CEO Coaching International Podcast

Guest: Sally Hurley, CEO of VIPdesk, a global leader in remote customer service. Sally is also a client of CEO Coaching International. Overview: Much of the focus on the AI revolution has been on how businesses can streamline operations and execute certain key tasks around the clock. But any AI implementation that isn't improving the efficiency and quality of your customer experience is going to be a downgrade, no matter how fancy your tech stack is. On today's show, Sally Hurley explains how to zero in on the unique balance between AI automation and human connection that will Make BIG Happen for your company.

Guest: Jen L'Estrange, Founder & CEO of Red Clover, which offers large-scale, strategic and operational Human Resources support that’s accessible to small businesses. Overview: When it comes to comp, money is rarely enough -- especially for top talent. The best workers need to feel like their efforts are not just rewarded but recognized as integral contributions towards Making BIG Happen. Your compensation package has to tie all of these motivations together in a way that's clear, equitable, and integral to the company's top goals. On today's show, Jen L'Estrange shares five key insights on upgrading your compensation package: 1. Increase focus on variable compensation.  2. Communicate clearly about how compensation is structured. 3. Incentivize both short-term performance and long-term strategic objectives. 4. Provide non-monetary motivation for team members.  5. Benchmark salaries against market data rather than relying solely on cost of living adjustments.

Dr. Madan Kandula, founder and CEO of ADVENT, shares his journey from surgeon to entrepreneur, leading a thriving healthcare company that addresses breathing and sleeping challenges. He discusses the balance between profit and purpose, emphasizing that financial success fuels a greater mission. Dr. Kandula reveals insights on partnering effectively with private equity while maintaining a commitment to patient care. His personal anecdotes highlight the importance of leadership, continuous education, and navigating the complexities of growing an organization without losing sight of its core values.

Guest: Randy Dewey, the President and COO of CEO Coaching International. Randy has over 30 years of experience delivering rapid growth and expansion across various industries and countries. Quick Background: In order to Make BIG Happen, private equity firms need the companies they invest in to get BIG too. And, in most cases, the sooner the better. On today's show, Randy discusses how the team at CEO Coaching International works with private equity firms and their portco (portfolio company) CEOs to accelerate growth, improve execution, and maximize returns. Randy shares some insights on the importance of early intervention in newly acquired companies, bridging the gap between private equity expectations and portfolio company execution, and how coaching can help CEOs navigate the increased pressure that often comes with private equity ownership.

Guest: Shelley Van Etten, the president and CEO of WLT Software, a family-owned company that develops software for adjudicating and processing health and medical claims. Overview: Generational CEOs are inheriting a BIG responsibility when they take over the family business. The new CEO is often filling "big shoes" and has to maintain the best of what got the firm to where it is while also moving forward in certain areas and keeping talent aligned with the business' core values. On today's show, Shelley Van Etten discusses how she navigated the challenges of leading a second-generation family business, preserving company culture while evolving with the times, and preparing the next generation to keep Making BIG Happen.

Guest: Jon Hyman, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Jon is a four-time entrepreneur, a seven-time CEO, and an accomplished business leader with over 30 years of experience across various industries, including consumer products, construction materials, sports and entertainment, investment banking, and manufacturing. Quick Background: So you've built, grown, and sold your first company. Ready for your next entrepreneurial adventure? Many aren't. To get back to the top of the mountain, entrepreneurs have to be willing to learn from their failures as well as their successes, and stay focused on the leadership principles that helped them Make BIG Happen in the first place. On today's show, Jon Hyman explains how he was able to lead an eclectic group of companies towards the same goal: a BIG exit.

Guest: Scott Belsky, Adobe's Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design & Emerging Products. Scott cofounded the online creative community Behance, which was acquired by Adobe in 2012. He's also an author whose works include the Implications newsletter and the book The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture. Overview: The difference between a BIG idea fizzling out or becoming reality is execution. The CEO has to support innovation at every level of the company while also keeping that innovation organized around driving progress towards annual goals. Following creative ambitions without vision and focus could lead your business astray, or open the door for disruption from a nimble competitor. On today's show, Scott Belsky discusses how leaders can find the right balance of talent, tech, and innovation to make ideas -- and BIG -- happen.

Guest: Wendy Mather, CEO of RDP Creative. Wendy and her team "bring creative ideas and stories to life through bespoke merchandise that people want to keep for years." Overview: When you're sitting in the CEO's chair, there's only one step up left in an organization. But opportunities to grab an ownership stake are rare. CEOs who want a BIG piece of the pie have to be personally, professionally, and financially prepared to seize that moment. On today's show, Wendy Mather explains how she purchased RDP Creative -- with a little help from some very supportive friends. She also discusses how she uses empathetic leadership and the power of positivity to shape a winning culture and Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Curt Gooden, CEO Coaching International's Chief AI Officer. Curt helps CEOs define and realize their AI vision and meaningfully integrate AI into their business strategy and operations by leading CEO AI Roadmap workshops.  Quick Background: Mastering AI is not the CEO's job. But learning about the fundamentals and identifying potential implementations is a responsibility that no CEO can afford to shrug off any longer. As Peter Diamandis said at our recent Make BIG Happen Summit, "Everyone’s moving towards AI companies. It is happening now, and it is the most important happening that has ever existed.” You simply can't let challenging ideas and an alphabet soup of acronyms prevent your company from catching this wave. On today's show, Curt Gooden explains important AI concepts and discusses how CEOs can drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage that will Make BIG Happen.

Guest: Greg Coticchia, a coach at CEO Coaching International. Greg is a six-time CEO, award-winning entrepreneur, business leader, professor, and author with over 30 years’ experience in tech products and services. Quick Background: Innovation is the lifeblood of a growing company. If you're not continuously improving your products and services and exploring new marketplaces, you're putting a cap on your business' potential, and creating an opening that younger, nimbler, and braver competitors will march right through. On today's show, we explore Greg Coticchia's process for mastering new product development and building a culture of innovation that will Make BIG Happen.