How can improving or developing your professional image strengthen your executive presence and brand? First impressions matter, which is why the way you dress makes a huge difference in how you are perceived.    Personal Stylist, Confidence Coach and owner of Styling With Vay, Vay Patel shares how partnering with an executive stylist will allow a leader to focus on what really matters. Jenny Brown, Executive Coach with AppMeetup joins as a co-host.  Highlights include: Executive stylists or...

Are your remote and hybrid work models achieving the desired outcomes? How are you measuring the effectiveness of this approach? Many organizations are choosing not to go back ‘to the office’ and embrace the reality of remote working arrangements.  Technology Executive Coach Robert Cotton shares what leaders need to consider when managing their expectations of an ever changing workforce. Some of the highlights: Benefits of remote teams include productivity, savings and lower...

Conflict is not inherently negative and is a normal aspect of human interaction. Avoiding conflict altogether creates silos and internal tension, which in turn impacts organizational culture and performance. While it can seem uncomfortable to address and navigate, conflict can also be an opportunity to learn and for growth. Conflict can provide clarity, help inspire creativity, strengthen culture and build self-awareness. Owner and Founder of Stearns Consulting, Troy Stearns shares his...

Effective leaders not only advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) but also embody vulnerability—an essential quality that cultivates openness, empathy, community and inclusivity. As a leader within your organization, do you help to foster a culture that is safe for dialogue, welcoming of ideas, acknowledging of diverse journeys, providing sponsorships and supporting growth? Kerry Robinson, Commercial Distribution Director at Ping Identity shares why it is important for...

The application window for PitchIT 2024 is still open. The annual PitchIT Accelerator Program is now in its 5th year, and we are thrilled to partner again with Sean Lardo, ConnectWise and the IT Nation community. Sean Lardo, Head Evangelist and a true voice for the partner joins us once again to talk about IT Nation and the upcoming PitchIT Accelerator Program. PitchIT is a worldwide ‘Shark Tank’ like competition that invites organizations to highlight their innovative solutions, be...

Do executives and coaches need coaching? You’ve been mastering your art as a coach and leader. You’ve learned to draw out the best from your teams and clients. You are constantly asking, ‘how are you doing’ and ‘what are you working on’; but when was the last time you were asked those same questions? If you are going to continue to develop and expect to give the very best version of yourself, how can you not invite coaches to support you? Jeanne Omlor is a Business Strategist and a certified...

Whether you like it or not, stress and stressful experiences are a part of life. Stress can be compounded and even triggered by various factors, including personal challenges, health concerns, work pressure, or even global events. The key is learning how to manage stress. This ability can significantly impact our overall wellbeing and professional success. Dat Tran, Leadership coach, Speaker and Founder of Dat Purpose shares his journey and insight into helping leaders and organizations with...

Are you considering starting a podcast to elevate your voice or to promote your business? Podcasting can be a creative platform and path for harnessing a captive audience and for cultivating a loyal community.  Christopher Hensley, President and CEO of Houston First Financial Group shares his experience from diving into the world of podcasting. He also serves as the Host of the Money Matters Podcast, now a 10-year program that provides important money management education.  Christopher...

The benefits of the OKR goal-setting process are apparent and core to the success of some of the world’s leading organizations. The Objective and Key Results (OKR) model, when properly implemented, helps to guide the company toward the desired stated mission and vision.  Scott Levy, Founder and CEO of Result Maps shares how organizations can shape culture, elevate communication and increase engagement.  Result Maps is a leading Strategy Execution Software, providing CEOs and leaders of...

What About the Cloud? Add Value and Learn What should you know about the Cloud and how can aligning with the right partnerships lead to greater success? Joseph Landes, CRO & CoFounder of Nerdio shares his leadership journey and what he has learned about building a leading and successful organization. Nerdio is a leading software solution provider that empowers MSPs and Technology firms to best deploy, manage, and cost-optimize native Microsoft Cloud technologies. Some of the key...

If you've wondered why you aren't closing more deals or if you have ever considered if there was a way to increase your close ratios; then this might be the episode for you. You expect to be excellent in your role as a sales professional. Support your own career by investing in public speaking.  Speaking with confidence, speaking to engage and speaking to increase your influence, are all a part of what it takes to find incredible success. In this episode, we share some ideas on how focusing...

If you desire to create a successful startup or if you are looking to strengthen your startup, what should you keep in mind? Start with a solution that a customer would want or need, build around amazing people and clarify your message. Speaking of that message, what are some communication tips that every technical founder and leader should keep in mind? What are those tips that can help articulate the value you provide? Tips include:  Know your Audience,A Compelling Story.Practice,...

What is meant by brand value and why is it important to know your brand DNA? People and organizations often buy from you first, before they buy your product, service or organization. Brand value describes the value of brands based on the implication that the products and services with a well-known brand will generate more money and profit than those with a less well known name. Brands influence and strengthen, while creating loyalty. It's more than your logo, tagline or slogan.   3...

We have received from our listening audience and supporters, specific topics that they would like for us to touch on. In this episode, we provide some thoughts on how to address and overcome stage fright.  We all have nerves and much of that anxiety stems from a fear of being judged.  Here are some tips we cover: Clarity of Intention. Systematic desensitization (gradual exposure to overcome fear). Avoiding stimulants and understanding your health. Breathing and grounding...

When was the last time you had a website refresh or brought in an outside agency for a marketing audit? How can this elevate your brand and strengthen your sales?   Serial entrepreneur, author and speaker Charlene Ignacio shares how sales can lead your marketing strategy. Charlene also serves as the CEO of Fornix Marketing Agency, offering outsourced Marketing solutions and serving clients in the tech, MSP/IT, and cybersecurity sectors. Some of the highlights include: Her elevator pitch and...

Which books are a part of your ‘must read’ for 2024 list? Were there any books from 2023 that you never finished? Did they collect dust on your bookshelf and become a part of your office decor?  Be intentional about the books and resources you pursue to support your development. Invest in your professional growth. You deserve it! Align your mind and your books with your growth goals Here are our recommended books for 2024: 1. "Extreme Ownership: How US Navy Seals Lead and Win'' by Jocko...

While painful at the time, scars can serve a meaningful purpose. You have the ability to endure, learn and grow from your experiences. Randy Riemersma, VP Sales, Americas at SiteTracker shares lessons learned from his own leadership journey.  Some of the highlights include: How he has transformed as a leader over the years. Leading with affection and humility. Teaches from his 'scar tissue.' Human behavior modification as a focus to help lead towards an outcome that leaders want. Leaders...

What does ‘make me a believer’ or ‘make a believer out of me’ mean? While your prospect or client may not say this directly to you, they might hold this position and may be making this stance by procrastinating or avoiding the ultimate goal of signing on the dotted line.  Let’s dive into 4 keys for unlocking more opportunities and for closing more deals. Let’s unlock with these 4 keys: Excitement Authenticity Body Language Curiosity Turn them into believers. Let them become an advocate and...

The Emmy-award winning television series Ted Lasso has captivated audiences with its heartwarming portrayal of an American football coach turned English Premier League football manager. Ted Lasso has become a symbol of inspirational, empathetic, and humble leadership.  Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of Lead it Like Lasso: a Leadership Book for Life. Your Life, share an entirely different approach to leadership touching on lessons learned from both the show and their own...

Is your business attractive? You've poured your blood, sweat and tears into building something so special, but what if your baby aka your business is not maturing or healthy? It could be time to take a hard look, accept that it may indeed be an ugly baby and make some decisions.  Business and Executive Coach John K. Jennings, President and Founder of Inspired Business Concepts shares why it is important to identify, strategize, gain control and become victorious with your business. We dive...

Happy New Year! As we close the chapter to 2023 and start a new one in 2024, it’s fitting that we take some time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the journey. What have you learned this past year? How have you grown? What victories have you celebrated? 2023 brought about new resources and even more incredible guests. We love elevating and sharing the voices of influential leaders. Let 2024 build from the momentum of gained experiences and embrace with excitement all that you will accomplish...

Who makes a better public speaker – an introvert, extrovert or ambivert? Most would likely think that the answer is the extrovert. The extrovert by nature is more comfortable with crowds and doesn’t hesitate to take the microphone. Introverts on the other hand prefer alone time and introspection. When considering defining these, consider the concept of energy and how you get energized. Extroverts are energized being around people, whereas introverts are energized by being alone or in small...

There’s almost nothing more satisfying than winning, unless you fully understand how the victory was accomplished. While we love celebrating wins; we should want to be able to break down the process and factors it took to get that across the finish line.  Andrew Kappel is Principal of Benchmark Signal Consulting and the Host of ‘How the Deal was Done’ podcast. Benchmark Signal Consulting specializes in Sales Optimization and Acceleration Projects for Gong and HubSpot clients.  Some of the...

How is surfing like selling? Surfing may appear to be an easy sport or activity, until you put on that wetsuit and hit the water. Builders and sales leaders know all too well this activity or profession called selling is also not as easy as it may appear. In this episode, you will be inspired to not be a spectator but to ‘get into the water’ with an expectation of success. Scott Leese is a 6X Sales Leader, 4X Founder, 3X author and co-Host of the Surf & Sales podcast. He consults and...