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Our Authors

Networlding authors represent the world’s leading experts on a wide range of topics. Their vast experience and expertise have been recognized by many industry leaders, so you can be confident that our writers know what they’re talking about.


Future-Focused

Rose Gailey and Ian Johnston

Culture is a powerful invisible force, the set of unspoken assumptions that shapes the everyday experience of people connected to an organization, both inside and out. When tightly linked to strategy, with leaders as role models, culture is a potent component of performance and competitive advantage. If you do not define and work on the culture you want, you will get the one you deserve. Culture is not a program or an initiative—it’s a drumbeat that runs through an organization.

This book tells the story of shaping and maintaining thriving cultures through the lens of several inspirational CEOs. It explores the importance of their future-focused mindset as leaders, and how they weave that into every facet of their organizations. You’ll learn about the impact culture has on employees, customers, stakeholders, and performance today as well as in the foreseeable tomorrows. And you’ll learn how to shape your culture not only through inspiration, but through detailed reflections and examples of shaping culture every day.

Future-Focused is grounded in decades of research and work across hundreds of organizations that were focused on building high performing and thriving cultures, and led by CEOs who were intentional and purposeful about transforming those cultures.

Become future-focused: shape your culture and you will shape your future.


Chad Carr and Matt Herzberg

How do you unlock the potential of your culture to unleash your business results?

The_Art_and_Science_of_Culture

Did you know that your true corporate culture is hidden in the thinking and mindsets that drive all interpersonal interactions at work? Your corporate culture ultimately determines your performance levels, your ability to attract and retain talent, to collaborate, and to strategically transform as your market conditions change.

After decades of listening and working with hundreds of CEOs, CHROs, and business leaders, culture experts Chad Carr, PhD, MBA, and Matt Herzberg, PhD (ABD), MA, have distilled the critical cultural challenges that organizations face. These include the need for:

  • more innovation
  • better alignment
  • more accountability
  • inclusive collaboration, and
  • increased agility

But what leaders don’t (yet) see are the “hidden elements“ of culture that explain, with certainty, why these challenges exist.

In addition to focusing on obvious elements of culture, like values, purpose, behaviors, and policies, the authors provide a clear view of what is typically hidden. Building on decades of culture transformation experience as well as research from neuroscience and the social sciences, Carr and Herzberg provide practical and easy-to-implement tools and proven principles to help you rapidly transform your culture.

In The Art and Science of Culture, experts Carr and Herzberg demystify and illuminate what is hidden in your culture – helping you to recognize patterns and leverage both art and science to build an awe-inspiring culture that will dramatically improve your business performance.

Book includes link to bonus materials to help you get started on your culture transformation.


Tom Peters

Tom is the author of one of the top three business books of all time: In Search of Excellence. This series has sold over 4.5 million copies to date.

UK’s Bloomsbury Publishing called it the “greatest business book of all time.”

National Public Radio called it one of “Top Three Business Books of the Century”.

According to Wikipedia/WorldCat data, it was “most widely held library book in the United States from 1989 to 2006”.

Now Tom has written his last two books in the series: Excellence NowThe 43 Number Ones, and what Tom calls his summa (a comprehensive treatise by a scholastic philosopher), Excellence Now: Extreme Humanism.

Following are the overviews of each book.

Tom Peters has been chasing excellence for 43 years, searching for ideas about effective strategy implementation in companies large and small, and providing cohesive examples of those. In this, his final book, he tells us that what he found “isn’t rocket science!” Rather, it’s the power of tuned-in, turned-on, ready to rumble, deeply appreciated, and well-rewarded people. Tom has given us 43 Number Ones—each idea of surpassing importance that cannot be relegated to the middle or bottom of a list, which is why they are not numbered.

The reader is asked, “What are your priorities as a business leader?” This book empowers you to select what’s best for you and your organization. It also helps you find those priorities that you may have not considered . . . until now.

This powerful, portable guide is immediately actionable. You can read it quickly, absorb it, and then get right to implementation. 

Excellence Now: Extreme Humanism by Tom Peters

This beautifully-designed book by award-winning design firm, Donovan/Green, captures Tom’s timeless and new lessons in leadership for NOW. Called the “Greatest Business Book of All Time” (Bloomsbury U.K.), Tom and Robert Waterman’s In Search of Excellence launched a maverick approach to management thinking in 1982. Tom’s seventeen books since have been cornerstones of management lessons from business schools to boardrooms.

With Excellence Now: Extreme Humanism, Tom sets an even higher bar, given the state of our world today. Why “Extreme Humanism”? Tom clearly shows how excellence in leadership is achieved by an obsessive focus on the growth of those you are leading. Reflecting on how to lead in current conditions, he says, “What you are doing right now will be the hallmark of your entire career.”

Fans who await Tom’s next bold insights based on decades of research and on-the-ground, steely observations, will once again find themselves immersed in a rich world of people-first wisdom. Excellence Now: Extreme Humanism will long serve as a business bible for both individuals and organizations—large and small. Excellence Now powerfully delivers the management and leadership direction for how to move forward in a world turned upside down.

Find Tom Peters on his website or follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn for updates and insights.


Colin Egglesfield

Colin Egglesfield was born in Farmington Hills, MI and moved to Chicago at a young age. Before attending medical school, he went to a model and talent search, on a whim, and was soon working with some of the top designers and photographers in the world, letting fashion lay the groundwork for his acting career.

After moving to New York, Colin starred in the long-lived daytime drama All My Children, playing the son of Erika Kane which soon led to roles on Rizzoli and Isles and the romantic comedy Something Borrowed with Kate Hudson.

In 2014, with his passion for wanting to make a positive social impact and a desire to get into the world of real estate, Colin started his own real estate investment company, Stage 2 Properties and began rehabbing houses in the South Side of Chicago. He is currently working with community leaders and developers, including a nonprofit called Art on the Loose. One of their main goals is to help revitalize underserved communities including the creation of a youth community center that teaches inner-city kids about careers in art and design.

These experiences and more have shaped Colin and taught him a lot about life, success, and making a difference—the impetus for his book. In Agile Artist, Colin shares his rich life stories and provides plenty of inventive strategies to help you, too, breakthrough to your creative true self.

Agile Artist: Life Lessons from Hollywood and Beyond by Colin Egglesfield

Agile Artist is about trusting yourself to lean into the creative life you have always wanted to realize. We are all artists in one way or another, and Agile Artist represents a community where we can come together to support, motivate, and share who we are, to be able to create not only better lives but a better world. Rise above the noise, the disappointments, and the setbacks, and watch as opportunities present themselves.


Ron Read

Ron Read is the author of Starting the US Open: From Shinnecock to Pebble Beach. For 23 years, first at Shinnecock Hills, Ron witnessed the toughest shot in golf: the opening drive from the #1 tee of the United States Open Championship. His vantage point was up close, and at times very personal.  As the US Open starter, Ron formed enduring relationships with golfers, caddies, sportscasters, writers, superintendents, and many others.

For his entire professional career, Ron Read served the Game of Golf in various capacities, starting with the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) and then the United States Golf Association (USGA). For over 40 years Ron loved enriching lives through golf.

Starting the US Open by Ron Read

In Starting the US Open, Ron takes us inside the ropes, through the clubhouse, and into the inner sanctum to bring us the stories that reveal what made this tournament and this sport truly special in the eyes of fans and players alike. More than a great read, Starting the US Open is a great experience. “Play Away Please!”


Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA

The Wealthy Girl by Charisse Conanan Johnson

Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA (chartered financial analyst), is an author, wealth expert, investor, business strategist, public speaker, and TV personality. Charisse is also the creator of the Charisse Says platform, where she actively blogs and has also produced the Charisse Says Show and Charisse Says Online Academy, where she makes investing simple, easy, and fun.

Charisse is a Managing Partner and Head of the Advisory Practice at Next Street. She has worked with clients such as The Obama Foundation, The City of Columbus, and Walgreens Boots Alliance. Prior to launching the Charisse Says platform, Charisse was Founder and CEO of Smarteys, a web-app that helped college grads manage their finances. Prior to building Smarteys, Charisse was a Vice President at JPMorgan Asset Management in New York City.

Charisse has also been featured as a financial expert on TD Ameritrade and Experian. Charisse is a contributor to American Express OPEN Forum and has been featured in outlets such as Fortune, Essence, The Chicago Sun-Times, and PBS. She has pursued a life of purpose by investing in financial markets, teaching, building businesses, and stepping out on faith.

Charisse is also a General Partner for the Bulldog Innovation Group, a venture fund focused on Yale alums investing in entrepreneurs with a Yale affiliation. Charisse is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Charisse resides in Chicago with her husband and daughter.

The Wealthy Girl by Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA

There is nothing as powerful as a “girl” with a mind for money-making coupled with a purpose that lives way beyond the money. Through A Wealthy Girl, you will learn that you don’t have to be male, rich, old, or white, to be wealthy.

Wealth expert Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA, brings her multifaceted experience as an investor, entrepreneur, and strategy consultant over the last twenty years to women.

This book is not your ordinary wealth-building book. Your wealth is beyond what sits in your bank account — it embodies your relationships, your craft, and your faith. Through the in-depth pages of A Wealthy Girl, you will be shaped by a new wealth conversation, rooted in both the tangible and intangible aspects of wealth, told through the lens of Charisse’s inspiring life journey and the stories of other powerful women.

Charisse will give you the 7 key steps to live a wealthy life, from developing an investor mindset to building a faith muscle, to running wealthy experiments. Through it all, Charisse shares openly about her journey with a common-sense approach, grit, and dozens of great tips to implement immediately.


Eric P. Canada

Eric P. Canada, Blane, Canada Ltd. is a recognized authority on economic development marketing and business retention and expansion (BR|E). A psychologist by training, he is an entrepreneur at heart and a developer by choice. Before consulting, Eric led local, regional, and statewide economic development organizations and programs. Today he brings a fresh perspective to strategy and planning for clients.

Eric has a reputation for leadership and innovation. He is the developer behind the award-winning Synchronistic Suite software designed to help economic developers manage client relationships, business retention and expansion, prospect tracking, and workforce development programs. He created national BR|E key performance indicators. Eric founded the ProLearning Lab to insure high-quality economic development education without commercial bias.

He is the author of Economic Development: Marketing for Results! and Marketer’s Planning Guide, and has published eight research white papers on BR|E and economic development marketing.

Over 12,000 economic development professionals have attended Eric Canada’s workshops. He has taught at International Economic Development Council, Economic Development Institute, 7 Basic Courses, Business Retention Expansion International, and Community Development Institute, as well as the University of Southern Mississippi’s master’s economic development course.

Canada publishes the newsletter 13 Tips (formerly Economic Development Marketing Letter) and distributes news via Twitter: @edmarketingpro. He can be reached at 630-462-9222 or ecanada@blanecanada.com.

Economic Development for the Team by Eric P. Canada

“I didn’t set out to write Economic Development for the Team. It came to me. The book came about through a training assignment. My client had a group of energetic young professionals. But, they were having trouble seeing the connection between their skills and economic development outcomes. To complicate matters, some associated had years of experience. They needed to be engaged as well.

“My situation was different. I grew up in economic development. I painted my first spec. building while I was in high school. Attending the grand opening of a small plastic’s firm in that building was hands-on economic development. I was hooked. My first job out of college was as executive director of a rural Chamber in Southern Indiana. There I learned how much I did not know and the importance of my board and volunteers. They taught me about teamwork. Now, after 25 years of work in and consulting with all levels of organizations, I have seen time and again the difference teamwork makes.

“We hire/select our team for their energy, enthusiasm, expertise, not their econ dev expertise. But, when they show up for work on DAY ONE then, their sense of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT becomes critical.

For the Team fills a training void. Take your board members for example. Bright, engaged business executives agree to serve on the Board. Then, when it comes to board meetings, they sit stone silent. Why? They are playing catch-up. They are trying to figure out their role, the organization, AND Economic Development. for the Team can help them bridge these gaps quickly.

“Common problems are easy to avoid if we know they exist. Take branding. Not every community needs a branding initiative. A strategic plan with 25 objectives and no priorities is a shopping list, not a plan.

“These are avoidable, survivable problems. Some of many covered in the book. But, the most critical challenge I see in economic development today is vision. Communities undershoot their potential by thinking small. We are conditioned by short-term, transactional thinking. It’s all about the deal, the next project, the job total. The real opportunity is a long-term, aspirational approach to economic developments. Success is defined by building the community our children’s children will want to live in.

“That will not happen by accident. With Economic Development for the Team, I wanted to help build cohesion and fuel success by bringing the team together around a common understanding of economic development. Where they go from there is up to them. But with a shared understanding and teamwork, great things are possible!”


Joseph M. Bradley

Joseph M. Bradley is currently the global vice president of the Digital & IoT Professional Services Organization at Cisco and senior research fellow for the Global Center for Digital Business Transformation at IMD. In these roles, he leads a team of multidisciplinary experts and technologists who help CXOs and government leaders transform into digital organizations.

In addition to holding top executive positions with Cisco, Joseph’s professional history includes President of Uptake Technologies, Executive Vice President of HCL Technologies, and Vice President & General Manager of the Data Communications group at AT&T. He earned an economics degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Joseph’s innovative thought leadership, digital management expertise, and engaging speaking style have made him a highly renowned and highly requested public speaker, worldwide.

Joseph has built a stellar reputation as the person to turn to when companies need to know how to create systems where people and technology don’t just coexist but work to benefit each other. Such dynamic interaction has been his lifelong passion.

Questioneering: The New Model for Innovative Leaders in the Digital Age by Joseph M. Bradley

Questioneering provides a new way of approaching business problems and reaching breakthrough innovation. It’s filled with usable models and frameworks to lead you to create high-value questions that lead to high-value answers for your current and future business issues.

“If you want to achieve real innovation, Questioneering will help you do it. It is based on revising how leaders should give up an obsession with the right answers and instead think about changing the questions. Bradley positions this as responding to high-value questions, an approach that can lead to entirely new business outcomes. It starts with what Bradley calls the 3 Golden Rules, which are among the best leadership principles I have seen in a long time. ” —Charles Varvaro, VP Global Technology Services, IBM


James B. Rosseau, Sr.

Success On Your Own TermsJames Rosseau, Sr. currently serves as EVP & President of LegalShield Solutions (the company’s B2B focused unit) with oversight for the affinity, brokerage, group, small business and national accounts divisions in addition to developing new, innovative channels and products.

Prior to joining LegalShield, James served as the President of Allstate Affinity Solutions where he launched innovative partnerships with Bass Pro Shops, United Airlines, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Office Depot, and the Fuel Rewards Network, differentiating Allstate in the insurance industry, driving customer acquisitions, loyalty, and revenue growth.

Prior to Allstate, James served as a Senior Vice President at JPMorgan Chase Card Services where he was responsible for Affinity & Co-brand partner relationships. His responsibilities included profitable growth, marketing, partnership rationalization, and the oversight of a number of partnerships that included AARP, AAA, La Quinta Hotels, New York Life, Notre Dame, Subaru, and the military branches of service. During this time he was able to drive significant profit increases through increased consumer acquisitions and retention, product improvements, increased wallet share, and improved underwriting.

Prior to that, James served as the HR Service Delivery North America Executive, responsible for providing seamless services to employees, managers, and HR business partners. In this capacity, he played a leadership role in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; the establishment of a captive off-shoring hub in India; and numerous operational and technology transformations.

With over 20 years of professional experience, James’ areas of leadership experience include Revenue Generation, B2B relationship development, Finance, Technology, Operations, Human Resources, and Services, with experience in the Financial Services, Healthcare, and Retail.

Success on Your Own Terms by James B. Rosseau, Sr.

“An incredibly authentic ‘view from the top’ from a leader who has never forgotten his roots, and in fact has used them as a competitive advantage.”
–Kim Davis, managing director, TENEO LLC, former president, JPMorganChase Foundation

“The message to the next generation of leaders needs to be ’embrace your passion.’ This needs to be reinforced…in business and life. James Rosseau is on it. I have seen James lead teams of people with gentle, dedicated, and passionate direction. He is a leader who garners respect. His words will inspire.”
–Mark Berman, president, Mallett Group

Passion comes from inside. Stoke it.
Setbacks happen. Find your way around, over, and through them.
Be willing to receive, then give back. Pay it forward.

Many young people–perhaps four out of five or more–are dissatisfied with their jobs. Why bother to pursue a dream?

It’s up to you to create your custom-tailored career and define success your way. How? Combine your burning passion with drive, determination, strategy, and commitment to pay it forward; and find and nurture mentor support, stay steady on your path, and see the fireworks. Success on Your Own Terms will show you exactly how to do it.

Living parallel lives as a business executive, Christian hip-hop media owner, and author, James Rosseau has merged the streams of his three passions to make a difference in his own life and the lives of countless others.

Learning to make and keep six promises during his diverse career, Rosseau now shows young people how to develop a plan for themselves.

These stories, lessons, setbacks, and triumphs–from the neighborhoods of North Philadelphia to executive leadership–reveal new possibilities in an inspiring blend of smart strategy, hard work, and willingness to connect to help others.


Vicki Znavor

Authenticity Reawakened by Vicki Znavor

Vicki spent four decades in corporate roles in Finance and Human Resources. She has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable Leader in HR in 2020, by ALPFA as one of the Most Powerful Latinas in 2019, and by the International Association of Business Communicators. She is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph and DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She also serves on the board of directors of several not-for-profit organizations devoted to furthering literacy, alleviating human suffering and supporting the families of fallen first responders..

She’s a wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about bringing your true self to life and work so that you can realize your true purpose and experience great joy in life.

Authenticity Reawakened by Vicki Znavor

A timeless resource to build your best life!  

AUTHENTICITY REAWAKENED is the result of countless hours of research as well as the author, Vicki Znavor’s personal experiences and lessons learned over her forty-year career as an expert in the field of human resources.  It’s brimming with powerful yet simple strategies to build your authentic leadership along with heartwarming stories with the essential reminder that work is, and always will be, “personal”.

In this book, you will also discover the all-important lesson that when you know your story, your values, and your purpose, you will be equipped to bring your authentic self to work and life every day.  In fact, once you’re clear on these aspects of your authentic self, anything less from yourself or others is no longer acceptable because you know that purpose is your very reason for being.

Learn from real-life stories that will help you understand:
●    Ways to be authentic and why it matters
●    How to best build your legacy
●    What to do if you dread going to work
●    How to understand and tackle fear
●    The basics of increasing your authenticity at work
●    Lessons on managing conflict
●    Pivotal moments that are core to who you are
●    How to decide whether to stay or leave your job

This book will help you discover the values that will further reveal your all-important purpose. Vicki has done the work of validating the extensive research that establishes the fact that values and purpose are foundational to our authenticity. Get your copy today and experience the power it will have in making your work and life much more purposeful and rewarding.


Todd Romer

Todd Romer is the founder of Young Money Media. His passion for financial education and capability for today’s young adults stems from his personal experiences with earning, managing, and investing money from a lawn mowing business he held in high school and college at the University of Dayton.

After finding very little information and resources about personal finance, money, and investing for young adults while in college, Todd launched Young Money magazine and youngmoney.com in 1999 to provide young adults with relevant personal finance and entrepreneurship content. From 1999 to 2009, nearly 7 million copies of Young Money magazine was published and distributed on 225 college campuses. Since 2010, the Young Money LIVE campus event and the speaking tour have visited over 225 colleges and universities across the U.S. with Todd presenting the 5 Simple Steps to Create Financial Health and Wealth Now.

Young Money: A Powerful 5 Step Money Plan to Financial Success Now by Todd Romer

Do you think you must have the highest level of education or the best job to be financially successful? Or to have come from a wealthy family? Are you tired of money being on your mind 24/7? If you want to have a tremendous jump start on your personal financial success, then stop everything and read this book.

The Young Money 5 Step Money Plan is for anyone who wants to dare to dream and create financial health and wealth over time, in a very simple manner. Whether you are in high school, in college, or in your 20s, you can master this 5 Step Money Plan and live a much fuller and richer life. So let’s do this!


Paul M. Rand

Highly Recommended: Harnessing the Power of Word of Mouth and Social Media to Build Your Brand and Your BusinessPaul Rand is founder, president, and CEO of Zocalo Group, one of the world’s leading digital, social media, and word of mouth marketing agencies, and one of the fastest-growing companies inside Omnicom Group. Paul served as president of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) and is on the board of the National Council of Better Business Bureaus and vice chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Board for DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business and Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Highly Recommended is required reading for any business leader.” —Susan Resko

“The book provides tons of relevant and insightful examples showing how this can come to life and already has proven to be successful for many brands.” —Madelyn

“His writing style is compelling, full of great easy to read stories with fantastic takeaways.” —Warren Sukernek


Dan Weinfurter

Second Stage Entrepreneurship: Ten Proven Strategies For Driving Aggressive GrowthDan Weinfurter is the managing partner of Chicago Growth Consultants and serial entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience. He has been the founder and CEO of two private equity-backed businesses and was the “number two” executive for a third, all three of which achieved high rankings on Inc. 500.

Parson Group started from a business plan in 1995, landed the coveted #1 spot on Inc. magazine’s “Inc. 500″ list in 2000. He has provided both consulting and interim management to a variety of start-ups and large public companies. He currently serves on the boards of Colonnade Advisors and ThermoFluids and was formerly a mentor for the Clinton Foundation’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. He has been featured or quoted in Inc. magazine, CFO Magazine, Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, BBC Online, the New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among others.

“In an era where it seems everyone is focused on ‘launching’ new ventures, finally someone is highlighting the issues around ‘growing’ a new business. Weinfurter provides practical advice on how to address the challenges of growth to ensure a business scales.” —Linda Darragh, Executive Director, Kellogg Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative (KIEI), and Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Second Stage Entrepreneurship: Ten Proven Strategies For Driving Aggressive Growth by Dan Weinfurter

“Dan’s book captures his own experiences of growing several companies through the Second Stage of Entrepreneurship and lays out the important steps in an easy to read and common sense approach. Second Stage Entrepreneurship will help all emerging entrepreneurs plan for the challenges and the wonderful adventure they will be living.” —Joseph P. Flanagan, Chairman and CEO, Acquirent, LLC

Great ideas and insights into making a business grow and succeed once you’ve actually started your business! This is a ‘How To’ book on growing and managing the many facets of the enterprise, to create a truly cutting edge successful business.” Jude Reyes, Reyes Holdings

“A fantastic reference for entrepreneurs and leaders of small, growing businesses. Weinfurter’s insights provide an invaluable checklist for those who want to take their business to the next level.”—Keith H. Yamada, CIVC Partners

“It’s a must-read for every entrepreneur. Dan Weinfurter knows from his own experience and that of the scores of business owners whom he’s advised that a great idea or even a proven business model is not enough. He drives home the importance of advance planning and great personnel. If you want to know how to expand your business without giving up control, Dan tells you how. He makes it clear that, if you want to do what you like, then you need to do what you’re good at and let others do the rest. It’s a 180-page MBA.” – Christopher G. Kennedy, Founder, and Chairman of Top Box Foods and Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc.

“Dan Weinfurter is a builder of businesses. In Second Stage Entrepreneurship, he shares his experience and accumulated wisdom in developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for growing companies. His Ten Proven Strategiesranging from competitive differentiation to organizational development/hiring to culture and, ultimately, to planning the founder’s exitwill be a useful guide for any entrepreneur making the transition from start-up to sustainable growth.” —Eric Larson, Managing Partner/Founder, Linden LLC


Ian Miller

Rocket Branding: How to Launch a Rocket Brand and 20 Real World Success StoriesRocket Branding was designed by Ian Miller, an expert brand and business strategist who has spent 35 years working on four continents and over 400 leading product, service, and corporate brands, representing almost every category, geography, and marketing challenge (B2C, B2B, and B2E). Both his successful creation and global launch of the NutraSweet brand and work with companies like P&G, American Express, Qantas, Coca Cola, J&J, Monsanto, Hewlett Packard, Harley Davidson, Pfizer, New Balance, Best Buy, J.Walter Thompson, and Ogilvy & Mather have taught him how to get to the real issues fast and get big, fresh thinking working quickly in the marketplace.

Ian has launched and managed a brand in every market around the world (including Old Spice, Celebrex, and three of the four top sweetener brands in the world) and his obsession for growth has enabled him to help build four $1 billion brands, six $500 million brands, and many, many others from start-up through maturity.

Rocket Branding: How to Launch a Rocket Brand and 20 Real-World Success Stories by Ian Miller

“Brilliant—simplicity in reading with huge success possibilities for all who strive to be the best—extremely useful cases! —EniREVIEW

“Ian Miller is famous, even if you’ve never heard his name. He’s the mastermind of many brand slogans that you know by heart and love. He tells the tale of his famous clients and branding strategies in this easy-to-read, content-rich book. He is able to share his wealth of knowledge with big ideas and shows smaller businesses and operators how to apply the same thinking. His goal for you is to grow your business by leaps and bounds, not just a few percentage points. If you want to impact a lot of people with your product or service, this is the book you need to add to your must-read list. Ian is a marketing and business dynamo. I’d encourage you to read this book right away.” —Bob Regnerus


Diane S. Hopkins

Although it’s often missed in the busy-ness of business, ease is a desired andIt's Hard to Be Easy important promise organizations in any industry must consider for their customers.  This book offers a “back to basics” exploration with ease at the center of what customers deserve.  There are many reasons being easy is hard and this book was written to help leaders re-imagine decisions to pursue effortless experiences whenever possible.   When customers find it repeatedly difficult to interact or transact with a business, a process begins that encourages them to walk away.   Being “hard” in this case involves points of friction that are deliberately or inadvertently placed before customers.  Friction points can exist at any point of a customer’s journey and the progression can lead to the loss of business.  The Friction-Defection Progression is something to avoid at all costs.  This model begins when customers express Interest, then goes downhill to: Customer Friction — Customer Frustration — Customer Dissatisfaction and can end with Customer Defection.

Diane Hopkins is a nationally known speaker, author and consultant, and Certified Experience Economy Expert. She is the author of Unleashing the Chief Moment Officers and co-author of Advice from a Patient and Wake Up and Smell the Innovation.  This new book includes insights and lessons from a variety of industries and 10 Customer Path Clearing Exercises teams can use to assess and enhance a customer effort strategy.


Sarah Miller Caldicott

Midnight Lunch: The 4 Phases of Team Collaboration Success From Thomas Edison's LabI have worked with Sarah Caldicott and seen, firsthand, how she can take the wisdom of one of our greatest thought leaders and share with us a process she has gleaned from this wisdom to innovate better than we ever thought possible. Although I did not have the pleasure of working with Sarah directly on her book, I chose to list her here as an author I recommend highly for organizations looking for the best in innovation experts.

Sarah Miller Caldicott is a great-grandniece of Thomas Edison and a seasoned executive with years of hands-on experience driving growth in new and existing businesses. Coauthor of Innovate Like Edison, a groundbreaking book on Thomas Edison’s innovation best practices, Sarah inspires audiences around the world through her keynote speeches and executive programs on how to integrate Edison’s Five Competencies of Innovation in organizations today. Sarah also advises leaders on how they can use Edison’s time-tested methods to create a culture of innovation, as well as accelerate the development of individual and team capabilities that propel collaboration success.

Midnight Lunch: The 4 Phases of Team Collaboration Success From Thomas Edison’s Lab by Sarah Miller Caldicott

“Caldicott powerfully updates Edison’s collaboration process for use by organizations operating in today’s hyper-competitive global economy. If you’re looking for a way to accelerate growth through innovation, this book offers deep insights on why collaboration is the ‘super skill’ that will drive success.” —Verne Harnish, CEO, Gazelles; coauthor of The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time

“Sarah has added an indispensable contribution to the success formula for business. Midnight Lunch magnifies one of Thomas Edison’s most treasured traits—collaboration. This incredible piece of work provides insightful yet practical guidance for all who desire to innovate their way to success.” — D. Keith Pigues, coauthor of Winning with Customers: A Playbook for B2B; Dean, North Carolina Central University School of Business

“Innovation is not about individual heroes with a vision, it is about collaboration. Edison understood this well, and Caldicott is a skilled guide to how he really got so much done. Applying Edison’s four phases of collaboration will bring new power to your team efforts.” —Chris Trimble, coauthor of Reverse Innovation and The Other Side of Innovation

“Organizations today often fail to engage collaboration as a crucial part of their innovation process. Caldicott reminds us that Edison’s world-changing success stemmed in large measure from his collaborative culture. Midnight Lunch updates Edison’s approach for the twenty-first century, offering a practical guide for developing nimble collaborations.” —Vijay Govindarajan, Earl C. Daum Professor of International Business, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College; coauthor of Reverse Innovation


Dan Tepke

Hatching Your Million Dollar BusinessDan Tepke is a results-oriented consulting veteran who specializes in working with C – Level executives and their teams in developing innovative solutions for strategic opportunities.

He has experience across a range of industries, including education, insurance, paper and packaging, philanthropy, and not-for-profit, transportation, telecommunications, and venture capital. Clients served include, Cerulean Fund, CNR/Slimfast, Encyclopedia Britannica, Florida Family Insurance, Golden Rule Insurance, Golden Valley Foods, Interpublic Group, Motorola, Northwest Airlines, OneAmerica Insurance, Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF), Tetra Pak, and U.S. West (Qwest).

Dan has over 25 years of leadership and operational experience having served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Golden Rule Insurance Company, Senior Vice President, North Park University, and Associate Dean for Management and Budget at the University of Chicago School of Business. In addition, Dan was a lecturer in marketing and Director of the University of Chicago’s innovative New Product Development Laboratory. He was also a co-developer of the business school’s unique leadership program.

Dan holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from North Park University. He currently serves on a number of not-for-profit boards including Galter Life Center and the Albany Park Community Center.

Hatching Your Million Dollar Business by Dan Tepke

“I realized I had both the tools and the coaching experience to add value to someone else’s process as the person develops his/her business idea. The need was there. That was evident when I spoke to people who came to me with ideas that were either incomplete or not well-thought-through. If they had the right tools and processes, would that help them develop a solid idea? I looked for available books or manuals to effectively try to walk someone through this exercise—materials that use a structured process, ask questions and provide examples and practice opportunities. After some investigation, I decided that, indeed, an opportunity was available to add some value within this particular niche.

“This book is meant for individuals who work alone or either with a few or many others. Its intention is to help those inexperienced in business idea development.”


Gregg Lunceford

EXIT FROM WORK: What Will the New You Look Like? by Gregg Lunceford

A timely book written for the growing number of people living longer lives. Never before have you had so many options to live a more balanced and even exciting life. This is the time when “60” is truly the new “40.” What does this mean for you? This book walks you through the many new options you have available in today’s opportunity-expansive world. It just takes “knowing” where to look. Enter EXIT FROM WORK.

This powerful book is based on Gregg’s research while obtaining his PH.D. and his experience over 25+ years in financial services. EXIT FROM WORK is brimming with actionable ideas to help you redefine the typical conceptions about work and retirement that is now seen as optional by millions of people who are living strong, healthy lives longer. With EXIT FROM WORK you will experience a whole new way of viewing your next stage in life as Lunceford shares deep insights into how to ensure each successive year becomes your best year ever. This book will help you see how you can use the power of money combined with a wide set of resources and tips to learn how to live better at any age.

If you took the time to look at this book, there is a good chance you’re a “take charge” kind of person and looking for the best insights as to how to successfully EXIT FROM WORK. Pick up a copy of this book today to start living a more abundant, rich, and rewarding life tomorrow.


Jay Kemmerer

Messages From the Money Masters by Jay Kemmerer

This book is not about getting rich quickly but about getting and staying rich wisely. Join Jay Kemmerer, a financial expert for over two decades, as he shares the best tips he has found from twelve of the top money masters in the world. These tips have helped make his clients and their businesses a success.

Experience the wisdom from these proven experts as they share how they overcame common financial mistakes in their own businesses in order to help you become more financially savvy. Even if you’re already knowledgeable about basic economic principles and financial management, these experts can still help you steer clear of major financial mistakes almost everyone makes.

Regardless of the economic cycle or business climate, you are currently living in there are financial opportunities that you can take advantage of today. The stories shared throughout this book will help you learn, adapt, and practice the skills of creating, adhering to, building, managing, and maintaining your own financial wealth and independence

This is a book that keeps on giving. Why? It’s actually 13 books in one because of the twelve money experts’ insights shared coupled with Jay’s decades of wisdom. In other words, this is a book you will want to consider as a gift to all the special people in your life.


Diane Serbin Hopkins

Diane Serbin (Stover) Hopkins has served as a leader in market communications, customer experience strategy, and innovation culture, building for over 20 years, primarily in the healthcare industry. She is nationally recognized as a content expert, connecting brand promises to authentic customer experiences. Diane was one of the first Chief Experience and Innovation Officers in the US healthcare industry at Memorial Health System and Beacon Health System, South Bend, IN.

“If you want to raise the bar on creating memorable customer experiences, then this book is your roadmap.” —Valerie Willis, VP, Tom Peters Company

Unleashing the Chief Moment Officers: Reliably Giving the Gift of Exceptional Experiences by Diane Serbin Hopkins

The core premise of this book is that whether you have 10 or 10,000 staff members in your organization, leaders have a foundational responsibility to ensure that workers at all levels are well prepared and informed to understand their influence on customers. This book was written foremost to clearly outline the benefits of a workforce-wide Chief Moment Officer strategy, and secondly to offer many ways to bring the strategy to life, depending upon the current state of a company’s customer experience performance.

If you are ready to explore the power of moment-by-moment, person-by-person customer engagement, this is a quick and rich guide of ways to stretch your thinking and stretch the impact that all staff can have to exceed the expectations and imagination of current and new customers.


…And Many More Authors

If you have any questions, contact me . I’m happy to share everything I can to help you when you are ready to write your book!

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