Speaking to Influence

Your input matters beyond your expertise. Lincoln University President Brenda Allen transitioned from a professor to an administrative role and quickly learned the importance of showing up to the executive table when invited. This week Laura and Brenda discuss the importance of higher education for critical thinking, problem-solving, and career preparedness. Brenda also explores how to navigate the complicated relationships between young adults and their parents, communicating progress with donors, and teaching students how to advocate for themselves.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How higher education prepares job seekers for rapidly changing career demands
• Why transferable skills are priceless
• How Brenda’s team communicates with parents and donors on investment issues
• Why every leader should encourage questions
• Why Brenda believes, “if you’re invited to the table, you need to be at the table.”

During the 24-Hour Influence Challenge, Brenda encourages you to write a letter to yourself explaining your three main inner strengths and sharing those strengths with others.

Brenda A. Allen was appointed as Lincoln University’s 14th president in 2017. Since that time, she has implemented a strategic plan designed to ensure Lincoln's place among great liberal arts institutions. Current investments include increased support for faculty teaching and scholarship, and expanding co-curricular opportunities. Under Dr. Allen’s leadership, the University received a $20 million gift, the largest from a single donor in Lincoln’s 167- year history. Prior to coming to Lincoln, Dr. Allen held executive positions at Winston Salem State University, Brown University, and Smith College. She also served as a postdoctoral associate and lecturer at Yale University. She holds a bachelor's in psychology from Lincoln University, and a master's degree and a doctorate in psychology, both from Howard University.

You can learn more about Lincoln University here: https://www.lincoln.edu/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

How can coffee change the world? According to Saxbys CEO and Founder, Nick Bayer, it begins with educating young entrepreneurs. This week Laura and Nick discuss how Saxbys is empowering young people to embrace the humanity of the hospitality industry and build a business that creates an impact.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How Saxbys created an academic experience while building real businesses
• Why every young entrepreneur needs a course in critical thinking skills for business
• How to develop your empathy skills
• Why Saxby’s made B Corp status a priority
• What you can do to hold your team accountable to your mission and values

During the 24-Hour Influence Challenge, Nick encourages you to respond to all digital communication within 24 hours and evaluate how it impacts trust and relationship building.

Nick Bayer has always been in the business of bringing people together, whether it’s as one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s "Most Admired CEOs" or as a consummate team captain since Little League. So when he created Saxbys in 2005, Nick never really considered it to be a coffee company — instead, it’s a social impact company fueled by amazing food, beverage, and hospitality. Saxbys has since grown from one corner café to a nearly 30-unit, Philadelphia-based business with a singular mission: Make Life Better.

For Nick Bayer, “making life better" began by fostering an O.D.D (outgoing, detail-oriented, and disciplined) team, committed to the betterment of the communities it serves and aligned by their shared entrepreneurial spirit and Saxbys' core values. Today, that team spans over 500 members across the Northeast that represent the change-makers of tomorrow. To that point, Bayer introduced Saxbys’ pioneering Experiential Learning Program (ELP) in 2015 in partnership with Drexel University — the nation’s first entirely student-run cafe where students earn full academic credit and wages through a university cooperative education program.

Bayer’s vision for the program is to embolden the next generation of entrepreneurs, providing undergrad students with tangible experience as a supplement to traditional classroom learning. In five short years, one ELP cafe has blossomed to a dozen, with five more partnerships opening in the Fall of 2021.

Nick is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, an adjunct professor at Drexel University and the Executive in Residence at Temple University's Fox School of Business.

He serves on the Board of The Franklin Institute, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, the Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship and Drexel’s Steinbright Career Development Center, as well as being a Corporate Council Member for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He has been recognized as the "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, EY’s "Social Entrepreneur of the Year" and among the “100 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Philadelphia” by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

He resides in Center City Philadelphia with his wife Haley and son Luke.

You can connect with Nick in the following ways:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbayer6/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnickbayer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickbayer

Company Website: https://www.saxbyscoffee.com/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

There’s tension in silence, but so much to learn. This week Leigh Marz and Justin Zorn share why we feel the need to fill the silence and how to create better communication by speaking less and listening more. Join Laura, Leigh, and Justin as they discuss the impact of taking time to create space in conversations, meetings, and daily life.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to keep yourself from filling the silence in conversation
• Why silence helps you discern your thoughts
• How to view silence as a source of renewal
• Why a moment of silence feels like an eternity
• What you can do to create space to process silence in your daily life

About Justin and Leigh:

Justin Talbot Zorn has served as both a strategist and a meditation teacher in the US Congress. A Harvard-and-Oxford-trained specialist in the economics and psychology of human thriving, he has written for the Washington Post, The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, Foreign Policy, and other publications. Justin is the coauthor of Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise, published by HarperCollins in the US, Penguin/Random House in the UK, and globally in 12 other languages. He is cofounder of Astrea Strategies, a consultancy that bridges contemplation and action, helping leaders and teams envision and communicate solutions to complex challenges. Justin lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife and three children.

Leigh Marz is a collaboration and leadership coach for major universities, corporations, and federal agencies as well as a longtime student of pioneering researchers and practitioners of the ritualized use of psychedelic medicines in the West. She has led training programs to promote an experimental mindset among teams at NASA and a decade-long cross-sector collaboration to reduce toxic chemicals in products, in partnership with Green Science Policy Institute, Harvard University, IKEA, Google, and Kaiser Permanente. Leigh is the coauthor of Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise, published by HarperCollins in the US, Penguin/Random House in the UK, and globally in 12 other languages. She is the cofounder of Astrea Strategies. Leigh lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband and daughter.

You can get your copy of Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise here: https://amzn.to/3TvnCMS

You can connect with Justin and Leigh at https://astreastrategies.com/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Understanding cyber security technology can be difficult outside of the tech industry, but according to Kris Burkhardt, “healthy paranoia” can be a good thing. This week Kris and Laura discuss the complexities of communicating to businesses about the importance of cyber security, as well as how he empowers his team to make mistakes and solve problems together.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to encourage questions when presenting to an audience
• How to use body language to gauge understanding of complex topics
• Why it’s important to let your team make mistakes
• How to communicate expectations clearly
• The importance of managing miscommunications early

During the 24-Hour Influence Challenge, Kris encourages you to choose 1-3 team members and give them a single piece of coaching advice to improve their performance, then follow up on a regular basis. This regular check in will improve your communication and your relationship.

About Kris Burkhardt:

As global chief information security officer for Accenture, Kris is accountable for securing the enterprise against threats such as ransomware and data theft. Infrastructure hygiene, advanced security tooling and operations, behavioral programs and systematic client data protection processes work together to secure Accenture, our employees and entrusted client data in more than 120 countries. In this role, Kris stays close to the current threat landscape, sets tactical and strategic priorities to monitor and minimize security risk, and maintains a 24/7 response capability.

You can learn more about Accenture here: https://www.accenture.com

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Creating an impact in a large organization begins with your immediate team. This week Dana Reyngoudt shares how she engages and motivates her small team while working toward organizational goals. Listen in as Laura and Dana discuss understanding the needs of your team, creating a unified front to face challenges, and identifying the signs of an engaged leader.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• The best tools for engagement and feedback
• The definition of conversion franchises and why they work
• Why creating a growth plan motivates your team
• How to identify what engages and motivates individuals
• Why it’s important to create space for conversations on diversity and inclusion

About Dana Reyngoudt:

As Vice President of Partner Marketing for NBC Universal, Dana develops and executes marketing campaigns for the company’s broadcast and cable networks that drive value for distribution partners.

You can connect with Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-reyngoudt-5a6ba97/

Learn more about the Women In Cable organization here: https://www.wict.org/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

The fastest way to find success is to follow the footsteps of someone who has gone before you. This week Greg Muzzillo shares why making millionaires is his favorite part of his job at Proforma. Listen in as Laura and Greg discuss how a franchising opportunity can provide business success, leadership support, and overall growth.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How Greg’s team is working to qualify prospects virtually
• The definition of conversion franchises and why they work
• Why your business needs an advisory council
• How to build trust in high stakes relationships
• Why an engaged workforce makes higher profits

During the 24-Hour Influence Challenge Greg inspires you to write down the recurring inner thoughts that are keeping you from being influential in business and in life, gaining a greater understanding of what’s holding you back from success.

About Greg Muzzillo:

Greg Muzzillo started Proforma one year after graduating from college with a few hundred dollars. The business quickly grew to several million dollars and was recognized by Inc. Magazine’s list of the 500 fastest growing companies for three consecutive years. This news prompted inquiries from others wanting to start a business, so Muzzillo developed the Proforma franchise model.

Today, the Proforma franchise model offers aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to start their own business with a few hundred dollars and build their own multi-million dollar company. 

Proforma is a $500 million company with over 500 Franchise Owners primarily in North America, and one of the nation’s largest distributors of printing, promotional produces, and custom packaging. Every year, 15-20 Proforma Franchise Owners are named to Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies and more than 300 Franchise Owners are in Proforma’s Million and Multi-Million Dollar Club.

Muzzillo has served on the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association, the Board of Trustees at the University of Tampa, and the Board of Directors of the University of Florida Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center. Muzzillo is an active member of Advertising Specialty Institute, Promotional Products Association International, and the International Franchise Association. He is also host of Million Dollar Monday, a podcast with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

For more about our Franchise Affiliate Opportunity, visit www.proformafranchise.com. For more about Proforma’s services, visit www.proforma.com. 

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

How do you captivate an audience without overwhelming them with data? This week Dr. Vincent Racaniello shares how his passion for teaching and virology led him to transition out of the lab and into educating the world through podcasting. Listen in as Laura and Vincent discuss how to share your expertise in a way that captivates while adding humor, levity, and increasing the audience’s ability to comprehend complex subject matter.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• The importance of levity to deal with complex subjects
• How to speak to your audience with humility
• Why adding “Gee Whiz Moments” to your presentation increases audience impact
• How to decide what to share and how to share it
• How to not take yourself too seriously without impacting your credibility

About Dr. Vincent Racaniello:

Vincent Racaniello Ph.D. is Higgins Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University Medical Center. He has been studying viruses for over 40 years. As principal investigator of his laboratory, Prof. Racaniello is passionate about teaching virology to the World. His virology lectures can be found on YouTube. He blogs at virology blog, produces the podcast ‘This Week in Virology’ and has co-authored the textbook Principles of Virology. He regularly posts about viruses on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

You can find out more about Vincent and his work at: https://www.microbe.tv/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Rallying a community behind a cause requires clear, concise communication strategies. This week Virgil Sheppard discusses how his organization is identifying the needs of the individuals they serve by gathering insights and developing leadership strategies that support and build trust. Listen in as Laura and Virgil explore the early warning indicators of educational needs, understanding the metrics behind identifying risk, and how Virgil’s team looks beyond poverty and communicates the strengths of a community that has an average annual income of $11,000.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How poverty impacts perception
• The importance of accurately describing the nature of challenges to stakeholders
• How to address misconceptions in a tactful way
• The toughest audience for the Hope Community
• Why emotions create unclear messages

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Virgil encourages you to reach out to someone who has influenced or impacted you in a positive way to say thank you.

About Virgil Sheppard:

Virgil currently serves as the President/CEO of Hope Partnership for Education, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower the community through education.

Prior to Hope, Virgil served as the National School Partnerships Director for City Year, where he was responsible for developing a partnership strategy that maximized school and student outcomes. Virgil got his start in education working for the School District of Philadelphia’s Behavioral Team, overseeing the Comprehensive Student Assistance Process for 40 schools, and serving as a middle school administrator. During this time, Virgil oversaw the first Response to Instructional Intervention (RTII) pilot for the School District of Philadelphia, identifying evidenced-based strategies and intervention programs while providing technical assistance to school-based RTII teams to ensure strong student support services infrastructure.

Virgil holds a bachelor’s degree from Temple University and a master’s degree from Cheyney University.

You can learn more about Hope Partnership here: https://www.hope-partnership.org/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Building relationships can be difficult when tackling difficult subject matter. Education This week Renée Williams explores the manifestations of trauma and how it impacts communication and supporting the community. Listen in as Laura and Renée discuss the negative impact emotions can have on relationship building, navigating differing opinions, and entrusting your team to represent your brand values.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to get your message across to audiences who may not agree with you
• Why human-centered language is the key to breaking down communication barriers
• How transparency leaders to trust building
• What teenagers can teach you about communication
• Why your team needs a safe space to make mistakes

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Renée encourages you to find a place to volunteer for 2-3 hours in order to gain a fresh perspective and learn something new.

About Renée Williams:

Renée is the Executive Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. She also serves as the Director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, an affiliate program of the National Center. Prior to taking the helm of the NCVBA, Renée was the executive director of a legal services organization in Pittsburgh, which focused on the legal rights of victims of domestic violence and other indigent clients. Renée is seasoned in nonprofit leadership, also serving as a board member for Athena International and Voices in Action.

Renée is passionate and stays connected to the community as well. She mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters, volunteers at Children’s National Hospital, and advocates for children as a court-appointed special advocate. For these efforts, she has been recognized as an Athena Young Professional Finalist, named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40, and received a Jefferson Award. Renée completed her undergraduate studies in theatre arts at Point Park University and subsequently received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law.

You can connect with Renée in the following ways:

Website: https://victimsofcrime.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrimeVictimsOrg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimevictimsorg/

Renée’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-williams-ncvc/

If you are a victim of crime and need assistance please go to: https://victimconnect.org/ for additional resources.

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Education is the greatest tool we can provide when nurturing relationships. This week Joellen Meckley shares how the American College of Financial Services Center for Special Needs is educating consumers and financial service providers on the options available for individuals with disabilities. Listen in as Laura and Joellen discuss what the organization considers when creating consumer content, identifying underserved populations, and the importance of mentorship.  

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to identify and communicate with underserved populations
• Why well-informed consumers make better decisions
• How to deal with imposter syndrome when speaking to tough audiences
• Understanding empathy vs. sympathy
• The importance of growing and changing with societal expectations

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Joellen inspires you to write down your personal mission as a starting point to live your passion.

Joellen Meckley:

Joellen Meckley is the Executive Director of The American College Center for Special Needs. Joellen has dedicated her entire career to serving the disabled and elderly community. She started her career as a licensed nursing home administrator, running nursing homes and assisted living facilities in multiple states.

That experience included working as an executive within companies ranging from a start-up long term care management firm to Village Care of New York, a large, urban, non-profit provider of wide-ranging services for the elderly and disabled.

You can learn more about Joellen’s organization here: www.theamericancollege.edu

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions