CEO Coaching International Podcast

Make BIG Happen Summit Flashback: 4 Ways to Deliver World-Class Customer Service from John DiJulius Jan 21, 2025

Are you ready to achieve the unimaginable this year?

Then register now for the 2025 Make BIG Happen Summit, April 24-27 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel. This year, in addition to our usual lineup of world-class speakers and social events, we’re excited to unveil our exclusive “MBH” program—a full MBA experience distilled into one intensive day. You’ll gain strategies and insights directly from renowned experts like Good To Great author Jim Collins, and Harvard Business School professors Deepak Malhotra and Boris Groysberg.

For a preview of the kind of inspiring, motivating, and actionable presentations you can expect at the Make BIG Happen Summit, listen to 2019 speaker John DiJulius deliver a masterclass on exceptional customer service.

Guest: John DiJulius, Chief Revolution Officer and President of the DiJulius Group.

Quick Background: Most companies get customer service all wrong. They make a big show of designing shiny apps, building amazing showrooms, and rolling out cutting-edge products. But they forget to put laser focus on who actually pays for all that—the customer! When you deepen your customer relationships and focus on creating a memorable experience, you can charge a premium price and retain clients for life.

“Technology is only 10% of the experience,” says customer service expert John DiJulius, while your person who delivers the service is the other 90%. “Technology can never build a rapport, show empathy, or make a brilliant comeback when we drop the ball, but you can,” John says.

Many businesses are trying to de-emphasize the importance of the employee and replace them with chatbots and AI. But that technology will never outperform a well-trained human who steps in when your customer needs personalized help.

In this presentation, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching International Summit, John DiJulius explains how you can train your team to own every problem, make meaningful connections with every customer, and create a world-class customer experience that will drive BIG business.

Chris Stakich on How Joining a Business Forum Can Help CEOS Learn, Connect, and Make BIG Happen in 2025 Jan 07, 2025

Guest: Chris Stakich, Chief Community Officer at CEO Coaching International. Chris oversees our business forums, in-person events, and communication hubs. Prior to joining the team, Chris was the Chief Experience Officer at YPO where he oversaw 500+ global events, 6,500+ forums, all strategic partnerships, and the member learning strategy.

Quick Background: Learning and leadership growth should always be at the top of a CEO's list of New Year's goals. One of the most impactful ways to accelerate that learning is by connecting with other leaders. Business forums can provide a structured and supportive environment to share your experiences, reflect on your challenges, and learn from your peers so that you can elevate your business skills and accelerate your success.

On today's show, Chris Stakich discusses how CEO Coaching International's new business forums complement the coaching experience and will help CEOS Make BIG Happen in 2025.

Using a Customized Outsourced Sales Team to Achieve BIG Scale with Dina Coker Dec 03, 2024

Guest: Dina Coker, the founder and CEO of Akcel Partners, a groundbreaking company that specializes in providing outsourced sales talent that is tailored to meet the specific challenges of its clients.

Overview: Making BIG Happen requires a sales strategy that's innovative, adaptable, and capable of sustaining scale. But sales isn't a core competency at all firms -- especially start-ups and companies that are laser-focused on product development. Outsourcing can give CEOs quick access to a world-class sales team while their company keeps doing what it does best.

On today's show, Dina Coker explains how she deploys outsourced sales teams that complement or replace traditional in-house structures. She also discusses the critical moments when CEOs should consider leveraging outsourced sales talent and the key strategies for turning sales into a BIG advantage.

Erin Cigich on How Coaching Helped Her Think of Sales as a Math Problem and Grow BIG Nov 12, 2024

Guest: Erin Cigich, CEO of Perform[cb], a leading outcome-based marketing firm that helps brands acquire customers on a performance-based model where companies pay only for real results.

Overview: Every BIG starts small. In order to achieve their vision and sustain growth, the CEO has to establish precise, actionable steps that build towards measurable results. Keep the right numbers trending in the right direction every day, month, quarter, and year, and you'll keep Making BIG Happen.

On today's show, Erin Cigich explains how thinking about sales as a "math problem" and working with a CEO coach have been instrumental in helping the company beat its sales target by more than 200%. We also talk about leveraging AI for customer acquisition, clarifying your ideal customer profile, and building a performance-based culture.

How to Build a High-Performance Culture in a Global Company with Matt Plitt Oct 29, 2024

Guest: Matt Plitt, President & Chief Executive Officer of Valent U.S.A. LLC, which is part of Sumitomo Chemicals Global Agricultural Operations. Matt is responsible for driving growth across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

Overview: Every BIG is even BIGGER at a truly global business. Subsidiaries and their holding companies need to synchronize culture and processes to achieve a wide array of goals that impact a huge number of stakeholders. But leaders also have to be able to identify the specific action items that belong at the top of their to-do lists so that their company finds that sweet spot between operational rigor and optimal performance.

On today's show, Matt Plitt explains how he led Valent by building a culture that balances entrepreneurial spirit with discipline. He also explains how working with CEO Coaching International helped him implement a framework for high performance, cultural alignment, and accountability.

Powerful Tactics To Drive Impactful Execution in Your Organization With Spencer Shaffer Oct 15, 2024

Guest: Spencer Shaffer, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Spencer is a four-time CEO and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience across engineering services, energy, technology, and software as a service business models. He's also been a YPO member since 2006. Over the past 26 years, Spencer has led numerous business transformations through M&A, scaling operations, leadership development, and change management. He is passionate about building people, teams, and cultures.

Quick Background: The very best companies make the hard work of daily execution and consistent progress look easy. But to lead a company to that place where every cog is in sync and every flywheel is spinning, the CEO has to master three essential elements that keep people and processes heading in the same direction.

On today's show, Spencer Shaffer dives into how these three essential elements combined with his top tactics for driving powerful execution will Make BIG Happen.

How to Align Vision, Mission, Culture, Strategy & Execution for Explosive Growth with Greg Martin Oct 08, 2024

Guest: Greg Martin, an entrepreneur, CEO, private equity investor, and a coach at CEO Coaching International. Greg led four separate companies onto the Inc. 5000 list while achieving growth rates of over 6,000%. Combined, his businesses have generated more than $3 billion in revenue, created over 2,500 jobs, and resulted in two high-eight-figure exits.

Quick Background: A great company is always BIGGER than the sum of its parts. The very highest performers align everything they do around key elements that ground the company's purpose and guide its daily operations towards achieving BIG goals.

On today's show, Greg Martin explains the five business elements all CEOs need to align to Make BIG Happen.

A Proven Process for Achieving Strong Culture, Rapid Growth, and a BIG Exit from Anthony Venus Oct 06, 2024

Guest: Anthony Venus, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Anthony is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO who led his latest venture-backed SaaS firm YayPay from its inception to a successful exit.

Quick Background: Why are some founders and CEOs able to repeat BIG success? Because they understand that winning a market, consistent growth, and nine-figure exits aren’t a matter of luck. Once you’ve learned how to install specific, measurable, and actionable systems, you can repeat those processes at new companies, and even in new industries.

And the best of the best, like the team at CEO Coaching International, can teach other CEOs how to do the same and Make BIG Happen.

On today’s show, Anthony Venus discusses how his leadership and strategic vision fueled YayPay’s growth and ultimate success, the importance of developing a strong company culture, and what his recent travels have taught him about the need for CEOs to lead with passion and purpose.

Five Steps to a Dynamic Go-To-Market Strategy with Mary Naylor Oct 01, 2024

Guest: Mary Naylor, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Mary is a repeat founder, CEO, and board member working in diverse sectors including customer loyalty, consumer services, concierge and lifestyle services, hospitality, travel, financial services, call center customer service, and technology platforms. She has 30 years of expertise in enterprise business development, go-to-market strategies, sales optimization, channel partnerships, team building, and fundraising.

Quick Background: What's the BIGGEST mistake CEOs make about their go-to-market strategy?

Acting like it's finished.

Consistently studying and refining your value proposition, customer profile, and messaging is the only way to keep your company competing, growing, and Making BIG Happen.

On today's show, Mary Naylor walks us through the five steps she uses to ensure that a CEO's go-to-market strategy stays relevant and dynamic in a constantly evolving marketplace.

The Five Traits of High-Performing Teams With Lisa Tanzer Sep 24, 2024

Guest: Lisa Tanzer, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Lisa is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience, including 10 years in CEO and president’s roles and 10 years leading marketing teams as the CMO. She’s worked with Fortune 1000 companies like Gillette, Staples, and Hasbro, as well as privately held and venture-backed companies across a range of industries.

Quick Background: Nothing can move the needle on your company’s ceiling quicker than talent. That’s why great companies hire the best people, period. But how do you know if your teams are coalescing around the company’s BIG goals and cultural values?

On today’s show, Lisa Tanzer details the five traits of high-performing teams and her proven approach to building and managing the talent CEOs need to Make BIG Happen.

Chris Justice's Proven 5-Step Method to Mastering Complex Business Challenges Sep 18, 2024

Guest: Chris Justice, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Chris is a former CEO with a proven track record of managing business units from $25 million to $700 million across diverse industries, including retail, lodging, automotive, e-commerce, and casino gaming.

Quick Background: Running a business has always been hard. And considering that today's CEOs need to manage complex generational divides, global competition, rapid technological advances, and a constantly evolving economic landscape, leading isn't going to get any easier. But if your company has a clear vision, top talent, and dependable systems, there are very few BIG goals or problems that a CEO can't break down into smaller, more manageable parts.

On today's show, Chris Justice shares his practical, five-step framework for turning around companies and dealing with complicated business situations.

How "Thinking Bigger" Helped Sarah Dusek Save Her Business and Achieve a Nine-Figure Exit Sep 03, 2024

Guest: Sarah Dusek, the founder of Under Canvas, the leading upscale outdoor hospitality brand that she grew to a value of over $100 million. Today, Sarah is a venture capitalist, a cofounder of a new hospitality company, and the author of the new book, Thinking Bigger: A Pitch-Deck Formula for Women Who Want to Change the World.

Overview: In 2012, Sarah Dusek's "glamping" company was starting its first season at Yellowstone National Park. One fateful afternoon, a huge thunderstorm rolled in and flattened the campsite, and, seemingly, Sarah's dream.

But Sarah, her husband, her employees, and even her customers rallied. She rebuilt her business model with an eye towards repeatability and scale. And as the company began to get to BIG, Sarah began "thinking bigger" as well.

On today's show, Sarah Dusek describes her incredible journey from the brink of collapse to building a $100-million industry leader. She also shares lessons from her new career in VC about what makes a business investible.

AI vs. Human Touch: Finding the Perfect Balance for Exceptional Customer Experience with CEO Sally Hurley Aug 27, 2024

Guest: Sally Hurley, CEO of VIPdesk, a global leader in remote customer service. Sally is also a client of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: Much of the focus on the AI revolution has been on how businesses can streamline operations and execute certain key tasks around the clock. But any AI implementation that isn't improving the efficiency and quality of your customer experience is going to be a downgrade, no matter how fancy your tech stack is.

On today's show, Sally Hurley explains how to zero in on the unique balance between AI automation and human connection that will Make BIG Happen for your company.

5 Keys to a Compensation Package that Attracts, Retains, and Motivates Top Talent with Jen L'Estrange Aug 13, 2024

Guest: Jen L'Estrange, Founder & CEO of Red Clover, which offers large-scale, strategic and operational Human Resources support that’s accessible to small businesses.

Overview: When it comes to comp, money is rarely enough -- especially for top talent. The best workers need to feel like their efforts are not just rewarded but recognized as integral contributions towards Making BIG Happen. Your compensation package has to tie all of these motivations together in a way that's clear, equitable, and integral to the company's top goals.

On today's show, Jen L'Estrange shares five key insights on upgrading your compensation package:

1. Increase focus on variable compensation.

2. Communicate clearly about how compensation is structured.

3. Incentivize both short-term performance and long-term strategic objectives.

4. Provide non-monetary motivation for team members.

5. Benchmark salaries against market data rather than relying solely on cost of living adjustments.

Dr. Madan Kandula on Partnering With Private Equity to Drive BIG Business Growth Jul 30, 2024

Guest: Dr. Madan Kandula, a surgeon, entrepreneur, and the founder/CEO of ADVENT, a leading healthcare company providing solutions for people who have had life-long breathing and sleeping challenges. Dr. Kandula is also a client of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: Whether you're running a Silicon Valley tech firm or a nonprofit in your hometown, getting BIG is never just a matter of driving up profits. Money is the fuel that powers the greater mission, which lifts up employees and shareholders as well as customers and community. CEOs have to use that higher purpose as a guide for how to achieve meaningful scale that will also deliver a meaningful impact.

On today's show, Dr. Madan Kandula discusses how he built ADVENT from a small practice to a thriving organization with over 300 employees and 25 locations across the Midwest. He also shares valuable insights on balancing profit with mission and how to effectively partner with private equity firms without compromising your vision for serving clients and Making BIG Happen.

Why PE Firms Should Engage Coaches for Their Portco CEOs with Randy Dewey Jul 16, 2024

Guest: Randy Dewey, the President and COO of CEO Coaching International. Randy has over 30 years of experience delivering rapid growth and expansion across various industries and countries.

Quick Background: In order to Make BIG Happen, private equity firms need the companies they invest in to get BIG too. And, in most cases, the sooner the better.

On today's show, Randy discusses how the team at CEO Coaching International works with private equity firms and their portco (portfolio company) CEOs to accelerate growth, improve execution, and maximize returns. Randy shares some insights on the importance of early intervention in newly acquired companies, bridging the gap between private equity expectations and portfolio company execution, and how coaching can help CEOs navigate the increased pressure that often comes with private equity ownership.

How to Successfully Transition to the Second Generation CEO in a Family Owned Company with Shelley Van Etten Jul 09, 2024

Guest: Shelley Van Etten, the president and CEO of WLT Software, a family-owned company that develops software for adjudicating and processing health and medical claims.

Overview: Generational CEOs are inheriting a BIG responsibility when they take over the family business. The new CEO is often filling "big shoes" and has to maintain the best of what got the firm to where it is while also moving forward in certain areas and keeping talent aligned with the business' core values.

On today's show, Shelley Van Etten discusses how she navigated the challenges of leading a second-generation family business, preserving company culture while evolving with the times, and preparing the next generation to keep Making BIG Happen.

7-Time CEO Jon Hyman's Roadmap for Creating High-Value, Scalable, and Sellable Businesses Jul 01, 2024

Guest: Jon Hyman, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jon is a four-time entrepreneur, a seven-time CEO, and an accomplished business leader with over 30 years of experience across various industries, including consumer products, construction materials, sports and entertainment, investment banking, and manufacturing.

Quick Background: So you've built, grown, and sold your first company. Ready for your next entrepreneurial adventure? Many aren't. To get back to the top of the mountain, entrepreneurs have to be willing to learn from their failures as well as their successes, and stay focused on the leadership principles that helped them Make BIG Happen in the first place.

On today's show, Jon Hyman explains how he was able to lead an eclectic group of companies towards the same goal: a BIG exit.

Adobe's Scott Belsky On Balancing "Messy Middle" Execution While Still Fostering BIG Disruptive Ideas Jun 25, 2024

Guest: Scott Belsky, Adobe's Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design & Emerging Products. Scott cofounded the online creative community Behance, which was acquired by Adobe in 2012. He's also an author whose works include the Implications newsletter and the book The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture.

Overview: The difference between a BIG idea fizzling out or becoming reality is execution. The CEO has to support innovation at every level of the company while also keeping that innovation organized around driving progress towards annual goals. Following creative ambitions without vision and focus could lead your business astray, or open the door for disruption from a nimble competitor.

On today's show, Scott Belsky discusses how leaders can find the right balance of talent, tech, and innovation to make ideas -- and BIG -- happen.

Buying the Company You Work For: How Wendy Mather Risked Everything and Became a First-Time CEO Jun 11, 2024

Guest: Wendy Mather, CEO of RDP Creative. Wendy and her team "bring creative ideas and stories to life through bespoke merchandise that people want to keep for years."

Overview: When you're sitting in the CEO's chair, there's only one step up left in an organization. But opportunities to grab an ownership stake are rare. CEOs who want a BIG piece of the pie have to be personally, professionally, and financially prepared to seize that moment.

On today's show, Wendy Mather explains how she purchased RDP Creative -- with a little help from some very supportive friends. She also discusses how she uses empathetic leadership and the power of positivity to shape a winning culture and Make BIG Happen.

The CEO's Guide to Understanding, Implementing, and Profiting From AI with CEO Coaching's Curt Gooden Jun 04, 2024

Guest: Curt Gooden, CEO Coaching International's Chief AI Officer. Curt helps CEOs define and realize their AI vision and meaningfully integrate AI into their business strategy and operations by leading CEO AI Roadmap workshops.

Quick Background: Mastering AI is not the CEO's job. But learning about the fundamentals and identifying potential implementations is a responsibility that no CEO can afford to shrug off any longer. As Peter Diamandis said at our recent Make BIG Happen Summit, "Everyone’s moving towards AI companies. It is happening now, and it is the most important happening that has ever existed.” You simply can't let challenging ideas and an alphabet soup of acronyms prevent your company from catching this wave.

On today's show, Curt Gooden explains important AI concepts and discusses how CEOs can drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage that will Make BIG Happen.

Greg Coticchia: Here's How to Master New Product Development and Build a Culture of Innovation May 21, 2024

Guest: Greg Coticchia, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Greg is a six-time CEO, award-winning entrepreneur, business leader, professor, and author with over 30 years’ experience in tech products and services.

Quick Background: Innovation is the lifeblood of a growing company. If you're not continuously improving your products and services and exploring new marketplaces, you're putting a cap on your business' potential, and creating an opening that younger, nimbler, and braver competitors will march right through.

On today's show, we explore Greg Coticchia's process for mastering new product development and building a culture of innovation that will Make BIG Happen.

Three Keys to Scaling High-Growth Companies with Jonathan Seliger May 14, 2024

Guest: Jonathan Seliger, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jonathan is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer, Senior Advisor, and Investor with over 30 years of experience.Having lived and worked in Asia for the last 30years,Jonathan brings a global perspective to the challenges of scaling a business to BIG.

Quick Background: Even if your company is global, business is always local. Your strategies for attracting and retaining customers have to be customized for each individual market. What unites your plan of attack from town to town, state to state, and country to country is the consistency of your company’s values, the strength of its brand, and its ability to execute, no matter what.

On today’s show, Jonathan Seliger shares his strategies for expanding a brand’s reach, effectively managing growth challenges, and ensuring that scaling efforts align with long-term profitability and sustainability goals that will Make BIG Happen.

Implementing Lean Management to Drive Growth and Operational Excellence with Keith Corrigan May 07, 2024

Guest: Keith Corrigan, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Keith has deep expertise in implementing Lean business practices. As a coach he draws on a proven track record of driving growth, managing through crises, and achieving operational excellence in various industries.

Quick Background: Lean management is a systematic approach to running an organization that focuses on continuous improvement and seeks to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. Essentially, it involves using fewer resources to create more value for customers. The primary goals of lean management are to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity and quality by streamlining processes and eliminating any steps in a process that do not create value for the end customer.

Some companies have faced the threats of high inflation and interest rates by scaling back, well, everything: costs, office space, marketing, people, new products, and perhaps worst of all, ambition. CEOs have to understand that there's a BIG difference between a streamlined, lean company that's ready for anything and a declining company that's cutting too many corners.

On today's show, Keith Corrigan breaks down the true essence of Lean management, including the management system he has implemented to minimize waste and Make BIG Happen.

Edward Hughes On The Leadership Traits that Build Trust and Make BIG Happen Apr 22, 2024

Guest: Edward Hughes, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Edward is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with two decades of experience as a CEO and three decades in senior leadership across Technology, Consumer Products, and Sporting Goods companies. He's also an Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Irvine, teaching General Management and Entrepreneurship in MBA and Executive MBA programs.

Quick Background: There's no one way to be an effective business leader. But the CEO's unique alchemy of personality, strategy, and vision has to inspire trust from employees at every level of the organization. If your employees don't believe in you, they won't be willing to follow you through the inevitable ups and downs on the way to Making BIG Happen.

On today's show Edward Hughes discusses his comprehensive leadership philosophy, which emphasizes building trust to drive success and foster a high-growth culture.

The CEO's Guide to How a CXO Can Enhance Your Company's Client Experience and Drive Growth Apr 16, 2024

Guest: Saari Gardner, the Chief Experience Officer at CEO Coaching International. Saari is responsible for setting the client experience strategy, managing the client journey, and championing client impact.

Quick Background: While the title "Chief Experience Officer" is relatively new, the executive-level responsibilities that will fall on the CXO's desk are not. Before considering a costly new c-suite hire, your company needs to have a holistic understanding of how touchpoints with customers and employees fulfill needs and exceed expectations. Guided by the CEO's vision, a CXO can raise those standards, maintain consistency across every department, and build a powerful culture that will Make BIG Happen.

On today's show, Saari Gardner discusses the CXO's multifaceted responsibilities, from being a changemaker and a voice for the customer at the executive table to reducing internal friction that impacts customer satisfaction. Saari also highlights the link between employee experience and customer service excellence and how fostering a positive work environment translates into superior customer interactions. We also explore the strategic considerations for integrating a CXO into your company, including when to recognize the need for this role and how to measure its impact on your business's bottom line.

How to Turn AI Hype Into BIG Profits by Executing a CEO AI Roadmap with Randy Koch Apr 02, 2024

Guest: Randy Koch, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Randy drew on his 11 years of AI and Data experience to build CEO Coaching International’s CEO AI Roadmap Product (AI Strategy for CEOs). He also leads AI Strategy Workshops with our clients and coaches.

Quick Background: The hype around AI is so BIG that many CEOs struggle to zero in on two-to-three specific, practical, and actionable applications. That's where our CEO AI Roadmap comes in. The combination of our proven best practices and cutting-edge analysis of the latest AI trends will help CEOs develop a comprehensive AI strategy that delivers BIG results.

On today's show, Randy Koch gives an overview of the process CEOs can use to build their own CEO AI Roadmaps, leverage AI to its full potential, and Make BIG Happen.

Mark Moses on AI, Longevity, Resilience, and the 2024 Make BIG Happen Summit Mar 21, 2024

Guest: Mark Moses, CEO and Founding Partner of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: The 2024 Make BIG Happen Summit in Miami Beach, Florida is almost here! On April 26th and 27th, 400 of the BIGGEST and best business leaders from around the world will gather at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel to learn, to connect, and to get inspired to Make BIG Happen in their lives and businesses.

And, for the first time in the Summit's 10-year history, we're opening up registration for this one-of-a-kind event to CEOs, entrepreneurs, and executives outside of our coaching community.

On this special episode, Mark Moses discusses the Four Groundbreaking Event Themes that will define the 2024 Make BIG Happen Summit, our extraordinary lineup of speakers, and what he hopes attendees will take away from their time in Miami Beach.

Robert Glazer on How Partnership Marketing Creates a BIG Competitive Advantage Mar 05, 2024

Guest: Robert Glazer, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of global partner marketing agency Acceleration Partners. Robert is also a serial entrepreneur, an award-winning executive, a bestselling author, a keynote speaker, and the host of The Elevate Podcast.

Overview: Effective marketing is a constantly moving target. Today's hot engagement strategy will be copycatted by all of your competition tomorrow. "Old-fashioned" media like print and radio get rediscovered on the cheap ... until everyone else rediscovers them and drives up the cost of ad buys. In order to maintain a competitive marketing advantage, CEOs need to start looking for synergies and partnerships that can boost your brand's awareness, strengthen your appeal to niche customers, and Make BIG Happen.

On today's show, Robert Glazer discusses how partnership marketing works, action steps that CEOs can take to augment their current marketing strategies, and some of Robert's key learnings from building a fast-growing company.

Harold Brand's Blueprint for Transforming Engineering Expertise into Sales Mastery Feb 20, 2024

Guest: Harold Brand, Chairman of the Board and CEO of CYBRA, a leader in the barcode and RFID technology space. Harold is a client of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: A good CEO understands his company's core competencies. A great CEO also understands his company's weaknesses. And the absolute best CEOs have the humility and long-term vision to get help shoring up those weaknesses so that they can Make BIG Happen.

On today's show, Harold Brand discusses how working with CEO Coaching International's Jim Weaver helped his technology firm grow into a sales and marketing juggernaut with over 2,700 customers worldwide.

Bruce Clay on Leveraging AI, SEO, PPC, and Top Talent in Your Digital Marketing Plan Feb 06, 2024

Guest: Bruce Clay, founder and president of Bruce Clay Inc. (BCI), a leading search marketing company providing search engine optimization (SEO) services and consulting, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising management, content development, and social media marketing services.

Overview: Is your digital marketing plan stuck in "The Before Times?"

Post-pandemic, CEOs need to understand how to get maximum effort, creativity, and service from their marketing teams.

And as we head into the next iteration of the AI era, CEOs need to understand that tech is never a solution -- it's a tool that needs to be placed in the right hands, in service of clear objectives.

On today's show, Bruce Clay discusses how COVID and AI have accelerated digital marketing's evolution and how to tweak your marketing attack to keep Making BIG Happen.

The 6 Financial Tools Every CEO Needs to Make BIG Happen with Scott Crawford Jan 23, 2024

Guest: K. Scott Crawford, Partner, New Business Development, Client Prioritization at Preferred CFO, a company that provides outsourced CFO and comptroller services to companies seeking to elevate financial strategy, overcome challenges, maximize profits, and accelerate growth.

Overview: Leveraging your company’s financial data isn’t just a numbers game. Without top talent and clearly defined roles for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting financial data, CEOs won’t have the insight they need to track, measure, and manage KPIs to BIG.

On today’s show, Scott Crawford discusses the CEO’s role in the financial side of the business, the key players to assemble on your financial team, and the six essential financial tools every company needs.

5 Key Strategies in Financial Modeling for Growth: A CEO's Guide with Daniel Kim Jan 09, 2024

Guest: Daniel Kim, VP of Product Development and Content at CEO Coaching International, where he oversees the creation of Making BIG Happen tools, methodologies, and skills. Dan also serves as a resource to coaches and clients for challenges related to finance, banking, M&A, PE/VC/IPO, industry benchmarks, and reporting issues. Previously, Dan was VP of Corporate Development at several firms and a head of research and technology analyst in the investment banking industry for 25 years.

Quick Background: Entrepreneurs and CEOs rarely love managing their business' finances as much as they love running their businesses. But leaders need to have comprehensive data at their fingertips and a team that can use that data to enhance the company's strategic planning and execution.

On today's show, Daniel Kim discusses the critical role of accurate financial data in Making BIG Happen, including real-world examples of how money management can either drive growth or unravel your company's culture.

Mike Morris on Aligning Sales and Marketing to the Company's BIG Goals Nov 28, 2023

Guest: Mike Morris, a Principal at Kettle Hole Partners, a company that helps you optimize your marketing results based on detailed tracking of the numbers. Previously, Mike headed up Customer Acquisition and Retention at Grasshopper, The Entrepreneur’s Phone System, where he tripled the customer acquisition rate and doubled revenue in 3 years.

Overview: When a company falls short of its goals, sales and marketing teams tend to point fingers at each other. Sales complains that marketing isn't delivering enough qualified leads. Marketing complains that sales isn't closing enough leads. And perceptive CEOs see a significant misalignment that threatens to drag down profits.

On today's show, Mike Morris discusses structural and analytical strategies CEOs can use to keep sales and marketing focused on reaching your target customers and Making BIG Happen. Mike also uses his time at Grasshopper as a case study in identifying a sales niche and firing test bullets to identify new opportunities for growth.

Chris Dyer on Harnessing "The Power of Company Culture" to Drive Up Profits and Growth Nov 14, 2023

Guest: Chris Dyer, a company culture and remote work expert. He's also a former CEO who has managed thousands of people, and his companies were consistently named a "best place to work." Chris' new book is The Power of Company Culture: How Any Business Can Build a Culture That Improves Productivity, Performance and Profits.

Overview: Recently, the tech and entertainment sectors have given us some high-profile examples of what happens when a company's culture degrades from a strength into a liability. CEOs have to be intentional and specific about building a culture that will generate value for all stakeholders, keep the company moving toward its targets, and, ultimately, Make BIG Happen.

On today's show, Chris Dyer discusses what culture is, how leaders cultivate it, and how culture can drive or destroy growth.

Stanford Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer on Applying His "7 Rules of Power" to CEO Leadership Oct 31, 2023

Guest: Jeffrey Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, where he has taught since 1979. Prof. Pfeffer is the author or co-author of 16 books, including his latest, 7 Rules of Power: Surprising--but True--Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career.

Overview: The tools that allow business leaders to gain, increase, and retain their power are neutral. It's how you use those tools that determines how far others will be willing to follow you and how BIG your company will get.

On today's show, Jeffrey Pfeffer discusses his 7 Rules of Power, how power is and isn't distributed through successful organizations and societies, and the choices we all have to make as we strive to Make BIG Happen.

Mark Miller on Using For-Profit Business Principles To Rapidly Grow His Nonprofit and Make a BIG Impact Oct 17, 2023

Guest: Mark Miller, the CEO of Connective, a community-based social services nonprofit operating in British Columbia and the Yukon to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

Overview: A nonprofit may not have the exact same goals as a for-profit business. But the principles of success are no different for a nonprofit CEO: have a vision that benefits all stakeholders, track, measure, and manage progress towards milestones every day, and assemble a team of people who care about your mission and will work hard to Make BIG Happen.

On today's show, Mark Miller explains how he professionalized his nonprofit and grew the organization by more than 700% in seven years.

How to Make the Leap from Top Salesperson to Great Sales Leader with Christian Stang Oct 03, 2023

Guest: Christian Stang, Vice President Of Business Development at GINCOR Werx, a leading company in the custom manufacturing of vocational vehicles.

Overview: It's common for the top salesperson to get promoted to lead the sales team. But there's a big difference between being a top salesperson and being a great leader. How do the best sales people cross the chasm into leadership and lead their team to BIG results?

On today's show, Christian Stang discusses how his experience as a top-performing salesperson informs how he builds and manages collaborative sales teams.

How Software Development Outsourcing Can Build a BIG Competitive Advantage Against Larger Firms Sep 19, 2023

Guest: Fred Joye, Co-founder of Arcanys, a premier Swiss software development outsourcing firm based in the Philippines. Fred's firm specializes in building and maturing highly skilled, dedicated teams of developers for startups and established businesses. Arcanys is also a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: The best companies hire the best people, period. That means even if your tech firm isn't directly competing with Facebook and Google, you're still competing with Facebook and Google for top talent. To win that battle, growing companies need to get creative about how they build, compensate, and motivate their teams.

On today's show, Fred Joye discusses how companies can use outsourcing to scale their development teams with top software engineers and compete against BIG tech companies that have more resources.

What Swimming the English Channel Taught CEO Siddhartha Agarwal About Making BIG Happen Sep 05, 2023

Guest: Siddhartha Agarwal, the founder of Bhoruka Park Pvt. Ltd, one of the leading commercial real estate developers in Bangalore, India.

Overview: Thinking BIG is a mindset that, with practice, coaching, and follow-through, can become a powerful habit. Apply the same systems and processes to your business that you apply to sports, hobbies, personal challenges, and relationships, and there's no limit to what you can accomplish.

On today's show, Siddhartha Agarwal discusses why he set a goal of swimming across the English Channel, how he worked with a coach and a partner on a year-long plan to achieve that goal, and what the whole process taught him about Making BIG Happen in both business and life.

Jonathan Cronstedt on Aiming for the "Billion-Dollar Bullseye" of Systems-Based Growth Aug 15, 2023

Guest: Jonathan Cronstedt, also known as JCron, is an investor, advisor and author. JCron is a Board Director at Kajabi, a knowledge commerce platform. Prior to Kajabi where he was president from 2016 to 2021, JCron held executive leadership positions for SaaS, mortgage finance, digital publishing, and direct sales. Jonathan has also served as the CEO of Digital Marketer and is currently a Managing Partner with APEX Equity.

Overview: CEOs can win the battle for top talent but still lose the war with their competitors if they don't have systems in place where A players can thrive.

On today's show, Jonathan Cronstedt shares some contrarian takes on the relationship between the external and internal purposes of a business and the support that employees need to Make BIG Happen.

HireBetter's Kurt Wilkin on the People Who Could Be Hampering Your Company's Long-Term Growth Aug 01, 2023

Guest: Kurt Wilkin, Co-Founder and former CEO of HireBetter and a Managing Partner of Bee Cave Capital. Kurt is also the author of a new book, Who’s Your Mike? A No-BS Guide to the People You’ll Meet on Your Entrepreneurial Journey.

Overview: A fast-growing company will only keep accelerating towards BIG if it has the right people working the right jobs. Sometimes CEOs can maintain that alignment with a mission and values system that inspires good performers to become great. In other cases, CEOs need the courage to make difficult decisions and the EQ to help folks exit the company as gracefully as possible.

On today's show, Kurt Wilkin discusses how CEOs can avoid some common people challenges and assemble next-level teams that will Make BIG Happen.

Turnaround Expert Ahmed Hassan's 3-Step Process for Getting Back to BIG Jul 25, 2023

Guest: Ahmed Hassan, a coach at CEO Coaching International with 30-plus years of global expertise in operations, strategy, leadership, and business development.

Quick Background: Saving a failing business is never just about driving up profit. A successful turnaround starts with recalibrating the company's accountability and its belief in Making BIG Happen together.

On today's show, Ahmed Hassan discusses the three-step process he used to rescue distressed businesses all over the world, as well as a major personal challenge that forced him to redefine what success means in business and in life.

Harvard Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter on the Enduring Principles of Great Leadership Jul 11, 2023

Guest: Rosabeth Moss Kanter. Professor Kanter holds the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professorship at Harvard Business School, specializing in strategy, innovation, and leadership for change. She is the author or co-author of 20 books, including her latest, Think Outside the Building: How Advanced Leaders Can Change the World, One Smart Innovation at a Time. She is the former chief editor of Harvard Business Review and has been repeatedly named to lists such as the 50 Most Powerful Women in the World and the 50 Most Influential Business Thinkers in the World.

Overview: Business management fads come and go. But truly effective leadership applies tried-and-true principles in innovative ways that solve complex problems, inspire team members, and Make BIG Happen for the whole company.

On today's show, Prof. Cantor discusses the enduring qualities of great leadership and how to deal with the BIG challenges facing companies today.

Ryan Iwamoto on Growing from Scrappy Entrepreneur to Leader of a BIG Business Jun 20, 2023

Guest: Ryan Iwamoto, President and Co-Founder of 24 Hour Home Care. Ryan's company has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies for nine consecutive years. In 2017, Ryan won EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Los Angeles.

Overview: A scrappy entrepreneur who works hard and has a clear vision can take a company far. But he can only get the company to BIG if he learns how to scale his skills and the skills of key team members as the business continues to grow.

On today's show, Ryan Iwamoto explains how he and his business partner bootstrapped their company for 13 years, navigated a profitable sale, and remained President and CEO under the new owners.

How CEOs Can Create a Powerful AI Flywheel with Asha Saxena Jun 06, 2023

Guest: Asha Saxena, a serial entrepreneur, Columbia University professor, CEO coach, international speaker, and the best-selling author of The AI Factor: How to Apply Artificial Intelligence and Use Big Data to Grow Your Business Exponentially.

Overview: AI is poised to be the most disruptive business technology since the internet went mainstream. If your company doesn’t have a plan to harness the transformative power of AI, you risk falling far behind your competition.

On today’s show, Asha Saxena provides a practical, four-point framework that will help CEOs develop an ethical AI strategy and gather the data they need to win BIG in the latest leg of the tech arms race.

Unlocking CEO Potential: Lionel Marumahoko's Transformation from Cocky 25-Year Old to Effective Executive May 30, 2023

Guest: Lionel Marumahoko, an action-oriented authority on emerging markets, global projects, and people management. Lionel developed his expertise over a 25-year career that included working as a senior executive for Coca-Cola in Africa.

Overview: Delegation and communication are two essential skills that young leaders often struggle to master. Working with a seasoned CEO coach can open a new CEO's eyes to these blind spots sooner so that they can Make BIG Happen faster.

On today's show, Lionel Marumahoko opens up about how coaching helped him grow from a cocky 25-year-old into an effective senior leader at one of the most respected brands in the world.

How to Expand Your Profit Margins During Tough Times with Dan Smytka May 16, 2023

Guest: Dan Smytka, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Dan has global expertise in growing and leading multibillion-dollar businesses with marque brands such as General Electric, Carrier, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Dan has also lead businesses in Asia and Europe where he cultivated a reputation for generating profitable growth, building high-performance collaborative executive teams, and executing strategies to expand your profit margins and deliver sustainable results.

Quick Background: Since the beginning of the 2023 annual planning season, we've been coaching CEOs to plan for a volatile economy. Recession or not, this is no time to get complacent.

On today's show, Dan Smytka discusses specific strategies that will help you keep moving products, delivering services, and expanding your profit margins during challenging times.

Women Leadership: What is Your Secret Sauce? May 09, 2023

On this special episode of the CEO Coaching International Podcast, coach Cynthia Cleveland leads a powerhouse panel of six women who are founders and CEOs. They discuss the unique challenges women face in executive roles, how they're trying to cultivate the next generation of women leaders, and the "super powers" that have helped each of them Make BIG Happen in a diverse group of industries.

How to Lead Your Company Through Adversity and Back to BIG with Alan Caslavka May 05, 2023

Guest: Alan Caslavka, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Alan spent his 35-year career in the global aerospace and defense markets, leading businesses within General Electric Aviation and Rockwell Collins Aerospace.

Quick Background: Running a successful company is never easy. But it's certainly a lot more fun when the going is good. The true test of a CEO's skill comes when adversity strikes. How will you lead your company through an inflationary environment where your key customers can't afford what you're selling? How are you going to handle a round of painful but necessary layoffs? How will you pivot through the next global crisis none of us sees coming so that your company stays on track to Make BIG Happen?

On today's show, Alan Caslavka lays out his roadmap for responding to adversity, including lessons he learned from running an aeronautics firm while COVID had his entire industry grounded.

How to Find Your Flow and Achieve Peak Performance with Jean-Louis Guillou May 02, 2023

Guest: Jean-Louis Guillou, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jean-Louis is a former professional tennis player and performance coach who became a global senior executive with over 20 years of experience scaling operations and future-proofing business models at Fortune 500 and startup companies. Jean-Louis is also an active member of YPO.

Quick Background: In business, as in sports, only extremely gifted high achievers make it to the BIG leagues. But in that rarified air, what separates the merely good from truly great?

On today's show, Jean-Louis Guillou digs into the mental aspects that drive peak performance across all disciplines and explains how CEOs can quiet the noise that could be preventing them from Making BIG Happen.

Identifying the Key Metrics That Drive BIG Growth with Rick Kimball Apr 26, 2023

Guest: Rick Kimball, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Rick's 35-year career included working as a top investment banker with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, co-founding his own venture capital fund, and leading and advising fast-growth startups.

Quick Background: Fast-growing companies that maintain their growth aren't lucky. They're methodical. Their CEOs identify the metrics that drive long-term sustainable growth. They track, measure, and manage consistent progress toward targets. And they use inspiring storytelling to get key stakeholders invested in that march to BIG.

On today's show, Rick Kimball explains how to zero in on the numbers that matter the most and best practices for keeping your vision, systems, and people in sync.

How to Prepare for a Cancel Culture Attack with Evan Nierman Apr 18, 2023

Guest: Evan Nierman, the Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, an international crisis management and public relations firm. Evan is also the co-author of The Cancel Culture Curse: From Rage to Redemption in a World Gone Mad.

Overview: Crisis management isn't a question of If. It's a question of When. CEOs who haven't anticipated what could get in the way are especially vulnerable to one customer service slip-up, one tone deaf memo that leaks, one disgruntled ex-employee, or one resurfaced social media post that hasn't aged well. And in a world where cancel culture is running wild, forgiveness from key stakeholders can be hard to come by.

On today's show, Evan Nierman explains why every CEO needs to have a crisis management plan at the ready so that your next emergency is just a blip on the way to BIG.

Max Hansen on Turbocharging Hiring by Aligning People With Purpose Apr 11, 2023

Guest: Max Hansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Y Scouts, the original purpose-based executive search firm.

Overview: You can turbocharge your hiring results when you combine top talent with corporate alignment--talent who align with your purpose, team culture, values, best practices, and long-term vision.

On today's show, Max Hansen explains how talent and purpose alignment can Make BIG Happen faster and help CEOs rekindle the passion that drives top performance.

The Story That's Holding You and Your Company Hostage with Tom Asacker Mar 28, 2023

Guest: Tom Asacker, an artist, award-winning inventor, screenwriter, professional magician, and author of several best-selling books on belief, human behavior, and personal transformation.

Overview: The story your company tells about itself can be an important part of your brand, your history, and your culture. But companies can also become so wrapped up in their stories that they lose sight of everything they're capable of accomplishing.

On today's show, Tom Asacker discusses the power and limitations of your business' story and how CEOs can rewrite their narratives to Make BIG Happen.

10 Hard-Won Lessons from Women CEOs Mar 14, 2023

In this excerpt from a recent CEO Coaching International webinar, three of our coaches discuss the most important lessons they've learned as women who built, led, and grew BIG companies.

How TaskUs Used a "System Builder" Approach to Drive Nearly $1 Billion in Sales Feb 21, 2023

Guest: Jarrod Johnson, the Chief Customer Officer at TaskUs, a publicly traded digital outsourcing company that serves high-growth technology companies to represent, protect, and grow their brands. TaskUs is also a client of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: When Jarrod Johnson joined TaskUs in 2016, the firm had about $70 million in revenue. Today, TaskUs is nearing $1 billion in annual sales and counts world-class companies like Uber and Meta among its clients.

On today's show, Jarrod explains the "systems building" approach he used to help drive such remarkable growth, including how he recruits and trains top talent, aligns his sales team to goals and best practices, and promotes a culture of positivity.

How to Turn Around a Failing Company … And Yourself in the Process Jan 31, 2023

Guest: Rick Weber, the President and CEO of CBC Federal Credit Union in Oxnard, CA. CBC ranks among the top credit unions in the country based on member survey net promoter scores.

Overview: A friend calls, offering you a CFO position out in California. You move your family across the country, thinking this job will provide a relaxing glide path from your 50s to retirement. But then you find out the firm is losing money, the culture is "every man for himself," and when a health issue forces the CEO to retire, suddenly you're sitting in the BIG office ... just as a pandemic breaks out.

On today's show, Rick Weber explains how working with a CEO coach helped him to engineer a major turnaround at his company and in his personal life that's put him on the path to BIG growth.

How CEOs Find the Courage to Make Tough Decisions Jan 17, 2023

Guest: Brendan Neef, Founder and CEO of Victory Transportation Systems. Victory has been selected for the Inc 5,000 list of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America three times. And Victory has been recognized twice by the Houston Business Journal as one of the best places to work.

Overview: Your company can only grow as fast as you and your team are growing. If you hit a roadblock that you just can't clear, the third-party perspective of a mentor or CEO coach could be essential to helping you break through.

On today's show, Brendan Neef discusses how working with CEO Coaching International accelerated his growth into a leader who can make tough choices, establish better plans, build a stronger team, and Make BIG Happen.

Identifying the Best Time and Strategy for a BIG Business Sale Nov 29, 2022

Guest: Jennifer Wilson, founder and CEO of ARMSRx, a pharmacy benefit consultancy and a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: In many cases, the most challenging step in a successful business sale is the first: deciding that now is the right time to sell. Once you've identified favorable market conditions or an optimal partner, the CEO has to clarify her objectives and build out the support team she needs to prepare herself and her company for its next BIG chapter.

On today's show, Jennifer Wilson explains why, after turning down suitors for years, she finally decided to sell her company, as well as the nuts and bolts strategy that she implemented. Jennifer also shares a personal story of overcoming adversity that was formative to her entrepreneurial drive and determination.

How Coaching Leads to Making BIG Happen Nov 08, 2022

Guest: Mark Moses, CEO and Founder of CEO Coaching International.

Quick Background: Whether you’re trying to grow a business or lower your handicap, even the most driven and talented people eventually hit a wall. That’s where folks who are too proud or too blind to their own limitations often sputter and stall. But working with a coach can help you break through those walls, shore up your weaknesses, and identify the actionable, measurable steps that will lead to sustained personal and professional growth.

On today’s show, Mark Moses shares what he’s learned about Making BIG Happen from both sides of a coaching relationship, as well as his most memorable moments from our 2022 Make BIG Happen Summit in Miami Beach.

How to Narrow Your Focus to Your Single Biggest Opportunity Oct 25, 2022

Guest: Daniel Shemtob, a chef, restauranteur, and entrepreneur who has started multiple successful companies, including Snibbs work shoes.

Overview: There's an old saying about entrepreneurs: They've never met an idea they didn't like. But an openness to what's exciting and new can also get between you and BIG.

On today's show, serial entrepreneur Daniel Shemtob discusses the thought process that led him to pare down from five businesses to one so that he could focus on his most promising opportunity, grow as a leader, and Make BIG Happen.

This CEO Coach Followed Her Passions to a BIG Adventure Oct 11, 2022

Guest: Kelly Wade, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Kelly has amassed nearly 30 years of sales, marketing, and management experience focused on growing and leading people, cultivating unique cultures, and developing strategic long-term growth plans for a variety of industries.

Quick Background: Leading a business to BIG can sometimes feel like an all-consuming mission. But the best CEOs never forget that there is life outside of the c-suite. And they draw on lessons from their personal passions, relationships, and experiences to grow as leaders.

On today's show, Kelly Wade walks us through her journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and the connection between having an adventurous spirit and succeeding in business and life.

Turning Your Company's Culture into a BIG Competitive Advantage Sep 27, 2022

Guest: Marty Parker, the founder and CEO of Waterstone Human Capital. Waterstone is a high-performance culture and human capital search leadership advisory firm for entrepreneurial-minded, high-growth organizations across North America. Marty is also an active member of YPO and the author of two books on corporate culture. He's also a client of CEO Coaching International.

Waterstone Human Capital is a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: A strong culture doesn't just create a happy workplace -- it can be a significant competitive advantage, especially in the battle for top talent and repeat customers.

On today's show, Marty Parker provides a deep dive on the specific, intentional ways that CEOs can transform culture and create a high-performing organization that attracts and retains the best people.

Mindbody's Former President and CEO on Going From Losing $350K Per Month to Running the $2B Juggernaut Sep 13, 2022

About ten years ago, Josh McCarter was running a struggling SaaS business in New York. His company was generating about $700,000 in annual revenue, but burning through $350,000 a month. He didn’t have enough cash on hand to cover next month’s payroll. His customer base had flatlined. And just when it seemed like relief was on the way, a terrorist attack disrupted a critical investment. Not even his YPO forum mates thought Josh was going to make it.

In this conversation, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching Summit, Josh talked about how he kept cool during all this adversity and focused on a plan that pivoted his company to BIG. Josh also describes how turning around his original company and zeroing in on one key strategy prepared him to run a billion-dollar business.

Preview the 2022 Make BIG Happen Summit Aug 23, 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we're thrilled to be hosting the 2022 Make BIG Happen Summit from October 20-22 at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach, Florida.

On today’s show Heidi Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of CEO Coaching International, previews our signature event, which will be BIGGER than ever with over 500+ CEOs gathering in one place for multiple days of stimulating networking and learning. Previously, the Summit was only open to CEO Coaching International clients; however, this year the firm is welcoming applications for any qualifying CEO interested in attending.

Heidi and our podcast host Steve Sanduski, also share some tips for getting the most out of a conference and reminisce about their favorite speakers at past Make BIG Happen Summits.

5 Keys to Scaling a SaaS Business Aug 19, 2022

Guest: Patrick Eldon, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Patrick is an experienced chief executive and entrepreneur, serving as CEO of orderTalk Inc. from its launch as a SaaS company to its acquisition by Uber in 2018. Under Patrick’s leadership, the company grew from a fledgling startup to a leading provider of digital ordering solutions for the restaurant industry, processing more than $1 billion in annual transactions.

Quick Background: A well-run SaaS business can generate steady recurring revenue at high gross margins with low customer churn and minimal R&D costs. But even in our increasingly digital world, scaling SaaS poses some unique challenges that require both top-notch tech and a personal touch.

On today's show, Patrick Eldon discusses five keys to scaling a SaaS business, including the strategies and key metrics CEOs should follow all the way to BIG growth.

4 Keys to Preparing Your Business for Sale to Private Equity Aug 12, 2022

Guest: Aakash Shah, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Prior to joining us, Aakash was the CEO of his family's chemical company, which he grew from $3 million to $100 million in sales. Aakash is also an active YPO member.

Quick Background: Any business that wants to get BIG needs cash. And while taking on private equity investment can help the CEO accelerate a growth trajectory, streamline ownership positions, and prepare for an exit, don't underestimate the amount of work that goes into finding the right investment partner. Your whole company might not be for sale, but your company should always be salable. The investments you make now in your leadership team, infrastructure, and long-term strategic planning will only improve your value when you sit down with interested parties.

On today's show, Aakash Shah reflects on how his efforts to stabilize and grow his family's business paid off with two private equity rounds and a BIG a nine-figure exit.

5 Keys to Leading Your Business to 10X Growth Aug 04, 2022

Quick Background: Anybody can be a critic, especially when times are tough and a business is struggling to find its footing in an uncertain economy. But, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, not everyone has what it takes to stand in the arena and lead a company to BIG.

On today's show Angela Korompilas explains how she led her hotel operating supplies and equipment provider to 10X growth and $1 billion in revenue.

How to Deal with Life and Work When Hit With a Personal Loss Aug 02, 2022

Guest: Frank de Jong, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Frank spent 33 years leading customer-centric growth and profit planning strategies for hundreds of business units and companies all over the world. He spent 20 years as an expatriate in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, learning regional business practices, unique market opportunities, and local culture with Emerson Automation Solutions.

Quick Background: Learning to unplug from your company and separate life from business is an essential CEO skill. But how does a leader continue to lead through a loss so catastrophic that it completely upends your responsibilities, your priorities, and your very sense of self?

On today's show, Frank de Jong discusses what he learned about resilience, fatherhood, friendship, and leadership while coping with the loss of his wife.

Building a Brand to Drive Client Engagement and Increased Revenues Jul 31, 2022

Guest: Steve Patterson, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Steve spent more than 35 years as a successful executive and entrepreneur in a variety of areas, including professional sports, college athletics, finance and construction, media, branding, and crisis communications.

Quick Background: An effective brand fills customers with positive vibes and projects crystal clarity about what a company does and what it stands for. Whether a company is starting up, scaling rapidly, or recovering from a stumble, that brand also has to maintain a careful balance between consistency and adaptability so that customers want to stick with the business on its journey to BIG.

On today’s show, Steve Patterson details the specific brand initiatives he executed for four professional sports teams and a university, and how CEOs can apply the lessons from his experiences to make any brand better.

How to Scale at Speed Jul 26, 2022

Guest: Meghan Watkins, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Meghan has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and supply chain management in the wine and spirits industry.

Quick Background: There are no shortcuts to getting BIG faster. CEOs who scale ahead of schedule follow the same tried-and-true best practices that support any effective annual plan. But the best CEOs also know which buttons to push to keep motivation high and how to leverage talent and systems to achieve just a little bit more every single day.

On today's show, Meghan Watkins reflects on the 5 factors that helped her quickly scale her businesses from startup to $100M+ in revenue.

5 Simple Truths of Inspiring Leadership Jul 19, 2022

Guest: John Fadool, a coach at CEO Coaching International. In his 35-year career as a senior executive, John worked with three best-in-class companies: Darden Restaurants, Novartis Consumer Health, and Procter & Gamble. He has a proven track record of growing revenue and profit in businesses ranging from $10M to $2B in revenue.

Quick Background: Great leadership balances confidence in your company's current reality with a hopeful vision for the future that inspires the best from your team.

On today's show, John Fadool shares his five keys to providing the kind of inspiring leadership that drives massive growth, attracts top talent, and keeps Making BIG Happen.

How to Build a Battle-Ready Balance Sheet Jul 15, 2022

Guest: Randy Dewey, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Prior to becoming a coach, Randy assisted Blackstone in numerous turnarounds, worked in a private family office and in other public markets, raised several hundred million in debt and equity financing, and participated in 15 M&A transactions.

Quick Background: Our proven Making BIG Happen System combines BIG vision with an actionable plan. You can't have one without the other and expect to grow. And the foundation of effective planning is a battle-ready balance sheet that will ground your goals and keep your company from growing broke.

On today's show, Randy Dewey discusses how to identify the KPIs, the obstacles, the opportunities, and the team members you need to build your best balance sheet.

5 Keys to Averaging 20% Growth for 20 Consecutive Years Jul 12, 2022

Guest: Shep Moyle, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Before coaching, Shep was the owner, chairman, and CEO of Shindigz party supplies and the International Chairman of YPO.

Quick Background: The true measure of a CEO's strategy isn't if his or her plan leads to BIG growth in a year or two. It's if the CEO's combination of vision, processes, people, and discipline can snowball into sustained growth year after year after year.

On today's show, Shep Moyle explains how he led his company to average 20% growth for 20 consecutive years.

The Five Pillars of Effective Leadership May 31, 2022

Guest: Sean Magennis, the President of CEO Coaching International. Sean was the Global President and COO of YPO for more than seven years. He is a seasoned international business executive specializing in scaling professional services firms and has over 30 years of extensive growth, acquisition, turnaround, and international experience.

Overview: As CEO, it's a given that you have tremendous influence over your employees. But many CEOs never reflect on how they're using that influence. True leadership isn't throwing your weight around and creating a culture ruled by fear of failure. Leadership is how the CEO expresses his or her purpose, values, and vision to the entire organization. The more inspiring that leadership model is, the more motivated your team will be to Make BIG Happen.

On today's show, Sean Magennis shares his five pillars for effective leadership, whose complementary themes will help you integrate the hard skills of running a company with the art of leading effectively.

One Woman's Purpose-Led Journey to Becoming a CEO May 24, 2022

Guest: Jennifer Gressman, the CEO of Site Impact, a company that specializes in multichannel direct marketing services. Their clients range from Fortune 500 corporations to locally owned and operated small businesses.

Overview: No CEO is ever just handed the top job at a BIG business. Founders put all of their time, effort, and resources on the line. Successful hired guns spend years earning their reputations as fixers. And ambitious leaders who pursue a path to promotion have to set clear targets that build win-by-win towards that dream job.

On today's show, Jennifer Gressman talks about how she purposefully navigated her transition from Vice President of Operations to become Site Impact's first female CEO.

Why All CEOs Need an Asset Protection Plan May 17, 2022

Guest: Hillel L. Presser, Esq., Managing Partner of The Presser Law Firm, P.A.

Overview: CEOs who lead a company to BIG aren't just growing a business. Your success is also creating a better life for yourself and your family. Without proper asset protection planning, a single slip up or frivolous lawsuit could jeopardize everything you've earned, everything you've built, and everything you're hoping to preserve as part of your legacy.

On today's show, attorney Hillel Presser explains what a comprehensive asset protection plan is and why all CEOs need one.

Strong Values Have Kept This Family in Business for 154 Years May 10, 2022

Guest: Bill Betts, President of Betts Company, which has been owned and operated by Bill's family since 1868.

Overview: Think COVID was rough? When your company is strong enough to survive for 150 years, a pandemic (or two) is just one blip on a timeline that includes Reconstruction, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and everything since. That kind of longevity is only possible when a company knows how to use its values as both an anchor to its heritage and a catalyst for keeping pace with BIG changes.

On today's show, Bill Betts talks about the values that have guided his family business for six generations. He also shares some practical advice on maintaining ownership and succession planning that have helped the family business stay in the family's hands.

How to Prepare Your Business for a BIG Exit May 03, 2022

Guest: Andy Harris, Managing Director of STS Capital Partners. STS guides companies through the journey to achieving an extraordinary exit by selling to a strategic buyer.

STS Capital Partners is a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International. Learn more.

Overview: When it's time to sell your company, what are your options? What can you do to ensure you get the best possible exit?

Step one: put the best possible team together. A deal this BIG and this important requires a CFO who's been down this road before, an investment banker who knows how to get the best possible valuation for your company, and a CEO who is crystal clear on what his/her goals are for the exit.

On today's show, Andy Harris explains how owners can prepare their company for a sale, present it in the best possible light, and sell it to a strategic buyer who might pay a significant premium over a financial buyer.

4 Keys on the Path to Outrageous (and Profitable) Sales Growth Apr 26, 2022

Guest: Chris Mellon, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Chris has over three decades of leadership experience as CEO, CFO, and COO in various industries, including wholesale distribution, banking, consulting and advisory services, formation and sale of SaaS entities, and public accounting.

Quick Background: BIG growth isn't an accident or a stroke of good luck -- it's a process. And committing to that process through intentional planning and continuous review is the only way to sustain growth while staying true to your company's culture and values.

On today's show, Chris Mellon explains the 4 things he focused on as a hired gun CEO leading a family-run business from $300 million in revenue to almost $4 billion.

7 Smart Moves for CEO Success Apr 19, 2022

Guest: Frank Buonanotte, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Frank has been a founder, chairman, and/or CEO at several highly successful companies within the commercial real estate, retail, and franchise industries, including Party City.

Quick Background: Working with a CEO coach gives you access to decades of top-level knowledge from business leaders who have been there and done that. And while no two companies are exactly alike, combining tried-and-true best practices with discipline and accountability is a formula that leads to winning, exponential growth, and Making BIG Happen.

On today's show, Frank Buonanotte shares the 7 Smarts to CEO Success that he used to lead companies in multiple industries to BIG.

6 Ways the CEO Can Generate BIG Sales Apr 13, 2022

Guest: Ken Eissing, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Ken has served as President, COO, General Manager, or Advisor in the Technology, Media, Telecom, and BPO Financial Services industries in public and private entities ranging from Fortune 100 to less than $20 million businesses.

Quick Background: Did you wake up this morning wanting to lead a single-digit growth company? Didn’t think so. Exponential growth is the product of an empowering sales culture that stokes competitive flames and rewards top performers who aren’t content to clear the low bar.

On today’s show, Ken Eissing discusses six ways CEOs can assemble, manage, and motivate a top sales team that will drive fast growth and Make BIG Happen.

5 Ways to Compete and Win Against Larger Competitors Apr 08, 2022

Guest: Juergen Rochert, a coach at CEO Coaching International. As an innovative and driven leader, Juergen has been highly successful in various executive roles for the Mercedes-Benz and Daimler Truck Financial Services Companies around the globe, including Mexico, Canada, the United States, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

Quick Background: According to a study by McKinsey & Company, the top 10% of the largest companies in the world earn nearly 90% of the economic profit created. Meanwhile, the bottom 20% are coping with steep losses. That translates into a BIG opportunity for small-to-medium-sized companies that can leverage speed and creativity to compete with larger incumbents.

On today's show, Juergen Rochert identifies five areas where smaller firms can compete and win market share if they follow an effective plan.

4 Ways to Create Organizational Alignment Apr 05, 2022

Guest: Mateo Romano, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Matteo has more than 25 years of experience at top brands including Mattel and Tyco Toys. He is an exceptional driver of business growth, revenues, and profitability at companies across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.

Quick Background: Every new remote worker you hire, every smaller company you acquire, and every international office you open thinks the same thing: "We're different. We have a unique way of doing things, and it works."

Maybe. But when it comes to setting targets and measuring progress, a growing company needs to establish a baseline of consistency to ensure that every level of the organization is working towards the same goals.

On today's show, Mateo Romano explains the four elements of alignment that will keep a BIG decentralized team progressing towards your BIG vision.

5 Keys To Inspiring a BIG Culture Change Mar 29, 2022

Guest: Andres Molano, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Andres has led diverse, high-performing teams and grown international sales and operations throughout North America, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Quick Background: No company gets BIG by staying the same. At those moments when momentum is stalling and growth is plateauing, struggling CEOs often start chasing shiny objects or throwing money at the wall to see what sticks. Effective leaders face those same challenges by going back to square one and reassessing what's essential to the company's culture.

On today's show, Andres Molano shares a five-part framework CEOs can use to drive a BIG culture transformation that will kick off a promising new chapter for their companies.

3 Keys to Scaling Your Company's Communication Using Slack Mar 25, 2022

Guest: Erno de Bruijn, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Erno was the president and chief operating officer of the international division for a global manufacturer of building materials. He has also been an active YPO member since 2008.

Quick Background: Optimizing how to effectively communicate in a decentralized workforce world should be near the top of every CEO’s to-do list for the remainder of the year. Many of your best workers consider WFH a non-negotiable now. Your next key hire might live on the other side of the world from your headquarters. And if you’re contemplating an international expansion, you’ll need to keep your whole team Making BIG Happen across time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences.

3 Keys to Turning Your Supply Chain Into a Big Competitive Advantage Mar 22, 2022

Guest: Francisco D’Angelo, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Francisco has extensive experience growing revenue in outsourcing supply chain management services in procurement, contract manufacturing, logistics, and 3PL environment across 13 countries in the Americas.

Quick Background: The pandemic showed many CEOs that they were taking their supply chain management for granted. To keep your business growing through the next disruption, CEOs need to reassess their core competencies and identify strategies that will keep their warehouses stocked and their customers happy.

On today’s show, Francisco D’Angelo explains how companies can make their supply chains more resilient, more efficient, and more profitable.

4 Keys to Kelly Wade's Rise From Stacking Levi's to Trailblazing CEO Mar 18, 2022

Guest: Kelly Wade, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Kelly has nearly 30 years of sales, marketing, and management experience. She spent the last decade with one of the largest commercial roofing companies, where she helped transition the company to an ESOP as the COO and led the company through a highly successful sale to private equity as the first female CEO in the national roofing industry.

Quick Background: For many entrepreneurs, becoming the CEO is a natural -- and often necessary -- extension of leading a new company from startup to BIG. For others, becoming a CEO is the culmination of a journey from the ground floor of a business all the way up to the C-suite that develops character, skillsets, perseverance, and a unique appreciation for how high-performing teams work.

On today's show, Kelly Wade discusses the accumulation of work and life experience that helped her grow into a successful and trailblazing CEO.

3 Keys to a Successful Digital Transformation Mar 15, 2022

Guest: Pascal Brochier, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Pascal has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and general management roles at some of the world’s biggest consumer products and technology companies, including Gillette (now part of Procter & Gamble), Vivendi Universal, and Electronic Arts.

Quick Background: The pandemic forced many companies to accelerate their online pivots. Now, it's time to start preparing for the next phase of your digital transformation. Web 3.0 could decentralize pieces of the global economy and create rapid advances in AI and data acquisition. And however you want to define "metaverse," there's no denying that your customers are going to increasingly live, shop, and play online. On today's show, Pascal Brochier reflects on lessons he learned during the first wave of online growth in the early 2000s to point CEOs towards a BIG digital future.

The CEO's Guide to an Effective Wealth Management Strategy Mar 08, 2022

Guest: Ron Carson, founder and CEO of Carson Group, and Paul West, Managing Partner of Carson Wealth Management. Carson Group is a client and strategic partner of CEO Coaching International.

Strategic Partner: Carson Wealth is a Strategic Partner of CEO Coaching International. To learn more, visit here.

Overview: You’re spending countless hours thinking about your business, working in your business, but how much time are you spending on effectively managing all the money that you’re earning from your business or from that windfall that could come from a significant exit? Much like a good executive coach can help CEOs develop better business plans, Ron and Paul discuss how to think about your income and wealth, how to put it in perspective, and how to make sure you have a proactive wealth plan for your money so you don’t have to worry about it.

These CEO Coaches Literally Wrote the Book on Making BIG Happen Feb 22, 2022

Guests: CEO Coaching International's Mark Moses, Don Schiavone, Craig Coleman, and Christopher Larkins.

Quick Background: In 2016, Mark Moses' book Make BIG Happen asked CEOs four questions that can transform businesses:

What do you want? How do you get what you want? What could stand in the way of you getting what you want? How do you hold yourself accountable?

Now, Mark and three of his colleagues at CEO Coaching International have expanded upon that framework and detailed the proven system that we use to help CEOs achieve exponential growth.

"Our clients kept asking us, what is it that leads some firms to sell their businesses for nine figures or more," Mark says. "We wrestled down the rhythms and concepts of this execution framework to help companies perform at the highest level."

Their new book, Making BIG Happen, debuted at #5 on The Wall Street Journal hardcover business bestseller list and hit #1 on Porchlight Book Company's best seller list. On today's show, Mark, Don, Craig, and Chris dig into how the Making BIG Happen System works, client success stories, and the leadership mindset that separates so-so companies from the ones that grow BIG.

Growth Financing Options for CEOs That Don’t Sacrifice Equity Feb 08, 2022

Guest: Chris Hurn, the founder and CEO of Fountainhead Commercial Capital. Fountainhead is a nationwide non-bank direct commercial lender that specializes in funding commercial real estate projects and providing growth financing for business owners. The company was recently named to the Inc 5,000 list of the fastest growing companies in America. Chris is also an executive coaching client of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: BIG growth sometimes requires spending BIG cash. And if you don't want to give up equity to get the cash, what are your options? On today's show, Chris Hurn explains the debt financing options CEOs should explore before they start breaking off chunks of equity that they may regret parting with in the future.

3 Keys to Improving Work-Life Balance for CEOs Jan 25, 2022

Guest: Bill Brady, a seasoned entrepreneur, lawyer, and a coach at CEO Coaching International.

Quick Background: The Great Resignation has sparked a lot of conversation about how companies can help employees achieve better work-life balance. But shifting workplace dynamics have hit CEOs hard as well. According to several studies, executive-level burnout is on the rise. CEOs who let their businesses consume them aren't just putting their health and sanity at risk, they're also crippling the growth potential of their businesses.

On today's show, Bill Brady explains three keys to developing a company that can keep Making BIG Happen while the CEO is living life to the fullest. And in terms of Making BIG Happen, Bill sold his company at age 41 for more than $100 million.

Making Key Pivots to Capitalize on International Growth Jan 11, 2022

Guest: Sasha Kelberg, Founder and CEO at Groglass and a client of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: Where the best companies start out is often very different from where they end up. Sasha Kelberg began his career working in Latvia for a U.S.-based private equity firm that was developing glass coatings with ex-Soviet technology. After spinning the glass business off into its own company, Sasha expanded Groglass from its Latvian base into an international company that's now one of the leading developers and manufacturers of high-performance coatings for glass and other displays. And, with the help of his CEO coach, Sasha executed this expansion so well that he's able to oversee operations and 200 employees from his new home in South Africa. On today's show, Sasha discusses the decisions he made during several key pivot points that allowed his company to survive the Great Recession and identify new niches around the globe.

An Intro to Direct Response TV Advertising (And Yes, You Can Afford It) Dec 21, 2021

Many small to mid-sized business owners are surprised to discover that TV advertising is much more cost-effective than they think. Sure, a Super Bowl ad costs millions for a 60-second spot. But you can be much more surgical in finding the right networks, the right day part, the right message, and fine tune your results based on the analytics to generate BIG growth on a very reasonable budget.

On today's show, Mic Feld explains how direct response TV advertising works and how you can use an insider's knowledge to get great results regardless of your budget.

Using Innovation to Challenge an Industry's Traditional Business Model Nov 30, 2021

Guest: LeAnn Boyd, President & CEO at Southern Scripts, which is a rapidly growing provider of pharmacy benefit management services throughout the United States.

Overview: Some entrepreneurs look at a market dominated by two or three major players and see an insurmountable barrier to entry. Others see a stagnant business space that's vulnerable to new thinking and BIG disruption. On today's show, LeAnn Boyd describes how she and her entrepreneur coach, Jaime Cohen Szulc, used our Making BIG Happen System to create a culture of innovation that redefined her company's value proposition and grabbed the attention of her target customer base.

A Five-Step Plan to Prepare Your Business for a BIG Sale Oct 19, 2021

Guest: Earle Pratt, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Earle is a seasoned CEO who has led companies in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America in the Education and EdTech, Franchising, and Financial Services markets. Earl has led multiple private equity backed businesses (investors include The Carlyle Group and Camden Partners) and has extensive experience prepping companies on both sides of a sale transaction.

Quick Background: What is the difference between selling your company and selling BIG? Preparation. CEOs eying an exit start planning to reach that finish line years in advance so that they can optimize both their businesses and that future opportunity. That longer runway also helps the CEO prepare for a major personal and professional transition once the sale is complete.

On today's show, Earle Pratt shares a five-step process that CEOs aiming for a sale should adopt sooner rather than later.

How this Entrepreneur Coach Led 11,000 Employees to Billions in Increased Revenue Oct 14, 2021

Guest: Emily Murphy, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Emily has held multiple leadership roles in the federal government, most recently serving as Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency charged with managing 371 million square feet of office space, over $75 billion in governmentwide contracts, and a number of shared services.

Quick Background: Think you have problems managing, compensating, and inspiring your team? Well, imagine your workforce is more than 11,000 strong, you're overseeing a $37 billion budget, and both you and your organization are responsible for supporting the operation of the U.S. federal government.

On today's show, Emily Murphy discuses the specific strategies and tactics that she implemented within the GSA that led to BIG improvements in culture, employee engagement, and leadership scores, all while generating multi-billion-dollar increases in sales and revenue.

Four Steps To Bottling Your “Secret Sauce” and Preparing for Rapid Growth Sep 28, 2021

Guest: Kevin Adams, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Kevin's experience includes leadership roles in publicly-held, private equity-backed, and family-founded businesses including Isagenix, ConAgra Brands, International Home Foods, and Stella Foods.

Quick Background: No, "growing broke" isn't a contradiction in terms. It's what happens when a CEO's eyes get so wide that she loses perspective on what made the company special in the first place. Without that clear focus on what's really driving your growth, your business could wander off track and burn cash with every wayward step.

On today's show, Kevin Adams describes a four-part framework for achieving rapid growth that's centered on the "secret sauce" your company needs to make BIG happen.

A Turnaround Expert's 5-Step Process for Rejuvenating Struggling Companies Sep 14, 2021

Guest: Odmar Almeida-Filho, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Odmar has extensive global turnaround experience in consumer packaged goods, telecom and internet media technology, and consulting at companies including Procter & Gamble, Dell, Telefonica, and Amway.

Quick Background: If a struggling company is in need of a turnaround, usually the CEO needs to execute a personal turnaround too. That doesn't mean completely changing who you are as a leader. But it does mean that you'll need to place a renewed emphasis on certain leadership traits in order to reorganize and reenergize your company before a bump in the road turns into a gaping pit.

On today's show, Odmar Almeida-Filho explains the five-part roadmap he's used both as a CEO and as an entrepreneur coach to execute successful turnarounds that set struggling companies back on track.

A 4-Step Process For Developing a World-Class Sales Team Aug 31, 2021

Guest: Jerry Swain, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jerry is a highly recognized, results-driven Chief Executive Officer with over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, planning, strategy, and business operations. He had a highly recognized career in sales management at IBM and other high-tech companies and was also the founder of a high-end specialty chocolate company that he later sold to a strategic buyer.

Quick Background: If sales are falling short, then your salespeople must be falling short. Right?

Only if you hired the wrong salespeople to begin with. Assuming you're putting a premium on matching top candidates to your company's specific needs, it could be your processes and training that need an overhaul.

On today's show, CEO Coaching International's Jerry Swain shares his four-step process for getting the best out of your existing salespeople and preparing your incoming wave of talent to hit the ground running.

4 Tools and Strategies to Succeed in Scaling Your Company Aug 17, 2021

Guest: Douglas DeBoer, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Douglas is a three-time CEO with extensive experience leading companies to strong growth and monetization outcomes. He has led companies and brands in the USA, China, and Asia-Pacific, including Domino’s Pizza, General Mills, Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins, Colgate-Palmolive, and Unilever.

Overview: There's a point in every growing company's lifecycle where you've achieved product-market fit and it's time to scale your business and expand your executive team. At this moment, a growing business is staring at both maximum opportunity and maximum risk. Try to grow too fast without the right people in your C-suite, and you could "grow broke." Aim too low and you might be missing your moment to achieve something really BIG.

On today's show, Douglas DeBoer walks us through his four-part framework for effectively navigating these critical moments and scaling your business.

How to Create a Turnkey Operating System for Your Culture Aug 03, 2021

Guest: David Friedman, the founder and CEO of CultureWise and the author of a great new book, Culture by Design.

Overview: Effective CEOs have systems, plans, and analytics that manage and measure nearly every aspect of their businesses. But many don't have a system for guiding the company's culture, which is arguably the most significant driver of BIG growth. On today's show, culture expert David Friedman explains how to build a powerful cultural operating system that replaces all those inspirational break room posters with a set of defined, teachable behaviors.

LaQuita Cleare on Helping CEOs Master the Art of Storytelling Jul 20, 2021

Guest: LaQuita Cleare, an international speaker, public speaking coach, and the CEO of Clear Communication Academy. She has extensive experience working with CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, public figures, and politicians in more than 50 countries across four continents, including many clients of CEO Coaching International.

Overview: People are not persuaded by information. An honest, well-crafted story that makes an audience feel something can make a lasting impression for both you and your business. Whether you're speaking at a conference or addressing your staff on Zoom, effective storytelling that showcases who you really are and gives your audience opportunities to engage with your main themes is key to connecting, inspiring, and making BIG happen.

The Keys to Hiring Next-Level Talent in a Post-Pandemic World Jul 13, 2021

Guest: Kurt Wilkin, a successful entrepreneur and CEO. He's the Co-Founder & Visionary of HireBetter, a company that impacts lives by connecting and empowering good people to build great companies. Prior to that, he founded, led, and sold The Controller Group, which was a professional services firm focused on accounting, technology and recruiting. Kurt is also an active member and officer of YPO.

Overview: Why are so many companies struggling to fill vacancies? According to hiring expert Kurt Wilkin, businesses that are stuck in a pre-pandemic mindset have to improve their value propositions and get creative about attracting the best talent. And just as importantly, CEOs have to demonstrate to prospective candidates that their passions run deeper than just turning a profit.

Live by Your Values so You Don't Get Burned by Your Blind Spots Jun 29, 2021

Guest: Lloyd Brown, the Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Smart Chemical Services, which has been named an Inc 5,000 Fastest Growing Company for three years in a row. Lloyd is also the author of a new book, Refined by Failure.

Overview: Failure hurts. But according to Lloyd Brown -- who was fired from a company he co-founded -- if a CEO is humble enough to admit mistakes, hold himself accountable, and work on improving blind spots, failure can also grant wisdom that you can use to make BIG happen going forward.

3 Keys to Crafting A Winning Gameplan for Your Business Jun 01, 2021

Guest: Matt Shearer, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Matt is a highly motivated business leader and brand management executive with over 23 years of experience building teams and driving results on a global scale. Matt spent over 20 years at Under Armour and played a major role in the early stages of brand and business development, with significant focus on elevating the brand on an international level. Matt is also a member of YPO and a former professional lacrosse player.

Episode in a Tweet: In business and sports, aligning the best players with a great gameplan is the only way to win BIG.

Quick Background: Business is a team sport. And the very best teams use strong culture and clearly defined goals to put great players in a position to win consistently.

On today's show, Matt Shearer explains how his experience as an athlete and sports brand executive influenced his leadership philosophy and team management strategies.

3 Keys to Finding the Best Talent for Your Executive Team May 18, 2021

To find the right leaders for your team, you have to separate the true high performers from the pretenders who’ve been bobbing along in the high tide at other stellar companies. And to fill a key chair in your leadership team, you’ll also need to find candidates whose motivations and management styles fit with your company’s most pressing needs.

On today’s show, Gordon Forsythe discusses how to vet and hire talent who will succeed within your culture and execute the tasks that will make BIG happen for your firm.

A 5-Part Framework for Better CEO Self-Care May 11, 2021

It's easy for CEOs to get so caught up in taking care of their businesses that we neglect an even more important responsibility: taking care of ourselves. Poor diet and exercise habits get compounded by no sleep and an excess of stress until one day you look in the mirror and can't recognize the person looking back at you. If you're not that lucky, you might not realize that go go go is no way to run a business until you're waking up in a hospital bed.

Luis Vargas was 60 pounds overweight and running on empty when he decided he needed to make self-care a BIG priority. On today's show, Luis shares the five elements he says he needed to win in order to transform his body, his mind, his business, and his life.

How to Hire the Best Talent in a Tight Jobs Market May 04, 2021

Guest: Megan Couch, the Chief Experience Officer at Integrity Staffing Solutions.

Overview: The millions of jobs lost to the COVID-19 pandemic have created a problem that many companies weren't anticipating: as the world begins reopening, the absolute best displaced workers have lots of options. Your total value proposition has to encompass culture, leadership opportunities, hybrid work models, and, yes, a competitive comp structure if you want to attract top talent.

How to Align 4 Generations of Workers to One BIG Vision Apr 20, 2021

For the first time in history, a company's workforce could span four generations. Aligning a diverse group of employees with such a wide range of life experiences could be especially challenging if you're also trying to keep your WFH teams connected with in-person staff and salespeople.

But in any business challenge there's also opportunity. If you can connect tried-and-true values with a new, more connected worldview, your employees will continually learn from each other, gain new skills and perspectives, and move your company in exciting new directions.

On today's show, Lew Jaffe shares how to effectively manage a multigenerational workforce towards BIG.

From Breaking Bad to Breaking Good: Kerry Siggins’ Inspiring Rise to CEO Apr 06, 2021

All CEOs have to grow into their roles. But for Kerry Siggins, becoming a leader has been a lifelong process of learning how to maximize her strengths while overcoming weaknesses that nearly killed her.

On today's show, Kerry discusses how she conquered her struggles with substance abuse and started to make BIG happen in her life and work.

Case Study: 4 Keys to Effective Annual Planning with The Fricks Company Mar 22, 2021

Effective annual planning may be the single biggest differentiator between companies that stay small and those that get BIG. But the very best CEOs understand that the building up to your planning session and maintaining your exit velocity afterwards are just as critical to growth.

On today's show, Greg Fricks explains how his company implemented the annual planning process, the lessons they learned, and how this ongoing process has set them up for continued success.

4 Keys to Successfully Expand Your Business Internationally Mar 09, 2021

Guest: Rafael Paniagua, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Rafael is an experienced global leader and a longtime YPO member who is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Prior to becoming a coach, Rafael was a CEO and President in the power, automation, and manufacturing industries, where he led ABB Brazil for seven years. He also led several global businesses as Group Vice President, managing more than 5,000 employees, 14 factories, and operating in more than 30 countries.

Episode in a Tweet: Going global could jump start your trajectory towards BIG.

Quick Background: The smaller your business is, the more vulnerable it is -- to customer attrition, to supply chain disruption, to ambitious competitors, or to fallout from a global pandemic. Now that you've completed your digital pivot, the size of your potential customer base is limited only by the scope and quality of your sales strategy. A little extra bandwidth and an office in an emerging market stocked with triple-A talent might be all you need to grow your business into an international success.

On today's show, Rafael Paniagua shares 4 keys to running a global business and how to make BIG happen by expanding geographically.

5 Keys to Succeeding as a First-Time CEO Feb 23, 2021

Many entrepreneurs and C-suite executives think they're ready to take the BIG job as CEO. But until you've sat in that chair and felt the weight of an entire company -- and the well-being of all its employees -- resting on your shoulders, it's hard to appreciate the level of responsibility you're taking on or anticipate how you as a leader will react to that responsibility.

On today's show, Douglas DeBoer shares five things every first-time CEO should be prepared to do to set up their company, their team, and themselves for BIG success.

This CEO Coach Led His Startup Through "Fire" to $200 Million in Revenue Feb 09, 2021

We've talked a lot in the past year about how moments of disruption can provide entrepreneurs with a BIG opportunity to start a new business. And in this current environment, nimble startups and aggressive existing companies can identify and fulfill customer needs that their larger competitors might be overlooking.

That is, as long as the CEO has a clearly defined plan and enough resilience to tackle whatever unforeseen problems are around the corner.

On today's show, CEO Coaching International's Jeff Bledsoe explains how he led his food processing startup through the fire -- literally -- to $200 million in revenue and a BIG exit.

Listen Up: This 5-Step Process Will Deliver BIG Growth Jan 26, 2021

Accelerating your company's growth rate involves much more than just improving the sales skills of your team. It takes a combination of truly listening to and understanding what your clients need and positioning your people, services, and products as the ideal, one-stop solution.

On today's show, John Giegerich shares five ways that businesses that have a solid foundation in place can take that next step and empower their sales force to deepen client relationships and generate BIG sales.

Top CEO Shares 3 Ways to Focus and Become a Work/Life Master Jan 19, 2021

One of the toughest parts of being a CEO is all the distractions. Everybody wants a piece of your time. So how do the best CEOs manage to perform at their peak without getting burned out? How do you develop this personal and work mastery?

On today's show, Bruce Bowser shares the key steps entrepreneurs and CEOs can take to take back their time and develop personal and work mastery.

5 Keys to a Seamless Tech Upgrade with CEO Coach Mike Klaus Jan 12, 2021

For every Zoom call or Slack message that quickly becomes part of your daily workflow, there's a CRM system that doesn't quite integrate right, a customer service platform that misfires, or an inventory management system that's too cumbersome. Separating tech that could improve your business from so-called "upgrades" that will only cause more problems is going to be key to completing and refining your digital pivot.

On today's show, Mike Klaus shares a five-step process for defining, planning, executing, and reviewing your tech investments to make sure they're giving your margins, service, and efficiency a BIG boost.

A BIG Investment in Training Helped This Company Double Its Revenue During the Pandemic Dec 29, 2020

Guest: Rob Posner, CEO of NewDay USA, a leading mortgage company serving America’s veterans, service members, and their families.

Episode in a Tweet: This mortgage company's in-house "university" trains top talent to deliver pandemic-proof customer service.

Quick Background: A generation ago, why were aspiring communication pros desperate to work at CBS? Why was Ogilvy top of the list for young advertisers? Why did IBM and Hewlett-Packard hoard top talent in the tech and sales sectors?

These companies weren't just industry leaders. They were leaders because of their legendary training programs. The best college graduates knew that once they'd "graduated" from those programs, they'd have the skills to excel either in-house or just about anywhere else they wanted to work.

Of course, CEOs who make training central to their culture are the biggest beneficiaries of this kind of investment in talent-building. On today's show, Rob Posner explains how NewDay USA recruits, trains, and develops an exceptional workforce.

Train Your Mind to "Arrive Ready" for Your Next BIG Challenge Dec 16, 2020

Guest: Rekha Skantharaja, the CEO of Tangram Insurance Services and a member of YPO.

Episode in a Tweet: Strong leaders draw on their feelings and experiences to "arrive ready" when faced with adversity.

Quick Background: As the calendar flips over to 2021, COVID-19 vaccines are starting to roll out across the U.S. It's looking more and more likely that life and business might start to feel normal again by the second half of next year.

So ... What's next?

Even if we are able to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror soon, experienced CEOs know that the next major roadblock is just around the corner. Is your business ready to pivot and accelerate through a coming disruption? Is your culture strong enough to absorb a sudden personnel change? Will you be able to lead your company effectively if a personal problem puts new demands on your time and emotional well-being?

On today's show, Rekha Skantharaja describes how she has learned to "arrive ready" for any challenge. She also talks about how being open about her personal challenges has helped her to develop into a more inspiring and relatable leader.

How to Use a Crisis as a Catalyst for Reinvention Nov 17, 2020

Guest: Geoff Goldwater, a founding member of Odell Studner, which is a fast-growing risk management and consulting company. Geoff is also an entrepreneur coaching client of CEO Coaching International.

Episode in a Tweet: Will a crisis break your business or open up a new path towards BIG?

Quick Background: The scale of Covid-19’s disruption to global life and business is unprecedented. But if you think back ten years, the experts were saying the same thing about the Great Recession. Go back another ten and we were coping with the fallout from 9/11 and the tech bubble bursting. A previous generation of leaders had to struggle through Black Monday, just as their predecessors had to deal with stagflation in the 1970s.

The pandemic environment may well be more daunting than these previous challenges. But good business is good business, no matter what the particulars are. Companies that are still struggling to regain their footing during Covid-19 can adapt strategies that helped CEOs win during previous crises to this difficult moment.

On today’s show, Geoff Goldwater shares the three-step process he used to reinvent his company after the Great Recession and lead it back to a fast growth path.

Hired Gun CEOs Can Use This 3-Step Process to Keep Hitting the Founder's Targets Nov 03, 2020

Growing your own company is challenging. Growing someone ELSE's company challenges CEOs to apply their skill sets in very different ways. Instead of building your own culture, you're inheriting the founder's. Instead of seeing your own vision of BIG, you have to make sure you and the founder see eye-to-eye. And while, at your own company, you might have struggled to hold yourself accountable, as a hired gun you won't be CEO for very long if you're not meeting the founder's expectations and maintaining a growth trajectory.

On today's show, Jeff Tennyson shares his three-step framework for stepping into a founder CEO's shoes while still making the job your own.

5 Ways to Keep Your High-Touch Business Growing Online and In-Person Oct 20, 2020

If you're in IT or supply chain management, you might have made a relatively smooth transition to WFH. High-touch businesses that depend on face-to-face client service and close-knit culture are having a tougher time adjusting to the pandemic environment. Keeping your team and customers safe while also safeguarding what's special about your company should be a priority item on your annual planning agenda.

On today's show, Kevin Hamilton discusses the five key adjustments his high-touch company made to keep its culture and its business thriving.

4 Keys To Maximizing the Value of a Potential Bolt-On Acquisition Oct 06, 2020

CEOs who kept their foot on the gas during the pandemic are seeing a lot of distressed but valuable assets in their rear-view mirrors. There are bountiful opportunities to snag top talent that's tired of waiting for their current employers to turn a corner. And companies that haven't regained their footing might make attractive acquisition targets. But buying a company isn't as simple as writing a check. In a business environment that's still very unsettled, you need to make sure an acquisition is going to drive growth that makes investing your time and your resources worthwhile.

On today's show, Luc Stang discusses a four-step process for bolt-on acquisitions that can make BIG happen with minimal risk and cash outlay.

4 Keys to Pivoting Away from Survival Mode and Back to BIG Growth Sep 15, 2020

Guest: Ryan Iwamoto, Co-Founder & President of 24 Hour Home Care, which has been on the Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest growing companies for eight consecutive years. Ryan is also an entrepreneur coaching client at CEO Coaching International.

Episode in a Tweet: These four tips will help your business to stop merely surviving and start thriving again.

Quick Background: Andy Grove, the former Chairman and CEO of Intel, famously said, "Bad companies are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them."

Much like the 2008 recession, the pandemic is exposing structural inefficiencies and stagnant thinking that many businesses were blind to while the global economy was charging ahead. Companies that have merely survived Covid-19 so far need to turn a corner, start planning, and get back to growing before "holding steady" turns into flatlining.

Today's guest, Ryan Iwamoto, has successfully navigated both the Great Recession and Covid-19. He co-founded 24 Hour Home Care in 2008--during the heart of the Great Recession--with a $160,000 investment. Thanks to his decisive leadership throughout 2020, the company is on track to do over $115 million in revenue this year, despite operating in an industry that's been hit hard by the pandemic.

The Perfect Way to Onboard a Senior Exec Sep 01, 2020

Guest: Jamil Nizam is the CEO of Waldom Electronics and Chris Lauret is the COO. Jamil is also an entrepreneur coaching client at CEO Coaching International.

Episode in a Tweet: A first-class onboarding process will make a BIG first impression on your new team member.

Quick Background: Most companies have it backward. They celebrate when someone leaves the company instead of when they join.

On today's show, Jamil Nizam explains how his first-class onboarding process eased new COO Chris Lauret into his responsibilities while also giving him a new perspective on just what kind of company he was working for. Chris and Jamil also discuss how they coordinate and execute key tasks remotely so that BIG keeps happening, even at a distance.

Paying it Back While Looking Forward Helps A Restaurant Chain Thrive During Covid-19 Aug 18, 2020

When he started out in the restaurant business, Chris Gannon's goal was to open one great restaurant at a time. His mix of incredible flavors, first-class hospitality, and high nutritional value was such a success that in only four years Bolay expanded to 15 locations.

And then Covid-19 hit. With indoor dining suddenly off the menu, Chris and his team had to make a major pivot that would allow them to sustain the business through the pandemic while also laying the groundwork for a successful future.

On today's show, Chris Gannon explains how transparent leadership, all-hands-on-deck teamwork, and a commitment to community building have kept Bolay on track to make BIG happen.

Are Your Values Powerful Enough to Combat Covid-19 Disruption? Aug 04, 2020

Guest: Fiona Kesby, the CEO of Go-VA, which is a company that provides outsourcing services to firms around the world. She’s also an entrepreneur coaching client at CEO Coaching International.

Episode in a Tweet: Strong culture and a commitment to BIG values can keep your business growing through the pandemic.

Quick Background: CEOs have discovered that the culture they created before Covid-19 is playing a BIG role in how well their companies are moving through the pandemic environment. Rearranging the nuts and bolts of what you do is a heck of a lot easier if you have a clear vision of why you’re doing it, as well as strong values supporting every person and process.

On today’s show, Fiona Kesby discusses how her principles have guided her virtual assistant firm through not just a Covid-19 disruption, but a full military lockdown by the Philippine government that’s one of the longest quarantines in the whole world.

Top Recruiter's Tips on How to "HireBetter" C-Suite Execs During the Pandemic Jul 21, 2020

Guest: Kurt Wilkin, the Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of HireBetter, a company that "harnesses the power of talent to solve business challenges." Kurt is also an active member and officer of YPO.

Episode in a Tweet: Covid-19 disruption has created a richer than usual talent pool. Take advantage and upgrade your team where you need it the most.

Quick Background: At the beginning of the year, CEOs were exploring every available option to find top talent during a very tight labor market. The workplace disruption that Covid-19 caused has changed that. If you need to fill an important leadership position in your company right now, the pool of available talent is deeper than it's been in quite some time. But don’t think that means making a key hire is going to be easier. On the contrary, CEOs have to be even more careful that they’re not letting sterling resumes and shiny smiles distract them from what’s most important: hiring someone who is going to buy into your vision, enhance your culture, and help your company make BIG happen.

On today’s show, Kurt Wilkin discusses effective strategies for sourcing talent and the key considerations CEOs need to make when weighing short-term needs versus long-term goals.

Former Home Depot Canada CEO on Keys to Scaling to $1 Billion or More in Sales Jul 07, 2020

Guest: CEO Coaching International’s Stephen Bebis. Stephen held a variety of senior merchandising roles at Home Depot before being named the VP General Merchandise Manager for the Mid-South Division. He also founded Aikenhead's Improvement Warehouse and built it to $1 billion in sales before selling it to Home Depot. After the acquisition, Stephen served as President and CEO of Home Depot Canada and chairman of the Aikenhead/Home Depot Partnership Board. Stephen also founded Golf Town, built it to 65 stores, and took the company public.

Episode in a Tweet: There's always a crisis somewhere. The best leaders have a continuous planning process and the right people to execute it.

Quick Background: When Stephen Bebis joined Home Depot in 1984 the company had just 14 stores. When he left in 1990, he was running a $20 billion division as a head merchant and was the VP of the southern part of the country. And while some might look back on the ’80s and early ‘90s as a booming time for business, think about everything that happened during the 6 years that Stephen helped Home Depot grow. Two presidential elections. Black Monday, 1987. Tumult in the Middle East, including Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan. Not to mention annual hurricane seasons and other unpredictable disasters.

No, running a business isn’t easy during Covid-19. But as Stephen discusses on today’s show, CEOs always have to be prepared to adjust to unforeseen circumstances and refocus their efforts on how to satisfy and grow their customer base.

The Four Pillars of an Effortless Experience that Grows Customer Loyalty Jun 23, 2020

We all want our customers to be happy. But what happens when they’re not?

No matter how delighted your customers are when your products and services deliver as advertised, at some point, a shipment will get buried in a blizzard, software will crash, a green employee will say the wrong thing at the worst time … or a global pandemic will disrupt your supply chain.

According to customer service expert Matt Dixon, how your company addresses those bumps in the road is far more critical to generating customer loyalty than all those perfect, positive experiences the customer might be taking for granted.

On today’s episode, Matt discusses some insights from his book “The Effortless Experience: Conquering the New Battleground for Customer Loyalty" that will help you refocus your customer service on what really creates lasting repeat business: quick problem solving and ease of use.

Former Xerox Exec Encourages CEOs to “Debate and Commit” to Stay Ahead of Change Jun 09, 2020

If you really want to grow your business fast, you need to build a team that will disagree with you.

Does that sound counter-intuitive?

Well, it worked for Abraham Lincoln. Our greatest president famously assembled a “team of rivals” in his cabinet because he wanted to work with smart people who would challenge – and improve – his thinking.

So what does your “cabinet” look like? Is your C-suite full of Yes Men and Yes Women? Have you created an atmosphere where your best people are afraid to challenge you with their best ideas?

Either situation can be fatal to a company’s growth, especially in today’s uncertain and rapidly fluctuating economy. Right now, every business leader is being challenged to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to today’s unprecedented problems. In this podcast, Gerry Perkel describes how building a team that disagrees with you can help a CEO not only tackle the challenges that COVID-19 presents, but successfully grow their business to new heights.

How this Former Xerox Exec Used “Managed Growth” to Hit $1.5 Billion in Sales Mar 10, 2020

If you want your company to stay successful, then maintaining a meaningful growth rate needs to be one of your BIG annual goals. But as we’ve seen recently at companies like WeWork and Uber, chasing growth for the sake of growth just pumps your business full of hot air. Once the hype bubble bursts you could find yourself overvalued, understaffed, and bleeding cash.

On today’s show, CEO Coaching International’s Tracy Tolbert lays out a more practical managed growth strategy that will get your company BIG without sacrificing profitability.

Apple Computer Pioneer David Sun Says, "Be a Sponge" Feb 25, 2020

Vision. Cash. People. Relationships. Learning. Only the CEO can tackle those key responsibilities. If those five things aren’t the focus of your day, then you’re wasting your time and hurting your company.

Like cutting the ad budget when you have to reduce costs, CEOs often push learning to the back burner in favor of higher-profile things like casting a vision or visiting top clients. And while vision and meeting clients are critical, so too is taking the time to learn and stay on top of the latest changes sweeping the business world. Setting aside that time might feel indulgent when we know there are projects to monitor, books to balance, and teams to manage.

On today’s show, CEO Coaching International’s David Sun explains why self-improvement isn't selfish – it’s essential to mastering your space, inspiring your team, and growing your business BIG.

Former Kendall-Jackson Winery President Shares 4 Steps to Break Through a Business Growth Plateau Jan 21, 2020

A successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. And just like long-distance runners and Ironman competitors, good CEOs have to prepare for “hitting the wall”: that inevitable point in your company’s progress where you’re just not progressing anymore. Growth stagnates. Gears grind. The next BIG goal is one step in front of you, but you can’t find the energy to move your feet.

In her career as an entrepreneur and executive, Ramona Capello earned a reputation for breathing life back into dying businesses. On today’s show, she explains why companies of all sizes hit the wall and how the best CEOs break through and start growing again.

A Former Samsung CEO Shares His 3-Step Process for Sizing and Seizing Your Market Space Jan 07, 2020

Many ambitious companies learn too late that there’s a BIG difference between the size of your total market and the size of your addressable market. But focusing on your addressable market without limiting your growth potential can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a clear vision forward and a mastery of the key numbers driving your business.

On today’s show, former Samsung NeuroLogica CEO Phil Sullivan discusses a three-step process he used at Samsung that will keep your company’s growth and the size of your addressable market in sync.

How to Set Up a Business Operation in the Philippines and Save Up to 70% on Your Talent Investment Dec 17, 2019

One of the biggest challenges companies face is how to hire great people at a reasonable price in one of the tightest labor markets on record. There's simply not enough qualified talent to fill everybody's needs, especially if your company is early in its growth journey and trying to catch the giants in your field.

Smart companies are thinking more broadly and more globally about how to solve this pain point. But lingering misconceptions about offshoring can discourage CEOs from investigating what could be a talent gold mine.

On today's episode, Chris Van Vladricken answers all your questions about offshoring including: service options, the hiring process, costs, and how the nuts-and-bolts infrastructure works to keep your local employees and remote workers in sync.

An Unconventional Staffing Solution Helped This CEO Grow from $0 to $120 Million Nov 12, 2019

The battle for the best talent is as fierce right now as it’s ever been. The best performing companies spare no expense when it comes to recruiting top performers. And young companies just starting down the road to BIG need to make sure they’re not stuck settling for second-best.

How?

One: make sure your employee compensation package is stellar.

Two: make sure you’re not so busy shopping in the same crowded talent pool that you’re overlooking other ways to hire the best performers for the jobs you need done.

Mastering number two is a BIG reason Jim Bennett grew Unishippers from 0 to $120 million. In this conversation, recorded live at the 6th Annual CEO Coaching International Summit held in Santa Monica, CA, Jim and coach Don Schiavone discuss how Jim recruited unconventional employees and then trained them up into a major differentiator between his company and the competition.

How this Founder/CEO Took a Sabbatical to Find What was Missing Despite His Success Oct 29, 2019

One of the reasons that I started the annual CEO Coaching International Summit is that I wanted our clients and friends to have a forum where they could learn about what’s next. Our speakers have talked about new products, emerging markets, outside-the-box problem solving, and some really mind-blowing tech.

Thanks to Cyrus Sigari, we can add flying cars to our list. And if you think that sounds far-fetched, think again. According to Cyrus, heavy hitters like Google, Uber, Boeing, and Airbus are all battling to be first to market with small, affordable aircraft that are as easy to drive as a car. This space is going to explode sooner rather than later, and the implications for all businesses could be huge.

But I’m so proud that our Summit is also a place where CEOs can learn from leaders like Cyrus, whose personal story is maybe more amazing than the work he’s doing. His family fled the Iranian Revolution in 1979, and as he grew up in the States, Cyrus fell in love with aviation. He learned to fly while he was a teenager and started his company right out of college.

Then, a series of personal challenges led Cyrus on a spiritual journey that’s helped him redefine everything he does in business and in life.

In this presentation, recorded live at the 6th Annual CEO Coaching International Summit held in Santa Monica, CA, Cyrus Sigari talks about how he arrived at his Most Transformative Purposes, and how all CEOs have to step outside of their businesses if they truly want to make BIG happen.

3 Steps to Starting a Movement In Your Industry That Tackles a Big Problem and Positions Your Firm as a Leader Oct 15, 2019

Some CEOs were surprised when Business Roundtable redefined the purpose of a corporation to include promoting “An Economy That Serves All Americans.”

But some of the most successful companies that we work with at CEO Coaching International are the ones that have a vision beyond profit. They’re the companies that are actively asking employees what’s important to them. They’re turning down huge cash infusions from celebrity investors because they believe their products can improve the environment. They’re finding innovative new ways to let employees earn ownership and grow their personal wealth. And they’re being intentional about how they build their legacies.

On today’s show, we welcome back Kerry Siggins to discuss the grassroots efforts she’s undertaken to promote a global safety movement in her industry. Starting a movement definitely isn’t for every CEO. But it’s leaders like Kerry who are leading their employees and their businesses towards BIG things beyond the business.

6 Exercises that CEOs Can Do to Build a Lasting Legacy Oct 01, 2019

The BIGGEST and best businesses are about more than just business. They’re an expression of the CEO’s professional and personal values that can impact the world for generations. Building that kind of enduring legacy takes clear vision and intentional planning. That’s why Mark Moses and the CEO Coaching International team have developed a series of exercises that CEOs can use to clarify goals and create missions that transcend profit.

On today’s episode, Mark Moses walks us thorough those six exercises and explains how his own responses have shaped his approach to legacy planning. Mark also shares FREE tools that CEOs and entrepreneurs can download right now that will help you think about how you are living your life and what you may want to do differently to create a lasting legacy.

The How, Why, and When it Makes Sense to Convert Your Company to an ESOP Sep 17, 2019

A good CEO is always looking for ways to inspire his team and encourage employees to take ownership of their work.

One way to do that? Let your employees earn some real ownership.

Top young talents want to feel like they’re a real part of the companies they work for. More and more CEOs are setting up Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to provide that incentive, that motivation, and that feeling of being a part of something BIGGER than profit.

On today’s show, Adam and Jason Svet discuss the business and culture fit issues that CEOs who are interested in an ESOP should consider. They also talk about the nuts and bolts process of setting up an ESOP and how going through the process helped them to put their company’s values in action and get their employees thinking and working BIG.

4 Ways to Deliver World-Class Customer Service That Wows Your Customers and Leads to Repeat Business Sep 03, 2019

Most companies get customer service all wrong. They make a big show of designing shiny apps, building amazing showrooms, and rolling out cutting edge products. But they forget to put a laser focus on who actually pays for all that—the customer! When you deepen your customer relationships and focus on creating a memorable experience, you can charge a premium price and retain clients for life.

“Technology is only 10% of the experience,” says customer service expert John DiJulius, while your person who delivers the service is the other 90%. “Technology can never build a rapport, show empathy, or make a brilliant comeback when we drop the ball, but you can,” he said.

Many businesses are trying to de-emphasize the importance of the employee and replace them with chat bots and AI. But that technology will never outperform a well-trained human who steps in when your customer needs personalized help.

In this presentation, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching International Summit, John DiJulius explains how you can train your team to own every problem, make meaningful connections with every customer, and create a world-class customer experience that will drive BIG business.

How Emma Cohen Prospered After Turning Down 2 “Sharks” on Shark Tank and Raising $1.8 Million on Kickstarter Aug 20, 2019

If Emma Cohen and her collapsible, reusable straws sound familiar, you probably caught her appearance on the TV show “Shark Tank.” After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Emma stood face-to-face with sharks Mark Cuban and Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O’Leary, to try to secure an investment. And not only did Emma field multiple offers from the sharks … she actually turned them down!

On today’s episode, recorded live at the 6th Annual CEO Coaching International Summit held in Santa Monica, CA, Emma Cohen and her coach, Chris Larkins, discuss where she got the courage to make such a difficult call and stand her ground against the sharks. Fans of “Shark Tank” are going to enjoy Emma’s behind-the-scenes peek at how the show really works. But the lessons Emma learned are going to help all entrepreneurs who are fine-tuning their pitches and deciding how much an injection of much-needed cash is really worth.

How Barron's Hall of Fame Financial Advisor Ron Carson Went From Living in a Trailer to Finding His "Why" and "MTP" That Led to $10 Billion in Assets Under Advisement Aug 06, 2019

Ron Carson’s family lost everything in the 1980s farm crisis. Instead of preparing to follow in his father’s footsteps, Ron had to watch his father cry for the first time and move into a trailer.

Then, when he was studying at the University of Nebraska, Ron read a magazine article about becoming a Certified Financial Planner®.

Thirty years later, Carson Wealth is one of the BIGGEST names in finance. And I’m proud to say that my good friend Ron Carson is a person who runs his business and his life with a passion we should all try to emulate.

In this special episode, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching Summit, Ron Carson discusses how his family’s hardships motivated him to push past fear, figure out his “Why,” and dedicate himself to things he loves doing.

14-Time Inc. 5000 Winner Says More Money is Not the Key to Winning the War for Talent--But These 4 Things Are Jul 23, 2019

Hiring the best people is always critical. Right now, it’s also very challenging. According to the staffing pros at Integrity Staffing Solutions, unemployment is near the lowest figure in decades. That translates to around 7 million open jobs, and only 6 million people looking. Add in the retiring baby boomer generation and the rise of the millennial workforce and it’s absolutely imperative that your firm is doing everything it can to make open positions as attractive as possible.

On today’s show, Todd Bavol and Megan Couch of Integrity Staffing Solutions give some important tips on how to make your company a preferred destination for top talent.

MINDBODY President Josh McCarter on Going From Losing $350,000 per Month to Running a $2 Billion Juggernaut Jul 09, 2019

About ten years ago, Josh McCarter was running a struggling SaaS business in New York. His company was generating about $700,000 in annual revenue, but burning through $350,000 a month. He didn’t have enough cash on hand to cover next month’s payroll. His customer base had flatlined. And just when it seemed like relief was on the way, a terrorist attack disrupted a critical investment. Not even his YPO forum mates thought Josh was going to make it.

I should know – I was in that forum!

Fast forward to 2019, and Josh is in charge of a company that was recently purchased for $2 billion.

In this conversation, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching Summit, Josh and I talked about how he kept cool during all this adversity and focused on a plan that pivoted his company to BIG. Josh also describes how turning around his original company and zeroing in on one key strategy prepared him to run a billion-dollar business.

How Cole Zucker Rode a Rocket of Growth From $0 to $40 Million in Just Five Years Jun 18, 2019

Cole Zucker turned a sudden job loss into a BIG opportunity. He booked an eight-week stay at a hostel in China that turned into a three-year fact-finding and networking mission. Eventually, Cole spotted a market that he thought was ready to explode in the US: LED lighting. Green Creative was born, and five years later, Cole was riding a rocket ship from $0 to $40 million in growth that landed him a significant exit.

On today’s show, Cole Zucker discusses those early years of explosive growth in terms of what he learned and what he would do differently. He also shares a couple of great insights on what he did to overcome a major challenge that he hit in the company's early days.

2019 CEO Coaching Summit Live: Sarah Dusek on Her Courageous Path to BIG Jun 04, 2019

In 2017, Sarah Dusek came to CEO Coaching International looking for some guidance on how to get her glamorous camping (“glamping”) company to the next level. Two years later, thanks to some courageous decisions and a commitment to our processes, Under Canvas has grown BIGGER than Sarah dreamed, and recently secured a major private equity investment that will help expand its operations across US National Parks.

In this special episode, recorded live at the 2019 CEO Coaching Summit, Sarah Dusek talks with her coach, Sheldon Harris, about her incredible journey, the importance of resilience, and how staying true to her company’s values helped her guide Under Canvas around some potential potholes and stay on course for BIG.

A Former Kodak Exec’s Disruption Mindset Will Keep You From Becoming Kodak May 07, 2019

Blockbuster. Xerox. MySpace. And, yes, Kodak. These businesses are long gone, but they endure as cautionary tales to any CEO who’s complacent. But dealing with disruption isn’t just about planning ahead: it’s about cultivating a culture and a mindset within your team that prioritizes innovation, experimentation, and above all, BIG thinking.

On today’s show, Jaime Szulc shares the steps you can take to position your company so it's on the giving end of disruption, not the receiving end. Jaime also discusses some warning signs he spotted during the end of his tenure at Kodak that all CEOs should be on the lookout for if they want to avoid a similar fate.

A Winning Formula to Win BIG in the Government Contracting Business Apr 23, 2019

Government contracting can be lucrative, but it can also be a cutthroat competition between companies trying to outsmart and under-bid each other. Winning major contracts requires a detailed proposal strategy that balances innovative thinking with a clear-eyed understanding of what your company can and can’t bring to the table.

On today’s show, Rafe Wilkinson shares three key steps to accelerate your growth in the government contracting space – including an ingenious acquisition strategy that Rafe has seen get BIG results.

Smart CEOs Invest in Branding Apr 09, 2019

Branding has never been more important to successful businesses. The number of choices that your customers have multiplies every single day. Companies with strong brands are able to stand out from that crowd and make clear, direct value propositions to the public. Companies with weak, or worse, inauthentic brands are never going to separate themselves and will just get swept away in the non-stop marketing din buzzing across our screens every day.

On today’s show, Mike Marchi discusses how building and maintaining a strong brand can lead to higher profits for your company. He also shares some key lessons on leadership he learned from working under Jack Welch.

A Seven-Step Process to Nailing Your Next BIG Acquisition Mar 26, 2019

There’s more than one way to get BIG. If your company is really firing on all cylinders, hitting its targets, and keeping you in the black, an acquisition might be just the thing to take you up to the next level.

But whether you’re looking to buy or sell, it’s critical that you and your team don’t get too caught up in the excitement of the opportunity. CEOs who chase acquisitions like they’re shiny new things to collect risk stretching themselves too thin. A smaller business that wants to sell quick might be too focused on a payday and not as attentive to all the fine print that’s attached to it. A careful consideration of strategy, partner fit, and your long-term goals either inside or outside of this new entity should be what drives this process.

On today’s show, Jim Weaver outlines a well-planned, seven-step acquisition process that will help ensure proper execution, strong growth, and BIG profitability.

Former CEO of Procter & Gamble Brazil and Gillette Exec’s 4-Step Process to Launch Products All Over the Globe Mar 12, 2019

Today’s best-seller will be in tomorrow’s bargain bin. The companies that avoid this fate always have one eye on what’s next. They’re creative, they’re innovative, they’re willing to experiment, and they’re prudent about how they expend time and resources when it comes to refreshing their product lines.

On today’s show, Alberto Carvalho outlines a four-step process to product development that he honed while working for some of the world’s biggest businesses. Alberto’s process won’t just get you from prototype to finished product – it will get you there with minimal waste and with a maximum shot at hitting BIG returns with your customers.

The “3 P’s” a Former Leader at Universal Studios, Mattel and Teleflora Used to Generate Billions in Global Sales Feb 26, 2019

In her 30+ year career, Cynthia Cleveland has driven significant growth at major companies like Universal Studios, Mattel Toys, and Teleflora. And while these companies all had their unique challenges and opportunities, Cynthia found a recipe for success by focusing on three key drivers that she believes are essential to getting any business BIG.

On today’s show, Cynthia discusses her “3 P’s” and how CEOs can master these essentials to build a great business.

4 Common Traits of CEOs Running the Fastest Growing Companies Feb 13, 2019

The absolute best companies don’t get BIG by accident. They grow fast and achieve meaningful scale because their CEOs are rigorous in their planning, committed to working with top talent, believers in the culture they’ve built, and dedicated to learning and growing every single day.

On today’s special episode, we dig into our archives to see what some of our past guests have to say about these four key traits that the CEO Coaching International team helps its clients cultivate.

4 Ways to Flip Family Business Stress to BIG Success Jan 29, 2019

No, Amazon and the other tech giants have not wiped out family-run businesses. In fact, one third of Sheldon Harris' coaching clients are family-run businesses that feature multiple family members in various roles. And in Sheldon’s experience, that arrangement can be just as complicated as it sounds. “It's hard to find a business that doesn't have challenges,” he says, “and it's hard to find a family that doesn't have challenges. So those things are just amplified in the case where you've got both of those dynamics going on.”

On today’s show, Sheldon Harris discusses how family-run businesses can learn to keep their family issues from running the business into the ground.

1-800-GOT-JUNK Got BIG Thanks to These 3 Key CEO Mindsets Jan 16, 2019

Entrepreneurial inspiration can strike at any time. In Brian Scudamore’s case, he was sitting in a McDonald’s drive-through, trying to figure out how to pay for college, when he noticed a beat-up old pickup truck with plywood sides built up around the bed.

“I looked at the truck and I went, ‘Aha, that's my ticket,’” Brian remembers. “I took a $1,000 investment, $700 into a truck, the rest into flyers and business cards. Within a couple of weeks, I had a business that actually paid for itself. It was ironic because what funded my college education also inspired me to drop out.”

On today’s show, Brian Scudamore discusses the 3 key mindsets he used to grow 1-800-GOT-JUNK into the core business of an organization that now generates more than $300 million in annual revenue. We also discuss a really tough and really courageous staffing decision Brian made early on that allowed him to regroup, reorganize, and refocus on making BIG happen.

4 Keys That Drove One Company From $0 to $120 Million in Revenue Dec 11, 2018

Jim Bennett’s parents never gave him an allowance, and so from a very young age he was always doing something to earn money. Those early experiences mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, and stringing tennis rackets planted the seeds of an entrepreneurial spirit. “I learned quickly that starting your own business always paid more than just a job,” Jim remembers. After college, that’s what Jim did. He became a Worldwide Express franchisee, and through determination and perseverance, went on to compete with the big boys in global shipping—and win.

On today’s show, Jim Bennett discusses how he homed in on the best business for him to grow, the talent he targeted as the best for the job, and the mindset that all CEOs should adopt if they want to get BIG too.

This Financial Plan Led to a $170 Million Exit Nov 27, 2018

How did Grasshopper grow from a virtual voicemail leader to a $170 million-dollar sale? In no small part, because they hired a superstar COO: Don Schiavone. Don’s SaaS and technology expertise combined with his commitment to rigorous testing and annual planning were instrumental in getting Grasshopper BIG.

On today’s show, Don Schiavone, who is now Managing Director of CEO Coaching International, explains how to fine-tune your baseline forecast to create a compounding effect that will accelerate your growth way beyond what companies can accomplish with more traditional top-down planning. If you incorporate Don’s proven best practices into your own upcoming planning sessions, you’ll be well on your way to a BIG 2019.

This Successful CEO and YPO Member Puts Her Employees First With An ESOP Program Oct 23, 2018

For the past 25 years, StoneAge has been experimenting with ways to give its employees a stake in the company’s success, a path to personal wealth-building, and more ownership over their individual job performance. What began as a profit-sharing program evolved into a homegrown stock ownership program, and now a federally-regulated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that could provide a model for other businesses looking for creative ways to build an inclusive, winning, and productive culture.

Kerry Siggins has evolved along with StoneAge as well. On today’s show, we discuss her 11-year rise from general manager all the way up to CEO, and why she believes more businesses should consider forming an ESOP to get employees on board with making BIG happen.

Former Israel Defense Force Captain Says Here's How to Stay Cool Under Enemy Fire Oct 09, 2018

Dr. Gill Heart served more than seven years in the Israel Defense Force's most elite and stressful unit. He went undercover behind enemy lines and came face-to-face with life or death situations. After receiving his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Imperial College, London University, Dr. Heart moved to the United States and became an entrepreneur. He founded and successfully managed venture-backed medical device startups that were primarily focused on neurological and brain applications. Now Dr. Heart has combined his military training, his study of Jewish mysticism and philosophy, and his business acumen to create a training regimen to help people manage stress in both their personal and professional lives.

On today's show, Dr. Gill Heart discusses the mental training that is necessary to deal effectively with extremely stressful situations. CEOs may not be able to control when a cash flow crisis or social media firestorm flares up. But we can control how we react to stressful situations so that both our businesses and our bodies keep executing at a high level.

The 4 Steps That Led 6 of Our Clients to Achieve 9-Figure Exits Sep 18, 2018

Why do some of the biggest and best companies in the world work with CEO Coaching International? Because our best practices get real results. At our recent Summit, CEO Mark Moses noted that our clients have achieved $7 billion in revenue, 40% annual CAGR after 4 years, and 210% Median Profit Growth Rate across the board. We’re proud that our clients’ sustained growth and stables of top talent have also attracted serious interest from strategic buyers and private equity firms.

On today’s show, Mark Moses discusses how six of our clients have executed 9-figure exits. And we’re not talking theory here. These are real-world philosophies and activities that have led our clients to more scale, more revenue, greater valuations, and dream exit scenarios. In fact, we have more clients following this exact same pipeline who will be achieving similarly BIG results in the very near future.

Inspire Your Team to Go from Liking Your Company to Loving It Sep 04, 2018

When we find a great new restaurant, see a great new movie, or upgrade to a great new piece of tech, we tell everyone we know, “I really love this, you gotta check it out!” Smart companies are learning how to cultivate that same kind of reaction in their workplaces. Employees who love where they work promote your business to their social and professional circles, stick with their companies longer, and go above and beyond because they feel like they’re part of making something BIG happen.

On today’s show, Keith Alper discusses the importance of culture and employee engagement, and how to inspire your team to go from liking your company to loving it. Keith also shares some key insights from his long entrepreneurial career, including how he managed to maintain a very effective business partnership for more than three decades.

An Action Plan to Stay One Tweet Ahead of a Potential Social Media Crisis Aug 21, 2018

In this age of social media and internet activism, lots of top CEOs have Tracy Williams on speed dial for when a crisis hits, or a lawsuit threatens a company’s brand or reputation. Even companies that are vigilant about living their values, following best practices, and creating a healthy workplace culture are vulnerable to the wrath of online mobs if they don’t have an action plan in place when inevitable misunderstanding or slipups do occur.

On today’s show Tracy Williams discusses reputation management in the age of social media, particularly how to protect yourself and your company from a PR disaster that could explode as fast as a tweet.

What’s Better than Growing BIG? Growing BIGGER Year after Year! Aug 07, 2018

So how do you break into an industry as specialized as dental supply?

Easy. Have a dentist tell you, “No!”

“My oldest brother is a dentist,” explains Steve Kizy, “and when I graduated from college it was in 2008 and we were in the recession and I asked my brother if I could work for him and help him grow his dental practice. He looked at me straight in the face and said, ‘No, you cannot work for me. One brother already works for me and I'm not going to take care of another.’"

Steve’s brother did however point him to a niche market with a lot of opportunity and potential for growth. Combine that with an entrepreneurial drive that went back to selling cell phones in his dad’s convenience store as a high school student, and a fast-growth entrepreneur was born.

On today’s show, Steve Kizy discusses how his company is growing so fast in a highly competitive industry and the challenges that go along with that fast growth. We discuss how to foster a culture of teamwork and pitching in that will help any firm in any field get through the rough patches and make BIG happen year after year.

As a CEO, Don’t Make These 5 Parenting Mistakes That Lead to Underachieving Kids Jul 24, 2018

You worked hard to build your business. You made mistakes. You learned from them. Nothing was given to you. You had to rely on your grit and determination to earn every inch of your success.

So why should your kids have it any different?

Because even the toughest CEO can turn to mush once we hear “Mommy!” or “Daddy!” We don’t want our kids to have to struggle like we did. We want their lives to be as easy and pain-free as possible.

But Dr. Tim Jordan has found that our best intentions often lead to negative results. And in many cases, the same knack for prescient problem-solving and planning that’s made your business successful can hold back your kids’ development.

On today’s show, Dr. Tim Jordan discusses the five biggest parenting mistakes that CEOs and entrepreneurs make and offers some expert tips that will prepare your kids to make their own BIG happen.

5 Questions Anthony Venus Answered to Land $8 million in Venture Capital Funding Jul 10, 2018

Getting BIG requires big cash. But the venture capital landscape is more crowded and competitive than ever. How is your company going to stand out from the masses of wannabe entrepreneurs? Do you have a vision that will tantalize investors? The right numbers to secure the right investment? The right plan to capitalize on that investment? The right team? The grit and determination necessary to make BIG happen?

On today’s show, serial entrepreneur Anthony Venus talks about the genesis of his new company YayPay, how he determined when the company had achieved product-market fit, and the steps he used to raise $8 million in venture capital money.

5-Time CEO Jim Weaver on the Common Traits of Great CEO Leaders Jun 26, 2018

Jim Weaver didn’t set out to be a 5-time CEO in such a diverse array of businesses. But whenever opportunities presented themselves, Jim took advantage, pivoting his companies and himself towards new experiences, better markets, and BIGGER growth. Now he’s ready to share what he’s learned from five stints in the big chair with CEO Coaching International’s clients.

On today’s show, Jim Weaver discusses his transition from government work to the private sector to going public, and what his experiences at the top of multiple companies have taught him about being a great CEO in any field.

The 6-Step Process That Leads to BIG Sales with CEO Coaching's Jerry Swain Jun 12, 2018

After a highly-recognized career in tech sector sales management – including working for IBM at its peak – Jerry Swain jumped off the corporate track and became an entrepreneur. He started, of all things, a high-end specialty chocolate company that ended up receiving four buyout offers before Jerry finally sold to a strategic buyer.

On today’s show, Jerry Swain discusses the lessons he learned from IBM’s world-class sales training program, and how he applied that wisdom to his own BIG entrepreneurial ventures.

$100 Million Business Builder Ash Garg on How He Jumped From Corporate Exec to Top Entrepreneur Jun 05, 2018

Ash Garg spent the first 25 years of his career working for large companies like Lockheed Martin and Hughes. Then, at age 46, he decided to become an entrepreneur. But he wasn't interested in just being self-employed. Ash had a vision from day one that he wanted to build a pharmacy company in India that was as big as any in the world. 13 years later, Guardian Pharmacy was a $100 million business.

On today’s show, Ash Garg discusses how he shifted from working for some of the biggest companies in the world to making BIG happen on his own terms.

How to Use Big Data Combined with Human Judgment to Make BIG Happen May 29, 2018

Asha Saxena is a self-described data nerd, but she preaches the importance of using data as a tool, and not as a whole solution to a business’ challenges and opportunities. Unfortunately, too many struggling CEOs don’t grasp that distinction. Even worse, some CEOs put so much stock in what the numbers are saying that they ignore the human ingenuity and intuition that companies need to adapt to an ever-changing business landscape.

On today’s show, Asha discusses combing data analytics with your top-level CEO judgement to ask better questions about your business, and make smarter, more profitable decisions that will help you make BIG happen.

How Outside the Box Marketing Led to 70% Growth in One Year May 22, 2018

Like any other discipline in life, you have to master the basics of business if you want to run a successful company. Have a clear vision. Set your targets and put steps in place to hit them. Measure your progress. Optimize your cash flow. Hire the best people. Keep learning.

But once you have your fundamentals covered, how do you set yourself apart from the competition? How do you broadcast and leverage what’s unique about your company to expand your client base and start ramping up towards BIG?

On today’s show, Anthony Geraci explains how his team started thinking outside the box to change how a law firm traditionally operates and create a radical new approach to marketing. The result of this innovative thinking? An incredible 70% growth in one year.

Former NFL Player and Serial Entrepreneur Rafe Wilkinson Shares His Game Plan for Building a Winning Business May 15, 2018

Business leaders and thinkers love using sports analogies to motivate their teams, “win the day,” and craft a game plan to beat the competition. Rafe Wilkinson’s career proves just how applicable lessons from professional sports really can be to growing your company and making BIG happen.

On today’s show Rafe Wilkinson discusses what his NFL career taught him about playing to his strengths, the importance of team-building, and how he hurdled a common CEO stumbling block while growing his company from 30 employees to over 1,000.

How to Grow from a Good Entrepreneur into a Great CEO Apr 17, 2018

One of the hardest lessons for CEOs to learn is: You can’t do everything. This was especially tough for Danny Peykoff because he’d grown up watching his father do just that while running the family business, Niagara Water. But when Danny became the CEO of Space Jam, he discovered that letting go and delegating were essential if he was going to grow into the kind of leader that the expanding company needed.

On today’s show, Danny discusses how to grow as a CEO and how he narrowed his focus to four key activities that were essential to making BIG happen.

Don’t Let a Personal Crisis Knock Your Company Off-Course Apr 03, 2018

It’s very easy for CEOs and entrepreneurs to get so wrapped up in our businesses that we feel like we ARE our businesses. Then a personal crisis snaps everything back into focus.

For me, it was when my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

For Carol Clinton, it was opening a dream skin care business with her husband – at the cost of their entire life savings – only to find herself in an operating room one week later having surgery for ovarian cancer.

On today’s show, Carol discusses how her experience affected her perspective on business and life and offers advice for how CEOs can keep a personal crisis from derailing their companies.

How CEOs Can Use the New Tax Laws to Their Advantage Mar 25, 2018

If you’ve just been skimming the headlines since the end of last year, you might be under the impression that the new tax laws are a gigantic gift to high-earning CEOs, entrepreneurs, and their companies.

If only.

Yes, some changes could make filing easier and taxes less onerous for you. But there’s a lot of misinformation and exaggeration floating around about just how generous the new tax laws really are.

On today’s show, Brett Ellen is back to cut through the hot air and explain how the new tax laws will really affect entrepreneurs and CEOs. Brett also discusses some of the biggest mistakes he sees people make as it relates to handling their business and personal taxes and how to put a protective moat around the castle that is you and your company

Don’t Build Your Team for Today -- Build Your Team for BIG! Mar 20, 2018

The path from pre-revenue start-up to a successful million-dollar business is tough. Getting from that first million to $5 million can be even tougher. And if you want to scale BIG, to $10, $50, or even $100 million or more? Well, that takes great leadership.

On today’s show, Jim Kenefick explains how CEOs can build a team and a learning culture that will transform good companies into great ones. And then we follow that with a discussion on how you can finance your company's rapid growth.

Retain Your Clients With These 4 Essentials to an Engaging Customer Loyalty Program Feb 27, 2018

Most companies would love to have the kind of customer engagement, retention, and repeat business that Amazon generates with its Prime memberships. But Amazon didn’t dream up customer loyalty programs on its own – they based Prime on the membership program that Costco pioneered in the 1990s.

Ginnie Roeglin played a big part in fine-tuning this innovative strategy. She led Costco’s corporate marketing for nearly ten years and also helped grow Costco.com to $4 billion in e-commerce sales.

On today’s show, Ginnie discusses the essentials to crafting a loyalty program that will keep your customers coming back for more and lead your business to BIG growth.

5 Proven Tips to Ace a Key Senior Hire the First Time Feb 13, 2018

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it is absolutely critical to have the absolute top people working on your leadership team. But how do you land those superstars that separate the good companies from the great companies? How do you get a senior hire right so you don’t waste time and money cleaning up the wrong hire’s mess?

On today’s show, Craig Coleman discusses the proven best practices that he uses throughout the interview process to narrow the field, ensure culture fit and skill alignment, spark productive background checks, and put together a team that will make BIG happen.

4 Big Coaching Lessons from 10 Years of Making BIG Happen Jan 30, 2018

Mark Moses looks back on four big coaching lessons he’s learned from working with some of the biggest and best companies and leaders in the world. What separates the merely good from the truly great? What are the best practices that keep the best companies on top? And what are the actionable, measurable steps you can put into place this year that will transform your business?

The 3 Strategies That Led to $10 Billion in New Revenue Jan 16, 2018

Anne McNamara is in the business of helping businesses boost their revenue by winning RFPs. And she’s very good at it: the proposals her team put together win bids for clients at an incredible 80% success rate.

On today’s show, Anne takes us inside her war room and shares the three-step process her team works through when strategizing winning bids. Whatever size RFP you have your sights on, Anne’s process can help you fine-tune your bid and win some BIG new business.

How to Master the Science—and Art—of Making Acquisitions Jan 02, 2018

Successful businesses are never content to hit the same sale figures and sell to the same customers over and over again. If getting BIG isn’t important to you, then you’re going to stay small enough for your competitors to step right over you. But if you are on the lookout for ways to scale, acquiring one of those competitors could help you get BIG faster.

On today’s show, Piers Carey walks us through the science and art of making acquisitions, including the challenges, opportunities, and best practices that will help reconfigure your bigger company for BIG things.

4 Strategies to Pivot Your Business from Small to BIG Dec 12, 2017

Two college best friends create their dream startup. Sounds like the classic entrepreneur fairy tale. Except the startup was a real estate company, and the year was 2007. You can probably guess what happened next – that is, until Oliver Seidler decided to pivot from a small company stuck in survival mode to a BIG business.

On today’s show, Oliver explains how he used technology, key performance indicators, top talent, and a commitment to his vision to pivot Property Force into a scalable, multimillion dollar business.

Act or be Acted On Nov 07, 2017

Allan Young got hooked on shaking up businesses at a young age – he estimates he started 14 different companies before he graduated from high school! This entrepreneurial spirit put Allan out of step with the dominant business thinking of the ‘70s and ‘80s: emulate what’s already successful. But today, being a disruptor in your business space isn’t just trendy – it’s essential to fighting off complacency, and staying ahead of the hungry start-ups chomping at your heels.

On today’s show, Allan gives his tips on how CEOs can embrace positive, forward thinking to transform their companies into powerful disruptors.

Three Billion Dollars’ Worth of Business Advice from LendingTree Founder Doug Lebda Oct 24, 2017

There’s truth in advertising to those LendingTree ads we all remember, in which a green puppet named Lenny tries to help people avoid getting the runaround from banks and lenders. That was once 24-year-old Doug Lebda, struggling to find a good mortgage rate for his first home purchase. From that frustration came a multi-billion-dollar idea: an online platform that makes it easier for consumers to comparison-shop for loans of all kinds.

On today’s show, Doug discusses how he grew LendingTree from $10,000 in seed money into an e-commerce giant, and how you can apply some of the same strategies to growing your own business BIG.

What I Learned From Interviewing More Than 40 Billionaires Oct 10, 2017

Richard Sapio is the founder of Mutual Capital Alliance, and its CEO for the last twenty years.

When his dad died unexpectedly, 13-year-old Richard's life was thrown into chaos. That experience instilled in Richard both a DIY entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for finding order. During the 2008 economic downturn, Richard had the bright idea to bid on private lunches with six Texas billionaires. The investment paid off as Richard enjoyed personal master classes from some of the most successful people in the country…and it led to many more billionaire interviews.

On today’s show, Richard discusses the thought and behavioral patterns common to billionaires, and how he believes CEOs of all sizes can leverage those patterns to create “an entrepreneur in every home."

How to Align Your Sales Comp With Your Vision of Big Success Sep 26, 2017

If you want to grow your business, you don’t need salespeople. You need THE BEST salespeople, a top-notch team that’s constantly moving your product or service, making a great impression on your current customers, and spreading the good word about your company whe.never possible.

So, step one: load up your sales team with grade-A talent.

On today’s show, Chris Larkins explains the importance of step two: ditch your flat-rate commission structure, and align your sales comp with the BIG goals all those sales should be building towards

Finance Entrepreneur Uses These 4 Insights To Supercharge Sales Teams Sep 12, 2017

You are what you sell, or at least your business is. If you’re happy with the small sales your mediocre sales team delivers month after month, quarter after quarter, you’re going to stay small … that is, until your competitors blow right past you.

On today’s show, Bill Whitehead delves into the sales skills that separate top performers from the middle of the pack. Use Bill’s insights to supercharge your lagging sales team, or to identify the habits of high-performing replacements you should be targeting.

How 31-year old 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year and TaskUs co-founder Jaspar Weir Leads 8,000 Millennials and Built a Global Business Jun 20, 2017

Since 2008, TaskUs has grown from a struggling start-up run by two entrepreneurs out of their parents’ houses into a thriving company with more than 8,000 employees around the world.

Jaspar Weir, co-founder and president, says millennials comprise over 90% of his workforce, and TaskUs has invested substantial time and resources in measuring and improving the engagement of its employees to keep building on its rapid growth.

On today’s show, Jaspar points past Bulletproof Coffee and Avocado Toast memes to discuss how strong corporate culture and a defined sense of purpose can attract, engage, and retain top millennial talent.

5 BIG Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Fail and What to Do About It Jun 06, 2017

Companies fail when their leaders fail to execute. But why do entrepreneurs fail in the first place? What are the habits of high-performing CEOs that anyone running a business should incorporate into their own routines and growth strategies?

Mark Moses has been asking these provocative questions for over 20 years, and using the answers to turn around distressed companies and guide top firms to exponential growth.

On today’s show, Mark discusses the top five reasons that entrepreneurs fail to create successful businesses, and the exercises he has designed to make sure your business steers clear of the same pitfalls.

This is Your Secret Weapon in the Battle to Get the Right People in the Right Jobs May 16, 2017

Bad hires don’t just drag down your business -- they can be expensive to replace. Using Talent Insights assessments can help you get the right people in the right jobs the first time, which is why they are a key component of CEO Coaching International’s best practices methodology.

On today’s show, Sheldon Harris walks you through using Talent Insights to assess potential hires, break down their strengths and weaknesses, and determine who is the best person to help your company hit its goals and make BIG happen.

How to Win the Day So You Can Win Your Year May 02, 2017

CEO Coaching International's David Sobel explains how to break down your long-term goals into a simple daily routine that can improve your personal business performance and your whole company, one win at a time.

Stress Kills, But Here's How to Use it to Max Your Performance Apr 11, 2017

Successful CEOs and entrepreneurs are all driven, hard-working people who demand big things from themselves. But too much go go GO can leave you exhausted, unproductive, and unhealthy.

On today’s show, Dr. Heidi Hanna gives her expert tips on keeping our stress low and productivity high.

Five Steps to Put Out a Fire Before Your Business Goes Up in Smoke Mar 21, 2017

If your business is on fire and threatening to burn to the ground by a specific date, you need a turnaround. If there’s smoke -- the death of a key partner, the loss of a big customer -- but nothing has burst into flames yet, your business is distressed. Either way, you need to do something, now, before trouble sparks and ignites.

On today’s show, CEO Coaching International coach Chris Larkins walks us through five steps to extinguishing trouble before it engulfs your business.

Stop “Winning Too Much.” Instead, LEAD Your Company to Massive Growth. Mar 07, 2017

On this episode, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith discusses the dangers of turning your business into a competition, and how effective CEOs learn to prioritize positive, impactful actions over winning trivial, and potentially harmful, victories.

How to Be OUTRAGEOUS and Win Big Feb 21, 2017

Mikki Williams is a popular public speaker who regularly shares the stage with TED Talk luminaries and industry titans like Tony Robbins and Suzy Orman. Mikki purposely cultivates a BIG persona. Her personality is big, her speaking performances are big, and her brand is more than just big -- it’s OUTRAGEOUS. Is your company growing stagnant or complacent? If so, you may need some outrageousness to shake up your office and get your employees to Make Big Happen. And in this episode, Mikki shares some ideas on how to shake things up and get the energy flowing again.

Complacency is the Enemy. Here’s How to Defeat It. Feb 07, 2017

Some people stay at the same company because it’s a perfect fit for their skill set, and their professional aspirations. Others just get complacent. In today’s episode, Feyzi Fatehi explains how his desire for learning, development, and professional growth led him to leave a cushy job at HP, strike out on his own to build cloud-computing leader Corent, and smack complacency in the face.

Serial Entrepreneur Shares How to Win Big by Finding Overlooked Niche Jan 24, 2017

Leslie's first company, Value Health Sciences, was a big success and ultimately became part of a multi-billion dollar publicly traded company. From there, he realized the way to build successful businesses was to focus on an overlooked niche. Whenever he starts a new company, he finds a small niche that is being overlooked by the big players. As an entrepreneur, he said you're going to be playing the game with people who have more resources, more capacity to survive, and more capabilities than you're ever going to have. Following his own advice, he's now building his fourth company by focusing on delivering private healthcare to people of means who are willing to work outside the traditional medical system.

How Ron Carson Goes From Farmer's Son to a $35 Million Partial Exit Jan 10, 2017

Long-time CEO Coaching International client Ron Carson grew up on a farm in a small town in Nebraska. He had few advantages. His dad was a workaholic who never spent any time with him. His mom and dad had a poor relationship. Scarcity thinking ruled the household. From those humble beginnings, Ron started selling insurance out of his dorm room in college. Soon, he was making so much money from selling that he decided to move full-time into financial services. Within a few years, he reached that elusive million-dollar producer level.

Today, after compound annual growth of more than 28% for more than 30 years, his companies generate tens of millions of dollars a year in revenue. Recently, he sold a 29% interest in his companies for $35 million. Ron Carson shares his insights on accelerating growth.

Forget Strategic Planning--Here's How to Get Better Results Nov 29, 2016

Strategic planning is a relic from a bygone era. Today, the most successful companies create an "Execution Plan" that identifies then delivers on the company's key objectives and initiatives for the year. In today's episode, Sheldon Harris walks us through a specific process that your leadership team can use to implement your own "Execution Plan" and make your next 12 months the most profitable ever.

How to Help Your Child Get Into Top Schools Nov 16, 2016

We all want the best for our kids. And for many of us, this includes getting admitted to top schools. For decades, Mimi Doe, who holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, has been teaching students and their parents the proven roadmap to get accepted to top schools. The truth is, the top schools admission process is not transparent and it is shrouded in myths. In today’s show, Mimi shines a light on this opaque process and describes in detail the things you can do today to help ensure your kids have the best shot at getting admitted to the top schools of their choice.

How We Raised $11 Million in 30 Days and Doubled the Size of Our Company Nov 01, 2016

Culmen International is like a company you'd expect to see in a James Bond movie. They help the government to detect and interdict illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, explosives, narcotics, and other weapons. They train people in counter-terrorism, ordnance logistics, and border security. And a couple years ago, Culmen, founded and led by its long-time CEO Dan Berkon, made a major play to enter a new line of business. Success was immediate, but there was one problem. The company had to raise $11 million--and fast--or they'd lose the contract. You'll learn in today's podcast how they scrambled to raise money, secure the contract, and double the size of the company. You'll also learn how Dan pulled a Jerry McGuire-like exit from his first employer, took one employee with him, and went on to build a $50 million company with offices all over the world.

CEO Brenda Jacobsen Offers Real-World Tips on How to Effectively Sell Your Company Sep 27, 2016

Brenda Jacobsen started in the family business right out of college and eventually rose to CEO of the company. After a "type-A driven business woman" told Brenda about the coach she was using and raved about the tremendous results she was getting, Brenda decided to contact the coach. Shortly after hiring CEO Coaching International coach Jay Reid, Brenda's company got an unsolicited offer to buy her company. The timing was perfect. Working with Jay and the team at CEO Coaching, Brenda was able to bring in another buyer to the table, play one off the other, and get a much higher sale price--all while negotiating a good payout for herself. This is the behind the scenes story of a business sale that can benefit all small to mid-size companies when it comes time to sell your company.

Say Goodbye to "Failure to Communicate Sep 13, 2016

Sheldon Harris, the former president of Cold Stone Creamery, entrepreneur, and now coach at CEO Coaching International, says meetings don’t have to be a boring waste of time. In fact, he says there’s a specific “cadence” of meetings and a structure that enables leaders at all levels to be highly effective communicators. By following his strategy, you can turn internal communication into a scalable competitive advantage for your company.

How Two High School Friends Built Auction.com Into an E-commerce Platform Selling >$30 Billion in Real Estate Aug 09, 2016

The amazing story of how two guys started a revolutionary real estate e-commerce company that has transacted more than $30 billion in real estate--online.

Rob Friedman and his high school friend Jeff started an offline auction company that did reasonably well. But then the internet came along and they decided to put some listings online. Things really took off when, after four years of badgering the owner, they bought the domain Auction.com for $1.7 million and rebranded the company.

Today, Auction.com is the country's (and possibly the world's) largest e-commerce seller of real estate. And they hold a world record! The Auction.com platform was used to facilitate the largest verified e-commerce transaction in history based on current Guinness World Records information: The $96 million sale of Manhattan Towers, a two-building, 309,734 square-foot office property in Southern California.

Secrets From 11-Time Inc. 5000 Member On Its Key Growth Drivers Jul 26, 2016

Like great entrepreneurs, Todd and Sean saw a need and built a company to fill it. Sensing that e-commerce was about to explode in the late 1990s, they decided to start a company to supply these firms with fulfillment services. Right on queue, business took off. However, they had to overcome early stumbles in hiring the right people for the leadership team before the business was on solid footing. Today, people, culture, and systems keep the firm on the Inc. 5000 list.

Former Grasshopper COO on the Three Keys and One Metric You Must Optimize in Scaling Your Business Jul 12, 2016

Former COO of Grasshopper shares the three keys and one metric you must optimize as you start massively scaling your business.

Don Schiavone, the former COO of fast-growing Grasshopper, "The Entrepreneur's Phone System," was instrumental in leading the company as it optimized its 100% digital marketing growth strategy and its eventual sale to a Fortune 500 company. He brings together an in-depth understanding of technology with a data-driven “test-everything” philosophy: You can’t manage what you can’t measure. While coaching entrepreneurs at CEO Coaching, Don's approach to coaching focuses on three pillars of success: people, process, and systems.

7 No-Nonsense Tips to Accelerate Your Business Growth Jun 21, 2016

CEOs from around the world gathered in Newport Beach, CA recently for the third annual CEO Coaching International Summit. Guest speakers included bestselling authors, health experts, CEO Coaching's founding partner Mark Moses as well as several of CEO Coaching's clients. By the end of the two days of learning, networking, and socializing, attendees headed home to all parts of the world with new ideas and relationships that will accelerate their business growth for years to come.

In today's episode, we discuss many of the key takeaways from the event.

Here’s How SaaS CEO Built Platform With Billions in Annual Billings Jun 08, 2016

Josh McCarter led the spinout of a small firm and with great leadership and a big vision, re-focused the company into new markets and the company experienced explosive growth. As a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, Booker’s platform empowers firms such as spas, salons, dance studios, and photographers to manage their appointments, their staff, and their customers, and, importantly, be able to transact with those customers. With a recent acquisition, Booker has become an end-to-end platform that a service-based business can use to both run their operations and grow their sales. In today's show, Josh discusses the keys to the firm's growth and how the SaaS model works.

See How the Entrepreneur With Crazy Ideas Turns Them Into Meaningful Revenue May 24, 2016

What started as a bunch of nerds who got together in downtown LA to share projects they were working on has turned into a brand new genre of entertainment that fuses the physical and digital to create a new world of social amusement. Brent and his friends created an initial interactive high-tech game and installed it at local parties just for fun with no profit motive. After doing about eight parties, big brands began calling and asking if Brent and his colleagues could create an immersive technology experience for their parties.

Quickly, the vision expanded. While everybody knows the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), Brent is passionate about rebranding STEM learning to STEAM with the inclusion of art and creative. He is motivated by the power of group games and interactive media to bring people together in fun and meaningful ways. As a UCLA-trained engineer, he is a hands-on maker who uses rapid prototyping to turn vision into reality--and make money in the process.

Here are the Surprisingly Simple Strategies of a 7-Time Inc. 5000 Member May 10, 2016

Rick Stern, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Award finalist builds a telecom company that lands on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America for 7 consecutive years--and counting.

He set a goal early in life to start a successful company, and now he's the CEO of a 7-time Inc. 5000 member. Yet he’ll proudly show you pictures of his wife and four kids before he’ll hand you a business card. Because it’s still all about winning one for the team.

Here's one of many takeaways from the podcast.

1. Reset your goals BEFORE you achieve them.

Most people are happy just to meet their goals. Rick and his business partner Ron Grason have always been very aggressive about what's next. "If we were able to walk a mile, we wanted to run three. When we ran two, we reset the goal to run 10. We've always stretched ourselves from a goal-setting perspective and continue to spread our wings for growth opportunities, whether it be sales, product, network, or something else," said Rick. Are you resetting your goals as you near the finish line?

Here’s How Australian Woman Entrepreneur Jo Burston Built $40m Biz by “Seeing” it First Apr 19, 2016

Growing up in a working-class family in southwest Sydney, Australia with no entrepreneurs in her family, Jo took the traditional and safe route and became an employee of somebody else’s company. She quickly rose to CEO but by age 32, was bored out of her mind. She quit and eventually started Job Capital, a payroll and migration services firm, and built it to more than $40 million in revenue. More startup companies followed and in 2012, she was named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Today, Jo still leads Job Capital and she’s also building her newest company, Rare Birds, into a global powerhouse to empower women entrepreneurs around the world.

In today’s podcast, Jo shares her inspiring story and the hard fought business lessons that have propelled her career.

It's Priceless, So Build Your Brand Like You Really Care About It Apr 05, 2016

In today’s podcast, Ryan Rieches shares a template for enhancing your brand and getting to the essence of your "unique promise of distinction." Coaching Takeaways

1. Branding is a team activity. Your branding program must be built by a cross-functional team so you can get companywide buy in.

2. Be intentional about how you position your brand or your competition will do it for you. Claim your space in your prospect and clients' minds and if it's too crowded, create a new category.

3. If you can't state your brand essence in five words or less, start over. Clarity and emotional power are important components of your brand. Use as few words as possible to guide you in developing and living your brand.

A Chicago native, Ryan Rieches moved to SoCal in the 1980s and founded an advertising design studio. Later, he partnered with Ray Baird and built RiechesBaird into one of the nation's foremost B2B brand strategy firms. Under Ryan’s leadership, RiechesBaird received international recognition for its brand strategy work and was perennially ranked among the nation's top B2B firms by BtoB Magazine. An astute thought leader, Ryan is frequently tapped by companies, conference organizers and business schools at top universities to speak about corporate branding and business building. He also co-hosts a podcast interview series with marketers and other B2B experts.

How Two Women Started From Scratch and Built a Global Translation Sales Company Mar 15, 2016

Born and raised in Russia, Inna attended college in the U.S and loved it so much she decided to stay. With a love for linguistics and fluent in several languages, Inna met her co-founder, Olga Smirnova, and the two decided to start their own translation company. After initially starting out translating English and Russian, they expanded and now translate more than 100 languages. In today’s podcast, Inna shares her story and business lessons learned as a woman who leaves her home country, comes to the U.S., and lives the American dream.

Business Soars As A 33-year-old Entrepreneur Says His Job Is To ‘Make Dreams Come True’ Mar 01, 2016

Cyrus Sigari and his childhood best friend Ben founded jetAviva to help make people's dreams come true. They just happen to do that by selling executive jets--over a billion dollars worth! As an Iranian Muslim and an Israeli Jew, these two men have put aside geo-political differences to build a hugely successful company and remain best friends. Cyrus has an incredibly positive outlook on life and business that is not naively simple, rather, it's refreshingly candid. In today’s podcast, Cyrus shares some true wisdom about life as well as some insightful comments about building and running a successful luxury goods company.

Make Big Happen: How to Live, Work, and Give Big Feb 09, 2016

Starting from zero in a small town in Canada, Mark tasted initial success and then decided to pack up the truck and head to southern California. He quickly started his first company and by age 26, had built it up to 250 locations and 3,000 people. Company two quickly followed and in 13 years was doing $1.6 billion in annual volume. Today, he leads a team of highly skilled coaches at CEO Coaching International who are guiding some of the world's leading entrepreneurs on the road to make big happen. In this episode, Mark discusses some of the highlights from his new book, Make Big Happen: How to Live, Work, and Give BIG.

FinTech Entrepreneur Steve Lockshin Shares Unorthodox Business Strategies That Drive His Success Feb 02, 2016

Steve Lockshin founded several FinTech companies including a multi-billion dollar registered investment advisory firm, a wealth management reporting solutions company, and his newest company, AdvicePeriod, which is redefining what it means to be a wealth management firm in the age of FinTech. Along the way he was named the #1 independent financial advisor in the United Sates by Barron’s Magazine in 2011, and he became an investor is several hot startups. In today’s podcast, Steve shares some of the key lessons and insights he learned on the road to becoming a top entrepreneur.

Sheldon Wolitski on Going From a $12,000 Credit Card Cash Advance to $110 Million in Revenue Jan 19, 2016

After the tech bubble collapsed in 2000, Sheldon Wolitski’s company went 6 months with zero revenue. Then he got a call from his lender saying they were foreclosing on his house. Suddenly, something clicked. Sheldon started making a few changes, grabbed $12,000 from an unused credit card, and within nine years, grew his professional staffing company from $0 to $10 million in revenue. But wait, there’s more. In the past five years, his business exploded to $110 million in revenue. In today’s podcast, he shares his amazing story and the key business insights that led to this dramatic turnaround.

How a 20-Something Aussie Firefighter Built an 8-Figure Business From Scratch Jan 05, 2016

Sometimes the best opportunities are right under your nose. Steve McLeod became a firefighter in at age 19. After responding to a wide variety of emergencies including house fires, vehicle accidents, rescues, explosions, and mining disasters, he realized there was a woeful lack of training in how to prevent and respond to disasters, particularly in the mining and oil and gas industries. So, at age 23, he started offering training programs to companies on his days off from being a firefighter. Once he hit a million dollars in revenue, he quit his firefighter job, got serious about building a company, and today, Fire and Safety Australia is fast-growing, multi-million dollar company that is “forever changing safety in the world, one experience at a time.”

Put More Money in Your Pocket Through Smart Tax-Saving Strategies Dec 16, 2015

Just as you work hard to build your company, you should apply that same diligence to managing your financial affairs. Fortunately, you don’t have to become a financial expert yourself. Instead, find a trusted financial professional who can act as the “quarterback” and coordinate the appropriate financial, tax, insurance, and legal pros you need to minimize your taxes and maximize your after-tax results. Long-time financial advisor Brett Ellen has worked with high-net worth entrepreneurs and CEOs for years and in today’s show, he discusses several key tax-saving strategies you might want to consider.

How to Make Price Irrelevant Through Radical Customer Service Dec 01, 2015

John DiJulius started his first business, John Robert's Spa, 23 years ago. Today, it is consistently recognized as one of the top 20 salons in America. It didn't start out that way, though. As the company opened new salons, service began to deteriorate. Frustrated, John began studying the greatest customer service companies such as Ritz Carlton, Disney, and Nordstrom to discover their secret to embedding a service culture throughout multiple locations. In his research he stumbled upon the formula, codified it, and now spreads this radical customer service revolution message throughout the world. In today's episode, you'll learn the secret formula to use radical customer service to make price irrelevant.

From 2 to 4,500 Employees: How A 29-Year-Old Entrepreneur Built The Startup All Startups Need Nov 17, 2015

Bryce Maddock and his childhood friend Jaspar Weir started TaskUs on a shoestring and built it into an international powerhouse serving many of the country's leading high-tech companies. The premise of TaskUs is this: We can cut your customer service cost or your content moderation cost or your graphic design costs in half and we will guarantee the same level of quality that your current staff is delivering. From that idea, TaskUs will do $50 million in revenue this year. Here's the story of how they did it.

The Most Critical Factor Most CEOs Pay Little Attention To Nov 03, 2015

Leslie Michelson is a serial entrepreneur whose latest company, Private Health, is pioneering a new way for consumers to find the absolute best healthcare in the world. Using technology, data analytics, and a network of more than 6,000 of the world’s leading physicians and surgeons, Leslie’s company separates the good from the great and helps consumers get the best care possible. In today’s show, Leslie shares specific ways you can make better healthcare choices that could, quite possibly, save your life and your business.

Use the Annual Planning Meeting to Drive Extraordinary Results Oct 20, 2015

Mark Moses has facilitated more than 200 annual planning meetings for companies all over the world. And during that time, he’s perfected a process that ensures companies get results. In today’s show, Mark reveals his process in specific detail.

Storied CEO and E-Commerce Pioneer Chuck Davis Shares a Lifetime of Lessons Oct 07, 2015

Chuck Davis has pretty much seen it all. From his early days at blue chip companies to his time running internet pioneers such as Fandango, Shopzilla, and now, Swagbucks, Chuck has a lifetime of lessons and stories. Add to that his time as international president of YPO and you know he’s been at the forefront of best practices for leading companies all over the world.

Business and Life Lessons From Tony Robbins, Richard Branson and My Wife Sep 15, 2015

Scott Duffy is one of the few people on earth who have worked for Tony Robbins and Richard Branson. Couple that with his entrepreneurial experience in building some of the leading online brands from the early days of the internet and you know you’re in for a treat. Scott shares some great stories and lessons he learned from Robbins and Branson as well as his own insights on how to do successful product launches.

The Most Important 6 Inches: What Finishing 15 Ironman Competitions Teaches You About Business Sep 02, 2015

It takes discipline, character, and grit to be an Ironman–let alone a 15-time Ironman finisher. After finishing the Ironman in Kona back in 2013, Jack sat on the beach and reflected back on his life in business and sports and came up with 7 lessons learned in his Ironman journey. These lessons are universal and apply whether you’re running a Fortune 500 company or the next hot startup.

7 "Been There, Done It" Lessons From Seasoned Entrepreneurs Aug 18, 2015

Bill Keen and Anthony Venus have started five separate multi-million dollar businesses and seen three of them through highly profitable exits. Along the way, they made brilliant decisions and huge mistakes. In today's show, they each share their entrepreneurial journey and the key things they wish they knew back when they were just starting out. You'll discover a goldmine of insightful comments that can make you millions...or save you from losing your shirt.

6 Key Lessons Learned in Going From Near Bankruptcy to a Thriving $300 Million Business Aug 04, 2015

After building Crave Entertainment Group to $175 million in revenue, Michael and his leadership team implemented an international expansion plan that failed miserably and nearly led the company to bankruptcy. With great self-awareness, Michael and his business partner realized they were excellent at building companies but not at turning them around. So, they hired a turnaround expert as Chief Operating Officer who helped the company make some tough decisions. In today’s show, Michael details 6 important lessons he learned during this difficult turnaround period and ironically, they’re applicable to leaders running thriving businesses, too.

Top Entrepreneurs Share Key Ways to Improve Your Decision-Making Process and Increase Your Profits Jul 15, 2015

The success of your business depends on the quality of your decisions. Simply relying on your gut instincts may work occasionally, but the most effective leaders have specific strategies and tools they use to make important decisions. In today’s show, three proven leaders share their perspective on how to make better executive-level decisions so you can increase your profits.

How to Sell Your Business to a Strategic Buyer and Get Up to 300% More Money For It Jul 01, 2015

You've worked extremely hard. You built a valuable business. Now you're thinking, 'maybe it's time to sell and reap the reward of all this hard work.'

In today's show, international investment banker Rob Follows discusses how business owners can prepare their company for a sale, present it in the best possible light, and sell it to a strategic buyer who might pay as much as 300% more than a financial buyer.

You only get one shot at making a great sale so it's critical you arm yourself with all the information you need to maximize your return and minimize your taxes.

Regardless of your company's size, you'll find great advice on how to make your company more valuable even if a sale is a few years away.

In this episode, you'll discover:

The best time to sell your business (hint, it's NOT when any of the "6 D's" are present).
How to skip the financial buyer and sell directly to a strategic buyer for a much higher price.
How to understand and strengthen the "critical enablers" that will lead strategic buyers to "fall in love with your business."
Why a recurring revenue business leveraged by technology could find immediate interest from strategic buyers.
Why starting the process to sell your company one or two years ahead of when you want to sell is important to maximizing your sales price.

6 Strategies an Entrepreneurial Boston Firm Used to Achieve Massive Growth and a Huge Exit Jun 17, 2015

How do you go from having a great idea to turning that idea into a thriving company that ultimately gets sold for a substantial amount of money to an S&P 500 company?

In today's episode, we discuss how virtual phone service company Grasshopper did exactly that.

Don Schiavone helped lead Grasshopper as it grew from a small startup to a high-growth company and he shares the six strategies that formed the core of Grasshopper's rapid ascent.

You can apply these strategies too and propel your company to a higher level of growth.

How to Hire Top Performers So You Can Ignite Growth Jun 02, 2015

“I’m tired of making the same mistake I made in the past.” Mark Moses

So what mistake did CEO Coaching International founding partner Mark Moses make? Not hiring the absolutely best person for the job.

The fact is, a great service or a gee-whiz product is nice, but if you don’t have “A” players to execute and make things happen, your company will be a second-tier player.

Not mincing words, Mark said, “I want to hire the people that have been there, done it, got it. I know they will perform. Those are the kind of people I want to bring on my team. I’m too tired to be giving somebody a continuous shot at a high-level role. I’m not going to do it.”

With that in mind, Mark discusses in practical detail how you can find and hire the very best performers who will give your company an “unfair” advantage in the marketplace.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

The two places to look when you’re trying to hire a C-suite type person.
The three-step process used to vet new hires so you end up with only “A” players.
The three attributes new hires must possess in order to be successful at any company.
Key questions to ask when interviewing a new hire.
The importance of checking references and how to get around the reference check gatekeepers.
How to create a scorecard for your company that measures leading indicators not lagging ones so your team stays focused on their most important priorities.

The 5 Things Every CEO Should Focus On May 19, 2015

In our latest podcast, Rich Balot, Chairman and Co-CEO of a $750 million company, discusses how he brought his company back from the brink of disaster and turned it into a juggernaut. Rich’s business almost went belly up a few years ago when Verizon Wireless bought Alltel and the industry shifted to the iPhone. At the time, Rich’s company was Alltel’s largest agent. Overnight, he went from king of the hill at Alltel to a nobody at Verizon. In today's episode, you’ll learn: The three steps Rich took that led to his remarkable turnaround. How one statement from Rich's coach, Mark Moses, caused Rich to up his game and “start acting like a CEO.” Why “hire slow, fire fast” is one of the most important management ideas you can implement. The 5 keys things every CEO should focus on and how they lead to top-line growth and increased profitability.

How Transparency in Communication Makes You a Better Leader May 12, 2015

CEO Coaching International coach Sheldon Harris goes in-depth on this critical idea of becoming a more transparent leader. Sheldon is a successful entrepreneur, business leader, and coach who draws on a lifetime of real-world experience to provide specific, actionable coaching guidance. In today's episode, you'll learn: Why you're really only in one business--the people business. What integrity in communication really means. Why in addition to being a good truth teller, you have to be an equally good truth receiver. Why leaders have to be mindful of what percentage of their sentences in leadership communication end with a period or an exclamation point, as opposed to the percentage that end with a question mark.

The Difference Between a Good Salesperson and a Great One Apr 20, 2015

Jack Daly, a leading entrepreneur, executive, and sales trainer, says 50% or more of sales has nothing to do with product, price, service, strategies, or tactics. He says half of sales success has to do with getting up in the morning and saying God bless the competition, I'm going to kick their butt. In other words, they have GRIT. He also says great salespeople understand it's about executing on the basics.

Introducing On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow! A Podcast for Leaders Apr 19, 2015

Welcome to our new podcast On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow! The podcast is designed to help entrepreneurs and CEOs grow their business, develop their people, and elevate their own performance. We’ll share what the best of the best are doing as it relates to entrepreneurial success, best practices, leadership, sales, marketing, personal development, and solving the challenges that business leaders face. You’ll hear from CEO Coaching International’s coaches, leading entrepreneurs, and other experts in a wide range of fields who have value to add to your work. If you’re an entrepreneur, CEO, or other business leader, this podcast is for you.

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