Leaders & Legacies

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Owner of The Marketing Shop, Vicky Winkler. Vicky is no stranger to the marketing world. With a career spanning over three decades, she has seen it all. From her time in Nicaragua as a small business consultant to her tenure at Saturn Corporation, Vicky's experiences have shaped her unique approach to marketing and branding.

She firmly believes in the power of branding and graphic design as key drivers of business success. According to Vicky, many businesses underestimate the impact of these elements, which can result in them falling behind their competitors.

Vicky's experience at Saturn Corporation provided another valuable lesson. The company used an ad agency that none of the other car companies had used, incorporating unique elements like the iconic voice of Hal Riney in their marketing.

Vicky emphasized the importance of understanding your target market and tailoring your branding and messaging to their preferences and interests. She shared an example of a client who wanted to brand their new company based on their personal preferences. However, Vicky advised that it's crucial to align the brand with the target audience's preferences and expectations, not just personal likes and dislikes.

To learn more about Vicky's work, check out their website at https://www.tms.marketing/.

Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickywinkler/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

In this episode, Craig Andrews discusses with Julia Huang, CEO of Intertrend Communications, her journey from a Taiwanese American upbringing in Japan to leading a major creative agency. Julia shares how a candid remark about an airline's service during a dinner led to an unexpected advertising opportunity, highlighting the importance of seizing chances in business.

She reflects on a crucial business lesson learned from resigning a significant telecommunications account, which resulted in a ten-year gap to regain a similar client. This experience taught her the value of diversifying client portfolios and preparing for economic uncertainties.

Throughout the conversation, Julia emphasizes resilience and adaptability in the volatile advertising industry. She explains how Intertrend has expanded beyond traditional advertising, launching initiatives like the Intertrend Imprint Lab to support creative startups. This approach underscores the necessity of remaining vigilant and adaptable in business.

Julia concludes by inviting listeners to contact her through the Intertrend website for further engagement, demonstrating her commitment to continuous innovation and industry leadership.

To learn more about Julia's work, check out their website at https://intertrend.com/.

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-y-huang-178960/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the CEO of The Johnson Leadership Group, Kevin Johnson. Kevin's journey is an inspiring one. After graduating from college during a recession, he found it challenging to secure employment. However, following his mother's advice, he applied for a job in the federal government and was selected. This marked the beginning of his 34-year career in government, where he worked in various roles related to acquisition and contracting.

His responsibilities ranged from purchasing goods and services for his agency, from office supplies to major weapon systems. He enjoyed his role as it allowed him to be a property manager, negotiator, and even part attorney. After 25 years, Kevin transitioned to a different work role to gain more experience and perspective.

During our conversation, Kevin shared some valuable leadership lessons. He emphasized the importance of communication and understanding in leadership. Leaders, he believes, need to have conversations with their team members to determine the best fit for them and address any stagnation. By being good listeners, leaders demonstrate that they care about what their team members have to say.

Kevin also highlighted three fundamental needs that everyone has: affirmation, a sense of belonging, and inclusion. Leaders should appreciate and acknowledge their team members, make them feel part of a tribe or community, and ensure they feel included. These three needs are crucial for individuals' well-being and can contribute to their overall happiness and productivity.

Kevin's involvement in suicide prevention is another aspect of his work that he shared. He noticed an increasing feeling of isolation, loneliness, and depression among people, leading to thoughts of suicide. Kevin is passionate about raising awareness and educating others on this topic. Kevin was appointed as the faith community commissioner on the Commission for Suicide Prevention in Maryland, where he works to share information, manage state plans, and collaborate with faith community leaders.

To learn more about Kevin's work, check out their website at https://thejohnsonleadershipgroup.com/.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwaynejohnson/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Lauren Cockerell, Kwedar Company's founder, emphasized the value of embracing change and making brave choices in leadership. Her decision to quit golf at Rhodes College showcases a crucial leadership lesson: knowing when to step away from what no longer benefits you. This choice illustrates effective leadership’s necessity to recognize and act upon change for the greater good.

Lauren's transition from an unexpected job loss during pregnancy to founding her own company, Kwedar, exemplifies turning adversity into opportunity. This move demonstrates resilience and adaptability, key traits of effective leadership. Her experience highlights how challenges can become pivotal moments for professional and personal growth.

Kwedar's growth under Lauren’s leadership underscores the importance of trust and empowerment. Facing her partner's departure, Lauren prioritized her team, demonstrating a people-first leadership approach. Her team's trust and encouragement, especially in projects like "The Impatient Entrepreneur" podcast, reflect strong leader-team relationships. This approach highlights leadership’s role in creating a collaborative environment for mutual growth.

To learn more about Lauren's work, check out their website at https://www.kwedarco.com/.

Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Mauricio Berber's conversation offers key leadership insights. An immigrant from Mexico, he quickly rose to be the youngest bank manager at 21 but then switched careers to install safety cameras under garbage trucks. This unconventional move, driven by a desire to prevent accidents, underscores the importance of adaptability and pursuing impactful goals.

Facing initial rejections and financial struggles, Mauricio's resilience and persistence stand out. He used personal savings to survive tough times, highlighting the sacrifices often inherent in entrepreneurship. His current venture, Predictive Coach, demonstrates his leadership qualities. This technology-driven solution aims to reduce risky driver behavior, reflecting Mauricio's commitment to societal impact and innovative employee engagement.

Mauricio's journey exemplifies key leadership traits: adaptability, resilience, risk-taking, and a focus on positive change. His story illustrates that success can follow diverse paths, anchored by a clear vision and strong values.

To learn more about Mauricio's work, check out their website at https://predictivecoach.com/.

Connect with Mauricio on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricio-berber-a72280a/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the CEO of Let’s Go Win, JM Ryerson. JM Ryerson is a man of many talents. He has founded and sold three businesses, authored best-selling books, and now dedicates his time to helping leadership teams achieve their peak performance. His mission is to enhance culture, increase leadership, and inspire people to live their best lives by overcoming self-limiting beliefs.

When asked about the current economic situation, JM shared an interesting perspective. He believes that even in challenging times, individuals have control over their attitude and activity. He recalled how his business grew during the 2008-2010 recession because he adapted to the challenges. JM's experience is a powerful reminder that companies must evolve and change to succeed, regardless of the economic climate. He hasn't seen any negative impact on his business and sees many people thriving despite the economic situation.

To learn more about JM 's work, check out their website at https://www.letsgowin.com/.

Connect with JM on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jm-ryerson/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Owner of Lesix Agency, Robert Lee. Lesix Agency, a marketing agency that has a bold vision to help companies double their sales in just 90 days. Robert, with over 15 years of marketing experience, is a certified partner of Digital Marketer, a world-class community of marketers and marketing educators.

Robert's journey started as a marketing consultant for a small engineering firm in Chicago, driven by a desire to help people tell their stories better and connect with their audiences more effectively. Over the years, he has built multiple companies, weathered successes and failures, and forged strong relationships in the industry.

The conversation took a deeply personal turn as Robert reflected on the loss of his father and son. His father, a car salesman known as the "deal maker," was excited about raising his grandson. Robert finds comfort in the belief that his father is now raising his son for eternity, eagerly waiting to share stories about him when they reunite. Robert emphasized the importance of personal happiness and self-validation. He believes that it doesn't matter if others express their happiness with his decisions, as long as he can look at himself in the mirror and say he is happy with where he is.

To learn more about Robert's work, check out their website at https://lesix.agency/.

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwlee2/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Life Coach of FitWithDerick, Derick Johnson. Derrick, shared his story of overcoming hate and using it as fuel to drive his life. He opened up about his childhood, marked by the challenging circumstances of growing up in a home where alcoholism and rage were prevalent. Despite these circumstances, Derrick was able to stay calm in moments when most people would break down or snap.

To deal with the trauma, Derrick turned to fitness and faith. Pushing his body and mind past their pain thresholds helped him find calmness, while his faith gave him the motivation to help others. He believes that people who have experienced trauma have the gift of being able to connect with others on a deeper level and give them the love and support they need.

Derrick shared his experiences in leadership and the lessons he has learned. He discussed both positive and negative examples of leadership. He criticized the "my way or the highway" approach, emphasizing that it can lower team morale and create an uncomfortable environment. He highlighted the importance of good leaders who can read people and adjust their approach accordingly. Derrick believes that emotional awareness, or emotional intelligence (EQ), is crucial for effective leadership.

To learn more about Derick's work, check out their website at https://fitwithderick.com/.

Connect with Derick on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/derickjohnson1/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Director and Founder of Proverbial Door, Moeed Amin. Moeed is no ordinary guest, his unique approach to sales, backed by his expertise in neuroscience and psychology, has helped his clients generate over £200 million in additional revenue and funding. His journey into the world of sales began with a rather unusual incident - a neuroscience textbook falling on his head; this event sparked a realization about the importance of understanding the buyer's perspective, a concept often overlooked in traditional sales training.

For the next 15 years, Moeed became a high performer in sales, attributing his success to his newfound perspective. As obvious as it may seem, thinking from the customer's perspective can be challenging, especially for companies that are ego-centric. Moeed explains that our brains are naturally self-centered, making it difficult to be truly empathetic.

To learn more about Moeed's work, check out their website at https://www.proverbialdoor.com/.

Connect with Moeed on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/moeedamin/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Keynote Speaker, Subject of Patagonia Film "The Scale of Hope," Founder of Systemic Impact Strategies, and Former White House Climate Advisor, Molly Kawahata. Molly's work focuses on climate strategy consulting and organizational development around hope-based leadership. She believes that hope is not just a wish or optimism, but a belief that the future can be better and that individuals have the agency to make it better.

Molly shared that increasing hope levels in organizations can have profound effects on retention, productivity, employee engagement, and team dynamics. She explained that hope counters fear and that by activating the hope circuit in the brain, the fear circuits turn off. This simple yet effective approach can significantly improve mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Molly introduced the framework of hope, which consists of three building blocks: goals, agency, and pathways. Goals refer to the daily objectives that individuals set for themselves, both short-term and long-term. Agency, also known as willpower, is the energy and motivation to execute strategies and achieve goals. Pathways are the roadmaps or strategies individuals use to reach their goals.

She emphasized the importance of aligning employees' goals with their desires and providing them with a sense of control over their goals. By understanding the specific problem, interventions and performance improvement plans can be tailored to address the root cause.

To learn more about Molly's work, check out their website at https://mollykawahata.com/.

Connect with Molly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollykawahata/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.