David Fischette is Go West Creative’s founder, CEO, and Chief Creative. David has helped hundreds of firms, including UN, HB, Deloitte, CVS, Salesforce, and Dupont, communicate successfully to critical stakeholders.

The Future of Marketing: Lessons Learned About Building a Brand

In today’s world, people crave authentic connections. That’s why brand storytelling is the future of marketing. In a recent podcast episode, John Golden interviewed David Fischette, founder and CEO of Go West Creative, an industry-leading marketing agency specializing in bringing brand stories to life. David shared insights he has gained from over three decades of experience helping major brands communicate their message to key stakeholders.

According to David, the key to creating a connection with the audience and making a brand sticky is through authentic storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of drawing out the story of an organization and creating a congruent story that goes all the way through. This story should be internalized by everyone in the organization and communicated externally. It’s also important to ensure that all aspects of an event or campaign are in service of the brand’s message and theme.

One of the challenges of communicating a brand’s message is reaching a diverse audience with different communication preferences. David stresses the importance of listening to the audience and addressing their concerns from the outset to establish a two-way dialogue. He also notes the need to balance the lessons learned during the pandemic, such as self-care and work-life balance, with work ethic and serving the brand’s stakeholders.

Leadership alignment is another critical factor in ensuring a consistent message. David explains that they work with the entire C-suite to craft a message that is consistent across all presentations and communications. They check for inconsistencies and bring them to the attention of the leadership, but it’s not their job to fix it. They ask the leadership what they want to say as a brand and what their stance is on certain issues. David values authenticity and appreciates when brands are honest about their stance, even if it’s not what he wants to hear.

Go West Creative started as a mobile DJ company in David’s parents’ garage and evolved into a creative agency that helps clients tell their stories through various mediums. David’s experience has taught him that brand storytelling is the key to creating a connection with the audience and making the brand sticky. By drawing out the story of an organization, internalizing it, and communicating it authentically, brands can create a lasting impact in the minds of their stakeholders.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

David Carter is a seasoned entrepreneur and renowned CEO mentor with over 40 years of experience in creating innovative businesses and mentoring leaders and influencers worldwide. He is recognized as the world’s leading CEO mentor and has a proven track record of success. David is passionate about character-based business training and its ability to transform organizations and individuals.

Why Character-Based Business Training is More Important Than Ever

In a world where technology and AI are rapidly changing the workforce, it’s becoming increasingly important to differentiate oneself from machines. That’s where character-based business training comes in.

According to Aristotle, character determines destiny. This means that our character plays a direct role in where we end up in life. The Character of Work, a company founded by David Carter, maps 54 character qualities that underpin the development of all skills against the 77 in-demand soft skills that employers feel are lacking in their applicants or workforce. By developing these character qualities, individuals can improve their soft skills and set themselves apart from others.

One of the key character qualities emphasized in the conversation between David and John is kindness. David shares a personal story from his childhood about learning to be a gentleman and how it taught him the value of being kind to others. He also emphasizes that being kind doesn’t take any more time than being rude or transactional, but it can lead to better results and stronger relationships with customers.

Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of character-based business training in creating successful and fulfilling careers. By focusing on developing character qualities, individuals can improve their soft skills and stand out in a world where machines are becoming increasingly prevalent.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

Vanessa is the President of Mosaic People Development, a company that provides leadership facilitation and coaching for over 20 years. She is also an accomplished author, having written a book titled “The Game Changer: A New Kind of Leader for a New World of Work.” With the world of work constantly evolving, Vanessa understands the importance of adapting to these changes and has helped numerous organizations navigate through them.

Share your thoughts on leadership in the new world of work.

In today’s ever-changing workplace, leadership has become more important than ever. Vanessa and I recently discussed the key skills that leaders need to possess in order to succeed in this new world of work. Self-awareness, effective communication, coaching, and creating a motivating work environment are all crucial components of successful leadership.

As the workplace continues to evolve, it’s essential for leaders to adapt to changing circumstances and develop these skills. By investing in themselves and their teams, leaders can create a more productive and fulfilling work environment for everyone involved.

What are your thoughts on leadership in the new world of work? Have you had any experiences or insights that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

Melanie Diesel is a keynote speaker, author, award-winning branded content creator, and author of the Content Fuel Framework on how to Generate Unlimited Story Ideas and Prove It exactly How Modern Marketers Earn Trust. Co-founder of the Convoy and Group ups B, two B marketplaces that have small businesses. And what we’re going to talk about today is earning audience trust with content. Just an interesting subject because let’s face it, Melanie, content is king. And we’ve heard so much about content and content and then people have been just spewing out content all over the place. Now they’re using AI tools to spew out even more content. And I’ve always had that issue number one is the quality. But also if everybody’s publishing, who’s reading?

Platform and Frequency Selection

We need a clear tale and message to properly communicate. Clarity makes choosing a platform easier. Our audience’s choices and our talents and expertise must be considered. Focusing on a few platforms and producing high-quality material is preferable to spreading ourselves thin and producing substandard stuff elsewhere. Tools, services, and contractors can fill gaps. Be realistic and acknowledge our position in clients’ lives.

Creativity and create quality content that resonates with their audience. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, consistency, and understanding the audience’s expectations to build trust. By conducting a trust audit, businesses can identify areas where they need to provide more backup or context, and tailor their content to their audience’s interests and needs.

Melanie also advises businesses to have a clear content strategy, figure out the story they want to tell, and select the right platform for content distribution. She reminds businesses to be realistic about their capabilities and not to feel pressured to post everywhere all the time.

Finally, Melanie and John discuss the importance of creativity in content creation and how everyone has creativity within them. By exercising their creativity like a muscle and finding support from writers or AI tools, content creators can make their process faster, easier, and more efficient.

In a world where trust is hard to earn, businesses can stand out by creating quality content that resonates with their audience and builds trust. With Melanie Diesel’s tips and insights, businesses can unlock their creativity and create content that tells their story and connects with their audience.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

Linda is a renowned international author, speaker, coach, and trainer who has won numerous awards for her work. Her book, “Guided,” is a compelling account of her own survival in the face of adversity and overcoming fear. Linda’s bias comes from experiencing neglect, abuse, and feelings of worthlessness in her early life. She turned inward to find guidance, interpreting her dreams and journal writings to make sense of the bullying she faced.

Uncovering Your Soul-Driven Why: A Guide to Connecting with Spirit Guides

Do you ever feel like you’re not living up to your full potential? Are you constantly chasing material success without feeling fulfilled? Linda Deer, an international award-winning author, coach, and trainer, believes that people often miss the point of their purpose in life by focusing too much on external factors and not enough on their soul-driven why.

In a recent podcast episode, Linda shares her concept of “why” and how it relates to guidance from spirit guides. She explains that everyone has spirit guides, angels, and other light beings, but people often don’t realize it because of programming and fear. However, Linda’s guided journey program is designed to help people connect with their guides and become aware of their soul-driven purpose.

But how can you uncover and listen to the wisdom of spirit guides? Linda recommends spending 15 minutes a day journaling about unusual and out-of-the-ordinary experiences that caught your attention. By reviewing these entries and flushing out the details of how you felt, you can gain awareness and have realizations about your purpose. Linda emphasizes the importance of accessing your heart energy and connecting with something bigger than yourself to find truth and love.

However, distractions and addiction to stress are big challenges in modern life. Linda encourages people to cut out distractions and dedicate themselves to journaling for just 15 minutes a day before bed. By doing so, you can discover a combination of the world you came from and the world you’re in now that can’t be beaten.

So, are you ready to uncover your soul-driven why and connect with your spirit guides? Give Linda’s method a try and see what amazing self-discoveries you can make in just one month.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

Executive Presence’s CEO is Justin. Before getting his MBA from Stanford Management School, he served on nuclear submarines in the US Navy. Justin founded and sold three companies and is a LinkedIn guru. In this audio, Justin covers how to use LinkedIn in today’s complex digital scene. He discusses LinkedIn’s transition from a connection request site to a spam-filled sales platform. Justin discusses using LinkedIn to stand out online.

How to Stand Out on LinkedIn: Tips from a CEO of a LinkedIn Management Company

Are you struggling to make your mark on LinkedIn? Do you feel lost in a sea of spam and generic content? Look no further than Justin Neri, CEO of Executive Presence, a fully managed LinkedIn service for executives. In a recent podcast episode, Justin shared his insights on how to use LinkedIn to build authority and visibility and stand out from the crowd.

According to Justin, the key to success on LinkedIn is to be present as a person, not just a company page. He suggests adding value to your network by sharing unique knowledge and engaging in dialogue with others. Justin believes that LinkedIn is still in the early innings, and with the right approach, executives can stand out and build their brands.

One crucial mindset shift is valuing consistent engagement with a smaller audience, rather than expecting millions of views. Justin stresses the importance of authenticity and relationship building on LinkedIn, emphasizing that it’s not about quick fixes or customer acquisition, but rather daily actions that compound over time.

To stand out, Justin advises knowing what you want to be known for on LinkedIn and sharing a unique perspective on a specific area of expertise. He believes that AI is just a tool to enhance creativity and will not replace it. Justin’s company, Executive Presence, offers a fully managed LinkedIn service for executives to help them find their voice on the platform and build their brand.

So, what are you waiting for? Follow Justin’s tips and make your mark on LinkedIn today.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

Mental health has been a taboo topic in many workplaces for far too long. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of addressing mental health issues in the workplace. Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, co-authors of “Anxiety at Work,” recognize the increasing prevalence of anxiety among millennials and Gen Z and emphasize the importance of discussing mental health in the workplace. The authors note that anxiety disorders have significantly increased during the pandemic, with 32% of people experiencing anxiety-related problems in 2022 compared to 18% pre-pandemic. Shockingly, 75% of Gen Z and 50% of millennials left their jobs for mental health reasons.

Creating Openness and Trust in the Workplace

Gostick and Elton believe that it is crucial to create a culture of openness and trust in the workplace where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health without fear of judgment or discrimination. They suggest that organizations need to prioritize mental health and show that they care about their employees’ well-being to prevent losing top talent. They also emphasize the importance of leadership in promoting a culture of mental health awareness and support, citing examples such as Nabeela Ixtaban, the chief people officer for Walmart in Canada, who has made it safe for her employees to discuss their mental health.

Gostick and Elton also recommend having an ally at work, someone to talk to and share experiences with. By getting to know each other’s stories, teams can come together and work towards shared goals, both individually and collectively. They also suggest celebrating progress and looking back to see how far teams have come, acknowledging successes and gaining confidence and motivation to continue moving forward.

The authors also emphasize the importance of breaking bread and sharing meals together as a way to build deep and meaningful relationships. They suggest that sharing food is a sacred act that helps people survive and serve each other, and some of the best stories and conversations happen around the dinner table or breakfast table. They also mention a study by Robert Waldinger at Harvard School that found deep and meaningful relationships to be the most important factor in people’s happiness and health.

Positive Mindset to reduce Anxiety

To cultivate a positive mindset and reduce anxiety, the authors suggest having symbols and rituals in our daily routines. For instance, practicing meditation, prayer, or reading positive quotes first thing in the morning and reflecting on the best parts of the day before going to bed. Additionally, the authors suggest practicing gratitude with loved ones by sharing three things that they are grateful for. They also recommend making one’s inner voice their best friend, practicing self-compassion and reframing negative self-talk to boost self-esteem and confidence.

Gostick and Elton’s book, “Anxiety at Work,” provides practical tips and strategies for managing anxiety in the workplace. They also have a newsletter and podcast that offer resources to help individuals and organizations address mental health issues in the workplace. By breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and prioritizing mental health in the workplace, we can create a culture of openness, trust, and support that benefits both employees and organizations.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.

The Negative Effects of Prolonged Stress

Stress aids in short-term problem-solving. Stress may affect your brain, body, and mind. Many people overlook or minimize stress and burnout warning signs. The company’s financial line can be affected by employees’ emotional and physical health. Companies can build loyalty and improve productivity by teaching everyone from top executives to people who work in manufacturing how to recognize and deal with stress.

The Importance of a Positive Work Culture

Maintaining talent and productivity requires a healthy work culture that values employee well-being. Businesses that put money before workers’ well-being may lose business. Millennials, the majority of workers, want organizations that care about their mental and physical health. Because of the epidemic, people are more aware of the need for a good work-life balance, and it is no longer possible to focus only on work. To create a healthy work environment and long-term success, firms must take care of their workers’ emotional and physical health.

The Importance of Communication and Innovation

Employees and management must listen to each other to create a productive and happy workplace. Open and honest C-suite communication may help staff understand why choices are made. Management should also consider employee concerns and compromise proposals. Collaboration and innovation lead to beneficial transformations. Employees who fear reprisal for criticizing the firm may benefit from anonymous surveys.

The Impact of the Work-From-Home Situation

Employees and companies face new issues with work-from-home. Some employees were initially more productive owing to lack of distractions, but managers should be careful of those taking advantage. Recognizing burnout and giving staff time to relax and recuperate is crucial. Burnout may have physical and psychological implications, therefore, it’s necessary to reframe the mental health dialogue and realize that the brain is an organ like any other. The gut-brain link emphasizes the importance of physical health for well-being.

The Importance of Recognizing the Mind-Body Connection

The way we eat affects our mental health, and mental health should be destigmatized and treated like physical health. Childhood traumas can cause prolonged stress and organ damage. Primary care doctors now know that the mind and body are linked, and they use tests to treat trauma caused by bad things that happened to a person as a child. As we become more dependent on technology, our attention span and memory decrease. The epidemic has shown the value of in-person connections, which can affect mental health and parenting.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.