The CEO Project Podcast

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser welcomes Julian, an expert in recruiting and leadership development, to discuss the challenges and strategies for attracting top talent to organizations. Julian, a former head of recruiting at Bottle Rocket and a key leader at Reach Global, shares his insights based on over 15 years of experience in the field. The conversation begins with discussing the ongoing "war for talent" and the evolving recruiting landscape in today's market. Julian emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing an organization's Employment Value Proposition (EVP) as a key element in attracting top talent. He provides examples of successful EVPs, such as a private ride-hailing service that emphasizes immediate impact for software engineers.

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser introduces Valerie Alexander, an expert on happiness and inclusion in the workplace. Valerie is known for her TED Talk on unconscious bias and her work as a screenwriter for Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. The conversation focuses on happiness in the workplace, with Valerie highlighting the importance of employee satisfaction for retention and recruitment. She emphasizes the need for employees to feel a sense of accomplishment, autonomy, and acknowledgment in their roles. The discussion also touches on the role of managers in creating positive work environments and the impact of happiness on turnover rates. Valerie shares anecdotes and insights to illustrate these points, emphasizing the significance of fostering a positive workplace culture.

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser welcomes Julian Harris, founder of Julian Harris Services and a former commercial lawyer. Julian shares insights from his experience working with various brands, including Manchester United and Twinings. While their initial plan was to discuss soccer, they delve into the Inside Out conceptual model, focusing on the importance of internal awareness in shaping external reality. Julian emphasizes the role of constant mental chatter in distorting perceptions and suggests cultivating awareness to discern truth from judgments. They explore philosophical perspectives on reality and discuss methods for quieting the mind to access inner wisdom and creativity, including showers as a tool for idea generation. They conclude by highlighting the importance of practice in developing self-awareness to navigate daily challenges effectively.

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser interviews Steven Pivnik, former member of The CEO Project and founder of Binary Tree, a successful company he built over 26 years. Steven, also an elite endurance athlete, draws parallels between entrepreneurship and endurance sports, particularly Ironman competitions. He shares how he transitioned from consulting to developing migration products for email systems, which became a multimillion-dollar line of business. Steven emphasizes the importance of setting big goals and perseverance. Despite challenges, he achieved his goal of competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Finally, Steven discusses the process of selling his company and highlights the years of hard work behind the scenes that led to its success.

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser discusses the topic of liquidity events and business transitions with expert Laurie Barkman from the Business Transition Sherpa. Laurie shares her personal experience going through an M&A process as a CEO and highlights the challenges, emotions, and decision-making involved in such transitions. Laurie emphasizes the importance of getting good advice during a business transition, considering it as potentially the largest financial transaction of one's life. She mentions her own involvement in numerous transactions and encourages entrepreneurs to seek guidance to navigate the complexities successfully. The conversation delves into when entrepreneurs should start thinking about a transition. Laurie distinguishes between age and life stage, pointing out that age alone is not the sole factor. She stresses the need to consider external factors like health, family status, and partner issues, which can impact the value of the business and the transition process.

The Lazy CEO Podcast featured Jim Schleckser, the host and founder of the CEO Project, in a conversation with Peter Goldstein from Exchange Listing. They discussed the process of going public, specifically focusing on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Peter, with 35 years of entrepreneurial experience, highlighted the accessibility of IPOs for small and medium-sized companies, dispelling the myth that only unicorns can list on major exchanges. They delved into the advantages of going public, such as increased access to venture capital, liquidity, and a broader investor base. Peter emphasized that IPOs are not exclusive to high-profile companies and provided insights into the changing dynamics of the investment community, with retail investors playing a significant role in public offerings. Discussing the timeline for going public, Peter suggested a preparation period of 12 to 18 months, starting with a financial audit and the establishment of a well-regulated financial system. He emphasized the importance of having a strategic roadmap in place before embarking on the IPO journey.

In this episode of the Lazy CEO podcast, host Jim Schleckser interviews Bill Bell, a partner at the CEO Project and an expert in sales, sales processes, and measurement. They discuss the challenges CEOs face in generating enough sales and the complexities of solving this problem. Bill shares his background, highlighting his experience as a vice president of sales for 15-20 years before moving into the CEO position. He emphasizes the importance of not giving up responsibility for sales, as growing the top line is crucial for overall business growth. Bill started his own consulting practice in 2019, focusing on business development and strategic growth. The conversation delves into the changes in how companies approach sales. Bill notes a shift from making top sales performers into sales managers to recognizing sales as a scientific process, akin to engineering. He discusses the challenges of balancing the roles of individual contributors and sales managers, acknowledging that the skillsets required for each differ. Bill outlines a four-step approach to sales: market positioning, sales process, sales personnel, and performance metrics. He emphasizes the need for a consistent sales process, including lead management, technical sales support, go-to-market strategy, and standardized tools. The discussion touches on the importance of hiring the right sales personnel, understanding their qualifications, partnerships, motivations, and cultural fit. Performance metrics are highlighted as a crucial aspect, ensuring measurement and clarity on expectations. They explore the concept of the ideal customer profile, cautioning against the tendency to see everyone as a potential client. Bill advises narrowing down the ideal client profile, developing a compelling value proposition, analyzing competitors, and establishing a pricing strategy. The conversation also touches on the importance of dominating a market segment before expanding into adjacent markets. Jim raises the question of applying the sales process to different types of sales, such as short-cycle transactions versus lengthy projects. Bill affirms that a process can be applied to both but may involve varying process steps. He shares insights into his experience in an industry with an 18-24 month sales cycle, emphasizing the importance of pipeline management and forecasting. The conversation concludes with discussions on early decision-making in pursuing opportunities, avoiding "chasing rabbits," and the significance of assessing whether a pursuit aligns with the ideal client profile early in the process.

In this episode of "The Lazy CEO Podcast," host Jim Schleckser interviews a special guest, the CEO of Glow Tanning Center, who is known for his success in the tanning industry and his viral video that mentioned Schleckser. The CEO shares insights into his business philosophy and the influence he has built. Here's a summary of the key points discussed: 1. Introduction to Glow Tanning Center: Glow Tanning Center is a National Sun Spa franchise with over 75 locations in 13 states. The CEO, who started as a bodybuilder, originally owned a supplement store before entering the tanning business. 2. Origin of the Tanning Business: The decision to enter the tanning business came impulsively when the CEO recognized a market gap in Northwest Arkansas. The lack of competition and the high entry cost for new businesses made the tanning industry an attractive opportunity. 3. Tanning Industry Dynamics: The tanning market has not decreased but has consolidated over the years. The CEO mentions that their strategy involves both building and acquiring locations, making them a major player in the industry. 4. Competition and Market Consolidation: The CEO emphasizes the difficulty for new entrants due to the high upfront costs, leading to limited competition. Mention of major fitness franchises like Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness entering the tanning space. 5. Managing Complexity and Leadership: The CEO discusses his approach to managing a large number of locations, emphasizing the importance of delegation. He believes in creating layers of leadership and making every position replaceable, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. 6. Social Media Presence: The CEO talks about his social media presence, acknowledging the power of social media for both positive and negative influences. He mentions not paying much attention to others' social media to avoid comparison and emphasizes the need to use social media strategically. 7. Harnessing Social Media for Business: The CEO shares how his social media presence has positively impacted his business. Viral videos, including an interview that went viral, contributed to brand awareness and business success. 8. Building Leadership Through Ownership: The CEO discusses his approach to building leadership within the company and mentions an ownership program for employees who prove themselves. The program allows successful employees to become store owners with shared profits. 9. Final Thoughts on Social Media: The CEO reiterates the potential negativity of social media but emphasizes the need to harness it for positive purposes and to stay focused on personal goals. Overall, the conversation touches on the CEO's journey in the tanning industry, his leadership philosophy, and the strategic use of social media for business success.

The Lazy CEO Podcast features host Jim Schleckser, founder of the CEO Project, discussing crucial topics for leaders, especially CEOs, in a challenging employment market. The focus is on attracting and retaining top talent, often referred to as A players, who can contribute significantly to a company's success. In this episode, Jim interviews Matt Walsh, the CEO and founder of Blue Signal Search, a recruiting firm in Phoenix, Arizona. They delve into the current state of the employment market, addressing the misalignment of expectations among leaders and the challenges in finding skilled talent. Matt emphasizes the importance of understanding the labor market dynamics, such as the lower birth rate, decreased immigration, and the impending retirement of baby boomers, leading to a shortage of qualified workers. The conversation explores strategies for attracting top talent, with an emphasis on showcasing a company's purpose and mission. Matt suggests that educating the workforce about the impact of their roles and emphasizing career growth can be key factors in attracting talent, especially in fields like skilled labor. Purposeful work, according to Matt, is a significant motivator for millennials, Gen X, and Gen Z. Jim and Matt discuss the issue of retention and the changing dynamics of employee loyalty. Matt shares his perspective on non-compete agreements, advocating for a focus on building a strong company culture and providing an environment where employees feel valued. The conversation also touches on the trend of shorter job tenures and the importance of ongoing communication, feedback, and exit interviews to understand and address employee concerns. Finally, they explore the role of employment contracts, especially at the executive level. Matt notes the variety in contract structures, ranging from flexible arrangements to international considerations. He highlights the importance of understanding what top talent truly wants and being prepared for counteroffers when dealing with A players. Overall, the podcast provides insights into the complexities of talent acquisition and retention in a competitive job market, with a particular emphasis on aligning organizational goals with employee expectations.

In this episode of the Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser welcomes a guest from Freedom Travel Systems to discuss strategies for gaining access to lounges, first-class treatment, and VIP travel experiences without breaking the bank. The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the challenges of modern travel, citing changes in airline cost structures, loyalty programs, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eli emphasizes the need for travelers to adapt and find effective ways to enhance their travel experiences. The discussion then shifts to airline loyalty programs and the considerations for pursuing status. Eli suggests that not everyone may benefit from loyalty status and highlights the importance of evaluating one's travel habits and preferences. He advises listeners to assess the specific benefits offered by different airlines and choose loyalty programs accordingly. When it comes to achieving airline status, Eli recommends focusing on one airline if you meet certain criteria, such as flying 30 to 40 times a year with that specific carrier. He also emphasizes the significance of credit card spending in earning points and status. The conversation further delves into the top-tier status levels of airlines, such as Global Services with United and Concierge Key with American. Eli explains the exclusive benefits and experiences that come with these elite statuses, including priority boarding, first-class upgrades, and personalized services. Shifting to hotel status, Eli discusses the major hotel chains—Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG. He suggests that Hyatt offers the best value for points, while Marriott has the largest global footprint. For quick and easy top-tier status, Eli recommends the Hilton Aspire card, which grants Diamond status with Hilton. The episode concludes with a discussion of the benefits of hotel status, such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and accelerated points accumulation. Eli shares personal experiences of receiving significant room upgrades, including a stay in a $30,000-per-night presidential suite.