The Action Catalyst

John Ruhlin is the founder and CEO of the Ruhlin Group, a North Canton, Ohio-based firm that specializes in high-level gifting plans to build relationships and acquire new clients. John is a sought-after speaker on the topics of C-level selling, relationship development and strategic gifting. He is also the co-author of the book Cutting Edge Sales. Show Highlights: If you take care of the inner circle, everything else takes care of itself. @ruhlinWhen it comes to gratitude, there is an incongruence between what we say and do. @ruhlin If relationships are your most important asset, how you show them that you care really matters. @ruhlinWhen you show gratitude well, you stand head and shoulders of everyone you’re competing against. @ruhlinWe teach people to give gifts ‘just because.’ @ruhlinA gift, by its very nature, should be about the recipient not about you. @ruhlinInstead of sending two hundred of something, send twenty to your top clients and personalize it. @ruhlinAn unexpected gift at an unexpected time. @ruhlinA lot of times you can spend less money but just doing something differently. @ruhlinIf you’re not giving gifts strategically but only as warm fuzzy feelings, you’re wasting money. @ruhlinMost people walk around with a deficit when it comes to gratitude and appreciation. @ruhlinGift giving with strings attached causes problems. @ruhlin You can find more about John Ruhlin at Ruhlingroup.com or grab your copy of Giftology at Giftologybook.com. The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!

Best-selling author and counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, explains what the 5 love languages ARE, and how to translate the languages into the workplace. Hear Dr. Chapman's full interview in Episode 206 of The Action Catalyst.

Lifang He, brand strategist, and former leader at Apple, Amazon, Ring, and Bloomberg, explores why brand strategy and product strategy must be inseparable for modern tech success, drawing on firsthand experience launching global products like the iPhone and Amazon Pharmacy. The conversation covers common branding misconceptions in tech, lessons from Apple’s integrated product‑brand philosophy, how Ring’s rebrand unlocked long‑term growth, what Nike’s $28 billion misstep teaches leaders about short‑term performance, and why strong brand identity is a critical differentiator in an AI‑driven, oversaturated market.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is presented by Greg Mickelsen and "Best Practice or Pitfall?" Learn more or get the book at www.BestPracticePlaybook.com.Greg Mickelsen's Best Practice or Pitfall?This episode is presented by Greg Mickelsen and "Best Practice or Pitfall?" Learn more or get the book at www.BestPracticePlaybook.com.Greg Mickelsen's Best Practice or Pitfall?

"America's Career Coach" and author Ken Coleman discusses the evolving workplace in the age of AI, emphasizing the value of human connection, soft skills, and relationships, and reflecting on challenges facing younger generations—especially diminished curiosity and difficulty asking good questions.Hear Ken's full interview in Episode 502 of The Action Catalyst.

Dr. Gary Chapman has degrees from some of the most respected colleges and seminaries. He's written some of the best-selling books of the past decade and appeared on thousands of radio and television programs across the country. But Dr. Gary Chapman knows more than just a lot of scholarly theories and practical advice—he knows people. He knows how to relate to people, how to have fun and how to make people laugh. Chapman is a well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, A Love Language Minute, and a Saturday morning program, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, that air on more than 400 stations. The 5 Love Languages, one of Chapman’s most popular titles, topped various bestseller charts for years. It has been published in 50 languages, sold more than ten million copies and is currently on the New York Times best-seller list. 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of The 5 Love Languages book. Chapman has been directly involved in real-life family counseling for more than 35 years. Dr. Chapman also serves as senior associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Chapman is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively. He has received M.R.E. and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and taken postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, have been married for more than 45 years and reside in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Chapmans have two grown children, Shelley and Derek. Show Highlights: The 5 love languages applied to leadership with Dr Gary Chapman.Life and death are in the power of the tongue. - Proverbs 18:21Actions speak louder than words when acts of service is your primary love language. - Dr Gary ChapmanIt’s universal to give gifts as acts of love. - Dr Gary ChapmanQuality time is giving someone your undivided attention. - Dr Gary ChapmanWe have long known the power of physical touch. - Dr Gary ChapmanOut of the 5 love languages, each of us has a primary love language. - Dr Gary ChapmanWhen you realize the importance of quality time, it is easy to carve out time for it. - Dr Gary ChapmanAll 5 languages can be learned. - Dr Gary Chapman64% of people who leave a job say they left primarily because they didn’t feel appreciated. - Dr Gary Chapman Learn more from Dr. Gary Chapman at 5lovelanguages.com and appreciationatwork.com The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!