Kevin D. Turner

TNT Brand Strategist LLC 

Driving the Go-To-Market strategy, ensuring exceptional customer experience and coaching clients in strategically defining and promoting their personal and organizational brand with an emphasis on digital dominance, social media, social currency, social selling, and marketing expertise on LinkedIn. 
► Consults with C-Level and Industry Leader clients on focusing the power of branding, social selling and social media marketing to boost careers, further goals, exponentially grow their business, build a personal brand that resonates and maximize their career objectives/transitioning efforts.
► Develops personalized social media plans for Executives to include authentic message development aligned with the right Keywords, Vision, and Signal to Noise Ratio that establishes their Brand, Optimizes their Rankings and Strengthens their Relevance with a focus on LinkedIn & Twitter.
► Provides Public Speaker Presentation Services on Branding to Land, Brand Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Selling, LinkedIn Profiles, Resume Writing, Beating the ATS and Digital Networking.
► Retained as an Executive Career Coach of Social Media and Digital Branding including LinkedIn and Twitter for Graduating eMBA Students of Baylor University Hankamer School of Business since 2015 and the Baylor Law School Masters Program since 2019.
► Earned LinkedIn ProFinder's Expert Pro and Top 10 status in Personal Branding, Strategic Brand Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Resume writing, and LinkedIn Profile optimization.

TNT Brand Strategist, LLC is a privately-held, Woman Owned Small Business Consultancy focused on helping clients define their Brand Strategy (Personal and Organizational), supported by a network of experts including Executive Coaches, Career Transition Specialists, Job Search Coaches, Human Resources, Recruiters, Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writers, Trainers, & Brand Strategists.

Managing Partner

Independent LinkedIn & Career Podcast Guest & Event Speaker

Podcaster

Hope you enjoy checking out some of my favorite LIVE & Podcast Guest Appearances talking about LinkedIn, Social Selling, Personal Branding, Brand To Land, & Career Strategy.

Public Speaker

TurneRRounD

Oversaw the consulting engagements, sales pipeline, customer satisfaction and operations.
► Drove Internet sales and social media presence for luxury brands Lexus, Cadillac and Sewell as a retained Consultant from 2012 to 2017, training 50+ sales consultants while achieving Top Sales, Profitability and Customer Satisfaction status, contributing $63.4M+ in sales, record setting Internet close ratios of 35%+, 100's of positive Google and Yelp Reviews, and gaining a strong working knowledge of automotive industry and dealership operations.
► Taught multiple six-week courses of the Dale Carnegie "Win Friends and Influence People" to 60+ sales, service and management employees, reporting to the VP of Training in support of the talent management and development goals of Sewell.
► Analyzed and strategically turned around the National Private Duty Association (NPDA) trade association, as its Interim Executive Director, by focusing on revenue performance, operational structure, board dynamics and advocacy planning while delivering a cloud-based community platform that grew membership by 15% and revenues by 30% to support profitable operations.
► Raised the Uganda Children’s Charity Foundation brand exposure, support and funding as the Interim Development Officer for this incredible non-profit, education and awareness organization and orphanage.
► Engaged for Public Speaking and corporate training events as a industry expert in Sales, Strategic Brand Marketing, Social Media and Social Selling with a strategic and tactical focus on Personal and Organizational Branding, LinkedIn and Twitter.

TurneRRounD Consulting is a privately-held consultancy focused on helping clients identify and implement performance improvement measures in branding, sales, marketing, operations, process improvements, ROI, growth tactics, leadership development, training, business development, and revenue generation.

Vice President Of Business Development

American Heart Association | American Stroke Association

Led the world’s largest health organization global reach strategy and a diverse cross-functional team, of 20 staff and 2300+ volunteers with a $15.6M P&L to turnaround a mission critical and failing division, the International Emergency Cardiovascular Care, establishing the global infrastructure and delivering $5M+ in profits. Directed global strategies for market analysis, HR planning, lean process development, product development (operations, printing, distribution, sales, marketing), product licensing, branding, volunteer management, training, business development, legal, international finance and exchange risk management. Served on the AHA Board's International Working Group, Global Strategies Committee, Corporate Management Group & Leadership Team.
► Grew markets from 40 to 140 countries, Training Centers from 70 to 300+, and trained 2M+ people outside of the US in First Aid & CPR
► Created the strategic plan, presented and earned Board of Directors approval and awarded a budget increase of $1M to establish the first remote employees and registered branch offices in Belgium, Hong Kong & the UAE
► Envisioned CPRverify, earned Board and Volunteer Leadership approval and led the technical  development of this global Cloud student and certificate verification database allowing for the first time copyright infringement and piracy control, direct contact with millions of students, and establishing a training center ratings system
► Developed strategic solutions in eLearning & simulation products with consideration for international data management & VAT/tax reconciliation
► Served as the Interim Global Director Product Development & GM for foreign branches
► Designed and launched AHA’s first smartphone app – Pocket First Aid and CPR – iPhone & Google Android, featured in The Wall Street Journal.
► Honored AHA Diversity Champion, 09 and Top Heart Walker (fundraiser) 10 & 11.

Director Of International Development

Thomas Nelson, Inc., part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing

Turned around on of the the world's largest Christian and Family Values books and media publisher's failing fundraising division by developing the strategy, team, and tactics to achieve profitable revenue growth and reduce expenses within 10 months as required by InterMedia Partners for acquisition. Collaborated with the executive team, publishing, sales, and marketing to assess customer needs and product viability. Forecasted, budgeted, and assumed full $10M P&L responsibility to maximize EBITDA. Participated in Industry Events and Association of Fund Raising Distributors and Suppliers as a Public Speaker.
► Led a team of 65, which included Operations, Marketing, Support, Telesales, and 45 remote Regional Managers responsible for account management, sales, and business development.
► Slashed expenses by more than 35% while delivering higher margin sales revenue growth than prior years.
► Facilitated sales growth, forecasting predictability, and pipeline visibility by introducing a repeatable sales methodology, prospecting strategy, and customer service processes.
► Boosted customer satisfaction and reduced refunds by 60% by designing technology-based solutions for communicating with end customers, saving $354K.
► Established, trained, and mentored a 10 member telesales call center.
► Developed and launched a sales website that achieved top search engine rankings and supported a complementary platform for two-tier affiliate selling. 
► Implemented Sales Force (SFDC) an enterprise SaaS CRM solution, to support the remote sales team, create a centralized customer database, and increase accountability.
► Created Social Media Marketing plans for customers and served as the organization expert in LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Vice President Sales Marketing

American Teachers Inc.

Refocused the business strategy to turn the company around, capitalizing on existing resources and market needs while actively positioning for sustainable revenue growth. Held full P&L responsibility. Represented the company to the public, financial community, government agencies, and shareholders. Defined long- and short-range objectives.
► Aligned privately held company and board processes with Sarbanes-Oxley, including upgrading disclosure, bolstering corporate governance, expanding accountability, and increasing oversight and auditor independence.
► Secured $700K+ in investment funding, while negotiating $250K+ in previously incurred debt with stock trades, by working with legal counsel to prepare a Regulation D offering and establishing a broker sales program.
► Launched the exclusive Accredited Retirement Planners program, a marketing and sales services group that allows site sponsorship at 16,000+ school district levels along with additional services and product revenue streams.
► Forged strategic sales alliances with retirement and insurance marketing companies to provide benefits to educators and deliver product marketing revenue streams back to the company.
► Addressed the needs of the target market by updating a nonfunctional web site into a sponsor supported SaaS, software as a solution, platform for education, curriculum development and communication tools.
► Fueled 250% growth in unique site visitors through cost-effective exposure programs and social media marketing.
► Lead organization in social media expertise including LinkedIn and Twitter.

American Teachers was a niche telesales and marketing company facilitating sponsorship inclusion into the education market by providing a SaaS platform (software as a solution) for education, curriculum development and communication tools supported by sponsors.

Chief Executive Officer

Stone Holdings, Inc.

Conducted market research and risk analysis on investment opportunities while compiling and interpreting results for board review and determination of this $600M venture capital firm. Reported directly to the Venture Capital CEO, Harry Carneal. Incubated technology and security companies while establishing a strong contact database. Acted as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and one of the founders for  the VC's pinnacle investment startup: Privacy Council, Inc.
Developed and implemented the Sales and Marketing plan to launch this privacy and data management venture into an unproven business arena. Prepared the business plan and funding proposals. Designed and distributed all promotional material and product offerings. Obtained extensive media coverage for the organization and for the Chief Privacy Officer training program. Served as Interim Chief Privacy Officer.  
► Created and managed the most comprehensive multilingual Internet portal on privacy featured in The Wall Street Journal’s “Watching the Web” section on May 25, 2000.
► Presented the world’s first university-based Chief Privacy Officer training program in conjunction with Harvard, George Washington, Southern Methodist, and Cambridge Universities.
► Developed the Privacy Library, the first comprehensive, Internet based database of 700+ privacy laws.
► Privacy Law, COPPA, ECPA, FCRA, HIPAA, VPPA, SOX, EU Safe Harbor

Stone Holdings, Inc. is a $600M venture capital fund specializing in the information, financial services, technology sales and Internet industries.

Sony

Advanced to the position of National Sales Marketing Manager – Sony Digital Telecommunication Company 9/1997, starting as intern in Japan and then earning multiple promotions for superior performance in sales, marketing and training. Highlights of achievements at SONY include:
► Propelled sales revenue from $10M to $120M in less than 18 months with PrimeCo/Verizon.
► Recognized for many accolades including the Sony National Top Performer Award for Accessory Sales, two Sony Special Contribution Awards and a Creative Event Award. Built and motivated the Wireless division’s #1 Sales team.
► Produced $180M+ in CDMA wireless sales and spearheaded product launches in 11 major markets for Sprint.
► Increased consumer market share for Sony 8mm video projects from 0 to 60% in less than three years through implementation of grass roots regional marketing programs.
► Created two national promotional programs:  Project Educ“8” and Sony Frequent Seller.  
► Chosen to present the Consultative Selling lecture at Sony’s National Sales Convention and to serve as the Video Product authority & Training Expert at Sony’s national events.

As National Sales Manager for Sony Digital Telecommunication Company, the business sector of Sony responsible for the development, production and distribution of wireless products, Kevin D Turner directed the sales of wireless products to PrimeCo, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Hawaii. Supervised three Account Managers, with full-line regional profit and loss accountability. Served as an active founding member of the Sales Compensation and Product Planning committees.
► Increased sales from $10M to $120M in less than 18 months.
► Trained, coached and mentored PrimeCo telesales call center staff and trainers in CDMA technology and sales techniques.
► Recognized for building and motivating the #1 Sales Team in the Wireless Division.

National Sales Marketing Manager

Brand to Land: Eliminating Personal Blanding™ with the Sharpest Tools & Strategies for Your Professional Success. Branding ╽ LinkedIn Profile Optimization ╿ Trainer ╽ Career Coach ╿ Speaker ╽ ⛨ Verified Profile

To pivot, you must first prove it, and then build it into your brand! I know this to be true, as I have successfully pulled off five evolutions in my career. Transitioning from Fortune 50 Sales & Marketing Management to Venture Capital, to Public & Private Turnarounds, Leading a Non-Profit 50 internationally, and finally proving it to myself by turning a side gig into a 14+ year successful business.

Welcome to my profile; I'm Kevin D. Turner, Managing Partner of TNT Brand Strategist, a technology and business-focused Organizational and Personal Brand Builder with deep expertise in Visioneering, Communications, Culture Building, and creating Disruptive Advantages. My passion for talent development and cultivating high-performance teams globally while profitably managing, branding, and growing organizations, has contributed to my career success. 

 🔘 Optimized 5K+ LinkedIn Profiles & Trained 15K+ People on Best Practices since 2005
 🔘 Achieved LinkedIn 5 Star Rating & 200+ Written Recommendations 
 🔘 Developed & Led Teams of 65+ Sales & Marketing Professionals
 🔘 Marketed & Sold $550M+ Domestically & into 140 Countries 
 🔘 Created, Hired & Managed 4 Domestic & Foreign Offices 
 🔘 Lived in the US, Switzerland, Germany & Japan
 🔘 Established International HR & Payroll 
 🔘 CrowdSourced & FundRaised $25.3M
 🔘 Managed Full P&L of $352M

With a Philosophy forged in Customers First, Triple Bottom Line (3PL) "People, Planet & Profit" coupled with a keen Business Acumen and a Personal Resolve to Change the World, I have held Sales, Marketing, and Branding leadership roles with SONY, Stone VC, Thomas Nelson, TurneRRounD, American Teachers, American Heart Association, & TNT Brand Strategist.

TNT Brand Strategist – Devoted to Your Success
High Touch, Confidential, Never Outsourced, & Tech Aware
LinkedIn Service Provider ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Top Rated Pro 

 🔘 Top Recommended LinkedIn Profile, Resume, Bio, & Business Page Optimization 
 🔘 Organizational Branding, Personal Branding & Brand Strategy Development 
 🔘 Leadership, Career, Interview & Executive Development Coaching 
 🔘 Corporate LinkedIn & Social Selling Training & Public Speaking
 🔘 Career & Corporate Transition Services 

Kevin D. Turner, Managing Partner & Brand Strategist, TNT Brand Strategist, LLC
📱 +1-214-724-9111      ✉ Kevin @ TNT Brand Strategist .com     @MrKevinDTurner

#TNTBrandStrategist #KeepRockingLinkedIn & #NEWLinkedInFeature

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I can’t help but feel thankful for this community, the people who show up, share their light, and remind us all that visibility is more powerful when it’s shared.

Together we have built the Own Your Spotlight Summit which isn’t just an event. It’s a reflection of everything I’m grateful for this season:

🙏🏼 My Co-Hosts who graciously pour their expertise into others: Melissa Cohen, WENDY SHORE, & Donnie Boivin
🙏🏼  Our Raleigh, NC Guest Speakers & Panelist who lead with generosity: Stacy Eleczko🔅, Larry Long Jr 🎤, Brian Ondrako, and ANNABEL PICKENS
🙏🏼  The Sponsors who make the magic possible: David Williams (RTP Photo & Video), William Bissett (Portus Wealth Advisors), and Transfer Co. Food Hall
🙏🏼 All the [in]credible people who attend, share, collaborate, uplift, support and make things happen

Together, we’re creating a space where ideas become collaborations and visibility becomes opportunity.

This Thanksgiving let’s give thanks for the people who lift us higher and the rooms that make us braver.

We hope to see you in Raleigh to turn Gratitude into Growth on Dec 8.

Please reserve your seat before the room fills: https://lnkd.in/epPmvN8N

Until then, Be Grateful, Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land &
#KeepRockingLinkedIn!
Kevin @ TNT Brand Strategist LLC
On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding™

#OwnYourSpotlight #LearningAndDevelopment #GratefulForGrowth #Networking #RaleighEvents

Kevin D. Turner 

Brand to Land: Eliminating Personal Blanding™ with the Sharpest Tools & Strategies for Your Professional Success. Executive Personal Branding & Transition Services: 7K+ LinkedIn™ Profiles, 4K+ Resumes & 25K+Trained

Are You [in] or [in]visible? 
Will you let these 3 AI's decide your Discoverability or will you Train them as your competitive advantage here on [in]?

For years, being discovered on [in] was a blend of PEO (Profile Engine Optimization: Key-Wording in Context), MVF (Market Value Filters), Skills Assig

Open article: The 'Llama Brew View' Radically Changes How You’ll Get Discovered on LinkedIn & What to Do About It! by Kevin D. Turner • 6 min read

The 'Llama Brew View' Radically Changes How You’ll Get Discovered on LinkedIn & What to Do About It!

It is nothing short of [in]credible;

a platform that could bring together a group of amazing presenters and audience, many who [in]RL may have never crossed paths. 

The sharing, uplifting, collaboration, stepping out of our comfort zones and a smattering of snow made this event a unforgettable. Thank you to all who collaborated and participated to make this event successful and hope your travels home were safe. 

One local collaborator went the extra mile, or should I say miles, to make sure things went smoothly and all felt welcomed. Of the many things she did, she scouted/coordinated with the facility ahead of time, chased sponsors, picked the early arrival team up at the airport, invited them into her house for an amazing home cooked dinner by her master chef husband with desert by her son, and even lent us her car to get around. 
Thank You, Stacy Eleczko🔅, You ROCK!

Thank you to our Sponsors Transfer Co. Food Hall, Portus Wealth Advisors & RTP Photo & Video.

Thank you to Van Lai-DuMone for the donations of your books. 

Now I must ask: Where should Own Your Spotlight go next and who should take the Stage with us?

Your Transition Package May Be Negotiable: 
Here’s How to Use It to Your Advantage

If you’re going through a career transition, here’s something most people don’t know… Your outplacement or transition allowance from your employer is 

Open article: Your Transition Package May Be Negotiable: Here’s How to Use It to Your Advantage by Kevin D. Turner • 2 min read

Your Transition Package May Be Negotiable: Here’s How to Use It to Your Advantage

100M+ Members are now Verified on LinkedIn!

►  Verified since 04-19-2023
►  Posted the 1st Video on Youtube & LinkedIn on how to get Verified in April 2023 https://lnkd.in/e6YycCFv
► Turned off my Premium gold Badge, Oct 2025, so my ⛨ Verified shield follows me around [in] (Do we need a Premium Gold Verified Badge?)

Are you Verified?

Open video: ⚠️ BREAKING NEWS: ✅ Verified LinkedIn Profiles ⚠️   Kevin D. Turner, US Gov ID Verify #Shorts on youtube.com

⚠️ BREAKING NEWS: ✅ Verified LinkedIn Profiles ⚠️   Kevin D. Turner, US Gov ID Verify #Shorts

Loren (Executive Career Strategist) Greiff

Portfoliorocket.com

PortfolioRocket.com is NOT recruiting or headhunting. 

We don't push jobs.
We don't smush you into a position or company.
We don't placate either.

We are proof that your search can be a wildly fun, challenging, successful process.
Sure it requires effort, but the all best rewards do.
And if you're here, you know from hard work that pays off. 

🚀   PortfolioRocket is a proprietary career curriculum to access today and use for life -- enabling you to GET FOUND for 80-85% of the opportunities NOT posted online, in the hidden job market while building your network for your future. 

PortfolioRocket is culmination of 30+ years of torture tested corporate experience -- immersed in the end to end process with candidates while partnering with demanding hiring managers. 

Clients land their next ideal career moves efficiently and effectively. 
❌   Without wasting time sucked in by "easy apply" buttons
❌   Job boards OR
❌   With opportunities that don't meet their deeply personal criteria.  

Best of all they've scored coveted role at top tier companies like Netflix, Instacart, SalesForce, Sega, Kaiser Permanente, Salesforce, FCB & over 100 others with remarkable results superseding compensation alone.  

My promise is that you'll never approach your search the same way ever again.

President

Career Blast In A Half

Career Blast In A Half zooms past stinky career advice. 
Every Wednesday at 6AM EST a new episode drops covering of the moment career topics with hold nothing back guest like Chris Do, Claude Silver, Will Guidara, Jasmin Alic and loads more. 
Ranked in the TOP 1.5% globally, our mission is to blow past what  doesn't work anymore so you stay relevant, get more than you came for and leave with what you can use right away.

Podcast Host

Fast Company

Fast Company Executive Board is a vetted professional organization of senior executives, founders, business owners, and industry experts who are defining the future of business.

Executive Board Member

Chief

I joined Chief to be a part of this powerful private network built to drive more women into high impact roles and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for women leaders to strengthen their journey, cross-collaborate across industries and effect change from the top-down.

Chief Member

d'Skills

I am one of 30 exclusive Leader Allies of the d’Skills Movement. We support, build alongside, and hire Gen Z’rs who are GPT powered humans, and are committed to staying relevant in an AI-driven world.

Parent/Leader Ally

Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm helping clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance. 

Specializing in all things digital: digital design and marketing inclusive of:  eCommerce, User Experience & Interface,  Digital Transformation, Digital Products, SEO/SEM, Mobile & Online Gaming, Digital Customer Experience in Retail / Hospitality / Travel / Sports / Media / Entertainment / Consumer Goods / CPG, Digital Shopper Marketing, Digital Advertising, Content Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Personalization, Influencer Marketing, Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality / Mixed Reality and more.

Managing Consultant I Digital Specialty Practice

24 Seven Inc.

Chicago's Lead Recruiter responsible for overseeing, training and mentoring Account Managers while consistently delivering the highest value of staffing capabilities to Clients and Talent. 

Performance Successes Include: 
Exceeding GM & revenue goals quarter after quarter achieving record-breaking results while landing and expanding new business. Year-end results for 2018 exceeded annual revenue goal (+120%).

TOP PRODUCER & 2018 President's Club Winner: 
- 2nd Place Company Wide AM with the largest GM $ increase year-over-year
- Awarded "Match Maker" of The Quarter (Q2/2018) For The Person With The Most Internal Referrals 
   Leading To Placements
- Awarded Rookie of The Year I Top Account Manager Company-wide

Sr. Account Manager I Team Lead

Vitamin T

Vitamin T I The talent agency for digital creatives and the design-minded companies who love them.

UX/Mobile/Design Recruiter

Talution Group

Talution Group is a boutique staffing firm focusing on the recruitment & placement of consultants for contract, contract-to-hire, or direct hire engagements.

IT Recruiter

Aquent

Aquent is a digital/creative-staffing agency that focuses on contract and contract-to hire placement for their Fortune 500 Clients.

Lead UX Recruiter

Career Coach & Strategist > I Help Executives LAND FASTER and EARN MORE. Master The Hidden Job Market to Unlock 80%+ of High Quality, Unposted Positions. 1:1, Group & Bootcamp programs I 🪩 Forever Bee Gees Fan

You're here because:

╰┈➤This is your first time in job search at this level.
╰┈➤ You’re done with bogus online applications. 
╰┈➤ Your network's gone cold from years being heads down.
 
And

╰┈➤ You’re unclear how to market yourself effectively. 
╰┈➤ You’re overwhelmed by the pace of industry changes.
╰┈➤ You’re struggling to define your unique value proposition.

And

╰┈➤ You feel isolated in your search journey. 
╰┈➤ You know LinkedIn is important but not a fan of social media.
╰┈➤ You feel adrift and unstructured without a game plan that works.

And this

╰┈➤ You’re seeking value alignment, not just a paycheck. 
╰┈➤ You’re done with companies that undervalue your impact.
╰┈➤ You get it, I do too, the hiring market isn't what it used to be.

But here's the truth: 
→ Your experience is invaluable 
→ Your skills are needed. 
→ Your next big role IS out there.

But not how they've shown up before.

How We'll Do It?
- Align your values to your 'why' 
- Leverage your years of experience into an asset, not a liability.
- Address skill gaps like AI, for market relevance,
- Help overcome age-related biases. 
- Position you as a thought leader -- the solution companies need.
- Negotiate your comp to reflect your worth.

What Sets Us Apart?
No cookie-cutter approaches
Strategies tailored to your unique journey
A focus on what truly matters to you.

The Outcome:
✓ A renewed sense of purpose.
✓ Faster landing in a role you're excited about. 
✓ Compensation that honors your expertise 


"Stuck in a sluggish job search, I watched as a friend landed her dream CEO role with Loren's help. Intrigued, I took the leap, and it changed everything. Before Loren, I was passive. But with her team's help something remarkable happened. My energy and focus sharpened.  Suddenly I was in the driver's seat.

The result? In less than three months, I transformed from a hesitant seeker to Chief Medical Officer.
This is beyond a perfect 10. If you're ready to stop waiting and start winning, Loren is your secret weapon." 

H.Beeman, Chief Medical Officer


"Loren passionately offers timely, poignant advice, helping executives in transition navigate the process of finding the role of a lifetime. Her guidance shines like a lighthouse, guiding you through the most challenging career changes.

One of the standouts of Loren’s program is the Hidden Job Market methodology and how to access it effectively. I found a role that was so hidden, I applied after I started! 

Investing in yourself through her program is a decision you won’t regret." 
B.Buehler, EVP ACQUISITIONS | BOARD MEMBER

#ageism

President & Founder

I'm out of office chasing discomfort in Japan.
Back December 15th.

Since I teach the value of stretching ourselves, I too must practice it.

At 61, comfort zones are where growth could come to die.

But two years ago at 59: SPARTAN race in Canada.
Crawled through mud. Jumped fire. Finished dead last.
Worth it.

Last year at 60: Salmon fishing in British Columbia.
Cut fish heads for bait. Caught my first fish.
Still have the scar.

This year: Japan.
The farthest I've ever traveled.

Here's what most executives miss:
Your next breakthrough isn't snug as a bug in a rug. 
It's 7,000 miles away. Or in a mud pit. Or holding a fish head.

Growth doesn't ask permission. It demands you go first.

See you on the other side.
With proof that 61 is just getting started.

What's your discomfort zone this year?
Name it. Book it. Do it.

Save this
Share this to celebrate discomfort

Loren Greiff

Career Coach & Strategist. I Help C-suiters 40+, Land Faster and Earn More. Leverage The Hidden Job Market (now called Quiet Hiring or Opportunity Curation) I Loud Mouth Age Advocate. #Ageism.

Rejected 67 times.
Selected once.

Yes, I am thrilled
But for reasons few ever think about.
Much less consider.

The organizer, Cara Truitt and her team.

In fact as honorable as it is to be selected I’m in it for the larger opportunity to spread my message and mission.

To end career victimization by elevating, accelerating and celebrating one 40+ at a time.  (Tedx title still in shhhh mode)

To do that Cara does 3 things like no other:

1. Goes all out with videographers, press, planning sessions (spa services optional) and easy step by step to do’s.

2. Organization without the angst or sledgehammering.

3. Makes it clear that every emotion, kid, question and tear is welcome. 

This is going to be an epic experience. Two years in the making but once again all worth it. 

We don’t age from living long, but from living small. 

Go big friends!
#playthelonggame

No alternative text description for this image

Let me settle the long standing debate that LinkedIn has become too personal.


I met Ken Mamizuka yesterday. 
He lives in Tokyo, me in Asheville, NC.

I was graciously connected with him by one of my all time favorite personal friends Jevon Thoresen  (who btw facilitated a tour last December for a me and a crew) at HQ in NYC.

Jevon and Ken work together. 
I work with or for neither.

You can ask yourself whether how you show up here is too personal or too professional all day long.

Or you can reconcile the debate right now and accept the fact that force multiplying real connections happens when there is professional <> personal crossover.

#LinkedinTokyo

I shouldn't be giving this away this killer move 
But the gap between job descriptions and the real job is getting out of hand.

Senior job descriptions are 30-40% misaligned with actual expectations (HBR)
That's not noise. It's distortion.

But you can decode the real job before you interview.

Use ChatGPT or Claude:

Copy + paste:
– The job description
– A recent CEO podcast transcript or article  
– The company's 2026 priorities

Prompt 1:
"List the top 5 urgent and expensive problems this role (X title name) for (X compnay) must solve—and why."

Then add your résumé + optimized LinkedIn profile.

Prompt 2:
"Given all this, why do I have the unfair advantage? include metrics."

This cuts through the ambiguity.
Goes beyond the keywords.
Reveals the real mandate.

Most executives guess. 
The smart ones use AI strategically.

Nail your interviews to land faster, and smarter.

Save this.
Share it.

You will be tested. Guaranteed. 

1 canceled flight,  3 airports and that's just the first 24 hrs before the flight to Tokyo.  

But hearing about other people's travel snafus is boring so let me cut to the chase. 

Being tested reveals 3 things:

1.  Not what you know, but who you are when the unforeseen becomes unignorable.

2. How resourceful are you when resources disappear.

3. Where can you find gold in the garbage 

But the real thing is If you don't believe it'll work out, 
You've already failed the test.

Have you ever had to spend the night in the airport? 
Tips?

At 61, I uncovered the 3 phrases that make decison makers ghost
40+ executives (and the AI prompts to rewrite them)

Decision makers scan for age before they scan for talent.
That's not bias. It's automation.

Three phrases kill your candidacy in under 5 seconds:

"25+ years of experience"
Translation: Too expensive, too set in their ways.

"Seasoned executive"
Translation: Past their prime, resistant to change.

"Extensive track record"
Translation: Overqualified, won't take direction.

The painful math: 78% of executives 40+ report age discrimination (AARP).
But the real number is higher.
Because most never know they were filtered out.

Here's your AI decoder prompts:

Feed ChatGPT or Claude your resume.

Prompt 1:
"Identify every phrase that signals I'm over 40. 
Replace with impact-focused language that emphasizes current momentum, not historical tenure."

Then add the job description.

Prompt 2:
"Rewrite my experience to mirror the energy and urgency of this role. 
Focus on what I'm building next, not what I built before. Use present-tense action verbs."

Instead of "25+ years leading teams"
Write: "Currently scaling high-performance teams"

Instead of "Seasoned technology executive"
Write: "Digital transformation architect"

Instead of "Extensive M&A experience"
Write: "Executing complex M&A strategies"

The shift is subtle but critical.
You're not hiding your age.
You're highlighting your velocity.

Smart executives don't fight the algorithm.
They decode it.

Shift experience for relevance to leverage your unfair advantage.
Stop letting three phrases erase it.

Save this. 
Share this.

Last night, I got lost.
Not the poetic kind of lost.

The kind where your pulse climbs into your throat and your brain starts telling unhelpful stories.

I lost my mind a little (well, maybe a lot) 
Lost my confidence.
Lost my way.

Google Maps spun me in circles.
No street names. No signs.
Just darkness and the mounting sense I should've figured this out by now.

Three hours in, after retracing my steps until the path felt worn into my shoes, 
I did something that felt strangely radical.

I asked for help.

My Airbnb host didn't hesitate.
She wasn't annoyed.
She wasn't inconvenienced.
She wasn't silently judging my inability to navigate my way, 

Turns out she was glad to pick me up.

"Helpful," she said, is a role she loves playing.

She gently interrupted my excessive thanks:
"Asking for help is what smart people do when they've tried their best."

There it was.

The request isn't a burden.
It's an invitation for someone to step into their usefulness.
Their generosity.
Their humanity.

The world doesn't reward silent struggling.
It rewards connection.

And sometimes the bravest move is the simplest:
Stop circling the same roads and let someone guide you home.

The GPS brought me to a driveway.
The lesson brought me home.

When did asking for help change everything for you?

You don't become who you want to be.
You carve yourself into it.

I spent 30 years performing for love that was never conditional.
Overcompensating. Pushing. Breaking myself for validators that meant nothing.

Here's what no one tells you about becoming:

The losses make you and remake you.
Not the wins.

Loss of the job that defined me.
Loss of the relationships I thought I needed.
Loss of what it was supposed to look like.

Rock bottom isn't failure.
It's raw material.

When every external validator disappears
No title, no applause, no achievement to hide behind
You finally stop performing and start sculpting.

Each loss carved away what wasn't me.
Each failure revealed what was.

The brutal truth: You're not finding yourself.
You're creating yourself.
One deliberate cut at a time.

Stop waiting to be discovered.
Start carving who you're meant to become.

The real you isn't hiding.
It's being built.

You spent 25 years mastering your career
Then someone changed the language with new characters.


The executive job search isn’t hard because you lack skills.

It’s hard because the system changed while you were busy being excellent.

Your resume used to work. Now it doesn’t.

Authority used to come from titles. Now it comes from visibility you haven’t created.

I teach executives the new language.

Not just the words—the idiomatic expressions. The nuances. The fluency that separates leaders from the lost.

Because knowing you’re qualified isn’t enough.

They have to know you exist and can speak their language.

The old system rewarded what you did. 

The new one rewards how quickly you can translate who you are in a new world. 

PS: thank you all for the reminders of how the hella travel would be worth it. Day 1!

The ladder you spent 20 years climbing just collapsed.


20 years. One vertical. One expertise.
Bub-bye.

Companies want T-shaped leaders now.

From "deep expert who climbed every rung"
To "bridges data, strategy, tech, and communication."

Same skills. 
Different story.

Raina Gandhi breaks down:
https://lnkd.in/etmEwPQm


Skills-based hiring beats ladder progression.
Strategic width beats climbing higher.
Adaptability beats tenure.

Stop showing how high you climbed.
Start showing how wide you reach.

No idea what you’re doing?
I get it.

While gaming is a 2B industry in Japan,
I’m clueless.

Why should you continue reading?
Because here’s what matters

1. Epic fails make for excellent data.

2. Exposure = elasticity (you can always snap back)

3. You can’t elevate in a the same old ecosystem.

What’s your take on gaming?
Just for the cool younger peeps??


PS: The 2nd floor of this place was swarming with 50+ers. (no pics allowed)

Rethink agesim

“Networking doesn’t work.”

I hear it every week.

But the problem isn’t networking -- it’s how we’re doing it.
Too wide.
Too generic.
Too many people who know you… but don’t think of you.

The future isn’t bigger networks.
It’s smarter clusters.

Small circles. Real context. Actual connection.

New episode drops the why, and what to do next. 🎧
https://lnkd.in/ehWsJGDU

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The Battle

Kevin D. Turner

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