Weekly Impact by Lay of The Land

Brian Adams • Seven Hills Technology

In this conversation, Jim Haviland interviews Brian Adams, founder of Seven Hills Technology [https://www.linkedin.com/in/badams2527/], as part of the Next25 [https://www.ohiotechnews.com/meet-next25-2025/] recognition series. They discuss Brian's journey into technology, the vision behind his company, and the evolving landscape of software development. Brian emphasizes the importance of understanding both technical and business aspects in software engineering, the need for accountability, and the significance of building a community-focused business. They also touch on long-term thinking in entrepreneurship, the challenges of navigating future changes, and the value of mentorship. Takeaways Brian Adams transitioned from a passion for cars to technology. The vision for Seven Hills Technology centers on understanding both technical and business needs. Software development is evolving with AI, shifting the focus from coding to understanding user needs. Accountability in software development is crucial for success. Building a community-focused business can have a significant local impact. Long-term thinking is essential for sustainable business growth. Navigating future challenges in software development requires adaptability and innovation. Doing the right thing in business often outweighs short-term financial gains. Effective leadership involves finding the right balance between openness and professionalism. Mentorship plays a vital role in personal and professional growth. Mentions and Links https://www.ohiotechnews.com/meet-next25-2025/ [https://www.ohiotechnews.com/meet-next25-2025/]https://www.sevenhillstechnology.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/badams2527/ [https://www.sevenhillstechnology.com/]https://weeklyimpact.transistor.fm/become-a-guest-on-weekly-impact https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-gardner-sh/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehennegan513/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-ross-183404171/ [https://weeklyimpact.transistor.fm/become-a-guest-on-weekly-impact] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brian Adams and Seven Hills Technology 03:22 The Evolution of Software Development 06:26 Navigating AI and Software Engineering 09:16 Community Impact and Local Development 11:41 Future Challenges and Strategic Vision 14:17 Leadership Lessons and Personal Growth 18:56 Mentorship and Acknowledgments

Oct 6 25 Patty Starr • Health Action Council

In this conversation, Jim Haviland speaks with Patty Starr from the Health Action Council about the evolving landscape of health and healthcare, emphasizing the importance of social determinants of health and the role of employers in fostering a healthy work environment. They discuss leadership lessons, the significance of listening, and the importance of team culture in achieving organizational goals. Takeaways * Health is more than just healthcare; it's about creating a healthy environment. * Employers have a significant role in supporting employee health. * Social determinants of health account for a large portion of healthcare costs. * Listening is a crucial leadership skill. * Long-term planning is essential for sustainable success. * Team culture is vital for organizational effectiveness. * Engaged employees contribute to better organizational outcomes. * Collaboration within teams enhances productivity and morale. * Investing in team development fosters a positive work culture. * Understanding employee needs can help reduce healthcare costs. Health Action Council, social determinants of health, employer responsibility, leadership lessons, employee health, workplace culture, health care evolution, health benefits, health engagement, organizational support

10-10-25 Shane Bigelow - CHAMP Titles

In this conversation, Shane Bigelow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemcrannbigelow/], founder of CHAMP Titles [https://www.champtitles.com/], discusses his journey from Wall Street to leading a successful business that leverages a growth-oriented team and blockchain technology. He emphasizes the importance of hiring smart talent, fostering a culture of fulfillment, and the lessons learned in leadership. The discussion also touches on the challenges of finding the right people in a high-growth environment and the significance of mentorship in shaping effective leaders. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemcrannbigelow/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemcrannbigelow/] https://www.champtitles.com/ [https://www.champtitles.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchambersjc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchambersjc/] Takeaways * Shane Bigelow emphasizes the importance of hiring smart people. * Champ Titles is known for its challenging work environment. * Blockchain technology plays a crucial role in Champ Title's operations. * Leadership involves empowering talented individuals to excel. * Finding the right talent for high-growth environments is essential. * Fulfillment in the workplace is a key motivator for employees. * Psychological analysis and cognitive testing aid in hiring decisions. * Cleveland's low cost of living attracts diverse talent. * The ethos of a company significantly impacts its success. * Mentorship shapes effective leadership and company culture.

10-22-25 Jeff Herzog - Nexus Engineering Group

In this episode of Weekly Impact, Jim Haviland interviews Jeff Herzog from Nexus Engineering Group. They discuss Jeff's journey from education to a successful engineering career, the lessons learned in building a business, and the importance of partnerships. Jeff shares insights on Nexus Engineering's unique approach to connecting business needs with technical expertise, as well as valuable leadership lessons and the role of mentorship in personal and professional growth. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-herzog-86835017/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-herzog-86835017/] https://nexusegroup.com/ [https://nexusegroup.com/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Oil_Company_(Ohio) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Oil_Company_(Ohio)] https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-corrao-5b69b615/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-corrao-5b69b615/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-shanley-1a30635a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-shanley-1a30635a/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-curran-1658271/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-curran-1658271/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-gambill-1676624/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-gambill-1676624/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-smith-chpp-4011a61a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-smith-chpp-4011a61a/] Tony Raiche Randy Fletcher Takeaways Finding a job you love is crucial for success. Experience in managing teams without authority is valuable. Partnerships require alignment on business vision. Understanding the business driver behind projects is essential. Nexus Engineering connects business needs with technical skills. Growth in business brings both opportunities and challenges. Leadership involves influencing others to achieve common goals. Learning from mistakes is key to personal growth. Mentorship plays a significant role in professional development. A positive culture is vital for team success.

10-6-25 Brad Knapp - Clearstead

In this conversation, Jim Haviland speaks with Bradley Knapp, the leader of Clearstead, about the company's growth, the importance of culture in leadership, and the impact of mentorship in the business community. They discuss how Clearstead integrates various financial services to provide holistic advisory services to clients and the significance of a long-term focus in business strategy. Bradley shares insights on leadership lessons learned, the value of community involvement, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-knapp-cfa-caia-a4a25a4/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-knapp-cfa-caia-a4a25a4/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartland/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartland/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/dfultoncfa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dfultoncfa/] https://clearstead.com/ [https://clearstead.com/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Miller_(businessman) https://www.linkedin.com/company/forest-city-realty-trust/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/forest-city-realty-trust/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-b-summers-jr-bb40749/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-b-summers-jr-bb40749/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald_%26_Co [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald_%26_Co]. https://www.layoftheland.fm/171-umberto-fedeli-round-ii-lifelong-learning-happiness-wealth-and-investing/ [https://www.layoftheland.fm/171-umberto-fedeli-round-ii-lifelong-learning-happiness-wealth-and-investing/] Takeaways * Your assumptions are the problem. * Culture is the most important aspect of leadership. * Thinking multi-generational is crucial for long-term success. * Continuous improvement mindset fosters innovation. * Don't be afraid to fail; it's part of growth. * Aligning culture among partners is essential. * Ownership among employees enhances client focus. * Mentorship plays a vital role in professional development. * Community impact is as important as business success. * Long-term focus leads to sustainable growth. Keywords Bradley Knapp, Clearstead, leadership, mentorship, financial services, culture, entrepreneurship, community impact, growth, business strategy Sound bites "Everyone takes ownership." "It's all about the client." "Don't be afraid to fail."