14 episodes

Join us on Trailblazing for Success: Inspiring Leaders, a podcast celebrating remarkable leaders and their journeys to success. Discover their secrets, adventures, challenges, and innovations.

Trailblazing for Success: Inspiring Leaders Bruce and Gail Montgomery

    • Business

Join us on Trailblazing for Success: Inspiring Leaders, a podcast celebrating remarkable leaders and their journeys to success. Discover their secrets, adventures, challenges, and innovations.

    Unlocking Customer Relationships: The Power of Purposeful Dialogues with JC Quintana

    Unlocking Customer Relationships: The Power of Purposeful Dialogues with JC Quintana

    JC Quintana, the CEO and co-founder of Dialogue 7, discusses the importance of setting expectations in business relationships. He highlights the challenges faced by organizations in re-engaging with the value their products and services deliver. JC emphasizes the need for structured dialogue and the skill of listening to understand and meet expectations. He also touches on the significance of cultural intelligence in global business interactions. JC shares the best advice he has received, which is to spend more time listening with a framework mindset. He concludes by expressing his excitement about his transition to focusing on his passion and upcoming travel plans.

    Takeaways
    * Setting clear expectations is crucial in business relationships.
    * Structured dialogue and active listening are essential skills for understanding and meeting expectations.
    * Cultural intelligence is important for navigating global business interactions.
    * Spending more time listening and asking the right questions can lead to better relationships and outcomes.
    * Transitioning to focus on one's passion can bring excitement and fulfillment in life.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Background
    01:17 Overview of Dialogue 7
    02:22 Challenges in the Industry
    03:42 Process of Dialogue 7
    05:01 The Importance of Setting Expectations
    05:43 The Missing Skill in Business
    10:07 Having Conversations of Value
    11:31 Cultural Intelligence
    20:34 Excitement and Inspiration in Life
    23:02 Trailblazers Outro

    • 23 min
    Authenticity in Advertising: Embracing Imperfection and Empowering Impact, with Lyn Wineman of KidGlov

    Authenticity in Advertising: Embracing Imperfection and Empowering Impact, with Lyn Wineman of KidGlov

    Summary

    Lyn Wineman, the president and chief strategist of KidGlov, a marketing and advertising agency, joins Bruce and Gail to discuss the importance of mission and purpose in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. They also explore the challenges in the marketing industry, the impact of AI, and the power skills of balance and authenticity.



    Takeaways

    Mission and purpose are essential in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

    The marketing industry faces challenges in a tumultuous economy, but cutting marketing can be detrimental to organizations.

    AI is a valuable tool in marketing, but it cannot replace original ideas and human creativity.

    Balance and authenticity are important power skills in the marketing industry.

    Starting ugly and being willing to take imperfect action is crucial for success.

    Being aware of and managing self-talk is important for personal growth and success.



    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    00:03 Welcoming Lyn Wineman

    02:45 The Importance of Mission and Purpose in Nonprofits and For-Profits

    06:30 Organizations Lyn is Excited to be Working With

    10:59 Challenges in the Marketing Industry

    12:08 The Impact of AI on the Marketing Industry

    14:26 Missing Power Skills

    23:29 The Best Piece of Advice Lyn Has Received

    26:18 What Inspires Lyn and What She's Excited About

    27:39 Outro

    • 27 min
    Cracking the Code: Mastering Customer Engagement and Success, with Alex Raymond, CEO of Kapta

    Cracking the Code: Mastering Customer Engagement and Success, with Alex Raymond, CEO of Kapta

    In this episode, we embarked on an enlightening journey into the realm of customer engagement, account management, and the pivotal role of curiosity and connection in fostering lasting client relationships.

    Through engaging discussions with industry expert Alex Raymond, we uncovered the multifaceted challenges faced by key account managers and professionals in customer success and experience. From the intricacies of maintaining strong connections with clients to the transformative power of curiosity in understanding and meeting their needs, we explored a wealth of insights and strategies. With a focus on elevating discussions, sharing expert perspectives, and fostering interactive engagement, our conversation aimed to empower professionals in their quest for customer-centric excellence.

    Through it all, Kapta emerged as a beacon of value, offering not only innovative solutions but also a steadfast commitment to sharing knowledge and supporting the unsung heroes of the business world.



    Takeaways

    Customer retention is crucial for businesses, as it is more cost-effective to retain existing customers than acquire new ones.

    Account managers play a vital role in ensuring customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.

    Curiosity is a key soft skill for account managers, as it allows them to understand their customers' needs and goals on a deeper level.

    Going outside the building and engaging with customers directly is essential for gathering valuable insights and improving customer relationships.



    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Overview of Kapta

    01:04 The Importance of Keeping Existing Customers

    06:02 Kapta's Webinars, KamGenius, and KamCon

    07:32 KamCon 2024: Elevating the Discussion on Customer Engagement

    10:06 The Soft Skills Account Managers Need to Improve

    12:15 The Power of Curiosity in Account Management

    16:12 The Importance of Customer Discovery and Going Outside the Building

    • 22 min
    Impactful Conversations: Exploring Business & Empathy with Craig Jonas of CoPeace

    Impactful Conversations: Exploring Business & Empathy with Craig Jonas of CoPeace

    Summary

    Craig Jonas, CEO and founder of CoPeace, discusses impact investing and the mission of his company to help impactful businesses grow. He shares the catalyst for founding CoPeace and the challenges he sees in the industry. Craig emphasizes the importance of empathy as a soft skill in business and shares advice he has received as a leader. He also talks about his personal life and what he is looking forward to. Overall, the conversation highlights the intersection of business and social impact.



    akeaways

    Impact investing is a growing movement that allows businesses to make a positive impact on the world while also generating financial returns.

    Empathy is a crucial soft skill in business, especially in today's divisive world. Understanding and perceiving the thoughts and feelings of others can lead to better relationships and business outcomes.

    Leaders should have an open mind and be willing to learn and adapt. Being open to new information and ideas can lead to personal and professional growth.

    CoPeace focuses on investing in companies that are socially and environmentally impactful, aiming for a 20% return on investment. The company seeks to make a ripple effect and create positive change in the world.

    Craig Jonas is excited about his children's upcoming weddings and looks forward to becoming a grandfather.



    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:13 Overview of CoPeace and Impact Investing

    02:26 The Catalyst for Founding CoPeace

    05:01 Challenges in Impact Investing

    06:23 Finding Investment Opportunities

    09:03 Exciting Companies in CoPeace's Portfolio

    10:37 The Importance of Empathy in Business

    13:09 Advice for Leaders

    17:35 Personal Life and Future Plans

    20:05 Conclusion and Farewell

    • 20 min
    Digging into Mental Wellness: Insights from WellPower CEO, Carl Clark

    Digging into Mental Wellness: Insights from WellPower CEO, Carl Clark

    In this podcast episode, Gail & Bruce speak with Carl Clark, CEO of WellPower, about mental wellness. Carl discusses WellPower's approach, covering body-mind strategies, psychotherapy, and addressing social determinants of health. They explore industry challenges like workforce shortages and solutions like AI-powered documentation. The impact of telehealth on care accessibility and fostering genuine social connections in the digital age is also discussed. Carl highlights proactive self-care and meaningful connections for holistic well-being, offering practical tips for navigating mental wellness.

    Introduction to WellPower
    00:56 Holistic Approach to Mental Wellness
    04:50 Challenges in Prioritizing Mental Wellness
    08:55 Workforce Shortage in Behavioral Health
    13:04 Advantages and Limitations to Telehealth
    15:09 Maintaining Human Connection in a Digital World
    17:06 Developing Soft Skills for Effective Communication
    18:31 Finding Joy and Meaning in Life
    20:49 Best Piece of Advice

    • 22 min
    Navigating the Future: Trailblazing Insights from CHFA's Debbie Herrera on Mission, Adaptability, and Personal Growth

    Navigating the Future: Trailblazing Insights from CHFA's Debbie Herrera on Mission, Adaptability, and Personal Growth

    Summary

    Debbie Herrera, the HR leader at Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), discusses the core functions of CHFA and its mission to finance affordable housing and support economic development in Colorado. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability as the number one power skill in today's business world, particularly in the face of artificial intelligence.

    Debbie also addresses the challenges of embracing change across different generations and the need for empathy and collaboration. She highlights the importance of overcoming fear and focusing on the best-case scenario.

    Looking ahead, CHFA aims to navigate the transition to in-person connections while maintaining the benefits of virtual work. Personally, Debbie is excited to continue her personal growth and nurture relationships in 2024.



    Takeaways

    CHFA finances affordable housing and supports economic development in Colorado through programs for first-time home buyers, multifamily development, and small businesses.

    Adaptability is the number one power skill needed in today's business world, especially in the face of artificial intelligence.

    Overcoming fear and embracing collaboration are essential for navigating change and innovation.

    Empathy and understanding generational differences are crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.

    Focusing on the best-case scenario and embracing uncertainty can lead to personal and professional growth.



    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Overview of CHFA

    02:10 CHFA's Role in First-Time Home Buyers and Multifamily Development

    03:06 Importance of CHFA's Mission and Values

    04:25 The Number One Power Skill: Adaptability

    06:05 The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Fear

    08:14 Handling Generational Differences in Embracing Change

    09:37 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Collaboration

    11:28 Increasing Uncertainty Tolerance and Embracing Change

    14:27 Challenges Ahead: Navigating Virtual Work and Knowledge Management

    18:17 Looking Forward to Business and Personal Goals

    21:24 Closing Remarks and Dance Party

    • 21 min

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