In this episode, Darren Reinke sits down with Margie Newman Tsay, an expert in reputation management and crisis communication. Margie discusses her journey from theater to leading a communications firm, emphasizing the importance of trust and authenticity in leadership. She provides practical advice on managing personal and corporate reputations, handling crises effectively, and maintaining a communication mindset.

Intesa Communications Group specializes in public relations, government affairs, crisis communications, and executive coaching. The firm focuses on building confidence and strategic communication skills for leaders and organizations.

Show Notes:

• Margie’s background in theater and how it influenced her communication skills [00:19]
• Margie’s transition from theater to a career in communications, including her first job in a gubernatorial campaign [01:06]
• Why adaptability and public speaking were the most important skills Margie gained from theater [03:35]
• The importance of building trust and being coachable in leadership [05:14]
• Why public relations can be defined as reputation management [12:34]
• The necessity for leaders to maintain a communications mindset and the role of self-awareness [18:07]
• The importance of a personal brand and its impact on authentic leadership [22:12]
• Margie’s top crisis management strategies, and why she focuses on preparation and response [40:24]
• Practical steps for managing crises, including targeted communication and public perception management [49:27]

Links:

Intesa's Website: Intesa Communications Group

Margie Newman on LinkedIn: Margie Newman

In this episode of The Savage Leader Podcast, Darren Reinke sits down with Jordan Justus, the innovative co-founder and CEO of Automotus. Dive into the world of curb management solutions that are reshaping cities and airports worldwide. Jordan shares his journey from a $780 tradeshow test that led to the launch of his successful company. He offers powerful insights on the realities of entrepreneurship, building resilience, and developing thicker skin as an entrepreneur.

Automotus specializes in bringing cutting-edge technology to curb management, helping cities reduce congestion, improve safety, and cut emissions through automated parking management, enforcement, and data collection. Their solutions offer a holistic approach to modern urban mobility challenges.

Show Notes:

• Jordan’s early exposure to entrepreneurship and family background in business [01:12]
• The importance of building trust and transparent relationships in business [04:54]
• Learning from a mentor and the value of integrity in entrepreneurship [06:21]
• Transition from college student to CEO and the inspiration behind Automotus [08:39]
• Initial steps and challenges in establishing Automotus, including the first tradeshow [11:31]
• Overcoming early-stage challenges and securing initial pilots and customers [15:18]
• The pivotal role of curb management in urban mobility and the spark of his business idea [24:05]
• Practical applications and the impact of curb management solutions on reducing traffic and emissions [27:19]
• Jordan’s journey through Automotus’s stages, including cold calling and setting up pilots [30:09]
• How reflecting on criticism led Jordan to develop thicker skin [33:31]
• Jordan’s personal milestones and recent professional achievements [41:07]
• Insights on scaling the business and future directions for Automotus [42:36]

Links:

• Jordan’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-justus/
• Automotus Website - https://www.automotus.co/

In this episode, Darren Reinke speaks with Mike Kijewski, the founder and CEO of MedCrypt. Mike discusses his journey from teaching high school physics to pioneering cybersecurity solutions for medical devices. He shares insights into his career transitions, the challenges of starting a tech company, and the impact of cybersecurity on medical technology.

Medcrypt is a team of medical device experts who are laser-focused on supporting MDMs and bringing cybersecurity to the next generation of healthcare technology. Medcrypt helps healthcare technology companies ensure medical devices are secure by design. They provide cybersecurity products and strategic consulting to expedite the go-to-market process of medical device manufacturers' new life-saving connected technologies.

Show Notes:

• Mike's background as a high school physics teacher and his transition to the business world [00:47]
• The decision to leave teaching for better financial prospects and the jump to healthcare technology [02:36]
• Early career steps in medical device field and entrepreneurship insights [03:00]
• From teaching to founding a tech company: The value of communication skills acquired as an educator [05:29]
• Discussing the practical applications of physics and education's impact on Mike’s career [05:53]
• Reflections on business risks and transitions into the entrepreneurial space [07:00]
• The genesis of MedCrypt and the critical importance of cybersecurity in medical devices [08:58]
• Challenges and pivotal moments in establishing MedCrypt [17:20]
• Developing leadership and managerial skills in a technical environment [20:03]
• The role of soft skills in technical fields and the journey of continuous learning [22:36]
• The importance of human connection in business and personal anecdotes from Mike’s life [26:41]
• Future directions for MedCrypt in the evolving landscape of medical device security [30:43]

Links:

Medcrypt.com