The Impact Multiplier CEO

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good", Richard speaks with Upkar Arora, CEO of Rally Assets, Canada’s leading impact investment management and advisory firm. Rally is a purpose-driven organization and an award-winning B Corporation, committed to using business as a force for good. Prior to Rally, Upkar worked in finance and leadership roles with some of Canada’s most successful organizations for more than 25 years.In this episode, you'll discover:Upkar's journey of moving from traditional finance to impact investing.The inorganic strategy Upkar used to turbo-boost the mission he was on.A "two-minute masterclass" in finding great mentors.How Rally was selected as one of just three fund-of-funds managers for the Government of Canada’s Social Finance Fund, which will release $1.5B for impact.Upkar's incredibly powerful "impact principles" ensured he would focus on meaningful impact.How to deal with imposter syndrome.Resources/sources mentioned:Rally Assets (https://rallyassets.com/)The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/upkar-aroraTimestamps:0:00 Intro09:33 Leading impact investment firm in Canada.16:12 Social finance fund 26:37 Great principles for a long-term vision.37:28 Impostor syndrome

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good", Richard speaks with David Engel, CEO of Drake & Farrell. David has over 20 years of leadership experience across small, medium, and large enterprises. He co-founded 3 companies and successfully built from scratch, re-structured, and grew companies and corporate divisions in Europe and North America. Drake & Farrell is a European leader in reverse logistics, particularly in the telecoms and EV charging sector, and is on a mission to dramatically reduce electronic waste across the world.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How David got clear on the inspiring mission he (and his business) was on.The impact of trusted CEO peers on his own journey.The power of scheduling "big" and "little" things (but not "medium" things).Being comfortable with the discomfort zone, and "not being the smartest person in the room".The most powerful area to focus your strategy on.Resources/sources mentioned:Drake & Farrell website. (https://drakeandfarrell.com/) The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)Rivendell CEO community (https://xquadrant.com/services/ceo-mastermind/) Join Rivendell, the exclusive group of top CEOs dedicated to transforming themselves, their businesses, and the world. Visit xquadrant.com/services to learn more and take your leadership to the next level.Ready for a big leap forward in your own leadership? Elevate your leadership forever with the book Making Time for Strategy: How to be less busy and more successful. Buy your book here: https://xquadrant.com/time/For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/david-engelTimestamps:0:00 Intro03:48 Finding purpose in work17:55 Advice for decision-making problems21:14 Why leaders should trust experts30:18 How to build resilience43:09 The key to success

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good", Richard speaks with James Citron, CEO of Pledge. Pledge's mission is to power generosity by partnering with mission-driven companies, nonprofits, and charitable individuals to unlock billions in funding for over 2 million nonprofits around the world. Pledge has helped to fund clean water for 1M people, 1M trees planted, and 1B meals to children and families in need. Prior to Pledge, James built and successfully exited multiple companies.In this conversation, you’ll learn:00:00 Intro03:54 Saving lives through text messaging.06:31 How to find a fulfilling job09:49 Solving charity donation problem19:13 Driving consumer decisions and business success.22:07 Prioritizing impact and purpose31:11 Pledge pays credit card fees for donationsThe moment James decided he was all-in on "tech for good".The roadmap James used to build Pledge was the first thing he did.James's advice for avoiding hiring mistakes.Why (and how) your company purpose can evolve.How James plans to unlock $10B of value for the non-profit sector.Resources/sources mentioned:Pledge website (https://www.pledge.to/)The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast(https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)Join Rivendell, the exclusive group of top CEOs dedicated to transforming themselves, their businesses, and the world. Visit xquadrant.com/services to learn more and take your leadership to the next level.Ready for a big leap forward in your own leadership? Elevate your leadership forever with the book Making time for Strategy: How to be less busy and more successful. Buy your book here: https://xquadrant.com/time/For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/james-citron

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good", Richard speaks with Andy Hunter, the Founder & CEO of Bookshop.org, an e-commerce marketplace that helps independent, local bookstores compete with Amazon for online sales. Andy was recognized in the Real Leaders 2023 Impact Awards and is also the co-creator and publisher of the websites Literary Hub, Crime Reads, and BookMarks, and co-founder and chairman of Electric Literature. His focus is keeping literature a vital part of our culture in the digital age.In this conversation, you’ll learn:0:00 Intro01:59 Bookstores X Amazon05:23 Expands into the digital market08:32 Launching Bookshop amid chaos, stress, and success.12:56 The importance of supporting local businesses16:08 Independent booksellers embracing technology19:27 How to secure the future of books27:05 Multiplying impact means letting go of old methods.Why Andy decided to take on one of the largest corporations on the planet!How Andy coped when the business grew 50x in one month and he only had 4 employees.The "entrepreneurial trap" and how Andy worked at taking a different path.The "Ecosystem thinking" has created such a s strong network effect and driven Bookshop.org's astonishing growth.What it will take for Andy to multiply his impact and scale his ambitions to the entire local high street.Resources/sources mentioned:The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)Bookshop.org (https://bookshop.org/)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/andy-hunter

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good", Richard speaks with Maria Carell, CEO of Revision Skincare & Goodier Cosmetics. Maria is helping the company build on its legacy of being first to market with innovative, science-driven, effective skincare that addresses the signs of aging and promotes overall skin health. She’s also leading the brand’s growth through acquisitions and expansion into new markets around the globe. Maria has been nominated for numerous awards such as “Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year”, “Real Leaders’ Impact Award”, the “Most Powerful Business Woman Award” and “Rising Talent” at the Global Women’s Forum.In this conversation, you’ll learn:0:00 Intro02:01 Start small, celebrate wins and make an impact03:48 What is Revision Skincare? 10:16 Painting a powerful picture of the Future14:43 There is no finish line18:43 Naive optimist values 22:05 Finding genuine work-related pride and vulnerability.26:13 The power of humility28:45 How to improve skincare globallyWhy "thinking small" can be more impactful than thinking bigWhy did Maria choose to raise the bar on quality in her industry when she didn't NEED toWhat you need to believe about people to bring out their bestThe two interview questions Maria uses to build a team with diverse thinkingThe "1/10/100" system to maximize your impactResources/sources mentioned:The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast(https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)Revision Skincare (https://revisionskincare.com) Goodier Cosmetics (https://www.goodierlabs.com)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/maria-carell

Todd Herman, creator of the 90 Day Year leadership program and author of 'The Alter Ego Effect', discusses the power of alter egos in transforming performance. Topics include unconventional ideas, alter ego coaching for athletes, expanding archetypes for personal growth, and the impact of ancestry. Todd shares the importance of embodying a message, the simplicity of using a 'totem', and excitement for the upcoach platform.

In this episode, Richard speaks with Stuart Tragheim, CEO of Holloway Friendly, a leading UK income protection specialist. Over the course of the last 7 years, Stuart has led a multi-award-winning transformation program to drive its mission to become the UK’s #1 most recommended specialist protection insurer. 0:00 Intro06:25 Stuart's multi-award-winning transformation program09:17 How to win deals12:34 Learning, delegating, recruiting, stretching, executing, motivating17:10 Encouraging open communication20:12 Effective communication is key to gaining support, and funding.25:05 Alignment, automation, technology, efficiency: driving business success.27:28 Small business growth 31:04 Creating bandwidth for long-term issues 34:54 OutroIn this conversation, you’ll discover:Why the biggest problem with execution can be a lack of braveryThe biggest leadership shift was as Stuart moved from being a business development expert to CEOWhy Stuart realized the relentless pursuit of deals was the WRONG approachThe key pillars of the award-winning transformation projectHow Stuart kept the board on the side during the complexities of the changeResources/sources mentioned:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuarttragheim/The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/stuart-tragheim

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good". In this episode, Richard speaks with Wendy Strgar. Wendy is an award-winning entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Good Clean Love, a woman-owned B corporation, and Vaginal Biome Science, a pioneer in the organic personal care product industry. She holds multiple US patents for Bio-Match technology, a leading scientific approach applying biomimicry to sexual health and hygiene products, was named in the Top 25 Consumer HealthTech CEOs 2020, and has been recognized in the top 100 impact CEOs on three occasions.In this conversation, you’ll learn:0:00 Intro02:18 Discovering the source of a driving force.06:56 Book solves problems, saves marriage, and explores biomes.10:42 Questioning norms lead to scientific discoveries.13:12 Personally misperceptions hinder communication16:17 Artistic genius misunderstood the challenge of balance.22:07 The responsibilities of Being a B Corp.24:16 "Building value, not wealth, through generosity."30:25 Inaction and external factors shape outcomes - realization.37:42 Seeking answers about communication, growth, and purpose.41:18 Good Clean Love: Blog, Books, and More.Why goals work AGAINST breakthrough innovations;How Wendy 'followed the breadcrumbs' from her own personal challenges to create unexpected businesses;Why money is never a good indicator for decision making! ... and what to do instead;The challenges of sharing the vision and aligning stakeholders when you're thinking several steps ahead.Resources/sources mentioned:Good clean love (https://goodcleanlove.com/)Wendy's books - love that works, sex that works (https://goodcleanlove.com/collections/wendys-books)The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/wendy-strgar)

Steve has been recognized as EY Entrepreneur of the Year, the Wharton School Social Impact CEO of the Year, and in the ADSO Hall of Fame. Smile Brands also was recognized in the Real Leaders 2023 Impact Awards.  Smile Brands represent currently ~700 practices and 7000+ providers & employees providing care for around 3 million people annually under a comprehensive vision of Smiles for Everyone!0:00 Intro02:44 Jumped in risky business, trusted self, succeeded.07:29 Joint success in business with communication strategy.12:11 Healthcare and profits require transparency for investors.15:00 Prioritize payroll, don't worry, and work hard.20:25 Good leaders do, not just say.23:32 CEO struggles with prioritizing company vision.27:14 Technical expertise doesn't define the CEO role.30:47 "Embrace challenges, problems don't solve themselves."34:29 Wrap up: Leader's humility, positive attitude, disruption.In this conversation, you’ll learn:The mental model Steve used to defeat fear and build his business.The power of win/win - and what it looks to REALLY put it into practice.The daily ritual Steve performs to fully embody his purpose.The best way to deal with fear amongst employees and other stakeholders.The "scratchy throat" technique Steve uses reinforces the company culture in every single meeting.Resources/sources mentioned:Smile Brands (https://smilebrands.com/)(https://www.linkedin.com/company/smilesforeveryonefoundation/)The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/steve-bilt

Impact Parents is the first global coaching organization for parenting neurodiverse kids, and the co-creator of the award-winning Sanity School behavior training program for parents and professionals. Under her leadership, ImpactParents has certified hundreds of professionals globally to deliver neurodiversity-informed coach training in several languages. An author, speaker, parent educator, coach, and trusted advisor, Elaine guides adults to improve life with neurodiversity for themselves and their kids, at work and at home. She is the author of several books including The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids with ADHD, Anxiety, and More. She lives with her husband in Atlanta, GA, and is the mother of four thriving young adults who continue to be her greatest teachers.0:00 Intro02:13 Mom with neurodiverse kids becomes entrepreneur coach.04:38 Support for parents of disabled children.10:01 Global coaching service for parents and families14:09 Impact can be decoupled from business growth18:03 Guerrilla marketing for services, CEO expansion focus21:31 CEO seeks extraordinary impact without the hassle25:02 CEO values team input for success27:58 Transparently admitting mistakes & making amends31:27 Resources: website, blog, podcast, gift, coaching, presentationsIn this episode you'll discover:The core belief that drove Elaine to move from stressed-out parent to CEO of an organization supporting 100,000s of parents globally.The essential business partnership is at the core of her impact.Why Elaine set up her business as "a private enterprise for the public good".How to decouple your personal impact from that of your organization.How Elaine puts the "Ask Don't Tell" principle into effect, even when under pressure.Resources/sources mentioned:Impact Parents (https://impactparents.com/multiplier) The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/elaine-taylor-klaus