Manager Memo podcast

Hosted by Len Samborowski, MBA Associate Professor, Nichols College

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Episodes

222

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

A biweekly podcast focused on the planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating functions of management. Interviews with leading business practitioners provide tantalizing tips, wizardly wisdom and energized encouragement to our listeners.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 31, 2026Episode 5332 min

White Belt Mindset: Continuous Improvement

Adam Marburger is a serial entrepreneur, author, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, and CEO at Ascent Dealer Services. Adam helps leaders build wealth, win in business and lead with discipline and purpose. Along the way we discuss – the paper route (1:15), Jiu-Jitsu (4:15), White Belt Mindset (11:15), Pressure Management (14:00), Getting Out of Your Own Way (17:00), Unreasonable Hospitality (19:30), Auto F&I (21:15), Turn off the News (26:00), Tribe of Mentors (28:15), and Adam's Memo (30:00). Access Adam's skills and solutions @ Ascent Dealer Services Grab Marburger's book @ You're the F*cking Problem: A Guide to Getting Out of Your Own Way Learn more about Adam's designated nonprofit @ Riverbend Rescue (Keys for Kids and Jiu-Jitsu for Joy). This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

May 30, 2026Episode 5423 min

The Power of Trees: Jeff Page

Meet Jeff Page, the founder and President of Page's Tree Services in Brooklyn, Connecticut. Jeff's crew recently tackled a three-day massive project on my property – safely removing over 30 dead trees. I was so impressed by their work ethic and the flawless results that I asked them to give us a behind-the-scenes look at their professional approach to tree care. Special thanks to Ethan Leroux, Josh Renshaw, and Jeff and Mike Page for sprucing up my outdoors. Along the way we discuss – Humble beginnings (1:30), Tree Thoughts (3:00), Risks and Bees (4:30), Tree Team Coordination (8:30), From Sapling to Mighty European Beech (12:30), Assembling the Team (15:30), and the Power of Reputation (19:00). Have a Tree problem, reach out to Jeff or Mike Page @ Page's Tree Service, LLC or call 860-774-2501. This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

May 20, 2026Episode 5227 min

DeFacto PM

Deborah Kaminetzky, a certified (PMP, CSM, LSSGB) business leader provides Project Management consulting, technology implementation and Fractional COO services to start-up and established companies. Along the way we discuss – the Journey (1:30), People First Project Plan (5:30), Project Discovery (11:30), Project Success (14:15), Project Complexity (17:30), the Risk Register (19:15), and Deborah's Memo (27:00). Access help for your project @ DeFacto PM, LLC This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

May 14, 202636 min

The Persuasion Blueprint: Patient Persistence and Respectful Resilience

Danny Bobrow, is an ultra-endurance athlete, mountaineer, and Peak Performance Coach. Danny helps leaders and teams master communication to build trust, loyalty, and referrals. Along the way we discuss – 100 Mile Runs (2:30), Mountaineer Skills and Business (4:45), Caring, Connection, Collaboration (9:00), Silent Signals (10:30), Persuasion (17:30), Your Personal Sherpa (24:00), Comparative Advantage (28:15), Danny's Memo (29:00), and high peaks (31:45). Access Danny's coaching talents @ Persuasion Blueprint Support Danny Bobrow's charities @ Climb for a Cause and @ Smile Tree This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

May 7, 2026Episode 5029 min

NestSTEPS: Retention Begins at Home

Larry and Cheri Salazar are the co-founders of NestSTEP, an online service that reimagines homeownership as a core employee benefit. By partnering with organizations and business leaders to help achieve the American Dream, NestSTEP builds long-term loyalty and enhances workplace retention and productivity. Along the way we discuss – The Journey (1:45), Grabbing the American Dream (7:30), HR Pain Points (9:15), Success Stories (12:00), Altruism (17:00), Enable, Empower, Incentivize (19:00), Husband/Wife Business Tam (22:30), Rapid Fire Round (26:15), and Their Manager Memo (28:00). Access the talents of the Salazars @ NestSTEPS This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

April 27, 2026Episode 4946 min

Coach Tony: The Power of Focus

Tony Holland is a life-coach, keynote speaker, CEO of Global Premier Benefits, and a managing partner at Integrity Marketing Group. Most recently, he was accepted as a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles. As you'll hear, Tony's journey is fascinating but it was never easy. His story is one of grit and resilience, focus and faith. Along the way we discuss – Hard Knocks in Brunswick, MD (2:30), the Catalyst of Adversity (4:30), the Discipline of Zorro (7:00), Sports (10:30), John Hopkins to Wall Street to Living in a Van (13:30), Sales as an Art Form (17:30), the Boomerang Effect (26:00), find your Crusade (34:30) and Tony's Memo – Stay Focused (37:30). Access Tony's talents @ Global Premier Benefits or Integrity Holistic Solutions This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

April 17, 2026Episode 4840 min

The Synchronicity of Servant Leadership

In this episode I talk with a former student and servant leadership advocate João Felipe e Silva. We explore his professional evolution from a disillusioned corporate lawyer in Brazil to an Agile Project Management expert. Joao shares profound insights on the tension between rigid corporate structures and the human element of leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, purpose, and living for others. "Do your best, not compromising, at all times. Whether someone sees the results is irrelevant, because you know the results." — Joao Silva Along the way we discuss: From a Family of Lawyers (5:00), Changing Paths (10:00), Finding Purpose (25:00), Part of the Brazilian 1% (26: 30), People Centric (31:00), Wobbly Chairs (33:30), and Joao's Memo (38:30). We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

April 2, 2026Episode 4721 min

The Stability of a Kitchen Table: On Trauma and the Power of a Hug

The Stability of a Kitchen Table: On Trauma and the Power of a Hug In this episode of Manager Memo, we chat with Matt Stafford, the founder of Vincent James Mentoring. Matt shares a deeply personal journey of overcoming a traumatic childhood, substance abuse, and illiteracy to build a community outreach program focused on providing stability and "the embrace of family" to those in need. "The moment you speak to me or any of my staff... you are family. And we'll give you what we have to help you in any way shape or form." — Matt Stafford Along the way we discuss adoption and the impact of losing a father and surviving family tragedy (1:30), definition of family (3:00), servant leadership and emotional availability (3:45), learning to read and write at age 28 (6:30), 7 deaths in 6 years (7:45), emotional vulnerability in men (11:30), "Earl" and the clean house (15:15), and a five-year vision for the Vincent James Mentoring (18:30). Matt is "old school" and encourages anyone in need of help—or those looking to partner with the organization—to reach out directly @ Phone: 262-720-8961 · Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin area · Online: Reach out @ Vincent James Mentoring website. We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

March 30, 2026Episode 4638 min

Deja Vu or Vuja De? Encountering the unknown for the 1st Time

Amos Balongo is a keynote speaker and communication coach who empowers senior leaders to master their verbal skills. In this conversation, he explains how managers can break through their own leadership "lids" to foster an environment where teams thrive. Along the way we discuss $500 and a suitcase (2:15), the importance of stories (6:45), situational leadership (14:30), don't disappoint the leader (18:000, Inside vs. Outside Communication (22:45), Camp Ohana – giving hope (29:45), and exposure to Aviation opportunities (33:45) . Looking to motivate, inspire and transform? Reach out to Amos @ Amos Balongo.org Learn more about Balongo's charity @ Camp Ohana. Listen to Africa's First @ Ukulele Orchestra. We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

March 17, 2026Episode 4227 min

Sales Tax Lady

What happens when a bartender discovers a knack for numbers and becomes a leading "Sales Tax Lady"? In this episode, we sit down with Holly Hoffman, the founder of SalesTaxLady.com, to discuss the high stakes of sales tax and the strategic power of accurate data. Holly shares her journey from a bar in Central Wisconsin to state tax auditing—explaining why sales tax isn't just a yearly chore, but a daily necessity for business health. Holly Hoffman is an independent sales tax consultant with over 20 years of accounting experience. Formerly an auditor for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, she now specializes in helping businesses navigate complex state regulations. She currently serves as the Committee Chair for the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs Taxation Committee. Along the way we discuss Bartender to Auditor (3:15), Accounting Opportunities (4:00), Sales Tax (7:45), Fraud Alerts (16:00), Accurate Data (20:30), and filling the Sales Tax Education Gap (26:30). Looking to audit-proof your business? Reach out to Holly @ SalesTaxLady.com We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."