When it comes to happiness at work, today’s guest believes it is a science more than an art and it is certainly more important than we sometimes think. As the founder of Happiness at Work, Aoife O’Brien uses data and research to help organizations attract, hire, and retain top quality staff. It’s all about finding the “right fit,” but how?

In today’s episode, Aoife discusses what determines fit, specifically clear values and how we demonstrate those values as individuals and as a part of an organization. Covid has of course brought new challenges to workplace happiness, but with Aoife’s guidance, businesses and corporations can shift and maintain their focus on their people through education and meeting their needs. This not only boosts happiness but productivity, too. As Aoife says, “If you want to be happy at work, you’ve come to the right place.”

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Happiness in the Workplace Through Covid

Focusing on Understanding Your Own Value in the Workplace

What “Fit” Means to an Organization

Observable Values and How Employees Tie Into Them

Clarity in Company Values to Attract the Right Fit Team

Confidence in Articulating Your Own Values as an Individual

The Importance of the First Three Years For an Employee

Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence

Facilitating Conversations Around Employee Needs

Educating Leaders, Managers, and Team Members About Needs

Aoife’s Strategy in Using Data to Implement Programs

Having Something in Place That is Tailored to Organizations

Resilience Through Covid and Avoiding Burnout

Retaining the Right People

Aoife’s Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals

About Our Guest:

Aoife O’Brien is the founder of Happier at Work and works with HR and business leaders using a combination of internal people data and surveys to clearly identify the root cause of people’s issues. They provide a clear framework for how to solve issues, including practical recommendations, implementation of workshops, and embedding new learning through coaching. Aoife has 20+ years experience in identifying business problems for global organizations such as Unilever, Mars, Coca-Cola, and Kraft-Heinz.

To reach Aoife, go to her website: https://happieratwork.ie/

Connect with Aoife O’Brien:

Happier at Work Website

Happier at Work Podcast

Aoife O’Brien on LinkedIn

Aoife O’Brien Happer at Work on Twitter

Connect with John Murphy:

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A Life and A Living Podcast

What is digital productization and how is it completely transforming businesses worldwide? Today’s guest explains his fantastic work and how a digital transformation can help your organization stand out.

Jonathon Hensley is the CEO of Emerge Interactive, a digital product agency based out of Oregon with a very impressive list of clients, including AT&T, Wells Fargo, Starbucks, and Microsoft. Jonathon works with clients to transform business strategies, user needs and new technologies into valuable products and experiences. In this episode, he helps us understand what digital products are, why many digital endeavors fail, and the importance of following the process precisely. He is passionate about improving efficiency internally for his clients but also improving the customer experience externally.

Ultimately, it’s all about bringing together people, data, and processes to help and Jonathon is perfect to explain the benefits of this digital transformation.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

The Infancy of Digital Productization and the Evolution of This Process

What “Digital Products” Means and Emcompasses

Technology is a Tool and You Need to Always Start with People

Why Many Digital Endeavors Fail

Finding Market Fit and the Risk of Self Sabotage

Strategic Foundation vs. Ambitious Goals

Concise Language and Alignment is Success Ideals

The Cornerstones of a Strategy

The Way You Should Approach Design of Digital Products

The Importance of Not Skipping Steps in the Process

How to Sustain Energy Over a Period of Time

How Emerge Helps Clients Stand Out

Maximizing Impact

Jonathon’s Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals

About Our Guest:

Jonathon Hensley is CEO of Emerge Interactive, where he works with clients to transform business strategies, user needs and new technologies into valuable products and experiences. An accomplished writer and speaker, Jonathon has lectured on topics such as the connected consumer’s impact on business, creating value through data-driven experiences, and user-centric approaches to innovation. In 2012 he was recognized in the Portland Business Journal’s “40 under 40” as one of Portland’s emerging professional and community leaders.

To reach Jonathan, go to his website: https://www.emergeinteractive.com/

Connect with Jonathon Hensley:

Emerge Home Page

Emerge on LinkedIn

Emerge on Twitter

Jonathon Hensley on LinkedIn

Connect with John Murphy:

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If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Thanks for tuning in!

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A Life and A Living Podcast

It’s all about providing experienced, skilled CFO’s on a part-time basis to their target market. A business that would benefit from having a CFO but without the cost of hiring a full-time executive and help their clients make more money, in less time with less stress.

Adam Lean set up the CFO project to utilize an executive to assist in finding more money. Since accountants and bookkeepers don’t provide projections and assessments, having a CFO is an essential financial success tool that every business needs to grow profit margins and revenue. When you hire the CFO project, you’ll receive a thorough five-step onboarding process, where your CFO will review your current revenue and assist you in creating goals for your business, including cash and profit projections, along with financial goals.

In today’s episode, we discuss Adam’s five-step process to onboarding their clients, how CFO Project helps businesses set cash flow projections and goals for the fiscal year, and how this program streamlines your business.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Knowing how to make money for your business

Why most people close their business before year five

How Adam created his team to provide CFO services for small to medium-sized business

Bookkeepers and accountants do not deliver CFO services

The purpose of the CFO business assessment

How the program assists your business in moving forward effectively

Communication with your CFO

The relationship between profit, cash flow, and business owner’s sense of well-being

Skills and tools the CFO project provides their clients

Typical gaps and the most common mistakes businesses create

Why business owners have a hard time using accountant reports

How to leverage optimal profit for your business

About Our Guest:

Adam Lean is a former accountant turned 2-time entrepreneur who built, scaled, and sold a successful eCommerce business. While helping other business owners, he realized his passion was teaching and providing tools to business owners to help them make more money and have peace of mind.

To reach Adam, go to his website: https://thecfoproject.com

Connect with Adam Lean:

Adam Lean CFO Project

Adam Lean on LinkedIn

Recommended reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Grab a complimentary copy of The Moneybook

Connect with John Murphy:

YouTube

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Thanks for tuning in!

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A Life and A Living Podcast

Having experienced severe burnout herself, today’s guest explains, “We need to be smarter about how we approach life and work in general and know when enough is enough. The new normal is to keep going no matter what.” What can be done to avoid burnout, disconnection, and loneliness especially in the workplace? Dr. Jenny Brockis joins us to discuss the fascinating science behind happiness and cultivating a good life.

Dr. Brockis is a board certified physician who has previously had a successful practice. She realized she needed a pivot and she took the brave step to change careers to not only bring happiness to herself but to others as well. She works with clients and companies to help them cultivate a good life and is the author of the book Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life. In today’s episode we discuss the risk of loneliness, nature and nurture, the importance of meditation and play, and how you can adopt a thriving mindset.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

What Sets Jenny’s Book Apart in the Topic of Leading a Happy Fulfilling Life

The Ideas in Thriving Mind Pre and Post Covid-19

Dr. Brockis’s Career as a General Practitioner and the Cause of her Burnout

Lack of Self-Awareness and Tuning in to What Really Matters to You

The Bravery in Pivoting to Address Mental Health

Loneliness Through Disconnection and Social Isolation

The Necessity in Normalizing the Discussion of Feelings

Covid-19’s Domino Effect

Nature and Nurture: The Breakdown of What We’re in Control of

Happiness Can Be a Choice

The Neuroscience Behind Meditation, Happiness, and Play

Mindfulness as a Way to Increase Focus and Executive Function

The Effect of Physical Movement While Working and Thinking

Thriver’s Mindset: Grateful Survivors Looking to Help Others

Making the Conscious Decision to Include Play in Your Day

Jenny’s Main Suggestion in How to Cultivate a Good Life

Jenny’s Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals

About Our Guest:

Dr. Jenny Brockis is a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician and best-selling author from Perth, Australia. She is passionate about people, performance, and practical solutions that improve our cognitive health and wellbeing. Having experienced severe burnout first-hand, Jenny pivoted to change careers to help others experiencing the same and through her book Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life, she demonstrates the importance of mental health and science that backs it up.

To reach Dr. Brockis, go to her website: https://www.stefanverra.com/en/

Connect with Dr. Jenny Brockis:

Dr. Jenny Brockis Home Page

Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life by Jenny Brockis

Dr. Jenny Brockis on Twitter

Dr. Jenny Brockis on LinkedIn

Dr. Jenny Brockis on Instagram

Connect with John Murphy:

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Facebook

LinkedIn

Today we welcome back an incredible guest, Stefan Verra. I absolutely love having him on the show and this episode is fascinating. As an expert on body language, Stefan helps us identify and understand how people use their body to communicate even when they don’t know it.

Stefan Verra is a highly sought-after international speaker who is deeply rooted in the science behind body language, as he demonstrates in today’s episode. He is from Austria but has traveled the world to speak at conferences, events, and universities. Stefan also works in government organizations and his communication skills draw every listener in.

How can you manage your own body language to influence and connect with people? We all know that a good business is built on relationships. So listen on to find out what body language to employ while communicating with your teams and clients as well as what body language to look for from people you connect with.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Stefan’s Impressive Background and the Work That He Does

The Science and History of Body Language

Using Emotions and Body Language to Draw People In or Pushing People Away

When Body Language Doesn’t Match Their Words

Simplifying Doesn’t Work With Body Language

The Paradox of Only Reading One Isolated Signal

Our Measurement of Body Language as Infants and How it Connects to a Business Environment

Setting the Ground for What is Coming Next

Showing Enthusiasm and Engagement Through Body Language

Where and How the Brain Interprets Body Language

The Connections Between Body Language and Supporters of Different Politicians and World Leaders

The Difference Between the Body Language of Men and Women

The Societal Impact on Body Language of Men and Women

The Biggest Mistake Women Can Make Regarding Body Language

Women’s Strength in Connecting with People

The Three Things You Should Show Through Your Body in Business

About Our Guest:

Stefan Verra is a world-renowned speaker and body language expert who speaks at over 100 corporate events, conferences, and clients every year. His message is always the same: a mix of valuable body language knowledge, entertainment, and motivation. No matter how his audience members walk into the room, they will leave it with their heads held high, with a pocket full of tips and tricks, and a smile on their faces. Based on Austria, Stefan travels the world to speak, lectures at universities, and works with government organizations. Check out his website below to see a list of extensive clients he has worked with.

To reach Stefan, go to his website: https://www.stefanverra.com/en/

Connect with Stefan Verra:

Stefan Verra Body Language Home Page

Stefan Verra on Twitter

Stefan Verra on YouTube

@stefanverra on Instagram

Stefan Verra on LinkedIn

Connect with John Murphy:

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Facebook

In this fascinating episode of A Life and a Living Podcast, Carlos Valdes-Dapena introduces us to the concept of individual motivation as the key to collaboration. As Carlos also demonstrates, collaboration is then key to high-performing teams. It is all connected and our discussion today is eye-opening.

Carlos is the founder of Corporate Collaboration Resources, LLC, an organization and group effectiveness consulting firm. He is also the author of two books on the topic of collaboration and has a background in the corporate world working for Mars, Inc. for 17 years.

We could talk for hours on this subject, but today we focus on team effectiveness and dynamics, the importance of individual motivation, and creating a culture of collaboration. Listen to learn more about how to establish clear collaborative commitments and accountability within your own high-performing teams.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Carlos’s Background Working for Mars, Inc. and His Research on Teams

The Ineffectiveness of Conventional Team Development

The Discovery of Individual Motivation as Key to Team Effectiveness

The Coaching Model Carlos Uses

Achievement, Affiliation, and Power Needs

Executing a Mind Hack to Tap Into Achievement Drive for Collaboration

The Distinction Between a Group and a Team

Teamwork Can Work Magic But Not All Work is Teamwork

Does the Collaboration Add Value to Individual Motivation?

Creating Clarity Around Collaborative Commitments and Accountability

Wasted Money in Organization Team Development

The Necessity of Organic Strategies

Creating the Culture of Collaboration

Why the Top-Down Approach Didn’t Work for Carlos

How Diversity Fits in a Group and Learning to Embrace Difference

The Challenge of Finding a Niche in the Organization

Carlos’s Book Recommendation and Daily Habits

About Our Guest:

Carlos Valdes-Dapena is the founder of Corporate Collaboration Resources, LLC, an organization and group effectiveness consulting firm, and the author of Lessons from Mars: How One Global Company Cracked the Code on High Performance Collaboration and Teamwork. Carlos developed his expertise in collaboration at the highest organization levels. For 17 years he was a senior internal consultant at Mars, Inc. and was involved with brands like M&Ms, Snickers, Uncle Ben’s Rice and Wrigley’s gum. There he won the company’s prestigious Global Make the Difference award for his work on the Mars Framework for High Performance Collaboration, the subject of his book.

To reach Carlos, go to his website: https://www.carlosvdapena.com/

Connect with Carlos Valdes-Dapena:

Carlos Valdes-Dapena Home Page

Carlos Valdes-Dapena on LinkedIn

Carlos Valdes-Dapena on Facebook

Corporate Collaboration Website

Lessons from Mars by Carlos Valdes-Dapena

Resilience: Virtual Teams ...

“This too shall pass,” is our guest’s motto when it comes to strategic planning during a time of crisis. We are all still experiencing the struggles of the unknown with the Covid-19 pandemic and there has never been a time such as this to have to plan for.

Today’s guest is Rory Rowland, host of the Coaching for Potential Podcast and owner of a consultancy business in the USA. He is an expert on the subject of strategic planning and in this episode we discuss the critical importance of planning and optimizing potential. How has the pandemic changed our plans and goals? How can we plan for the future during this struggling time? Rory says that through consistent review and a focus on developing people, we can create the crucial mindsets to deal with drastic change. But as Rory gives us the tools necessary to survive this, he also notes that “Nearly every crisis seems to be the worst one, but after it’s over, it isn’t so bad.”

What We Talked About in This Episode:

How Rory Leads Strategic Thinking During a Crisis

Ernest Shackleton as an Inspiration of Survival

A Strategy as a Living, Breathing Document

The Need to Adjust a Strategy During Consistent Review

Critical Mindsets to Deal With Change

Exercises Rory Uses with Clients

The Fear of Micromanagement

“Start With Why”

Using Your Own Success Stories to Reinforce Your “Why”

Holding On to the Plan to Pivot – Life is Change

The Crucial Need to Plan for Developing People

Leadership vs. Management

The Key to Optimizing Potential

Love is a Tough Strategy

 Rory’s Book Recommendations and Daily Rituals

About Our Guest:

Rory Rowland is a business consultant and seminar leader specializing in programs on communication skills, management, and a score of other topics. After serving as president of two financial institutions and earning his CCUE, Rory began using his communication skills and his wealth of knowledge on various topics to empower others to succeed. He is a frequent speaker for state and national associations. Rory holds a MBA in finance from University of Missouri at Kansas City, and a B.S. degree in Economics from C.M.S.U.

To reach Rory, go to his website: http://roryrowland.com/

Connect with Rory Rowland:

Coaching for Potential Podcast

Rory Rowland Home Page

Rory Rowland on Twitter

Connect with John Murphy:

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Facebook

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Twitter

If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Thanks for tuning in!

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A Life and A Living Podcast

By coining the word “ownershift,” today’s guest has a deep understanding of how to create highly effective leadership teams in any organization. But what does “ownershift” mean and how can it impact us as leaders? I’m thrilled to have today’s guest, Dan Norenberg, on A Life and a Living Podcast today.

Originally from the United States, Dan shares his move to Europe and his journey into the business world where he wound up as a consultant, passionate about helping companies thrive. Dan is a lead expert on the topic and is the author of a fantastic book called Executive Ownershift. In today’s episode we learn about leadership teams, the importance of getting the team culture right, and how we can understand what it takes to make a successful team. And in the end, how can you assess the effectiveness of leadership?

This episode will certainly change your mindset on how to take ownership and create a culture of “ownershift” in your teams.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Dan’s Background and How He Ended Up in Business

Why Dan Relocated to Europe and His Entrance Into Consulting

Executive Ownershift as a Consolidation of Dan’s Experiences and Tools

Focusing on the Team Rather Than the Leader

The Meaning of Dan’s Coined Term “Ownershift”

The Premise of Development While Driving Important Business Topics

Ownershift Begins with the Management Team

Developing an Ownership and Ownershift Culture

Anchoring the Customer as the Center of Every Action

Positive and Negative Consequences to Business Strategy

Dan’s Significant Six: Powerful Questions for All Teams

Leadership is Everything to the Success of a Company

Vulnerability in the Role of a Leader

Perception Consolidation

Why Meetings Go Badly

Dan’s Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals

About Our Guest:

Dan Norenberg improves leadership performance and organization results through Executive Ownershift®, his transformational growth process for executive teams. As a trusted advisor, consultant and professional speaker, Dan’s mission is to enable executive teams and their organizations to play at their best.

To reach Dan, go to his website: https://www.dannorenberg.com/ 

Connect with Paul Candon:

Dan Norenberg – Executive Ownershift Home Page

Executive Ownershift (Management for Professionals) by Dan Norenberg

Dan Norenberg on LinkedIn

Connect with John Murphy:

YouTube

When the Covid-19 pandemic began, businesses across the world were faced with so many tough challenges. There was no playbook, no formula, and no guidelines in place for change of this magnitude. How did some businesses continue to succeed during these challenging times? On today’s episode of A Life and a Living, we are “leading through Covid” with Paul Candon.

Paul is the CEO of United Hardware, a very large business based in Ireland. United Hardware is the largest hardware buying group in Ireland as a supplier of over 150 independent contractors. Paul brings a very interesting perspective to the Covid-19 conversation as he not only maintains relationships with teams of employees, but also 150 relationships with smaller businesses and contractors. In today’s episode, Paul offers up his experience with how the business thrived and how United Hardware was able to successfully maintain relationships and support clients. His insight on trust, resilience, and his thoughts on the future of business after Covid’s end are fascinating and thought-provoking.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Paul’s Background and Beginnings with United Hardware

The Unique Business Model of United Hardware

Quick Decisions During Different Phases of Uncertainty

Doing the Right Thing Above All Else

United Hardware’s Increase in Productivity During Covid

The Complications of Practical United Hardware Duties With Covid Protocol

Focusing on the Essentials First

United Hardware’s Increase in Sales in Gardening and Home Improvement

The Amazing Resilience People Have Had

Conversations and New Connections

Technology Stepping In and Creating Opportunities

Appreciation and Support for Essential and Frontline Workers

Paul’s Ideas and Concerns for the End of Covid

What Paul Would Have Changed

Learning From the Experience to be Prepared for Anything

About Our Guest:

Paul Candon is the CEO of United Hardware, the largest hardware buying group in Ireland. Paul was appointed CEO in May of 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He was previously in the role of Non-Executive Chairman of United Hardware and has also served as the Ireland CEO of Bunzl, the leading global supplier of non-food consumable products to the foodservice sector. Paul is an engaging and impactful leader with a history of building and sustaining successful organizations with a track record of strategy development and execution.

To reach Paul, go to his website: https://unitedhardware.ie/

Connect with Paul Candon:

United Hardware Home Page

United Hardware Blog

Connect with John Murphy:

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Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Thanks for tuning in!

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A Life and A Living Podcast

We are welcoming back a previous guest today for another episode on A Life and a Living Podcast, Nathan Hirsch. Nathan is a fantastic young man and podcast guest with a lot of energy and a lot of great tips on building and scaling a business through outsourcing.

Starting a successful business at the young age of 20, Nathan has set up several businesses since and managed to scale each business significantly. He then created the VA finder website Freeup that was sold in 2019 and now he focuses on his newer business venture, Outsource School. What sets Nathan apart? What are the things he believes in that have helped him attain his level of success? Listen on to find what Nathan is clear and focused on doing everyday that makes a difference in the long run.

What We Talked About in This Episode:

Nathan’s Early Beginnings in Starting Businesses

Using Virtual Assistants to Scale a Business

Reinvesting Profits Back Into the Business as a Response to Feedback

Setting Up an Affiliate Program

Networking and Getting In Front of Your Audience Through Podcasting

The Strength of Partnerships

Networking With Entrepreneurs

Going After Influencers

Pivoting to Create Your Own Opportunities

How Nathan Has Been Able to Scale His Business

Small, Consistent, Daily Actions That Add Up

Staying Committed

The Skills Required to Scale a Business Successfully

The Importance of a Minimum Viable Product

Nathan’s Book Recommendation and Daily Rituals

About Our Guest:

Nathan Hirsch is an entrepreneur and expert in remote hiring and eCommerce. Nathan co-founded FreeeUp.com in 2015 with an initial $5,000 investment, scaled it to $12M per year in revenue, and was then acquired in 2019. Today, Nathan is a co-founder of OutsourceSchool, a company working to educate entrepreneurs on how to effectively hire and scale with virtual assistants through in-depth courses. Nathan has appeared on 300+ podcasts, is a social media personality, and loves sharing advice on scaling remote businesses.

To reach Nathan, go to his website: https://www.outsourceschool.com/

Connect with Nathan Hirsch:

Outsource School

Nathan Hirsch on Instagram

Nathan Hirsch on Facebook

Nathan Hirsch on Twitter

Nathan Hirsch on LinkedIn

Connect with John Murphy:

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Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Thanks for tuning in!

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A Life and A Living Podcast