What allows some CFOs to lead with influence while others never move beyond the numbers?

Today's CFOs are expected to do much more than oversee financial performance. They must build trust, influence executive decisions, communicate with empathy, and help shape company strategy. In this episode, leadership expert and former CFO Dr. Emilia Bunea shares why technical expertise alone isn't enough and explains the mindset and behaviors that help CFOs lead executive teams, boards, and entire organizations more effectively.

By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Discover why relationship building and influence have become essential skills as CFOs lead beyond traditional finance responsibilities.
• Learn practical techniques for communicating strategic recommendations in ways that earn buy-in from CEOs, boards, and executive teams.
• Understand the leadership habits that prepare finance executives to become trusted business leaders and future CEOs.

Listen now to learn how CFOs lead with influence, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence to create stronger organizations and position themselves for greater leadership opportunities.

Check out:

05:10 | Why CFOs Lead Through Relationships, Not Just Numbers

Dr. Emilia Bunea explains the difference between an accounting leader and a true CFO, revealing why relationship management and influence are what separate finance executives from strategic leaders.

14:35 | Influence Is More Powerful Than Logic

Learn why even the strongest financial arguments can fail without emotional engagement, and how CFOs can present ideas that inspire action instead of resistance.

31:10 | Preparing CFOs to Become CEOs

Hear the leadership qualities boards look for when evaluating CFOs for the CEO role, including strategic thinking, executive presence, and building trust outside the finance function.

About Emilia Bunea

Dr. Emilia Bunea, CFA, is a leadership lecturer at VU University Amsterdam and co-founder and CEO of Ed.movie, a California-based edutainment company. She served in CFO and CEO roles at large financial corporations, most recently as CEO of MetLife Romania, and previously as CFO of ING Insurance Europe, and currently serves on the board of directors of an asset management company.

Dr. Bunea received her Ph.D. in Management from VU Amsterdam, her MBA from the University of Washington, and is a CFA charterholder. She delivers lectures and keynotes on leadership at business schools, companies, and events around the world. Her research was published in Human Resource Management Review, Corporate Governance - An International Review, Frontiers in Psychology, Academy of Management Proceedings, and shared through outlets such as Harvard Business Review and Le Monde.

Emilia Bunea is the producer and co-writer of Crossroads Life, the world's first "cinematic management case"—a groundbreaking teaching tool that combines the rigor of the case study method with the storytelling power of film. Based on the real-life leadership journey of a CFO, the film has won multiple international awards (IMDb link). Each chapter of her book, Leadership for the CFO, includes curated film scenes that bring its concepts to life.

Is your leadership team truly aligned, or are competing priorities quietly slowing your company's growth?

Even the most talented leadership teams struggle when everyone is chasing different priorities or measuring success differently. In this episode, Kristen McAlister shares a practical framework to help CEOs stay aligned by defining the right outcomes, assigning clear ownership, and creating accountability through meaningful scoreboards and metrics. If you've ever felt like your team is busy but not making the progress you expected, this conversation will help you build the clarity and focus needed to achieve your biggest goals.

What You'll Gain From This Episode:

• Learn how to stay aligned by starting with the end goal and connecting every leader's priorities to the outcomes that matter most.

• Discover how scoreboards, leading indicators, and clear ownership create accountability without relying on annual performance reviews.

• Understand how CEOs can reduce bottlenecks, leverage fractional leadership, and build a business that operates successfully without depending on the owner.

If you're ready to stay aligned, improve accountability, and help your leadership team execute with greater focus and confidence, this episode provides practical strategies you can start applying immediately.

Check out:

• 7:50 – Why Great Leaders Start at the Finish Line
  Karen Miscaluce explains why the first step to helping teams stay aligned is defining the desired outcome before assigning work, making every decision easier and more intentional.
• 22:30 – The One Question That Keeps Teams Focused
  Learn how saying "not now" instead of "no" helps CEOs manage shiny-object syndrome while keeping the organization aligned around its highest priorities.
• 43:10 – Why Every Team Needs a Scoreboard
  Karen shares how visible scoreboards and meaningful metrics create accountability, improve performance, and help leadership teams stay aligned without relying on traditional performance reviews.

About Kristen McAlister

Kristen McAlister is on a mission to make it easier for businesses through the power of intentional leadership and dynamic teams. As an owner of Cerius Executives, she has dedicated the last 15 years to educating companies on how to leverage interim and fractional leadership to address their challenges and achieve growth.

Her passion for empowering businesses is matched by her personal drive and discipline. As a mother, Ironman triathlete and wife of a retired Marine, Kristen brings a unique blend of real-world experiences and a relentless mindset to every challenge. Her life experiences have honed her ability to navigate complex challenges with resilience and grace.

What does it take to turn a simple idea like Chicken Salad Chick into one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchise brands in America?

Growing a business from a handful of locations to hundreds of restaurants takes more than a great product. It requires the right culture, disciplined leadership, a scalable franchise model, and an unwavering commitment to the customer experience. In this episode, you'll hear how Scott Deviney transformed Chicken Salad Chick from a promising regional concept into a nationally recognized brand by focusing on servant leadership, operational simplicity, and building a franchise system that empowers entrepreneurs to succeed. Whether you're leading a growing company or considering franchise expansion, you'll walk away with practical lessons that apply far beyond the restaurant industry.

What You'll Gain From This Episode:

• Learn how Chicken Salad Chick built a scalable franchise system without losing its culture, hospitality, or commitment to quality.
• Discover why servant leadership, operational simplicity, and disciplined franchise selection have fueled the brand's remarkable growth.
• Understand how successful CEOs balance innovation, franchise relationships, and long-term strategic expansion while staying true to their core mission.

If you're interested in scaling a business, building a franchise brand, or leading a high-growth organization without sacrificing culture, this episode delivers practical insights from the CEO behind Chicken Salad Chick's remarkable success story.

Check out:

• 8:45 – Why Scott Deviney Chose Chicken Salad Chick
  Scott shares the pivotal moment he recognized that Chicken Salad Chick was unlike any other restaurant concept, citing its people-first culture, unique market position, and long-term growth potential.
• 28:40 – The Secret to Maintaining Culture Across Hundreds of Franchise Locations
  Learn how Scott and his leadership team preserve the Chicken Salad Chick guest experience by focusing on servant leadership, franchisee selection, operational simplicity, and a shared purpose.
• 47:20 – What's Next for Chicken Salad Chick?
  Scott discusses the company's ambitious expansion plans, the path toward 500 restaurants and $1 billion in systemwide sales, and why he believes the brand is still in the early stages of its growth.

Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick, has grown his enterprise tenfold in 10 years — from 32 restaurants in six states when he started in May 2015 to 309 eateries in 22 states today. He plans to serve customers in 30 states by year-end 2026. "Chicken Salad Chick is all about people," says Deviney (AB '95). "It's about taking care of our restaurant and franchise teams, taking care of our guests. Making chicken salad fresh, every day, from scratch, is our way to love on people."

Deviney grew up in Carrollton, Georgia. He credits his parents with his work ethic. "They gave me something of tremendous value," he says, "my work ethic. I learned that when things have to be done, you go do them."

Deviney started his professional career at SunTrust Bank, where he spent 13 years, including time in a food and beverage group. In 2008, he left banking to buy 19 Wendy's fast-food restaurants. Six years later, he sold those, plus a few added along the way, then looked for new opportunities. He bought Chicken Salad Chick with a private equity partner. The business was hatched in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008 by Kevin Brown and his wife, Stacy, who named her various chicken salad blends (Fancy Nancy, Classic Carol, Kickin' Kay Lynne) after female family members and friends. Deviney moved headquarters to Atlanta and began spreading the chicken salad gospel.

Are you looking for a way to build additional income without walking away from your career or wondering if franchise ownership is the right path for your next chapter?

If you've thought about creating passive income, diversifying your investments, or transitioning out of corporate leadership, franchising can offer a compelling opportunity—but only if you choose the right business. In this episode, you'll learn how experienced franchise advisor Jeff Schaffertz helps executives identify franchise opportunities that align with their goals, lifestyle, leadership strengths, and financial expectations. You'll also discover why successful franchise ownership is about much more than picking a recognizable brand.

What You'll Gain From This Episode:

• Learn how to evaluate franchise opportunities based on your goals, available time, leadership style, and desired level of involvement.
• Discover which types of franchises are best suited for semi-passive ownership and building multiple income streams.
• Understand the due diligence process, including how to analyze Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), validate financial performance, and avoid costly franchise mistakes.

If you're exploring franchise ownership as a way to create long-term wealth, diversify your income, or transition into business ownership with greater confidence, this episode will give you a practical framework to make smarter decisions before you invest.

Check out:

• 10:10 – Can You Really Build Passive Income with a Franchise?
  Jeff explains what "manager-run" franchise ownership actually looks like, how much time it requires, and what executives should realistically expect.
• 20:45 – The Biggest Mistake People Make When Choosing a Franchise
  Learn why matching your skills, personality, and leadership style to the right franchise is far more important than choosing a well-known brand.
• 35:00 – How to Evaluate a Franchise Before You Invest
  Jeff walks through the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), explains which sections matter most, and shares how to validate financial performance before making a decision.

Jeff Shafritz

Jeff Shafritz is a Strategic Franchise Advisor and the founder of Franchise Guidance, helping executives and investors bring clarity and confidence to franchise decisions in an industry often clouded by hype. With over 30 years of experience in franchising, he has led franchise development for major brands, successfully owned and sold his own top-performing fitness franchise, and guided hundreds of individuals through critical financial and lifestyle decisions

How do you know whether you've found a strong franchise or one that could quietly drain your time, money, and energy?

If you're looking for a way to diversify your income, leave the corporate world, or build a business worth, franchising can be an attractive option. But not all opportunities are created equal. In this episode, you'll learn how experienced franchise operators evaluate opportunities, identify red flags, and determine whether a franchise is truly positioned for long-term success. If you're considering franchise ownership, understanding the characteristics of a strong franchise can help you make a smarter investment decision and avoid costly mistakes.

• Learn the key traits that separate a strong franchise from thousands of average franchise opportunities.
• Discover how to evaluate franchise financial performance, leadership teams, systems, and support before investing.
• Understand the different paths to franchise ownership, including buying an existing operation versus building one from the ground up.

Before you commit your capital to any franchise opportunity, listen to this episode to learn the proven framework successful investors use to identify a strong franchise with long-term growth potential.

Check out:

• 11:45 – Why Some Franchises Command Higher Exit Values
  Scott explains how a strong franchise can increase business value, attract private equity buyers, and create a more lucrative exit strategy.
• 21:30 – How to Evaluate a Strong Franchise Before You Invest
  Learn the critical factors to assess, including leadership, operational systems, franchisee support, and financial performance.
• 34:20 – The Success Rates of Strong Franchises
  Scott breaks down why franchise success rates vary so dramatically and how to use the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to identify a strong franchise with a proven track record.

Scott Jones

Scott Jones is a franchise consultant and founder of Franchise Guide Group. A multi-unit owner and former franchise brand CEO, he brings more than three decades of experience in the franchising industry. Through his work with FranChoice and his own companies, he helps mid-career professionals, executives, and business owners use franchising as a practical path to independence. Scott has led a company serving tens of thousands of franchise locations and has
worked closely with major brands while also sitting in the franchisee chair himself

Could choosing the wrong franchise cost you years of time, money, and opportunity before you even realize you've made the mistake?

If you're considering franchise ownership, it's easy to get distracted by big brand names, flashy marketing, or promises of financial freedom. But as you'll hear in this first episode of a three-part franchising series, the wrong franchise isn't always a bad franchise—it's often a franchise that doesn't fit your goals, skills, lifestyle, or vision for the future. Understanding how to evaluate opportunities before you invest can help you avoid expensive mistakes and increase your chances of building a business worth owning.

What You'll Gain From This Episode:

• Learn the most common reasons entrepreneurs end up choosing the wrong franchise and how to avoid those costly pitfalls.
• Discover the key questions to ask when evaluating franchise opportunities, franchise culture, support systems, and long-term growth potential.
• Understand how your personality, experience, risk tolerance, and goals should influence your franchise selection process.

Before you invest a dollar into franchise ownership, listen to this episode to learn how to avoid the wrong franchise and identify opportunities that align with your vision for growth and long-term success.

Check out:

• 3:35 – Should You Buy an Established Franchise or Take a Risk on a New Concept?
  Matt Stevens explains why some investors are attracted to emerging franchise brands and the risks and rewards of getting in early.
• 16:50 – The Hidden Costs and Challenges of Becoming a Franchisor
  Learn why franchising isn't a shortcut to growth and what business owners often underestimate when expanding through a franchise model.
• 29:15 – The Biggest Reason People Choose the Wrong Franchise
  Matt shares why franchise success starts with understanding your own goals, lifestyle, and motivations—not just finding a popular brand.

The Franchise Guy, Matt Stevens, is among the more experienced franchise consultants in the country, with more than thirty years in the industry. He has owned four businesses, been Rookie Franchisee of the Year, turned around struggling divisions, and served as a quality board member and partner inside a two-billion-dollar franchise group. Matt is a FranChoice Gold and Century Club member, a Business First Columbus Forty Under 40 honoree, and the author of Franchising 101, an introductory course to franchising. He holds three business degrees from Florida Southern College and Wake Forest University, and is a MENSA member

In a marketplace where AI is making information and expertise more accessible than ever, standing out has become harder—and more important. If your customers see you as just another option, you're likely leaving growth, loyalty, and valuation on the table. In this episode, Jim Schleckser sits down with branding strategist and futurist Kelly O'Neill to explore what branding really means, why it's much more than logos and marketing campaigns, and how CEOs can build a meaningful brand connection that creates a true competitive advantage.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to identify and communicate the unique differentiator that strengthens brand connection and separates your business from seemingly identical competitors.

• Why every customer interaction either reinforces or breaks your brand promise—and what leaders must do to ensure alignment across the organization.

• How AI is reshaping markets, consumer behavior, and thought leadership, making authentic brand connection more valuable than ever before.

Listen now to learn how a stronger brand connection can help your business stand apart, attract the right customers, and build a lasting competitive advantage in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Check out:

2:45 – Branding Is More Than a Logo

Kelly challenges the common misconception that branding is logos and visuals, explaining that branding is the feeling your company creates in the minds of customers and how that drives buying decisions.

16:30 – Finding Your Competitive Differentiator

Kelly shares practical examples of how businesses—from law firms to luxury home builders—discovered their unique "unicorn" advantage and used it to create stronger brand connection and stand apart from competitors.

35:00 – Why AI Makes Branding More Important Than Ever

The conversation shifts to the future, where Kelly explains how AI is leveling access to information and expertise, making authentic brand connection, thought leadership, judgment, and trust the new competitive advantages.

Kelly O'Neil is an international award-winning entrepreneur, futurist, and brand marketing and profit strategist for visionary
entrepreneurs and the companies that support them.

She is the creator of The Fusion Paradigm™, a radically different framework that blends strategy and intuition to help founders scale purposeful, profitable, and legacy-driven businesses. With over 30 years of experience and $750M+ in client revenue, Kelly has built multiple multi-million-dollar companies, launched more than two dozen brands, and is known globally for her expertise in affluent marketing, thought leadership, and intelligent business growth.

She is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Growth Partners, a category-of-one consultancy for 6–9 figure entrepreneurs. Kelly's
work has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Wall Street Journal, and she has shared the stage with Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, and Zig Ziglar. Her mission: to help bold leaders disrupt mediocrity and build legacies that outlive them.

Have you ever wondered why some companies dominate a market while everyone else competes in a crowded space, and what it takes to create a category of your own?

If you're leading a business and looking for a way to stand out, this episode will challenge how you think about growth. Rather than competing in an existing market, you'll learn how category creation can help you define a new space, solve a bigger problem, and position your company as the leader others follow. Whether you're launching a new offering, refining your strategy, or aligning your leadership team around a bold vision, this conversation offers a practical framework for creating lasting competitive advantage.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Identify and define market problems that customers may not even realize they have—and turn them into opportunities for category leadership.
• Build a compelling strategic narrative that aligns your leadership team, sales organization, and entire company around a shared vision.
• Avoid the common pitfalls that cause category creation efforts to fail, including lack of commitment, poor internal alignment, and inconsistent market education.

Listen now to discover how a united leadership team can create and own a category instead of fighting for position in someone else's market.

Check out:

• 2:55 – Why Market Product Fit Beats Product Market Fit
  Mike explains why category creators design the market first and then position their product within it, challenging one of the most common startup and growth assumptions.
• 8:05 – The Category Point of View Framework
  Learn the storytelling structure behind successful category creation, including how to define the villain (problem), position the customer as the victim, and introduce the category as the hero.
• 26:20 – Getting Your Leadership Team and Organization Aligned
  Mike shares why category creation fails when only marketing owns the strategy and how CEOs can align the leadership team, sales organization, and employees around a common vision.

About Mike Damphouse

Mike "Damp" Damphousse brings an experienced, pragmatic aspect to strategic category design from three decades as a founder, CEO, CMO, startup advisor, and a limited partner with Stage 2 Capital. As co-founder of Category Design Advisors and co-author of The Category Creation Formula, he works with management teams and investors to design categories that create enduring market value.