Highs of Innovation

Laura Rexford, VP of Global Client Success at Korn Ferry

In this episode, Laura Rexford, VP of Global Client Success at Korn Ferry, shares her insights on a number of topics from the changing role of clients success to drive revenue growth to authentic leadership, to importance of curiosity, to how AI is changing the workplace. 

Sara Ajemian - Communications and Brand Leader

Our discussion with communications and branding leaders Sara Ajemian, who has nearly two decades of experience in brand marketing and communications focused on a number of key areas:  
Transformative Technology: Sara emphasized how her career has revolved around helping organizations navigate various tech transformations, from mobile revolutions to AI advancements. Understanding technology's internal use and its communication outward is vital.
Maximizing Tools: We tackled the common issue of underutilized technology. Sara highlighted the importance of training and creating “super users” within organizations to champion new tools and drive adoption.
Strategic Focus: The discussion touched on how critical it is to maintain a clear direction or "North Star" when making technology investments. This ensures alignment with overall business goals and encourages creativity within defined boundaries.
Generative AI: Sara shared her observations on the evolving landscape of AI. While it's a powerful tool, we must remain discerning and not allow it to replace strategic thinking or original thought.
Human Connection: Ultimately, the conversation reminded us that effective communication and understanding team dynamics are essential for building high-performance teams. Balancing technology and human insight is key to driving success.
Listen to this episode and start implementing these strategies to drive innovation.
 

Casey Cheshire, Podcaster Extraordinaire, Founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing

In this episode of "Highs of Innovation," we interview Casey Cheshire, a prominent podcaster and expert on podcast creation, as well as the founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. The conversation delves into the state of marketing and the significance of podcasts in building authentic connections.
Casey shares his journey into podcasting, which started as a means for thought leadership while running a marketing agency. He emphasizes that the essence of podcasting lies in connection—not just metrics or view counts. Despite common challenges like pod fading, where most podcasts lose momentum after only a few episodes, Casey argues that with the right goals, podcasts can thrive and extend a brand's reach.
The episode highlights the importance of knowing your audience deeply, cautioning against "disconnected marketing." Casey explains that engaging with customers through meaningful conversations often yields better insights than traditional surveys. He advocates for authentic discussions as a pathway to building trust and fostering relationships.Casey encourages listeners to "start ugly," emphasizing the importance of initiating conversations with customers, whether in-person or via podcasts, to bridge the gap between marketers and their audience.
This insightful discussion provides tips for harnessing the power of podcasts in modern marketing, making it a must-listen for those looking to connect authentically with their audiences.

Michael Leiberman, President of Aeris Protective Packaging, Inc.

Speaking with Michael Leiberman, President of Aeris Protective Packaging Inc. is like attending a master class on innovation.  He founded Aeris Protective Packaging at his living room table.  It has now grown to service some of the world's most prominent brands, as well as entire industries.  You have probably come across their packaging opening up some highly coveted products.Listen to this episode to learn from Michael Leiberman and be inspired by his example. 

Gina Gibbs Foster, Senior VP of Communications

In this episode of Highs of Innovation, our guest is Gina Gibbs Foster, an experienced VP of Corporate Communications.  We explored the pivotal role of effective communication in increasing stakeholder engagement to drive desired business outcomes and culture. Gina shares her insights on how organizations can bridge the gap and build trust with all of their stakeholders through strategic storytelling and holistic engagement strategies.
With 70% of the workforce reportedly disengaged, per Gallup's research, employee engagement is a particularly important topic. Discover how aligning employees with the company’s mission can promote a sense of purpose.  Gina also addresses the importance of recognizing contributions, and the necessity of cutting through communication noise in the workplace. Tune in for valuable takeaways that can help transform your workplace culture and drive meaningful engagement!

Irina Feldman, Global HR Executive, VP Human Resources

In this podcast episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Irina Feldman, an experienced global HR executive who serves as Vice President Human Resources at Metal Processing Group, an Affiliate of the Heico Companies. Irina has a deep understanding of what needs to be done to attract, engage, and retain top talent.  She focuses on employee engagement, and cultivating high-performance cultures across diverse industries. Her expertise in aligning HR initiatives with business goals has helped numerous organizations navigate change and enhance their workforce capabilities. Outside of her professional endeavors, Irina is passionate about mentoring future leaders and advocating for inclusive workplace practices. Join us as we dive into Irina's insights on the evolving landscape of HR and the impact of strong leadership in today’s workplace.
 

Robyn Bolton, Author of Unlocking Innovation

Robyn M. Bolton is the founder and chief navigator of MileZero, a consultancy dedicated to helping leaders harness innovation to drive consistent revenue growth. In addition to her consultancy work, she serves as an assistant professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, teaching courses on innovation and strategy.
With a rich background that includes roles at Innosight, the innovation firm founded by Clayton Christensen, the Boston Consulting Group, and Procter & Gamble (where she contributed to the launch of Swiffer) Robyn brings a wealth of experience to the table. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in marketing from Miami University. She recently published a book titled "Unlocking Innovation: A Leader's Guide for Turning Bold Ideas into Tangible Results."
Her insights and writing have been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review online, the New York Times, and NPR's Marketplace.  Listen to Robyn M. Bolton's insights on this podcast!

Chris Bower, CEO of Endurance Federal Credit Union

As President and CEO of Endurance Federal Credit union in Duncan, OK, Chris Bower has become a pillar of the community.  He always launches innovative programs that spread good cheer among people. 
Chris Bower believes in bringing out the best in his team members, and has pioneered many programs that warm the hearts of the people in the community.  Inadvertently, this also helps the bottom line because people are attracted to doing business with a credit union that cares.  Under his leadership, Endurance Federal Credit Union has been steadily growing and expanding.  Listen to this podcast to learn how Chris Bower drives success for his organization.

Laurent Pellegrin, Leadership Trainer par Excellence

Laurent Pellegrin has encyclopedic knowledge of all areas of leadership training.  In fact, he has trained the top brass of the French military and the highest echelons of the French government.
Any leadership team that follows his lessons will see immense benefits in innovation and productivity, and that unique team quality that the French call esprit de corps.  Listen to see for yourselves.

Hap Klopp, Founder of The North Face

Hap Klopp has founded and built one of the most iconic global brands - The North Face.  Innovation is in his DNA.  Everything he did at The North Face was ahead of its time.  And Hap Klopp championed sustainability before there was any talk of it.  Join us on this inspirational conversation with Hap Klopp!