In this episode, host Zain Hasan welcomes John Ferguson, Chief Human Resources Officer of NASCAR. John delves into the intricacies of leading cultural transformation and diversity within an iconic sports organization.

Key Takeaways:

(01:01) John Ferguson’s role with the Sherm Foundation and its impact on HR and social issues.

(04:18) The strategic thinking behind NASCAR’s merger with ISC and fostering a united culture.

(10:04) Leveraging NASCAR’s legacy to forge a new path and enhance competitive advantage.

(13:31) The significance of external perspectives in shaping NASCAR’s strategies.

(20:25) NASCAR’s current identity and public misconceptions.

(28:29) Interview preparation and effective communication of key achievements.

(31:02) The importance of lifelong learning and sharing knowledge for growth.

(33:51) John’s aspirations for NASCAR’s growth, internal and external expansion, and audience engagement.

Resources Mentioned:

John Ferguson -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john--ferguson/

NASCAR -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nascar/

SHRM -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/shrm/

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected].

#Insurance #MA #Business

In a system rife with complexities, it takes a visionary to chart a new course. Host Zain Hasan welcomes such a trailblazer in John Tillery, Co-Founder of Whiteboard Risk & Insurance Solutions. They dive into the world of workers’ compensation, exploring transformative solutions to long-standing challenges.

Key Takeaways:

(02:03) Systemic flaws in workers’ compensation and their ripple effects on businesses.

(06:34) A look at how primary thresholds vary across businesses and states.

(08:37) Whiteboard’s innovative approach to claims management and nurse triage.

(15:32) The essential role of intentionality in building and nurturing effective teams.

(21:04) John’s perspective on cultivating personalized, discerning business relationships.

(27:16) John’s philosophy centered on service and personal growth.

(33:07) Concentrating on controllable aspects to maximize productivity and value creation.

Resources Mentioned:

John Tillery -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tillery-01933417/

Whiteboard Risk & Insurance Solutions | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/whiteboardrisk/

Whiteboard Risk & Insurance Solutions | Website -

https://www.whiteboardrisk.com/

The Whiteboard Risk Podcasts -

https://www.whiteboardrisk.com/podcasts/

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected].

#Insurance #MA #Business

In a world where healthcare systems are often rigid and impersonal, one leader is inspired to chart a new path. Meet Lester Morales, the CEO and Founder of Next Impact, whose aim is to transform the healthcare landscape with innovation and empathy.

On this episode, host Zain Hasan invites Lester to uncover the steps and strategies needed to revolutionize healthcare. They dive into Lester's journey, the challenges he faced and the innovative solutions he's implementing to help reshape how we think about healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

(02:35) Lester’s personal experience, and the critical role of health insurance.

(06:39) Challenging traditional healthcare norms and seeking better solutions.

(12:48) Transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector.

(17:02) Efficient marketing strategies in the healthcare industry.

(21:55) Exploring the inverse relationship between healthcare quality and cost.

(27:52) How innovative health benefits contribute to employee retention.

(33:56) The broader human impact of current healthcare systems.

(41:37) Lester’s personal story and how it highlights significant healthcare savings.

(46:27) The crucial role of leadership in driving healthcare transformation.

Resources Mentioned:

Lester Morales -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lester-j-morales-5064b91/

Next Impact LLC -

https://nextimpactllc.com/

Impact Healthcare Podcast -

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/impact-healthcare-podcast/id1564357984

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected]

#Insurance #MA #Business

On this episode, host Zain Hasan welcomes Erika Royal, CEO of The Life Coach School, as she discusses her journey from legal expert to coaching visionary. 

Erika reveals helpful details of her professional evolution and the ethos behind her successful leadership at The Life Coach School.

Key Takeaways:

(00:34) Erika transitions from lawyering to leadership, shaping her multifaceted approach.

(02:37) She discusses gender dynamics in workplaces and the need for inclusive environments.

(14:34) Differences between law firm competition and her collaborative team strategy are highlighted.

(19:15) The role of communication in embedding culture during organizational scaling is examined.

(24:32) The conversation shifts to the growing importance of coaching for personal and career growth.

(30:16) Life coaching’s potential as a valuable employee benefit for productivity is explored.

(36:55) The interplay between personal life and work is emphasized in creating a positive culture.

(43:51) The leadership conversation identifies a deficiency in preparedness for managerial roles.

Resources Mentioned:

The Life Coach School

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected].

#Insurance #MA #Business

On this episode, host Zain Hasan chats with CEO, Mark Mixer, and COO, Amanda Reed, both of Health One Alliance and Alliant Health Plans. They discuss their innovative Live4It program and the role of culture in healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

(01:13) The critical role of incentive alignment in healthcare. 

(04:00)  Health One Alliance’s deep community and provider connections. 

(06:56) The Live4It program’s inspiration for holistic health. 

(08:41) The impact of value-driven hiring on team and care quality. 

(11:40) Storytelling’s role in connecting candidates to Health One Alliance’s mission. 

(13:47) Cultivating a culture where everyone feels valued. 

(21:00) Empowering employees to broaden their roles. 

(32:41) Health One Alliance’s commitment to adaptability and evolution.

Resources Mentioned:

Mark Mixer -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mixer-8777643/

Health One Alliance | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthone-alliance/

Health One Alliance | Website -

http://healthonellc.com/

Alliant Health Plans | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianthealthplans/

Alliant Health Plans | Website -

https://alliantplans.com/

Live4It Program -

https://www.live4it.com/Site/Alliant/home

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected]

#Insurance #MA #Business

We discuss how Jim’s employees saved his business in the wake of tragedy, and how it fueled his fire to make change for good.

In this special episode, we’ll learn from Jim Blachek, CEO of Dynamic Benefit Solutions, LLC. After the tragic death of his 21-year-old son, Jim chose to make his past story and experience an asset rather than a liability - which is an amazing act of courage. He describes the impact that the adversity he faced had on his role as a leader. 

We delve into Jim’s transformative personal experiences and how these events reshaped his perspective on employee relations and the essence of leadership.

Key Takeaways: 

(04:46) Jim shares the heartrending story of his son’s suicide and the impact that loss had on his outlook concerning employees’ role in a company’s success.

(09:12) The importance of viewing employees beyond their roles, recognizing them as invaluable contributors with unique stories, aspirations and challenges.

(22:59) The urgency of integrating younger individuals into the workforce and identifying dynamic successors who can assimilate and uphold the company culture.

(23:40) Jim discusses his goal to cultivate a flexible working environment, paving the way for new leaders to steer the future trajectory of the business.

(24:26) The reason it’s vital to treat employees as the company’s number one asset, integral to developing a transformative organizational culture.

Resources Mentioned:

Jim Blachek -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-blachek/

Dynamic Benefit Solutions, LLC | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamic-benefit-solutions-llc/

Dynamic Benefit Solutions, LLC | Website -

https://dbsconsults.com/

Employee healthcare education -

https://www.benefitnews.com/advisers/news/advisers-should-step-up-when-it-comes-to-employee-healthcare-education

Effective leadership -

https://stoberda.medium.com/a-compelling-strategy-for-effective-leadership-da12fe858cbf

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected]

#Insurance #MA #Business

On this episode, host Zain Hasan welcomes Scott Carter, former President of EmPower HR and COO of Risk Transfer Advisory Group. Topics discussed include:

- Scott’s early experiences in the restaurant business.

- Transitioning from school to the benefits industry.

- Balancing personal strengths and complementing partners’ skills.

- Recognizing the importance of safety in leadership and decision-making.

- Evolving culture from an implicit way of life to explicit core values.

- Making tough decisions for the greater good.

- Valuing energy and authentic connections.

- Developing a personal purpose around authentic connections.

- Cold-water immersion in Lake Michigan as a transformative experience.

- Focusing on authenticity, service and shared experiences for personal and collective growth.

Resources mentioned:

Scott Carter -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-carter-4161a78/

EmPower HR | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerhr/

EmPower HR | Website -

https://empowerhr.com/

Risk Transfer Advisory Group | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rtagroup/

Risk Transfer Advisory Group | Website -

http://www.risktag.com/

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected]

#Insurance #M&A #Business

On this episode, host Zain Hasan welcomes Greg Besner, Author of The Culture Quotient, Founder of CultureIQ and CEO of SUNFLOW, Inc, 

Topics discussed include:

- Greg's book, “The Culture Quotient – Ten Dimensions of a High-Performance Culture.”

- The dramatic ways cultures are impacted by mergers and acquisitions.

- The outsized influence a CEO has on company culture.

- The key items to focus on for building an intentional culture.

- The way communication in an organization is critical for a great culture.

- The three parts of evaluating the cultural results of a merger.

- The journey Greg took with his family to start a business from home with his wife.

Resources mentioned:

Greg Besner -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbesner/

The Culture Quotient -

https://www.theculturequotient.com/

CultureIQ | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cultureiq/

CultureIQ | Website -

https://go.perceptyx.com/cultureiq-has-joined-the-perceptyx-family

NYU Stern School of Business -

https://www.stern.nyu.edu/

SUNFLOW, Inc | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunflow-com/

Sunflow | Website -

https://getsunflow.com/

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected]

#Insurance #M&A #Business

On this episode, host Zain Hasan welcomes Anthony Gruppo, Executive Chair of Vantage Insurance Partners Inc. and Former CEO of Marsh International. Topics discussed include:

- Establishing a culture in an unfamiliar environment.

- Listening to everyone to identify cultural problems in an organization.

- The tough mindset required to be a leader in establishing a great culture in an organization.

- How AI will allow humanity to create and think.

- The four different characteristics everyone needs to have inside them.

- Taking on additional challenges in life.

Thanks for listening to the Culture Champions podcast with host Zain Hasan. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. If there’s someone you’d like to hear on the show or a topic you’d like covered, please email [email protected]

Resources:

Anthony Gruppo -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-c-gruppo-6918709/

Vantage Insurance Partners Inc. | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vantagepartners/

Vantage Insurance Partners | Website -

https://www.vantageptr.com/

Marsh Commercial -

https://www.marsh.com/us/home.html

#Insurance #M&A #Business

Welcome to the Culture Champions podcast. If you’re looking to create leading work cultures, master sustainable business growth and achieve business success, this is the show for you. Join host Zain Hasan as he connects with business leaders and experts on how best to optimize value in all aspects of your company.