OUTdrive

There are endless opportunities in rural America for entrepreneurs to start and grow successful businesses.  However, not everyone is going to have all the skills and experience necessary to sustain it.  Most of us need support in areas where we might be weak. Many times, entrepreneurs may have a great idea and the drive and determination to see it through but they may not have the resources or ex...

Savvy marketers know that digital is driving brand awareness and sales in today's world. But there are so many forms and variations for digital, how do you decide which ones to use? In today's episode, you'll hear from a young marketing professional who understands her markets and knows what's working. For most consumers, you're probably never going to think about needing body work for your vehicl...

Out here in the country, people take care of each other. They know their neighbors and they value the relationships they have with them.  They also know that there are challenges that people face as they steer their way through life.  In our community, there are many organizations that are working to help people deal with some of these challenges, whether they be financial, health related or educa...

Welcome to OUTdrive and welcome to 2024! We hope each of you had a safe and happy new year's celebration, however you chose to spend it. Today, we're taking a special drive down memory lane and revisiting some of the most impactful stories and insights we shared over the past year. We want to be up front and share with you though that we used AI technology tools to scroll through all 52 episodes t...

In marketing, there are a lot of variables, strategies and tactics that you have to consider when laying out a marketing plan. None is more important than your target audiences.  Many times, there are more than one, so identifying who they are, why they should be interested, how they think, how they buy and how to reach them is critical.  For a would-be entrepreneur, it can be a daunting task, esp...

Innovation and ingenuity are alive and well out here in rural America, but that's not anything new. Ever since our country was founded, entrepreneurs, inventors and capitalists have all dreamed big and created even bigger. For instance, who would have thought that 100 years ago the small community of Marshall, Missouri, would jump on the map because of the airplane? Remember, 100 years ago! Yet, j...

Out here in the country, we take conservation seriously. Whether it's our farmers who manage their properties for sustainability, our hunters who meticulously nurture the land they hunt on or the fishermen who help keep our streams, rivers and lakes clean, there's an understanding in rural America that conservation is a fundamental part of life. Here in Missouri, we are lucky to have an abundance...

We say it all the time. Marketing technology is driving innovation in rural America, as well as around the world. Every day, new media emerges that enables marketers to deliver messages in ways they've never had the opportunity to use before. Staying up to date with the new is challenging, but at Callis, we are committed to doing so. Our clients depend upon us to be ahead of the latest innovations...

Today is the second part of our two part series about economic development in Missouri, with our guest, Subash Alias, CEO of the Missouri Partnership.  As you recall from last week's podcast, the Missouri Partnership is a public-private economic development organization that helps attract new business to Missouri.  Many people are really unaware about what economic development is and how important...

Today, we're excited to premier a two part series about economic development in Missouri. We begin with our guest, Janelle Higgins, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Missouri Partnership, a public-private economic development organization that helps attract new businesses to Missouri. If you've listened to some of our podcasts before, you know I'm a big supporter of economic d...

All of us leading businesses and organizations today need someone we can talk to; someone to share challenges and opportunities, to question things we're doing, to inspire us from time to time and to serve as a mentor. Many of us might benefit from having several advisors. But whether it's one or many, it's always beneficial to have a sounding board, a different perspective and perhaps a coach to...

Business is a serious business, but it can also be fun, and it should be.  Life's too short to not have a good time doing what you do to earn a living.  For Jonathan Hartenstein that means having fun building relationships that turn into friendships that translate to sales.  You see, JR, as he is known to his many friends, is a real estate broker at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri's heaven on ear...

The digital marketing and advertising agency industry, like many others, is changing. Nearly every day, new technologies, tools, ideas and best practices are introduced to the professionals who work in it. Callis is no different. Our goals as an agency are to always keep up with the changes, vet the ones that look interesting, and adopt the ones that make sense for our clients. It's just one of th...

Whether you make them in person or through the media you utilize, good marketing is all about making connections. In this episode with David Pearce, former banker, statesman and now head of governmental affairs at the University of Central Missouri, we discuss how connections made today can impact you even years later. David comes from a rural background and has a distinguished career as the head...

Out here in the country, there are a lot of exciting things happening. Every day, entrepreneurs, both young and old, are coming up with innovative ideas and turning them into some of the new products and services we experience in our lives. Many times, those folks need a little shot in the arm financially to either help them get their idea off the ground, grow it or scale it, and that brings us to...

Out here in rural America, as well as in cities, many churches are struggling to stay relevant and meet the needs of its members and society. For most churches, bouncing back from the effects of the pandemic has been challenging, as people have gotten out of the habit, lost interest or simply found other things to do. However, some churches have not only survived but thrived thanks to good leaders...

Over the past few years, it has become faster, better and easier to collect data on practically anything.  Technology tools like artificial intelligence and predictive analytics are driving this capability and we don't see it slowing down anytime soon. But as more and more data is collected, the question becomes, what do you do with it and how do you use it. Many companies just don't have the reso...

There are many opportunities for young men and women to work in the world of agriculture, whether that's on the farm, marketing or selling products or serving the ag community in some way. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of challenges that can sometimes get in the way but there are also hard working people and businesses that are helping serve those young, beginning farmers, women in agricultu...

Insurance is one of those things you need, but you hope you never need to use.  I really think most people don't really understand insurance. Think about it.  When have you ever read an insurance policy from start to finish?  There is always fine print in your policy.  There are exclusions.  There are multiple options for any one kind of insurance you may be considering.  So to me, this makes the...

Today's short solocast is about labor, and I'm proud to say I work with some of the best labor talent you'll find anywhere. Over the years, I've been fortunate to work with a lot of great people – great associates, great clients, and great partners, many of whom have become great friends. I tell people often, you can't have too many friends, and I really believe that.  So to our associates at Call...

In our advertising agency and with our clients, strategy is at the forefront of everything we do.  Solid strategy built on good data can be the difference between success and failure, and I've found over the years that some people are really good at it.  One of those people is Steve Dust, an old friend, one of our first clients and a guy who has worked hard in a variety of roles to help develop th...

For some people, inspiration comes from music, nature or animals.  Others are inspired by the words and actions of people, like Kelsey Miller, an incoming freshman at Mizzou and the 2023 Missouri State Fair Queen.  Kelsey grew up on her family farm in Jonesburg, Missouri and for years, has been looking forward to going to college to study to become an ag teacher so she could inspire others to purs...

Busy people know how to get things done and our guest today is one busy woman working in agriculture. As a wife, mother, farmer and director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Chris Chinn is leading the way in the state's largest industry. Most people would be amazed at the number of initiatives the department has going at any one time and this time of year, it gets even busier as the Miss...

The opportunities for women working in agriculture are tremendous and the Missouri State Fair has opened the door for many over the years.  This year's fair theme is Where Traditions Grow, and one of the traditions the fair opens with each year is its queen contest.  Today's guest is Elsie Kigar, an impressive young lady who currently reigns as the Missouri State Fair Queen.  Having grown up and w...

Missouri has a rich history of winemaking and in fact has been credited with helping to save the French wine industry. Today, there are nearly 130 wineries, hundreds of grape growers and thousands of jobs in this growing industry, right here in our state. To help make it grow, the Missouri Wine and Grape Board works with wineries and growers to promote Missouri wines. The person in charge of marke...