More

    LEADAFI COUNCILS POST

    Strategic Planning for Automotive Business Development

    Strategic planning is a cornerstone of success in the automotive industry, as Aaron Rolfsrud illustrates in his comprehensive guide to business development. By combining market analysis, competitive positioning, and customer engagement, he demonstrates how businesses can craft adaptable strategies to thrive in a rapidly evolving market. Rolfsrud underscores the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, performance monitoring, and embracing innovation to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. With a focus on emerging technologies like electric vehicles and automation, the article provides a roadmap for automotive companies to maintain a competitive edge and drive sustainable growth in a dynamic landscape.

    Luis Di Como: Building Bridges for Success

    I'm excited to share a bit more about my journey across global media, advertising technology, and digital transformation. With over 35 years of experience leading strategic initiatives, advising startups, and speaking at major industry forums, I remain passionate about helping companies grow while driving positive societal impact. If you're looking for a board advisor who combines global experience with ethical leadership and strategic vision—here is my biography.

    The Cost of Waiting: Why Inaction Is the Riskiest Move for Small Businesses

    In times of uncertainty, it’s natural for small business leaders to hesitate — to conserve resources and delay big decisions until things feel more stable. But in today’s rapidly evolving market, waiting isn’t a neutral act; it’s often the most costly choice you can make. Every outdated system, manual process, or missed automation opportunity silently compounds inefficiencies, draining your team and stalling your growth. The businesses that thrive through volatility aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets — they’re the ones with the strongest discipline, intentional processes, and a mindset of continuous improvement. Inaction may feel safe, but in reality, it’s often the riskiest move of all.

    Navigating the Complexities of IT System Integrations in Faith-Based Organizations

    Faith-based organizations increasingly rely on technology to manage operations, communicate with members, and enhance service delivery. However, integrating IT systems within these organizations presents unique challenges, such as balancing technology with tradition, managing budget constraints, and addressing diverse stakeholder expectations. This article explores strategies for successful IT integration, including phased implementation, cloud-based solutions, change management, and compliance with privacy regulations. With insights from real-world case studies, it highlights how faith-based organizations can embrace technology to streamline operations while staying aligned with their mission and values.

    Eric Gunderson: Where Technical Precision Meets Customer Passion

    After 15 years of building high-impact organizations across digital marketing, SaaS, and the automotive industries, I’m excited to share a snapshot of my professional journey. From founding a seven-figure e-commerce brand to advising startups on strategy and execution, I’ve worn many hats—and I’m always looking for the next challenge.

    The Role of Data Mining in Enhancing Business Efficiency

    In the rapidly evolving landscape of benefit plan management, data mining is becoming an essential tool for enhancing business efficiency. By uncovering actionable insights from large datasets, organizations can improve decision-making, streamline operations, and deliver personalized member experiences. This article delves into the role of data mining in benefit plans, exploring key techniques like predictive modeling, anomaly detection, and clustering. It also highlights the importance of building a data-driven culture, ensuring data privacy compliance, and investing in the right technology infrastructure. With advancements in AI and real-time analytics, data mining is poised to reshape benefit plan management, driving better outcomes and operational efficiency.

    Strategic Investment in Diverse Ventures

    Strategic investment across technology and real estate sectors offers a balanced approach to portfolio diversification and long-term growth. By leveraging the high-risk, high-reward potential of emerging technologies like AI and PropTech alongside the stability of real estate assets, investors can optimize returns while managing risks. Venture capital and private equity play pivotal roles in this ecosystem, driving innovation in startups and scaling established businesses with operational efficiencies. With a focus on sustainability, market trends, and digital transformation, these strategic investments not only foster innovation and wealth creation but also ensure adaptability in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

    Strategic ERP Advisory: Aligning Technology with Business Goals

    In an era where ERP decisions can make or break a company’s agility and growth, my approach to strategic ERP advisory goes beyond technology selection—I align ERP strategy with business objectives through enterprise architecture. At Peak Athletics/Bauer, I challenged the default “monolithic” ERP mindset, advocating instead for a tailored approach rooted in business-first requirements, capability modeling, and financial clarity. With over two decades of cross-industry experience and a track record of delivering millions in savings and synergies, I help organizations navigate ERP complexity with confidence—translating technical decisions into strategic outcomes that resonate from the C-suite to the boardroom.

    Navigating Diplomatic Waters: The Role of Strategic Management in International Operations

    Mel Kimmel’s leadership journey at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest offers a compelling case study in managing international operations within a diplomatic framework. Blending strategic foresight with cultural intelligence, Kimmel demonstrates how thoughtful planning, transparent communication, strict compliance, and resilient leadership can drive operational success in complex global environments. Their experience highlights the delicate balance required to align internal objectives with foreign policy goals, build cross-cultural teams, and adapt to shifting geopolitical landscapes—all while upholding the highest standards of integrity. This holistic approach serves as a blueprint for anyone navigating the nuanced intersections of diplomacy, leadership, and international management.

    Leadership Done Well

    Many leaders find themselves busy every day, yet frustrated by a lack of real progress. In this article, Alec A. Gizzi explores how President Eisenhower’s time-tested matrix can help executives distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s truly important—transforming the way they prioritize, delegate, and lead. With real-world insights from his decades in the logistics industry, Gizzi shares how applying the Eisenhower Matrix can sharpen focus, reduce burnout, and drive meaningful results in even the most fast-paced environments.

    The Future of Healthcare: Integrating AI for Personalized Patient Care

    The future of healthcare lies at the intersection of empathy and innovation, where artificial intelligence empowers—not replaces—the human touch. At QurHealth, we’re transforming this vision into reality with Sheela, our AI-driven care platform designed to deliver truly personalized, data-informed support throughout every stage of a patient’s journey. Born from a clinician’s firsthand experience with a fragmented system, Sheela bridges critical gaps in care through real-time insights, intelligent engagement, and culturally sensitive communication. As we scale across health systems and communities, Sheela is proving that AI, when guided by clinical expertise and patient needs, can drive better outcomes, improve equity, and make healthcare more proactive, predictive, and deeply human.

    Cultivating High-Performance Cultures: Lessons from the Oil & Gas Sector

    In the ever-evolving oil and gas sector, high-performance cultures are built not only on financial and operational excellence, but also on the less tangible—yet equally vital—principles of continuous improvement and long-term sustainability. This article explores how leading companies move beyond traditional metrics, embracing a culture of learning, experimentation, and inclusive strategic planning to drive resilience and adaptability. By engaging diverse perspectives, investing in technological advancements, and managing the tension between short-term results and future viability, organizations can cultivate environments where performance and sustainability reinforce each other, securing enduring success in a volatile industry.

    Strategic Program Management for Operational Excellence

    Strategic program management serves as the foundation for achieving and sustaining operational excellence within any organization. By aligning program goals with overarching business objectives, ensuring efficient use of resources, and fostering meaningful stakeholder collaboration, leaders can drive initiatives that enhance performance, mitigate risk, and deliver measurable value. This article outlines the core components of effective program management—from goal alignment and resource optimization to stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement—providing a roadmap for organizations aiming to elevate their operational capabilities and achieve long-term success.

    Strategic Planning for Community Association Managers

    Strategic planning is essential for the long-term success of condominium and homeowners associations, yet it is often overshadowed by the immediate demands of daily operations and short-term goals. Community association managers must shift their focus beyond routine tasks to lead forward-thinking initiatives that shape the future of their communities. By engaging boards and residents in transparent, collaborative processes—through forums, surveys, and focus groups—managers can help develop shared visions that enhance livability, sustainability, and property value. Whether overseeing a high-rise with complex infrastructure or a sprawling HOA with extensive common areas, strategic planning ensures that communities remain resilient, desirable, and profitable for years to come.

    What sets successful functional teams apart

    There’s no single formula for team success—no silver bullet that guarantees high performance. In reality, thriving functional teams succeed by aligning four key factors: who is on the team (balanced abilities and strong soft skills), why the work matters (a clear, focused priority), how they work (an iterative approach), and what they choose to tackle (empowered decision-making). From strategy and digital transformation teams to governance boards, success is rooted in clarity, focus, and trust—not micromanagement or overloaded agendas.

    Emily Joubert | Legal Professional | Compliance Strategist | Cannabis Industry Advocate

    Emily Joubert is a legally trained compliance strategist and operational leader with over 15 years of experience across government, legal, and emerging industries. Known for her integrity, cross-sector insight, and ability to translate complex regulations into actionable strategies, she has led legal initiatives and compliance programs that align with both organizational goals and community values. A strong advocate for equity and innovation—particularly within the cannabis industry—Emily brings a collaborative spirit, sharp analytical mind, and a deep sense of purpose to every role she undertakes.