The Dirt

106. Embracing Change & Creating Culture, with Alejandro Pérez

The name of the game is flexibility. Today’s guest is an agent of change who has an exit under his belt, a transition from founder out of the CEO seat and recently increased the company from a 4-day, back to a 5-day work week. Join Jim and Alejandro as they go deep discussing Alejandro’s journey building Komet Sales - a vertically integrated floral platform - with a focus on what it means to build a strong culture and how to align people to the company’s long-term vision.  3 Key Takeaways * Embrace Change: Don’t get attached. Whether that’s a title, a GTM approach, a person on your team. Things change, the ability to adapt quickly is an asset. Learn to let go, to move forward! * Find a Mentor: This is a golden nugget that not nearly enough founders/CEOs do. As Warren Buffet says, “It’s good to learn from your mistakes. It’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes.” * Understand People: Take the time to know your team. This is the foundation for culture. When people believe in what you’re doing, combined with a strong sense of connection, you’ve got a recipe for company success.  Resources https://www.kometsales.com/ [https://www.kometsales.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/aperez/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aperez/] About Our Guest  Alejandro started Komet Sales, the top software platform for the flower industry. He built the business from nothing until he was able to sell it successfully. Along the way, he faced many challenges that most startups deal with. His journey needed a strong passion for what he did, lots of creative thinking, and taking smart risks. About The Dirt Podcast  The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands. If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe. For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast [https://www.orchid.black/podcast] About Our Company Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.  Website: https://www.orchid.black [https://www.orchid.black]  Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/]  Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack [https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack]  All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.

105. Revenue = Vanity, Profit = Sanity, with Tom Shugg

From humble beginnings in a Beijing apartment to building a business teaching 50,000 students Chinese and Spanish worldwide, Tom Shugg is well versed in immersive learning.  Whether it’s changing diapers or expanding into a foreign market, Jim and Tom go deep on what it takes to build a company across country lines.  3 Key Takeaways * Trust the Market: As a business owner or leader, you likely have preconceived notions about what you think is right in your industry. But that’s not always the case, one example - a lack of Spanish teachers in the US.  * Gamification Warning 🚨: Beware buzzwords! Lots of companies in edtech tout gamification, but their offering really doesn’t hold water for engaging students.  * Ride the Wave: The beauty of building a business is that momentum makes it easier over time. Once you’ve proven your offering in one market, it makes your transition into a new one simpler because you have a playbook to follow. * Resources https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-shugg-3903135a/ www.meglanguages.com  About Our Guest  Tom Shugg is the Co-founder of Meg Languages and it was the inspiration that comes with being exposed to other cultures that inspired him to start a company that can advocate for that.  Tom spent more than a decade living and working in China, he is a fluent Mandarin speaker and prior to starting Meg, worked at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. When not working, Tom is chasing after 3 young kids and spending as much time on his surfboard as possible. About The Dirt Podcast  The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands. If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe. For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast [https://www.orchid.black/podcast] About Our Company Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.  Website: https://www.orchid.black [https://www.orchid.black]  Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/]  Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack [https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack]  All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.

104. From Gamer to Tech Tycoon, with Graeme Barlow

In this episode of the Dirt, Graeme Barlow, a seasoned tech founder and entrepreneur, shares his unique journey from starting an online gaming currency business as a rebellious kid to spearheading a multi-million dollar software development agency in Ottawa, Canada.  With a candid recount of his entrepreneurial ventures, Barlow dives into the lessons learned from expanding and then narrowing his company's focus, the pivotal shift to a retainer-based business model, and the importance of investing in people and culture. His story is a testament to the power of adaptability, the value of focused execution, and the unforeseen paths to success. Join Jim and Graeme as they unpack his unconventional path to tech company success … 3 Key Takeaways * Focus is Critical for Growth: Maintain the focus on core competencies; expanding services can dilute your core competencies. Concentrating on your strengths leads to sustainable growth. * Adaptability is Key: Embracing change and the willingness to pivot in response to market demands and internal assessments is crucial to survival. * Culture and Leadership are Foundational: Develop a strong culture and invest in leadership training. This is critical for maintaining alignment and ensuring quality as a company scales. Resources https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemebarlow  https://www.graemebarlow.com/coaching  https://www.iversoft.ca/ About Our Guest  Graeme Barlow, a serial entrepreneur with over 24 years of experience, has co-founded five companies, including a notable digital currency firm and RocketOwl Inc., which were both successfully acquired. He's significantly contributed to the pet industry through ProPetSoftware, achieving an ARR of over $1M. Leading Iversoft since 2016, he's driven its growth from a small team to over 50 members and nearly $10M in annual revenue, specializing in mobile and emerging technologies, and delivering impactful software solutions globally. About The Dirt Podcast  The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands. If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe. For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast [https://www.orchid.black/podcast] About Our Company Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.  Website: https://www.orchid.black [https://www.orchid.black]  Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/]  Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack [https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack]  All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.

103. Shaping the Future of Workforce Engagement, with Jenny von Podewils

In this episode of the Dirt, Jenny von Podewils, co-founder of Leapsome, shares the origin and mission of their people enablement platform, designed to help companies retain, develop, align, and engage their workforce.  Starting from a personal realization of the gaps in organizational health and culture, Jenny and her co-founder embarked on a journey to create a solution that addresses these challenges. With a background in politics and economics, Jenny's pivot to entrepreneurship led to the development of Leapsome, which has seen remarkable growth and success, including a significant Series A funding.  Through a focus on customer feedback, continuous learning, and challenging the status quo, Leapsome has become a crucial tool for companies worldwide, including industry giants like Spotify and Unity. Join Jim and Jenny as they unpack strategies on how to maximize employee engagement for a better culture… 3 Key Takeaways * Invest in People Enablement: Investing in people enablement not only fosters a positive work environment but also directly contributes to the overall productivity and profitability of the company.  Focus on retaining, developing and engaging employees as a core strategy for business success. * Embrace Feedback & Adaptability: Companies that actively seek and incorporate feedback are better positioned to evolve and meet the demands of the market.  Regularly solicit and act on feedback to improve and meet emerging challenges, as well as maintain a competitive edge. * Prioritize Alignment and Clarity: Prioritizing alignment and clarity within an organization is crucial for maximizing efficiency and achieving strategic objectives.  Ensure that your team understands their roles, expectations, and how they contribute to the company’s goals. Resources https://www.leapsome.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/leapsome/ About Our Guest  Jenny von Podewils is the co-founder and co-CEO of Leapsome, a people enablement platform backed by Insight Partners, Creandum, and Visionaries Club. Leapsome helps more than 1500 companies (including Spotify, Unity, and monday.com) build high-performing teams by driving employee development, productivity, and engagement. Jenny is an alumna of the Universities of St. Gallen and Oxford. Prior to Leapsome, Jenny led teams in business development, corporate development, and digital transformation roles in media and tech companies. In recognition of her work, Jenny was awarded Female Founder of the Year 2023 in the prestigious German Startup Awards and has been listed as one of the top 50 female entrepreneurs in Germany by Handelsblatt. Jenny lives in New York City with her husband and two children. About The Dirt Podcast  The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands. If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe. For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast [https://www.orchid.black/podcast] About Our Company Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.  Website: https://www.orchid.black [https://www.orchid.black]  Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/]  Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack [https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack]  All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.

102. Crafting Success in B2B and Fresh Foods Marketing, with Steven Muro

In this episode of the Dirt, Steven Muro shares his extensive journey from software to becoming a leading figure in the B2B marketing sphere, particularly within the grocery sector. With over 26 years at the helm of his own agency, Steven has mastered leveraging data analytics to elevate brands like the Hass Avocado Board and California Strawberries.  He emphasizes the importance of translating complex data into simple, actionable marketing strategies, ensuring his clients stand out as category captains. Steven's approach to client relationships and his innovative use of data exemplify his belief in the power of focused, client-centric marketing. Join Jim and Steven Muro as they unpack Muro’s philosophy on blending data analysis with creative marketing to foster B2B success, offering valuable insights for business owners and marketers alike… 3 Key Takeaways * Data-Driven Decision Making: It is crucial to leverage data analytics not just for the sake of data gathering, but to translate data into simplified, actionable strategies that can directly contribute to overall marketing effectiveness.  This means investing in the capability to analyze and interpret data to set the foundation for informed decision making * Adapt and Innovate: The ability to remain flexible and open to integrating new technologies and methodologies can significantly enhance your competitive edge.  This underscores the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within your organization, ensuring that your marketing strategies evolve alongside technologically advancements and market changes  * Focus on the Client: tailoring your services and products to meet the specific needs and expectations of your clients is paramount.  This client-centric approach not only aids in building strong relationships but also ensures that your business’s success is directly aligned with the success of your clients  Resources https://www.gowithfusion.com/ About Our Guest  Steven Muro is the founder of a B2B marketing agency specializing in the grocery sector, leveraging over 26 years of diverse experience from software to consumer packaged goods. With a focus on fresh foods and sustainable products, Steven and his team excel in transforming complex data sets into actionable marketing strategies. His agency's work with notable brands like the Hass Avocado Board and California Strawberries exemplifies a commitment to driving category leadership through data-driven insights and creative solutions. Steven's approach emphasizes client success, innovation, and the practical application of technology in marketing. About The Dirt Podcast  The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands. If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe. For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast [https://www.orchid.black/podcast] About Our Company Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.  Website: https://www.orchid.black [https://www.orchid.black]  Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/]  Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack [https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack]  All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.