OUTdrive

The Lake of the Ozarks flew under the radar for many years, and was considered a hidden gem for those that knew about it. That was until May 2020, when viral videos during the pandemic made headlines and popularity of the Netflix series Ozark brought attention from around the world to the mid-Missouri oasis. The media coverage drove hundreds of thousands of clicks to the Lake of the Ozarks website...

It's often said "it takes a village" to raise a child, and Cliff's guest in this episode of OUTdrive believes that to be true. Gary Beckman is the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of West Central Missouri. He outlines the importance of programs and activities available to school age children through the Boys and Girls Club, especially in rural American communities. Gary has nearly 30...

Have you ever wondered what goes into producing a podcast? In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff breaks down the production cycle of our podcast from week to week. And, he answers the most frequently asked questions about creating a podcast, such as cost, technology and equipment needs, and ROI.  After producing over 85 episodes, the Callis team has become a well-oiled machine, but it wasn't always e...

When it comes to creating content, the sports world is blazing the trail. High-quality videos and graphics on social media are a huge part of a program's communication and marketing strategy, and other industries should be taking note. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff chats with Callis account executive and OUTdrive podcast manager, Ivy Reynolds, about her time working in college athletics, cont...

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the results of an economic contribution study that showed a contribution of nearly $94 billion to the economy and more than one in every 10 jobs is supported by agriculture. Crop production, which includes grains and oil seeds, ranked first in value of sales and Missouri soybean farmers contribute to that category. Not only are soybeans the number o...

An ASPCA survey revealed that nearly 23 million Americans welcomed a pet during the height of the pandemic in 2020 - aptly referred to as "pandemic puppies." And, according to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, a majority (75%-85%) of pet owners think of their pets as family. Pair those statistics together and you have a huge market of pet owners returning to work with no one...

Everyone is just a few short days away from turning the page to 2022. Callis had another great year in 2021, in large part because their clients saw success and growth. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff is taking a drive down memory lane. Callis had a number of exciting projects and notable events this year and Cliff revisits some of the stops they've made along the way.  Tune in to this episode...

Often referred to as The Automotive Capital of the World and Motor City (Motown), Detroit, Michigan is home to General Motors (GM) headquarters. GM led global annual vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, and is still among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. It was at this multi-billion dollar company that our guest spent the first 20 years of his career...

Missouri's pig farmers really know how to bring home the bacon - literally. According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, in 2016, agriculture, forestry and related industries contributed $88.4 billion of the state's economy. Pork production alone had about a $1 billion impact on Missouri's bottom line. For this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sat down with Don Nikodim, Executive Director of the...

Everyone starts somewhere. For those who are well into their career, that statement might take you back to your humble beginnings. For some taking the first steps in their career, like the guest in this episode, they are right in the middle of that somewhere. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff had the chance to sit down with a young man attacking the sales world armed with a sport coat and ambitio...

Every year, Thanksgiving is a time to express your gratitude and count your blessings. This year, it has been extra special as people gather once again and families reunite after spending previous holidays apart. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff takes a break from the typical podcast conversations to give thanks - for his family, for his clients, for the lifestyle he enjoys in rural America, and...

For many in rural America, a college degree seems unattainable due to the cost. According to a 2021 report by U.S. News, the national average student loan debt is currently $30,000. But, higher education doesn't have to mean a higher price tag. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Mineral Area College President, Joe Gilgour, to break down the advantages of a community college education a...

In today's marketplace, it pays to specialize. Customers aren't as much looking for generalists; they want specialists to fit their needs, especially when it comes to insurance, retirement and benefits packages. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Brendan Hurley, who has found his stride in the insurance industry by asking the right questions and immersing himself in the community. B...

It used to be that you had to move to New York or Los Angeles to pursue a career in a forward-thinking industry. In 2021, that's no longer the case, as innovation is happening all across the Midwest. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with long-time acquaintance Jason Robertson, who has spent nearly 25 years in business development and currently works in the design and construction industry...

The idea of fundraising has often been reduced to door-to-door sales of cookies and coupon books. But for non-profit organizations, raising funds is crucial to providing community services and requires gifts larger than the cost of a popcorn tin. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Karin Cox, an expert in the field of fundraising. Karin outlines what it takes to run a successful gift...

"Business is not about business, it's about people." Those who have stayed loyal to a company based on their customer service know this to be true. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff reconnects with an old friend and former business partner Bob Wolf to discuss building trusting relationships. Raised in an entrepreneurial environment, Bob developed a strong worth ethic, a respect for independence,...

As America moves toward a post-pandemic world, hybrid workplaces, Zoom meetings, and social selling are here to stay. Whether you have embraced the transition to a more digital mindset or not, your customers have, and your brand needs to meet them where they are. For this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Randy Herbertson, an agency owner and an established thought leader in digital and in...

From a young age, we are taught that there are "no limits" to what we can accomplish. For individuals with disabilities, that mantra would be difficult to believe, much less accomplish, without the proper resources from Center for Human Services. CHS provides exceptional services and support for nearly 5,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 39 Missouri countries....

The State Fair is an annual celebration of Missouri agriculture and related industries. Within that celebration, there is an ongoing mission to foster success in future farmers and industry leaders. One of the organizations that provides support for that mission is the Missouri State Fair Foundation. For this episode, Cliff Callis sits down with executive director Wendy Loges to learn about some o...

When it comes to firearms, accuracy is everything, and to hit your target many times, you'll want a good set of optics. The same can be said about business. To reach a consumer, you need a marketing team with sights accurately set on your target audience. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with global marketing executive Chuck Wahr to find out what strategies companies, big and small, ca...

Though many Missourians are surrounded by agriculture everyday, the State Fair is the only time of year that goods from the whole state are together in one place. From pears to pork, hundreds of fresh and nutritious products are grown by the men and women of Missouri agriculture. As the Division Director of Business Development at the Department of Agriculture, Davin Althoff and his team take adva...

The Missouri State Fair offers numerous opportunities to learn about the agricultural industry in Missouri, including the state's well-established wine industry. In this episode of the "Live from the Fair" series, I sit down with Jim Anderson, Executive Director of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board.   Jim has been in his current role for over twenty five years and oversees the day-to-day operation...

If you were told to plan an event that included entertainment, food and housing options for 350,000 guests, where would you start? For Kari Mergen, marketing director of the Missouri State Fair, this event planning process happens on a yearly basis. For the second episode in OUTdrive's "Live from the Fair" series, Cliff Callis sat down with Kari to get an inside look at the strategy behind hosting...

The Missouri State Fair only comes around once a year for 11 days. But, it takes every bit of the other 354 days of the year to make it happen. In the first installment of OUTdrive's "Live from the Fair" series, Cliff Callis sat down with the director of the fair, Mark Wolfe, to get a better understanding of what goes into making the fair a success.  Originally from Mountain Grove, Mark moved to t...

Throughout the summer, you can find corn on the cob on the dinner table in most rural American homes. But, much of the corn grown in Missouri can be found year-round in everyday products like gas, soda, and even diapers. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff Callis visits with Bradley Schad, Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, about the power and reach of...