Scaling With People

Send us a textWhat happens when success doesn't bring satisfaction? Join us on Scaling with People as we uncover the extraordinary life of Alan Lazaros. Alan opens up about his tumultuous childhood, marred by the loss of his father and stepfather, and the financial struggles that followed. In an effort to cope, he threw himself into the pursuit of success, achieving significant financial milestones only to find himself feeling empty. A near-fatal car accident became a turning point, prompting Alan to reassess his priorities and seek a life filled with both professional achievements and personal fulfillment.Ever felt confident in your professional skills but hesitant in social settings? This episode dives into the dual concepts of competence courage and social courage. I share my own journey of excelling in academic and career milestones while grappling with fears of abandonment that impacted my self-worth. We discuss how these insecurities can lead to misunderstandings, where confidence is often mistaken for arrogance. Our conversation brings to light the importance of identifying where you stand—whether you're already successful and fulfilled or on a quest to align the two—and how metrics and various thinking modalities can guide you towards success.Meet the Business Star Framework, a crucial model for 21st-century entrepreneurship comprised of branding, marketing, sales, client delivery, and community. We break down the unique challenges business owners face in balancing these elements and the importance of forming partnerships with complementary skill sets. As we explore the less glamorous realities of entrepreneurship, we stress the need for self-awareness and question whether this demanding path is truly right for you. For those unwavering in their entrepreneurial spirit, we offer encouragement to continue; for others, a moment of reflection may be in order. Join us for an eye-opening episode filled with practical insights and heartfelt stories.

Send us a textAre you ready to transform your startup's approach to employee benefits? Join us on today's episode of Scaling with People as we sit down with Jeremy Vesta, a ten-year veteran in the healthcare sector, to unlock the secrets behind successful benefit programs for startups. Jeremy provides a wealth of knowledge on the necessity of early prospecting to build a strong customer pipeline and shares why maintaining a healthy skepticism in business transactions is crucial. Hear firsthand about his experiences with a cost-saving healthcare product and the challenges of conveying its value to clients. Learn why early market feedback and strategic planning are essential in refining your offerings.But that's not all! We also dive into creative strategies for maximizing benefits in a startup environment. Discover the advantages of implementing HSA-qualified high deductible health plans to manage costs effectively while still providing robust benefits to your team. Jeremy discusses how startups can leverage their unique, personal nature to promote a family-like atmosphere and foster career development opportunities, making smaller-scale benefit plans more appealing. We tackle the rising tide of healthcare costs and offer practical solutions for balancing affordability with attractiveness to potential hires. Listen in for Jeremy’s thought-provoking insights on lifestyle-related health problems and their broader implications on healthcare expenses. This episode is packed with actionable advice and expert perspectives you won't want to miss!

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to mastering the recruiting life cycle with our esteemed guest, Jordan Burton, a leading talent acquisition expert. Join us on this episode of Scaling with People as Jordan demystifies the essential stages of recruiting, from defining the role to successfully onboarding new hires. You'll learn why a clear role definition is crucial, the risks of cultivating a monoculture, and how effective onboarding can prevent costly turnover.Dive into the nuances of interviewing with Jordan as he shares his wealth of knowledge on creating an interactive dialogue, the power of discussing candidates' real-life experiences, and the importance of maintaining a non-judgmental approach. Discover practical tips for building rapport, avoiding hypothetical questions, and recognizing subtle "pink flags" without letting bias distort your judgment. We also highlight why thoughtful interview scheduling and hiring for unique skills are game-changers.Finally, we explore the art of building rapport with potential hires, especially for startup founders. Jordan reveals how genuine curiosity and enthusiasm can attract top talent, even against bigger competitors. Learn how minor tweaks in self-awareness can make a significant difference and get introduced to Talgo on Demand, a program designed to hone your hiring skills through mock interviews and feedback. Tune in for actionable insights that will elevate your hiring practices and help you build a high-performing team.

Send us a textPrepare to navigate the intricate stages of founder growth with invaluable insights from Scott Ritzheimer, who has played a pivotal role in starting nearly 20,000 organizations. Scott joins me, Gwenevere, on Scaling with People to dissect the founder's journey, from pre-launch excitement to post-exit reflections. We'll uncover the seven distinct growth stages and discuss the pivotal transitions that can make or break a founder's path to success. Using a captivating football analogy, Scott offers a unique perspective on how founders can effectively shift roles to lead their teams to victory.Ever wondered why excelling in one stage can make it harder to succeed in the next? It's a paradox many founders face, and we delve deep into this phenomenon. Scott and I explore the emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship and emphasize the necessity of having a compelling reason for enduring the hardships. Reflecting on past actions and reassessing their relevance to current challenges can help founders prepare for future demands, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve without succumbing to frustration or exhaustion.As we wrap up our discussion, the focus shifts to the crucial transition from founder to CEO. Often a challenging and intimidating leap, this stage is vital for long-term success. We underscore the importance of building a supportive team, delegating tasks, and embracing the CEO role with a compelling vision for the organization's future. Tune in to gain practical advice and emotional support from Scott's extensive experience, making this episode an essential listen for any founder or CEO looking to scale their business effectively.

Send us a textEver wondered what it truly takes to scale a startup beyond just having a great product? Join us as we sit down with tech veteran Oshri Cohen, who's been in the trenches for 25 years, to uncover the secret ingredient – people. In "Scaling With People," Oshri shares his wisdom on why selecting a technical co-founder is about more than just coding prowess. He delves into the crucial traits of business acumen and versatility across functions like marketing, sales, and customer service. We also break down the evolving role of a CTO through a startup's lifecycle, where the shift from coder to visionary leader is often fraught with challenges.In the chapters "Building an Effective Startup Team" and "Empowering Your Startup Team," Oshri takes us through the strategic balance of generalists and specialists to maximize team performance. Learn how expert consultants can elevate your team's capabilities without breaking the bank. Plus, discover the pivotal role of the founder in creating a productive work environment, and why autonomy can trump over-management. Finally, Oshri emphasizes the true role of a CTO — not as a decision-maker, but as a facilitator who removes obstacles and fosters open dialogue, thereby empowering the team. Tune in for actionable insights on trust, collaboration, and leadership that can transform your startup's trajectory.

Send us a textVictoria Pelletier, a trailblazer in the business world, shares her extraordinary leadership journey that began at just 14 years old. As an executive in business-to-business professional services and now the Chief Operating Officer at a global green energy startup, she recounts the challenges she faced as a young, queer, female leader. Victoria's transformation from the "Iron Maiden" to a leader embracing authenticity and vulnerability offers valuable lessons on how being true to oneself can revolutionize leadership effectiveness and relationships. She also teases her upcoming third book, a testament to her ongoing commitment to leadership and personal growth.This episode of Scaling with People delves into the heart of modern leadership. We explore the importance of leading with strategic intentionality by understanding an organization's current state and developing targeted strategies for leadership development, inclusion, and employee engagement. Victoria underscores the pivotal role of middle managers and the necessity of fostering a sense of belonging among diverse talents. As we navigate the complexities of leadership in an era of technological advancements, her insights emphasize transparent communication, emotional intelligence, and continuous, meaningful conversations to maintain employee engagement and create inclusive environments. Don't miss this chance to gain practical strategies for effective leadership in today's fast-paced world.

Send us a textEver wondered what it takes to scale your startup from seed to Series C? Beth Nevins from Developa.io joins us to reveal her proven strategies for building a world-class founding team and crafting a unique value proposition. Beth shares the crucial mindset shifts founders need as they transition from hands-on roles to full-time leadership, along with insights on managing multiple teams and hiring the right leaders. She also dives into the post-COVID strategic decisions surrounding remote versus in-office work, emphasizing sustainable growth and profitability as key goals.Creating a high-performance culture in a resource-constrained startup can seem daunting, but Beth has some actionable advice. We discuss practical ways to empower and upskill your team while avoiding burnout, stressing the importance of conscious leadership and continuous recognition. Founders play an essential role as cultural custodians, and we explore how they can model and maintain a motivational work environment. Outdated performance measurement methods are examined, with an emphasis on evolving how performance is evaluated and nurtured to keep the team aligned and driven.Navigating organizational design in a fast-growing startup comes with its own set of complexities. Beth highlights the delicate balance between internal promotions and external hires and the necessity of establishing a management training playbook early on. We delve into the differences between managerial skills and leadership qualities, stressing that both are needed for scalability. The conversation also touches on the transition of founders to full-time leadership roles and the significance of strategic recruiting in fostering a high-performance culture, especially in today's post-COVID landscape. Join us for this enriching discussion and gain valuable insights to help your startup thrive.

Send us a textEver wondered how to prevent entrepreneurial burnout before it derails your dreams? Join us as we welcome Kenneth Berger, an executive coach with rich experience in the tech and startup worlds, who shares invaluable insights on maintaining mental health and well-being in high-pressure environments. Kenneth’s journey from founding a startup to a transformative role at Slack, and ultimately to his calling in coaching, reveals how to balance high performance with essential self-care and supportive team dynamics. His personal anecdotes and expert guidance shine a light on how integrating mental health into entrepreneurial culture is not just beneficial but crucial for long-term success.Facing the fear of rejection and overcoming people-pleasing tendencies can be monumental challenges for any entrepreneur. Kenneth delves into the importance of articulating personal goals with integrity and how openly expressing desires can lead to unexpected opportunities and stronger relationships. We also dive into the transformative power of somatic interventions like mindfulness and meditation. Learn how simple practices such as deep breathing or taking mindful walks can significantly boost your performance and emotional resilience in high-stakes scenarios like meetings and public speaking. Tune in for practical strategies that will leave you grounded and more connected with your entrepreneurial journey.

Send us a textWhat if the key to sustainable business growth lies in effective goal setting and team alignment? Join us as we sit down with Donna Dubé to explore how getting the right people in the right seats and investing in one-on-one time with team members can make all the difference. Donna offers invaluable insights on setting realistic, data-driven revenue goals and translating them into actionable steps, ensuring every team member is engaged and aligned.The pressure to meet launch deadlines in a startup environment can be overwhelming, but aligning your team's capacity with organizational goals can significantly ease that burden. We'll guide you through assessing your team's readiness, reallocating tasks, and breaking down annual objectives into manageable 90-day segments. This approach not only keeps the team motivated but also links their daily tasks to the company's overarching goals, making every contribution count.Effective communication is the cornerstone of strong team leadership. By involving higher-level team members like fractional CFOs in strategic planning, you can create an inclusive environment rich with diverse perspectives. We'll highlight the importance of consistent and varied communication methods to ensure everyone is on the same page. Learn how reconnecting with individual contributors and providing regular updates can foster a collaborative and motivated workplace. Tune in and discover practical tips you can apply in your own work environment today!

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to mastering leadership, culture, and conflict resolution in today's dynamic organizations. I'm Gwenevere Crary, founder and CEO of Guide to HR, and join me as I engage with Dan Tocchini, co-founder of Take New Ground, for an insightful conversation on why organizational culture often resists change, especially during critical phases like scaling startups or mergers. Learn how candid communication and self-management can transform leadership effectiveness and help build a coherent and robust culture.Discover the art of building trust in high-pressure environments. We break down how openness and understanding differing viewpoints, especially during conflicts, can foster deeper respect and team cohesion. Listen to us explore the importance of leaders being willing to follow and consider all perspectives, ensuring everyone feels heard. Additionally, we address the pitfalls of unilateral decision-making and the necessity of timely communication to prepare and align teams for upcoming changes.Balancing creativity and business expectations is a tightrope walk for tech startups, and we delve into this critical tension. Hear how maintaining a culture of creativity while meeting investor demands requires effective communication and the willingness to ask the right questions. We discuss the value of feedback and being open to new ideas, even those that seem initially threatening. We also offer strategies for fostering a proactive and accountable culture, emphasizing the power of clear requests and promises to achieve leadership growth. Join us as we share actionable insights and strategies to help you navigate the complexities of organizational leadership.