On this week's episode of Out of the Hourglass, Kathryn Freeman, NCG Sr. Business Coach and Director of Operations welcomes a new guest: Nicole Hanik, Chief Integration Officer at Painters USA. In this compelling conversation, Kathryn and Nicole tackle the topic of Continuous Process Improvement and the need to incorporate technology.

As the CIO of a 40 Million + Organization with 3 locations, Nicole thrives on the challenge to find efficiency opportunities. From technology analysis at different revenue sizes to implementation of new processes throughout the organization, Nicole is orchestrating all the required components of the strategy to achieve the short- and long-term business goals of the company.

We're back with another highly requested Business is Messy Podcast Episode featuring NCG Partners and brothers Brian Nolan and Kevin Nolan.

When we last heard from these two, it was mid-July, and there was growing uncertainty about the economy and potentially turbulent times ahead. Here we are 4 months later, and while uncertainty remains, there is clarity in having a plan A...and a plan B.

Riding the rapids requires a heightened sense of alertness and excitement. Awareness, communication, and an action plan are essential for survival. Gather your team, stay alert and win the game!

NCG's Managing Partner Brian Nolan, takes over the mic to host a critical conversation on Labor Laws and Employer Protection with David Walton, an experienced Labor and Employment attorney at Fisher Phillips in Philadelphia. The conversation dives into the complicated world of employer/employee relations and covers a variety of tips for dealing with employee challenges. Documentation, setting expectations, separation agreements and objective facts are just some of the tools discussed to help you stay informed and equip you to mitigate risk

On today's podcast, Molly sits down with the team at Boxed Sourcing & Production - a women-owned and operated company specializing in branded and promotional goods. Through this conversation, Co-Founders Brigette Fuscia, Meghann Bezdikain, and Director of New Business Development, Joanna Kummer, discuss the impact that company swag and branding can have on a business.

From totes and t-shirts to socks and pickleball paddles, these entrepreneurs are creating and designing intentional company gear - high-quality items your clients will use that become walking billboards for your brand. The women at Boxed Sourcing do it differently - they build client relationships, trust one another, and share the hustle and fun of a successful small business.

Want to get in touch with the team at Boxed? Reach out to [email protected]

The NCG Book Club has been busy! We've read a lot of great books in the last several months and we have a new one to add to that list - "Who Not How" by Dan Sullivan.

Imagine a life where everything you do is YOUR choice...from how you spend your time, to how much money you make, to the quality of your relationships, to the amount of joy you experience. Sounds amazing, right? Dan Sullivan's book aims to shift your thinking so you can make this happen - through your connections with other people.

Listen in as the NCG team shares key points and insights on finding the "Whos" to do our "Hows".

On today's podcast, Molly welcomes NCG Business Coach Jim Bradley, for an introduction to the concept of Lean Thinking and its application to operational strategy and workflow in the trades and services industries,

With an extensive background in operational management, Jim’s expertise and passion for this topic are evident. He shares how to think through a Lean lens, and how to extend this perspective to teams for greater impact.

Today's introduction to the Lean concept is an overview with great insight into the correlation of this manufacturing philosophy to the trades. The Lean toolbox has numerous tools - many of which we’ll explore in future episodes. Listen in to begin seeing your operations through a Lean lens ...and boost flow in your value stream!

Are you a member of, or a leader of...a team? Yes - of course, and today's podcast is all about teams! Three members of the NCG Book Club join Molly for a discussion about Patrick Lencioni’s “The Ideal Team Player” ~ How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues.

NCG's Book Club is a commitment to continuous learning, and to the application and connection of the work we do with our clients, and our own organization. We've delved into titles such as Love + Work, Coaching through Breakthrough Success, Think Again, Winning on Purpose, Radical Candor, and more. NCG Book Club members engage in lively discussions and share solid takeaways and new perspectives on our roles and responsibilities. This week's discussion is no different and lends insight into what makes The Ideal Team Player.

Welcome to Q4! Ready or not, it's fall ...and Annual Planning Season! On today's podcast, Molly welcomes Brian Nolan, Managing Partner here at Nolan Consulting Group for a conversation that will recharge your planning mindset!

At NCG, we are intentional about the planning process. We believe it is essential to devote time to strategically think about the year ahead, align with your vision, define PDIs, and focus on goals.

No matter your company size - big or small, there are ways to approach this season with newfound energy, team participation, and excitement for the year ahead. Brian highlights where to start, different frameworks to work through and recommendations for getting the process started on the right foot.

In this week's episode, two of Nolan Consulting Groups' finest take the mic for a conversation about two tools used frequently at NCG: the DISC Profile Assessment and the Position Vision.

Kathryn Freeman, Director of Operations and Sr. Business Coach, and Sydney Bates, Business Support Specialist highlight how we can use these two resources in tandem to provide insight on the core responsibilities and behaviors best suited for the different roles within your organization. Position visions and DISC Assessments can be woven together to provide insight...what type of DISC profile is best suited for a role? ...is a current employee a good fit to promote from within? ...are there characteristics that are required for success in a role, and others that are nice to have?

We are all about filling the seats on the bus with the right people for your journey. Listen in on this episode and learn how to use these tools to find the best fit!

This week we bring back NCG Sr. Business Coach Andrew Amrhein for a conversation on Diagnosing Problems. How do we fully understand an issue to address the specific problem? Andrew discusses his strategy of categorizing issues into three types - human problems, process problems, and systems problems.

Listen in as Molly and Andrew work through getting to the root of the issue and the importance of valuing judgment. Surely this episode will leave you with insight on the challenges you are facing in your own workplace.