Tampa Ceo Forum

Jim Muehlhausen is the author of The 51 Fatal Business Errors: And How to Avoid Them, a book Kurt highly recommends as a go-to resource guide for leaders of organizations. Kurt and Jim discuss how Jim came to write the book, what the book does for business owners, and, for those who want face-to-face help, how belonging to a CEO peer group can support your small business or nonprofit organization.   Key Takeaways: [2:09] Jim started as a business owner and a consultant. He learned slow, expensive lessons, and noticed patterns in business problems. There are best practices for most processes, but they haven't been passed along from one person to another; Jim does that with this book. [3:41] Jim talks about salestrepreneurs, and the business model issues they create. As a business owner, you need to hire a salesperson, not be the salesperson. [4:58] It's very difficult to delegate some of the work of a business owner. Jim has a 98-2 delegation model. 2% cannot be delegated, but 98% can. The business owner

Will Joseph is one of the Founders of CO.STARTERS, a network of business startup communities based in Tennessee. Prior to CO.STARTERS, he was involved with creating employment training programs and operational systems for some large restaurant chains, and he has also worked in the nonprofit sector, as well as starting his own diaper service company. Kurt and Will discuss Will's personal journey, the values he shares through CO.STARTERS, how CO.STARTERS works in the community and helps entrepreneurs build confidence, make connections and plan for success.   Key Takeaways: [1:49] CO.STARTERS helps microenterprise entrepreneurs. Will got involved when he moved to Chattanooga and started a diaper service. He met Hal Bowling, who was at Launch Chattanooga in marginalized areas, using the CO.STARTERS curriculum with great success. Will met with other CO.STARTERS founders, and helped Hal port the program to additional cities. [3:30] Will became one of the first CO.STARTERS trainers to expand the program beyond

Cathy Skinner is the Founder and CEO of Thrivors, a company that empowers cancer survivors through various healthy programs that include exercise, diet, community support, and much more. Cathy is a master teacher for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and she authored The Art of Well's Introduction to Exercise for Cancer Recovery(TM). She also teaches classes, and is a frequent speaker at conferences and support groups. Kurt and Cathy discuss the growth of Thrivors, from startup to its expected future expansion, the benefits Thrivors provides to post-discharge patients, and in general, how startups can find mentors to guide their growth. Listen in to hear ideas on how your organization can scale to meet the needs of your market.   Key Takeaways: [2:13] Cathy started her work with cancer survivors after her dad was diagnosed, years ago. She started to provide exercise, wellness, and tools that could help them in their recovery. She saw the need to partner with providers to reach more survivors qu

Michael Parise was a Catholic priest for over 32 years, serving as a pastor, spiritual director, pastoral counselor, teacher, mentor, healer, and also a published author, and artist. Michael is currently a Life & Spirit Coach certified in spiritual direction, stress reduction, and trauma recovery. Michael specializes in helping executives and professionals drowning in personal responsibilities. Michael helps them take charge of their priorities, and simplify their lives, so they have more balance and joy. Kurt and Michael discuss Michael's latest book, Life Interrupted, and some of the steps it teaches to help you deal with change positively. They discuss organizational culture, and how discipleship contrasts with the traditional hierarchy of most organizations. Listen in to hear how you can help people in your organization manage personal and business change.   Key Takeaways: [3:54] Michael's new book, Life Interrupted, addresses coping with radical change. First, feel it. Explore your emotional, an

Hasan Al-Khoor is a Co-Founder of Simo Juice. Hasan and Kurt met at an Innovation Summit in Tampa, and Kurt was impressed enough to have him on the podcast for the listeners' benefit. Hasan is a graduate of the University of Tampa, and majored in Entrepreneurship. Kurt and Hasan discuss the origins of Simo Juice, their mission and vision, and how they are working towards their goals. Listen in for sound advice for entrepreneurs and growing businesses!   Key Takeaways: [1:51] Hasan speaks about the name Simo Juice, inspired by ancient philosophies, combined with modern innovation and science. [2:41] What makes Simo Juice products different from other juice options? [3:27] Hasan designs Simo Juice juices to provide specific health benefits as well as good all-natural flavors. [5:04] What are the benefits of the cold-press process? [6:43] Hasan grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. He found passion for nutrition, fitness, and supplements, and he combined these three passions into one business, when a friend

R. Shawn McBride is the Founder and Managing Member of the R. Shawn McBride Law Firm, which concentrates on helping small and mid-size businesses protect their assets, to thrive in all business situations, and ultimately, to reach their desired outcomes. He provides highly-personalized service and education to his clients, so that they understand the law and make sound decisions on legal matters affecting their business. Shawn is a return guest on the Tampa CEO Forum podcast. In this episode, Shawn shares his expertise and experience about steps organization leaders and business owners should take to prepare their organizations to function robustly in the absence of their leader, and eventually be sold, or passed to the next generation, with continued purpose and value.   Key Takeaways: [2:06] Robust leadership involves people, so the organization can function during your absence. Who responds to customers, and messages? What if the owner dies? Is the value still there? Robust leadership makes the organi

R. Shawn McBride is the Founder and Managing Member of the R. Shawn McBride Law Firm, which concentrates on helping small and mid-size businesses protect their assets, to thrive in all business situations, and ultimately, to reach their desired outcomes. He provides highly-personalized service and education to his clients, so that they understand the law and make sound decisions on legal matters affecting their business. Shawn and Kurt are also members of the Tampa Bay Business Owners' Group, which is where they met. Shawn is a return guest on the Tampa CEO Forum podcast. In this episode, Shawn explains the business of running a nonprofit organization, from the vision and passion that start the process, to the systems, people, and legal structure needed for it to stand the test of time.   Key Takeaways: [1:57] Nonprofits provide services, and are run like businesses, but there are unique aspects of running a nonprofit. [3:41] Look ahead. What is your vision for the organization? Where will it be in ten y

Gordon Firemark is an entertainment, media and intellectual property attorney, in Los Angeles, California, where he works with creatives, and businesses in the fields of theater, film, television, and new media. He counts among his clients several houses of worship and other charitable organizations, as well as more traditional businesses that feature live performances, as well as film producers, production companies, writers, directors, actors, and so forth. Gordon blogs about entertainment law, at Firemark.com, and he is the producer and host of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, which can be found at EntertainmentLawUpdate.com. He is also the publisher of the Podcast Blog and New Media Producer's Legal Survival Guide, and you can get that at PodcastLawBook.com. He operates a YouTube channel, in which he provides succinct answers to common entertainment and intellectual property law questions, at Firemark.tv. Gordon joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Listen in as Gordon and

R. Shawn McBride is the Founder and Managing Member of the R. Shawn McBride Law Firm, which concentrates on helping small and mid-size businesses protect their assets, to thrive in all business situations, and ultimately, to reach their desired outcomes. He provides highly-personalized service and education to his clients, so that they understand the law and make sound decisions on legal matters affecting their business. These are among his highest priorities, in addition to just being a great guy and an excellent colleague all around. Shawn and Kurt are also members of the Tampa Bay Business Owners' Group, which is where they met, and where Kurt first saw Shawn's book, Business Blunders! 10 Dangerous Business Mistakes And How to Protect Your Business So It Can Thrive. It's an amazing book! Shawn joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Listen in as Shawn and Kurt discuss a number of topics, including empowering business owners through understanding and education, why partnerships don'

Dan DeLange is a professional orchestrator who has completed many successful projects for the Jim Henson Company, Julie Andrews, Rosie O'Donnell, Paul Williams, and many others. His scores have been heard on Broadway, London's West End, national and European tours, film, television, and at distinguished regional theatres, including Goodspeed Musicals. Dan is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Dan joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Listen in as Dan and Kurt discuss a number of topics, including Dan's learning the hard way that music is a difficult business, mentoring himself at the hands of the old masters, benefitting by hiring a personal and business coach, and his vision for the future impact of musical theater on society.   Key Takeaways: [2:10] Kurt explains why a professional musician is a guest on a business show. The business of music is one of the hardest careers for making a living, and Dan is a great success. [3:51] D

Susan Lane, Executive Director of Clinical Operations for a large healthcare organization in the New England area, joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Susan has been the president of a high-tech consulting company that Kurt consulted for, and Susan and Kurt have worked together at the healthcare organization. Listen in as Susan and Kurt discuss a number of topics, including IT project management, personnel management and visioning, and how your organization can work through the issues involved in change.   Key Takeaways: [2:14] The success of IT systems changes depends not only on C-level issues, and vendor relationships, but also on the impact of the change on internal and external customer users. [3:18] Humans have an individual natural reaction to change. What kinds of reactions has Susan observed in her work? [4:02] If you're getting a lot of push-back on a project, it's probably because you are making a substantial change. It may indicate the change is more significant t

Efrain Rodriguez of BizCentral USA, based in Orlando, Florida, joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Besides being an Armed Forces veteran, Efrain has also had some great experiences leading divisions of very large organizations. He understands business very well, from soup to nuts, and his calling has been to help nonprofits, and for-profit businesses to organize and thrive in their operations. Efrain and his team at BizCentral USA, take away a lot of that busyness that really derails business leaders. Listen in as Efrain and Kurt discuss topics including the difference between a foundation and a regular non-profit, an example of a corporate foundation the does good, and generates good will, the objectives of a foundation, and how to establish a foundation under your organization.   Key Takeaways: [3:50] Efrain discusses corporate and private foundations. The money to start the foundation usually comes from the named founder or corporation. Different rules apply to foundations

Kelly Hamm, Managing Principal Consultant of Billmeyer Hamm Consulting, based in Bradenton, Florida, joins Kurt Glacy for the fourth and final time, in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Kelly has extensive experience as an HR strategic business partner, HR director, organizational design consultant, and also as a thought leader focused on implementing workforce strategies, culture and change management, talent optimization, and much more. Listen in as Kelly and Kurt discuss topics including employee performance excellence, organization performance excellence, and the danger that a toxic workforce culture poses to the sustainability of an organization.   Key Takeaways: [2:44] When you have personal excellence in what you're doing and what you're committed to doing, it's going to impact the workplace. [3:33] Performance excellence means doing the best that you can do every single day, and paying attention to quality results. [6:07] Trust is part of the behaviour and vibe of the culture. [8:18] T

Kelly Hamm, Managing Principal Consultant of Billmeyer Hamm Consulting, based in Bradenton, Florida, joins Kurt Glacy for the third time, in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Kelly has extensive experience as an HR strategic business partner, HR director, organizational design consultant, and also as a thought leader focused on implementing workforce strategies, culture and change management, talent optimization, and so much more. Listen in as Kelly and Kurt discuss topics including transparency in workforce culture, leadership dos and don'ts, and why authentic and transparent communication is needed for full employee engagement.   Key Takeaways: [2:06] Culture is critical to the success of your organization. It's so important for your workforce culture to be aligned with your goals. It drives your business and financials. [5:05] Some leaders may find it hard to walk around and engage with employees. If that is you, push yourself to learn their names, connect with them, and build mutual trust.

Kelly Hamm, Managing Principal Consultant of Billmeyer Hamm Consulting, based in Bradenton, Florida, joins Kurt Glacy for the second time, in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Kelly has extensive experience as an HR strategic business partner, HR director, organizational design consultant, and also as a thought leader focused on implementing workforce strategies, culture and change management, talent optimization, and so much more. Listen in as Kelly and Kurt discuss topics including financial transparency — what amount of transparency is appropriate, how transparency educates your employees on your organization's success, and how employee engagement is affected by financial transparency.   Key Takeaways: [2:34] When organizations align their workforce culture with their business strategy, their business results and their financials improve. [3:14] It's important to share financial information with your employees. The more transparent you can be — why you're in business, who your biggest clien

Kelly Hamm, Managing Principal Consultant of Billmeyer Hamm Consulting, based in Bradenton, Florida, joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Kelly has extensive experience as an HR strategic business partner, HR director, organizational design consultant, and also as a thought leader focused on implementing workforce strategies, culture and change management, talent optimization, and much more. Listen in as Kelly and Kurt discuss topics including the meaning of workforce culture, how workforce culture impacts your organization's financial results, how it either aligns with or counters your organization vision and mission, and taking steps to improve it.   Key Takeaways: [1:50] Kelly defines workforce culture, and explains its importance in any organization. [2:33] How are workforce culture, business strategy, and financial results linked? [6:05] How should leaders document and publish their vision and goal for how they want to drive workforce culture? [7:24] Kurt explains how vis

Dawson Hicks of Sentinel Background Checks, based in Brandon, Florida, joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Dawson began his career in construction management, then transitioned to the background screening industry. He is now the Vice President of Client Services at Sentinel Background Checks. He is deeply involved with the industry, and has obtained the NAPBS FCRA Advanced Certification. Listen in as Dawson and Kurt discuss topics including the kinds of background screenings, some of the reasons organizations screen employees at hiring, and why it is necessary to be compliant in the process.   Key Takeaways: [3:19] Background checks help employers know what types of persons they are interviewing for potential employment. [6:07] Background checks need to be compliant, so all applicants go through the same process, which must be conducted legally. [10:33] Dawson explains his background check recommendations and process for a potential bank employee. [15:22] Dawson discusses bac

Ellen Pinchuk, Deputy CEO of Mikhailov & Partners, joins Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Ellen manages development and implementation of programs for the positioning of Russian companies, with Mikhailov & Partners, the largest communication consultancy in Russia and eastern Europe. Listen in as Ellen and Kurt discuss how small businesses and organizations can reach out to their communities and build a reputation for their business.   Key Takeaways: [1:48] What public relations should look like for small businesses and nonprofits. [5:09] Ellen shares a real life example of how she has used an event as a public relations tool in her business. [6:20] What is the best way to reach out to the community and build a reputation? [11:09] How to identify the outlets and specific contacts that can help share the business' story. [13:54] How to keep relationships alive with social media.   Mentioned in This Episode: Mikhailov & Partners

Ellen Pinchuk, Deputy CEO of Mikhailov & Partners, joins host Kurt Glacy in this episode of the Tampa CEO Forum Podcast. Ellen manages development and implementation of programs for the positioning of Russian companies, with Mikhailov and Partners, the largest communication consultancy in Russia and eastern Europe. Listen in as Ellen and Kurt discuss the importance of establishing a relationship with business customers.   Key Takeaways: [3:16] What is the difference between public relations and advertising? [7:42] How to create press interest in what you are doing. [11:02] Is social media essential for all organizations? [15:31] How a small business owner should use social media. [20:08] How social media has changed how we communicate and do business. [24:00] What it means for a business to "live out" their public relations. [31:24] Why a business should identify their competitive advantage.   Mentioned in This Episode: Mikhailov & Partners

In this episode, Kurt Glacy is joined by Kelly Hamm, the founder and principal consultant at Bill Meyer Hamm Consulting. Kelly has over 25 years of experience as an HR strategic business partner, HR director, executive leader coach, organizational design consultant, and innovative thought leader focused on implementing workforce strategies. Listen as Kurt and Kelly talk strategy for improving workplace culture.   Key Takeaways: [1:21] Kurt introduces this week's guest, Kelly Hamm. [3:17] What is workplace culture and why does it matter? [5:54] The essence of building a workplace culture goes beyond providing extra features and bonuses to employees. [7:22] How to set the tone to have the right people and the right priorities. [9:52] How do leaders and employees nurture a culture that is conducive to keep and retain employees? [11:39] How to assess workplace culture with measurable results. [14:57] Kelly shares an overview of her Hamm methodology, or the Hybrid Accountability Management Method. [18:48] Kel