The Insight Interviews - Powered by Rewire

Andrew Bartlow is the Founder and Managing Partner of Series B Consulting, which advises PE and VC-backed organizations. He co-authored “Scaling for Success”, published by Columbia University Business School, and teaches at some of the world’s leading educational institutions. Over his long in-house career, Andrew participated in over a dozen M&A transactions, IPOs, bankruptcies, and successful PE sponsor exits. He advised scores of C-level executives, supported employee populations of 5,000+, built numerous HR functions, and learned from the best while at Pepsi and GE. His last in-house role was as the head of HR for what is now Invitation Homes, which he helped take from a small private organization to a public company with a market cap of over $20B.

In this episode Jason and Andrew discuss:

• Scaling businesses through mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, and private equity exits
• Effective people management strategies for high-growth companies
• Pitfalls of blindly following trendy management practices
• Four C's of leadership: clarity, consistency, communication, and consequences
• Leveraging AI and technology while monitoring its workplace impact

Key Takeaways: 

• Fuel both personal and professional growth by embracing ambition, taking calculated risks, and gaining diverse experiences. Success is achieved by aligning personal fulfillment with career advancement.
• Effective people management in rapidly growing businesses relies on mastering the leadership fundamentals four C’s—clarity, consistency, communication, and consequences—while avoiding one-size-fits-all management trends.
• Experiment with emerging technologies like AI to boost workplace efficiency but remain mindful of their broader impact on work environments and industry structures.
• Remote and hybrid work models are shifting demand toward larger homes and home offices while decreasing the need for traditional commercial office spaces.
• Upskill HR professionals and structure teams around clear goals and accountability to foster growth, productivity, and long-term success in an evolving business landscape.

“Success is meeting your goals or achieving or surpassing your goals. But to have success, you have to have a goal. You have to have some destination in mind. So, if you don't have a destination, if you don't have a goal, you cannot have success. So, you need to be able to chart your course. You need to be able to articulate what good looks like for you. If that's a certain revenue number, if that is delivering a certain number of shoes to the undeveloped world, whatever it is, have a goal, and that will be a very important first step on your road to success.”

 - Andrew Bartlow

Connect with Andrew Bartlow:

Website: https://www.seriesbconsulting.com/ 

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

Andrew’s BOOK: https://www.scalingforsuccessbook.com/

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Are you looking to propel your business to new heights and make Q4 your strongest quarter yet? Jason and Steve share three key factors that helped a client outperform industry leaders, despite operating in a struggling sector. Discover how tying your passion and energy to a deeper purpose can refresh your motivation, how approaching Q4 with a fresh perspective can rejuvenate your business practices, and how the power of measurable goals can drive continual improvement. Gain actionable strategies and elevate your success in this final push!

In this episode Jason and Steve discuss:

• Rewiring your mindset for a strong Q4 finish
• Tying passion and focus to a deeper purpose for renewed motivation
• Approaching Q4 with a fresh, rejuvenated perspective
• Measuring progress by involving others and seeking new insights
• Embracing measurable goals for growth and long-term success

Key Takeaways: 

• Three key factors for a strong finish in Q4: tie your motivation to a deeper purpose, approach Q4 with a fresh, rejuvenated perspective, and involve others to gain new insights and measure progress.
• Seeking new perspectives from community members or coaches can rejuvenate business practices.
• Measuring progress through fresh eyes enables self-awareness and continual improvement.
• Having a plan with measurable goals requires courage but is necessary for growth and success.
• Strategic ambiguity provides an illusion of freedom while measuring tangible goals leads to real freedom and success.

“For this final push, the three surprising truths we discussed are: tie your efforts to something meaningful, anchor them by knowing your 'why,' and rejuvenate with fresh perspectives. Finally, the third key is to measure your progress.”

 - Jason Abell

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Michael Roub is the Managing Partner of Inflection 360. He has more than two decades of expertise as a strategic advisor, consultant, executive, and investment banker. A healthcare and wellness expert, Michael also has extensive experience in strategy, M&A, and capital raising. Prior to starting Inflection 360, he held executive roles at Western Dental and US HealthWorks and previously developed and operated surgical centers. He began his career as an investment banker with DLJ. Michael holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

In this episode Jason and Michael discuss:

• Transition from investment banking to healthcare executive and strategic advisor
• The importance of real-world exposure and collaborative projects during his education
• Strategic advisory, M&A, and legacy planning for C-suite executives
• Balancing focus on core operations while exploring growth opportunities
• The transformative impact of AI, machine learning, and natural language processing on businesses across industries

Key Takeaways: 

• Focus on preparedness rather than memorized rehearsal to ensure effective communication and minimize stress during important interactions. Thoughtfully planning ahead allows for smoother, more genuine conversations.
• Every business has unique needs and challenges. Take the time to listen, observe, and fully understand these nuances before offering any solutions or making decisions.
• It’s crucial to keep core operations running smoothly while remaining adaptable to new opportunities for growth. Balancing these two priorities helps create long-term success.
• With increasing access to capital from sources like private equity and family offices, thorough reciprocal due diligence is essential to protect interests on both sides of the deal.
• Embrace emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and Natural language processing to remain competitive, but always verify the accuracy of the information to ensure sound decision-making.

“We can be aware of all the opportunities we want to pursue, but functionally, maybe one person tackles one front while someone else tackles another. Or maybe the company, as it's set up, can only handle one change at a time. You think in chess—planning moves ahead—but you're playing like checkers, moving one step at a time. If not, you risk throwing things into disarray. You can’t do everything at once, and I see that every day, not just professionally but personally too.”

 - Michael Roub

Connect with Michael Roub:

Website: https://inflection360.com/ 

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

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Kait LeDonne is a personal branding expert based in New York, New York, who builds thought leadership brands using content marketing strategies and social media. She is regularly featured in national and international publications as a commentator on celebrity and corporate brands. She has trained corporations and organizations like the United States Air Force, Kia Automotive Group, and GGI Global Alliance on the science and art of personal branding.

In this episode, Jason and Kait discuss:

• Transition from finance to LinkedIn thought leadership
• Importance of fostering genuine online connections
• Value of quality content over generic posts
• LinkedIn’s long-term viability for personal branding
• Role of mentor-inspired lessons and personal milestones in building relationships

Key Takeaways: 

• The transition from a finance career to LinkedIn thought leadership demonstrates a path to significant follower growth and business success, reflecting a growing interest in this strategic shift.
• The cultivation of authentic online communities proves essential, as genuine relationships offer more value than merely increasing audience numbers.
• LinkedIn's focus on content that fosters meaningful dialogue stands out as more effective than traditional marketing tactics, driving higher engagement and impact.
• Leveraging LinkedIn as a professional platform reveals its potential for long-term, impactful personal branding, making it a strategic choice for sustained growth.
• Sharing consistent, mentor-inspired lessons is an effective personal branding strategy, enabling deeper audience connections and positioning oneself as a trusted authority.

“It's never been easier to create content, but it's never been harder to create connections. If you can make that your MO, you’ll stand out in a world where mediocrity at scale is common. Presence and connection at scale are not. Intimacy at scale is not. And that will be the currency of the future.”

 - Kait LeDonne

Connect with Kait LeDonne:

Website: https://www.kaitledonne.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitledonne-personalbrandingexpert/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Thomas Ryan, CEO and founder of Bigly Sales, is a visionary leader transforming business communications through innovative AI solutions. With a background in staffing and executive experience at Workbeast LLC, Thomas identified the need for more efficient communication processes and founded Bigly Sales in 2020. Under his leadership, Bigly Sales is revolutionizing the industry by replacing traditional call centers with advanced AI technology that offers 24/7 multilingual support in English and Spanish. This approach significantly reduces operational costs by up to 90% and boosts conversion rates, all while ensuring compliance with TCPA and HIPAA standards for data protection. Thomas's dedication to efficiency and client satisfaction positions Bigly Sales as a trailblazer in the tech industry, committed to enhancing business communications through the power of artificial intelligence.

In this episode, Jason and Thomas discuss:

• Thomas’s journey to founding Bigly Sales, an AI company during the COVID-19 lockdowns, highlights his resilience and innovation
• Businesses are leveraging AI to automate tasks like lead qualification, customer support, and content generation
• The current near-zero AI adoption in organizations is expected to be followed by an imminent spike in usage
• Ryan envisions hyper-persuasive AI outperforming human salespeople through personalization
• AI-powered landing pages, product demos, and AI-driven sales processes are transforming the way businesses engage with customers

Key Takeaways: 

• AI is revolutionizing businesses by automating tasks faster, cheaper, and more accurately than humans, with adoption expected to spike as it outperforms human performance.
• Organizations are leveraging AI in various ways, from graphic design to content creation, SEO optimization, and lead generation through automated conversations driving increased sales.
• Thomas' startup Bigly Sales is harnessing AI for lead generation, automated product demos, and end-to-end sales automation using avatars, incorporating targeted advertising and customer data capture.
• AI's capabilities in persuasion, personalization, and rapidly evolving context windows will enable extreme information gathering and human-surpassing persuasiveness within a few years.
• While AI automation optimizes manual tasks, enhancing human capabilities, it's crucial to consider unintended consequences as the technology continues to advance.

“I see AI as hyper-persuasive—far better than any sales rep. It will know everything about you, have access to all your social media, and even be aware of everything you've ever read. AI will understand you and millions of others like you, knowing exactly what your levers are—how to speak to you, what accent to use, and what persona to adopt to truly move you. I see it using all the collective information available on the internet to be more persuasive than any human salesperson.”

 - Thomas Ryan

Connect with Thomas Ryan:

Website: https://biglysales.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ryan-5302751/ 

Landing Page Builder: https://biglypage.com/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Adele Gambardella is a seasoned public relations expert with over 15 years of experience owning and managing a Top 20 PR firm in Washington, DC. She has represented Fortune 100 companies such as DuPont, Lockheed Martin, and Verizon, serving as a spokesperson and securing high-profile media coverage on platforms like Good Morning America, The Today Show, and The New York Times.

Adele has also been a PR strategist, corporate counsel, and crisis management consultant for clients including Facebook, Johnson & Johnson, and President Joe Biden. She is the co-author of the book Convince Me: High-Stakes Negotiation Tactics to Get Results in Any Business Situation. She speaks and advises globally, including at the United Nations, and has taught at prestigious universities like Princeton and Georgetown. Starting her career as a journalist, she contributes to The Wall Street Journal, Inc., and Entrepreneur magazines. Her agency, formerly titled Epic, has been reinvented to focus on the science of convincing and rebranded as the Convincing Company.

In this episode, Jason and Adele discuss:

• Career transitions and establishing a PR firm post-firing
• Strategies for simplifying crisis management in high-stakes situations
• Intricacies of media strategy and concept of 'fairness fallacy' in business crises
• Impact of predictive memory on leadership and decision-making
• Benefits of forensic listening and negotiation techniques in business and personal contexts

Key Takeaways: 

• Adele's narrative illustrates that career setbacks, such as being fired, can paradoxically open doors to greater opportunities, including starting a successful PR firm.
• Simplification is key in crisis management, as demonstrated by the strategy adopted for Marilyn Houston, showcasing the importance of focusing on a few critical points.
• The 'fairness fallacy' reveals a common pitfall for businesses attempting to navigate crises unaided, highlighting the need for expert guidance through turbulent times.
• Predictive memory emphasizes the significance of leveraging past experiences to shape future actions, with a call to remain receptive to new learning avenues and methods.
• Forensic listening, distinct from active listening, serves as an advanced skill that fosters empathy and precision in understanding, thus enhancing leadership decision-making and client rapport.

“I would say the person who is malleable is the one who will get through the crisis the easiest. If they can recognize their own role in why they got into the crisis, they'll be better able to recover. You want to forgive yourself, move past it, and understand that by taking certain actions, you can reach the light on the other side.”

 - Adele Gambardella

Connect with Adele Gambardella:

Website: https://convincingcompany.com/ 

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

Adele’s BOOK: https://convincingcompany.com/convince-me-book/ 

Training So Good Program: https://trainingsogood.com/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Angela Cheng-Cimini, Senior Vice President, Talent & Chief Human Resources Officer for Harvard Business Publishing, brings 30 years of diverse HR experience across consumer goods, professional services, high-tech, and nonprofit sectors. She has successfully guided companies through various growth stages, leading teams across major continents. Prior to her current role, Angela was instrumental in transforming the HR function at ClearMotion, Inc., and led a global HR team at Crabtree & Evelyn, driving the company’s transition to a digital business model. A Cornell University alumna, Angela is actively involved in the Alumni Board of Directors, serves as an HR Venture Adviser for SemperVirens, co-leads the HR Vertical for Ascend, and is a Board Director for the T. Howard Foundation, championing diversity in the media industry.

In this episode, Jason and Angela discuss:

• Impact of personal stories on business strategies and growth
• Role of gratitude and family support in personal and professional life
• Tensions between self-doubt and confidence for Asian American women in leadership
• Evolution of leadership towards simplicity and compassion
• The intersection of HR challenges with effective team management and strategic planning

 Key Takeaways: 

• A life strategy, rooted in foundational principles, can profoundly shape not only business outcomes but also the arc of one's entire life.
• Angela's personal narrative demonstrates a progression from familial expectations to thriving in executive roles, which illuminates the blending of confidence and doubt as crucial elements of her journey.
• Reflecting on leadership, the shift from traditional, authoritative styles to approaches marked by empathy underscores the values that contemporary HR leaders should embody.
• The 'not now' card system fosters an environment where transparent communication and effective project flow are prioritized, benefiting team dynamics.
• Embracing the 'platinum rule' may revolutionize organizational success, potentially surpassing the outcomes of the well-known 'golden rule' by cultivating a deeper investment in the well-being and development of people.

“Leadership is a first principle. Organizations can't achieve their goals whether it's grabbing market share, improving margins, or getting great customer feedback without truly investing in their people. Leaders need to know how to take care of them.”

 - Angela Cheng-Cimini

Connect with Angela Cheng-Cimini:

Website: http://www.harvardbusinesspublishing.org/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-cheng-cimini/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Let’s delve into the 'five elements of a killer culture,' a strategic blueprint designed for organizations aiming to create a strong, sustainable environment. These elements are not just theoretical; they emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent culture through various seasons, ensuring that core principles remain intact amidst changes. Steve and Jason discuss the crucial role of leadership awareness during ordinary times, highlighting how this awareness is essential for sustaining a rich culture, ensuring resilience against unforeseen challenges, and maintaining employee engagement.

They further explore the strategies for assembling and nurturing 'A-players,' stressing the importance of hiring top talent and investing in their growth and development. They underline the significance of discipline, proactive action, and having a clear 'North Star' to guide team efforts and cultural alignment, especially during challenging times like the pandemic. They emphasize fostering a sense of community among employees, noting that workplace friendships are vital for a positive company culture.

In this episode Steve and Jason discuss:

• The 'five elements of a killer culture' that distinguish robust company cultures from weaker ones
• Strategies for nurturing a strong company culture during ordinary times, and the role of awareness in this process
• The significance of hiring and developing top talent 'A-players' within the organization for a lasting cultural impact
• The necessity of discipline, a compelling company 'why', and fostering a sense of community and friendship among employees for a cohesive work environment
• The benefits of coaching and workshops in enhancing personal growth and reinforcing company culture

Key Takeaways: 

• A vibrant company culture transcends everyday challenges and external fluctuations, embodying a steadfast quality that endures through various industry seasons.
• It's not enough to navigate the highs of corporate life; true cultural strength is tested and maintained during the less climactic 'ordinary times' when attention to culture may wane.
• For a leader, the capacity to observe, acknowledge, and confront internal issues is integral to cultivating a positive and sustainable corporate environment.
• Hiring and development practices that focus on continuous improvement and instill discipline in employees are foundational to building a disciplined, fun, and impactful culture.
• A sense of community within the workplace is essential - from crafting a unified purpose to fostering workplace friendships, these social bonds significantly contribute to a resilient and thriving culture.

“If we want to preserve our culture, we need to avoid isolating people. While this might sound negative, our intention is positive. We aim to promote community and connection through status coaching. In these ordinary times, it's crucial to keep searching for, finding, and discovering ways to keep us connected and engaged as a community.” - Steve Scanlon

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Rob Buffington defies the standard mold of a consultant with a remarkable history of owning over a dozen companies across various industries. His deeply empathetic approach to business, shaped by his personal journey, drives his commitment to guiding others through the complexities of entrepreneurship. As a public speaker, Rob captivates audiences with genuine storytelling and practical insights, offering invaluable counsel and strategies for success. With experience in established companies, non-profits, and startups, he has a unique perspective on the modern business climate.

As the driving force behind Gordian, a global conglomerate, Rob's mission is to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit, offering knowledge, empathy, and steadfast support. Through his motivational talks and consultancy, he empowers others, challenging the status quo and transforming the journey of entrepreneurship into an experience filled with confidence and boundless possibilities.

In this episode Jason and Rob discuss:

• Rob's entrepreneurial journey, from early hustles to founding a company specializing in remote staffing
• The crucial role of support from spouses, mentors, and a strong work ethic in building successful businesses
• Strategic approaches to leadership, including hiring for weaknesses, and the value of tough conversations in management
• The transition challenges faced by startups scaling into large established companies, while maintaining a strong business culture
• The benefits and intricacies of international remote workforces, from cost savings for businesses to improved living standards for remote workers

Key Takeaways: 

• Having a support system is essential for entrepreneurial success, and gratitude for that support reinforces business and personal growth.
• A successful leader delegates effectively and hires individuals with strengths that complement their weaknesses.
• Scaling a business requires adjusting leadership strategies and fostering a close-knit culture despite company growth.
• Transitioning to a remote workforce can transform a struggling business into a profitable venture and provide strategic advantages.
• Authentic connections on professional platforms are more valuable than superficial sales-focused interactions.

“In a world that's as connected as we are, where the talent pool is basically the population of the world at this point, why not be the absolute best at the thing that only you can do and then find people to help you where you're weak?”

 - Rob Buffington

Connect with Rob Buffington:

Website: https://gordianstaffing.com/ 

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

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Chip Massey, a former FBI Special Agent, has led high-profile criminal cases, investigated the September 11th terrorist attacks, and spearheaded the New York FBI Office’s Crisis Negotiations Teams. Prior to the FBI, he served as a pastor in Maryland, honing his empathy and connection skills. These abilities, combined with FBI techniques, make him a popular speaker, teacher, and consultant.

Now, as co-founder of The Convincing Company, Chip teaches executives sophisticated communication and negotiation techniques. He co-authored "Convince Me: High-Stakes Negotiation Tactics to Get Results in Any Business Situation" and his clients include Fortune 500 companies like Facebook, Samsung, and Goldman Sachs. Chip has trained FBI agents, police officers, and various federal officials, and has taught thousands at institutions such as West Point, Princeton, and Cornell.

In this episode, Jason and Chip discuss:

• The application of negotiation skills in high-stakes scenarios and everyday life
• Techniques for maintaining control over one's emotions during crises
• The significance of understanding others' perspectives and the real issues at stake
• Strategies for personal growth, leadership development, and crisis management
• Chip Massey's motivations for sharing his knowledge and transforming business practices

Key Takeaways: 

• Expressing gratitude for influential figures is essential for personal development and success.
• Learning to control emotions can have a profound impact on crisis resolution and daily interactions.
• Perspective can drastically affect our reactions to stress and crises, and maintaining calm is crucial.
• The skills and experiences derived from hostage negotiation are highly transferable to business and personal life.
• Crisis situations, although challenging, can present substantial opportunities for growth and improvement.

“You have to see people from the standpoint that there is a person in front of you, each with their own experiences, heartaches, desperate situations, joys, hopes, and aspirations. We are all a combination of these things. Don’t lose sight of the fact that we are all human beings, struggling to find answers. We must support each other and not let things break down.”

 - Chip Massey

Connect with Chip Massey:

Websites: https://convincingcompany.com/ , https://trainingsogood.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chip-massey-23787b106/ 

Chip’s BOOK: https://convincingcompany.com/convince-me-book/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.