Speaking to Influence

Ashley Sardjoe shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of being present, embracing mistakes, and clear communication during change. He highlights the power of accountability partners and self-discipline for achieving goals.

In this episode you will learn: 

• The power of being present and actively listening to build strong connections.
• How to transform mistakes into growth opportunities through effective communication during change.
• Strategies for taking calculated risks and making clear decisions with strong communication to stakeholders.
• Why accountability partners are essential for achieving your personal and professional goals.

About Ashley:

Meet Ashley Sardjoe, a global People & Organization leader with a passion for driving transformative change that enhances organizational performance and drives sustainable business growth. With over 15 years of experience in the field of HR, Ashley is renowned for his ability to develop and execute human capital strategies that enable organizations to achieve their strategic objectives.

Starting his career in management consultancy for both Accenture and EY, Ashley managed and led multiple local & global HR, business, and process improvement initiatives, including all relevant change management activities and system implementations. Since 2011, Ashley has been working with and for Novartis within their headquarters in Basel, Switzerland in different global HR roles. In 2019 Ashley moved to his home country, the Netherlands to assume the role of Country People & Organization Head. Since 2021, Ashley is the VP, Country People & Organization Head for Novartis in Canada.

As a natural change agent, Ashley thrives on leading organizations through periods of growth and transformation, working collaboratively with stakeholders to craft compelling visions for the future, and delivering bold and innovative strategies to achieve their goals. He is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and is committed to creating work environments that foster innovation, accountability, and engagement.

You can connect with Ashley Sardjoe in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: Ashley Sardjoe: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sardjoe-1143259 - Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn to learn more about his experience in HR leadership and his passion for change management.

Learn more about Novartis:

• Novartis: www.novartis.com - Visit the Novartis website to learn more about the company and its commitment to innovation and patient care.

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Ngozi Okeh, the global head of DEI at NextRoll, a marketing tech company. They delve into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and how it can significantly impact business success.

In this episode you will learn:

• The practical application of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a daily practice shaping workplace dynamics and opportunities.
• Strategies for effectively engaging executive leaders in DEI by aligning initiatives with organizational goals and priorities.
• Overcoming common misconceptions about DEI and fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
• How vulnerability in leadership can lead to more meaningful contributions and collaboration among team members.
• Practical tips for managing nervousness in speaking engagements and enhancing communication effectiveness.
• The pitfalls of relying on the 'It Factor' in hiring decisions and the importance of grounding assessments in objective standards.
• Recognizing the influence of bias in decision-making and strategies for avoiding subjective biases.
• The value of seeking external perspectives and diverse viewpoints to challenge biases and make informed decisions.

 About Ngozi:

Ngozi Okeh is an accomplished DEI leader with a proven track record of driving initiatives to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into strategic business processes. She specializes in conceptualizing, defining, and operationalizing DEI principles to align with organizational goals, developing and overseeing policies and programs aimed at fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Holding a Master's degree in HR Management from Georgetown University, she brings extensive experience across multiple industries, including mortgage banking, government, and the tech sector. In her role as Global Head of DEI, Ngozi has led teams, collaborates with company executives, and provides strategic guidance to drive organizational change. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is actively involved in community service as a board member for Hunger Free America, demonstrating her commitment to creating a positive social impact.

You can connect with Ngozi in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngoziokeh/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura welcomes Dan Bradbury to the show where he shares his three commandments for success and enhancing confidence, presence, and influence in Mergers and Acquisitions.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why connecting personally is so important in M&A, as it builds trust and rapport- show how much you care, then how much you know.
• How understanding the other person’s motives is essential for effective communication and negotiation
• Why articulating your numbers is necessary to convey the financial aspects of the deal and actually gain buy in. Get to know your own business inside and out to communicate about it more effectively.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Turnover is Vanity, Profit is Sanity: 9 ½ Steps for Improving Your Profits and Cashflow” – Book by Dan Bradbury
• “Breeding Gazelles: Fast Growth Strategies for Your Business” – Book by Dan Bradbury

About Dan:

Dan Bradbury is the owner of a private equity group and his primary focus is as an investor who specialises in taking companies already producing seven figures in revenue and accelerates their growth to over 10 million.

His love of numbers and finances is what sets him apart and allows him to find the hidden assets and weaknesses within the businesses that he invests in and the business owners that he consults.

He started out with nothing and built himself up from the ground up.

Dan has over 15 years of business experience in a huge range of industries. He has founded, built and sold two companies for seven figures and has invested in over a dozen other companies on top of the five businesses that he has purchased outright.

Dan’s specialty is maximizing the value of a business, whether it be simply to keep the business and reap the rewards or to exit the business for a big payout he has done on seven different occasions.

You can connect with Dan in the following ways:

• Web: https://danbradbury.com/  – go to Dan’s website to find a free business profit maximizer score card. Answer questions to get a custom 20 page report in 10 different areas to maximize the profitability for your business.

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Bussing, Chief Human Resources officer of Springfield Clinic, is Laura’s guest this week on Speaking to Influence. Katie shares some tips on how she pulse checks a room when speaking to different groups, especially key stakeholder groups.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Katie is working to change the perception of HR by demonstrating the value of having HR function in a strategic role within the organization.
• How Katie reads the room to get an understanding of the audience’s needs in order to adjust communication style, and then how she pivots her messaging.
• How job shadowing can provide valuable insights into different roles and departments within an organization, fostering a better understanding and appreciation for the work being done.
• How Katie approaches receiving feedback from her team.

24 Hour Challenge:

Reach out to someone you don’t know in your organization, have coffee with them, and job shadow them for an hour or two. What do you learn?

About Katie:

Katie Bussing, SPHR, oversees all areas of Human Resources, including Benefits, Compensation, Employee Relations, Training & Organizational Development and Talent Acquisition.

Katie considers one of her top priorities to be championing her team to be as successful as possible in their roles. This is what Human Resources is all about, she believes: supporting the rest of the organization to carry out Springfield Clinic’s mission every day, because a positive environment for employees helps them create a community of caring for patients. This vision is simple, but the work is not always, and that’s what makes each day exciting.

Katie has 17 years of human resources leadership that includes all areas of HR, including leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies in the Chicago area. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication and a Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and sits on the Board and Executive Committee for Sparc.

Katie also maintains certification as a senior professional of human resources (SPHR) and is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Born and raised in Springfield, Katie has three children, Ryan, Jake and Emily, and her favorite hobby/other full-time job is being a mom and jumping from one kid activity to the next.

You can connect with Katie in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-rutledge-1034112/
• Web: https://www.springfieldclinic.com/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura welcomes Skip Howard, Founder of Spacee, to this episode of Speaking to Influence. Skip talks about a time when he had a vision that no one, his investors, board of directors, or sales teams believed in, and what happened when he decided to execute it anyway. Tune in to find out what happened!

In this episode you will learn:

• Why Skip uses a holistic approach to selling products, with transparency about the risks rather than focusing solely on the benefits of a product with clients.
• How Skip overcame imposter syndrome by shifting his focus to serving his audience valuable information rather than being judged.
• How COVID led Skip to implement a ‘burn the ships’ mentality of taking risks and failing fast, which inspired his company to be more comfortable taking calculated risks.
• Why Skip takes his developers to stores to see their tech in action, and how it inspires more buy-in and enthusiasm for the company.

24 Hour Challenge:

Sign up for a free Chat GPT account and ask it to write a LinkedIn profile for you.

About Skip:

Skip founded Spacee, Inc. in 2016 with the idea of building natural user interfaces and reactive intelligence into the physical world. Since then, Skip has been instrumental in developing Spacee computer vision technology, making it one of the leading technology companies in the spatial augmented reality and robotics Sectors.

Skip has worked in the technology industry for 20+ years, gaining experience as a Founder and CTO for Cancer Gene Connect, a hereditary cancer risk assessments leader, and Co-Founder of Pave Systems, a judicial software company. From 2007 to 2015, Skip served as an integral member of Ross Perot's technology team at Hillwood Development Company which included building the media department for Hillwood and designing /implementing a family office financial system.

Outside of Spacee, Skip is passionate about advancing technology knowledge and runs one of the largest Computer Vision Developers groups in North America. Several publications have recognized Skip as a top CEO and innovator, including DCEO (2020 Winner of Innovation in Retail) and Ernst & Young (Finalist for 2019 Entrepreneur of The Year®). He was named one of the Top 500 most influential business leaders in Dallas by D Magazine in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. He is a member of YPO.

You can connect with Skip in the following ways:

• Web: www.spacee.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skiphoward/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glenn Hofmann, Chief Analytics Officer of New York Life Insurance, is our guest on the newest episode of Speaking to Influence where he shares with Laura why we should not be afraid of A.I. and gives tips on how to leverage it for job security.

In this episode you will learn:

• How he has addressed misconceptions about A.I. with his communications team when people believed they would lose their jobs to A.I., and why he believes ‘intelligence’ in its title is actually a misnomer.
• How he learned the importance of ‘info-tainment’-- providing enough entertainment to keep his audience’s attention, while still being informative.
• Why it’s important to practice the first few minutes of a presentation before giving it in front of an audience.
• Why it’s important to flex your networking muscles to keep yourself on people’s radar.

24 Hour Challenge:

Consider being on a podcast! Identify a podcast, pick a topic you would be interested in speaking about, and send a message to the hosts to propose it. (Tune in to the full episode for Laura’s quick tip for some specific resources to help you with this!)

About Glenn:

Glenn Hofmann is an influential C-level leader in Data and AI, who is known for building and managing successful data organizations within the complex business, cultural, regulatory and technology realities of large corporations. From 2016 to 2023 he was Chief Analytics Officer at New York Life, and leader of the Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSAI). Glenn built the 100-person team which supported many areas of the company, such as Underwriting, Finance, Marketing, Sales Distribution, Customer Service, Product, HR and Compliance, with data and AI solutions, including generative AI projects.

Prior to joining New York Life, he built and led analytics teams in Property and Casualty insurance (at Verisk, TransUnion and Allstate) and held leadership positions at Claritas, ID Analytics, and HSBC. Prior to his business career, Glenn served as Professor of Statistics at the University of Concepcion in Chile.

He received his Ph.D. in Statistics from The Ohio State University in 1997 and his MBA from the Wharton Business School in 2009. Glenn was recognized by DataIQ 100 as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Data” in 2022 and 2023.

You can connect with Glenn in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennhofmann/

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice” - Dr. Laura Sicola 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Luke Billeri, president and CEO of Member’s Choice Credit Union tells Laura how he used ‘pre-suasion’ to gain key stakeholder buy-in before a critical decision.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Luke learned the importance of adapting communication style based on the audience's competencies by modifying communication to be relevant to the audience
• How in acknowledging personal strengths and weaknesses, Luke’s team was able to create a solid group dynamic where they supported each other.
• How Luke asserted himself with his boss about a risk to the organization, and after a drip campaign of providing data and hints, his boss eventually agreed and Luke's concerns were validated.
• Luke and Laura discussed the importance of persuasion and inspiration in leadership. Luke shared his experience of using ‘pre-suasion’ persuasion to gain support before important meetings, while also inspiring others by explaining the benefits and end goals of organizational change.
• Why sincerity is key in expressing passion, regardless of one's personality type, and how it can make a candidate stand out

24 Hour Challenge:

The art of pre-suasion: we all need support on something. Go in advance of a presentation / meeting and talk to an individual who you might need their support. Your passions might be able to come out easier and any questions they have may come out easier and help build your rapport in advance of the bigger meeting.

About Luke:

Luke Billeri is the CEO of Members Choice Credit Union (MCCU), a full-service financial institution based in Houston, Texas. With over 20 years of experience in the credit union industry, he specializes in retail, lending, and strategic financial management.

Committed to strengthening community initiatives, Luke spearheaded the creation of the Members Choice Credit Union “Helping Heroes” Savings Program for individuals working in heroic professions such as education, law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare.

Having served the Credit Union Industry already for nearly two decades, he joined MCCU as chief lending officer in January 2020, was promoted to executive vice president in September 2022, and assumed the role of chief executive officer in January 2023. As a results-oriented and decisive leader, Luke ensures a member-centric focus and strategic sustainability for MCCU. Passionate about the supporting the various needs of members, he believes wholeheartedly in the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Luke enjoys outdoor activities with family and friends in his spare time, such as fishing, boating, and anything on the water.

You can connect with Luke in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-billeri-313a589/
• Web: http://www.mccu.com

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Miller is the guest on this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence. The Co-Founder and CEO of YESLY Water speaks to Laura about how he handled pushback and set boundaries to move forward.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Scott used individual time with his team members to be vulnerable during a personal diagnosis, which resulted in galvanizing his team to become closer as they ended up opening up new levels of conversation.
• How Scott used transparency in order to ensure that his company’s intentions were understood.
• How Scott uses his company’s pillars to lead conversations with his team to ensure that they are living their ‘We’ culture.
• How to frame your contributions during an interview when you want to avoid sounding like you’re bragging…and how showing that you are a contributor’ could be the ‘It’ factor that CEOs might be looking for.

24 Hour Challenge:

Dream something awake! Then think of a process to make that dream awake come true.

Mentioned in the Episode:

“The Summit Mindset: Winning the Battle of You Versus You” – Scott Miller

About Scott:

Scott Miller is an exceptional visionary leader with a remarkable track record in thebeverage industry. With over 30 years of experience and nearly two decades as ahighly effective CEO, Scott is renowned for his transformative leadership style.

As the driving force behind Essentia and acquisition by Nestle, Scott fearlesslynavigated the company through unprecedented challenges during the globalpandemic and economic crises. Under his leadership, Essentia adopted a People-first culture with its foundational 4 Strategic Pillars, empowering the entire team to create a daily positive impact.

Throughout his tenure as CEO of Tampico Beverages, Inc., Scott orchestrated the company's successful expansion into a mid-size international organization and skillfully led the sale process of Tampico to one of the largest ESOP funds in the nation. Scott teamed up with Ken Uptain to create their shared vision of the #1 Enhanced Flavored Still Water in the nation, Yesly. Empowering, but edgy, Yesly is set to reach national distribution by the end of 2023 cementing Scott as a leader in the beverage & CPG industry.

An avid runner and fitness enthusiast, he lives by the motto of "doing the reps," always striving to bring out the best in others. Scott's leadership is centered around unity and collective success, exemplified by his powerful mantra, "It's never about 'one' of us. It's always about 'all' of us."

You can connect with Scott in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-miller-38a5748b/
• Web: https://yeslywater.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeslywater/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola and guest Vivian Wesson explore the importance of curiosity over judgment in inclusive conversations, emphasizing the transformative power of small gestures and acts of kindness in creating an inclusive society and highlighting the positive impact of smiles.

In this episode you will learn:

• The surprising relevance of improv skills in leadership
• The importance of replacing judgment with curiosity
• The impact of silence on DEI efforts
• The power of greeting and acknowledging others

24 Hour Challenge:

Stop apologizing! Distinguish when situations require a ‘pardon me’ rather than a true ‘I’m sorry’.  Empower yourself by changing your language around the situation, and pass it on!

Mentioned in the Episode:

“Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It” - Chris Voss

About Vivian:

A Fordham law school graduate, Vivian currently serves as Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel for The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Board of Pensions offers a broad range of benefits to congregations, agencies, and affiliated institutions, serving more than 65,000 members nationally.

Prior to joining the Board of Pensions, Vivian held the position of Chief Intellectual Property Counsel of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., for which she worked for over 16 years. Her areas of expertise include intellectual property, software licensing, mergers & acquisitions, strategic investments, benefits, corporate governance, reinsurance regulation, records retention, and business entity management.

Vivian has authored several articles on social justice issues, including “How AI and Facial Recognition Can Chill Access to Justice,” “Why Facial Recognition Technology is Flawed,” and “Environmental Racism: How Lawyers Can Help Close the Climate Gap.” Aside from her work with the Board of Pensions, Vivian chairs the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and is a member of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate. In June 2021, Vivian was appointed as a delegate to NYSBA’s House of Delegates. Vivian also serves as a Director of Phillips Exeter Academy’s General Alumni Association.

You can connect with Vivian in the following ways:

• LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-d-wesson-9a71076a/
• LinkedIn (business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/board-of-pensions-of-the-presbyterian-church/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Laura on this week’s episode of ‘Speaking to Influence’ is Johann Wrede, Chief Experience Officer at Emburse. Johann shares how he manages group dynamics among key stakeholders to keep them from hijacking meetings with their own agendas so that his plan stays intact.

In this episode you will learn:

• What a great customer experience is really about.
• What exactly a Chief Experience Officer does, and why more C-Suites should think about adding one to take collaboration of departments to integration.
• How Johann was able to bridge the divide between his expertise on the technical side and his creativity when it came to talking to customers through sales.
• How Johann went about getting prepared to be assertive in a meeting with other executives in order to keep everyone focused and achieve his objectives and ensure his meeting didn’t get hijacked by other stakeholders’ agendas.
• The approach of a ‘Yes we can do it, here’s what I need’ perspective during negotiations, and how you can use it to show you are collaborative as well as to highlight alternative options.

24 Hour Challenge:

Go to every person you run into in your business and ask them how the work they do impacts the customer experience.

About Johann:

As the first-ever Chief Experience Officer at Emburse, Johann is responsible for leading a cross-functional marketing and customer success organization, with the goal of delivering a world-class customer experience from first awareness through subscription renewal.

Over the course of the last 25 years, Johann has written, implemented, sold and marketed a variety of customer database, CRM and customer experience (CX) products. An evangelist for customer experience, he has spoken to keynote and media audiences in 18 different countries.

Prior to Emburse, Johann served as Chief Marketing Officer at Xactly Corporation. Before joining Xactly, he held several executive leadership positions within SAP Global Marketing, including the first-ever Creative Director for SAP.

You can connect with Johann in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannwrede/
• Web: www.emburse.com

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! Dr. Laura Sicola is back with Part II: The Big Reveal. In this episode, she unveils her rebranding journey, discussing the issues and challenges her Vocal Impact brand had, and introduces the audience to her new brand: LauraSicola.com.

In this episode you will learn:

• How and why your brand should accurately reflect the value you provide and resonate with your target audience
• Why words and language play a crucial role in communicating your brand’s message
• How you can use feedback and the words of others to describe your work and gain a better understanding of how you are perceived
• Why you should make a practice of looking at other thought leaders in your industry for inspiration and to understand what works

Mentioned in the Episode:

• www.laurasicola.com

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Laura Sicola: Sneak Peek- What’s Even Better than VIP?

This week, join Dr. Laura Sicola for Part I of a two part series where she talks about defining and claiming your brand…or more specifically, HER brand! Join us for a sneak peek in the episode of an exciting development.

In this episode you will learn:

• The beginnings of Vocal Impact Productions and the lessons Laura learned along the way about branding
• The challenges she originally faced in finding a niche
• How Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In, impacted the evolution of Laura’s client base
• The development of Laura’s trademarked ‘three C’s’: “Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal”.. And where she’s preparing to take them from here.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence, join Clate Mask, CEO of Keap Small Business Automation, as he tells Laura about when he knew it was time to put his career on the line by giving an ultimatum to his company, rather than continuing the battle of trying to persuade.

In this episode you will learn:

• The importance of business automation for business owners and overburdened team members, and the need for entrepreneurs to have effective systems and processes in place to conquer chaos and achieve growth, freedom, and profit
• How Clate handled his frustration with the direction of his company and finally mustered the courage to send an email to the lead board member, expressing his concerns and giving an ultimatum rather than continuing to try to persuade.
• How to script conversations to bridge the gap between intentions and actions.
• How Clate had individual conversations with team members to gather feedback and create a safe environment for open discussion, modeling vulnerability and encouraging others to give and receive feedback, following the principles from Patrick Lencioni's book, "Five Dysfunctions of a Team."

24 Hour Challenge:

Have repeat conversations with someone when your message has not landed. Reflect on where there may have been a gap and try again.

About Clate:

NY Times best-selling author, Clate Mask, is the entrepreneur’s guide and the CEO and co-founder of Keap, the leader in small business automation software. Keap is an 8-time Inc 5000 winner and is widely used by savvy small businesses to grow with automation. Clate’s passion is helping small businesses conquer the chaos and grow their business using the Six Keys to Success. When Clate isn’t serving entrepreneurs and building Keap, he loves to spend time with his wife, Charisse, their six kids, and their grandkids. He also loves playing golf and watching sports, with serious passion for the Arizona pro sports teams. He is intimately familiar with the balancing act of entrepreneurs, which is what drove him to discover and teach the Six Keys. Because success as an entrepreneur means having a great business and a great life.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Conquer the Chaos: The 6 Keys to Success for Entrepreneurs” – Clate Mask
• “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” – Patrick Lencioni
• “Pre-suasion:  A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade” – Robert Cialdini

You can connect with Clate in the following ways:

• Clate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clatemask/
• Keap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keap-growing/
• Keap Twitter: https://twitter.com/keapgrowing
• Keap Website: http://www.keap.com

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

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

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

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

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @LauraSicola

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/

Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura welcomes Dr. Shanil Ebrahim, Partner at Deloitte Canada, where he shares how he learned how to stop using layers of technical jargon that were preventing clients from identifying clear, actionable next steps.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Shanil decided to make the pivot from research clinician to consultant due to his desire to have more immediate impact on more complex healthcare issues.
• How ‘branding’ and identifying your brand is relevant and valuable even for roles outside of marketing and communication departments in organizations…including yours!
• How Shanil learned to walk the fine balance between showing expertise and ensuring clarity with his team and his clients after making the mistake of bringing in subject matter experts and used ‘consulting speak’... and ended up getting feedback to improve his ability to communicate.
• How Shanil’s reflection on his discomfort with the idea of ‘power’ and his personal history influenced him to speak up on issues that mattered to him when he found himself elevated to a leadership position in his company - including on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within Deloitte.

24 Hour Challenge:

Complete a personal ‘SWOT’ analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats that you are putting on yourself? What do you excel at? Where do you struggle or what criticism do you receive? Is there a need in your organization where you can step up? What obstacles do you currently face (real or perceived), and what changes can you navigate them?

About Dr. Shanil Ebrahim:

Dr. Shanil Ebrahim is a Partner at Deloitte and leads the National Life Sciences and Healthcare Consulting Business in Canada, and served as a Clinical Epidemiologist and a Researcher at multiple institutions in Canada, USA, Switzerland and Netherlands. He is a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders in government, public, and private sectors, and leads complex business and tech-enabled transformations. Shanil is also deeply involved in his community as the Chair of Wellesley Central Residences, which offers supportive housing for low-income seniors and those living with HIV/AIDS, and a Board Director at the Children’s Treatment Network, which provides support for children with disability and developmental needs.

You can connect with Dr. Shanil Ebrahim in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanil-ebrahim-75914a7a/
• Web: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en.html

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Dr. Laura is joined by COO of Expensify, Anu Muralidharan, where Anu shares how she was able to build momentum in her company by having everyone identify their own unique value, and how it mattered in getting the company to their goal.

In this episode you will learn:

• How a COO is like a Swiss Army knife
• The importance of acknowledging and addressing self-doubt and inner critics, and how Anu sharing her own experience helped a coworker overcome her own fears and take on a challenging task.
• About how Anu delivered a company all-hands presentation, aiming to bring transparency and inspiration to her team to work towards core growth by breaking down the problems despite her fear of overwhelming with details and creating an atmosphere of anxiety.
• Anu’s criteria for identifying exciting candidates during interviews, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, ambition, and the ability to collaborate creatively.

24 Hour Challenge:

Reflect on how you want to feel when you achieve success, and to consider if your current goals align with those feelings. What really would make you happy?

Mentioned in the Episode:

•  “Remember the Name” – Fort Minor
• “Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance” – Angela Lee Duckworth

About Anu:

Anu Muralidharan, a first-generation immigrant, arrived in the US burdened with $120,000 in debt. Today she is the COO and a board member at Expensify (NASDAQ: EXFY).

Despite her success, Anu battled self-doubt throughout her journey. The promotion to VP, a title she ardently pursued, led her to a profound low marked by crippling depression. This pivotal moment forced her to redefine success and develop three guiding principles to navigate uncertainty.

Now, armed with those principles, Anu empowers young women to embrace their strengths, silence their inner critic, and seek self-approval—a quest that unites and liberates humanity.

You can connect with Anu in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuradhamuralidharan/
• Web: www.expensify.com

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Paul Comfort of Modaxo and Transit Unplugged to this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence where he shares stories from his experiences running some of the world’s largest transportation and transportation technology organizations through potential powder-keg situations and refocused on new ‘north stars’ of safety, efficiency, reliability, and world-class customer service.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Paul, the newly appointed head of the Maryland Transit Administration, faced a crisis during the Baltimore riots, took immediate action, implemented new standards, demanded accountability, and gained the respect of the senior leadership team.
• The difference between skills and abilities, highlighting the successful hire of a director of bus operations who had transferable skills and knowledge from a different background.
• The favorite parts of Paul’s work– the significance of creating a fun and engaging environment for the team, such as organizing MTA Day at the Orioles and bus rodeos.

24 Hour Challenge:

Sit down and take an inventory of yourself. Analyze: 1) what you’re good at (what are your skills?) and 2) what do you enjoy/what are your passions? Focus on where they intersect: your strengths, rather than focusing on improving your weaknesses.

About Paul Comfort:

Paul Comfort serves as SVP and Chief Customer Officer for Modaxo Americas, one of the world’s largest transportation technology companies, and is host of the industry public transportation podcast, Transit Unplugged, heard in over 100 countries, and the new YouTube sensation Transit Unplugged TV show. Paul has authored three Amazon #1 bestselling books: “Public Transportation– From the Tom Thumb Railroad to Hyperloop and Beyond” and 2022’s “Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation”.  His most recent bestseller is a cookbook – “Comfort Food”-- featuring recipes, stories, and photos from over 30 top public transportation leaders around the world. Paul also serves as Executive Director of the North American Transit Alliance. 

Mr. Comfort is an attorney, popular keynote speaker, and the former CEO of one of America’s largest transit systems, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in Baltimore. He has also served as an elected County Commissioner and County Administrator for two Maryland counties.

Mr. Comfort is the recipient of the U.S.A’s top individual transportation honor: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) “President’s Award”.

You can connect with Paul in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcomfort/
• Website: https://www.futureofpublictransportation.com/
• Podcast: https://transitunplugged.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged/featured

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode, Melissa Schoger, Vice President of Finance for Identification Solutions and Vestcom at Avery Dennison talks with Laura about how she helped teams overcome an instance of mixed messaging to achieve mutual understanding.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Melissa made sure the integrity of a message remained intact after witnessing how different leaders in a meeting had varying takeaways
• How she learned to take the time to listen to team members on the ground, rather than assume she knew best from a top-down perspective as their General Manager.
• How she handled her team having the rug pulled out from under them within 24-hours of a deadline, and what she learned about coming to any negotiation with a thoughtful mindset instead of a winning at all cost mindset.
• Why recording yourself before doing a presentation can be the best preparation.

24 Hour Challenge:

If you consider yourself an introvert, challenge yourself to be more vocal in team meetings. Alternatively, if you are an extrovert, give the spotlight to a quieter member of the group.

About Melissa Schoger:

Melissa Schoger serves as a VP at Avery Dennison in their investment and business divisions. She previously worked for almost two decades at RPM International where she held fully integrated P&L responsibility including Finance, Sales & Marketing, Research & Development, Manufacturing Operations, Distribution, and Customer Service, transforming and consolidating 5 distinct subsidiary companies operating in 25 countries into 1 pan-European division during her tenure as well as managed the budget of a large division within a reportable segment of RPM and led 1,400 employees. She holds her MBA in Business Administration from The Wharton School and her B.A in Accounting from Ohio Wesleyan University.

You can connect with Melissa in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-schoger

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura welcomes Senior Vice President of TD Bank, Chantal Capodicasa, to talk about how she found the courage to speak up in defense of her team and challenge a directive in a time of crisis.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Chantal challenges the misconceptions about ‘lenders’ at banks, and illustrates how they are more ‘relationship managers’ for bank clients.
• How Chantal’s family’s battle with cancer showed her how being vulnerable can leave space for her team to show up for her in ways she didn’t realize she needed
• How speaking up in a meeting, even when it’s just to ask a question or gain clarity, can benefit you and your team
• How storytelling in an interview can show you have the ‘It’ factor employers are looking for

24 Hour Challenge:

In your next meeting, if you’re usually one of the quiet participants, speak up! Ask a question, share a best practice, or encourage participation from other teammates.

About Chantal Capodicasa:

Chantal Capodicasa is a Senior Vice President for TD Bank, and is the Regional Vice President for Commercial Banking in Southern New Jersey.  Chantal began her career in banking with the former Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) in 2004. Today she leads a team of dedicated commercial and small business relationship managers as well as customer sales associates who provide legendary experiences and trusted advice around all aspects of commercial financial needs to TD Bank customers throughout Burlington, Camden, and Mercer counties. Chantal is very active within the TD Bank internal team member networks, participating as a mentor for  the Take the L.E.A.D program which is aimed at developing and advancing women in TD's commercial bank, as a mentor for the Impact program, a mentor for the RVP development program, and a mentor for the Relationship Manager Associate program. She also serves on the internal Business Action Committee for the TD Bank and Project Search partnership which focuses on preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment and is also an advocate for the Military Spouse Employment Partnership and Veterans recruitment.

Chantal earned her BS in Finance from the University of Connecticut. She currently serves on the boards for the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA of the Pines, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce (Treasurer) and the Medford Business Association (President). Most recently, Chantal is the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Women's Business Executive honor from the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce Voice of Business awards and was the 2022 Southern New Jersey Golf Classic Honoree for the Alzheimer's Association. Chantal is also active within the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce, is a foster for the Burlington County Animal Alliance and has been an assistant coach for the Medford Youth Athletic Association track team.

Chantal's husband, Col Michael Capodicasa, is a veteran pilot and still serving with the USAFR today. Chantal and Michael live in Medford, NJ with their two sons.

You can connect with Chantal in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantal-capodicasa-aab996a/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our newest episode of Speaking to Influence features Charlie Saffro, CEO and Founder of CS Recruiting, who talks about the importance of resourcefulness and curiosity in a job interview, and how to do it by doing your research on social media and asking the right questions…and even shares what thos best questions are!

In this episode you will learn:

• How Charlie realized that she was better at being a leader than a manager and struggled when she had to manage a new team member, learning the importance of pacing herself, providing structure and context, and empathizing with her team member to ensure effective collaboration.
• Experiences with onboarding new employees and holding them accountable through recapping action items.
• How Charlie inspired her team and strengthened their trust in her as a leader by actions that aligned with her business values of inclusion and diversity when she ended a business relationship with a client who made discriminatory comments about an employee with an ostomy bag.
• The importance of sharing topics that stimulate one's passion and providing value to the audience when speaking publicly.
• The significance of resourcefulness and research in job interviews, highlighting how it can make a candidate stand out..and which questions are the best to leverage social media information!

24 Hour Challenge:

Think about the people in your life who make a difference. Who are two people who don’t know each other, who NEED to know each other? Make the introduction!

About Charlie Saffro:

Meet Charlie, a passionate recruitment expert and CEO of CS Recruiting, a thriving multi-million dollar organization with over 40 talented recruiters. With a mission to empower individuals to reach their potential, Charlie is a recognized Logistics industry expert serving clients from Fortune 50 companies to SMEs. Her focus on creating lasting connections extends to personal development, mindfulness, and supporting women in the workforce. Charlie, a proud mother of three, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to making meaningful connections to her work and beyond.

You can connect with Charlie in the following ways:

• Web: https://www.cs-recruiting.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesaffro/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Laura on this week’s episode is Ossa Fisher, President of Aurora Innovation, where Ossa shares the multi-faceted pow rapport-building techniques to uncover the real problem and get people on board, resulting in enthusiastic participation.

In this episode you will learn:

• About the development of self-driving technology, the current use of autonomous vehicles on Texas roads, addressing concerns of regulators with safety measures and reassuring the public with real-life examples of how the technology enhances road safety.
• Ossa shared a personal experience of receiving urgent voicemails about her daughter's health, and how her team and CEO showed immense support and flexibility during that time, teaching Ossa the importance of caring for the human beyond the job, and inspiring her to pay it forward by supporting others in their personal crises.
• Tips for calming nerves during public speaking, such as touching fingers, imagining someone rooting for you, and remembering that the audience wants you to succeed.
• How Ossa came from a place of curiosity rather than assumption in investigating why local high school students seemed uninterested in participating in Yale Model Congress, and ended up recruiting 15 high school students who got the majority of their bills passed in the program, which helped influence her how to influence and engage people going forward.

24 Hour Challenge:

Next time you’re in a group setting, and there’s a lull in the conversation, try not to break the silence. Observe who is the first to break the silence and what insights you can glean from it. What did you learn from someone else that you might not have learned by jumping in to fill the silence?

About Ossa Fisher:

Ossa Fisher is the President of Aurora, a company focused on delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safety, quickly, and broadly. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in strategy, operations, and business functions that are foundational to her role at Aurora, where she is responsible for overseeing the development and maturation of the company’s commercial operations. Prior to Aurora, Ossa spent eight years as President & COO of Istation, a leading education technology provider, and two years as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Analytics at Match.

In addition, Ossa spent almost a decade at global consulting firm Bain & Co, ultimately serving as a Partner in the Technology, Media and Telecom practice.  She began her career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs. Ossa has been recognized by multiple organizations, including, “40 under 40” Corporate Directors to Watch by NACD (National Association for Corporate Directors); “Women in Technology” award from the Dallas Business Journal; “Dallas 500” by D CEO and “Future 50” by Dallas Innovates. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Yale University, an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a master’s in education from Stanford Graduate School of Education.

You can connect with Ossa in the following ways:

• Web: www.aurora.tech
• Careers at Aurora: www.aurora.tech/careers
• Aurora Tech’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auroradriver/
• Aurora Tech’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/aurora_inno
• Ossa Fisher’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ossa-fisher/
• Ossa Fisher’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ossaf

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
• Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.