meridith elliott powell

Welcome to the THRIVE: Turning Uncertainty to Competitive Advantage podcast, where Meridith Elliott Powell and Dr. Shirley Davis engage in a dynamic conversation about finding your path to profitability, growth, and success. In this episode, they discuss the impact of technology on leadership and sales, the importance of investing in employee training and mental health support, and the valuable opportunities provided by LinkedIn learning. Tune in as they share insights, personal experiences, and advice on leveraging online learning to stay ahead in today's evolving business landscape. So grab your headphones and get ready to thrive!

Dr. Shirley Davis is a distinguished professional with a dynamic career spanning over three decades, beginning in the banking and financial industry. With 15 years of experience, she rose through the ranks, specializing in advising entrepreneurs on wealth generation. Additionally, Dr. Davis has a rich 30-year history in human resources, where she's touched every facet from recruiting to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a trailblazer for professional women and entrepreneurs, she's renowned for her ability to navigate and add value during times of disruption, all while championing the immutable significance of talent management and HR in the evolving corporate world.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshirleydavis/

https://drshirleydavis.com/

https://sds.drshirleydavis.com/

 

Hey there, in this episode of "THRIVE: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage," Meridith Elliott Powell chats with Irvine Nugent, partner of Copia Leadership, about the game-changing topic of emotional intelligence in leadership. They dig into the nitty-gritty of self-awareness, understanding emotions, and building connections in the workplace.

Nugent opens up about his personal background, growing up in Northern Ireland during turbulent times, and how it shaped his views on creating more human-centric spaces in organizations. The discussion dives into the significance of emotional intelligence in today's ever-changing business landscape and the role of genuine connection in fostering trust and understanding.

They geek out about the power of curiosity, listening, and empathy in forging meaningful relationships. They also explore how societal changes have impacted our ability to connect with others and why sharing our personal stories is key to forming authentic bonds.
Nugent drops some nuggets of wisdom on navigating uncertainty, stressing the importance of focusing on what's in our control and turning it into a competitive advantage. So, if you're ready to gain some epic insights on emotional intelligence, leadership, and the magic of connection, this episode is a must-listen!

 

Irvine also tells Meridith about his book Leadership Lessons From The Pub: Harnessing The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Build a Fully Engaged Workplace. 

 

https://copialeadership.com/

linkedin.com/in/irvinenugent

irvine@copialeadership.com

irvinenugent.com/free-resources

Welcome to another episode of THRIVE: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage. In this episode, our guest Jeff Shore, a sales guru and expert in the real estate industry, will share his insights on how to skyrocket sales in the age of uncertainty. Join your host Meridith Elliott Powell as she delves into Jeff's journey and the psychological approach he takes to selling - by understanding how customers want to buy. Discover how Jeff's passion for studying buyer behavior led him to develop unique strategies for success. As the conversation explores the challenges of an uncertain marketplace and the shifting economy, Jeff reveals the importance of adjusting your sales style based on people's attitudes and feelings. Get ready to learn how confidence can become your competitive advantage and how to position yourself as an influence practitioner. Tune in to unravel the secrets of value perception and discover how to provide exceptional value that leaves your competitors behind. Get ready to thrive as Jeff Shore shares his expertise on turning uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage.

https://jeffshore.com/

jeff@jeffshore.com

 

Welcome to another episode of THRIVE: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage! In today's episode, we have a special guest, sales legend Julie Thomas, who will be discussing her upcoming book that focuses on the power of value-based selling. Join Meridith Elliott Powell and her guest Julie Thomas as they delve into the strategies and steps needed to connect with clients, build strong relationships, and grow your business. Julie shares her journey from being an accidental entrepreneur to acquiring a successful sales methodology company. They also explore how the sales landscape has shifted over the years, with buyers now accessing abundant information online. But despite this, Julie emphasizes that how you sell is just as important as what you sell. So, if you're looking to navigate the complexities of today's marketplace and make a lasting impact with your sales approach, this episode is a must-listen. Let's dive in and discover the keys to thriving in sales in this ever-changing business landscape. Tune in now to THRIVE!

https://www.valueselling.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieathomas/

 

Hey there, podcast fans! It's your host, Meridith Elliott Powell, back with another exciting episode of Thrive: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage. Today, we have a very special guest joining us, the founder of The Exit Factor, Jessica Fialkovich. Get ready to dive deep into the world of scaling and growth as we discuss how to build a business that allows you to live life on your own terms.

But before we jump into the conversation, let me give you a sneak peek into Jessica's incredible journey. Raised in a family that didn't believe in owning a business, Jessica defied the odds and followed her passion for entrepreneurship. After facing the challenges of the 2008 recession, she realized that taking control of her own future was the key to protecting it. Alongside her husband, Jessica founded a luxury wine retailer, successfully scaling the business over three years. However, through this experience, she learned some valuable lessons about leaving money on the table and not protecting the brand's legacy during the transition.

Taking these lessons to heart, Jessica entered the world of mergers and acquisitions, assisting small to mid-sized business owners in preparing for and selling their companies. 

During our conversation, we explore the importance of always being prepared to sell your business, even if it's not your immediate plan. Burnout and personal circumstances can often lead to unexpected decisions, and being in a position to sell can offer peace of mind and financial security. Jessica shares her insights on the role of emotional intelligence and the need to constantly assess your business's sellability in order to optimize its value.

But that's not all! We also dive into the founding of Jessica's latest venture, The Exit Factor. This innovative company provides a systematic process for positioning businesses to be sold at any time for maximum value. Through comprehensive evaluations, financial optimization, documenting processes, and implementing growth plans, Jessica and her team empower entrepreneurs to not only prepare their businesses for sale but transform them into thriving enterprises.

So, if you're ready to learn the secrets of scaling, preparing for exit, and navigating the ever-changing business landscape, you won't want to miss this episode of Thrive: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage. Tune in and get ready to thrive!

 

https://exitfactor.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicafialkovich/

https://www.instagram.com/jessicafialkovich/?hl=en

 

Welcome to a brand new episode of THRIVE: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage!

In this episode, we'll be diving deep into why speed is crucial for businesses in today's rapidly changing landscape. Jay Baer has always been at the forefront of innovation, constantly staying one step ahead and providing cutting-edge strategies for growth and improving customer experiences.

We'll learn about Jay's journey, from politics to digital marketing to founding his own companies, and how his passion for customer experience developed. Jay will enlighten us on his extensive research and how he conducted comprehensive studies to validate his findings.

 He discovered that in our time-conscious society, customers now value speed as much as they value price. We'll explore the significance of speed and responsiveness in business and why it's essential to prioritize your customers' time. Don't miss out on Jay's insights!

And speaking of time, Jay has pulled off something remarkable with his latest book, "The Time to Win." He understands that people don't always have hours to spare, so he condensed his wisdom into a concise read that can be finished in under an hour. It's a testament to his commitment to respecting his readers' time and aligning his practices with his message.

"The Rise of Information: We tolerate disrespect of our time way less than we used to."— Jay Baer

 Join us in this enlightening conversation with Jay Baer as we uncover the power of speed as a competitive advantage. Get ready to thrive in this fast-paced world! Let's dive in!

https://www.jaybaer.com/

https://www.jaybaer.com/books

 

Welcome back to "Thrive: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage," the podcast where we explore strategies and steps to help you thrive in the face of uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities.

In today's episode, we have a special guest, Sheryl Green, a mental health speaker and author, joining us to discuss resilience and the importance of setting healthy boundaries.

Sheryl shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her new book, "You Had Me at No: How Setting Healthy Boundaries Helps to Banish Burnout, Repair Relationships, and Save Your Sanity."

We dive into the reasons why many of us struggle with boundaries, the impact it has on our wellbeing, and how to recognize the need for change. So grab your headphones and get ready to learn how to navigate setbacks, overcome challenges, and bounce back stronger than ever. Let's dive into this insightful conversation with Sheryl Green.

https://www.sherylgreenspeaks.com/

https://www.livingunleashednow.com/

On this episode of THRIVE: Turning Uncertainty To Competitive Advantage, host(s) and guest Andrew Sykes discuss the power of trust in the sales process. Andrew Sykes gives advice on treating promises to oneself as seriously as promises to others, and explains how closing a deal is the natural outcome of a well-run sales process. They also discuss the issues with the current perception of salespeople, and how technology has eroded trust rather than building it. The conversation includes how to design a first impression that conveys a commitment to serving the customer over their own needs, and the importance of helping customers make smart decisions that lead to progress in their business, life, or career. Andrew Sykes also touches on the challenges salespeople face from company actions that erode trust, and how apologizing can be counterproductive. Finally, they highlight the importance of listening and building trust in any situation, and how it can lead to being more successful in sales and life. Tune in to this episode to learn more!

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsykes1/

https://www.andrewsykes.com/

https://habitsatwork.com/

 

Today Meridith is talking with Joey Havens, CPA and partner at HORNE Accounting Firm.

Meridith and Joey discuss his new book Leading With Significance, which will be available for pre-order on Amazon on May 4th.

Joey tells Meridith about his philosophy of building a business with a people-first culture and why this is so important in today's marketplace.

They talk about the work culture and why people are participating in the "Great Resignation," while company leaders rate their company culture as high and where the disconnect comes from.

They also discuss the importance of leading with values and Joey's top two tips for leaders.

 

https://joeyhavens.com/

https://horne.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeyhavens/

https://twitter.com/JoeyHavensCPA

Joey@joeyhavens.com

joey.havens@horne.com

 

Today Meridith talks with Lauren Bailey about thriving in a virtual sales world.

They discuss virtual sales and why sellers struggle with it.

Meridith and Lauren talk about sales training, not keeping up with technology, and why people are not getting the proper training on how to run an online meeting and demo.

Lauren tells Meridith about the importance of sharing your personality and individuality to offset the automation of virtual selling. They also reflect on your energy level and how that impacts virtual selling and hear about Lauren's class called Demos That Don't Suck.

Lauren tells Meridith her thoughts on where sales will be in 10 years and how marketing could surpass sales.

Lauren also gives her best piece of advice.

https://factor8.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/insidesalesadvisor/

 

 

 

 

 

Today, Meridith talks with the 1st Lady of Sales, Dr. Cindy McGovern. 

Meridith and Dr. Cindy discuss the subject of Dr. Cindy's best-selling book on brand.

They cover why your personal brand is crucial and why you already have one, whether you consciously created it or not.

Dr. Cindy tells Meridith why you should develop your brand, align it with your core values, and live it every day unapologetically.

They talk about why the world loves Dolly Parton and use her as an example of someone who has created the perfect brand for herself, which is so effective.

Dr. Cindy describes the great rebrand and why she thinks it is happening now.

She also tells Meridith why it is essential to have a brand plan, just as you would create a business plan.

Listen to Dr. Cindy's best advice for branding yourself and your business.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcindy/

https://www.sellyourselfbook.com/

https://drcindy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/1stladyofsales/

 

 

 

Today, Meridith talks with the No BS Sales guru Walker McKay.

Walker has trained over 200 sales teams and Coached businesses in nearly 100 industries. As a result, companies see a minimum 5x return on their investment working with Walker. He has also worked with sales teams from one to several hundred people and is the founder and principal of the No BS Sales School and Podcast.

They discuss asking prospective clients the right questions and digging deeper than the data to determine if they would be a good fit.

Walker tells Meridith how his No BS training came to be, and they talk about the difference between really successful salespeople and those who aren't.

Meridith and Walker discuss the components of effective sales training and the importance of a phone call. 

Find out what sales professionals must do today to position themselves as experts, and hear Walke's number one tip.

https://www.walkermckay.com/home

Today, Meridith talks with sales guru Carson Heady.

They discuss how he accidentally got into sales. They also talk about why sales has a reputation for being such a challenging profession., the importance of investing time in training people, and having good processes in place.

Meridith and Carson also discuss burnout, having ruthless discipline around your schedule, and how Carson constructs his list of non-negotiables daily.

Carson tells Meridith his thoughts on the importance of building relationships, supporting others, and the power of networking to build those relationships.

They also discuss the pressure of sales, and Carson tells Meridith the two things you need to be concrete about when looking for your next job.

Finally, hear about Carson's new book Salesman on Fire, and where you can get a copy.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsonvheady/

https://carsonvheady.wordpress.com/

 

Today, Meridith talks with Lori Richardson of Score More Sales. Lori founded Score More Sales in 2002 to help companies grow revenues through strategic sales efforts, using lessons learned from 20 years in B2B sales and leadership roles.

Lori tells Meridith how her grandmother, who ran multiple clothing apparel stores, inspired her and how she ultimately got into sales.

They discuss what prompted Lori to start researching why there weren't more women in sales and what working in a male-dominated industry is like.

They go into the differences in selling between men and women and learning how to find your way as a woman in a male-dominated profession.

Lori talks about her group Women Sales Pros. She tells Meridith how the members help each other and how the group encourages business owners to change their hiring processes.

They also discuss the work to get more women to speak on the main stage at business conferences.

Lor tells Meridith about her new book, She Sells, and why she wrote it as a guide for more managers to hire more women.

Finally, Lori gives Meridith tips from the book and tells her what she thinks are the biggest mistakes companies are making right now.

https://www.scoremoresales.com/

https://womensalespros.com/shesells/

https://womensalespros.com/

 

Today Meridith is joined by sales expert Matthew Pollard. Matthew is the author of The Introverts Edge and his new book The Introverts Edge to Networking.

Matthew started his sales journey by searching YouTube for sales system videos to improve his selling technique. Through watching as many videos as he could, he found a system that made sense to him, implemented it, and his sales career took off. 

Meridith and Matthew discuss the best sales technique, whether introvert or extrovert, which is finding ONE sales system that works for you and implementing it. Matthew believes that people who apply a methodical system are the most successful. Find out why he thinks introverts also make the best salespeople.

They go into the importance of consistency, the importance of doing the research before you jump on a sales call, and how storytelling builds rapport and can work quickly to clinch the sale.

Matthew tells Meridith why networking and storytelling are critical. A story designed to entertain, engage, and share emotion creates rapport easily and makes the customer see themselves in your story and you as the logical choice to work with them.

Finally, Matthew answers some listener questions.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpollardspeaker/

https://matthewpollard.com/start-here

https://matthewpollard.com/theintrovertsedge/networking

https://matthewpollard.com/theintrovertsedge/book

 

Today Meridith talks with The Sales Evangelist Donald C. Kelly. As The Chief Sales Evangelist for The Sales Evangelist, Donald oversees business development strategies for small to mid-size organizations. He conducts workshops, and keynote presentations, designs sales processes, offers sales team training, and coaches sales, individuals, and executives. In addition, Donald is the host of The Sales Evangelist podcast, which is heard in over 155 countries. 

Meridith and Donald talk about how he grew up in Jamaica and thought he was being a businessman, not selling. He tells Meridith the inspiration for his podcast name, how he became known as The Sales Evangelist, and why he loves spreading his message so enthusiastically. 

They discuss the misconception people have about sales and how to get past that notion to let people know you have a solution to a problem they have. You are also there to educate and give people enough knowledge to buy from you.

Donald tells Meridith he thinks if you have a valuable solution to a problem, it is your moral obligation to offer assistance and educate people about it.

Meridith and Donald go into showing your enthusiasm for your product or service, and getting them to experience your product is the best way to reach your audience.

They also discuss the importance of talking to your clients and getting testimonials about why they love your product or service. They will tell you everything you need to be able to sell your product more efficiently.

Finally, hear Donald's analogy on the Boy Scouts' tin foil dinner and see how that translates to the business world.

https://thesalesevangelist.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldckelly/

https://www.instagram.com/donaldckelly/

 

Today Meridith talks with the founder of A1 Garage Doors, Tommy Mello. 

Meridith and Tommy talk about how he went from $50,000 in debt to building a $100 + million company.

They discuss his struggles and how he discovered the key to business success: following KPIs, SOPs, and checklists and having a great team.

They dive into really understanding your numbers, what you should track and what you focus on.

They get into what Tommy looks for when he hires employees and how he retains them. It's NOT just about the money. Hear how he loves to invest in his employees.

Tommy also talks about why he thinks the CFO is the most important person in the company.

They also discuss the four KPIs that can run any business and the three ways to make money.

Tommy tells Meridith about his new book Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins and when and where you can get a copy.

Finally, Meridith and Tommy dig into why 2023 could be the year of the biggest opportunity, even in this economy.

https://homeserviceexpert.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommymello/

https://book.elevateandwin.com/order1665131650563

 

This week Meridith talks with Dee C. Marshall about talent, diversity, and engagement.

Dee is the CEO at Diverse & Engaged, where she speaks three languages, leadership development, workplace culture, and diversity. Her corporate clients retain her when they have a challenge, attracting engaging or retaining diverse workplace culture. Dee is also the co-host of the Brown Table Talk Podcast and serves on several committees.

Meridith and Dee talk about ESG, Environmental and Social Governance, and how that relates to being a responsible leader and what that has to do with talent in the workplace. They also discuss how Dee helps leaders solve problems by attracting diverse talent to an organization.

They delve into the changing demographic of the workplace now, why it is critical to focus on diverse talent now more than ever, and what spurred the tipping point of the diversity shift.

Dee tells Meridith why inclusive leadership is so important and how she works with clients to understand cultural competence, lead people through a cultural lens, and understand diverse dimensions in the workplace.

They discuss how to be a leader who supports cultural diversity while living in a location with little diversity. 

Finally, Dee gives two pieces of advice to business owners struggling with turning uncertainty into competitive advantage.

https://www.diverseandengaged.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deecmarshall/

 

Today Meridith welcomes workforce thought leader Cara Silletto to talk about talent engagement, acquisition, and employee retention.

Cara is an expert at figuring out why people are leaving and, more importantly, how to keep them longer. She is focused on bridging generational gaps and reducing turnover. She talks about everything from proper onboarding and that new hire experience to bridging generational gaps, making managers more effective in their roles. Cara also includes compensation in the conversation and talks about the general culture. 

Cara and Meridith discuss the importance of proper onboarding in the workplace and how to attract, recruit and keep employees. They also talk about creating an environment where people want to work. They dive into the outdated mindset of some employers when it comes to hiring as opposed to the larger demographic of people who want a workplace where they can be valued and heard. Meridith and Cara cover the Great Resignation and why Cara thinks this has been in the works for years leading up to Covid.

They also discuss the fallacy that nobody wants to work and the many factors that contribute to the abundance of jobs available, including the near-zero legal workforce immigration in 2020 and 2021 and how this impacts the labor-focused positions across the country. They talk about employee retention and the importance of a proper recruiting function, including better onboarding, new hire experience, a cross-training plan, career development, and having great managers. Finally, Cara tells Meridith what she thinks are the most prominent mistakes organizations make regarding talent.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carasilletto/

https://www.magnetculture.com/

 

Joining Meridith today is Bill Treasurer, owner, and founder of Giant Leap Consulting for over 20 years. Giant Leap Consulting is a courage-building company that helps people in organizations drive out fear to get superior performance and be more courageous in their interactions with one another. Before that, Bill worked with Accenture, one of the world's largest management and technology consulting companies. He was their first full-time internal executive coach and was coaching leaders who outranked him and had more leadership experience.

Meridith and Bill discuss leadership challenges in a post-Covid, hybrid work environment. They also talk about the most critical aspect of being a leader. 

Bill tells Meridith about his new book "Leadership Two Words at a Time" and how narrowing down problems into two words to resolve an issue can be beneficial and make taking action inevitable. They cover the importance of the book's three sections: Leading Yourself, Leading People, and Leading the Work. Hear which one Bill thinks is the most crucial to be a great leader.

Bill talks about the inspiration from one of his earlier books, Leaders Open Doors, and the brilliance in its simplicity. Finally, bill shares his best advice for setting your 2023 goals with Meridith.

https://www.giantleapconsulting.com/

btreasurer@giantleap.consulting.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/courage/