Sage Thought Leadership Podcast

When it comes to unlocking human potential and achieving organizational success, there's no one quite like Christian 'Boo' Boucousis, CEO of Afterburner Inc. A former fighter pilot turned business founder, author, and inspirational speaker, Boo has earned over 1,000 five-star Google reviews for his unparalleled expertise in human behavior and organizational performance. Whether he's speaking to a small startup or a multinational corporation, Boo inspires people to discover a new way of thinking that empowers them to believe that even the most audacious ambitions are within their reach. Summary

Founder of Egress Solutions, Mike Smart. For over 25 years in the information technology and software industry including several executive positions with responsibility for product management, product marketing, development and operations for NASDAQ--traded companies in the internet and software industries. Michael Smart has successfully guided the development and launch of new products in the internet security, service management and mobile data software markets. The most exciting and rewarding work he does is show marketing and product executives how to change the ground rules and win in the market with their solutions. Ed welcomed Mike, an experienced IT and software industry executive, to the podcast. They discussed the challenges small and medium businesses are facing in the current economic environment, with Mike emphasizing the importance of companies being customer-centric, solution-oriented, and understanding their business principles. He highlighted that having a clear business strategy and being able to validate it is crucial for companies. They also discussed the difference between strategy and strategic planning, with Mike emphasizing that even an unarticulated strategy exists if the business is sustaining itself. Mike warned that employees who don't understand their value or how their contribution fits into the organization are at risk of quitting or resigning in place. Ed asked Mike who his hero was, and Mike expressed admiration for individuals who are pushing themselves forward despite challenges. Summary

Summary Across three episodes, Jeff Richards and David Beard from the Sage CRM team talk with Bea Rebollo from Renishaw Plc, who are a global engineering technology group, creating high-precision technology for metrology and healthcare. Operating across 67 locations in 36 countries with 5,000+ employees worldwide, Bea is the Senior Sage CRM Analyst/Programmer who's main role is to develop and support Sage CRM for her internal customers - that's 2500 users of Sage CRM across the world. In this first episode Bea explains the history of the company and her start with them 20 years ago, the company's progression to 2,500 users of Sage CRM and they place CRM at the heart of their business systems in the company.

Dan Michelson is the Founder and CEO of InCommon, a “for purpose” company that helps companies turn culture into a strategy that drives productivity and engagement by ensuring everyone feels connected and part of the CORE. He has a 20+ track record of helping to build high-performing, high-growth companies with world-class cultures. In his upcoming book, Holy Shift! Moving Your Company Forward to the Future of Work, Dan helps leaders at every level of a company move forward to the future of work using a common sense, data-driven approach. Holy Shift! combines a reflection of how we got to now with deep research on how companies are managing this moment. Summary

Rusty Shelton is Founder and Chairman of Zilker Media, Senior Marketing Strategist at Forbes Books, and an active speaker to audiences around the world. He has written three acclaimed books, including his newest, The Authority Advantage: Building Thought Leadership Focused on Impact, Not Ego which is co-authored with Adam Witty. Summary

Chris Meroff is a CEO, founder, author and serial entrepreneur with a passion for helping business professionals find fulfillment in their work through sustainable success. In 2011, he started his first company, MSB Consulting. In 2019, he pivoted into the venture capital space, currently, he owns a variety of startups in various industries throughout Austin and Maine, ranging from hospitality, restaurant, education, farming, medical and community development. Chris is the CEO and founder of DCX Community where he hosts a personal development conference and monthly networking event, The Table Network. Summary

Rick Yvanovich is a serial entrepreneur, techie, Brit, baby boomer, and professional bean counter with over 40 years of experience in various businesses, including supermarkets, the accounting profession, breweries, newsagents, defense manufacturing, IT, and property development. He has worked at BP in the UK, Singapore, Switzerland, Vietnam, and China where he first served as a Finance Manager. Rick then relocated to BP Vietnam in 1990. An active promoter of AICPA-CIMA, Rick is a very regular speaker in Vietnam on multiple topics including Talent, Accounting, Digital Transformation, Cloud, Project Management, and UK - US - Vietnam trade and investment. Summary

Lauren Maffeo is an award-winning service designer working full-time at Steampunk where she serves the U.S. federal government. She is a founding editor of Springer’s AI and Ethics Journal and an adjunct lecturer of Interaction Design at The George Washington University. Lauren has written for Harvard Data Science Review, Financial Times, and The Guardian. She has also presented her research on bias in AI at Princeton and Columbia Universities, Google DevFest DC, and Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters. She is the author of Designing Data Governance from the Ground Up. Listeners can buy a copy of her book, and get 35% off using the code DATAGOV23 (valid until September 2023) Summary

Sharekh Shaikh is the Founder of CleverX , a platform that powers market research teams by providing them with access to the tools and the hardest-to-reach commercial audiences. The company's platform allows users to build a network with business professionals and fellow entrepreneurs via video calls, enabling entrepreneurs to avail expert advice and grow their businesses. Before becoming a tech entrepreneur, Sharekh worked with Gartner, the top technology research organization in the world. He assisted them in developing initiatives that will enable technology leaders from many industries to work together in a secure environment. Summary

Scott Scarano is an eccentric entrepreneur with the heart of a lion and the soul of a housecat. He loves approaching problems from a different perspective and analyzing solutions—his “Why” is empowering all growth-minded entrepreneurs to thrive and prosper. Scott did the school thing and has the credentials, but his real value comes from his questioning mind and ability to push through any adversity. Scott lives in Raleigh, bleeds Carolina blue, and dedicates himself to his astonishing wife, Juana, and their three surprisingly intelligent kids Julia, Frankie, and Arya. Summary

Eric Beck is one of the world’s most provocative thinkers about our society’s growing lack of meaning at work and the way to reconnect and empower the digital generation by creating a new “game worth playing” at work, in schools, in families, and in our institutions. Eric has worked with entrepreneurs, leaders, governments, & businesses to help people reach their creative maximum. He has spoken to over 10,000 people live drawing on his experience as a US Army Vet, Jazz musician, Educator, and 22-year strategic business coach. Featured on many podcasts, webinars, and events, Eric shares what he's learned from the best in music, education, business, and philosophy. Summary

The Future Accountant A mini-series with Matt Lescault of L-W Consulting discussing the impending disruption in the accounting industry. We will help you assess if your organization is at risk and cover actionable steps you can take right now to protect and prepare your business. Part 4: What Business Owners Can Do RIGHT NOW Specific, actionable, immediate steps business owners can take to prepare Click here for a free assessment tool. Summary

Randy Crabtree is a Partner at Tri-Merit, a company that supports CPAs, CFOs and owners of small-to-midsize businesses by serving as an extension of their advisory team to lessen the tax burden and increase cash flow. They work with companies to uncover the engineering, manufacturing and product development data needed to support claiming engineering-based tax incentives such as the R&D tax credit, and tax planning strategies such as cost segregation.

Summer Davies is an award-winning leadership development expert who has dedicated her career to cultivating thriving work environments where individuals feel equipped, capable, valued, and connected. She specializes in guiding emerging leaders to develop the mindset and tactical skills required to lead with impact, confidence, and empowerment, while loving what they do. Throughout her impressive career, Summer has had the privilege of coaching, teaching, and studying leaders from around the globe. Her unique depth and breadth of experience has fostered an unending passion for helping managers embody the leader they aspire to be, while enjoying the process of leading. Summary

The Future Accountant A mini-series with Matt Lescault of L-W Consulting discussing the impending disruption in the accounting industry. We will help you assess if your organization is at risk and cover actionable steps you can take right now to protect and prepare your business. Part 3: The Future Accountant The penultimate episode of TFA is entitled TFA but what does that mean for business owners who are customers of those accountants? Click here for a free assessment tool. Summary

Liz Farr is a B2B copywriter who is also a Certified Public Accountant. She spent 15 years working in tax and accounting, first at a small H&R Block office in rural New Mexico, and then at several small public accounting firms in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Liz has been a CPA since 2005, and a freelance writer since 2015. Her work in public accounting was mostly in tax, working primarily with small closely-held businesses, trusts, estates, and high net-worth individuals. She has worked on audits, reviews, and compilations for many of these same businesses, as well as governmental entities and non-profits. Summary

Brooke Janousek is a fractional CMO and digital nomad on a journey to intentionally live a joyful life. She is the founder of The Grow CMO, a fractional leadership solution for effective marketing growth that she founded in 2022 after two decades as a leading expert in the marketing industry. You can follow her digital nomad journey along with her “lessons on the road” at Brooke on the Grow. Find her article From Razors to Fun: How Billie's Sold-Out Board Game Aligns with Their Bold Mission on LinkedIn. Summary

The Future Accountant A mini-series with Matt Lescault of L-W Consulting discussing the impending disruption in the accounting industry. We will help you assess if your organization is at risk and cover actionable steps you can take right now to protect and prepare your business. Part 2: Assess & Evaluate Continuing the conversation... what to look for in your business, signs that you're at risk, self-evaluations, and full stock and inventory of your business Click here for a free assessment tool. Summary Signs that an organization is at risk for data overload

Seth Fineberg is a highly experienced editor and seasoned business journalist passionate about researching and delivering valuable information on what makes businesses tick. This has come in many forms, from straight news articles and features to thought leadership and content marketing. This path has led him to where he is now, and where he plans to head, as an industry consultant and content strategist focused primarily on the advancement and success of the accounting profession. Summary

For over three decades, Neil Rogers has built a successful career in sales and marketing, working with clients in a wide range of verticals, including pharmaceutical, biomedical, manufacturing, logistics, financial services, and government defense contractors. He is the Owner and VP of Marketing and Sales at Rogers Marketing, winner of several Million Dollar Sales awards, the Velocity Award for growth, and the Heavy Hitter Awards for large accounts. Neil and his wife Lori are the creators/owners of the Positive Activity 11-Step Process, using scientifically proven activities to increase the quality of life and business through creativity, optimism, and positivity. Bar Tips is his first published book, drawing on the lessons learned during his years as a bartender that Neil has applied for success in sales. Neil started the non-profit PASE (Parents Assisting Special Educators) and PASE After 21 for special needs adults. Discover more at: https://www.positiveactivity.net/ Check out Neil's book at https://www.positiveactivity.net/bar-tips-book Summary