Difference Talks

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk with Dan Starr, CEO of Do it Best, discussing the importance of company culture, leadership, and employee engagement. Dan shares his journey from law to business, the influence of past leaders, and how the company maintains its culture amidst growth and challenges. The conversation emphasizes the significance of transparency, servant leadership, and genuin...

Send us Fan Mail In our conversation with Ken Schmidt, former director of communications at Harley-Davidson, we discuss the brand's struggles and turnaround. We explore the importance of community, quality, and human behavior in building brand loyalty and creating memorable customer experiences. Ken emphasizes that customers are loyal to the people behind the brand, not just the product, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we welcome Dr. Rebecca Homkes, high-growth strategy expert and bestselling author, to explore the concept of uncertainty in business, reframing it as an opportunity rather than a challenge. We discuss how leaders can navigate uncertainty by shifting from traditional planning to preparation, emphasizing the importance of learning organizations that adapt quickly. T...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk with Ron Baker on the concept of transformation in business, emphasizing the shift from traditional service models to a focus on guiding customers through personal transformations. We discuss the importance of differentiation, the evolution of the experience economy, and share real-world examples of companies successfully implementing transformation strate...

Send us Fan Mail David Mandell shares his journey from a traditional background in law to becoming a co-founder of the Whiskey House of Kentucky, the most technically advanced producer of custom bourbon and American whiskey in the U.S. He discusses the importance of building culture, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the significance of mentorship and teamwork in achieving success. David int...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging conversation, Betsy Pepine, a dynamic entrepreneur and real estate broker, shares her unique approach to the real estate industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships over transactions. In this conversation, Betsy Pepine discusses the importance of aligning company values with actions, navigating leadership challenges, and the impact of her nonprofit work....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk with Jonathan Stark, consultant, expert sales pro, author, speaker, and host of the Ditching Hourly podcast, about scaling a solo business without the need for hiring employees. He emphasizes the use of automation and a simple time management framework to enhance productivity. In his first year as a solo consultant, he doubled his income by ditching hourly...

Send us Fan Mail Ranaan Meyer is a Grammy and Emmy award winning musician. He discusses his journey in music, including his involvement with the Honeywell Arts Academy. Ranaan shares the story of how Time for Three, his band, was formed through jamming and embracing mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of listening and the power of improvisation in music. He also talks about the Honeywell Arts A...

Send us Fan Mail Kurt Breischaft, President of SDI LaFarga Copperworks, shares his journey of transforming his company from a commodity business to an inspiring brand known as COPPERWORKS. He emphasizes the importance of differentiation and the power of a strong company culture in driving performance. As his company invested in a new furnace and overcame technical challenges, Kurt and his team imp...

Send us Fan Mail Cliff Goldmacher, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and author, discusses his journey in music and how he applies creativity and innovation to the business world. He emphasizes the importance of taking risks, being vulnerable, and embracing failure in order to achieve success. Cliff shares his process of using songwriting as a tool for innovation and team building, allowing partic...

Send us Fan Mail Jonathan Randall, President of Mack Trucks, discusses the importance of customer success and how Mack differentiates itself in the market. He also talks about a key moment in his career when he had to rally his team to believe in change and achieve success. Mack Trucks focused on creating a positive customer experience by involving all employees in the process and giving them the...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Derek Jenkins, a renowned automotive designer and brand leader at Lucid Motors, shares his insights on car culture, the emotional connection to design, and the challenges of building a brand from scratch in the competitive electric vehicle market. He discusses the importance of storytelling in leadership, the influence of California on automotive design, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode, Ryan Rockafellow, CEO of Engineered Transportation International, discusses the complexities of merging two rival brands in the transportation industry, focusing on the importance of maintaining brand identity and differentiation. Ryan shares his journey in the trucking sector, the challenges faced during the merger of Heil Trailer and Polar Tank Trailer,...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Labov is an entertainment industry PR and marketing icon known for his work with celebrities like Steve Carell, Jack Black, and Jonah Hill. In this engaging episode of the Difference Talks Podcast, we dive into Matt’s talents at navigating the complex world of Hollywood and his experience dealing with challenging, high-stakes situations. He discusses the role differentiation...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Jason Lippert, CEO of Lippert Components, discusses the importance of differentiation in business through a strong company culture. He shares the challenges of integrating diverse company cultures during acquisitions and the transformative journey of shifting from a win-at-all-costs mentality to a values-driven approach. He also discusses the impact of commun...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck Surack, founder of Sweetwater, shares his journey from being a musician to building the largest music equipment retail company worldwide. He emphasizes the importance of trust and building relationships with customers, which has been a key factor in Sweetwater's success. Chuck also discusses the challenges he faced during the recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, and how...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Barry LaBov interviews Seth Godin about his new book, 'This Is Strategy.' They discuss the importance of differentiation, the role of empathy and systems in strategy, and the power of games. Seth emphasizes the need for strategy to be focused on making a difference over time and serving a specific audience. He also shares insights on his writing pro...

Send us Fan Mail Johan de Nysschen, an icon in the automotive industry, shares his experiences reigniting premium brands and empowering internal teams and dealer networks . He discusses his experience leading Audi and Cadillac, and the challenges he faced in rallying the brands to stand up for their uniqueness. He emphasizes the importance of brand differentiation and the value of the brand experi...

Send us Fan Mail Jacob Brown is a transformational speaker, coach, author, podcaster, and former NFL player. Emphasizing the importance of failing forward, he uses failures as a springboard for success. Jacob believes in the power of leadership and rallying people around a common goal, celebrating their achievements, and giving them a sense of meaning and significance. His message is one of hope,...

Send us Fan Mail Don Hunter, CEO of Haig Point Club and a leader in the private golf club industry, shares his journey and experiences in excelling in a demanding industry. He discusses the importance of differentiation and the challenges he faced in turning around struggling clubs. Don highlights the importance of humanizing the customer experience and creating an emotional connection with staff....

Send us Fan Mail Bob Chapman is CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and co-author of the bestselling book Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family . During this illuminating episode, Bob discusses the idea of Truly Human Leadership, which involves caring for employees as if they were family and involving them in finding solutions and making sacrifices together.  Key high...

Send us Fan Mail The LABOV Difference Talks Podcast is all about differentiation and celebrating what makes brands unique. In each episode, we meet people who’ve dared to stand up and stand out, sometimes against great odds. We share the stories of how they have differentiated themselves, their enterprises, or their brands, and given meaning to those around them. This podcast is a journey into wha...