23 APR 2024 · In a captivating episode, hosts Kurt Schmidt and Katharine Kelly discuss the transformative power of understanding consumer insights for business strategy and sales success. The hosts dive into the birth of Katharine’s business, Inquisitive, in the wake of the pandemic’s onset in 2021. With a focus on qualitative over quantitative research, Inquisitive aims to decode the reasons behind customer behavior to enrich businesses with deeper understanding. They highlight the pitfalls companies face when they neglect the dynamic needs of their customer base. Particularly vulnerable are growing businesses that may lose touch with their market without thorough research, often relying on outdated or superficial data. The intersection of sales and consumer research is crucial. Katharine underscores that while salespeople are important custodians of customer relationships, they must work in tandem with research teams to generate nuanced insights, mindful of inherent biases. The episode reveals the significance of continuously gathering diverse customer feedback to fuel innovation and maintain trust. The hosts advocate for curiosity-driven enterprises that prioritize customers’ evolving perceptions as the key to remaining nimble and successful in a competitive market. In closing, both Kurt and Katharine reflect positively on how the pandemic has altered their approaches to business, viewing these shifts as openings to capture human behavioral insights more effectively. Katharine shares her contact details for listeners interested in Inquisitive Insights. This episode not only highlights the indispensability of connecting with customers on a deeper level but also serves as an instructional guide for those seeking to integrate these insights into their corporate culture for enhanced decision-making and business growth. Find Katharine here! Website: https://www.inquisitiveinsights.com/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/inquisitive_insights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinekelly/ There is too much Schmidt to List! Check out https://www.kurtschmidt.me/ for more show info.  Visit Kurt’s coaching site at https://schmidtconsulting.group/ Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter

9 APR 2024 · Are you equipped to make fast, effective decisions and protect your business from internet crime? We just wrapped up a thought-provoking conversation with Dylan Evans on the latest episode of Schmidt List, where we tackled the intricacies of decision-making in business and the ever-evolving challenges of cybersecurity. In this episode: - Amazon's strategy of minimal coordination 🔄 and how it faces challenges like single points of failure. - The reality of cyber threats 💻, including ransomware that demands cryptocurrency, and the tools and strategies to prevent such digital extortion. - How security measures are advancing 🛡️, requiring more than just traditional methods, and why continuous education and smart processes are your best line of defense. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - Empowering line workers with decision-making accountability can lead to more agile and effective outcomes. - An integrated approach to security—including AI, financial process engineering, and real-time awareness—can significantly reduce the incidence and impact of ransomware attacks. - Don't lag on your digital hygiene: Implement tools like password managers (Bitwarden, LastPass, One Password) and hardware tokens (YubiKey) for an extra layer of security. To hear the full conversation and gain deeper insights into protecting your business, tune in to this episode of Schmidt List! 🔗 And for those looking to fortify their operations against cybercrime, Dylan Evans offers a wealth of knowledge. Connect with him on LinkedIn or check out Simple Salt for invaluable resources.

2 APR 2024 · 🎙️ In Episode 256, we dove into the tech world within the agriculture supply chain and fetched some invaluable lessons suitable for any tech enthusiast or professional looking to ride the waves of tech evolution successfully. Here's what you should absolutely take away from this insightful session: 🌱 **The Growth Mindset**: - Confidence is crucial but complement it with humility to conquer impostor syndrome. - Be a perpetual learner—stagnation is the enemy in this fast-paced tech landscape. - Embrace curiosity and expand knowledge beyond your domain to stay relevant. 🤝 **The Power of Networking & Mentorship**: - Prioritize aligning with a company’s values and mission—where you contribute matters. - Leverage networking for opportunities; it’s not just what you know, but who you know. - Seek diverse mentorship and guidance—growth often comes from unexpected places. 💡 **Career Advancement Strategies**: - Conveying your ideas is as important as crafting them—hone your persuasive skills. - Look internally for growth; if a role doesn’t fit, angle for the one that does. - Offer value in your network; it’s about giving as much as you take. There is too much Schmidt to List! Check out https://www.kurtschmidt.me/ for more show info.  Visit Kurt’s coaching site at https://schmidtconsulting.group Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter

21 MAR 2024 · In this installment of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with leadership expert Dave Pygon to dissect the role of self-awareness in ineffective leadership. Pygon, the mind behind https://pygonone.com/ and author of "16 Principles and Strategies to Optimize Your Day," delves into the need for leaders to be aware of their values and the impacts of their leadership styles on their teams. A critical theme of the episode is the need for clarity in setting expectations for team performance while moving away from the glorification of 'busyness.' Pygon champions a shift towards discussing positive, productive aspects of daily life, noting that negative talk can be demotivating and unhelpful. The conversation turns to the pitfalls of micromanagement, pushing for a culture that empowers individuals rather than fostering dependency. Pygon encourages the practice of regular self-improvement through coaching and mentoring to enhance leadership skills like communication and mental resilience. Kurt and Dave concur on the essentiality of adapting and staying open to change rather than remaining tethered to familiar, old-fashioned methods of operation. Pygon suggests that facing challenges with a positive outlook and communicating effectively can dramatically improve professional and personal outcomes. Illustrating his book's principles, Pygon advises avoiding micromanagement by entrusting teams with tools and autonomy. He shares anecdotes that further demonstrate the positive impact of communication in both business and personal spheres. Most of the episode discusses the importance of prioritizing and effectively managing time. Pygon shares his strategies for fitting high-priority tasks into busy schedules, emphasizing the need to compete with time to achieve better outcomes. Listeners interested in Pygon's insights on leadership and productivity can find more information on his website, https://pygonone.com/, and his book on Amazon. Linkedin.com/in/davepygon http://instagram.com/pygonone mailto:dpygon@pygonone.com Facebook.com/pygonone Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter Twitter.com/Pygonone

14 MAR 2024 · Tune in and delve into the integration of AI in healthcare with guest expert Grant Wood. Discover how AI and machine learning can streamline patient throughput, enhance employee satisfaction, and bolster safety in the medical industry. 🔍 COVERED TOPICS: Balancing patient outcomes with employee experience- Chatbots for customer service efficiency- AI and machine learning solutions in businesses- Training machine learning systems with data sets- Robotics and automation in manufacturing- Machine vision for food safety and livestock management- Security concerns and ethical AI deployment 🎙️ EXPERT INSIGHTS: Innovation leader Grant Wood, founder of Notion Labs, shares his extensive knowledge on developing AI strategies that prioritize customer and employee experience—critical for CEOs and businesses prioritizing innovation. 💡 KEY POINTS:- Critical role of AI in improving healthcare operations- Leveraging existing tech for better AI adoption- Practical examples of AI successes and pitfalls- AI's impact on business, job market, and societal change- Finding balance with AI implementation and security 📲 CONNECT: For more from Grant Wood, search "Grant Wood Innovation" on Google or find him on LinkedIn and https://knotionlabs.com. Subscribe to Schmidt List for expert discussions on AI, innovation, and tech trends.

5 MAR 2024 · In a compelling episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt converses with Sally Zimney, an acclaimed speaker and coach. Sally imparts her wisdom on the significance of internal authenticity in public speaking and how it trumps mere performance. She champions the concept of a signature talk, advising individuals to concentrate on a singular topic they are passionate about to solidify their authority and brand. Kurt shares his own transformation and echoes Sally's sentiments on the personal journey involved in becoming an effective public speaker. They touch upon Sally's book, "Speaking Story," which explores speaking as a mechanism for persuasion and leadership. Addressing common fears, Sally and Kurt discuss overcoming the reluctance to stand out and utilizing public speaking to enhance one’s professional influence. They stress the role of speaking engagements in expanding one's business network, generating new clients, and building a persuasive market presence. The episode also covers strategies for becoming a thought leader, incorporating personal stories with professional expertise to resonate deeply with audiences. Both guest and host exchange gratitude for their shared insights, leaving listeners with actionable advice for using public speaking to drive business growth and establish oneself as a trusted industry voice. Sally on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallykoeringzimney/ Website: https://www.bemoved.com/ Grab the book here: https://bemoved.com/speaking-story Find out about Sally's programs here: https://bemoved.com/programs Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-inspiring-leaders--2664825/support.

27 FEB 2024 · In this podcast episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt interviews Curt Schwab, President of Catalyte's Talent on Demand. Catalyte, a pioneering company, has developed AI-driven technology to identify individuals with untapped technology aptitude and train them to become IT professionals. This game-changing approach reduces the talent gap and transforms lives by providing opportunities for high-paying technology careers. Curt Schwab discusses how Catalyte uses its proprietary AI model to search for individuals with high technology aptitudes in non-traditional roles such as baristas, bank tellers, and even individuals with unrelated academic backgrounds. He shares insights into how this approach fills the technology talent gap and creates immense social impact, leading to life-changing career trajectories for these individuals. Schwab delves into the evolving process of training the AI model over the past two decades, leveraging massive amounts of data to identify patterns and refine the precision of talent sourcing. He explores the outreach process, manual for now, to engage potential candidates and ensure they understand the legitimacy of the opportunity offered by Catalyte. The conversation dives into the symbiotic relationship between Catalyte's AI-driven talent identification and its training programs. Schwab talks about how the services and training sides complement each other, with the aim of providing hands-on experience to apprentices while helping clients solve real-world technology problems. Furthermore, Schwab sheds light on the potential challenges and opportunities in the IT services industry, emphasizing Catalyte's unique position with the AI technology, its social impact, and its ability to reduce technology delivery costs while fostering the continuity of technology teams. This conversation offers valuable insights into Catalyte's transformative approach to talent sourcing and technology training, paving the way for individuals to embark on high-paying technology careers and addressing the talent gap in the IT industry.To learn more about Catalyte and its innovative talent sourcing and training approach, visit https://www.catalyte.io Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-inspiring-leaders--2664825/support.

20 FEB 2024 · 🎙️ Fresh off the mic on the Schmidt List! We've just wrapped up an incredibly engaging episode with our guest, Colleen Kranz. From productivity hacks to burnout prevention, our conversation delved deep into optimizing your work and personal life for the better. Here are 3 key takeaways for you: - Creating an Energizing Environment: We explore how the spaces around us can greatly affect our productivity and energy. Takeaway: An ever-evolving workspace that aligns with your needs can boost engagement and output. - Personal Wellness Techniques: Colleen shared her expertise in identifying stress triggers and finding unique methods for stress relief, such as breath work and humming. Takeaway: There's power in exploring various wellness practices to discover what best assists you in staying grounded and preventing burnout. - Intentional Living for Growth: This episode is a reminder that living purposefully and aligning actions with our core values is crucial. Whether it’s Kurt’s reflection on legacy post-40 or Colleen's insights after motherhood, both emphasize making intentional moves to support our life goals. Takeaway: Continuous self-awareness and adaptation can steer us towards more fulfilling paths, both professionally and personally. To hear all of these insights and more, tune in to the latest episode of the Schmidt List, where Colleen Kranz doesn't just share knowledge but also her personal experiences with resilience and growth. Don't miss it! Follow Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenkranz/ Subscribe to Colleen’s Grow North Thursday Newsletter: https://www.catapultnorth.com/grow-north-thursday-newsletter Experience life-changing wellness and community with Saunable rentals and events: https://saunable.com/ Watch the life and adventures of an airplane building aviation family: https://www.youtube.com/goodplaneliving 👉 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-inspiring-leaders--2664825/support.

13 FEB 2024 · In this inspiring episode of "Schmidt List," host Kurt Schmidt welcomes Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, a distinguished expert on resilience with a background at esteemed organizations like Cigna and Nike. Their conversation revolves around the theme of resilience, with Dr. Taryn debunking the idea that time alone heals, and emphasizing active engagement in our healing processes. Dr. Taryn introduces the novel concept of "cilliance," which signifies discovering our inherent strengths to navigate life’s adversities. The episode challenges the misconception that resilience is an external acquisition, advocating instead that it’s an innate trait we can cultivate, particularly by embracing vulnerability. Highlighting "real-time resilience," Dr. Taryn discusses the ability to access resilience in the present, not only in hindsight. She suggests that resilience broadens our self-belief, encouraging individuals, especially women, to ambitiously pursue opportunities despite self-doubt. Addressing "fake" against authentic resilience, Dr. Taryn criticizes the "fake it till you make it" approach, promoting a life vision backed by actionable steps. Resilience is metaphorically described as a muscle powered by our dreams, which we need to actively develop. The power of words and expressions, such as how a smile can influence our sense of happiness, is also covered, underscoring the significant impact our language choices have on our psychological states. The duo discusses professional resilience, with Dr. Taryn advising on the importance of establishing boundaries in toxic work environments. A personal story of her handling a stressful parenting moment exemplifies resilience in action, as she decides to respond with composure rather than react with stress, influencing her son’s experiences positively. Dr. Taryn clarifies that resilience is not about imperviousness but entails evolving through adversities by learning and integrating the experiences they grant us. Resilience encompasses a gamut of emotions, and effectively managing these emotions is key. Resilience, as per Dr. Taryn, is intrinsic to humanity, a process involving the adoption of skills and practices. Despite personal challenges, including facing a stalker and living with undiagnosed dyslexia, she asserts resilience as a cornerstone for success in life and leadership. In conclusion, Dr. Taryn points listeners to her resources, like her book "The Five Practices of Highly Resilient People," and the pair exchange accolades on their insights and the value of the discussion on the "Schmidt List" podcast. Dr. Taryn's Social Channel Links: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtarynmarie/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTarynMarie/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taryn-marie-stejskal/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtarynmarie?lang=en - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dr-taryn-marie - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWy-FDrXXQnEC7poGI-C1_g Resilience Leadership Institute (RLI): - https://www.resilience-leadership.com/ Triumph Anthology: - https://www.triumphanthology.com/welcome Recent interview with NY Weekly Magazine: - https://nyweekly.com/coaching/dr-taryn-marie-is-teaching-that-sharing-our-resilience-stories-empowers-transformation/

7 FEB 2024 · 📢 Exciting news! 🎉 In a valuable episode of Schmidt List, we dive into the world of strategic networking on LinkedIn with the amazing Wes Lamos. 🌟 🔎 Discover the power of authenticity over running ads or making sales pitches on the platform. Wes shares his approach of genuine relationship-building and prioritizing understanding and helping others without immediate expectations. The result? 🚀 Significant business success! 🔥 Proactive networking strategies, personal sharing, and building trust are key takeaways from this episode. Wes's friendship-first method has proven effective in conducting over 3000 meetings. 🤝 Avoiding over-automation and focusing on data-informed, context-aware interactions is the way to go! 🔑 Learn how Wes developed Sales Connector, a solution to scaling challenges faced by his digital agency, Roll Digital. Client satisfaction is paramount, valuing this over profit margins. Discover the shift from SaaS to SWAS, offering clients a platform, guidance, and education. 💼 Don't miss out on actionable advice! Optimize your LinkedIn profile by highlighting your interests and professional skills. 🌟 Learn from Wes's anecdote about increased engagement by showcasing his son's interests on LinkedIn. Engage potential clients by highlighting shared interests and humanity. 👉 Find Wes on LinkedIn and explore his offerings at salesconnector.com. 📲 Stay tuned for an upcoming episode where we discuss exciting AI trends! 🤖 This episode is a must-listen for professionals looking to enhance their LinkedIn strategy. 🎧 Don't miss out on this rich resource! https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslemos/ https://salesconnector.com/ There is too much Schmidt to List! Check out https://www.kurtschmidt.me/ for more show info. Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter