Meredith Monday Schwartz shares her journey growing "Here Comes the Guide", what she's done to support the individuals in the company and how they created a fair and equitable culture while being distributed across the US.

Meredith Monday Schwartz is the CEO at Here Comes The Guide, a fully bootstrapped, employee-owned, all female-led and all-female staffed website showcasing top-notch wedding venues. With a focus on work/life balance, flexible schedules and mom-friendly policies, Meredith is leading Here Comes The Guide to be the template for the new, 21st century small business.

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// About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: 

SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. 

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Building a 40 person ESOP through great culture and clear KPIs with Meredith Schwartz

On the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, we interview CEOs, business leaders, authors and thought leaders to get their perspectives on strategy, leadership, management and other trends to support your career as a leader.  
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Alan Stein Jr. is an acclaimed keynote speaker, author, performance coach, and consultant with a formidable track record in working with elite NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo. As a former basketball performance coach, Stein Jr. has pivoted his focus to the corporate realm, where he leverages his sports insights to elevate individual and organizational performance. His deep love for basketball and expertise in performance training make him a noteworthy authority in applying sports principles to business leadership and team development. He is also the author of books like "Raise Your Game" and "Sustain Your Game," which explore the parallels between athletic and business excellence.
Key Takeaways:Transformational Leadership: Embrace a leadership that focuses on what you want for people, rather than what you want from them, to enhance personal influence and impact.Core Values in Decision Making: Use your personal values as a guide to make consistent and aligned decisions that reflect your true self and bolster leadership effectiveness.Unseen Hours: Invest in habits and activities during the "unseen hours" — those moments away from the public eye — to become the best version of yourself and set the foundation for success.Youth Sports and Leadership: Alan passionately highlights the need to improve the landscape of youth sports, teaching parents and coaches to prioritize process over outcomes and constructively contribute to a child's growth.Elevate by Caring: One's dedication to genuinely caring for their work and relationships is the differentiator in achieving professional and personal success.
Notable Quotes:"Every single decision you make, you need to ask yourself and run through the filter of, is this in alignment with my personal core values or not?""As a manager, if you show up as less than your best self, mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, you give your team and the people that report to you less of a chance to be successful.""Stop badgering and berating the officials. Let the officials officiate. Just sit there and enjoy watching your child do something that they love...encourage them, support them, but don’t coach from the sideline.""I am a huge advocate of improving parental behavior and decorum on the sideline, teaching coaches how to have a better impact and influence.""The more you invest in caring about others, then the more that will be reciprocated and you'll be rewarded with some phenomenal opportunities and some incredibly fulfilling relationships."


  Subscribe to our channel for weekly youtube videos on strategy, leadership, business and management.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a Strategic planning consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Elevating Your Game: Strategies for Success in Business and Life with Alan Stein Jr.

Episode Summary:In this insightful episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor is joined by Shawn Mohr, the dynamic CEO of Aventus, to explore the intricate relationship between leadership, technology adoption, and organizational growth. Sean delves into the emerging space of blockchain and tokenization, offering a glimpse into how these technologies are shaping the future of business transactions and customer engagement. The discussion pivots around the significance of cultivating a robust company culture and the importance of hiring the right talent to steer an organization towards its desired milestones. Sean underscores the necessity of looking beyond immediate operations, emphasizing a "spatial thinking" approach that balances high-level strategic planning with ground-level execution.Key takeaways and notable quotes are woven through the conversation, revealing Sean's philosophy on revenue generation, change management, and the potential of blockchain to disrupt traditional business processes. For those curious about integrating cutting-edge technology into their strategy and staying ahead of the curve, this episode offers compelling insights and practical advice on making that leap effectively.
Key Takeaways:Embrace "spatial thinking" by balancing a 30,000-foot strategic view with detailed, 3-foot execution in business processes.Change management and talent acquisition are critical components of leading an organization through growth and transformation.Tokenization and blockchain will play significant roles in future business operations—enhancing security, efficiency, and interoperability.Companies need to adapt to evolving technologies to ensure brand loyalty, customer acquisition, and the retention of Gen Z and Gen Alpha demographics.Leaders should consider their long-term technology impacts today and plan strategically for where their industry and customer expectations are heading in the next 10 to 15 years.Notable Quotes:"The questions you typically want to ask these organizations [are]... how do you use technology to create tenx efficiency within your team itself?" - Shawn Mohr"The only constant is change... whenever every company is going through these type of changes and approaches, I'd look spatially and ask yourself the simple question..." - Shawn Mohr"Oftentimes you start with talent. Talent management is a key component to your ability to be successful." - Shawn Mohr"This [blockchain and tokenization] is significantly about brand loyalty and customer acquisition for their standpoint." - Shawn MohrResources:Aventus website: Aventus Homepage
About the Guest:Shawn Mohr is an experienced leader with over two decades of expertise in guiding businesses through strategic transformation and growth. Currently leading the helm as CEO at Aventus, Shawn has a proven track record of propelling companies from early-stage startups to scalable enterprises. His background includes work with both publicly traded companies and private organizations post-funding, where he leverages change management processes and leadership development to drive 
We invite you to listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between leadership, technological advancements, and business growth. Join us for more episodes of Strategy and Leadership, where we bring thought-provoking content to the forefront, helping today's leaders shape tomorrow's success stories. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions. ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ 
// About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a Strategy Consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact


Aventus CEO Shawn Mohr discusses the importance of revenue-driven leadership and the future of blockchain technology.

Do you run a family business? Have you ever pondered on whether you’re running a family-first business or a business-first family? It’s time we explore this question, and today’s guest is just the person to talk about it. Rob Ferguson has been a trusted advisor to family businesses since 2010. He takes his decade-plus experience and wisdom to the show to discuss how family business owners can ensure that they’re running a growing and profitable business without losing sight of the things that truly matter. Want more? Tune in!
 Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/  channel for weeklyyoutube videos on strategy, leadership, business and management.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Family Business 101: Are You A Business First Family Or A Family First Business? With Rob Ferguson

Nothing is immutable. Every line in the P&L; is adaptable, and every challenge is surmountable.  In this episode, we have CEO of Aimably, Claire Miligan to discuss the strengths of neurodiversity and transparency in business. She shares her perspective on a culture of openness and the power of transparency in decision-making and empowering teams. She touches on the challenges of product management, shedding light on the process of balancing short-term goals with long-term innovation. Later on, Claire starts to reveal her secrets to quantifying the ROI of product improvements and the build versus buy dilemma. Tune in now!
 Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/  channel for weeklyyoutube videos on strategy, leadership, business and management.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

The Power of Transparency and Neurodiversity with Aimably CEO Claire Milligan

Customer inspired innovation is the belief that when you listen to your customers, they will guide you where you need to go. This is what our Brian Lillie, the President of Private Cloud at Rackspace, explains to us today along with his profound insights on leadership and the evolving landscape of technology. With a background spanning the US Air Force and various leadership roles, Brian emphasizes the crucial balance between customer-inspired innovation and tech push. He discusses the transformative potential of AI across industries, addressing macro trends and sustainability concerns. Brian advocates for setting high standards, fostering creativity, and creating a safe, caring environment. This episode is a compelling exploration of leadership, innovation, and the future of technology. Don’t miss out! 
 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WzH8e01VDx0Z5jL0X8nDV?si=YYggkMz5QBa4HoxqJETAKw 
 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/president-private-cloud-of-rackspace-brian-lillie-on/id1202449526?i=1000650474044   Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community.   https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co   ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1   ➡️ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda   // Connect with us:   ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact   ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604   // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING:   SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster.   ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator   ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW  ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net

Building a 40 person ESOP through great culture and clear KPIs with Meredith Schwartz

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