Business Excellence Podcast

Are you looking to leverage LinkedIn Live streams to effectively engage and educate your audience? Look no further than this week’s Top Five Podcast episode with Colin Hirdman. There are several best practices to keep in mind. First and foremost, it's crucial to identify your target audience and a relevant topic that will provide genuine value to them. By determining the specific individuals, you want to reach and the information they would find most useful, you can ensure your live stream content is tailored to their needs. Next, be sure to create a dedicated LinkedIn event for your live stream. This not only allows you to promote the upcoming session to your network, but also enables you to track attendance and engagement. Speaking of promotion, leveraging your first-degree connections on LinkedIn by sending them invites to the event is an excellent way to drive viewership and participation. When it comes to the live stream itself, consider utilizing a third-party tool like Streamyard, as LinkedIn currently does not offer native live streaming capabilities. During the 30-minute session, be sure to allocate time for real-time Q&A and audience interaction, as this fosters a sense of engagement and demonstrates your willingness to address their specific questions or concerns. Finally, follow up with attendees after the live stream has concluded. Express your gratitude for their participation, provide a link to the recorded session, and offer the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Additionally, repurposing the live stream content by sharing it on your website and social media channels can help extend the reach and impact of your valuable insights. By implementing these best practices, you can position your LinkedIn Live streams as a powerful tool for establishing your expertise, building relationships, and driving meaningful growth for your business. Thank you to Colin for joining Lindsay and I. #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/gvJvKBQJ

Now, I want to challenge all of you listening to really take a hard look at Tip #5 - providing the right tools and technology to enable innovation. Too often, I see large organizations paying lip service to innovation, but failing to equip their teams with the resources they need to be truly creative and experimental. So, here's my challenge to you: Take a step back and honestly assess the tools and technology available to the innovators and change-makers in your organization. Are they working with outdated software? Do they have access to prototyping materials and dedicated collaboration spaces? Or are they just expected to innovate on their own time, without any dedicated resources? Really think about the barriers that might be holding your teams back. Are there certain tools or technologies that could dramatically accelerate their ability to test new ideas and bring them to life? Once you've identified those gaps, I want you to make a commitment - commit to taking concrete action to provide your innovators with the tools they need to succeed. It might mean securing budget for new design software. Or setting aside dedicated innovation labs or maker spaces. Or even instituting a "20% time" policy, like Google, where people can spend a portion of their week purely focused on creative projects. Whatever it is, the key is to stop treating innovation like an afterthought and start giving it the resources and priority it deserves. Because as Nick said, you wouldn't expect a world-class athlete to perform at their best without the right equipment. The same principle applies to driving innovation within your organization. So, take this challenge seriously. Identify the gaps, make a plan, and start equipping your teams to innovate at the highest level. I guarantee you'll start seeing the results - both in terms of the ideas they generate, and the impact those ideas have on your business. Who's ready to step up and lead the charge on Nick’s Top Five Tips? Thank you Nick for joining Lindsay and I in absentia, greatly enjoyed listening to this one. #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/grvrs2Z6

We have shot right down to Tip #4 for Driving Innovation in Large Orgs: Create a Culture and Incentive Structure that Encourages Innovation One of the key insights from the discussion with innovation expert Nick Jain is the critical importance of creating the right culture and incentives to support innovation within large organizations. As Nick explains, the reality is that many large companies actually discourage innovation, rather than encouraging it. The typical approach is to give employees a "nice pat on the back" if they come up with a good idea, but then the organization simply takes that idea and runs with it - without providing any real rewards or recognition for the employee who came up with it. Worse yet, Nick notes that some organizations even actively penalize employees for failed experiments or "screwing around" on innovative side projects. The fear of looking "stupid" or getting passed over for promotions can be a major deterrent to taking the kinds of risks that innovation requires. This is a huge missed opportunity. As Nick points out, the reality is that true innovation involves a lot of trial and error - you have to be willing to fail 99 times before you land on that one breakthrough idea. But large organizations often don't have the patience or the incentive structures in place to support that kind of iterative, experimental approach. So what's the solution? According to Nick, organizations need to get much more intentional about creating a culture and incentive structure that actively encourages innovation. This could involve things like: 1. Monetary rewards (the "gold" incentive) 2. Opportunities for recognition and status ("glory") 3. Alignment with the company's broader mission and values ("common good") 4. The chance to prove one's own capabilities ("guts") The key is to understand what truly motivates your employees - whether it's financial gain, the desire for achievement, or the chance to make a positive impact. Then structure your innovation programs and incentives accordingly. Ultimately, if you want your large organization to be truly innovative, you have to be willing to put your money where your mouth is. Create the right environment, provide the right resources, and make sure people are properly incentivized to take smart risks and keep experimenting. It's the only way to unlock the full innovative potential of your team. What do you think about this tip? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how large organizations can build a culture that truly embraces and rewards innovation. #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/grvrs2Z6

On this week’s episode Nick Jain highlights his top five tips for innovating in large organizations. One of the key tips for driving innovation in large organizations is to focus on running small experiments and collecting data, rather than launching big, risky initiatives. He explains that many organizations make the mistake of trying to innovate through "big programs" - whether that's a major marketing campaign, a new product launch, or some other large-scale initiative. The problem with this approach is that when these big bets fail, the consequences can be disastrous, with people losing their jobs and the company wasting significant time and money. Instead, Nick advocates for an iterative, scientific approach to innovation. The idea is to start with a hypothesis, run a small experiment, collect data on the results, and then use that data to inform the next iteration. This allows you to test ideas quickly, fail fast, and make incremental improvements over time. Nick sets out some helpful guidelines on the duration of these small experiments: X For marketing campaigns (e.g. digital ads), 2 weeks is typically enough to collect meaningful data. X For new product features, you generally want to get feedback from around 500 users. X For financial investments, you may need to run experiments for up to 2 years to get reliable data, due to the volatility of the stock market. The key is to start small, be patient, and let the data guide your decision-making. "Good innovation happens iteratively, not with a splash and bang." By focusing on running these small, data-driven experiments, you can reduce the risk of failure, learn quickly, and steadily build towards more impactful innovations. It's a more methodical approach, but one that tends to yield better long-term results. What do you think about this first tip? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on how large organizations can best implement this kind of iterative, experimental approach to innovation #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/grvrs2Z6

Jaemin shared some truly transformative perspectives that can help us all upgrade our mindsets and unlock our full potential. One of the key takeaways that really resonated with me was the idea of rebuilding trust with ourselves. So often, we approach self-improvement through a lens of mistrust, constantly needing to manage and discipline ourselves. But as Jaemin explained, that's a dangerous path that keeps us from accessing our best selves. By taking the time to understand our past mistakes, clean the slate, and rebuild that fundamental trust, we open the door to a whole new level of self-permission and growth. It's not always easy work, but the payoff is immense. He also shared some brilliant strategies around identifying the "right" games to play and embodying the appropriate avatar or persona. This idea of aligning our outward expression with our true purpose is so powerful. It allows us to channel our energy efficiently and signal to ourselves and others that we belong. And of course, the topic of neediness and emotional self-sufficiency really hit home. We all struggle with that need for external validation at times. But as Jaemin emphasized, our job as adults is to fill our own cups, to validate and approve of ourselves. It's a profound shift in mindset that can liberate us. So, I really encourage you all to carve out some time to listen to the full podcast episode. Jaemin's insights are profound, practical, and have the power to transform the way we approach personal growth and achievement. Remember, the journey from self-discipline to self-permission isn't always easy, but the rewards are immense. Let's embrace this work together and watch how it unlocks our greatest potential. #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/gh42EpVw

Identifying and embodying the right "avatar" or persona can be very helpful in playing the right games and achieving peak performance. Here's how: 1. Clarity of purpose: When you create a clear avatar or persona for a specific game or role, it provides you with a focused sense of identity and purpose. You know exactly who you need to be and how to show up, which streamlines your efforts. 2. Congruent signalling: The avatar you embody sends a clear signal to both yourself and others that you belong in that game or role. When your appearance, language, and behaviors align with the avatar, it projects confidence and competence. 3. Efficient energy channelling: Rather than expending energy trying to figure out how to play a game, the avatar gives you a pre-defined template. You can channel your energy directly into performing well within that established framework. 4. Overcoming resistance: If you try to play a game without embodying the right avatar, you'll likely face internal resistance and self-doubt. The avatar helps you overcome that by making you feel like you truly belong. 5. Commitment and focus: Adopting an avatar commits you to that game or role. It helps you stay focused and avoid getting distracted by other games that may not be the right fit. Jaemin shared the example of how embodying an "Ernest Hemingway-esque" avatar helped him overcome writer's block and become a more productive author. The avatar gave him a clear identity to inhabit, which enabled him to play that game effectively. So, in essence, the right avatar allows you to signal to yourself and others that you are in the right game, which then empowers you to perform at your peak within that context #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/gh42EpVw

Rebuilding trust with oneself is a crucial step in upgrading from self-discipline to self-permission. When you manage yourself through self-discipline, it stems from a place of mistrust. By rebuilding trust with yourself, you can address the underlying reasons for this mistrust and move towards a more positive, permission-based approach. Jaemin Frazer took us through his 5 tips to achieve this. Some key ways rebuilding trust can help: 1. Understanding past mistakes: By examining past mistakes or missteps that led to the mistrust, you can gain clarity on why they occurred and address the root causes. This allows you to move past them, rather than continuously managing yourself due to those past issues. 2. Developing self-acceptance: As you uncover the reasons behind your mistrust, you can start to accept yourself more fully, flaws and all. This self-acceptance is a foundation for granting yourself permission, rather than constantly needing to discipline yourself. 3. Improving self-relationship: Rebuilding trust is about mending the relationship you have with yourself. When this relationship is strong and based on understanding, you're better able to give yourself the permission to grow and thrive, rather than relying on rigid self-discipline. 4. Increasing self-awareness: The process of rebuilding trust requires deep self-reflection and awareness. This self-knowledge then empowers you to make choices aligned with your true self, rather than operating from an external, disciplinary mindset. So in summary, by rebuilding trust with yourself, you lay the groundwork to transition from self-discipline driven by mistrust, to self-permission rooted in self-understanding, acceptance and a healthy self-relationship. #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/gh42EpVw

As we wrap up the week, I wanted to share a quick recap of the top tips I've been discussing for driving impactful sustainability collaboration: 1. Identify common goals and areas of mutual interest across stakeholders. Look for the sustainability challenges that affect your whole industry or community. 2. Establish a neutral platform or forum to bring everyone to the table. This impartial convener can facilitate open dialogue and align on shared objectives. 3. Agree on standardized metrics and reporting frameworks. Aligning on how to measure and track progress is key for transparent, effective collaboration. 4. Leverage each other's unique strengths and resources. Competitors, NGOs, suppliers, and others all have complementary capabilities to contribute. 5. Start small with pilot projects to build trust and demonstrate value. Then you can scale up your collaborative efforts over time. The overarching theme? Sustainability is a team sport. By joining forces, you can tackle even the biggest challenges and drive exponentially more impact than any one organization could alone. So, as you head into the weekend, I challenge you - who are you going to reach out to and start collaborating with on sustainability? The possibilities are endless! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Happy Friday, sustainability superstars #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/dcK6wqDC

When it comes to sustainability collaboration, one of the most important steps is establishing a neutral platform or forum to bring all the key players together. Why is this so crucial? Well, think about it - you've got competitors, NGOs, government agencies, suppliers, customers, and more all with a stake in the sustainability game. Getting that diverse group to the table and aligning them on common goals can be a real challenge. That's where a neutral convener comes in. Whether it's an industry association, multi-stakeholder initiative, or independent facilitator, this impartial third-party plays a vital role: ~ Creating a safe, transparent space for open dialogue ~ Identifying shared interests and finding common ground ~ Establishing ground rules, governance, and decision-making processes ~ Facilitating productive discussions and keeping everyone engaged A great example is the Sustainable Apparel Coalition - a group of big-name brands, retailers, suppliers, NGOs, and academic institutions working together to improve sustainability in the fashion industry. By coming together under this neutral umbrella, they've been able to develop standardized sustainability measurement tools, share best practices, and drive meaningful change. The key is finding the right neutral platform for your industry or community. It could be an existing organization or something you help create from scratch. The important thing is ensuring everyone feels heard, respected, and invested in the process and outcomes. After all, sustainability is a team sport. And having that neutral facilitator to bring the right players together is often the secret sauce for collaboration success. So, tell me - what neutral platforms are you leveraging for your sustainability efforts? I'd love to hear your experiences! #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/dcK6wqDC

The Secret to Sustainability Success? Collaboration. Lee Stewart is a renowned sustainability leader, during the conversation with him I learnt that the real magic happens when you team up with others. In fact, one of the most powerful quotes from the conversation, sums it up perfectly: "The key is finding ways that collaboration can benefit all parties and lead to greater sustainability impact than any one organization could achieve alone." Wise words indeed! And the data backs this up - studies show that companies who collaborate on sustainability initiatives are 2x more likely to report positive business outcomes. So, what are the keys to effective collaboration? Here are the top tips: 1. Identify common goals and areas of mutual interest across stakeholders 2. Establish a neutral platform to bring everyone to the table 3. Agree on shared metrics and reporting frameworks 4. Leverage each other's unique strengths and resources 5. Start small with pilot projects to build trust 6. Define clear governance and decision-making processes 7. Celebrate progress and successes to keep everyone motivated The bottom line is, sustainability is a team sport. By joining forces, you can tackle even the biggest challenges and drive exponentially more impact. So, who are you collaborating with? I'd love to hear your stories! Share in the comments below #futureofwork #excellenceproject #raelbricker #futureofculture #businessexcellence #excellence #smallsteps EP: https://lnkd.in/dcK6wqDC