Disrupt & Innovate

By Lisa Levy

Are you a business owner who’s falling behind the competition, feeling anxious about unforeseeable disruptions, or having trouble hiring and keeping the best employees? If so, Disrupt & Innovate p... more

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FAQs about Disrupt & Innovate:

How many episodes does Disrupt & Innovate have?

The podcast currently has 124 episodes available.

Disrupt & Innovate episodes:

April 29, 2025DI 123 "AI can free your time for you to strategize"
Shahar Boyayan discusses the transformative impact of AI on consumer behavior and business strategies. With five generations adapting to AI, the conversation explores how businesses, especially small ones, can leverage AI to enhance customer experiences and address pain points. The importance of understanding customer needs and the role of hyper-personalization in today's market are emphasized, along with practical examples of AI implementation in service industries like restaurants.
Takeaways
AI is becoming an extension of ourselves in daily life.
Five generations are adapting to AI, influencing consumer behavior.
Businesses must act quickly to avoid being left behind by AI trends.
Small businesses can leverage AI more easily than larger ones.
Understanding customer pain points is crucial for business success.
AI can automate tasks, freeing up time for strategic thinking.
Hyper-personalization is essential for engaging customers today.
Ignoring customer feedback can lead to missed opportunities.
AI should enhance, not replace, personal customer interactions.
Embracing change is necessary for business survival.
Keywords
AI, consumer behavior, customer experience, generational change, small business, innovation, customer pain points, hyper-personalization, technology adoption, business strategy

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25min
April 22, 2025DI 122 "Charles Sims: From CTO to Venture Capital – Innovation, Fail Fast, and Global Impact"
Description:
Charles Sims, former CTO of the LA Clippers and United Talent Agency, as he shares his transformative journey from tech leadership to venture capital. In this interview, Charles dives into his innovative approach to building startups, the importance of execution, and the power of networking. Learn how he empowers entrepreneurs to navigate the complex world of venture funding and how his current work is creating global impact by breaking down barriers for local communities. Discover valuable advice on failing fast, turning ideas into action, and the future of tech-driven ventures.
Keywords:
Charles Sims,
venture capital
CTO tech innovation
fail fast
startup advice
investing in startups
business execution
entrepreneurship
global impact
networking
AI technology
tech leadership
startup growth
business strategy
venture studio
The Next Pivot podcast.
Hashtags:
#CharlesSims #VentureCapital #TechInnovation #FailFast #Entrepreneurship #StartupAdvice #NetworkingForSuccess #BusinessExecution #GlobalImpact #TechLeadership #StartupGrowth #AIInTech #VentureStudio #BusinessStrategy #TechEvangelist #InvestingInStartups #TheNextPivot

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22min
April 15, 2025DI 121 Unlocking Operational Excellence with Emma Rainville
In this conversation, Emma Rainfield, an expert in operational excellence, discusses the importance of foundational frameworks for businesses to achieve growth and scale. She introduces her WAVE framework, which emphasizes the need for a clear vision, focus, values-driven hiring, and execution. Emma shares her experiences working with entrepreneurs and the challenges they face, as well as her journey in starting her own business. The discussion highlights successful transformations in businesses and the strategies needed to scale effectively.

Takeaways
Operational excellence is crucial for sustainable business success.
Understanding the difference between growth and scale is essential.
The WAVE framework provides a structured approach to operational excellence.
Entrepreneurs often struggle with shiny object syndrome, impacting focus.
Visionaries need integrators to turn ideas into reality.
Commitments are more effective than goals in achieving results.
Successful transformations require a clear understanding of business needs.
Scaling requires strategic adjustments and understanding market demands.
Hiring should align with company values for better team dynamics.
Execution is the key to turning plans into successful outcomes.

Keywords
operational excellence, business growth, scaling, WAVE framework, entrepreneurship, visionary, integrator, business transformation, commitment vs goals, e-commerce

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23min
April 08, 2025 DI 120 "Strategic HR Leadership & Digital Transformation with Alyssa Borden | Success Bridge Insights"
Alyssa Borden, founder of Success Bridge, shares her expertise on navigating the world of strategic HR leadership, workforce transformation, and business success. With a background in HR across various industries, Alyssa discusses the importance of connecting vision with actionable outcomes and empowering organizations to not just survive but thrive in today's fast-changing landscape.
Alyssa also reflects on her entrepreneurial journey, moving from the corporate world to starting Success Bridge, and the lessons learned along the way. From managing large-scale digital transformations to upskilling teams and tackling resistance to change, Alyssa offers valuable insights that can help businesses and leaders drive success in times of change.
Keywords:
Strategic HR, Digital transformation, Workforce planning, Leadership coaching, Business success, Change agent, Entrepreneurship, Fractional HR leadership, Transformation challenges, Employee empowerment, Organizational change, Coaching and consulting, Success Bridge, Alyssa Borden, Up-skilling workforce, Leadership transformation, Overcoming resistance to change
Hashtags:
#HRLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #WorkforceTransformation #ChangeManagement #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessSuccess #UpSkilling #SuccessBridge #AlyssaBorden #Consulting #TransformationJourney #WorkplaceInnovation

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25min
April 01, 2025 DI 119 "Dr. Deborah Heiser : The Power of Mentorship & Generativity | Mentor Project Insights"
Dr. Deborah Heiser, founder of the Mentor Project, discusses the importance of mentorship, leadership transformation, and generativity. As an applied developmental psychologist and TEDx speaker, Dr. Heiser shares her unique perspective on how mentoring can shape the next generation, create meaningful impact, and empower individuals of all ages. From her early research in aging to the creation of a global movement connecting STEM mentors with students, Dr. Heiser offers valuable insights into why mentorship is essential for growth, self-awareness, and emotional development at every stage of life.
Keywords:
Mentorship, Generativity, STEM mentors, Leadership transformation, Personal growth, Emotional development, Mentoring program, Life after 40, Career advice, Professional development, Empowering communities, Women in leadership, Mentorship journey, Tedx speaker, Dr. Deborah Heiser, After 40 podcast, Mentor Project, Self-exploration, Giving back

#Mentorship #Generativity #STEMMentorship #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #LifeAfter40 #MentorProject #GivingBack #WomenInSTEM #PersonalDevelopment #SelfAwareness #LeadershipTransformation #CareerGrowth #LifeMentoring

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24min
March 25, 2025DI 118 "Unlocking Government Funding with Matthew Lesko"
Matthew Lesko shares his insights on accessing government funding and grants, emphasizing the importance of experience and community support. He discusses the challenges faced by individuals and businesses in navigating financial resources and highlights the role of government programs in fostering economic development. Lesko encourages listeners to leverage available resources and connect with organizations that can provide assistance, while also addressing the future of government support in a changing economic landscape.
Takeaways
Matthew Lesko has dedicated over 50 years to helping people access government funding.
Experience and love become more important as we age.
Government funding is crucial for individuals and businesses facing financial challenges.
Many people are unaware of the financial resources available to them.
Using the right resources can significantly impact business growth.
SBA.gov and findhelp.org are valuable tools for accessing support.
Government contracts can provide ongoing funding opportunities for businesses.
Community organizations play a vital role in economic development.
The current political climate will not eliminate government support programs.
Building a network of support is essential for navigating financial challenges.
Keywords
Matthew Lesko, government funding, grants, business growth, economic development, community support, financial resources, nonprofit organizations, SBA, government contracts

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25min
March 19, 2025DI 117 "The Importance of Mental Health in Outplacement"
Lisa L. Levy speaks with Erica Maureen Carder about the importance of a people-first approach in business, especially during challenging times like layoffs. Erica discusses her pivot to focus on outplacement services that prioritize mental health and career transition support for individuals affected by layoffs. They explore the emotional impact of job loss, the potential for entrepreneurship, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for employees. Erica shares her own journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges she faced while building her business, emphasizing the need for flexibility and personal fulfillment in work.
Takeaways
People-first leadership is essential for business growth.
Outplacement services can help individuals navigate layoffs.
Mental health support is crucial during career transitions.
Layoffs can be an opportunity for personal growth.
Entrepreneurship can provide flexibility and fulfillment.
Employees often feel shock and grief after layoffs.
It's important to assess what you truly want in a job.
Many states offer benefits for laid-off employees.
Creating a supportive environment can improve employee morale.
Erica's journey highlights the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
Keywords
outplacement, mental health, layoffs, employee experience, entrepreneurship, career transition, people operations, HR innovation, startup culture, employee well-being

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21min
March 11, 2025 DI 116 Transformational Leadership and Self-Awareness with Hilda Fainsod
Lisa L. Levy interviews Hilda Fainsod, a seasoned expert in leadership coaching, personal transformation, and mental fitness. With over 20 years of experience coaching top executives, Hilda shares her approach to overcoming self-sabotage, navigating challenges, and creating lasting change. Discover how asking the right questions—like "Who do you want to become?"—can lead to a more impactful life and career. Hilda discusses strategies for leaders and business owners to break through limitations and drive sustainable success.

Key Words:
Leadership, Transformation, Coaching, Personal Growth, Self-Awareness, Mental Fitness, Business Success, Conflict Resolution, Executive Coaching, Self-Sabotage, Sustainable Success, Entrepreneur, Leadership Development

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23min
March 04, 2025DI 115 "How to Use Customer Insights for Scalable Growth | Gia Laudi's Proven Strategies"
In this video, Georgiana (Gia) Laudi, co-founder of Forget the Funnel and a growth strategy expert, shares how businesses can align customer needs with growth strategies to achieve predictable revenue. Discover the power of the Jobs to Be Done framework, customer-led growth methodologies, and why narrowing your focus to ideal customers can drive exceptional results. Whether you're in SaaS or any subscription-based business, these actionable insights will help you transform customer insights into meaningful outcomes.
👉 Key Highlights:
Understanding the Jobs to Be Done framework
Why most businesses fail to truly know their customers
How to identify and focus on your ideal customer segment
Practical steps to enhance customer retention and experience
💡 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more actionable business strategies!
Keywords:
Customer Insights, Jobs to Be Done, SaaS Growth, Customer Retention, Business Strategies, Growth Hacking, Subscription Models, Customer Success, Scalable Growth, Predictable Revenue.

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25min
February 25, 2025DI 114 "Revolutionizing Hiring: Dr. Michael Neal’s Proven Strategy for Small Business Growth"
Discover how Dr. Michael Neal, founder of Build My Team and practicing optometrist, revolutionized hiring for small businesses. Learn how his innovative, automated approach flips traditional hiring upside down, focusing on talents and strengths instead of resumes. Dr. Neal shares his game-changing strategies that helped his practice thrive with high-performing A players and how his system is transforming businesses across the U.S. and Canada. 🚀
Key takeaways:
✔️ Why traditional hiring methods fail small businesses.
✔️ The secret to finding A players who fit your team perfectly.
✔️ How automation saves time and ensures hiring success.
Keywords:
Small business hiring strategies
Dr. Michael Neal Build My Team
Hiring A players
Automated hiring solutions
Talents and strengths in hiring
Scalable team building
Small business leadership tips
Business growth through hiring
Employee strengths assessment
Small business team transformation

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24min

FAQs about Disrupt & Innovate:

How many episodes does Disrupt & Innovate have?

The podcast currently has 124 episodes available.