Disruptive CEO Nation

Market Domination
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EXECUTIVE COACH + GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER ADVISOR. SPEAKER. AUTHOR. GUIDING SMART PEOPLE TO GROW INFLUENCE & CREATE OPPORTUNITIES Over 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with fantastic organizations, impressive individuals and key industry leaders across six continents. Sitting in the corner office in both corporate and non-profit environments, I’ve attained, delivered and coached success in both the C-Suite and international board rooms. My diverse experience has provided cross-cultural insights into the talents, skills and measures required by individuals not only to get to the top, but to THRIVE at the pinnacle of business… And now I am happy to share that knowledge and support you in your quest for influence, empowerment, and ultimately success.

  1. VOR 5 TAGEN

    Ep 329 The Legacy of Your Leadership & the Leaders You Grow with Shanita Akintonde, Author, Tedx Speaker, and President of ShanitaSpeaks; Chicago, IL, USA

    What if the strongest leadership lessons for building the future were waiting for us on the front porch of our past?   In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shanita Akintonde to talk about her book The Front Porch Leader and the deeper leadership lessons it offers for business builders, marketers, and mentors. We explored the importance of knowing where we come from, practicing discernment about who we invite into our lives and businesses, and raising up the next generation of leaders with both courage and grace.   Shanita also shared powerful insights on intentional marketing, understanding the true business you are in, and why some of the best leaders are often the quietest people in the room. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that leadership is rooted in love, legacy, and the choices we make about who and what we let through the door. Here are the highlights: ● Leadership begins with roots. Shanita shared why understanding our history and honoring the foundation laid by those before us is essential to building a meaningful future. ● Discernment matters. We talked about the “front porch” mindset, recognizing that not everyone belongs inside your inner circle, your home, or your business. ● Great leaders are not always the loudest. Shanita explained why she often sees the most leadership potential in the quieter people who may be overlooked by others. ● Marketing should solve a real problem. Shanita emphasized that true content and brand strategy start with understanding your audience and knowing the real business you are in. ● The next generation needs grace and guidance. We discussed why emerging leaders need mentors who can support their boldness without dimming their courage.   About the guest:   Shanita Baraka Akintonde is an author, TEDx speaker, storyteller, and President of ShanitaSpeaks LLC. A marketing professor for more than two decades, Professor Akintonde has inspired thousands of students and professionals through her dynamic approach to communication, leadership, and personal brand strategy.   She is an entrepreneur and contributor to Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, and The Chicago Defender. A triple-degree holder, she is also a Harvard-educated executive and the longtime host of the Marketing Insights podcast with McGraw Hill.   Professor Akintonde is an active leader in several professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Public Relations Society of America, and Top Ladies of Distinction. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Governors for The Metropolitan.   Her work centers on the idea that the most powerful leadership lessons often begin in the most humble spaces—including the front porch.   Connect with Shanita:   Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-insights/id1378417469 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanitaakintonde/ Instagram: @Shanita_BarakaMama Twitter: @_ShanitaSpeaks TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6xmobZTUw     Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 Min.

  2. 18. MÄRZ

    Ep 328 Bold Women in Business: Take the Leap & Make the Ask with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network; Chicago, IL, USA

    What separates successful women leaders from the rest often comes down to curiosity, courage, and the willingness to use their voice. In this special episode honoring International Women’s Month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network, an organization made up of some of the most influential women leaders across Chicago’s business, nonprofit, healthcare, and government sectors. Maria shares the key traits she sees in extraordinary women leaders, including intellectual curiosity, humility, and a deep commitment to civic engagement. We explore the importance of advocacy, making the ask, and building authentic professional relationships that create opportunities over time. Maria also discusses why women should pursue board service earlier in their careers, how advisory boards can be powerful leadership training grounds, and why executive presence and personal brand play a critical role in professional success. Above all, Maria reminds us that women supporting women remains one of the most powerful forces for creating opportunity and lasting change. Here are the highlights: ● Traits of Exceptional Leaders: The most successful women leaders share intellectual curiosity, humility, and a strong commitment to civic engagement.● The Power of the Ask: Women must confidently articulate what they need and clearly make the ask in professional conversations. ● Why Civic Engagement Matters: Involvement in community and civic organizations often leads to powerful relationships and new opportunities. ● The Value of Board Experience: Serving on advisory or corporate boards helps women build leadership, governance, and strategic decision-making skills. ● Executive Presence & Personal Brand: How leaders show up, communicate, and present themselves shapes their influence and career trajectory.   About the guest: Maria Doughty is the CEO of The Chicago Network, the premier organization of Chicagoland’s most influential women leaders. Since joining in 2020, she has guided the organization through the global pandemic while strengthening its strategic vision, modernizing operations, and deepening member engagement. Maria brings extensive experience in insurance, financial services, public policy, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management, with a career that includes senior leadership roles at Allstate Insurance Company. She currently serves on several boards and advisory bodies, including The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Roosevelt University, and the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Maria is passionate about servant leadership, civic engagement, and advancing opportunities for the next generation of women leaders. She lives in Chicago with her husband and has two grown sons.   Connect with Maria: Website: thechicagonetwork.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-doughty/   Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 Min.

  3. 11. MÄRZ

    Ep 327 High Stakes in Business: The Signals You Send as a Leader with Alan McLaren, Co-founder of Strata Originals; Oakville, Ontario, Canada

    What if every interaction you have as a leader is silently answering one question for your team: Are you safe to follow? In this episode, I sit down with Alan McLaren, co-founder of Strata Originals, to explore the invisible signals leaders send in every conversation, meeting, and interaction. Alan shares the powerful concept of “leadership signal,” explaining how trust is built or lost in real time based on how leaders show up emotionally, communicate under pressure, and respond to challenges. We discuss the neuroscience behind leadership presence, the hidden questions every team member is asking, and how leaders can become more intentional in building trust both inside the organization and in the digital world. Here are the highlights: • Leadership Signal: Every action, reaction, and tone a leader brings into a room sends signals that either build trust or quietly erode it. • The Four Questions Followers Ask: Team members subconsciously evaluate leaders by asking, “Are you safe to follow? Do you mean what you say? Will your actions match your words? Should I align, resist, wait, or leave?” • Your Nervous System Runs the Room: Leaders often believe communication is about words, but emotional reactions and nervous system responses can shape trust and credibility more than the message itself. • The Hidden Cost of “Meetings After the Meeting”: When leaders unintentionally shut down ideas or create psychological tension, conversations move underground and teams lose alignment. • Leadership Visibility in the Digital Age: Building trust today also requires showing up authentically online, where visibility and genuine communication help leaders connect with future partners, investors, and collaborators. About the guest:  Alan McLaren is a leadership thinker and co-founder of STRATA Originals, a Leadership Signal Architecture firm working with CEOs in high-stakes environments. His work centers on leadership signal, the way a leader’s voice, presence, values, perspective, and style are experienced when pressure is real. Alan often says every room is quietly answering four questions about a leader: Are they safe to follow? Do they mean what they say? Will reality match their words? And should I align, resist, wait, or leave? Drawing on patterns seen across hundreds of senior leaders, Alan helps audiences understand why capable leaders can still misfire in critical moments, and what changes when leadership holds steady and trust forms. Connect with Alan: Website: https://strataoriginals.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.mclaren1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanmclaren23/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alanmclaren23  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 Min.

  4. 4. MÄRZ

    Ep 326 Employee Sentiment & Workplace Love with Louis Carter, Founder of Most Loved Workplace; Palm Beach, FL, USA

    What if being unmistakably human is your biggest competitive advantage in an AI-first world? In this episode, I sat down with Louis Carter, founder of Most Loved Workplace, to talk about why workplace culture is being tested and reshaped faster than ever. Louis shared how “most loved” isn’t a slogan, it’s a credibility signal grounded in real employee sentiment, and why being unmistakably human is becoming a serious competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. We also unpacked his idea of “inaction fatigue” (when leaders collect feedback but don’t act), plus practical ways leaders can embed trust, respect, and emotional connection into the employee and customer experience so the world actually sees what’s happening inside the company. Here are the highlights: -Culture as a competitive signal: “Most loved” works when it’s validated by real employee sentiment, not just marketing. -Human advantage in an AI-first world: Being unmistakably human is becoming a standout differentiator as automation accelerates. -From feedback to follow-through: “Inaction fatigue” happens when employees share input but never see meaningful change. -The SPARK framework: Collaboration, shared vision, aligned values, respect, and outcomes create emotional connectedness at work. -Embedding love end-to-end: Culture should show up in onboarding, career paths, performance plans, and the customer experience.   About the guest: Louis Carter is a globally recognized organizational psychologist, author, speaker, and founder of Most Loved Workplace® and the Best Practice Institute (BPI). He created the Most Loved Workplace® certification and the Love of Workplace Index™, a data-driven methodology used by thousands of companies to build cultures where people feel deeply connected, respected, and engaged. Louis is the author of more than a dozen leadership and management books, including In Great Company: How to Spark Peak Performance by Creating an Emotionally Connected Workplace (McGraw-Hill), and his research has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and The Wall Street Journal. He has advised CEOs and executive teams from mid-sized firms to Fortune 500 organizations and is ranked among the top organizational culture thinkers in the world.   Connect with Louis: Website Business: http://www.mostlovedworkplace.com Personal: http://www.louiscarter.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiscarter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louiscarter.bpi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louislcarter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/louiscarterchange X: x.com/louislcarter Books: https://louiscarter.com/leadership-books/   Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 Min.

  5. 25. FEB.

    Ep 325 Profit Mastery: Keep More of What You Make with Ben Hansen, The Profit Doctor; Austin, TX, USA

    Most leaders swear they have a revenue problem, but sometimes that belief is often the fastest way to stay stuck with “profititis.” In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, I sat down with Ben Hansen, the “Profitability Doctor,” to unpack why so many growing businesses still feel like they’re getting punched in the face every day. Ben explains his framework for diagnosing “profititis” (strong or growing revenue paired with weak, flat, or declining profit), why you usually can’t “grow your way out” of a profit problem, and how leaders can shift from revenue obsession to profit psychology.  We talk through practical ways to identify profit leaks beyond basic expense-cutting, including recognizing low-performing work that silently drains payroll-heavy service businesses. Ben also shares how to separate “run rate” operations from growth investments, evaluate growth channels like a portfolio manager, and why pruning the wrong work can create the capacity and cash to scale the right way. Here are the highlights: -“Profititis” defined: When revenue looks healthy but profit is weak, flat, or declining, the real issue isn’t sales, it’s profitability. -The growth trap: If profits dropped from $6M to $8M in revenue, there’s no reason to assume $10M will magically fix it without changing the model. -Profit psychology first: Profitability requires its own focus and strategy, not just “sell more” plus “work harder.” -Dump ballast, don’t just burn hotter: Like a hot air balloon, removing dead weight (low-value work, misfit clients, inefficient delivery) can lift profitability faster than pushing for more volume. -The “double-double” path: Ben’s preferred sequence is to double profitability first, then scale revenue, because growth becomes easier and more rewarding when the engine is tuned. About the guest:  Ben Hansen is a profitability specialist, award-winning entrepreneur, and speaker who helps business owners stop the financial bleeding and restore healthy profits and cash flow. Known as The Profit Doctor, he specializes in curing Profititis – when the revenue is there, but the profit isn’t. A 5x Inc. 5000 founder and former Fortune 100 executive (Dell, Microsoft), Ben built an eight-figure staffing firm from the ground up. Today, he advises $2M–$50M owner-led companies looking to reclaim the dream that got them started. Based in Austin, Ben lives with his wife Ginger and their dog Cash. He’s also a fan of live music, college football, and any business that’s done being overworked and underpaid. Connect with Ben: Website: https://profitdoctor.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhansen/  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 Min.

  6. 11. FEB.

    Ep 324 Designing the Category You Can Win with Kevin Maney, author and Co-Founder of Category Design Advisors; New York, NY, USA

    What if the fastest way to win your market isn’t competing harder, but changing the category entirely? This week, I sit down with Kevin Maney, co-author of Play Bigger and founding partner of Category Design Advisors, for a deep dive into what it really takes to create and win a market category. Kevin shares the thinking behind his latest book, The Category Creation Formula, and explains why most businesses unknowingly trap themselves competing inside categories they can never truly lead. We explore how shifts in technology, buyer behavior, and market context create hidden opportunities, why dominant design ultimately determines who wins, and how CEOs can use category thinking not only to grow their companies but to sharpen their own leadership positioning in a crowded, noisy marketplace. Here are the highlights: -Why category leaders win big: In most markets, one company captures the majority of the value, and competing inside someone else’s category often limits growth. -The Category Creation Formula: Learn Kevin’s simple framework: Context + What’s Missing + Innovation = New Category, and how leaders can use it as a practical playbook for growth. -From innovation to dominant design: Markets eventually choose a “dominant design,” and winning that position is what secures long-term leadership. -Real-world examples that worked: How category design helped both large organizations and emerging companies reposition themselves and accelerate growth. -What this means for CEOs and personal leadership brands: How leaders can differentiate themselves, stand out in crowded spaces, and build credibility by shaping the narrative around what they represent. About the guest:  Kevin Maney is a veteran business journalist, bestselling author, and founding partner of Category Design Advisors, where he helps leadership teams discover, design, and win new market categories. He is the co-author of Play Bigger, which introduced the concept of category design and has become a foundational framework for technology founders, executives, and investors. Kevin is also the author of The Category Creation Formula, a practical playbook for building and leading new market categories. Kevin has written for leading publications including Newsweek, Fortune, The Atlantic, Fast Company, CNN, ABC News, and USA Today. Through his work as a writer, advisor, and speaker, he brings clarity to complex market dynamics and helps CEOs position their companies to become category leaders rather than competitors in crowded markets. His newest book, The Category Creation Formula will be released on February 26, 2026. Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmaney/  Website: https://www.categorydesignadvisors.com/  Get the book: https://www.thecategorycreationformula.com/  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 Min.

  7. 4. FEB.

    Ep 323 Autonomously Intelligent - Your AI Employees with Alok Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO of Cozmo AI; San Francisco, CA, USA

    Are AI employees the future of hiring and operations? In today’s episode, I sat down with Alok Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Cozmo AI, to explore the cutting-edge AI tools that are changing the game for enterprises. Alok takes us inside Cozmo AI’s platform, which enables businesses to build AI agents capable of seeing, speaking, thinking, and acting all while maintaining a human-like touch. From reducing costs to streamlining complex workflows, Cozmo AI is helping enterprises across industries like banking, insurance, and sales scale at lightning speed. We also tackle some of the toughest challenges in AI adoption, like data integration and overcoming the fear of automation taking jobs. Whether you’re a business leader or a tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights that will help you harness AI to its full potential. Here are the highlights: -Transforming Enterprises with Multimodal AI: Alok explains how Cozmo AI’s agents can not only handle text and calls but also analyze images, videos, and documents—enabling businesses to automate tasks that were once too complex for machines. -Eliminating AI Adoption Barriers: We dig into the real obstacles businesses face when adopting AI and how Cozmo AI’s platform removes these hurdles by creating seamless integration across systems, so you don’t need 19 different tools. -AI That Feels Human: Alok shares how Cozmo AI is pushing the boundaries of what we expect from automation—creating agents so lifelike that customers often don’t realize they’re speaking to AI, enhancing both speed and customer satisfaction. -From Startup to Scale-Up: Alok opens up about Cozmo AI’s rapid growth, from a FinTech startup to a multimodal AI platform used by Fortune 100 companies, and how they cracked the code on founder-led sales and building a network of early adopters. -The Future of AI in Business: Alok offers a bold vision for the future, where AI becomes an integrated, intuitive backbone for enterprises, making operations smarter, faster, and more efficient across the board.   About the guest: Alok Kumar is the co-founder and CEO of Cozmo AI, a cutting-edge platform that’s revolutionizing enterprise operations with multimodal AI. With a background in engineering and management consulting, Alok has built Cozmo AI into a solution trusted by Fortune 100 companies in industries like banking, insurance, and sales. His passion for leveraging AI to solve complex business challenges drives his vision of creating human-like, intelligent agents that can see, speak, think, and act. Before founding Cozmo AI, Alok co-founded a successful FinTech company, and his work continues to push the boundaries of AI innovation.   Connect with Alok:   Website: https://hellocozmo.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alokhk   Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 Min.

  8. 28. JAN.

    Ep 322 Beyond the Bin: Data, Compliance, and the Future of Waste Tech with Lainika Johnson, founder of Eco in the City and CEO of TrashLogic; Sacramento, CA, USA

    From kitchen-table beginnings to revolutionizing waste management, Lainika’s journey proves that with vision and innovation, you can build a multi-million dollar business that tackles global challenges. In this heartfelt episode, Lainika Johnson, founder of Eco in the City, shares her inspiring journey from starting TrashLogic out of necessity to launching a tech-driven company that is transforming the way cities and property management companies handle waste. With her innovative VIN Site 360 platform, Lainika is not just helping businesses stay compliant with complex waste regulations but is also leading the charge toward smarter, more sustainable waste management. Here are the highlights: -Lainika’s Journey to CEO: From being a complete outsider in the trash industry to building a self-funded, multi-million dollar business. -Innovating Waste Management: How Eco in the City’s tech platform is transforming waste compliance and sustainability for cities and property managers. -Solving Waste Compliance Challenges: How Eco in the City helps businesses avoid costly fines while improving efficiency and promoting sustainability. -Lessons from Adversity: Overcoming labor shortages, pandemic disruptions, and the shift toward data-driven solutions in waste management. -Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Lainika’s advice on trusting yourself, knowing your numbers, and building a thriving business from anywhere.   About the guest: Lainika E. Johnson is the founder of Eco in the City and CEO of TrashLogic, recognized as America's leading expert in waste reduction and workforce development. With nearly two decades of experience, she helps cities, property managers, and businesses transform waste challenges into sustainable, data-driven solutions. Starting her career at Republic Services and rising to senior executive at a California-based waste company, Lainika successfully onboarded nearly 200 multifamily communities in under a year. Her work combines technology, community, and policy, supported by credentials from Harvard Business School and UCLA. Lainika's expertise has been featured in major outlets like Black Enterprise, Black News, and local media such as Arizona’s ABC-15, Sacramento’s NBC KCRA-TV, and Waste & Recycling Magazine.   Connect with Lainika:   Website: trashlogic.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lainikaj/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lainikajohnson/   Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 Min.
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EXECUTIVE COACH + GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER ADVISOR. SPEAKER. AUTHOR. GUIDING SMART PEOPLE TO GROW INFLUENCE & CREATE OPPORTUNITIES Over 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with fantastic organizations, impressive individuals and key industry leaders across six continents. Sitting in the corner office in both corporate and non-profit environments, I’ve attained, delivered and coached success in both the C-Suite and international board rooms. My diverse experience has provided cross-cultural insights into the talents, skills and measures required by individuals not only to get to the top, but to THRIVE at the pinnacle of business… And now I am happy to share that knowledge and support you in your quest for influence, empowerment, and ultimately success.

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  • Kanal
    Market Domination
  • Erstellt von
    Allison Summers
  • Jahre aktiv
    2018 - 2026
  • Folgen
    328
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    Unbedenklich
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    Copyright © 2018 Allison K. Summers | All rights reserved
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    Disruptive CEO Nation

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