Turning Hardship into Differentiation (wsg John Katona)
11/11/21 • 48 min
Turning Hardship Into Differentiation | John Katona, Industrial Engineer at General Motors and CEO JKNK Studios, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss his unique journey in life that includes a paralyzing car accident that re-rerouted, and in some ways accelerated, his journey. Of course, John speaks about his top three ranging from his father who taught him a unique business model, to his pastor who introduce him to making music with others, to an advisor who fostered a passion for engineering. And you have to hear what he says about the intimate nature of creating music with a team.
About John KatonaJohn Katona is a human factors engineer at GM, with a bachelors and masters degree in industrial and systems engineering from Oakland University. He is also a record producer, runs JK (Not Kidding) Studios, and founded Bird Fight Records. His other passion besides engineering and music is accessibility, both for the future of mobility and in his studio, which is completely wheelchair accessible.
Show HighlightsDuring this episode:
Learning to be resilient [1:20]
Starting is the hardest part of a transformation [3:30]
John Katona – an emerging leader [5:24]
Welcoming, John Katona [7:54]
The “Top Three”
Joe Katona, John’s Dad, who taught him how to build a life around a passion [10:46]
Robert Van Til, who fostered a passion for engineering [16:05]
Pastor Kevin Cook, who introduced John to making music with others [20:54]
Many colleagues and bosses [25:45]
The importance of inclusivity [27:30]
The broad topic of mobility [33:45]
Fight for what you deserve [34:15]
Launching a music business [39:37]
You have to hear this...
The importance of valuing people [44:40]
Stay in touch with John! [46:30]
Additional InformationContact John Katona:
Contact Gregg Garrett:
Contact CGS Advisors:
Turning Hardship Into Differentiation | John Katona, Industrial Engineer at General Motors and CEO JKNK Studios, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss his unique journey in life that includes a paralyzing car accident that re-rerouted, and in some ways accelerated, his journey. Of course, John speaks about his top three ranging from his father who taught him a unique business model, to his pastor who introduce him to making music with others, to an advisor who fostered a passion for engineering. And you have to hear what he says about the intimate nature of creating music with a team.
About John KatonaJohn Katona is a human factors engineer at GM, with a bachelors and masters degree in industrial and systems engineering from Oakland University. He is also a record producer, runs JK (Not Kidding) Studios, and founded Bird Fight Records. His other passion besides engineering and music is accessibility, both for the future of mobility and in his studio, which is completely wheelchair accessible.
Show HighlightsDuring this episode:
Learning to be resilient [1:20]
Starting is the hardest part of a transformation [3:30]
John Katona – an emerging leader [5:24]
Welcoming, John Katona [7:54]
The “Top Three”
Joe Katona, John’s Dad, who taught him how to build a life around a passion [10:46]
Robert Van Til, who fostered a passion for engineering [16:05]
Pastor Kevin Cook, who introduced John to making music with others [20:54]
Many colleagues and bosses [25:45]
The importance of inclusivity [27:30]
The broad topic of mobility [33:45]
Fight for what you deserve [34:15]
Launching a music business [39:37]
You have to hear this...
The importance of valuing people [44:40]
Stay in touch with John! [46:30]
Additional InformationContact John Katona:
Contact Gregg Garrett:
Contact CGS Advisors:
Previous Episode
State of Risk and Trust (wsg Steve Fleischmann)
State of Risk and Trust | Steve Fleischmann, Preempt Risk, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on managing risk in complex ecosystems in support of profitable growth. Of course, Steve shares his Top Three who include an academic mentor who recruited him to study why civil wars occur, especially in the light of global terrorism, a direct report who is an expert diplomat who understands scale and the power of controlling the narrative, and the former CFO of a major U.S.-based energy company who understands the linkages of risk and trust. And you have to hear what he has to say about truly being brave.
About Steve FleischmannDr. Steven Fleischmann - Strategic Advisor: International Security; Risk and Development Dr. Fleischmann has over twenty years of experience as a global expert in risk across a broad range of areas including: global energy markets, national and international intelligence and security strategy and diplomacy, and strategic technologies.
Dr. Fleischmann has been a principal in several global ventures in the technology and financial sectors, led a business intelligence team at a global Fortune 500 energy company, and advised investors and companies on issues related to direct investment, sovereign risk, infrastructure development and investment, and risk mitigation.
Show HighlightsDuring this episode:
Innovation at the fringe is built on trust [1:13]
Innovation is now a “team sport” [3:20]
Welcoming our guest, Steve Fleischmann [7:51]
Protecting against risk [10:30]
Working at the core of the world’s infrastructure – energy [13:35]
Defining risk management [16:08]
Managing currency risk [19:16]
The “Top Three”
Phillip Rief: identifying how authority works [20:45]
Destruction of trust: Is the next civil war upon us? [26:48]
Allen Lock: if something is framed correctly, it can change history [31:12]
Scale building in the digital age [35:13]
Al Right: the linkage of risk and trust [42:40]
In a time of transition or change, you must grab on to trust [47:56]
You have to hear this...
The barriers to entry are lowering for core services [51:31]
Working in the investment industries – building capacity that will stay [57:48]
Acknowledge that none of us are brave [1:04:51]
Stay in touch with Steve [1:06:07]
Next Episode
The Future of Work (a Solocast)
The Future of Work | Join Gregg Garrett, host and CGS Advisors CEO, during this solocast as he discusses the future of work. Gregg explores three basic pieces: thinking of how automated work might be for you in the future, deciding if you’re going to have a freelance or W2 automated workforce, and just how satisfied will your workers and non-workers be in this future era.
About Gregg GarrettGreggory R. Garrett is the CEO and Managing Director of CGS Advisors, a boutique strategy and innovation advisory firm that works with senior leaders at public companies and select private organizations. He is a dynamic and experienced international keynote speaker, an adjunct professor of business and engineering, the host of the “You, Me, and Your Top Three” podcast, and author of the best-selling business leadership book, Competing in the Connecting World. Having addressed audiences from 20 to upwards of 1500 people in public and private/corporate events, Gregg is at his best when he can focus on industry shaping & transformational topics.
Prior to launching CGS Advisors, Gregg was the Chief Strategy Officer for IT & Innovation at Volkswagen Group of America. Before his time with VW, Gregg led corporate strategy & marketing for a division of Deutsche Telekom and was part of Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice. He is a visionary leader who prides himself in recognizing commonsense solutions for complex problems and supports “Corporate Bravery” by motivating teams to reach well beyond the typical boundaries to achieve greatness.
Show HighlightsThe future of work: the essence of what work is and how humans will take part in work [0:43]
The tension between labor markets and the availability and adoption of technologies [3:09]
What will workforces look like over the next decade? [6:06]
What will robotics/autonomation be the freelancer or the employee? [11:43]
What will satisfaction of employees look like? [14:22]
Additional InformationI4.0 & Labor Market Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RX3VFZ3
Contact Gregg Garrett:
Contact CGS Advisors:
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