Episodi
-
How do family businesses balance tradition, professionalism, and growth to thrive across generations?
In this episode of The CEO Project, host Jim Schleckser is joined by Sharon McGuire, Executive Membership and Marketing Manager at The CEO Project, for a candid discussion on the complexities of running a family business. Together, they examine critical challenges such as balancing family loyalty with professionalism, navigating succession planning, and retaining top talent. Using real-world examples, Jim and Sharon explore how family businesses can align their legacy with sustainable growth and success.
Key Takeaways:
→ Family businesses face a "professionalism curve," balancing emotional ties with objective decision-making.
→ Compensation should reflect roles and responsibilities, not familial ties, to maintain fairness and professionalism.
→ External experience can be invaluable for family members before joining the business.
→ Retaining top talent requires addressing ceilings in non-family employee growth opportunities.
→ The "Thanksgiving problem" highlights how family dynamics can interfere with sound business decisions, requiring careful navigation to balance legacy and growth.If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com
You can also reach Jim by email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @theceoproject
Instagram: @the_ceoproject
Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project
Facebook: @IncCEOproject
-
How can effective talent management secure your organization's future success? In this episode of The CEO Project, host Jim Schleckser is joined by co-host Sharon McGuire, Executive Membership and Marketing Manager at The CEO Project, for an insightful discussion on effective talent management strategies. Together, they explore essential frameworks like the 9-box analysis to evaluate and develop team members, ensuring organizations have the right talent to thrive today and in the future. From identifying high performers to fostering career growth opportunities, Jim and Sharon share practical advice for CEOs and executive teams. They also dive into common leadership challenges, such as succession planning, retaining top talent, and addressing underperformance.
Key Takeaways:
→ The 9-box grid helps assess team members based on performance and potential, guiding strategic talent decisions.
→ High performers thrive when given opportunities to grow, learn, and face new challenges.
→ Succession planning ensures leadership continuity by preparing team members for future roles.
→ Effective talent management includes addressing underperformance with fairness and respect.
→ Organizations must foster transparency and collaboration to align talent development with business goals.If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com
You can also reach Jim by email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @theceoproject
Instagram: @the_ceoproject
Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project
Facebook: @IncCEOproject
-
Episodi mancanti?
-
Why is visual communication essential for leadership and driving business success?
In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Olina Glindevi, the Visual Agile Coach and author of The Visual Agile Coach Playbook. Olina shares her unique approach to integrating visual communication techniques into Agile practices to foster better engagement, communication, and value delivery within teams. Drawing on her extensive experience in IT and Agile roles such as Scrum Master and Agile Coach, Olina showcases how visual tools can help leaders and teams streamline their processes, adapt Agile frameworks to their contexts, and align organizational goals effectively. She also provides insights into the cultural and practical applications of visual techniques, ensuring they remain accessible and impactful regardless of individual artistic skill.
Key Takeaways:
→ Visual communication clarifies and enhances Agile practices, making them more engaging and effective.
→ Using visuals helps leaders and teams identify the core of complex processes and align their strategies.
→ Practical tools like Miro and Procreate support hybrid and digital collaboration in Agile environments.
→ Simplifying communication through visuals fosters stronger alignment across diverse organizational cultures.
→ Conducting retrospectives is essential for continuous improvement and adapting Agile practices to specific needs.More from Olina Glindevi
Olina Glindevi is a visual communicator, trainer, and project manager with extensive experience in leadership roles, including Agile Coach, Scrum Master, and Release Train Engineer (RTE). Driven by a passion for Agile methodologies and coaching leadership, Glindevi brings creativity, structure, and a focus on business value to every project.
With a proven ability to inspire and motivate, Glindevi excels at bringing people together to achieve common goals. Her coaching-led approach emphasizes communication, visualization, and transparency, creating an environment where teams thrive and deliver high-quality outcomes. She has successfully supported teams and organizations at all levels, fostering alignment, collaboration, and engagement.
Find her book Online: The Visual Agile Coach Playbook
Website: https://thevisualagilecoach.com/
LinkedIn: @thevisualagilecoach
Instagram: @the_visual_agile_coach
Contact: [email protected]
If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com
You can also reach Jim by email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @theceoproject
Instagram: @the_ceoproject
Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project
Facebook: @IncCEOproject
-
Why is strategic HR leadership essential for driving the success and growth of your business?
In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Dethra U. Giles, founder and CEO of ExecuPrep, a premier talent and performance management consulting firm. Dethra shares insights from her extensive experience in conflict resolution and organizational development, advocating for intentional career mapping and coaching as essential tools for advancing from managerial to executive roles. Together, they discuss the evolving role of HR professionals, emphasizing the importance of adopting a business-oriented mindset to drive strategic decision-making and effective communication with top executives. Dethra offers practical advice on cultivating a culture of recognition, enabling leaders to delegate effectively, and aligning organizational goals to achieve sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways:
→ How intentional career mapping and coaching help individuals transition from managerial to executive roles
→ Why HR professionals adopting a business-oriented mindset enhances strategic decision-making
→ How delegating responsibilities and creating systems drive organizational growth and scalability
→ Why praising specific behaviors motivates teams and improves performance, productivity, and profits
→ Why aligning HR strategies with organizational goals is critical for driving business success
More from Dethra U. Giles
ExecuPrep's Chief CEO and founder, Dethra’s mission is to architect frameworks that elevate businesses through strategic HR leadership. Her expertise in conflict resolution and organizational development is bolstered by a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, enabling her to forge robust, high-performing teams.
In her dual role as a transformative keynote speaker, she leverages years of experience to inspire change and drive company-wide growth. Harnessing adept problem-solving skills and a passion for training and development, she is committed to nurturing talent and optimizing employee engagement and retention.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://www.execuprep.com/
Listen To The: Happily Ever Employed Podcast
LinkedIn: @dethragiles
Instagram: @dethra_giles
Facebook: @DethraGilesCEO
If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com
You can also reach Jim by email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @theceoproject
Instagram: @the_ceoproject
Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project
Facebook: @IncCEOproject
-
Are you stressed, anxious and burning out at work and ready to put a stop to it?
In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Michael D. Levitt, founder and Chief Burnout Officer of the Breakfast Leadership Network and host of the Breakfast Leadership Show podcast. Michael shares his personal experience with burnout and how he now helps, guides, and coaches others to overcome it in their own lives. Together, they explore strategies for overcoming burnout and recognizing its root causes. Michael offers practical advice for reducing worry and explains how organizations can create supportive workplace environments by communicating their core values effectively, helping to address and prevent burnout among employees.
Key Takeaways:
→ How recognizing what you can and can’t control helps reduce stress
→ Why unnecessary worrying leads to future burnout
→ How clear workplace expectations can minimize anxiety
→ Why understanding burnout prevention is crucial
→ How workplace well-being plays a key role in preventing burnout
More from Michael D. Levitt
Michael leads a multi-faceted media firm dedicated to tackling burnout and improving workplace culture. His expertise in these areas stems from his extensive background in HR leadership and executive coaching, which now informs the content produced by his company.
As a Certified NLP and CBT Therapist, Michael brings a unique perspective to the media content produced by his firm. His approach combines psychological insights with practical business strategies, offering valuable resources for individuals and organizations looking to prevent burnout and enhance workplace culture.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://www.breakfastleadership.com/
Listen To The: Breakfast Leadership Show
@Bfastledership on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X
If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com
You can also reach Jim by email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @theceoproject
Instagram: @the_ceoproject
Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project
Facebook: @IncCEOproject
-
Are you sacrificing your success and happiness by ignoring your core values in the decisions that matter most?
In this episode of The CEO Project, Jim Schleckser speaks with Dino Cattaneo, a veteran executive coach and branding expert with over 30 years of experience. Dino, the host of the Authentic Leadership for Everyday People Podcast, shares his journey from journalist to C-suite executive, offering deep insights into aligning personal values with professional decisions. Together, they explore the importance of cultivating open communication, debating ideas, and why emotional branding creates lasting relationships. Dino also highlights lessons he's learned from industry leaders on his own podcast, including memorable examples from companies like Nike and Snowbird, to illustrate how values drive branding and long-term success.
Key Takeaways:
→ How your core values guide your professional decisions.
→ Why branding is more than just a logo.
→ How saying no to the wrong opportunities benefits your business.
→ Why debating ideas is crucial for better outcomes.
→ How operationalizing company values impacts your organizational culture.
More from Dino Cattaneo
Dino Cattaneo has spent over 30 years partnering with business leaders across different industries in companies ranging in size from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. After being a banker, strategic consultant, digital marketer and C-suite executive at a private equity backed company, Dino has started his own executive coaching and advisory practice.
Before embarking on his business journey, Dino was a journalist covering American business news for Italy’s largest news agency and wrote feature stories on successful small businesses for Italy’s largest entrepreneurship magazine.
Website: https://authenticleadershipforeverydaypeople.com/
Listen To The: Authentic Leadership for Everyday People Podcast
LinkedIn: @dinocattaneo
Instagram: @al4edp
Twitter/X: @dgcattaneo
If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com
Connect with Jim Schleckser
You can also reach Jim by email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @theceoproject
Instagram: @the_ceoproject
Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project
Facebook: @IncCEOproject
-
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser and Sharon Maguire discuss the critical link between strategy development and execution, emphasizing the importance of treating them as an iterative, interconnected process. Using frameworks like Henry Mintzberg’s "Two Loops of Learning," they highlight how organizations must adapt strategies dynamically—refining tactical approaches while continuously reevaluating overarching goals to stay aligned with market changes and organizational needs. The hosts advocate for small, focused strategy teams composed of systems thinkers rather than relying on large, title-driven groups. This approach enables more effective problem-solving and holistic thinking, which are essential for creating and deploying successful strategies.
The discussion also underscores the importance of prioritizing a single competitive focus—whether cost leadership, customer intimacy, or innovation—while avoiding the trap of trying to excel in conflicting areas. Effective strategies balance leveraging internal strengths with understanding external market dynamics, ensuring that objectives are both actionable and measurable. Leaders are encouraged to focus on three core areas: financial growth, operational improvement, and strategic extension, such as entering new markets or launching new products. By fostering alignment through techniques like the Japanese "catch ball" method and engaging the organization in execution, businesses can ensure their strategies drive meaningful, sustainable outcomes.
-
In this engaging episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser introduces a compelling discussion on productivity with a special guest, Penny Zenker. Penny, a productivity expert, bestselling author, and former C-suite executive, shares valuable insights on overcoming perfectionism, procrastination, and distractions to achieve hyper-focus and productivity.
The episode emphasizes self-awareness, intentionality, and fostering a culture where teams feel empowered and accountable. CEOs can drive greater productivity, innovation, and overall success by optimizing their focus and leadership style.
-
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser interviews Brent Yeagy, the CEO of Wabash, a publicly traded company specializing in transportation and distribution assets, including trailers and digital solutions. Wabash, founded in 1985, operates across manufacturing, service, and distribution locations, generating billions in revenue.
The discussion delves into how Wabash differentiates itself through customer-focused, innovative services, including their subscription-based "trailers as a service" product. This approach helps clients with agile capacity without capital ownership, enhancing flexibility and efficiency for logistics companies. They explore how Wabash’s offerings like agile trailer pools provide a competitive edge in a traditionally low-margin industry.
The CEO also discusses Wabash's joint ventures and lean operational strategies, which extend beyond manufacturing to encompass strategic and innovative business practices, enabling faster deployment and more adaptable processes. Additionally, Schleckser and the CEO discuss navigating the cyclical nature of the transportation industry, with Wabash’s lean balance sheet providing a foundation for resilience through economic downturns.
-
Welcome to The CEO Project Podcast, where Jim Schleckser, author of Great CEOs Are Lazy, discusses ways top CEOs can optimize their businesses. Jim announces the rebranding of the podcast from "The Lazy CEO" to "The CEO Project Podcast," aligning with the project's broader mission. Today’s guest, Bradley Hamner, a business growth coach, shares his journey from struggling in his first business to developing a scalable process architecture that allowed him to work "on" rather than "in" his business. Now, he coaches entrepreneurs to build systems that drive sustainable growth, especially focusing on small to mid-sized businesses.
Bradley highlights the challenges small businesses face with popular operating systems like EOS and 4DX, often needing custom approaches to suit smaller teams. His "SCALE" framework emphasizes sustainable revenue, profitability, time off, leverage through delegation, and efficient operations. Together, Jim and Bradley discuss the importance of community and peer support among CEOs to reduce ego barriers, foster vulnerability, and achieve personal and business growth. This episode underscores that scalable success requires structured processes and a supportive community for CEOs on their journey.
-
In this 100th episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser marks the milestone by announcing the show's upcoming name change to The CEO Project Podcast, reflecting its focus. Beginning with episode 101, listeners will find all content under the new name.
Jim’s guest is Jennifer Frye, the CEO of Appreciated Asset Business Solutions, which specializes in building robust sales pipelines for industry disruptors through a unique prospecting and appointment-setting service. Jennifer emphasizes that successful client acquisition hinges on a personalized, relationship-focused approach. She shares insights into how her firm distinguishes itself by using targeted psychographics and values alignment, going beyond typical demographic data to create meaningful client connections.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser, founder of The CEO Project, announces the upcoming name change of the podcast from The Lazy CEO Podcast to The CEO Project Podcast. The current episode is number 99, and the switch will happen after the 100th episode, although all past episodes will remain accessible.
The guest on this episode is Don Schmincke, a researcher with a background in MIT and Johns Hopkins. He shares insights from his research on the high failure rates of management theories, revealing that they often ignore primal human decision-making factors. Schmincke’s work spans across biological, physical, and business systems, blending disciplines to uncover ways to help companies grow faster than traditional methods. His research, which includes looking at human behavior and ancient training programs, has led to breakthroughs in management by focusing on altering human beliefs rather than just providing tactical tools.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO podcast, Jim Schleckser, host and founder of The CEO Project, introduces Ilias Simpson, the new President of Cart.com. Ilias talks about Cart.com's comprehensive supply chain solutions, emphasizing its omni-channel capabilities and how they manage everything from digital storefronts to order fulfillment. He explains the company’s end-to-end approach, handling fulfillment for big brands like PacSun and Toms. Cart.com’s ability to offer integrated marketing, order management, and warehouse services sets them apart in a highly competitive market.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, Jim Schleckser, founder of The CEO Project, discusses the growing field of customer experience engineering alongside Sharon McGuire. The episode explores how companies can design processes that delight customers, turning their experiences into key marketing tools. The hosts emphasize that understanding customers, including segmenting them based on their unique needs, is critical for crafting a successful customer journey.
They touch on methods like surveys and qualitative focus groups to gain insights into customer desires, noting that exceptional experiences often come from delivering what customers didn’t explicitly request but would love. They highlight the importance of eliminating friction, such as through seamless technology or low-effort processes, like easy car rentals and fast online checkouts, drawing parallels between B2C experiences (like Amazon) and B2B environments.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser interviews, Erwin Visser, a business development leader at Microsoft who has not only achieved success in tech but also in extreme sports, having summited Mount Everest. The conversation covers several key topics, starting with hiring top talent, focusing on exceptional personal achievements like mountain climbing. The guest shares insights on cloud migration trends and the role of AI in enhancing productivity and cybersecurity, discussing real-world examples of AI applications in sales, finance, and auditing.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser dives into the world of podcasting as a business tool, exploring how it can drive growth and success. Jim welcomes Seth Greene, an expert in the field and co-host of The SharkPreneur Podcast. Seth shares his unique approach, highlighting that podcasting isn't about getting millions of downloads or sponsorship revenue. Instead, it's about building relationships with guests and leveraging those connections for business success.
Seth explains that the key to podcasting for business growth lies in focusing on two types of guests: potential clients and joint-venture partners. By engaging these individuals in meaningful conversations, podcasts can convert them into clients or referral partners, creating long-term business opportunities. Seth emphasizes that the goal is to establish trust and build a rapport, making the podcast a tool for relationship-building rather than just content creation.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser discusses the importance of a relentless desire to learn, particularly for CEOs and leaders. Schleckser introduces his guest, Damon Lembi, a two-time bestselling author and learning platform host, who has helped over two million people enhance their skills. The conversation centers around the concept of learning as a key competitive advantage for companies and leaders.
Lembi shares his personal journey, from his early career in baseball to becoming a leading figure in the learning and development space. He emphasizes the need for individuals to be open to learning, adaptable, and self-aware, highlighting that success often stems from continuous self-improvement. The discussion explores practical ways to assess a person's willingness to learn during hiring, including asking candidates to share recent books they've read and how they’ve applied that knowledge.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser talks with Ronak Patel, CEO of Sunflower Labs, about integrating AI and machine learning (ML) into business processes to augment human efforts. Patel explains AI's potential, common use cases, and ethical considerations, especially around AI as an assistant rather than a full replacement for human roles. They discuss AI's current applications, such as automating customer service, HR functions, and financial processes, emphasizing that AI is most effective when used to enhance human productivity rather than replace it.
Patel highlights the growing trend of smaller, purpose-built AI models that are more cost-effective and targeted compared to massive, general-purpose models like ChatGPT. These models can be deployed even by smaller companies, democratizing access to advanced technology that was previously available only to large corporations with substantial budgets.
They also touch on the challenges, such as data requirements for training AI, the high costs of large language models, and the risk of AI hallucinations—where AI generates incorrect or fabricated information. Patel suggests solutions, including adjusting the "temperature" setting in AI models to reduce creativity and ensure more reliable outputs, showing that the future of AI lies in controlled, specific applications rather than generalized, all-encompassing solutions.
-
In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser, joined by co-host Sharon McGuire, dives into the world of private equity, a hot topic expected to gain even more traction in the coming years. The discussion starts with an overview of private equity firms, comparing them to private mutual funds that invest pooled capital into various assets, often with a lifespan of 8-10 years. These firms face pressure to deploy their cash quickly, especially after the large sums raised during COVID-19, as sitting on uninvested money can upset investors.
Jim explains how private equity firms make money through the "2 and 20" model: a 2% management fee on invested funds and 20% of the profits. They aim for 8-12 investments to diversify risk, and the size of the firm dictates which companies they will invest in, often favoring deals worth millions or more.
The podcast highlights the challenge for business owners looking to sell minority stakes; most private equity firms prefer majority ownership for control. Even when minority deals occur, they come with significant control provisions, giving private equity firms veto power over major decisions. Family offices, which manage wealth for high-net-worth families, are one of the few entities willing to do minority deals without demanding full control.
-
In this episode about Succession Planning for CEOs and Their Organization
· Talent Assessment and Development: The episode emphasizes the importance of using the ABC rating system and the 9-box exercise to regularly assess and develop talent within the organization, focusing on both current performance and promotability.
· Succession Planning Tools: Jim and Sharon discuss practical tools like depth charts to ensure a robust succession plan, highlighting the need to have a pipeline of talent at different levels of readiness within the company.
· Managing Long-Tenured Leaders: The hosts address the challenges of dealing with long-serving leaders who may be hindering the growth of younger talent, offering solutions such as assigning special projects or encouraging retirement to create opportunities for others.
- Mostra di più
