Info

Businesses that Care Podcast (formerly Mere Mortals Unite)

Mere Mortals Unite (MMU) and Businesses that Care (BTC) are two distinct series in this podcast. BTC is focused on building a business culture that allows your business to recruit and retain good talent. Our guests share ideas that work, to create a culture of engagement. On previous episodes of MMU we share superpowers that everyone has although they may not have discovered them yet, or forgotten them or given them away. Take them back, increase their use in your life. provides skills and techniques so you can discover your superpowers. The result is an increase in success and joy in your life and the lives of those that surround you. Let’s change the world one person at a time, starting with you!
RSS Feed
Businesses that Care Podcast (formerly Mere Mortals Unite)
2020
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: May, 2017
May 31, 2017

100 The Leadership Gap - Lolly Daskal

URL: http://www.julieannsullivan.com/leadership-gap/

 

What is true leadership all about? Does it mean you’re just calling the shots and making all the decisions, or it is something much more important and meaningful? Our guest today has the answer.

I’m honored to share my interview with Lolly Daskal, someone I have been following for years. Lolly is one of the most highly regarded thought leaders in business today. She has enthused audiences around the world with her innovative perspective and challenges of conventional wisdom. I love her ability to be honest and thought-provoking, and she brings those qualities to our interview. Today Lolly and I will discuss some great ideas to increase employee engagement and create a more desirable workplace. You will instantly grow your leadership after hearing our practical advice for creating an enhanced workplace culture. 

Lolly’s bio: Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans fourteen countries, six languages and hundreds of companies.  As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world. Based on a mix of modern philosophy, science, and nearly thirty years coaching top executives, Lolly’s perspective on leadership continues to break new ground and produce exceptional results.


Of her many awards and accolades, Lolly Daskal was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Experts by Inc. magazine. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and others.

You’ll discover:

  • The simplest and most important way to show appreciation to an employee.
  • A fascinating story detailing how Lolly established a yoga center at a business, and the impact it had on team members.
  • The importance of celebrating continually, not just at the end of a project.
  • How distractions can help you be more focused and creative.
  • Why titles don’t have anything to do with leadership.
  • Why leaders must be truth-tellers.
  • If we give ourselves time to connect, we find we have so much in common.

 

Interview Links & Other Resources

LollyDaskal.com

The Leadership Gap by Lolly Daskal
Follow Lolly on Twitter

Businesses That Care on C-Suite Radio

iTunes - Subscribe, Rate and Review

May 24, 2017

099 Show Up as the Star You Are - Jess Todtfeld

URL: http://www.julieannsullivan.com/show-up-as-the-star-you-are/

 

Are you coasting through life on autopilot? Do you feel overwhelmed by too many things to do? Could you use a change of perspective? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, our guest today will help you get out of a rut and create space in your life to truly “show up” as the star you are.

I’m happy to bring you this interview with Jess Todtfeld, who is a media expert and former TV producer. He holds the Guinness World Record for being interviewed the most times in 24 hours (112 interviews on different radio stations). This is a very fun interview that will inspire and motivate you to become your best self and maximize your potential.

Jess’s bio: Jess Todtfeld helps people who want to ... GET more media interviews, ACE more media interviews ... and CONVERT interviews into sales. His work helps create the space to “show up” in your life and create jumps in your confidence by eliminating the unknown and showing you possibilities...many you didn't even know were there.

 

You’ll discover:

  • What it means to create the space to “show up” in your life and your work.
  • How Jess helped a woman who was self-conscious about her voice, and helped her see things from a new perspective.
  • Why it’s important to get outside information
  • Why we shouldn’t only look for things you don’t like when improving ourselves, but also look for things we DO like (and do more of them).
  • Habits that Jess uses to allow his best self to show up.
  • The importance of outsourcing work so you can focus on your priorities.
  • Actionable steps you can take to create space for your own success.

 

Interview Links & Other Resources

SuccessInMedia.com

MediaSecretsBook.com

Connect with Jess on Twitter

Connect with Jess on Facebook

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn
Mere Mortals Unite on C-Suite Radio

iTunes - Subscribe, Rate and Review

May 17, 2017

098 Creating a Customer Service Culture – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority

URL: http://www.julieannsullivan.com/customer-service-culture/

 

When you think of “customer service,” what industries come to mind? Perhaps you think of hotels, restaurants, tech companies, or entertainment. On this episode, you’ll learn how one state government agency is leading the way in customer service.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Kim Heinle, who works with Customer Service and Advocacy for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority. You may have never considered what training is necessary for these workers, but they face many different personalities on a daily basis. For Kim, every day is a new adventure with new opportunities and challenges. He wants a team that truly wants to be there and love what they do. Kim is committed to helping his workforce live productive lives. His main goal is to weave a Customer Service Culture into the fabric of their business.  On this episode, Kim shares how he accomplishes this.  

Kim’s bio: Kim Scott Heinle is the Assistant General Manager for Customer Service & Advocacy with SEPTA, the public transit organization for Southeastern Pennsylvania. SEPTA has been in business since 1964, and Kim has been with the organization for 33 years. His goal is to empower employees at all levels to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Further thoughts from Kim on increasing employee engagement and enhancing the workplace culture: “Public Sector organizations need a new approach to business and it starts with understanding why we are here in the first place. Building a SEPTA Customer Service Culture (BASCSC) is now in the fabric of who we are.  It’s the starting point for understanding the link between highly motivated employees and their ability to deliver amazing service to our riding customers and non-riding customers.”

You’ll discover:

  • A unique idea Kim uses at SEPTA to create a more engaging workplace.
  • How SEPTA leads the industry by using social media in its everyday operations.
  • A brief yet fascinating history of modern metro-area transportation.
  • Why the shift from private companies to public agencies made it difficult for public transit organizations to stay customer-focused.
  • The importance of looking at what your customers expect, and what you’re able to deliver.
  • Why front-line team members are so critical to SEPTA’s success.
  • How SEPTA uses social media to serve customers and protect the organization.
  • Kim’s leadership strategies and initiatives to increase employee engage and customer service.
  • Specific ways that SEPTA empowers team members to make the right decision in the moment.

 

Interview Links & Other Resources

SEPTA.org

Follow SEPTA on Twitter

Follow SEPTA Customer Service on Twitter

Businesses That Care on C-Suite Radio

iTunes - Subscribe, Rate and Review

May 10, 2017

097 Love with Full Intelligence

URL:  http://www.julieannsullivan.com/love-with-full-intelligence/ ‎

 

Summary

One of the most enduring questions of the human race is “What is love?” Is it an emotion? An action? A choice? A feeling? How does it relate to our thinking? Our guest today helps us clarify this misunderstood topic and shows us how to love with full intelligence.

Nic Marks joins us from England, where he is the CEO of Happiness Works and a board member of Action for Happiness, a charity campaigning for a happier and more caring world.  Nic has been an advisor to the government of the UK, spoken at the TED global conference, and hung out with the Dali Llama. You’ll want to hear what he has to say about love, choices, and relationships.

Nic’s bio: Nic Marks helps organizations build happier, more productive workplaces. Described as a “Statistician with a Soul” because of his unusual combination of ‘hard’ statistical skills and ‘soft’ people skills, he draws on scientific evidence to show that everyone benefits when businesses take happiness seriously. Nic founded Happiness Works, an innovative tech-based business with offices in London and San Francisco, to be the catalyst in changing the world of work for the better. Nic is an in-demand public speaker.  Undoubtedly his favorite talk of the year was in a circus tent at the Wilderness music festival.

As well as being the CEO of Happiness Works, Nic is a board member at Action for Happiness, a charity campaigning for a happier and more caring world whose patron is the Dalai Lama and a Fellow of the New Economics Foundation.

You’ll discover: 

  • What it means to “love with full intelligence,” and the benefits it brings to your life.
  • How systems change us much more than we realize.
  • The importance of creating good choice sets.
  • How “loving with full intelligence” helped Nic make a tough choice to leave an organization and stay true to his work.
  • Why happiness should be a key performance indicator of every business.
  • Nic’s daily practice of walking, and how it helps him to think clearly and love with full intelligence.

 

Interview Links & Other Resources

HappinessWorks.com

ActionForHappiness.org

Happiness at work survey (free trial)

Action for Happiness & the Dali Llama

Follow Happiness Works on Twitter
Mere Mortals Unite on C-Suite Radio

iTunes - Subscribe, Rate and Review

May 3, 2017

096 Fun as Business Culture

URL: http://www.julieannsullivan.com/creating-fun-as-business-culture/

 

Summary

Can an accounting firm actually be a fun place to work? The two concepts of “fun” and “accounting” seem to be polar opposites. On this episode, you’ll learn how one forward-thinking accounting firm has carefully created a fun business culture that allows their team members to grow and thrive.

I’m thrilled to share an interview with Bill Hagaman, CEO and Managing Partner of WithumSmith+Brown. Since I’m a recovering accountant, I was very intrigued to have Bill on the show. We don’t think of an accounting firm as a place where people have fun, but as you’ll learn in this episode, they have used videos and other intriguing programs to establish a business culture that is enjoyable and growth-oriented. You’ll be inspired to start thinking of ways to boost the culture at your own workplace after hearing how Withum does it. You might even be inspired to get up and dance!

Bill’s Bio: Bill is the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, and has been a member of the firm’s management for over 30 years. He is a licensed certified public accountant in New Jersey, New York and Florida, as well as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), specializing in merger and acquisition services and international business.


A graduate of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Bill joined Withum in 1980. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). He has also demonstrated a leadership role in expanding the firm’s global capabilities, serving as a current executive committee member of HLB International and as the former chairman of Nexia International USA. Both are worldwide networks of independent accounting firms and business advisors.

Bill has appeared on several television and radio programs discussing topics related to leadership and business management. He is frequently quoted in accounting and business publications, and has authored many articles over the years on topics ranging from fixed asset management, mergers and acquisitions and leadership within the profession.

 

You’ll discover: 

  • The programs Withum uses to engage its team members.
  • Why they use the term “team members” instead of “staff” or “employees.”
  • What it means to “dress for the day.”
  • How Withum uses a suggestion box to gather great ideas.
  • The way Withum uses its annual video to differentiate themselves, increase engagement, recruit team members, and bring in new business.
  • How Bill uses the ten elements of the “Withum Way” to create and maintain the company’s culture.
  • The importance of repeating yourself and delivering the same message over and over again.
  • How Bill uses the annual meeting to increase engagement and create a fun culture.

 

The Ten Elements of the Withum Way

  1. Think Client Centrically
  2. Possess a Vision for Growth
  3. Welcome Innovation and Change
  4. Maintain a Cooperative Attitude
  5. Demand Integrity
  6. Cultivate Open and Honest Relationships
  7. Embrace the Family Spirit
  8. Work hard/Play hard
  9. Give Back
  10. Live Life Passionately

 

Interview Links & Other Resources

Withum.com

The Withum Way

Breaking Stereotypes of Accountants (Video)

2016 State of the Firm (Video)

Follow Withum on Twitter

Businesses That Care on C-Suite Radio

iTunes - Subscribe, Rate and Review

1