Shows
Across the Desk#217: Autistic Rambler Ep 9 - Pink Glittery Trees and Letting Go of Holiday PerfectionHave you ever been sick and then spent weeks catching up from that??? Shortly after we recorded this AMAZING episode, Elizabeth got COVID. She got it goooood. And she's been catching up ever since. So while this Holiday glitterati inspired podcast is late, it can be applied to birthday parties, summer gatherings, graduations and more. Because a party isn't a party until Uncle Jerrycan gets loud and someone has a meltdown ;)2023-01-201h 15
Across the Desk#177: Future Looks Good - What is autism part 2What is the right level of support for someone with autism to reach their full potential? What is the difference between medical language and accepting / empowering language? We need to fix the way people think about the folks in the autism community as having deficits vs being differently abled and being amazing, different, fantastic folks. Let's reframe the stereotype.2020-07-2858 min
Across the Desk#176: Future Looks Good - What is Autism? part 1What is autism? Excellent question. Overall, it's a set of characteristics that individually are manageable. Collectively in one person? They can create an existence which requires some serious navigation skills in a society which does not normally embrace those who can be considered "different". Our point during this session with The Future Looks Good focuses on how the spectrum presents in so many different ways and it's time to embrace that.2020-06-1757 min
Across the Desk#175: The Future Looks Good - Change 3: ToolsWe've talked about what change is and how it can affect us. Now you're ready to make whatever change you're interested in happen! So what are the next steps? How do you do that? Excellent questions. We've got some answers.2020-06-0944 min
Across the Desk#174: Future Looks Good: Change Part 2Everybody struggles to make a change in their life. One way to make that easier is to turn to your network. See who is the right fit to help your change happen and make sure they don't have an agenda about helping you change. What does that mean? You'll have to listen to find out ;)2020-05-2642 min
Across the Desk#173: Future Looks Good - Getting Started with ChangeWhat happens when something in your life just isn't working? Do you let it continue to not work for you and hold you back OR do you learn how to take a step towards the life you'd like to have? Here's where you can start to learn how. This isn't because someone has autism and they HAVE to change. It's because someone is autistic and they've CHOSEN to change something that is no longer working for them. It's about your choice!2020-05-2043 min
Across the Desk#172: The Future Looks Good - Intro to Nanaworks and our whyWhat is the Future Looks Good all about? Supporting the Autism Community by providing experience and expertise to help folks move towards success. Sounds a bit vague right? Well, the truth is that success means different things to different people. We don't want to tell you what your success is. We want to help you find out what it is for you! Take a listen and see what we're trying to do to help make your Future Look Good!2020-05-1244 min
Across the Desk#171: #sparkto2019 welcomes Dave Dame to Spark the Change TorontoIt's a funny thing that vulnerability got such a bad rap somewhere. Perhaps it's through misunderstanding what it really means. Perhaps it's the misconception that we are weaker for showing our vulnerable self. Perhaps we're full of horseshit and need to get over ourselves. Dave and I get down to the steps it takes to become a real leader, encourage vulnerability in an organization and how to create your "normal."2019-06-0345 min
Across the Desk#170 #sparkto2019 welcomes speaker Marcela UrteagaThere are times in every organization where the ability to address issues that are undermining progress have to happen. Otherwise it's like trying to understand what an elephant looks by feeling when blindfolded. You won't be able to grasp the whole picture and find the right solution. Like staying away from the tail. The tail is definitely a no-go ...2019-05-2941 min
Across the Desk#169: SparkTO 2019 welcomes speaker Selena DelesieWhat is true for everybody? Good question. Our experiences, our emotions, our current situation, our past - they all come together to create what is true for us. When faced with change, sometimes this truth can make life a little challenging.2019-05-2728 min
Across the Desk#168: SparkTO2019 welcomes speaker Dr. Jen FrahmHave you ever sat down and thought about how bad communication creates risk in your organization? Or is it something that you figure you'll deal with when you have to? Today I chat with Dr. Jen Frahm who recognized back in 2001 that this topic was PhD worthy and has dedicated her studies and career to helping people change the way they communicate and improve their organization. Now grab a Chipwich, take a seat and let's get proactive.2019-05-2233 min
Across the Desk#167: SparkTO2019 welcomes speaker Marsha ShenkDo you or your organization struggle with change? Is it something that is so foreign to you that you can't see it's the same as some things you might be doing already?
Sometimes it's our perception of a situation that gets in the way of understanding and applying tools. Sometimes it's the leg warmers.2019-05-2135 min
Across the Desk#166: Wise Words with The Invisible Touch by Harry BeckwithI love me some research. Why? Because when I'm reading a book, written by a person I've never met, I take what they say with a grain of salt. But when they add research and anecdotes to support their advice? Lordy that makes me happy.
This is my second foray in to one of Harry Beckwith's books. The first was You, Inc. which I reviewed last year. I liked that one and this one didn't disappoint either. Written in 2000, some of references are dated (remember the colored clam shell Apple laptops???) but honestly, the advice still holds true.
Understand the...2018-09-2127 min
Across the DeskJoseph Sardella - US Tax ChangesOn December 22, 2017 President Trump signed in to law the tax reform bill that was the most sweeping and comprehensive overhaul of the tax code since 1986. There were a lot of international provisions that were detrimental to companies doing business abroad but from a US / domestic perspective, the tax changes were favorable and it will change the landscape on the tax rates and how companies conduct business in the US vs abroad.2018-09-1812 min
Across the Desk#165: Ballsy Women Are Exhausted!Sometimes it can take a bit of a set back to get you to look at your why. If you've been living under a rock then you might never have heard of Simon Sinek and the why talk. That's another podcast.
Your values and your why are what makes your business run. Sometimes it's that simple. When one of those gets jerked around a bit it can cause a crisis of faith in your why. But there's a silver lining!
Taking a look at your why helps you to see where you can improve. Where you can make your team...2018-09-0722 min
Across the Desk#164: How Developed Are You?Did you know there's a difference between pursuing personal development and personal education? And that they each have incredible value to you as a human being and employee or entrepreneur?
As someone who's always been a crazy dedicated learner, I never thought of the distinction. I just figured learning was learning. But it's finding that balance and making sure you don't mistake one for the other that creates the most benefit.
Education does not equal personal development and focusing too much on your self and not enough on the other kind of smarts can be dangerous too.
Excited to find...2018-09-0618 min
Across the Desk#163: Wise Words with The Autism Job ClubCan you remember the last time you sat across from someone for a job interview? Searching for words? Hoping the stress sweat didn't stink too bad? Wondering what surprise question was coming up?
Now imagine being PERFECT for the job but not having the ability to convey that. Of dealing with a social disorder that makes the interview process 10x more uncomfortable than you could ever imagine.
That's what happens when you're on the spectrum. The result? 85% of adults able to hold a job can't get one or keep one. That sucks and we need to fix it.2018-08-0725 min
Across the Desk#162: Wise Words: 15 invaluable Laws of Growth by John. C. MaxwellHave you ever wondered about how intentional you're being in your learning? Or do you figure you're past that stage? That learning shouldn't have to be a part of your business any more?
That's pretty freaking short sighted if I do say so myself.
My business coach recommended The 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth and it's impact will be felt on my family, my business, my volunteer activities and more. It strengthened my resolve to continue with learning in whatever capacity possible so that not only do I continue to grow but all those around me do as well.
Works for...2018-07-0924 min
Across the Desk#161 - Books, Business and Bullshit.I'm a huge believer in personal development. HUGE. (I know what you're thinking right now and my hands DO NOT look like some orange TRex experiment). It began with some things I wanted to improve about me (I'm mostly awesome but ...) and has turned in to more about my business.
How do I do this? Well besides my reading addiction, I attend events. I used to be quite indiscriminate. Shiny, New. Free - off I'd go. Now? I value my time, my learning goals and the benefits to my business.
Take a listen and learn how you can get the...2018-06-2716 min
Across the Desk#160: Wise Words - Make it Stick with Chip and Dan HeathThere aren't too many business books I read and immediately think: You know what? I could get more out of that. This book is one of them. Make it Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die is terrific. Not only can it help you tell your business' story better but it can help you communicate better period.
Why is this book worth reading again? It's got so many good ideas for how to stand out, be real and reach your audience that I'd be doing my business a disservice if I didn't. It's that good.
Take a listen and...2018-06-1419 min
Across the Desk#159: Ballsy chats about backdoor politics, purging and keeping your compass straightI like to believe that most people operate their business like they operate their life. For me that means honesty, transparency and healthy dose of sarcasm.
It would never occur to me to shyst someone personally or professionally so when I run in to these backdoor politics in certain industries, it always hits me between the eyes.
This month at Ballsy, we covered the most diverse range of topics yet. The legality of pot and implications on society. Purging out of date business practices. Setting your company's moral threshold and building an element of social community in to your product...2018-06-1318 min
Across the Desk#158: #sparkto sits Across the Desk with Hazel van der WerkenI had the good fortune of meeting Hazel van der Werken back in 2015 at our very first Spark the Change Toronto. She came to our conference but I forgot to ask her an important question at the time: why?
Turns out the answer is exactly why we want people to come to Spark. Hazel thought so too and became a part of the team in 2016. So why did she come out on those fateful June days? She was, as it turns out, quite strategic about it. She wanted to expand her network, learn new things and meet people who were...2018-05-3030 min
Across the Desk#157: #sparkto2018 sits Across the Desk with Vikas NarulaHave you ever been sitting at your desk and just known there's somewhere else you'd rather be? Something else you'd rather be doing? I don't mean at the movies or going for lunch. I mean leaving your career something else. Changing your life something else.
Or is it all just as simple as learning to play the ukelele? Whispers of Your Heart, Vikas' topic for Spark helps us to find out.2018-05-2827 min
Across the Desk#156: #sparkto2018 is Across the Desk with Ryan BurwellWe sit down, well across from, Ryan Burwell who is the Director of Training and Facilitation for TwentyOne Toys. Sounds stuffy right? He's anything but. Passionate. Animated. Committed. Creative. But not stuffy.
Ryan is our second guest for Spark2018 and the #sparkto podcast. We chat about how to tap in to the 4 year old you were once friends with. How catalyzing moments can create some of the best change. Using empathy to create better communication. And how leading the Epic Game Event at Spark the Change Toronto embraces everything we discussed.
Join us!2018-05-2335 min
Across the Desk#155: #sparkto sits Across the Desk with guest Sue JohnstonSue Johnston is really good at being curious. The great thing about this? She's even better at sharing what's she found on her adventures with curiosity.
I've looked forward to having Sue across the desk since 2015 when we started working together on the Spark the Change Toronto team. With a diverse background including journalism, fashion, TV, coaching and communications expert, Sue brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to Spark.
An event can't lose when you've got someone on the team.
Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.
...2018-05-2328 min
Across the Desk#154: #sparkto with Spark the Change Toronto and guest Laura GoodrichDoes your knee act like a jerk when change happens? Would someone providing a new way of thinking be helpful? If your organization is experiencing some changes that have your team flipping out and the change stalling, perhaps you need someone like Laura to come in and give you some new ways to save your knees.
Your business can't afford to cling to practices that could bring it to its knees.2018-05-1433 min
Across the Desk#153: Ballsy Does It BetterSometimes you go in a meeting with an agenda. Or at least an idea for the meeting. And sometimes something better happens.
Today at Ballsy, we discussed how to manage your employees and what happens when a project causes a rift in the organization. We touched on how to take a time out and whether that should include social media (gasp!). We ended on the importance of recognizing what truly rejuvenates us and what feeds our "addictions". Mine is strategy and reading books. Not great when you also have a podcast about strategy and reading books ...2018-05-0223 min
Across the Desk#152: How Bad is Your Ass?Since becoming an entrepreneur, I've had a lot of learning to do. Not just about business but about myself. I've always been considered a bit of a "rebel" though not in the conventional sense. I don't have any desire to get a Mohawk and I don't have the body (any more) to rock some of the rebel fashions. Plus they look awfully uncomfortable and if it doesn't work for me, I don't wear it.
That's where the rebel comes in. I speak my mind. I take chances. I do things most people in my circle wouldn't try. Like a podcast ;) 3...2018-04-2525 min
Across the Desk#151: Across the Desk with guest Christa PepperChrista Pepper is a personal trainer, coach and empowerment #badass which is why I invited her to have a chat with on Across The Desk. As ways of an introduction I asked Christa to tell me who she works with:
"I work with women who've tried it ALL to lose the weight - the pills, the shakes, the crash diets, the do or die attempts and the voodoo magic, really, desperate times call for desperate measures, right?! I work with women who are ready for a different approach, a lasting change."2018-04-1943 min
Across the Desk#150: You Can Change Your MindDo you ever stop and wonder how much your mindset directly influences your business? Could prejudices or scarcity be holding your business back? This is something that's fascinated me for years and after quite a few experiences left me scratching my brain in perplexity, I decided to chat about it.2018-04-1617 min
Across the Desk#149: Ballsy - Networking, Growing and Pitching It All TogetherSometimes networking is freaking hard. If you're an introvert (or just having a bad damn day), it doesn't matter how much your business needs it, you just don't want to. It's time for some personal growth. It's time to develop tips and tricks that turn opportunities you might not have thought of in to networking that could work for you. Today on Ballsy, we cover evaluating value of networking, where you should take some risks with developing your pitch and how building your tribe can be painless :)2018-04-1217 min
Across the Desk#148: Prove or Demonstrate MindsetWhen you first start anything, you can be caught in the "prove it" mindset. It has a slight whiff of desperation and earnestness that is common to all people starting something new. Let's face it, if you're cocky right off the bat, people will pummel you at some point.
But when the shift comes, and it will, from proving to demonstrating, there's no feeling like it in the world.2018-02-2007 min
Across the Desk#147: Spark Cafe with guest Lalit JagtianiLalit is a Business Transformation Specialist and a Thought Leader in Digital Strategy. He has led and managed organisational transformations for customers across the Asia Pacific region. Currently he works with the top customers of SAP to drive innovation and transformation that can create new business value.
A strong believer in chasing his dreams, he has varied experiences that go beyond the typical corporate realm. A Diploma in Film Making led him to script and direct numerous videos.
Lalit is the author of “When Change Happens” – a story of Organisational Transformation. “Change Management is not a practice where one size fits all...2018-02-0823 min
Across the Desk#146: Spark Cafe with guest Stefano TempestaStefano is a Microsoft MVP and Chapter Leader of CRMUG Switzerland. He is a regular speaker at international conferences including Microsoft Ignite, NDC, API World and Developer Week.
Stefano is passionate about life experiences, technology and traveling. His interests span across Dynamics 365, Office 365 and AI related technologies.
Stefano’s Spark the Change Topic at Pune:
“Internet 4.0, the Age of the Blockchain”
Spark Theme: Disruption & Change2018-02-0826 min
Across the Desk#145: Entrepreneurial Entrails - Pain is KnowledgeI don't have cable anymore. This is not a groundbreaking thing for most folks. For me, I've become dependent on Netflix and discovered Jerry Seinfeld again. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is my addiction. And the wise words from this long standing comedian? Pain is knowledge rushing in to fill a gap. Blew my mind. Listen up and find out how you can live with less pain :)2018-01-1512 min
Across the Desk#144: Basackwardness. It's a thing.I loved what I wrote but did not love what I said. SO! This is new track. Why? 'Cuz it's my damn podcast and I can.
I'm not a huge fan of "it" words. Start using things like empowerment and be your why and I start heading for the door. That's not to say there isn't value in any of those things. I just have to get over the nausea first.
That's a bit of what todays' Entrepreneurial Entrails is about. Getting over your crap. The things that get in your way. The things that hold your business back. Me...2018-01-0912 min
Across the Desk#140: Spark Cafe with Andrea DarabosAndrea Darabos joins us on the Spark Cafe to discuss her upcoming workshop and speaking gig with Spark the Change India!
Build a Positive Cycle of Organisational Purpose, Strengths and Creativity
Workshop: Play to your Strengths with StrongSuits: Practitioner and Facilitator2017-12-2225 min
Across the Desk#139: Spark Cafe with Anant East3 time zones come together for this Spark Cafe. We welcome Anant East who will be speaking at this year's Spark the Change India!2017-12-2123 min
Across the Desk#137: Spark Cafe with Nilesh KulkarniSpark Cafe welcomes Nilesh Kulkarni who is the winner of our Golden Ticket from Management 3.0 !
We were heart warmed to speak with Nilesh and discover the excitement and enthusiasm he's feeling towards coming to the first Spark the Change India!
Sit down and take a few minutes to meet this lovely gentleman who is an agile coach in Pune and now a Spark advocate!2017-12-2122 min
Across the Desk#136: Across the Desk with Makin the Bacon's Karen SwyszczI'm joined today by the hysterical and madly skilled Karen Swyszcz from Makin' the Bacon. What do we chat about?
Well, many things including why vowels are missing from her name, how she got started in the blogosphere and some crazy myths that businesses use to not blog. One of our shared passions is teaching businesses that there are better and easier ways to communicate for your business. And communicate you must. If you believe that building a website and occasionally putting up a blog post are enough to have you fending off the business offers, well, you're wrong. Very...2017-12-1546 min
Across the Desk#135: Degroote, Deep Thoughts and Digital marketingHow often do you schedule time to learn in your business? Do you even see that as part of your business? Or do you think you know enough? Lots of questions I know.
Today I had the chance to attend a great event at the DeGroote School of Business here in Burlington and get some answers. The event was a panel discussion on the advent of digital marketing and how organizations need to keep the conversation going. It was a great opportunity to reinforce what I already know but to also remind me how important learning is for your clients.
...2017-12-0223 min
Across the Desk#138: Spark Cafe - Meet Karen ChovanKaren’s mission statement:
“To engage, educate and enable people working in projects and organisations, so that their individual efforts can make a positive impact.”
Over the past decade, Karen has worked with various groups within the mining and project management sectors. Karen is a geological engineer, project manager, sustainability expert and change agent with 20 years of experience based out of Saskatoon in Canada; someone who believes that the greatest value can only be derived through common goals, healthy engagement and collaboration to reduce wasteful practices.
Karen is a strategic forward thinker with strengths in binding together data, information and people...2017-11-2721 min
Across the Desk#137: Badass At Making Money by Jen SinceroI'd like to tell you this is an interview with Jen Sincero and I'm all fancy like that. But it's not. What I can tell you is that I've just finished reading her latest book, You Are a Badass at Making Money, and it's freaking awesome.
Wise Words on Across the Desk is an opportunity to give honest feedback about some of the crazy number of books I read and either recommend or advise you to steer clear.
It could be said I'm the cattle prod of book reviewers ... If Jen Sincero can be the cattle prod of motivational speakers...2017-11-1727 min
Across the Desk#135: Spark Cafe - Meet Sunil MundraSunil, working as a Principal Consultant at Thoughtworks, is a Pragmatic Agile & Lean Evangelist and Systems Thinker. He has extensive international experience in consulting with organisations on the path of Lean Transformation and Change.
Sunil’s topic at Spark the Change: Infuse Life, Embrace Change
Spark Theme: Disruption and Change2017-11-1719 min
Across the Desk#134: Spark Cafe: Meet Rich BatchelorRich is an international Change Management Professional from Canada. He is also a founding member of the Association of Change Management Professionals. He has successfully delivered change for over 25 years globally. His legacy also includes developing the change delivery model for the UK government.
Rich is an international speaker and has also been involved at Spark the Change in Toronto, his recent-most involvement being this year where I also had a chance to say hello to Rich over the Robot that I participated from at the Spark Toronto conference. 🙂2017-11-1720 min
Across the Desk#133: Across the Desk with Holly SimmonsIf you're an entrepreneur, and especially a solopreneur, then you know the challenge of trying to reach a goal on your own. it's easy to create the goal but achieving it? Sometimes it's easy to have it slip down the list.
Meet Holly Simmons. She's a Burlington based Family Enterprise Adviser and Thinking Partner. I met Holly last year through a mutual friend and have not only gained a friend but a respected colleague. I've been fortunate to receive coaching from Holly and it was this experience that inspired me to create the Making Shift Happen program for members of...2017-11-1425 min
Across the Desk#133: Lean Change Management with Jason LittleTake a moment and learn more about our keynote Jason Little, author of Lean Change Management. Not only is Jason a global thought leader on change practices, he's also a tech geek that is going to join us through Kubi technology!2017-11-0325 min
Across the Desk#132: Wise Words from Daniel Pink's DriveWe've all heard how we should focus on the "why" behind our business and make sure that we lead, produce and create with the why in mind. But have you ever considered what drives your why? Why sometimes, even with the best of intentions, your why gets derailed when constraints get wrapped around you like a boa constrictor?
Daniel H. Pink dives in to Drive to help us understand what motivates us to succeed, why managers should stop buying so many carrots and the truth behind what creates motivation and what sends us in to the ever popular state of...2017-10-3017 min
Across the Desk#131: What Drives You?Do you sometimes step back from your business and think, "What in the hell am I doing this for?" I have. Lots. And then I figured out why. I wasn't listening to what drives me. That little voice that says, "Hell yes! This is what I was born to do!"
I was born to teach. Took me many years to figure that out. I was also born to solve problems and put out fires. I love it. Makes me do the Mambo when I get to do that. One way I feed that habit is by being an event planner...2017-10-2818 min
Across the Desk#130: 30 or More - Who the Hell is That?A lot of people struggle with liking photos of themselves. Why? I've no idea. I know I did until a few years ago when I opened my own business. I knew I'd have to have some good shots of myself. Why? Because people buy you and your business. If you come across shifty, incompetent or unfriendly, you've just done yourself out of some business.
Decisions about people through their profile photo are made in 40 milliseconds. Yep. That fast. And most people aren't even cognizant of having weighed, measured and found you wanting. They just know they aren't going to do...2017-10-1607 min
Across the Desk#129: 30 or More - Where's Your Logo?I find it REALLY hard to stick to one subject. Partly because I read like a lunatic and partly because I have undiagnosed, treated with coffee, shiny things ADD. What I do find is that I tend to pick up on the little details that most people miss. That's how 30 or more was born. 30 and counting tips and hints about opportunities to fix or try out something new in communicating about your business.
I kick off talking about where your logo should be. Sounds silly but are you sure it's up to date on the millions of profiles and websites...2017-10-1106 min
Across the Desk#128: Ballsy in Review - Noodling, Negotiation and Next StepsIf you're a woman and you've ever had to negotiate anything that involves money, you likely either paid too much or got paid to little. It appears to have something to do with biology. Men? Not so much. They apparently can negotiate like a surgeon. I'm thinking it's time we all had a little bit of medical school when it comes to negotiating.
On this episode of Ballsy in Review, we touch on noodling (that's thinking not drawing) and how both negotiation and noodling affect our next steps.2017-10-0617 min
Across the Desk#127: Values and Amazement in AutismSometimes, in the best of both worlds, your business life and your personal life hit a patch of nirvana. Most times, as an entrepreneur anyway, your business life kicks the stuffing out of your personal life. Late nights. Missed dinners. That kind of thing.
I took a chance last year while trying to help my son, who is on the spectrum, and reached out to an organization to offer my services. Why? Because it had been too damn hard to find them and I was tired of it being hard. That decision to volunteer turned in to what is one...2017-09-2617 min
Across the Desk#126: Are You a Stubborn Jackass Too?You hear the guru's spouting the catch phrase, "what's holding you back?" Once you find that out, your life and business will be as close to nirvana (not the band, though that would be cool) as is humanly possible.
Or you could be a stubborn jackass, not ask for help and struggle along like a lunatic for months. Which I did. Until now.
Today we touch on the power of getting the right coach, how that can lead to breakthroughs for your business and provide relief for your tired solopreneuring brain. And if you are also a She-Hulk, then here...2017-09-2118 min
Across the Desk#125: Experimental MindsetWhat does it mean to you if someone says, "why don't you try this experiment with your business?" Does it immediately make parts of your anatomy pucker? Or does it give you a bit of freedom to try some things you wouldn't have tried if they weren't experiments? If that option to hypothesize, test and measure with minimal risk wasn't there?
That's what we discussed last night at Women in Tech / Ballsy. The experimental mindset and the permission to fail. To understand that trying new things for your business is essential for moving forward and that the metrics don't have...2017-09-1415 min
Across the Desk#124: Across the Desk: Meet Paula Boyd from The Lighthouse Cottages and CampingHave you ever wondered what it would be like to leave the world behind for 3 months and just live in paradise? Not the shiny, BS lives you see on Instagram where you too can earn 5 bazillion while sitting on the beach. Nope. This is a true escape while still earning a living bringing all the best of yourself to the job every darn day.
Meet Paula Boyd, who with her husband John, owns and operates The Lighthouse Cottages and Camping. We're coming to you from one of the only natural sandy beaches on Bear Lake in the Georgian Bay area...2017-08-2421 min
Across the Desk#123: Wise Words: Intuitive BusinesswomanI firmly believe that all entrepreneurs owe themselves the favor of investigating in to personal development. Quizzes and tests and conversations with people who know more than you do about the business of being you.
Delving in to they why's and how's of your personality, brain patterns and work habits can only help to make you better at what you're trying to do. To that end, I'm a bit of a personal evaluation junkie.
This week on Wise Words, I go back to a golden oldie with Judy George's Intuitive Businesswoman.2017-08-1125 min
Across the Desk#122: Lodestone Logic: Navigating Your Way Through EventsLearn more about how having the right event data can make the most of your marketing and events budget !
Why is this important? Case in point:
A large company THOUGHT they were spending their events budget and attending / participating at over 400 events. Turns out it was only 120. Yikes!
Tracking your own data and knowing the best events to attend, sponsor, showcase at and speak at is one the best ways to stop wasting money !2017-07-1731 min
Across the Desk#121: Wise Words from Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan: ExecutionDid you know that execution comes down to 3 main things? People. Strategy. Operations. Not those on their own but how the leadership abilities in charge of the organization engage with those three components.
Is your leadership style to delegate and then completely step away? Yikes. Are you a micromanager who builds distrust and angst within your team. Oy vey. Or do you take the time to have real conversations, give honest feedback and encourage debate and idea generation. Yeah!
Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan deliver a book on leadership and how it impacts an organization's success or failure on project...2017-07-0621 min
Across the Desk#120: Sneaky Shit Explores Body LanguageUrsula the Sea Witch knew what she was talking about. In the absence of our real voice, our body language will reveal many things we might not expect.
Subconsciously you could be leveraging your assets or you could be influencing decisions being made about you without even realizing. Those assets can be problematic when you aren't aware of what they're up to.
Eye contact, your chin up, stance, what plane are your hands in and staring someone down when you thought you were just paying attention. All of these can add up to more sneaky shit than you realized ...2017-07-0437 min
Across the Desk#118: #sparkto2017 is Sparking Conversation with Paul GibbonsThe Behavioral Revolution: How to change culture and behavior with 21st century science – Paul Gibbons
Changing behaviors matters – what people say and intend has value, but without alignment of actions with words, results don’t happen. I provide insights from 21st century science (nudges, habit change) and offer leaders tools they can use to drive change – in business, and in society.
Paul Gibbons is an author, speaker, and consultant. His “beat” is helping business leaders use science and philosophy to make better strategic decisions, implement change, innovate, change culture, and create workplaces where talent flourishes. His most recent book, The Science of O...2017-05-3030 min
Across the Desk#117: #sparkto2018 is Sparking Conversation with Sarika KharbandaMeet Sarika Kharbanda who is a globe trotting scrum master who embraces technology as a means of building teams, attending events and training organizations. How? Well for the purpose of this podcast, she uses a Kubi :)
Find out how to use tech to create engagement, build opportunities and laugh with your full face and have it mean something to who your talking too!2017-05-2538 min
Across the Desk#116: #sparkto2017 is Sparking Conversation: Meet Allison Graham - the Resiliency NinjaFor over 10 years Allison Graham has been helping professionals grow their top line revenue. Her bestselling book, From Business Cards to Business Relationships: Profitable Networking & Personal Branding Made Easy is the foundation for her original work. She’s been featured as an authority on sales and networking in the media and worked with some of North America’s most influential brands.
That’s her public
Behind the scenes, she’s been dealt a series of difficult blows that magnify the collision between home and work. Her struggles have earned her the moniker, Resiliency Ninja. In her latest book, Married My Mom, Bir...2017-05-2427 min
Across the Desk#115: #sparkto2017 is Sparking Conversation with Katy SaulpaughMeet Katy who is one of the fabulous speakers for Spark the Change Toronto 2017!
Katy Saulpaugh is an expert agile practitioner who has implemented culture and technology change strategies at all scales for private, public, and nonprofit clients in the US and Europe. As agile practice lead at Enterprise Knowledge, LLC, she specializes in agile coaching and facilitation and has enabled clients to become more agile at the team and organization level. She has also developed solutions to drive adoption for IT and knowledge management projects using online communications, instruction design, and employee engagement approaches. Outside of her professional work...2017-05-2428 min
Across the Desk#114: #sparkto2017 is Sparking Conversation with Luc GaloppinMeet Luc Galoppin - one of our great speakers at Spark the Change Toronto 2017!
Organizational Change Practitioner and Author Luc Galoppin looks at organizations like communities that need development, not as machines that need fixing.
He is the co-author of Managing Organizational Change During SAP Implementations, Guest Lecturer of Executive Education in Core Business Integrations of Sustainability (CBIS) at Harvard School of Public Health, and founder of the largest community of Organizational Change Practitioners on Linked In (50,000+ members)2017-05-2325 min
Across the Desk#113: Sneaky Shit - Not at Someone Else's ExpenseHave you ever sat and wondered what your mom might think of some of the decisions you make when it comes to business? We all know moms have the power to make us feel 9 with our hand caught in the cookie jar. Or maybe that's just my mom ;) But ultimately, if we use making our parents proud (or grandparents or favorite aunty)as part of the barometer for decision making, I think things might go differently in some cases.
Today we talk about stepping over the line and forcing someone to be the loser in a situation isn't the best...2017-05-1038 min
Across the Desk#112: Wise Words Wednesdays with Kirstine Stewart: Our TurnI have to be honest - this isn't my best podcast for WWW. Further honesty - I had too many homemade Blondies (Think a brownie but without the chocolate. I'm allergic to chocolate. Yes, you read that right.) There's a connection to the book here but you'll have to read the book to put it together.
Kirstine Stewart is the current Chief Strategy Officer for Diply. Before that she worked for Twitter, was the head of the CBC and brought us reno and decorating gurus Mike Holmes and Sarah Richardson. Her resume is awesome but not as awesome as how...2017-05-0523 min
Across the Desk#111 - Why Use the Word Hate?The older I get the less I use the word hate. I think I stopped liking it mostly because I realized the power of it. The power to demean someone. The power to change the dynamics of a situation. The power to influence decisions and thought processes and personal development.
Used in passing, such as "I hate when that happens" isn't a huge deal. It's when it's used in a personal interaction that I shudder. We have no idea what that word might trigger in someone. We have no idea how much of a game changer it could be.
Today's...2017-05-0213 min
Across the Desk#110: Network SmarterI've spent years networking. Years I tell you. At first on behalf of my employer but for the last 3 on behalf of me. That's scary for some people. It was for me. So I went to countless networking groups and events. This had its benefits in helping me craft my message, hone my offerings and getting my face in front of a lot of people. But it also wasted a lot of time. Time my business doesn't have to waste.
Now I network smarter and make opportunities happen out of that.
One of the things I've learned is the strength...2017-05-0109 min
Across the Desk#109: Are Your Pants On Fire?Can you whip off a white lie and not even blink? Do you commit to events or meetings and then bail? If your word is your bond, is yours crazy glue or sticky tack? If this got you feeling a bit cringe worthy, then take a seat.
I did a poll a few years ago to find out what people thought of me. I was happily surprised to find that the top 3 consistent words were: Loyal, Trustworthy and Honest. Sounds boring to some but to me it was music to my ears. I broke a fibbing habit by age 24 that...2017-04-2116 min
Across the Desk#108: Ballsy Women: Sell ItI will bet quite a bit of money that if you ask any business owner what their number one struggle is, 98% will answer the same damn thing.
Sales.
And if you are a solopreneur, you're not only the entire production team, communications team and admin assistant, you're also the whole sales force. That's a lot of hats and most people only have one head.
Today during Ballsy Women In Business, we talked about sales. The experience you don't realize you have and the experience you don't realize the person in front of you has had. Both are very important to...2017-04-0621 min
Across the Desk#107: Wise Words Wednesday - She Means Business with Carrie GreenEntrepreneurship can be challenging for anyone. For women? Sometimes you need other women to get a better understanding of what you might be going through. Carrie Green, founder of the Female Entrepreneurs Association, has developed a community that women can find business resources, emotional support and the ability to take action for your business that you might otherwise struggle with.
I stumbled upon the FEA when looking for local business building groups for women. I started to learn about FEA because of my own group Ballsy and wanted to learn all I could to make it successful. Carrie Green offers...2017-03-2922 min
Across the Desk#106: Wise Word Wednedays with Entrepreneurship and Innovation by Peter F. DruckerPeople can get caught up in the myths and legends surrounding entrepreneurship. We see Oprah and Richard and Steve and Arianna and all the fancy folks and figure that will be us in a year.
Nope. Nope it won't. Downer right?
But wait! All of these people have something else in common - education. Continuous learning. Determination. Smart teams. Processes. All the behind the scenes stuff that we don't know about until we start looking. While we might think it's the present day business gurus like Tony and Simon and Gary who have cornered the market on success, they're actually...2017-03-0920 min
Across the Desk#105: Mondays and SuperheroesWhat is there to not love about Monday's? New ideas. New week. New opportunities.
Oh that's right. Your boss sucks. And they suck the fun out of Monday's.
My boss is awesome and that's because I'm the boss. In this episode of Entrepreneurial Entrails, I chat about saying yes to change, putting the fun parts of you (don't be dirty) in to your business and making Monday's suck a whole lot less than they do right now.2017-03-0713 min
Across the Desk#104: Volunetworking - Grow Your Business and Attend Events!Have you ever wanted to attend a conference or event but the cost didn't work for you? Either what you would get out of the conference wasn't worth the price or your budget just wouldn't allow it? Consider volunetworking.
Just about every large scale event you can think of depends on volunteers. Hiring staff to man all the areas of an event makes the budget near impossible to maintain and takes away from other things you could be offering. I guarantee you that event organizers are interested in getting free help. But the difference? How you treat the experience.
If...2017-03-0116 min
Across the Desk#103: Wise Word Wednesdays: Brene Brown - The Gifts of ImperfectionWe can all have some challenges when it comes to personal development. For example - if we don't think we need to work on it at all. If we think it's too touchy feely. Or girly. Or a waste of time. Or all of the above. To be honest - that's kind of where my mind usually goes.
But in the spirit of going outside my comfort zone, I went with an author that I've grown to know and respect through watching her TED talks, chats with Oprah and Chase Jarvis and the general community consensus that she's awesome.
Brene...2017-02-0920 min
Across the Desk#102: Sneaky Shit and the Win WinWinning is about negotiation versus capitulation. You may or may not agree with that but the truth of the matter is this: at the end of the day, what are you trying to accomplish?
Part of setting up a win/win in business is having a clear idea of what your goal is going in to the negotiation. If you are wishy washy, it comes across. In your ask, your body language and your spoken language. Those are the times where knowing the sneaky shit of the win/win would save you aloooooot of trouble.2017-02-0842 min
Across the Desk#101: Ballsy In Review: Overcoming the SpaghettiToday the focus was on obstacles to our goals and how we overcome them. We roundtabled and came up with quite a list of obstacles and avoidance techniques we all have used at one time or another while working on our business.
1. Cooking and domestic duties
2. Paralysis by analysis - overplanning and getting too caught up in detail to move forward.
3. Social media
4. Office chatter
5. Dabbling in a variety of goals vs picking a few goals and focusing
6. Busy brain
7. Excuses - shifting blame to outside interruptions (darn kids)
8. Fear of success / Imposter Syndrome
9. Negative influences.
One of the chief...2017-02-0222 min
Across the Desk#100: Wise Word Wednesdays - Shameless Exploitation by Paul Newman and AE HochterCelebrities can create some interesting opportunities for themselves but it's not all easy peasy. They fall in to some traps where they might rely on their name to push a crappy product just for the sake of pushing a product. (Kardashian's anyone?)Or they aren't taken seriously even though the product IS worthwhile because they're a celebrity. That isn't fair either. Then there are the celebrities that fall in to the 3rd group where they decide to do things their way to promote a great product and won't go for the shameless exploitation.
Paul Newman was that guy. A celebrity...2017-02-0115 min
Across the Desk#99: Tipping Your Comms - Are You A Tag TrollA little while ago I was searching for the hashtag #cancer on Instagram. It was that time of year and I wanted to see what conversations and images people were sharing. What came up? A lot of crap. A lot of unrelated, trivial, full on crap that should never have come up at all. And it made me angry.
Why angry? Well, I take communications seriously. For many personal reasons, I take cancer seriously too. When I see someone abusing the tag purely to drive traffic to their pitiful content, my inner crankypants comes out in a big way.
Why...2017-01-3011 min
Across the Desk#98: Across the Desk - A Better Way to Show Your TradeBuilding your business is hard. Long days. Lots of grey hair. Maybe that's just me. But what I do know is what money I do earn with my business has been because of my hard work and hustle so when I go to spend it? I want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck.
Take tradeshows. If you've never done one before then I'm here to tell you something: there is NOTHING worse than putting in the time, energy and effort for a tradeshow and having it suck. And by suck I mean the producer has...2017-01-3033 min
Across the Desk#97: Sneaky Shit: What are they REALLY getting you to do?Does your gut every give you a message? Run? Don't trust that person? Some signal that you sometimes ignore? Don't. Trust is something that requires honesty on both sides. Honesty for you listening to your gut and what it's telling you to do and honesty from the person trying to connect with you.
If you live in a head space where being a schmuck is the only way to operate, you have a different take on trust. You use it as a means to get what you need. You build it to your advantage. You have no idea the damage...2017-01-2329 min
Across the Desk#96: Wise Word Wednesdays: Crush It by Gary VaynerchukWhy Now Is the Time To Crush It is a question most entrepreneurs ask themselves in various ways. I think to both talk themselves in to the adventure and when they are having complete WTF moments about why they started in the first place.
Crush It - Cash in on Your Passion is a book that I will be re-reading and soon. Not only did it provide solid advice for how to engage and grow your business but it also was very realistic about the level of hustle required to make it happen.
If you've got rose colored glasses on...2017-01-1918 min
Across the Desk#95: Change the Way You FeelYou know that feeling right before you stand up in a meeting? Or walk in to an event? Or have to go networking? Or do anything that is outside your comfort zone? Do you normally describe it as nervous or excited?
Turns out it makes a difference.
That important distinction was made for me 21 years ago on the day of my wedding. I had butterflies and felt nervous. Or so I thought. The more I thought it was nervousness, the worse I felt. How could I be nervous before marrying my main man? Then my hairdresser said something that changed...2017-01-1706 min
Perspectives of Change#7 - The Happy Melly Ecosystem with Elizabeth PlouffeI was recently interviewed by Elizabeth Plouffe on her Across the Desk podcast. This is a re-broadcast of her podcast!In this episode we talk about the Happy Melly ecosystem is helping people understand the importance of workplace happiness, how we can focus on understanding what in our system is affected when we want to introduce change and more!We also talk about the upcoming Happy Melly Exploration Day which is the first in-person Happy Melly event worldwide!The Lean Change Management podcast will be back in 2017 while I focus on other stuff for the remainder of 2016.Subscribe to...2016-10-1229 min
Across the Desk#49: Across the Apothecary: Intro to Elizabeth and Love of the HealthSo you might have heard a bit about me sprinkled throughout Across the Desk or Entrepreneurial Entrails but what I haven't shared is my love of being involved in health care.
For 13 years, health care was my career. As a medical office administrator and then as an instructor for the MOA program. How lucky was I? I get to teach AND teach medical curriculum? Sigh. I miss being a teacher ...
But I digress.
Take a listen and learn more about my life in health and my personal share on one of the highlights of my medical career that made it...2016-07-2911 min
Across the Desk#34: Wise Word Wednesdays - Escaping In To The OpenIf you are an entrepreneur who happens to write, or you are planning to be a writing entrepreneur, then this is a book for you. Elizabeth Bergs', "Escaping in to the Open - The Art of Writing True" is a fantastic resource.
With creative prompts, ideas for writing groups and tips on how to write for business, this book will get your creative voice working. Elizabeth Berg is a best selling author with over 25 books to her credit.
Looking forward to hearing how you got your creative voice going ;)2016-06-2910 min
Across the Desk#15: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Teresa BaergGuest Teresa Baerg is a recent success story out of the Corporate Communications program at Sheridan College. We met in 2012 and connected over the life of the mature student and how to handle term papers while getting dinner ready. Fast forward 3 years and now Teresa is using her education and passion for being involved in the local Burlington community, to carve out a career as a freelance journalist, editor for two local community platforms and promoter of local businesses. How's that for kicking ass and taking names?2016-05-2447 min
Across the Desk#12: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Karen Bradbury / Christopher Leadership courseMeet Karen Bradbury, a 15 year volunteer with the Christopher Leadership Course. A self-confessed once upon a time wallflower, Karen was encouraged to participate in the program offered by CLC to improve her public speaking skills. She was so impressed by the experience with CLC that she became an instructor and hasn't looked back since. Having worked with over 200 students, she's seen first hand how taking the time to invest in yourself can lead to opportunities you never imagined possible!2016-05-1133 min
Across the Desk#11: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Rob DuvallI sat down with Rob Duvall last week and learned a surprising fact about this well-spoken, friendly, outgoing guy: In highschool and college, Rob was a self-professed geek. Now I could continue to say was, but quite frankly something tells me that a bit of that geek from college who built an award winning fuel efficient car, still holds a place of honor in Rob's heart. Why? Because the enthusiasm he showed for tech in the 80's still shines through today.2016-04-1856 min
Across the Desk#10: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Doug OsborneEntrepreneurs are famous for falling in love. With stars in their eyes and wishes on their lips, they know that their idea is the best thing EVER and how could anyone argue? After all, it's their idea and they LOVE it! Now this is said with all due respect as a fellow entrepreneur because I love my ideas too. But if you can't see past the stars to the nitty gritty of getting the job done and executing the plan, well maybe you need to call Doug Osborne.2016-03-211h 00
Across the Desk#9: Across The Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Marguerite ZimmermanDo you think that training your sales team isn't worth the time and effort? Well considering most companies end up investing $250,000 to train someone anyway, why not do it right? Otherwise what you might end up saving on will be things like rent and PR material for the business that you have to shut down. Take a listen to Marguerite Zimmerman and learn the value of training your sales team right! The first time.2016-03-1452 min
Across the Desk#8: Across The Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Wayne DeadderMy guest and I go back to 1979. Yep, waaaaayyy back to the rockin' 70's which seems kind of appropriate given what Wayne Deadder does now. As a successful session and band musician, Wayne has been delighting audiences with his guitar skills for over 30 years and is a two-time Juno nominee. On top of his guitar skills, Wayne is also a very successful airbrush artist. You'd think his path in life would be pretty clear right?2016-03-0755 min
Across the Desk#7: Across the Desk With Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Laurel HubberCome and sit across the desk and learn what it takes to be a family business mediator. Thought you could work with your brother, sister, father and aunt without some kind of planning? Think again. Laurel describes the benefits of developing leadership, communication and governance processes for the success of your family business. Is that all we chat about? Nope. Listen and learn about the chickpreneur journey and what it sometimes takes to pick up that basket and keep moving forward!2016-02-291h 00
Across the Desk#6: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Tree RydeMeet Tree Ryde. She's who I've nicknamed the Ambasadoress of Awesomeness for Health Local. Why the title? Because Tree is the voice of reason that you reach when you call Health Local to learn more about how being a part of Canada's largest health directory can help you business. Plus she is what her title says: completely awesome. Friendly, professional, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to help health pro's across Canada. Who wouldn't want someone like that on their team?2016-02-0838 min
Across the Desk#5: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Kelly BentleyJoin me and my guest Kelly Bentley as we discuss her plan to get you healthy and keep you healthy. That's her business after all. We discuss the evils of caffeine and how you can goof up health information EVEN when you supposedly know what you're talking about. Me, not Kelly.2016-02-0646 min
Across the Desk#4: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Monica GravesDo you think you are the only one that struggles with business stress, dealing with women who judge your clothes and the pressures of making your dream come true? Think again. Join me for a candid discussion about the trials and tribulations of leaving the corporate life behind, embracing a business wardrobe built from Value Village and picking yourself up in the face of tragedy to make your business stronger than ever.
Once upon a time a little girl went out on recess. During recess she saw a business opportunity that would change the way she looked at school forever...2016-01-3155 min
Across the Desk#2: Across the Desk With Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Mike EdwardsListen and laugh as Mike Edwards and I discuss his journey from tech guy to coaching guy and the evolution of that process. Mike strives to make his coaching sessions a safe and productive relationship and hear why hiding under a bathroom sink isn't the best way to get therapy ...2016-01-2854 min
Across the Desk#3: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe and guest Hazel Van Der WerkenMaking Change Happen can be hard. Hazel Van Der Werken is here to help you understand how to take your company from blah to wow by focusing on energizing your team and adding more value to your customers' experience!2016-01-2744 min
Across the Desk#1: Across the Desk with Elizabeth Plouffe: James BurchillAcross the Desk is about small business owners and entrepreneurs.
What it's like to be one. Lessons learned. Customers helped and outcomes met.
Join me for a funny, informative, personal and hopefully helpful conversation with business people who are just getting started or have been in business long enough to have some wise words to share.2016-01-2452 min