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Dan Smolen asks: should careers require a college degree?

As the graduating class of 2022 enters the workplace, many of its members will carry forward substantial student loan debt.

And the son of one friend of mine amassed $250,000 in debt to earn his Bachelor’s degree.

That is a nightmare scenario.

So how did we get to a nightmarish place where the college degree no longer ensures the American Dream?

Truth be told, we got here, because of the Vietnam War.

In this episode, Dan:

• Recalls how American men got draft deferments when they earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
• Describes how a bachelor’s degree became a “must have” for everyone doing career professional work.
• Laments how, in 2022, a college degree has been rendered a economic albatross.

In the future of work, should careers require a college degree? Time will tell if the answer to that question remains “yes.”

EPISODE DATE: May 27, 2022

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:22 — 34.3MB)

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Dan Smolen discusses inciting a workplace revolution with guest Vinny Tafuro.

Vinny is the Founder of the Institute for Economic Evolution. He is also the author of two books, including Unlocking the Labor Cage.

For those who study the future of work, this much is clear: we are in the midst of a workplace revolution. And career professionals are inciting it.

After the past 40 years, during which shareholder value reigned supreme, stakeholder value is at last resonating in boardrooms. And people who work are taking their seats at the stakeholder table.

In a wide ranging discussion, Vinny:

• Describes the value proposition for the Institute for Economic Evolution. Starts at 4:30
• Explains the origins of the over 150 year-old 8-hour workday. Starts at 7:22
• Offers insight into how metric-driven managers can become thoughtful and intentional workplace leaders. Starts at 12:06
• Discusses the importance of benefit corporations (B-Corps) in inciting a workplace revolution. Starts at 24:46
• Lays out his future of work vision. Starts at 32:05

What is more, Vinny offers this key driver for inciting a workplace revolution:

“We’re proving what really good leaders have always known: if you treat people well, you build up your organization holistically and create a culture that doesn’t become toxic.”

About our guest:

Vinny Tafuro is a visionary thinker, writer, entrepreneur, communications theorist, and economist. Vinny earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Tampa and is pursuing a Masters of Science in Foresight from the University of Houston. He lives and works in Tampa, Florida.

EPISODE DATE: May 20, 2022

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:53 — 25.6MB)

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Dan Smolen explores mastering time for future work with guest Kris Ward.

Kris is the host of the Win the Hour, Win the Day Podcast. She counsels entrepreneurs on how to manage their time resources so that they become successful in work, but also in life.

Time mastery is critical for success in the future of work.

And to that end, Kris and Dan cover a lot of ground around time mastery including:

• The unique value proposition for Win the Hour, Win the Day. Starts at 4:13
• How the notion of working a lot of hours is believed to be good. Starts at 6:43
• A deep dive into her “Super Tool Kit” and what makes it effective. Starts at 11:07
• Why entrepreneurs and career professionals get jammed up with “time sucks.” Starts at 12:01
• Infrastruture in the future of work frame. Starts at 14:00
• The ways quality of work and life improves with time mastery. Starts at 16:50
• The powerful outcome of giving up tasks. Starts at 18:32
• In a future of work frame, getting away from the notion that the amount of time expensed in work is everything. Starts at 24:15

Mastering time for future work allows entrepreneurs and career professionals to thrive in work and life.

About our guest:

Kris Ward is a leading authority on scaling business and maximizing the resource of time. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ryerson University. Kris lives and works in the province of Ontario, Canada.

EPISODE DATE: May 13, 2022

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:32 — 33.5MB)

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Dan Smolen meets up with Randye Spina, to discuss fostering benefit for future work.

Randye is the founder of Marketing on a Mission, LLC. And she is a self-described “business as a force for good champion.”

Her consultancy enables B-Corps and other entities to drive positive, purpose-driven brand attributes.

Now, more than ever, career professionals want to work for companies that stand for noble purpose.

Interestingly, as Randye points out, the first driver for benefit corporations is to empower their hired talent.

In a wide ranging interview, Randye:

• Defines the value proposition for Marketing on a Mission. Starts at 4:12
• Describes the allure of becoming a benefit corporation or B-Corp. Starts at 8:00
• Explains why companies and organizations should consider becoming a B-Corp. Starts at 11:42
• Offers insight as to why career professionals are positively predisposed to B-Corps. Starts at 15:30
• Considers how B-Corps create leverage with departing talent. Starts at 25:40

Almost always, when fostering benefit for future work, companies can attract and retain the best people.

About our guest:

Randye Spina received a Bachelor of Business Arts from Pace University and an MBA from the University of Dallas. She lives and works in Southern Connecticut.

EPISODE DATE: May 6, 2022