April 16, 2026

Fixing the Gap Between the Degree and the Job

By Kim Bode

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Join the 8THIRTYFOUR Skills Survival Cohort | September 2026 | 90 Day Program

Every single thing an employee does or does not do has a direct impact on your company’s growth; when they cannot communicate, solve problems independently, or navigate basic workplace dynamics, it costs you a whole bunch of money.

This isn’t about degrees or technical certifications; it’s about people who cannot communicate, solve problems independently, or navigate basic workplace dynamics, and it is costing us a lot of money. In a small business environment, every single thing an employee does or does not do has a direct impact on operations, and when these skills are missing, we become the default solution for everything. Instead of focusing on growth, strategy, and actually running the company, we end up mired in details and problems employees should be able to work through on their own.

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90 Days | 4 Sessions | 5 Modules | 6 Mentor Meetings A cohort-based integrated learning program that builds professional skills through in-person training, eLearning, and mentorship. Multiple cohorts available.

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Something on Your Mind?

This is your Monday reminder that nobody has it all figured out at first.

Owning what makes you weird and unique takes time... and work.

You can start that work at a Big Deal Energy workshop. First one is on June 23. Link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17926966083344316

This is your Monday reminder that nobody has it all figured out at first.

Owning what makes you weird and unique takes time... and work.

You can start that work at a Big Deal Energy workshop. First one is on June 23. Link in bio.

The brands winning in AI search aren`t doing anything new; they just never stopped doing what worked.

Kim was quoted in @incmagazine alongside business leaders talking about generative engine optimization, and her message is one worth hearing right now. The terminology is different, the tools are different, but the foundation is exactly the same.

Full article at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18104129657067360

The brands winning in AI search aren't doing anything new; they just never stopped doing what worked.

Kim was quoted in @incmagazine alongside business leaders talking about generative engine optimization, and her message is one worth hearing right now. The terminology is different, the tools are different, but the foundation is exactly the same.

Full article at the link in bio.

Big Deal Energy starts with questioning the status quo and the rules you`ve been told to follow. They were built for blending in, not standing out.

Thank you to @fox17morningmix for the spotlight on our upcoming workshops.

Watch the full segment at the link in bio.

17 1

Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17995527989959439

Big Deal Energy starts with questioning the status quo and the rules you've been told to follow. They were built for blending in, not standing out.

Thank you to @fox17morningmix for the spotlight on our upcoming workshops.

Watch the full segment at the link in bio.

Being open and being honest aren`t the same thing, and according to Grace Gavin, most leaders haven`t figured that out yet.

Grace is the co-founder of Know Honesty, and she joined Maddie on the Happy Hour Hustle podcast to talk about the communication gaps costing teams more than they realize.

If you lead people, this episode is for you. Link in bio.

1 0

Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17912534580395362

Being open and being honest aren't the same thing, and according to Grace Gavin, most leaders haven't figured that out yet.

Grace is the co-founder of Know Honesty, and she joined Maddie on the Happy Hour Hustle podcast to talk about the communication gaps costing teams more than they realize.

If you lead people, this episode is for you. Link in bio.

Nobody will remember your job title, and frankly, it`s not what`s interesting about you, anyway.

The reason you`re in those rooms is to be memorable, so find what that is and embrace it.

Thank you to @sheleadssocietymi for having us at your monthly meeting to talk Big Deal Energy

Come to an upcoming workshop, it`ll be fun. Link in bio.

9 0

Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18193678663325834

Nobody will remember your job title, and frankly, it's not what's interesting about you, anyway.

The reason you're in those rooms is to be memorable, so find what that is and embrace it.

Thank you to @sheleadssocietymi for having us at your monthly meeting to talk Big Deal Energy

Come to an upcoming workshop, it'll be fun. Link in bio.

Fixing the skills gap means changing how we do things... not more AI `solutions.`

In her latest blog, Kim talks about the need for mentorship, a framework, better job descriptions, and (this one`s really important) managers who aren`t afraid to give honest, timely feedback.

Read the full blog at the link in bio.

7 1

Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17933006451266965

Fixing the skills gap means changing how we do things... not more AI 'solutions.'

In her latest blog, Kim talks about the need for mentorship, a framework, better job descriptions, and (this one's really important) managers who aren't afraid to give honest, timely feedback.

Read the full blog at the link in bio.

8THIRTYFOUR Skills Survival School

Kick off: September

90 Days | 4 Sessions | 5 Modules | 6 Mentor Meetings

A cohort-based integrated learning program that builds professional skills through in-person training, eLearning, and mentorship. Multiple cohorts available.

Fixing the Gap Between the Degree and the Job

8THIRTYFOUR Next Level Training

8THIRTYFOUR Next Level Training

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