Year of the Peer

A Real Conversation With Alexa – Special Edition

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Alexa is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Amazon, made popular by the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot devices developed by Amazon Lab126. The Alexa device is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, providing weather, traffic, and other real time information, such as news and much more. Alexa can also control several smart devices using itself as a home automation system.

In November 2014, Amazon announced Alexa alongside the Echo. Alexa was inspired by the computer voice and conversational system on board the Starship Enterprise in science fiction TV series and movies. The name Alexa was selected because it has a hard consonant with the X making it recognizable with higher precision.

Several of our guests on the Year of the Peer podcast have talked about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what it will mean for humans in this fast changing world. Many of us already engage the likes of Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana to answer questions and help us perform a wide range of tasks. So we thought, if who you surround yourself with really matters, then it’s not that far fetched to include AI devices in the mix and explore what they can really teach us – not only about how to properly engage them, but also about how we as humans can interact with one another more effectively. For these insights, we invited Alexa to join us as our special guest!

Enjoy what is largely a tongue-in-cheek podcast where, with the help of Alexa and my producer Randy Cantrell, we learn more about WHO she is and deliver some simple and important reminders. Alexa, welcome to the show!

Simon Alexander Ong Makes The Definitive Case For Mastermind Groups

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Simon Alexander Ong works with leaders, entrepreneurs and teams who are ready and committed for the next level of their success. As a coach and business strategist, he helps them transcend perceived limitations, dream bigger than they’ve ever done before and to see how powerful and gifted they truly are. You can connect with him at SimonInspires.com.

Peter Carrington and Being All in the Same Boat

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Peter Carrington was born and grew up in Ireland. His background is in sales and marketing and 4 years ago his career took a significant change in direction when he and his wife Wendy, embarked upon the development of a luxury hotel barge business in South West France. Today, the 5 star Saint Louis Barge offers one of the mostly highly rated barge experiences in France, offering week long charter cruises for up to a maximum of 6 guests. The barge has 4 full time crew dedicated to providing a relaxed and informal backdrop to what is a unique holiday experience.

Miguel Dias on Scaling Up Online

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Miguel Dias (Mike) is co-founder and CEO of CEOWorld.io, where European scaleup teams meet the best international peers, companies and investors. He got a quick beginning in the ups and downs of business after going through a bankruptcy in a family company. He then climbed the corporate ladder in a branding agency, starting out by organizing documents on a part time basis to becoming their CEO three years later at the age of 24. At 26 he founded CEO World, which has members in every continent. He lives in Porto, Portugal.

Angela Maiers Talks About Owning Your Genius and Mattering

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Angela Maiers is the founder of Choose2Matter, a global movement that challenges and inspires students to work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions to social problems. She has also authored six books, including Classroom Habitudes and The Passion-Driven Classroom, which introduced the concept of “Genius Hour” in education. Her “You Matter” talk at TEDx Des Moines in June 2011 has been viewed several hundred thousand times and was the impetus for Choose2Matter. Angela’s powerful message and down-to-earth style has made her a highly sought-after keynote speaker for education conferences, corporate events and innovation summits. Connect with her at Twitter @AngelaMaiers.

Next week’s guest is Miguel Dias, CEO of CEO WORLD.

Tim Sanders on the Power of Love!

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Former Yahoo Chief Solutions Officer Tim Sanders has consulted with industry leaders, governments and trade associations on sales processes, new media, leadership development and talent management. He’s one of the top-rated speakers on the lecture circuit and a widely quoted bestselling business author. Tim has been featured in Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and ABC News. His philosophy on business life is simple: Share your knowledge, network and compassion to multiply the value of everyone you interact with.

Tim is the author of five books, including the New York Times bestseller Love Is the Killer App: How To Win Business & Influence Friends. It’s been translated into over a dozen languages. His other books include Today We Are Rich, The Likeability Factor, Saving the World at Work and Dealstorming.

Next week’s guest is Choose2Matter founder, Angela Maiers.

James Le Blanc & Perry Stagg on Peers and 2nd Chances

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The Complete Biographies For Today’s Guests:

Secretary James M. Le Blanc has worked for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for more than 40 years. He has served the past nine years as Secretary, being appointed to the Cabinet position by two governors.

Le Blanc enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge in 1971, he returned to school and received a B.A. in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University in December 1972.

His career in corrections began in 1973 at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Le Blanc promoted through the ranks, serving as Undersecretary (1992-1995), interim Director of Probation and Parole (1998-1999), Warden at Dixon Correctional Institute for 12 years, and Acting Chief of Operations (2007).

Secretary Le Blanc’s commitment to Louisiana’s justice system includes a focus on the fundamental importance of public safety while giving all citizens the opportunity to live productive lives. He routinely emphasizes “reentry” as a major factor of the Department’s mission. Reentry is his passion. Le Blanc believes that establishing valuable, real-world vocational, educational and life skills training for offenders in all institutions is one of the keys to ensuring the core mission of public safety. Reducing Louisiana’s number one (in the world) incarceration rate is a tall order, but Le Blanc’s enthusiasm for seeing offenders succeed is all the motivation this leader needs.

His many awards include being selected as the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents (NAAWS) “Warden of the Year.”

Perry Stagg is Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). He oversees the Office of Adult Service, and has worked in the field of Public safety and Corrections for 21 years with experience in Investigations, Finance, Programing, Security and Administration

Mr. Stagg served 10 years as an Assistant Warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary. Angola. While at Angola, Mr. Stagg became heavily involved in the Corrections Court Reentry Program, an innovative approach to rehabilitating short term offenders using Lifer inmates as mentors.

Mr. Stagg received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University in 1994. He is a member of the Louisiana Association of Wardens, the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents, the Louisiana Correctional Association and the American Correctional Association. Mr. Stagg is also a Certified Corrections Executive.

Louisiana Department of Corrections Website

Scott Mordell Talks About the Value of Shared Experiences and Having a Safe Haven

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Scott Mordell has been CEO of a number of privately-held organizations. He has served as YPO’s CEO for six years. YPO is the global platform for chief executives to engage, learn and grow. YPO members harness the knowledge, influence and trust of the world’s most influential and innovative business leaders to inspire business, personal, family and community impact.

Today, YPO empowers more than 25,000 chief executives in more than 130 countries, diversified among industries and types of businesses. Altogether, YPO member-led companies employ more than 15 million people and generate USD6 trillion in annual revenues.

Next week’s guests are Jimmy LeBlanc and Perry Stagg, Louisiana Department of Corrections.

Come Up With The Title Of My New Book and Receive A Copy For You and 11 More For Your Peers!

As many of you know, I dubbed 2017 the Year of the Peer. Throughout the year, I’ve learned (and continue to learn) a great deal from the people whom I surround myself – including the new people I have met. These are the guests on my podcast, audience members for my keynotes, and participants in the several dozen CEO/Key Executive workshops I’ve conducted. I’ve also learned a great deal from what you’ve all offered in the form of blog posts, articles, videos, etc.

My new book provides leaders, aspiring leaders, and educators with 12 practical takeaways about the value of surrounding yourself with the right people and the power of tapping into the unlimited potential they can create for your business and your life. It’s not focused on neuroscience, how to become part of the collaborative economy, or how to start or join a peer group. It’s focused squarely on our greatest (and most underutilized) source of success and happiness – the people we surround ourselves with each an every day.

Since you are playing such a prominent role in informing the content, I’d like to practice what I preach and not attempt to sit in a room by myself to craft a compelling title. So here’s what I’d like to do:

Starting today through July 31st, I invite you to submit a book title – a title that captures the essence of something you’d love to read. Assume that the subtitle will be 12 Timeless Takeaways From The Year of the Peer. Understand that I’m not the sole decision maker when it comes to selecting the final title. Fortunately, I have a wonderful publisher (the Taylor & Francis Group) which will have a hand in helping us make the best choice.

In early August, I’ll post our favorite submissions and ask you to pick among your favorites on the list. That doesn’t mean the top vote-getter will be selected, because there are a host of other considerations when it comes to picking a title, yet your preferences will provide us with another important data point that will undoubtedly be helpful to reaching a final decision.

The working title to date is: Winning With Your Peers. Another option under consideration is Who You Surround Yourself With Matters. I believe you can offer other powerful options! The person who comes up with the title selected for publication will receive 12 signed copies of the book – one for you and 11 others for you to give away to the people you value in your life. I hope you see this as 12 valuable takeaways for your efforts. Please send your suggested titles to leo@leobottary.com (submit as many ideas as you like), and I will confirm receipt of your email(s). Game on!

*No purchase necessary. The decision of the author and the publisher is final. If I receive multiple entries of the same title, the one I received first will take precedence. Once you are notified that you have won, the signed books will be shipped to you free of charge when they become available in Spring, 2018.

**Book artwork is not meant to represent the final cover.

Jeffrey Hayzlett on Paying It Forward

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Jeffrey Hayzlett is the primetime television host of C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett and Executive Perspectives LIVE on C-Suite TV and is the host of the award-winning All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on C-Suite Radio. Hayzlett is a global business celebrity, Hall of Fame speaker, best-selling author, and Chairman of C-Suite Network, home of the world’s most trusted network of C-Suite leaders.

Next week’s guest is Christina L. Martini, Partner at DLA Piper LLP (US).