People First Leaders
The People-First Leaders podcast honors the Founders, CEO's and CFO's who prioritize customer value and growing their people first. (Global Top 2% on Listen Notes) The show is hosted by Doug Utberg - a 20+ year corporate and entrepreneurial veteran who been podcasting since 2020. He's published and recorded more than 300 episodes and is actively looking for new value-focused leaders to interview on his show. Our 20 to 30-min podcast episodes share the stories and strategies of leaders who prioritize their people. We are going to be talking about how you create value in your business and for the people who work for you. ...
355 - Why People are Assets in a Business with Nathaniel Harding

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Nathaniel Harding about why people are assets in a business.
Cortado Ventures is a venture capital fund that implements a unique model to increase the success rate for the founders they bring into their investment portfolio by growing their leadership teams.
If you want to know more about Cortado Ventures, click HERE.
https://cortado.ventures/
To connect with Nathaniel on LinkedIn, click HERE.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielharding/
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354 - Turning Around a Distressed Product Team with Jessica Kohel

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Jessica Kohel about turning around distressed product teams.
At 'The Product Consult' Jessica and her teams partner with businesses to help their product teams grow to the next level of effectiveness.
If you want to know more about Jessica, click HERE.
https://www.theproductconsult.com/
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE. https://peoplefirstleaders.net/guest
353 - Leveraging your Personal Brand to Grow your Business with Victoria Kennedy

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Victoria Kennedy about how entrepreneurs can use their personal brand to grow their business without expensive advertising plans.
Victoria's PR firm works with successful entrepreneurs to help them build their personal brands to grow their businesses.
https://victoriouspr.com If you want to know more about Victoria, click HERE.
https://victoriakennedyofficial.com/
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HE...
352 - Empowering People with Dr. Ravi Iyer

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Dr. Ravi Iyer about empowering people and the narratives that happen inside our minds.
Having been in a private medical practice for multiple decades, Dr. Iyer shares his experiences with how he empowers people to make his business thrive.
If you want to know more about Dr. Iyer, click HERE.
https://Linktr.ee/driyermd
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a...
351 - The Power of Determination: Edrizio's Story of Overcoming Obstacles

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Edrizio De La Cruz, Co-Founder & CEO of Arcus, about Edrizio inspiring life story of overcoming poverty and adversity.
From selling guava on the streets to dropping out of the Air Force, he eventually found his path in finance and became an investment banker. Despite facing challenges and being told he couldn't succeed, Edrizio's determination led him to start a tech company aimed at revolutionizing remittance services.
If you want to know more about Joe's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO wh...
350 - The Power of Visualization: Creating an Amazing Life through Goal Setting with Ray Blakney

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Ray Blakney, CEO/Founder of Rayvensoft Ventures, about the importance of learning from bumps in the road.
Ray shares his story of becoming an accidental entrepreneur. He talks about his background, growing up in various countries, studying computer engineering, and eventually stumbling into entrepreneurship.
If you want to know more about Joe's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
349 - Exploring the Impact of Technology on Audience Understanding with Joe Schaeppi

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Joe Schaeppi, CEO and co-founder of Solsten, about the importance of building human-first experiences and using technology to understand people better.
Joe explains how adventure-based psychotherapy uses adventure settings and play to gain insights into individuals' psychology. He also talks about Solsten's focus on games as a means of understanding human behavior and promoting cognitive benefits. He emphasizes the accessibility of games and their positive impact compared to passive media consumption.
If you want to know more about Joe's work, click HERE.
If you’re...
348 - The Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy with Wayne Mullins of Ugly Mug Marketing

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Wayne Mullins, Marketing Manager of Ugly Mug Marketing, about the importance of focusing on what truly matters in advertising and marketing, rather than getting caught up in the pursuit of cool designs or awards.
Wayne also reveals a powerful strategy he used to grow his own business, which involved building a network of evangelists through small gestures of kindness and personal connection. Additionally, Wayne discusses his journey as a leader and how he overcame initial doubts about his ability to be a people-first leader.
If you...
347 - Strategies for Building a People-First Culture and Achieving Long-Term Success with Joe Altieri

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Joe Altieri, President of FlexScreen, about the significance of balancing growth with employee well-being and promoting a people-first approach in business for long-term success.
Joe shares insights on leadership, operational execution, and fostering a healthy company culture, challenging conventional business paradigms.
If you want to know more about Joe's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
346 - The Infinite Impact of Leadership with Brandon Woodside

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Brandon Woodside, about the significant influence of effective leadership on organizations, emphasizing its positive impact and the harm caused by toxic leadership.
Brandon draws from his experience in the nonprofit sector to highlight the unique challenges of leading unpaid or underpaid individuals and the importance of vision casting and communication in driving change and uniting teams towards shared goals.
If you want to know more about Brandon's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people fi...
345 - How to Succeed with a Scattergram Organization Model with Greg Davis

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Greg Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Bigleaf Networks, about the drawbacks and benefits of a scattergram organizational structure that accepts remote work.
Greg discusses his experiences navigating cultural divides in this remote-first era while leading a distributed team in Portland.
If you want to know more about Greg's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
344 - Connecting People with Purpose with George Breiwa

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with George Breiwa, the founder of DynaVap, about the value of having a purpose, developing personally, and giving others leadership opportunities. The conversation also touches on the connection between people and purpose as well as the benefits of following your passions.
If you want to know more about George's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
343 - Empowering People to Achieve Greatness with Brandon Newman

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Brandon Newman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Xevant, about his experiences and learnings on meaningful entrepreneurship, emphasizing ventures that solve problems and have a purpose.
Brandon emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals via visionary leadership, placing a greater emphasis on human development than task-based management.
Brandon's experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of humility, ongoing learning, and a commitment to generating value that goes beyond monetary gain.
If you want to know more about Michael's work, click HERE.
If...
342 - Building Careers for Your People as a Leader with Michael Roub

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Michael Roub, the Managing Partner and founder of Inflection 360, about putting the needs of customers and employees first, emphasizing the importance of employee value, empowerment, and successful communication.
The episode examines cultivating a healthy culture, the effects of remote work, and the function of leadership. Additionally discussed are the significance of having a positive outlook on life, job advancement, and change adaptation.
If you want to know more about Michael's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and pu...
341 - Secrets of the Founders Mindset with Steve Lindsey

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Steve Lindsey, Founding Partner, Chief Technology Officer at LVT (Live View Technologies), about the founder's mindset.
Steve discusses his everyday activities, the value of dependable collaborators, overcoming setbacks, and the essential traits of a founder's flexible and problem-solving mentality.
If you want to know more about Steve's work you can email him at steve@lvt.com
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
340 - Building Successful Teams and Simplifying Business with Glenn Poulos

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Glenn Poulos, the Vice President & General Manager of NWS Canada (formerly Gap Wireless), about his transition and shares insights from his book "Never Sit in the Lobby," offering 57 humorous tips for sales and business success.
Glen talks about the GWS role appropriateness evaluation and emphasizes the importance of core values and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in attaining company goals. He also emphasizes the favorable impact of downsizing on profitability and the importance of coordinated teamwork and employee progress.
If you want to know more about G...
339 - How To Create A People First Culture With Joey Havens

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Joey Haven, a Managing Partner of Strategic Growth at HORNE, about prioritizing people in leadership.
Joey emphasizes deliberate activities consistent with the team's beliefs and culture and highlights the importance of building relationships with them.
In order to encourage growth and resilience in organizations, he emphasizes the need for productive cultures, cautions against compromising on conduct, and promotes failing forward.
If you want to know more about Joey's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and pu...
338 - Instilling An Owner Mentality Into Employees, with Rob Buffington

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Rob Buffington, the Founder and CEO of Gordian Business Solutions, about the significance of genuine communication with employees, emphasizing time investment and authenticity. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with millennials and Generation Z by communicating a clear company "why."
Rob believes that distant work necessitates improved communication tactics, such as direct inquiries and active feedback. He also underlines the increasing role of company values and the relevance of employee autonomy in defining the course of a firm.
If you want to know more about Rob's...
337 - Fulfilling Your Life's Divine Purpose with Lisa Marie Platske

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Lisa Marie Platske, the founder of Upside Thinking, an award-winning leadership expert in human behavior, and a business coach, about fulfilling life's purpose by letting go of outcomes and societal expectations, embracing deep self-reflection, and finding meaning beyond titles and possessions.
Lisa shares her journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the transformative power of trauma and adversity, and how aligning values with goals leads to personal and business growth.
If you want to know more about Lisa Marie's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or...
336 - Scaling Ads Safely with Orangetrail.io

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Rohaan Khan, CEO & Founder of Orangetrail.io, and Eroslav Georgiev Co-Founder of Orangetrail.io, about the significance of precise product specifications, varied advertising strategies, and in-depth market research.
they provide valuable insights on handling advertising bans and recommend starting from the problem and working backwards for successful entrepreneurship.
If you want to know more about Orangetrail, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
335 - Building Your Business to Sell with Nate Lind

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Nate Lind, a business broke, about building businesses for sale, highlighting the benefits of SBA qualification for buy side deals.
Nate emphasizes the significance of proper financials and buyer-seller alignment. He shares insights on selling businesses in the $2 million to $20 million range and offers advice on managing client retention during the selling process.
If you want to know more about Nate's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a gue...
334 - Connected Company with Ira Wolfe

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Ira Wolfe, President and Chief Googlization Officer, about the concept of a connected organization, emphasizing the importance of trust, genuine connections, and redefining work relationships for increased productivity and employee well-being. It challenges the idea of returning to traditional office environments and highlights the significance of having friends at work for employee retention.
The episode also explores the impact of personal problems on well-being and the potential crisis in the banking sector leading to market dominance shifts and collapse for many companies.
If you want to k...
333 - Removing Bias from the Interview Process with Sean Fahey

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Sean Fahey, CEO of VidCruiter, about the importance of removing bias in any recruitment process.Â
Sean believes that being aware  of bias and taking steps to eliminate it is not just good practice, but also necessary to prevent legal problems. He underlines the need of asking the correct questions and following legal laws to achieve a fair and unbiased hiring process.
If you want to know more about Sean's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your p...
332 - Placing Purpose over Profits with Jonathan Shroyer

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Jonathan Shroyer, Chief CX Innovation Officer at Arise Virtual Solutions, about the importance of creating daily value and prioritizing purpose in a service business over profit. He supports giving attention to people's mental health, encouraging community growth, and shifting financial resources to less well-known cities.
Along with his own path, Jonathan talks about the rise of remote work, toxic positivity, diversity of thought, and the congruence of company principles and behavior. He encourages audiences to put purpose, empathy, and diversity first when creating successful, significant businesses.
If you want to know more about Jonathan...
331 - How Work Is Evolving For Seasoned Business Professionals With Sharekh Shaikh

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Sharekh Shaikh, the Founder of CleverX , about the junction of technology, job, and personal fulfillment.
They also explore the changing work landscape, the shift toward flexible work arrangements, and the potential consequences for organizations that fail to adapt. The conversation includes outsourcing patterns, the influence of COVID-19 on work, and advances in AI systems.
Finally, they stress the significance of meaningful and flexible work arrangements in terms of employee satisfaction and productivity.
If you want to know more about Sharekh's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your
330 - How Business Owners Can Stop Wasting Money On Facebook Ads In 2023 with Jody Milward

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Jody Milward, founder of 2 multi 7 figure businesses and & Facebook Marketing Strategist, about the importance of investing in engagement and video campaigns, supported by strategic retargeting, for long-term success in advertising.
Jody emphasizes the value of messaging optimization, data analysis, and ongoing ad optimization for successful outcomes in the dynamic advertising environment.
If you want to know more about Jody's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the...
329 - How to Book a Meeting With Anyone Through Cold Email with Adam Rosen

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Adam Rosen, The Co-Founder of Email Outreach Company, about the power of cold emailing in reaching potential customers.Â
Adam emphasizes the significance of time management and learning from failure, encouraging listeners to act and create progress rather than waiting for ideal conditions. Adam also offers helpful advice on how to write good emails, advising against using pleasantries and instead getting right to the point.
If you want to know more about Adam's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is valu...
328 - How to Write a Bestselling Book as an Exhausted Founder with Angela C. Lalande

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Angela C. Lalande, a successful founder and bestselling author, about her road to becoming a founder and authoring a best-selling book while dealing with weariness and failures.
Angela recounts the difficulties she had as a founder, including her dread and concerns about her ability. She emphasizes the necessity of having a strong network and staying passionate about her writing. She also explores the concept of a lighthouse and how it became an important topic in her book.
If you want to know more about Angela's work, c...
327 - How to Delegate and Develop Leaders with AssistPro's Jenna Spencer

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Jenna Spencer the founder and visionary at Assist Pro, about the importance of delegation and how it can lead to success in the business world.
Jenna talks about how she unintentionally started a business and used the Dash Method framework to establish a process for delegation that worked for her.
If you want to know more about Jenna's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the sho...
326 - How to be an Ethical Leader with PitchDB's Ron Story Jr

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Ron Story Jr about the importance of following a standard process, being accountable, and leading by example.
This episode also encourages ethical leadership and the need for the coaching mastermind service industry to move towards ethical accountability.
If you want to know more about Ron's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
325 - How to Find Meaning through Healthy Relationships with Figs O' Sullivan

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Figs O'Sullivan, Couples Therapist and Relationship Coach, about the challenges of addressing relationship issues and how socialization can cause conflict with one's partner's needs.Â
We also explore the significance of having empathy for the full scene of a couple's relationship, resolving current concerns before worrying about future fears, and prioritizing and preserving the relationship between parents for the sake of the entire family.
If you want to know more about Figs O'Sullivan's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is valu...
324 - The New Normal of Global Manufacturing with Raine Mahdi of Zipfox

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Raine Mahdi, the Founder and CEO of Zipfox, about the current state of global manufacturing and the challenges faced by supply chains worldwide.
Rain Mahdi's thoughts and experiences provide light on the issues faced by supply chains and the unique tactics required to successfully manage these obstacles. As the industry evolves, embracing adaptability and investigating alternative solutions will be critical for developing resilient supply chains in the future.
If you want to know more about Raine's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or...
323 - How Technology Empowers Visionaries to Achieve Success with Netsurit's Louwki Coetsee

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Louwki Coetsee from Netsurit about the world of technology and its impact on businesses and society. How technology can be both a powerful tool for growth and a significant threat to cybersecurity and the ethical implications of big tech companies like Facebook and the need for conscious decision-making in the tech industry.
If you want to know more about Louwki's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show...
322 - Developing a Winning Mindset for Personal and Team Success with HumanQ CEO Nishika de Rosairo

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Nishika de Rosairo from HumanQ about accountability, self-awareness, and the power of resources, mentors, and coaches in achieving success and the importance of breaking free from others' expectations and pursuing goals that align with one's own desires while experiencing the power of now and feeling grounded in the present moment.
Nishika's company, HumanQ, helps corporations develop winning mindsets in individuals through bite-sized learning and personal self-discovery.
If you want to know more about Nishika's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who...
321 - Land Flipping: How to Turn Knowledge into Profit with Land Profit Generator's David VanGinhoven

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with David VanGinhoven from Land Profit Generator about how to determine the value of land and the strategy used to acquire land offerings below market value.Â
David is a real estate enthusiast who is fascinated by the potential of land flipping. He was inspired by a friend of his named Nancy, who made a fortune from flipping land. Despite the challenges of doing it without modern technology, he is convinced that land flipping is a lucrative opportunity that could provide him with the financial freedom he's been seeking.
...
320 - Navigating the Debt Crisis and Optimizing Tax Strategies with Incite Tax John Briggs

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with John Briggs, Founder of Incite Tax, a multi-million dollar tax firm, and author of the books “The 3.3 Rule” and "Profit First For Microgyms,"Â
John advocates for true free-market capitalism and highlights the importance of lawful tax avoidance while distinguishing it from tax evasion. Additionally, we delve into the topic of tax write-offs and the impact of political factors on future tax changes.
If you want to know more about John's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts you...
319 - Using Self-Leadership to Define Your Future with Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs' Alex Brueckmann

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Alex Brueckmann, a strategy facilitator, the founder and CEO of Brueckmann Executive Consulting, and the author of Secrets of Next-Level Entrepreneurs, about self-leadership.
The episode covers many aspects of self-leadership, including recognizing gaps between what is valuable to you and what you actually do and understanding the importance of mindset and growth.
If you want to know more about Alex's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on...
318 - The Cost of Bad Leadership with Generate Your Value's Andy McDowell

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Andy McDowell, a business owner and podcaster of Generate Your Value, about the real cost of bad leadership. They delve into the importance of investing in your team, effective communication, and re-evaluating assumptions.Â
With a diverse background in entrepreneurship, which includes being an employee of entrepreneurs and a former entrepreneur within a large corporation, Andy is well-equipped to guide others into becoming great leaders. Following a layoff after 22 years working at a large corporation, he is passionate about helping others avoid bad leadership and become successful in their ow...
317 - Skills Learned from Living as a Digital Nomad with Joe Bautista

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Joe Bautista, a financial planner, and digital nomad, about how it has become easier than ever to follow the digital nomad lifestyle and use it to develop specific skills that enhance your success in life.
If you want to know more about Joe's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your people first, please apply to be a guest on the show HERE.
316 - The Power of Storytelling with Business of Story's Park Howell

In this episode, your host Doug Utberg speaks with Park Howell, Business Story Strategist and the Founder and President of Park&Co, about the importance of storytelling and how it relates to marketing.
Park believes in the power of storytelling to inspire action and drive change. Understanding that humans make decisions based on stories, not just data, he works to craft compelling narratives that motivate people to take action.
If you want to know more about Park's work, click HERE.
If you’re a founder or CEO who is value-focused and puts your peo...