has never been done in lacrosse or sports in general before.
42:03 Is the dynamic of the individual athlete inside of teams a disruptive fabric? Yes.
Part 5: Transformation
45:07 Does JP have any regrets? “You can’t be deeply into a career and not look back and say I wish I would have done that differently, but...none of them keep me from sleeping at night. “
47:25 “Whatever happens, it is the opportunity that matters. That you have the opportunity, the chance to be in the fight to do that.“
48:21 “No matter what’s going on, find the joy in that.”
49:35 How to manage top talent: manage ego, manage chemistry, and manage disappointment
51:38 How to get where you want to go? Focused on what is in front of you every day and keep moving forward.
53:09 Connect with your network not only at the pits of failure but the heights of success.
Part 6: Wrapping up via the Fire Round
54:58 Advice for the youth player: Don’t lose the joy of what you do or the comradery with your teammates.
55:47 Advice for parents: “Leave your kids alone”.
56:48 Advice for coaches and leaders alike: “Just listen”.
57:50 Stay in touch and tune into the PLL on NBC!
Additional Information Contact John Paul:
- JP’s LinkedIn
- JP’s Twitter
- JP’s Instagram: @jpaul41
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
During this episode, we dive deep inside the business of sports and discuss innovative approaches to leadership through the lens of a top-tier professional sports coach. John Paul (JP), coach of the Atlas Lacrosse Club of the PLL and one of the top coaches in the game, is a transformation and startup specialist who shares his non-traditional road to coaching and how he has led the rise of the University of Michigan team to NCAA Division 1 status and is now is coaching Paul Rabil, the co-founder of the new Premier Lacrosse League and innovative professional league poised to transform the sport. John Paul discusses who he leaned on throughout his career and the perspective he gained from each of his mentors. He shares his advice for parents, players, business leaders, and fellow coaches alike and says the secret to all his success may just be keeping the team focused on one simple thing: joy.
AbouT John Paul John Paul is the current coach of the Atlas Lacrosse Club – one of six teams in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Prior to his time with the PLL, John Paul was the head lacrosse coach at the University of Michigan. During his time with the Wolverines, John Paul oversaw the program’s elevation from club to Division 1 status, helping build the program from the ground up. From 2002 to 2009, Paul was the President of the MCLA, helping secure venues and television contracts for the league. John Paul also has seven years of experience in development in the University of Michigan athletic department and then with the UM College of Literature, Science and the Arts. John Paul is an Ann Arbor, Michigan native and attended college at both Albion College and The University of Michigan.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction & Background
1:45 How JP’s lacrosse career started. (Albion College. University of Michigan. Atlas Lacrosse Club. Premier Lacrosse League.)
6:05 JP’s time as a professional lacrosse player. (Detroit Turbos. National Lacrosse League (NLL). Paul Gait. Gary Gait. Robert ‘Bob’ DiGiovanni.)
7:34 How JP launched his coaching career.
8:42 How JP’s essence as a transformation and startup specialist grew lacrosse at the collegiate level.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three” from the past
10:52 JP’s “Top Three”: Robert ‘Bob’ DiGiovanni – passion for the sport and how it should be played.
12:00 JP’s “Top Three”: Ron Hebert – the practice of coaching.
14:44 Coopetition has played a large role in the sport of lacrosse.
15:57 Indirect Mentor- Coach Jack Clark, University of California Rugby – The expanded role of club coaches: Coach & CEO.
18:14 Some caution for aspiring coaches “it’s great…but you lose so much of what you love about coaching…”.
18:57 JP’s “Top Three”: Dave Brandon – how to approach the business side of sports.
20:05 Share with your mentors what an influence they were/are.
Segment 3: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three” from the present
22:26 Disrupting lacrosse and athletics: The launch of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) (Paul Rabil. Mike Rabil.)
25:15 Disrupting the business of lacrosse – “language used in this league is same as is used in the tech world”.
27:52 JP’s “Top Three”: Other PLL Coaches – coopetition to ensure the league survives.
29:15 JP’s “Top Three”: Paul Rabil – the art of balance (Kyle Hartzell. Tucker Durkin). (Twitter. LinkedIn.)
Part 4: Industry Disruption
34:34 The biggest disruption is the way that TV is covering us – it has never been done in lacrosse or sports in general before.
37:45 Is the dynamic of the individual athlete inside of teams a disruptive fabric? Yes.
Part 5: Transformation
40:49 Does JP have any regrets? “You can’t be deeply into a career and not look back and say I wish I would have done that differently, but...none of them keep me from sleeping at night. “
43:07 “Whatever happens, it is the opportunity that matters. That you have the opportunity, the chance to be in the fight to do that.“
43:30 “No matter what’s going on, find the joy in that.”
45:17 How to manage top talent: manage ego, manage chemistry, and manage disappointment
47:20 How to get where you want to go? Focused on what is in front of you every day and keep moving forward.
48:51 Connect with your network not only at the pits of failure but the heights of success.
Part 6: Wrapping up via the Fire Round
50:40 Advice for the youth player: Don’t lose the joy of what you do or the comradery with your teammates.
51:29 Advice for parents: “Leave your kids alone”.
52:30 Advice for coaches and leaders alike: “Just listen”.
53:32 Stay in touch and tune into the PLL on NBC!
Additional Information Contact John Paul:
- JP’s LinkedIn
- JP’s Twitter
- JP’s Instagram: @jpaul41
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
Four year entrepreneur and global coffee trend expert, Max Feber, joins Gregg Garrett to discuss his company, BRUW, and his experience with creating a product, launching a company, pitching on Shark Tank, and receiving investment and advice from experienced leaders like Mark Cuban. Max discusses how surrounding himself with people who give him pointed feedback – both good and bad - are the gifts of his learning process and says the secret to motivating high-potential GenZ-ers like himself is to give them a lot of responsibility and room to succeed. Max even lets us in on how the best advice he has received from his most well-known mentor came in simple a package – a three word text.
AbouT Max Feber Max Feber is a Shark Tank featured entrepreneur who invented a new way to make cold brew coffee when he was only 15. He is the CEO of BRUW.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Intro, Background, and Forming a firm.
1:17 The new opportunity for cold brew is emerging.
2:46 How Max turned his love for coffee into a passion for the industry.
4:45 What led to the invention of the BRUW filter and its debut on Shark Tank.
5:57 The mind of a maker led to the creation of a product.
8:44 Combining education with entrepreneurship – Max’s continued education journey at Babson College.
Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
9:22 Max’s Top Three: His Parents (David Feber & Susan Feber) – Try without worrying about failure.
11:49 Max’s Top Three: Startup Business Contacts (Hanson Grant) – Not all advice has been useful but it all has been appreciated.
15:50 Max’s Top Three: Mark Cuban (his team and his portfolio) (Website. Blog. Twitter.)
18:15 The best advice Max has received from Mark Cuban? “Do it personally”.
Segment 3: Disruption in Industry
22:30 Millennials and GenZ-ers buying “indie” products is disrupting industries.
25:15 Two additional trends impacting industries: At-home “making” and sustainability concerns.
27:56 How BRUW is harnessing the subscription model with a product that doesn’t require frequent ordering.
Segment 4: Needed Capabilities
30:27 The importance of finding the right partners to scale: “Partners that are small-er and growing and understanding what it is like to grow are really valuable partners for us.” (BRUW Partner: SR Injection Molding)
35:05 The benefit of being hands-on with partners: Being agile and able to pivot immediately to do something different. (BRUW fulfillment center: Selery)
40:04 Becoming your class’s case study – Professor Brad Johnson.
Segment 5: Wrapping Up
41:30 BRUW’s next step – consumer expansion and new distribution models.
44:10 Max’s advice for those employing individuals like Max (GenZ-ers): “Give us freedom”.
47:57 “Entrepreneurship does not function within a bureaucracy.”
50:44 Follow BRUW on social platforms and check out Cold Brew Season to keep up on products, promotions, and news.
Additional Information Contact Max / BRUW:
- Max’s LinkedIn
- Max’s Twitter
- Max’s Instagram: @MaxBFeber
- Max’s Email
- BRUW’s Website
- BRUW’s Blog
- BRUW’s Instagram: @BRUWcoffee
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
Contact CGS Advisors:
- Website
About this Episode As the original chief architect of the lifesaving and the most widely used telematics platform in the world (OnStar), and the CTO for several of the most widely used navigation (and marketing insight) platforms that likely guided you on your most recent appointment, Ty Beltramo understands technological driven disruption. He walks us through his journey as a transformation leader and shares the lessons his mentors taught him during his professional career. He sheds light on how technology itself is being disrupted, what you need to do as a progressive tech leadership, how speed has over taken scale as a differentiator in industry, and the importance of remaining human-centric. Through the discussion Ty sheds his wisdom for both the top technology leaders, and those that must work with them in order to unlock the value in technological investments.
About Ty Beltramo Ty Beltramo is a hands-on technical leader with proven expertise in connected solutions and large enterprise integration projects. He has over 20 years of experience as the senior technology leader of large firms, including Fortune 50 companies, overseeing the design and development of complex enterprise systems. Ty is also a critical member of the CGS Advisors Fellows Network.
As the CTO of MapQuest, he was the head of a team of 60 and successfully completed a 3-year turnaround plan to modernize all aspects of infrastructure, core data, and products. As a partner and iOS application developer at Portable Hole Productions, he was the sole developer for General Motors OnStar MyLink application, which won the Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award. And as Chief Architect at General Motors OnStar, Ty led the evolution of OnStar’s enterprise architecture to grow from 1 to 4 lines of business and support over 3-million subscribers, one-hundred-fold the amount of subscribers since he started.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Introduction and Background
1:23 What makes Ty unique?
3:28 Why was it important to Ty to stay close to the technology?
Segment 2: Disruption in Industry & Needed Capabilities
6:40 Technology: An industry or a craft?
10:26 What force is disrupting technology?
13:38 How can leaders use technology to differentiate their business?
15:00 How is architecture and, more importantly, “Good architecture” defined?
16:25 The two-sided business model: What is the process of monetizing a product that is free?
Segment 3: Firm Transformation
19:48 How can leaders make their company faster when it comes to technology?
21:50 What role do people play in the success of technology and architecture?
23:08 In the professional sense, what makes someone a risk taker?
25:04 Whose job is it to set the culture of the company?
26:14 What is a CTO?
27:58 How do you differentiate the CTO from the CIO role?
32:36 Stories of transformation: Successes, Failure, and Lessons learned
Segment 4: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
36:38 Who played a key role in Ty’s success…his bosses!
- Boss 1
- Helped Ty learn and understand how technology can be applied to solve business problems.
- Introduced Ty to the importance of building a “fear-free environment” that encourages the company to possess no fear of failure – invoking a “move on” attitude.
- Boss 2
- Helped Ty understand the culture of people: why and how to motivate, encourage and invest in people.
- Boss 3
- Helped Ty understand the importance of grace in the hiring process. Whether you are hiring the best people or letting go of the wrong people, the key is always doing so with grace and dignity.
44:37 What one piece of advice does Ty give to others?
46:31 If you could select an advisor, who would be your fourth?
- Robert “Uncle Bob” Martin (LinkedIn. Twitter. Books. Website. Blog.)
- Neil Ford (Twitter. Books. Website. Blog.)
48:23 Does Ty ever think through the amount of lives he’s helped to save through his work with OnStar?
Wrapping Up
51:54 What advice does Ty have for architects?
53:19 What advice does Ty have for CTOs or progressive CIOs?
54:08 What advice does Ty have for leaders?
Additional Information Contact Ty:
- Ty’s LinkedIn
- Ty’s Email
- Ty’s Bio
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
CGS Advisors:
- Website
Dr. Graeme Harper reflects on how he transformed from surf bum to globally known PhD. As the dean of one of the world’s fastest growing honors colleges, he is an expert in developing leaders. He speaks about how to market, manage, and motivate the world’s top talent. From ed-tech to student debt he reflects how high education itself is being disrupted, as well as discussing how industry leaders can motivate the next generation of superstars. Of course, Graeme shares how he draws bravery from his own advisory board, which has some very unique members ranging from alter egos and world renown educators.
About Graeme Harper Graeme is dean of The Honors College at Oakland University in Michigan. He was previously based at the University of Texas Medical Branch, the University of Montevallo in Alabama and the University of Wales, among other academic institutions. He holds doctorates from the University of East Anglia and the University of Technology, Sydney and a master’s degree from the Business School at UNE. He was a member of the Panel of Experts at the European Commission's (DGX) and of the Joint Information Systems Committee's Business Engagement and Research Committees. He regularly assesses project proposals from governmental organizations around the world. He is an accomplished author with dozens of published books. He is currently working on a piece about the nature of clues.
About this Episode Jon Rimanelli discusses how he and his firm, ASX, addresses urban congestion to help fulfill the promise of mobility services as a time saver. Jon gives incredible detail to the approach he’s taking by applying mass market supply chain methods from the automotive industry and applying them to the short-range aerospace industry. From aircraft design to discussion on multimodal modular configuration, we get a detailed look into what makes his firm so unique. Jon concludes with an honest look into how much “the team” means to him and guides us through the a discussion of his advisors who give him the immense courage to dive deep in the of attempting to shape a new industry category.
About Jon Rimanelli Mr. Jon Rimanelli serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Airspace Experience Technologies. Inc. (ASX). He is an electronics entrepreneur and private pilot with over 1,000 hours of flight time. He is the founder of Nextronix Inc. As a contract manufacturer, he spent 18 years prototyping and producing automotive, aerospace and communications industries. He is also the founder of Detroit Air Racing Inc., which lead and facilitated the 2008 Detroit Red Bull Air Races, resulting in over $100 million in economic impact over three years for both Detroit and Windsor Ontario. In 2013, he teamed Lockheed Martin to manufacture and distribute the IndagosUAS VTOL for military, civil and commercial customers worldwide. He is also the founder of the Detroit Mobility Park (DMP), a non-profit 501C3, based at Detroit City Airport to facilitate autonomous air and ground mobility testing at the airport.
Show Highlights Segment 1: Intro, Background, and Forming a firm.
3:16 Jon Rimanelli and his unique approach to urban mobility: What are his initial thoughts on where the disruption rests?
5:08 What are the fascinations that inspired Jon and eventually got him to where he is today?
10:25 Why Detroit? What led Jon to build his firm, ASX, in the “Motor City”?
Segment 2: Disruption in Industry & Needed Capabilities
12:23 Reuse. Repurpose. Restructure. How do these three r’s fit in with the predictions Jon’s has for urban air mobility?
13:13 What does Jon see now and in the future ahead as it relates to mobility transformation?
16:17 What does Jon see as a necessity to smoothly and successfully bridge the aerospace and auto mobility industries?
18:22 What makes his firm so unique in the Aerospace industry?
21:48 Unique attributes of the ASX aircraft design and architecture
24:54 Who are some of the individuals that make up the ASX team?
- Dr. Anita Sengupta – Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of ASX
- JP Yorro – Co-Founder of ASX
- Camilo Pardo – Chief Industrial Designer
- Senior Controls Engineers
27:30 How did Jon tackle the bridge into supplier base?
30:10 What is the process of raising money for his startup? How can listeners get involved?
Seedinvest.com – Own a share of ASX !
Segment 3: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
37:17 Who are the individuals that Jon calls on for courage? Who are his “Top Three”?
- RJ King – Editor of DBusiness Magazine
- Bob Lutz – Automotive industry icon
- Bob Campbell – Former Senior Leader at Deloitte and Federal Government advisor
- Sandy Munro - Founder, Munro & Associates
Wrapping Up
41:42 What other big news can Jon share on the firm?
43:04 What advice does Jon have for the next generation of leaders?
Additional Information About ASX:
- www.iflyasx.com
- www.seedinvest.com/asx/bridge
Contact Jon:
Contact Gregg:
- Bio
George Baker gives us an in-depth walkthrough of his journey from his early beginnings as employee of his family business to entrepreneur, to making incredible strides in the parking tech industry. George presents key details surrounding his parking operation, technology company, ParkHub and the evolution of shifting from consumer business model to enterprise. George concludes with talking through each of individuals who played an incredible role in making certain he led with a “Failure is not Final…” mindset and a tenacity to build and propel with vision.
About George Baker George Baker has nearly 17 years of hands-on experience in the parking industry. He prides himself on deep domain knowledge of both transient and event-based parking. He has built a company that bridges mobility and real estate by providing a comprehensive suite of services that transforms parking operations to a value added service for his clients. In order to consistently exceed customer expectations in the event-parking space, ParkHub provides logistics and occupancy management services, as well as cutting edge insights into the operations. Truly George is reshaping the parking universe, one satisfied customer at a time.
Show Highlights Intros and Background
3:52 From family business and back again: George’s background and journey in the industry and leveraging technology to disrupt dyslexia
Segment 1: Forming a firm.
10:00 How and why George built a business in parking reservations (B2C).
18:49 How George made the shift from B2C to B2B.
Segment 2: Disruption in Industry & Needed Capabilities
21:16 George explains how “data is the new oil”, the launch of ParkHub and how it caters to a convenient, customer experience.
25:18 What does industry collaboration look like and what are some key capabilities?
33:47 George’s tips to other entrepreneurs on team building and making the vision plain.
Segment 3: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
39:45 George recognizes his personal advisors, those both inside and outside his industry.
- Shepherds and brings about a deep mobility perspective
- Gregg Garrett
- Fits the ideal client profile
- Craig Courson
- Futuristic thinker that bridges real estate and parking
- Elie Finegold
- General Advisor
- Jason Story
47:39 How does George lean on his advisors for bravery?
Wrapping Up
50:29 What piece of advice does George want to share?
49:35 ParkHub news & How to stay in touch
Additional Information About ParkHub: parkhub.com
Contact George:
- baker@parkhub.com
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
CGS Advisors:
- Website
Stephan Tarnutzer gives in-depth insights into the mobility industry and the disruption that he is living daily. He is feeling the effects of technological innovation emerging in connected and autonomous vehicles, and how formally disparate industries are merging and driving a metamorphosis from automotive to mobility. He speaks as a transformational corporate leader in building, buying, and selling companies over the last 15 years. Finally, Stephan reflects on his own advisors. He shines a critical light to the import role women play on his personal board and why he believes they are superior to men in giving him advice.
Show Highlights Intros and Background
3:06 From Switzerland to the States: Stephan reflects on his mobility journey through DaimlerChrysler(powertrain) and AVL (emobility, infotainment, and more).
Segment 1: Industry Disruption
5:26 From his experience with AVL, what are his thoughts on industry convergence and collaboration.
9:54 What does collaboration look like in the automotive industry? How is collaboration executed seamlessly?
13:59 Culture shock at AVL.
Segment 2: Firm Transformation
16:59 “Building the Onion” at AVL: what does it take for successful industry transformation?
22:51 The Onion at its core – Chrysler and DGE.
26:30 Buying and investing: What does Stephan say about the value of people and talent?
Segment 3: Brave Leadership & the “Top Three”
31:17 Stephan draws his energy and growth from the perspectives of both industry experts and the honesty of those closest to him. His Top Three:
Industry/Firm Leaders: Navigating Internal Structure
Spiritual Leadership: Navigating Life’s Purpose
Personal: True To One’s Self
-Stephan’s spouse
-Stephan’s best, female friend
41:22 Stephan reflects on the importance of having strong, female leadership within an advisory board.
44:35 Who ultimately pushes Stephan to be brave?
Wrapping Up
45:42 Relying on the Team: a message of advice to the young leaders of tomorrow.
49:35 AVL news & How to stay in touch
About Stephan Tarnutzer Stephan Tarnutzer is the President of AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc. AVL is the world's largest independent company for development, simulation and testing technology of powertrains (hybrid, combustion engines, transmission, electric drive, batteries and software) for passenger cars, trucks and large engines.
With more than 20 years of experience, Tarnutzer has held several engineering leadership positions. Prior to AVL, Tarnutzer was vice president of Electronics at FEV, where he was part of the global senior executive leadership team and the global head of the Smart Vehicle Center of Excellence.
Tarnutzer has a history of fostering a culture of innovative thinking and growth while continuously challenging technical development teams to overcome obstacles with creative thinking. A holder of seven patents, he is an executive who leads by example. Under his leadership, Tarnutzer’s Global Electrification, Connected Vehicle and ADAS groups have won numerous high-profile development contracts with global OEMs, and redefined industry solutions.
Tarnutzer’s diverse educational background serves as a foundation to make informed strategic and financial leadership decisions. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Zurich, a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, an MBA from Oakland University, and is a graduate of the General Management Executive Leadership Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Stephan is a loving husband, father, and contributor to his church. He is also an avid basketball fan, coach, and player.
Additional Information About AVL: AVL.com
Contact Stephan: LinkedIn
Contact Gregg:
- Gregg’s LinkedIn
- Gregg’s Twitter
- Gregg’s Bio
CGS Advisors:
- Website
Elie Finegold shines a light on major disruption, currently taking place in the global real estate industry. An industry luminary, he ignites a passionate conversation centered on how mobility and connected technologies are a major driver of this industry disruption. After the exploration of large industry trends and Elie’s experience as head of innovation at firms like CBRE, you will glean insight into how he surrounds himself with three types of advisors that keep him true to himself, realistic to execute, and push him to be brave! Near the end of the interview, you will hear pointed advice about the importance of not being shy to seek out mentors that stretch you, and most specifically the criticality of building your advisors into a networked ecosystem. Elie says “connect your advisors to one another, because it is out of those connections that will come the most unexpected and useful insights!” We are so glad we can connect you with Elie, we are certain you will find some unexpected insights.
Show Highlights 3:03 Elie’s rich background: a journey from Harvard to the boardroom with interesting colleagues across the world (e.g. Andrew Cuomo).
10:58 What’s disrupting the Real Estate industry?
17:20 Transforming a firm. CBRE Innovation and working differently, secrets to how they made it real!
20:41 Is the open floor plan part of the future of work?
22:42 How is the culture of a company impacted by remote connectivity? What serves as a useful team environment?
25:31 What are Elie’s thoughts on disruption in relation to those in the outside mobility world?
32:53 Elie’s “Top Three” – advisors who he leads on to be brave and push to transform his firms:
- Family / Close Friends – Staying true to Elie, focusing on values and core.
- Closest Colleagues who worked for Elie – Help to make ideas real. “Dose of Reality”
- Pat Pott – Former COO
- People Elie has worked for and have been formal mentors. Gut check on big new ideas who push him to take risks.
- Andrew Farcus
- John Keister
45:26 Be intentional with seeking leaders who can be your advisor for what is in front of you. Give first – you can learn so much from the advisory networks.
50:33 Is bravery a core capability for today?
51:10 What is Elie’s advice for leaders in order to be successful in this connected world?
- Find someone who you can help…. build your network.
- Connect your advisors to find the most useful and unexpected insights!
53:41 What are Elie’s upcoming milestones?
- Follow Elie at @eliefinegold
- Read Our Frictionless Future
Leigh Isaacson, provides a front row account of the Pet Tech and Dating industries. Her firm Dig, the dating app for dog lovers, competes at the intersection of these two ultra-hot markets. Leigh’s diverse career background and personal journey provide an interesting backdrop for the discussion of how diverse capabilities can stack to give competitive advantage. You will understand the important role, reaching the heart of pet owners, plays in navigating Pet Tech as well as hear Leigh discuss the important role advisors have played in her life and the confidence it takes, stepping out into the world entrepreneurship.
About this Episode In this episode, listeners are presented with perspectives related to the ever-shifting mobility industry and specifically learn about the disruption being caused by new power train technology like battery electric. Robi Mitra discusses how Bollinger Motors, the start-up making off-road electric trucks, continues to transform and gain access to critical capabilities to compete in the legacy automotive and emerging mobility industries. (He even teases some new announcements to come in June, 2019) An expert in both private equity and human capital, this episode discusses the linkages of needing to raise funds and gain access to critical skills in the era of IoT. Listeners will gain insight into observations of being an entrepreneur and working as the right-hand assistant to successful ones. Not many have the opportunity to work for and with even one highly successful entrepreneurial leader. Robi has now done it twice, and draws lessons for the listener from his journey.
About Robi Mitra Robi Mitra, a native of Detroit, holds the position of Finance Director with Bollinger Motors. He joined the team in 2019. In this role, Robi works closely with the executive team on strategy, finance, and raising capital. Prior to joining Bollinger, Robi was CEO and Chairman of K&A Resources Group, a collection of human capital management solutions focused on Industry 4.0. He purchased the initial firm, K&A Staffing, from his father in 2016 and subsequently acquired other firms to build the group. Prior to this entrepreneurial period Robi advised on or participated in more than 75 transactions during his 22 years of family office management, private equity, investment banking, and capital market experience. When he is not working, Robi is spending time with his wife, three children, two cats, and large dog.
Show Highlights 3:17 Robi’s origins, how did he arrive to where he is today?
8:07 How did his small family business experience set the groundwork for entrepreneurship?
10:50 From entrepreneur to supporting an entrepreneur in the opportunity of a lifetime, how did Robi get here?
12:47 The mobility industry: autonomous vehicles, micromobility and more - what are the various disruptions we should be aware of?
21:08 As his personal industry is currently experiencing disruption, what is their focus?
27:40 What capabilities differentiate their company from the others?
33:07 Human capital, what is it and where does it fit in our connected world?
37:04 What is the correlation between education and human capital disruption and what does this mean for our future?
41:53 Who are the individuals a part of his virtual advisory board that make him brave, that make him better?
Robert Bollinger’s LinkedIn
Dave Alden’s LinkedIn
Ted Serbinski’s LinkedIn
46:23 What great lessons has Robi learned from the successful entrepreneurs in his life?
50:09 What is his foundational advice on mentorship?
51:04 BIG NEWS at Bollinger
Additional Information Robi Mitra’s LinkedIn
Bollinger Motors Website
Gregg Garrett's LinkedIn
CGS Advisors Website
About this Episode During this episode, listeners will hear about the importance of building a virtual advisory board that can support individuals as they shape and grow their careers. Partnering in conversation with Gregg Garrett, host of You, Me, and Your Top Three, Patrick Falle shares details on his background, the importance of those on his advisory board, and how he has continued to engage with and lean on those individual during his highly successful career. Listeners will also get a glimpse into Patrick’s opinions on what it takes for leaders to lead and transform their industries during times of disruption and specifically the disruption occurring within the retail industry.
About Patrick Falle Patrick has spent the last 20 years as an operational investor and sales executive building ideas into industries for multiple organizations. He’s helped create, not only market leading products and services, but entirely new market segments. He specializes in building sales and channel organizations which take companies from their first dollar to their fifty-millionth dollar in the shortest amount of time possible. He has taken companies from nascent beginnings to ringing the bell at the NYSE.
Show Highlights 2:25 What brought Patrick to this point in his career?
3:25 What was it like taking Avalara (Automated Tax Software) public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AVLR)?
5:58 How do you find the right candidate during the hiring process?
11:54 What disruption and transformation in industry is Patrick most excited about?
13:16 How is the direct to consumer model changing retail?
16:24 What does it takes for leaders to lead and transform their companies during times of disruption?
21:21 How did Patrick’s first advisor help him get into the software industry and learn to balance family and a successful career?
23:39 How does a yearly hunting trip give Patrick the opportunity to continue to build a diverse virtual advisory board?
29:39 Who on Patrick’s advisory board helps him incorporate empathy into his considerations and decisions?
31:25 What is Patrick’s next new venture and how does he utilize mentors effectively?
33:15 How did losing his father drive Patrick to disrupt the death industry?
37:24 What question should listeners consider as they embark on their own journeys?
41:47 What can listeners do to enhance their skills?
Additional Information Patrick Falle’s LinkedIn
Greggory Garrett’s LinkedIn
Greggory Garrett’s Twitter
CGS Advisors Website
About this Episode From a geography degree to the head of corporate strategy, Dr. Warren Ritchie gives audiences a glimpse into his humble beginnings and vast array of experiences that led him on a storied career. Mentor and friend to show host, Gregg Garrett, for close to 20 years and co-author of Competing in the Connecting World, Ritchie discusses his experiences with industry disruption all the while addressing key concepts from the book. Wrapping up the podcast, Warren addresses the question of the importance of advisory colleagues versus outside council.
About Dr. Warren Ritchie During his 30+ year career to date, Dr. Warren Ritchie has emerged as an expert in leading corporate transformation in private and public sector companies. His experience has been gained in the functional areas of corporate strategy, marketing, finance, sales and information technology.
Today, Warren is a Fellow at CGS Advisors’, a boutique strategy and innovation firm that readies clients for competing in the connecting world. Warren assists corporate leaders in being brave as well as advising clients on dynamic market issues and strategic changes necessary to grow. His areas of expertise focus on transformation related to corporate and business strategies, wrestling with the questions “what business are we in”, and “how do we compete” respectively.
Prior to working with CGS, Warren had a 24-year tenure with the Volkswagen Group of Companies where he held leadership positions in the United States, Canada and Argentina. For the majority of his career he has been a change agent, assigned to either initiate a new or transform an existing challenged function or department. He started his career in automotive by leading field sales and marketing organizations, eventually taking on “headquarter” responsibilities in almost all functions outside of manufacturing. He led corporate strategy at VW in both Canada and the United States for years before moving to the IT department eventually becoming CIO. He continues to advise automotive clients applying his unique perspective of strategy and IT.
Show Highlights
7: 14 How did Warren go from having a geography degree to the head of corporate strategy for one of the largest automotive corporations in the world?
8:58 What was his motivation for participation in, book Competing in the Connecting World?
12:27 He has had experience in many jobs, there seems to exist a pattern for change responsibility, is that the consistency you see in your own career?
14:15 What is the “Transformation Framework” and what makes it unique?
18:30 Talk about your personal experience in industry disruption, an experience that went well.
23:36 Organizational Transformation, what are its biggest failures?
25:55 Firm renewal, are even our larger firms set-up to experience this?
28:28 Change or die, this idea speaks to the death of a corporation - as Warren has lived this, what lessons did he learn about motivation?
35:14 Ecosystem Commanders, what are they and why is this such a relevant concept in this Connected World?
47:55 Who are Warren’s top 3 individuals that have been a part of his personal, virtual advisory board?
56:06 Warren has done well, finding advisory colleagues. Thinking about this concept in terms of the Connected World and how industries are coming together along with the growth of ecosystem commanders, what will this look like in the next 30 years? Will it be good enough to stick with your personal advisors or to seek outside council because of the connectivity?
About this Episode Welcome to the first episode of You, Me, and Your Top Three with your host, Gregg Garrett. During this episode, you will hear about the overall vision of the podcast, what you can expect to learn from tuning in, Gregg’s background and what motivated him to want to enter the podcasting world.
About Gregg Garrett Greggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, and recently authored a best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT and Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst and Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing common sense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show Highlights
0:46 – What can listeners expect to hear and learn on You, Me and Your Top Three?
1:22 – What topics will be covered during each episode?
2:17 – What is the ‘Top Three’ concept and what is the concept’s value?
3:36 – What is Gregg’s background and history (bio)?
5:27 – What is Gregg’s focus today (CGS Advisors)?
7:49 – Why did Gregg decided to launch You, Me and Your Top Three (the business side)?
9:38 – Why did Gregg decide to launch You, Me and Your Top Three (the personal side)?