In this episode, we explore the innovative strategies employed by Justin Johnson, the founder of BMP Creative, a thriving social media agency that has seen significant growth in recent years. Justin shares insights into his journey of scaling the company from a small team to nearly 30 employees while emphasizing the importance of innovation as a driving force behind their success. At the heart of BMP Creative's growth lies a unique internal tool called the Busy-O-Meter, designed to foster transparency and understanding of employee workloads within a remote work environment. Every day at 11 a.m., the Busy-O-Meter prompts team members to rate their busyness on a scale from 1 to 10, encouraging open communication about capacity and creating a cohesive company culture. This innovative approach allows the team to efficiently allocate resources and support one another, effectively eliminating any guesswork regarding who may need assistance. The discussion further delves into the vital role of core values in building a culture of innovation. Justin explains that BMP Creative actively hires individuals who demonstrate a natural affinity for creative problem-solving, often evidenced through their side projects and personal passions. He recounts an enlightening interview with a candidate who not only worked in strategy but also engineered custom video distortion tools as a hobby. This propensity for innovation, Justin argues, is essential for maintaining a dynamic and forward-thinking organization. The conversation also highlights the rapid evolution of video production tools, particularly in the realm of AI, which Justin integrates into his company's workflows to enhance creativity and efficiency. He discusses the importance of staying ahead of trends and experimenting with new tools, like the Submachine platform that his team developed to streamline the creation of dynamic subtitles for Netflix content. By leveraging technology, BMP Creative boosts its output while ensuring high-quality results, allowing the agency to handle substantial client demands more effectively. Justin's excitement for storytelling comes to the forefront as he shares his endeavors in film, including his latest documentary about his parents' unconventional business. Drawing parallels between filmmaking and corporate innovation, he emphasizes the necessity of human emotion and compelling narratives in driving impactful content creation. Closing the episode, Justin invites listeners to think about how they can harness their unique stories and experiences to illustrate their professional journeys. He offers to collaborate on creating innovative sizzle reels that encapsulate personal and professional milestones, showcasing how narrative can be intertwined with corporate growth and innovation. Overall, this episode serves as a wealth of knowledge for those looking to implement creative strategies in their organizations, urging leaders to embrace innovation, prioritize transparency, and recognize the importance of storytelling in both their work and personal lives. 00:00:10 Introduction to Scaling by Innovation 00:09:46 Tools for Scaling in Remote Work 00:12:12 The Busy-O-Meter: A Transparency Tool 00:14:24 Hiring for Innovation: The Secret Sauce 00:16:39 Core Values That Drive Innovation 00:18:58 Innovation as a Way of Working 00:22:58 Personal Projects and Career Stories

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Lamorte, a leader at OKRs.com, to explore the power of Using OKRs to bring alignment and focus to your team. OKRs.com specializes in helping organizations achieve clarity and measurable success through well-defined Objectives and Key Results. Ben shares actionable strategies for Using OKRs to foster accountability, drive performance, and keep teams aligned with company goals. We also discuss the challenges leaders face when implementing OKRs and how to overcome them. Tune in to learn how Using OKRs can transform your team's effectiveness and overall growth.

In this episode, I discuss the importance of self-awareness for leaders and liken it to a car's dashboard for assessing leadership health. I offer practical tools for enhancing self-awareness, such as personal reflection and soliciting candid feedback from teams. Emphasizing the value of 360-degree feedback with external facilitation, I highlight how it uncovers blind spots and strengths, fostering authentic team engagement. Ultimately, I encourage leaders to embrace self-awareness as a transformative tool for effective, trust-building leadership.

In this episode, I sit down with Trish Nettleship, Chief Marketing Officer at NCR Voyix, to discuss key Leadership Principles that drive success in both marketing and organizational growth. NCR Voyix, recognized for its innovation and impact, exemplifies how great leadership fosters excellence across teams. Trish shares actionable insights on Leadership Principles that prioritize communication, collaboration, and customer focus. We explore how these principles can help leaders inspire their teams and achieve strategic goals. Tune in to uncover the Leadership Principles that every leader can adopt to navigate challenges and drive growth.

In this episode, I chat with Robert Levin, co-founder of Work Better Now, about the importance of Culture by Design in building strong, effective teams. Work Better Now, recently ranked no. 114 on the INC 5000 list, is a leader in providing talented virtual assistants to support business growth. We explore how intentionally creating a Culture by Design fosters engagement, accountability, and alignment across teams. Rob shares strategies leaders can use to shape their culture proactively rather than letting it evolve passively. Tune in to discover why Culture by Design is essential for achieving sustainable growth and success

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jason Jones about flow state—defined as a peak cognitive condition of deep focus and clarity. We address the challenges leaders face in today's distraction-filled environment and explore the four key phases of entering flow: struggle, release, flow, and recovery. Dr. Jones shares practical strategies to overcome flow blockers and identify triggers that promote this productive state. He also introduces his coaching program, the Flow Advantage, aimed at helping leaders incorporate flow principles into their work. Listeners will take away essential insights to enhance productivity and performance.

In this episode, I speak with Mohit Bhakuni, CEO of Contify, about invaluable leadership lessons gained from Scaling SaaS Business ventures. Contify, a leader in market and competitive intelligence, has achieved notable success, earning a position #495 in the SaaS 1000 rankings. We discuss the unique challenges of Scaling SaaS Business models, including streamlining operations, building scalable teams, and maintaining a customer-centric approach. Mohit shares actionable insights for leaders looking to navigate the complexities of growth in the SaaS space. Tune in to explore how Scaling SaaS Business strategies can drive sustained success and innovation in the industry.

In this episode, I talk with Atul Singh, CEO of The Shelf, about the transformative power of building a culture of trust within an organization. Ranked No. 1461 on the 2024 Inc 5000 list, The Shelf has become a leader in influencer marketing by fostering a team environment rooted in trust and collaboration. We discuss the essential elements of a culture of trust, including open communication, transparency, and accountability, and how they contribute to long-term success. Atul shares actionable strategies for leaders to cultivate trust across teams and inspire peak performance. Tune in to discover how a culture of trust can accelerate growth and drive innovation in your business.

In this episode, I sit down with Nelson Tepfer, Managing Partner at Pro CFO Partners, to explore how bringing in the right people is essential for building sustainable growth. Ranked No. 613 on the 2024 Inc 5000 list, ProCFO Partners has thrived under Nelson's leadership by assembling exceptional talent to drive business success. We discuss the importance of identifying, attracting, and retaining top performers who align with your company's vision and values. Nelson shares actionable strategies for leaders focused on bringing in the right people to fuel growth and innovation. Tune in to learn why bringing in the right people is a foundational step toward achieving long-term success.

In this episode, I sit down with John Baird from Vouched to discuss how an Empowerment Culture can unlock peak performance and drive business growth. As Chief Executive Officer, John has played a critical role in shaping Vouched, ranked No. 141 on the 2024 Inc 5000 list for its impressive growth trajectory. We dive deep into the strategies leaders can implement to foster an Empowerment Culture that encourages innovation, accountability, and trust among team members. John shares actionable insights on empowering employees to make decisions and take ownership of their roles. Tune in to discover how building an Empowerment Culture can elevate both individual and organizational performance.