The Digital Transformist

Most business owners are sitting on a shocking amount of hidden profit - and they don't even know it. Tim Van Mieghem, operational excellence expert and author of "Shocking Profit," joins Mike LaVista on The Digital Transformist to break down the three places every business is bleeding money: broken processes, undertrained sales teams, and Excel spreadsheets held together with duct...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Michael LaVista! In this episode, we dive into the complex world of copyrights and AI with our special guest, Hannah Deason, the Chief Operating Officer at Caxy. The conversation delves into the legal and ethical implications of using training material for artificial intelligence, especially in light of recent copyright lawsuits that have rocked the industr...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Michael LaVista! In this episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Mark Pace, the CEO and founder of the Vital Longevity Institute. Mark's insights into longevity and financial management will completely shift your perspective on life expectancy and how it relates to your future.  Mark sheds light on the fact that most life insurance policies are...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike LaVista! In today's episode, we have the incredible Karen Todd sharing her inspiring journey of building her companies, including her current role as CEO and founder of Aurore Financial Group. Karen delves into her background in the real estate industry and how her company focuses on GP investments in sponsors who specialize in areas like multi-fa...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist! In this episode, we have the dynamic CEO of Gemini Builds It, Courtney Wright, joining us for an exciting conversation. Courtney shares a captivating story of how she reconnected with our host, Mike, after years of being in different circles, and how their chance encounter led to this engaging discussion. Gemini Builds It is a US-based manufacturing company spe...

Our guest, Matt, the head of talent at our company, shares some eye-opening statistics about the impending changes in the labor market. With 2.7 million boomers expected to retire by 2030, there is a growing gap in the workforce that needs to be filled by millennials and Gen Z. Manufacturing and skilled labor positions are in high demand, with 450,000 jobs currently open and more to come in the fu...

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? In this engaging and informative video/podcast, we're diving into the 2x, 10x, and 1,000x growth plan strategies that could revolutionize your organization.  Imagine being able to scale your business without the headache of hiring and training more people. The key? A digital scaling model that can unlock untapped potential in your industr...

In this eye-opening video, we delve into the concept of black swan events and how they can impact not only your business but also your personal life. Drawing from real-life experiences, the speaker shares how a seemingly minor issue overlooked for years led to a major crisis. Just like the unexpected appearance of black swans challenged the belief that all swans are white, black swan events in bus...

In this captivating podcast episode, we sit down with Rob Cioffi, CEO of Forefront Supply Chain Solutions, who shares his incredible journey of transforming a traditional business into a data-driven powerhouse. Rob's keen eye for opportunity led him to see the untapped potential in the wealth of data that his company possessed, and he wasted no time in leveraging AI and innovative initiatives...

Welcome back to the podcast for part two of our roundtable discussion on serving companies in the middle market looking to grow and exit. Join Mike LaVista, John Lanier, Tim Behmigian, and Tim Pagett as they dive into the ever-changing landscape of business, technology, and market conditions. In this episode, the team explores the shift towards operational impact over financial engineering, citing...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist podcast, where today we're shaking things up with a round table discussion featuring three industry experts: Tim Padgett, Tim Van Mieghem, and John Lanier. These seasoned professionals all specialize in serving middle market companies looking to grow and exit successfully. Throughout this episode, they delve into the common challenges faced by businesses in...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike LaVista! Today, we have a special guest, Marnie Wills, the CEO and founder of Sporty Minis, sharing her incredible journey from a non-tech person to an AI and tech trainer who successfully scaled and sold two businesses using AI. Marnie's story is a testament to the power of embracing technology and transforming business models in the digital age....

Welcome to The Digital Transformist podcast! Today, we have a fascinating guest, Ken Tencer, the founder and CEO of Say Hi to the Future. Ken shares his unique insights on human ingenuity, future thinking, AI, and how these factors impact the workplace. Hailing from Canada, Ken's wealth of experience as an entrepreneur and author shines through as he delves into the evolution of innovation an...

Why Human Skills Matter More Than Ever With AI Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike LaVista! In this engaging episode, Mike sits down with Beth Rivelli, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in both technology and coaching. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as they delve into the impact of AI on job roles and the importance of the human element in the workplace....

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike LaVista! In today's episode, we dive into the world of personal branding for executives with Alan McLaren from STRATA Originals. If you've ever wondered about the benefits of fine-tuning how others perceive you, this conversation is for you. Ellen breaks down the misconception that personal branding is all about self-promotion and highlights...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike LaVista! In this episode, we dive into the world of user experience design with Mark Baldino, CEO and founder of Fuzzy Math. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we explore the impact of LLMs and AI tools on the UX landscape. It's no longer a niche topic – even your dad knows about chat GPT! Customers are clamoring for AI solutions, and Ma...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike Livista. In this episode, we have Damian Lacey from OE Partners in Melbourne, Australia. We dive into the world of operational excellence, change management, and artificial intelligence, exploring how these intersect and impact manufacturers worldwide. Damian shares insights on how OE Partners helps medium to large companies improve productivity, reduc...

It is July 4, we're all out here celebrating American Independence, right? But I want to think about another kind of AI, and it's American Independence. And there's an idea from Stephen Covey that says that only truly independent people can become interdependent. In other words, they can exist in relationships with the other people with whom they are dependent and create an interdep...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Mike LaVista! In this episode, we have Yosi Kossowsky, a neural science expert and executive coach, joining us to delve into the fascinating world of neuroscience and its impact on leadership within organizations. Yosi brings a unique perspective on how our brains work and how we can navigate our short-term impulses to create successful communication strate...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist with Michael LaVista! In this episode, we dive into the world of restaurant technology delivery with Chris Heffernan, the CEO and founder of dlivrd. From discussing the proper way to order a Philly cheese steak to the challenges of growing a business in the food delivery industry, this conversation is filled with insights and interesting anecdotes. Chris shares...

Welcome to The Digital Transformist podcast with Michael LaVista! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of AI with Richard Levy, a marketing expert from Sophera Marketing in the UK. From discussing the philosophical implications of AI to its practical applications in marketing and beyond, this conversation is not only enlightening but also incredibly fun. Richard shares his 25 years of mark...

Discover the secret to making your business thrive with the 80-20 rule. This powerful principle can help you focus on the most critical aspects of your organization, driving growth and success. By applying the 80-20 rule, you can identify the 20% of efforts that generate 80% of results, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your resources. In this video, we'll explore how adaptive leader...

Join us as we explore the art of leading organizations through tough times with Scott Greenfield, a renowned expert in visionary leadership. In this insightful conversation, Scott shares his expertise on how to navigate complex challenges and drive transformational change within an organization. With the rise of artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence has become a critical component of eff...

Join Jason Niedle and Michael LaVista on this May 2025 podcast of The Digital Transformist as they delve into the exciting world of artificial intelligence and its rapidly evolving impact on industry trends and business strategy. In this episode, Jason explores the concept of humanizing AI, discussing how companies can harness the power of futurism to stay ahead of the curve. From AI-driven innova...

Mastering Storytelling and Public Speaking with Danny Brassell | The Digital Transformist In this engaging episode of The Digital Transformist, host Mike LaVista interviews storytelling and public speaking expert Danny Brassell. Mike and Danny discuss their collaboration on improving speaking skills and creating compelling webinar content. Danny shares valuable advice on building a better story, g...