Jo Ann Herold
Founder & Chief Executive OfficerHerold Growth Consulting
Member Since October 2023
Skills
About
I learned early in my career how much I love to grow brands and work with teams. My secret sauce is I setting strategic brand direction, creating a culture of innovation and inspiring cross functional teams to create, lead and grow. A c-suite, omni-channel, and purpose-driven executive, I have a proven track record of delivering record-breaking financial results and transforming brands, teams, and cultures where I previously, served as the Chief Marketing Officer for The Honey Baked Ham Company (twice), Interface, Inc., and VP of Brand & Communication for Arby's. In all cases, the brands had positive year-on-year sales and profit growth. The work has been recognized, including two Effie’s. Also, a recipient of the National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful & Influential Women, a Lifetime Achievement from the AMA, and received the AMA's Marketer for Good. A lifelong learner, am an Executive in Residence at Georgia State University, where I teach strategic marketing for executive MBAs and facilitate the CMO Roundtable. I am passionate about using marketing as a strategy to create results, impact, and positive change and have an executive coaching diploma from Emory. And that is also why I wrote an Amazon Best Selling book, titled Living on a Smile, and I speak regularly on topics such as purpose, brand, leadership, growth culture and innovation.
Jo Ann Herold
Published content
expert panel
Business leaders teach professionals 18 smart, practical ways to speak up and get ahead. Whether they're just starting out in their industry of choice or have been at it for several years, it's natural for career-minded, ambitious individuals to keep an eye on opportunities that could give them an edge in their professional lives. But, in order to keep their skin in the game and gain the respect of their leaders and coworkers, it's essential for employees to first build trust in their capabilities if they want like-minded colleagues to buy into the contributions they are trying to make. To help you speak up about your concerns or ideas, 18 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices with other workers who wish to present their ideas and become a better advocate for themselves at their current place of business.
expert panel
Here's how to build better relationships with your community workforce, local government, and area businesses. There is much to consider when company leaders begin negotiating and collaborating with local governments to possibly open headquarters in a new or unfamiliar area. It's not only about understanding the potential target audience, but it's also about protecting, respecting, and maintaining the workforce and consumer pipeline that already occupies the community. All brands must be aware of the direct impact and responsibility that comes with settling into the cities they plan to conduct business in worldwide. Here, 16 experts from Fast Company Executive Board offer tips to help business leaders execute their grand opening plans without a hitch—and with the local community's connection and buy-in.
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I never imagined that as a 16-year-old, my experience of working at McDonald’s would provide lifelong leadership lessons and things that I draw on almost every day.
expert panel
This is why working on yourself outside of the workplace can improve your ability to be a better manager who is more excited about the job. What does it take to become a better leader in the work world? You could ask 20 different people, but you'd quickly realize that the answer may vary depending on who you are talking to, and what circumstances in their life have shaped who they are today—personally and professionally. Here, 17 members of Fast Company Executive Board discuss what they learned when they blocked some time to focus on self-help improvement and personal growth development opportunities. They also weigh in on what their experience was like and how they applied it at the office. By pushing themselves beyond what's typically expected, these leaders have increased their ability to operate a more efficient and successful company as they continue to inspire their direct reports to do the same.
expert panel
Smaller brands have more leverage than they realize. It's time to tap into it. It may seem like an uphill battle when you are just starting out in business, underfunded and/or understaffed. But the good news is that, as a small business, your company doesn't have to feel pressured to keep up with the big guys in the market. Instead, reflect on the benefits of your company's flexibility to cultivate a more meaningful niche that will meet the needs of consumers who are being overlooked in the industry you intend to serve. Here, experts from Fast Company Executive Board weigh in on the various ways that smaller businesses can still compete against big ones without having a mega-corporate budget.
expert panel
There's a better way to reach direct consumers in the digital marketplace. In a fickle economy that is difficult to gauge from one moment to the next, the worst thing that brand leaders can do is to take their consumers for granted. Having an open-door policy on social media or even meeting face-to-face with current clients and customers is always a good way to gain a better understanding of what the consumer is looking for and going through. Engaging in those types of conversations upfront will only help a growing business thrive further in the future. It also helps leaders and teams strengthen client relationships and build better trust. Here, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members share one tip to help brand managers and their teams stay accountable and better connected to their customers in the digital marketplace.
Company details
Herold Growth Consulting
Company bio
Proven strategic brand, innovation, marketing, coach and growth expert specializing in growing brands and people. Clients range across industries including: fast moving consumer brands, agency, manufacturing, non-profit and education. And, at our core, all of our clients are purpose-driven businesses and seek sustainable growth solutions. Former CMO of HoneyBaked Ham (twice) and Interface, Inc (NASDAQ: TILE). Fast moving, we take an entrepreneurial approach, and scale business and projects with expertise based on client needs and assemble teams that include "All the Right People" based on the scope. All I can say is that we love what we do and it shows! Oh, and check out my book on Amazon @ https://www.amazon.com/Living-Smile-Ways-Live-Life/dp/B0B8RLZVJB?ref_=ast_author_dp