864: Attracting and Nurturing "Unicorn" Talent for Growth... While Creating a Culture For Everyone to Succeed w/ Alex Cheney

Discover the intersection of heartfelt service and business acumen with Ron Hadley, the entrepreneur who is redefining success by aligning it with social impact. In today's insightful conversation, Ron reveals how the values instilled by his parents propelled him into a life where profit meets purpose, challenging the misconception that financial stability and societal betterment must exist on separate planes. Join us as we trace Ron's journey from his educational roots to becoming a beacon of change in the nonprofit world, demonstrating that leadership can transcend industries and transform lives.This episode is a treasure trove of insights for those eager to learn the secrets of running a business with a heart focused on impact. Our host Brian Lofrumento shares his real life evolution of his soccer blog into a significant media presence, illustrating the critical business elements like strategic planning and accountability that spell the difference between a passion project and a thriving enterprise that impacts the world. Ron, a seasoned guide in this terrain, offers pearls of wisdom on cultivating a culture of intentionality, proving that the right questions can unlock a wealth of potential and growth.As we wrap up our conversation, Ron's strategic methods for business growth take center stage. We dissect the 'FINGERTIPS' acronym, a structured approach to leveraging assets and bridging gaps for sustainable organizational impact. You'll leave equipped with actionable strategies for intentional action and the inspiration to network with thought leaders, ready to build upon the concept of 'building'— our word of the year. Ron exemplifies the essence of innovation and compassion, and this conversation is your guide to integrating those qualities into success stories of your own.ABOUT RONRon Hadley is the founder and CEO of Where Are You Going, the company. Ron’s career spans 25 years, all 50 states, and 6 continents as he has focused on growing the impacts of innovative, forward-looking nonprofits and social impact leaders. He has partnered on growth initiatives with such recognized national & global brands as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Save the Children, Rise Against Hunger, Strive Together, Children's Defense Fund United Way, and many more… all to achieve impactful visions that they've Dreamt Out Loud.Ron grew up and began his career in the shadow of Chicago and now resides in Dallas. He travels frequently as the work, impact, and teams of WRUG & Co. stretch globally.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Where Are You Going’s WebsiteConnect with Ron on LinkedIn

Can embracing failure pave the way to your ultimate success? Drawing inspiration from Roger Federer's profound commencement speech at Dartmouth, we uncover the powerful message that even the greatest champions encounter losses, and it's not the setbacks but our response to them that shapes our journey. Join us as we dive into Federer's career statistic—winning only 54% of the points—and how his mindset of focusing on the next opportunity with relentless intensity and clarity is crucial not just in sports, but in life's broader landscape. Our host Brian Lofrumento shares personal anecdotes and reflections on why accepting losses, playing the game, and continually striving for improvement are essential for entrepreneurs and anyone on the path to success.

Want to understand why your Google search results are your most crucial business card? Discover the transformative power of your "Google resume" in today's Action Saturday episode with your host, Brian Lofrumento. Brian uncovers the surprising impact your online presence has on your entrepreneurial journey and shares practical steps to ensure your Google search results reflect the brand image you desire. By Googling yourself in incognito mode, you strip away the biases of personalized search histories, offering a true picture of what potential clients and partners see when they look you up.Feeling unsatisfied with your current Google resume? No worries—Brian provides actionable tips to enhance your online visibility. From securing features in relevant online spaces to leveraging PR services and guest appearances on podcasts, learn how to take control of your digital narrative. Whether you're pitching to clients or building your network, being aware of your Google search results can make a significant difference. Tune in to shape a more impressive and favorable online presence, and watch as new opportunities unfold.

Unlock the door to business success with the wisdom of franchising expert Dominique Main, as she joins us to reveal how aligning your personal "why" with a franchise can be your golden ticket. Get ready to be inspired by Dominique’s journey from serial entrepreneur to franchising aficionado, as we dissect the strategic choices behind selecting opportunities that resonate with your deepest goals and values. This isn't just about finding a business; it's about discovering a venture that vibrates with passion and purpose, transcending the mere chase for financial rewards.We're tearing down the misconceptions of franchising one myth at a time, emphasizing that success in this field isn't about quick riches but about hard work, resilience, and a dash of humility. Dominique and our host Brian Lofrumento tackle the traits that sculpt a thriving franchise owner and how the established systems of franchising can mitigate common challenges like financing and staffing. With Dominique wearing her experienced entrepreneurial hat throughout this conversation, you'll also gain insights into the indispensable entrepreneurial mindset, stressing the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and having a robust support system. Whether you're looking to accelerate your journey with your first business or you're curious about franchising to scale your winning business, find out how franchise ownership could flourish under your command, even without hands-on expertise, thanks to the extensive backing of franchise brands. ABOUT DOMINIQUE Dominique Main is a business leader who is propelled by a profound belief in discovering the underlying motivations behind business endeavors. An enthusiastic advocate for aligning passion with professional pursuits, Dominique stresses the importance of understanding the 'why' behind every business initiative. Her philosophy centers on the idea that true success stems not merely from the desire to generate profit but from a genuine passion for one’s work. Dominique encourages entrepreneurs and business professionals to delve deep into their personal and professional goals to unearth what truly ignites their excitement and drives their commitment. This blend of passion and profitability, according to Dominique, is the ultimate source of a business's strength and sustainability. LINKS & RESOURCES Visit BrightFran’s Website Connect with Dominique on LinkedIn

Unlock the transformative potential of automation with Camilo Henao, the visionary founder of Catalytics Automation, who joins us to demystify the complexities of integrating AI and automation in business growth. Camilo's expertise, honed from his time as a data scientist at IBM, shines as he maps out the entrepreneurial route from conception to execution. Witness a blueprint unfold for businesses large and small that promises not just time savings, but a tangible uptick in revenue. Through our discussion, you'll glean how automation is reshaping sales and marketing, enabling your focus on the work that genuinely matters by eradicating redundant manual tasks.Today's marketplace is a jungle of software tools, and we're here to be your guide. Through our conversation with Camilo, we navigate the role of AI and automation in business operations, offering strategies to avoid the pitfalls of inefficiency and optimize your workforce. Imagine transforming your sales team into a powerhouse of efficiency, where AI enhances capabilities, and process bottlenecks become a thing of the past. This episode isn't just about understanding the potential of these technologies; it's about harnessing them to scale your business to new heights.As we conclude our tech-forward journey, Camilo imparts a clear, actionable approach for implementing automation in your own enterprise. We dissect the process of identifying operations ready for automation, the critical nature of ongoing support, and the importance of maximizing your tool subscriptions. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just embarking on your business journey, Camilo's practical insights and real life examples and strategies will get your juices – and processes – flowing.ABOUT CAMILO Camilo Henao hails from a lineage of inspiring entrepreneurs in Colombia. His entrepreneurial journey is rooted in a rich family history, beginning with his great grandfather who established a soap business in the 1940s. This legacy of innovation continued with his grandfather, who built a successful corrugated box manufacturing company. His father also embraced the entrepreneurial spirit, adding to the family's legacy of business acumen. Despite this deeply ingrained entrepreneurial environment, Camilo was not the typical enterprising teenager; he didn't start ventures in high school nor engaged in small-scale businesses to earn extra cash. However, the desire to create and lead was always simmering beneath the surface, representing a latent potential waiting for the right moment to leap into the world of entrepreneurship. LINKS & RESOURCES Visit Catalytics Automation’s Website Connect with Camilo on LinkedIn Follow Catalytics Automation on LinkedIn

Discover the transformative power of inclusive recruiting with Alex Cheney, our special guest whose journey from the entertainment industry to HR expert is nothing short of captivating and insightful. As we chat with Alex, he shares invaluable wisdom on creating a recruitment process that not only attracts a diverse pool of talent but also offers candidates a genuine peek into the soul of a company's culture. Listen in to learn how strategic recruiting can set the stage for the long-term success of both the new hires and the organizations they join, fostering teams that are not just skilled but also harmoniously aligned with the company's mission and values.Venture with us into the vibrant world of tech startups where Alex shares insights on the challenges of building an inclusive culture from the ground up, especially when teams are spread across the globe. We discuss innovative ways to bring teams together, even when miles apart, and stress the importance of diversity and authenticity from the earliest stages of company growth. Prepare to be inspired by Alex's take on "unicorn" candidates and how an organization's leadership and branding can resonate deeply with these rare finds, turning the recruiting process into a magnetic force for top-tier talent.Wrapping up our enlightening conversation, Alex delves into the empowerment and sense of belonging that's essential for any entrepreneur's journey. He opens up about his personal transition to business ownership and the critical value of employee development, emphasizing that fostering a strong, inclusive culture isn't just an afterthought—it's a foundational element that should be nurtured from the get-go. Tune in for a session filled with actionable insights and stories that will fuel your evolution from aspiring entrepreneur to one who triumphs with a team as diverse as the dreams that drive you.ABOUT ALEXAlex Cheney recently launched A Little Bit Alex, his recruiting consultancy focused on helping people-first organizations build their teams and recruiting practices through the lens of inclusion. He brings with him a twelve-year career in HR and Recruiting across multiple industries. His recent focus has been in growth-stage tech startups.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit A Little Bit Alex’s WebsiteConnect with Alex on LinkedInFollow A Little Bit Alex on LinkedIn

Can success ever truly be achieved, or is it a never-ending journey? This episode of our podcast challenges the myth of being "done" with insights inspired by David Deida's "The Way of the Superior Man." We explore how the notion of reaching a final destination in business and life is a misconception and instead, it's about the continuous process of adapting, learning, and evolving. 

Unlock the keys to a seamless system implementation with Petra Mayer, founder and lead consultant at Petra Mayer and Associates Consulting. Curious about how to effectively roll out a learning management system (or any other system) that meets all your organizational needs? Petra breaks down her proven 10-step process, starting from identifying and understanding your audience to creating detailed user stories. She’ll guide you through the intricate process of gathering and organizing user, business, technical, functional, and non-functional requirements, ensuring that you can compare vendors effectively and choose the best fit for your organization.But that's not all—explore the strategic advantages of outsourcing your LMS project. Petra shares insightful tips on leveraging the expertise of experienced professionals to streamline your system implementation. Discover how short-term contractors or specialized organizations can provide pre-qualified vendor lists and more efficient processes, saving you time and resources. For additional insights and free resources on LMS sourcing and implementation, don't forget to visit petramayerconsulting.com. Get ready for actionable steps and expert advice that will give you the confidence to tackle your next system implementation project.ABOUT PETRAPetra Mayer is the founder and lead consultant at Petra Mayer & Associates Consulting based in British Columbia, Canada. She builds on her 30+ years experience of working in corporations of all sizes in 4 countries on 3 continents to help her clients create engaging training programs for their team members, clients and distribution partners on systems that work for them. Petra prides herself in building partnerships with the organizations she serves and the associates she brings on board. Petra holds a business diploma from Munich Hochschule, an MBA from Lancaster University and a Certifact as Professional Coach from Simon Fraser University.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Petra Mayer & Associates Consulting’s WebsiteConnect with Petra on LinkedIn

Prepare to have your perspective on data transformed as we bring you an extraordinary story of transition and business intelligence with our guest, Nathan Westfall. Nathan's leap from air traffic control to wine tech wizardry exemplifies how a fervent passion, when intertwined with data, can revolutionize industries. His insights will illuminate how the seemingly mundane details of customer behavior can become the cornerstone of a robust business strategy, empowering local wineries to thrive in a post-pandemic world.We delve deep into the essence of business intelligence and how it transcends size and sector boundaries, with Nathan's journey as a living proof that it's not just for the big players. He'll share the secret sauce of blending qualitative feedback with hard numbers, allowing entrepreneurs to elevate their offerings and sharpen their market edge. Get ready to change the way you view every transaction, survey response, and inventory count as a vital piece of your business puzzle.As we wrap up, you'll learn the importance of distinguishing between leading and lagging indicators and how to leverage them for forecasting and growth, especially when historical data might be scant. We'll also explore the fusion of technology and strategy, from the simplest spreadsheet to the most intricate AI systems, and how these tools can tailor solutions to unique industry challenges. Nathan's narrative is a masterclass in adaptability and innovation, offering a wealth of knowledge for those who seek to harness the power of data in any entrepreneurial venture.ABOUT NATHANNathan Westfall is an entrepreneur in the wine-tech space and founder of an analytics and strategy firm called Vine Valley Analytics & Strategy. He didn't always work in and around the wine industry though; in fact, he started his working career doing a job that's very similar to air traffic control for the United States Air Force for almost ten years, controlling some of the busiest airspace on the planet. Upon leaving the Air Force, he moved to Sonoma County and fell in love with the natural beauty here. He has always been a photographer, so he leveraged that skill into a small business creating marketing and promotional content for local wineries. It was during that time he was first shown the wealth of data each and every winery was sitting on, and as they all started to reemerge from the pandemic, pivoted into the world of data analytics and business intelligence. The rest, as they say, is history!LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Vine Valley Analytics & Strategy’s WebsiteConnect with Nathan on LinkedInFollow Vine Valley Analytics & Strategy on LinkedIn

Unlock the full potential of your workforce with the wisdom of Petra Mayer, an expert in learning and development, who joins us to shed light on the game-changing benefits of Learning Management Systems (LMS). You'll gain insights that transcend traditional training, as Petra shares a treasure trove of strategies to enhance team engagement and foster a culture ripe for growth. From her roots in the hospitality sector to the inception of her consultancy, Petra's story is a testament to the power of educational evolution in shaping company culture and solidifying remote work bonds.This episode is bursting with actionable advice on nurturing a workplace that brims with ongoing education and personal development opportunities. Delve into the heart of what makes employees stick around and thrive - a path that not only promises professional advancement but resonates on a personal level. Tackling the nuances of remote team inclusivity and the imperative of keeping training content fresh, we unveil the importance of development initiatives in attracting the workforce of the future, particularly the younger generations who seek purpose and progression.Finally, Petra offers a unique lens on the integration of AI in training, particularly in the aviation sector, to streamline services and scale new heights in efficiency. We traverse the challenging terrain of merging diverse corporate cultures, and the pivotal role human connections play in this complex dance. Entrepreneurs, take note as we distill the essence of aligning business strategies with the human touch, ensuring that the client experience remains at the heart of your vision. Join us and be empowered to weave these insights into the fabric of your business, fostering an environment where learning is the cornerstone of success.ABOUT PETRAPetra Mayer is the founder and lead consultant at Petra Mayer & Associates Consulting based in British Columbia, Canada. She builds on her 30+ years experience of working in corporations of all sizes in 4 countries on 3 continents to help her clients create engaging training programs for their team members, clients and distribution partners on systems that work for them. Petra prides herself in building partnerships with the organizations she serves and the associates she brings on board. Petra holds a business diploma from Munich Hochschule, an MBA from Lancaster University and a Certifact as Professional Coach from Simon Fraser University.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Petra Mayer & Associates Consulting’s WebsiteConnect with Petra on LinkedIn