Lessons in Innovation: Tapping into the Power of Nostalgia

In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, we’re excited to welcome back Sheeba Philip! Sheeba is a visionary leader with 25 years of experience at the intersection of business and purpose. During her career, she has transformed iconic brands like Oreo, JCPenney, and Jell-O, while also leading impactful nonprofit initiatives to combat human trafficking and create jobs for women in East Africa. Sheeba currently leads a global advisory practice, equipping CEOs of purpose-driven funds, brands, and organizations to achieve transformational growth.  Sheeba begins her conversation with Dave and Carly talking about what it means to adopt an entrepreneurial approach in your organization. Sharing real world experience from both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, Sheeba shares some practical tips on how entrepreneurism can be molded into a regularly practiced habit. Later, Sheeba explains how discipline is the backbone of any successful venture, offering advice on how to maintain focus on the most important tasks when there are so many distractions and potential opportunities at hand.  Also along the way, Sheeba talks about:  How vision without a clear strategy can be detrimental to an organization’s plans for growth What it means to have a passion for a problem  How to gather and analyze data to ensure you’re moving in the right direction How to embrace agility and adapt to change Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at ⁠virtuous.org⁠ and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at ⁠virtuous.org/checklist⁠.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at ⁠faithsearchpartners.com/⁠. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at ⁠.imago.consulting⁠ and subscribe at ⁠imago.consulting/wavereport⁠. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, your co-hosts, Carly Berna and Dave Raley, talk about the power of invented holidays and the concept of shared moments that rally people together around a common cause or idea. How do these shared moments across these various invented holidays relate to the for-profit and nonprofit sector and why might it be important to recognize as professionals in the industry? Is there an untapped opportunity there? That’s what Carly and Dave are looking to uncover in this episode. They begin by defining what invented holidays are - May the 4th, Talk Like a Pirate Day, No Phone Day, etc. - and dive into brand-specific holidays such as Amazon Prime Day and GivingTuesday, listing the various aspects that make them such a success culturally, as well as from an economic standpoint.  They talk about how creating shared moments around the theme of an invented holiday can help unify communities, capitalize on FOMO, and ultimately drive sales and giving among businesses and nonprofits.  Later, they’ll share practical tips on how you can incorporate invented holidays into your organization. Steps on how to do this include:  Mapping out the calendar to see what holidays might be relevant for your organization When to start the ‘celebration’ process of the holidays’ shared moments, and how long to continue that celebratory process What it might look like to create your own brand-specific holiday based on your specific audience For more information on invented holidays such as GivingTuesday, visit: https://www.imago.consulting/articles/the-power-of-invented-holidays  Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/checklist.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at .imago.consulting and subscribe at imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose and Profit Podcast, your co-hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna are joined by Leah Kral, a consultant, public speaker, and author of the book, Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results. Beginning with the concept of “Nonprofit Innovation,” Leah dives into what innovation can look like for nonprofits, how it isn’t just a for-profit tactic for success, and how innovation comes in all shapes and sizes – from major social changes that affect entire people groups, to smaller, systematic changes that streamline inter-organizational processes.  Leah moves on to talk about how innovation, as a concept, can seem promising, and yet the application can often appear daunting to organizations who may not know where to start. This, Leah explains, is where the ‘how’ of innovation comes in.  Offering for-profit examples that can be thoughtfully applied to the nonprofit sector, Leah presents some practical ways that organizations can break through the barriers that often lead to stagnated efforts at innovation and growth. Also along the way, you’ll get to hear about: How speaking with your customers or audience can significantly help your organization move the innovation needle forward Creating a culture of psychological safety, i.e. that ‘safe space’ to be able to share honest feedback and express new ideas Asking the right questions, using imagination, and employing experimentation that will help your organization adapt and grow Learn more about Leah Kral by visiting:  Leah’s website Leah’s email newsletter Leah's LinkedIn page Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/checklist.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at imago.consulting and subscribe at imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, Carly Berna and Dave Raley are joined by co-founder of We and Me, Chad Littlefield, for a conversation about connection and the benefits of asking powerful questions.  They begin by diving into what it means to create impactful conversations and the idea of “connection over content” as a means of fostering transparency and trust. Chad laters defines the “we” method that enhances dialogue and collaboration in one’s organization, and offers strategies that for-profit and nonprofit leaders alike can employ to build a culture of openness and effective communication.  Other Topics Include: – How to eradicate small talk and create conversations that matter  – How for-profits and nonprofit organizations can adapt their communication strategies to stay relevant and effective in a changing environment – Chad’s advice to organizations on how to improve communication and garner stronger connections that build a deeper level of trust Learn more at purposeandprofitpodcast.com. Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at.virtuous.org/checklist.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at www.imago.consulting and subscribe at www.imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose of Profit Podcast, Dave Raley and Carly Berna are joined by RKD Group’s Justin McCord for a discussion about how to create an experience that drives the value of your organization’s product or service. Justin begins by sharing his experiences working in sports as a marketer. He explains what it’s like to compete for the entertainment dollar and how to differentiate your organization from others in the industry.  Together with Dave and Carly, Justin dives into the practical applications of what it means to be a “winning team” and how even smaller organizations with limited budgets can adopt those “winning” principles for lasting success. Other Topics Include: – How to better understand your audience – Adding amplifiers to your organization – Advice for nonprofits  Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/checklist.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at imago.consulting and subscribe at imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, Carly Berna and Dave Raley are joined by business and nonprofit leader, Jeff Henderson, for an inside look at how to grow your vision and to be ready for whatever comes next on your organizations path to success. Jeff shares his experiences working with well-known organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, Callaway Gardens, Chick-fil-A and North Point Ministries – one of the largest churches in America – and highlights some of the challenges and successes he faced, revealing some insightful tips and strategies on how nonprofits can achieve their ultimate vision. More Topics Include: – What are vision carriers and vision castors – What to do when uncertainty shows up – How you can learn through bad experiences  – How culture can trump strategy – The relationship between your vision and your current resources Named by Forbes Magazine as one of 20 speakers you shouldn’t miss, Jeff has become a trusted voice for businesses and non-profit organizations. His career experience not only inspires groups and individuals but also provides tangible strategies to help them grow.  Jeff is also the author of the best-selling book, Know What You’re FOR, which launched a movement in non-profits around the world and has become a focal point for many businesses. Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist. FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at www.imago.consulting and subscribe at www.imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, Carly Berna and Dave Raley dive into the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Nonprofit Leaders and offer key insights for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders, emphasizing the importance of leadership, strategy, and sustainability in driving impact. Carly and Dave start by exploring the first habit—how to move from data to strategy. They discuss how successful fundraisers gather insights, work with trusted advisors, and create actionable plans to move their organizations forward. Next, they cover why focusing on what works, rather than constantly putting out fires, is a game-changer for nonprofit growth. Later, they dive into the importance of leveraging natural resources—understanding your organization’s unique strengths—and why balancing the present with future innovation is key to long-term success.  Also along the way, they discuss topics such as: The power of taking calculated risks Building strong partnerships Maintaining a learning mindset that keeps effective fundraisers at the top of their game  Tune in to learn how these seven habits can help nonprofit leaders achieve sustainable impact and growth. Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist. FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at www.imago.consulting and subscribe at www.imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, Dave and Carly are joined by nonprofit expert Dana Snyder to talk about some of the lessons she learned from working on American Idol, and how those lessons can be applied to increasing your monthly donor programs as nonprofit leaders.  Dana is the founder of Positive Equation and the host of “Missions to Movements” podcast. She is also the author of her latest book, “The Monthly Giving Mastermind - A Framework to Build, Grow & Sustain Subscriptions for Good.”  Dana reveals some key insights from her book and offers tips on how to build your supporters into monthly donors who connect with you, your mission and your brand. Also in this episode, Dana shares a handful of compelling stories from her time at American Idol, and compares viewers’ desire to relate to the show’s contestants with the relationship between brands and their donors.  Other topics include:  The power of authenticity Leveraging cultural moments Turning storytelling into profit Learn more about Dana and her new book by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/in/danarsnyder/ or  https://positiveequation.com/book Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at ⁠www.virtuous.org⁠ and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at ⁠virtuous.org/crmchecklist.⁠  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at ⁠www.imago.consulting⁠ and subscribe at ⁠www.imago.consulting/wavereport⁠. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

Welcome to Season 5 of Purpose & Profit Podcast! In our first episode, we’re kicking things off with Chick-fil-A’s very own Officer VP of Innovation, David Farmer! In this episode, David joins Carly Berna and Dave Raley to discuss how innovation and entrepreneurship collide, and how nonprofits can benefit from change while staying true to their core values and beliefs. David begins by telling a fascinating drive-thru innovation story, and later, a different story about how prototyping can become an important step toward healthy growth in one’s organization. Together, David, Carly and Dave identify how to stay relevant in an ever-evolving and dynamic marketplace. They talk about what it means to implement change where change is needed, while also identifying what areas should NOT be changed.  Lastly, they offer tools and insights for nonprofits on how to look to the future with both a clear eye on the organization’s key purpose, as well as a healthy discomfort that can lead to new ideas. Other topics include:  How to create an innovative culture How to develop a framework for innovation How leadership affects a business culture Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at www.imago.consulting and subscribe at www.imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose and Profit Podcast, Carly and Dave talk about the power of nostalgia in boosting innovation in your business or non-profit.  They begin by sharing the history of the word “nostalgia” and reveal its varying definitions over the years as our culture has evolved. They dive into familiar topics that bring about nostalgia such as Disneyland, Super Bowl commercials, and the Barbie movie, and talk about how utilizing nostalgia can be a great way to invite your supporters to identify with your organization’s story. Other topics include:  Benefits of evoking nostalgia in your business or non-profit Examples of effective nostalgia use in media and branding How leaders and brands can effectively tap into nostalgia Article Link:  https://www.imago.consulting/articles/tapping-into-the-power-of-nostalgia  Tater Tot Link:https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2024/After-20-Years-Ore-Ida--the-Inventor-of-Tater-Tots--Comes-to-Napoleon-Dynamites-Rescue-with-First-Ever-Tater-Tot-Protecting-Pants/default.aspx  Sign up for Weekly Insights from The Wave Report: https://www.imago.consulting/wavereport  Season Four of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at www.imago.consulting and subscribe at www.imago.consulting/wavereport. VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at www.virtuous.org/checklist.  MASTERWORKS At Masterworks, their mission is to help you accomplish yours. They are a full-service agency for Christian organizations. Their emphasis on both mission & mastery makes us leading experts in moving hearts & minds to act. Masterworks has over 30 years of experience serving organizations through strategy, direct mail, digital, analysis, creative, & technology. Learn more about Masterworks at www.masterworks.agency. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.