The CEO Project Podcast

Jim Schleckser

Want to build a great business? The CEO Project Podcast and host Jim Schleckser brings proven tools and techniques to scale your business. Each episode dives deep into a critical business topic for CEOs of mid to large-sized firms.

  1. Lessons from Banana Ball: How to be the First, Best and Only

    4天前

    Lessons from Banana Ball: How to be the First, Best and Only

    What if banana ball held the secret to building a business culture that fans can’t stop talking about? This episode takes you inside the world of the Savannah Bananas—a team that has turned baseball upside down by creating banana ball, a fast-paced, joy-filled experience that keeps fans lining up for more. And the lessons go way beyond sports. You’ll see how putting customers first, eliminating friction, and daring to innovate can transform your own organization just like it did for theirs. In this episode, you’ll discover: How banana ball grew from one small experiment into a nationwide phenomenon. Why “fans first” thinking is the mindset shift every leader needs. Practical ways to build culture, spark innovation, and scale without losing your edge. Press play now to learn how the bold moves behind banana ball can inspire you to reinvent your own playbook for success. Check out: 09:45 – The birth of banana ball on the road Tyler explains how a small test in one city turned into a touring phenomenon that now sells out stadiums across the country. 21:10 – Fans first in action Discover the creative ways the Savannah Bananas removed friction—like all-you-can-eat tickets and fan-caught foul balls counting as outs—that made banana ball unforgettable. 47:30 – Scaling culture while scaling teams Tyler shares how the Bananas are building a Championship League, expanding teams, and keeping “fans first” at the core as they grow nationwide. About Tyler Gillum Tyler Gillum is a coach, educator, and entrepreneur who’s dedicated his life to helping others believe in themselves and chase their biggest dreams. His mantra, “Bet on Yourself” isn’t just a phrase, it’s how he lives, leads, and speaks. From growing up on the rodeo circuit to leading the Savannah Bananas as Head Coach, his journey has been built on resilience, vision, and servant leadership. He has seen firsthand what happens when you bet on yourself, and more importantly, what happens when you help others do the same.

    32 分钟
  2. Why Smart CEO's Join CEO Peer Advisory and Networking Groups

    9月15日

    Why Smart CEO's Join CEO Peer Advisory and Networking Groups

    What if the secret to keeping up with rapid change isn’t just better strategy—but joining the right ceo peer advisory or networking groups? In a world where technology is evolving faster than organizations can adapt, you need more than just headlines to guide your decisions. This episode dives into how networking groups for CEOs and executives create the conversations, connections, and peer learning that help leaders stay ahead of disruption. Alan Murray—former CEO of Fortune Media and now leading the Wall Street Journal’s Leadership Institute—shares why these groups are becoming essential for tackling today’s toughest challenges. Here’s what you’ll take away: How networking groups provide real-time insights into AI, geopolitics, and workforce shifts that no report can match. Why connecting with peers outside your company helps you solve problems faster and see blind spots sooner. The specific ways top executives use networking groups to strengthen leadership and drive business transformation. Listen now and learn how the right networking group can give you the clarity, confidence, and edge to lead in uncertain times. Check out: [12:45] – Alan Murray explains why large organizations struggle to adapt as fast as technology and how networking groups help close that gap. [28:10] – A candid look at how CEOs are using networking groups to navigate AI adoption, geopolitics, and supply chain risks. [44:30] – The future of leadership: how peer exchange and networking groups shape smarter strategies for today’s unpredictable business environment. About Alan Murray Alan Murray is the former CEO of Fortune Media. He oversaw the business and editorial operations of the independent media company and is known for expanding its digital and conference franchises. Until April 2024, Murray also wrote a closely-read daily newsletter for Fortune, CEO Daily. Prior to joining Fortune in 2015, Murray led the rapid expansion of the Pew Research Center’s digital footprint as president of that organization. Before that, Murray was at the Wall Street Journal for many years, serving as deputy managing editor, executive editor online, Washington bureau chief, and author of the Political Capital and Business columns. He served for several years as Washington bureau chief for CNBC, and cohost of the nightly show Capital Report. He is the author of multiple books, including Showdown at Gucci Gulch: Lawmakers, Lobbyists, and the Unlikely Triumph of Tax Reform.

    34 分钟
  3. How To Build Your Personal Brand and Grow Your Business

    9月1日

    How To Build Your Personal Brand and Grow Your Business

    What happens when your personal brand gets the spotlight—are you ready to make the most of it? You work hard to earn visibility for yourself and your business, but the truth is: securing the booking is only half the battle. The real impact comes from how you show up, connect, and tell your story in a way that builds trust and grows your influence. In this episode, you’ll discover how to: Sharpen your on-camera and on-mic presence so you come across with confidence and credibility. Use personal stories to make your brand relatable, magnetic, and memorable. Navigate tough questions and “off-track” moments so you can stay calm, in control, and persuasive. Press play now to learn how to turn every interview into a powerful opportunity to elevate your brand and expand your reach. Check out: [06:45] – Why Luana walked away from acting and how that turning point led her into PR. [21:10] – The real risks (and rewards) of making a CEO the face of a company’s personal brand. [38:25] – How to handle tough interview questions and pivot with confidence when things go off track. About Luana Ribeira Speaker, actress and founder of Dauntless PR Luana Ribeira gets personal brands booked for TV, radio, podcasts, magazines and the news. This helps experts to boost brand awareness, credibility and to become known as the leading voice on their topic. She has appeared on Forbes, OK Magazine, FOX TV, ITV, BBC, Channel 4, Teen Vogue, Insider and many others.    You can find Luana at http://www.dauntlesspr.com/

    27 分钟
  4. Why a Purpose Driven Business Outperforms a Profit First One

    8月25日

    Why a Purpose Driven Business Outperforms a Profit First One

    What does it really mean to build a purpose driven business—and how can focusing on more than just profit transform your success? As an entrepreneur, you know the tension between chasing growth and staying true to your deeper mission. In this episode, Kyle Kamrooz, founder and CEO of Bonus Home, opens up about the lessons he’s learned in real estate, technology, and venture capital—and why putting purpose over profit is not only more fulfilling but also a smarter long-term strategy. By listening, you’ll learn: How to align your business decisions with a mission that sustains you beyond financial gains. The pitfalls of taking capital from partners who don’t share your values—and how to guard against it. Why building wealth through homeownership offers a powerful example of combining purpose with impact. Press play now to hear how prioritizing purpose over profit can reshape the way you grow, lead, and leave a legacy. Check out: [09:15] — Kyle shares what it was like building one of the largest direct-to-consumer mortgage lenders by age 25 and the hard lessons that came with rapid growth. [28:42] — A candid discussion on why taking money from the wrong strategic partners can derail your vision, and how Kyle learned the importance of protecting purpose over profit. [47:10] — The inspiration behind Bonus Home, rooted in Kyle’s father’s experience, and how rethinking homeownership can unlock generational wealth for everyday Americans. About Our Guest: Kyle Kamrooz is the founder and CEO of Bonus Homes, a groundbreaking platform redefining how Americans build generational wealth through homeownership.  Prior to founding Bonus Homes, Kyle spent nearly two decades in the real estate ecosystem. By the age of 25, Kyle had already built one of the largest direct-to-consumer mortgage lending companies in California. By 27, he built a 50 state national lender that processed over $7 billion in loans annually and employed more than 800 people across all 50 states.

    35 分钟
  5. How to Navigate Your Entrepreneurial Journey to Private Equity Success

    8月18日

    How to Navigate Your Entrepreneurial Journey to Private Equity Success

    Ever wonder how a CEO goes from managing 2,000 apartments to building multiple seven-figure ventures backed by private equity? If you’ve ever struggled with scaling a service business, finding reliable vendors, or wondered how to make the leap from bootstrapping to private equity funding, this episode will feel like it’s speaking directly to you. Tyler Dunagin shares the real story of how he solved a problem most property managers know all too well and turned it into a rapidly growing portfolio of companies. Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation: How to create a focused business model in a crowded industry that instantly speaks to your ideal clients. The step-by-step reality of moving from self-funding to securing private equity while keeping control of your business. What really works (and what doesn’t) when acquiring companies and integrating teams into your growing portfolio. Hit play now to learn Tyler’s hard-earned lessons—and discover strategies you can use to scale smarter and faster in your own business. About Tyler Dunagin At the crossroads of innovation and leadership, Tyler founded and scaled multiple seven-figure ventures, consistently driving industry transformation. Over the past decade, he started and expanded both service and product-based companies, notably Turnserv—a platform of self-started brands revolutionizing the housing sector by streamlining turnover processes. With operations extending to new locations every few weeks, Turnserv addresses critical operational challenges for property managers with unparalleled reliability and efficiency.

    27 分钟
  6. Why Smart CEOs Use the 80/20 Rule to Improve Their Business

    8月11日

    Why Smart CEOs Use the 80/20 Rule to Improve Their Business

    Have you ever wondered why the 80/20 rule works in almost every aspect of life, from business to personal connections, and how you can use it to optimize your success? The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, has been around for decades, but do you really understand how deeply it impacts your business? In this episode, we explore not just the basics of 80/20, but how digging deeper into this principle can radically shift your approach to everything from customers to employees, and even your own personal life. Learn how applying 80/20 can uncover your business’s true power and profit centers. Discover how to maximize talent and resources by focusing on the most productive elements of your team and customers. Understand why focusing on fewer, better relationships can transform your personal and professional life. Tune in now to discover how embracing 80/20 could be the key to unlocking exponential growth and serenity in your business. Check out: 4:30 – Discover how the 80/20 rule impacts customer relationships and why focusing on your most profitable clients can save time and boost profits. 19:45 – Learn about the “80/20 inside the 80/20” concept and how breaking it down further can reveal hidden opportunities in your business. 35:10 – Gain insights into how the 80/20 rule applies to talent management and why doubling down on strengths, rather than weaknesses, leads to explosive growth. About Our Guest Perry Marshall is one of the most expensive business strategists in the world. He is endorsed in FORBES and Inc. Magazine and has worked with clients such as FanDuel, InfusionSoft, and LoanBuilder. He founded the $10 million Evolution 2.0 Prize, with judges from Harvard, Oxford and MIT. Launched at the Royal Society in London, it’s the world’s largest science research award. He is co-founder of the AACR’s Cancer & Evolution Working Group. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labs uses his 80/20 Curve as a productivity tool. His reinvention of the Pareto Principle was published in Harvard Business Review.

    31 分钟
  7. How to Use Behavior Science to Improve Your Business

    8月4日

    How to Use Behavior Science to Improve Your Business

    What if behavioral science—not just branding—was the key to finally getting people to pay attention, change habits, and take action? Whether you're launching a product, driving cultural change, or working to influence public behavior, you're up against deeply ingrained habits. In this episode, you’ll hear how expert Tim Berney uses behavioral science to create campaigns that do more than inform—they shift mindsets and drive real-world results. This approach works just as powerfully for CEOs as it does for public health leaders. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: A framework for using behavior science to guide people through awareness, belief shifts, and sustainable change. Lessons from successful campaigns that moved entire communities—from recycling to water conservation to anti-smoking. Insight into how these same tools apply to internal culture change and leadership development. Listen now to discover how behavior-driven marketing can help you solve your toughest communication and culture challenges. Check out: [12:43] – How a $1,300/month media buying side hustle turned into a nationally recognized behavior change agency—and what it took to get there. [24:10] – The 4 stages of behavior change explained with real-world campaigns like recycling, seatbelts, and anti-smoking. [47:22] – A candid take on how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape—and why the winners will be those who lean in, not resist. About Our Guest Tim Berney is the CEO and Founder of VI Marketing & Branding, a multi-million-dollar, independent agency known for creating behavior-changing campaigns that drive measurable success. With decades of experience in marketing and branding, Tim has led VI to become a nationally recognized firm, helping businesses scale through strategic innovation. His expertise spans brand development, market growth and leadership in an evolving digital landscape.

    34 分钟

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Want to build a great business? The CEO Project Podcast and host Jim Schleckser brings proven tools and techniques to scale your business. Each episode dives deep into a critical business topic for CEOs of mid to large-sized firms.

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