Tony’s communication advice can help one solve conflict, build more effective teams and foster stronger relationships. Tony, challenges us to better understand each one, describes their differences and asks that we flex to that individual style to be more effective in our communication with others.

According to research we can differentiate various styles of communicating into four quadrants:

The Director, Socializer, Relator and Thinker:           

• Directors tend to be more forceful and up front and want people to get to the bottom line. They like being in charge.
• Socializers want to be center stage. They excel at conversation- sometimes too much so.
• Relators are about relationships, slow to warm up and loyal. They like a relaxed pace.
• Thinkers are analytical, precise and like data- neatly presented.

We are a combination of all of these styles , yet we have a primary preference, and if we are going to be more effective in getting results, the Platinum Rule counsels us to communicate to that  person’s preference.  Easier said than done- as a Director myself- as is the host of McCuistion; a style that is often impatient and much too direct!

Join us to learn more about communication skills, how we are similar and different, and how we can use the Platinum Rule to build relationships, personally and professionally.

This is one program you won’t want to miss if you do indeed want to foster stronger relationships.

As always we are talking about things that matter with people who care.

Nonprofits bridge the gap of what businesses can’t afford to do as the financial returns are too small and that it may not be government’s job to do. In challenging economic times nonprofits address a critical void, often without the tools they need to fulfill their mission.

Panelists:

• Brent Christopher: President & CEO, Communities Foundation of North Texas
• Charlotte Keany: Director of Consulting, Center for Nonprofit Management
• Robert Wright: President: Executives in Action, Co-founder: Dallas Social Venture Partners

The world of nonprofits is evolving, emulating business best practices. This evolution incorporates different models including: venture philanthropy, social enterprise and proactive hands-on involvement from business leaders who bring business management and leadership advice to nonprofits.

Involved in different aspects of this new evolution, each of our panelists brings a fresh perspective to the world of philanthropy.

What’s changing in this world and what needs to change? Bob Wright, says, “we’re seeing a blurring, a combination of best practices of some of these sectors; business moving into nonprofit sectors with social enterprise, nonprofits emulating business practices as they try to become more accountable… We need to measure charities by their impact and effectiveness.” Bob joined us about 10 years ago on a program talking about the then fairly new concept of Venture Philanthropy. To date Bob has helped start 27 Social Venture Partners around the country.

Charlotte Keany, who started the Social Enterprise Alliance – Dallas chapter, talks about social enterprise, a model which helps nonprofits strengthen their business by taking a product or service they may already have and selling it to the public, thereby creating for themselves an unrestricted earned income stream. The earned funds can be used for much needed research, product development and revenue to run the nonprofit and grow the organization. The Center for Nonprofit Management has spearheaded over two dozen such entities.

We learn from Brent Christopher that there are over 700 Communities Foundations around the country, with Dallas being one of the largest. Communities Foundation was initially called the Dallas Community Chest Trust Fund, yes just like Monopoly. Today Communities Foundations nationwide serve the charities in their community, “helping donors who are ambitiously compassionate make tomorrow better” by making grants on their behalf that give back to the community they live and work in. Or a donor can choose to be more involved through donor advised funds.

Dan Pallotta, author of Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, joins in via a previously taped interview and addresses the controversial question of charities being more business oriented in how they operate.  His response:

“There’s been a popular admonition in the last 15 years; we want charities to act more like a business. What we mean by that is we want to draw more blood from the stone. We want them do even more with less. That’s the opposite of how businesses succeed. Apple didn’t succeed by spending less researching the multi touch screen for the iPhone and iPad. I take tremendous issue with this advice to charities; you should start acting more like business. We’re not for a moment ready to allow charities to act more like business. We get upset when they pay their people the kind of money we pay in business… we get upset when they want to spend money on advertising… or take risks… Please stop telling charities to act more like a business when we won’t give them permission to do that. It’s abusive.”

There is no question that many charities, the great majority of which have budgets under $500,000, need to look at different ways of doing business to fulfill their mission. As the economy tightens and government cuts impact social services, nonprofits fill the gap. Yet we penalize the many for the egregious and public mistakes of the few and put restraints on charities, handicapping their ability to do their best work. To continue the work that charities do- new ways must be explored, current practices examined and decidedly more conversations like this one must take place.

We challenge you to get involved in your community by volunteering and writing that check. Investigate the nonprofits that resonate with your personal and corporate mission, jump in and change the world. It is your world after all.

Thanks for joining us as we talk about what really matters with people like you who really care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion, CSP
Co-founder/ Executive Producer
Leadership and Nonprofit Consultant/Speaker
nikin@nikimccuistion.com

***

2002 – Reaired 05.19.13

Dan Burrus is considered, one of the top three gurus in the country on the future. In the 90’s he wrote the best seller Technotrends and many of his key points have become fact. His newest book, Flash Foresight: How To See the Invisible And Do The Impossible, takes a look at what we can do to transform our lives- in this century and decade- and pokes holes at the traditional ways of looking at the world and how we run our businesses.

He asks, “wouldn’t it be amazing if you could predict the future and be right?” Dan states that we can indeed predict the future. And we can have a better future as a result. Dan who bases his predictions on scientific principles tells us, “we all have a sense of foresight, but we don’t know how to trust or use it, yet it is a sense we can accurately make sense of”.

In part two of this series Dan talks about how to see invisible opportunities and solutions to seemingly impossible problems. He covers several additional points from his book:

• The key to doing something that seems impossible is to see invisible solutions.
• Take your biggest problems and skip them. You’ll often find that if there is a recurring problem, that isn’t the real problem you have to solve.
• Opposites work better.
• Anticipate by solving tomorrow’s problems before they happen.
• Direct your future or someone else will. Take charge of it.

His rapid fire dialogue and common sense solutions to many of the quirks of life and business challenges we all share will leave you saying, “Now why didn’t I think of that?”

Tune in and hear more of these incredible insights, as we talk about things that matter with people who care…

***

1919 – Reaired 05.12.13

Our guest: Dan Burrus  is the author of Flash Foresight: Seven Radical Principles That Will Transform Your Life and is considered one the world’s leading forecasters, corporate strategists and visionaries. In the early 1990′s, he joined us for two programs based on his then best seller: Technotrends.

In his newest book, Flash Foresight, Dan Burrus takes a look at what we can do to transform our lives in this century and decade and pokes holes at traditional ways of looking at the world and how we run our businesses.

He asks, “wouldn’t it be amazing if you could predict the future and be right”?

Burrus states that we can indeed predict the future. And we can have a better future as a result. Dan bases his predictions on scientific principles. He tells us, “we all have a sense of foresight, but we don’t know how to trust or use it, yet it is a sense we can accurately make sense of.”

In Part One of Flash Foresight, Dan Burrus gives input on the key points in his book related to how to use your sense of foresight to shape a better future for yourself and your family. “Not flash hindsight because we can’t change the past,” which is what many of us do. He asks that we:

Start with Certainty:

Transformational change brings personal opportunity. We’re in the process of changing everything we do. And humans like change, contrary to popular belief. We need to blow away the thought of bad news and believe that under it all there is a tremendous need to discover opportunity.

He counsels us to:

Redefine and Reinvent your career. While it used to be job security, now it’s about adaptability. We can and must learn new things. This part one of Flash Foresight will truly help you determine the future you.

So thanks for joining us on a must watch conversation about things that matter…

Niki McCuistion

***

1918 – Reaired 05.05.13

 

Joining host, Dennis McCuistion, to talk about these innovations are:

• Jennifer Born – Public Affairs Director, American Tinnitus Association
• Ross Bogey DO – Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Michael P. Kilgard PhD – Associate Professor of Neuroscience: UT Dallas
• Robert L. Rennaker PhD – Associate Professor of Neuroscience & Biomedical Engineering UT Dallas

New research and applications in biomedical engineering and breakthroughs in technology for the brain are resulting in devices and technology that translate to clinical solutions for those who suffer from neurological conditions.

Research is showing that just like a computer, our brain has detailed circuits and we’re discovering more about its natural tendency to re-organize. Each time we learn something or store something, the brain works to accommodate this new information. Some things we previously thought were immune to cures or rehabilitation are now not the case.

The plasticity of the brain and its environment can help drive new connections, which can help our well being. New research, technologies and devices are significantly helping stroke victims. Tinnitus is another area in which significant progress is being made. Tinnitus, a perception of sound when there is no actual external sound, is manifested by a ringing in one’s ears. Presently 50 million people suffer from Tinnitus from time to time, and 16 million are chronic sufferers.

Some people are more at risk than others, with a disproportionate number of veterans suffering from Tinnitus. Presently 840,000 Veterans are Tinnitus disabled, making it the leading service connected disability for all veterans and all periods of service. And, since 2005, Tinnitus is increasing at the rate of 16.5% per year. The disability is costly. The Veterans’ Administration paid out Tinnitus disability compensation of $720 million in 2006 and today the figure is upwards of $1.28 billion with a predicted cost escalating to $2.75 billion in 2016. Blast induced stresses result in Tinnitus, hearing loss, chronic pain, motor impairments, cognitive impairments, communication challenges, PTSD, depression/ anxiety, and epilepsy. In addition veterans may experience 6-8 of these conditions, making it increasingly difficult for them to retain their jobs.

However there is hope. Join us as we talk about cutting edge innovations in how neurological conditions are treated and the science, research and new technology that is leading to more long lasting successes.

Thank you for being with us as we continue talking about things that really matter with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion, CSP
Executive Producer/ Producer
Management Analyst, Speaker, Consultant
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
214-750-5157

***

2019 – 04.28.13

In the new information age we are all faced with an increasingly challenging issue- we want technology; we want information now, at our fingertips. However, easier access for the individual means easier access to hackers who want what we are able to access as well- in our bank accounts and medical records, in business and government. These are two competing issues that are becoming increasingly problematic and costly.

Joining host, Dennis McCuistion are:

• Mitchell Adair – Vulnerability Researcher: Raytheon’s SI Government Solutions,
• Murat Kantargioglu PhD – Director: Data Security and Privacy Labs at the University of Texas at Dallas
• Sukumaran Nair PhD – Dept. Chair: Computer Science and Engineering, Southern Methodist University

From texting to banking, any time we use the computer we are at risk. Our daily lives, economy, and national security depend on a “safe and resilient” cyberspace. Yet, the more we rely on technology, the more vulnerable we are to hostile attacks. What is challenging is that computers now control much of the necessities we take for granted; our cars, cell phones, oil and gas power plants, airplanes and the list goes on, as almost anything humans touch has a computer system “powering” it.

The same information we access and the trail we leave makes it easier for those deliberately trying to take our information for their own use.

Mitchell Adair, “a white hat hacker”, is one of the good guys who deliberately attempts to get into systems, to see where the vulnerabilities are, and prevent attacks. Mitch says, “We use that knowledge to beat bad guys to the punch.”

Dr. Kantargioglu and Dr. Nair are continually working on the research that will enable us to be more secure, help prevent attacks and be less vulnerable. However, as the complexity and easy access to technology increases, the problem becomes even more acute. Openness versus control is a continuing debate, as we want protocols to be as open as possible. Yet there is a high price to pay for this ease of access from corporate security breaches, bank hacking, phishing and other social media fraud.

This program directly affects you. Tune in to find out what you need to do to stay, “relatively” safe as increasing technology and savvy increases our vulnerability to attack. And you may want to visit the Department of Homeland Security site for more information on this growing threat: www.dhs.gov/topic/cybersecurity.

As always we’re talking about…things that really matter. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more conversations on these issues.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion, CSP
Executive Producer/ Producer
Management Analyst, Speaker, Consultant
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
214-750-5157

***

2020 – 4.21.13

 

Robert Hall, a Dallas businessman and best-selling author, who has made the study of what makes relationships work, believes that relationships are in crisis. Financial, social, psychological situations, exacerbated by the economy and disintegrating relationships are causing chaos. Broken relationships have a high cost on our social and economic welfare.

Joining host Dennis McCuistion Are Guests:

• Robert E. Hall – Author: This Land Of Strangers: The Relationship Crisis That Imperils Home, Work, Politics and Faith
• Ami Moore, PhD – Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of North Texas
• Mahmoud Sadri, PhD – Professor of Sociology, Affiliated Professor of Women’s Studies, Texas Woman’s University

The problem is universal. Dr. Ami Moore, a Fulbright scholar, says she sees the problem as universal, not just a North American problem. Recently back from extended research studies in West Africa, she talks of how changing relationships are causing new challenges as families drift further from their native roots. She says, “No-one teaches us to manage changes, we learn on the job.” Many of these changes are negative and particularly affect those with reduced incomes. She sees increased changes in male and female relationships, with marriages no longer lasting for the duration of a couple’s life.”

In the United States women are becoming more economically independent and less willing to accept relationship challenges or stay in poor relationships. Robert Hall tells us that for the first time in history, in 2012, 50% of children born in the US are born to single moms; their children face a poverty level 5 times that of their peers in two “parent” households. In friend relationships, there have been decreases in the number of friends people now have- from an average of three to now two, and the number of people without any close friends has now tripled.

Yet, Dr. Mahmoud Sadri states that he does not see a relationship crisis as such. Yes, we are in challenging times yet he sees it as a time of dynamic equilibrium- and that there is hope for the future. While we do not live in a nuclear society any longer there are new ways of relating.

The good news is that there is a 38% increase in the amount of time parents are spending with their kids. And our social media experts, Terry Brock and Gina Carr, who join us for a brief excerpt, say, we have to do things differently. They comment, “social media is a wonderful way to connect, it leverages touch and interaction.”

Join us for a brisk dialogue on the challenges facing relationships today and what we can do about it, and let’s keep talking about things that matter with people who care…

Niki Nicastro McCuistion, CSP
Executive Producer/ Producer
Management Analyst, Speaker, Consultant
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
214-750-5157

***

2022 – 04.14.13

According to Robert Hall there is a seismic shift in relationships which is rapidly trending toward the negative and imperils society. He claims this “relationship cliff” is affecting every area of our lives. The decline is costly, causing a cycle of estrangement, less trust and loyalty towards business, government and individuals; with 86% of the population saying they distrust corporations and trust in our Federal government is down to 25%.

What has caused this?

Joining Dennis McCuistion Are:

• Jim Underwood, PhD – Professor of Management at Dallas Baptist University and a prolific best selling author
• Robert E. Hall – Dallas businessman and the author of This Land of Strangers: The Relationship Crisis That Imperils Home, Work, Politics and Faith. His former book, The STREETCORNER STRATEGY for Winning Local Markets, “inspired the customer relationship management movement”.

According to Dr. Underwood, a spirit of transiency is everywhere. Two hundred of the Fortune 500 companies have relationship issues in management or in their culture, with many companies experiencing a 70% turnover rate amongst their CEO’s. Research indicates innovation suffers when teams don’t function effectively and as organizations become larger the relationship atmosphere becomes toxic if management does not align its leadership with a relationship culture.

Yet those who focus on relationships enjoy a higher return in productivity and profitability. Studies show that customers who have an emotional connection with a company “buy” 46% more from that company than those who do not have an emotional tie. So is part of the challenge the growth of technology, which has supplanted daily conversations? According to social media experts, Terry Brock and Gina Carr, who join in via a short clip, technology can enable someone to connect with people all over the world at any time. Terry, a former chief blogger for Skype, maintains technology grows relationships more effectively. Gina, known as the Tribe Builder agrees that you can speak to and connect with people you might not otherwise “speak” to.

Yet with technology comes more efficiency which takes its toll on relationships. Hall says, “We wind up being alone – together”, and cites that today young people 8-18 years old average 7.38 hours a day on electronic devices.

Is there hope? The jury’s out – still our guests state we’re starting to recognize the need for positive emotion and a return to our core values…

Join us once again for a thought provoking conversation about what really matters…

Niki Nicastro McCuistion, CSP
Executive Producer/ Producer
Management Analyst, Speaker, Consultant
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
214-750-5157

***

2021 – 04.07.13

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, were the words spoken by astronaut Neil Armstrong and   heard worldwide on the live broadcast ,  July 20 1969,  when Armstrong  became the very first man to set foot on the moon. He was followed just minutes later by Buzz Aldrin. The Apollo 11 mission effectively ended the Space Race and fulfilled late U.S. President John F. Kennedy‘s vision of reaching the Moon by the end of the 1960s; a goal he had  expressed during a 1961 meeting before the United States Congress:

“I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”

This historic moment gave people around the world the hope of future space travel.

Growing up in Iran, Dallas entrepreneur Anousheh Ansari, dreamt of becoming an astronaut. “It was a childhood dream of mine. I wanted the answers to the questions, where do we come from, why are we here.” Her interests in science and math led to her becoming an engineer and serial entrepreneur, launching several successful companies. Still her passion was space, “I knew one day I would find a way to fulfill this dream of mine. I looked for opportunities at every turn.” Her childhood dream came true after selling her very successful company . She  met the founder of the X Prize Foundation, Peter Diamandis, and became involved with the organization.

The X Prize Foundation offered a $10,000,000 prize for the first non-government organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. It was modeled after early 20th-century aviation prizes, and aimed to spur development of low-cost spaceflight. Created in May 1996 and initially called just the X Prize, it was renamed the Ansari X Prize on May 6, 2004 following a multi-million dollar donation from Anousheh and Amir Ansari. She said, “It was the most successful investment I ever made.”

As part of her work with the Foundation she trained with the Russians scheduled to go on the next space expedition as a backup crew member. Ms. Ansari’s dream finally came true when one of the primary crewmembers failed a medical exam. Anousheh took his place and  became both crew and the “first female private space explorer”. She tells us, “You realize when you’re  living in space with people from other countries, all speaking different languages, that our world is a place of people from different places but there are no walls, no lines… We all live together.”

Ms. Ansari is presently Co-founder and Chairman of Prodea Systems in Plano, Texas. She travels extensively, inspiring young people  to live their dreams. She says, “It’s important we understand how fragile this planet is… Earth is our space station traveling through this Universe and the sooner we realize it… the sooner  we will find a better way to live together peacefully and really enjoy the resources we have on this planet.”

US space travel and exploration is still  almost non-existent because of costs and little to no budget. Space shuttle Discovery has been retired. Yet today actually presents the best opportunity for business enterprise to collaborate with government for future exploration. This private- public sector collaboration was experienced   May  22 ,2012,  with the launch of the Falcon rocket from Cape Canaveral- scheduled to connect with the International Space Station (ISS). It was  the first commercial craft to launch and plan a connection with the ISS.

That epic day, at 3:35 AM , as  the launch  lifted from Cape Canaveral, our good friend Terry Brock, CPAE, (www.TerryBrock.com, @TerryBrock), documented history from his balcony in Orlando Florida. Terry, a Hall of Fame Speaker, marketing coach and author, with a client list that includes Skype, AT&T, Marriott and hundreds others; is an avid blogger who innovatively incorporates video in his blogs to coach and instruct. He tells us:

“This morning, Tuesday, 22 May 2012, history was made. Watch this video of both the LiveStream from Space, the owner of the spacecraft, and some video footage from Orlando, Florida, about 60 miles from Cape Canaveral. This is a new beginning in the era of space exploration. We wish SpaceX the best on this new venture!”

We’re including a his video blog (above) of that historic moment as it confirms what we believe is the future- business and government working together to continue space exploration. Thank you Terry.

For thousands of years “man has looked to the heavens, and dreamed of walking on the moon.” And while we have accomplished this- there is more to come.

Thank you Anousheh for your inspiring story as you join us to talk about things that matter with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion,CSP
Executive Producer/ Producer
Management Analyst, Speaker, Consultant
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
214-750-5157

***

2001 – 07.08.12

Disability benefits are part of the social security entitlement program and increasing costs and escalating numbers of claims are causing challenges. Some economists and others question if the bad economy along with the fact that people not being able to find jobs as readily, has any connection to the increasing number of disability claims in the last decade.

Joining host, Dennis McCuistion, are:

• Carl Weisbrod, JD – Past President: National Organization of Social Security Claimants
• Pamela Villarreal, PhD – Economist, Senior Fellow, National Center for Policy Analysis

Left to Right: Pamela Villarreal, Dennis McCuistion and Carl Weisbrod

2012 saw $132 billion paid in disability claims, a figure increasing faster than social security payouts. The labor force is growing at 1% and yet claims are up by 5%. Is there a connection between growing disability claims, payouts, and the labor force not being replaced as more people go on social security/ disability? Regardless there is a real problem with increasing costs and many claim there is also a severe need for reform.

Part of the challenge may be demographics: as baby boomers age there is more need and there are now larger numbers of women in the work force. But age and demographics are not the sole issue. Disability claims have tripled since 1980, and doubled since 1995. As Dr. Villarreal tells us, changes made to disability back in the 80′s have made it easier for individuals to claim benefits. The largest growing diagnosis today is for chronic back pain and treatable mental disorders that include anxiety and depression, with the latter showing an increase from 10% to 32% in the last 32 years. Half of the mental impairment claims are from individuals under 50 years of age. Yet, mental impairment may affect an individual’s working ability overall.

The process for qualifying is still tough. Mr. Weisbrod says that the criteria are extremely strict. A doctor’s diagnosis is not sufficient; 90% of disability determination is based on medical evidence- what’s in the medical records, not just what the doctor has to say. The law requires that social security look for lab tests and clinical findings that substantiate claims.

Are people on disability forever? How is fraud and malingering found out? And what must be done to ensure that the people who actually need disability benefits receive what’s fair and those who don’t are disqualified?

Join us for a good look at the truth behind disability benefits and necessary reform.

As always we’re talking about things that matter with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion, CSP
Executive Producer/ Producer
Management Analyst, Speaker, Consultant
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
214-750-5157

***

02.24.13 – 2017