Difference Talks

Send us a textIn this engaging conversation, Betsy Pepine, a dynamic entrepreneur and real estate broker, shares her unique approach to the real estate industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships over transactions. In this conversation, Betsy Pepine discusses the importance of aligning company values with actions, navigating leadership challenges, and the impact of her nonprofit work. She emphasizes the significance of mentorship and personal growth, sharing her experiences in the real estate industry and her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.Takeaways:·       Core values are essential for guiding business practices and decisions. ·       Aligning company values with actions is crucial for success. ·       Navigating change requires strong leadership and clear communication. ·       Personal growth is often tied to professional success. ·       Embracing change can lead to organizational growth. ·       It’s important to prioritize long-term vision over short-term comfort. About Betsy Pepine: Betsy Pepine is a best-selling author, speaker and serial entrepreneur in real estate. Her book, Breaking Boxes: Dismantling the Metaphorical Boxes that Bind Us is an Amazon bestseller, and her real estate brokerage, Pepine Realty, has been named as an Inc. 5000 Fasting Growing Private Company in the USA multiple times. Betsy is endorsed by her mentor, real estate mogul, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran, as well as leading media personalities Dave Ramsey and Glenn Beck. Passionate about helping at-risk families with children, Betsy founded Pepine Gives, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that helps families facing housing insecurity.  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Betsy Pepine. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! Where to find more: www.betsypepine.com

Jonathan Stark, a consultant and sales expert, shares his journey from hourly billing to value-based pricing, significantly increasing his income in the process. He discusses how freelancers can scale their businesses without hiring by adopting automation and effective time management. Jonathan emphasizes the dangers of perfectionism and highlights the value of mistakes as growth opportunities. He also critiques traditional billing methods, advocates for prioritizing customer satisfaction, and explores ways to eliminate time-wasters for a balanced work-life experience.

Send us a textRanaan Meyer is a Grammy and Emmy award winning musician. He discusses his journey in music, including his involvement with the Honeywell Arts Academy. Ranaan shares the story of how Time for Three, his band, was formed through jamming and embracing mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of listening and the power of improvisation in music. He also talks about the Honeywell Arts Academy, a program that brings together young musicians to collaborate and create music. Ranaan envisions a future where the academy has a greater impact and continues to nurture and empower emerging artists.Takeaways:Jamming and embracing mistakes can lead to creative breakthroughs in music and other fields.Listening is a crucial skill in music and in life.The Honeywell Arts Academy provides a unique and personalized approach to nurturing and empowering young musicians.The academy aims to create leaders in the music industry who will pay it forward and make a positive impact.Improvisation and spontaneity are key elements in creating meaningful and memorable music experiences.About Ranaan Meyer: Grammy and Emmy award winning, and Gold record Double Bassist Ranaan Meyer is most known as a founding member and performer with the string trio Time for Three, Founder and Artistic Director of Honeywell Arts Academy, and as a solo performing artist, composer and educator. Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Ranaan Meyer. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.ranaanmeyer.com/ 

Send us a textKurt Breischaft, President of SDI LaFarga Copperworks, shares his journey of transforming his company from a commodity business to an inspiring brand known as COPPERWORKS. He emphasizes the importance of differentiation and the power of a strong company culture in driving performance. As his company invested in a new furnace and overcame technical challenges, Kurt and his team improved their operations and drove innovation.Takeaways:Differentiation is key to standing out in a commodity businessA strong company culture can drive performance and inspire employeesInvesting in new equipment and overcoming challenges can lead to significant improvementsEmbracing change and challenging assumptions can lead to innovation and successContinued growth requires a focus on improving operations and stretching capabilitiesAbout Kurt Breischaft: Kurt Breischaft is President of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS. He has worked in the copper industry for more than 30 years, holding many roles, from engineering to management and new product development. Kurt led the installation of a new furnace at COPPERWORKS, expanding the company’s product offerings and capabilities.Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Kurt Breischaft. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.copperworks.com/ 

Send us a textCliff Goldmacher, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and author, discusses his journey in music and how he applies creativity and innovation to the business world. He emphasizes the importance of taking risks, being vulnerable, and embracing failure in order to achieve success. Cliff shares his process of using songwriting as a tool for innovation and team building, allowing participants to think differently and communicate effectively. He also highlights the power of metaphors and lateral thinking in the creative process. Cliff's personal differentiation lies in his ability to bring a fresh perspective to the concept of innovation by incorporating songwriting principles.Takeaways:Creativity and innovation require taking risks and being vulnerable.The number of ideas and songs created is more important than the quality of each individual one.The process of songwriting can be applied to the business world to foster creativity and innovation.Success in music and business is often unpredictable and requires perseverance and a thick skin.About Cliff Goldmacher: Cliff Goldmacher is a GRAMMY-recognized, #1 hit songwriter. He’s worked as a staff songwriter for a Nashville publisher, and his songs have been cut by major label artists across music genres. As a multi-instrumentalist, Cliff has played on and produced thousands of recordings and album projects. He is also an experienced educator, teaching songwriting and music business workshops for leading organizations.Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Cliff Goldmacher. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.cliffgoldmacher.com/ 

Send us a textJonathan Randall, President of Mack Trucks, discusses the importance of customer success and how Mack differentiates itself in the market. He also talks about a key moment in his career when he had to rally his team to believe in change and achieve success. Mack Trucks focused on creating a positive customer experience by involving all employees in the process and giving them the authority to make decisions. By enhancing the customer experience and working closely with their partners, they were able to increase their market share and become number one in the premium category.Takeaways:Mack Trucks has remained successful for over 100 years due to the loyalty of its customer base and its focus on customer success.The trucking industry is evolving, and Mack Trucks is investing in technology and solutions to meet customers’ changing needs.Giving employees the authority to make decisions enhances the customer experience.Working closely with partners can lead to growth and increased market share.About Jonathan Randall:Jonathan Randall was named president of Mack Trucks North America in 2022. He has over 25 years in the commercial vehicle industry, including working for 12 years at Daimler Trucks North America, where he was director of marketing at Freightliner Trucks and later director of sales and marketing at Freightliner Custom Chassis.Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Jonathan Randall. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-randall-9930452/ 

Send us a textIn this conversation, Derek Jenkins, a renowned automotive designer and brand leader at Lucid Motors, shares his insights on car culture, the emotional connection to design, and the challenges of building a brand from scratch in the competitive electric vehicle market. He discusses the importance of storytelling in leadership, the influence of California on automotive design, and the future of electric vehicles. Jenkins emphasizes the need for emotional engagement in design and the significance of teamwork in overcoming challenges.TakeawaysCar culture is deeply rooted in lifestyle and geography.Design should evoke emotion and connect with consumers.Starting from scratch allows for creative freedom and innovation.California's culture significantly influences automotive design.Storytelling is essential for rallying a team and building a brand.Leadership involves connecting with people on an emotional level.Finding joy in small moments is vital for personal fulfillment.About Derek Jenkins: Derek Jenkins is the Senior Vice President of Design and Brand at Lucid. He oversees all design developments, including exterior and interior design, user experience, color and material, accessories, and the overall design strategy. Prior to Lucid, Derek created iconic automotive designs for Mazda, Volkswagen, and Audi.  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Derek Jenkins. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://lucidmotors.com/company/leadership/derek-jenkins 

Send us a textIn this engaging episode, Ryan Rockafellow, CEO of Engineered Transportation International, discusses the complexities of merging two rival brands in the transportation industry, focusing on the importance of maintaining brand identity and differentiation. Ryan shares his journey in the trucking sector, the challenges faced during the merger of Heil Trailer and Polar Tank Trailer, and the strategies employed to keep customer needs at the forefront. The discussion highlights the significance of teamwork and the human aspect of business in navigating change and fostering collaboration among previously competing entities. Takeaways·   Merging rival brands requires careful consideration of brand identity and customer needs.·   Maintaining product differentiation is crucial for customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.·   The importance of listening to customers during product development and manufacturing processes.·   Successful mergers focus on keeping the customer at the forefront of decision-making.·   Celebrating product uniqueness fosters customer loyalty.About Ryan Rockafellow: Ryan was appointed CEO of Engineered Transportation International in 2021. He was previously with Engineered Transportation International from 2012 to 2020, holding various roles including President of Kalyn Siebert and VP Sales & Marketing for NA Tank Trailer Division. He was Vice President and General Manager of Capacity Trucks, a division of REV Group from 2020-2021. Ryan has over 18 years of sales, production, commercial, operations and leadership experience in manufacturing and industrial applications.  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Ryan Rockafellow. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://entransinternational.com/leadership/ 

Send us a textMatt Labov is an entertainment industry PR and marketing icon known for his work with celebrities like Steve Carell, Jack Black, and Jonah Hill. In this engaging episode of the Difference Talks Podcast, we dive into Matt’s talents at navigating the complex world of Hollywood and his experience dealing with challenging, high-stakes situations. He discusses the role differentiation plays in adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Key highlights from the conversation: Don't be afraid to fail; it's a necessary part of success. Rallying people together is crucial for achieving success in the entertainment industry, where differentiation is key.  Being a personal publicist involves being a sociologist, psychologist, and therapist to clients. Success in the industry is a combination of luck, hard work, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. A great day on the job is when you can creatively impact a project and see your ideas come to life. About Matt Labov: Matt Labov is a publicist in the entertainment industry and president of Matt Labov Management & Public Relations. He has worked with some the industry’s leading actors and launched PR campaigns for hit movies, including “40 Year Old Virgin,” “Anchorman,” and “The Interview,” as well as TV series, including “Barry,” “Eastbound and Down,” and “The Daily Show with John Stewart.” Where to Find More: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-labov-3929976b/  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Matt Labov. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! 

Send us a textIn this conversation, Jason Lippert, CEO of Lippert Components, discusses the importance of differentiation in business through a strong company culture. He shares the challenges of integrating diverse company cultures during acquisitions and the transformative journey of shifting from a win-at-all-costs mentality to a values-driven approach. He also discusses the impact of community service and employee engagement on company success, illustrating how a focus on personal growth and leadership development can lead to significant organizational improvements. Takeaways Culture is a competitive advantage in business. There’s value in shifting from a culture of just winning to one that puts values first. Culture can be your differentiation from the competition. People want consistency in values and leadership. About Jason Lippert: Jason Lippert is Chief Executive Officer of the Lippert Components. Having held various titles within the company, he is a third-generation leader of the company. Throughout his career, he has skillfully diversified Lippert’s brand portfolio while also playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's structure and fostering a positive corporate culture. Emphasizing team play with trust and community improvement remain central to his approach. Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Jason Lippert. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! Where to find more: https://corporate.lippert.com/about/our-leadership