Summary
In this conversation, Anna Bleers shares her journey from a successful career in brand strategy at Energy BBDO to founding her own consultancy, Fearless Strategic Marketing. She discusses the importance of a positive corporate culture, the power of fearlessness in personal and professional growth, and actionable steps for leaders to energize their teams.
Anna emphasizes the significance of empathy, understanding, and the impact of relationships in building a successful brand and organization.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Anna Bleers and Her Journey
02:51 The Evolution of Brand Strategy and Personal Agency
09:04 The Culture of Energy BBDO: A Case Study in Positivity
12:21 The Importance of Sharing Positive Corporate Culture Stories
16:23 Defining Fearlessness Through Personal and Professional Challenges
25:19 Energizing People to Energize Brands: A New Philosophy
32:41 Creative Confidence: Outsmarting Competitors Through Culture
36:23 Case Study: The General's Empathetic Branding Strategy
44:02 The Power of Creativity in Branding
51:08 Transitioning to Solopreneurship
56:58 Embracing Fear and Self-Discovery
01:00:04 The Impact of Fear on Career Choices
01:08:41 Reframing Fear as a Compass
01:13:08 Building a Legacy Through Leadership
01:17:19 Episode Takeaways
Keywords
#Fearless #StrategicMarketing #corporateculture #brandstrategy #personalagency #leadership #marketing #creativity #empowerment #businessgrowth
Links
Summary
In this episode, Clarence Bongalos and career strategist Caty Toro continue their discussion on the evolving landscape of work and career transitions. They zoom in from their previous conversation of the broader career environment and explore the importance of proactive and innovative job search strategies, the impact of AI on career planning, and the concept of portfolio careers as a viable alternative to traditional employment. The conversation emphasizes the need for individuals to take control of their careers, build personal brands, take back their power, and engage in meaningful conversations to create opportunities.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Transformative Work Culture
01:20 Proactive Job Search Strategies
11:25 Rethinking the Resume: Personal Branding
18:24 Transforming Interviews into Collaborations
20:15 Mastering the Interview Process
26:09 The Shift in Hiring Dynamics
28:02 Reclaiming Your Career Power
35:14 Navigating AI in Career Strategy
39:20 The Rise of Portfolio Careers
43:08 The Importance of Awareness of Choices
Keywords
#career #careerchange #entrepreneurship #worklifebalance #identitycrisis #jobmarkettrends #personalgrowth #valuesandvirtues #modernjobsearch #coaching #selfleadership
Links
Summary
In this episode, host Clarence Bongalos and career strategist Caty Toro explore the complexities of career change in today's evolving job market. They discuss the impact of the pandemic on professional identity, the rise of portfolio careers, and the duality of a tightening job market amidst a wave of resignations.
Caty shares her personal journey and insights on detaching self-worth from job titles, the importance of aligning values with actions, and modern strategies for job searching. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-leadership and the importance of understanding one's identity in relation to work.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Transformative Work Culture
03:04 The Great Resignation and Career Change
05:44 The Duality Paradox in the Job Market
08:51 Identity Crisis and Career Transitions
11:42 The Impact of Personal Life Changes on Careers
15:01 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
17:56 Caty's Journey: From Corporate to Coaching
20:42 The 3D Method: Disconnect, Detach, Divorce
23:38 The Need to Be Needed and Psychological Roots
35:06 Navigating Corporate Culture Changes
35:59 Values vs. Virtues: Bridging the Gap
38:43 The Importance of Self-Leadership
42:17 Work-Life Balance: A Myth or Reality?
45:00 The Need for Proactive Job Search Strategies
Keywords
#career #careerchange #entrepreneurship #worklifebalance #identitycrisis #jobmarkettrends #personalgrowth #valuesandvirtues #modernjobsearch #coaching #selfleadership
Links
Summary
In this episode, Clarence Maur and Tom Circo continue their discussion about the evolving landscape of brand building and the creator economy. They shift the focus from enterprise brands to the independent creator, discussing the importance of authenticity, community, and a business mindset for those transitioning from corporate to content creator.
Tom emphasizes the need for creators to approach their work as a business, highlighting the significance of brand partnerships and influencer marketing. The discussion also touches on the role and impact of AI both in business and the larger social context, the future of branding, and actionable advice for aspiring creators and business leaders.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:54 From 9-5 to Content Creation
01:42 Creators as Businesses: The New Economy
09:11 The Importance of Quick Adaptation in Marketing
11:04 Authenticity in Content Creation
11:35 The Importance of Community Engagement
12:01 Influencer Marketing and Human Connection
13:09 Building Long-Term Influencer Relationships
18:56 The Role of Matchbook in Influencer Marketing
21:23 AI's Impact on Branding and Marketing
26:28 Advice for Business Leaders and Aspiring Creators
35:09 The Power of Creative Resumes
36:11 The Shift in B2B Marketing
39:15 The Future of Personal Branding
40:46 The Changing Landscape of Education
45:58 The Impact of the Creator Economy
49:20 The Future of Brand Transparency
Keywords
#creatoreconomy #personalbranding #influencermarketing #authenticity #communitybuilding #brandpartnerships #AI #marketing #business #businessmindset #contentcreation
Links
Summary
In this first half of a 2-part episode, host Clarence Maur speaks with Tom Circo, co-founder of Matchbook, about the evolving landscape of branding and marketing. They discuss the importance of building genuine relationships, the shift from a product-first to a brand-first economy, and how connection and community are the new currencies in business.
Tom shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and emphasizes the need for brands to listen to their customers and be authentic in their messaging. The conversation highlights the significance of community engagement and the role of influencers in shaping brand narratives.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
03:21 Tom Circo's Entrepreneurial Journey
06:05 The Importance of Genuine Connections
08:39 The Shift from Product to Brand
10:48 Building Trust in a Skeptical Market
13:26 The Role of Storytelling in Branding
15:59 The Need for Brand Evolution
18:20 Understanding Customer Perception
20:53 The Human-Centric Approach to Branding
23:15 Connections as Currency vs. Attention as Currency
28:48 Building Digital Communities
33:35 Shifting from Vanity Metrics to Meaningful Engagement
39:33 Authenticity in Brand Partnerships
Keywords
#branding #trust #community #relationships #marketing #authenticity #brandstrategy #influencermarketing #businessgrowth #customerengagement
Summary
In this episode, we explore how a world-class Employee Experience (EX) is the single biggest driver of an unbeatable Customer Experience (CX) in 2025 and beyond. Manasi Shukla, Founder of Safrela Consulting, and Natalie Jackson, Founder of Crescent Consultancy and CX Strategist at Peak Fractional, join the discussion and share their insights on how investing in employees as primary customers can drive growth and enhance overall brand experience.
The conversation covers the importance of experiential leadership, the role of journey mapping in both CX and EX, the need for alignment between internal and external experiences, and the impact of this mindset shift on business growth. Practical steps for leaders to improve both EX and CX are also discussed, emphasizing the need for listening, measuring, and creating a culture of engagement.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Employee-Centric Business Models
03:24 Defining Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Experience (EX)
06:05 The Concept of Employees as Primary Customers
08:55 The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Onboarding
11:46 Talent Company Fit vs. Product Market Fit
14:33 The Importance of Internal Alignment for Customer Success
17:25 Differences in CX Solutions Across Industries
20:20 Understanding Journey Mapping
23:30 Challenges in Implementing Journey Mapping
26:07 Ownership of Employee Experience
28:53 The Role of Marketing in Employee Experience
35:01 The Importance of Customer Experience
37:12 Aligning Internal and External Experiences
39:01 The Role of Leadership in Customer Education
41:50 Ownership and Accountability in Customer Success
44:15 People as the Anchor of Experience
48:23 AI's Impact on Customer and Employee Experience
53:54 Practical Steps for Leaders
57:24 The Future of Employee and Customer Experience
Keywords
#EmployeeExperience #CustomerExperience #CX #EX #WorkplaceCulture #TalentOptimization #JourneyMapping #AIinBusiness #Leadership #OrganizationalDesign
Links
Summary
Misinformation about burnout fuels it and pulls people further away from overcoming it.
In this episode, Clarence Bongalos and Brett Klika delve into the complexities of burnout, exploring its causes, effects, and the importance of energy management in the workplace. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding burnout, the role of personal capacity, and the impact of social media and comparison on energy levels.
Brett emphasizes the need for leaders to embrace vulnerability and intentionality in their approach to energy management, while also redefining performance and productivity in a way that aligns with personal values and purpose. The conversation highlights practical steps for reclaiming energy and the future of energy as a key performance indicator in organizations.
Takeaways
Sound Bites
"Burnout is an epidemic."
"It's not just about working too hard."
"Recovery does not have to be long."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Burnout and Energy Management
03:19 Understanding Burnout: Capacity vs. Demand
08:21 The Personal Side of Burnout
10:42 Burnout at the Elite Level
14:54 Identity and Its Relation to Burnout
22:56 The Evolution of Energy in the Workplace
27:35 The Thief of Joy: Comparison and Energy Drain
31:07 The Dangers of Comparison
32:16 The Quest for Novelty in Entrepreneurship
33:09 Social Media's Role in Comparison and Energy Drain
36:24 Parenting in the Age of Social Media
40:54 Understanding Martyrdom in Corporate Culture
46:45 The Impact of Leadership on Martyrdom
48:38 Emotional Energy Management in Leadership
52:24 Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength
01:00:48 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
01:03:07 Redefining Performance and Productivity
01:07:51 Aligning Energy with Purpose
01:12:49 Building Recovery into Leadership
01:17:25 The Future of Energy as a KPI
01:21:02 Reclaiming Energy Through Storytelling
Keywords
#burnout #energymanagement #leadership #performance #productivity #emotionalintelligence #workplaceculture #vulnerability #comparison #burnoutrecovery
Links
Disclaimer
This episode experienced a technical issue that affected audio quality. We determined that the organic discussion was too valuable to lose and decided to publish it as is.
Summary
In this episode, Clarence Bongalos and John Lee discuss the evolution of the modern workplace, focusing on the rise of coworking spaces and the importance of community in fostering employee engagement and productivity.
They explore the return to office debate, the benefits of hybrid work models, and how workplace design can impact employee habits. John shares insights on the coworking industry, emphasizing the need for flexibility and the role of community in creating successful work environments. The conversation highlights the shift towards a more human-centric approach to work, where employees' needs and preferences are prioritized.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Redefining the Modern Workplace
06:14 The Impact of COVID on Work Culture
12:06 Return to Office: Mistakes and Misconceptions
17:46 Rethinking Office Purpose in 2025
22:01 Mental Health and Social Interaction
26:41 Debunking the Generational Narrative
30:02 The Message of Flexible Workspaces
33:09 The Future of Office Space Design
34:51 Resistance to Change in Business Leadership
36:46 Understanding Control and Fear in Leadership
39:25 Navigating Remote and Hybrid Work Challenges
41:01 Lessons from Business Failures: The Blockbuster Example
42:14 The Convergence of Leadership, Marketing, and Strategy
43:03 Fostering a Culture of Entrepreneurship
44:08 The Role of Coworking Spaces in Innovation
45:24 The Importance of Workplace Design
47:33 Financial Perspectives on Community and Amenities
47:42 The Hybrid Work Model: A Balanced Approach
49:11 The Value of In-Person Connections
51:30 Understanding Employee Needs in the Workspace
51:59 Real Estate Strategy for Modern Workspaces
53:35 Creating a Welcoming Workspace Environment
55:57 Redefining High Performance in Hybrid Work
57:25 The Importance of Community in Workspaces
01:00:06 Fundraising for a Cause: The Skinny Gene Project
Keywords
#modernworkplace #coworkingspaces #employeeengagement #hybridwork #workplaceculture #community #entrepreneurship #returntooffice #flexibleworkspaces #businessgrowth #leadership #business
Links
Summary
In this episode, Clarence Bongalos and leadership expert Lynda Harvey discuss the complexities of modern leadership and management.
They explore the challenges faced by new managers, the impact of toxic workplaces, and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Lynda emphasizes that leadership is a skill that can be developed, not just a title, and highlights the need for intentional leadership that prioritizes employee engagement and well-being.
The conversation also touches on the current crisis in management, the generational shifts in workplace expectations, and the necessity for organizations to redefine productivity and employee value.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Transformative Leadership
03:07 Understanding Toxic Workplaces
10:59 Challenges for New Managers
14:27 Debunking the Myth of Natural Leaders
16:49 Distinguishing Management from Leadership
20:19 Defining Leadership for New Managers
22:29 Leading with Authenticity
28:52 The Importance of Leadership Awareness
30:12 The Management Crisis Unveiled
31:17 Generational Gaps and Workplace Apathy
34:25 The Disconnect Between Companies and Employees
36:42 The Development Issue in Management
39:31 The Ripple Effect of Manager Disengagement
41:01 Intentional Leadership: Making Choices
44:59 The Future of Management: Unbossing and Self-Managed Teams
47:55 Reconciling Leadership Vacuums and New Trends
50:32 Crucial Skills for Transformative Leadership
51:30 Employees as Primary Customers
54:26 Taking Action as a Leader
55:24 Addressing Workplace Bullying
58:13 Connecting with Leadership Insights
59:19 The Importance of Managerial Development
Summary
In this episode, Clarence continues his conversation with Tanya and Tony Thorson, co-authors of 'Get Off Your Mass!' They explore the connection between the B2A (Business to Anyone) and B2E (Business to Employee) frameworks, emphasizing the importance of treating employees as primary customers and the need for a human-centric approach in marketing.
The discussion delves into the internal culture of organizations, the diverse perspectives of the authors, and the future of marketing in an AI-driven world. The episode highlights the significance of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and the human element in effective marketing strategies.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 The Human Element in Marketing
07:47 The Call from Retail Giants
09:00 Frameworks for Business and Marketing
09:44 The Internal vs. External Marketing Dilemma
12:23 Redefining Perfection in Marketing
13:55 Courage in Leadership and the B2A Framework
15:41 Building Relationships in Business
17:30 Precision Meets Human-Centric Marketing
19:53 Diverse Perspectives in Co-Authorship
22:38 Mise en Marketing: A New Approach
26:11 Mindset Shifts for Modern Marketers
28:32 The Future Role of Human Marketers
Keywords
#B2A #B2E #marketing #frameworks #employeeengagement #humancentricmarketing #leadership #AIinmarketing #business #strategy #fulfillment #career #coaching
Links and Contact Info
In this conversation, Clarence Bongalos speaks with Tanya and Tony Thorson about their book 'Get Off Your Mass' and the B2A (Business to Anyone) framework. They discuss the importance of personalization in marketing (and business), the impact of AI, and the need for emotional intelligence and curiosity in leadership.
The Thorsons introduce their POISE framework, which emphasizes personalization, omni-channel strategies, innovation, strategy, and emotional intelligence as essential components for modern marketing. They advocate for a more human-centric approach to marketing that prioritizes understanding the buyer journey and fostering genuine connections.
In this conversation, Clarence Bongalos and Audra Talamantes discuss the challenges faced by neurodivergent women in corporate environments and the journey towards self-employment.
Audra shares her experiences of navigating toxic corporate culture, reclaiming the term 'unemployable', and the importance of personal alignment in achieving fulfillment.
Together, Clarence and Audra explore the impact of the pandemic on work culture, the concept of masking in corporate settings, and the need for radical leadership that honors individual needs. The discussion also touches on the future of work in the age of AI and the importance of building supportive communities for those transitioning to self-employment.