Executives Edge

Our Guests:
Name: John Bernatovicz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/
BIO: Business Leader and Entrepreneur with experience in providing service and strategy support the HR and Payroll community with search, staff augmentation, consulting, technology, administration, and outsourcing. Focused on empowering people and looking to connect with HR tech, payroll, and HR professionals along with CFOs, Controllers, Accounting, etc. Reach me at [email protected] or toll free at 1-855-945-5679.
Name: David Feidner
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-feidner/
BIO: I’m an introspective person. I’m an avid reader, a studier of people, a philosopher.
I think deeply and dig even deeper.
My many years of launching, building, buying, and selling businesses, of dealing with dysfunction and conflict, of helping companies and people move through the really icky, tragic stuff to reach incredible, glorious, majestic success have brought me to this place and have honed my Philosopher Dave superpowers:
Bringing forth the wisdom that’s already there
Facilitating breakthroughs that calm the chaos
Empowering others to be their best selves
Coaching to solve the unsolvable
Helping ordinary people figure out how to do extraordinary things
My role as an EOS® Implementer is to help owners and leaders live their ideal lives.
That sounds unachievable to many when we first start working together because they're often overwhelmed, overstressed, and overworked.
Yet everything that gets in the way is just an issue; the raw material to achieve goals! Nothing is either good nor bad, it’s how we judge it - it’s the emotion. When we shift our attitude, choosing that we are either winning or learning, it puts us in a positive mindset every day.
Show Summary:
The conversation explores the importance of cultural transformation in small and medium-sized businesses. It emphasizes the role of leadership in shaping culture and the need for alignment between cultural values and business objectives. The discussion also addresses how to deal with resistance to change and the significance of setting attainable objectives and compensation plans. The conversation concludes with the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing compensation issues and the benefits of a collaborative approach to setting quotas and business plans. The conversation explores the importance of P&L and a well-balanced balance sheet in business. It discusses the impact of expenses on revenue and the need for alignment between salespeople and the organization's objectives. The conversation also delves into the role of compensation in reflecting core values and its effect on employee engagement. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and alignment in setting quotas and the need for accountability and crucial conversations. The conversation highlights turnover and time to fill as indicators of culture and the significance of purpose in business. It addresses the challenges of dealing with a CEO who sets a bad precedent and the importance of shining a spotlight on organizational issues. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of EOS books on culture and best practices for cultural transformation.
Takeaways:
• P&L and a well-balanced balance sheet are profoundly important in business.
• Expenses should be evaluated and aligned with salespeople to ensure a positive culture.
• Compensation reflects core values and affects employee engagement.
• Alignment and collaboration are crucial in setting quotas and achieving objectives.
• Turnover and time to fill are indicators of culture and should be monitored.
• Purpose is paramount in creating a meaningful work environment.
• Addressing the root cause of CEO behavior is essential for cultural transformation.

Ever wonder how leaders like Paul from Datasmith navigate companies through stormy seas of change with unwavering resilience? Our latest episode is a treasure trove of insights on building teams that thrive on direct communication and shared values, ensuring you're equipped with the strategies for success in the ever-evolving business landscape. I open up about my own evolution, from higher education to launching a new enterprise, and how resilience played a pivotal role in that journey.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of a pandemic, traditional business playbooks are being rewritten. Join us as Paul unravels the DNA of Datasmith's core values and how they shape every facet of the operation, from hiring to facing tough decisions. Heather adds color to this narrative with her candid story of starting a business amidst these uncertainties, showcasing the boldness and adaptability needed to chart a successful entrepreneurial course. Their experiences serve as a beacon for anyone navigating the choppy waters of modern business.
Tying it all together, we delve into the foundational blocks of high-functioning teams: accountability, structure, and alignment with company values. Stories of real-world resilience, like an employee's successful transition to a new role after a product setback, underscore the importance of adaptability. We also share how leadership awareness can clear the path for collaboration and why embracing peer groups and external expertise is crucial for continuous growth. So tune in, and transform your professional playbook with the wisdom from our guests and my own learning curve in the business world.

Discover the leadership strategies that turn family businesses into industry powerhouses as Travis McDowell and Erik Piasio join us to share their experiences. Travis, from Metal Fab Engineering, and Erik, at the helm of American Surgical Company, pull back the curtain on the transformative power of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and reveal how it has reshaped their teams for success. With their candid insights, you're guaranteed to pick up on the essential elements of team cultivation and the incredible impact of getting the right people into the right roles.

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Wrestling with the demands of marketing, sales, and CRM integration in a growing business? You're not alone. Gain invaluable insights as we dissect the real-world challenges and triumphs encountered by leaders who balance these pivotal roles. Hear firsthand how an engineering team can champion a product, the transformative impact of AI and CRM tools on streamlining operations, and the journey to adopting a CRM system that actually speaks our language. Scott's perspective on fractional leadership and Jennifer's candid reflections on building a sales foundation provide actionable advice for any rising enterprise.
Finally, we venture into the art and science of client relationship management and the crafting of compensation plans that align with your company's objectives. Learn why persistent, strategic communication can open doors you didn't even know existed, and how to adjust your sales strategies in response to the seismic shifts of industry trends. Alongside guest Rafi Yardimian of Boston Sales Solutions and Scott Tappin's sales solution expertise, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to marry sales acumen with technical savvy in the fast-evolving realm of cybersecurity.