Baton Rouge Business Report

What economic opportunities are on the horizon for Louisiana? How will the state’s role in national and global energy production change over the next several decades? And what national policy reforms are needed to help small businesses? Departing Republican Congressman Garret Graves shares those insights and more—including key lessons learned—in this episode of Strictly Business. Strictly Business is powered by Business Report and presented by Insperity and the East Baton Rouge Parish...

Building successful teams in sports or business takes work. In the latest episode of Business Report’s Strictly Business, LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson shares his expertise on building successful teams, drawing from his experience leading LSU to multiple championships with strategies that can carry over to business. Johnson discusses the importance of preparation, leadership and maintaining focus amidst external pressures. He also emphasizes the value of mentorship,...

How do you build an award-winning workplace culture? In its October 2024 episode, Strictly Business answers that question with a panel of three executives at the helm of some of the Best Places to Work in the Capital Region. They’ll be honored at the October Louisiana Business Symposium. This episode features Lucas Spielfogel, executive director of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition; Dan Ducote of Enginuity Global;...

Mental health is linked to business outcomes, such as productivity, absenteeism, and employee retention, prompting a growing number of businesses to invest in mental health initiatives as a means of taking care of their employees and, in turn, enhancing overall performance and competitiveness. H&E Rentals has taken a leadership role in shedding light on the mental health crisis taking place today, working with high-level organizations...

What key market trends and conditions are driving Capital Region business right now? What policy and regulatory changes are helping and hurting Louisiana companies? Those and other topics are the focus of this special episode of Strictly Business. Guests are Will Green, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, and Trey Godfrey, vice president of policy for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Green...

What constitutes an elite team in business, and how do you build one? What are the most critical attributes to look for in its members? And how do you overcome the challenges in crafting that team? Career Competitor founder and owner Steve Mellor discusses best practices and strategies in this episode of Strictly Business. Mellor is an ICF PCC-certified executive coach who has worked and coached...

How do you handle customer complaints and turn negative experiences into positive ones? How do you keep your team motivated to deliver excellent customer service consistently? And how important is it to have a customer-centric approach in today’s business environment? Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry President Scott Berg discusses best practices and strategies in this episode of Strictly Business. Berg is president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry,...

Your company is experiencing a crisis. How do you manage public perception and minimize reputational damage? Longtime crisis communications expert and award-winning campaign strategist Ann Edelman joins us for this episode of Business Report‘s Strictly Business webcast in May to discuss best practices and strategies. She is vice president of Public Relations and Media at Zehnder Communications. Clients regularly seek her expertise when responding to challenging news scenarios...

What will it take to attract and retain young professionals to Baton Rouge? That's the topic our three-person panel tackled on the April episode of Business Report's Strictly Business series with business leaders across the Capital Region. We explore Baton Rouge's struggle with self-perception, economic barriers to attracting young professionals, and how the community can cultivate a new generation of community leaders in Baton Rouge to...

What are hot topics for financial managers right now and what’s the best way to navigate them? What technological challenges and opportunities are on the horizon? And what are the best practices for financial contingency planning? Those are some of the topics Vanessa Graham tackled in the March 2024 episode of Business Report‘s Strictly Business series with business leaders across the Capital Region. Graham is the owner...

How important is health and wellness to executive performance? How can busy executives balance their work commitments with self-care routines to improve their overall well-being? Add what are the best practices for managing stress in the workplace and how can executives build resilience? Those are some of the topics Dr. Curtis Chastain tackles in this episode of Business Report‘s Strictly Business. Chastain is a physician and healthcare...

Season Two of Business Report's Strictly Business series with business leaders across the Capital Region premiers with LSU Institute for Energy Innovation Director Brad Ives. The January 2024 episode takes a deep dive into the energy transition and what it means for Louisiana. We explore groundbreaking research initiatives happening here, economic opportunities and workforce development initiatives. Founded in 2022, the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation coordinates...

Few sectors are experiencing as much change as heavy industry and industrial construction. Digital transformation, AI, offsite modularization, navigating renewable energy, just to name a few. What’s the impact on the broader workforce right now? What are some common pitfalls leaders should avoid when leading through change? And what’s the best way to address and manage resistance within an organization? Turner Industries CEO Stephen Toups will shares those...

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Louisiana Given the current economic climate, what strategies might CEOs and executives consider prioritizing to ensure growth and sustainability? And what factors should be taken into account when evaluating potential investment opportunities? Jeff Koonce shares those insights and more on the November episode of Strictly Business.

What key principles of leadership are essential when navigating a crisis situation? How do you manage the stress and emotional toll that comes with leading in high-stress crisis situations? And what are some tips for emerging leaders who aspire to be effective crisis leaders in the future? Orthopedic surgeon and Public Service Commissioner Craig Greene shares those insights and more on the October 2023 episode of Strictly...

What are the secrets to cultivating an engaged workforce? How do you maintain culture and core values in times of growth? And what are the qualities of a good leader that make it all happen? MAPP CEO Mike Polito shared those insights and more on the September 2023 episode of Strictly Business. Mike Polito is a Baton Rouge native and 1984 graduate of LSU with a...

What are the biggest surprises Baton Rouge Area Foundation President Chris Meyer discovered when he took the helm of the organization 18 months ago? What will be the new center focus of the foundation? And what’s on the horizon for major initiatives like the LSU Lakes? Meyer shares those insights and more on this episode of Strictly Business. The webcast aired August 16, 2023. https://youtu.be/TLjBd6AI22o

What are the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur? How do you secure sufficient capital in the start-up phase? And what’s the secret to business development? NRK Construction founder and owner Norisha Kirts Glover shared those insights and more in this episode of Strictly Business in July 2023.

Why does LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward view his management style as more executive producer and less CEO? What’s the No. 1 trait he seeks in a leader? And what lyrics from a Stealers Wheel song best describe how he feels about NIL? He shares those insights and more on the June episode of Strictly Business. Known for building championship teams, the Baton Rouge native and...

How do you ensure your company thrives in an era of continual disruption? CSRS Principal and President Tim Barfield says there is no “secret sauce,” but he does have a few tips for leaders to ensure they and their teams stay on the cutting edge. He shares those, as well as his successful strategies for creating a winning culture, strength-based leadership and the importance of executives...

How did Our Lady of the Lake Health’s new market president approach his new leadership role in a century-old institution? As Chuck Spicer puts it: Big ears, small mouth. He digs into that approach, as well as his philosophy of deliberate reactivity, the power of relationships, dealing with critics and other successful management techniques in the April 19 episode of Business Report’s Strictly Business webcast.

How do you give an 87-year-old iconic brand a new name without some of your 63,000 Louisiana customers thinking you’re now owned by some firm in New York? In the March 15 episode of Business Report‘s Strictly Business, REV/REV Business CEO Josh Descant tackles the journey the company formerly known as Eatel and two other companies under its umbrella—Reserve Communications and Vision Communications—recently took to rebrand as...

How did a Baton Rouge developer known for redefining the Baton Rouge landscape spot  opportunities and calculate risks for investment? Mike Wampold shares the details in this  episode of Business Report‘s Strictly Business webcast, which aired Feb. 15, 2023. The successful entrepreneur explains how he analyzes the potential of a project while calculating the risks. His unique mind sees opportunities that others miss and that—along...