Workplace Community Connections With Charla Stevens

Mastering Time Management with Sarah Reiff-Hekking, Ph.D.

Charla discusses the challenges of time management and productivity in professional settings with Sarah Reiff-Hekking, a clinical psychologist and the founder of True Focus Coaching Inc., a speaker, coach, and psychologist with 20 years of experience helping people reach their goals. She empowers entrepreneurs and professionals to get a grip on time so that they can get to the next level in their lives and businesses. Sarah shares strategies for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals to better manage their time, reduce stress, and achieve a balance between work and personal life. The episode covers common barriers to efficiency, the importance of flexible scheduling, delegation, and the value of setting boundaries. Listeners are also offered resources like an eBook on overcoming procrastination and a no-cost strategy session with Sarah.
Topics
00:40 Meet Today's Guest: Sarah Reiff-Hekking
01:23 Sarah's Approach to Time Management
05:12 Common Barriers to Efficiency
07:38 Effective Time Management Strategies
09:49 Balancing Work and Personal Life
24:58 The Importance of Delegation
27:57 Learning to Say No
31:14 Resources and Closing Remarks

Insights on Brand Strategy with Laura Sauter

Charla talks with Laura Sauter from Agency Bell about brand strategy and marketing. Laura explains how she helps businesses uncover their unique voice, craft powerful identities, and build meaningful connections with their customers. The discussion covers the emotional process of defining a brand, differentiating through strategy, and the importance of consistent communication. Laura also shares her personal journey from working in large agencies to establishing her own business and highlights the evolving trends in marketing, including the value of personal connections and high-touch communication methods.
Laura is the founder of Agency Bel and a strategic brand consultant with a knack for blending creativity, strategy, and a deep understanding of people. With roots as a New York City agency creative and a Midwest retail creative director, she’s spent over two decades leading my boutique agency, helping leaders in diverse industries bring their visions to life.
More at https://www.agencybel.com/
 
Topics
 
00:42 Meet Laura Sauter: Brand Strategy Expert
01:14 Understanding Brand Strategy
02:35 The Branding Process
04:49 Clientele and Services
13:02 Community Engagement and Trends
25:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business
26:55 Steps to Building or Refreshing a Brand
35:31 Personal vs. Company Branding
37:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 

Cybersecurity, Privacy, and AI, Oh My!

Charla welcomes Cam Shilling, Director at McLean Middleton and chair of the cyber privacy and AI group. Cam shares insights on strengthening workplaces through cybersecurity, privacy, and AI practices. The discussion covers the evolution of cybersecurity from risk management to incident response, the rise of privacy laws, and the implementation of AI in businesses. Cam emphasizes the importance of advanced threat detection, tailored insurance policies, and the strategic use of AI, including the necessity of having AI policies. He also highlights the value of human control and transparency in leveraging AI effectively, ensuring businesses are well-prepared for the future.
Cam Shilling founded and chairs the Cybersecurity and Privacy Group at McLane Middleton. The group of six professionals have developed a breadth and depth of expertise superior to many firms with a national presence. Over 20 plus years, Cam and his colleagues have provided cyber, privacy and AI risk management advice and incident response services to businesses, professional services firms, health care providers, financial institutions, schools, non-profits, and many other organizations throughout New England, along the East Coast, nationally, and internationally. Cam is routinely featured as an expert in cyber, privacy and AI in regional and national media. In recognition of his leadership in this field, Cam has received the Business in Excellence Award from the N.H. Business Review, the Go To Cyber Lawyer Award from Mass Lawyers Weekly, and the Northeast Trailblazer Award from American Lawyer Association. Cam also serves on the Advisory Board of the International Associate of Privacy Professionals.
 
Topics
00:41 Meet Cam Shilling: Cyber Privacy and AI Expert
03:21 Understanding Cybersecurity Risks
04:12 Ransomware and Electronic Funds Transfer Fraud
09:17 Implementing Cybersecurity Practices
13:07 The Role of Cybersecurity Insurance
16:03 Navigating New Privacy Laws
19:43 Sensitive Information and Consent Models
20:41 Privacy Rights and Ownership
21:42 Steps for Privacy Law Compliance
22:41 AI in Business: Opportunities and Precautions
24:13 Implementing AI: Best Practices
30:20 AI in HR and Restricted Uses
35:38 Creating Effective AI Policies
40:16 Final Thoughts and Reassurances

Dr. Chuck Lloyd of CCSNH

Dr. Chuck Lloyd serves as the Vice Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). Dr. Lloyd most recently served as president of White Mountains Community College and maintained successive positions in CCSNH for over twenty years. Lloyd’s time within CCSNH has included service in student life, enrollment management, academic administration and instruction, coaching, and leadership research.Chuck is also a professor for graduate level leadership courses at Champlain College and New England College. Lloyd’s volunteer work includes Board roles with the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation, Granite United Way, and the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs.Originally from Franklin New Hampshire, Chuck graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, earned his Master’s Degree in Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Plymouth State University, and his Doctorate is in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.
HR consulting

Granite United Way CEO Patrick Tufts

Patrick Tufts is the President and CEO of Granite United Way, the collaborative merger of sevenseparate United Ways with over 22,000 donors and volunteers. This United Way serves 85% of New Hampshire and a large part of Vermont, delivering nearly $20 million in support annually.He joined the former Heritage United Way in November 2005 as the President /CEO of theorganization. In January 2022, Granite United Way aligned with the Greater Seacoast Region and now covers more than 85% of the state.Since joining United Way, Patrick has led the organization to record campaign results and thedevelopment of a new outcomes based strategic investment process. Patrick has served as; Chair of Seniors Count, Co-Chair of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Manchester and Concord, Co-Chaired The Mayor’s Health and Human Services Transition Team, Leadership New Hampshire-Classof 2008, Featured on the Cover of Business NH Magazine’s April 2007, and as a Trustee of the Mary Gale Foundation. He has served as a Board Member and Governance Chair for NH Center of Nonprofits. He is a member of the SEE Science Center Academy and First Tee New Hampshire. He is also a Board Member for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.Patrick currently serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs. He leads this commission in an effort to significantly reduce alcohol and other drug problems and their behavioral, health and social consequences for the citizens of New Hampshire by advising theGovernor and Legislature regarding the delivery of effective and coordinated substance misuseprevention, treatment, and recovery services throughout the State. He also co-chairs Manchester’s Task Force on Homelessness with Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.Patrick received the 2017 Granite State Award from the University of New Hampshire Manchester for his outstanding achievements, service and contributions to New Hampshire.Under Patrick’s leadership, Granite United Way received several prestigious awards. In 2020 the organization was recognized with the NH Advantage Award from the New Hampshire Business Industry Association. In the spring of 2021, Granite United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Fund was honored with the Rapid Response to Emerging Community Needs Best of Business Award by the NH Business Review.
HR consulting

Pilar Kraman on Mental Health and Wellness

Pilar Kraman is a partner at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP in Wilmington, Delaware. Pilar focuses her practice on patent infringement litigation, trade secret, and complex commercial litigation matters in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and Delaware’s state courts. At Young Conaway, Pilar is co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee and an active mentor and coach for associates. Pilar also serves on the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Pilar was a social worker and conducted social science research, focusing primarily on mental health and substance abuse. Bringing her social work training to the practice of law, Pilar is a huge proponent of businesses of all kinds taking active steps to make sure that mental health and wellness is a priority.
HR consulting

Nina Segura of Metaspire Consulting

As the Chief Strategy Officer at Metaspire Consulting, Nina Segura leads a team of experts who help companies achieve profitability and engagement so that their best employees and customers stay a lifetime. With over 17 years of experience, Nina has spearheaded global change programs for clients such as Amex, BCBS, HP, and mid-market accounts, saving over $300MM in OPEX. Her book Every Day Is Friday: The ACTT Blueprint For Leaders & Entrepreneurs hit #1 on Amazon's Hot New Releases in Business Consulting & Women in Business Categories within the first few weeks of release. She is a Nova Southeastern University and MIT Leadership graduate and teaches Strategy and Influence for Florida Atlantic University's Women's Executive Program. Holding Six Sigma Black Belt & Co-Active Coaching certifications, her work has appeared in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Amex Open Forum, and CBS. After years of research and interviews with C-level executives, Nina, and her team created the Modern Leadership Assessment to honor more reflective leadership. You can take the assessment here for free! www.MetaspireConsulting.com/ACTT Nina created Women Leadership Power, a business mastermind program for women spearheading organizational strategies transcending organizational norms and disrupting the status quo. Many women have doubled their revenue, secured resources for their thriving teams, and, importantly, kept their best customers. For more information on these programs, check Nina's website. www.MetaspireConsulting.comNina lives with her husband and two doodles in Boca Raton, Florida.
HR consulting

Diane Darling on Chat GPT

Networking and leadership expert Diane Darling joins the show to discuss the vast implications of Chat GPT.More on Diane at https://www.dianedarling.com/
HR consulting

Sandy Demarest, Founder and CEO of Demarest Directions

For more than 25 years, Sandy Demarest has worked in career development, coaching and training with leaders and professionals embarking on their next life and work role. Her focus is supporting people midlife and beyond to proactively chart their future to envision a fulfilling destination beyond full time work and family responsibilities.More on Sandy at https://www.demarestdirections.com/
HR consulting