Built on Strategy

How is technology optimizing the manufacturing industry?

On this episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by our guest Annette Carroll, Director of Marketing with Okuma. We discuss the massive shift within the manufacturing industry in regard to automation, connectivity, and systems due to what Annette refers to as the COVID-catalyst. A sudden shortage in workforce and labor security due to the pandemic has resulted in over a year of adjusting and strategizing in manufacturing to offset the employment changes as well as keeping up with an increase in demand for certain products and materials. Usually when people think of automation, robotics comes to mind; however, changing the mode of operations, networking connections, and patterns of machinery can optimize the workflow and give manufacturer’s a competitive advantage.

What does it take for a non-profit organization to be grant-ready?

On this episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by guest Susan Bacon, former CEO of the Bacon Group. We talk about the delicate line to walk in regard to the grant writing process for non-profit groups. Before any organization begins the process of applying for grants, there is a tall laundry list of criteria that needs to be met. Budgetary limitations, strategic planning on a realistic timeline, and tedious data attainment are essential among the multitude of stringent prerequisites that stand between a mission and the initial investment to see it through. Susan describes what she calls “Founder’s Syndrome,” an imagined perception of uniqueness and immunity that leaders of charities unknowingly procure, as one of the most frequent and difficult obstacles for startups. With that in mind, it is even more crucial for CEOs and executives for charitable organizations to have a grounded relationship with the beneficiaries of their vision, so that they can set a clear path toward fundraising and execution of their mission statements.

What kind of difference can an effective Chief Marketing Officer offer a company?

On this episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by guest Per Ohstrom, Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Outsiders, a company who offers fractional chief marketing officers for companies looking to grow. We discuss the distinctions between the different roles of CMOs depending on the strategic or tactical needs of companies that utilize them. The world of marketing has changed, and the need for leaders who can understand competitive pressures, the needs of customers, and strategies for advertising has become central to successful campaigns and brand awareness. According to Per, marketing should be the function that drives and owns the business strategy of the management team, which determines the processes of gathering information to achieve a reliable marketing calendar, adjusting product offerings, and communicating effectively.

What is it like to cook for POTUS every day?

For our 50th episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by guest Marty Mongiello, CEO of the US Presidential Service Center, which is in the US Presidential Culinary Museum at the Inn of the Patriots. Marty’s fascinating journey begins with being turned away from the United States Airforce to landing a career as a chef at the White House, and eventually opening a bed and breakfast and culinary school inside of his very own Presidential Culinary Museum. We talk about the unique opportunity of cooking for the top-ranking executives of the United States government, the recent tendency for Super PACs to avoid partisan rhetoric at events, and how Marty and his wife ended up with 5,000 turkeys on their North Carolina farm. When it comes to organizing big events, personalities and appetites, Marty is the man for the job, and he’s collected plenty of stories throughout his journey.

What kind of networking can lead to early investment opportunities?

With so many founders and startups networking new ideas instantaneously, scouting for lucrative investments is a tedious but worthwhile endeavor. Building relationships with future leaders of enterprise is all about engagement and organization of like-minded entrepreneurs that share common goals. On this episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by Jadyn Bryden, Vice President at XFund to talk about pioneering partnerships between some of the most successful venture capital firms in the United States, identifying innovation within industries early, and the advantages of investing in A.I. enabled technology today.

What permanent effect has COVID-19 had on the travel and tourism industry?

On this episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by Susette Andaya-Gomez, Head of Digital Strategy at Winni Marketing, a boutique partner marketing agency that specializes in lead generation campaigns. We discuss the new era of travel itineraries, the explosion of Airbnb, and the importance of website reviews in digital marketing. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the travel industry,, airlines are inconsistent with flight plans, and digital is the present future of marketing to potential vacationers. Now that the world is beginning to open up, travelers are desperate to get out of their homes and explore again. This has resulted in a crucial window of time for business professionals like Susette to generate and nurture leads and revamp loyalty programs in order to satisfy the demands of an eager customer base.

Just how large is the modern gig economy?

On this episode of the Built on Strategy Podcast, we are joined by Matthew Mottola, founder of Venture L and co-author of The Human Cloud, which details the coming revolution and how work in the modern era. We discuss the massive market of freelancers, workflows and strategy for companies utilizing specialized talent, and Matthew’s platform which combines project management with networking to achieve success across the board. The gig economy is currently a $1.2 Trillion market, and with social media and a variety of platforms connecting freelancers to projects, it can often be a daunting task finding someone with the precise skill set required for the job. Much of the American workforce has shifted to a remote environment, increasing the need and availability of freelancers to help companies with content creation, creative solutions, and new strategies for a rapidly evolving marketing and economic world.

What responsibilities and roles define the modern product managers?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, we are joined by James Gray, Founder of Gray Matter Strategy and Product Leadership Coach at Products That Count. We discuss the big challenges facing product managers today, as well as the elevation of responsibilities for chief product officers inside of organizations. The product department touches every part of the organization and leading that department requires a technical-focused approach. For example, in order to be credible with engineers, it is essential to be empathetic towards customers to gain perspective on functionality and application. Many questions about consumption, sales, and retention are being answered by product managers, and experts like James are pivotal in understanding trends and marketplaces where products thrive.

On this episode of Built on Strategy, we are joined by Jay Tchakarov, Vice President of Velostics, a SaaS company focused on contactless logistics and industrial facilities. We discuss the innovations and solutions revolving around technological developments in industrial spaces that could benefit from software systems. With automation becoming viable in many of these environments, it is essential to have APIs and strategies that are dependable, especially when handling fuel, manufactured chemicals, and other potentially harmful products. Industrial markets are competitive, and Velostics enables companies to reduce human error and delays as well as optimize their systems to maximize product transportation, storage, and turnover.

What can small towns do to incentivize tourism and residency?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, we are joined by Sarah Baggett, Director of Marketing for the city of Thomasville, Georgia. We discuss the industries driving many to relocate to smaller towns, the post-COVID-19 world of tourism, and the nuances of developing a marketing strategy revolving around an authentic southern experience near the Florida-Georgia line. Thomasville is often described on a national level as one of Georgia’s best kept secrets, and the interest in exploring more rural areas for tourists has never been higher. There are many access points which make a small town appealing to travelers and potential residents alike, such as the nearby Tallahassee airport, that are key in advertising the city to visitors. With obstacles such as the increasing bandwidth required to work remotely, improving local attractions, and reaching a national audience, Sarah and her team are professionals that develop the appeal to experience the South.