The traditional methods of fostering employee loyalty—like offering perks such as free snacks and game rooms—are no longer enough to meet the needs of today's workforce. Modern employees seek deeper connections, a sense of purpose, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Leaders must now adopt unconventional strategies to build lasting loyalty. Drawing inspiration from iconic brands like Harley-Davidson, known for its deeply loyal community of Harley Owners Group (HOG) members, offers valuable insights into creating long-term employee engagement and advocacy.

Ken Schmidt, former Director of Communications at Harley-Davidson, is the author of Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance. His book draws on the metaphor of a motorcycle ride to explore how brands can cultivate customer loyalty, using a three-question approach: What do your customers say about you? What do you want them to say? How can you get them to say it?

More about Ken Schmidt on https://kenspeaks.com/ or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-schmidt-5b08115/

1. What are some common mistakes leaders make that unintentionally erode employee loyalty?
2. What qualities make a leader effective in building employee loyalty and advocacy?
3. How important is it for leaders to empower employees as brand advocates on social media? What tips can encourage this?
4. How do you measure the success of employee loyalty and advocacy programs? What key metrics should be tracked?
5. How can brands align their employee engagement efforts with their identity and culture, like Harley-Davidson has done?
6. How does adopting an unconventional leadership style impact employee loyalty compared to traditional methods?

The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast is a series of insightful interviews with prominent experts on mindsets, skills and mental resources to grow individually, lead motivated teams and create human-centric work cultures. These episodes are about thought provoking ideas to scale up and growth hack human-centric and performing work cultures. Hosted by Ivan Palomino

A recent study by the Ethics & Compliance Initiative revealed a significant gap between the importance of ethical leadership and its perception among employees. While more than 99% of employees believe it's crucial for leaders to be ethical, only 24% feel their leaders meet this standard. This disparity highlights the urgent need for a stronger focus on ethical leadership in the workplace.

Brian Beckcom is a distinguished Computer Scientist, Philosopher, and Trial Lawyer based in Houston, Texas. With 14 consecutive Texas Super Lawyer titles, Brian is recognized as one of the top legal minds in the state. His firm, VB Attorneys, is widely regarded as one of the best law firms in the United States.

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbeckcom/

His podcast Lessons from Leaders with Brian Beckcom https://www.brianbeckcom.org/

1. What are the most important ethical principles that leaders should uphold in today's workplace?
2. What are the common ethical dilemmas leaders face, and how can they navigate these challenges effectively?
3. How can leaders foster a positive and ethical workplace culture?
4. What ethical decision-making frameworks can guide leaders in making the right choices?
5. How does accountability play a role in ethical leadership, and how can leaders ensure they are held accountable?
6. What are the emerging trends in ethical leadership, and how are they shaping the future of leadership and ethics?
7. What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who want to make ethical decisions in their careers?

The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast is a series of insightful interviews with prominent experts on mindsets, skills and mental resources to grow individually, lead motivated teams and create human-centric work cultures. These episodes are about thought provoking ideas to scale up and growth hack human-centric and performing work cultures. Hosted by Ivan Palomino

Generative AI (GenAI) is making waves in the tech world, with experts describing it as a "technological tsunami." But what does this mean in reality? In this conversation, we delve into why GenAI is generating so much buzz, how it fits into the broader AI landscape, and which industries and functions are most poised for disruption.

We'll also explore the challenges of adopting GenAI, from human and financial hurdles to IT issues, and share real-world success stories of non-tech companies leveraging GenAI for growth and innovation. Learn how to strategically approach GenAI adoption and manage the change it brings to your organization.

Zuleka Kaysan is the Managing Director of The Cornerstone Advisory, where she leverages over 18 years of experience in business transformation to help organizations enhance innovation and operational performance.

Florian Raemy is the CEO of Prometee, an AI-first Swiss consultancy that specializes in guiding companies through the complexities of AI adoption and implementation.

1. How easy is it to adopt AI in corporate environments?
2. What are the major human and technical challenges in implementing AI successfully?
3. Can you share examples of non-tech companies effectively using AI, and how they’ve done it?
4. What are the first steps companies should take to start using AI, and what should they watch out for?
5. How can organizations prepare themselves to be AI-ready?
6. What are your top three pieces of advice for CEOs who are in "wait and see" mode regarding AI adoption?

See the video recording on our YouTube Channel

The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast is a series of insightful interviews with prominent experts on mindsets, skills and mental resources to grow individually, lead motivated teams and create human-centric work cultures. These episodes are about thought provoking ideas to scale up and growth hack human-centric and performing work cultures. Hosted by Ivan Palomino

The "strategy-to-execution gap" is a critical issue that many organizations face, often leading to significant losses in strategic potential. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, executives reported that their organizations lose 40% of their strategy's potential value due to breakdowns in execution. Additionally, the Project Management Institute (PMI) found that 37% of projects fail because of a lack of clearly defined objectives and milestones, which are essential for successful execution.

Anthony Taylor is the CEO of SME Strategy, where he helps organizations achieve true strategic planning and alignment. He is also the author of two books and the host of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast.

The Strategy and Leadership Podcast https://www.smestrategy.net/strategy-and-leadership-podcast

Anthony's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/

1. What are the common mistakes businesses make when executing their strategy?
2. How can businesses achieve strategic alignment effectively?
3. Are SMART goals still relevant, or are OKRs becoming more popular in strategic planning?
4. What are the best tips for overcoming execution challenges in business strategy?
5. How can businesses leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency and strategic alignment?
6. What are the key steps to creating a culture of execution in an organization?
7. What advice can help businesses struggling to achieve their strategic goals?

Announcement on my upcoming book on how to prepare your human skills for the Journey of Entrepreneurship: Step Zero, Before The Hustle https://www.ivanpalomino.net/book-step-zero-before-the-hustle

The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast is a series of insightful interviews with prominent experts on mindsets, skills and mental resources to grow individually, lead motivated teams and create human-centric work cultures. These episodes are about thought provoking ideas to scale up and growth hack human-centric and performing work cultures. Hosted by Ivan Palomino

Employee confidence is a cornerstone of organizational success, yet many employees struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and a fear of failure. These issues can hinder their potential and negatively impact team performance, leading to hesitant decision-making and missed opportunities for innovation.

In this interview with Alan Lazaros, CEO of Next Level University, we delve into the complexities of building a culture of confidence within organizations. We'll explore the root causes of self-doubt, the generational nuances affecting confidence levels, and the tangible consequences for businesses. Most importantly, we'll uncover actionable strategies for leaders to foster a workplace where every employee feels empowered, capable, and confident in their contributions.

Alan Lazaros, an engineer turned one of the most recognized self-help wizards, is the CEO of Next Level University. With his expertise, Alan has helped countless individuals and organizations build confidence and achieve their full potential.

How to reach Alan:

• On his website https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/
• On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

• What are the main reasons employees lack confidence in the workplace?
• How do factors like imposter syndrome and fear of failure contribute to low employee confidence?
• What differences in confidence levels have you observed between younger generations and previous generations in the workforce?
• How does a lack of confidence among employees affect overall organizational performance?
• What strategies can leaders use to create a work environment that fosters employee confidence and self-belief?
• How can leaders address their own self-doubt to better support a confident workplace?
• What are some effective ways to scale confidence-building efforts across an entire organization?
• Is it possible to build a culture of confidence without incurring high costs for the organization?

The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast is a series of insightful interviews with prominent experts on mindsets, skills and mental resources to grow individually, lead motivated teams and create human-centric work cultures. These episodes are about thought provoking ideas to scale up and growth hack human-centric and performing work cultures. Hosted by Ivan Palomino

In this insightful episode, I open up about my journey from a work-centric life that led to deteriorated mental health to my quest for understanding where things went wrong. This pivotal shift ignited my interest in the profound impact of physical activity on performance. Mauro Stara, founder of Six Pack CEO and a renowned peak performance expert, joins me to delve into this topic. Mauro, a trusted advisor to high-achieving CEOs and business owners, is known for his unique approach that focuses on advanced blood work testing and personalized coaching to address hormonal imbalances.

Through his expertise, Mauro helps clients achieve sustainable transformations, reclaiming vitality and confidence even with their demanding schedules. Together, we explore common misconceptions about physical health and productivity, the scientific link between them, and practical tips for busy professionals to enhance their well-being and efficiency.

Mauro Stara, founder of Six Pack CEO, is a peak performance expert and trusted advisor to successful CEOs and business owners. Known as the last resort for those exhausted from mainstream approaches, Mauro specializes in resolving challenges where others have failed. By prioritizing advanced blood work testing and personalized coaching, he tackles the root cause of stagnation: hormones. With his guidance, clients achieve lifelong, sustainable transformations, reclaiming vitality and confidence amidst demanding schedules.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauro-stara-4b4295217/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maurostaraofficial/

- What are some common misconceptions about physical health and productivity that you'd like to clear up?

- Can you explain what science says about the link between physical health and work productivity?

- How does physical health impact cognitive function and decision-making at work?

- Are there specific areas of physical health that have a greater impact on productivity (e.g., cardiovascular health, sleep quality)?

- Can you offer practical tips for busy professionals to improve their physical health and subsequently, their productivity?

- How do you see the future of workplace wellness programs impacting employee health and productivity?

- Can you share any personal anecdotes or success stories that illustrate the link between physical health and work productivity? BONUS CONTENT -The Habit Hack: How to Change Your Company Culture One Routine at a Time >> https://www.peoplekult.com/post/the-habit-hack-how-to-change-your-company-culture-one-routine-at-a-time

The Growth Hacking Culture Podcast is a series of insightful interviews with prominent experts on mindsets, skills and mental resources to grow individually, lead motivated teams and create human-centric work cultures. These episodes are about thought provoking ideas to scale up and growth hack human-centric and performing work cultures. Hosted by Ivan Palomino

In today's digital age, technology transcends the confines of the IT department, integrating into every role—from marketing and sales to customer service and even janitorial staff. This pervasive presence, which we term Tech Omnipresence, prompts a crucial question: Who holds the responsibility for technology in the modern workplace? Is it solely the IT team, expected to be tech wizards for everyone?

Meet Jim Stevenson, a renowned expert in Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. As the Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group, an international growth consultancy, Jim believes that while technology is powerful, it should always serve a meaningful purpose.

More about Jim: On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstevenson/ or in his website https://www.bletchleygroup.com/

- How technology has reshaped workplace responsibilities. - Challenges in managing technology and its impact on employees. - The role of CIOs, CTOs, and alternative tech responsibility structures. - Empowering employees to be tech-savvy and innovative. - The benefits of "Tech Champions" versus distributed tech ownership. - Essential skills and mindsets for future tech leaders. - Preparing for evolving technologies and adaptable responsibility models. - Anecdotes and case studies on effective tech responsibility.

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For show notes and past guests on the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast: https://www.peoplekult.com/podcast-work-culture

Follow Ivan Palomino on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivanpalomino_

Follow Ivan Palomino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipalomino/

Building a strong sales culture is crucial for driving consistent revenue growth and attracting top sales talent. However, several challenges can hinder this process for corporations. Here are some key obstacles, along with research to support them:

1. Misalignment Between Sales and Other Departments:

• Challenge: When sales goals are siloed from overall company objectives, it creates friction and distrust between sales and other departments like marketing, product development, and customer service. This lack of alignment can lead to inconsistent messaging, poor product-market fit, and ultimately, dissatisfied customers.
• Research: A study by CSO Insights found that only 42% of salespeople believe their marketing department is "highly effective" at generating qualified leads.

2. Lack of Focus on Customer Experience:

• Challenge: When the sales process prioritizes closing deals over building long-term customer relationships, it creates a transactional and unsustainable approach. This mindset can lead to high churn rates and damage the company's reputation.
• Research: According to a Salesforce report, 76% of customers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations.

3. Short-Term Focus and Pressure to Meet Quotas:

• Challenge: An overemphasis on hitting immediate sales targets can lead to unethical practices, poor product/service recommendations, and ultimately, customer dissatisfaction. This short-term mentality can also discourage investment in developing long-term customer relationships and employee skills.
• Research: A study by the Harvard Business Review found that a focus on short-term sales goals can lead to unethical behavior, such as pressure to misrepresent products or services.

4. Inadequate Coaching and Development:

• Challenge: Without ongoing coaching and development opportunities, salespeople struggle to adapt to changing market conditions, refine their skills, and stay motivated. This can lead to knowledge gaps, outdated techniques, and a lack of engagement with the sales process.
• Research: According to a study by the Sales Management Association, only 20% of salespeople believe their companies provide them with adequate sales training.

5. Unclear Recognition and Reward Systems:

• Challenge: Inconsistent or unclear recognition and reward systems can demotivate salespeople and fail to incentivize the desired behaviors. When rewards are solely based on closed deals, it discourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term customer focus.
• Research: A study by Gartner found that 74% of sales reps are dissatisfied with their current compensation plans.

Meet Alan Versteeg, an engineer turned sales management expert. Initially skeptical about the sales world, Alan applied engineering principles of cause and effect to sales management, transforming his career. He co-founded Growth Matters, developing over 2,000 sales managers across 45+ countries and diverse industries.

His company Growth Matters: https://www.growthmattersintl.com/

Alan's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanversteeg/

- Key differences between average and top-performing sales teams. - How to cultivate a growth mindset in sales teams. - Practical strategies for developing a winning mindset. - Essential elements of a high-performing sales culture. - Creating a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. - Challenges in building a strong sales culture. - Trends shaping the future of sales.

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Sign up for the Simply Human Newsletter (monthly email newsletter): https://simplyhuman.substack.com

For show notes and past guests on the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast: https://www.peoplekult.com/podcast-work-culture

Follow Ivan Palomino on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivanpalomino_

Follow Ivan Palomino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipalomino/