Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show Ira S Wolfe

Ever feel like innovation is a superpower reserved for legends like Steve Jobs? Think again! Join the dynamic innovating duo, Ira S Wolfe and Ben M Bensaou, as they shatter this myth and reveal the secrets to building your innovating engine. This episode of the Geeks Geezers Googlization podcast is packed with actionable insights to transform anyone into a relentless innovator.
Prepare to challenge your perceptions and redefine what it means to be an innovator with 10 game-changing insights such as Innovation for All,  Embrace "Innovating" over "Innovation", Empower Middle Managers, Customer Gold and more.
Ben shares real-life examples of companies like Starwood and Fiskars, a 375-year-old company, that transformed into innovation powerhouses through structured and continuous innovating efforts. These success stories prove that innovation isn't limited to startups or high-tech companies but is attainable for organizations of all sizes and industries.
Ready to Innovate Like Steve Jobs?
Tune in to the Geeks Geezers Googlization podcast for more insightful discussions on staying adaptive in the evolving future of work and innovation.
More about Ben M. Bensaou:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-m-bensaou/
Website: https://benbensaou.com
Thinkers50 Best Management Book of 2022: "Built to Innovate": https://benbensaou.com/book/ 
 
 

Did you think accounting was all about crunching numbers and taxes? Think again. "Beyond the Office"  host Bill Keller is joined by Jody Padar, the Radical CPA. Together they unravel the future of accounting in the tech era. This episode is a must-listen for forward-thinking professionals who are ready to step into the next evolution of their industry, revolutionize their practices, and not just keep up but write the next chapter in accounting. 
Here are five key takeaways:
1. **Embrace Mistakes**: Learn the importance of making mistakes and the value of learning from errors to fuel your innovation journey.
2. **Automation is Your Friend**: As automation takes over repetitive tasks, CPAs are free to focus more on advisory roles requiring interpretation skills, empathy, and effective communication. Discover how automating mundane tasks can lead to quick gains and free up time for more strategic endeavors.
3. **Master Remote Work**:  Learn how mid to small-sized firms can integrate innovation through existing software solutions, using automation for quick wins, and why aligning technology with strategic business goals is crucial.
4. **Tech & Strategy Alignment**: Hear how aligning your technology with business goals is more crucial than ever. Jody shares how technology companies and fintechs like Pilot, Zeni, and even giants like Amazon are beginning to edge into traditional accounting services.
5. **Evolution of Accounting**: Explore the transition from time-based billing to focusing on delivering measurable results, and how this can significantly impact client satisfaction and firm profitability.
Resources: Jody Padar, The Radical CPA, Connect with Jody.
Bill Keller, Staffing Global https://staffingdifferent.com
Recommended Reading:  Radical Pricing (Just Released—Spring 2024). Click here.

"Flexibility" has become the rallying cry of the Everywhere Work revolution, as highlighted in Ivanti's 2024 Everywhere Work report. On this Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show episode, host Ira S. Wolfe chats with guests Holly Novak and Mary Baird to unpack their experiences from the 2024 Ivanti Solutions Summit. Together, they explore the rapidly shifting landscape of Everywhere Work and the technological hurdles it brings. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on viewing cybersecurity through an HR lens as they tackle the intricacies of delivering seamless digital employee experiences, nurturing modern work cultures, managing AI’s growing impact, and safeguarding the irreplaceable power of human connection.
** Key Takeaways:**
1. The concept of "radical flexibility" is becoming a buzzword we can't ignore.
2. Emotional intelligence isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential.
3. Culture is king, even if your kingdom is virtual.
4. Training for remote and hybrid team management needs a serious upgrade.
5. The urgent need for robust cybersecurity training tailored for a dispersed workforce.
**About Holly Novak and Mary Baird
Holly Novak serves as the Chief People Officer at Jack Henry &Associates, a
prestigious S&P 500 fintech powerhouse boasting a workforce of over 7,000 dedicated
professionals. With a career spanning more than two decades in Human Resources,
Holly’s extensive expertise encompasses HR Operations, Business Operations, HR
Business Partner roles, Recruitment, and HR Information Systems. She is especially
renowned for her skills in Coaching, Executive Compensation, People Analytics, and leveraging HR
technology to achieve organizational excellence, to mention a few.
**Connect with Holly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-novak-sphr-shrm-scp-3262835/
Mary Baird has an equally impressive resume. She is the CEO,  Senior Leadership Development Strategist and Podcaster at The Simplifiers. She helps medium to large corporations who are struggling with high turnover, and low employee engagement, and are navigating an ever-changing work environment that seems everything BUT simple. Her LinkedIn profile says it all: She has a knack for turning complex challenges into simple, actionable solutions. 
**Connect with Mary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers/
Additional Resources:
**Watch the ISS2024 Keynotes: https://tinyurl.com/iss24keynotes
**Download 2024 Everywhere Work Report: https://adaptabilitytoolkit.com/2024everywherework
**Never Normal News: https://nevernormalnews.com
 

With Everywhere Work transforming how work gets done, the separation of work and life has gotten spectacularly complex. And it’s impacting employees’ personal lives big time. From skyrocketing stress levels to sinking work-life balance, the ripple effects are real.  This episode unpacks alarming new statistics from Headspace’s 2024 State of the Mind Report and explores the urgent need for mental health support in our workplaces.
At the center of the storm are managers. A shocking 97% of workers feel their mental health is negatively impacted by their manager. That's nearly everyone on your team. Compounding the problem is that only one-quarter of managers feel they received training to handle employee mental health concerns, even though nearly everyone looks up to them for support. Employers seriously need to beef up those training programs. To dig deeper into the report and what needs to change, Headspace’s David Wright and Jessy Paul join this episode. Together they explore the impact of job stress on personal relationships, and how managers from different generations approach mental health at work. David and Jessy then drop several practical and foundational tips to foster a healthier, more supportive, and productive workplace.
Key Takeaways:
1. **Leaders' Role in Mental Health: 97% of employees feel their emotional well-being is affected by their managers, yet only 24% of managers feel equipped to address these issues.
2. **Leadership transparency about personal mental health struggles is essential for reducing stigma and fostering a supportive atmosphere.
3. **The Importance of Resources:: With a significant reporting of stress influencing personal lives and physical health, organizations must invest in resources that promote positive work environments and mental resilience. 
4. **Practical steps: setting clear boundaries, reducing meeting times, and having accessible mental health support.
5. **Shift in Workplace Dynamics: The evolution of workplace dynamics, especially with the increased adoption of remote work, highlights the need for adaptive mental health strategies. 
 
About David Wright, Psy.D. and Jessy Paull
David Wright and Jessy Paull serve as  Sales Solutions Architects at Headspace, a comprehensive digital mental health solution providing engaging self-directed digital resources, on-demand behavioral health coaching, and virtual therapy & psychiatry services. Their roles entail supporting Headspace’s commercial growth initiatives, focusing on sales & market strategy, clinical strategy, and product evolution.
Connect with David Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wright-psych/
Connect with Jessy Paull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessy-paull-3357b8107/
Download 2024 Headspace State of Mind report: https://get.headspace.com/2024-workforce-state-of-mind
Additional Resources:
Download Ivant’s 2024 Everywhere Work report: https://adaptabilitytoolkit.com/2024everywherework
 

This month’s spotlight launches a 3-episode conversation between Joe Serio and senior science writer at Forbes and an expert in behavioral science, political campaigns, military readiness, and now an executive health coach. They explore the multifaceted concept of resilience. Whether you’re a newcomer to our podcast or a seasoned listener, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and insights into resilience, human connection, and well-being. Whether you're a leader looking to build endurance against burnout, or anyone curious about merging wellness with resilience, this dialogue sheds light on how flexibility and relationships fuel endurance in today's world. Learn why "being bouncy" isn’t just fun, it’s necessary, and how historical resilience can inform our modern quests for a balanced life.

Who Should Listen:
- Leaders and managers keen on fostering resilient, innovative teams.
- Wellness enthusiasts looking for a deeper understanding of emotional and physical health.
- Anyone feeling the burnout of modern demands and looking for a sustainable way to cope and thrive.

Three Key Takeaways:
**Resilience through Flexibility: Resilience isn't about rigidity; it's about staying adaptive and "bouncy," using situational awareness to maintain your health and effectiveness in challenging times.
**Power of Social Connections**: Longevity and health are significantly influenced by quality social relationships. Our discussion revisited historical studies like the famed Roseto effect, highlighting how tight-knit communities can directly impact heart health and overall well-being.
**Integrated Well-Being**: Joe and Tanya explored the difference between tactical wellness and strategic well-being management, emphasizing a systems approach that aligns personal habits with broader support structures for lasting health and productivity.

Change isn’t just hard; it’s often scary. It’s so scary and hard that the anxiety, stress, and even depression result. Fortunately, there is a pathway through the darkness. The future of work is about adaptability, and hope might be the beacon of tomorrow. Hope isn’t just about fluff and dreams. It’s smart leadership that can positively reshape our futures. Explore with this AQ team of experts the profound impact of hope and optimism in overcoming challenges and spearheading change at work and in personal endeavors. Jump into the real power of keeping hopeful and the world of adaptability.
Key Takeaways for Our Listeners
Harness the Power of Hope: Discover how fostering hope can be a strategic leadership tool to motivate and inspire teams, to grow and innovate.
Embrace Change as Opportunity: Transform your perspective on change from daunting to growth-centric, enabling personal and professional evolution.
Understand the AQai Model: Gain insights into ACE, a revolutionary adaptability model, and how this model acts as a roadmap for personal and organizational development.
Hear Why Adaptability is a “team sport:” Hear how team sports like rugby and basketball can teach us lessons in adaptability. 
About Miriam Scmidberger and Rory van der Merwe:
Miriam Schmidberger is a Change Angle and Performance Coach. Miriam combines inner work and personality development with scientific "down-to-earthness." With various intuitive tools, she can be your fast-track guide to a powerful leader role within your life and business. Visit Miriam’s website.
Rory van der Merwe is the author of the Hope-Shift Framework. Describing himself as a HOPER, Rory has embraced curiosity and continuous lifelong learning. He is a multi-talented professional who seamlessly integrates his skills as a psychologist, coach, project and change manager to translate strategic goals into practical, real-world outcomes. Visit Rory’s Website.
Resources: Download Ivanti’s 2024 Everywhere Work Report.
Watch Ivanti's Everywhere Work Video.