Episodes
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
EP30: Leadership Alchemy - From Data to Door-less Offices
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Navigating the intricate intersection of data and software, we pull back the curtain on the mechanics of decision-making in this episode. Join Deborah and her guest, Dan Lackner through the pivotal moments of an expert who has graced both the syndicated data landscape and the software industry. Before linking arms with Chief Outsiders, Dan spent his years not just as a staple in the room, but as an influential force driving operations and sales. But what does "not becoming a piece of furniture" truly mean in the business realm? Why is a door-less office more than just an open-door policy? In this conversation, uncover the significance of fostering genuine human connections in a digital age and the unsung merits of rolling up one's sleeves in business. CEOs, brace yourselves. This episode promises not just a wealth of insight, but actionable strategies to galvanize your teams and enterprises in any economic landscape. Welcome to a masterclass in transformative leadership, "Leadership Alchemy: From Data to Door-less Offices."
About Dan Lackner:
Dan is a senior sales leader with extensive experience in analytic software applications, CRM, SaaS solutions, and designing and implementing high velocity, predictable, recurring revenue models. He works closely with early to mid-stage technology companies to build a tight interlock with marketing and eliminate friction in the demand funnel. With a track record of success in sales, marketing, product management, engineering, and customer success, Dan drives revenue growth by designing and implementing sales processes, compensation plans, account strategy, training, and demand funnel management.
Links from this episode:
Dan Lackner on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
Previous guest, Charles Dobens
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
EP29: Joy as a Catalyst in Business Success
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Joy is a powerful driver in overcoming challenges in business, as explored in our latest commentary episode. Deborah delved into this theme with the dynamic Charles Dobbins, founder of Multifamily Investing Academy. Charles recounted his journey from the insurance sector to fulfilling his dream of owning apartments, highlighting the roles of passion, persistence, and the courage to pivot. His story is a testament to the power of joy, creativity, and commitment in building a successful business. Join them for this commentary, "Joy as a Catalyst in Business Success."
For more of Charles' inspiring insights, check out the full episode and stay tuned for our upcoming conversation with Dan Lachner, a chief sales officer resource!
Links from this episode:
Full episode with Charles Dobens
Multifamily Investing Academy
MultifamilyOS on YouTube
About Charles Dobens
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
EP28: LEGACIES CREATED - Multi-family Triumphs and Reimagining Hotels
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Deborah Fell is joined by Charles Dobens. He delves into his multifaceted journey and shares his expertise in real estate investing and business growth. As a teen, Charles had a dream to own apartment buildings. With a side journey into law, this is precisely what he has done.
In the first half of this episode, Charles discusses how he identifies opportunities amidst roadblocks. From overcoming hurdles to staying the course, his experiences shed light on the tenacity required for success.
In the second half, the conversation shifts to Charles' diverse range of business ventures. He emphasizes the power of listening to advice and learning from experts, while his Multifamily Investing Academy takes center stage. His innovative approach to creating business systems and tackling challenges head-on is evident, alongside his passion for helping others navigate the complex world of real estate.
Links from this episode:
Multifamily Investing Academy
MultifamilyOS on YouTube
About Charles Dobens
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
HT to Dan Lackner of Chief Outsiders.
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
EP27: Culture Counts - Saxby, Yeung, Ugrinsky, and Duverné
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
In this podcast, Deborah does a round-up of perspectives on the crucial topic of culture, incorporating relevant highlights from prior podcasts of four CEOs:
Art Saxby, CEO and Founder of Chief Outsiders notes that the biggest lessons have been the importance and power of culture - the culture that draws the greatest leaders and contributors to work for the company and magnetizes like-minded clients to it because they hold the same values.(Full episode is here: EP25: Scaling Your Business - Curiosity and Leadership)
Chris Yeung, CTO and co-founder of Vimbly Group says “Some of the greatest accomplishments in humanity have been through partnership and cooperation” - and he values this type of culture so strongly, that he & his partner made the decision to shut down a company they had acquired when they found it a toxic culture. He merely called it a “hard lesson.” (Full episode is here: EP7: CTO Masterclass: How to Build a High-Performing Tech Team)
Xena Ugrinsky, CTO and Founding Partner at Pilot Wave Holdings Management, brings in the cultural impact on the speed and effectiveness of AI and digital transformation where sometimes we have to break the old cultural norms so that it’s okay to experiment, fail and leverage what you’ve learned.
(Full episode is here: EP19: Building a Future-Ready Business - Tech, Culture, and Strategy)
Herby Duverné, CEO of Windwalker Group is creating A culture where people are working hard, yet having a good time - they are passionate about performing because they believe what the company is doing and what the company is is special.
(Full episode is here: EP13: Building a Business on Solutions Rather Than Problems)
Links from this episode:
Herby Duverné on LinkedInWindwalker
Xena Ugrinsky on LinkedInXena Ugrinsky on TwitterPilotwave Holdings
Chris Yeung on LinkedInVimbly Group
Art Saxby on LinkedInChief Outsiders
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
EP26: Elevating CEOs - Art Saxby’s Blueprint for Strategic Growth
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Art Saxby's wisdom resonates with CEOs seeking transformative growth. His insights crystallized his journey from Frito Lay's marketing to turning around bankrupt entities. Saxby delineates the disparity between small and big M marketing, advocating for a holistic approach that combines tactical execution with strategic vision. He spotlights Imperial Sugar's shift from a sugar manufacturer to a supply chain leader, illustrating the impact of aligning with customer needs.Saxby's core tenet is a market-rooted business plan. He underscores dissecting customer behavior, competitor dynamics, and internal strengths to fuel strategy. Incorporating external viewpoints enhances the strategy's innovation. His philosophy transcends marketing and sales barriers, emphasizing adaptive solutions over fixed ratios. His approach champions tailored strategies that stimulate growth on multiple fronts.Art Saxby equips CEOs with a growth roadmap that shuns convention. By melding change, market insight alignment, and holistic sales-marketing synergy, he empowers CEOs to steer dynamic expansion. Listen to this commentary, "Elevating CEOs: Art Saxby's Blueprint for Strategic Growth."
To hear the full interview, listen here.
Links from this episode:
Art Saxby on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
EP25: Scaling Your Business - Curiosity and Leadership
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Deborah interviews Art Saxby, CEO, Founder and Principal of Chief Outsiders. They unravel the secrets behind building a thriving business empire. In the first half, Art shares the genesis of his business. He realized the potential of leading mid-size companies strategically. This inspired him to start his own company, but he faced the challenge of finding clients who couldn't afford full-time executives like himself. Thus, the concept of offering fractional services emerged. Art emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics and customer needs to position a company for growth. The interview also delves into the significance of vision, focus, and learning from peer groups. The insights shared in the interview shed light on the practical and strategic aspects of marketing and might just be what you need to elevate your business.
In the second half, they continue by talking about innovation. It's not just about having the best ideas; it's about understanding the power of insights. Art Saxby stresses that every business needs to start with a deep understanding of its customers, competitors, and themselves. But here's the twist—sometimes, a fresh external perspective is the key to unlocking untapped potential. Are you ready to be challenged and invigorated by new ideas?
Art shares how curiosity, insights, and the willingness to be coached by other experts led to his company's growth and success. As a CEO, you'll discover the importance of having a top-notch leadership team, the right business strategy linked to insights, and how to foster a culture that drives results.
This episode is your guiding light if you want to make big things happen, scale your business, and thrive in uncertainty. Join us as we delve deep into the power of culture, autonomy, and purpose and witness firsthand how this exceptional leader continues to steer his company through dips, challenges, and triumphs. Join us for this episode: "Scaling Your Business: Curiosity and Leadership."
Links from this episode:
Art Saxby on LinkedIn
Deborah Fell on LinkedIn
Chief Outsiders
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
EP24: Gaining an Edge: Unraveling Customer Desires
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Last week, we delved into the world of customer knowledge on Success Beneath the Surface, and what an eye-opening journey it was! As Susan Finch and I explored the importance of truly understanding our customers, we uncovered a game-changing insight that separates successful businesses from the rest.
We often claim to know our customers, but do we really grasp their desires and needs beyond the surface level? Let me share a personal experience that perfectly illustrates this point. My husband and I recently purchased outdoor furniture, but what we truly sought were not just chairs, but unforgettable moments with loved ones in our courtyard.
The key is to look beneath the obvious and ask the right questions. That's precisely what the perceptive sales representative did, earning our business and future loyalty. I challenge you to question if your company truly comprehends your customers' deepest needs. Join me in this commentary as we uncover the untapped potential of gaining deeper customer insights for the growth and prosperity of your business. Don't miss last week's full episode, "Navigating Change: CEO's Playbook for Profitable Adaptation."
Links from this episode:
Deborah Fell on LinkedInChief Outsiders
Susan Finch on LinkedInFunnel Media Group, LLC
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
EP23: Navigating Change: CEO’s Playbook for Profitable Adaptation
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
In this episode, CEOs of B2B companies are invited on a transformative journey, discovering the key considerations needed to unlock remarkable opportunities and fortify their businesses amidst the ever-present seasons of uncertainty. Deborah emphasizes the importance of truly understanding customers' experiences, empathizing with their challenges, and aligning with their evolving needs. By staying connected and adapting swiftly, CEOs can position their companies as trusted allies, ready to deliver the right solutions precisely when needed.
She encourages CEOs to cultivate a genuine partnership with their customers, seeking valuable feedback and co-creating extraordinary experiences. She highlights the power of focusing on customer profitability, refining product portfolios, and identifying the true differentiators that drive customer loyalty.
Funnel Media Group's senior producer, Susan Finch, is in the host seat for this episode.
Links from this episode:
Deborah Fell on LinkedInChief Outsiders
Susan Finch on LinkedInFunnel Media Group, LLC
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
EP22: When You’re Green, You’re Growing, When You’re Ripe, You’re Rot.
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Deborah unpacks last week's episode featuring Ed Valdez, a partner, and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Outsiders, where they discussed the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in business processes. He emphasized that companies not utilizing AI are falling behind. Real-time customer insights, such as their responses to website content and search behavior, are crucial for optimizing results and expenses. Traditional methods like focus groups are no longer efficient, as AI enables real-time learning, adjustments, and improvements.
Valdez explains that businesses not leveraging AI in marketing or customer service will eventually be left behind. The average lifespan of businesses has decreased due to advancing technologies, and adapting to AI is crucial for survival.
Businesses that remain stagnant are moving backward, while those embracing AI can enhance their operations, serve clients better, and achieve improved business results.
Links from this episode:
Ed Valdez on LI Ed Valdez on Chief Outsiders
Deborah Fell on LinkedInChief Outsiders
The complete episode is here.
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
EP21: From Engineer to Marketing Pro - Navigating AI’s Impact
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
In this episode, Deborah raises the question of the widespread adoption of AI in businesses today. Is AI just a shiny toy, or does it have applications in various areas? Ed Valdez brings valuable insights to the table, highlighting the exponential growth and impact of AI and demystifying terminology many of us pretend to understand. He emphasizes the need for businesses, particularly marketing and customer service departments, to leverage AI to improve content development, customer experience, and overall efficiency.
Ed provides real-world examples of how he has helped clients integrate AI into their businesses, such as assisting a natural language processing company in positioning itself effectively amidst the competition. He shares his philosophy of using AI to disrupt businesses from within rather than being disrupted by external forces, a mindset embraced by Chief Outsiders.
Ed Valdez, partner and chief marketing officer at Chief Outsiders. Ed is known for his expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and his ability to drive growth for businesses at the intersection of business, technology, and AI. But what's intriguing is his unconventional path to becoming a marketing superstar, starting with an engineering degree from MIT. He explains how his engineering degree, combined with an MBA, equipped him to tackle challenges at the intersection of business, technology, and AI, specifically focusing on AI and machine learning. Join us for this episode, “From Engineer to Marketing Pro: Navigating AI's Impact.”
Links from this episode:
Ed Valdez on LI Ed Valdez on Chief Outsiders
Deborah Fell on LinkedInChief Outsiders
A CEO's Guide to Growth (Part 1)
A CEO's Guide to Growth (Part 2)
How to use AI within the Customer Journey (LinkedIn Post)
All You Wanted to Know About Generative AI for Free (10 courses - LinkedIn post)
9 Ways CEOs Can Use ChatGPT as a Catalyst for Business Growth (LinkedIn Post)
Providing insights specifically for CEOs to help them unlock growth to increase the value their business.
With so many voices offering “hot tips” and “how to’s” for growing your business and team, it’s hard to know what’s worth listening to. Deborah brings simple, immediately actionable strategies and growth hacks through inspirational stories and real-world experiences that can help design enduring profit into any business plan.