In this episode of Speaking to Influence, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Aundrea Mitchell, president of Customer Contact Services. Aundrea shares her experiences of handling a major error, turning a crisis into trust.

Hear how she faced the challenge head-on, communicated transparently, and built trust through teamwork and honesty. It’s a testament to the strength of partnership and the importance of owning up to mistakes. 💪✨

In this episode you will learn:

• Understanding your audience is crucial for effective communication.
• Tailoring your approach can lead to better results.
• Mistakes are opportunities for growth and building trust.
• Advocating for others can help unlock their potential.
• Self-awareness is key to improving communication skills.
• Simplicity can often lead to better solutions.
• Personality assessments can enhance team dynamics.
• Leaders should help find the right roles for their team members.
• Developing tact can improve interpersonal relationships.

About Aundrea Mitchell

Aundrea Mitchell is the President of CCS (Customer Contact Services), headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a Minneapolis suburb.

Before assuming her role as President in May 2020, she served as the company’s Director of Operations from July 2012 to May 2020. During that time she played a key role in the successful integration of several timely acquisitions, and the diversification of the CCS line of services from primarily telephone answering to a full suite of BPO (business process outsourcing) services.

Under her leadership, CCS passed 20 million client contacts and achieved a 98% first call resolution rate, placing it among the industry’s best.

You can connect with Aundrea Mitchell in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aundrea-mitchell-06746370/

• Customer Contact Services website: https://www.yourccsteam.com/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Sarah Combs, CEO of University Area Community Development Corporation, shares her insights on the importance of active listening and recounts a personal experience where she failed to fully listen to a direct report, leading to a strained relationship. Dr. Combs also discusses the significance of engaging the community and seeking their input before making decisions. She shares a story about a project where she had to pivot from building housing to creating a park based on community feedback. She highlights the importance of humility and being willing to admit mistakes as a leader.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How important active listening is
• Engaging the community and seeking their input before making decisions is essential for effective leadership.
• Humility is important for leaders to admit mistakes and be willing to change course when necessary.
• Learning from personal experiences and mistakes can lead to valuable lessons that can be shared with others to help them become better leaders.
• Focus on solutions and progress rather than dwelling on problems.
• Complimenting others can have a positive impact and increase influence.
• Speaking up as the lone voice of dissent or disagreement is important, especially in planning efforts.

About Dr. Sarah Combs

As the Executive Director and CEO of University Area CDC, Dr. Sarah leads a community development corporation that empowers and supports residents in one of the most underserved areas in Tampa, Florida. With a doctorate in business administration, she applies strategic thinking and innovative solutions to address the complex challenges of poverty, crime, health, housing and education in our community.

Dr. Sarah has 14 years of experience in this role, and she is also a published author and a courtesy assistant professor at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. She has developed and implemented multiple programs and services that have improved the quality of life, well-being, and self-sufficiency of thousands of families and individuals. She has also forged strong partnerships with local and national stakeholders, secured significant funding and grants, and enhanced the visibility and reputation of her organization. Dr. Sarah's mission is to create a vibrant and sustainable community where everyone can thrive and belong.

You can connect with Dr. Sarah Combs in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkcombs/

• University Area CDC website: https://www.uacdc.org/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Misty Davis, the Chief Marketing Officer of Circana. They discuss the importance of authenticity in communication, the value of understanding different personality types, and the power of going to bat for others. Misty shares her experiences of taking risks, delivering hard news, and finding humor in everyday situations. The conversation highlights the significance of acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of others.

In this episode you will learn:

• Authenticity is key in effective communication.
• Understanding different personality types can improve communication and collaboration.
• Taking risks can lead to personal and professional growth.
• Delivering hard news requires finesse and empathy.
• Finding humor in everyday situations can lighten the mood and humanize conversations.
• Acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of others is important for building a positive and supportive work environment.

About Misty Davis

As Chief Marketing Officer at Circana, Misty Davis drives multiple marketing and sales initiatives to align with the company’s growth strategies, with the goal of accelerating demand, awareness, and ecosystem growth. She leads the continuous evolution of corporate messaging, positioning, and execution of the company’s narrative in key marketing assets, including digital presentations, campaigns, events, demos, sales enablement, and strategic communications. Davis is laser-focused on pipeline generation, ensuring the company communicates the right message at the right time and in the right place to all target audiences. She supports the company’s brand to employees and the community, as well as manages internal communications and industry relations efforts.

Previously, Davis had a 16-plus year career at Google, where she held several positions, the most recent of which was Director, Global Client and Agency Solutions, Consumer Packaged Goods, Consumer Health, and Tech. She began her career at Google working across U.S. teams, then in various markets throughout APAC in 2011, which catapulted her into the previous decade of global leadership opportunities. She is a thought leader and trusted confidant to her colleagues and a well-respected consultant with expertise in her field with clients.

You can connect with Misty in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistymuscatel/

• Circana website: https://www.circana.com/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.