Aggressive Balance with Dennis Morton

Now, more than ever, differentiation is top-of-mind for businesses who are investing heavily in attracting and retaining employees. In this episode, I am joined by John Dodds, a brand and marketing strategist and founder of The Sharp End, LLC. Having worked with multinational companies on marketing and communication strategies, John is passionate about taking an authentic approach to building and communicating your brand story. In our discussion, John shares why he dubs this point in time "The Great Realization" and how companies can use their unique story to attract and retain employees.

In today's business climate, attracting and retaining employees is top-of-mind. Managers and business owners are realizing the importance of team dynamics, company culture, and being a servant leader. Today's conversation is about awareness as a leader in both business, family, and life. In this discussion, I am joined by Ashley Russo, a journalist turned entrepreneur and third-generation business leader. Ashley embodies what it means to create a balance for yourself personally and professionally. In our discussion, she shares the tools and approach she uses to understand the life cycle of your business and cultivate a passionate and loyal team.

After building companies and sparking innovation, many entrepreneurs start to think about how to better their communities through commitments of time, talent, and treasure. Whether serving on the board of a non-profit, or raising money for a cause close to their hearts, successful business owners bring a unique perspective to community leadership. In this this discussion, I am joined by Susan Yee, the CEO of Active Data and a renowned community leader. In our conversation, we explore a fascinating phase of an entrepreneur’s journey where the ideas, skills, and innovation that drove business success are then turned outward for the benefit of the community.

The market for mergers and acquisitions is extremely active with abundant liquidity and strategic buyers in many industries. Valuations for attractive companies are strong but not every business is ready for a successful sale or acquisition. In this episode, I am joined by Bob McCormack, Founder and Managing Partner of Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors. During our discussion, we explore business transactions from a financial perspective: That of the buyer, the seller, and the entrepreneur.

In this episode I talk with my business partner Kathryn M. Brown, CFP, CHFC, Co-founder and Principal of Morton Brown Family Wealth about the mindset it takes to succeed in a role that requires steadiness, perspective, and, most of all, trust. Stress and anxiety tend to show up in our relationships with money and in our health. We'll talk about how a professional stays focused for the benefit of the people she serves.

Exploring the arc of a leader can tell you a lot about how they choose to lead in their career and in life. In this episode, I am joined by Colin Keefe, a mergers and acquisitions attorney and Shareholder at Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba. Colin represents sellers in eight- and nine-figure strategic and private equity transactions with national and international buyers. Together, we explore our military backgrounds that surprisingly intersected and how Colin's experience in the Marines gives him a unique perspective in high-risk negotiations and business transactions.

In business, some of the most successful entrepreneurs and leaders maintain right and left-brained strengths. In this episode, I am joined by Zeke Zelker, a critically acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker. Both his background in economics and finance and his uniquely creative approach have lead to his success as a producer and entrepreneur. Raised at an amusement park (Dorney Park), Zeke shares how his unique upbringing fed his history of creative endeavors and shaped the way he thinks about the world.

We are all called to be more flexible and innovative as leaders. In this episode, I am joined by Craig Reynolds, former Executive Vice President and current Senior Advisor to Scandinavian Tobacco Group (Cigars International), and his Executive Coach, Eleanor Lawrence of Human Dynamics, LLC and the Center for Creative Leadership. Listen in to find out how Craig challenged his leadership team to not just run their departments but to run the business. In this episode, we dive in to the powerful idea of what we see in others and what others see in us.

Restrictions due to COVID-19 hit the travel and tourism industry hard. The number one priority? Safety. I recently sat down with Tom Stoudt, the Executive Director for Lehigh Valley International Airport, to discuss how he is leading a regional airport and facing this challenge head-on. Tom, with a unique background as an aircraft mechanic who rose through the ranks into the executive suite, provides the key to his success as a leader: COLLABORATION. He also provides an insider look at how airports and airlines are preparing to move beyond the pandemic to provide a safe environment for workers and the public.

We have all been forced to adapt to the new world we are facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. I recently sat down with Cheryl Doll, a business coach with Compass Point Consulting, LLC, to discuss how her family business clients are surviving and what crucial moves their leadership is making to thrive in this environment. Cheryl provides meaningful insight into the unique dynamic of family businesses and how leaders should be thinking about their people, processes, and strategies as well as what they can be doing to ensure the long-term success of their business.