The Conference Room with Simon Lader

Hosted by Simon Lader

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Jun 2026

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Master the strategies you need to develop a high performing business. Hear from the most successful business leaders in conversation with Simon Lader, Co-Founder of global Executive Search firm Salisi Human Capital, and podcast consulting firm Viva Podcasts. Hear from business growth experts in sales, marketing, investment, hiring, HR, product design and much much more. I'm Simon Lader. Welcome to The Conference Room.

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June 15, 2026Episode 17539 min

Ep.175 -Fixing The Partner Ecosystem: Building Trust in a Commission-Driven Industry

In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon welcomes Joshua Jones, Founder and CEO of Crush Security, for an eye-opening conversation about the hidden flaws within today's cybersecurity partner ecosystem.Drawing on more than 20 years of industry experience, Joshua explains why many CISOs struggle to receive unbiased guidance when purchasing security technologies and how traditional reseller models have drifted away from their original purpose of delivering value. He shares the inspiration behind launching Crush Security and how the company is using AI-powered, data-driven insights to help organizations make smarter security decisions.The discussion explores trust, transparency, tool sprawl, and the growing pressure on security leaders, while offering practical lessons for anyone building businesses focused on solving real customer problems.Joshua shares how an unexpected career opportunity led him into cybersecurity over two decades ago.The story behind founding Crush Security and identifying a major gap in the cybersecurity ecosystem.Why the traditional partner and reseller model is "broken" and often fails to serve buyers effectively.The importance of unbiased advice and how incentives can influence purchasing recommendations.The biggest frustrations CISOs have with vendors, partners, and advisory firms today. Understanding tool sprawl and why organizations frequently purchase overlapping technologies.Building stronger relationships between security, procurement, legal, and finance teams.Do resellers still provide value? Joshua shares his perspective on the industry's future.How Crush Security aligns its internal culture to prioritize customers over quotas.Why CISOs played a direct role in shaping the Crush Security platform.A look ahead at what's next for Crush Security, including upcoming innovations and industry announcements.To learn more about Joshua Jones, please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about Crush Security, please visit her website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

June 8, 2026Episode 17445 min

Ep.174 -Escape Your Prison: Why the Lies You Believe Are Limiting Your Business Growth

In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon welcomes Calvin Corelli, founder and CEO of Simpler, entrepreneur, software engineer, and creator of the Mind Bug framework. Calvin shares how his journey from programming and entrepreneurship evolved into a deeper exploration of mindset, identity, and personal transformation. The conversation explores the challenges business owners face with fragmented systems, the hidden beliefs that limit growth, and how simplifying both business operations and internal thinking can unlock greater success, freedom, and fulfillment.Calvin explains how combining programming, entrepreneurship, and personal development created the foundation for his success and differentiated approach to business.A deep identity and meaning crisis in his early thirties became the catalyst for developing his coaching philosophy and the concept of Mind Bugs.Business owners often spend more time fixing integrations and troubleshooting systems than serving customers and growing their companies.Mind Bugs are deeply rooted limiting beliefs that shape how people experience life, business, and relationships without realizing it.Many entrepreneurs unknowingly make decisions, overwork, seek validation, or chase success because of an underlying belief that they are not enough.The first step to overcoming limiting beliefs is learning to see them clearly. Once exposed, they begin losing their power.Calvin explains that repeating positive statements rarely creates lasting change if the underlying belief system remains untouched.Rather than viewing mistakes as failures, Calvin encourages seeing them as experiences that provide valuable lessons and direction.The conversation explores how judgment, resistance, and attachment often create more suffering than the circumstances themselves.Calvin shares how AI is helping coaches and educators make their content more accessible, personalized, and actionable for students and clients.To learn more about Calvin Corelli, please visit her LinkedIn profileTo learn more about Simplero, please visit its website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadioKey Moments

October 6, 2025Episode 17342 min

Ep.173 - What Fox and CBS Taught Me About Building, Blazing and Branding.

In this episode, Simon Lader sits down with Lori Asbury, a seasoned executive with over 25 years in brand strategy, operations, and consumer marketing. From shaping billion-dollar brands like HGTV, Fox, and CBS to leading her own agency through challenges like COVID, Lori shares actionable advice on strategic planning, authentic storytelling, balancing vision with execution, and scaling small businesses. Drawing from her equestrian background, she emphasizes resiliency and thinking outside the box. Whether you're a startup founder or corporate leader, this episode is packed with insights on driving revenue growth while staying true to your brand.Key MomentsDrivers of Sustainable GrowthBalancing Big Picture and DetailsReal-World Examples of BalanceBuilding the Right TeamUnderstanding the Competitive LandscapeThe Power of Storytelling and AuthenticityCommon Mistakes in Brand ExtensionLessons from Big Brands to Small BusinessesEquestrian Lessons for BusinessThree Tips to Follow in Laurie's FootstepsTo learn more about Lori Asbury please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about Lori please visit her website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

October 1, 2025Episode 17244 min

Ep. 172 - From Ebay and Facebook to starting a Fashion-Tech Startup

In this inspiring episode, Anya Cheng shares her remarkable journey from a non-technical immigrant background to leading product and growth at giants like Facebook, eBay, Target, and McDonald's, and ultimately founding Taylor—an AI-driven menswear rental and styling service for busy professionals. Drawing from her experiences during the 2008 recession, Anya discusses overcoming job-hunting hurdles, the birth of Taylor from personal frustrations with fashion rentals, and how AI and human stylists combine to solve real pain points for ambitious men who prioritize success over style. She reveals growth strategies, lessons from big tech, and future plans for sustainability and corporate partnerships. Perfect for entrepreneurs, fashion innovators, and anyone navigating career pivots.Key MomentsHost welcomes Anya Cheng, highlighting her tech leadership at Facebook, eBay, and more. Anya introduces Taylor as an AI service that curates and rents real menswear for busy men, eliminating shopping and laundry.Anya shares how imposter syndrome as a female immigrant leader at eBay sparked Taylor. She hated subscription boxes and rental hassles, realizing fashion companies ignore practical users.Key Quote: "Most of fashion companies are designing for people who are into fashion, not for people like me. I just want to get ready for the day... Success for me is not about looking good. It's about looking good to get a job, get the deal."Fresh from Northwestern with a marketing master's, Anya ambushes recruiters, networks via professors, and cold-calls publishers amid layoffs—turning desperation into her first media role.Anya explains why she didn't quit: By leveraging her reporter skills (e.g., interviewing, cold-calling), challenges felt manageable, fueling hope.Two years in, Taylor's users aren't just renting clothes—they're buying "chances to succeed" (e.g., job interviews, deals). Customers value convenience like an "executive assistant," while suppliers seek detailed feedback to reduce waste.AI powers onboarding (quizzes, photos) and recommendations from 27,000 garments, with human stylists refining via Zoom/text. It even generates SEO content for trends.Partnerships with dating apps, fitness centers, law firms, and nonprofits outperform solo efforts. Content marketing educates on body types and travel perks (e.g., no luggage fees).From a Shopify waitlist, Anya manually bought/s shipped sale items from Macy's to her first eager customer (a real estate agent), validating demand and iterating 100 times.Big tech taught logical thinking (goals vs. strategies) to pitch investors. For Taylor, targeting men yields higher margins than women's rentals due to buy-through rates.Illustrate a clear problem/persona (e.g., men's convenience vs. women's variety). Nail one giant feature (like Google's search bar). 3) Focus on product-market fit over features.To learn more about Anya Cheng please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about Taelor please visit her website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

September 22, 2025Episode 17242 min

Ep. 171- How to Hire for Higher Results

In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon is joined by serial entrepreneur Kasim Aslam. Kasim shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Albuquerque to building multiple seven and eight-figure businesses, including the top-ranked Google ad agency Solutions 8, which he sold in 2022. He discusses his entrepreneurial origin story, the challenges he faced, and how he cracked the code on hiring exceptional talent globally. Kasim introduces his upcoming book Higher, a step-by-step framework for hiring top remote talent, and dives deep into why most businesses struggle to attract extraordinary employees and how to fix that. He also shares practical hiring strategies, including how to find, vet, and retain the best people worldwide, especially in emerging markets. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to scale with high-impact talent.Key Moments:Introduction to Kasim Aslam: Serial entrepreneur, author, and founder of Solutions 8, with multiple successful exitsCassim’s entrepreneurial origin story: Growing up in poverty, early business lessons selling candy, and the impact of his upbringing.Overcoming adversity: From losing everything in the banking collapse to starting over with web work and building Solutions 8.Building and selling Solutions 8: Growing the largest dedicated Google ad agency and lessons learned from the exit.Post-exit ventures and passion for offshore staffing: How Kasim builds multiple service businesses and his focus on empowering talent in emerging markets.The Higher book and hiring philosophy: Why treating people as commodities is wrong and the power of the Pareto (80/20) distribution in talent.Why most businesses repel top talent: Fear of competence, mediocrity, and the importance of paying more to attract exceptional employees.Global talent arbitrage: How hiring internationally can provide access to highly skilled, motivated workers at competitive rates.Practical hiring framework: Writing compelling job posts, using “fly traps” to filter candidates, paying for trial projects, and testing real job skills.Final tips and book launch: Top three hiring tips—be a place people want to work, have high expectations, and trust your team. How to get the Higher book and connect with Cassim.To learn more about Kasim Aslam please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about Pareto Talent please visit her websiteYOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

September 18, 2025Episode 17040 min

Ep. 170- Being a Football Agent, and Lessons in Mindset

In this insightful episode, Simon sits down with Luiz Rozo, a FIFA licensed football agent and director of Pro Elevate XIV, a global sports agency focused on elevating elite football talent from Latin America to international markets, especially the Middle East. Luis shares his personal journey from Colombia to becoming a football agent, the unique challenges and opportunities in Latin American football, and the critical role mindset plays in a player’s success. They also explore the importance of relationship building in the sports business, cultural nuances in global football markets, and the future of women’s soccer. Whether you’re a football fan, aspiring agent, or interested in sports business, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, identity, and strategic growth.Key Moments:Beyond skill, discipline, resilience, and emotional intelligence define a player’s long-term success.Building a strong personal identity helps players overcome setbacks and maintain performance.Working with young players and their families from an early age ensures better career guidance.Pro Elevate XIV connects Latin American talent with emerging markets like the Middle East, creating new pathways.Colombian football suffers from limited data and streaming exposure, affecting player visibility internationally.Successful agents focus on understanding and meeting the needs of clubs, not just pushing players.Navigating different business practices, especially in the Middle East, requires transparency and long-term thinking.Helping players develop strong relationships with teammates is key to their growth and success.Know your market’s needs clearly, genuinely care about your clients and partners, and anticipate future trends.There is significant opportunity in women’s football, especially in Latin America and the Middle East, which Pro Elevate XIV aims to support.To learn more about Luiz Rozo please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about ProElevateXI please visit her websiteYOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

September 11, 2025Episode 16925 min

Ep. 169- The Best of The Second Half of 2025

Welcome to a special episode of The Conference Room, where we revisit some of the most insightful conversations from 2025. This episode features a dynamic panel of experts sharing their unique perspectives on business growth, innovation, marketing, and cybersecurity.Key Moments:Successful market entry requires thorough analysis of market fit, financial potential, and execution capability.The U.S. market is more receptive to innovation and offers higher revenue potential compared to Europe.Email marketing success depends on strategy, segmentation, and nurturing the customer journey over time.Authenticity and passion are critical when speaking publicly to build trust and attract ideal clients.Cybersecurity marketing demands respect for the audience’s privacy and a deep understanding of technical products and culture.Featured Guests:Uriel Cohen – VP of Product at a leading cybersecurity vendorLuigi Lenguito – Co-founder and CEO of Bfore Dot AIEvelina Kagan – High-conversion fashion copywriterKimberley Crowe – International inspirational public speaker and TEDx speakerGianna Whitver – CEO of the Cybersecurity Marketing SocietyYOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

September 1, 2025Episode 16821 min

Ep. 168 - The Best of 2025...So Far!

In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Leader welcomes a panel of distinguished guests from diverse business backgrounds to discuss critical topics affecting entrepreneurs and business leaders in 2025. The conversation covers the evolving nature of recruitment, startup growth strategies, the impact of chronic stress and burnout, leveraging AI for business efficiency, leadership challenges, and the importance of culture and accountability in organizations.Key Moments:1. Recruitment and Talent Acquisition2. Startup Growth and Experimentation3. Burnout and Chronic Stress4. AI and Content Creation5. Leadership and Team Management6. Culture and AccountabilityYOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

August 25, 2025Episode 16751 min

Ep. 167 - Getting Practical with AI

In this episode, Simon welcomes back Andre Lester, managing partner of MS3IT Business Solutions, to discuss the transformative power of AI in business development. With 18 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Andre shares insights on how AI can streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately drive revenue. The conversation delves into practical applications of AI, including automation of lead workflows, customer interactions, and the importance of context in AI-driven solutions.Key Moments:Andre is an expert in AI and business automation with extensive experience in IT and cybersecurity.AI can help businesses attract and engage customers at scale by automating repetitive tasks and improving operational efficiency.Andre shares his journey of using AI in his own business, Ubreakifix, to automate customer engagement and streamline operations.Providing AI with detailed context about your business is crucial for effective results. Garbage in, garbage out applies here.Automating customer interactions through chatbots and voice assistants can enhance customer experience and ensure 24/7 availability.Various tools and platforms can be utilized for automating customer engagement, including chatbots, SMS, and email outreach.AI can help create personalized outreach strategies by analyzing customer data and behavior, making communications more relevant.Voice assistants can handle customer inquiries, schedule appointments, and follow up, providing a seamless customer experience.Implementing AI solutions can vary in cost, with initial setup and monthly fees depending on the complexity of the system.The conversation highlights the potential for AI to revolutionize various industries, including healthcare, by improving service delivery and operational efficiency.To learn more about Andre Lassiter please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about MS3IT Business Solutions please visit her websiteYOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio

August 18, 2025Episode 16645 min

Ep. 166 - AI for Business Productivity

In this episode of the Conference Room podcast, host Simon welcomes Andre Lassiter, the managing partner of MS3IT Business Solutions. With over 18 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Andre shares his journey from cybersecurity expert to AI specialist. He discusses how AI can transform repetitive business tasks into revenue-generating opportunities, emphasizing the importance of understanding business pain points and crafting tailored AI-driven solutions. The conversation covers various applications of AI in content marketing, lead generation, and the significance of implementing responsible guardrails to ensure effective AI usage.Key Moments:Andre shares his journey from a help desk technician to a cybersecurity expert and now an AI specialist, highlighting the importance of networking and continuous learning.The discussion emphasizes how AI can help small businesses leverage technology to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.Andre explains how AI tools like GPT can assist in content creation, ideation, and social media strategy, stressing the need for tailored messaging across platforms.The importance of implementing responsible guardrails to prevent AI from generating inaccurate or misleading information is discussed, especially in professional settings.Andre suggests creating structured documents and FAQs to train AI effectively, ensuring it aligns with the business's tone and messaging.The conversation explores how AI can automate lead generation processes, including qualifying leads and managing follow-ups, ultimately increasing appointment rates.Andre shares a cautionary tale about a failed AI strategy due to poor data structuring and unrealistic expectations, highlighting the need for clear use cases.A case study is presented where AI helped resurrect old leads for a medical device company, resulting in a 35% increase in appointment bookings.Andre discusses the potential for AI to enhance business processes and the importance of understanding specific use cases for successful implementation.Andre expresses his willingness to return for a deeper dive into practical AI applications, encouraging listeners to explore AI's capabilities in their businesses.To learn more about Andre Lassiter please visit her Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about MS3IT Business Solutions please visit her websiteYOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio