Leadership, Brand Strategy & Transformation - Minter Dialogue

Minter Dialogue with Pete SteegeIn this episode, I host Pete Steege, a seasoned marketing expert and author of "On Purpose: The CEO's Guide to Marketing with Meaning." Pete shares his journey from electrical engineering to a 30-year career in marketing, focusing on the importance of meaningful marketing in technical industries. The discussion delves into the evolution of marketing, the significance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges of maintaining clarity and consistency in marketing messages. Pete emphasises the value of generosity, authenticity, and simplicity in marketing strategies. The conversation also explores the role of CEOs in embodying the brand and the impact of AI on marketing. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in effective marketing and leadership.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.

Minter Dialogue with Zoltan VassIn the latest episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Zoltan Vass, a transformation director with a focus on technology, processes, and people. Zoltan's journey from Yugoslavia to the UK is not just a tale of geographical relocation but a profound narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of creating collaborative environments.A significant portion of our discussion revolved around the future of work, particularly in the context of remote and flexible working environments. Zoltan emphasised the importance of trust, ownership, and creating a safe environment where employees feel valued and supported. He advocates for a 100% flexible work model, where employees can choose their work environment, be it the office, home, or a coffee shop, based on what suits them best.We discuss how leaders and organisations might navigate the evolving landscape of work, including concepts such as wellness, sleep, the four-day work week, and how companies can implement shift patterns to ensure continuous coverage while allowing employees to enjoy longer weekends, thus boosting morale and efficiency.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.

Minter Dialogue with Chris DalyIn our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Daly, the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Chris's journey from serving as a major in the British Army to leading one of the most respected marketing bodies in the world is nothing short of inspiring. His diverse experiences have shaped his unique perspective on marketing, leadership, and the ethical challenges that come with it.Chris begins by sharing his early career in the British Army, where he learned invaluable lessons about leadership, empathy, and the importance of a team ethos. These experiences were pivotal in shaping his approach to marketing and leadership. Transitioning from the military to the Central Office of Information, Chris gained insights into the world of diplomacy and the power of effective communication. He reflects on how these roles, though seemingly distant from the commercial world of marketing, provided a solid foundation for his current role.One of the key themes Chris discusses is the evolution of marketing. He emphasizes that marketing today is far more complex and multifaceted than it used to be. It's no longer just about selling products; it's about understanding the audience, communicating effectively, and delivering value. The role of marketing has expanded to include ethical considerations, data privacy, and the impact of AI. Chris passionately argues that marketing is not just the "coloring in department" but a crucial element that drives measurable outcomes and aligns with business goals.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.

Minter Dialogue with Markus ErnstenDive into the essence of leadership with Markus Ernsten, a seasoned mentor, coach, and the author of "True Leadership Comes from Within." In this episode, Markus shares his rich life experiences and insights into what constitutes genuine leadership. He challenges the traditional notions of leadership that prioritize external validation and self-presentation over internal growth and self-steering. With a background spanning engineering, sales, and mentorship, Markus offers a unique perspective on the evolution of leadership in the face of digital transformation and generational shifts in the workplace. Discover why Markus believes empathy, fairness, and respect are crucial in both professional and personal breakups. Learn about the power of gratefulness and how it can transform pain into satisfaction. Markus also touches on the differences in leadership styles across cultures and genders, proposing that women may inherently possess traits that make them more effective leaders.The conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges of leading during uncertain times, the importance of balancing hard facts with human feelings, and the courage required to let go and trust in the collective knowledge of a team. Markus also emphasizes the importance of smaller, more calculated decisions in navigating change.For leaders, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in personal growth and effective management, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom. Connect with Markus Ernsten through his website, LinkedIn, or grab a copy of his book on Amazon. Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the heart of true leadership.00:00 - True leadership comes from within, says Markus Ernsten.00:22 - Markus is a mentor and coach who helps people improve their lives02:47 - You talk a lot about gratefulness during your breakup09:07 - Markus wrote a book on leadership and why did he write it14:01 - Is this a German centric view or is it mostly global15:49 - What about German leadership? Is there anything unique or stands out20:48 - What about successful role models as leaders? 26:54 - There are hundreds of leadership books out there, but why are we still writing them?31:19 - Integrity is the first step to true greatness, says Charles Simmons33:45 - What in your experience is the key to transforming your culture42:39 - Post COVID managers often expect more autonomy, self responsibility, initiative44:53 - Markus: Leadership in uncertain times is different from leadership in normal times47:44 - Markus: When there's uncertainty, a major leader gives direction50:25 - How can someone find Markus, get your book, hire youIf you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.

Minter Dialogue with Lisa RiemersLisa Riemers, a digital accessibility champion and communications consultant. Given her role, Lisa bridges the often wide gap between technology and communications teams. With her expertise, she ensures digital channels and services are accessible, meeting the diverse needs of customers and employees alike. From discussing the nuances of digital communication to the importance of making content accessible to all, Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. We also explore her artistic side, delving into her passion for painting and photography, and how this creativity intersects with her professional life. Join us as we unpack the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of digital accessibility, AI, and the importance of human touch in an automated world.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.

Minter Dialogue with Stan PhelpsStan Phelps, who is known for his distinct pink glasses and vibrant approach to marketing, has spent decades refining the art of standing out. He has been a prolific author, with his "Goldfish" series, qualified by a spectrum of colors, each representing a different aspect of business and marketing. In this episode, Stan delves into the importance of customer experience over the product itself, the power of prioritizing employees to drive engagement, and the significance of catering to your most valuable customers and employees. He shares his journey from "Purple Goldfish" through to "Pink Goldfish 2.0," highlighting the evolution of his ideas and the necessity of updating his work to reflect the current business landscape.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.NB This episode was mislabelled as #564. It is now #566. Prior episodes are Don Armand (#564) and Greg Koerner (#565).

Minter Dialogue with Greg KoernerGreg Koerner, a friend and fellow Fiji from my days at Colgate, is a seasoned and practical lawyer in New York who handles a diverse variety of complex civil litigation and other legal matters for clients of all sizes and levels of sophistication. But more importantly, for this episode, he's spent a lifetime playing Grateful Dead music, including DSO and Unlimited Devotion. He's toured with music titans, Vince Welnick, the Dead's last keyboardist, Charles Neville, Henry Butler and The Band's Garth Hudson. And next with the legend, Stanley Jordan. He also started his own project, Gent Treadly and The Joint Chiefs. We discuss his career, what playing the Dead has taught him and brought to him, some fun stories as well as his favourite and most meaningful songs.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.NB There was an error in the numbering convention. This was originally mislabelled as 563. It is episode #565. The prior episodes are Nikita Mikhailov #563 and Don Armand #564.

Minter Dialogue with Don ArmandDon Armand is an ex-professional rugby player, having played for the Stormers in South Africa and the Exeter Chiefs in England, the latter with which he won the Premiership twice (voted Man of the Match for the 2017 final) and became European champions. He also captained the Chiefs and won two caps playing for England. Since retiring from rugby, Don runs SampsonArmand, experts in individual and organisational development by bringing focus to leadership processes, strategy, cultural change, team and organisational cohesion. In this conversation, we discuss his rugby career and the state of rugby, we explore the link between captaincy and leadership, how to build self-confidence and resilience, getting used to having ice baths, creating a legacy and the profound impact of relationships both on and off the field.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or, better yet, an audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com. You can always comment on the post with the full show notes (and transcript) on minterdial.com. And if you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can follow the Joy of Padel on social: @joyofpadel on X/Twitter and Instagram. There's also a YouTube page.

Minter Dialogue with Nikita Mikhailov Nikita Mikhailov is the self-declared Chief Neuroticism Officer at PsyPub. A highly influential trained occupational psychologist in the business world, Nikita is a coach, speaker, and comedian. An expert in psychometric assessments, he's also coauthor along with Georgi Yankov of "Personality: A User's Guide" published by Robinson. We discuss all things personality, the traits that best suit a leader, correlations between certain of the Five Factor Model and intelligence, dark empathy and charisma, and much more.If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.NB the numbering for this episode was originally 562. It should have been 563. The prior episode #562 is Dr Chris Kerr and #564 is Don Armand's interview.

Minter Dialogue with Dr Chris KerrDr Chris Kerr is a hospice physician and end-of-life researcher. He's also the acclaimed author of "Death is But a Dream" as well as one of the most viewed TEDx speakers, with over 5 million views for his talk, "I See Dead People: Dreams and Visions of the Dying." In this conversation, we discuss his work, what he has observed about people dying and death, the way the medical community evaluates and embraces (or doesn't) death. We look at the difference between psychedelic-assisted therapy to deal with fear of death versus the types of the visions one has naturally. We touch of assisted suicide and euthanasia, as well as explore the major lessons Dr Kerr has extracted over the course of his fascinating 25+-year career. If you've got comments or questions you'd like to see answered, send your email or audio file to nminterdial@gmail.com; or you can find the show notes and comment on minterdial.com. If you liked the podcast, please take a moment to go over to Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast channel, to rate/review the show. Otherwise, you can find me @mdial on Twitter.