Business Sense (BS) with Brad: Recent Episodes
Brad Ward
This podcast discusses trends that impact businesses and nonprofits: Expert guests are interviewed. We dive into topics such as economics and finance, employee motivation, business philosophy, and leadership theory. We try to make this a fun, yet relevant, experience!
On this episode I interview City Commissioner Joe Wise, who was previously interviewed in 2022 by Yahoo Finance regarding Johnson City's emerging housing market, and local Realtor Rachel Smith. We discuss housing affordability, politics, infrastructure, jobs, and more! Can local residents afford to live in a city that is deemed #1 best place to live by USA Today?
Host Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-ward-dba-lssbb-b6a3751a2/
Book Page: https://www.amazon.com/Motivated-Worker-Managers-Improving-Satisfaction/dp/1476680213
On this episode I speak with Dr. Mark Cawman, professor and certified quality manager, about Six Sigma projects that failed and lessons learned. He also describes the impact AI will have on Six Sigma related jobs. Host Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-ward-dba-lssbb-b6a3751a2/Book Page: https://www.amazon.com/Motivated-Worker-Managers-Improving-Satisfaction/dp/1476680213
On the episode I welcome Dr. Lori Mills, Professor of Psychology, to talk about the problems and uses of personality testing for career advancement. Should employers use them to help in recruiting and promoting? Should students use them to find their dream career/degree? The Big Five, Myers Briggs, Enneagram, DiSC, and Holland's Interest inventories will be explored.
On this episode True Class Tees CEO Ryan Bartlett talks to a Business Strategy class about building community, the power of story, and business expansion.
On this episode I follow up with Slaughterhawk who has increased his social media following from 10k-70k followers in a year, all without paying to advertise! Slaugtherhawk resides in the small town of Cadillac, MI, yet his beaded hats and accessories have been worn by celebrities like Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks) and the cast of Reservoir Dogs. Podcast Website: https://www.businesssensejc.com/
On this episode I welcome Adam O’Neill, who owns Adam O’Neill andAssociates located in Fairfax Virginia. He is a Psychiatric Physician Assistant and is author of The Mind After Eden: Psychiatry in a Post-Fall World. You can find out more about him at Aoavirginia.com.
At the core of our episode, we discuss if neural networks truly represent the human brain and how machine "learning" will impact on our work. Can reality truly be broken down into 0s and 1s, mixed in with probabilities and feedback loops, to solve our problems?
On this episode I welcome Ronda Paulson, Founder and Executive Director of Isaiah 117 House. We talk about her surprise visit from Mike Rowe, describe how Isaiah 117 positively impacts children in the foster care system, and identify business issues that emerge from expansion (especially into Battle Creek, MI) across the United States.
On this episode I welcome Ronda Paulson, Founder and Executive Director of Isaiah 117 House. We talk about her surprise visit from Mike Rowe, describe how Isaiah 117 positively impacts children in the foster care system, and identify business issues that emerge from expansion (especially into Battle Creek, MI) across the United States.
On this episode I welcome Change of Scenery Founder and CEO Jamie Banks, formerly of Kate Spade, to discuss the various marketing methods she uses to grow her brand. Included is a discussion of mission and branding, in-home sales parties, LTK and influencer advertising, supply chain and sustainable manufacturing, and the power of story as it relates to her women's' swimwear brand. Jamie will also describe the process of getting into Nordstrom.
REPREVE video as mentioned by Jamie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xop9B4OJaAY
On this episode I welcome Change of Scenery Founder and CEO Jamie Banks, formerly of Kate Spade, to discuss the various marketing methods she uses to grow her brand. Included is a discussion of mission and branding, in-home sales parties, LTK and influencer advertising, supply chain and sustainable manufacturing, and the power of story as it relates to her women's' swimwear brand. Jamie will also describe the process of getting into Nordstrom.
REPREVE video as mentioned by Jamie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xop9B4OJaAY
On this episode I interview Luke Thompson, COO for Action VFX. Luke shows us how to use ChatGPT including: automated presentations, python coding, and creating advertisements. The impact to educators and ethical implications are also discussed. Whether you know nothing at all about AI or ChatGPT, or are dabbling with this chatbot, this episode is for you. No experience required!
On this episode I interview Luke Thompson, COO for Action VFX. Luke shows us how to use ChatGPT including: automated presentations, python coding, and creating advertisements. The impact to educators and ethical implications are also discussed. Whether you know nothing at all about AI or ChatGPT, or are dabbling with this chatbot, this episode is for you. No experience required!
On this episode, Co-Founder and CEO of True Classic Ryan Bartlett talks to an upper level, undergrad Business Strategy class, about strategic marketing. True Classic has achieved $250 million in sales over its first 3 years and has no plans of slowing down growth. Ryan talks about effective social media campaigning, conversion rate optimization, incrementality testing, SEO, customer acquisition and retention, supply chain, and so much more!
On this episode, Co-Founder and CEO of True Classic Ryan Bartlett talks to an upper level, undergrad Business Strategy class, about strategic marketing. True Classic has achieved $250 million in sales over its first 3 years and has no plans of slowing down growth. Ryan talks about effective social media campaigning, conversion rate optimization, incrementality testing, SEO, customer acquisition and retention, supply chain, and so much more!
On this episode I welcome Logan Burns, an NFL agent who currently represents Houston Texans defensive back Jacobi Francis. We discuss his career, job duties, NILs, and the relevance of an MBA to his career.
On this episode I interview theologian Dr. Paul Blowers regarding the meaning of work and the relevance of the Protestant Work Ethic. Do menial jobs matter? Are Protestants, and more particularly Calvinists, more likely to be entrepreneurial than Catholics? What role does the Reformation have on modern day labor? We try to cover it all!
On this episode I interview Milligan University president Dr. Bill Greer to talk about one of the most unsung economists of all time, Frank Knight. We discuss four schools of economic thought (Marxism, Keynesianism, the Chicago School, and the Austrian School), Frank Knight's impact on Milton Friedman, and much more!
On this episode I interview Dr. Shannon Hogan, Professor of Leadership, regarding the validity of "Who Moved My Cheese" and if it should be labeled as a business book. Uses, applications, and criticisms are included!
On this episode I welcome Master of Divinity student Sam Guy to talk about what Jubilee meant to the ancient Hebrews and if its description in Leviticus is relevant to today's globalized economy. If you hear barking in the background that is my Yorkie who desperately wanted to join the conversation.
On this episode I welcome Janay Williams, a Corporate Strategy Analyst at Eastman Chemical Company and University of Tennessee Professor, to discuss artificial intelligence and machine learning. First, we define what these terms actually mean. Then, we discuss if new technology will fully automate humans out of jobs, how A.I. is impacting various industries, and what skills will be needed of future employees.
On this episode I interview Johnson City, TN mayor Joe Wise about population growth, business development, infrastructure, taxes, and running for office in an era of misinformation. If you hear a random creaking noise it's my chair as I'm reaching for coffee.
On this episode I interview Dr. Trini Rangel, Professor of Exercise Science, regarding the usefulness of the Body Mass Index. If you are trying to maintain a healthy weight, either for personal reasons or to reduce life insurance/health care premiums, trying to fit into a "healthy" BMI range can be frustrating. Is the BMI outdated and bogus? Find out on this episode.
On this episode I welcome chiropractor Dr. Drew Cradic. Dr. Drew runs a successful practice but has chosen to keep it at its current size due to the diseconomies of scale that would persist if he expanded. His side business, Southeast Flooring Direct, is the perfect solution to keep his margins, reduce stress, and minimize business risk.
In this episode, SlaughterHawk Photography discusses how to grow an audience organically on social media. We discuss the Facebook advertising algorithm, TikTok, Reddit, and Redbubble, as well as his quest to increase awareness of indigenous culture.
On this episode I invited Dr. Campbell (aka The Crypto King), Professor of Economics, back to kick off Season 2. We talk about what NFTs actually are, the blockchain, crypto, inflation, Coinbase, and so much more!
On this episode I welcome Action VFX CEO and Founder, Rodolphe (Ro) Pierre-Louis, to talk about "The Law of the Lid." Ro's work has been used in The Call of Duty, Marvel movies, Netflix shows and beyond! He also helps mentor up-and-coming entrepreneurs via Founder's Forge, a nonprofit in E. Tennessee. Regarding the Law of the Lid, John C. Maxwell introduced this principle in his bestseller "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership." Are entrepreneurs limited by the individual leadership capabilities (lids)? Can entrepreneurs raise their lids? Is this idea even real?
On this episode, I interview Samuel Bratton, Asst. Manager of Business Development for Rubbermaid Commercial Products. Samuel is also co-host of the "Do You Know the Mob?" podcast. We discuss how COVID has presented new challenges to those working in B2B selling, supply chain related issues, and modern software used in the sales industry.
*Note - This episode was previously released on November 30, 2021, but due to a tech error, is being reposted on Feb 27, 2022.
On this episode I interview Olympic Bronze Medalist Megan Jastrab. Megan raced for Team USA in both the Women's Team Pursuit and Madison at the Tokyo Olympics. We discuss her Olympic experience, what it is like to ride for a professional team (Team DSM), and conclude with ideas related to increasing Pro Cycling's fan base in the U.S.
On this episode I interview Dr. Ron Kastens, a certified Enneagram coach, regarding the validity and increasing popularity of this self-assessment tool. How can it be used in business, did it originate from the occult, and is it comparable to Myers Briggs? Find out in this episode!
On this episode I interview Tom Morton, Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Quality at Eastman Chemical Company, regarding the various drivers impacting the global supply chain. We cover a wide range of topics including current events, the strategic and quality control tools used to assess and minimize risk, the skills business students need to work in supply chain and related fields today, as well as the ever-increasing role of analytics in supply chain management.
In this episode, I am interviewed by the Cadillac (MI) Area Chamber of Commerce. We discuss labor participation, employee morale, and even some Abraham Maslow!
On this episode I interview Dr. Kristal Dove, Professor of economics, finance, and Int'l business, regarding the ethics of cryptocurrency investing. *Note, in the interview I said the stock market has gone up 10% in 100 years....I meant roughly 10% annually.
I will conclude this two part series by describing Ayn's version of capitalism, the impact it would have on businesses, and her opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I will talk about why Ayn Rand, a major influencer on Libertarian ideas and business today, had issues with universities, republicans, democrats, and people of faith in the 1970s and beyond. She also detested philosophers Kant, Bentham, Plato, and Nietzsche. Her ethical philosophy, "Objectivism," will be briefly unpacked. In Part II, I plan on discussing her influence specifically on economics, politics, and business. Let's just have some fun and assume she doesn't like any of us!
In this episode I interview Dr. Lori Mills, Professor of Psychology, regarding Dale Carnegie's classic 1936 work: "How to Win Friends and Influence People." This book has sold well over 30 million copies and classes based on it are taught all over the world. We talk about some of the more controversial suggestions from the book from a psychological perspective. Are influencing and manipulating related? And how can business persons influence stakeholders in an ethical manner?
In this episode I discuss the purpose of the MBA degree, address common criticisms, and describe the MBA's future.
In this episode I interview Dr. David Campbell to discuss the impact that cryptocurrency has on the modern economy. Dr. Campbell unpacks what cryptocurrency is as well as how to mine and buy shares of this mysterious "currency."