Manage Smarter

Summer Craig is the President and CEO of the Craig Group , a business growth advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, she is a seasoned expert in driving revenue growth for multimillion-dollar companies. Summer specializes in leveraging technology, integrating sales and marketing, and aligning organizations for sustainable business growth. Her expertise extends to working with private equity-backed businesses to lead large in-house teams. Beyond her professional achievements, Summer is also an avid mountain climber, having conquered peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rainier, which she uses as metaphors for overcoming challenges in business and life. "You don't have to have done it. You don't have to know, but you have to be smart enough to figure it out and maybe go find help or admit that you need help and go solve the problem." - #SummerCraig KEY TAKEAWAYS: -How can professionals overcome imposter syndrome? Summer suggests focusing on what you are good at and leveragi

Dave Garrison, CEO, business strategist, and author of 'The Buy-In Advantage,' dives into how buy-in and employee engagement drive workplace performance. He shares leadership strategies for building trust, increasing motivation, and reducing turnover with proven techniques—plus insights on inspiring purpose in today’s multi-generational workforce. Discover actionable tips and tools to boost productivity and enhance workplace culture. "People buy in on emotion, justify with logic. So how do you tap into that emotional need? That requires great questions and listening." KEY TAKEAWAYS -The definition of employee buy-in and employee engagement and why it's important -How to tell if your employees are faking engagement and interest in their job and the organization -Actionable steps you can take to stop all the damage a lack of employee engagement can do to your organization CONNECT WITH DAVE GARRISON https://garrisongrowth.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-garrison-growth/ Connect with Manage Smarte

This week, we're talking about a question every B-to-B seller secretly asks: can you actually increase sales during the holidays? Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're exploring the unfiltered insights straight from the frontlines of sales — courtesy of over 800 sales professionals who participated in The Voice of the Sales Rep: 2025 Focus Report. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Granados, founder of LifePulse Incorporated and author of "Motivate the Unmotivated," reveals how to replace hustle culture with sustainable workplace success. He shares actionable strategies for employee engagement, optimal performance, workplace culture, and leveraging AI for productivity—without risking burnout. Gain leadership tips for integrating work-life harmony and building high-performing teams that thrive in today’s changing business environment. "There’s a difference between high performers and optimal performers, right? So a high performer is where everyone used to try to get to, especially in sales. High output, unsustainable pace compared to others. That’s like saying I beat a bunch of slow people in a race, so therefore I’m fast. Optimal performance flips the script a little bit—same exact high output, but at a sustainable pace compared to one’s own ability. That’s the key." WEBSITE FOR MANAGE SMARTER LISTENERS: lifepulseinc.com/ms -What is optimal performance and how do I get it?

This week, let's get real about what separates a successful salesperson from just a decent one. It's not just what you say—it's how you say it, and, more importantly, what your body says for you. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're spotlighting something every business leader faces, but few master: how communication and trust boost your team’s efficiency. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sue Heilbronner, author of "Never Ask for the Sale: Supercharge Your Business with the Power of Passionate Ambivalence," reveals top sales strategies to build referrals, trust, and credibility. Learn how her approach increases premium pricing, drives mutual relationships, and enhances your business’s success by focusing on authentic, value-driven sales methods and letting your expertise attract ideal clients. "The reason that the book is titled Never Ask for the Sale is I want to make the point that selling is a mutual process and if you as a seller are putting yourself in a subservient position to a prospect, you are limiting not only your opportunity to close but you are also demeaning your price point and your long term value to that customer." KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Why does Sue Heilbronner advocate for 'never asking for the sale' in modern sales methodology? -What is the 'Passionate Ambivalence' model and how does it enhance sales outcomes? -Effective technique for generating client testimonials and wor

This week we're talking about something that could make or break your next sales hire: using objective sales assessments, instead of going with your gut. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about how you can rebuild trust with your salespeople after layoffs. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leadership communications coach Salvatore Manzi joins to discuss why, when, and how organizations should approach cultural realignment. Drawing on 20+ years in DEI and international consultancy, Salvatore breaks down his powerful 4D methodology: Diagnose, Define, Deploy, and Deepen. Learn practical steps for overcoming employee resistance, aligning values, and ensuring leadership buy-in to advance workplace culture, employee engagement, and organizational performance. Highlights include detailed strategies for fostering lasting change, involving HR in the process, and the significance of office environment and presence. Salvatore also shares insights from his book, "Clear and Compelling: Communication Strategies for Big Thinkers and Bold Ideas," packed with actionable communication and culture change tips for business leaders. #organizational culture #cultural realignment #workplaceculture GET THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQJ6M6B7 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Managing change: What to say when people are s

This week, we're discussing underrated traits to look for in your salespeople. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're talking about one of the most common growing pains for any ambitious business: figuring out the real difference between a strong sales manager and a top-notch sales representative Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is transforming business, but it also brings new legal risks and compliance challenges. In this episode, attorney Seth Kugler of Grellas Shah, a Silicon Valley-based expert in AI law, corporate governance, and tech litigation, explains why every company needs a responsible AI policy. "Shadow AI is a real risk: Employees often use unauthorized AI tools, risking data breaches and policy violations. Make sure your AI policy is clear and enforced." - Seth Kugler KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Creating an ethical AI policy for your company -What to include in your employee handbook regarding AI policy -Best legal practices on the daily use of AI in your course of business, to assure data safety and privacy -Seth's legal advice and steps to take regarding the use of AI in your hiring Connect with Seth Kugler https://grellas.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-kugler-2218747/ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts         Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.co

This week, we're talking about what really moves the needle in inside sales. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about something every sales leader should have on their radar: resilience. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Weier, CEO and co-founder of Brandwood Global, dives into copyright, trademark, and intellectual property rights for content creators and marketers. She shares actionable tips to avoid legal risks, explains the impact of AI on content, and introduces her Brandingo app for secure brand engagement. Essential listening for anyone in content creation, digital marketing, or brand management. "If you are broadcasting in any forum, you know, Facebook streaming, whatever, that then becomes a commercial, so to speak. So when you go from a personal use... to posting it on different social media sites, then you become a commercial use. And so those music pieces that are going to be heard, do they carry forth, you know, so now you're infringing on those copyrights.4It's going to be a burgeoning litigation field, I believe, because [AI is] completely vacuuming up all copyrights, all trademarks. And then it's morphing those into new products, new designs." - Stephanie Weier KEY TAKEAWAYS -Learn best practices

This week, we're talking about a sales technique that’s all about finesse—trial closes. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about ego in sales—how it can be your secret weapon or your biggest obstacle. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leah Stiegler, a seasoned labor attorney from Woods Rogers, delves into the complexities of modern workplace dynamics. From handling toxic personalities to navigating the intricacies of non-compete agreements, Leah offers invaluable insights for employers. She discusses the importance of maintaining a psychologically safe environment and the role of documentation in protecting both employees and employers. Leah also touches on the ethical use of AI in workplace management, emphasizing transparency and responsible practices. Tune in to learn how to manage workplace challenges effectively and keep your organization legally compliant. Whether you're dealing with workplace toxicity or exploring AI's role in sales, Leah's expertise is a must-listen for all managers. "I would say that the best advice I can give on that is for managers to address concerns early on, to hear someone out regardless of whether they think the concern is ridiculous or whether they know that the person is wrong about their perception, wha