“If non-profits cannot figure out why their important, just like pack up, go home, and do something else”

In this episode, host Simone Sloan and co-host Rich Bachelor from Your Choice Coach welcome Peter Heller, Founder of Heller

Fundraising Group, to discuss nonprofit fundraising strategies and capital campaigns. Peter shares insights from

over 30 years of experience and 20 years leading his firm. 

The conversation explores the importance of relationship-building over technology, the power of community-

focused storytelling, and the six essential elements of successful capital campaigns. Peter emphasizes that

effective fundraising requires overcoming limiting beliefs, understanding donor metrics, and crafting narratives

that focus on the community's future rather than the organization itself.

Key Takeaways

• Successful capital campaigns require six aligned elements: dollar goal, story, donors, committee/leadership, staffing and systems, and timing
• The most powerful fundraising stories focus on the community served and its future, not on the organization or the donor
•  Relationship-building remains the cornerstone of fundraising success, regardless of economic conditions or technological advances like AI

• Metrics matter: tracking one-on-one donor meetings per month can generate significant fundraising results when combined with proper follow-up

• Limiting beliefs and organizational low self-esteem are the biggest pitfalls in fundraising - nonprofits must clearly articulate why they are important to succeed

• Feasibility studies serve as essential on-ramps for campaigns, taking about five months to train staff, interview donors, and establish campaign foundations

• Effective fundraising is about teaching organizations to "fish” build their own capacity, rather than doing the work for them

• Even well-connected leaders in membership organizations must intentionally deepen relationships through focused conversations about mission and donor interests

In this episode, host Simone Sloan, Founder of Your Choice Coach, engages guests John Cororan, Managing Director at Merritt Walsh Associates, LLC and Rich Bachelor, Change Management Consultant, in a deep discussion on optimizing business strategies within nonprofit organizations. John, with his decades of experience, emphasizes the importance of treating nonprofits as businesses to maximize impact and revenue. Rich brings insight into effective change management and the significance of connecting nonprofit missions with strategic approaches.

Together, they explore how nonprofits can align their narratives with potential donors' interests to cultivate meaningful relationships and secure sustainable funding.

In this episode, Simone, Rich, and John explore

• The need to take a business-like strategy to ensure sustainability and impact
• Diversifying funding streams through private sector engagement is crucial for financial stability
• Effective storytelling and donor alignment are key components in differentiation and attracting funding
• Utilizing technology to streamline targeted donor identification, aiding in efficient fund allocation
• Building strong, genuine relationships with donors through personalized approaches can amplify support

In this engaging episode of "Your Business, Greatness," host Simone Sloan converses with communications catalyst, Dia Bondi. The discussion touches on the importance of finding one's voice and leading with it, as well as how Dia helps individuals such as CEOs and founders develop and enhance their leadership voices through workshops and programs. Dia also shares her journey from the fitness industry to becoming an executive coach and communication strategist, highlighting her desire for deeply connected experiences and adventure. The episode emphasizes the  importance of having a strategic approach to communication, particularly in high-stress, high-stakes situations.

In this episode, host Simone Sloan talks with Etty Burke, Organizational Psychologist, about her book Aaron the Different: A Story of Courage, Belonging, and Acceptance. Themes discussed include addressing bullying and acceptance. Etty shares her inspiration to write the book and inspires readers to embrace their uniqueness, build meaningful connections, and contribute to a kinder, more inclusive world.

Etty Burk is an award-winning author, organizational psychologist, and HR business leader who is committed to creating environments where individuals feel safe, respected, and valued. By combining her expertise in psychology and leadership, Etty helps individuals and organizations thrive by fostering cultures rooted in acceptance, inclusion, and growth. You can reach her at ⁠www.ettyburk.com⁠.

🎧 Just dropped! Hear Dr. Etty Burk on embracing difference and leading with heart.

🎁 Click to get a free signed book + 20% off with code PODCAST20

👉 ettyburk.com/ybg

In this episode, Simone Sloan, an executive strategist, discusses diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with Eric Sarver, an employment and business law attorney. They explore the definitions of DEI, its misconceptions, and its significance in today's evolving workplace. The conversation highlights the legal challenges and evolving scenarios concerning DEI initiatives as well as how they can benefit organizations in terms of innovation, talent acquisition, and legal compliance. Strategies for maintaining DEI efforts amidst changing political and economic environments are also examined.

Key Takeaways:

• DEI is essential for fostering inclusive and innovative workplaces
• Misconceptions about DEI often cloud its true purpose and benefits
• Legal challenges exist, but companies can strategically navigate them
• Embedding DEI into business strategies ensures sustainable growth and competitive advantage
• Continuous assessment of company culture and workforce skills is crucial amidst evolving landscapes

In this podcast episode, host Simone Sloan speaks with Tom Schwab, a military veteran and the Founder and CEO of Interview Valet. They discuss the impact of introversion in business leadership. They emphasize the importance of building genuine client relationships through conversations. Tom shares his journey from a corporate engineer to a podcast marketing pioneer and highlights how authentic conversations can surpass traditional funnel marketing. They also explore how introverts can excel in business by leveraging their unique strengths.

Key Takeaways:

• Authentic conversations can be more effective than traditional advertising and sales funnels in building business relationships
•  Introverts can excel in podcasting and leadership by leveraging their unique strengths and creating genuine content
• AI and intelligent systems are increasingly valuing long-form, collaborative content like podcasts for discoverability
• Focusing on quality and context in podcast content can lead to better engagement than simply increasing quantity
• Business owners should choose clients like they choose their friends, building trustworthy and enjoyable relationships

Connect to Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook |

In this podcast episode, hosted by Simone Sloan, the conversation focuses on the role and impact of public relations (PR) in technology-driven businesses. The episode features two guests: Doyle Albi, CEO of Comprise Agency, and Melissa Christensen, Vice President of Strategic Relations at Comprise.

We discuss the importance of storytelling in translating complex technical specifications into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. The conversation also highlights strategies for breaking through media noise, the significance of preparation and accuracy in PR, and the evolving landscape of PR in response to the pandemic. 

• PR is a process that involves continuous storytelling and engagement, not just one-off projects. Successfully breaking through media noise requires demonstrating expertise and becoming an industry authority.
•  It is crucial for companies to integrate their messaging across all channels to maintain consistency and credibility.
• Preparation and accuracy are vital in PR to build trust and ensure effective communication.
• The pandemic has shifted PR strategies towards more digital engagement and creative storytelling. 

Connect to Simone Sloan: ⁠Website⁠  ⁠LinkedIn⁠ 

Industry Leadership Scorecard: www.comprise.agency/quiz

Connect to Doyle: https://comprise.agency/our-team/doyle-albee/

 https://comprise.agency/our-team/melissa-christensen/

Connect to Melissa:

In this episode of "Your Business, Greatness," host Simone Sloan interviews Scott Jarred, CEO of INVST, who shares his inspiring journey from poverty to financial freedom. The conversation covers various aspects of financial management, personal growth, and entrepreneurial strategies.

Scott discusses the importance of having a purpose and taking control of one's financial destiny by understanding personal goals and motivations.

Aiming to reshape financial futures, Scott highlights the value of education in attaining financial independence and the principles of achieving financial freedom.

Key Takeaways

• Personal growth and success stem from taking control of one's financial future through self-belief and resilience.
  Money should be viewed as a tool for achieving one's life goals, not the ultimate objective
• A clear understanding of personal goals and financial priorities is crucial in achieving financial freedom
• Entrepreneurs shoul balance focusing on building enterprise value and maintaining personal financial discipline

Connect to Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook |

Connect to Scott Jarred: www.invst.com |⁠scott@invst.com|

Access The First Chapter of Accelerate: https://scottjarred.com

In this podcast episode, Simone Sloan interviews Mike Murphy, a seasoned growth leader with significant experience as a C-level executive in healthcare and insurance. Mike shares his career journey and how it led to the formation of Sunstone Management Advisors, which focuses on increasing the enterprise value of healthcare and insurance companies. They discuss the challenges of innovation in healthcare, the importance of storytelling in business, the complexity of the healthcare system, and the significant lessons Mike has learned throughout his career. The conversation touches on leadership, creating a successful organizational culture, and the balance required to navigate an evolving health industry landscape. 

Key Takeaways 

• Being adaptable and open to innovation is crucial for personal and professional growth

• The healthcare system faces significant challenges, including inefficiency, high costs, and lack of trust that need urgent addressing

• Effective storytelling and understanding the business ecosystem are vital for commercial success

•  Leadership involves creating the right environment for teams to flourish and aligning goals with business values

• Building authentic relationships and having the flexibility to use different leadership styles are keys to success

In this enlightening episode of "Your Business, Greatness," host Simone Sloan welcomes Whitney Hahn, a seasoned business guide and CEO of Provoke Better. Together, they delve deep into the essence of business dynamics, leadership challenges, and the therapeutic journey of transformation that leaders embark on, highlighting the critical role of culture in business success and personal fulfillment. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformation Through Listening: Effective leadership and cultural transformation begin with genuinely understanding the needs and stresses of your team. Creating a space for open communication can reveal insights into fostering a more positive and productive work environment. 

2. Managing Stress with Strategy: Identifying the types of stress within an organization is crucial. Strategic leadership can transform destructive stress into motivational challenges, aligning individual goals with the company's vision. 

3. Empowering Leadership Development: Investing in the development of management and leadership skills is essential for the growth and sustainability of any organization. Equipping leaders with the right tools and knowledge are as critical as their technical skills. 

4.Cultivating a Fulfilling Professional Path: Success isn't solely measured by work achievements but also by the ability to say 'yes' to life's opportunities. Professionals and organizations alike need to reassess regularly what truly matters to ensure a balanced, enriching life both within and outside the workplace. 

 Connect to Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook |

Hahn: ProvokeBetter.com Website⁠ |⁠

LinkedIn

In this insightful episode of "Your Business Greatness," host Simone Sloan delves into the essence of effective leadership and the mechanics of fostering highly functional teams.

Simone, an executive strategist and founder of Your Choice Coach, explores various leadership styles, the art of persuasion, and strategies for continuous growth in leadership roles.

She underscores the importance of empathy, humility, and balance in creating empowering environments for teams. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Leadership transcends titles, focusing instead on influence, motivation, and the enhancement of team dynamics. - A shift from armored to daring leadership styles fosters greater team growth, inclusivity, and shared success. 
• Effective leaders adapt their management style to suit varying situations, team needs, and goals. - Humility, empathy, and balance are essential traits that allow leaders to connect genuinely with their teams, fostering a conducive environment for growth. 
• Trust, clear communication, and understanding of diverse team dynamics are foundational to building effective, high-performing teams. 

Connect to Simone Sloan:

Listeners can also find Simone Sloan's professional insights and further episodes on leadership and business excellence at www.YourChoiceCoach.com

Connect to Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook |

In this empowering episode of "Your Business Greatness," host Simone Sloan engages with Antonio Garrido, author of "My Daily Leadership" and founder of My Daily Leadership development organization. Together, they delve into Antonio's vast experience in leadership roles and his passion for transforming leaders to achieve their utmost potential, aiming to inspire 1 million leaders worldwide. Garrido shares invaluable insights from his journey and strategies for effective leadership development.

Key Takeaways:

1. Leadership development is a continuous journey that benefits vastly from diverse experiences and embracing unexpected career shifts. 
2. The transition from technical expert to leader requires a fundamental shift in mindset, focusing on influencing and guiding rather than doing.
3. Awareness of and action against confirmation bias and leadership blind spots are crucial for comprehensive leadership effectiveness. 
4. Reflective practices such as journaling can significantly enhance a leader's self-awareness, decision-making, and overall personal growth. 
5. Continuous learning, seeking feedback, and being open to criticism are vital for evolving as a leader and driving organizational success.

For those interested in diving deeper into Antonio Garrido's insights or reaching out for guidance, connect through:

Antonio Garrido:  Website I LinkedIn I Email: antonio@mydailyleadership.com

Listeners can also find Simone Sloan's professional insights and further episodes on leadership and business excellence at "Your Business Greatness" podcast.

Connect to Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

In this episode of Your Business Greatness, host Simone Sloan engages with Jeff Bartsch, the founder of Story Greenlight and a seasoned Hollywood editor-turned-storytelling coach. They delve into the power of storytelling in business, emphasizing how narratives can shape connections, elevate brands, and make financial numbers resonate with audiences. Jeff shares his professional journey from Hollywood to coaching, shedding light on the transformative power of storytelling across various professional fields. 

• Storytelling transcends mere tactics, requiring a strategic understanding of audience desires and emotional states for impactful communication.

• In business, personal narratives intertwined with data can elevate mundane figures into meaningful, actionable insights. 

• The concept of stacking storylines showcases the complexity of aligning different objectives, highlighting empathy and understanding as crucial tools for resolution.

• Embracing challenges and vulnerabilities as growth opportunities can lead to profound personal and professional development.

• To stand out in a crowded content space, messages must be crafted with an audience-first approach, tailored to their specific needs and aspirations. 

  Connect to Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

  Connect to Jeff Bartsch: https://www.storygreenlight.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-bartsch-0265934/ 

   

  
  

  
  

On today's episode of 'Your Business Greatness,' host Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Founder, and Executive Coach at "Your Choice Coach," talks to, Marc Roberts, the CEO and president of My HR Department, a fractional HR consulting firm.  My HR Department works with a diverse range of companies, from start-ups to those with up to 500-600 employees. My HR Department handles your day-to-day human resources matters. 

 In this podcast:

• Simone and Marc discuss the strategic significance of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the business strategy, emphasizing its positive impact on talent, retention, and overall business outcomes.
• The conversation highlights the need for metrics in evaluating DEI efforts, including tracking diversity in leadership, turnover rates, and time to hire, to measure and improve the effectiveness of initiatives. Marc stresses the connection between being an "employer of choice" and positive client experiences, underscoring the importance of investing in employees for long-term organizational success.

Connect to Simone Sloan and Your Choice Coach

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Connect to  Marc Roberts and My HR Department

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcroberts2/

https://www.myhrd.biz/

On today's episode of 'Your Business Greatness,' host Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Founder, and Executive Coach at "Your Choice Coach," talks to, Toni Keskinen, a chief revenue officer, author, chairman, founder, and partner, recognized as a catalyst for consumer and market-driven transformation. Their transformative journey spans decades in marketing and strategic business development, Toni has left an indelible mark, including eight years at Olgvy and five at Omnicom. Toni’s expertise lies in identifying growth opportunities through a deep understanding of consumer behavior and organizational dynamics.

In this podcast, Simone and Toni explore:

1. Toni outlines his journey toward customer-centric perspectives, advocating for a transformative shift in business focus.
2. The conversation emphasizes the role of AI in navigating volatility, with a focus on analyzing customer behaviour and recognizing opportunities.
3. Challenges in sales, the call for accountability, and bottom-up enablement for productivity are key themes, underscoring the importance of leader-employee connections and emotional management.

Connect to Simone Sloan and Your Choice Coach

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Connect to Toni Keskinen and 180 OPS

https://www.180ops.com/

linkedin.com/in/tonikeskinen

On today's episode of 'Your Business Greatness,' host Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Founder, and Executive Coach at "Your Choice Coach," talks to Chris McShanag, CEO of MedVA and BizVA, about his journey and the role of virtual assistants (VAs) in business growth. Chris has a successful track record in guiding organizations from start-ups to prosperity in sectors like healthcare, mining, utilities, and consulting. He shares insights and learnings along the way:

• Chris advocates doing less but better, urging businesses to focus on key tasks for efficient growth.
• The discussion explores the rising trend of businesses embracing virtual assistance, addressing challenges in remote team management.
•  The discussion explores the importance of emotional intelligence for positive client and team experiences in business.

Connect to the host and guest:

Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Chris McShanag: MedVA BIZVA

On today's episode of 'Your Business Greatness,' host Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Founder, and Executive Coach at "Your Choice Coach," talks to, CEO of Ingenium, Heather Johnson, an expert in hazardous waste management with over 20 years of experience. Her innovative approach for sustainable waste management has positioned her company as an industry leader in waste energy programs and zero waste initiatives. 

Key Points:

• Heather Johnson leads Ingenium, a hazardous waste management company, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions, downstream management, and exploring reuse and recycling options.
• Heather's leadership style involves collaboration and inclusivity, valuing input from all team members. This has contributed to the ongoing success and growth of her company.
• The waste management industry faces consolidation, with larger companies acquiring smaller ones. Ingenium stays competitive by providing consultative services and avoiding the limitations associated with owning specific technologies.

Resources Mentioned:   https://www.pureingenium.com/

Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

On today's episode of 'Your Business Greatness, host Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Founder, and DEI Consultant at "Your Choice Coach," talks to Dr. Baktari, CEO of E national testing E7 Health and US drug test centres. Dr. Baktari brings over 20 years of clinical and administrative and entrepreneurial experience and has been a triple board-certified physician specialising in internal medicine, pulmonary, and critical care medicine.

Dr. Baktari outlines how E7 Health leverages technology to streamline healthcare, making patient data accessible and minimizing traditional inefficiencies like paperwork and wait times.

Beyond improving customer service, Dr. Baktari stresses the need for unique, innovative healthcare solutions that offer new services to patients, inspired by successful models like Amazon.

Dr. Baktari highlights that successful leadership in business requires a specific skill set that may not be innate, even to those who conceive the business idea or invest the initial capital.

Simone Sloan: ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

 https://jonathanbaktarimd.com/portfolio/

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-baktarimd/

On today's episode of 'Your Business Greatness,' host Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Founder, and Executive Coach at "Your Choice Coach," speaks with Kitty Hart, VP of Client Brand Experience at Heroic Productions. Kitty talks about the challenges and trends Heroic Productions is noticing in the current business climate following the COVID-19 pandemic. Kitty talks about a major beauty brand they worked with last year and describes it as one of the most vibrant and fun events they have produced in their twenty-year history.

1. Kitty defines an experience as an interaction, which can be positive, neutral, or negative. Identifying key moments that leave an impression is crucial for businesses to understand and improve their customer interactions.
2. Regarding diversity and inclusion, Kitty mentions that when bidding on large projects that go through procurement, they are increasingly asked questions about their diversity, equity, and inclusion mission.
3. Simone Sloan and Kitty Hart, discuss various aspects of brand storytelling and creating exceptional experiences for businesses.
   

Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Heroic Productions | ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Simone Sloan, Executive strategist, Founder of Your Choice Coach, hosts a discussion with Paul Jackson, Founder and CEO of Method.

• Paul is a two-time entrepreneur who believes in building software for small businesses that work just like they do.
• He describes himself as having optimism, grit, and pessimism all at the same time.
• Through his journey in business, he has created an automation tool for QuickBooks and Xero users that allows small businesses to make their own custom apps to automate any of their business processes.
• Paul shares the challenges he experiences introducing his product to companies or transitioning them from one CRM to another. 
• Method helps small businesses that have grown to this point by providing a CRM with industry-specific templates that can be customized to fit their needs, allowing them to automate processes that don't require critical thinking, are often repeated, and take up a lot of time.
• Method has about 100 employees and works in a hybrid company environment.  Paul believes in the value of both face-to-face and flexible working. To ensure their distributed teams are inclusive, they focus on automating key processes and slowly easing employees into automation to relieve pressure on the business.

• They understand the importance of having different personalities on teams. They focus on building grit and navigating those different personalities to help them achieve their goals.

Resources Mentioned:

• Simone Sloan: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

• @methodCRM @PaulAlexJackson