How can mastering banking fundamentals transform the trajectory of your small to mid-sized business?

In this enlightening episode of the Innovation Meets Leadership podcast, host Natalie Born is joined by Mary Beth Coke, District Director for Regions Bank, covering Georgia and the Carolinas. Mary Beth shares her extensive background in banking and discusses the critical role that financial strategies play in supporting entrepreneurs and business owners. From starting out to planning for future growth or an exit strategy, Mary Beth provides a masterclass in leveraging banking resources to propel business success. Her insights offer a roadmap for navigating the complex financial landscape that every business owner faces, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right banking partner.

Mary Beth Coke, District Director for Regions Bank in GA/Carolinas since 2023, previously led Middle Market Banking at Truist. Her extensive experience spans various industries and leveraged finance. A Georgia Tech alum, she chairs the Georgia Council on Economic Education, enhancing financial literacy across the state.

[00:00:00-00:02:00] Introduction to Financial Mastery:

- The importance of understanding banking as a business tool.

- How Regions Bank supports businesses across multiple states.

- Mary Beth's unique approach to banking and customer relationship.

[00:02:00-00:07:00] Banking Foundations for Entrepreneurs:

- Mary Beth's journey from corporate to commercial banking.

- The significance of training programs in banking careers.

- How foundational skills in banking support business decision-making.

[00:07:00-00:12:00] Strategic Banking for Business Growth:

- Identifying and overcoming common business challenges through banking.

- The role of a bank in strategic planning and financial management.

- How to use banking products to facilitate business operations and growth.

[00:12:00-00:17:00] Enhancing Business Operations Through Banking:

- Practical advice for choosing the right banking services and products.

- The impact of a good banking relationship on business stability.

- Examples of how banks can provide comprehensive support beyond financing.

[00:17:00-00:24:00] Preparing for Future Business Transitions:

- Strategies for preparing a business for future growth or sale.

- The importance of integrating strategic financial advice early on.

- How to leverage banking relationships to maximize business potential.

Quotes:

- "You never know when you're going to need to rely on those deal specific skills or transaction awareness." - Mary Beth Coke

- "It costs nothing to have a conversation, and it can open so many doors." - Mary Beth Coke

Connect with Mary Beth:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-coke-811710b/

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

How can businesses reclaim the customer-centric approach that defined early corporate success and adapt it for the 21st century?

In this enlightening episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, host Natalie Born engages with Hunter Hastings, an economist and former corporate executive turned advisor and author. Hastings shares his rich experience spanning various roles, including CMO and CEO positions, and discusses the evolution of customer-centric business practices. He emphasizes the importance of putting the customer at the center of all business operations and innovations, drawing parallels between 19th-century entrepreneurial approaches and modern customer capitalism. Hastings provides valuable insights on removing organizational barriers, embracing self-management, and the power of empathy in understanding customer needs. This episode offers a compelling perspective on the future of management and the revival of customer-focused business strategies.

Hunter Hastings is an economist who took up a career in corporate marketing and occupied the posts of Chief Marketing Officer in a global consumer products business, Chief Executive Officer in a Silicon Valley start-up enterprise, and Senior Partner in a global consulting company. He’s been an advisor to several Fortune 500 clients in the area of customer motivation and service strategy.

[00:00:00 - 00:07:00] The Customer-Centric Journey: From P&G to Silicon Valley

• Procter & Gamble's focus on understanding and serving the customer's needs

• The importance of maintaining customer focus in technology companies

• The shift from entrepreneurial to managerial approaches in the 20th century

[00:07:00 - 00:14:00] Breaking Down Barriers: The Path to Organizational Innovation

• Identifying and removing barriers to customer information flow

• The emergence of cross-functional and dynamic teams

• The potential future of self-management in organizations

[00:14:00 - 00:19:00] Reimagining Implementation: Working Backwards from the Future

• The importance of visualizing the end result in great detail

• Working backwards to identify necessary components and steps

• Balancing technology with customer needs and feelings

[00:19:00 - 00:26:00] Empathy in Engineering: Understanding the Customer's Unspoken Desires

• The importance of understanding customer feelings, not just functional needs

• Recognizing customer dissatisfaction as an opportunity for innovation

• Balancing customer input with entrepreneurial vision

[00:26:00 - 00:30:00] The Revival of Customer Capitalism: Embracing the Future

• The return of customer-centric approaches in 21st-century businesses

• The power of imagination in entrepreneurship

• Resources for further learning about customer-focused business strategies

Quotes:

"The future of management then is no management. It's self-management." - Hunter Hastings

"The customer does know what they want, or at least they know what they want to be better. They don't know what they can want." - Hunter Hastings

Connect with Hunter:

Website: https://hunterhastings.com/

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

What three essential elements can empower women to embrace their leadership abilities and thrive in their careers?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Innovation Meets Leadership podcast, host Natalie Born engages in a captivating conversation with Tinsley English, a recognized expert in female leadership development. Tinsley shares her personal journey and the lessons she learned along the way, which inspired her to write her transformative book, "Grit, Growth, and Gumption." Throughout the discussion, Tinsley emphasizes the importance of investing in one's own growth, embracing vulnerability, and developing emotional intelligence to become an effective leader. She introduces her powerful G-Force Code system, which combines the elements of grit, growth, and gumption to help women lead themselves and others with confidence. Tinsley's insights and practical advice serve as a roadmap for aspiring female leaders, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones, take chances, and make a lasting impact in their organizations and communities.

Tinsley English is a recognized expert in female leadership development, a dynamic keynote speaker, and a best-selling author renowned for her transformative G-Force Code System.

00:00:00 - 00:10:59 | Falling into Leadership: Tinsley's Journey and the Birth of G Force Code

• Tinsley's personal experience of being promoted without an instruction manual highlights the common challenges faced by new leaders.

• The G Force Code, a combination of grit, growth, and gumption, serves as a practical toolkit for women to develop their leadership skills.

• Grit encompasses resilience, the ability to thrive through challenging times and setbacks, drawing inspiration from Tinsley's mother's example.

00:11:00 - 00:19:59 | Embracing Gumption and Growth: Overcoming Fears and Developing Emotional Intelligence

• Gumption involves strategic decision-making, weighing risks and rewards, and moving forward with confidence.

• Women often struggle with taking chances and applying for positions they don't feel 100% qualified for, but it's essential to embrace gumption and "do it now."

• Growth, particularly in emotional intelligence and empathy, is crucial for leaders to connect with and understand their team members.

00:20:00 - 00:32:00 | Investing in Yourself and Others: The Importance of Self-Care and Giving Back

• Leaders must invest in their own growth and self-care to effectively lead others and avoid burnout.

• Vulnerability and relatability are key to building trust and psychological safety within teams.

• As leaders mature, it's essential to turn around and give back to the next generation, sharing lessons learned and pulling others up.

Quotes:

"Leadership is not about just you. It's about investing in the growth of yourself and others." - Tinsley English

"When you invest in something, you are giving it time and attention and diligence, like investing into the stock market." - Tinsley English

Connect with Tinsley:

Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinsleyenglish/

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

Is ESG compliance becoming a necessity for companies to maintain their customer base and grow their business?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Innovation Meets Leadership podcast, host Natalie Born sits down with Bob Woosley, a national practice leader at Fraser and Dieter, to discuss the evolving landscape of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance and its impact on mid-market companies. The conversation delves into the growing pressure from public companies and government regulations on suppliers to provide decarbonization and emission information, regardless of their stance on ESG. Woosley emphasizes the importance of preparing for these requirements to avoid losing customers and hindering business growth.

00:00:00 - 00:05:59 The Evolution of ESG Compliance

- ESG started as a requirement driven by pension funds investing in private equity firms

- Private equity firms initially pushed back on ESG, but some embraced it to manage risk

- The focus on ESG compliance shifted from being seen as "woke" to a necessity for business growth

00:06:00 - 00:12:59 Supply Chain Compliance and Scope 3 Emissions

- Mid-market companies are receiving letters from customers demanding emission and decarbonization information

- California passed a law requiring companies doing business in the state to provide this information, regardless of the SEC's stance

- Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions in a company's supply chain, are a key focus for compliance

00:13:00 - 00:18:59 The Importance of Preparing for ESG Compliance

- Mid-market companies are often unprepared to measure and report emissions, lacking internal expertise and tools

- Ignoring ESG compliance could lead to losing customers and being unable to respond to RFPs

- Companies should take steps to prepare for compliance, regardless of their political stance on the issue

00:19:00 - 00:23:59 Seeking Help for ESG Compliance

- Mid-market companies should seek help from advisory firms to assess their readiness and develop a compliance plan

- The demand for ESG compliance services is expected to grow as more companies become aware of the requirements

- Fraser and Dieter is focusing on helping mid-market suppliers comply with ESG requirements, as larger firms focus on public companies

00:24:00 - 00:26:00 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

- Companies should not ignore ESG compliance, as it is becoming a real requirement for maintaining and expanding their customer base

- Putting political views aside, preparing for ESG compliance is crucial for business growth

- The Private Equity 360 podcast will feature an upcoming episode on how private equity firms are addressing supply chain challenges with their portfolio companies

Quotes:

"Our North Star, It's helping companies grow and create value across their life cycle. And keeping in good stead with your customer is no joke." - Bob Woosley

"Do not sleep on ESG, put your political views aside. This is real. If you don't want to keep your customer, then fine. But if you want, if you want to expand revenue and make sure that you're ready to take on any customer that might be asking for this, then this is something you need to take seriously." - Bob Woosley

Connect with Bob:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-woosley-955488/

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

How can leaders foster a culture of innovation and psychological safety in their organizations?

In this episode of the Innovation Meets Leadership podcast, host Natalie Born sits down with Tim Fischer, the president of Jackson + Coker, to discuss leadership, innovation, and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. With over 30 years of experience in the staffing industry, Tim shares his insights on how leaders can create an environment where employees feel valued, appreciated, and comfortable taking risks. He emphasizes the significance of common sense leadership, the golden rule, and the willingness to listen and be vulnerable. Tim also delves into the challenges faced by the healthcare industry and how his company is working to address the shortage of physicians and the mental health concerns among healthcare professionals.

Tim Fischer currently serves as the President of Jackson + Coker, a locum tenens company filled with individuals who share his passion for making a difference in the world. Every day, he is surrounded by colleagues who inspire him to be better, expect excellence from one another, and understand the power of teamwork, positive energy, and hard work. The company is literally saving lives on a daily basis, and Fischer's role allows him to align his personal values with the company's values, an experience he has never had before in his career and one that he thoroughly enjoys.

The Shaping of a Leader (00:00:00 - 00:05:00) Tim's upbringing and early experiences shaped his perspective on leadership. The Air Force Academy taught him the importance of being a good follower before becoming a leader. Common sense and the golden rule are essential in leadership, but often forgotten as people gain success. Fostering Psychological Safety (00:05:00 - 00:12:00) Psychological safety is crucial for innovation, as people must feel comfortable failing. Leaders should be visible, approachable, and willing to listen to their employees. Vulnerability and admitting mistakes can help build trust and psychological safety within the team. Challenges and Opportunities in the Healthcare Industry (00:12:00 - 00:21:00) The locum tenens industry helps address the shortage of physicians in underserved areas. Healthcare professionals face burnout and mental health concerns, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnering with locum tenens firms can provide physicians with flexibility and the opportunity to focus on patient care. The Importance of Purpose in Work (00:21:00 - 00:26:00) Many workers feel unappreciated and unhappy in their workplace, highlighting the need for purpose-driven organizations. Connecting employees' work to a greater mission can increase engagement and satisfaction. Finding one's purpose is a journey, and it's okay to take time to discover it through experimentation and failure. Becoming a Better Person in the Workplace (00:26:00 - 00:27:00) Workplaces that focus on helping employees become better people are thriving in today's world. Bringing one's full self to work and feeling appreciated are essential for employee well-being and success. Quotes: "If you're not a good follower, you can't be a good leader." - Tim Fischer "Innovation does not happen if people are not comfortable failing." - Tim Fischer Connect with Tim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfischer44/ LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes. Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!