The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence.com

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Founder of Julian Harris Services Limited, Julian Harris.
Julian Harris, a seasoned leadership coach delved into the often overlooked challenges and isolation faced by leaders, particularly founders and CEOs. Julian shared his insights on the importance of having a mentor or sounding board to share concerns and seek guidance.
With his extensive experience working with leaders, Julian emphasized the importance of having someone to talk to about these concerns.
As a business grows, these two roles can become distinct, each with its responsibilities and challenges. Julian, leveraging his background as a former attorney, explained how he helps clients identify their passions and delegate tasks effectively, a crucial skill for both founders and CEOs.
Without a sounding board, leaders can find themselves lost in their thoughts, leading to unclear decision-making. Julian's coaching approach focuses on helping clients find clarity, connect with their innate wisdom, and tap into their creativity.
Julian also stressed the importance of self-care, comparing it to the safety briefing on an airplane, where you must put on your oxygen mask before helping others. Looking after oneself is crucial for effectively managing business and personal relationships.
Key Points from the Episode:Challenges and isolation faced by leaders, particularly founders and CEOsImportance of having a sounding board or mentor for leadersRole of a founder versus a CEOPotential consequences of not having a mentorPains and complaints that leaders often share with a coachCoaching philosophy and approach to helping clients find clarity and connect with their innate wisdom and creativityImportance of slowing down and taking time for reflection in decision-makingJulian Harris' experience as a leadership coach and working with leaders who feel lonely and struggle to find someone to talk toValue of a decelerated day for deep thinking, self-reflection, and exploring important questions
About Julian Harris:Julian Harris, founder of Julian Harris Services, is a seasoned commercial lawyer with a 20-year track record, having served notable brands like Nike, Twinings, Sports Direct, Asda, Manchester United, and Primark. 
His vision for making a substantial impact led him to establish his coaching venture, where he now specializes in working with business leaders aiming to change the world. 
Based in London, Julian seamlessly integrates his legal expertise with leadership coaching, helping clients on both sides of the Atlantic. 
With a passion for drawing out the untapped potential in individuals, he empowers business owners and leaders to become the best versions of themselves. 
Known for his attentiveness and thought-provoking questions, Julian facilitates clarity and confidence among his clients, even when they struggle to recognize their strengths.
About Julian Harris Services Limited:Julian Harris Services, founded by Julian Harris, reflects his transformative journey from a legal career to coaching, driven by a desire to create a more profound impact on the world. 
Motivated by the brevity and preciousness of life, Julian aspires to leave a meaningful legacy by facilitating positive change. As a coach, he focuses on aiding individuals who share a vision of making a difference in the world, aligning their goals with his own aspiration to contribute to a better global future. 
With a commitment to helping others, Julian's...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Chief Information Security Officer Co-Founder of SIE Monster, Chris Rock.
Chris Rock is not your typical CSO. He's a hacker by trade with a dual role that involves finding system flaws and presenting them at conferences like Defcon. 
Simultaneously, he serves as the CEO of SIEMonster, which provides security services for large enterprises. His clients range from governments to private organizations, each with unique objectives and security needs.
Chris shared some intriguing stories from his work. He's uncovered employees setting up illegal activities within companies, helped track people escaping authorities in the Middle East, and dealt with a myriad of other complex situations. These stories, while fascinating, also highlight the darker side of our increasingly digital world.
When asked Chris if there was any hope for a safer digital world, his response was sobering. The flaws he identified years ago still exist today, and the transition from paper-based systems to electronic systems has only increased the potential for security breaches.
He also recommended using account IDs and virtual credit cards instead of traditional credit card numbers to further enhance security.
Key Points from the Episode:Introduction of Chris Rock as CSO of Sea Monster and cyber mercenaryChris's work as a hacker and consultantClients and objectives of Chris's workStories and insights into vulnerabilities of systemsNeed for increased security measuresUse of tokens instead of passwords for account securityRisks of using passwords and benefits of tokensImportance of VPNs for data protectionChoosing a reliable VPN providerImportance of encryption and protecting personal information
About Chris Rock:As the Chief Information Security Officer and co-founder of SIEMonster, Chris has traversed the cyber landscapes of the Middle East, the United States, and Asia, lending his expertise to governmental and private entities. 
Renowned for his presentations at DEFCON, the world's largest hacking conference in Las Vegas, Chris has delved into contentious vulnerabilities.
His talks covered topics such as the potential manipulation of Birth and Death Registration systems, the collaboration of cyber mercenaries in government overthrows, and innovative methods of bypassing jammers by utilizing the Earth as an antenna. 
As a thought leader, he authored "Baby Harvest," a compelling exploration of criminals and terrorists exploiting virtual babies and fabricated deaths for financial gain. Notably, Rock has graced the TED Global stage, further solidifying his status as a cybersecurity luminary.
About SIEMonster:SIEMonster, established in 2015, is an innovative and cost-effective Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution. Founded by experienced hackers Chris and Dez Rock, the platform emerged from a recognized gap in the SIEM market. 
With over 20 years of penetration testing and white-hat hacking expertise, the founders and their team crafted a scalable and customizable SIEM tool. SIEMonster's pricing model doesn't penalize based on Events Per Second (EPS), offering affordability and automatic scalability as clients expand. 
SIEMonster incorporates automated tasks and data enrichment, reducing the reliance on external security consultants. 
The vision, shared by...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with CEO & Founder of Core Matters, Ryan Englin.
Ryan emphasized the importance of having the right people on your team for business growth and success. He pointed out that the hiring environment has drastically changed due to the pandemic, with job seekers now having more options and seeking workplaces where they feel valued and belong.
According to Ryan, entrepreneurs can attract and excite potential employees by offering them what they want. This includes a sense of belonging, meaningful work, and positive relationships with colleagues. 
Ryan advised entrepreneurs to focus on being attractive to the people they want to hire rather than solely relying on higher pay to attract employees.
Understanding who the right fit is for your company and creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment are key factors in attracting and retaining top talent. 
Ryan cautioned against using the term "family" to describe the work environment but encouraged employers to adopt a supportive and caring approach towards their employees, just like a family would.
Ryan emphasized the need to create a process that removes these biases, such as using job ads and interview questions that promote diversity. He cautioned against promoting diversity without addressing biases, as it can backfire.
Key Points from the Episode:Challenges of hiring and attracting great employees in the current hiring environmentImportance of having the right people on your team for business growth and successChanges in the hiring environment due to the pandemicAttracting and exciting potential employees by offering what they truly wantFocusing on being attractive to the people you want to hire rather than relying solely on higher payUnderstanding the right fit for your company and creating a supportive and enjoyable work environmentValue of diversity in the workplace and addressing biasesEconomic argument for diversity and its benefits to a companyRyan's book "Hire Better People Faster" and its intended audience
About Ryan Englin:Ryan Englin is a dedicated advocate for the success of growing businesses, particularly in blue-collar sectors. Motivated by his father's experiences as a tireless owner/operator, Ryan witnessed the challenges these industries face in recruiting quality frontline employees. 
Committed to finding a solution, he founded Core Matters, a company specializing in coaching and training to help businesses attract, hire, and retain top-tier employees. 
Through his renowned Core Fit Hiring System, Ryan empowers small and midsize businesses to streamline hiring processes and swiftly bring in exceptional talent. 
With nearly a decade of expertise, he has been instrumental in enabling business owners to achieve their goals by ensuring they assemble the right team. 
Ryan Englin's passion lies in transforming companies by connecting them with the best-fit employees for sustained success.
About Core Matters:Core Matters specializes in assisting field service companies in attracting, recruiting, and retaining frontline talent, utilizing their tried-and-true methodology, the Core Fit Hiring System. 
The company is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of clients' recruiting endeavors, offering innovative and unconventional strategies to foster consistent growth for their...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Chief CEO & Co-founder of elai.io, Vitalii Romanchenko.
Daniyal provided a fascinating overview of Elai. This innovative company helps businesses generate educational video content using deep text technology. 
With Elai, users can create a digital copy of themselves and generate professional video content without needing a camera, studio, or green screen. This technology has many applications, from social media to training and education.
Daniyal explained that while the technology is still evolving, they've achieved impressive quality in creating digital humans. He also shared that these avatars will become more emotional, and gestures will be added in the future.
Daniyal shared that Elai has over 1000 active customers, including enterprise companies like Generali and Insurancecom. These companies use Ligo to create training videos, with subscription plans varying depending on the specific use case.
Key Points from the Episode:Elai helps businesses generate educational video content using deep text technologyElai's technology allows users to create professional video content without a camera, studio, or green screenThe quality of Elai's videos and avoiding the uncanny valley effectUse cases for Elai, particularly for larger enterprise-level clientsElai's technology in the field of learning and developmentLigo's language capabilities, including voice cloning and multilingual content generationElai's recognition as the best-in-class video generatorFree trial and self-serve platform for creating videos on Elai's website
About Vitalii Romanchenko:Vitalii Romanchenko, the CEO and Co-founder of Elai.io boasts over a decade of expertise in Product and Project Management. With a robust background, he has steered software product development for globally renowned companies, showcasing his prowess in optimizing operations and generating substantial revenue. 
Romanchenko has honed his skills across diverse product landscapes, successfully launching new features and fostering the development of formidable teams. Transitioning from his accomplished career, he now spearheads Elai.io, a pioneering generative AI startup. 
Here, he focuses on revolutionizing content creation by enabling companies to generate video content effortlessly from textual inputs. Romanchenko's strategic vision and wealth of experience make him a trailblazer in the dynamic intersection of technology and content creation.
About Elai:Elai.io is a cutting-edge deep-tech startup uniting a global team of AI enthusiasts driven by a user-centric and design-driven philosophy. 
Beyond its commitment to advanced AI technology, Elai.io embodies a tool designed to enhance lives, emphasizing the core values of time efficiency, product excellence, personalization, and integrity. 
Rooted in a customer-centric ethos, Elai.io prioritizes constantly improving its solutions, demonstrating an unwavering eagerness to assist its clientele. 
As dreamers propelled by user needs, the company's mission transcends mere technological innovation, seeking to seamlessly integrate advanced AI into everyday existence, making a tangible impact on the quality of life. 
Elai.io's dedication to these principles positions it as a forward-thinking force in the dynamic landscape of AI-driven solutions.
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In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to Chief Marketing Officer of Codment, Daniyal Vadsaria.
Codment is not your typical software development company. They have a unique focus on the latest technologies like AR and VR, but what truly sets them apart is their commitment to creating a user-friendly experience. As Daniyal explained, their goal is not just to sell their services but to understand the needs of their customers and deliver exactly what is required.
Their website is a testament to this approach. It's friendly, accessible, and radiates positivity, a refreshing change from the often dull and complex websites we see in the tech industry. But this isn't just about aesthetics. It's about creating a user-friendly journey that guides visitors to the necessary information, converting them into leads.
Daniyal emphasized the importance of adaptability in this rapidly changing landscape. Technology and people's needs constantly evolve, and staying open-minded and not getting stuck in a narrow perspective is crucial.
Daniyal shared an example of a recent project perfectly illustrating Codment's innovative approach. The project involved language learning through virtual reality. 
Users wear a headset and are immersed in different scenarios, such as interacting with a taxi driver in Arabic. This practical, immersive experience allows users to learn and practice the language in a way that traditional methods can't match.
Key Points from the Episode:Introduction of Daniyal, Chief Marketing Officer for CodmentCompliments on Codment's website design and focus on user-friendly experienceImportance of user experience in web and mobile developmentShift from web-first to mobile-first to user-first designImportance of adaptability in achieving successDaniel's approach to projects, including researching competition and understanding audience needsExample of a language learning project using virtual reality
About Daniyal Vadsaria: Daniyal Vadsaria is an accomplished marketing professional with a decade of experience, currently serving as the Chief Marketing Officer at Codment, a pioneering development firm specializing in disruptive services across apps, websites, and other domains. 
In his role, Daniyal plays a pivotal part in shaping and executing the company's marketing strategy, focusing on driving revenue growth and bolstering the brand's market standing.
Leading diverse teams encompassing brand advertising, PR, social media, sales, and digital strategy, Daniyal excels as a communicator and collaborator, ensuring seamless alignment of marketing efforts with overarching business objectives. 
His adept leadership has propelled Codment to substantial customer and revenue expansion, marked by successful marketing campaigns that facilitated entry into new markets and acquisition of a broader customer base.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Daniyal is passionate about sharing experiences and insights that positively influence others, offering valuable perspectives on realizing ideas in today's dynamic digital landscape.
About Codment:Codment is a forward-thinking software development company, is at the forefront of shaping the digital landscape. Codment transforms ideas into scalable, user-friendly digital solutions that prioritize continuous improvement and revenue generation. 
The company's innovative approach extends across diverse domains, ensuring its solutions align with evolving technological trends.
Codment's emphasis on staying ahead of the digital...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to Marketing Entrepreneur, Educator, & Author, Ben Guttmann.
In a world filled with constant noise and messaging, Ben emphasized the importance of simplicity. He explained that effective messages are simple and easy to understand. Fluent messages that require less mental load tend to perform better in terms of trust, likability, and buying behavior.
Ben mentioned Apple as a prime example when asked about brands that excel in simple messaging. Apple effectively communicates benefits rather than focusing on features, contrasting with Microsoft's struggles in marketing their Zune product.
He also explored the power of simple messaging in branding and communication. Successful slogans like Apple's "A thousand songs in your pocket" and FedEx's "when it has to Be There Overnight" resonate with customers because they are concise, relatable, and empathetic.
Ben shared a personal story about his dentist, who used a simple and relatable line, "You only have to floss the teeth you want to keep," which motivated him to start flossing regularly. This example highlights the power of empathy and direct communication in influencing behavior.
Ben offers a wealth of resources on his website, including a weekly email newsletter with exciting ideas and downloads. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. Ben is a wellspring of knowledge with his experience as a speaker, teaching marketing at Baruch College, and speaking at various meetups, corporations, non-profits, and conferences.
Key Points from the Episode:Importance of simplicity in messaging and communicationFive principles for achieving simplicity in design: benefit to the receiver, focus on one thing at a time, stand out from noise, empathy for the audience, minimalismEditing process and conveying the message immediately in book titles and coversExamples of brands with simple messaging: Apple vs MicrosoftPower of simple and straightforward messaging in branding and communicationExamples of successful slogansApplication of simple messaging in personal relationshipsThe target audience for the book "Simply Put": leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, faith leadersResources available on Ben's website: newsletter, downloads, LinkedIn connection
About Ben Guttmann:Ben Guttmann is a seasoned marketing professional, educator, and author dedicated to unraveling the motivations behind human behavior. With a wealth of experience running a successful marketing agency, teaching at Baruch College, and collaborating with major brands, Guttmann emphasizes the power of simplicity in winning ideas.
Founder of the award-winning marketing agency Digital Natives Group, Guttmann's journey began with local businesses. It evolved into partnerships with notable entities like the NFL, Comcast NBCUniversal, and The Nature Conservancy. 
In addition to teaching marketing to aspiring professionals at Baruch College since 2014, Guttmann has contributed to major publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He's a sought-after speaker at conferences and events, having organized the successful Queens Tech Night meetup series.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Guttmann has served on the boards of influential organizations such as the Long Island City Partnership and the Queens Economic Development Corporation. 
His commitment to exploring new ideas, advising clients, and blending technology with humanity defines his current focus. Guttmann's impactful career underscores the significance of clear and direct messaging in a distracted world.
Tweetable Moments:3:49 - “Marketing is...