In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Dawn Zier, former CEO of Nutrisystem and current president & COO of Tivity Health, shares the significance of digital expansion, the importance of working with brand ambassadors, and determining the most effective advertising avenues. Listen as Zier, along with co-hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, discusses the recent merger of Nutrisystem, Inc. and Tivity Health, how the acquisition aligns with the future of health and wellness, how she implemented and led a turnaround strategy for Nutrisystem, and the importance of embracing cutting-edge technologies to better serve customers.

In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Chris McCann, president and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., shares how the company is adjusting to the digital economy and how it embraces new technologies, the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and attracting the right talent, and how the company approaches customer service. McCann, along with co-hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, discusses how 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is shifting the way it interacts with customers through a multitude of cutting-edge technologies, how the digital revolution is affecting middle market businesses and how the company’s culture of innovation continues to transform the company and its digital strategy.

In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Chris Miglino, CEO and Founder of Social Reality, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX), a digital marketing and consumer data management technology company, discusses what data ownership will look like in the future, why it’s imperative that middle market companies embrace big data and artificial intelligence, and the future of privacy and related legislation in regard to consumer data. Listen as co-hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss speak with Miglino about the company’s business model, and how it aggregates and sells data, how the firm is changing the dynamic between companies and customers to help consumers value their individual information, and the importance of big data and artificial intelligence for the middle market.

In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Scott Deviney, president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick, discusses how the company differentiates itself from others in the food and beverage sector, what it’s like to run a large franchise business and the role that supply chain plays in the success of the company. Listen as Deviney, along with hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, talks about the strategy behind the product development process, the importance of serving customers “from the heart” to create a memorable guest experience, how the company approaches expansion across different geographical markets, and why it’s imperative that franchise philosophies and goals support the company’s business model.

In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Jack Mitchell, chairman of Mitchell Stores, touches on the importance of personalizing customer service, how the state of the economy has affected the retail industry, and how he implements his metaphorical “Hug Your Customers” philosophy to drive success and inspire his people. Listen as Mitchell, along with hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, discusses leveraging data analytics to improve the customer experience, adapting to the impact of the Great Recession and planning for the future of the company, and navigating governance in middle market family-owned businesses.

In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Travis Hollman, president and CEO of locker manufacturer Hollman Inc., talks about shifting the company’s focus and business strategy, expanding the business internationally, and creating Hollman Inc.’s Higher Education & Learning Programs (HELPs), which offers tuition to fulltime employees and their eligible dependents through North Lake College. Listen as Hollman, along with hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, discusses demonstrating the value proposition of a product to prospective clients; focusing on a niche market and how that can create opportunities for acceleration; determining what the most important factors are when deciding where to expand geographically; and the role that HELPs plays at Hollman.

Drew French, founder and president of Your Pie, sat down with “The Middle Market Transformative CEO” hosts, Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, to discuss how his made-to-order pizza chain mixes flavors to match markets. In this episode, Drew shares the importance of proactive hiring, converting customer research into strategic marketing, and how technology and social media helped Your Pie stay ahead of the competition.

In this episode of “The Middle Market Transformative CEO,” Cengage CEO Michael Hansen talks about new business models, financial turnaround, and the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the textbook industry. Along with hosts Joe Brusuelas and Robert Reiss, Hansen discusses how the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy process brought a period of stability, why it implemented a subscription business model, and how its data can transform the classroom and the workplace.