CEO.com | Dispatches from the frontiers of leadership

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Bill O'Dowd, the CEO and founder of Dolphin Entertainment. Recently named the agency of the year, Bill shares the incredible journey of how he transitioned from a failed attorney to a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment industry.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Agency of the Year Award01:02 - Founding Dolphin Entertainment01:55 - Early Days and First Productions03:35 - First Big Accomplishment04:46 - English Language Telenovela06:08 - Evolution of Movies and TV08:30 - Marketing and Promoting Movies10:10 - Consumer Product Launches and Influencer Marketing16:08 - Crowdfunding and Angel Studios18:43 - Influencer Marketing vs. Traditional Ads20:53 - AI in Marketing and Production27:43 - Role of Traditional Media in PR30:49 - Future of Content Distribution32:44 - Lessons on Leadership and Integrity34:31 - The Importance of Optimism34:44 - Who Gave Bill a Chance37:21 - Conclusion and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO.com podcast, Clint sits down with John Harris, the CEO of Worldwide Partners, to delve into the unique model and global impact of this remarkable network of independent marketing services agencies. With 95 agencies across 50 countries, Worldwide Partners stands out by maintaining the independence of its agencies while fostering a collaborative spirit that drives success for both the agencies and their clients.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:13 - Overview of Worldwide Partners00:57 - Unique Business Model01:28 - Value Proposition for Clients02:20 - Benefits for Agencies03:03 - Community and Mentorship03:37 - Agency Selection Process04:09 - Unique Capabilities and Expertise04:50 - Collaborative Spirit and Culture05:42 - Protecting the Community06:02 - Controlled Growth Strategy06:23 - Analogy to Sports Commissioner06:42 - Elevating the Network's Value07:35 - Origin and History of Worldwide Partners08:38 - Community and Commerce Balance09:10 - Typical Day as CEO11:01 - Impact of AI on the Industry13:44 - Reading and Podcast Recommendations15:44 - Best Leadership Advice18:57 - Industry Outlook for 2024 and 202520:39 - Importance of Giving Chances20:50 - Acknowledging Key Mentors21:48 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative world of leadership with our special guest, Kyle McDowell, the author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, "Begin With We: The 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence." With nearly 30 years of experience in corporate America, leading tens of thousands of employees, Kyle shares invaluable insights on what it means to be a leader today.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction 00:18 - Discussing Leadership and Historical Leaders00:28 - Introduction to the Book "Begin With We"00:43 - Guest's Background in Corporate America01:10 - Paradigm Shift in Leadership Approach01:32 - The Birth of the 10 Principles02:04 - Feeling Disconnected in Corporate America02:26 - Creating a Culture of Excellence03:09 - Transformation and Results03:31 - From Bosses to Leaders04:04 - Leadership's Evolving Challenges05:00 - CEOs' Roles Inside and Outside Companies05:12 - Authenticity in Leadership06:05 - The Shift in Leadership Dynamics07:08 - The Impact of Remote Work and Gig Economy08:12 - Establishing Leadership Principles08:23 - The 10 Principles Overview09:07 - Principle 1: We Do the Right Thing, Always09:59 - Principle 2: Lead by Example10:20 - Principle 3: We Say What We're Going to Do, and Then We Do It11:03 - Principle 4: We Take Action11:56 - Principle 5: We Own Our Mistakes12:26 - Principle 6: We Pick Each Other Up13:30 - Principle 7: We Measure Ourselves by Outcomes, Not Activity14:47 - Principle 8: We Challenge Each Other15:39 - Principle 9: We Embrace Challenge16:31 - Principle 10: We Obsess Over Details17:43 - The Importance of Simplicity in Principles18:05 - Judging Ourselves on Outcomes19:01 - The Problem with Busyness in Corporate Culture20:29 - The Dependency on Meetings21:10 - Writing the Book: Process and Challenges24:01 - Reading Recommendations26:13 - Daily Routine and Personal Discipline28:27 - Coaching CEOs and Leaders31:05 - Thoughts on AI and Future Challenges34:37 - The Importance of Giving Chances36:48 - Closing Remarks and Book Promotion

In this episode, Clint sits down with Dan Conant, the CEO and founder of Solar Hauler, the largest developer and installer of solar projects in central Appalachia. Dan shares his inspiring journey of building a solar industry from scratch in coal country, focusing on West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:21 - What is Solar Hauler?01:20 - Impact of Solar on Communities02:03 - West Virginia's Energy Legacy02:44 - State Support for Solar Companies03:57 - Utility Prices and Public Sentiment04:34 - A Day in the Life of a CEO06:00 - Virtual Power Plant and Crowdfunding Innovation09:24 - Leadership Lessons11:00 - Revitalizing West Virginia13:48 - Decline of Coal Industry and Population15:58 - Combating Brain Drain with Internships18:42 - Reading Recommendations19:31 - Economic Outlook for 202522:51 - AI and Power Needs25:44 - The Importance of Giving Chances27:39 - Closing Remarks

On this episode, Clint sits down with David Chung, the CEO of iLabs, a leading contract manufacturing company specializing in the beauty industry. From skincare to haircare, David shares his journey of building successful companies, including his previous venture, Inglewood Lab, which he took public in Korea.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:21 - About iLabs and its focus areas01:24 - David's entrepreneurial journey02:05 - Supply chain issues and tariffs03:53 - The impact of tariffs on the beauty industry05:19 - A typical day in David's life06:06 - What keeps David motivated07:17 - Leadership lessons and building company culture09:46 - The role of AI in beauty manufacturing11:47 - The R&D process and regulatory considerations13:17 - Economic outlook for 202516:23 - Reading recommendations17:43 - The importance of mentorship and giving back19:08 - Conclusion

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Clark Benson, the CEO of Ranker, to discuss his journey as a lifelong entrepreneur and the evolution of media in the digital age. Clark shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the media landscape, the rise of the influencer economy, and how Ranker has become a definitive source for crowdsourced rankings in pop culture.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:21 - Clark Benson's entrepreneurial journey00:54 - The genesis of Ranker01:38 - Ranker's growth and data collection02:22 - Ranker's products and services03:29 - The state of media today04:44 - The impact of social media and algorithms05:54 - The influencer economy and its effects on media07:47 - The challenges of running a media company09:05 - The future of media and consumer reckoning10:20 - The role of AI in media12:31 - The creator economy and its implications14:38 - The impact of AI on Ranker's workflow16:33 - A day in the life of Clark Benson18:39 - Hiring and company culture at Ranker20:10 - Essential tools and apps for productivity21:12 - Economic outlook and advertising trends22:26 - The importance of giving and taking chances24:29 - Clark's personal story of support and encouragement

In this episode of the CEO.com Podcast, we sit down with Barry Mainz, the CEO of Forescout, to discuss the critical importance of cybersecurity in today's world. Barry shares insights into Forescout's innovative approach to network access control and the management of both traditional and unmanageable devices like IoT and OT devices. Barry also delves into his journey to becoming CEO, his extensive background in security, and the evolving threats in the cybersecurity landscape, including the impact of AI and the rise of attacks on critical infrastructure.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:14 - Barry's background and journey to becoming CEO00:40 - The origins and growth of Forescout01:12 - Securing traditional and unmanageable devices02:05 - Barry's career before Forescout03:45 - Current cybersecurity threats06:48 - The scale of cybersecurity threats09:04 - The impact of AI on cybersecurity12:08 - A day in the life of a CEO13:49 - Hybrid work model at Forescout15:31 - Recommended reading for CEOs17:10 - Managing a company in 202520:52 - Essential apps and tools22:22 - Addressing mental health in the workplace26:14 - The importance of giving chances

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Kamran, a venture partner at Headline Ventures, to discuss the dynamic world of FinTech and venture capital. With over 20 years of experience in the tech and venture business, Kamran shares his journey from Tenaya and Greycroft to his current role at Headline Ventures.We dive deep into the state of FinTech in 2020, the impact of AI on the sector, and the intriguing dynamics between major players like Stripe and Shopify. Kamran also provides insights into the future of cryptocurrency, the evolving landscape of venture capital, and the exciting opportunities in B2B payments.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Cameron's Background00:44 - Kamran's Career Journey02:33 - State of FinTech and Bank Innovation04:50 - Stripe's Market Position and Challenges07:35 - Stripe and Shopify Relationship08:48 - Cryptocurrency and Regulatory Environment11:02 - M&A Environment and Predictions for 202515:00 - Early Stage Investment Focus18:01 - A Day in the Life of a Venture Partner20:04 - Silicon Valley's Resilience and Other Tech Hubs21:47 - Reading Recommendations for Entrepreneurs23:12 - The Future of AI in Venture Capital27:31 - Current State of Venture Capital31:02 - The Importance of Mentorship in Venture Capital32:31 - Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

In this episode, Clint sits  down with Adolfo Gómez Sánchez, a renowned tennis coach, author, and CEO mentor, who joins us all the way from Spain. Adolfo shares his fascinating journey from being a competitive athlete to coaching professional athletes and mentoring top CEOs. He dives deep into the science of performance, discussing the intersection of sports and business, and how principles from one can be applied to the other.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background00:37 - Intersection of Sports and Business01:09 - Science of Performance01:51 - Simplifying Performance Science02:36 - Writing the Book: Optimal Performance Formula03:29 - CEO Performance Plans04:01 - Mastery and Long-Term Success05:15 - Importance of Foundational Skills06:07 - Mastery Map and Long-Term Planning07:09 - Depth of Expertise07:31 - Lifelong Learning and Martial Arts07:43 - Neuroscience: Dopamine vs. Serotonin08:28 - Achievement vs. Becoming09:09 - Mindset of Elite Performers10:03 - Ulysses and Long-Term Goals10:24 - Rafa Nadal's Lesson on Hard Work11:05 - Performance as Self-Expression12:15 - Common CEO Performance Issues12:33 - Industrial Model and Schooling13:04 - Feedback and Competence in Business14:07 - Training and Practice in Business15:09 - Embedding Training in Day-to-Day Work16:02 - Paradigms and Performance16:14 - Culture and Innovation in Companies17:05 - Training Movements, Not Muscles17:48 - Resistance to Change18:43 - Motivating CEOs and Focus19:01 - Importance of Focus19:43 - Role of a CEO20:25 - Control vs. Creating Conditions21:07 - Hiring and Promoting in Companies22:00 - Innovation and New Entrants23:03 - Questioning Assumptions24:06 - Success and Luck25:10 - Learning from Mistakes26:03 - Building Capability and Cognitive Diversity27:07 - Feedback and High-Performing Teams28:01 - Measuring Culture and Innovation28:50 - Authenticity in Leadership30:06 - Passion and Authenticity30:47 - Discipline and Tennis Greats31:21 - Self-Discipline and Hard Work32:03 - Djokovic's Transformation33:09 - Unrequired Work and Long-Term Motivation34:22 - Finding and Sticking to Your Identity35:24 - Role Players and Team Discipline36:37 - Founder's Trap and Scaling37:09 - Knowing Your Strengths38:03 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?39:19 - Generosity and Learning from Others39:53 - Conclusion and Farewell

On this episode, Clint sits down with David Heacock, the CEO and founder of FilterBuy, to explore his fascinating journey from working at Goldman Sachs to transforming a family business into a leading air filter manufacturing company.Timestamps:00:11 - Introduction and Background00:25 - Early Career and Family Business00:48 - Transition to FilterBuy01:25 - Challenges and Innovations02:50 - Unique Selling Proposition04:40 - Impact of AI on Business06:04 - A Day in the Life of a CEO07:12 - Managing Supply Chain Issues08:43 - Reading Recommendations10:05 - Developing Leadership Style12:41 - Insights from Dr. Julie Gerner14:24 - Staying Grounded16:04 - YouTube Channel and Public Mission18:06 - Navigating Uncertainty20:05 - Reflecting on Opportunities21:29 - Closing Remarks and YouTube Channel Promotion