In Good Companies

How much better would the world be if everyone loved going to work? How much more engaged would we be? How much more efficient? That’s the vision of Mohammad Anwar and Chris Pitre (Softway Solutions and Culture+), two co-authors of the Wall Street Journal-bestseller Love as a Business Strategy. They want to revolutionize the way companies do business, by putting people at the center of every decision. But this idea didn’t come out of nowhere. It was born from the real life transformation of their company, Softway Solutions.  While we're taking a well-deserved Thanksgiving break, we’re telling that story: how a leader learned to appreciate his team and, in doing so, transformed his company and himself. This episode is a "best of" re-run from Season 3 and is worth every minute!Mohammad founded Softway Solutions when he was 20 years old, and he’d grown the business to over 300 employees since its inception. But by 2015, the company had developed a toxic culture, and Mohammad was known for his unprofessional outbursts. With the business struggling, morale was low. Two weeks after Chris was hired, Softway Solutions laid off a third of its workforce by gathering them in a conference room and telling them all at once. Mohammad didn’t know if the business would last another month.But then he had a realization, and together he and Chris went on a journey to institute a “culture of love.” Through slow, quiet work, Mohammad changed his behaviors and made Softway Solutions a place that employees loved. Success soon followed. Now, they help other businesses change their own cultures. On this episode, we’ll explore the leader’s role in a culture of love: their responsibilities, behaviors and how they stand to benefit.So, join us, as we answer the question: “What’s love got to do with it?”Highlights:Meet Mohammad Anwar & Chris Pitre (1:12)What is “love as a business strategy”? (2:22)The origins of Softway (3:23)The infamous “Dirty fridge” email (5:44)Softway’s darkest day  (9:39)Why it’s hard to be a leader (12:02)Mohammad’s epiphany (15:07)Misconceptions about the culture of love (17:21)Perks are not culture (20:21)Culture eats strategy for breakfast, but behaviors eat culture for lunch (21:29)Redefining leadership (23:11)Changing behavior (26:30)Trickle-down culture (28:21)The role of forgiveness (30:15)Softway’s turnaround (31:35)No excuses (35:54)Seneca Leaders (38:28)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank TwitterCadence Bank LinkedInMohammad Anwar LinkedInChris Pitre LinkedInSeneca LeadersLove as a Business Strategy - BookLove as a Business Strategy - Podcast Softway WebsiteCulture+ WebsiteSeason 3 Episode 6 - All You Need Is Love: The origins of “Love as a Business Strategy”Season 3 Episode 7 - Everlasting Love: Sustaining a Culture of LoveFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, eydie.pengelly@cadencebank.com or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

Bob Trotter, an executive partner at Gartner and Fintech Evangelist with over 25 years in IT, dives into the rapidly evolving world of AI. He debunks myths around AI threatening jobs, showcasing its potential to create new roles instead. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of AI on business operations, particularly through tools like ChatGPT. Bob also discusses the necessity of strategic integration of AI in workforce roles and the importance of adapting to regulatory changes. Get ready to rethink your approach to AI!

The 2020 pandemic has drastically changed the business landscape and put the medical aviation industry under the spotlight. When COVID hit, air services became an essential service to give access to healthcare across urban and rural areas alike and they have remained at the forefront of business preoccupations since. Case in point: in 2022, NASA launched a new mission to research and gather data on advanced air mobility. If they reach their ambitions, in five years technologies like air taxis and drones will be integrated into public services. So today, we get to the heart of the medical aviation industry, to understand where it’s been, where it’s going, and how to navigate the changes ahead. And we hear the story of Metro Aviation, the largest private air medical operator in the United States and a family business like no other. With Todd Stanberry, Vice President and Co-owner, we dive into 40 years of business history and build a roadmap for a dense and fast-changing business landscape. We discuss strategies to hone your business expertise and keep a competitive edge, and find out how to balance business tradition with leadership development and technological integration.  Tune in with host Ari Marin and Todd today and get ready for take off.Highlights:The early days of Metro Aviation (3:39)How Mike Stanberry booked his first jobs (6:51)Metro’s launch into air medical services (8:51)When Todd joined the family business (11:13)Navigating a dense market – the case of medical aviation (14:38)Specialization as a competitive edge (18:41)Metro Aviation’s completion expertise (20:56)How to balance traditional leadership while embracing the future (22:55)Connecting with the talent inside your ranks (25:08)“I don't have a crystal ball, but I can tell you what needs to change.” (27:49)The future of aviation is electric (29:35)Todd’s personal aspiration for years to come (31:45)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInCadence Bank YouTubeTodd Stanberry LinkedInMetro Aviation LinkedInMetro Aviation WebsiteMetro Aviation Business News Article: “Metro’s Todd Stanberry on the future of the company and the HEMS sector”Article: "Metro Aviation signs for 20 BETA eVTOLs" Research: Nasa’s Advanced Air Mobility MissionFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

80% of the jobs that will exist in the next decade were not invented 5 years ago. So if you're a young entrepreneur, how do you know where to start? What skills do you need to get some skin in the game? The future of work will change the nature of business education, so in today’s episode, we’re hitting the books with our new guest Dr. John Torrens.John is an award winning professor at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He has been teaching, mentoring and coaching entrepreneurs for 15 years. A perfect blend of business and education, John has also built two successful speech therapy practices. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Sprout Therapy Group, a multidisciplinary practice providing speech-language and specialized physical therapy for infants and children. From his own entrepreneurial path, to the core skills that emerging leaders will need, today John takes us on a journey to build the future of entrepreneurship. Together, we answer fundamental questions like: what practices are gaining traction in MBAs across the board? Where should we look for new opportunities? And what can we expect from the next generation of founders?  Take out your notebooks and get ready for a lesson in business education with our host, Ari Marin, and John Torrens.  Highlights:John’s background and professional journey (2:43)Early experiences with talent recruitment (4:27)“Every course I took, I used my business as the lab experiment.” (6:54)Business Education: from “doing” to teaching (8:14)A new growth mindset for entrepreneurship (9:56)Learning from the next generation of entrepreneurs (11:28)Current changes in cultural vision (13:52) Enhancing well-being as a risk-mitigation strategy (16:08)How ADHD changed John’s approach to leadership (18:03)Encouraging entrepreneurial ideas inside your company (21:25)“Entrepreneurship is opportunity driven, not resource constrained” (22:47)Education through network building (24:17)  Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInJohn Torrens WebsiteJohn Torrens InstagramJohn Torrens LinkedInJohn Torrens Syracuse University WebsiteSprout Therapy Group WebsiteTed Talk - “John Torrens: ADHD as an Entrepreneur’s Superpower”Research -  “Realizing 2030: A Divided Vision of the Future” by Dell TechnologiesFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

How do you keep track of what is happening inside your company? Do you have a newsletter? Messaging channels like Slack or a go-to person for all questions? How does information reach you? If you feel lost in the maze of internal communication, you’re not alone. Research by Gallup found that 74% of employees believe they’re missing out on work news and company information. So in this episode, we dive into the world of internal communication and find out how and why keeping our teams informed can help us reach our goals both now and for the future. Our guest John Korinek answers the big questions and shows us how streamlining communication can affirm your company values, help you retain talent and make better financial decisions. John is the president and CEO of PartnerComm Inc., an internal communications consulting firm that has been helping organizations identify opportunities and create strategies for their employees for 30 years. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication and has worked with companies such as Cisco, Kellogg, PepsiCo, Nordstrom, Burger King, BNSF, Nestlé and many more. Decades in business have earned him a wealth of insights and business tales, which he shares with us today.Join Ari & John in conversation to get creative with your team communication, build effective strategies and manage new cultural challenges in a rapidly changing landscape.Highlights:How John and his wife started PartnerComm Inc. (2:19)The purpose of Internal Communications (4:08)Communication as a financial decision (6:23)Think, know, feel, do: a foundational principle (8:13)Diversifying communication to widen your reach (10:25)“Employees have competing messages; we've got to break through the clutter” (12:44)Creativity and collaboration to enhance communication (14:57) How John practices Internal Communications in his business (17:15)Bottoms up communications to fight for talent (19:34)Flexible work & productivity: new challenges in Cultural Communications (21:03)“Change management starts with transparency” (24:14)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedIn Partner Comm Inc. WebsitePartner Comm Inc. LinkedInJohn Korinek LinkedInResearch: Gallup - “Companies Are Missing on Opportunities for Growth and Revenue”Article: Oak Engage - “21 Scary Internal Communications Statistics”  Feedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

In Good Companies is back! And for Season 6, we’re doing a deep dive into the future of work. Because business will look different in 2050, and if we had to take an educated guess, it seems that technology is going to be a driver of change. In 2024, 86% of organizations have maintained or raised their IT budgets. We all sense that digital tools can help us secure the future of business; we’re just not sure how to use them to our advantage. So today, we speak with a leading voice in the field of technology and entrepreneurship: Shuo Chen, Silicon Valley connoisseur, faculty professor at UC Berkeley and Stanford University, and partner at IOVC, an investment firm focused on early-stage startups that drive the future of work.In this episode, Shuo shows us how tools like AI and Blockchain can revolutionize business. She demonstrates how technology will eliminate repetitive tasks, streamline our processes, redirect our attention to cultural human questions, and afford us more time to hone our leadership skills. Shuo shines a light on a new, diverse generation of self-starters who are taking their seat at the business table. And she breaks down how technology is changing the nature of entrepreneurship; opening up new career paths going forward. So join Shuo Chen and our new host Ari Marin, to get into the nuts and bolts and launch your company into the future!Highlights:A brief history of AI & Blockchain (4:16)Why AI & Blockchain are a powerful combination (6:44)How technology can augment workflows and improve decision making (8:08)Breaking down the “Human VS Technology” myth (10:00)“80% of the jobs available in 2030 were not invented 5 years ago” (11:03)Ways in which technology will change existing roles (12:20)A happy middle: how to juggle automation and personalisation (14:12)Using tech to make different leadership styles possible (15:09)Transformations in the world of entrepreneurship (16:42)FinTech and changes at play in venture funding (18:17)Fractional founders: how Shuo seeded her career (19:41)Debunking the taboo of building fractionally (21:58)Linking together technology, diversity and inclusion (23:41)How widespread access to information can create more fruitful discussion (25:33)“Resistance is a healthy part of technological development” (26:38)A final word from Shuo on the Future of Work (28:26)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInShuo Chen X (Twitter) Shuo Chen LinkedInIOVC WebsiteResearch - “State of the CIO Survey” by FoundryResearch -  “Realizing 2030: A Divided Vision of the Future” by Dell TechnologiesFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Are you a business executive ready to take your company to the next level? Or, an entrepreneur who wants to set their sights on the future? Then stay tuned for Season 6 of In Good Companies, coming to you on October 15th! This season, we're talking about the future of work and helping you build a career for 2030. From AI to ESG, our expert guests are back behind the microphone to cover the hottest topics in the world of business with our new host, Ari Marin. Tune into Season 6 and get ready for the future, whatever it holds.Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInCadence Bank YouTubeFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Ingrid Fetell Lee, a designer and joy specialist, shares her insights on the vital role of joy in the workplace. She explores how our surroundings influence our emotions and highlights the difference between joy and happiness. With studies showing happier workers are more productive, she stresses the importance of designing joyful workspaces. Ingrid discusses universal patterns of joy, the evolutionary basis for our preferences, and how joyful leadership can foster a culture of creativity and collaboration. It's a transformative conversation on how joy can redefine business success.

According to a 2023 poll, nearly 50% of small business owners felt stressed about their finances. So at In Good Companies, before we return to work, we want to learn more about our money feelings. Where do they come from? Are they serving us well? And how can we gain confidence in our potential, to build a healthier relationship with our finances? Our guest Saundra Davis thinks about these questions every single day.    Saundra is a Financial Planner and Coach, the Director of Financial Programmes at Golden Gate University, and the founder of Sage Financial Solutions, a non-profit offering support and education to people from all backgrounds. And in today’s episode, she joins Ari for an honest, vulnerable and insightful conversation on financial well-being.  Together, they recall how Saundra launched her career after having made every mistake possible in her first business. They spell out the link between trauma and behavior and explain why a good financial plan starts with understanding our needs and values. Working through Saundra’s “Continuum of Financial Well-being”, they also cover what professional support looks like in practice; how to avoid some typical budgetary mistakes when launching a new venture; and how to assess if you’re coping well with your current financial situation.Join them to hit reset and align your dollars, your cents and your values with your business vision. Highlights:“There's no aspect of our lives that money doesn't touch” (3:01)The impact of money feelings on business decisions (4:36)How to recognize an unhealthy financial mindset (6:04)Understanding the "Continuum of Financial Well-being" (8:03)Financial wellness: a subjective question (10:37)Typical financial challenges when launching a new venture (13:50)Financial stress: how we can look out for each other (16:23)Why building trust with your Financial Planner matters (18:28)Financial support starts with your needs (21:25)Money wellness as an investment into the future  (23:12)Saundra’s go-to resources for financial support (25:08)“Know where you are; know you're going; build a plan to get there “ (26:39)No Shame Zone: Saundra’s new money mindset (28:18)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInSaundra Davis LinkedInSaundra Davis Golden Gate UniversitySage Financial Solutions WebsiteSage Financial Solutions InstagramArticle - “Half of Small Business Owners Experience Poor Mental Health”Resource - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Well-being Questionnaire Resource - Financial Therapy AssociationResource - Certified Financial Planner Board of StandardsFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Whether you’re building your company up through growth and innovation or by investing in your culture, being in business often means striving for performance. But is there a science to good leadership? Research in cognitive psychology shows there might be. Our guest today is Dr. Julia DiGangi, author of Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power. She is a neuropsychologist who works with businesses and entrepreneurs to help them harness their power, and keep their mindset fresh. And for her, great leadership starts when we understand the human brain!In today’s episode, Dr. DiGangi joins our new host Ari Marin to decode the clever machinery of the brain, and unlock new potential! Together, they discuss our cognitive ability to recognize patterns and our natural aversion to uncertainty; they unpack how we can reshape our behaviors to undo fear-based nervous habits; and they reveal that focusing on identity can move organizations towards better cooperation. Dr. DiGangi shares her invaluable research and wealth of knowledge on corporate leadership to help us tap into our brain power. So tune in with Julia and Ari today, and get ready to adopt a whole new performance mindset. Highlights:Understanding how the brain works (3:00)Anxiety as a reaction to uncertainty (4:37)Cognitive strategies: why we'd rather choose physical pain (6:05)Building leadership from the energy of emotion (8:25)“Working” and “overworking” as different nervous responses (11:34)Why identity is the best response to uncertainty (12:54)The emotional math of our professional lives (15:12)Reframing micromanagement as a fear reaction (16:45)Recent changes in the conversation around mental health (18:34)The impact of technology on emotional intelligence (20:28)The creativity of leadership (22:24)Speaking the language of emotions (24:11)“The greatest asset that companies have today is relational intelligence” (26:23)Staying optimistic for the future of collaboration  (29:12)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInDr. Julia DiGangi Website Dr. Julia DiGangi X (Twitter)Dr. Julia DiGangi LinkedInDr. Julia DiGangi InstagramBook - “Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power”Feedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.