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Joy White is a mindset and wellness coach, keynote speaker, and the founder and CEO of Flawed Masterpiece, a health and wellness business that wants Black women to adopt a lifestyle of self-care, healing, and inner peace. She has over 16 years of experience holding executive positions in non-profit boardrooms, international law firms, and small boutiques. Joy founded Flawed Masterpiece to help clients navigate professional roadblocks exclusive to Black women as they work in male-dominated industries and professions. Joy joins us today to discuss the ideas behind Flawed Masterpiece and why she prioritizes Black women as their primary clients. She shares the self-care habits she has developed for herself and her clients. She explains what counts as self-care and why it doesn’t simply involve checking into a spa hotel. Joy describes some of her best client success stories. She shares actionable tips to employers regarding employee burnout and laws. Joy also discusses the risks associated with being careless about employment terminology. "There's a cost that you will incur when you are not mindful of peoples’ wellbeing and overall working conditions." - Joy White This week on Breaking Barriers: Who Joy White is, her line of work, and the accolades she has received Flawed Masterpiece: its goals and how it came to be The ways women can start working toward self-care What Joy does that counts as self-care Joy’s processes for coaches her clients What a typical success story looks like in her business The questions you have to ask when evaluating your lifestyle Joy's advice to business leaders for creating balance for their employees What the cost of burnout is, and how to avoid burning out an employee How critical employee laws are and what is required of employers and employees Joy's advice to businesses when dealing with employment and legal terms Connect With Joy White: Flawed Masterpiece LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Diversity is often talked about within the context of minorities—especially citizens who are African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian Pacific, or Asian Indian. However, the increasing acceptance of minorities in society has led to a trend that may view the current minority as the “New Majority” in the next two or three decades. This means the present majority will be the “New Minority” in the future. How will this demographic change affect the way we talk about supplier diversity and equality in the workforce? Today, we discuss the term “New Majority” and how this can affect the way we do business in the future. We share the reasons why we should be more careful about using new terms, especially when they quickly become antiquated. We explain the benefits of catering to diverse-owned firms over traditionally-owned firms and how it helps the industrial ecosystem in the long run. We also discuss why companies should avoid developing new programs designed for the New Majority. "If you're not thinking about supplier diversity, you should because these numbers are growing exponentially." - Cloe Guidry-Reed This week on Breaking Barriers: The term "New Majority" and what it means for your business The majority demographic in America by 2050 How shifting majority and minority populations affect the concept of diversity Why companies shouldn't create new programs specifically for The New Majority Creating equal opportunities for both the New Majority and New Minority How to support small and local businesses The difference between leadership structures of traditionally owned and diverse-owned firms The risk and cost benefits of being a Tier-2 business This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Being part of the LGBT community can mean not having adequate support for your business goals, especially when there is some form of discrimination toward your identity. Fortunately, there are now organizations actively supporting LGBT-led businesses. One of these organizations is the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community and advocates for the expansion of economic opportunities and advancements for members of the LGBT community. Today, we discuss the NGLCC, their goals, and how they help LGBT businesses thrive through their NGLCC Certification. We share why the NGLCC is a game-changer and a step in the right direction regarding human rights. We discuss how the NGLCC can pave the way for large corporations to have a healthy relationship with LGBT-led businesses. We explain why many investors hesitate to support small LGBT businesses and how business size can affect their decisions. We also share why NGLCC conferences are perfect for finding corporate mentors. "From a human rights perspective, the NGLCC is one of the many positive steps we have seen in the overall community." - Adam Moore This week on Breaking Barriers: What the NGLCC is and its evolution in recent years The importance of having an advocacy organization for the LGBT community Why the NGLCC is a step forward in human rights and the business world How companies can improve their relationships with the LGBT community What mentoring LGBT businesses entails Why size and scale matter when supporting LGBT companies How big a company should be to receive financial support from investors Why being NGLCC certified does not guarantee every contract Additional benefits of being NGLCC certified An insider tip to partner with a big corporate mentor Resources Mentioned: National LGBT Chamber of Commerce This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Kevin Johnson is the CEO and security consultant at Secure Ideas, a cybersecurity company composed of security professionals with a deep specialization in data security for small companies. In addition to providing products that improve cybersecurity, they routinely do “attacks” to test whether a business’s security is robust enough for potential hackers and data thieves. Kevin specializes in Intrusion Analysis, Security Tool Development, Penetration Testing, and Vulnerability Assessment. Apart from running Secure Ideas, Kevin is an instructor who likes to teach anything from how a company should handle a hacking incident to common techniques hackers use to infiltrate a system. Kevin joins us to discuss what Secure Ideas is, how it was founded, and why their slogan is “Professionally Evil.” He describes the kind of data small businesses should protect and a few easy-to-apply cybersecurity tips. He explains why there is no such thing as 100% secure and what companies can do to promote a culture of cybersecurity in their organization. He discusses how hackers can use social engineering to obtain valuable information such as phone and corporate passwords. Kevin also shares why everyone should have Multi-Factor Authentication activated. "Small businesses are afraid to look at cybersecurity because it's such a huge thing, but the reality is the things you should do are simple." - Kevin Johnson This week on Breaking Barriers: What kind of information small businesses need to protect What Secure Ideas is about and the services they offer Kevin's hobby as a costume maker for the Star Wars fandom The concept of being “Professionally Evil” in the cybersecurity profession Why companies are not in business to be secure How effective their slogan has become for their marketing efforts Essential cybersecurity tips everyone should do today How Multi-Factor Authentication makes hacking difficult Everyday cybersecurity mistakes people make The types of people who put cybersecurity at risk How Kevin and his friends test a company's security What businesses should do when an employee causes a security risk Why smartphones can still be hacked despite various security measures Social engineering and how it tricks people into saying their passwords Why companies should tell their customers if they have been hacked How companies can encourage staff to be conscious about cybersecurity Why all businesses are vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches Why companies should try to use fear, uncertainty, and doubt to sell a product Resources Mentioned: LastPass 1Password Connect with Kevin Johnson: Secure Ideas Podcast: PROFESSIONALLY EVIL PERSPECTIVE SecureIdeas on LinkedIn Secure Ideas on YouTube Secure Ideas on Twitter This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Eric Hardy is the President and CEO of W3R Consulting, a 26-year old staffing and consulting firm based in Southfield, Michigan. Their services include talent consulting, advanced analytics solutions, and technology consulting to companies in various industries, including insurance, healthcare, and retail. As President and CEO, Eric oversees the company’s day-to-day operations and creates strategies that will allow the organization to generate over $100-million within the next five years. Beyond being the leader of a successful consulting firm, Eric is also active in the community, teaching the urban youth about STEM disciplines in the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program. Eric joins us today to discuss how W3R Consulting was founded and who inspired him to become an entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of leading a growing company and how the company found its foothold in the consulting industry. Eric explains how they use data to create strategies without overlooking traditional solutions. He shares his thoughts on Supplier Diversity and his experience with the MBE Certification program. Eric also shares how they give back to the community and why he encourages a culture of philanthropy in his organization. "There’s no shortage of opportunity - just be wise and pick the right category and area to focus on." - Eric Hardy This week on Breaking Barriers: Eric's humble beginnings and his passion for technology and entrepreneurship What it's like to become a leader of a large company The mindset Eric learned as an engineer that allowed him to lead the company to where it is today Using data for innovation while maintaining legacy solutions Examples of differentiation in the marketplace How a startup company can determine what their market wants to buy How to build a legacy that can sustain itself Supplier diversity and what it means to be a certified MBE Eric's experience with MBE councils and the groups they have worked with How they out-innovate the competition and the demands of the industry How Eric gives back to the community and the charities they are involved in Why companies should grow a future competitor and its benefits to the organization Eric's advice to those who want to get started in the business world post-COVID-19 Connect with Eric Hardy: W3R Consulting W3R on LinkedIn Eric Hardy on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

There was a large-scale internet outage recently which caused major sites to be inaccessible to most users all over the world. While the cause of the outage was simply human error, it made the world ask about site stability. More importantly, it made people wonder what would happen if the outage was the result of a cybersecurity breach, and what would happen if their data  - social, medical, professional, government - fell into the wrong hands. In this episode, we discuss cybersecurity and the questions a company should be asking an underwriter if they want cyber insurance. We share related stories of cybersecurity breaches, especially those involving ransomware. We describe what companies can do to protect themselves from an attack as well as what cyber insurance really does after an attack has happened. We also explain the key differences between white hat and black hat hackers, and how an organization should handle the audit that comes after a security breach. "Everybody has a technology component to their business and that opens us up to risk." - Adam Moore This week on Breaking Barriers: Cybersecurity, what it is, and why it's important What cyber insurance really is for and what they do in the event of an attack The questions you should ask your underwriter when choosing cyber insurance Why data is a bank's number one commodity Recent cybersecurity attacks in the US and why it can affect both big and small companies The difference between white hat and black hat hackers How best to handle a major audit due to a potential breach Resources Mentioned: Massive internet outage: Websites and apps around the world go dark This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Marilyn Johnson is the Principal at MHJohnson & Associates, a consulting firm that focuses on managing and developing programs that cater to entrepreneurs and organizations. Their services include supplier development program implementation, team building group facilitation, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator workshops. Marilyn has over 25 years of experience in management and marketing and specializes in program development, strategic sourcing, and vendor evaluation and development. She obtained her MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Marilyn joins us today to discuss how supplier diversity programs enhance the work culture and allows an organization to explore new ways to do business. She shares her professional experience, milestones, and why she is passionate about supplier diversity. She explains why a company may be hesitant to implement or adopt a supplier diversity program and describes how the Myers-Briggs test can help business leaders properly assess the best way to utilize their team members’ specializations. Marilyn also discusses the importance of establishing a supplier diversity infrastructure and why team building is critical to company culture. "The idea is to develop a supplier who understands your business; who understands your culture." - Marilyn Johnson This week on Breaking Barriers: Marilyn's professional background and her journey to entrepreneurship How helping large companies can have an impact on smaller companies Why supplier diversity programs can overwhelm companies Why organizations sometimes hesitate to adopt supplier diversity programs How business leaders can educate their teams on what supplier diversity can bring to their organizations How the Myers-Briggs test assists organizations with supplier diversity The necessity of organizations to plan for team building How Marilyn’s company assesses the needs of the supplier and matches them The significance of establishing a supplier diversity infrastructure to the success of a corporation Common mistakes companies make when implementing supplier diversity programs Connect with Marilyn Johnson: MHJohnson & Associates SoloCEO Summit Marilyn Johnson on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Jackie Ferguson is the Head of Content & Programming and Co-Founder of The Diversity Movement, a full-service DEI consultancy that provides diversity and inclusion content such as courses, videos, webinars, and podcasts. As Head of Content & Programming, Jackie manages all the content her company produces, especially when customizing them for each client. Her passion for diversity and inclusion started from her youth, having been an advocate for human rights and equality for more than 20 years. Jackie is also the host of the Diversity Beyond The Checkbox podcast, a show where they share diverse perspectives from business leaders. Jackie joins us today to discuss how their company enables organizations to apply a DEI program and make sure their program is not entirely foreign to the company culture. She shares how the company was founded and why they pivoted away from providing elearning courses. She describes the challenges companies and organizations face when it comes to applying DEI programs. She explains some of the complexities involved in customizing a DEI program for a client. Jackie also discusses where she found her passion for DEI and her life as an activist. "Diversity, equity, and inclusion is beneficial for an entire business; for everyone.” - Jackie Ferguson This week on Breaking Barriers: What is The Diversity Movement, and why the founders started the company. The effect of establishing fast credibility on business growth. The consulting model Jackie promotes and what sets them apart from the competition. Big challenges many organizations struggle with in the context of diversity. Why many DEI programs are difficult to adapt in a corporate setting. The complexities involved in adapting a diversity and inclusion program as an organization. The first critical step when it comes to customizing a DEI program. What the podcast "Diversity Beyond The Checkbox" is all about. How Jackie found her passion. Connect with Jackie Ferguson: The Diversity Movement LinkedIn Diversity Beyond The Checkbox podcast This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Blair Brady is the CEO and Co-Founder of The WITH Agency, a company dedicated to helping brands with their marketing and branding strategies. Their goal is to help brands connect with their audience emotionally through content development, brand design, film and video production, and advertising. They’ve worked with some of the most iconic names in business, including AT&T, Coca-Cola, EQUIFAX, and The Atlanta Women’s Foundation. Before founding The WITH Agency, Blair worked in account management and business development positions. In this episode, Blair joins us to discuss how to boost your brand strategy and brand loyalty beyond social media ads. She shares what their agency stands for, their services, and why they promise to “do no harm” when coming up with a strategy. She explains how brands can better connect with their audience, especially during crises like the current health pandemic. She discusses some of the reasons why brands should think twice before riding a social justice trend to promote their brand. Blair also shares advice on how brands can diversify their suppliers and their audience effectively. "It’s important, foundationally, to have a sound brand strategy. That is the fiber of everything that you do.” - Blair Brady This week on Breaking Barriers: What makes The WITH Agency different and how they are built to serve brand-first companies Why it’s important to be consistent with building brand loyalty The branding problems Blair's agency helps solve How a brand can create an opportunity to have a deeper connection with customers What inspired Blair to start The WITH Agency and the goals they want to accomplish What it means to "do no harm" when it comes to brand building The story of their agency's logo and how it connects with teamwork and culture Why it's critical to work with diverse suppliers from a corporate perspective Why brands have a lot of blindspots when they have limited viewpoints The risk associated with jumping on social justice trends to promote your brand How to diversify your audience authentically The different brand archetypes and how it affects brand character Connect with Blair Brady: The WITH Agency LinkedIn Instagram This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Upholding diversity and inclusion in the corporate world can determine a company’s long-term success. After all, a diverse roster of employees means a business can explore multiple solutions to any given problem from numerous perspectives. But, what else can having a diversified workplace do for a company? What are the key benefits business owners should know, not just to consider diversity and inclusion, but commit to it? In this episode, we discuss diversity and inclusion and how it relates to supplier diversity. We describe the key differences between the two terms and explain how a diverse work culture can improve a company’s image for both investors and would-be applicants - especially in today’s social-media-centric world. We share our thoughts on why diversity is not progressing fast enough and how the corporate industry can improve the pace further. We also discuss why it’s much more challenging to implement diversity and inclusion policies in regulated industries and why it is at its peak in mid-markets. "Everybody’s experience in their career path - however old or young that path may be - is a very vital insight to others that we need to have at the table.” - Adam Moore This week on Breaking Barriers: Why diversity and inclusion and supplier diversity are not one and the same Comparing and contrasting diversity and inclusion and supplier diversity Why having a C-Suite sponsor is better if they don't align with your company's business resource group What it means to have intentionality behind promoting an idea around supplier diversity How being known for diversity and inclusion in the workplace can make your company more attractive to both investors and future employees Exploring different work cultures across generations and other ethnicities Why there hasn’t been much progress regarding diversity and equity in the corporate industry How diversity and inclusion is met differently in regulated industries Why the mid-markets is where diversity and inclusion can be felt the most This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Jamie Crump is an author, speaker, consultant, advocate for supplier diversity, and the President of The Richwell Group. The Richwell Group provides business coaching and consultation services that enhance sourcing and procurement strategies for certified diversity-owned businesses. She is the author of the book Backstage Pass: Pulling the Curtain Back on the Business of Supplier Diversity, where she writes about the deep connection between diversity and profitability. As a speaker, Jamie is sought-after for her wisdom regarding the economics of supplier diversity across the US and Canada.  In this episode, Jamie joins us to share why supplier diversity is at the core of some of the most successful businesses today. She describes her skillset and what clients look for when they want to work together. She describes her passion for promoting a diverse working environment and how she convinces clients to say yes to supplier diversity. She explains what diverse suppliers should focus on to grab attention when doing their seminars and pitch meetings. Jamie also shares actionable tips to those who want to become skilled speakers.   "Supplier diversity is very often the best kept secret in a company." - Jamie Crump  This week on Breaking Barriers:  The services Jamie offers and what her clients typically ask for  The "veil" Jamie helps pull down and shows her clients  How Jamie describes supplier diversity as a business strategy  Why Jamie hesitates to use the terms "program" and "initiative" in her work  The qualities of a supplier diversity rockstar  What she says to clients who hesitate to promote supplier diversity in their business  Small businesses and the number of businesses led by minorities and LGBTQ  Jamie's work as a speaker and what she often speaks about  What Jamie recommends to those who want to try being a public speaker  What diverse suppliers should talk about to keep the client's focus on the conversation  Why owners should source everything the company buys all the time  Having accountability when suggesting supplier diversity to management  Resources Mentioned:  Toastmasters  Connect with Jamie Crump:  The Richwell Group  Book: Backstage Pass: Pulling the Curtain Back on the Business of Supplier Diversity  LinkedIn  Twitter  This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground  Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations.  For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today!  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify  Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Stefanie Francis is the Founder of Hootology, a marketing research firm that fully utilizes a tech-forward approach to consumer behavior and analytics. Hootlogy is founded on her passion for quantitative analytics, anthropology, innovation, art, and the creative process. She champions supplier diversity and is an advocate for equality inside and outside the workplace. Stefanie is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU SPS Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business. She is an award-winning speaker, a member of Valley Leadership, and has been recognized as one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s ‘Forty Under 40.’ In this episode, Stefanie shares the significance of considering consumer psychology when making an intelligent business decision. She shares how Hootology got started and what the name stands for. She explains how her company stands out among other research firms, particularly regarding the kind of data analytics they apply. She discusses the percentage of supplier diversity awareness in the industry. Stefanie also describes what large companies are missing by ignoring the trending data on supplier diversity. "The psychology of consumer loyalty is impacting all of us." - Stefanie Francis This week on Breaking Barriers: How the idea of Hootology started. The importance of market research for large companies. Why psychology is at the root of consumer research. Why not doing your market research is like throwing expensive darts with a blindfold. What Stefanie enjoys about being a professor for university students. What the Hoot in Hootology stands for. What separates Hootology from other research firms. The qualities of a high-level research firm that clients should look for. Why awareness of supplier diversity being low isn't as bad as it seems. What Stefanie would say to companies who won't prioritize supplier diversity. Connect with Stefanie Francis: Hootology Phone: (480) 685-0639 This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Paul Wilson Jr. is the Area Director at the Small Business Development Center at the University of Georgia. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a program that provides resources, training, and tools that aim to help small businesses succeed in their respective markets. As the Area Director, Paul is responsible for assisting the continued development, updating, and implementing of SBDC’s strategic plans. Before becoming the Area Director, Paul held a faculty position as a Business Consultant for SBDC, where he lectured business owners, managers, and budding entrepreneurs on their business plans, market feasibility, financial viability, operations management, and legal structures. In this episode, Paul discusses the options small businesses have during the pandemic and how SBDC can help them succeed. He describes his academic journey and the circumstances that led him to pursue a career in business consulting and explains why he insists on writing ideas down and how it helps him put them into fruition from a strategic viewpoint. He shares the one moment he looks forward to seeing in all his classes and explains why the country needs small businesses for the economy to function. Paul also shares his spiritual side and how he never lost sight of it during the pandemic of 2020. “A lot of innovations don’t come from big companies.” - Paul Wilson Jr. This week on Breaking Barriers: Why Paul considered his academic route "traditional." Where Paul found motivation to start a career in business consulting. Defining the meaning of SBDC and what they do. The benefits of getting your strategies and ideas on paper. How writing changed Paul's perspective in his career. How speaking engagements helped develop Paul's talents and skills. What he always loved seeing in his classes. How COVID-19 affected small businesses and the challenges they encountered. Why small businesses are the engine of this country. The advantages of small businesses during an economic crisis. Connect with Paul Wilson Jr.: Small Business Development Center Paul Wilson Jr. on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Do you know why you did not get that call back? There are many topics and attitudes we believe are good to share during sales meetings, because we think it adds value. However, most corporations know what they specifically want, and if you send the wrong message, they will find someone else who is more aligned with their needs. It's time to prepare, make a plan, and specialize. In today's episode, we share our top 5 things to avoid when connecting with corporates. We talk about how being unprepared for meetings is much more obvious than you think. We also talk about why it's better to make a plan when going to tradeshows instead of seeing how things go. We emphasize the importance of being a keen listener and why promising everything doesn't always look as impressive as you think. “One of the first things that I can tell how serious a supplier is when they approach me is how much research have they done?” – Adam Moore “That first 20 seconds that you meet somebody inside that corporation, literally can make or break if you get that next call back with the corporate.” – Adam Moore "You think you have all day [at a tradeshow], and it feels like you have all day until you get there. And then once you get there you realize *gasp* 'oh, my time is gone."– Adam Moore “We realize that you can be everything to everybody. There is absolutely no way that we can all be good at everything, and we're looking for specialists to come in.”– Adam Moore  This week on Breaking Barriers, Building a Hire Ground: The importance of research before a corporate meeting Why you should develop a plan when attending tradeshows How respecting a client’s time can be a huge win Understanding what you do well and explaining that clearly Why saying yes to everything can be a deterrent Connect with Hire Ground: Hire Ground’s Website Hire Ground on LinkedIn Hire Ground on Facebook Hire Ground on Twitter Cloe Guidry-Reed on LinkedIn Adam Moore on LinkedIn With thanks to University of Georgia Supply Chain Advisory Board In addition to ensuring the UGA’s supply chain curriculum meets employer’s needs, the board also connects employers with highly qualified students and joins corporate board members like Johnson and Johnson, Home Depot, and Chick-Fil-A to discover and hire tomorrows supply chain innovators today. To learn more, go to www.terry.uga.edu click on Alumni and find the Supply Chain Advisory Board there! Deeply Experienced, Proven Executives, On Demand with TechCXO Get proven hands-on C Suite executives to take on an interim role and provide fractional help and lead projects. TechCXO on demand executive model consistently delivers time and cost savings of 50 to 75% compared to a full-time in-house function. They have helped their clients secure over 4 billion dollars in debt and equity financing and have advised clients on over 200 transactions including: due diligence preparation M&A and financing alternatives. To learn more please visit www.techCXO.com

Supplier diversity - when you actively work with a business owned by an underrepresented group -  is both something people need to talk about and something that people would rather not. We have to talk about it because our communities are naturally diverse, yet discussing it in the office setting can be perceived as politicizing a sensitive issue. People are already tip-toeing around specific topics, whether personal or professional and adding more will not make these ideas easier to accept. Regardless, the conversation has to happen because supplier diversity can only benefit corporate America. In this episode, we discuss the concept of supplier diversity, its history, and the politicians involved in helping this idea become more than just a thought. We explain how supplier diversity boosts company reputation and sales. We share why the concept of supplier diversity is still a controversial topic and how we can move forward with it. We describe how offering a risk package can help get you more business, why supplier diversity still isn’t normalized, and what is currently holding it back. We also share the subsequent conversations we should be having after supplier diversity. "Supplier diversity isn't just the right thing to do - it makes business sense to do it." - Adam Moore This week on Breaking Barriers: What supplier diversity means and its history. The politicians who spearheaded supplier diversity in the US. How being pro-diversity can boost a company's reputation and sales. Why some companies find risk in hiring minorities. How supplier diversity is a win-win situation from both a buyer and seller perspective. The next conversations we should be having for corporate diversity. What is currently hurting supplier diversity? Why offering a risk package can get more corporate sponsors. The best way to avoid offending different groups of people when moving in different spaces. This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

As the founder of four companies, Monique Mills is no stranger to blazing the trails of entrepreneurship in technology and digital transformation. She is passionate about helping companies overcome obstacles and innovate new roads to technological development and is intent on solving big problems within the modern world. As the founder and chief strategist of TPM Focus, Monique and her team offer a unique blend of corporate sensibility and startup scrappiness to help their clients align their marketing, technology, sales, and customer service with their revenue goals. Monique is also the host and Executive Producer of the Unpolished MBA Podcast, where she speaks with innovators and entrepreneurs - some with MBAs, and some without - to share their entrepreneurial journey, experience, and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way. Monique joins us today to share how she blazed her own trail in the tech industry. She explains how she helps organizations align their marketing, sales, and technology with their revenue goals, why it's crucial to align your marketing efforts with your revenue goals, and the importance of being strategic when creating your marketing campaigns. Monique explains why entrepreneurs need to properly segment their target audience and build their marketing strategies around them. She shares what inspired her to launch her podcast, the Unpolished MBA, and what she hopes to accomplish with her show. We discuss the value of co-locating with other organizations and the importance of understanding how buying habits are shifting. We also discuss the most common problems women in the workplace face - particularly in the S.T.E.M industries - and how entrepreneurs and organizations can help move the needle on creating more inclusive workplaces for women. “Never stop learning. Never stop learning from everyone around you. Everyone has value and information that could be helpful to you.” - Monique Mills This week on Breaking Barriers: How Monique helps B2B companies achieve their revenue goals The importance of aligning your marketing efforts with your revenue goals Defining your marketing playbook How to properly segment your target market Encouraging your technology, engineering, business, and leadership teams to communicate and collaborate How collaborating and co-locating with other organizations can help entrepreneurs increase their revenue Common issues women face in the workplace around gender equality and how organizations can help move the conversation How the face of technology roles has shifted over the years and Monique’s advice to women in S.T.E.M. The lessons Monique has learned throughout her career and how they impacted her as an entrepreneur Resources Mentioned: WIT - Women In Technology Connect with Monique Mills: TPM Focus TPM Focus Marketing Monique Mills Website Podcast: Unpolished MBA TPM Focus on LinkedIn TPM Focus on Facebook Monique Mills on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Christine Rogers is the President and COO of Aspireship, a company helping tomorrow's leaders by ensuring they perform at optimum level in their current roles with training, interview preparation, leadership development, and career development coaching. Aspireship looks to proactively match such leaders with fast-growing employers in need of talented and ambitious professionals. Christine has previous experience as a Senior Director of Sales for large corporations such as MINDBODY Inc. and Infusionsoft. However, she is also an experienced entrepreneur, having previously owned Room 4 Baby, a baby and children's store in Gilbert, AZ, where she supervised all aspects of a small baby business, from sales staff supervision to payroll and contract negotiation. Christine currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. Christine joins us today to reveal how identifying difficulties in hiring consistently good talented people for selling environments led to the creation of Aspireship, a course platform allowing someone without experience to learn foundational selling. She explains how such untapped potential - when trained - can be matched with a company whose focus is on the employee's competency and ability rather than their previous resume. Christine takes a holistic look over workforces and why she thinks it's important everyone in a business, from marketing to accounts, should understand selling when representing a company. She also discusses the role of leadership when placing new hires in an organization and how vital these leaders are for the success and longevity of such placements. "Do a roleplay. Feel how it feels. Are you understanding those concepts and can you do it?" – Christine Rogers "Everybody needs to understand what it means to serve the client." – Christine Rogers "Our retention numbers are showing that to be true. That at the 90-day mark, we're doing much better. They're sticking. They're happier earners." – Christine Rogers "You need to have a leader in place. I need to know that there is somebody who is losing sleep over these people, their progression, their development, and their results." – Christine Rogers "If you're a small business and entrepreneur and you're like 'Yep, I think I actually need to go ahead and hire my first Head of Sales. I need to hire these things.' Make sure they CAN do it." – Christine Rogers This week on Breaking Barriers: Why everybody is a salesperson - or should be - inside your organization The benefits of a workforce having the skills to ask good questions Why all workforce members should be able to articulate the value of their organization How to set up your sales team for success Why you need a leader in place to monitor the progression and development of new hires The qualities you should be looking for in your next leader Connect with Christine Rogers: Aspireship's Website Aspireship on LinkedIn Aspireship on Facebook Christine Rogers on LinkedIn Connect with Hire Ground: Hire Ground's Website Hire Ground on LinkedIn Hire Ground on Facebook Hire Ground on Twitter Cloe Guidry-Reed on LinkedIn Adam Moore on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led, LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today!

March has arrived and Spring is in the air! March may be the month of rebirth and regrowth, but it is also the month dedicated to honoring women in business. March 8th was International Women's Day, a global day celebrating women's social, economic, and political achievements. March is also Women's History Month, a month holding some important milestones for women: Title IX, prohibiting sex discrimination in all federally funded education programs, was passed by the Senate on March 1st, 1972. The Senate passed the Equal Rights Amendment on March 22nd of the same year. In March, the first major suffragist 'march' took over Washington DC on March 3rd, 1913. It is the month of women for a good reason. In today's episode, we discuss some of the triumphs and struggles of women in business today. We dissect the reasons women still may have to fight for opportunities to progress while others make tremendous strides in their field. We reveal the different approaches men and women have to pay raises where men are more likely to demand a pay raise while women wait to be recognized. We also look at mentorship, team-building opportunities, and the discussions we can engage in to make positive changes for a fair playing field for women in 21st Century business. "We know that women are making tremendous strides, but they're still fighting for opportunities for success in the workplace and as entrepreneurs." – Cloe Guidry-Reed "There's still sometimes this insider's boys club. It's like 'we'll invite each other to go have drinks and go work out and go play golf.' And that's really where a lot of relationship-building happens." – Cloe Guidry-Reed "It's very important that we invest in our people. We don't have a company if we don't invest in our people." – Cloe Guidry-Reed "If you're in corporate America and you're trying to do more business with women-owned businesses, realize that you have to come to the table with an open mind and understand that the conversation is going to be different." – Adam Moore "A mentorship doesn't always have to be formal, right? It can grow out of something organic as well." – Adam Moore "I do truly believe that we're going to see the power of women-owned - and women-led businesses in the marketplace." – Adam Moore This week on Breaking Barriers: How women's entrepreneurial experience vs. corporate America experience differs Why women miss out on 'Boy's Club' networking opportunities Offsite activity suggestions for female-centric team-building sessions Why a round of golf won't cut it when giving women a chance to network How men may unintentionally exclude women from professional relationship building Overcoming the Pay Gap Why women shouldn't be apologizing in their business pitches Connect with Hire Ground: Hire Ground's Website Hire Ground on LinkedIn Hire Ground on Facebook Hire Ground on Twitter Cloe Guidry-Reed on LinkedIn Adam Moore on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority-led, women-led LGBT-led, and veteran-led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today!

Amanda Hammett is the CEO of Core Elevation, a company dedicated to helping high-performance leaders achieve even greater results and working with Inc. 5,000 corporations to strategize attracting, retaining, and engaging top-level talent. She is also the host of the Next Generation Rockstars Podcast (aka Millennial Rockstars), where she proves her nickname as the 'Millennial Translator' by interviewing millennial business prodigies on the secrets of their success and the motivations that focus them. Amanda currently serves on the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce board while also serving for the past ten years as Corporate Board President of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Georgia (HOBY). With a BA in History & Political Science from Agnes Scott College, she is a consultant and trainer who has delivered over 800 keynote speeches to the millennials corporate America needs to connect with. In today's episode, Amanda joins us to discuss recruiting millennials and Generation Z and what problems she has observed with modern recruitment techniques for this demographic. She reveals her Millennial Translator moniker's origin and why businesses began to queue up for her help in connecting them with their younger workforce. Amanda takes a psychological look at the millennial employee and why they rebel against the Boomer Generation's work-life values before them. She also warns the companies who are quick to make statements of intent; be that for social change, better employment practice, or other morally guided declarations. She explains that millennials do their homework on their possible future employees and empty promises can come back to haunt a brand in the most damaging of ways. "What makes millennials different is their size. They are the biggest generation to come through since boomers and (are) even larger than boomers AND their willingness to speak up - their willingness to say 'This isn't for me.'" – Amanda Hammett "What do we know about Boomers? When they came into the workforce, they introduced the term and the idea of being a workaholic. American Boomers started to identify not who they were as a person, but what they did for a living that became their identity." – Amanda Hammett "Values are different between the generations. Boomers are like, 'Just put your head down. Just get it done. This is the way we've always done it,' but they're not accounting for the fact that the world is changing massively and quickly." – Amanda Hammett "When they're going through the application process to get a job, they want to know that you are putting your money where your mouth is." – Amanda Hammett "This generation has been taught from day one 'I got to speak up. I got to advocate for myself - and they do for the most part. And y'now they're willing to buck the trend." – Amanda Hammett This week on Breaking Barriers: Why you need to lose the negative preconceptions about millennials How millennials have a different work-life ambition to the Boomer Generation before them Why companies struggle to retain millennial talent How Boomer employers don't account for the speed of change in technology and culture and the communication changes that are needed to accompany this The importance of deadlines and enforcing accountability with your millennial employee Why taking the time to explain your businesses processes will save you in millennial productivity How millennials will hold your company to account for your business practice promises Connect with Amanda Hammett: Next Generation Rockstars Podcast Core Elevation's Website Core Elevation on LinkedIn Amanda Hammett's Website Amanda Hammett on LinkedIn Connect with Hire Ground: Hire Ground's Website Hire Ground on LinkedIn Hire Ground on Facebook Hire Ground on Twitter Cloe Guidry-Reed on LinkedIn Adam Moore on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by Hire Ground  Hire Ground is a technology company whose mission is to bridge the wealth gap through access to procurement opportunities. Hire Ground is making the enterprise ecosystem more viable, profitable, and competitive by clearing the path for minority led, women led LGBT led, and veteran led small businesses to contribute to the global economy as suppliers to enterprise organizations. For more information on getting started please visit us @ hireground.io today!