Do you want to explode your business or career growth? Public speaking is a means to establish your expertise and connect with customers on a personal level. In this episode of Diversity Discourse, Liz Wool, founder and CEO of Public Speaking and Presentation Pros, shares her inspiring journey from struggling with a speech impediment to becoming a successful public speaking coach. She discusses the importance of finding one's voice, the power of tailored coaching, and effective audience engagement strategies. Liz emphasizes that public speaking is a vital tool for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and overcome fears. She provides actionable insights on crafting compelling talks, avoiding common mistakes, and building collaborations for success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to Engage Your Audience Effectively

The Power of a Call to Action

How to Craft a Winning Talk

How to Get Comfortable with Public Speaking

How to Define Your Expertise and Goals

How to Build Collaborations for Success

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In this episode of Diversity Discourse, the team from Jayne Agency discusses the intricacies of brand strategy, focusing on the importance of alignment, the need for clarity in branding, and the iterative process of managing a brand. They explore when a business should consider rebranding versus realigning, the metrics that can be used to measure brand effectiveness, and the risks associated with imitating competitors. The conversation also highlights the value of the Devil's Advocate, a tool designed to help business leaders navigate their brand strategy effectively.

In this episode, leadership communications coach Salvatore Manzi discusses the importance of presence in communication and leadership, sharing insights from his experience as a communication coach. He emphasizes that presence can be taught and is essential for effective communication, especially for introverted individuals. The discussion also covers the art of pitching to investors, the significance of agency in communication, and the impact of cultural contexts on how presence is perceived and expressed.

In this conversation, Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow, the founders of Black Leaf Organic Vodka, discuss their journey in creating the first French organic vodka in the U.S., emphasizing their commitment to sustainability, overcoming barriers in the spirits industry, and the importance of cultural authenticity. They share insights on the challenges faced as Black entrepreneurs, the significance of their accolades, and offer advice to other underrepresented founders. The discussion highlights their vision for the future and the importance of consistency in growth.

This Diversity Discourse conversation with Fatima Smith, founder of Collective 365, explores the mission and operations of Collective 365, an organization dedicated to supporting Black and Brown communities through unrestricted funding and community-driven grants. The discussion highlights the importance of democratizing philanthropy, the challenges faced by grassroots organizations, and innovative approaches to grant-making that prioritize community needs and sustainability. Fatima emphasizes the need for a shift in the philanthropic landscape to better serve marginalized communities and encourages individuals to engage in giving in various forms.

Financial expert Hyacinth Henderson of The Henderson Group discusses the implications of proposed tariffs on small business owners and consumers, emphasizing the need for immediate financial actions to secure one's finances. She outlines investment strategies to protect wealth against inflation, particularly for minority women-owned businesses reliant on imported materials. Hyacinth stresses the importance of building long-term financial resilience and knowing one's financial numbers, while also providing resources for financial planning and support.

Attorney Danielle Dietrich of Potomac Law discusses the implications of recent executive orders on small businesses, particularly those owned by women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. She explores the current legal landscape, the safety of existing certifications, and practical steps for businesses to safeguard their interests amidst uncertainty. The conversation also touches on the potential for legal battles and the importance of state laws in the face of federal changes.

In this conversation, Paola Santana, CEO of GLASS Commerce, discusses the innovative approach of her GovTech company in transforming government procurement processes to empower small businesses. She explains how the G-Commerce platform simplifies the purchasing process for government buyers while enabling small businesses, particularly minority and women-owned, to easily access government contracts. The discussion highlights the importance of vendor verification, the success stories of small businesses benefiting from the platform, and how interested businesses can get involved.

Ralph G. Moore, founder and president of Ralph G. Moore and Associates (RGMA), and Reginald Layton, RGMA chief technology officer, discuss how RGMA digitized its playbook through its new RGMA Digital Suite, which leverages the company’s RGMA Five Levels of Supplier Diversity Maturity Model™.

Discover how this innovative Digital Suite is revolutionizing supplier diversity by providing corporations with powerful tools to enhance diverse supplier performance and operational excellence.

Ralph and Reggie also discuss the economic impact of diverse suppliers and how to counter the uncertainty of the future of supplier diversity.

In this episode, Britt Hogue, founder of The Collective Good, discusses the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in corporate settings. She emphasizes the importance of understanding DEI as core human values and the necessity for organizations to adapt their approaches amidst societal pushback. Britt highlights the role of corporate culture in fostering inclusivity and the impact of consumer expectations on corporate decisions. She also shares her journey from Wall Street to social impact, advocating for a rebranding of DEI initiatives to maintain their effectiveness in a polarized environment.