Ep. 24 with Pam Klein and Miriam Johnson from PowHERhouse

Barb McGrath 0:00
Welcome to a special episode of The Secret Life of entrepreneurs a 91.3 FM CJ tr, Regina community radio. You’re listening to your host, Barb McGrath, local business owner, marketing guru, and founder of the get found on Google program. This week, I’m talking to two very special guests, to leaders in our business community who are making a positive impact in their workplace, on stakeholders, and in our new series, women in leadership, so stay tuned to learn their secrets about what makes them tick. What helped them become successful, what has that journey look like for them, and their role as a leader in our business community. So let’s get started. Our guests today are Miriam Johnson, marketing director with Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Pam Klein, President of Phoenix Group here in Saskatchewan. I am so excited to have you both here. And today, we’re going to talk about an exciting event coming to Saskatchewan in September. So first off, welcome to both of you.

Pam Klein 1:11
Thank you. It’s awesome to be here. Yes. Thanks a bit, Miriam.

Barb McGrath 1:15
Excellent. So I don’t know who wants to go first. Miriam, maybe you want to tell us a little bit about yourself and your role with Saskatchewan Roughriders?

Miriam Johnson 1:23
Well, I am a mother of three, I always introduce myself first and foremost, as a mother of three. But I’m also the Director of Marketing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. So in that role, I do lead the all of the social media, all the external communication that you see outside of our media relations team for the clubs, casinos, advertising, if you see us on social, I probably get to lead the team that that leads that. So you know with with my position, I also get to be part of a lot of the new initiatives that the club does. So a lot of those brainstorms on how do we become better? So I I it’s a it’s a pleasure to go to work every day.

Barb McGrath 2:01
Oh, I bet. And what an exciting environment. I bet it is sometimes. Yeah. And sometimes there’s tough stuff, too. I bet.

Miriam Johnson 2:09
Definitely.

Barb McGrath 2:10
Definitely. Things that the public doesn’t see. And you don’t think about trying to make all those people and places and everything come together. People don’t think about those sort of details sometimes

Miriam Johnson 2:21
No, in our fan base is very articulately. So they and they voiced them. So that’s something that we we listen to, and we gauge as well.

Barb McGrath 2:29
So yes, well, you’ve got 40,000 couch fans, right? Like, and they’ve always got something to say. Excellent. All right, Pam, tell us a little bit about yourself, then Phoenix.

Pam Klein 2:41
Well as Miriam segwayed. I too, am a mother of a young adult children who are thriving and that super exciting, and they’re kind of away from home, I have the opportunity to give even more wholeheartedly to my career and what I do as president of Phoenix group and things that I enjoy doing in the community. And certainly as president of Phoenix group, leading agency in Saskatchewan, one of my joys is to be able to work with great clients like the riders and Miriam on a on a regular basis. So it’s really fantastic that we have the opportunity to connect with those who also see themselves as leaders in diverse sectors in Saskatchewan and across western Canada. And we have a dynamic team that fuels me every day to lead and try and inspire and support them as they are doing amazing things for our clients and their communities as well.

Barb McGrath 3:36
So Miriam, and I got talking before we got started today. And it sounds like the riders in Phoenix have been working together for upwards of 20 years now.

Miriam Johnson 3:44
Yeah, that is a long, wonderful partnership.

Pam Klein 3:47
We’ve seen each other grow and thrive and ebbs and flows that are both of our businesses. Yeah, it’s a awesome partnership.

Barb McGrath 3:57
Yeah. And, you know, I think what’s most remarkable to me, and I had said this to Marian, but you know, clients come and go when you’re in the agency world. But what’s remarkable to me is, it’s a relationship, and every relationship has ups and downs. And even though it’s a business relationship, it’s you’ve you’ve been able to ride those bumps along the way, I suspect that their relationship has gotten stronger, instead of what you so often see in business is, oops, we had a disagreement. And then one party packs up their suitcase and off they go right, taking my net. And I’m going home Darden, right. And so kudos to both of your organizations for seeing things through and building this lasting relationship.

Pam Klein 4:39
Well, communication is a strength. It’s not unlike with family and friends in business as well. And when you don’t have that open, honest, transparent communication and have the hard conversations and celebrate the great times as well. It’s it’s really tough.

Miriam Johnson 4:56
Yes, it absolutely is. No one thing I would add to that is the fact that you know When you look at the strength of this essential roughrider brand, there has been, you know, over the last number of years there, I think there’s been a lot of credit given to Phoenix group to help. I mean, as the organization has grown, you know, they went from, you know, not having, you know, much of even a business office to make, you know, marketing decisions based on, you know, on this growing brand. So, you know, there was a, there was a time when most of the brand decisions were made by Phoenix group to the point now, where, you know, we’re working together so cohesively as we continue to try to transform the Saskatchewan roughriders. And, and in, in, still improve. So it’s, it’s been one of those things that, you know, when when someone knows you so well, and so in depth, it’s, it’s, it’s quite priceless.

Barb McGrath 5:42
Well, and to put my marketing hat on for a minute, it’s one thing to grow a brand that, you know, in the bottom of the pile, the middle of the pile, you can only go up, but I mean, the Saskatchewan roughriders, as a brand is absolutely huge, huge. And so to maintain that momentum, to continue to grow to continue to stay above your competitors. Right. I mean, that that really speaks volumes for Pam, what your team has been able to do and Miriam, the contributions that your team is making as well. Right. So all right, well, let’s think about some of those contributions, because we are here to talk about leadership, of course. And there’s an exciting event coming to Regina at the end of September. It’s called the western Canada accelerator. And it’s powerhouse media who is bringing that event here. I understand that you’re both going to speak at the event.

Miriam Johnson 6:33
We are Yeah, we’re one of the morning sessions.

Barb McGrath 6:35
Yeah, about that. And speaking together. Kochi notes.

Miriam Johnson 6:40
We’re gonna dress alike.

Pam Klein 6:41
Yes. Twins.

Barb McGrath 6:43
Okay, no, if you don’t wear a Ryder shirt. Oh, I meant to wear my Ryder shirt today. Darn. Yeah, so what an exciting event that will be. So I know, you’re just having some preliminary conversations now about what you might talk about, and how that might flow. Any sort of tidbits that you can share with us, you know, at this point in your planning?

Miriam Johnson 7:03
Well, I think we are right at the beginning stages. And you know, as we’ve talked with Charlene who you know, is the fearless leader for, you know, everything that powerhouse is doing, you know, we’ve we’ve been given some direction on the fact that obviously, being the Saskatchewan roughriders, as as that sports brand, and, you know, Phoenix group as the agency, there, there’s a natural, there is a natural connection to discuss kind of how leadership ties into sport. And so when we have, we’ve done a couple other conference discussions, where we discussed the different layers of what that means, and sports are, you know, not just an individual, you know, but they’re, they’re a team based. And then there’s also the coaching elements, that goes into sport. And so when you think of how to articulate that in Keynote, I think that Pam and I are gonna have some unique ways of communicating that, you know, in September Mm hmm.

Barb McGrath 7:55
Yes, I agree. And sport and leadership, what an awesome time because absolutely, as a parent, that’s a drive a huge driver for me, in all of these sports that I take my kids around for, right? Plus it helps keeps them out of trouble. Pam, you were gonna add something

Pam Klein 8:10
Well, and one of the the vision that Charlene has in this, through this workshop in the session in the keynotes that we’re having is to try and articulate a leadership path. And that’s really where another one of the analogies with sport came in. Because often, we see with our kids and if you’re an athlete yourself, there’s, there’s really a path that you can follow. So you can see that season one the end game two, what is it in leadership? How What does that look like? How does someone know? What to do? How to be involved? Where Where does leadership take you and how do you become a participant on that path? Yeah, so that’s, that’s another tie that really makes a lot of sense for shorting and setting out to articulate

Barb McGrath 8:58
She’s been working on this goal for a while she’s had this will be the third event in Regina, if I remember correctly. I don’t know if either of you know up top your head.

Pam Klein 9:08
This is that this is the biggest event for sure. And okay, a series of luncheons and group workshops as well. But this, this is a big initiative. It’s taking obviously, significant planning, but sponsorship and support. So it’s one of its kind in Saskatchewan, for sure.

Barb McGrath 9:25
Yes, yes, absolutely. So Pam, you’re very involved in the entrepreneurial community. And there’s a real impetus and momentum behind entrepreneurial communities behind you know what Charlene is working on powerhouse, developing leadership. Where do you think that’s coming from? what’s what’s driving that? Do you think?

Pam Klein 9:46
I think there’s a variety of things that are affecting that. Certainly there I, I consider it a movement. There’s momentum, where people are trying to create their own opportunities and it could be attributed in large part to the opportunity, that technology is presenting connection access. You know, we’re not as restricted by physical barriers. So there’s a there’s an opportunity to really stretch. Yes. I think with younger entrepreneurs and emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, there is a mindset that is built on competence and a view for opportunity that really is shaping what can be done. Yes. It’s not as traditional as it was when I started in a career.

Barb McGrath 10:29
It. That’s right. And I think one of the conversations I had with a colleague not too long ago, I think one of the things that digital marketing has brought about is the ability for a micro business to exist and exist successfully. So historically, if you wanted to buy media, there was only traditional media, and it tended to be fairly expensive for small businesses. But now, because you can run a Facebook ad or run a Google ad for very low investment, suddenly, that micro business has an opportunity to compete in a space where historically they wouldn’t have been able to. So whether you’re a bookkeeper or an accountant, a marketer, a car mechanic, all of a sudden, you can get your message out to the same audience, where traditionally you needed, you know, much more expensive media. And I think, you know, that’s an exciting development to see, because maybe you’ve always been interested in being an entrepreneur, but it just wasn’t a possibility from a finance standpoint. So I think we’re starting to see a lot of those types of businesses springing up. And hopefully some of those folks plan to attend the event in September. So can you tell me anything about the event in September in terms of you know, who might attend or who should attend the value that they will receive for attending?

Miriam Johnson 11:51
I think, you know, I know just even for myself, I mean, I’m, I’m a younger leader in the, in the industry right now. And I’m, I know that I booked for events like this, you know, so when I was, you know, starting my career, and when I was, you know, getting into places I had aspirations, and I kind of falling was way sure exactly where I wanted to go, I know, for me, I looked for opportunities like this to either learn or, or feel like, you kind of get fed like, Yeah, okay. I know, that we had discussed to about, some of the things aren’t just going to a conference to be talked to, but actually going to a conference and outlining goals that you might have. And then here’s, here’s how I’m going to do it, which ties into what Pam was saying about the leader path. And so I think what’s unique about this event, and for any scale of really professional, I would say, because I don’t think it necessarily even has to be an entrepreneur, and really, anyone in your professional career, wherever you might want to go. You know, there’s going to be things that you can take from this. There’s a variety of speakers. And I think that, you know, you won’t just be talked to, but you’ll be invited to, to really think through your approach what that’s going to fit your path.

Barb McGrath 13:01
Mm hmm. Yes. And so you can start to think about your own leader path. And where does that go? Yes. Um, so it talks, talk to me a little bit about the relationship that you guys have because Maryam, you shared earlier than that you’ve had the opportunity to work with Pam for a long time, and she’s become a bit of a mentor to you. So tell me about that.

Miriam Johnson 13:18
No, I think when I was asked to co keynote, I thought like with Pam, you know, kokino is that excitement with Miriam?

Pam Klein 13:27
I thought usual.

Miriam Johnson 13:28
So I was completely honored. Because I mean, I should I definitely look at Pam as a mentor. I mean, I look at her career and where she is. And I think like, man, like I she’s, she’s right up there with with people that I aspire to try to be like, and so there’s, she and I have had conversations and she’s she’s definitely been one that, you know, when I think of where I want to be as a leader as well, I kind of go, I wouldn’t mind being a little bit like bankline. Yeah. So to be able to share stage with her is, is just a true honor. And so I’m very excited to do that.

Barb McGrath 14:08
Absolutely. And Miriam, I have to tell you that there are a number of folks in the city that if we had the opportunity to share the stage with Pam, we would feel equally honored. Yes. Yes. Panama’s legacy.

Pam Klein 14:20
You’re very, very generous comments and but it’s all true bamboo so much. I can draw on on one of the the comments that Miriam made in that long statement of beautiful thoughts. You know, she can look forward and say, Well, I would like to be a leader like Pam and I have hindsight being what it is, I can go wow, I wish I had it as together, as Miriam has at this stage in her career. And I think that’s also a testament of one of the beauties about powerhouses. setting out to do is to build that network, offer mentorship, and then with the culmination of this conference Bring it all to action. Like it’s great to know people, but then you really want to start learning stuff you want to dive in and have that opportunity to connect. And so that’s really how Miriam and I come together with this initiative is is how that that contact the ball contact rather evolved, and then can grow into something more something richer. And what do you take away from? Whatever stage you are in your career?

Barb McGrath 15:24
Exactly. Yeah, that makes perfect sense to me. So Pam, you talked a little bit about Phoenix before, and I know you’ve been involved with them for an extended period of time. But you didn’t start out as a marketer and an entrepreneur, where’s your roots,

Pam Klein 15:38
I do not have been two decades with the with the agency. And in my early career, I never imagined that I would be in an advertising agency. It just wasn’t on my radar I had studied in educational psychology and computer based interactive training was where I was at, and I was developing learning programs for children with special learning needs. I was working on cool projects with Department of National Defense and various governments and actually working in artificial intelligence before was where it is today. And then the opportunity evolved that I was applying this skill in sales and marketing. And through one of my colleagues and a mutual friend of both of us, Daryl Mitchell, he recruited me into the agency where I started leading the interactive division. And at that time, we have two websites. But the whole idea of communication and educational psychology really is a great fit for advertising where word we set out to tell a story to motivate, mobilize and empower and persuade someone. Again, in hindsight, it makes a lot of sense. It does. Yes, in hindsight, there’s a very good fit. So leadership in 2019, what do the next five to 10 years look like? Do you think how is leadership evolving? What will leadership be for your kids Maryam or my kids? What will that look like?

Miriam Johnson 17:05
That’s a big question. Because I think we’re trying to we’re looking so far in advance, but I think that we are seeing a change in behavior in our, in our younger staff. And, and I think that, you know, there has had to be adjustments made for those changes that we’re seeing, some of that is, you know, the the use of technology, just how readily available everything I mean, like there’s, there’s just been a tremendous change. And I, I, it’s hard to say even 10 years, but I think in five years, I think leadership is just, it’s always been about people, but it’s going to be even more about people. And, and, and I think that, you know, our younger demographic, and our younger generation really feel. And, and I, you know, I when when I was thinking through even some of the things to talk about today, it’s a morale is a giant thing that we always talk about, it’s a buzzword in the workforce, you know, but I know that with our youth, like how they feel in an organization or where they are and and feeling supported is, I think it’s going to just grow because, you know, there there is going to be options, and there’s going to be things. So if you’re, if you’re if your organization is trying to either retain or, you know, build, you know, you’re really going to have to focus as a leader on on on those people. And, and I think that I know that sounds just broad, and but there’s so much that goes into that.

Barb McGrath 18:33
Yes. And what I really liked that you said is the focus on people. So how old are your kids now? 11, eight, and seven. Okay, so 11, eight, and seven. So we’ll just round it off at, you know, 10, for averages. So, but in 10 years from now, they’re 20. And already, we’re seeing how much time kids are spending with technology, to the point that some are arguing, you know, are they remembering how to talk to people how to build those relationships? And I know, we as parents, definitely, you know, we’re always on their case, put your phone down, put your gadget down, you know, go out and play. And then yesterday, they went and played, I’m like, No, just stay home next time. Because that led to something too. But from a leadership standpoint, we as parents still have such a big role to play. And when they enter the workforce, I mean, they are going to they’re going to No, no different than everything is done with technology. Why would I meet with someone when I can send them an email? Why would I call someone when I can send them a text? Right. And so those, those nuances of building a relationship, they they almost start to trickle down. Right. Pam, what are you seeing over at Phoenix group in terms of leadership, you’ve got some fairly young stuff and then your employee owned, correct? Yes. So your employee owned. So what employees want out of the organization is helps to set the direction that you’re going.

Pam Klein 20:02
Well, I think I also want to echo the importance of people and that connection and communication. And, and when I think of the agency, and I think of even my kids is that communication is more important than ever, and leadership is showing, not only in the, in the workplace, around your boardroom table, talking to your clients, talking to your colleagues, but it’s demonstrated in community, it’s demonstrated to your family, and it is demonstrated in the workplace. And I think when I think of the environment and the culture that we have at Phoenix grew, it is a blend of all of that that gives a richness and a meaning. You know, beyond the day to day, the eight to five, the paycheck, it’s that it’s that fulfillment, we all still crave technology or not. What is what is our what is our purpose? What do we what are we enriched by would refueled by? I think leadership needs to demonstrate that it embraces that. And that’s what I think, will really help emerging generations understand the power of leadership that it is not singular. It’s, um, it’s broad, and it’s complex, and you need to demonstrate on all aspects of your life.

Barb McGrath 21:17
You know, when I would think that as an employee owned Corporation, that really brings a new dynamic to leadership as well, because you’re, you’re now truly leading your peers, leading your investors. And so leadership and relationship take on a whole new level of importance, I would think

Pam Klein 21:37
It absolutely does. And it really comes down to that the shared value. Where is it? You’re going? What are you setting out to achieve? And that, that alignment of purpose and contribution and hard work? Yeah, you’re definitely tired?

Barb McGrath 21:54
Definitely, yes. So I’m just reading a couple of notes that Charlotte left with us. And she wrote this, quote, The world is calling us to live and lead at a higher level at this time. The issues and challenging challenges we are currently facing as a society and a planet require us to bring it in at a whole new elevated level of leadership. The accelerator will provide stories, examples, insights, strategies to help each attendee, explore what this higher level of leadership might look like, for him or for her. Sorry, and I should read that last part again, like for her, or him. And it’s actually that last very last word. This is not just an accelerator for women, even though power house has focused on helping to develop women. This is an accelerator and event for men and women who are looking to advance and strengthen their own Leadership Center. Right. And so when I think about the event and the types of you know, there’s luncheons, and there’s evening events, there’s a whole variety of different ways that people can get involved. They can attend all three days, they can attend just a luncheon, they could attend just the keynote on the morning of the 26. Good.

Pam Klein 23:20
My daughter’s birthday.

Barb McGrath 23:22
Oh, don’t mess up. So the accelerator is September 25, to 27th. And Registration is open. I realize all of a sudden, I don’t have that website in front of me. But it’s open and I will post it so everyone can find it. Excellent. All right. Well, let’s change directions just a little bit. And the two of you successful leaders in the community, extremely busy leaders in the community. What does a day look like? How do you get through a day? three kids 10 or 11? Eight, seven, like, Oh my goodness,

Miriam Johnson 23:57
I think I thrive on it though. Like I I I don’t do well, when I’m not busy. I’m much less productive. Like, I’m my God, I need to be I need to have pressure of a deadline, right? I need to have a bit of a full schedule and you know, but I also need to be prepared. And I think that’s my biggest thing is is I have to feel prepared. So having a full schedule. Like I’m always prepping for what’s to come. I hate to go in on unprepared but I think it is it is intense. I I don’t mind it at all. I think that’s that’s why the position is working for me right now. But it’s like I Love New I love change. I love it. I’m one that really thrives on something new and so you know, I think that that rapidly it happens every single day within my organization and with our team and we’re constantly trying to find solutions and So it’s it’s one of those things that between you know, you’re getting kids off to school and you want straight to work to go pick kids up to school. Yeah, sporting events. So, by the end of the day, I’m ready to stop and look at your calendar. What’s tomorrow?

Barb McGrath 25:12
Exactly? What does tomorrow look like? And do you find it end up season when December finally rolls around? Do you stop and go?

Miriam Johnson 25:21
Ah, for about a week. Okay, is that our budgets are due for the next fiscal middle numbers. There’s not a lot of downtime, I think that they’re, you know, you would you would you would think that there is, but we the season no more is that we go immediately into prepping and planning for for the next season. So there’s a different type of a different type of busy.

Barb McGrath 25:43
Yeah, which do you prefer the creative energy of the season or, okay, now, it’s the administrative kernel, I like both you do good.

Miriam Johnson 25:51
I like both. Because when you’re driving strategy, and you’re you’re you’re, you’re really taking, you know, the strategic plan of the organization and going in this is how it’s going to come. You know, this is how we’re articulating it through our marketing channels over the next fiscal you know, like, to me, I love that part, because it’s your big arrow for the for the next year, and positions all of us and our work with Phoenix group, and it helps us really feel good about going into that next season going like here, here is, here are the objectives. And so I love that, but I think I if I had to choose one I would choose I would choose the creative energy of creating the produce spots, the photo shoots the you know, getting it out and watching watching the the watching the numbers come from there. Okay, where’s our ROI? How are we feeling?

Barb McGrath 26:40
Exactly and adjusting? Very cool. Okay, awesome. Pam, what does a day look like for you?

Pam Klein 26:49
Well, there isn’t a typical day. And I what I do want to comment on on Miriam’s energy with what she shared her day, a constant certainly would be the kids that family is an anchor, but there really isn’t a typical day for you. And when you think of the intensity that is working within a football organization, or sports organization, or even as an entrepreneur, it’d be pretty flexible to go on the fly, and respond to demands and the times in a day are not eight to five. And when I think My typical day, I do like to have a constant of exercise in the morning. Because otherwise I won’t fit it in. And certainly, Trump worked hard to become aware of, and aware of some of the mental well being comes in and that come through, so I so that’s, that’s a constant. And from there, I certainly have a schedule, and I, I do know what’s coming over the next few weeks. But that being said, there’s lots of variety in the day and and the thing that I love the most is the relationship building that we have, we all have an agency is a pretty eclectic, diverse group of people and skills and talent. And I have a pretty good sense of where I fit and where others can fly. And, and, and take off. And I’m certainly a relationship builder.

Barb McGrath 28:08
Excellent. Those are, those are very, those are inspirational messages to hear from the two of you. And Miriam Yun and I talked before, when you’re busy, it seems like you can get so much more done. Right? If you only have a couple of things on your to do list. Oh, I can do that a little bit later. Right. So I am very much the same. were driven by deadline, when does it have to be done? Because that’s when we’ll get around to doing it. Right. So it makes it go? Well. All right. We only have about about three minutes left. So quickly. Could you each share something that you know, you wish maybe you had no one, five years ago, a decade ago? a nugget of wisdom? Is there something that you would share with listeners today?

Miriam Johnson 28:58
I’m not gonna post on there’s many, there’s many things do you mean for to be for leadership in particular, for leadership, just in my own journey? for leadership, I would say and we touched on it is, you know, our world has become so technical. And, and I think conversations and the ability to, to speak has has become somewhat of an art form. And I would I would challenge people that you know, in the last five years, I think that’s been one of the biggest changes is you know, just that phone conversation or the or the written written letter or you know, the ability to to have to have specifically difficult conversations but but you know, but being able to do it and and I would say that you know I think that we all go we all go to a device or we all go to either the the email or a text but you know, try to challenge yourself to have that face to face conversation. You know, when you’ve when you’ve met with someone, so get your pen and paper out and write them a note. You know, go go the extra to, to make the connection.

Barb McGrath 30:07
Exactly. I love it. Thank you cam, anything that comes to mind for you?

Pam Klein 30:15
Absolutely. It’s that the idea of connection and mentor that I would have benefited greatly from what I know now that it’s okay to ask for help. People want to help and there’s power in connection and being able to support each other and, and really, that’s what we all love to do is to contribute support and foster success. So it would be it’s okay to make a connection master home. Exactly.

Barb McGrath 30:41
Thank you. That was wonderful. Well, and that is it. Folks, we are out of time for today. Thank you to both of you for joining me and for everyone for listening today. This was the first episode in our series women in leadership. And I’m really excited to have the two of you here with me today to kick this off. And as well, we’ve got some really exciting upcoming guests including Dr. Timmons from the University of Regina. So it’s going to be an exciting summer around here. We found her. Me too. Absolutely. Me too. Let me see. I will be back on June 26. And I will be with Knight Gora. You’ll like kiss Shiva. I’m going to work on pronunciation between now and the 26th of June. Unfortunately, she was traveling and not able to help me with pronunciation today. But she is the winner of the mentorship award for the women of distinction is here. So she will be joining me on June 26 back here. If you would like to be a guest on the show, you can email me at barb@googlegirl.ca or reach out on Facebook and Instagram at Above the Fold Canada. Just a reminder, you can also submit your questions in advance of the live show on our Facebook page. I’m your host Barb McGrath, local business owner and Google girl. Remember you worked hard for your success. Don’t keep it a secret. Bye for now.