Growth Think Tank (fka "Leaders in the Trenches"): Recent Episodes
Gene Hammett
Develop leadership skills and understand leadership development from expert interviews with transformational leaders. Growth Think Tank provides discussions that dive deep into new strategies to accelerate your company growth and your leadership abilities. What makes us different is the focus on interviews with founders and CEOs from the Inc 500 leaders. Learn from their failures and discover the finer elements of significance that will impact your company. This show was formerly known as "Leaders in the Trenches."
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Values are the heart of leadership. If you are not clear about your values, how can you expect others around you to be clear? Bryan Falchuck shares how leadership and values relate. Listen in for more details on how clarifying values transforms the way you show up as a Leader. […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Creating content for your brand has become a necessary part of sharing your message and building your community. You also want to re-purpose your content into the right channels. Today’s interview is with Brian Wright is on how to repurpose content. Discover why it is important and how […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The Evolution of Public Relations (PR) has been needed for years now. In fact, I still get nearly 100 pitches per month from people requesting to be on my show. 99% of them are old-school approaches. It is rare that any of them actually take the time to do […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The use of Internal Brand Ambassadors is not new and yet so few have used this strategy well. One company that has embraced their employees to be Brand Ambassadors is Salesforce. Our guest is Ludo Ulrich who is the chief in charge of developing deeper awareness in the startup […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Fast growth companies understand the value of core values, purpose and people that allow for the culture to support the growth. Hiring right and developing leaders from within becomes critically important. My guest today is Bob Ruffalo, CEO of Impact Branding and Design. Bob shares how his use of […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Ron McMurtrie, CMO of Sage talks to us about the Evolution of Marketing. Where being ahead of the game means staying relevant with their customers. In today’s world of marketing, it is not about mapping out their customer journey. It is about allowing the customer to map out their […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Discover how empire builders are letting others build an empire for themselves. Keller Williams Realty has embarrassed the idea of “Internal Brand Ambassadors.” The interview today is with Geoff Woods who shares how he has stepped in as VP of The One Thing. He is a perfect example […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Christi Olsen is a leader for digital marketing teams. On this episode, she talks about her passion for empowering these teams to speak on stage effectively to convey their true marketing message. Christi is an expert on how to put the customer first. We talk about why this is the […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] So, you’ve achieved the level of success you’ve always wanted, but you thought you’d feel better than you actually do. Our guest, Craig Filek, created Purpose Mapping. Purpose Mapping is about grounding who you are and how you serve others. On this episode, we dive into cultivating a daily practice […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Russ Perry wants you to ask yourself what is making your life hard. Are you willing to give that up? For Russ, it was his relationship with alcohol. It was holding him back from being the best he could be. What are you addicted to? What is holding you back […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Greg Centineo is all about working with your team to cultivate hypergrowth. The journey of Hypergrowth is not a solo process. Growth is about building clear intention collaboratively with your team. It is about the power of a shared vision. Companies stop growing because leaders think they forget to […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] On this episode, I take a moment to reflect back on all the wins and lessons learned over 2017. Plus, I share what I’ve got planned for 2018. This year marked the year where I got to publish my book “The Trap of Success.” I also got to speak on […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Target Audience: Mano provides a digital growth marketing platform to help restaurant businesses grow. The platform allows busy restaurant owners to execute marketing via social media and email in under 10 minutes per day. Share the LOVE and TWEET about this episode. Mano’s Early Journey of Entrepreneurship At the […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] In today’s crowded marketplace, you have to have a unique aspect to your business to capture attention and close sales. We love to share the unique and we are emotionally engaged with a new approach to solving a known problem. Join me today in my chat with David Arvin […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Growth in business is never a solo sport. You have to engage your team and others around you. One key aspect to growth, is to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit within your teams. As a leader, you will get others to create value and take ownership of their work so that […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Billy Gene teaches marketers how to use social media to get ROI for local businesses. Find out why your branding and credibility don’t mean as much as your following. Learn how you can get the ball rolling on your following using Youtube. Billy says Social Media is IT when […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Being overstimulated is no excuse to compromise our productivity. Peter Shankman, author of Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain shares with us the keys to channeling our overstimulated brains. Try not to see distraction as a curse, but […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Linda Popky asks, are you afraid of friction and failure in your business? Tune in as we talk about the significance of FRICTION in your business. Avoiding the trap of success is all about the willingness to make mistakes so that growth happens continuously. Linda also shares why hiring […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Have you been using Linkedin to its full potential? Ana Melikian joins us on this episode where we chat with about how to use Linkedin as a bridge to connect with people in a meaningful way. It’s about cultivating real conversations using this very powerful platform. Tune in […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Are you creating content that educates your audience? Content marketing is not a buzzword. It is a fact of life. Buyers are trained to search for information and insight before making big purchases. Our guest is Jill Schiefelbein who wrote the book on Dynamic Communications. She shares how to […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Getting too comfortable is a problem. In fact, it may be the reason why you are “fine” or “OK” with your life or business right now. You have heard about getting outside your comfort zone. Well, our guest today is a master at this. He wrote the book on […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Speaking is an unfair advantage. You are face-to-face with your audience. You have a chance to connect like no other form of marketing. When you are in the room with a great speaker, you feel it in your bones. Tamsen Webster is our guest today. She is […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] With all the talk about leadership, there seems to be something missing in most of the concepts. Today we look at 4 uncommon principles of leadership through the eyes of our guest, Angela Buttimer. Angela is co-founder of the Atlanta Center for Mindfulness and Well Being. Join us […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] You have watched late-night TV before to see the brand ambassadors show you a new product that is sure to change your life. Well, you can learn from that magic from our guest today. Our guest is Rick Cesari who has been the man behind many mega brands. Rick […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Our guest today is Ryan Gill, the founder of CULT. There is a “new” age of advertising and it means LESS advertising. On this episode, we talk about creating a brand that people buy into – not buy from. Find out why cultivating loyalty is what is helping businesses […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] When you have more influence and authority, people pay attention. Have you considered raising your focus on “Thought Leadership?” My guest today is the Ah-mazing Neen James. I borrow Neen’s exact phrasing of amazing because she is so freaking amazing. We talk about developing internal thought leaders for […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Live video is not going away. When Facebook added this feature to their platform, I knew it would be powerful. Well, it is only powerful if you use it right. Joel Comm is our guest, and he is an expert at many things. Today we talk about using […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] It is not too early to think about your exit strategy. In today’s episode we look at some of the key factors of “The Exit.” My guest is Steve Little. He will share insights from decades of experience in selling his businesses. Plus, he has been working with […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Selling in business is part of the journey. Well, it is actually a huge part of your growth. No sales means no business. Sales has changed with the impact of social media. This interview is with Jack Kosakowski who runs a digital agency. He has been on the front […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Get more referrals. Referrals have a sweetness in business that never gets old. Would you like to increase your word of mouth exposure? Today’s interview is with Jay Baer, founder of Convince and Convert. Jay is also a New York Times best selling author. We talk about what […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The competitive edge of business is getting harder and harder to grab. Before anything, you must captivate your audience with your messaging. In other words, you must FASCINATE them. Today, I’m honored to share my interview with Sally Hogshead. Sally is a renowned speaker and marketing expert who […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] How do you build a business when it is so common to be positioned as a commodity? One aspect of that is to be intentional about how to be remarkable. Being remarkable is worthy of sharing with others. Today’s interview is with Sue Falcone who operates the speaker […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Tim Sanders is an expert in relationship building. In today’s world of takers and money makers, Tim believes in approaching business with the utmost compassion. In fact, this is what led him to his first of multiple million dollar deals. Adding value to the lives of others and […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] We hear all about creating your BRAND in business. The most common approach is to focus 100% on a company brand. However, I believe that having a strong personal brand will fuel success in many ways. I have admired our guest today for years in what he has […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The process of growth and achieving more in business is often a study of others. We begin to look at their way of growing and even mimicking their way of showing up. However, it is common to lose touch in who you are. The best path to a […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Business has a tendency to wrap us up into our numbers and all the growth aspects of the company. However, one reason we are all in business is to give back in some way. I believe you should give back now. Our guest today is Cole Hatter. Cole […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] When you get a chance to speak on a stage or to a group of people, you are likely focus on the “content” that you intend to delivery. However, it is more important to connect to the hearts and souls of the audience. Today’s guest is Tricia Brouk […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Michael Bungay Stanier, founder of Box of Crayons, shares he and his team of facilitators teach 10-minute coaching so busy managers build stronger teams and get better results. On this episode, we dive deep into what it truly means to do GREAT work. Impactful work. Meaningful work. Change the […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Marketing genius Noah Kagan joins us today to talk about how the world of Marketing is changing every day. We dive in deep into how to stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing world. Find out why being in tune with the frequent changes requires you to be […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Do you know what Game Theory is? Game Theory was created to help entrepreneurs reflect on the actions they take in day to day life. The game itself encourages a playful approach to different ways of winning (note: money is NOT the only way we win!) and increases […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Authority gives you a chance to have a seat at the table. If you have no or low visibility in the eyes of your prospects, you will only exist through referrals. Referrals are fantastic, but you need a predictable way for prospects to find you. Rich […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Having a steady stream of leads for your business is powerful for many reasons. Think for a second about you having the systems in place that allow for quality prospects to be lining up to talk to you about your services and products. If you have not […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The foundation of business is still and will always be about relationships. How do you build deeper relationships that will last a lifetime? I am interviewing Dan Miller with 48days.net about deep relationships. Dan is a master of this and is quite passionate about the need for us […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The most common question in the start of a conversation in business is “What do you do?” or some variation on that. I’m not saying it should be the first question, but eventually, that is where the conversation goes. Do you have a great response that makes the listener […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Today we chat with Petra Foster about PRICING. So many of us entrepreneurs have struggled or are currently struggling with our pricing packages. On this episode, we talk about how to get out of that rut. We begin with building trust and understanding our potential clients’ inner dialogue. Discover how […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Jeff Havens is not your typical Keynote Speaker. Join us on this episode where we dive deep into the key elements of speaking. You may think content is everything when it comes to your speeches. Jeff tells us why it really isn’t. How can you distinguish yourself in your […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Are you willing to disrupt your own business? Our guest today, Erik Wahl, calls himself a disruptive strategist. He is a graffiti artist and powerful speaker who offers tools on how to be intentionally creative and provocative. The great paradox here is that through discipline and structure […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] Leadership is a journey. It is filled with new challenges that cause you to evolve as a leader. I had a chance to sit down with Lolly Daskal, author of The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness. Lolly shares insights to take your leadership to a […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] What Media Platform are you using? Join us today where we chat with Brandon Adams about the platforms of Writing, Podcasting, and Video. Discover the power that lies within each platform to help you connect, inspire and grow your audience. Just as importantly, find out how with consistency and […]
[sc name=”Blog Post Header”] [spp-player] The content marketing revolution is growing even more important. Forward thinking companies are starting to think like “old school” publishers. The are developing content that teaches the marketplace something new. Our guest today is Byron White, with Writer Access. Discover the power elements of content marketing so you can […]