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On the Brink with Andi Simon

On the Brink with Andi Simon

By: Andi Simon
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 On The Brink is a podcast where the goal is to help you better "see, feel and think" about your business, your job, your personal life and your purpose. There will be great interviews and conversations with people who are deeply involved in change—consultants, change agents, managers transforming their teams, entrepreneurs just starting out and CEOs running well-established companies. Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Building Human-Centered Workplaces in the Age of AI

    Building Human-Centered Workplaces in the Age of AI
    Jun 13 2025
    As our workplaces grow more complex and technology accelerates, one skill set is becoming more essential than ever: emotional intelligence. In this compelling episode of On the Brink, I spoke with Jeremy Williams, an emotional intelligence coach and consultant based in Paris, whose journey from sailing instructor to sales professional to global coach reveals how transformative emotional awareness can be—especially in our rapidly digitizing world. Jeremy’s mission is simple yet profound: help individuals and teams enhance their self-awareness, empathy, and influence to become better collaborators and leaders. His work focuses on helping fast-growth companies develop cultures where people can thrive—and it starts with how we manage emotions, especially the tough ones. Jeremy’s Journey: From the Sea to the C-Suite Jeremy began his career as a sailing instructor, where he discovered his passion for sharing knowledge. That passion carried him through various industries—from luxury motorcycles to real estate—before he transitioned into teaching business English in France. Eventually, he found his way into consulting with startups and tech companies. As these teams grew from five to fifty employees, Jeremy noticed a recurring issue: "soft skills"—now rightly called emotional intelligence—were the glue (or the gap) in how teams succeeded. It became clear: technical skills could only take a company so far. People needed to better understand themselves and each other. What Is Emotional Intelligence? As Jeremy explained, emotional intelligence isn’t a single trait. It’s a set of competencies that determine how well we relate to ourselves and others—especially when emotions run high. Drawing from the Genos model (based on Daniel Goleman’s pioneering work), Jeremy outlined six key competencies: Self-Awareness – Recognizing your own emotional state and its impact.Awareness of Others – Showing empathy and tuning into how others feel.Authenticity – Acting with integrity and consistency; “standing in your own truth.”Emotional Reasoning – Blending logic and emotion to make sound decisions.Self-Management – Managing your reactions, especially in challenging moments.Positive Influence – Inspiring others with your emotional tone and leadership. In practice, this means pausing before reacting, being present during meetings (no multitasking!), and responding constructively to tension. As Jeremy put it: “It’s how we positively deal with negative emotions.” If you prefer to watch our podcast, click here Peer Coaching for 60: A Simple but Powerful Model To foster these emotional competencies, Jeremy created the Peer Coaching for 60 program. It brings together four peers from different parts of an organization—or even different companies—for four one-hour sessions over four weeks. Each session gives one participant the “hot seat” to share a challenge, while peers actively listen, ask clarifying questions, and offer insights. Importantly, the participant steps away for part of the session to hear their peers discuss their issue candidly. It’s powerful, humbling, and affirming. The outcome? Better problem-solving, stronger connections, and a growing global network of emotionally intelligent professionals. How Emotional Intelligence Drives Engagement Jeremy’s work touches on a problem plaguing many companies today: low employee engagement. His prescription? Presence and intention. Leaders must “walk the talk”—not just display company values, but live them. Meetings should have purpose, with multitasking discouraged. He introduced the P.I.E.O. model to guide communication: Proof: What evidence supports taking action?Impact: What are the consequences of action or inaction?Energy: What resources are needed?Objective: How does this support company goals? Training employees to think and speak this way improves collaboration, productivity, and focus. AI and EQ: A Necessary Balance As we explored, AI is transforming business. But what it offers in speed, it lacks in humanity. AI pulls from averages and past data—but human insight, creativity, and relationships come from lived experience and emotion. Jeremy emphasized that the rise of AI only amplifies the importance of emotional intelligence. Roles focused on repetitive tasks will evolve. What will remain critical is how we build trust, nurture teams, and connect across cultures and experiences. Key Takeaways Emotional intelligence is your superpower in a world dominated by algorithms.Leaders must cultivate presence, empathy, and reflective decision-making.Peer coaching builds trust, insight, and leadership capacity in a scalable way.To improve engagement, simplify meetings, foster focused dialogue, and model authenticity.AI isn’t replacing us—it’s augmenting us. But what makes us human matters more than ever. Final Thoughts Jeremy’s parting message was one of optimism: Embrace this technological era. Be ...
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    37 mins
  • The Real ROI: People and Culture Drive Business Value

    The Real ROI: People and Culture Drive Business Value
    Jun 8 2025
    In times of uncertainty, knowing what your business is worth—and how to protect or grow that value—can feel elusive. You are never sure what business you are really in. What should you do? How can you retain the value you have created and prepare for the next growth phase, or even the exit strategy? On this recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Bookbinder. Dave is a business valuation expert whose groundbreaking work focuses on an often-overlooked truth: your people are your most valuable asset. Dave, the author of The New ROI: Return on Individuals, joined me to unpack how business owners can better understand, manage, and maximize the value of their companies—especially in a rapidly changing business environment. His key message? Valuation isn’t just a number. It’s a reflection of leadership, culture, and strategic clarity. Let me repeat that: Your business's value is a reflection of leadership, culture, and strategic clarity. What can Dave teach you about how to build and protect that value? The Human Side of Valuation Dave’s experience spans thousands of valuation engagements across industries. And while balance sheets highlight assets like patents and trademarks, human capital rarely makes the cut. “Every CEO says their people are their most valuable asset,” Dave points out, “but where do they show up on the balance sheet? They don’t.” That gap sparked his first book, The New ROI, which explores the critical link between culture, engagement, and enterprise value. His second, The New ROI: Going Behind the Numbers, draws from his award-winning podcast, Behind the Numbers, which focuses on how leadership and culture truly impact business performance. You will totally enjoy watching our video of the podcast here. Common Valuation Mistakes Dave shared some of the biggest pitfalls business owners face when it comes to valuing their company: Relying on rules of thumb: “Back-of-the-napkin” valuations based on hearsay can be wildly misleading. Dave recounted a client who declined a generous acquisition offer assuming better ones would follow. Years later, the business couldn’t command even half that valuation.Tax-driven financials: Many entrepreneurs minimize income to reduce taxes, only to struggle during a sale. Buyers don’t take your word for “adjusted EBITDA”—they want clean, auditable numbers.Unrealistic projections: Over-optimistic forecasts, especially those shaped like a hockey stick, often destroy credibility with buyers. “They’re buying the future,” Dave says. “And if your projections seem disconnected from market realities, they’ll discount for risk.” De-Risking Your Business to Maximize Value Buyers and investors are risk-averse. That’s why Dave emphasizes the need to "de-risk" your business: Clean financial statements: Avoid running personal expenses through the business. Have your books reviewed or audited by a CPA.Strong management team: If the business can’t run without you, it’s not scalable—or sellable.Documented processes: Institutional knowledge should live in systems, not just in people’s heads. “If your business can’t survive you getting hit by a bus,” Dave quips, “you don’t have a sellable business.” Exit Planning is a Process, Not an Event Whether you’re transferring ownership to a family member or preparing for an acquisition, Dave urges owners to think ahead. “Selling a business is like selling a house,” he explains. “You need to get an appraisal, clean it up, and understand what similar businesses are selling for.” He also warned that poorly integrated acquisitions often fail—not due to valuation issues, but because of clashing cultures. “Seventy-five to ninety percent of deals miss their synergy targets because they ignore people and culture,” he says. Why Culture is Core to Company Value As a corporate anthropologist, I know firsthand how culture shapes performance. Dave agrees. “It’s not that successful companies have a good culture—it’s that good culture drives success,” he said. When leaders overlook how work gets done—or try to impose a new cultural model without understanding the old one—they risk alienating key people and destroying value. Culture is the operating system of the business. Your People Are Your Value Dave’s work offers a refreshing, human-centric view of business valuation. Whether you're growing, planning an exit, or considering acquisitions, the lesson is clear: your people, your culture, and your credibility are the real ROI. If you’re curious to learn more, check out Dave’s books on Amazon: The New ROI: Return on IndividualsThe New ROI: Going Behind the NumbersThe Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors And tune into his award-winning podcast, Behind the Numbers. Final Thought In today’s volatile market, it's not just about numbers—it's about narratives. The story...
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    35 mins
  • How Nicole Loftus Is Disrupting Venture Capital

    How Nicole Loftus Is Disrupting Venture Capital
    Jun 1 2025
    In this inspiring episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicole Loftus, a powerhouse entrepreneur with a bold vision to democratize access to venture capital. As the founder and CEO of Pop Venture Enterprises, Nicole is doing more than imagining change—she’s building it. Nicole’s journey began, as many transformative ones do, with a disruption—not of an industry at first, but of her own life. Raised in a traditional, working-class Italian family near Chicago, Nicole was expected to follow a conventional path. But after a personal turning point, she realized she had more to offer. She turned her keen eye for observation into a career of innovation, disrupting a $26 billion industry with her first company, Zorch, and now setting her sights on venture capital itself. Disrupting an Antiquated System of Venture Capital Investments Nicole’s new venture, Pop Venture, challenges a venture capital model that has long excluded the majority of Americans—especially women and people of color. With only a small number of venture dollars going to diverse founders, she saw a deeply flawed system that was gatekept by geography, identity, and elitism. Her solution: a publicly accessible, SEC-approved fund that allows anyone to invest in promising companies for as little as $25. What makes Pop Venture unique is its transparency and accessibility. The investment process is broadcasted publicly on platforms like Peacock, and viewers are invited to weigh in on the businesses that receive funding. “We make venture popular,” says Nicole. This is venture capital for the people—by the people. The Locker: Empowering Founders with Verified Diligence Pop Venture isn’t just about funding—it’s also about empowering founders. Nicole created The Locker, a platform where entrepreneurs can submit their companies to a rigorous but founder-friendly diligence process. The goal? To showcase viable businesses with clear value and real potential, all in a transparent format the public can trust. This creates a win-win: investors see vetted opportunities, and entrepreneurs gain access to capital without the often-demoralizing hoops of traditional fundraising. Perhaps you like to watch our podcast on YouTube. Click here: Key Takeaways from the Conversation with Nicole Loftus Innovation Begins with Observation Nicole’s mantra echoes the podcast’s tagline: “From observation to innovation.”She urges entrepreneurs to observe not only the market but themselves. Her breakthrough came from seeing what others overlooked—redundancies in the supply chain and outdated funding models—and being bold enough to reimagine them.Scale Requires Focus Nicole didn’t scale Zorch by chasing every opportunity. She created strict criteria for prospective clients and turned down deals that didn’t meet them. Her advice? Know your ideal customer, set your standards high, and stay focused.Disruptors Must Think Big Nicole’s story is a testament to the power of visualization. She imagined herself as an entrepreneur when it seemed impossible. Then she imagined a billion-dollar business model—and she built it. She now urges others to dream big and write it down.Your brain needs a plan.Listen for the Pain Points Through training like the Sandler sales method, Nicole learned to ask one critical question: “What’s your pain point?” This insight guided her innovations, whether for clients, suppliers, or herself.Anyone Can Be a Venture Capitalist Through Pop Venture, everyday Americans can now support the businesses they believe in—and share in their success. It’s not just financial inclusion; it’s financial empowerment. Why This Matters Now Nicole’s work comes at a time when trust in traditional financial systems is eroding, and entrepreneurs are seeking alternatives to inequitable funding models. Pop Venture is more than a fund—it’s a movement. With television access, founder-friendly tools, and crowd-powered capital, it’s putting the future of business in everyone’s hands. As we wrapped our conversation, I was reminded why I launched this podcast—to spotlight pioneers who see, feel, and think in new ways, and to help listeners find the courage to do the same. To Learn More: Visit www.popventure.com to invest, apply for funding, or explore their founder resources.Watch Pop Venture episodes on Peacock (free or with subscription).Explore The Locker for verified diligence tools. Final Thought: Disruption doesn’t always start with technology. Sometimes it starts with a question: What if we did it differently? Nicole Loftus asked that question—and answered it with action. Want more stories like Nicole’s? Visit www.andisimon.com, read our books, or contact us to explore how anthropology can help you discover your Blue Ocean. Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.netEmail: info@simonassociates.netBooks: Learn more about these books here: Rethink: ...
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    33 mins
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