Ep 238 It Pays to Play with Kristi Herold

The Silicon Valley Podcast

Bio:

Kristi Herold is the founder and CEO of JAM, a multi-million-dollar global business that has connected

millions of people through play since its inception as one of the largest adult recreational sports leagues

in the world. The JAM team has produced and delivered over 4,000 playful corporate events, in over 30

countries since the summer of 2020 and the JAM team consults organizations helping them integrate

fun and play into their “workPLAYce culture”. JAM has been awarded “Canada’s Most Admired Culture

Award,” and certified as “Great Places to Work – Canada” multiple times.

Kristi is the best-selling author of It Pays to PLAY – How Play Improves Business Culture, a rich resource

to help organizations playfully connect with their teams and improve productivity, retention, and

workplace culture. Her vision is to get 1 million people playing annually!

Awards and Accolades:

Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures – Emerging Award (2022)

Canada's Most Powerful Women - Top 100 (2020)

RBC / Women of Influence - Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards - Momentum - Top 3 (2020)

Sport & Social Industry Association - "Industry Impact Award" winner (2020)

Great Places to Work - Canada award (2019)

Governor General's "Diamond Jubliee Award" in recognition of contribution to community (2009)

Features:

Forbes Magazine, "Create Teamwork By Doing This,’” (2020) https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanieburns/2020/03/05/create-teamwork-by-doing-this/#5c10c9c35aff

Fast Company, "Corporate Team Building," (2019) https://www.fastcompany.com/90510635/without-team-sports-this-recreational-league-company-is-still-committed-to-boosting-spirits

Toronto Star, “Kristi Herold is all about team spirit,” (2021) https://www.thestar.com/life/together/people/2021/02/28/kristi-herold-is-all-about-team-spirit-here-the-ceo-talks-sports-play-and-her-picks-for-the-top-toronto-online-fitness-classes.html

We talk about:

When you look to acquire a business, what are your minimum expectations for the business you will acquire?

How do you know if a target company’s culture fits yours when acquiring a company?

What are some strategies for identifying and mitigating potential risks in a main street/lower mid-market business acquisition?

Would you happen to have suggestions on going into a negotiation that you can share with us?

What are some best practices for communicating with employees and maintaining morale during the M&A process?

How do you ensure a smooth transition of key personnel and talent retention post-transaction

What role does strategic planning and long-term vision play in the success of a business's mergers and acquisitions?

How important is it to join mastermind groups and organizations outside of work?

And much more

Connect with Kristi

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-herold/

https://jamgroup.com/