Welcome to The Third Growth Option, where we're not just talking about growth—we're making it our mission. At TGO, we understand that success isn't a fixed destination; it's an ongoing journey with twists, turns, and unexpected detours that take us to new places. Those moments are our Third Growth Options, where we throw away binary choices to create our own path. Hosted by Benno Duenkelsbuehler, O.G #GrowthNerd, we're on a mission to redefine success inside and outside of business, one epis ...
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Greg Sugar’s story is one of bold moves, big lessons, and strategic pivots. From lawyer to entrepreneur, Greg turned his knack for neckties into Tie Bar, an e-commerce success story that topped its market before he sold it. In this episode, Greg shares the real highs and lows of balancing risk and secur…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? How do retailers juggle the complex world of multi-channel sales? In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving gift and home industry with Kim Leister, president of Simblist. We explore how old-school methods like trade shows and store visits have morphed into a blend of digital platforms like FAIR a…
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The Power of Strategic Focus and Community
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37:36
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? What does it take to build a soulful brand that resonates deeply with its community? In this episode of the Third Growth Officer podcast, we sit down with Nora Napientek, the creative force behind the celebrated company, and Janice Christensen, the first employee and president, to uncover the secrets be…
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Artisanal Fabric Sourcing with Jackie Corlett
35:13
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Are corporations doing enough to combat greenwashing? We talk about the secrets of building sustainable, ethical supply chains in Bangladesh with textile designer Jackie Corlett. As a seasoned expert in the fair trade sector, she shares invaluable insights into sourcing artisanal fabrics and the importa…
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Consumer Research How-To’s with Shehnaz Safiuddin
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Get the inside scoop on mastering consumer research with Shehnaz Safiuddin, a pro in brand strategy and consumer insights. In this episode, we dig into how combining qualitative and quantitative methods can give you a sharper view of consumer behavior, helping you make smarter, more strategic business d…
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Building a Dog-Toy Brand - with Adam Baker
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? We sit down with Adam Baker, founder of SodaPup Dog Toys, to uncover the strategies that took his brand from concept to success. Adam shares how his background with top brands like Nike and Under Armour informed his approach to building a customer-centric brand that resonates deeply with its audience. Y…
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Nostalgia, Storytelling, and the Power of Pecans with Stephanie Stuckey
28:37
28:37
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28:37
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Stephanie Stuckey shares the inspiring story of reviving her grandfather's iconic roadside chain, Stuckey's Corporation, in 2019. In this episode, we explore the challenges she faced and how she balanced honoring the past with innovative strategies to breathe new life into the beloved brand. You'll lear…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Anna-Maja Björkenvall, CEO of LXMI, shares transformative insights on how meaningful work can elevate both your business and your impact. Inspired by the late Laila Janna's philosophy of "give work versus do good," this conversation explores how businesses can uplift marginalized communities through dig…
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Tech Talk and Entrepreneurship with Eric Dean
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28:30
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? In this episode, we explore the crucial role of continuous innovation in business. Eric offers insights on balancing technology with human interaction to enhance customer experiences and highlights the importance of viewing sales channels from the customer's perspective. We also discuss generational dif…
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Staying True to Your Passions with Kira Grace
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? What if staying true to your childhood passions could create a successful, authentic brand? In our latest episode, we talk with Kira Karmazin, founder of Kira Grace, about building a strong brand identity. Kira's journey, from her childhood sketchbook to creating transformative clothing, is a masterclas…
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New Rules of Retail with Warren Shoulberg
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Curious about how HomeSense, a TJ Maxx-owned chain, is poised to revolutionize the home goods market? We talk about the history of retail disruption, from the rise of discount stores in the 1950s to the seismic shifts brought about by the internet in the 1990s. Discover why the retail industry has often…
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The Revolution of Youth in Today's Workforce
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Are young people equipped to navigate the ever-changing job market? Join us as we explore the essential skills needed to thrive today. From underemployment to the gig economy, we break down why adaptability and emotional intelligence are must-haves. Moreover, we examine the critical role of personal fin…
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Mastering the Art of Sales with Austin Bunch
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Ever wondered how to turn a cold call into a gold mine? This episode is brimming with tactics for rekindling old customer flames and sparking new ones, as Austin Bunch shares his war stories from the front lines of 'focus calling'. He dissects the art of knowing your customer's history and the finesse r…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? How can a passion for sustainability fuel successful entrepreneurship? Seth Goldman and Spike Mendelsohn join us this week to share their inspiring journey with Eat the Change. From Spike's culinary heritage and his family's charitable background to Seth's transition from nonprofit activism, their stori…
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Manhattan Project for Tide with David VanHimbergen
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Ever wondered what happens when a mathematician turns his talents to the world of laundry and sustainable paper products? You get a riveting conversation with David Van Himbergen, the former Tide innovator and current CEO of Reel Paper, who sits down with me to recount a journey that's as much about cru…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? When it comes to enduring brands in the beauty industry, few can boast the legacy and resilience of Frownies. The podcast episode with Helen Morrison offers an intimate glimpse into how a family's dedication to a simple wrinkle solution evolved into a viral sensation in the age of social media. The stor…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? When Melissa Allen's husband faced the harrowing ordeal of skin cancer, little did they know their dog would be the one to unearth the life-changing diagnosis. This spark ignited Melissa's mission to craft a sunscreen brand designed with both heart and health in mind. On the Third Growth Option podcast,…
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How Do You Know When It's Time to Jump? With David Gebhart
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Ever wondered what it takes to leave the security of a full-time job for the rollercoaster world of entrepreneurship? David Gebhart, co-founder and president of Global Views, joins us to unfold the story of his transition from employee to entrepreneur and the inception of a business that has weathered n…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Michelle discusses scaling a product-based business through personal investment and navigating venture capital for a tech venture. She emphasizes adaptability in the competitive tech startup landscape and explores ShopDot, a drop-shipping platform empowering, brick-and-mortar stores. Discover valuable l…
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From Garage Start-up to Industry Giant with Scott Hamberger
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? When it comes to the entrepreneurial journey, the tale of Fortessa Tableware Solutions stands out as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of culture in crafting a successful business. Scott Hamberger, founder of Fortessa, sat down to recount the story of the company's evolution from a mo…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Jamie Gallagher, CEO of 4 the Win Partners, shares his evolution from corporate climbing to visionary leadership. Drawing from experiences at European giants like Lego and mentorship from Count Anton Wolfgang Faber-Castell, Jamie navigates the complexities of leadership and innovation in today's volatil…
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How to Find Great Clients without Selling
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Kai Bitter shows us the steps of training lawyers in the nuances of sales—or as we call it, Sales 101 for Lawyers. From overcoming the 2008 economic storm, embracing rejection, and finding that sweet spot where personal and professional interests align for success, Kai shares how authenticity and passio…
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Legal Counsel for Company Growth- Is there a new Model?
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? As an outside general counsel, Todd Wilkowski talks about how legal expertise can act as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Rather than being a mere gatekeeper, Todd serves as a facilitator, ensuring that legal considerations seamlessly integrate with expansion goals, thus becoming an indispensable a…
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Bridge Building in Life and Product Design - with Steve Berry
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? When Steve Berry swapped the familiarity of Boston for Miami's melting pot, his world turned upside down, and so did his approach to business and life. Steve's transformation from being rooted in uniformity to thriving amidst diversity led to a personal leap across cultural lines, led to love, and also …
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Mutual Growth - The Power of Peers, with Mike Thorne
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28:32
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? How do you build personal trust communities, to catapult your growth in life and career? Mike Thorne, the brain behind and CEO of Trust Inside, shares his journey and how these communities have become his rock. Mike's mantra of 'belong, build, believe', acts as a compass guiding him through life's diffe…
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Redefining Innovation in Manufacturing with Bob Robinson Jr
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? We speak to KAIVAC's leader, Bob Robinson Jr., about how to view progress and creativity in business. Bob's seasoned perspective emphasizes how innovation transcends mere product development, shaping the very essence of corporate systems. Drawing parallels between KAIVAC's innovation ethos and the mirac…
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Grow and Build-to-Sale: an Investment Banker's View, with Brent Rippe
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? You've spent years building your business, pouring every ounce of your energy into fostering its growth. But, it's time to move on. The decision to sell your business is a significant one, and it's crucial to understand the journey you're about to embark on. In this candid conversation with Brent Rippe,…
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Growth Between Comfort- and Panic Zones, with John Baines
40:52
40:52
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40:52
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? John Baines, a remarkable leader who ascended from engineer to president by the age of 29, shares his compelling journey to growth by embracing the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable, and even the panic-inducing aspects of leadership. John offers invaluable insights into leadership evolution. In our reflecti…
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Blueprint for Growth: Go as Yourself - with Jeffrey Sackenheim
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27:00
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? The blueprint-to-finished-building analogies are unavoidable when speaking both personal and corporate growth, with Jeffrey Sackenheim, the visionary CEO of SHP. Jeff is an architect's architect, and he's turning a 123-year-old design and architecture firm into a national trailblazer in educational desi…
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Changing Lanes - Career Growth Perspectives with David Garascia
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29:08
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Listen to David Garascia, a seasoned consumer products commercial leader with a $3.5B sales record, share his secrets of successful sales strategies, growth perspectives and the importance of occasionally changing lanes. He'll walk us through the fundamentals of sales, from the importance of consistency…
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A CEO's Growth Mindset, Discomfort, Other Leadership Tools with Gavin Marks
24:26
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24:26
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Gavin Marks is the forward-thinking CEO and Lightbulb Moment Igniter of DM Merchandising. Gavin shares how he became a growth mindset evangelist for his team and customers, and how embracing discomfort can be a leader's most potent tool. This episode is filled with real world insights, from his evolutio…
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Market Pulse - Looking Ahead to 2024 with 4 Industry Leaders
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? We asked three consumer executives who had just returned from two important January 2024 tradeshows, to share their observations (on product trends, consumer behaviors, sourcing-, buyer-, and marketing shifts) and their outlook for 2024. Laurie Gilner (President/CEO of Transpac Brands and exhibitor at A…
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An Officer & an Entrepreneur - Growth Lessons for Each, with Andy Bjork
27:32
27:32
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27:32
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? We talk about the role of leadership and training within organizations of all sizes. From the deck of a Navy ship to the corridors of Ivystone (an entrepreneurial multiline sales agency), Andy Bjork, a Navy-Captain-turned-Chief-Sales-Officer, shares methodologies and real life examples that nurture effe…
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Writing and Living our "Book" on Life and Work, with Kristina Stevens
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23:12
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Kristina Stevens loves to challenge norms, so clearly not your average Operations and Supply Chain leader. Kristina's big vision for life, unconventional perspective, and unwavering ambition for improvement shape the core of our discussion. Our conversation reveals a compelling narrative of Kristina's l…
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Storytelling and Entrepreneurial Growth - Harry Cunningham's GoodMRKT Journey
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Ever wondered how one transitions from a corporate job to being a purpose-driven entrepreneur? Or how iconic brands like Saks Fifth Avenue create unforgettable shopping experiences? I sat down with Harry Cunningham, the brain behind Saks' stunning Christmas windows and co-founder of GoodMRKT. Harry unve…
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Biz Lessons from the E.R.: Jeff Sands on Turnarounds
28:48
28:48
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28:48
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Ever wondered what it's like to be an ER doctor, but in the business world? Witness the high-stakes, high-pressure arena of corporate turnarounds in our latest episode with Jeff Sands, the founding partner of Dorset Partners. Jeff illuminates the unique challenges faced and the speed and creativity requ…
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Building a Digital Community for Local Retailers
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29:38
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29:38
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Imagine being a small business, fighting against the tide of big retail giants in the digital space. What if there was a platform designed to level the playing field, geared towards a community-focused digital solution for local retailers? This episode is a heart-to-heart chat with Kate Giovambattista, …
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Scaling Everest and Corporate Growth: Transformation Lessons
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Imagine scaling Everest Base Camp, not just for the thrill of it, but to draw deep life and leadership lessons. Our guest, Ketul Patel, is a seasoned supply chain and operations executive, and a climber who dared to reach the Everest Base Camp despite naysayers pointing out his age. The challenges he fa…
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B2B Customer Journey - Transforming Analog to Digital
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29:04
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29:04
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? How did a traditional factory navigate the journey to digital touchpoint transformation? Meet Nuno Malheiro, Head of Global Sales at Tintex and founder of Expegy, who offers the frontline perspective on transforming a textile factory's sales process from analog to digital. This isn't just about tech - i…
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Nelson Warley: A Visionary's Leap from Corporate America to Startups
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28:44
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Ready to discover what drives a man to pursue the startup life, learn inside corporate America for over a decade, then lean back into the startup world? Join us as we engage in an enthralling conversation with Nelson Warley, co-founder of True Places. Learn how this visionary is redesigning the consumer…
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Making Process a Nutrient for Growth, with Brittany Toler
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27:00
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Process, growth, and creativity - starting your career at 18 and scaling the corporate ladder to become a successful business executive and CEO - that's Brittany Toler's inspiring journey. She cut her teeth at Cape Craftsman, earned her stripes at Evergreen, and eventually led a direct-to-consumer compa…
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Heartland Mfg. Innovation to Digital Transformation
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? In this episode, we are chatting with Trent Guyer, VP of Marketing and Digital Strategy at Grasshopper Mowers in Moundridge, KS—a small town in the heart of the United States. Theirs is a third-generation family business that has embarked on an exciting journey from old-school manufacturing to cutting-e…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Welcome back, podcast aficionados! In this episode with Cheri Lantz, we're diving deep into the world of recruitment and talent acquisition, with a dash of entrepreneurial growth mindset. We understand that many of our listeners are eager to bridge the talent gap and become true magnets for exceptional …
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The Creative Process – Starts and Re-Starts
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Curious about the creative process? How does it apply to innovation and teamwork in general? Enter Nick DeSario, a deeply experienced and talented furniture designer, whose work has been featured in Architectural Digest and Elle Decor. Nick and I talk about the creative process, collaboration, how to bl…
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Reigniting a Classic Brand with a Start-up Mindset
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29:42
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Reigniting the spark of a 48-year-old legacy company, whose founder had passed away some years ago, is a difficult balancing act. Chuck Fraelich, president of tag - a legendary tabletop and seasonal decor brand founded by David Glassberg - in this episode is walking me through both the brand relaunch, a…
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Growth & Grit, from Co-Founding to (Partial) Exit
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Todd and Jannetta Litzman built, evolved, merged or sold and have been running a software business for the last 25+ years. In this episode, Todd shares their growth journey from cashier to CEO, from technology before laptops and handheld devices to giant handheld calculator-looking things and Palm Pilot…
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Mature Company Growth – through Constant Reinvention.
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30:24
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? It’s one thing to develop a hugely successful product and build a company around it - Willow Tree is that product and industry leader DEMDACO is that company - it’s another to constantly reinvent yourself, going on three decades now. Demi Lloyd, CEO of (and the DEM in) DEMDACO, talks about the less than…
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Aha! Moments Building a Subscription Model
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28:22
Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Post-acquisition integration is where most M&A acquisitions succeed or fail. Steve Nunn is CEO of Intista, a company that helps to integrate acquired small-to-midsize companies (“air traffic control for integrations”). As a follow up to Ep #18 with Steve, in this episode we’re having a chat about his jo…
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? Preet Brar, global brand leader in consumer goods and guest on this episode, understands markets and teams. I asked her about changes in the external markets, and how to lead teams internally to bring ideas to reality. External - new ideas in the market: 3:52 - “There was a lot of cross-category buying……
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Trees & Forests: Balancing Growth Initiatives in Midsized Companies
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Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? My guest is John Lanman, a consumer products CEO/General Manager who cut his teeth in Marketing roles with well-known names like Thermos, Blyth Candle/Fragrances, and progressed to GM or CEO of Oriental Trading Co and Precious Moments. John and I both served as Board Members, and here John shares his th…
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