Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders Making a Difference 2022.pdf

Disten eld
Derek
VOL.06 | ISSUE. 10
Towards Social Equity
Closing the Gender
Pay Gap
DEI in the Workplace
Top Strategies to Infuse
Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion in your
Organiza on

editor
Bhushan Bhad
Managing Editor
n a world of beautiful terrains, pleasant plateaus, and
Imind-boggling discoveries, the urge to troubleshoot a
problem and come up with a novel solution has been
the dream of many. To get such aspiration into reality and
shoot the nerve of the impossible into the dark light, many
innovative and standout leaders emphasized on embracing
the never-ending trail of inspiration.
Yes, this above ideation might be blossoming your mind to
think toward the reign of dragging the pulse into the closet
and diving deep into the inspirational stories that made
businessmen and industrialists into the huge success they
are today. And the global spotlight on such entrepreneurs is
just the tip of the iceberg!
If you are on the same page, this edition is a perfect match
for you!
What is the edition about, and why does it wander around
the ideation of innovation and inspiration?
While you are dipped into ﬁnding the answer to the above-
ideated question, ensure to walk on a trail that explains the
importance of inspiration in the business community.
While the world gets overshadowed in meeting the hand-to-
mouth economy, it is the sheer resilience and innovative
hand of business leaders that scouts challenges and storms
the corporate obstacles onto backstage.
Inspiration at
Your Closet!
www.insightssuccess.com
Derek
Inspiring
Business Leaders
Making a Difference 2022
1T
o
p
VOL.06 | ISSUE. 10

Be it the manufacturing segment, technology world,
corporate management, hotel and hospitality or even the
staﬃng industry; inspirational stories have always found the
prime spotlight.
With the same motivation and enthusiasm to get
inspirational business leaders into the forefront of the
business community, we at Insight Success researched top
business leaders who are not only turning the tide of
business but also exemplifying true leadership.
While you walk through such inspirational stories, ensure to
read the insightful articles opined by our in-house editorial
note.
I hope you have a happy read!
, ,
The Value of an Idea Lies in implementing
it, Thus giving rise to innovative Solutions
and Inspirations Stories.

C
O
N
T
E
N
TS
Derek Disten eld
Breaking Barriers, Leading Innovation, and
Inspiring People to Achieve
08

Articles
18
32
1
28
4Dave Ulrich
Creating Value Through
Human Capability
Elena Agaragimova
Enhancing Mindset, Bolstering
Lives!
22
Lurdh Allam
Spreading Positivity through the
Power of Art
36
Makuachukuu Okonkwo
Reinventing Foundations with
Dynamic Counsel
Interview with
Insights success
Closing the Gender Pay Gap
Top Strategies to Infuse Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion in your
Organization

sales@insightssuccess.com
June, 2022
Circulation Manager Tanaji Fartade
Research Analyst Eric Smith
Editor-in-Chief Merry D’souza
Anish Miller
Senior Editor
Kelly, David
Business Development Executives
Managing Editor
Sherin Rodricks
Business Development Manager
Bhushan Bhad
Art & Design Head
Art & Design Assistant
Visualiser David King
Co-designer
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Assistant Technical Head
SME-SMO Executive Gemson
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Brief
Company
The RBL Group
rbl.net
Deirdre Breakenridge
CEO
Elena Agaragimova
CEO and Founder
Derek Distenfield
COO and Co-founder
Dawn Tiura
CEO and President
Dave Ulrich
Co-founder and Principal
Derek is the operational brain at GSD, bringing together a diverse
set of talents to effectively serve each portfolio firm.
Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Profess at the Ross School of
Business, University of Michigan and Parter, The RBL Group has
spent his career studying, innovating, and delivering human
capability insights that make a difference.
Dawn Tiura is the President and CEO of Sourcing Industry Group
(SIG), the world’s premier membership association representing
Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies with a combined spend of
$17 trillion USD in sourcing and outsourcing.
Deirdre Breakenridge, 30+ year industry expert, media trainer
and published author on communication, branding and digital
media strategies as well as the founder and CEO of Pure
Performance Communications.
According to Elena Agaragimova, the external like finances,
clients, and outsourcing can be taken charge of, but the mindset
is an integral and hardest part that requires managed and
continuous learning.
GSD Venture Studio
gsdvs.com
Sourcing Industry
Group
sig.org
Pure Performance
Communications
pureperformancecomm.com
Bessern
bessern.co
CSM Practice
csmpractice.com
Lurdh Allam
CEO and Co-founder
Makua Okonkwo
Business Development
Executive
Laurie McCabe
Founder
Irit Eizips
CEO
Irit Eizips has taken an active part in the customer success
community. She is featured in podcasts, books, and industry
events as a subject matter expert on customer success
strategyand on how to launch customer success initiatives at
scale.
Laurie McCabe brings more than 25 years of experience in the
IT industry to her current role as Cofounder & Partner, SMB
Group.
Lurdh Allam is generating positivity through the medium of
ArtSmiley and sharing his passion for art with the world.
Makuachukwu Okonkwo—the crown leader is assisting the
global market by influencing business development processes
while delivering innovative solutions to businesses worldwide.
SMB Group
smb-gr.com
ArtSmiley
Artsmiley.com
TBO Consulting Group
tboconsulting.com
Tracie Sponenberg
Chief People Officer
Tracie Sponenberg is Chief People Officer of The Granite
Group, responsible for leading all People functions for the 50-
location wholesale company.
The Granite Group
thegranitegroup.com
Inspiring
Business Leaders
Making a Difference in
2022
1T
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Featuring

We believe that intellectual
capacity is evenly spread
throughout the world, but
opportunity is not. If
entrepreneurs can pop the
'Silicon Valley bubble' with the
capital, network, and tools
they need, then anyone can
build a unicorn!
Derek
Disten eld
Cover
Story

Derek Disten eld,
COO and Co-founder
GSD Venture Studio

The world is a big scary dwelling filled with its
variety of twists and turns and where everyone is
interconnected, especially when it comes to
business. Whether you produce and sell goods
internationally or you don't, global businesses tend to
impact every organization.
Let's say you're a business owner, manager, or employee.
Then an important question you might ponder on is how
can you gather the information, tools, and resources to put
your organization on the global map?
Self-motivated entrepreneurs have often had to fight an
uphill battle to launch a global company with very little
support. In that respect, an unproven team without the right
knowledge and expertise or the trust factor is not the ideal
preference. Alas, this age-old tradition has come to an end,
all thanks to the inspiring California-based enterprise –
GSD Venture Studios.
GSD Venture Studios travels the globe in search of resilient
teams, inviting them to establish collaborations that ensure
organizations grow the right way, without games or
gimmicks. Leading from the front is the astute COO, Co-
founder, and operational mastermind of GSD – Derek
Distenfield.
Derek's high tolerance for ambiguity and complexity makes
him a vital source of inspiration and counsel for growth-
oriented firms and founders. He is known for introducing
ground-breaking new ideas to organizations that provide
rapid development and for being efficient with little
resources.
Derek is the operational brain at GSD, bringing together a
diverse set of talents to effectively serve each portfolio firm.
Derek resides in Silicon Valley with his wife and two
children and regularly goes to Russia to work with GSD's
global clientele.
How it all Started ?
Working in technology companies that were $0 failures to
$2 billion companies, it would be appropriate to say that
Derek has accumulated quite a few battle scars. Throughout
this journey, Derek has focused on a variety of industries in
both B2B and B2C markets. He is passionate about
simplifying experiences for users both in terms of product
and messaging.
Derek realized this personal mission when he first built and
sold a storytelling marketing firm called Cult Following,
where his team built online and offline communities for
brands. Importantly, he learned how to accomplish missions
with little to no resources and get things done as a US Army
officer.
Eventually, as a culmination of his career to democratize
financial and intellectual capital for start-ups, he
Co-founded GSD Venture Studios alongside Gary Fowler.
Gary is one of the top influencers in Artificial Intelligence
and has a global view of how companies should be started.
Derek is the
operational brain at
GSD, bringing
together a diverse set
of talents to
effectively serve each
portfolio firm.
Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders Making a Difference 2022

He believes that entrepreneur 2.0 is decentralized teams that
are globally based that are intergenerational – start-up
veterans with the battle scars working with younger guys
with fresh ideas.
GSD Venture Studios
GSD travels the world looking for resilient entrepreneurs
that are bold enough to #GoGlobal. In the words of the
astute Derek, “We believe intellectual capacity is evenly
spread throughout the world, but opportunity is not. If
entrepreneurs can pop the 'Silicon Valley bubble' with the
capital, network, and tools they need, then anyone can build
a unicorn!”
GSD also believes that 'start-up support' today the world
over indexes on helping people start a company and helping
them scale. The between stage is the reason that 80-90% of
start-ups still fail.
“By focusing on start-ups outside the Silicon Valley bubble,
meaning companies with international roots or groups that
have been marginalized in the US, supporting them after
they have shown some success but are not ready to scale,
we are curating unicorns,” added Derek.
At heart, the company comprises venture builders that take
an entrepreneurial view of the world, incorporating
additional values such as Scrappiness, Loyalty, and
Diversity, all with a #GoGlobal perspective.
The Pandemic Dictate
When asked about the trials and tribulations presented by
the COVID-19 pandemic, Derek responded by saying, “The
best way to navigate a crisis like COVID-19 is to act like a
trauma surgeon who makes quick, deliberate decisions, and
not as a neurosurgeon that waits for 100% of the
information before moving forward. Additionally, you need
must maintain both a realistic outcome and the incredible
optimism that you will succeed.”
Using Technology to Connect with the World
The Venture Capitalists invest a lot of money in 'change-
making companies,' however, historically have been slow to
act themselves. Additionally, Venture Capital has been very
centralized, not diverse at all. GSD is making changes by
using technology to connect itself to the whole world to
curate the best companies to #GoGlobal.
A Household Name
Derek Distenfield has been featured in the '40 Under 40
Innovators' list by Analytics Insight and celebrated as one
of 'The 10 Most Influential People of 2020' by Yahoo
Finance.
Additionally, Derek is one of the official members of the
exclusive Forbes Business Council for successful
entrepreneurs and business leaders. He was selected based
on his depth and diversity of experience and knowledge,
GSD will continue
its #GoGlobal
World Tour
developing
authentic, tangible
relationships that
start-ups flock to.

and since then has gone on to publish his expertise on
Forbes.com.
Don't Take Our Word for it
“We participated in GSD Venture Studios accelerator
program in Q4 / 2021 and were very happy with the
outcome. Derek Distenfield and the team provided a
concrete, professional, and hands-on program for creating
a clear investment deck, messaging, and strategy for a
growing tech company like Choicely no-code app
development platform. Derek successfully connected us with
relevant investors and funds from their network that works
with SaaS technology platforms like ours. We look forward
to continuing a partnership with GSD Venture Studios and
highly recommend start-ups to join the program.”
- Kaius Meskane, CEO of Choicely.
“Derek and GSD have been a major part of the growth of
Frostwolf. Through the program, I have been able to make
great connections and build relationships with like-minded
individuals, advisors, and investors.”
- Natnael Tsega, Founder of Frostwolf.
"Derek and GSD helped us to re-position our company
with our capital raising. Derek is aggressive and very
precise in articulating the message, which helped us to
articulate our message to the investors.”
- Tony Weeresinghe, Founder & CEO of Ustocktrade.
“GSD Labs has been a major part of the growth of
Xoxoday; through the accelerator, we made great
connections and built relationships with like-minded
individuals, advisors, and investors.
GSD labs taught us that Silicon Valley is not a geographic
location but a mindset. We are thrilled to have worked with
them and learned how to #GoGlobal and land $30m in
funding and scale across the world.
We are confident that Xoxoday will be a unicorn, and GSD
Labs will help our journey tremendously."
- Manoj Agarwal, Co-Founder of Xoxoday.
What the Future Holds for GSD
Unlike its competitors, who make global trips once every
few years and have a few tokens of global investments,
GSD has companies from more than 38 countries. As for
what the future holds, GSD will continue its #GoGlobal
World Tour developing authentic, tangible relationships that
start-ups flock to.
GSD Venture Studios
travels the globe in search
of resilient teams, inviting
them to establish
collaborations that ensure
organizations grow the
right way, without games
or gimmicks.

Ulrich
Dave Ulrich
Co-founder & Principal
RBL Group
Creating Value
Through Human
Capability

Everyone experiences the changing context of
business today: physical health (COVID),
emotional well being, society trends, political
toxicity, attention to environment, and technological
innovation. To respond to this context, business leaders are
investing in human capability (talent, leadership,
organization) to deliver value to all stakeholders.
An enormous amount of research and practice exists in
upgrading human capability Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert
Profess at the Ross School of Business, University of
Michigan and Parter, The RBL Group has spent his career
studying, innovating, and delivering human capability
insights that make a difference.
Dave answers some questions about his past and present
work.
Dave, please introduce yourself and your professional
background to our readers.
I am a professor at the Ross Business School at the
University of Michigan and a founding partner of the RBL
Group. I like to study how organizations think, act, feel and
create value for all stakeholders (employees, customers,
investors, and communities). I believe in insights based on
theory (why things happen), research (evidence about what
happens), and practice (how to shape what will happen).
What was your inspiration to step into the business
consulting and development profession?
Decades ago, in my undergraduate work, I took an “OB
321” course from a remarkable professor who challenged us
to observe, think, and write about the organizations that
shaped our lives. I wrote a 10-12 page paper weekly about
aspects of organizations. He then encouraged me to move
from focusing on the law to “OB.” When I told my parents I
was going into “OB,” they thought I would become a
doctor since no one knew what “Organization Behavior”
really meant. Since then, I have had a version of OCD,
“Organization” Compulsive Disorder.” Organizations
shape nearly every aspect of our lives - where we work,
play, live, and worship. Studying and figuring out how to
improve organizations continues to captivate me.
Tell us about RBL Group, its mission, and its vision.
What role did you play in furthering its development
and outreach?
About 20 years ago, Norm Smallwood and I found
ourselves cooperating on several projects. We did a book
(with Jack Zenger) called Results Based Leadership which
focused on our bias of ensuring that leaders created results.
We took RBL as our firm name since we are committed to
results.
Please brief us about the programs and services offered
by RBL Group. And how does it enable client companies
to enhance their operations?
We have committed to innovative content (be a thought
leader) in what we call “human capability,” which includes
the study of talent, organizations, leadership, and HR.
We work to connect each of these domains inside an
organization to the value outside and believe that future of
work is both inside/out and outside/in.
| June 2022
15

through research and evidence to predict what will happen.
Ideas must shape talent, leadership, organization, and HR
(human capability) choices and actions. Writing is the art
and science of putting ideas into words into a framework
into text and ultimately into a book, article, or presentation.
Writers seek to codify ideas with impact.
As an experienced leader in the business arena, what
challenges do you see leaders of today come across?
Also, what advice would you like to give to budding
entrepreneurs?
The study of leadership is not new. Google leader or
leadership, and you get over 5 billion hits! Given our
research, we like to explore patterns of leadership in five
areas (see book Leadership Code), and we see emerging
leadership skills in each of the five areas
Where do you see yourself in the future? Also, how do
you envision scaling RBL Group’s operations and
outreach in the coming years?
OCD is a lifetime disorder. We continue exploring
innovations in each of the four domains of human
capability through theory, research, and practice. I like to
end workshops with the line, “the best is yet ahead,” which
I hope shapes my work. I want to have about 20% new
material every 12 to 18 months, which sounds easy, but
requires a good idea, friends.
Dave, tell us about the books that you have written. How
have they been received by the readers?
We have written over 30 books, each addressing a specific
challenge in one of the four human capability domains. For
example, we have written quite a bit on leadership and how
leaders should connect their attributes (competencies or
skills) to results in a sustainable way.
Please share with us the remarkable challenges you have
overcome in your career. And how have they shaped you
to become a better leader?
I often step into the unknown and try to solve problems few
have solved. This means observing challenges and then
seeking innovative solutions to them. In the process, I often
experiment with new ideas that don’t work well at the time.
For example, why do two firms in the same industry with
the same profits often have dramatically different market
valuations? This does not make sense initially, but this
question leads me to explore the intangible value investors
recognize but don’t often codify. This leads me to write
Leadership Capital Index to offer investors a rigorous way
to determine leadership quality. Some of these ideas were
well received at the time, some not.
What tips would you like to give individuals who want
to get into the writing profession?
Make ideas your best friends. Ideas often wake me up late
at night or in the morning; they stay by me much of the day
and end the day with me. Ideas come from observing what
is happening around me and trying to understand why
things happen (theory). Ideas need to become patterns
|
16 June 2022

Give us a few testimonials from your clients or
customers and awards or recognition that accurately
highlight your company’s position in the market. (If
available/permissible)
Here are a few accolades;
Ÿ One of the top 10 voices on culture by Linkedin
Ÿ Lifetime Achievement Award from Institute of
Management Studies
Ÿ #3 (out of 200) thought leader in 2021 by PeopleHum
Ÿ "Most Influential Global HR Leader, 2021” sponsored
by PeopleFirst and HRD Forum
Ÿ Distinguished Fellow (one of 15 total), National
Academy of Human Resources
Ÿ Initiated the Dave Ulrich Impact Award by the Academy
of Management to honor contribution to HR
Ÿ Ranked #1 thought leader in HR by HRD Connect
Ÿ Named one of the 20 most influential business
professors in the world by top-business-degree (#13)
Ÿ Named to the Thinkers50 “Hall of Fame,” a recognition
of lifetime achievement in influencing management
Ÿ Lifetime Achievement Award from HR Magazine for
being the “father of modern human resources.”
“
Writing is the art
and science of
putting ideas
into words into a
framework.
“
| June 2022
17

Closing
theGender
Pay Gap
The ‘gender pay gap’ or ‘gender wage gap’ arguably
dates back to the beginnings of civilization. Even
so, it prominently emerged as an issue of political
discussion in the 1860s in the United States. Since then, the
struggle to meet the wage gap has been persistent as many
social reformists have tirelessly made efforts to bring the
problem to light, and the corporate space is recognizing the
same. Several initiatives have been taken in the way to
ensure equal pay for equal work since the struggle took a
head start. In this article, we will explore some of the ways
in which the movement to close the gender pay gap can be
given a boost.
Keeping Transparency in Sharing Salary Information
You can absolutely share pay information because it is
legally protected. Many people do not believe it, but
according to the Department of Labor, it is. As a result, you
can certainly share it with one another. People believe that
more claims of unequal pay are coming to light because
more [women] married to men are working, and when they
work in the same industries or occupations, they compare
their paychecks and notice the wage disparity.
There is more information available, and all of these
methods of sharing your salary on the internet are
extremely beneficial. And when you’re up for a raise or
being hired, you can check those websites to see if you’re
being offered something comparable for your area, job, or
company size.
Sharing the Workload at Home
Women in couples with children frequently take a back seat
to men in order for their jobs to be more able to be on-call
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18 June 2022

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19

at home and for men’s jobs to be more able to be on call at
work. Women are often seen compromising their careers
after marriage and having kids because the norm in society
says that a woman should be the primary caregiver of a
child. So, they not just have to perform in their profession
but also have to be a full-time caregiver to their child,
which is technically unpaid labor. It is only fair for couples
with kids to share the workload at home and support each
other in their respective careers.
Sturdier Social Insurance
Paid family leave; increased public subsidies for the care of
children, the sick and specially-abled, and the elderly;
legislation to decrease penalties for part-time work; changes
to the period of the school day and school vacations;
decreased tuition and fees at public universities; and
Medicare for All.
Sure, all these policies would cost taxpayers money, but
they would also cut down out-of-pocket expenses for most
families. Because almost everyone is at risk of needing
assistance for themselves or a loved one at some point in
their lives, social insurance beneﬁts everyone.
Increasing the Minimum Wage
This is an important step that needs to be taken toward
closing the gender wage gap because, according to several
surveys, more women are employed at that level than men,
and the unwillingness to raise the minimum wage is taking
a toll on women.
Being Aware of the Law
More women need to be aware of the laws that exist
exclusively to tackle the problem of the gender wage gap. If
you’re a woman working at an organization and you notice
that your male counterpart is getting paid more for the same
work that you’re doing, you can raise a formal complaint
about it before going to the law. If the organization fails to
acknowledge the disparity and continues to pay you less,
take the help of the law to claim your equal share.
Formulating Better Structures to Support Caregiving
Another step necessary to close the gender wage gap is that
society needs to have better structures to support caregivers
and caregiving. The responsibility to take care of a young
one almost always entirely falls upon a woman, be it a
working woman or a stay-at-home mother. This makes it
diﬃcult for the woman to excel and progress in her career.
More community care centers should be in place to assist
working women in taking care of their children. This will
ensure they’re not burnt out working full time both at home
and at work.
The Bottom Line
As a result of the continuous struggle to meet the gender
wage gap, the world has made some slow but remarkable
progress in the direction of achieving social equity. There
still needs to be a stronger push in the same direction to
ensure that the gap is closed before the economists have
predicted it to be closed. This will not only help empower
women but also foster the inclusion of diverse talent in any
given organization.
- Trishika Rokade
| June 2022
20

Organizations should move away from
the paradigm that learning is about
acquiring knowledge – in today's
business dynamic – it is about helping
people learn how to learn and build
the mindset for change," states Elena
Agaragimova.
Elna Agaragimova the CEO and
Founder of Bessern believes
that having a mindset for
change is the key to effective learning.
According to her the external like
finances, clients, and outsourcing can
be taken charge of, but the mindset is
an integral and hardest part that
requires managed and continuous
learning.
Working towards this change, Bessern
provides individuals, organizations,
and corporates a key to growing
through their well-equipped mindset,
skills, and mental resources. With its
science-backed methodology, the
organization intends to transform how
people think, feel, and behave at work.
With a motive to find the Top 10
Inspiring Business Leaders Making a
Difference 2022, we at Insights
Success crossed paths with Elena to
know about her inspiring story and
how is making a difference in people's
lives.
Delve into the interview to know more:
Elena, kindly tell our readers about
yourself and your professional
journey so far.
I come from a higher education and
learning background, having spent the
first part of my career working in
various higher education institutions
around the world, followed by shifting
towards corporate learning and then to
the corporate side of learning. It was a
hobby that turned into a career and
then a business. In 2019 – after years
of doing side gigs and trying different
things – I finally had the courage to
jump into entrepreneurship.
Originally, I am from Russia, and
having moved to the US at the age of
13, I didn't have much education and
career guidance, which is why these
topics of professional development and
how we can be at our best are very
personal to me. I wish I had the
mentorship and advice earlier on in my
career, so I try to give that to people
now by bringing awareness to
strategies that work when it comes to
performance. I truly believe we can all
have fulfilling jobs while at the same
time monetizing in a way that works
for us and taking care of our overall
wellbeing. It is possible – you can love
your job every day (maybe not all day,
but definitely every day).
I spent a big part of my 20s
experimenting with different jobs and
found this box to fit into as I began to
navigate the 'real world' after college.
And realized that I didn't fit into any
boxes, so I created my own but
combined all of my experiences to
|
22 June 2022

essentially create my own career path
and business opportunities.
In my free time, I enjoy giving my
time and career development
experience to young students looking
to transition to the world of work post-
graduation and veterans transitioning
from military to corporate jobs.
What was your inspiration to step
into the Human Skills Training
space?
The story of Bessern started a few
years back when my co-founder (Ivan
Palomino) and I have decided to do
something; anybody will tell you not to
do when you start a business – which is
starting a business with your friends.
After 6 years of friendship and several
dinner conversations about the state of
learning and development in
organizations, we have decided to
combine forces and create a solution to
one of the biggest pains in corporate
learning: getting actual results on
Elena Agaragimova
CEO and Founder
Bessern
|
23 June 2022

learning, or to put it bluntly having as
an indicator of success change of
behaviors in people.
We have a personal story about the
need to reinvent learning to help
individuals get more control of their
lives. My business partner, after over
17 years working in senior corporate
positions had experienced a burnout (&
he is not alone in this; in fact, this is
another pandemic that the workers
around the world are experiencing);
which made him decide to leave his
senior leadership role as it was a direct
cause of his burnout.
From my side, I have worked in
various organizations and had my own
struggles in finding meaning and
purpose at work while finding ways to
continue to grow in my career.
Essentially, I have created my career
path, where I found my passion in the
world of talent development and
quickly realized I can help people do
the same. Did you know that over 75%
of the global corporate workforce is
disengaged? Meaning they show up to
work and do their bare minimum,
without much joy, creativity, or interest
in what they do. Gallup – an analytics
and advisory company, releases annual
reports on the state of the global
workforce. Every year, I am saddened
(although not surprised) that these are
the numbers we are looking at.
That is why we do what we do at
Bessern. Because when an employee is
engaged, they do great work, they are
creative, they bring their best to work
& everyone around them (including the
business) benefits. It is a win-win
formula.
Tell us about Bessern, its mission,
and its vision. What role did you
play in furthering its development
and outreach?
Our personal stories drove our passion
to make a change in the way people
learn at work. But there is more than
just passion:
Ÿ Corporate learning hasn't changed
much in the last 20 years – long
hours of trainings with little
opportunities for practice. If we
don't practice, we simply forget
Ÿ E-learnings use in corporate has
expanded but unfortunately only
15% of participants finish a
program – people need to have a
feedback loop to have the
motivation to finish the endless
suite of "movies without practice”
In the last 3 years, employees started to
voice out their concerns about the
impact of traditional training on their
development – with a high rate of
dissatisfaction.
These were the indicators for us on the
opportunity to become disruptors in
this industry – combing principles of
brain science and technology. So that
our learning approach can be effective
and scalable in organizations.
At Bessern - we help people build
essential skills, mindsets for growth
and resilience to perform at their best
at work. It is almost like helping
people create a regular practice of
skills in a short and impactful format.
Ivan (my co-founder) and I have a
complementary set of skills – my focus
as CEO is the operational growth of
Bessern – from our humble start –
today we have customers in 3
continents. One of my favorite phrases
in the development of our company
was in the creation of the learning
approach – combining fresh behavioral
science research, building tech, and
building a training delivery.
Please tell us about the various
sectors Bessern serves and how it
adapts to the clients' corporate skills
training requirements.
Bessern focuses on tech and
engineering industries where you
would typically find the majority of
analytical teams who can benefit from
|
24 June 2022

our suite of offerings. This is not such
as big surprise when you consider that
the cost of having unproductive
employees is often high in these
industries. Thus, the need for trying
innovative solutions to upskill
organizations is quite high.
We usually develop programs
combining live sessions, in-app access
to practice and access to facilitators –
Our typical customer onboarding starts
with a discussion about the type of
corporate culture they want to have and
what's challenging with the current.
This leads to tailor-made program
designed in order to have quick returns
on new behaviors that need to be
displayed in the organization
What are the biggest challenges you
have faced in your career? And how
have they helped you to become a
strong leader?
I think I faced similar challenges as
most when it comes to being a woman
in business. In some aspects it helped
me, in others – there are still lots of
stereotypes that go along with being a
woman in business & overcoming the
'old boys' club is a real thing. And I
was also very lucky to have mentors
who opened doors for me and created
opportunities for me to shine and test
my own potential. When you do
anything that is different from what
most people are doing – you will be
doubted, you will be ridiculed, etc.
So, you very quickly learn who wants
to see you win and who are the people
you need to surround yourself with.
You also learn resilience, patience, and
strangely enough – kindness. Because
you realize how often when people
speak to you they are actually talking
to themselves. As long as you are able
to filter through advice that is not
meant for you, and you are able to stay
aware of your own journey, have the
right circle of people around you – you
will be alright.
As an experienced leader, what
advice would you like to give to
aspiring entrepreneurs and
enthusiasts who wish to venture into
the competitive industry that you are
serving?
If I had one piece of advice for
entrepreneurs who are building is that
things take time. Great things take a
lifetime. Patience is part of the game,
while you pivot, innovate, go through
trial and error, and re-invent your
business and yourself, it is just part of
the process. If you don't enjoy the
process and the struggle, then
entrepreneurship is probably not the
best choice for you. There are many
different ways to create value in this
world, find out what it is for you.
Where do you see yourself in the
future? Also, how do you envision
scaling your business operations and
I see myself expanding Bessern in
different parts of the world, continuing
our mission and impacting people
around the world.
I see myself diving more into youth
education and programs, particularly in
low socio-economic areas where it is
needed the most. I think education is
one of the biggest gifts we can give to
the next generation. We don't know
what we don't know and bringing
awareness and access to areas of the
world where youth need it the most is
where I would like to focus – after all –
they are our future. We owe them that
much. I see myself continuing my
multi-dimensional journey in the world
of professional development and aspire
to get a degree in Clinical Psychology
as well, to add my work with
individuals.
From Bessern's side - our aspiration by
2023 is to impact 1 million people in
corporates around the world with our
programs and ultimately decrease the
number of people who are disengaged
at work. Within 10 years' time frame,
our dream is to make Bessern a
household name that makes an impact
not only in organizations but also
individual lives around the world. We
also have a very aspirational arm to our
business – Bloom Youth – where we
are looking to close the gap between
educational institutions and the
corporate world when it comes to
preparing our youth for the future.
|
25 June 2022

Spreading Positivity through the Power of Art
reation and contemplation have become vital
Cantidotes for overstimulated and occupied minds. It
not only assists in bringing these minds together
but can also be used as a powerful collective tool for
healing and catharsis.
That's the power of art, and Lurdh Allam has felt
compelled to use this power by not just taking an active part
in building the community but also giving back to society.
The CEO and Co-founder of Art Smiley is generating
positivity through this medium and sharing his passion for
art with the world.
Making art accessible and affordable across the globe, Mr.
Allam, has successfully expanded Art Smiley's wings
across the world in various verticals. He believes not only
in working with the established artist but also with the best
upcoming artists in order to showcase their talent to the
world through his platform—Art Smiley Bizz.
We at Insights Success encountered with Mr. Allam while
seeking to find the Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders
Making a Difference 2022. In order to learn about Mr.
Allam and how he is making a difference in the Art
Industry, kindly go through the interview highlights.
Mr. Allam, please give us a brief overview of your
journey as the CEO and Co-founder of ArtSmiley.
Thank you for giving me the pleasure of introducing myself
as Lurdh Allam, CEO, and Co-founder of Art Smiley.
Professionally, I have worked as a Senior Management
Professional for the past 20 years, working with
multinational corporations throughout Europe and the
Middle East. My experience encompasses a broad range of
operational and management responsibilities.
I am the founder of Art Smiley, a marketplace connecting
artists and buyers. I have a passion for art, which inspired
me to create my platform. In my vision, I envisioned a
platform for connecting artists and helping them reach
bigger audiences. It dawned on me that if artists could
monetize their work through a platform, both the artists and
audiences would benefit. I founded Art Smiley to make that
happen. With our platform, artists can rent and sell their art
easily. With an immersive experience, you can shop for the
best art and sculpture at Art Smiley.
Please tell our audience about ArtSmiley, its USPs, and
how it is currently positioned as a leading name in the
retail art supplies market.
Art Smiley is a global marketplace for the sale of art. It was
launched in 2017 in Dubai. With a global network of more
than 2000 artists, we can connect you with unique artists
across the country. Our technology enables Art Smiley to
facilitate connectivity and accessibility to artwork. We are
leading the industry, ushering in a new era of the art
industry. Our stunning artwork and paintings will transform
your office or home into a better place. We always look for
opportunities that make connect our life with artworks.
With our dedicated business services platform
ArtSmileybiz, we offer solutions for various domains, such
as real estate, healthcare, hospitality, educational
institutions, and home decor. Our artists are spread across
50 different countries, creating works of art unique to our
clients, making us one of the world's most art lovers
landmarks. Art Smiley uses trending technologies such as
IoT, AI, and blockchain for high-quality services. We never
want to miss valuable art throughout customer life, which is
why we offer art rentals for specific regions of our service.
Tell us more about ArtSmiley's offerings and services
and what aspects make it stand out in the industry.
Art Smiley started with the motto of connecting artists and
art buyers through an intuitive platform. We hold pride in
|
28 June 2022

being the first service provider to deliver world-class art
services satisfying the increasing demands of our clients.
Art Smiley is a leading brand in the Middle East that has
partnered with art exhibitions and art fairs to expand our
collection of high-end art on display.
Our multichain NFT marketplace will offer both traditional
and digital artwork, increasing the demand for creative
artwork. Besides offering original artworks from artists to
corporations and individuals, we have expanded our
services to include art printing, which is a growing industry.
We can print wallpapers, vinyl stickers, glass, wood, metal,
ceramics, murals, and royal portraits with our wide range of
UV printing options. To our B2C and B2B customers, we
provide the following services:
Ÿ Sale of original artworks
Ÿ Sale of NFTs
Ÿ Sale of limited-edition prints
Ÿ Art rentals
Ÿ UV printing services
Ÿ Wall Murals & Graffiti works &
Ÿ Art consultancy services
Creating a unique and
immersive experience for
our customers is exactly
what sets us apart in the
industry.
Lurdh Allam,
CEO and Co-founder
Art Smiley
|
29 June 2022

Ÿ We are proud to announce that ArtSmiley has been
awarded digital business of the year at the Gulf Capital
SME Awards for the two consecutive years of 2020 &
2021. Creating a unique and immersive experience for
our customers is exactly what sets us apart in the
industry.
Being an experienced leader, share your opinion on how
adopting modern technologies in the retail sector
impacts the industry and how is ArtSmiley riding the
technology wave?
In the modern world, technologies such as AI, ML, and XR
offer end users a distinctive and inspiring experience. We
work with businesses that need to choose artwork for their
walls, so it is essential that our customers can see the
artwork on their walls before they make their decision. As a
pioneer in using cutting-edge technology, we are committed
to enhancing the experience for our customers. Our online
platforms include AR and AI features to help businesses
find the right artworks to match customer vision and
interests.
It dawned on me that if
artists could monetize their
work through a platform,
both the artists and
audiences would benefit. I
founded Art Smiley to make
that happen.
|
30 June 2022

Our online marketplace implements non-fungible tokens
(NFTs) based on blockchain, which allow artists to earn
money and give credibility to their work. On the other hand,
it allows potential buyers of original artworks to purchase
them while retaining full ownership rights.
What challenges have you faced throughout your
journey as a leader in the various organizations that
you've spearheaded?
The challenge in bringing up an organization will always
remain a lesson for a successful milestone. In my opinion,
communicating the right message to subordinates can be a
challenge that affects the organization's productivity. So I
take personal care in addressing the issues and concerns of
the employees of my team. Also, I look forward to taking
up opinions on the out-of-the-box thinking of the
employees that pushes the organization's development to
the next stage. Thus, Art Smiley has worked with numerous
artists and clients by establishing a warm and long-lasting
relationships.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs
who aspire to venture into the retail industry?
Being a successful entrepreneur requires the ability to
balance the various aspects of the business. To grow
startups, we must continually innovate and look for
opportunities to grow them.
I would highly prefer to advise budding entrepreneurs to
have a never-ending passion for the goal. Thus, it can help
them stay updated on their vision in all business phases. For
example, I took the art industry as my passion, and over the
years, I gained experience delivering reliable and quality
service to our customers. Also, analyzing your competitors'
strengths will help you identify key expansion possibilities
and develop more valuable products and services.
I would also like to add a note that budding entrepreneurs
must find learning opportunities that enhance the services to
the clients and make them withstand the competitive world.
How do you envision scaling ArtSmiley's operations and
offerings in 2022 and beyond?
Our business strategy includes expanding across the middle
east and in the European market. ArtSmiley leveraged its
existing and strong ecosystem to advance its technology.
Our NFT platform serves as a source center for promoting
and selling artwork to art lovers worldwide.
With the integration of the latest technologies and hands-on
experience in the art industry, we can cater to the needs of
diverse clients and industries. In the upcoming years, we
look to expand our artist base and offer our customers more
unique and distinctive artworks.
Please give us a few testimonials of your
clients/customers and a list of awards/recognitions that
accurately highlight your organization's position in the
market.
Amy Evan
I bought my first art piece from Art Smiley. The team
assisted and guided me in every step to answer questions,
provide suggestions, and ensure my buying experience was
positive.
Maria Einstein
As the owner of a newly purchased home, I wanted to bring
some flair into my living room with some artwork. So I
decided to go with Art Smiley in electing the right mix of
printing services and artworks. The Art Smiley team helped
me by receiving my comments and suggestions and
delivering art pieces that perfectly match my house. Thanks
to the team.
I take personal care in
addressing the issues and
concerns of the employees of
my team. Also, I look forward
to taking up opinions on the
out-of-the-box thinking of the
employees that pushes the
organization's development
to the next stage.
|
31 June 2022

Top
Strategies to
Infuse Diversity,
Equity,and Inclusion
inyour Organization
iversity is a wild primitive state untouched by
Dcivilization. In fact, the survival of the human race
ultimately depends on it. Imagine being
surrounded by people who are exactly like you. How easy
would it be for a minor disease to completely efface
humankind? Quite easy, right!
But here's a kicker! How much ever diversity, inclusion,
and equity sound appealing, it really isn't at the
organizational level. The 2018 Women in Workplace Report
by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org pulled out
striking facts. The vast majority of the companies included
in this report emphasized the need for gender diversity as
their top priority. The report further highlighted the need for
implementing fair hirings and promotional practices that
correct for biases. It additionally placed a spotlight on
actively working to build an inclusive and respectful
culture.
This clearly states that the diverse representation in the
corporate world isn't improving in leaps and bounds.
Instead, it is not even improving in leaps and bounds.
In order to address this age-old question and bring about
institutional change, this article reflects on the various
reasons to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion and how
they are playing a significant role in creating a massive
impact on businesses in the short and long term.
Below are some tips for building an effective DEI strategy:
First and Foremost, Conduct Pay Equity Reviews
Even though a majority of countries have worked on
implementing the Equal Pay Act for many years, the wage
gap has continued in 2022. This pay disparity is even more
prominent among Blacks and Latin women with respect to
the average salary of Caucasian men. As the wage gap is
systemic, pay audits can be a very effective tool in the
pursuit of pay equity.
Hence, organizations should focus on pay reviews of the
employees and ensure pay parity. Quick actions must be
taken to identify these gaps and fill them through the pay
structures.
Creating a Robust Mentorship Program
When it comes to inclusion, underrepresented employees
can face challenges in their career progression. Under the
guidance of a mentor, employees can minimize these
challenges and make progress toward leadership positions.
Forming a strategy that revolves around the different types
of mentorships; Reverse mentoring, Career mentoring,
Buddy programs, and mentoring circles can help align with
the overall objective of the DEI strategy of the organization.
Ensuring Benefits and Programs are Inclusive
A number of organizations have successfully established a
diverse workforce. However, the practice of including the
workforce in all segments of work still remains an
unaddressed issue. Not to sideline, there are seemingly
innocuous practices that make employees feel alien or
unwelcomed.
Hence, it is imperative for every organization to structure
its inclusive plan and make sure that the benefits and
programs run by the organization are all-inclusive
|
32 June 2022

|
33 June 2022

irrespective of gender, creed, and ethnicity of the
employees.
Setting up of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Employee Resource Groups are voluntary groups led by
employees themselves who aim to foster a diverse and
equitable workplace aligned to their respective
organizations. The function of this group is to provide
personal or career development and create a space where
the employees get an opportunity to the table without bring
their whole selves to the table without any filters.
The organizations' top leadership should participate and
leverage them to support the organization.
Scrutinizing Board and Executive Team Members
Organizational and boardroom diversity, especially in the
context of women's representation, has been a top of
discussion for more than two decades now. For the first
time in 2003, Norway introduced a 40% gender quota for
women's representation on corporate boards in the country.
Such a composition of board and executives helps mirror
the diversity of the geographical areas.
Making Leaders Accountable
Any DEI strategy that an organization follows will only
work if there is a space for accountability and transparency
within the organization. Most employees look up to their
leaders for guidance, but they will only believe them if they
are mentors as well as changemakers for the organization.
On A Final Note
It is time and again proven that the organizations that
follow DEI strategies are innovative and thriving because of
the comprehensive perspective they bring to the table. This
is not just word of mouth but rather a strategically proven
fact.
Corporates and organizations of all companies need to
invest in DEI not because it is the right thing to do but
rather because that's how they will create success in the
future.
Even though organizations differ in nature, they do have
commonalities; selecting the right strategies mentioned
above will help them move a long way towards the path of
progress. DEI is not just strategies but a rather a journey to
grow and change- individually, nationally, and globally. It is
not just a box to check but a way to operate, and it will
require planning, commitment, and an open, inclusive
mindset.
- Shrutika Khedekar
|
34 June 2022

merging through the innovative junction, it is
Enoticed that the consistency in the global market is
essential for creating an uprising boom. In this
system, the components that affect the value of an
organization tend to conclude outcomes of growth and
liabilities in Global business sphere.
In order to progress worldwide, reinventing the corporate
status while securing stability is the primary goal of any
organization, willing to have skyrocketing growth.
Advancing on the way, chasing down the in-house
infrastructure solutions that adhere to strengthening the
organization’s establishment is the necessary progression of
the overall value.
With fascinating amenities and conclusive results,
Makuachukwu Okonkwo—the crown leader is assisting
the global market by influencing business development
processes while delivering innovative solutions to
businesses worldwide.
While considering the indispensable authority, the
deliverance of innovative IT Solutions, advanced
Infrastructural explication, and digital transformation, TBO
Consulting Group has uplifted the universal spectrum to
endure general obstacles.
How effective could be a transformative personality?
Let’s move forward to find out.
Makua, please introduce yourself and your professional
background to our readers.
I am Makuachukwu Okonkwo, a Business Development
Executive and Customer Success Manager with over 6
years of experience in business development processes,
customer engagement, and the development of new
business opportunities.
Kindly share with us your professional expertise and
experience. What inspired you to take on your current
professional role as a Business Development Executive?
I have been doing Business Development for the past 4
months with over six years of customer service experience
in one of the first-tier banks in Nigeria. In the last four
months as a Business Development Executive, I have been
involved in contacting potential clients to establish
relationships and arrange meetings with C-level executives.
While planning and overseeing new marketing initiatives,
researching organizations to find new opportunities, and
increasing the value of current customers while attracting
new customers.
Makuachukwu
Okonkwo
Reinventing Foundations
with Dynamic Counsel
“
We are a technology
solutions provider and
systems integrator,
specializing in delivering
innovative hybrid IT solutions,
including IT Consulting, IT
Security, Cloud, Mobility,
Infrastructure solutions.
“
Interview with Insight Success
|
36 June 2022

Makuachukwu
Okonkwo
BDE
TBO Consulting
Group
|
37 June 2022

Tell us more about TBO Consulting Group, and as BDE,
what was your contribution towards improving its
operations and outreach?
I took the role as a BDE in my current organization so I
could directly impact the company’s bottom line and work
in a digitally driven environment.
We are a technology solutions provider and systems
integrator, specializing in delivering innovative hybrid IT
solutions, including IT Consulting, IT Security, Cloud,
Mobility, Infrastructure solutions, and services that deliver
unparalleled competitive advantage and business agility.
What were the major challenges you faced through your
professional journey, and how have they enabled you to
become a better leader?
The major challenge that I faced during my professional
journey was the lack of IT knowledge, expertise, and fear of
being unable to achieve my goals. I’ve overcome this by
remaining positive, believing in myself, and acquiring more
knowledge in my current field.
As an experienced professional, tell us your opinion on
technology’s role in Nigerian businesses. and how is
your organization adopting technological solutions
within its operations?
Through technology, Nigeria has been able to use
technology to trade on international borders, gain
international recognition and actively collaborate with other
nations. Technology has also improved banking processes
and simplifies communication processes through
businesses.
TBO is adopting technological solutions to modernize its
business processes, build seamless customer engagements
and effective team collaboration.
In your view, what are the limitations and challenges
women professionals face in current times? And, what
suggestions do you have to overcome them?
The limitation and challenges women face are Sexual
Harassment, Work- life balance, Motherhood, and counter-
response from male coworkers. I’ve overcome this by
creating a healthy and conducive environment, being self-
confident, and being aware of women’s rights.
As an experienced professional, what advice would you
like to give to the new graduates seeking to enter the
same industry as yours?
They should never stop learning, work on their goals, be
team players, and focus on getting results.
Please tell us about your passions and hobbies.
Reading Novels, Listening to Music, travelling, and
watching Movies.
Where do you see yourself in the future? Also, how do
you envision scaling your company’s operations and
As I build out my professional network, I see myself
becoming a leader in my industry.
TBO aspires to become Africa's leading technology
company by 2026. My role in scaling this effort is hinged
upon developing a solid growth strategy that is focused
both on financial gain for the company and customer
satisfaction in the emerging markets.
|
38 June 2022

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