People Business w/ O'Brien McMahon

As a clinical assistant professor in the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Gina Fong teaches Ethnographic Customer Insights. She was voted "Professor of the Year" by Kellogg's 2023 graduating class. In this conversation, we discuss how her work translates to understanding and improving the employee experience.  Mentioned in this Episode: Gina Fong on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginafonginsight Ethnographic Customer Insights (course, Kellogg Northwestern): https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/directory/fong_gina.aspxFong Insight on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fonginsightTime Codes: (2:01) - Welcoming Gina.(2:12) - What is a consumer anthropologist and what is ethnographic research?(4:10) - Is it fair to say employee anthropology would be a way to apply some of the ethnographic skillset as well?(5:19) - How is ethnography different than the way employees may be surveyed today?(7:54) - What are we looking to learn versus what can’t we learn from ethnographic research?(9:49) - Is there a best practice approach or do you cycle through both options?(12:51) - What are the basics of how to conduct ethnographic research?(18:53) - How do we become better observers?(22:02) - How do we improve our ability to inquire?(23:12) - Is it a myth to help people who are struggling to think of a couple options?(26:15) - What are the actual steps to doing the research?(27:42) - What would be the better research objective(30:02) - Are there any other steps we haven’t covered yet?(32:18) - Have you ever taken improv classes?(40:43) - Do you share your subcultures with students?(43:09) - What are the best ways to keep bias from this type of research?(48:16) - What are the other final steps?(50:28) - How do you help people go deeper when you’re asking questions of them?(54:49) - How do you think about being in the environment changes the environment?(56:18) - Is asking ‘why’ questions, as opposed to ‘what’ or ‘how’ something you do?(57:11) - How can leaders in a business start to practice this?(1:00:26) - How do we get better at giving gifts? 

Jim Suprenant is the Senior Managing Partner at Guggenheim Partners. A career investment banker, Jim joins the show to discuss the ins and outs of buying and selling businesses. Mentioned in this Episode:Guggenheim Partners: https://www.guggenheimpartners.com/Go Big or Go Home (book): https://www.amazon.com/Go-Big-Home-Customer-Experience/dp/1544536364Time Codes(1:48) - Welcoming Jim.(2:12) - What is an investment banker?(6:41) - If I want to sell my business where would I go to find buyers?(10:34) - How do I think about pricing my company?(13:01) - What is an example of constraints an investor would put in to make it harder to turn a profit?(14:21) - How much does the people side of a business weigh into what the price will be for that business?(18:19) - How should sellers think about cutting as much from the business as they can and how do buyers vet to make sure the business they’re buying hasn’t just been gutted?(22:01) - How many companies understand this before you work with them and how many default to a scarcity mindset?(33:02) - How do you manage the human side of a transaction?(35:10) - How do you evaluate a leadership team?(38:21) - How can HR become stronger in these transactions?(39:55) - How often do you see HR having a prominent seat at the table?(42:40) - What are the best practices for making sure from that date forward you have the best odds for success?(48:45) - What are the things that kill deals right at the end?(51:22) -  Do you see management teams when they’re closer to the finish line manage their business ‘not to lose’?(52:59) - What are you sick of talking about?(53:40) - What are you hoping to hear more talk about?(56:18) - What is the purpose of business? 

Linda  Rossetti is a business leader, Harvard MBA, and pioneering researcher who has dedicated her career to advancing our understanding of personal and organizational transformation. She is the author of two books, Dancing with Disruption and Women & Transition. She also hosts a podcast called Destination Unknown. Mentioned on the Show:Dancing With Disruption (book) https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Disruption-Approach-Navigating-Biggest/dp/1538169371Women in Transition (book) https://www.amazon.com/Women-Transition-Reinventing-Work-Life/dp/1137476540Destination Unknown (Linda’s podcast) https://pod.link/1445942178The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield (a must-read) https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026Time Codes: (1:39) - Welcoming Linda(2:14) - What is the difference between a disruption, a change, and a transformation?(9:47) - Can happy events be disruptions?(15:33) - What happens to us when we face a disruption?(23:26) - Can you tell people how they can let go more easily?(28:16) - How does somebody know that their voice is buried and other voices have been piled on them?(39:07) - Reframing emotions(51:34) - Can you talk about what choice patterns are?

Brian Smith is the Founder and Managing Partner of IA Business Advisors, a consulting and coaching company, and co-author of The I In Team book series. He joins the show to talk about influence. Mentioned in this Episode:IA Business Advisors https://iabusinessadvisors.com/Individual Influence - Finding the I in Team (book) https://www.amazon.com/Individual-Influence-Find-Team/dp/1641467207Positive Influence - Be the I in Team (book) https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Influence-Be-I-Team-ebook/dp/B0BWPYWXK3Chet Scott - Built to Lead (former guest on PB) https://peoplebusinesspodcast.com/chetscott/Leadership and Self Deception (book) https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Self-Deception-Getting-Out-Box/dp/1523097809Anatomy of Peace (book) https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Peace-Fourth-Resolving-Conflict/dp/1523001135Time Codes(1:59) - What is influence?(2:51) - How did you come to be an expert in influence? What was it that interested you?(5:55) - When did you start to get interested in this?(6:58) - What is an individual advantage?(8:27) - How do we identify our advantages and what do we do with them?(11:22) - What does the exercise to go inward and deeper look like?(20:29) - What is your journaling like?(21:29) - What would the titles be on those composition books be?(22:30) - What do you write in your morning and evening journals?(24:09) - Is there a special reason you review a journal or is it just when you feel like it?(25:00) - Has it changed your writing knowing your daughter’s going to be reading it?(27:12) - What have you gained from journaling?(32:22) - What advice do you have to find the balance between proving yourself and staying authentic?(36:28) - What’s “The Anatomy of Peace” about?(38:09) - What are the differences and similarities between advantages and privileges?(41:57) - How do we build accountability to ourselves?(43:29) - What does it look like in your organization?(45:44) - What are the biggest differences your new partner has found between your method and a more conventional one?(47:56) -  What are you sick of talking about?(48:57) - What are you most excited to be talking about?(50:21) - What is the purpose of business? 

Lisa Kleiman is the principal and founder of Speaktopia, a public speaking coaching and training organization. She has held management and consulting positions at Fortune 500 companies and has served as a faculty member at Boise State University for over 15 years teaching undergraduate and graduate English and Business & Managerial Communication courses. Lisa is the author of several books, journals, and other publications including You Got This: Everything You Need to Master Authentic Public Speaking (2019) and Public Speaking Journal (2021). Mentioned in this Episode: You Got This: Everything You Need to Master Authentic Public Speaking https://www.amazon.com/You-Got-This-Everything-Authentic/dp/1632992329Speaktopia – Connect with Lisa’s coaching and training: https://speaktopia.com/Listen to previous episodes of People Business with Derek Gaunt and Gary Noeser to learn what professional negotiators can teach us Time Codes:(2:00) - How does one become a communication coach?(6:35) - What is passive communication? What is aggressive communication? And what is assertive communication?(10:39) - People don't necessarily communicate one way all the time do they?(12:18) - Can you talk about direct and indirect speaking?(14:13) - Where do you begin when someone wants to become a more assertive speaker?(16:31) - How do we get better self-awareness around how we are perceived by others?(19:58) - How can you help with the fear of what seems like aggressiveness but is really assertiveness?(23:11) - How would you suggest I handle a situation where I need to be direct and appropriate?(26:34) - What happens if the person reacts poorly?(31:11) - What do we do when an aggressive speaker comes to us?(33:31) - What are things people can say when somebody is mean to them?(35:41) - How do you deal with someone who has a passive style?(40:04) - How do you repair a situation when someone has gone too far?(42:02) - Do you have any exercises to help people to move into a more assertive direction?(49:52) - Anything we didn't cover or that you'd like to share?

Mat Duerden is a Professor of Experience Design and Management in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. He is the co-author of the book Designing Experiences. He joins the show to talk about the elements of experience design and the framework anyone can use to enhance the experiences they plan for themselves and others. Mentioned in the Episode:Designing Experiences by Mat Duerden and J. Robert Rossman: https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Experiences-Columbia-Business-Publishing/dp/0231191685The Power of Moments: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Moments-Certain-Experiences-Extraordinary/dp/1501147765Day One app for journaling: https://dayoneapp.com/Land of the Dead book on storytelling: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Dead-Lessons-Underworld-Storytelling/dp/1626727317How to Tell a Story from The Moth: https://www.amazon.com/How-Tell-Story-Essential-Storytelling/dp/059313902XYou Are a Storyteller Podcast from Brian McDonald: https://writeinvisibleink.com/episodes/Think Again by Adam Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107Timestamps: (2:28) - How does one get into experience design? (6:02) - Why is experience so important?(9:07) - What’s the scope of the experience design?(16:50) - Where does somebody start with this?  What are the first steps?(23:32) - Can you talk about what the anticipation phase of the experience is?(27:03) - What are some good threshold moments?(32:46) - What are the six experience gate elements?(37:07) - Is there anything you would add to the ‘blocking’ element?(41:36) - What are the best ways to bring people together in a group for an experience?(50:15) - What is the reflection phase and why is it so important?(1:02:08) - What words of wisdom do you have for someone who’s planned out this experience and things go wrong?(1:09:34) - How can people integrate this into their daily lives?

Jim Conti is the Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners. In this role, Jim provides strategic talent support and consulting to the firm's portfolio of companies. In this conversation, we talk about how to build a people strategy in a lean, fast-paced environment and the lessons he's learned from working across a venture-backed portfolio of companies.  Mentioned in this Episode: Hyde Park Venture Partners https://www.hydeparkvp.com/Jim Conti on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/contijcPeople Business episode with Mike Sarraille https://peoplebusinesspodcast.com/from-the-battlefield-to-the-boardroom-w-mike-sarraille/Time Codes:(2:19) - Introducing Jim Conti(2:35) - What is Hyde Park Ventures and what is your role there?(6:01) - What does the firm look for when making an investment?(16:44) - What are the common misconceptions leaders have that you have to help with right from the start?(22:19) - What advice do you have for leaders who are looking to build a team? What are the ways you should be evaluating the talent?(31:30) - How do you advise leadership teams to build trust with their people?(35:40) - Is it good to bring our ‘whole self’ to work or not so much?(44:16) - How do you recruit good people when you don’t have money or stability to offer?(47:57) - What do you say to someone who says we’ve just lost out on a great candidate? (50:04) - Is slowing down and making the workplace human-centered something HR does?(56:11) - How are you seeing companies evolve the funnels they’re using to get different types of talent?(59:39) - What, in your mind, is the purpose of business?

For twenty-five years, Bonnie Low-Kramen worked as the personal assistant to Oscar-winner Olympia Dukakis. Now she writes, coaches, and speaks to audiences of business leaders and assistants, helping them each make the most of this powerful relationship. Mentioned in this Episode:Staff Matters: People-Focused Solutions for the Ultimate New Workplace: https://www.amazon.com/Staff-Matters-People-Focused-Solutions-Workplace/dp/0976326841 Bonnie’s Be the Ultimate Assistant In-Person Workshop: https://www.bonnielowkramen.com/workshops/ultimate-assistants/btua-live/Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnielowkramenTime Codes: (2:14) - Introducing Bonnie(3:11) - Are we talking about administrative professionals or executive assistants?  Are there differences?(5:02) - How has this type of work evolved over time?(9:57) - How do you think of the virtual assistant in the scheme of things?(12:35) - How do I know when it’s time to hire an assistant?(18:26) -  How do I evaluate and assistant in an interview?(21:51) - What advice do you have for someone applying for an assistant job?(28:04) - What do you call the person who hires the assistant?(30:24) - What are the best practices for onboarding?(38:24) - How often do you suggest one on ones?(42:18) - What do you say to the people who aren’t comfortable giving up control?(44:36) - What are the best practices for giving feedback?(50:50) - What does development look like in this profession?(53:58) - What advice do you have to make sure the system works when the assistant steps away?(56:58) - What advice do you have for the single assistant?

Skye White is a Vice President at Deed, a workplace giving platform. She joins the show to talk about the different ways companies provide giving opportunities to their employees and the reasons why you may or may not want to consider doing the same. Mentioned in this Episode: Connect with Skye White on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-white-sustainabilityLearn more about Deed, the workplace giving platform: https://www.joindeed.com/Timestamps: (1:55) - How do you define what you do?(3:40) - What feedback are you getting from employees about what they’re getting out of this kind of work?(5:28) - Are you seeing employees want to make a change with the work they’re doing?(8:23) - How many companies are offering ways to have an impact on the community?(12:15) - How do you see organizations selecting causes to support?(14:24) - What makes a ‘pillar’?(16:02) - How do organizations do that while keeping from investing in things they don’t agree with?(19:53) - Are companies that are giving or volunteering allowing it to be branded to the company name?(22:27) - What are best practices when it comes to corporate giving of dollars?(24:18) - What are best practices around establishing volunteer time?(27:06) - What’s the standard as far as how many volunteer days companies are giving people?](30:47) - What are good starter volunteer activities?(32:48) - What are the common pitfalls companies make when getting into this?(35:25) - Are there any other mistakes you see companies making?(37:44) - What are the detractors to ESG saying as to why this kind of work isn’t what a company would want?(40:12) - How do you see companies tracking the impact of these efforts?

Sean Bacon is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served 12 years as a Paratrooper and as an instructor at the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy. During that time, Sean developed a system of training that psychologically and physically prepared both soldiers and police to thrive in some of the worst situations the world has to offer. His company, Dynamic Shift, leverages his experience to work with business leaders to develop and sustain mental toughness, leadership, and team development in competitive environments. Mentioned in this Episode:Dynamic Shift Consulting: https://dynamic-shift.com/seans-story/Time Codes:(1:48) - Welcoming Sean(2:06) - What does it mean to be mentally tough?(3:16) - Does mental toughness mean we have to be extreme?(5:32) - Is it something we can tap into at any time or does it need to be developed?(6:48) - What are some ways you suggest people begin to learn mental toughness?(9:00) - How do we inspire people to want to develop it?(10:50) - How do we find the balance between pick ourselves up and asking for help?(14:51) - With your military background how do they create team mental toughness?(16:54) - Is that culling out people that don’t fit or developing it with people that you have or a combination of the two?(19:26) - How do you advise business leaders to reach the subcultures of their organizations and teach them this?(22:00) - Do you find that people when presented with higher standards and culture want it and will turn to it?