What if your greatest opportunities are hiding in plain sight?

In this episode, Scott and Caitlin wrap up their mini-series on assessments by unpacking the power of benchmarking - not just as a way to compare, but as a tool to unlock potential.

They explore how legendary brands don’t just ask, “how are we doing?” They ask, “What’s possible?” From Chick-fil-A borrowing Ritz-Carlton’s service language to leaders swapping morning routines over dinner, benchmarking can come from unlikely places (even a Pixar storyboard or a lean manufacturing floor).

You’ll also hear why “we’re different” can be a cop-out, how excellence beats success, and why knowing your industry standard is just the beginning of building something legendary.

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

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Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When a third party shows up, everyone sits up straighter. In today's episode, Scott and Caitlin dive into the psychology behind why outside perspective is so powerful in assessments.

And there's a surprising part to all of this -- while teams easily spot their weaknesses, they're often blind to their biggest strengths. Scott shares how one assessment led to 500% growth when they helped a client realize they had a massive advantage they were treating as "ordinary." Plus, Scott and Caitlin share the subtle importance of why they use letter grades instead of percentages (nobody wants to argue about 84 versus 85!)

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

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Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Get ready for this new 3-part Mini Series on what is often a crucial missing step during the consulting process: Assessments.

Ever wonder why leadership teams can devolve into brutal fights over strategy? It's usually not because they disagree on solutions - it's because they're all seeing different parts of the business. Like blind men around an elephant, one person knows about the margin buffer while another just sees risk everywhere.

Get everyone looking at the same facts first, and the "impossible" strategic disagreements can often become obvious next steps.

As we kick off this mini series, you'll realize why that 10-20% you don't know about a company might be the difference maker.

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Some conversations just stick with you. A couple weeks after the interview with Howard Behar (Episode 39), Scott and Caitlin are still talking about his insights. In today's episode, they discuss more about how Howard's insights can revolutionize the way you think about building relationships and driving results.

Howard's approach to generosity works like venture capital. Invest in ten people knowing most won't return much, but one relationship will pay off massively and make everything worthwhile. You'll learn about the genius contact trick everyone's stealing, why words like "training" versus "developing" actually matter more than you think, and why most people need to be reminded more than instructed.

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Sure, you can make an action figure of yourself with AI. But while everyone's playing with chat prompts and generating funny images, some companies are using AI to free up millions of dollars sitting in warehouses.

The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed. At this point, AI has stopped being "optional" for customer experience.

Scott breaks down five operational areas where AI isn't just impressive, it's profitable: from Chick-fil-A's system that predicts sandwich demand every eight minutes to smart mirrors that map your body for perfect outfit fitting.

This isn't about which prompt gets the best response. It's about forecasting demand, personalizing at scale, and detecting threats before they cost you. Because while you're deciding whether AI matters, your competitors are already using it to create raving fans. Don't hop on board when it's too late. Right now, AI can be the nitrous oxide for the customer experience engine you already have.

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ever have a conversation that keeps replaying in your mind weeks after it happened? That's how it felt after talking with Jim Huling in Episode 37.

In this episode, Scott and Caitlin dig deeper into the "fiery nuggets" Jim dropped during their discussion. They challenge the false dichotomy between profit and purpose, unpacking why leaders who start with purpose ultimately achieve greater sustainable results than those fixated on quarterly numbers.

Most compelling is Jim's observation that "there are high trust teams who don't have high execution, but there are no high execution teams who aren't high trust." This single insight explains why the "soft stuff" isn't actually soft at all -- it's the essential foundation for operational excellence.

Whether you've heard the conversation with Jim in Episode 37 yet or not, this discussion might make you rethink what really drives legendary results.

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What separates exceptional organizations from the rest? In this conversation with Jonathan Reynolds, founder of Titus Talent, Scott and Caitlin explore why finding the right people is the foundation of every legendary brand.

Jonathan reveals why traditional recruiting methods often fail and shares his counterintuitive approach to attracting A-players. Through engaging stories and tactical insights, he explains why great candidates want roles that challenge them beyond their current skill set, and why clearly defining excellence matters more than crafting the perfect job description.

Most compelling is Jonathan's "one interview question" that cuts through the noise and reveals the truth about candidates.

Get ready for a fun ride that's just as entertaining as it is informative!

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Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanreynolds/

Check out Titus Talent : https://www.titustalent.com/

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if treating your people well wasn't at odds with driving high performance? In this powerful conversation with Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks International, Scott and Caitlin explore why servant leadership is fundamentally about performance, not just being nice.

Howard reveals the three primary responsibilities of servant leaders, and why the first focus should always be on helping people grow as human beings. At Starbucks, he created a culture where mistreating people had greater consequences than missing financial targets. Through candid stories from scaling the company from 28 stores to 1000s of stores, Howard demonstrates how this people-first approach drove remarkable business success.

Whether you're leading a team of two or two thousand, this conversation offers practical wisdom on creating human-centered leadership that drives both personal and organizational excellence.

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Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-behar-24ba274/

Check out Howard's Starbucks legacy: https://archive.starbucks.com/record/howard-behar

Learn more about Howard: http://howardbehar.com/

----------

P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What can we learn from someone who's generated over $21 billion in enterprise value through digital transformation? In this conversation with Ben Elmore, Scott and Caitlin explore the often-misunderstood world of bringing technology and people together.

Ben shares why 70% of digital transformation efforts fail, and how his team achieves an 85% success rate instead. Through stories from his work with Under Armor and faith-based organizations, he reveals that technology is only 1/3 of the transformation equation (and why starting with tech often leads to disaster).

Whether you're leading a digital initiative or simply trying to navigate a changing marketplace, this conversation offers practical wisdom on balancing technology with the human elements that make change stick.

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Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminelmore/

Check out Servant: https://www.servant.io/

Check out Intevity: https://www.intevity.com/

----------

P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

After decades coaching thousands of executives across 21 countries, Jim Huling has experienced first-hand what separates thriving teams from those that merely survive. What if the most crucial element of team success -- in the real world -- isn't always what we expect it to be on paper?

In this eye-opening conversation, Jim reveals to Scott and Caitlin the missing component he's consistently found to be the downfall of even the most operationally excellent teams. Through compelling stories and hard-won insights, Jim explains why "trust" isn't just a buzzword. It's the bedrock upon which excellence is built and sustained.

For leaders tired of constantly fighting the same battles, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what truly matters. Are you ready to transform your leadership approach from one that merely hopes for excellence, to one that naturally inspires excellence? Buckle up, as Jim's wisdom could be a game-changer for you.

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Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimhuling/

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P.S.: If you're ready to take your learning to the next level, beyond what we can cover in this podcast, then Legendary Brands Academy was made with you in mind. The online program will show you exactly how to transform your brand into a game-changer in your industry. No more wishing things could be different -- no more theorizing without action -- no more saying "that's for other brands, but not for me." With Legendary Brands Academy, everything is designed for you to take action and see transformation in real-time. You'll learn the step-by-step systems you can begin to implement today. So if you're ready to see real change, real results, and real Raving Fans for your brand, then you can check out Legendary Brands Academy here: www.LegendaryBrandsAcademy.com

----------

Sign up for our newsletter, and find more info on how we are building legendary brands at: www.SwozConsulting.com 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.