Sage Thought Leadership Podcast

Brian Kelly, Brian is the Managing Partner Cost Management Services-iRecruit. He has over 25 years of experience in the Human Resources software and tax credit industry. CMS originally sold HR Software, and Work Opportunity Tax Credit Screening, and developed iRecruit for our Sage HRMS customers to meet the need to automate and streamline their recruiting, applicant tracking, and electronic onboarding operations. Brian has a BS in Finance from the University of Central Connecticut. CMS is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. In his spare time Brian both plays and coaches ice-hockey, and is an avid golfer and boater. Outline Introducing Brian Kelly, Managing Partner of Cost Management Services I Recruit. What is a work opportunity tax credit and how does it work? What are some of the obscure tax credits that people aren’t aware of? Why you need to have a third-party service like CMS to answer those questions? Who is Brian's hero?

John Badovinac is the Vice president of B2B channel. He is a payments professional with over 25 years of experience across the full spectrum of payments services including Merchant Acquiring, Integrated Payments, Value-Added Resellers and Point-of-Sale systems, EMV Certification, Issuing-Program Management, and Operations Management. John helps SAAS companies leverage best-in-breed payments technology so they can maximize the efficiency of their software solution and accelerate and grow their revenue. John is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as an officer in the Second Cavalry Regiment in Germany during the fall of the Iron Curtain. Summary Introducing John Betta. Why payment processing is expanding in the last couple of years? Why it’s generally a bad idea to make it hard for your customers to pay. Frictionless is the ubiquitous service standard for service. Who is a hero of yours and why are they?

Dan Balcauski is the founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, based in Austin, TX. He focuses on helping high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs define pricing and packaging for new products. Over his career, he has worked in both B2C and B2B companies ranging from startups to publicly traded enterprises. Outline Why Dan does what he does. How to dispel pricing illusions in business. When does it work? When does it not? What is the difference between lowering price and offering a flanking product? The jobs to be done framework and the value cascade. Why is the Buddha Dan's hero?

Brian Seidel is the CEO and Co-Founder of CIMcloud (by Website Pipeline), a boot-strapped SaaS company based in Greenville, SC. Brian’s team invented the Customer Interaction Management (CIM) software category – which combines B2B Ecommerce and CRM integrated with existing ERP/accounting software systems. Through countless mistakes and piles of work (and rework), CIMcloud went from the unfinished basement of Brian’s home to the Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for seven consecutive years. Outline Introducing Brian Seidel, co-founder of CIMCloud. Customer self-service is the number one tactic for lowering customer effort. Customer interaction management is a double win. Integrating the concepts from The Effortless Experience into his solution. Who is Brian’s hero and why? Sage marketplace listing for the CIMcloud product on the Sage price list

Marcus Wagner is the leader of Baker Tilly’s middle-market digital practice. Marcus has more than 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, auditing, internal controls and risk management, system implementation, process design and re-engineering, finance transformation, outsourcing and shared services. He began his career at a Big Four firm, where he spent 11 years in auditing and consulting. Marcus then became the co-founding partner of a public accounting and advisory firm based out of Houston. In 2010, he founded AcctTwo, a provider of accounting software and managed accounting services, which eventually merged with Baker Tilly in Oct. 2021. Summary Introduction to Marcus Wagner. 0:01 What can software implementation partners bring to the table beyond technical implementation skills?1:16 What is Sage Intact’s niche? 3:05 What are some of the features missing from the course that are unique to the industry? 5:13 Building trust with clients over a period of time. 6:56 Who is your favorite business hero? 9:13

Deniero Bartolini is the host of The Remote CEO Show and author of Smart Business, Better You, which was released in February of 2023. Deniero left his successful corporate job and opened his own Google Ads agency with a focus on performance-based ads. He scaled quickly but it wasn’t all fun. The intense schedule led to a breakdown, where he needed hospitalization. Deniero recovered with a new mindset which led to the creation of his podcast and brand. Deniero turns his audience into business connoisseurs who build thriving online lifestyle businesses. Outline Introducing Deniero Bartolini. Five different areas of focus in his book, Smart Business, Better You What are you going to do with the extra time? The misconception that you can choose whether to work 20 hours a week and be a remote CEO or work 70 hours a week and be an entrepreneur. Where do you want to build something that is more of a subscription-based pricing or does it matter? Who is a hero of yours and why?

Scott Lasseigne is the Vice President of Sales for APS. Scott has been with APS for 15 years, working with Territory Sales, Inside Sales, and as the Inside Sales team manager. Scott has consistently been one of the top sales people during his time at APS and is a PACE award recipient. He’s also played a crucial role in the evolution of APS’ sales strategy surrounding the technology of their platform. Scott graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in HR Management. Outline Introducing Scott Lasseigne, VP of Sales for APS. The conflicting priorities when trying to create an ideal tech stack. How the SMB market is the lifeblood of our economy. Is there anything that you had to change about your system as a result of the pandemic? Scott’s experience with the new regulations and how it pushed him to make sure that he was appeasing all stakeholders. Scott’s thoughts on how trust is built within successful organizations. For a limited time, APS is offering new customers 2 months free of payroll and HR services: https://apspayroll.com/2-months-free-payroll-services/

Peter Grajczyk with North 49 - With over 30 years of experience in technology including several years with Sage Tech Partners, reselling Partners, and even directly at Sage, Peter's roles have included: sales & marketing, channel management, sales management, and strategic account management. This broad experience gives him a deep understanding of the customer perspective and understanding of how and why specific solutions provide value to customers. Outline Why Peter does what he does? North 49’s new product, PayFabric for Sage 300, has gotten some feedback from partners. What are the challenges of payment processing? How to make it easy for your customers to pay you? Peter’s story of integrity and how it can cost you something.

Dez Rock has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years. Mentoring others on career and negotiation skills, she has now focused on her own business, dropping out of law school to start SIEMonster several years ago. Dez’s greatest strength is always seeing the big picture. A start-up requires a person who can always fight all fronts without losing perspective and making things personal; this is where she excels. Dez’s mind works at a fast pace. With her ability to see solutions and paths like puzzle pieces, she has managed to take a great idea to market and make it grow. Outline Why do you do what you do? Why is the current model transactional and yours is more holistic? What are the advantages and disadvantages of centralization around security? The internet was built without security in mind and security was really a bolt-on to it. Who is a hero of yours and why are they a hero?

Across two episodes, Jeff Richards and David Beard from the Sage CRM team talk with Lee Savidge from Accord Consulting, a UK consultancy that specialises in Sage 300 & Sage CRM. In this episode, we talk to Lee about he got his start with Sage CRM, our shared views of the "platform value" of Sage CRM, and stories of the numerous customers with whom he has worked.

Tim Timberlake is the Senior Pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and Creedmoor, North Carolina. He is a gifted communicator and teacher who can communicate with people from all walks of life. His sense of humor, combined with his in-depth Bible teaching, gives the listener and reader the tools to transform their lives from the inside out. Tim is a graduate of the Pistis School of Ministry in Detroit, Michigan. He also takes pleasure in the small things and is an avid sports fan and a popular thought leader. Outline Why do you do what you do? The Art of Overcoming was born out of pain. The first step to healing and overcoming is acknowledgment. If we never address these issues, they will resurface in different ways throughout the course of our life. Who is a hero of yours and why are they a hero? Pre-sale link to his new book The Art of Overcoming.

Jeremy Burt is the head of ERP Business Development at Paya (A Nuvei Company). He is the former founder and CEO of VelocIT Business Solutions. Jeremy has spent 15 years in payments with 10 years specifically in ERP integrations. Outline Introduction to Jeremy Burt, CEO of Piaa. Paya’s strengths with the Nuvei platform. An example of a customer success story that he’s had. What is an omni-channel processor? Why is Jeremy’s father a hero?

David Barkoe - For more than 25 years, David has been developing, managing, and executing successful PR campaigns for some of the world’s leading brands and most promising start-ups. He founded Carve Communications in 2014 and is headquartered in South Florida, with team members located across the country in several major cities. Carve Communications is a PR agency that exists at the intersection of technological innovation and everyday life. Before founding Carve Communications, David led bwin.entertainment’s launch of partypoker.com in New Jersey and ran a comprehensive thought leadership campaign for Mindtree, one of the world’s leading IT services firms. Outline Why do you do what you do? When should a company recognize they need the help of a PR firm? Is PR more integrated with the marketing strategy or is it separate and apart? The difference between paid and earned media. What’s in dispute within the PR community? David’s hero and why he is a hero.

Chuck Knabusch - After serving 9 years with the US Army and 28 years in Corporate America with a multi-national, multi-billion-dollar manufacturing company, Chuck founded 13Ten Business Solutions, LLC and wrote the book, Hope Is Not A Business Strategy: How To Take Control Of Your Business So It Won’t Take Control Of You. He now works to support and assist business leaders and organizations improve their operations resulting in bottom-line improvements, and giving them back more time. Outline Chuck’s book, Hope is Not a Business Strategy. Working with contractors and setting expectations. What is a strategy? What are some questions that you might ask to help people articulate their values?

Skip Bowman is an author, consultant, and keynote speaker focusing on how to transform organizations with a growth mindset and psychological safety. Australian-born and Europe-based, he has worked with global organizations for over 25 years developing unique programs and approaches for his clients. “People first” is Skip’s mantra for success in business, leadership, and organizational change. Only when people feel valued and respected can you fully realize the potential of a purpose-based organization? His book From Safe to Great will be published globally in September 2023 and outlines his integrated organizational and leadership development process for implementing a Growth Mindset based on Psychological Safety in global organizations. Outline Introduction to Skip Bowman. Why do you do what you do? When even the people who know a lot about it feel like they’re not quite so sure, then we know we are in trouble. The importance of having a unique strategy for your business. Entrepreneurs will continue to be the creative force in this space. Skip's thoughts on Elon Musk.

Grant Peelle is a highly skilled and driven filmmaker with a unique approach to storytelling, crafting visually stunning films that captivate audiences. With a strong focus on owning his role on set and adopting a "fox, chicken, chicken seed" approach to problem-solving, he has become a respected Senior Creative Director at Muse Storytelling. Grant and his team have traveled to over 100 countries to pursue stories, working with brands such as Apple, Fujifilm, Four Seasons, and the NFL. Through his education work with Muse Storytelling, Grant has shared his knowledge and expertise with aspiring filmmakers all over the world, empowering the next generation of storytellers to develop their own unique voice and style. Outline Introduction to Grant Peelle. The motivation to express and create stories comes out of a desire to improve the world. Why does great storytelling come more from focus than freedom? The more specific you can make your prompt, the better result you will get. What are some of the questions that help people who come to you with a story to tell? Who is a hero of yours and why are they a hero? How can you get in touch with Grant?

Across three episodes, Jeff Richards and David Beard from the Sage CRM team talk with Gary Bissig, Senior Vice President at LabRepCo, a Sage CRM customer for over 10 years & one of the largest and most respected consultative laboratory equipment sales organizations in the United States. In this episode Gary reflects on how being an employee-owned company has influenced employee "ownership of CRM", how his 20-year relationship with their Sage reseller partner LLBGroup helped them realize the potential of CRM and their plans for evolving CRM in the near future.

Nick Huber is an experienced freelance business journalist and content consultant. He specializes in writing about professional services and business-to-business technology. During his 25-year career, he has reported for some of the world’s biggest media organizations, including the BBC, dozens of trade magazines including Accountancy Age, and business publications. As a content strategist specializing in thought leadership, he has ghost-written blogs, White Papers, and opinion articles for top-10 accounting firms, top tech companies and global consultancies. Outline Introduction to Nick Huber. How he got interested in journalism. The quality of thought leadership has not improved much. How can we write about what the audience wants to read? What is a value to the person who is going to use this technology? The state of thought leadership is better than it was 20 years ago. Who is a hero of Nick’s and why? Offer email Nick for a free, 30-minute call to ask my advice on their thought leadership/content marketing or their media strategy.

John McCartney. With more than 20 year in PR and marketing, John has led traditional PR and social media campaigns for technology, advertising, marketing, and media brands. He achieved his lifelong dream of starting his own company, Jmac PR, to build a business that values people. In addition, John looks to create an environment that nurtures the next generation of publicists and marketers who are committed to their enduring visions and values, which will make a meaningful impact on the industry. John is also very active in the PR community, having held several leadership roles in PR trade associations. Outline Introducing John McCartney, Jmac PR. Why do you do what you do? What are some of the emerging trends and technologies in public relations? How does he see this playing out? How does he see it playing out? What’s specific to technology specific to the PR industry? Who is John’s hero?

Marta Hobbs was born in Szczecin, Poland, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 13, fleeing the Communist oppression of her homeland as a political refugee. After a decade-long successful career in TV Production in New York City, Marta co-founded a multi-billion dollar business, CheapCaribbean.com, with her husband Jim. As the founder and teacher of SoulCare – a spiritual practice to slow down the body, quiet the mind and reconnect with the soul – Marta now guides others toward healing, self-discovery, and living a heart-centered and soul-led life. Her book is entitled Unraveling: A woman's search for freedom and the journey of coming home Outline Why do you do what you do? Unraveling a Woman’s Search for Freedom and the Journey of Coming Home. Why is there a search for freedom? Viktor Frankl’s story is very similar to your story. Who is a hero of yours and why are they?